The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010
F E AT U R E D A RT I C L E S
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Upcoming Event – 2010 Tennessee Turfgrass Association 44th Annual Conference and Trade Show, Program and Registration Form
16
Turf Tips – Controlling Winter Weeds, Part 2 – Winter Annual Broadleaf Weeds
18 20
Turf Talk – Bunkers: A Matter of Respect
12 Upcoming Event
16
Turf Tips
18
Turf Talk
Turf News – Turf in the World News
D E PA RT M E N T S From the TTA President, Bob Hogan
6
From the TVSTMA President, Stephen Crockett 8
4
From the ETGCSA President, Jeffery Rumph
10
Calendar of Events
22
Index of Advertisers
22
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
F R O M T H E T TA P R E S I D E N T Bob Hogan
A PRIVILEGE to Serve
has been my privilege and honor to serve as your TTA president. Thank you for allowing me to hold such a position in this great association. During the last two years, I have been blessed to work with some of the greatest individuals of our industry that served on the board of directors, advisory committee and the University of Tennessee staff. Thanks, Jim Uden, for making my job easy. Many thanks go to the past and present board members, as well as to our past presidents, for making this organization the best of the best. I pray that the ones who choose to follow in their footsteps will continue the tradition. I truly believe the future of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association is in great hands. Now to the serious stuff. TTA’s 2010 Annual Conference and Trade Show is just around the corner. We need your support. As I asked in my last letter, I’m asking again: help us make the TTA bigger and better. Please ask people to join, and remind our old nonmembers to come back and renew their membership. Let’s make this meeting the best ever. Dr. Tom Samples and the education committee have assembled an awesome education program with excellent topics and a great group of speakers to deliver the message. You will be blessed. The Trade Show Committee, has once again designed a show that flows. Vendors, you need to be ready to reserve your space. I know that I will. Please make plans to attend the 2010 Annual Conference and Trade Show. You will need to book your hotel reservations early at Franklin Marriott Cool Springs by calling 1-888-403-6772. I ask each of you to attend our annual meeting during our conference. This is a time that each of us has to bring before the membership any business that is important to the mission of our association. We are
It
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only as strong as your support. While attending our annual meeting, we will elect new board members. I hope that all active members would consider running for the board of directors. If you would like to serve on the board, please call me. We will add your name to the slate of candidates. It is time well spent, with “great benefits and a wonderful salary.” Just a reminder, we do have scholarships to give away. Will you help us spend these funds? We are also taking nominations for the TTA Professional of the Year. If you would like to nominate a candidate for either, please call Tommy Mittlesteadt or anyone on the scholarship committee. They will be more than happy to assist you. If you have any questions about the TTA, you may call Jim Uden at the TTA office (615-591-8286) or me at The Hogan Company (888-224-6426). We hope to see each of you January 10–12, 2010, in Franklin, Tennessee. As I stated in my first letter, there is a passage of scripture found in Luke 9:62 where Jesus states, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service…” I have finished plowing the field that you have given me to work. The furrows may be just a little crooked and not as deep in places, but I ran out of daylight. A new day is coming, and there will be time in that morning to hook up a rested team of mules and start another day of work. So, be in prayer for the next president, officers and board of directors, and lend your support. So, let us look forward and plow into 2010 and make our association even better than it is today and greener tomorrow. Bob Hogan TTA President
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
Tennessee Turfgrass is the official publication of The Tennessee Turfgrass Association 400 Franklin Road Franklin, Tennessee 37069 (615) 591-8286 tnturfgrassassn@aol.com www.ttaonline.org Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax (615) 794-4524 Email:info@leadingedgecommunications.com Editor Mr. Bill Marbet TTA OFFICERS President Bob Hogan The Hogan Company (888) 224-6426 Vice President Jay Willis Glen Eagle Golf Course (901) 508-1986 Secretary/Treasurer Bob McCurdy McCurdy Farms (731) 692-3515 Past President Bill Francis The Ridges Golf & CC (423) 913-2276 Executive Secretary Mr. Jim Uden (615) 591-8286 TTA 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. Joel Beckham Mr. Dick Breedlove Mr. Paul Carter Mr. Doug Estes Mr. Thomas Garner Mr. Bill Marbet Mr. Scott McNeer Mr. Tommy Mittlesteadt Mr. Mitch Parker Mr. Scott Severance Mr. Doug Ward Mr. Sean VanHoose TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mr. Bill Blackburn Mr. Lynn Ray Dr. Tom Samples Dr. Dennis Shepard Dr. John Sorochan
FROM THE TVSTMA PRESIDENT Stephen C. Crockett, CSFM
his was a unique year with the challenges of high rainfall totals and ever-increasing field usage throughout the state. As a group, we have met these challenges, and we have worked together to continue to improve our fields as a whole. Our organization, as well as
T
STMA, has increased the expectations for sports fields within the state of Tennessee, and our membership has worked to meet these rising expectations. As we continue to add new athletic fields, and continue to meet the tremendous increase in usage of our current fields, we must work together
as a group to help one another meet the challenges of the future. Through TVSTMA, we impact not only our members’ facilities, but also all of the facilities of non-members — we set the standards for field excellence amongst our peers. The level of expectations for athletic fields from professional to amateur will not decrease in the future, and we as an organization must continue to work together to not only meet these expectations, but to exceed them. As this is my final letter as TVSTMA president, I would like to thank everyone in the organization for the support and assistance that I received throughout the past year. It has gone by in an instant, yet we have laid the groundwork for several new programs and improvements that have not yet been implemented. I look forward to working with Theo Lankford as he takes the post of president at the TTA Conference in January. With his leadership and the support of our members, I believe he will implement several exciting programs and changes as we move toward the future. As in any organization, it is the members that must work along with the leadership to complete these tasks. Please feel free to express insight and offer any ideas that you may have for the organization as we move forward. Chris Crockett, CSFM TVSTMA President
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
The Tennessee Turfgrass Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Tennessee Turfgrass Magazine, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright Š2009 by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Tennessee Turfgrass is published bimonthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to Tennessee Turfgrass Association, 400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Tennessee Turfgrass allows reprinting of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.
FROM THE ETGCSA PRESIDENT Jeff Rumph
GREAT YEAR for the ETGCSA!
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many ways, 2009 has been a great year in East Tennessee. It has definitely been a very unusual weather year, certainly like none that I can remember. A very cool spring made bermudagrass transition painfully slow. Plenty of rainfall throughout the year made for very little drought stress and a lot of lush bermuda through the end of the growing season, even in non-irrigated areas. A former irrigation sales rep in our area used to say that if the weather was dry, it was a good time to sell sprinklers, but if the weather was too wet, it was a good time to sell drainage pipe. This year must have been a good year for drainage pipe in East Tennessee. And I don’t remember hearing any global warming speeches while I was wearing my light jacket on many cool July mornings. The East Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association (ETGCSA) also had an excellent year. Our slate of great meeting sites started with Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club in April, with host superintendent Chris Simon. Although Chris’s golf course was in excellent condition, the wind on top of that mountain was so ferocious that I haven’t had a good hair day since (oh, that’s right, I don’t have any hair). But, I have faith in Chris, and I think that he will be able to control the wind next time we have an outing up there. In May, we visited Guy Hudson at Oak Ridge Country Club. Say what you will about nuclear radiation, but it must be good for grass because his course was beautiful. Ridgefields Country Club in Kingsport was our site in June, with Brent Maples as our host. It’s always a beautiful sight to play the holes along the Holston River. We saw a couple of deer run across the fairway
In
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in front of us (which was pretty rude, though, because we never told them that they could play through). In July, ETGCSA met at Ruggles Ferry Golf Club in Knoxville. This is one of the courses developed by the Hodge family (Jerry, Randall and Greg). They have a great formula — fun golf courses in excellent condition and at a reasonable price. Our August meeting was at one of my favorite golf courses, Black Creek Club in Chattanooga. The course is always immaculate, thanks to Scott Wicker, and the golf architecture provides fun and interesting challenges. Cattails at Meadowview Golf Course was the site of the 19th Annual ETGCSA Scholarship and Research Golf Tournament on October 13. Our host for this event was the one and only Roger Frazier. One and only, because I am sure that the mold was broken after God made this CGCS/character/counselor/good friend to anyone that he has met. If you haven’t met him, just be at The Cock of the Walk Restaurant near Opryland on the Sunday night during TTA’s annual conference, and he is sure to be there, along with a few other characters. The next event that I always look forward to is the Tennessee Annual Turfgrass Conference; this year, it will be held on January 10–12, 2009, in Franklin. This is a great time to learn something new about turfgrass management, while being able to visit with so many friends in this industry. If you are reading this, I look forward to seeing you there, and I hope that you have also had a great year. And if you’re not reading this, well, you should be. Jeff Rumph Gatlinburg Golf Course 2009 ETGCSA President
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
44TH ANNUAL
2010 TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW PROGRAM
JANUARY 10, 11 AND 12, 2010
FRANKLIN MARRIOTT COOL SPRINGS 700 COOL SPRINGS BLVD. • FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE 37067
PROGRAM & MEMBER REGISTRATION
CONFERENCE PROGRAM SPEAKERS AND TOPICS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY 10 Opening Session
2:15 p.m.
(Moderator: Dr. John Sorochan, The University of Tennessee) 1 p.m. Welcome to the 44th Tennessee Turfgrass Conference Dr. John Sorochan, The University of Tennessee
The Do’s and Don’ts of Rootzone Management Dr. Andy McNitt, Penn State University
3:15 p.m. ADJOURN
4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
1:15 p.m. Managing Winter Patch Diseases in the Transition Zone Dr. John Inguagiato, University of Connecticut
MONDAY, JANUARY 11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
National Football League Playoff Social Sponsored by the TVSTMA
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Concurrent Session #1
Concurrent Session #2
(Moderator: Mr. Tommy Mittlestead)
(Moderator: Mr. Bob McCurdy)
8:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
Winter Management of Ultradwarf Bermudagrasses in the Transition Zone Mr. John Kauffman, The University of Tennessee
Sorting Out the NTEP Data Mr. Johnny Parham, The University of Tennessee
8:45 a.m.
Constructing The University of Tennessee Center for Safer Athletic Fields Mr. Adam Thoms, The University of Tennessee
What Will Your Irrigation System Look Like Five Years From Now? Mr. Don Bulmer, The Toro Company
9:30 a.m. Management Strategies for Anthracnose Dr. John Inguagiato, University of Connecticut
10:15 a.m. BREAK
8:45 a.m.
9:30 a.m. Sprayer Calibration: As Easy as A-T-V Mr. Jeff Borger, Penn State University
10:15 a.m. BREAK
10:30 a.m.
Programs for Disease Management in TN Dr. Brandon Horvath, The University of Tennessee
New Products for Weed Control during Establishment of Sports Fields and Residential Lawns Mr. Greg Breeden and Dr. Jim Brosnan, The University of Tennessee
11:15 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
Suppressing Annual Bluegrass Seedheads on Putting Greens During Spring Mr. Jeff Borger, Penn State University
A View from Inside Center Court: Managing Turf at Wimbledon Mr. Will Haselbauer, The University of Tennessee
12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m.
AWARDS LUNCHEON AND TTA BUSINESS MEETING
AWARDS LUNCHEON AND TTA BUSINESS MEETING
1:45 p.m.
1:45 pm.
TGCSAA Business Meeting
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
TRADE SHOW
Effective Management of Synthetic Turf Sports Fields Dr. Andy McNitt, Penn State University
2:15 p.m. TVSTMA Business Meeting
Please support our vendors! TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Concurrent Session #2
6:30 a.m. Prayer Breakfast (Continental Style)
(Moderator: Mr. Billy Clark) 11:15 a.m.
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Can PGRs Make Your Field Stronger? Dr. Jim Brosnan and Mr. Will Haselbauer, The University of Tennessee
TRADE SHOW Please support our vendors!
12:00 p.m. LUNCH
Concurrent Session #1
1:15 p.m.
(Moderator: Mr. Frank Turner) 11:15 a.m. Inside the Ropes… UT Students’ Experiences at the 2009 Masters Tournament and the 2009 U.S. Open Mr. Brock Turner, Mr. Jimmy Humston and Mr. Sean Elverd, The University of Tennessee
12:00 p.m.
Strategies for Controlling Overseeded Perennial Ryegrass Turf Mr. Greg Breeden and Dr. Jim Brosnan, The University of Tennessee
2:00 p.m. Taking a Proactive Approach to Water Restrictions Dr. Thomas W. Rufty Jr., North Carolina State University
2:45 p.m.
LUNCH
1:15 p.m. Panel Discussion on the Management of Naturalized Areas on TN Golf Courses Mr. J.D. Murr, Lambert Acres Golf Club, and Mr. Jim Thomas, TPC Southwind
Ten Steps to Save Money Controlling Weeds This Year Dr. Jim Brosnan and Mr. Greg Breeden, The University of Tennessee
3:45 p.m. ADJOURN Please have a safe trip home.
2:00 p.m. Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Zoysiagrass Fairways and Tees Mr. Adam Thoms, The University of Tennessee
2:45 p.m. Strategies for Managing Nematodes Dr. William Crow, University of Florida
3:45 p.m. ADJOURN Please have a safe trip home.
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
4 4 T H A N N U A L TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
AND
TRADE
SHOW
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS FORM WITH YOUR PAYMENT. Please list all information as you would like it to appear in the 2010 TTA Annual Directory.
ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TELEPHONE: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FAX: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ EMAIL: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRIMARY FUNCTION COMMERCIAL VENDOR TURF MANAGER ❑ Commercial Lawn Care ❑ Equipment Dealer ❑ Golf Course ❑ Retail Center ❑ Distributor ❑ Parks & Recreation ❑ Landscaping ❑ Manufacturer ❑ Sports Field ❑ Irrigation Contractor ❑ Other_______________ ❑ Hotel/Resort ❑ Hospital/Health Care ❑ DOT ❑ Other_______________ ❑ School/University ❑ Cemetery ❑ Other_______________ PLEASE CHECK THE BOX FOR ADDITIONAL ASSOCIATION AFFILIATIONS:
❑ PGMS
❑ TNLA
❑ TVSTMA
❑ TGCSA
❑ Other _____________
Please list the first and last names of the persons attending the 2010 Conference & Trade Show. Attach separate list if needed.
❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ ❺ ➏ ❼ ❽
REGISTRATION OPTIONS ❶
❷
❸
❹
❺
➏
❼
❽
Primary Member Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 175.00
TOTAL $
Price includes 2010 Membership Dues
Returning Member Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 125.00 $
For members who haven’t attended the Conference in the past three years. Fee includes free 2010 TTA membership.
Associate Member Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 120.00 Registrants from the same facility are eligible for Associate Membership if the facility has two primary members.
$
Student Member Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
60.00
$
One-Day Pass (Limit 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
75.00
$
One-Day Student Pass (Limit 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
10.00
$
FREE
$
25.00
$
First-Time Attendee One-Day Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . Awards Lunch Ticket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Endowment Fund Contribution ❑ Research ❑ Scholarship
❑
$
Extension
Please make checks payable to:
Tennessee Turfgrass Association • 400 Franklin Road • Franklin, TN 37069
GRAND TOTAL
$
(No Credit Cards)
TTA OFFICE USE ONLY
Date______________
Check No. ______________
Cash ______________
REGISTRATION FORM
COMPANY NAME: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONTROLLING WINTER WEEDS, PART 2 – Winter Annual Broadleaf Weeds By Jim Brosnan, Ph.D.; Greg Breeden; and Tom Samples, Ph.D.; The University of Tennessee Photo 1. Henbit produces distinctive purple flowers each spring.
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)
Phenoxy herbicides
Henbit has a square stem that can be purplish in color. Branching freely from the base, henbit is characterized by its kidney-shaped, serrated leaves that can be densely hairy. Uppermost leaves lack petioles (stems that support the leaf), and the plant produces distinctive purple flowers each spring (see Photo 1).
Purple deadnettle is often confused with henbit; however, the leaves of purple deadnettle are attached to petioles, and the leaves of henbit are not. Furthermore, the leaves of purple deadnettle take on a purplish color in spring and are densely hairy (see Photo 2).
Phenoxy herbicides are the most frequently used herbicides for selective broadleaf weed control in turf. Common examples include 2,4-D, MCPP and MCPA. While such herbicides are effective individually, broadspectrum weed control is often achieved by applying products containing more than one of these materials. Multiple options are available, including Trimec Classic™ (2,4-D, MCPP and dicamba) and Three-Way™ (2,4D, MCPP and dicamba). These products are safe for use on the majority of turf species found throughout the state; however, always check the product label for specific turfgrasstolerance information.
Common chickweed (Stellaria media)
Preemergence control
Common chickweed has a shallow root system and is often found in wet, shady areas. The egg-shaped leaves are arranged opposite of one another and exhibit a shiny appearance. The lines of vertical hairs along the stem easily identify common chickweed.
In order to control any weed preemergently, control measures must be implemented prior to that weed germinating from the soil seed bank. While preemergence control for winter annual broadleaf weeds is not feasible for 2009, you may want to consider this strategy in 2010. Currently, only one commercially available herbicide can be used to provide effective preemergence control of winter annual broadleaf weeds. This product, isoxaben (marketed under the trade name Gallery 75DF), must be applied prior to weed emergence, so target applications for late summer.
Protox-inhibiting herbicides
inter annual broadleaf weeds are common problems throughout much of Tennessee. These weeds germinate from seeds in late summer and early fall, grow during the winter months and bloom the following spring.
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Identification The most important step in controlling any weed is proper identification. It is impossible to know how to control a weed without knowing what it is. A few common winter annual broadleaf weed species are outlined below. Visit http://tennesseeturfgrassweeds.org to identify other winter annual broadleaf weeds in your landscape.
Purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)
Postemergence control Photo 2. The densely hairy leaves of purple deadnettle take on a purplish color in spring. 16
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
Numerous herbicides are available for postemergence control of winter annual broadleaf weeds. Listed next are the most common ones.
Carfentrazone (marketed under the trade name Quicksilver) and sulfentrazone (marketed under the trade name Dismiss) are two common protox-inhibiting herbicides used in turfgrass management. Both are safe for use on nearly all of the warm- and cool-season turfgrasses managed in Tennessee. These herbicides are most effective when applied in combination with phenoxy herbicides. Commercial products — like SpeedZone (carfentrazone, 2,4-D, MCPP and dicamba), PowerZone (carfentrazone, MCPA, MCPP and dicamba), Q4 (quinclorac, sulfentrazone, 2,4-D and dicamba) and TZone (triclopyr, sulfentrazone, 2,4-D and dicamba) — can be used to widen the spectrum of weed control provided by a single herbicide application. Some of these combination products can be especially suited
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
CONTINUED for winter annual broadleaf control because the addition of carfentrazone to mixes of phenoxy herbicides improves efficacy in cold weather.
Non-selective herbicides Non-selective herbicides like Roundup ProMax (glyphosate) and Finale (glufosinate) can be used to control winter annual broadleaf weeds in dormant bermudagrass. These treatments are not recommended on zoysiagrass, as this species may not go completely dormant during winter in the transition zone. In order to be effective, these herbicides must be applied when weeds are actively growing, so target treatments for days with air temperatures greater than 45°F–50°F. Non-selective herbicide applications can be extremely effective, as
they control both broadleaf and grassy weed species. Research conducted at The University of Tennessee has shown that turfgrass managers attempting to control large areas of a perennial weed like white clover (Trifolium repens) should select Finale over Roundup Pro. Furthermore, mixtures of non-selective and preemergence crabgrass herbicides applied in early spring can provide effective postemergence control of winter annual broadleaf weeds and preemergence control of smooth crabgrass (See Photo 3). This strategy can be both extremely effective and economical. For more information on other turf weeds in Tennessee, visit The University of Tennessee’s turfgrass weed-science website, http://tennessee turfgrassweeds.org.
Photo 3. A is an untreated control plot infested with henbit and purple deadnettle; B shows the same plot 42 days after treatment with Finale at 1 lb. ai/A + Ronstar at 3 lb. ai/A on March 7, 2009. C is an untreated control plot infested with smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum); D shows the same plot 168 days after treatment with Finale at 1 lb. ai/A + Ronstar at 3 lb. ai/A on March 7, 2009.
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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T U R F TA L K
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hat do David Duval and Patrick O’Brien have in common? They both were faced with a plugged and unplayable lie in a bunker during the final round of a major championship. For David, the setting was the U.S. Open at Bethpage, and for Patrick, it was the Brunswick Invitational. How should these situations be interpreted? Are these golfers the victim of the wrong sand, poor maintenance or substandard design? Or are bad lies part of the game? We ask these questions because they are brought up regularly on our USGA Turfgrass Advisory Service visits. We have encountered course officials and golfers who, at one time or another, have eagerly argued all the reasons above. We will sort out some facts, state our position and give you some information to answer this question.
What is a bunker? According to the USGA Rules of Golf, a bunker “is a hazard consisting of a prepared area of ground, often a hollow, from which turf or soil has been removed and replaced with sand or the like.” Although this definition is straightforward, sometimes golfers are confused regarding the definition of a hazard. We have 18
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
been told multiple times by golfers and course officials that, in a properly maintained hazard (in this case, a bunker), there would never be any plugged lies. In fact, we are told that every time a ball enters this hazard, the lie should be consistent. Let’s begin to sort out these claims by going straight to the dictionary and see the first two definitions of hazard: Hazard [haz-erd] – noun. (1) an unavoidable danger or risk, even though often foreseeable; (2) something causing unavoidable danger, peril, risk or difficulty. Overall, it appears this hazard in golf is not a happy place to be.
Does design influence playability? Yes. It is generally accepted that flat-bottom bunkers wash out less frequently and severely. Maintaining a firm surface will be easier in a flat-bottom bunker. However, difficult lies are possible in the areas where the grass and sand meet. On the other hand, bunkers with flashed faces will wash out more, but balls are more likely to roll to a low spot away from the edge. Any time sand washes out and must be replaced, it will be softer than sand that has not washed out.
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
Does the type of sand impact playability? Yes. However, there is no sand that will satisfy all the people all of the time. No bunker sand comes with a guarantee of no bad lies.
Does maintenance impact playability? Yes, although there is a misconception among many that bunkers can be “consistent.� Nothing could be further from the truth, as bunkers are influenced by sun, rain, position in relation to the sun, degree to which they wash in a rain, how golfers enter and exit, etc. Bunkers can be maintained in a consistent fashion by using the same method to groom all of them, but the outcome of golf shots hit into a bunker can vary not only from bunker to bunker, but from within the same bunker.
The bottom line David Duval and Patrick O’Brien sure got bad breaks. Unfortunately, the buck must stop with them. The Rules of Golf provided a solution for their difficulties, as unpalatable as that may have been. They were not the victims of bad design, bad maintenance or the wrong type of sand. They both were playing an outdoor game that requires all of us to play the course as we find it. Bunkers were never intended to be targets for golf shots, nor are there any promises as to what type of lie will result. In fact, the Rules of Golf declare that they are hazards, and we now know that hazards are generally associated with risk, peril or danger. We continue to advocate that no matter how maintenance, sand type and design are manipulated, there will continue to be good lies in bunkers and bad ones, too. We hope you, too, will adopt this position.
TURF NEWS
By Tom Samples, Ph.D.; John Sorochan, Ph.D.; Jim Brosnan, Ph.D.; and Brandon Horvath, Ph.D.; Plant Sciences Department, The University of Tennessee
The Smell of Freshly Cut Turf May Help Relieve Stress fter seven years of study, researchers at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, suggest that chemicals released as turf is mowed can help people relax. Dr. Nick Lavidis, a neuroscientist, and professor Rosemary Einstein, a pharmacologist, have developed a perfume named Serenascent with the aroma of freshly cut turf. Serenascent, which combines three chemicals released when green leaves are cut, is intended to be used as a spray on bed linens, a handkerchief or clothing. Apparently, the smell of cut grass affects two parts of the brain, one related to memory (hippocampus) and the other, emotion (amygdala). These two regions of the brain are linked to the fight or flight response and to the endocrine system, which is involved with the release of stress hormones including corticosteroides. According to Dr. Lavidis, there are two types of stress. Acute stress, often considered beneficial, occurs before a task that must be done well. Chronic stress is associated with a weakened immune system and high blood pressure. Chronic stress can damage the hippocampus of the brain, reducing the number of communicating cells and leading to memory loss. Project researchers noted that animals exposed to Serenascent had little, if any damage to the hippocampus. The production of Serenascent for retail sale began in September 2009. In the future, the researchers intend to evaluate the potential for adding this beneficial, “feel-good chemistry” into other products.
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A Lawn Mowing Poll ccording to a recent poll of 3,000 people conducted in England, the average British homeowner pushes a lawnmower more than 220 miles in a lifetime. Poll results indicate that, on average, men mow 5 times a month during spring and summer, covering a total distance of 765 meters, or almost onehalf mile each time the lawn is mown. This represents a distance of
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3.8 miles of mowing between March and October and 220.56 miles over the average adult lifetime (~58 years). Interestingly, women won’t travel quite this far while cutting the grass (just 47.9 miles). According to the study, men mow the lawn in more than three-quarters of English households. Forty percent of the men surveyed reported that they considered lawn mowing to be their job. Fifty-six percent indicated they found mowing the lawn therapeutic, and more than a third admitted they cut the grass the same way every time.
Tree Leaves and Dandelion Control isposal of yard waste in U.S. landfills has stopped since the Solid Waste Management Act became effective in March 1995. At the same time, the Clean Air Act of 1970 became more stringent, with the “open” burning of leaves in cities with populations of more than 7,500 also prohibited. As a result, new strategies have evolved to manage tree leaves in the landscape. As a follow-up to an earlier investigation indicating that leaf litter from deciduous trees can be used as mulch in established Kentucky bluegrass turf without adversely affecting turfgrass quality, researchers at Michigan State University report that some tree leaf mulch has herbicidal properties. Dandelion control among leaf mulches varied according to tree species. Leaf mulch with a fine (~0.5 in.) or coarse (~1.5 in.) particle size from red oak and red, silver and sugar maples was broadcast over existing Kentucky bluegrass turf at rates up to about 0.3 lb. per ft2. Regardless of tree species, a rate of about 300 lbs. of leaf mulch per 1,000 ft2 provided the greatest dandelion control (about 80% in the first year of the trial and 70% control in the second year). Sugar maple mulch consistently provided the greatest dandelion control (up to 81%). The researchers suggest that, if a natural product containing maple leaf litter can be processed so that the control of several broadleaf weeds species approaches 100%, it may have potential use in the turfgrass industry.
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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
CALENDAR OF EVENTS JANUARY 10–12, 2010 44th Annual TTA Conference & Trade Show Marriott Cool Springs Franklin, TN
JANUARY 12–16, 2010 STMA Annual Conference Orlando, FL
FEBRUARY 1–5, 2010 TPI Midwinter Conference
FEBRUARY 8–12, 2010 Golf Industry Show and GCSAA Education Conferences San Diego, CA
FEBRUARY 26–27, 2010 UT Gardens Conifer Symposium “Great Conifers for Tennessee” University of Tennessee Gardens Knoxville, TN
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
FEBRUARY 2–3, 2010 TNLA Winter Education & Exhibits
JULY 26–30, 2010 TPI Summer Convention and Field Days New York, New York
(TN Nursery & Landscape Assn.) Holiday Inn Pigeon Forge, TN
ADVERTISERS BWI Companies, Inc..................17 www.bwicompanies.com
Modern Turf, Inc. ........................8 www.modernturf.com
Covermaster, Inc.......................21 www.covermaster.com
Smith Turf & Irrigation.....Back Cover www.smithturf.com
Dickens Turf & Landscape Supply...............Inside Front Cover www.dickenssupply.com
Tennessee 811...........................7 www.tnonecall.com
Ewing Irrigation.........................11 www.ewing1.com Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc......Inside Back Cover www.johndeere.com Keeling Company......................22 www.keelingcompany.com KESMAC/Brouwer, Inc. ................3 www.kesmac.com
Texas Sod Leasing....................19 www.texassod.com The Pond Lady .........................19 www.thepondlady.com The Turfgrass Group .............9, 21 www.theturfgrassgroup.com Turf Mountain Sod ......................7 www.turfmountain.com Winstead Turf .............................5 www.winsteadturf.com
Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. ......................9 www.midtennturf.com
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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com