MTC Turf News - Spring 2012

SPRING 2012

Biology and management

of the Annual Bluegrass Weevil Maryland Turfies Take Top Honors in Recent National Competitions Plus, Highlights from the

2012 MTC Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow

SECTION NAME • continued

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contents • Spring 2012 10 RECENT EVENT

14 PEST SPOTLIGHT

18 TURF KUDOS

Highlights from the 2012 MTC Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow, January 9–10

Managing the Annual Bluegrass Weevil in Turfgrasses

Maryland Shines in National Competitions

departments 06 President’s Message 08 News from MTC 09 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 22 University of MD Turf Team 22 Calendar of Events 22 Index of Advertisers

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MTC Turf News

MARYLAND TURFGRASS COUNCIL 12 Pressie Lane | Churchville, MD 21028 (240) 413-4312 | www.mdturfcouncil.org MTC Turf News is published quarterly for the MTC by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge St. Franklin, TN 37064 615-790-3718 (phone) 615-794-4524 (fax) info@leadingedge communications.com

2012 Board of Directors PRESIDENT

Bill Patton, Sr. Turf Center Lawns Spencerville, MD 301-384-9300 (office) 301-980-3094 (cell) turfcenterlawns@yahoo.com Kevin Monaco Turf Equip & Supply Jessup, MD 20794 410-799-5575 (office) 443-250-1182 (cell) kevinmonaco@turf equipment.com

TWO-YEAR DIRECTORS

Vernon W. Cooper All States Turfgrass Consultants St. Michaels, MD 410-745-9643 (office) 443-742-6618 (cell) vernon@allstatesturf.com

Harry Kenney Agrium Advanced Technologies Ellicott City, MD 800-235-6138 (office) 410-375-6148 (cell) hkenney@agriumat.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Bob Shumate Calvert Co. Parks & Rec. Prince Frederick, MD 410-535-1600, ext. 2225 410-610-9007 (cell) shumatrr@co.cal.md.us

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Bill Warpinski Central Sod Farms Centreville, MD 800-866-1387 (office) 410-827-5000 (cell) billw@centralsod.com

Lester Dubs Larchwood Landscape Co. Pasadena, MD 443-623-1745 (cell) ldubs@verizon.net Cheryl A. Gaultney Churchville, MD 410-836-2876 (home) 410-322-8275 (cell) sandqueen10@aol.com

PAST PRESIDENT

Nick Gammill American University W. Hyattsville, MD 202-885-2340 (office) 202-498-8020 (cell) ngammill@american.edu

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michelle LoConte Montgomery Village, MD 240-413-4312 (office) 240-597-1420 (fax) mdturfcouncil@verizon.net

THREE-YEAR DIRECTORS Rick LaNore MRW Lawns, Inc. LaPlata, MD 301-870-3411 (office) 301-609-1852 (cell) rick127928@rocketmail.com

ONE-YEAR DIRECTORS Randall Pinckney Manor Country Club Rockville, MD 301-929-1707 (office) 240-286-1989 (cell) rpinckney@mail.manorcc.org Tom Ritter Avenel Community Assn.

Potomac, MD 301-299-5916 (office) 301-299-7169 (fax) tritter@avenel.net Jamie Roell Anne Arundel Co. Rec. & Parks Millersville, MD 410-222-6250 (office) 443-370-2582 (cell) rproel09@aacounty.org

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From the President

Lots of

Good Things Going On at MTC! W

ell, the birds are singing, the tree buds are swollen and blooming, and the grass is getting greener. Spring has returned once again to Maryland, so fire up those mowers!

I hope that you had the opportunity to join us and your fellow turf professionals at MTC’s Turfgrass 2012 Conference and Trade Show in College Park in January. Dr. Kevin Mathias, who coordinated our educational sessions, gave us an excellent opportunity to learn of new advances in our industry; this year, our education emphasized fertilizer and proper fertilization, along with advances in pesticides. Pesticide re-certification credits were available, as were credits for nutrient-management planners and golf course superintendents. Also, the new layout for the trade show was well received. We are working on some major changes for Turfgrass 2013, so stay tuned for developments.

As I am sure you are aware, Maryland has some major changes coming for fertilizer applications; beginning in 2013, these changes will affect the type of fertilizer, the amount of fertilizer and the timing of the fertilizer applications that can be utilized by lawn care operators and other fertilizer users. The new regulations also require training and certification of applicators, similar to what we do for pesticide applications. The MTC officers and board of directors are doing everything we can to assist MDA and the University of Maryland in providing avenues to make available the information and training opportunities you will need for compliance.

Watch for more information from the MTC in the future.

One new communication pathway that we are establishing is “email blasts,” where pertinent and timely information can be broadcast by email to help keep all MTC members informed. Our executive director, Michelle LoConte, is now compiling the email addresses that conference attendees provided on their registration forms. If you were unable to attend the conference, or if your e-mail has changed, please contact Michelle at MdTurfCouncil@ Verizon.net. Our being able to keep you informed will occur only if the email address that we have on file for you is current. If there is some reason that you do not wish to be notified and kept up to date, you can also contact Michelle to opt out of the email contacts.

Remember, the MTC board of directors suspended dues for 2012, and anyone who attended Turfgrass 2012 is considered a “member.” Your membership card should arrive shortly in your mailbox. If you were unable to attend the conference, you can still be a member by completing the form found in this magazine (page 8) and sending it with $15 to Michelle. This will ensure your continued delivery of the MTC Turf News magazine and other information throughout the year.

Mark your calendars! The bi-annual University of Maryland Turfgrass Field Day is planned for Thursday, July 19, 2012, at the University Turfgrass

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Research Farm. This is our opportunity to see firsthand the excellent turfgrass research that is being conducted by Dr. Dernoeden, Dr. Turner, Dr. Mathias, Dr. Carroll, their graduate students and others who are doing work that will benefit all of us who are trying to manage or produce turfgrass in Maryland.

Steve Potter and the other great chefs from MAAGCS promise to have the grills hot and loaded to end the day with great food and an opportunity to enjoy fellowship with the researchers and our peers.

Plans for another great Angie Cammarota Golf Tournament are already being explored for this fall.

This is always a great day, with a lot of fun, and all proceeds go directly to the Research Farm, so watch for details as they develop. If you would like to host the tournament at your golf course, just give us a call or drop Michelle an email.

As you can see, lots of different activities are already being worked on, and at the same time, the activities of the Maryland Legislature are being watched for any legislation that will impact us in the Maryland turfgrass industry. If you become aware of anything that may be of benefit or something that may turn critical for turfgrass managers in Maryland, please let me or any of your MTC officers or directors know what is happening.

Vernon W. Cooper MTC President

NEWS FROM MTC

Meet Your MTC Leaders for 2012 PRESIDENT

SECRETARY/TREASURER Vernon W. Cooper All States Turfgrass Consultants St. Michaels, MD Office: 410-745-9643 Cell: 443-742-6618 vernon@ allstatesturf.com

VICE PRESIDENT Lester Dubs Larchwood Landscape Company Pasadena, MD Cell: 443-623-1745 ldubs@verizon.net

THREE-YEAR DIRECTORS

MTC Turf News

Michelle LoConte Montgomery Village, MD Office: 240-413-4312 Fax: 240-597-1420 mdturfcouncil@ verizon.net

PAST PRESIDENT Nick Gammill, CSFM Capitol Sports Fields W. Hyattsville, MD Office: 202-885-2340 Cell: 202-498-8020 ngammill@ american.edu

TWO-YEAR DIRECTORS

ONE-YEAR DIRECTORS

Rick LaNore MRW Lawns, Inc. LaPlata, MD Office: 301-870-3411 Cell: 301-609-1852 rick127928@ rocketmail.com

Harry Kenney Agrium Advanced Technologies Ellicott City, MD Office: 800-235-6138 Cell: 410-375-6148 hkenney@agriumat.com

Randall Pinckney Manor Country Club Rockville, MD Office: 301-929-1707 Cell: 240-286-1989 rpinckney@mail. manorcc.org

Bill Patton Sr. Turf Center Lawns Spencerville, MD Office: 301-384-9300 Cell: 301-980-3094 turfcenterlawns@ yahoo.com

Bob Shumate Calvert Co. Parks & Rec. Prince Frederick, MD Office: 410-535-1600, ext. 2225 Cell: 410-610-9007 shumatrr@co.cal.md.us

Tom Ritter Avenel Community Assn.

Potomac, MD Office: 301-299-5916 Fax: 301-299-7169 tritter@avenel.net

Kevin Monaco Turf Equipment & Supply Jessup, MD 20794 Office: 410-799-5575 Cell: 443-250-1182 kevinmonaco@ turfequipment.com

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Cheryl A. Gaultney Churchville, MD Home: 410-836-2876 Cell: 410-322-8275 sandqueen10@aol.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bill Warpinski Central Sod Farms Centreville, MD Office: 800-866-1387 Cell: 410-827-5000 billw@centralsod.com

Jamie Roell Anne Arundel Co. Rec. & Parks Millersville, MD Office: 410-222-6250 Cell: 443-370-2582 rproel09@ aacounty.org

MTC Membership Application ____________________________________________________________________ Name Title ____________________________________________________________________ Address

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

I wish to also apply for membership for the following professional members of my crew, utilizing the company address listed above: _____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code E-Mail Address

_____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________ Company Affiliation

_____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________ Company Address ____________________________________________________________________ Company City, State, Zip Code ____________________________________________________________________ Business Fax Business Phone ____________________________________________________________________ Cell Phone Member of: [ ] ESGCS [ ] MAGCS [ ] MSA [ ] MSTA [ ] MTA [ ] PGMS [ ] OTHER __________________________________

_____________________________________

Please list additional names on a separate sheet & attach to this form or feel free to copy this form if you desire individuals to utilize their home addresses.

ENCLOSED ARE: _______ MTC Membership Dues $15.00 per person $ __________ _______ Donation to Turfgrass Survey $ ____________________ _______ Donation to Turfgrass Endowment Fund $ _ _________ (tax deductible) Total Enclosed $ ______________________ Please make checks payable to: MTC or MARYLAND TURFGRASS COUNCIL

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Recent Event

Highlights from the 2012 MTC Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow!

January 9–10 | Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland | College Park, MD Photos courtesy of Lauren Dubs (daughter of Lester Dubs, MTC vice president), Eddie Coutras (president of Leading Edge Communications, publisher of MTC Turf News) and Liz Nutter (managing editor, Leading Edge Communications).

Some of Our Presenters and Presentations

Attendance was packed at the panel discussion on “Developing Consensus with Maryland Stakeholders and Fertilizer Manufacturers on Meeting New Federal Guidelines for the Chesapeake Bay.” Above, Ms. Bevin Buchheister, with the Chesapeake Bay Commission, addressing the attendees.

“Species and Cultivar Selections for Sod Production in the Mid-Atlantic Region,” presented by Mr. Kevin Morris, with the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) 10

MTC Turf News

“Broadleaf Weed Control Combinations for Lawns,” presented by Mr. Jeffery Borger, Penn State University

“Gadgets and Gizmos for Monitoring Sports Field Turf,” presented

by Dr. Douglas Karcher, from the University of Arkansas.

Thank You to Our Lunch and Cocktail Hour Sponsors!

2012 Green Industry Leader • BASF Corp.

• Fisher & Son Co., Inc. • Mid Atlantic GCS

“New Fungicides and Plant-Protection Materials for Golf Course Turf,” presented by Mr. Steve McDonald, Turfgrass Disease Solutions.

The 2012 MTC Board of Directors. Back row (left to right): Harry Kenney, Kevin Monaco, Jamie Roell, Bill Warpinski, Lester Dubs (Vice President), Tom Ritter and Rick LaNore. Front Row (left to right): Bob Shumate, Cheryl Gaultney (Secretary/Treasurer), Michelle LoConte (Executive Director), Bill Patton and Vernon Cooper (President). Not shown in photo: Randall Pinkney and Nick Gammill (Past President).

2012 Benefactor • Bayer Environmental Science • Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC • Plant Food Company 2012 Sponsor • Agrium Advanced Technologies • Collins Wharf Sod • DuPont Prof. Products • Harrell’s, LLC • Newsom Seed, Inc. • Oakwood Sod Farm

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Recent Event • continued

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MTC Turf News

Thanks Also to Our Tradeshow Exhibitors!

• Agrium Advanced Technologies • Aquarius Irrigation Supply • Arysta LifeScience • BASF • Bayer Environmental Science • Buy Sod, Inc. • Capitol Sports Fields • Central Sod Farms • Collins Wharf Sod • Davisson Golf, Inc. • Dow AgroSciences • DuPont Prof. Products • Finch Services/John Deere Golf • Fisher & Son Co. • Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. • Harrell’s, LLC • Musco Sports Lighting • Newsom Seed, Inc. • Oakwood Sod Farm • Plant Food Co. • Spectrum Analytic, Inc. • Synatek • Syngenta SPRiNG 2012

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TURF PEST Spotlight

Biology and Management of the Annual Bluegrass Weevil in Turfgrasses

By Steven McDonald, Turfgrass Disease Solutions, and Peter Dernoeden, Ph.D., University of Maryland

The

annual bluegrass weevil (Listronotus maculicolis, Dietz; ABW) formerly was considered a species of Hyperodes. A member of the weevil family, it is a pest of highly maintained, short-cut turfgrasses in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

To date, ABW has been found in Delaware, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Virginia, Vermont, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and, most recently, Ohio and North Carolina.

The ABW also has damaged turf in Canada. It has been estimated that golf courses in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions spend over $6,000 annually, using five or six

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insecticide applications per year, to manage this pest.

For years, it was believed that the destructive ability of ABW was restricted to annual bluegrass (Poa annua spp. annua L.), including the perennial subspecies Poa annua spp. reptans Hauskn., and that ABW was isolated to the northeastern states.

Recent research and field observations, however, have proved this theory incorrect, and substantial damage has been observed in creeping bentgrass fairways and putting green collars in the Mid-Atlantic region.

About the ABW ABW has a complete life cycle, with as many as two to four generations

per year. The small (0.125 inches long), compact adults range in color from black to gray (Photo 1). Adults have a characteristic weevil snout. The weevil’s body is covered with fine hairs and scales, which are easily observed under magnification. It is difficult to distinguish between male and females.

When adults emerge from the pupal stage, they appear reddish. The eggs of the ABW are very small and oblong, but they can be found (using a macroscope) in leaf sheaths of the grass plant. Larvae are legless, with creamy white bodies and dark-brown heads (Photo 2). Some larvae have black inner markings on their back.

Older larvae appear slightly curved, but not nearly as C-shaped as white

grub species (Photo 3). Immature ABW adults (aka callow adults) look similar to adults, but are smaller in size and have a reddish-brown color that gradually darkens.

Weevils over-winter as adults in higher-mown turf and litter in wood lines. They begin to migrate from the fine-turf areas to these sites in early autumn. It is believed that they fly back to over-wintering sites, although a mixture of flight and walking has been observed.

Migration back into fine-turf areas typically happens during early spring (early April in the Mid-Atlantic region). Adult feeding occurs during the day and consists of minor leaf chewing, which is no more damaging than mowing. Adults are especially visible in the springtime on warm, sunny days, walking across turf.

Once adult weevils begin to feed, oviposition of eggs begins. Females chew a hole in the base of shoots and deposit eggs in between leaf sheaths. Eggs are deposited in small groups (2 or 3), and each female can produce 40 or more eggs. Larval formation takes about a month for all five instars, and development from egg to adult takes two months.

more eggs hatch, more severe damage can occur. Damage to closely mown annual bluegrass mimics anthracnose basal rot and summer patch.

In mixed stands with creeping bentgrass, annual bluegrass is the preferred host. Once the annual bluegrass has been eliminated, larvae will feed on creeping bentgrass. Over time, larvae are capable of causing significant thinning and damage to creeping bentgrass, especially in collars and the edges of approaches and fairways.

Damage associated with the fifth instar is the most destructive. At this point, turf will appear wilted (i.e., blue-gray or purple in color) due to damaged stems. Turf eventually turns brown and dies out. As the fifth instars molt to pupae and then to callow adults, the damage to turf may continue to worsen, although most of the feeding has stopped for this generation.

During mid-summer generations, many different lifecycles usually are present. For example, in late July in Maryland, you could see true adults on the surface, with early instar Photo 1. A mature annual bluegrass weevil.

Photo 2. First and second instar ABW larvae.

Photo 3. ABW larvae in thatch.

1.

2.

ABW damage Most ABW damage is caused by the larval stage (each ABW larva is capable of killing 10 or 12 plants) and can go unnoticed for some time.

In the Mid-Atlantic, damage often shows up in mid-to-late May and can occur throughout the summer months (Photo 4). Often, damage is first noticed in the perimeter of greens and fairways that support a high population of annual bluegrass.

Plant damage begins when adult females chew into outer leaf sheaths and lay their eggs, which leads to a yellowing of plants. When the eggs hatch, young larvae feed on the inner leaf sheaths during their first two instars. Sometime between the second and third instar, larvae begin feeding on stem or crown tissue. As

3.

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Turf Pest spotlight • continued

Few natural enemies exist.

Although biological control has been investigated, results are highly variable, even in controlled studies.

Spinosad (Conserve®, a biological product derived from a bacterium), however, is highly effective on larvae.

Where there is a chronic infestation of ABW, however, cultural or biological options alone should not be expected to provide acceptable levels of control.

Chemical control

4.

Photo 4. ABW damage to a golf fairway, near a possible overwintering site.

larvae, late instar larvae and callow adults in the same general area. This overlapping of lifecycles complicates control measures.

Scouting for ABW In early spring, the most effective scouting method for adults is a soap flush. Mix one fluid ounce of a lemonscented soap into one gallon of water in a watering can. This amount of soapy solution should treat about 25 to 50 square feet. Wait about five minutes, and if present, adults will become visible on the grass leaves.

Liner pitfall traps also may be useful in tracking migration patterns in a single location. The limitation to the pitfall-trap method, however, is that it is a snapshot of a single location.

First and second instar larvae are very small and difficult to detect; however, scouting can be accomplished by using a salt flush. To conduct a salt flush, take a cup-cutter plug of turfgrass, and remove all soil. Using a knife, cut the plug into four pieces,

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and place them into a solution of salt and water. This solution can be made by placing one pound of salt into a gallon of water and mixing.

Within 10 minutes, early instar larvae will float to the surface and appear white with a small, brown head capsule.

Late instar larvae can be easily detected by cutting a wedge of turf with a knife or cup cutter and looking in the turf/thatch interface. The threshold for damage when turf is vigorously growing is 30 to 50 larvae per square foot. This threshold significantly decreases as turf becomes stressed, especially in summer. When feeding occurs, turf plants can easily be pulled from soil.

Cultural management Cultural-management options include proper turf nutrition and irrigation, which can mask ABW symptoms. The most effective cultural control method is to reduce or eliminate annual bluegrass as much as possible.

Insecticides remain the most effective way to ensure that turf stands are not severely damaged

by ABW. Some strategies suggest spot-treating areas that have high populations of adults or had past ABW infestations. Insecticides need to be applied before damage is seen and while adults are active in early spring and before eggs are laid.

Typically, chemical applications are made when adults are observed walking across golf course fairways, greens and roughs, which may be associated with the blooming of Forsythia spp (i.e., not a full bloom, but later when plants are half green and half yellow with flowers).

Sequential applications are needed in early spring if you suspect a long migration period or have had damaging populations in previous seasons. In high-pressure situations, up to 6 insecticide applications per season may be needed on a 30- to 45-day interval or when significant adult activity is observed.

Some insecticides currently labeled for control of ABW adults include several in the pyrethroid class [e.g., deltamethrin (DeltaGard®), bifenthrin (Talstar®), cyfluthrin (Tempo®), lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar®)] and chlorpyrifos (Dursban®). These insecticides generally provide high levels of adult ABW control (greater than 85% control).

The neonictinoids are systemic, long-residual, preventatively applied insecticides for white grub control, but they can be used in ABW management programs, if the applications are

timed properly. Neonictinoid insecticides [i.e., imidacloprid (Merit®), clothianidin (Arena®), dinotefuran (Xylam®) and thiamethoxam (Meridian®)] should be applied just prior to egg laying, to target early instar feeding, but proper timing is difficult to achieve. Neonictinoid insecticides have been shown to provide between 20% and 100% control, but they probably should not be relied on for highly effective control under significant pressure.

Chlorantraniliprole (Acelepyrn™) is a newer systemic insecticide that generally will provide more consistent control, when compared to the neonictionids. This insecticide controls white grub species and is used to target ABW larvae in leaf sheaths.

When larvae are observed in thatch or soil in damaged turf, the three curative chemical options include trichlorfon (Dylox®), indoxacarb (Provaunt™) and spinosad (Conserve®). When targeting larvae below the soil/thatch surface, obtaining greater than 80% control can be difficult due to the insecticides being tied up in thatch.

For chronically infested sites, multiple preventive applications of various classes of insecticides may be needed to provide acceptable control. In New England, resistance to the pyrethroid class has been documented. Thus, proper rotation and even tank-mixing different classes of insecticides could provide a delay in the development of tolerant ABW populations, as well as provide for more effective control.

Control measures should focus on targeting adults in early spring or when they are observed walking on turfgrass surfaces. Chemicals should be applied in the proper amount of water (typically ≥ 1.5 gallon/1,000 ft2). It is important that insecticides targeting surface adults or larvae within leaf sheaths or stems should be allowed to dry or receive less than 0.125 inches of irrigation following treatment. Insecticides targeting larvae in the thatch/soil should be watered in. •

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TURF KUDOS

UMD Student Challenge team members (left to right); Tommy Hutson, Pat Moynihan, Drew Wolcott and Travis Biggs.

P.J. Ellis (left) and Jeremy Menna were recognized for their work on Ludwig Field at The University of Maryland and received the Soccer Field of the Year Award under the College and University category.

Maryland Shines at 2012 STMA Conference!

By Kevin Mathias, Ph.D., The University of Maryland

M

aryland brought home numerous awards and national recognition at the 2012 Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) annual conference held January 10–14 in Long Beach, California. Two soccer facilities, a baseball field manager and The University of Maryland Student Challenge team were recognized for their accomplishments.

The two soccer winners were The University of Maryland’s Ludwig Field and the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, MD. Ludwig Field won in the soccer category for “College and University,” and the SoccerPlex won for “Schools and Parks.”

Also, Matt Parrott of the Bowie Baysox was awarded the AA Sports Turf Manager of the Year by STMA and was the Eastern League Sports Turf Manager of the Year.

STMA judges evaluated field playability, aesthetics, agronomic practices and overall management skills.

Fifteen fields are selected each year, with honors going to the top baseball, football, soccer, softball and “sporting grounds” facilities. Under those

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categories, there are three sub-categories for “Schools and Parks,” “Professional” and “College and University.” The awards bring national recognition to sports facilities in our area. While the fields are well known in Maryland, these awards will further recognize the challenges facing sports field managers in the transition zone.

Ludwig Field — College & University Soccer Field of the Year Ludwig Field is the home of The University of Maryland’s soccer programs, as well as women’s lacrosse. The complex has 4,500 permanent seats; with additional seating, the stadium can hold over 7,000 people. In addition to collegiate matches, Ludwig has also hosted the U.S. Women’s National Team and DC United. P.J. Ellis and Jeremy Menna were the sports field managers recognized by STMA at this facility.

Maryland SoccerPlex — Schools & Parks Soccer Field of the Year The Maryland SoccerPlex features 22 full-sized outdoor fields and a lighted championship stadium that seats 4,000 spectators. On average, the SoccerPlex hosts over 200 sporting events a year, including youth leagues, tournaments, professional games and NCAA matches, like this year’s ACC/Big East Challenge that featured Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and St. John’s. It’s also the home of the DC United Women of the W-League. Jerad Minnick is the sports field manager at this facility.

Matt Parrott — AA Sports Manager of the Year Prince Georges Stadium is the home of the Bowie Baysox, the Baltimore Orioles AA minor league team, and Matt Parrott manages the facility.

Matt not only oversees a 71-game home schedule for the Bowie Baysox, but he is also involved in numerous events, ranging from softball to lacrosse to concerts.

Student Challenge The Student Challenge tests participants in various areas relating to sports field maintenance, from turfgrass weed, insect and disease identification to field safety issues such as field hardness, traction and overall playability issues. This year’s STMA Student Challenge set a record in the number of teams — 37 — competing in this event.

The University of Maryland’s Terps team of Drew Wolcott (IAA), Travis Biggs (IAA), Tommy Hutson (PSLA) and Pat Moynihan (PSLA) took 2nd place in the 4-Year Competition, with a total score of 130.5 points — just 1.5 points behind the winning team from Purdue. Dr. Kevin Mathias coached the team along with Alex Steinman. This is the second year that the IAA prepared a team for this national competition. •

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TURF KUDOS • continued

UMD Teams Take Two Top-Ten Spots in the 2012 GCSAA Turf Bowl Contest

D i g i t a l Marketplace Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader

to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.

Two

teams of students in the turfgrass program at the University of Maryland took third and seventh place at the GCSAA’s 18th annual Collegiate Turf Bowl, held on March 1 in Las Vegas. Every year at the GCSAA Education Conference and the Golf Industry Show, teams of college students participate in the Collegiate Turf Bowl. The competition consists of a written exam, developed by superintendents, and a written essay. The exam focuses on all facets of the superintendent profession. The written essay is based on a business/financial casestudy scenario. Each team submits one exam and essay, which is then graded by superintendents.

Stephen Vincent from John Deere Golf, which has sponsored the competition for three years, addressed the students, saying that working in the golf industry requires hard work, brains and achievement. He said that sometimes students might not be recognized for their hard work on the golf course, but they can take pride and have a sense of personal accomplishment in a job well done.

The winners of the Turf Bowl were announced at the John Deere booth on the tradeshow floor: 1. Iowa State 2. University of Massachusetts-Amherst 3. University of Maryland 4. University of Wisconsin-Madison 5. University of Arkansas 6. Purdue University 7. University of Maryland 8. University of Connecticut 9. Purdue University 10. Penn State University •

All three teams after the award ceremony — (l-r) Brian Kealy, Tom Hutson, Josh Malnik, Ryan Peach, Tyler Kreft, Justin Patenaude, R.J. Crow, Bryan Shepherd, Cory Wesselman, Matt Park and Brian Dearstine. Kneeling, Scott Hosier. Go Terps!

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Turf Industry Calendar of Events

index of advertisers

All States Turfgrass Consultants, LLC .............13

June 21

MNLA Summer Field Day (MD Nursery & Landscape Assn.)

D.R. Snell Nursery Union Bridge, MD

July 30 – August 3

TPI Summer Convention & Field Days (Turfgrass Producers International) Asheville, NC

June 26–27

STMA Mid-American Regional Conference & Trade Show

August 28–29

Virginia Tech Turfgrass Field Days Blacksburg, VA

Cincinnati, OH

October 24–26

July 8–10

Green Industry & Equipment Expo

PLANET Legislative Day Washington, DC Contact: 800-395-2522 www.landcarenetwork.org

July 17

CPH Specialist Exams (Integrated Pest Management and Herbaceous Perennials)

Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, KY

January 2013

35th Annual MTC Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show Adele H. Stamp Student Union University of Maryland College Park, MD

Contact: mnacma@aol.com or 410-823-8684

Alliance Material Handling, Inc.........................19

www.alliancemat.com

BASF.................................................................9 www.basf.com

Buy Sod.............................................................5 www.buysod.com

Capitol Sports Fields . .....................................12 www.capitolsportsfields.com

Central Sod Farms of Maryland, Inc. . .............19 www.centralsodmd.com

Collins Wharf Sod Farm...................................17 www.collinswharfsod.com

CoverSports USA.............................................13 www.gerogroup.com

East Coast Sod & Seed......................................7 www.eastcoastsod.com

Ernst Conservation Seeds................................17 www.ernstseed.com

Harmon Turf Services, Inc...............................21 www.harmonturfservices.com

Harrell’s LLC....................................................21 Maryland Turfgrass Association..............................Inside Front Cover Oakwood Sod Farm, Inc....................................5 www.oakwoodsod.com

Penn State World Campus...............................20

July 19

www.worldcampus.psu.edu/sports-turf

UMD Turfgrass Field Day

Smith Seed Services........................................21

University Turf Farm at the University of Maryland College Park, MD

Summit Hall Turf, Inc......................... Back Cover

www.smithseed.com

www.summithall.com

Syngenta Professional Products .....................20

www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com

The Turfgrass Group............ 3, Inside Back Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Weedman........................................................21 Winfield Solutions, LLC....................................17

University of maryland turfgrass team Pete Dernoeden, Ph.D.

Tom Turner, Ph.D.

Mark Carroll, Ph.D.

Kevin Mathias, Ph.D.

Dave Funk

Dept. of Agronomy University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-1337 pd@umd.edu

Paint Branch Turfgrass Research Facility University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-403-4431 tturner@umd.edu

Dept. of Agronomy University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-1339 mcarroll@umd.edu

Institute of Applied Ag. University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-4692 jkm@umd.edu

Paint Branch Turfgrass Research Facility University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-403-8195 dfunk@umd.edu

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