Tennessee Turfgrass - February / March 2017

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

UT Turfgrass Research

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

at Golf

Courses in Southeast Asia and Japan Sports Field Management on a Budget

Attracting Student Interns to Work for You

Also, Highlights from the 2017 TTA Turfgrass Annual Conference & Tradeshow

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

FEATURED ARTICLES

14 16 22 26 31

Upcoming Event — Don’t Miss #PoaDay — Now Going Live, March 28!

Cover Story — UT Turfgrass Research at Golf Courses in Southeast Asia and Japan Turf Talk — Sports Field Management on a Budget Eye on Business — Attracting Student Interns to Work for You

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Recent Event — Highlights from the TTA Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow

DEPARTMENTS

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From the TTA President, Theo Lankford

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UT Turf Team

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From the TVSTMA President, Connor Schutzman

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News from the ETGCSA

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News from TTA

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TTA Membership Application

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Calendar of Events

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Index of Advertisers

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

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FROM THE TTA PRESIDENT

Theo Lankford

A GREAT

KICKOFF for 2017!

hat an amazing conference and tradeshow! If you attended our 51st Annual Conference and Tradeshow in January, I’m sure you noticed that the momentum from 2016 has continued. We had the largest attendance ever at a TTA conference! We had a completely soldout tradeshow! A big THANK YOU to all the exhibitors and sponsors who participated in the events of the week; nothing would have been possible without your support. We hope that everyone plans to attend in 2018, as it is sure to be another record year.

I am so honored to serve as president

W

T

I O N of S S I M HE

of this great association. As you undoubtedly know, each year the membership votes new members to our board of directors. Thank you to all who ran and for your willingness to volunteer to the betterment of the association. I want to welcome the three newly elected board members now starting their first year of their two-year term: Jeff Kuhns, Paul Webb and Scott Wicker. I want to thank outgoing directors Kurt Dryden, Doug Estes and Bill Marbet for their time served on the board. Thank you to all the board members for your VOLUNTEERED time to make this association great.

Finally, thanks to all the attendees who came to the conference, with a very special thank you to Shelia Finney and Melissa Martin for doing all the legwork.

You two did a fantastic job.

2017 has gotten off to exciting start.

The TTA board of directors has already begun laying the footwork for 2018’s conference. I’m more excited than ever to see what the future holds!

Remember — doers do!

Theo Lankford 2016–2017 TTA President

the T E N NE SSEE TUR FG R A S S A S S O C I AT

ION

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

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

UT TURF TEAM Scott Boyle Communications Coordinator The University of Tennessee 2431 Center Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-6730 sboyle1@utk.edu José Javier Vargas Almodóvar Research Associate II Turf & Ornamental Weed Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996 (865) 974.7379 jvargas@utk.edu Greg Breeden Extension Specialist, The University of Tennessee 2431 Center Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7208 gbreeden@utk.edu

James Brosnan, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Weed Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-8603 jbrosnan@utk.edu

Tom Samples, Ph.D. Professor, Turfgrass Extension The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-2595 tsamples@utk.edu

Frank Hale, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201 (615) 832-6802 fahale@utk.edu

John Sorochan, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 363 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7324 sorochan@utk.edu

Brandon Horvath, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Turfgrass Science The University of Tennessee 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

2431 Joe Johnson Drive Knoxville, TN 37996 (865) 974-2975 bhorvath@utk.edu

William Dan Strunk, Ph.D. Research Associate I The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 363 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-2988 wstrunk@utk.edu Alan Windham, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201 (615) 832-6802 awindham@utk.edu

John Stier, Ph.D. Assistant Dean The University of Tennessee 2621 Morgan Circle 126 Morgan Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7493 jstier1@utk.edu

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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FROM THE TVSTMA PRESIDENT

Connor Schutzman

Welcome to a

NEW YEAR, ALL TVSTMA MEMBERS! My

name is Connor Schutzman, and I am honored to be your 2017 TVSTMA president. I am a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and I attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, where I received my degree in horticulture. I am currently the head of grounds for the Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee. I started as an assistant at Ensworth in May 2007 and became head of grounds in April 2012. I’ve been a TVSTMA member since 2007.

I would like to first thank our past president, Thomas Trotter, for his hard work and dedication in moving the TVSTMA forward. I hope those of you who attended this year’s TTA conference enjoyed your time and benefited from all of the hard work put in by many people. If you were not fortunate enough to attend, we voted on this year’s TVSTMA board of directors. I would like to thank and introduce the following:

PRESIDENT ELECT Martin Kaufman, CSFM GCA Services Nashville, TN

COMMERCIAL VICE PRESIDENT Jackson Nichols Southern Athletic Fields Columbia, TN

SECRETARY/TREASURER Stephen Callis The Hogan Company Springfield, TN

DIRECTORS AT LARGE Byran Farris, CSFM Columbia Parks & Rec. Columbia, TN

Ben Hutton Sigma Organics Nashville, TN

John Wagnon City of Franklin Parks Franklin, TN It is my hope, that with the help of these gentlemen, we continue to grow the TVSTMA. As always, please reach out to any board members if you have any questions or concerns. Our hope is that we can continue to gain new members throughout the year! I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous year in all of your endeavors.

Connor Schutzman, CSFM 2017 TVSTMA President 8

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

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) 465-6339 info@ttaonline.org 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 Theo Lankford Kormac, LLC (615) 519-2701 Vice President Jason Pooler Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc. (731) 642-3092 Secretary/Treasurer Doug Ward Belle Meade C.C. (615) 292-6752 Past President Paul Carter, CGCS Bear Trace at Harrison Bay (423) 344-6374 Executive Director Melissa Martin Tennessee Turfgrass Assn.

(615) 465-6339 TTA 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ryan Blair Cal Hill Joe Hill Jeff Kuhns Timothy Long Mickey Lovett Mitch Parker Richard Pavlasek Jason Sanderson Chris Sykes Paul Webb Scott Wicker 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

NEWS FROM ETGCSA

ETGCSA Announces

Its Leaders for 2017 The East Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association (ETGCSA) has announced the following officers and directors for the coming year.

2017 ETGCSA OFFICERS PRESIDENT Pat Rose

VICE PRESIDENT Gary Weller

Signal Mountain Golf & Country Club 809 James Boulevard Signal Mountain, TN 37377 Cell: (423) 637-3899 Office: (423) 886-5126 prose@smgcc.org

Council Fire Golf Club 100 Council Fire Drive Chattanooga, TN 37421 Cell: (423) 364-2336 Office (423) 855-0844 gew303@comcast.net

SECRETARY/ TREASURER DJ Lerchen

PAST PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR Jeff Rumph, CGCS

The Sevierville Golf Club 1444 Old Knoxville Hwy. Sevierville, TN 37876 Work: (865) 868-1577 Cell: (865) 441-5473 dlerchen@seviervilletn.org

Ladd’s 1710 War Paint Trail Sevierville, TN 37876 Cell: (865) 680-4836 fourlakebums@msn.com

2017 ETGCSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joe Hill Retired 1643 Cavet Drive Maryville, TN 37803 Cell: (865) 567-4210 Home: (865) 984 2718 kjhill0802@gmail.com

Travis Hopkins Dead Horse Lake Golf Course 555 Frank Gardner Lane Knoxville, TN 37932 Work: (865) 693-5270 Cell: (423) 647-3904 travishopkins1@gmail.com

Timothy Long Smith Turf & Irrigation 525 Fairground Court Nashville, TN 37211 Work: (615) 726-8811 Cell: (704) 512-9119 timothy.long@smithturf.com

ADVISORY MEMBER Michael Crawford

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Redexim Turf Products 12000 Willingham Drive Knoxville, TN 37934 Cell: (423) 802-1937 mcrawford@redeximturf products.com

NEWS FROM TTA

———— ANNOUNCING TTA’S ————

OFFICERS & DIRECTORS for 2017 PRESIDENT Theo Lankford

DIRECTORS

Kormac, LLC Fairview, TN (615) 519-2701 theo@kormac.com

Ryan Blair

Timothy Long

Jason Sanderson

Holston Hills Country Club Knoxville, TN (865) 523-7804 rblair@holstonhills.com

Smith Turf & Irrigation Knoxville, TN (615) 726-8811 timothy.long@smithturf.com

Cherokee Country Club Knoxville, TN (865) 588-2208 jasanderson12@gmail.com

Cal Hill

Mickey Lovett

Chris Sykes

WinField Solutions Bartlett, TN (901) 412-0121 cchill@landolakes.com

Advanced Turf Solutions Paris, TN (731) 333-6189 mlovett@advancedturf.com

Tellico Village Loudon, TN (865) 458-5408 csykes@tvpoa.org

Joe Hill

Mitch Parker

Paul Webb

Maryville, TN (865) 983-1454 jkhill0802@gmail.com

Ladd’s, Inc. Memphis, TN (901) 324-8801 mparker@bobladd.com

Humbodlt Golf & C.C. Medina, TN (731) 694-3373 pwebb00@hotmail.com

Richard Pavlasek

Scott Wicker

Westhaven Golf Club Franklin, TN (480) 619-3800 richard.pavlasek@ southernland.com

Black Creek Club Chattanooga, TN (423) 822-9875 swicker@blackcreek club.com

VICE PRESIDENT Jason Pooler Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc. Paris, TN (731) 642-3092 triturfsodfarms@ bellsouth.net

SECRETARY/ TREASURER Doug Ward Belle Meade Country Club Nashville, TN (615) 292-6752 dougw@comcast.com

Jeff Kuhns Montgomery Bell G.C. Burns, TN (615) 797-2578 jeff.kuhns@tn.gov

TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD PAST PRESIDENT Paul Carter, CGCS Bear Trace at Harrison Bay Harrison, TN (423) 344-6374 paul.carter@tn.gov

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Melissa Martin Tennessee Turfgrass Assn.

400 Franklin Road Franklin, TN (615) 465-6339 Fax: (615) 790-8600 melissa@ttaonline.org 12

Bill Blackburn

Lynn Ray

John Sorochan, Ph.D.

Smith Turf & Irrigation Co. Nashville, TN (615) 726-8811 bill.blackburn@smithturf.com

Golf Management Group Brentwood, TN (615) 373-9400 lraygmg@raskinco.com

University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN (865) 974-7324 sorochan@utk.edu

Jim Brosnan, Ph.D.

Jeff Rumph, CGCS

Wesley Totten, Ph.D.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN (865) 974-8603 jbrosnan@utk.edu

Ladd’s Gatlinburg, TN (865) 453-3638 fourlakebums@msn.com

The University of Tennessee at Martin Martin, TN (731) 881-7936 wtotten@utm.edu

Brandon Horvath, Ph.D.

Tom Samples, Ph.D.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN (865) 974-2975 bhorvath@utk.edu

University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN (865) 974-2595 tsamples@utk.edu

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSN. ———— MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION ———— Membership applications can be submitted at any time during the year.

For more information, please contact the TTA Office at (615) 465-6339 or fax your application form to (615) 790-8600.

Please print or type the following information as you would like it to appear in the annual directory.

Name ____________________________________________

Title _________________________________________________

Facility ___________________________________________

Type of Business _______________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________

P.O. Box ___________________________

City ______________________________________________

State __________

Zip ________________________________

Telephone (_____) __________________________________

Fax (_____) ___________________________________________

Email Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional individuals from same facility requesting membership: Name _____________________________________________

Title _________________________________________________

Name _____________________________________________

Title _________________________________________________

Name _____________________________________________

Title _________________________________________________

Name _____________________________________________

Title _________________________________________________

Name _____________________________________________

Title _________________________________________________

Name _____________________________________________

Title _________________________________________________

Name _____________________________________________

Title _________________________________________________

Membership Categories: Regular Membership......................................................................................................................................

$50.00

Student Membership......................................................................................................................................

$10.00

Retired Membership.......................................................................................................................................

No Dues

Payable Dues: # of Regular Memberships .......................................................................................................... ______

x $50.00 = $ _____________

# of Student Memberships .......................................................................................................... ______

x $10.00 = $ _____________

TOTAL .............................................................................................................................................. ______

$ _____________

Please make check payable to: Tennessee Turfgrass Association Please send check and completed form to:

Tennessee Turfgrass Association • 400 Franklin Road • Franklin, TN 37069

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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UPCOMING EVENT

Don’t Miss

#PoaDay —

Now Going Live, March 28! ach spring, turfgrass faculty, staff and students from the University of Tennessee (UT) host a small field day focused on controlling annual bluegrass (Poa annua), one of the most problematic weeds of both warm- and cool-season turfgrasses. This event, termed #PoaDay, allows UT to showcase its annual statewide research regarding optimal programs for annual bluegrass control on golf courses, sports fields and residential and commercial lawns. This

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topic has become exceptionally relevant to many turfgrass managers throughout the transition zone and southern United States, as the issue of herbicide resistance in annual bluegrass has worsened.

This year #PoaDay will be held on March 28, 2017, and will feature a diverse array of pre- and postemergence herbicide programs for annual bluegrass control in turfgrass. Additionally, the event will provide education regarding the different herbicidal modes of action used

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

for annual bluegrass control and how to optimize programs to mitigate problems associated with herbicide resistance.

Thanks to generous support from AQUA-AID’s and Campey Imants, #PoaDay will be broadcast on Facebook Live instead of being a traditional field day that is attended in person. “Given that the issue of annual bluegrass control in turfgrass is relevant to many outside the Tennessee border, we are excited to use Facebook Live technology to communicate our findings to a wide audience,” said Dr. Jim Brosnan, Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee.

Details about #PoaDay are still being coordinated, with a final agenda to be made available in February, along with information on how to access the broadcast on Facebook Live. Be sure to visit the University of Tennessee turfgrass weed science website (tnturfgrassweeds.org) for more information about #PoaDay in 2017, along with AQUA-AID’s #PoaDay event page — http://bit.ly/PoaDay17.

Details about #PoaDay will also be communicated over the University of Tennessee Turfgrass Program Official Twitter Feed (@UTturfgrass), as well as the Aqua-Aid Twitter Feed (@Aqua Aid4Inc) and Facebook page (https:// www.facebook.com/aquaaid/).

COVER STORY

UT Turfgrass Research at Golf

Courses in

By Eric H. Reasor, Ph.D. Candidate, The University of Tennessee

game of golf is played all over the world, and this has led to the need to manage fine turfgrass globally. As with everything else, things are different from country to country when it comes to turfgrass management and the game of golf. Both of these are especially true in Thailand and Japan. I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct research and visit many golf courses in Thailand and Japan in July 2016. This was the most challenging, yet rewarding, experience of my life. Therefore, the goals of this article are (1) to introduce the research method used to measure golf ball roll uniformity and (2) to discuss some of my turfgrass-management experiences in Asia and how they compare to the United States.

The

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How did this research opportunity start?

First and foremost, I want to thank my major advisor at The University of Tennessee, Dr. Jim Brosnan, as well as Dr. Micah Woods, chief scientist at the Asian Turfgrass Center. Dr. Woods is also an adjunct faculty at The University of Tennessee. I would also like to thank Mr. Matee Suntisawasdi, Mr. Norifumi Yawata and Mr. Yukio Ueno. They deserve all the credit for organizing the logistics of my trip.

My research as a Ph.D. candidate in turfgrass weed science has focused on managing off-type grasses in ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens. One of my objectives with this topic was to study the effects that off-types may have on golf ball roll uniformity.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

The idea to test putting surfaces in Asia began in April 2015 during a visit from Dr. Woods to Knoxville when Dr. Brosnan and I were showing him a device called the Perfect Putter to potentially measure putting quality on putting greens. We had been working on the method for several months prior to his visit, but we wanted to get Dr. Woods’ input because of his expertise on the subject. Dr. Woods introduced us to the idea of measuring putting surfaces in Asia in addition to the U.S.; doing so would allow us to learn more about golf ball roll uniformity and putting quality in different countries, on different grasses and with different management techniques.

The trip to Asia began on July 10, 2016, with 4 days spent measuring greens at 18 different golf courses in Thailand

Southeast Asia and Japan and then 3 days collecting data at 9 golf courses in Japan. (Golf course locations are shown on the maps in Image 1.)

Twenty-seven different golf courses in a week created busy days the entire trip.

The practice putting green was typically the only surface we tested at each location, due to the time and space requirements for the research method and the amount of golf course play at each facility.

However, we were able to test some inplay putting greens and even a practice green in the middle of the Singha Pattaya Open. Practice greens at each golf course were managed similarly to in-play greens.

What did we do?

We measured golf ball dispersion of simulated putts using a stationary ramp called the Perfect Putter. More information

We spent 4 days measuring greens at 18 different golf courses in Thailand and then 3 days collecting data at 9 golf courses in Japan.

IMAGE

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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COVER STORY on the Perfect Putter can be found here: http://www.theperfectputter.com. The Perfect Putter we used for this project was modified to include a release hinge and a wider base (Photo 1). These modifications

were made to reduce human error associated with golf ball release and to increase the stability of the device.

Twenty golf balls were rolled along a chosen putting line, and the area of dis-

persion was calculated by measuring the length between the two longest marks parallel to the putting line and the width between the two widest marks perpendicular to the putting line. These two values were multiplied together to calculate the area of golf ball dispersion.

Other putting-green characteristics were measured or recorded and will be used to help explain the dispersion areas quantified on each surface. These characteristics included turfgrass species, cultivar, ball roll speed (using a Stimpmeter), effective height-of-cut, putting line slope, volumetric water content and any off-type grass or weed infestation percentage. A lot of data were collected in seven days, and we hope to summarize findings in a complete, open-access, research article by the end of the year.

How golf is different in Asia

To reduce human error associated with golf ball release and to increase the stability of the device, we modified the Perfect Putter used for this project to include a release hinge and a wider base.

PHOTO

1

The first thing I want to mention is how the golfing culture seemed different to an outside observer. It was very common to see golfers with their own caddie (mostly always female) and golf cart. There were even four-person automated golf carts in Japan. The only thing golfers had to do was walk up and hit their shot. In one instance, I even saw a golfer who sat in a folding chair with an umbrella in between shots and putts around the green.

Other shocking aspects were the number of golfers and the elaborate clubhouses. It was not uncommon for some of these golf courses to see around 200 rounds per day or upwards of 500 on golf courses with lights for night golf. The only other experience I had with this project that was even remotely similar to this was a data-collection trip on golf courses in Fort Myers, FL. Clubhouses in Asia were large, impressive and open, with typically impeccable facilities (Photo 2). These are just a few examples that I hope somewhat explain how the game of golf is different in Thailand and Japan.

How turfgrass management is different in Asia PHOTO

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Golf course clubhouses in Asia were large, impressive and open, with typically impeccable facilities.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Not only is golf different, but so is the culture of golf course management. Differences ranged from the minuscule, like using tree twigs for irrigation markers

COVER STORY during cultivation, to drastic shifts not seen in the U.S., such as native zoysiagrasses outcompeting bermudagrasses.

Seeing these differences in person provided me a considerable amount of insight on just how different the world is when it comes to turfgrass management.

Very little English was spoken among the Asian superintendents, but our translators (Mr. Matee and Mr. Ueno) were amazing in communicating our research methods and why we wanted to test putting greens. Almost all superintendents were unfamiliar, but highly intrigued, by our measurement devices, and they wanted to see every instrument work. For the most part, superintendents in the U.S. are familiar with moisture meters, prism gauges and slope meters. However, the majority of superintendents in Thailand and Japan had no formal education in turfgrass science and management, but they were keen to learn about it to combine

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with their hands-on experience and hardearned knowledge. Thai and Japanese superintendents have certainly proven themselves capable of maintaining and producing high-quality putting surfaces.

Putting green characteristics are also vastly different, and our data supports that.

For example, the average height of cut (HOC), measured by a prism gauge, was 0.129" in Thailand, 0.167" in Japan and 0.079" in the U.S. As a result, the average green speed was approximately 9' in Thailand, 8' in Japan and 10.5' in the U.S. A possible explanation for the HOC and green speed differences could be the amount of inputs devoted to puttingsurface management. On the putting greens tested in Thailand, there was a trend of more nitrogen fertilizer with fewer plant growth regulator (PGR) applications, compared to putting greens tested in the U.S. Japan also uses fewer plant growth regulators, but less nitrogen and higher mow-

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

ing heights than the U.S. This, coupled with fewer cultural practices (such as aerification, vertical mowing and topdressing) and pesticides, could lead to slower green speeds. However, the golfing culture in Thailand and Japan does not hold green speeds to the regard that other golfing cultures do, and I believe that this makes the game more fun for average and below-average golfers.

There were many other turfgrass management and golf course differences in Thailand and Japan compared to the U.S., but one of the most one the most interesting was the two-green system used in Japan (Photo 3). Two-green systems are golf holes that contain two putting greens, most commonly established with a coolseason turfgrass like creeping bentgrass.

However, the golf courses tested in Japan with the two-green system had one putting green established in creeping bentgrass and another established with a warm-

season turfgrass such as bermudagrass or Zoysia matrella (korai). The two-green system helps with traffic and stress management on the turfgrass to maintain the highest-quality putting surface possible.

The double-green system also offers two perspectives and approaches to play one golf hole.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of the trip was witnessing how zoysiagrass outcompetes and invades bermudagrass in Thailand. In some cases, golf course fairways that were originally established to ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass were ~50% native zoysiagrass within a few years.

Native zoysiagrass invasion can also be a problem on bermudagrass putting greens (Photo 4). In the southeastern U.S. the opposite relationship commonly occurs, with bermudagrass infesting zoysiagrass fairways and collars.

PHOTO

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The golf courses tested in Japan with the two-green system had one putting green established in creeping bentgrass and another established with a warm-season turfgrass such as bermudagrass or zoysiagrass.

Summary This experience was both challenging and fulfilling at the same time. Ten days of studying turfgrass in Asia opened my eyes to pursuing more international turfgrass research and communication. The world is an enormous place, and there are things other superintendents are doing abroad that we in the U.S. could potentially benefit from learning. Golf courses in Thailand and Japan are busy and profitable, and their customers are happy and paying good money to play despite differences in green speeds and maintenance intensities compared to the U.S. Also, it’s important to remember that grasses perform differently in different climates across the globe (as the aforementioned zoysiagrass-invasion example attests).

From all the knowledge gained from this research experience, the greatest lesson I learned was the need to adapt business or turfgrass management to the local market requirements and the local conditions. I would like to thank Dr. Brosnan, Dr. Woods, Mr. Matee, Mr. Yawata and Mr. Ueno again for all they did. Also, if you would like more information on turfgrass management and golf in Thailand and Japan, visit Dr. Micah Woods’ research blog, “Viridescent,” at www.blog.asianturfgrass.com.

PHOTO

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In Asia, native zoysiagrass invasion can be a problem on bermudagrass putting greens and fairways.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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TURF TALK

SPORTS FIELD MANAGEMENT ON A BUDGET Article and photos by Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University

aintaining an athletic field on a limited budget can be very difficult; by their very nature, sports fields are there to be used, and the very act of using them slowly destroys them. By thinking ahead and being proactive, however, it’s possible to identify and treat small problems with a field before they grow to be large, expensive ones.

M

Preventive maintenance These practices could be included under the category of “Pay me now or pay me 22

later.” It can be tempting to skip or skimp on maintenance practices like aerification and topdressing or to cut back on mowing during slack times, but don’t!

Aerification is especially important.

Compaction is one of the biggest problems that athletic fields face, both from safety and management standpoints. Compacted fields with restricted root growth are less drought tolerant, less competitive against weeds and more susceptible to disease and winter damage than fields growing in uncompacted soil. Many dollars are spent

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

on controlling weeds and diseases or replacing turf that could have been spent on aerification to help the grass avoid problems in the first place.

Pulling cores with hollow tines is the best way to relieve compaction. Previous work at Auburn has shown that the effects of a single aerification on a heavily trafficked field last three to four weeks. If you can’t afford aerification equipment, it might be possible to borrow equipment from nearby golf courses or to share the costs — for example, a group of nearby

schools might be able to all chip in to rent an aerifier.

Keeping up with mowing, even during periods when the field is not in use, is also important in helping the field recover from damage, strengthen its canopy and root system, and be prepared for upcoming seasons. The mower can also be a very effective weed-control tool. Summer, especially the months of June and July, is the prime growing season for bermudagrass in our region. Take advantage of this time by continuing to fertilize and mow.

Follow the one-third rule — mow often enough that you aren’t cutting off more than one third of the leaf at any one time.

For a field cut at 1", this means mowing before the grass gets above 1-1/2" tall. It is acceptable to raise the mowing height if a field is not in use, but do not mow bermudagrass too high, as it begins to shade itself out. With dense varieties like Tifway, TifSport or Champion, 2" is about the highest cut that will preserve good quality.

Don’t forget to monitor your soil consistently. Soil tests should be taken every year on a field in active use to make sure that the pH and nutrient status of the field are right. Don’t just blindly apply lime, gypsum or nutrients — take a soil test, and make sure you are giving the field what it needs! Often, a soil test is more valuable for telling you what you don’t need. If you have sufficient levels of a nutrient, you may be able to save some money. But don’t skimp on nitrogen. Bermudagrass needs adequate N, especially when it has traffic on it. Between 4 and 6 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 ft2 — that’s 200 to 300 pounds of actual N per acre — is what it takes to keep bermudagrass growing fast and recovering from traffic.

A good example is the fall armyworm.

They can show up as early as June in some years, and they will do a lot less damage if you spray as soon as you notice egg masses or small caterpillars than if you wait until the field crawls with large ones.

Also, if you can get them under control early, the field will be able to recover from any damage it suffers before the growing season ends (and football season starts).

It’s very frustrating to visit a football field that has been defoliated by armyworms in the middle of August, a week before the first game. Such a field will not recover in time.

Using preemergence herbicides can be a great way to get more bang for your buck when controlling weeds. Many of the weeds that present the biggest problems on athletic fields are annuals and can be controlled well with fall (August to September) and spring (January to February)

preemergence applications. This is often cheaper per acre than treating with postemergence herbicides. Remember, however, that even though preemergence herbicides can be very cost effective, they do not control all problem weeds. Scouting for perennial weeds so they can be sprayed while young and vulnerable is still necessary. Preemergence herbicides also should not be used in the fall if a field is to be overseeded with ryegrass, since they will prevent the ryegrass from emerging, too.

Finally, make sure that your chemicalapplication equipment is in good working condition and properly calibrated. Don’t put out more of any product than the label rate. Pesticides do not operate under the principle of “if some is good, more is better.” In the majority of cases, more is worse. It’s not just more expensive to exceed label rates, but also it often results in less control, or damage to the turfgrass,

An irrigation system being installed on the field of a small high school. Improper water applications can significantly increase field-maintenance expenses.

Find and deal with pests before they get out of hand Don’t forget to scout the field regularly all season long to nip potential problems in the bud. Most weeds, diseases and insects are much easier and cheaper to control when they are young than when they are mature. Remember to spend time scouting in order to prevent major expenses and headaches later. Walking each field daily is the ideal, but do it as often as possible.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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TURF TALK or both. Make sure you know how much chemical you are applying, and don’t overdo it.

Don’t overspend on water When trying to maintain a field on a budget, it’s important to look for any hidden costs that are bleeding money without your knowledge. One primary source of hidden costs can be the irrigation system.

The most basic way an irrigation system can waste money is through leaks and faulty or broken equipment. Be sure to inspect the system frequently, and watch it while it is running to be sure that all the heads are turning properly, coverage is good and nothing is leaking.

Another cause of high water bills is simply using too much irrigation. Remember that irrigation is always a supplement for natural rainfall, and an ideal irrigation program is not run rigidly according to the clock and calendar, but instead takes the weather into consideration. The oftenrepeated rule of thumb for a bermuda-

grass athletic field is that it will use between 1" to 1-1/2" of water per week when it is actively growing in the summer.

This is accurate, but keep in mind that in most weeks, the irrigation system is not the only source of water for the field. If there is a total of 3/4" of rain in a week, then the irrigation system needs to supply only 1/4" to 1/2" of water to give the grass what it needs to keep growing. Any more is, at best, wasted — and, at worst, can actually cause disease and weed problems to flourish. Don’t spend money overwatering only to create a pest problem that will then cost even more to solve.

Many modern irrigation-system controllers can calculate exactly how often and how long to run based on weather data. If you are on a budget and can’t afford to buy the fanciest irrigation system, you can still adjust your irrigation practices manually based on the weather.

It is absolutely OK to shut the system off during rainy periods. It is also OK to skip irrigation events as the weather allows you

This field was not properly maintained over the summer. A lip has built up around the skinned area, and the infield no longer drains properly.

to. In order to do this with confidence, it’s important to know how much water, in inches, that your irrigation system applies when it runs. Get some rain gauges or other containers, and place them around the field. A good guideline is to place one within a few feet of each head, then space them about one third to one half of the distance between heads. Make sure the containers are uniform in shape and size.

Then run your irrigation system for a typical cycle, and measure how much water you catch. This will tell you how many inches the system is applying to the field in a given amount of time.

While you are checking your irrigation, also make sure that when you run the system that the water is actually soaking into the soil and not running off. If runoff occurs, you will need to use shorter cycles with time in between to let the water infiltrate into the soil. Remember, only water that actually soaks into the ground and gets picked up by roots benefits the turf!

Similarly, do not irrigate in the heat of the day if you can avoid it. Water losses to evaporation can amount to 20% or more on a hot, sunny day — that’s water you pay for but the turf never gets because it evaporates before it can soak into the soil.

Try to limit damage as much as possible This may be very difficult to achieve, but try to limit or spread out traffic as much as possible. If you can move workouts, practices, etc., to another location, or even to different parts of the field, then it is well worth doing so. This is especially true in wet weather, since the soil compacts much more quickly when it is saturated. Tarps and covers on sidelines and other heavily trafficked out-of-play areas can help to protect the turf, but they can be expensive and require labor to place and remove.

Finally, remember that paint, although it looks good, is yet another stress on turf.

Areas that stay painted (logos, end zones, etc.) tend to die out and require extra maintenance and care. Although almost everybody likes beautiful logos, remember that you are buying extra problems if you decide on extensive painting. Consider the balance between looks and turf health.

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

EYE ON BUSINESS

Attracting

STUDENT

INTERNS TO WORK for YOU

By John Kaminski, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science, Penn State University

ttracting an intern or graduating turfgrass student can be a frustrating process for golf course superintendents. Due to a reduction in student numbers in turfgrass programs across the country, the students have the upper hand.

So, how do superintendents attract individuals from this limited pool of students?

I think that the first place to start is to recognize the resource that a career-driven turfgrass employee can be for your club.

After recognizing the benefit to the club, turfgrass professionals should focus on developing a program that actually develops and mentors the employee.

A

dents can be a great resource to the club.

They often bring new ideas and insight into new media and technology, all of which may benefit the facility.

With many of the positive qualities that interns can bring to the club, it is important that they aren’t hired as a typical seasonal employee. They must be given the opportunity to contribute to the club or develop the much-needed skillset required for them to become future turfgrass managers. Providing students with a clear outline of what they will accomplish, in addition to providing them with some extra incentives for their role on the crew, can result in a win-win situation for both the intern and the facility.

Interns are a valuable resource to the club

Develop a “mentor program”

Turfgrass students are usually willing to take risks, are generally hard working and, in many cases, have prior turfgrass experience. While I put a lot of qualifiers in there (e.g., “generally” hard working), I find that given the opportunity, students meet or exceed the expectations of their supervisor. In addition to learning, stu-

Just like any well-run business, turfgrass maintenance departments must define what their mission will be when it comes to hiring students. Simply telling the student that he or she will be exposed to “all facets of the maintenance program” is not a defined plan. A well-written “Mentor Program” should give the students

26

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

a clear idea of what they can expect from the supervisor and the internship, as well as how they will be mentored towards success.

Some things to consider when hiring a student: • Define the mission of your position.

• Share your agronomic philosophies.

• Outline your management structure, including where the student will fit.

• Outline the student’s expected duties and responsibilities.

• Describe educational opportunities offered (e.g., guest lecturers, tournament experience, etc.).

• Provide details of the club.

• Summarize the benefits offered (salary, housing, etc.).

A part of the internship plan should recognize that not every student will bring the same set of skills to the internship.

This can be looked at as an opportunity to fine-tune your internship program to the level of student that may apply to work at your facility. I often try to categorize positions into three levels.

however, when hiring an entry-level intern. You should be clear with the student and let him (or her) know that you will attempt to expose him to a variety of experiences while making it clear that he will be part of the general crew. Over promising the opportunities that these students will be exposed to will likely result in a failed internship or, at least, a disappointed student.

Basic experience

Moderate experience

Students must start somewhere, and this should not be looked at as a hindrance, but more of an opportunity for supervisors. There are some considerations,

Perhaps the most difficult to accommodate are those students who have some, but limited experience. This level usually provides an opportunity to be involved in

a variety of tasks, but it often depends on the individual student. Students who are hardworking, career-oriented and willing to take risks will be likely to excel and be given more responsibilities, while those who lack motivation and drive will likely be given the duties typical of an entrylevel intern. The latter usually pertains to students who think that raking bunkers for two summers at a high-end club gives them the skills necessary to lead crews in year three.

Experienced Students falling into the “Experienced” category usually have several years of

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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EYE ON BUSINESS turfgrass experience. These students are often involved with the management staff, take on leadership roles among the crew and are relied upon heavily for important duties on the course. While not every student is ready for this role, those who are ready can be an invaluable and often relatively inexpensive resource for the club.

I find that, too often, golf course superintendents want to lump student interns into a single category that comes with the same pay, the same responsibilities and the same expectations. With the creation of all types of positions on a golf course (e.g., 1st assistant, 2nd assistant, assistant in training, etc.), I find it entirely reasonable to do the same with the various degrees of internships.

Regardless of the students’ experience, it is important that the facility deliver on the promises made to each student. If the student leaves disappointed, you can be assured that he will share his experience with other students. The trickle down of this can result in a three- to four-year

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period in which interns avoid that particular club.

How do I get an intern to want to come to my facility?

Now that you have a formalized mentorship plan, it’s time to figure out how to get interns to want to work for you. Remember, the students have the upper hand since there are many more job opportunities than there are students. While this can seem like a painful process, the bottom line is that you must sell your mentorship program in order to attract a student.

During my time with developing a structured internship program within Penn State’s Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program, I have come to find that students are motivated by very different things when it comes to selecting a job. Here are just a few examples of things my students look for from an internship.

Education and mentoring By far, the number one thing that my students seek in an internship is a mentor who will take the time to educate them on

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

the golf course. Career-oriented students are hungry for experiences but also for insight into why tasks are done certain ways or how decisions are made. Simply assigning daily tasks and expecting the students to perform is not mentoring.

Wide range of duties Interns want to be involved in as many different aspects of the maintenance program as possible. Having (and sticking to) a plan to involve them with a variety of tasks, ranging from agronomics to management to networking, will help to enhance their portfolio and marketability upon graduation.

Potential positions in future Believe it or not, this is another factor taken into consideration by students who are completing their final internship prior to graduation. For those seeking interns, this should be seen as a positive trait. Students interested in being hired following graduation will likely be looking to work hard to impress their potential future employer, while future employers are given

the opportunity to screen applicants for an entire season prior to deciding whether or not to hire them.

Travel opportunities More and more students are looking to take advantage of opportunities abroad or far from their home while they are still young. Recruiting students from other countries or regions outside of where you are located can be a selling point. Be sure to mention all of the opportunities and activities (i.e., hiking, city life, etc.) that are in your area that they will have access to during the internship.

Housing and salary I find these to be the least motivating aspect of an internship, but they often represent a necessity for some. The rising costs of tuition and the desire to work and live away from home often dictate what type of internship a student can choose.

While many turfgrass managers are not willing or do not have the capacity to put students in on-site housing, simply paying skilled interns a higher wage or providing a housing subsidy can be enough to persuade them to join your team.

Recruitment Unless you’re a top-10 golf course, simply posting an advertisement on a website or sending in a 1-page flyer to a university most likely will not attract many students to your club. In today’s environment, turfgrass managers must be active in their recruitment efforts. Interaction with students at job fairs, communication with faculty members and creative marketing via social-media networks are all ways to increase your chances of getting an intern.

Students want to feel that they will be an important member of your management team, and you need to let them know that in fact they will be.

Attracting a student to your facility is not an easy task and requires a considerable amount of effort. In some cases, it can take several years for your internship program to gain the momentum needed to start attracting a steady stream of new students. In time, however, a well-defined mentorship program can successfully attract students to almost any facility.

RECENT EVENT

51st Annual

Attendees were treated to lunch on Tuesday, courtesy of sponsors Smith Turf & Irrigation, Sod Solutions, BASF and SiteOne Landscape Supply.

C O N F E R E N CE & TR A D E S H O W S E T RECORD S ! xceeding participation at last year’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, this year’s TTA Conference and Tradeshow set new records in both attendance and a sold-out (overflowing) tradeshow. Held January 9–11 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, the conference offered an excellent, three-day educational program organized by Dr. Jim Brosnan with The University of Tennessee.

One of this year’s improvements in the schedule was the complimentary lunch served between the Tuesday morning classes and the afternoon tradeshow. TTA is very grateful to the sponsors who funded this very popular addition to the event.

During a lush reception that evening (which included heavy hors d’oeuvres), TTA officers announced the winners of the 2016 awards and the scholarship recipients (see the next page). A special award was presented by ETGCSA’s Frank Turner to golf superintendent Jeff Rumph, CGCS, for his two decades of extraordinary service as the ETGCSA president. The evening concluded with a wonderful keynote address from Kippy Brown, retired UT and NFL football coach.

E Tuesday evening’s wonderful reception was sponsored

by Barenbrug, Southern Athletic Fields and TGCSA. Former UT and NFL football coach Kippy Brown provided a humorous keynote presentation based on his decadeslong career.

The sold-out tradeshow showcased 70+ exhibitors who displayed their services and products during Tuesday afternoon’s tradeshow-only hours.

If you missed this year’s event, be sure to mark your calendars for the 52nd Annual Conference and Tradeshow, scheduled to be held again at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro on January 8–10, 2018.

TTA • TVSTMA • TGCSA

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RECENT EVENT

Congratulations

TO TTA’S 2016 AWARD WINNERS!

Dr. Tom Samples Professional of the Year DOUG WARD Belle Meade Country Club Nashville, TN – (with Chris Sykes, left)

Environmental Stewardship SWEETENS COVE GOLF COURSE Superintendent: Brent Roberson South Pittsburg, TN – (with Cal Hill, left)

Private Golf Course of the Year THE GROVE GOLF CLUB Superintendent: Whit Davis College Grove, TN – (with Cal Hill, left)

High School Field of the Year CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF KNOXVILLE Baseball Coach: Tommy Pharr Knoxville, TN – (with Chris Sykes, left)

Municipal Field of the Year RIDLEY PARK Crew Leader: Bryan Farris Columbia, TN – (l to r: Bryan Farris, Chris Sykes, Clinton Gurley)

Collegiate Field of the Year LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY Baseball Coach: Jeff Forehand Knoxville, TN – (with Bill Marbet, left)

Professional Field of the Year NASHVILLE SOUNDS Head Groundskeeper: Thomas Trotter Knoxville, TN – (with Bill Marbet, left)

ETGCSA Special Service JEFF RUMPH, CGCS Former ETGCSA President (with Frank Turner, right)

Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship Winner JACOB BENNETT University of Tennessee

TTA Legacy Scholarship Winner REED CAUDILL University of Tennessee

Public Golf Course of the Year VINNYLINKS GOLF COURSE Superintendent: Alex Norman Nashville, TN – (with Cal Hill, left)

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

RECENT EVENT

Thank You

Thank You

TO OUR RECEPTION SPONSORS

TO OUR TRADESHOW EXHIBITORS!

Barenbrug Southern Athletic Fields TGCSA

1st Products Advanced Turf Solutions AQUA-AID, Inc. Aquatrols Barenbrug Seed BASF Buy Sod, Inc. BWI Companies Capillary Concrete Champion Turf Farms Commercial Turf & Tractor Crossroads Sod Farm Dickens Turf & Landscape Supply Dow AgroSciences DryJect of TN, LLC ESD Waste2Water Ewing Irrigation FMC Geoponics Golf Agronomics Supply Golf Course Trades Golf House of Tennessee Golf Links, Inc. (Better Billy Bunkers) Grassmasters Greenville Turf & Tractor Griggs Brothers Growth Products Gulf Coast Organics Harrell’s Fertilizer Holy Cow Howard Fertilizer Humphries Farm Turf Supply Huntsville Tractor & Equip.

Jackson Sand Co. Jacklin Seed Keeling Company

Thank You

TO OUR BREAKFAST SPONSORS Advanced Turf Solutions Bayer Harrell’s Huntsville Tractor Regal Chemical Syngenta Tri Turf Sod Winfield Solutions

Thank You

TO OUR LUNCH SPONSORS GOLF Smith Turf & Irrigation Sod Solutions BRONZE BASF SiteOne Landscape Supply 34

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS

CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

RECENT EVENT

Thank You

TO OUR TRADESHOW EXHIBITORS! CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34 Ladd’s, Inc. Mid Tenn Turf Modern Turf National Water Nufarm PBI/Gordon Plant Food of Tennessee PlantStar PremierPRO / Riverside Turf ProSolutions Pure Seed Redexim Regal Chemical Co. S&S Covers SePRO Sigma Organics SiteOne Landscape Supply Smith Turf & Irrigation SOLitude Lake Management Sod Solutions Southeast Turf Maintenance Southern Athletic Fields Suburban Propane Sunbelt Rentals Sur-Line Turf Syngenta TGCSA Tenn. Farmers Cooperative The Andersons The Hogan Company The Turfgrass Group TifTuf Growers Timac Agro USA Tri-Turf Sod Farms Turf Drainage Co. of America Williamson Farmers Co-Op WinField Solutions 36

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Digital MARKETPLACE Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.

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 ©2017 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.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

March 27–28

September 26–28

GCSAA Southeast Regional Conference Pinehurst #8 Pinehurst, NC

NRPA Congress and Expo (Nat. Rec. and Park Assn.)

New Orleans, LA

October 19–20 July 16–18 NALP Legislative Day on the Hill Washington, D.C.

GIE+Expo — Green Industry Equipment Expo and School of Grounds Management Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

July 19–22 TPI Summer Program (In conjunction with the 2017 International Turfgrass Research Conference) The Heldrich New Brunswick, NJ

September 7

January 8–10, 2018

52nd Annual TTA Conference and Tradeshow Embassy Suites Murfreesboro, TN

UT Turfgrass & Ornamental Field Day Knoxville, TN

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Brouwer Kesmac .................................................. 15 www.kesmac.com Buy Sod ....................................... Inside Back Cover www.buysod.com BWI Companies ................................................... 33 www.bwicompanies.com Carolina Green Corp............................................. 37 www.cgcfields.com Coosa Valley Turf Farms ...................................... 37 www.coosavalleyturffarms.com Covermaster, Inc. ................................................... 3 www.covermaster.com Crossroads Sod Farm ............................................. 8 Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply ................. 35 www.ewing1.com GrassMasters Sod Farm ...................................... 20 www.grassmastersindiana.com Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc. ............................. 30 www.greenvilleturf.com Leading Edge Communications.............................. 9 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com McCurdy Sod Farms ............................................. 37 www.mccurdysodfarms.com Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. .......................................... 9, 37 www.midtennturf.com Mid-Atlantic STIHL, Inc........................................ 19 www.stihldealers.com Modern Turf, Inc. ................................................. 14 www.modernturf.com North Georgia Turf Company, Inc. ....................... 33 www.ngturf.com Perdue AgriRecycle, LLC ...................................... 11 www.perdueagrirecycle.com Progressive Turf Equipment, Inc. ........................... 3 www.progressiveturfequip.com Pure Green Sports Turf .......................................... 7 www.puregreenllc.com RD Murphy, LLC ................................................... 29 www.rdmurphy.com Regal Chemical .................................................... 25 www.regalchem.com Sigma Organics, Inc. .............................................. 7 www.SigmaTurf.com Smith Seed Services ............................................ 37 www.smithseed.com Southeast Turf Maintenance ............................... 38 www.southeastturf.com Southern Athletic Fields ...................................... 37 www.safdirt.com Sur-Line Turf, Inc.................................................. 29 www.surlineturf.com The Turfgrass Group ..........................5, Back Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com Tri-Turf Sod Farms ............................................... 37 www.triturfsod.com Turf Mountain Sod ............................................... 38 www.turfmountain.com Turfgrass of Tennessee ....................................... 10 Winstead Turf Farms ..................Inside Front Cover www.winsteadturffarms.com