September 2021
FALL FIELD DAY OCTOBER 13 PLUS
Winter Turf Care
Member Spotlight on Jason Drummond Amherst College
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JIM WIERZBICKI CT, RI JWIERZBICKI@HARRELLS.COM (860) 424-7250
JIM COHEN EASTERN MA & ME JCOHEN@HARRELLS.COM (978) 337-0222
MIKE KROIAN RI, MA MKROIAN@HARRELLS.COM (401) 265-5353
KENT LEMME WESTERN MASS KLEMME@HARRELLS.COM (413) 281-8087
ROGER WHITAKER NH & VT RWHITAKER@HARRELLS.COM (603) 505-1618
CONNOR CINQUE NH, ME CCINQUE@HARRELLS.COM (603) 930-1861
MIKE DUKETTE CT MDUKETTE@HARRELLS.COM (860) 930-8888
www.harrells.com | 800.282.8007 Employee -Owned
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CONTENTS • September 2021 FEATURES 60 U pcoming Event:
180 W inter Turf Care
100 R ecent Event:
200 M ember Spotlight on
0 Fall Turf Day
0 UMass Field Day
0 Jason Drummond
ON THE COVER: Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium Amherst College • Amherst, MA (photo credit: athletics.amherst.edu).
FIND THIS ISSUE, PODCASTS, EVENTS AND MORE: TheTurfZone.com | Twitter.com/TheTurfZone
COLUMNS
DEPARTMENTS
120 T esting Synthetic
4 President’s Message
Turf Surfaces
140 S peak Softly 160 M odern Water Management
The official publication of the New England Sports Turf Managers Association (NESTMA), the New England Blade is dedicated to educating, advising, and informing members of the profession and furthering the goals of the Association. The New England Blade carries news and features related to the sports turf management profession. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication and to refuse advertising not in keeping with the goals of the Association. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the validity of claims in connection with items appearing in the New England Blade. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by the New England Blade, NESTMA, or Leading Edge Communications, or preference over similar products not mentioned. The New England Blade is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of NESTMA. Presorted standard postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.
8 NESTMA News 9 STMA News
220 W hat’s with Workers These Days?
Officers
Directors
Board of Trustees
President
Tom Barry, CSFM Greens Farms Academy Greens Farms, CT
Kim Britton Saint Anselm College Manchester, NH
Chris McGinty Framingham Parks Department Framingham, MA
Advancing professionalism in sports turf management and athletic field safety through education, research, and scholarships.
4 Index of Advertisers
President Elect Brian Boesch University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
Treasurer
Art Goodhind Town of Natick Natick, MA
Ed Downing Read Custom Soils/ A.D. Makepeace Wareham, MA Ian Lacy Tom Irwin, Inc. Burlington, MA Ed Olsen Town of Needham Parks & Forestry Needham, MA
Past President Ben Polimer Town of Weston Weston, MA
Jason Puopolo, CSFM City of Nashua Nashua, NH
John Cunniff Walpole, MA Victoria Wallace University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
Management Team Virginia Wood, Executive Director Peggy Benjamin Kristen Dreyer Charissa Sharkey
NESTMA Headquarters 67 West Street Medfield, MA 02052 (508) 653-1241 NESTMA.org NESTMAinfo@gmail.com
Technical Editor Evan Steele Pioneer Athletics Billerica, MA
Victoria Wallace University of Connecticut Extension Storrs, CT
September 2021 • New England BLADE • 3
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
We Can’t Do It Without You
T
his summer, I was honored to represent NESTMA at the UMass Turf Research Field Day in Deerfield, MA (see page 10). It was great to reconnect with colleagues and check out in-depth research results from the experts at UMass. Jason Lanier did an excellent job organizing this important industry-wide event. I know I took away a lot of very useful information.
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
Beam Clay.. ............................................. 23 www.BEAMCLAY.com Evergreen Turf Covers.......................... 11 www.evergreenturfcovers.com Harrell’s LLC. . .............. Inside Front Cover www.harrells.com Leading Edge Communications............ 15 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com Perkins Power Equipment.................... 17 www.perkinspowerequipment.com PJC Organic. . ........................................... 23 www.pjcorganic.com Progressive Turf Equipment Inc.......... 23 www.progressiveturfequip.com Read Custom Soils. . ................................. 5 www.readcustomsoils.com Replay Maintenance USA.. ...................... 7 www.replaymaintenanceusa.com The Charles Hart Seed Company. . ........ 19 www.hartseed.com The Turf Zone. . ......................................... 9 www.theturfzone.com Turf Products Corp..................Back Cover www.turfproductscorp.com/about
Thanks NESTMA! Jason Lanier and Clem Clay of UMass Extension (center), met up with past president Ben Polimer and president Chris McGinty at Field Day to thank them for NESTMA’s generous donation to the UMass Soil Testing Lab’s modernization campaign.
It was particularly gratifying to meet with Clem Clay, UMass Extension Agriculture Program Director. Clem is spearheading a fundraising campaign to help strengthen and modernize the Soil Testing Lab at UMass. NESTMA contributed $5000 and Clem wanted to be sure our members know how important our association’s leadership gift is to furthering science-based sports turf management at the Lab. In all the years I’ve been involved with NESTMA, I have always been especially proud of the support we have been able to give research efforts and student scholarships throughout the region. The UMass Soil Testing Lab donation is a great example of the many ways our members’ active involvement continues to positively impact the local sports turf industry. A big thank you to our members, commercial partners, and sponsors — new and longstanding. We can’t do it without you! I look forward to seeing everyone — live and in-person — at NESTMA’s Fall Turf Day on October 13 in Needham, MA. Ed Olsen and our education committee have put together an info-packed program on synthetic turf. See page 6 for details and I’ll see you there! Stay safe. Stay involved. Stay in touch!
NESTMA Members Receive
A 20% DISCOUNT ON ADVERTISING in New England Blade
To discuss advertising opportunities, contact
LEADING EDGE COMMUNICATIONS
615-790-3718 888-707-7141 ( TO L L F R E E )
Chris McGinty NESTMA President 4 • New England BLADE • September 2021
sales@leadingedgecommunications.com www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com
UPCOMING EVENT
October 13, 2021 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Synthetic Field Management: Design, Installation, Maintenance & Replacement
From site selection and design to installation and care, sport turf professionals are responsible for every aspect of synthetic turf management. We’ll take a close look at the entire resurfacing process of two athletic fields in Needham, MA. Learn what worked and what didn’t. Take away lessons learned from experienced SFMs. See best-in-class grooming, testing, and maintenance practices. Check out the latest equipment and services from our industry’s leading suppliers. If you manage synthetic turf fields, you do not want to miss this meeting — jam-packed with expert advice and practical solutions. Edward Olsen, Superintendent Parks & Forestry Division, Needham, MA Bradlee Mezquita, PE, LEED AP, Vice President Tighe & Bond, Inc., Portsmouth, NH
SIGN UP TODAY!
NESTMA.ORG
T H A N K Y O U T O O U R F A L L T U R F D A Y S P O N S O R S ! ( A S O F 09.01.21 ) PREMIER SPONSORS
SPONSORS
SUPPORTERS
6 • New England BLADE • September 2021
NESTMA NEWS / UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER 7, 2021
OCTOBER 13, 2021 (see page 6 for details)
MALCP/NESTMA ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT & AUCTION
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
NESTMA FALL TURF DAY
Butter Brook Golf Club • Westford, MA MALCP.org
DeFazio Sports Complex • Needham, MA NESTMA.org
NOVEMBER 1 – 30, 2021 WEBINAR FRAISE MOWING FOR WEED CONTROL IN PESTICIDE FREE FIELDS
This extensive fraise mowing project, on a K-12 athletic field in Connecticut, set out to control not only poa annua but other troublesome perennial weeds like clover. With the ability to use traditional chemistry for weed control completely restricted, mechanical control is the only real option for managing turfgrass weeds at this site. Join us for an in-depth look at the process of fraise mowing from start to finish, as well as the thought process behind seed selection and topdressing material while considering spring weed competition. Sign up at NESTMA.org Thanks to our sponsors Harts Turf Pro & Read Custom Soils
DECEMBER 7, 2021 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
NESTMA ANNUAL MEETING & HOLIDAY SOCIAL Ken’s Steak House • Framingham, MA
Looking ahead…
MARCH 8 – 10, 2022
MARCH 9, 2022
Rhode Island Convention Center Providence, RI
NESTMA ANNUAL AWARDS MEETING & LUNCH @ NERTC
NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL TURFGRASS CONFERENCE
NESTMA.org
NERTF.org
AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE JANUARY 15
Do you know a NESTMA member who has made significant contributions to the sports turf industry in New England? Help us recognize their achievement with your nomination for Sports Turf Manager of the Year or Commercial Partner of the Year. Visit https://nestma.org/Awards-&-Scholarships for details and an online nomination form. Deadline is January 15, 2022. The awards will be presented at NESTMA’s Annual Awards Meeting and Lunch on March 9, 2022, at the NERTC in Providence, RI.
ITS NEVER TOO EARLY
It’s never too early to renew your NESTMA membership for the coming year! Renewals are quick and easy online at NESTMA. org/Renew22. Your continued financial support during these challenging times is important and appreciated.
VOLUNTEER LEADERS
Have you ever thought about what it might be like to serve on a NESTMA committee or the board of directors? If you’d like to 8 • New England BLADE • September 2021
Wednesday,
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Providence, RI
know more about what volunteer leadership entails, please contact any current board member or the NESTMA office for details.
CALLING ALL SPEAKERS & SPONSORS
NESTMA’s Education Committee is always eager to bring fresh perspective and ideas to the membership through our educational programming. Topics ranging from technical turfgrass management to leadership and communication have been suggested. Do you have educational information you’d like to present to NESTMA members? Outline your idea using this brief online form (NESTMA. org/education-form) and the committee will be in touch. If you are a commercial partner interested in sponsoring NESTMA virtual or live programs, please reach out to Charissa at the NESTMA office and we’ll find the opportunity that gives your company the maximum ROI.
STMA UPDATE
JANUARY CONFERENCE
SPORTS FIELD MANAGEMENT 101
STMA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition allows members to share information with their peers in the sports turf industry. In addition to educational seminars, hands-on workshops, and the latest technology on display, conference attendees can tour professional, college and municipal facilities that offer a range of insights to take back home. This year the conference will take place January 17 – 19, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia.
This online, self-paced training provides continuing education opportunities for anyone who has not been formally educated in turfgrass science and is interested in entering the sports field management industry. Completing the course will build a solid foundation in the science and practices of turfgrass management so students can effectively care for a turfgrass surface and be prepared to enter a position in sports field management. Upon successfully completing this course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion. This course is not restricted to students and may also be used as a training tool for current sports field crew members. Although the course is free, those pursuing it must be an STMA member or student member to participate.
Details at stma.org/conference
For more information, contact Kristen Althouse at
kalthouse@stma.org.
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September 2021 • New England BLADE • 9
RECENT EVENT
UMass Field Day a Success
On
July 21 the UMass Turf Program welcomed turf practitioners and industry representatives to the UMass Joseph Troll Turf Research Center in South Deerfield, MA for the 2021 Turf Research Field Day. Field Day is a festive, biennial Open House at the Center, and is a tradition that has run for decades. Despite anxiety about the pandemic during the planning stages, and weather concerns in the run up to the event, the day could not have come together better.
The featured research tour consisted of 10 in-depth presentations and demonstrations, including several with direct relevance to the sports turf industry, such as crabgrass control, management of billbugs, Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue under reduced irrigation, interaction of plant health activators with nitrogen, and effective sampling for disease diagnostics, and grass tennis surfaces. More than 240 individuals were in attendance, including many NESTMA members. •
Attendees learn about insect management decision-making at UMass Field Day. Photo credit: Ben Barnhart
Dr. Scott Ebdon presents research results on improving the pace and quality of grass tennis surfaces. Photo credit: Ben Barnhart.
10 • New England BLADE • September 2021
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- Each cover comes with the Evergreen SMART EDGE™ technology - Green engineered coating increases the ground temperature in excess of 10⁰ while blending in with the natural turf surrounding - Ideal daily use for frost protection - Stronger and earlier root development - Vented to allow perfect air, water and light penetration - Eliminates spring clean-up costs - Non-absorbing or clogging, keeps the same high performance year after year - 10 year warranty
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COLUMN
TESTING SYNTHETIC TURF SURFACES By Arthur Eddy, ASLA, LEED AP
As
we approach the fall season, athletics is gearing up for the long fall season, so this is a good time to start to discuss testing synthetic turf surfaces. Testing gives a field manager an understanding of how the surface is performing and what maintenance procedures should take place to ensure a field is performing and safe. Both safety and performance are equally important and should be part of an annual routine. In this article we will focus on some safety tests that will help to limit the exposure of a facility and keep athletes safe: GMax: The most common field test on a synthetic surface is GMax. GMax is the measurement of the hardness of the surface or the impact an athlete’s head will have with the surface. The harder the surface or the higher the GMax, the more critical the impact can be on the athlete. The softer the surface or the lower the GMax can reduce the impact. Reducing the GMax can reduce a player’s probability of a head injury, but care should be given to not make a field too soft which will impact other tests outlined below. GMax of a natural grass field is typically 75-115 G’s. The NFL has instilled a concussion protocol limit for critical injury of 165 G’s and the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) F1936-19 has a limit of 200 G’s. Head Injury Criteria (HIC): Similar to GMax, Head Injury Criteria is an effective way to measure the probability of a head injury to a player. The difference between GMax and HIC is the means in which the test is conducted. A spherical apparatus is dropped on the surface that mimics the form of a human head. Measurements are based on critical fall heights that measure hardness and softness of the surface and at which height there would be a critical injury to the athlete. The World Rugby association has a critical fall height of greater than 1.34 meters.
Ball Drop Testing Photo credit: Sportlab USA
Rotational Resistance Testing Photo credit: Sportlab USA
12 • New England BLADE • September 2021
Vertical Deformation: Vertical deformation is the measurement of how much the surface is moving under foot. The easiest comparison is the idea of running in sand. A surface that deforms too much or too soft, will result in overstretching of ligaments particularly around the ankle and can potentially cause damage to player’s joints based on the surface energy resulting in the higher probability of fatigue and overuse injuries. Surfaces that are too hard can lead to discomfort in the feet or injuries such as shin splints. Vertical deformation is measured in millimeters and FIFA has a range of 4mm-10mm. Rotational Resistance: Rotational resistance simulates a player’s ability to alter direction.Too high of a value and stress can occur across knee ligaments; too low and the player will not be able to grip the surface and may slip causing ligament damage. Rotational resistance is measured in N/mm and FIFA has a range of 30Nm-50Nm. As groundskeepers, the safety of athletes and users on our synthetic surface is a critical component of our responsibility. Each of these tests are dramatically impacted by the level of maintenance of the surface. Assuming the field passed the outlined tests at installation, a field that is well maintained will be able to continue to meet the criteria outlined above and provide enjoyment for all its users. Getting the surface tested on an annual basis is a small cost compared to the potential exposure to liability that an unmaintained facility can create.
REFERENCES: https://football-technology.fifa. com/en/media-tiles/fifa-qualityprogramme-for-football-turf-1/ https://www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/ page/OneTurf https://www.world.rugby/the-game/ player-welfare/surfaces/one-turf https://www.astm.org/ Standards/F1936.htm
Art Eddy is CEO of RePlay Maintenance in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Connect with Art via email at aeddy@replaymaintenanceusa.com or phone (877) 641-1819.
Ball Roll Testing Photo credit: Sportlab USA
September 2021 • New England BLADE • 13
GUEST COLUMN
Editor’s Note: This column originally appeared in the July 2021 issue of Golf Course Industry magazine. We thought the message was important to share with Sport Turf Managers. It is reprinted with permission.
SPEAK SOFTLY CHANGING PUBLIC PERCEPTION THROUGH LANGUAGE By Matthew Wharton, GGCS, MG
G
rowing up I was a big fan of the late George Carlin. He and Richard Pryor were my two favorite comedians. Carlin and Pryor were known for their liberal use of profanity. My mother certainly did not approve of their language, so I had to sneak downstairs in the middle of the night to watch them on HBO. Speaking of language, Carlin had a skit that has stuck with me for decades. He talked about how the use of “soft language,” or euphemisms, concealed the truth. He said most Americans had difficulty dealing with or accepting the truth, so they invented a soft language to protect themselves. To explain, he gives the glaring example of how over multiple generations the medical condition known as shell shock during World War I became battle fatigue during World War II. In the 1950s, during the Korean War, the same condition was renamed operational exhaustion and then we finally landed on posttraumatic stress disorder by the Vietnam War. His point? With each iteration, the severity of the condition is massaged to not appear to be as severe as what it really is: the complete shutdown of a nervous system due to the extreme overload placed upon it in combat. Through the years, we have learned that you do not have to go to war to suffer from PTSD. By now, you are starting to see where I am going. George made other jokes about everyday things, asking audiences when did toilet paper become bathroom tissue, car crashes become automobile accidents and doctors become health care providers? I can tell you, the first time I ever saw the words plant protectant in print I almost spit out (sorry, involuntarily expectorated) my coffee. I will say, I spent a good number of years agreeing with George, but they say we mellow with age, and I have now come to see this another way. All of us in the business have faced decades of public scrutiny for the perceived misuse of chemicals, fertilizers, and water. We have made tremendous strides in recent years, stepping up to spread the message of how we are responsible stewards of the land. According to the USGA and GCSAA’s Golf Course Environmental Profile, water use on golf courses accounts for only 0.5 percent of all daily water withdrawn in the United States. And the advent of IPM approaches to turfgrass management has led to input reductions.
14 • New England BLADE • September 2021
So what is the problem, you ask? I am willing to wager the vast majority of John and Jane Smiths in the world think of only one thing when they hear the word pesticide — DDT. And when they hear the word chemical, they are most likely thinking of a skull and crossbones symbol. If we want the public to understand our use of plant protectants is done responsibly and we use far less than the public believes, we probably should stop saying the word altogether. If you give an interview in print, on air or online, saying “we do not use chemicals in an irresponsible manner,” it probably doesn’t help the cause in any way, because the only thing the public heard you say is “we use chemicals.” If we are going to be successful in changing public perception, then we must adopt the same strategy George was making fun of all those years ago. That line item in your budget should be referred to as your plant health budget, and the products contained within that budget should consist of fungicides, insecticides, wetting agents, plant growth regulators, plant health activators, plant protectants and even turf stress reducers. A good friend of mine told me he had an English teacher growing up that said words are tools and what is most important is how you use them. I think this is a great message and one all of us understand, because we are at our best when we have a good toolbox. Please let us put those tools to work for us and get our message across. Sure, it will take a little getting used to. But if we want the world to understand we care for the Earth in a responsible manner, using science and an integrated approach of best management practices to provide a sustainable environment for the enjoyment of our clientele, we cannot go on using antiquated words. And while we are at it, can we please stop posting pictures of rooms full of pallets when your Early Order arrives? Again, the public only knows what they think, and they think they see stacks and stacks of… well, you know the word. • Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG is the superintendent at Carolina Golf Club in Charlotte, NC and past president of the Carolinas GCSA. Follow him on Twitter @CGCGreenkeeper.
The turfgrass industry has proven its resilience over and over, and when 2020 brought so many unexpected changes and challenges, you showed up to support each other and the organizations that bring turfgrass managers together. At Leading Edge Communications, we are proud to partner with the associations and companies that keep the industry and professionals growing.
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COLUMN
Q & A:
Modern Water Management With Kyle McNerney, Founder Smart Water Management a subsidiary of Corbett, Inc.
How often should you check or maintain your irrigation system? It’s more important to know what you’re looking for as opposed to how often you are looking. Leaking seals along basepaths are more critical than a leaking seal in the outfield because of the amount of traffic around that head. A good guide is late April/ early May at the startup, June 15 before it gets hot, and beginning of August to see how you’re doing. What’s the best way to troubleshoot an irrigation system? Start at the controller or water source and work from there to your problem. Then think about what has happened since things last worked well. An example would be a valve that isn’t responding. Do the other valves in that area respond? Isolating where you should be looking helps you find the problem faster. Also, it’s easy to feel stumped. Sometimes the best thing is to just run the zone for 30 minutes manually while you think about it
and try again the next day. Troubleshooting is easier in the right mindset. What is your opinion about little and often irrigation vs. deeper, more penetrating irrigation? I wish there was an answer that applied to everyone. There are fields that I have seen where irrigation is necessary every day and parks where the water shouldn’t come on until June or July. Try to develop an understanding of what it takes to go from a “little dry” to “not worried.” If this means running for 25 minutes and you are a little dry again two days later, than a decent program would be 25 minutes on full circles and 15 minutes on part circles every other day. Please explain the importance of closing down your irrigation systems correctly. Water has a tendency to break the most inconvenient items to fix when it freezes in an irrigation system. Winterizing your system correctly means getting out enough water so that if there is a freeze condition, it isn’t a problem. The best way to do this is in multiple, short (two-minute) intervals of pushing compressed air through the zones. The most efficient way to start is by purging the mainline meaning you try to blow air from one “end” and out of the other “end or ends”. In looped systems this is simply the point that is farthest away. With the mainline mostly dry, the winterization of individual zones goes faster and is a more reliable way to avoid damage. How often would you suggest carrying out an irrigation audit? I have audited one system in my life. Visual inspections and an understanding of what the equipment is designed to do is sufficient. What is the average lifespan of an irrigation system? We really don’t know. There are great PVC systems that have shown little to no signs of age, as well as recently installed systems that have failed. It’s really the vulnerability of the working parts. Dirty water puts more stress on plastic gears in rotors and rubber diaphragms in valves. What we are seeing is that sprinklers have a useful life and then wear out. This depends on so many things, but a well-built system from 30 years ago doesn’t go out of style and can be adapted using the most recent technology. •
Kyle McNerney
16 • New England BLADE • September 2021
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FEATURE
TURF CARE:
WINTER’S ON THE WAY
Jason Lanier, Turf Specialist, UMass Extension
W
hile the month of September is precious prime time for key turf management activities like planting, fertilization and aeration, once the calendar turns to October, forward-thinking turf managers begin to shift their attention to the oncoming winter. Shorter days and cooler nights remind us that winter is just around the corner. After the heat of summer, the winter season is the most difficult test for our cool-season (C3) grasses. Most perennial warm-season (C4) turfgrasses, such as bermudagrass or centipedegrass, are easily killed by lower temperatures and are therefore much better utilized in warmer geographic areas. Cool-season (C3) grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, are well-suited for culture in the Northeast because they have an inherent ability to survive the winter conditions typical of this region. Different species and cultivars vary in their tolerance level however, and injury or death is still very possible under the wrong mix of circumstances. There are two basic mechanisms of turfgrass injury by low temperature, or what is often called direct low temperature kill: • Intracellular freezing occurs when the temperature dips to the point at which ice crystals form in the fluid within plant cells. The sharp crystals rupture the cell membrane resulting in leakage and eventual death of the cell. When this phenomenon occurs within the turfgrass crown (the main growing point of the plant), death of the entire plant is likely. • Extracellular freezing involves ice crystal formation outside of plant cells during low temperature exposure. The ice crystals create a negative potential gradient that draws water out of cells and leads to desiccation, cell collapse and death of tissue. In response to shorter days and cooler temperatures in the fall, grass plants gradually shift resources away from growth and towards preparation for winter survival. During this acclimation to decreasing temperature (hardening), the ability of turfgrass plants to reduce crown hydration and accumulate solutes such as carbohydrates, soluble proteins and amino acids helps to protect plants from direct low temperature kill. The period after which shoot growth ceases, but the turf remains green (typically around late November-early December in Southern New England) is especially critical for acclimation. The bulk of the carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis during this phase, instead of being directed to growth, are used by each plant to protect vital cells from freezing. A gradual decline in temperature over a period of 3 or 4 weeks is preferable during the last stage of the hardening process. Although air temperatures often fluctuate (sometimes considerably), soil temperatures are buffered and therefore the descent is typically more measured. As noted above, even among well adapted cool-season grasses, there is significant variability in low temperature tolerance and overall winter hardiness at both the species and especially the cultivar level. Genetics, furthermore, are only part of the equation, as a whole series of environmental, management and plant factors
18 • New England BLADE • September 2021
will play a role in the actual risk of cold injury any given year. In the end, much depends on the quality of acclimation and also the timing and pace of de-acclimation come spring. A lot of frustration originates from the fact that many aspects of the process are beyond our control. Research is ongoing to increase our understanding of low temperature hardiness in C3 grasses. In addition to direct low temperature kill, keep an eye out for other potentially damaging agents in the ‘winter injury complex’: • Frost damage – Frost can in some cases be lethal to seedlings, but it is less common that frost alone causes lasting damage to mature turfgrass plants. A notable exception is when traffic (foot, equipment, vehicle) occurs on frosted turf. The compression drives the frost crystals into cells, rapidly killing tissue. Even if crowns are not directly affected, frost injury can destroy frozen shoots and leave crowns more exposed and vulnerable to other stresses. Visible frost injury caused in the fall will often be apparent throughout the winter until growth resumes in the spring. • Desiccation is caused by excessive drying of plants from dry air and winter winds. Moisture is driven from vital tissues and is not replaced as a result of dormant plants and frozen soils, resulting in plants that do not recover when growth resumes in the spring. Desiccation is especially common during ‘open’ winters or due to other factors that leave turf exposed for lengths of time.
• Low temperature diseases, particularly snow molds, which are fungi that can grow and thrive despite cold temperatures. Often exacerbated by available moisture, higher N levels going into winter, and extended snow cover. While snow molds can be lethal on intensively managed turf such as that on golf courses, they are typically a temporary, superficial nuisance on lawns and grounds. • Ice damage – this injury is caused by lack of sufficient gas exchange when ice cover is present on turf for long periods (typically > 60 days). Can be widespread and incredibly damaging under the wrong mix of weather conditions. • Mechanical damage and heaving – Physical surface disruption from either natural frost heaving or snow removal operations. Can necessitate extensive springtime repairs. • Critter damage – Voles are the most common culprit. Winters with lasting snow cover provide voles with protection from predators, frequently resulting in damage to turf areas and also woody plantings. • Salt damage – De-icing salts that contact turf areas can impact plant growth in several ways: by affecting the ability of plants to be able to absorb water from the soil, by alteration of physical soil structure, by competition with desirable nutrients in terms of root uptake, or simply by direct toxicity from some critical level of undesirable salts. •
September 2021 • New England BLADE • 19
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON
JASON DRUMMOND Head of Athletic Grounds Amherst College Amherst, Massachusetts Turfgrass Management University of Massachusetts
How did you get your start in the sports turf industry? I began in golf course maintenance on Cape Cod in high school and eventually worked my way up to Superintendent at a course in Northampton, MA. As our family grew, I switched career paths to sports turf management at Springfield College (Springfield, MA), where my first assignment was the softball field. There I was able to put my own spin on things, such as making a design on the infield with the chalk liner or painting a logo free hand. Where did you go from there? At Springfield College they assigned me to the baseball field as well, and eventually the athletic department had me taking care of all the outdoor athletic facilities. As part of the school’s athletic construction master plan, all of the fields were to be converted to synthetic turf, which was not of interest to me. When the opportunity presented itself, I secured the position of Head of Athletic Grounds at Amherst College which allows me to work on six natural grass fields and two synthetic fields. Who helped you the most when you first started out in the sports turf industry? My cousin, Steve Guise. A former STMA President, Steve has assisted in the construction of some of the biggest professional athletic fields in the country and was Track Superintendent at Santa Anita Race Track in California. I also admire the work of Ron Dobosz of Wilbraham Parks and Recreation. My kids have played on the Wilbraham fields many times and they are always in fantastic shape. Brett Gawanter at Deerfield Academy is another professional I look up to. His campus and athletic fields are some of the nicest I have ever seen, and Brett’s turf knowledge and background are stellar. What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received? From my parents: “Treat people the way you want to be treated.” Plain and simple! What’s your favorite thing about your current position / responsibilities? I really enjoy working outdoors and getting my hands dirty. And although I don’t have one favorite thing, it’s nice to work every day with people you enjoy. Depending on the season, the crew and I often spend more time together than with our families. Can you tell us about a recent project you’ve been able to complete? During Covid, the focus of our work shifted. College grounds and athletic grounds staff joined forces. It was all hands on deck in order to support the students and the college. What is the next “game-changer” you see on the horizon for the sports turf industry? I see two big game changers: Fraise mowing and synthetic/natural grass hybrid. At Amherst, we plan to start fraise mowing the
20 • New England BLADE • September 2021
softball field to reduce the amount of organic matter and provide a new seed bed to establish a better Rye / KBG outfield. I’d like to incorporate this practice into my long-term plan. Regarding hybrid grass, it is only going to get better. Spring sports start in February, so having a small amount of synthetic to get through the beginning of the season until the natural grass begins to kick in would be ideal. What’s your favorite/most useful: Equipment? Three things! My ride on paint sprayer is a big timesaver. My Z sprayer/spreader is just right for all of my fields and I like that I can see and control the amount of product I’m putting down. My Toro sidewinder provides a great cut and a great stripe. Product? Streamliner and sweet spot tamp. The Streamliner always puts down a consistently precise chalk line and is far superior compared to any of the other liners I have used. With the sweet spot tamp, I don’t have to worry about my hands vibrating every time I use it, and the force it provides to make the clay nice and level is fantastic. These little things can make so much difference in the outcome of your fields. What advice would you share with people starting out in sports turf management today? “It’s not what you know but who you know.” Your resume might get you that interview, but the interviewer is looking for peace of mind so they will begin to ask around to their friends, colleagues and salespeople in the industry. If those individuals know you, they will give you the backing you need to get that job. “Take pride in what you do.” It doesn’t matter if you are replacing an irrigation head or striping a field, things seem to always get back to you. You might as well do it right the first time. Can you share a bit about your family life and / or what you enjoy doing in your free time? My wife Tami and I have been married for 25 years and have two beautiful daughters: Rachel and Amber. In our spare time we try to get away to either Ogunquit, ME, or Brewster, MA (where I’m from originally). We hope to travel to Scotland and the UK next summer. My wife loves tennis, so we will be planning our trip around the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. I’m hoping that NESTMA board member Ian Lacy can set me up with some of his contacts and a behind the scenes tour of Wimbledon along with Wembley Stadium. While my family is excited to see some good tennis and possibly a soccer match, I’m most interested in the turf! What have you enjoyed most/find most beneficial about being a NESTMA member? I really enjoy the seminars and gatherings at different facilities. We are always learning, so it’s great to get together, share ideas, and ask questions. I also enjoyed the webinars this year, as it’s always nice to get different viewpoints in all aspects of the sports turf industry. •
September 2021 • New England BLADE • 21
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WHAT’S WITH WORKERS THESE DAYS?
By Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM
M
ore and more managers are questioning why it seems the labor force is so different than it used to be. While some want to blame generational shifts in thinking, the reality is far more a product of our current economy. Here’s why workers today are more demanding and what they really want in a job. To start, workers can afford to be much more selective in where they choose to work. As of August 2021, there are 10.1 million open jobs and only 8.7 million people on unemployment in the United States. With more jobs than people, there is very little risk with choosing to look elsewhere for a job if workers don’t feel valued or don’t see a future with an organization. Quite simply, the days of workers gratefully working for a paycheck to meet their needs are long gone when competition for employees is so dire. Workers also are seeking more money because it has become increasingly expensive to live. Since 2015, there has been a cumulative price increase of over 15% in consumer goods, and it’s on the rise. And a livable wage, that is the wage required to cover all basic necessities like housing, food, healthcare, and other essentials, is often two to three times the minimum wage in a given county, depending on the number of dependents supported. If employees are supposed to be grateful for a paycheck, then that paycheck needs to be enough to provide for them to live comfortably. But paying enough money for employees to afford to live is not a competitive advantage. Whereas previous generations found meaning in their communities and families, today’s workforce is seeking purpose in their jobs. They want to feel like they are contributing positively and making a difference through the work they do every day. And yet, only 34% of employees have even heard a story about how their company impacted a customer to improve their business or life. When I used to hire hundreds of seasonal workers to shovel snow in New England, I found success not by offering more pay
or benefits than competitors but by inspiring my people with purpose. We shoveled snow at utility providers to ensure that our entire community had heat and electricity despite the worst winters on record. We cleared supermarkets and pharmacies so that the people in our communities could get the groceries and medication they needed to survive. We knew that successfully doing our job meant saving lives and enabling society to function no matter what Mother Nature had in store. In addition, we focused on growth and development opportunities because it’s currently the number one factor when choosing a job for employees today. The best recruiters are those who had risen through the ranks of the organization themselves. Their story became an inspiration for employees who wanted to achieve their own dreams. Whatever their purpose – buying a home, having a family they could provide for, finding respect of their colleagues, or achieving mastery of their craft – they could achieve through the opportunities provided. Yet the most critical desire of workers today is a manager who makes them feel valued. More than just a seat on the bus, employees want to have their ideas heard and considered. The best organizations provide opportunities for employees to voice opinions and then honestly consider, refine, and utilize them. It should be no surprise that at least 70% of a worker’s engagement is directly based on their manager. If you’re trying to hire and retain staff, it’s time to consider having more conversations with your employees about why your organization exists, how they can play a role in success, what their future could look like, and how it can be achieved as a team. I prefer to have weekly coaching conversations with the people I manage and set formal goals with them quarterly. It’s a collaborative, and time-consuming, process, but it’s also the top reason people want to continue to work for me. In fact, my employees often tell me that our coaching conversations are their favorite part of the job. And I know you can do it too. •
Neal Glatt is the Managing Partner of GrowTheBench, an online training platform for the green industry. You can learn more about him and his solutions at www.NealGlatt.com.
22 • New England BLADE • September 2021
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