Tennessee Turfgrass - October / November 2015

october/november 2015

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

off-type grasses in Bermudagrass Putting Greens

Also Inside! Program for the 2016 TTA Conference, Tradeshow & 50th Anniversary Celebration Banquet, January 12–14

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

TABLE OF CONTENTS October/november 2015

FEATURED ARTICLES

13

Upcoming Event — 2016 TTA Conference, Tradeshow & 50th Anniversary Celebration Banquet, January 12–14

20

Turf Talk — Off-Type Grasses in Bermudagrass Putting Greens

DEPARTMENTS From the TTA President, Paul Carter, CGCS From the TVSTMA President, Marty Wallace From the MAGCSA President, Luke Hankins Calendar of Events Index of Advertisers

6 8 10 12 22

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 ©2015 by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Tennessee Turfgrass is published bi-monthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. 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.

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS October/November 2015

From the TTA P resident

Paul L. Carter

Hot or Cold…

Will Someone Decide Already?

T

his time of year really drives me crazy. You start the day off freezing, needing gloves and a jacket to stay warm, and by the end of the day, you’re burning up and wishing you had brought some shorts to change into. As the seasons change, so do our responsibilities and interests. For me, the fall brings a lot of tournaments and outings that make it difficult to perform routine maintenance practices, but fall also gives me time to reflect on all that we have accomplished so far this year and to plan for the projects that we’ll do over the winter months to continue to improve our property. “Plan your work, and work your plan” is a great saying for the modern turfgrass professional, and I am confident the vast majority of our members live by this saying.

I would like to thank everyone who came out to the University of Tennessee Field Day in September and helped to support TTA and the UT turfgrass research team. I would also like to sincerely thank our vendors who sponsored the TTA Social at Barley’s Pizzeria the night before. We are truly blessed to have some amazing vendors who continuously go above and beyond to help provide products and resources for our association. We had a great turnout by many of our vendors who generously donated products and services that we were able to raffle off. We had a tremendous amount of support from those in attendance who purchased raffle tickets, and YOUR association was able to raise $1,000, which was donated to UT to help continue with great research projects.

Next year’s Field Day looks to be very intriguing, as the location

io The miss

will be moved to Middle Tennessee — the Vanderbilt Legends Club Little Course and nearby Battle Ground Academy, to be exact.

Time to switch things up, I guess.

Speaking of switching things up, January will be here before we know it, and it will be time for another TTA Conference and Tradeshow, but this one will not be just another conference. I hope by now you’ve heard that this will be TTA’s 50th Annual Conference and Tradeshow, and we are very excited about it, as you should be as well. The TTA Education Committee has put together a great lineup of speakers who will provide some differentthan-normal knowledge that you can use to advance your career and improve your property. A fun-filled night is in store for you at the 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner where you can hear about the history of TTA, get introduced to future turfgrass professionals and hear from former UT football coach Phil Fulmer on how turfgrass influenced his career. I hope you noticed the “you” in all that because I truly do hope that each of you can make it to this year’s conference and see just how great the new venue is, how fresh the new education schedule is and how much you will gain from the event, and then make it an annual tradition.

Let’s Keep Growing!

Paul L. Carter, CGCS 2014–2015 TTA President

n of the Te nn essee Tur fg ra ss A s s o c i at i o

To promote the turfgrass industry through education, scholarship and research.

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEmber 2015 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

n

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@leadingedge communications.com Editor Dr. James Brosnan TTA OFFICERS President Paul Carter, CGCS Bear Trace at Harrison Bay (423) 344-6374 Vice President Theo Lankford Nashville Sports Leagues (615) 799-8664 Secretary/Treasurer Jason Pooler Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc. (731) 642-3092 Past President Bob McCurdy McCurdy Farms (731) 692-3515 Executive Director Shelia Finney Tennessee Turfgrass Assn.

(615) 533-3925 TTA 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Doug Estes Kurt Dryden Scott Freund Cal Hill Joe Hill Timothy Long Mickey Lovett Bill Marbet Mitch Parker Jason Sanderson Chris Sykes Doug Ward TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Bill Blackburn Dr. Jim Brosnan Dr. Brandon Horvath Lynn Ray Jeff Rumph, CGCS Dr. Tom Samples Dr. John Sorochan Dr. Wes Totten

From the T VSTMA P resident

Marty Wallace

Getting Ready Before

Winter

As

fall approaches, leaves turn color and temperatures decline, which mean football in the South as fall sports are underway.

I would like to encourage you all to be planning for spring sports. I would say that most of us have already, or will soon, put down overseed in preparation

for spring. I would also encourage everyone who has baseball and softball fields to get your dirt work done early this year before the winter months approach. Hopefully, everyone’s budget will allow for this important preparation. I’m speaking to myself as well as to everyone reading this article — let’s be proactive, instead

of being overburdened with work in the spring, which (as you all can relate to) is extremely busy.

Lastly, please make plans to attend the TTA annual conference, which is at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro on January 12–14. After talking to a couple of people, I think this year going be one of the best!

At this time, I would like to thank TVSTMA members who have worked so diligently this year. T.J. Derrick and Stephen Callis, in particular, have done an excellent job in picking up my slack, and I would like to publicly acknowledge their work. It is extremely difficult to serve as chapter president when you reside on the west side of the state.

Everyone, keep up the good work, and let’s work to create a positive environment for athletic-field users throughout our service area. Also, I’m asking for any comments you may have. We try very hard to lead the TVSTMA in a way that will be beneficial to its members. If you have any ideas for meetings, or topics to address at meetings, please let me know. I can be reached at mwallace@ jacksongeneralsbaseball.com or 731-988-5299.

Marty Wallace

2015 TVSTMA President

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEmber 2015 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

FROM THE M AGC SA Presid ent

News from the

MAGCSA

In

a day and time where education and communication are at our fingertips, we hold fast to community building and education forums that support relationship development among our peers. I’m not sure if we’re antiquated in our thinking or if building those relationships continues to hold great value to the superintendents who are part of their local associations. The litmus test is the percentage of local superintendents who attend the average meeting. If peer relationships and educa-

tion are important to today’s superintendent, we must not only show that support by participation, but also we must thank the people who help make it all happen — our vendors!

On September 14, MAGCSA held its annual Scholarship and Research Golf Tournament. The following sponsors made it all possible:

Teams: $600 each Challenge Entertainment, Oaks Golf Club, Howard Stelsin, Ben Nelson Golf Carts,

Woodland Tree, Gurley’s Azalea Garden, Humboldt Country Club (two teams), Howard Fertilizer, Windyke Country Club, Greenville Turf and Tractor, Harrell’s, Ladd’s (two teams), Winstead Turf Farms/ Gulf Coast Organics and TPC Southwind

Lunch: $500 each Jackson Sand, BWI Companies, Grassroots and Advanced Electric

Beverages: $750 Bayer

$300 BASF

$250 Syngenta

Closest to the Pin: $200 each ProChem, Titleist, Cleveland Golf and Sketchers Golf

Par 3s: $500 each Ladd’s, ProSolutions, SmithCo and Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation

Tee Signs: $175 each Winstead Turf Farms, Kalb Equipment, Waypoint Analytical, Thompson Machinery, Green King Spray Services, Standard Construction, Gulf Coast Organics, UPI, Winfield Solutions, Howard Fertilizer, DryJect TN, Grassroots, Helena Chemical, S&S Turf Covers, Better Billy Bunkers, Tri-Turf Sod Farm, McCurdy Sod Farm, Harrell’s, Golf Agronomics, Advanced Electric, Patterson Warehouses Inc., Ben Nelson Golf Carts and John Deere Landscapes Thanks for all your support!

Luke Hankins

2015 MAGCSA President

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEmber 2015 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

Calendar of Events January 11–15

Green & Growin’ Show (NC Nursery & Landscape Assn.)

Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC

January 19–22

STMA Conference and Exhibition San Diego, CA

January 12–14

50th Annual TTA Conference and Trade Show Embassy Suites Hotel Murfreesboro, TN

February 6–11

Golf Industry Show San Diego Convention Ctr. San Diego, CA

February 22–25

TPI International Education Conference & Field Day (Turfgrass Producers Intl.)

Hyatt Regency Houston Houston, TX

2016 Conference & Tradeshow Embassy Suites Hotel • Murfreesboro, Tennessee

January 12–14, 2016 50th Anniversary

Celebration Banquet Tuesday, January 12, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Dinner, Awards, Keynote, More!

Don’t Miss Our Keynote Speaker at the Celebration Banquet —

Phillip Fulmer Former UT Head Football Coach

TTA’s 50th Anniversary Conference & Celebration Schedule at a Glance Tuesday, January 12, 2016

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

General Morning Sessions for Golf and Sports Turf

In anticipation of a larger-than-usual turnout for our 50th Anniversary Conference and Celebration, we have selected the new Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, TN, to serve as our 2016 venue! Not only will the education rooms be more roomy (no more cramped, standing-room-only sessions), but we will also have a more spacious tradeshow with exhibits from the industry’s leading suppliers and manufacturers.

This year’s special room rates of $149 to $159 per night include not only plush accommodations but also:

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch (on your own)

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Business and Professional Development Session

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

TGCSA Annual Meeting TVSTMA Annual Meeting

a FREE cook-to-order breakfast each day

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TTA Annual Business Meeting

6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Celebration Dinner and TTA Awards Presentation, plus Keynote Address by former UT Coach Phil Fulmer

a FREE open bar and appetizers during the Manager’s Reception each day from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Tradeshow Exhibitor Setup

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Concurrent Morning Sessions for Golf and Sports Turf

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch (on your own)

1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tradeshow and TTA Social

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Exhibitor Breakdown

Thursday, January 14, 2016

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

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Announcing Our New Conference Venue!

Concurrent Morning Sessions for Golf and Sports Turf University of Tennessee Student Internship Feature Conference Adjourns

FREE parking Now that’s true Southern hospitality!

We hope you’re as excited about our new venue as we are!

To go ahead and make your reservations, call the Embassy Suites — 615-890-4464 — and use code TET for the Tennessee Turfgrass Association group rate. Please reserve your room as soon as possible in order to help reduce the conference’s overall cost for the association.

Information for Sponsors and Exhibitors Vendor sponsorships for tables at the Celebration Banquet (which will include awards presentations and a keynote address by Phil Fulmer) are still available. Sponsored tables seat 10 and are located nearest to the podium for awards and the keynote, allowing you to treat your best customers to a close-up view!

Also, although the tradeshow is quickly filling, booths are also still available. We anticipate this show to be the biggest ever for TTA, so don’t miss your chance to reach as many prospects in one place as possible.

For more information on sponsoring a banquet table or to request forms for exhibit space, please contact Shelia Finney, TTA’s executive director, at smfinney319@gmail.com or (615) 533-3925.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEmber 2015 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

Celeb ration Ban quet

Don’t Miss Our Special 50th Anniversary Celebration Banquet, Awards & Keynote!

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Keynote Speaker Phil Fulmer

This year, in honor of our 50th Anniversary, we’re celebrating with a special dinner on Tuesday, January 12! Not only will we announce scholarship recipients and TTA’s 2015 Award winners, including a special presentation for the Professional of the Year Award, but we will also have a roundtable discussion on the state of the turfgrass industry in Tennessee.

Yes, that’s right — our keynote address will be delivered by Phillip Fulmer, former head coach of The University of Tennessee Volunteers football team from 1992 to 2008! Coach Fulmer’s .745 winning percentage — with a 152–52 record — ranks in the top five in modern college football history. During his tenure, he coached and mentored 18 AllAmericans and 92 NFL draft picks. Coach Fulmer’s football team was consistently tough, winning the school’s first BCS national championship in 1998. A conference champion player himself in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Fulmer won two SEC titles as a head coach and led his squad to win or share the SEC East title seven times. His holistic approach earned Fulmer unprecedented recognition from his peers—the second coach in history to earn the Eddie Robinson Coach of Distinction Trophy, the presidency of the American Football Coaches Association and national, regional and conference Coach of the Year honors. Coach Fulmer most recently was inducted into the 2012 National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

Today, Fulmer is a founding partner at BPV Capital Management and serves as part of the company’s business-development team. In his keynote presentation, Coach Fulmer will share insights into his life and career at UT, how the preparation of the football fields changed during his tenure and about his many interactions with other sports turf managers and golf course superintendents.

You will not want to miss what promises to be a truly memorable evening!

Banquet Schedule in Brief Welcome from TTA President Dinner and Drinks Announcement of 2015 TTA Award and Scholarship Winners Dr. Tom Samples Lifetime Achievement Award TTA Professional of the Year Award History of TTA panel discussion, featuring: Bill Blackburn, Smith Turf & Irrigation Jim Kirkley Rod Lingle, Ridgeway Country Club David Stone, The Honors Course Jim Thomas, TPC at Southwind

Moderated by: Frank Turner, Cochran McDonalds Dr. John Sorochan, The University of Tennessee Keynote Presentation by Phillip Fulmer, Former UT Head Football Coach

Thanks To Our Celebration Banquet Sponsors

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

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TTA' s 50t h Anniversary Conferen ce Progra m

Tuesday, January 12 Concurrent Morning Classes — Golf Turf

Concurrent Morning Classes — Sports Turf

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

What I Have Seen in 42 Years as a Golf Course Superintendent at Three Courses Mr. David Stone, The Honors Course David will discuss the things he has learned, both positive and negative.

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Challenges of Managing Turf in 2015 Mr. Kenny Franks, Jackson Sportsplex Mr. Terry Porch, Tennessee Titans Mr. Thomas Trotter, Nashville Sounds Learn the techniques of successful sports-field managers in a year with challenges.

Presented by TGCSAA (Mirabella A–D Classrooms)

Presented by TVSTMA (Cambridge A–B Classrooms)

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Communications Skills for Today’s Superintendent Mr. Bill Maynard, CGCS, GCSAA Learn how to communicate with all stakeholders and your team to achieve your goals.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Preparing for the Ryder Cup Mr. Chris Tritabaugh, Hazeltine National Golf Club Discover what it really takes to prepare for a championship tournament.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Grass Can Take More Mr. Jerad Minnick, Growing Innovations New, creative, budget-responsible solutions can improve natural-grass field quality and meet the demand for increased use.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. • LUNCH (on your own)

Business and Professional Development (Mirabella A–D Classrooms)

1:00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m.

Economic Impact of the Turfgrass Industry in Tennessee Dr. Burton English, The University of Tennessee 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Key Interviewing & First Impression Strategies Ms. Laura Katen, Katen Consulting This session will: • Increase your overall awareness to key interviewing and self-presentation techniques.

• Share strategies that you can immediately use to develop, strengthen and refine your professional presence, interviewing skills and interactions.

• Facilitate interactive exercises or discussions to help you utilize key strategies.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Financial Skills for Tomorrow’s Successful Golf Course Managers Mr. Craig Current, Legacy Golf Management Be involved in the decisions that affect your budgets.

This session will cover decoding balance sheets, income statements and cash-flow concepts.

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. • TGCSA Annual Meeting (Mirabella A–D Classrooms) • TVSTMA Annual Meeting (Cambridge A–B Classrooms) 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. • TTA Annual Business Meeting (Mirabella A–D Classrooms) • All members are encouraged to attend.

Tennessee Turfgrass Association 50th Anniversary Banquet 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. • (Mirabella E–F)

Highlights will include: • Dinner and drinks • Annual Awards presentation • History of TTA panel discussion, featuring: Bill Blackburn, Smith Turf & Irrigation Jim Kirkley Rod Lingle, CGCS, Ridgeway Country Club 16

David Stone, The Honors Course Jim Thomas, CGCS, TPC at Southwind Moderated by: Frank Turner, Cochran McDonalds Dr. John Sorochan, The University of Tennessee • Keynote Presentation by former UT football head coach, Phillip Fulmer

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEmber 2015 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

TTA' s 50th Ann iversar y Conferen ce Program

Wednesday, January 13 Concurrent Morning Classes — Golf Turf

Concurrent Morning Classes — Sports Turf

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Bent versus Bermudagrass: A Transition Zone Debate Moderators: Mr. Jason Sanderson, Cherokee Country Club Mr. Chris Sykes, Tellico Village Mr. Scott Wicker, Black Creek Club Team Bentgrass: Dr. Brandon Horvath, The University of Tennessee Mr. Jeff Huber, The Golf Club of Tennessee Dr. John Sorochan, The University of Tennessee Mr. Dan Stump, Chickasaw Country Club Team Bermudagrass: Dr. Jim Brosnan, The University of Tennessee Mr. Paul Carter, CGCS, Bear Trace at Harrison Bay Mr. Chris Hartwiger, USGA Mr. Rod Lingle, CGCS, Ridgeway Country Club Which turfgrass will work better for you?

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Integrated Pest Management for Sports Fields at All Levels Dr. Clint Waltz, University of Georgia Learn how to manage your fields to reduce inputs and maximize your results in pest management.

(Mirabella A–D Classrooms)

(Oakleigh A–B Classrooms)

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Overview of Hybrid Turfgrass Systems Dr. Adam Thoms, The University of Tennessee Learn how these new systems can help make your field more playable.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Fraze Mowing Explained Mr. Jerad Minnick, Growing Innovations What is it really? Where did it come from?

And, ultimately, can it help you? Bring your questions and curiosity, as this aggressive maintenance practice is anything but traditional!

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. • LUNCH (on your own) 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. • Tradeshow and TTA Social — Please support our vendors!

Tradeshow floor.

Thursday, January 14 Concurrent Morning Classes — Golf Turf

Concurrent Morning Classes — Sports Turf

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

PGA Forum on the Golf Professional and Superintendent Relationship Mr. Ken Crowder, Tennessee PGA President Mr. Scott Moran, Fox Den Country Club Mr. Chris Dibble, Holston Hills Country Club Mr. Jerry Williams, Oak Ridge Country Club Mr. Jim West, Tellico Village How to have a more productive relationship and improve communication.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Practical Water-Conservation Techniques for Sports Fields Dr. Clint Waltz, University of Georgia Learn how to manage your turf to conserve a valuable resource and make your turf happy.

(Mirabella A–D Classrooms)

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

2015 Golf Course Architect Feature — Why Renovate?

Mr. Bill Bergin, ASCGA, Bergin Golf Learn the questions you should ask before you decide whether to renovate or not.

(Oakleigh A–B Classrooms)

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Discussion on the State of Sod Industry in the Mid South Moderators: Mr. Doug Estes, Winstead Turf Farms Mr. Bob McCurdy, McCurdy Sod Farms Mr. Jason Pooler, Tri-Turf Sod Farms

11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Roundtable Discussion on Sports Turf in Tennessee Moderators: Mr. Darrell Deny, The University of Tennessee Mr. Bill Marbet, Southern Athletic Fields Dr. John Sorochan, The University of Tennessee Dr. Adam Thoms, The University of Tennessee 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. • UT Student Internship Feature Mr. Hunter Salts, The University of Tennessee & Mr. Taylor Williams, The University of Tennessee 1:00 p.m. • Conference Adjourns • Please have a safe trip home.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

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50th Annual Tennessee Turfgrass Association Conference and Tradeshow

Member Registrat ion Form

Please complete, sign and return this form with your payment.

Mail to the TTA office at 400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069, or scan and email to Shelia Finney at smfinney319@gmail.com.

Please list the first and last names of the persons attending the 2016 Conference & Trade Show. Attach separate list if needed.

Please list all information as you would like it to appear in the 2016 TTA Directory.

1)____________________________________

Name:____________________________________________________

2)____________________________________

Company Name:____________________________________________

3)____________________________________

Address:_ _________________________________________________

4)____________________________________

City/State/Zip:______________________________________________ Telephone:_________________________________________________

5)____________________________________

Fax:______________________________________________________

6)____________________________________

Email:____________________________________________________

7)____________________________________

Twitter Handle:_____________________________________________

Primary Function Turf Manager Golf Course Parks & Recreation Sports Field Hotel/Resort

Commercial Hospital/Health Care School/University Cemetery Sod Producer Other____________

Vendor

ommercial C Lawn Care Retail Center Landscaping

Irrigation Contractor DOT Other_____________

Equipment Dealer Distributor Manufacturer Other_____________

Registration Options 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Total

Primary Member Registration.............$185.00 Price includes 2016 membership dues.

Associate Member Registration...........$125.00 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).........................$80.00 One-Day Student Pass (Limit 1)............$10.00 First-Time Attendee One-Day Pass........FREE 50th Anniversary Celebration Banquet...FREE Endowment Fund Contribution Research Scholarship Extension

Grand Total TTA Office Use Only: 18

Date ________________

Check No. ________________

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEmber 2015 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

Cash ________________

turf talk

Off-Type Grasses

in Bermudagrass Putting Greens

By Eric H. Reasor, Graduate Student, and James T. Brosnan, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Weed Science, University of Tennessee

The

history and development of bermudagrass cultivars used on putting greens is much different than you might imagine. Before the 1940s, common bermudagrass was typically used on putting greens throughout the southern United States. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, traditional breeding techniques yielded some of the first hybrid bermudagrass cultivars used on putting greens. These included Tiflawn in 1942, Tiffine in 1949, and Tifgreen in 1956.

Similar to cultivars like Tifway, Tiffine and Tifgreen were hybrids between common bermudagrass and African bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis). These cultivars were selected out of hundreds of crosses based

on fine texture, dark color and tolerance of low mowing heights.

Tifgreen was a popular cultivar, and it was widely established throughout the southern and transition zones. Genetic testing and DNA amplification fingerprinting has also shown Tifgreen to be 18 times less genetically stable than Tifway bermudagrass. Due to its widespread establishment and inherent genetic instability, off-type grasses began appearing in Tifgreen plantings soon after its release.

These off-type grasses exhibited different morphological and functional characteristics compared to Tifgreen.

Several of these grasses showed superior characteristics to Tifgreen, and some were later selected and released as commercial cultivars. Tifdwarf was the first off-type

Photo

1

20

selected from a vegetative mutation of Tifgreen. After its release in 1964, it quickly become popular in the southern U.S. due to a darker green color and finer texture compared to Tifgreen. Other cultivars selected from vegetative mutations of Tifgreen include Floradwarf, MS-Supreme, Pee Dee-102, Novatek and Premier.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, the “ultradwarf � bermudagrasses emerged.

Champion was selected in 1987, and MiniVerde was selected in 1992, both from a vegetative mutation of Tifdwarf plantings. Similarly to the selection of Tifdwarf from Tifgreen, Champion and MiniVerde showed superior color and texture characteristics compared to Tifdwarf. RJT and Emerald Dwarf were also selections from Tifdwarf.

Off-type grasses in ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS october/november 2015 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

TifEagle, the other widely used ultradwarf bermudagrass cultivar in the turfgrass industry, has a different path compared to other bermudagrasses. Early reports state that TifEagle was a radiationinduced mutation of Tifway II; however, recent literature states that TifEagle is more closely related to Tifgreen.

Research on off-types Although off-types can be the source of new cultivars, their presence in existing putting greens can cause problems for golf course superintendents. Anecdotal observations have shown that off-type grasses respond differently to nitrogen applications and are less susceptible to plant growth regulators compared to desirable cultivars. Differences in plant growth between desirable cultivars and off-types within the same putting surface have the potential to disrupt ball roll and decrease putting quality.

Preliminary research has been conducted to measure the morphology and DNA content of off-type grasses selected throughout the southern U.S. Current research includes testing the response of off-type grasses and commercial cultivars to nitrogen and the plant growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl (e.g., Primo), as well as determining if off-type infestations disrupt putting quality.

Off-type sampling Sampling of off-types on golf course putting greens began in summer 2013.

Fifty-two selections were made from 21 golf courses throughout the southeastern U.S. At each location, both the off-type and desirable cultivar were selected. Off-type grasses were found in Champion, MiniVerde and TifEagle. The selections were grown in a greenhouse environment at the University of Tennessee for future research.

Off-type morphology In summer 2014, the selections from the previous year were morphologically characterized. Stolon internode length, stolon internode diameter, leaf length, leaf width and leaf length:width were measured using digital calipers.

The morphology was highly variable across the 52 selections. Stolon internode length ranged from 16 to 39 mm; stolon internode diameter ranged from 0.6 to 0.9 mm; leaf length ranged from 6 to 34 mm; leaf width ranged from 1.7 to 2.4mm; and leaf length:width ranged from 3:1 to 15:1.

off-types in golf course putting greens may not be due to contamination of common or hybrid bermudagrass from collars, fairways or roughs.

Summary Off-type grasses in bermudagrass putting greens have been an issue starting with Tifgreen in 1956 and continue today with the ultradwarf cultivars. Anecdotal observations suggest that off-type grasses respond differently to nitrogen and plant growth regulator applications compared to desirable cultivars.

However, research is being conducted to confirm this response. Preliminary research has shown that off-types selected from the southern U.S. have variable morphology and belong to the Tifgreencultivar family. Additional information is needed to aid golf course superintendents in this new weed-management issue of off-type grasses infesting ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens. T

DNA analysis The DNA of the 52 selections was measured from the chromosomes of leaf meristem tissue. Analysis confirmed that each selection was triploid, belonging to Tifgreen or the Tifgreen-derived cultivar family. This suggests that the presence of

Photo

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Morphological variability between three off-type selections.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

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Index of advertisers BWI Companies.............................................................. 12 www.bwicompanies.com Champion Turf Farms...................................................... 10 www.championturffarms.com Coosa Valley Turf Farms................................................. 22 www.coosavalleyturffarms.com Covermaster, Inc............................................................. 19 www.covermaster.com Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc......................................... 11 www.greenvilleturf.com Harrell’s LLC...................................................................... 3 www.harrells.com Lebanon Turf..................................................... Back Cover www.lebturf.com Mid Tenn Turf, Inc...................................................... 8, 22 www.midtennturf.com Modern Turf, Inc............................................................... 7 www.modernturf.com RD Murphy, LLC.............................................................. 12 www.rdmurphy.com Regal Chemical Company................................................. 9 www.regalchem.com Sigma Organics, Inc........................................................ 21 www.SigmaTurf.com Smith Seed Services....................................................... 22 www.smithseed.com Southern Athletic Fields................................................. 22 www.mulemix.com Sur Line Turf, Inc............................................................. 19 www.surlineturf.com The Turfgrass Group......................................................... 5 www.theturfgrassgroup.com Thomas Bros. Grass, LLC....................... Inside Back Cover www.thomasbrosgrass.com Tri-Turf Sod Farms.......................................................... 22 www.triturfsod.com Turf Mountain Sod.......................................................... 12 www.turfmountain.com Turfgrass of Tennessee.................................................... 7 Winstead Turf........................................Inside Front Cover www.winsteadturffarms.com