Summer 2024 Maintenance is Key to Safe and Playable Natural and Synthetic Fields
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I hope you all are well!!
As Hello fellow members,
we look around us we see that our landscapes, golf courses and lawns are waking up from the dormancy of winter. The pollen is in full force, and we will all be at full speed soon trying to manicure it all. Our ATA Calendar year is off to a very busy start, but a great start nonetheless.
The 2024 Roadshows are complete, and you all showed up in force. We hosted a great number of our membership this winter at the various Roadshow locations. I received very positive feedback about the educational program for this year, and I want to thank all of our presenters for sharing their knowledge and insights that help us all out in the field as we serve our customers and clients. We certainly welcome any ideas or suggestions for the 2025 Roadshows. Let us know topics that you would like to see covered and discussed.
The 2024 Poa Classic, held at Robert Trent Jones Prattville, followed up the Roadshow season with a course full of golfers, and funds raised are donated to the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. Dr. Scott McElroy gave us some updates and insights on the Turfgrass Program at Auburn. Even though the day was quite windy, a good time was had by all out on the course that afternoon. We appreciate the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association for co-hosting this event with us.
On April 2nd, at the Auburn Turfgrass Research Field Day, we enjoyed an update by Drs. McElroy and Han, among others, at the Auburn Turfgrass Research Unit on all of the research they have been doing. From drone spraying to battling Poa, and information on varieties of Bermuda and Zoysia turf, there was a lot to see. Again, this work is done by Dr.’s McElroy and Han and their outstanding grad students. Their efforts help all of us address the issues we face in our day to day endeavors. Plus, it is always great to get back on campus and see what’s in the works. Dinner following Field Day at Tiger on the Green was a lot of fun with great food, and a very interesting style of golf.
Lastly, I want to thank Kayla Cook, Tricia Clem and Melanie Bonds for getting all of the Roadshows, Poa Classic, Field Day and dinner following organized. The first half of every year is very busy for them traveling around the state setting up and tearing down after each event. Thank you for your hard work!!
I hope you all get a chance to catch a break before growing season kicks in in force!! Enjoy the outdoors, swing a club, and enjoy some family time!! Until next time, God Bless!!
David White ATA President
David White
2024 ATA
ANNUAL SPONSORS
GOLD ($5,000)
• Envu
• Harrell’s, Inc.
• Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation
SILVER ($3,000)
• Beard Equipment Company
• BWI
• FIS Outdoor
• Simplot
• SiteOne
BRONZE ($1,600)
• Corteva
• GreenPoint Ag
• Nufarm
• PBI Gordon
• Professional Turfgrass Services
• Regal Chemical Company
• Sur-Line Turf, Inc.
• Syngenta
Poa Annua Raises Funds for Turfgrass Research Foundation at Capitol Hill
March 18 we traveled to Prattville Alabama to Capitol Hill for our annual Poa annua tournament. Proceeds from this tournament benefit Turfgrass Research through Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation.
Dr. Scott McElroy spoke on his Poa research, showing our members the most recent updates on how to handle it on their golf courses.
The course proved to be tough with golfers battling a strong wind!
Winning teams are listed below:
1st Place Team (L-R)
Daniel Hicks, Wade Hamilton and Michael Howell
2nd Place Team (L-R)
Jeremy Sutton, Matt Findley and Hunter Salts
3rd Place Team (L-R)
Daniel Berry, Chris Sheffield, Patrick Bell & Glenn McWhirter
Closest to the Pin Brian Scroggins
Longest Drive Travis Stein
This year’s tournament sponsors were Beard Equipment Company, Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation, Legacy Turf Farms, Regal, ENVU and Harrells. We want to thank them for their continuous support of ATA and AGCSA.
Roll Out of Research at
the 2024 Auburn Turfgrass Research Field Day
TheAuburn Turfgrass Research Field Day was held in early April this year at the Sports Surface Resource Lab. Research Field Days play an important role in our industry benefiting both the turfgrass industry and the university researchers. We are fortunate to have a strong program at Auburn. Many thanks to Drs. Scott McElroy, and David Han as well as the graduate students and all the researchers for their hard work on this project. Following the Research Day for a reception at Tiger on the Green in Auburn for attendees and student members.
Dear Members,
The ATA is pleased to be able to sponsor a a Legacy Scholarship each year for our members. Applications will be accepted from any student that is a child or grandchild of a current ATA member that meets the criteria of the guidelines below.
The Legacy scholarship application is online on our website: www.Alabamaturf.org. Essays and transcripts should be mailed or e-mailed to the ATA office. All applications are due by July 31st of the year. We plan to have the scholarship awarded for spring term of 2025. Two scholarships are awarded annually in the amount of $1,250 each.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the ATA office at 334-821-3000.
Information for Applicants
Alabama Turfgrass Association
Scholarship Program offers educational aid to the children and grandchildren of ATA members. Two scholarships will be awarded each year in the amount of $1,250 each.
Applications will be reviewed by the Alabama Turfgrass Association Board of Directors. All decisions of the committee will be final.Applicants will be notified by mail of their status prior to the annual meeting of the year submitted. All scholarship award checks will be made payable to the university. The ATA Committee reserves the right to make their selection.
ELIGIBILITY GENERAL
1. One or more of the applicant’s parents or grandparents must have been an Alabama Turfgrass Association member for five or more consecutive years and must be a currently active ATA member. Competition is open to natural or adoptive offspring of ATA members. Children or grandchildren of deceased members are also eligible if the member was currently active at the time of his or her death.
2. The student must be enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher learning. Rising high school seniors will not be considered.
3. Past winners are ineligible to apply the following Year. They may reapply after a oneyear hiatus.
4. Although any number of students from the same family may apply, only one student per family will be eligible to receive an award.
CRITERIA
1. Applicants will be evaluated based on academic achievement, extracurricular and community involvement, leadership and outside employment.
2. The student’s composition of an original 100-word essay relating to his/her goals.The essay must be original and not previously submitted to ATA.
HOW TO APPLY
Students may complete the application on-line at alaturfgrass.org or they mail or e-mail the application to ATA at the address below.
Transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended as well as the 100-word essay must be mailed or e-mailed to the address below.
Scholarship Committee
Alabama Turfgrass Association
P.O. Box 70 • Auburn, AL 36831 Or e-mail: mailbox@alaturfgrass.org
The
Legacy
OCTOBER 15 – 17, 2024 MISSISSIPPI COAST CONVENTION CENTER
We are really excited about our education program this year! Let me introduce you to our general session speakers listed below. In addition to the program on Wednesday, we have a full house on Thursday with our outstanding array of Breakout Session speakers.
Registration for exhibitors and attendees is open on-line at DeepSouthTurfExpo.org. Make plans now to attend. Getting together with friends and colleagues in Biloxi in the Fall is always a special time for our industry. And remember, the sessions are approved for continuing education and pesticide points. Don’t miss the 2024 Deep South Turf Expo!
Becky Grubbs Bowling, Ph.D.
Dr. Becky Grubbs Bowling is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) specializing in Turfgrass Science and Management. She completed her B.S. and M.S. in Horticulture at Texas Tech University in 2010 and 2013 respectively, before completing her Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia in 2017. Bowling works in partnership with other faculty/ scientists, professional organizations, county extension agents, and others to conduct applied research and provide resources and programmatic support to the Tennessee turfgrass industry and beyond. Dr. Bowling’s program focuses on environmental turfgrass science with an emphasis on optimizing resource-use efficiency to promote environmentally and economically sustainable management practices for the turfgrass industry.
Nathan Crace, ASGCA
Nathan Crace, ASGCA, PLA, is the principal of The Watermark Golf Companies. He is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and in 2020 was elected to a seat on the ASGCSA Board of Governors. For more than 25 years, Nathan has been working with clients in all sectors of the golf industry from PGA Tour stops, private clubs and resorts to public courses, municipalities, Division I university and even the US Air Force. While Nathan has garnered numerous awards for this work over the quarter century, his primary objective is to exceed client expectations by over-delivering and working to promote the game of golf for future generations.
Derek Kaye
Derek Kaye is Founder of Whispr Innovations. Founded in January of 2020, WHISPR Innovations is a for-profit venture aimed at eliminating 1% of US air pollution. WHISPR’s first project is WHISPR Lawn, an initiative to revolutionize the landscaping industry with RaaS (robots as a service) model and battery-electric equipment. Derek is equipped with proficiency as a leader, automation consultant, public speaker, business developer, robotics enthusiast, and conflict resolution specialist.
Tony Mancuso, CGCS
Tony is the Director of Agronomy at Escondido Golf and Lake Club in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. He is a former graduate of Mississippi State University and has had an exceptional career at various courses all over the world including Belmont Country Club, Nine Bridges/Haesley Golf Club in South Korea, Cherokee Town and Country Club, Bellerive Country Club and New Albany Country Club.
Pawel Petelewicz, Ph.D.
Dr. Pawel Petelewicz is an Assistant Professor of Weed Science at the University of Florida where he evaluates new chemistries for their potential use in turfgrass crops. He tests novel products in combination with currently available herbicides to ensure their best utility and longevity. He evaluates the integration of chemical and non-chemical practices to enhance the efficacy and safety of weed control measures and the capacity of turf to withstand competition with weeds. His ultimate goal is to develop comprehensive weed control programs that are effective, safe and reduce the occurrence of herbicide-resistant weed populations.
Amy Wilber
Amy holds a B.S. in turfgrass science from The Ohio State University and a M.S. in weed science from Mississippi State University. She is currently an Extension Associate and Ph.D. student at Mississippi State University. Her research focuses on the evaluation of new herbicides, practical applications of herbicides for turfgrass producers, and remote sensing for turfgrass and weed detection.
Educational sessions for warm-season turf managers
Networking opportunities / golf tournaments / softball game / tailgate celebration
Tradeshow featuring industry suppliers
CEU and pesticide recertification points
Over 20 Educational sessions on the latest Turfgrass management topics
Tradeshow with over 100 exhibitors featuring products and services for the Turfgrass industry
Business Meetings for ATA, ATRF, MTA, LMGCSA
Networking opportunities with industry peers and friends
CEUs and Pesticide Recertification Points
THIS REGIONAL SHOW IS DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE TURF MANAGER INCLUDING
Golf Course Superintendents, Sports Field Managers (Institutions, Universities, Park and Recreation), Lawn Care Operators, Landscapers, Sod Producers, Grounds Managers and Right of Way Professionals
2024 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8
WINSTEAD TURF MATRIX
1. What is Matrix?
• Reinforced product grown at bottom of sand based profile
• Sprigged field to insure highest percolation rates
• Ready to Play product
2. Where is it used?
• High demand athletic fields: football, soccer, baseball, softball, and rugby.
• High traffic areas: Horsetracks, goalmouths, and tournament crosswalks.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17
7
8
8 am
9 am
WATER You Doing about Water Quality
Dr. Becky Bowling, University of Tennessee
Managing Environmental Risk Factors on the Golf Course
Dr. J. Bryan Unruh, University of Florida
Winter Management of Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens
Overseeding Sports Fields: Agronomic Considerations
Dr. Barry Stewart, Mississippi State University
What to Choose From and What to Wait For: Trends in WarmSeason Turfgrass Breeding
Dr. Marta Pudzianowska, Mississippi State University
Traffic Tolerance of New Bermudagrass Cultivars
Cultivating Sustainable Landscapes with Integrated Pest Management
Dr. Eric DeBoer, Louisiana State University
Robotic Lawn Mowing & Battery Electric Landscaping –Pushing for Change
Derek Kaye, Whispr Innovations
Mowing Technology for Sod Farmers
Dr. Scott McElroy, Auburn University
Optimal Nitrogen Rates and Compost Utilization for Sod Production
Dr. AJ Lindsey, University of Florida
10 am
Dr. Eric DeBoer, Louisiana State University
Managing Ultradwarf Greens
11 am
Tony Mancuso, Escondido Golf and Lake Club
Dr. Dave Han, Auburn University
Overseeded and Non-Overseeded Sports Fields
Dr. Scott McElroy, Auburn University
Dr. Jay McCurdy, Mississippi State University
and Dr. Pawel Petelewicz, University of Florida
Herbicide Headaches: Understanding Possible Reasons for Herbicide Failures
Dr. Pawel Petelwicz, University of Florida
Potential Strategies for Reducing Fertilizer and Irrigation Inputs
Dr. AJ Lindsey, University of Florida
Soil Health Characteristics in Sod Production
Jason Eberhard, Mississippi State University
Landscapes are Changing: Are Sod Producers Prepared?
Dr. J. Bryan Unruh, University of Florida
DEEP SOUTH TURF EXPO •
ACTIVITIES & ACCOMMODATIONS
TAILGATE CELEBRATION
Kick off the Expo with your peers at Tailgate Celebration at The Preserve Golf Course, opening night, Tuesday, October 15th. Sponsors will be cooking up some tailgate favorites for you to enjoy while mingling and networking with attendees all over the southeast. This event is free and open to all attendees, exhibitors, and guest. Preregistration is required to help plan food. Directions: 8901 Highway 57, Vancleave, MS 39565. Just 17 miles from Biloxi, travel east on I-10 and take exit 57 / MS-57. Turn north and the golf club will be two miles on the left.
SCRAMBLE GOLF TOURNAMENT
The scramble golf tournament will be held on Tuesday, October 15th at The Preserve Golf Club. The Preserve is an 18-hole course which has been integrated within an 1800-acre native preserve full of live oaks, cypress swamps, long leaf pines and native grass prairies and designed by Jerry Pate. Bring your clubs and prepare yourself for a wonderful afternoon of golf with your peers. Lunch and two drinks will be included in your registration (and the Tailgate Celebration will follow immediately after play). Preregistration is required. Directions: 8901 Highway 57, Vancleave, MS 39565. Just 17 miles from Biloxi, travel east on I-10 and take exit 57 / MS-57. Turn north and the golf club will be two miles on the left.
SOFTBALL GAME
Interested in a friendly game of softball with your peers? We are hosting a softball game where anyone who registers can play a fun game of softball at the Gulfport Sports Complex on Tuesday, October 15th. Teams will be randomly assigned and provided with team T-shirts. Must register in advance and bring your glove. Directions: 17200 16th Street, Gulfport, MS 39503. From the MCCC, travel west on Highway 90 for 3.2 miles and turn right on Cowan Road (MS 605). Travel 4.4 miles to I-10 and travel west for 3.5 miles. Take exit 34B onto US-49N for .6 miles. Turn left onto Landon Road for 1.3 miles and turn left into 16th Street. Travel .4 miles, the complex will be on the left.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Our host hotel is the Beau Rivage, a Four-Diamond development by MGM Resorts International that sits directly on the Gulf of Mexico in Biloxi. The Deep South Turf Expo has secured a discounted room rate of $109 for Expo attendees. Make your reservations directly by using our exclusive link found by clicking the red button at www.DeepSouthTurfExpo.org . It is important that you DO NOT use a third party provider/discounter to make your reservation; only use our link. Don’t delay—our room rate is only available until Monday, September 23, 2024.
The Mississippi Coast Convention Center is our home for the educational sessions and tradeshow at the Deep South Turf Expo. It is a multi-purpose, state-of-the-art facility that sits directly across the Gulf of Mexico just 5 miles west of The Beau Rivage at 2350 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39531.
REGISTRATION FORM
OCTOBER 15 – 17, 2024 MISSISSIPPI COAST CONVENTION CENTER
STEP 1 – Attendee Information
SEGMENT:
STEP 2 – Conference
Expo Registration
Includes all educational sessions, tradeshow, tailgate celebration, continental breakfasts and trade show lunch. Note: On-line registration closes on Friday, October 4th!
STEP 3 – Ticketed Events
Pairing Requests
T-Shirt Size: Preferred # Tailgate Celebration — Oct. 15 — FREE, BUT LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING
STEP
4
– Payment
from Step 2 – Conference Registration:
If paying by check, please make out to DSTE and include with registration form. Refund request must be received in writing to t he registrar no later than October 1, 2024. Refunds will be issued minus a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued for requests after October 1, 2024.
Remit registration form to: Deep South Turf Expo, P.O. Box 2323, Auburn, AL 36831 For assistance with registration, please call 334-821-3000 or email: info@DeepSouthTurfExpo.org
Please complete one form per person. Registration is available online at www.DeepSouthTurfExpo.org
Sheldon Rogers LSU Horticulture Leader
“This grass can definitely take the heat…it is a very aggressive grass. It can take the abuse so we do a lot of topdressing, verticutting, aerifying and things like that.”
At almost 11,000 capacity, Alex Box Stadium has been one of the premier facilities in all of college baseball since its opening in 2009. It has played host to numerous NCAA regionals and super regionals. Celebration Bermudagrass has been as much a staple at this ballpark as hotdogs. This grass gives the Tigers baseball team a complete surface; a surface that responds to the ball and rapidly recovers from damage.
“It Pays to be in the Right Place at the Right Time”
According to ERIC KLEYPAS , Director of Athletic Turf and Grounds, Auburn University
Eric Kleypas came to Auburn to study chemical engineering. His interest in turf was initially sparked by a friend, Neil Moore, who was majoring in turf management. After switching majors, Eric followed Neil to Nashville for a summer and interned at Belle Meade Country Club. The head superintendent, Doug Ward, was the son of the famous Dr. Coleman Ward.
Eric might have become a golf course superintendent, but while still an undergraduate, the Auburn Athletic Department reached out to the turfgrass program, asking for assistance with the athletic fields. An agreement was reached whereby the Athletics Department would fund a couple of graduate student stipends, and, in return, the turf program would schedule and assist with all fertilizer and pesticide applications. Eric began working with a few other students to help improve the athletic fields and immediately fell in love with college athletics. After completing a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Soils/ Turfgrass management, and a master’s degree in agriculture, Eric was hired as the turfgrass manager at Auburn.
“It pays to be in the right place at the right time,” according to Eric, but he was also privileged to work with talented academics. Dr. Jeffrey Higgins, Dr. Elizabeth Guertal, and Dr. Harold Walker, among others, all assisted Eric in accomplishing his career goals. As someone once advised Eric, “When formulating a plan, it’s easy to agree with yourself. The best plans come when two or more agree on the same path.” Certainly, this was the best advice considering the agronomic brain trust he had to draw from at Auburn University.
And Eric was driven to achieve excellence. “Early in my career, I did not know how to ‘go home’. I would work on the fields from sunrise until dark. I wanted the best athletic fields in the country. As the youngest turf manager in the Southeastern Conference, I strived to prove that I was worthy of running with the big boys. I would skip vacations in fear of what might go wrong or what work would not get completed. Physically and mentally, I was doing too much. Marriage, fatherhood, and years of experience have taught me to balance work with home… well, better than before. My perspective is much better than at the beginning of my career. We are growing grass for the Auburn Tigers and having a ton of fun while doing the job.”
For Eric one of the best parts of the job is working events with the crew. “The long hours provide laughs and comradery within the group. Watching employees learn, grow, and excel is an added perk. I also love working outside at a job with tangible results. We know when we have excelled or fallen short by simply looking at the playing conditions.”
It does surprise Eric that artificial turf is not more popular in the industry. “When I was young, high school coaches oversaw maintaining the natural grass fields. Today, so much of the high school game is played on artificial turf. Coaches no longer take
care of grass and lack the knowledge of what it takes to protect a field. Athletes are not as familiar with running on wet or slick natural grass during rain events. So, when I read or hear that athletes still prefer practicing and competing on natural grass, it surprises me. It also make me extremely happy.”
Along with many in our industry, Eric enjoys being outdoors. “I love to hunt and fish. My family enjoys visiting Mobile Bay and staying at the Grand Hotel. My son and I fish off the pier. We also appreciate the shopping and restaurants in downtown Fairhope.”
Another pleasure for Eric is attending sporting events where he has no responsibilities. “My wife and son are huge Braves fans, so we hop over to Atlanta whenever possible. I find it extremely relaxing to enjoy a game without worrying about field conditions or weather. We also love Auburn basketball! Our family afternoons involve shooting or throwing whatever ball that Auburn is competing with at the time. If it’s football season, then we are in the front yard throwing touchdown passes. One huge benefit of working at Auburn is experiencing the events through the eyes of my child. I have determined the largest sports fans in the world are the children of employees who work for an organization. When my son matures, I wonder if he will realize just how cool his childhood was?”
Eric is married to Vanessa, who grew up in Winfield, Alabama and is a graduate from Auburn with a degree in Interior Design. She works at Auburn University as a Design/Construction Coordinator. Their son, Dutch, is 10 years old and in 4th grade at Wrights Mill Elementary School. Dutch is a lover of hunting, fishing, playing Fortnite, and all things Auburn.
Eric is a member of the Sports Field Managers Association as well as the ATA. We wish him a great upcoming football season this fall!
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A MERGER THAT HAS TURF AT HEART
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Maintenance is Key to PLAYABLE AND SAFE Natural and Synthetic Fields
By Glenn Lucas
Iwrite this article in April, but when you receive the magazine in your mailbox, we will be in the middle of the summer: wishing the summer heat would transition into fall weather; that the torrential rainstorms would not be as severe; and praying and hoping that hurricane season is nonexistent this year. These are things to hope and pray for, but we have no control over any of them. The following paragraphs will discuss things we can control.
Maintenance is a major factor in keeping athletic fields safe and playable for athletes and weekend warriors once they step on your fields to compete for championships, trophies, rings… you get the picture. If fields are deemed unsafe and unplayable, it becomes our responsibility as field managers to take all necessary measures, within our control, to ensure their safety. This applies not only to natural turfgrass fields, but also to synthetic (artificial) fields, which are found not only in major cities but also in rural communities.
Maintenance is essential for all types of fields, whether they are natural or synthetic, although the methods differ for each surface. In 1998, when I started in the industry, most of the athletic fields were natural with very few AstroTurf fields. In 2024, there are still more natural fields, but synthetic fields are quickly becoming a reality in cities across the country. So, with all this in mind, I will highlight some thoughts and ideas that can help make your fields better for your athletes and keep the fields safe and playable. These suggestions are not an all-inclusive list for maintenance, but some of these are the most often neglected in field maintenance practices.
1. Soil Sample. A soil sample for sports fields is analogous to a person having a physical every year. By pulling cores and getting soil samples, you can discover what is happening on the field, as well as direct the fertility program for the upcoming season. Soil sampling allows you, at very little cost, to plan for the growing season and fertility calendar for your fields, as well as help you budget for the year. Recommendations are to have your soil tested in, or around, the same time each year. This enables an accurate analysis of the soil and prevents results being skewed with a recent application of lime or fertilizer. Samples can be tested at multiple independent laboratories across the USA, or you can send them to your local extension agent, and they can get the results. You can find state by state testing sites @ https://www.justpuregardening.com/state-by-statelist-of-soil-testing-laboratories/
2. Preemergent Herbicides are a form of chemical weed control which prevents germinated weed seedlings from becoming established. Why is this important? It allows your preferred turfgrass (typically Bermuda on sports fields) to thrive and flourish without any competition from weeds, or non-desirable plants. The question is often asked, “Can I apply a preemergent herbicide if my field is overseeded every year with Ryegrass?” Yes! You can use a preemergent, but read the label prior to applying and identify the window that is needed from time of application to the time of your overseed. For example, Dimension is one of several preemergent herbicides that has a window of 6–8 weeks before overseeding. If you miss the window and overseed too early, it can hinder your ryegrass from becoming established in the fall. As
with any herbicide, pre or post, always read the label and follow the instructions exactly.
3. Aerification and Topdressing. These two cultural practices are some of the most overlooked and least utilized when managing sports fields. Waldo Terrell, former SEC turfgrass director, mentioned this in a turfgrass conference. “If you think you have aerified your field enough during the summer, then do it one more time.” Aerification can help the turfgrass reduce thatch buildup, reduce compaction, allow nutrients, water, and oxygen to get to the root system, and overall make your turf healthier. There are several methods to the process of aerifying: solid tines, core or hollow tines (deep or shallow), bayonet tines, needle tines, talon tines, etc. Whichever method you choose, the suggestion is at least once during the growing season, you need to core aerate and top-dress with a clean washed sand, USGA is preferred. Topdressing your field after core aerating will allow the sand to move into the pore spaces created and allow for the water and nutrients to get to the roots with less resistance.
Along with aerification and topdressing, the process of Fraze mowing has gained momentum as a method of maintaining turfgrass. According to Advanced Turf Solutions website, Fraze mowing is a field renovation technique that removes thatch and organic matter build-up and leaves the strongest grass to regenerate. The process of Fraze mowing is the removal of the top layer of turfgrass which encompasses any weed seeds present in the thatch layer. It also helps shave down any high spots in the field creating a more level playing surface.
Aerate and Play Right Away!
Decreased down time, increased revenue.
The surface is very “puttable.”
The dots are sand that is level with the turf.
DryJect® is a high-pressure, water based injection system that blasts holes through the root zone and fractures the soil profile. Plus, it automatically fills holes as it aerates.
DryJect® makes a big difference in playability … right away!
4. Mowing. Creating a dense healthy turf is the best herbicide that money can buy and mowing on a regular basis is the key to achieving healthy turf. Ideally you want to use a reel mower (Toro, John Deere, Jacobsen) that allows the turf to be mowed or cut between a bed knife and reel, scissor approach to cutting the blade of grass. A general rule of thumb is you do not want to remove more than 1/3 of the blade of grass each time you mow. Therefore, you will need to mow your field 3–5 times per week, depending on how much the grass is growing.
a. There are chemicals that can be used to help slow the growth of grass (plant growth regulators or PGRs.) They limit the vertical growth of the plant. If you decide to use PGR’s, be sure to follow the label and apply every 28 days during peak growing season.
b. As technology increases, the industry is seeing the influence of autonomous mowers, like the robotic vacuums that are used in many homes. The use of autonomous mowers allows you to save time. In the industry, some groundskeepers are using the mower during the offseason to minimize the footprint from the reel mower. Now, don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing like mowing a field and seeing the results of your work, but if you can save time and allow the robotic mower to cut the grass, it allows you to spend time elsewhere on, or around, your field, etc.
5. Fertility. Fuel is important to all living things, whether it be people, animals, flowers, plants, or turfgrass. Fertilizer is the fuel for your turfgrass. When choosing a fertilizer, you need to identify one thing: How long do you want the fertilizer to last? Once you determine the timeframe, you can then decide which fertilizer should be applied to your field. If you want a quick spurt of growth, you can use a 13-13-13, 21-0-0, etc., without any slow-release components in the bag.
This will give you quick green up and growth, yet it only is available to the plant for 2-4 weeks. If you want your fertilizer to last 8-10 weeks, then a 24-2-11 with 50% polymer coated urea will be needed. We have all heard that time is money, so, with the fertilizer you choose, you will pay for time in the cost per bag. Example, a bag of Triple 13 that lasts 2-4 weeks will cost less than a 24-2-11 that lasts 8-10 weeks. If you take the cost per bag and the cost of your time to apply the fertilizer, it will help you decide which is best for your field and budget in consideration to how long you want it to last. With any plant, a nice consistent feed during the growing season is ideal to provide dense healthy turf.
As mentioned earlier, synthetic fields are an ever-growing reality in the world of athletics and these fields are not maintenance free. They require maintenance and if not maintained properly, then they become unsafe and not very playable for the athletes. I have been involved in local municipalities that have installed synthetic fields ranging from entire fields to just the infield surfaces. I stressed to the board of alderman that yes, you can install synthetic fields, but are you as a city willing to invest to keep them safe for years to come? You don’t have to water, mow, fertilize, etc., on synthetic fields, but you do have to broom or brush them, as well as add infill material (crumb rubber, sand, etc.) Additionally, worn turf around Homeplate and the sliding areas around the bases or in front of the pitching rubber must be replaced. If you have a natural outfield and synthetic infield, the transition will have to be edged and maintained to allow for a smooth ball roll from one surface to the other.
As with anything in life, maintenance is the key to keeping fields, houses, cars, etc. in good or great condition. Being a turfgrass (field) manager, we should always keep safety and playability at the forefront of our minds. Making it a priority through daily, weekly, monthly and yearly maintenance practices, we can assure the fields to be ready for any athlete.
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Leadership Cultivating
By Jeff McManus
At the age of 37, the University of Mississippi hired Jeff as the Director of the newly formed Landscape Services Department. As one of the most junior directors on campus the immediate challenges that faced him were staggering – exceptionally low morale with an unacceptable lack of productivity. In many ways, the Ole Miss landscape services was an extreme example of the same problems facing many organizations then and today.
Jeff believed the challenges could be overcome with focused team effort. So, he established a four-step process he calls “The GROW System.” Jeff works from the position that everybody wants to be successful, and they can be by recognizing their personal potential. Great Teams, Raising Results, Offense Scores and Winning Attitudes formed Jeff’s GROW System.
Jeff has been praised by Forbes and the Huffington Post for his book, Growing Weeders into Leaders, where he shares how his team went from last place to being on the national stage. It wasn’t long before Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS), Newsweek, Princeton Review and USA Today all recognized Jeff’s teamwork and awarded their efforts with the nation’s most beautiful campus designation.
Some winning strategies for growing leadership have been shared by Jeff here!
(Reprinted with Permission of Jeff McManus)
SIMPLE REWARDS
“There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.”
– Mother Teresa –
Giving recognition and appreciation in the workplace is a powerful tool that can have a significant impact on employees’ hearts and minds leading to higher morale, engagement, and overall organizational success. Over the years I have launched numerous recognition programs that have stood the test of time, maintaining their impact on our employees.
Here are three key reasons why incorporating recognition practices in the workplace is essential.
Positive Work Culture: Recognition for a job well done serves as a form of positive reinforcement, reinforcing the value of an employee’s contributions. Acknowledging and appreciating employees’ efforts and achievements can significantly boost their morale, leading to increased job satisfaction and motivation. This, in turn, can foster a more positive work environment and improve overall employee retention rates.
Motivation: Regular recognition can contribute to a culture of appreciation and respect within the workplace. When employees feel that their hard work is being noticed and appreciated, they are more likely to feel engaged and committed to their roles and the organization’s objectives. This heightened engagement often translates into improved productivity, as employees are motivated to go above and beyond to achieve both personal and organizational goals.
Loyalty and Belonging: Incorporating recognition into the organizational culture can help create a positive and supportive work environment. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to develop strong emotional connections with their work and the organization. A culture of recognition promotes teamwork, collaboration, and a sense of camaraderie among employees, leading to increased loyalty and a stronger sense of belonging within the organization.
Recently, at my daytime job we developed a challenge coin. Challenge coins are small, custom-made coins or medallions that typically bear an organization’s emblem, logo, or insignia. They are traditionally used to represent membership in a particular group or unit, such as the military, law enforcement agencies, or various organizations. These coins hold significant cultural and symbolic value, often representing camaraderie, achievement, and solidarity among members of the organization.
I originally used them to boost morale and foster a sense of belonging. Today, our challenge coins have evolved into a cherished tradition, with members often exchanging them as a sign of respect or to commemorate shared experiences. We award them as tokens of appreciation, recognition of outstanding performance, or as souvenirs marking significant events or milestones. The coins are a simple reward that has come to represent the shared respect and unity within our organization.
The use of recognition in the workplace is a strategic approach that not only acknowledges employees’ hard work and dedication but also contributes to a more positive, engaged, and productive workforce. By fostering a culture of appreciation, organizations can cultivate a supportive environment that nurtures employee growth, satisfaction, and overall well-being.
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“Brains, like hearts, go where they are appreciated.”
– Robert McNamara –
REWARD GREATNESS!
Ways Great Leaders Connect With Their People
Leaders are judged on their results. Great leaders know they must work through a team of people doing hands-on work to get the results the organization needs. Let’s compare it to a train. The train conductor must make sure that everyone is onboard, and that each car is connected correctly before leaving the station and before there is any hope of staying on schedule and reaching the destination. Connection, one to another, is key to getting the results.
Recently I was leading a discussion with a half a dozen top branch leaders of an organization about why leaders need to connect, not just communicate with their people. One comment was, “You connect because people will work harder for people they like and respect” and someone else said, “We are so action focused, we sometimes miss the relationship part of the work process.”
As John Maxwell says, “You must touch the heart, before you ask for their hand.” I believe this is true. So, here are my top 5 reminders to all leaders when it comes to connecting with your team:
Build trust with people. Listen to them, ask questions, care, genuinely care. That means doing several other things on this list as you are seeking to connect (See specifically reminders 2 & 3). Workers rate a leader’s honesty as the top leadership quality they admire. When we trust our workers and they trust us, the speed of the operation naturally goes up. When we don’t trust each other, things slow down.
Communicate on their level. Train yourself to talk in the language of those you are talking to. Don’t change the message, just take some time to figure out how to say it so they will hear it, receive it, process it and, if needed, act on it. Failing to understand what they need can cause a huge gap in the communication process.
Be present in the moment. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But in every moment of every day, we have dozens of things pulling for our attention. Train yourself to hit pause and “Be where your feet are.” That means hanging around long enough to listen once you’re done talking. If you truly listen to the questions and comments, you will learn more about the people doing the work you need done. You might even find some answers you didn’t know you were looking for.
Give your people freedom. Freedom to get the work completed. At first, this may seem like you are taking a step backward because everything slows down a bit, but it will pay big dividends once they have been trained and coached how to do the work. For instance, a person may not know how to operate a computer, but it doesn’t mean they can’t, and it doesn’t mean they are stupid. It may mean they simply have never been exposed to a computer. Nothing that some training and practice won’t fix. Allowing a person to make learning mistakes on the front end makes the back end so much easier.
Take the journey with your people. Don’t be a travel agent who sends people on a trip with a good-bye and well wishes. Go with them, work with them. Dr. Robert Khayat was an amazing Chancellor at Ole Miss. Each morning he got up early and walked the campus, picking up sticks, paper and saying hello to staff already on campus. He asked my team to make sure the campus was beautiful every day. His willingness to participate in his own instruction showed us he was on the journey with us.
Remember, you are the conductor of your train and making sure the connections are in place is your responsibility. As the day begins say hello first, smile and give them the thumbs up. Establishing those connections guarantees a smoother ride to your destination.
KEEP CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS!
Positive Growth: 21 Ways To Fertilize And Grow The Culture You Want
“Culture trumps strategy every time.”
– Peter Drucker –
1. Be honest. Never lie.
2. Lead by example – leaders set the tone and temperature of the organization.
3. Don’t take short cuts. Use every decision to build longterm culture.
4. Invest in key relationships on the team. People want to know their leaders do care.
5. Invest in growing your team’s knowledge, skills, and positive attitude. Start your training program now.
6. Focus on building a culture that attracts and retains top talent, not warm bodies.
7. Develop and grow your core values, mission, and vision statements.
8. Continuously remind your team about the ways your organization is living these core values, vision, and mission day in and day out. It gives people a deeper purpose to what they are doing.
9. Create buy-in by asking your team for their opinion on projects and processes.
10. Focus on developing your intrinsic elements for motivation: autonomy, mastery and purpose. Read Daniel Pink’s book, Drive.
11. Develop exceptional customer service in your people. Provide learning opportunities that are focused on equipping your team to grow and serve your customers well.
12. Develop a yearly schedule of positive culture building experiences.
13. Be competitive. People like to know they are on a team that competes at the highest levels. Even though we may not be on the field of athletics, encourage the mindset of being “better than” and “best.”
14. Share profits and loss information when appropriate.
15. Get input from your team on problems. Do this even when you know the answer. People like to solve problems and claim ownership to the solutions which grows pride in the work being done.
16. Share customer satisfaction surveys and responses. People like to hear encouragement and have direction.
17. Keep salaries competitive within the marketplace.
18. Be forward thinking. Look ahead and give others a sense of direction.
19. Inspire by being excited, energetic and positive about the future.
20. Help the team become more organized. Frustration starts when no one cares about a messy location. Organized people become demotivated and may even leave if sloppiness is accepted.
21. Listen. Change and opportunity begins at the top. When leaders stop listening, no one who can change anything is listening. People will know and get frustrated.
Keep cultivating your culture!
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