APRIL/MAY 2020
The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
THE BASICS OF FIELD TESTING Member Spotlight on TTA Secretary/Treasurer
RYAN STOREY
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16 The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
TABLE OF CONTENTS APRIL/MAY 2020
16 26 34
Feature Article — A New Season Comes with New Products
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Cover Story — The Basics of Field Testing Member Spotlight — TTA Secretary/Treasurer, Ryan Storey
DEPARTMENTS From the TTA President
6
From the TVSTMA Secretary/Treasurer
8
From the MAGCSA President
10
Calendar of Events
11
From the ETGCSA President
12
From the MTGCSA President
14
Index of Advertisers
41
The Turfgrass Team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
42
Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More:
TH E T U R F Z O N E .C O M
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020
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F RO M THE TTA PRES I DENT
Doug Ward
To all TTA members: D
uring these unprecedented times, I hope you and your family are well and staying safe and healthy. With the onset of spring, conversations around the industry typically begin with the variables in weather and how each of us manage through them as we prepare for the summer ahead. While always challenging and sometimes frustrating, nothing at this time seems more daunting than the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the effects it has had on our country and communities, not to mention what impact it may ultimately may have on our industry. As you know, an untold number of guidelines and safety recommendations have been issued by various businesses and institutions. And with continued communication and sharing of new ideas and information that we have seen originate from our industry, I personally feel the spread of this disease will ultimately be halted.
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While there is no question everyone’s life has been impacted in one way or another at home and at work, it is my wish that everyone is able to safely carry on with their daily obligations and working in concert with one another to overcome this malady and return to a safer and more stable lifestyle in the near future. While not on the forefront of our members minds while we work to get back to normalcy, I hope to comment in our next issues (with less distraction) on our Board’s efforts as we prepare for the 2021 conference and show. Until then, I wish all those in our industry safe and healthy days to come!
Doug Ward Golf Course Superintendent Belle Meade Country Club TTA President
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 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) 928-7001 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 Doug Ward Belle Meade Country Club (615) 292-6752 Vice President Chris Sykes Tellico Village (865) 458-5408 Secretary/Treasurer Ryan Storey Vanderbilt University (615) 343-6694 Past President Jason Pooler Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc (731) 642-3092 Executive Director Melissa Martin Tennessee Turfgrass Assn. (615) 928-7001 TTA 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ryan Blair, CGCS Bart Cash Ashley Gaskin Cal Hill Jeff Huber Brad Jean Jeff Kuhns Jason Sanderson Darren Seybold Mark Stovall Paul Webb Jeff Wyatt TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Bill Blackburn Dr. Jim Brosnan Joe Hill Dr. Brandon Horvath Lynn Ray Jeff Rumph, CGCS Dr. Tom Samples Dr. John Sorochan Dr. Wes Totten
FR O M T H E T V S T MA S E CRE TARY/TREASU RER
THANK YOU T
hank you to everyone that attended our East TN Meeting at Tennessee Tech University. We appreciate Scott McCrary and his staff at TTU for being such gracious hosts and to Dr. David McCall from Virginia Tech, Jimmy Abernathy with JRM, Dr. Douglas Airhart from TTU, and John Bennett with the University of Tennessee for presenting on a variety of topics. We had a great turnout, and in retrospect, picked the right date for the event. Which brings me to our next topic…
“COVID-19” If you had said that phrase to me a few months ago, I would have assumed it was another new liquid fertilizer ready to solve all turf managers’ problems or an herbicide that kills the 19 toughest weeds. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Yet COVID-19 will leave its mark on all of us in ways that the “latest and greatest” could only dream of. It seems like things change very rapidly with this unknown virus. Because of the unknown, TVSTMA isn’t going to make any decisions about future events until a decision has to be made. Our next event is the Annual Field & Equipment Demo Day in late July. As of this writing (early April) we do not have the actual date set, but we are working toward that as well as continued planning for our fall meeting in the Middle Tennessee area.
Finally, I want to take a moment to recognize this year’s chapter sponsors. Please consider supporting the commercial members that support TVSTMA!
Stephen Callis 2020 TVSTMA Secretary/Treasurer
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
Stephen Callis
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FR O M T H E M A G C S A PRE S I DE N T
Andrew Foster
Work Life
BALANCE In
the late 1990’s I started working on my first golf course maintenance job. It was a small mom and pop course with an owner that would run the proshop and let us know what to do for the day. He wanted no overtime so my friends and I would work our eight hours then play golf. If we wanted extra money we would haul hay and clean out barns, and we always wanted more money. At the time I had no idea that you could make a living working on a golf course. After finding this out I moved to Memphis, started school for turfgrass and got a job at TPC Southwind. What a difference from my first course, not only the agronomic difference, but as many hours as you wanted. Bentgrass in Memphis with a summer PGA tournament — sometimes it was more hours than I wanted, but I loved the overtime! 20 years later, I have a wife and three kids, and overtime is not at the top of my list of things to do. It’s hard to hear people not in this profession talk about work life balance, how they only work 40 hours and under no circumstance do they work weekends. I’d like to think when I send pictures of the sunrise or how green our 300 acres looks they sigh a little in their cubicle. It would be easy if our jobs consisted of mow from point A to point B or fix XYZ, but our responsibilities go much further than that. The golf course is a living animal changing all the time, it takes no breaks! Weather, growing grass, disease pressure, irrigation and employees are a few of the changing conditions that need daily attention. Everyone has their own work life balance, so you have to determine what that is for you. If you feel like you work too much and are burned out, who is making that decision? Is your
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workload too much or do you prioritize poorly? Studies have shown most of your day is unproductive because of the distraction of personal phone calls, social media and email. Poor preparation goes hand in hand with being unproductive. I am the worst at changing job assignments to seize an opportunity and after starting realize I don’t have all the tools I need to complete the task. I know finding good employees is tough in this market but not having enough employees shouldn’t mean you have to work twice as much. You have to work smarter and be as efficient with your own time as you want your employees to be with theirs. Ask yourself a few questions: what are my goals today, this week, this month and write them down. Go through and make sure you have what you need to complete these goals. Communicate with the people that are going to help you accomplish these goals, they may have a better way or see something you missed. Also look to see how your workday is spent. How many non-work-related distractions do you have in a day? My personal opinion is when you mix personal time with work, you will have work mix into your personal time. When I am at home I want to be with my family and not have work lingering over. I know we are all going to get that call on Sunday afternoon about an irrigation leak, but that is part of the job. When you lose the balance of work and life everyone suffers!
Andrew Foster MAGCSA President
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
CA LE N D A R O F E V E N TS
“First Class Turf Grass Dirt Cheap”
May 7, 2020
MAGCSA May Meeting Windkye Country Club 8535 Winchester Rd Memphis, TN 38125
May 19, 2020
ETGCSA May Meeting Link Hills Country Club 1325 E Allens Bridge Rd Greeneville, TN 37743
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ETGCSA June Meeting Egwani Farms Golf Course 3920 S Singleton Station Rd Rockford, TN 37853
June 3, 2020
MAGCSA June Meeting Memphis National Golf Club 10135 National Club Dr Collierville, TN 38017
July 14, 2020
ETGCSA July Meeting Woodlake Lodge, Golf and Country Club 330 Woodlake Blvd Tazewell, TN 37897
August 27
UT Field Day UT Plant Sciences Research & Education Center 3215 Alcoa Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920
October 26, 2020
30th Annual ETGCSA Scholarship & Research Golf Tournament Oak Ridge Country Club 150 Gum Hollow Rd Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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FR O M T H E E T G C S A PRE S I DE N T
DJ Lerchen
HELLO SPRING! It
is finally here, and I know you all, like myself, have experienced record rainfall again to start our 2020 year. As I am writing this letter, our country is in turmoil due to the Coronavirus and our golf courses are shutting down by the day. It’s hard to believe something of this caliber could shut businesses down and put so many Americans out of work. We will continue to quarantine and keep our families safe and pray that we will keep our courses open for play. I’m proud to be returning as the President of the East Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association, and my fellow board members I’ve had the pleasure to serve with last year will be returning as well. The East Tennessee Board members are as follows:
The upcoming meetings are as follows:
Host Superintendent – Gary Southerland Speaker – Sam Adams, Arborist UT Grounds, “Tree Care on the Course”
PRESIDENT DJ Lerchen
JULY 14, 2020 Woodlake Lodge, Golf and Country Club
MAY 19, 2020 Link Hills C.C.
Host Superintendent – Corey Seals Speaker – Eric Taylor, Tennessee Smokies, “Renovation of Smokies Park”
JUNE 2, 2020 Egwani Farms Golf Course
Host Superintendent – Michael Medley Speaker – Dr. Tom Samples “Managing Natural Areas on the Golf Course”
VICE PRESIDENT Travis Hopkins
AUGUST 11, 2020 Lookout Mountain Club
SECRETARY / TREASURER Jordan Clark
Host Superintendent – Mark Hearn Speaker – Jimmy Abernathy
DIRECTORS Michael Crawford, Jeff Rumph, Tim Long, Joe Hill, Roger Frazier The board has been working diligently scheduling meeting sites and contacting speakers for each monthly meeting. Unfortunately, the April meeting has been cancelled due to COVID19, but we are looking forward to the upcoming months. We have some good speakers scheduled and I want to encourage everyone to come out to the meetings and bring your assistants, equipment technicians and other team members.
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OCTOBER 26, 2020 Oak Ridge Country Club 30th Annual ETGCSA Scholarship & Research Golf Tournament Host Superintendent – Guy Hudson
DJ Lerchen Golf Course Superintendent The Sevierville Golf Club
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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FR O M T H E M T G CS A PRE S I DE N T
Thurston Farrar
THIS TOO SHALL PASS
W
hen things are bad, remember it will not always be this way. Take one day at a time. When things are good, remember it will not always be this way. Enjoy every great moment. I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe during the Coronavirus pandemic. Who would have thought that this virus would affect so many people in various ways? The Nashville tornado and the Coronavirus has made this spring a memorable one. I would like to thank anyone that went out after the Nashville tornado and helped affected neighborhoods and communities. Nashville Strong! Our meeting calendar has been affected by the pandemic and if you were counting on getting your pesticide points before
June 30th date, you can go online at www.onlinepestcontrol courses.com/tennessee-pest-control-ceu-courses. If you need GCSAA credits, www.gcsaa.org has some webinars as well. If you do not know how many pesticide points you need, you can go to check at https://tda.healthspace.com/clients/tda/ state/weblive.nsf/pesticides.xsp. The weather is slowly getting better, thankfully. I know preemerge, spray apps, and mowing are in full effect. Summer will be here soon and hopefully everything will be back to normal.
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F E A T U RE STORY
A
NEW SEASON COMES WITH
N EW PRODUCTS By Devon Carroll and Jim Brosnan, Ph.D.
A
new season often brings new technology to the turfgrass industry and 2020 is no exception. Six new herbicides are available to turfgrass managers in 2020 including Coastal, Cheetah Pro, Crew, GameOn, Manuscript, and Vexis. These products contain active ingredients from seven mode-ofaction groups with several combined in pre-packaged mixtures. A mode-of-action group indicates the physiological mechanism a herbicide uses to control weeds and can be easily identified on product labeling using the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) group numbering system [e.g., dithiopyr (the active ingredient in Dimension) belongs to WSSA Group 3]. These new herbicides have been researched for several years at land-grant universities, such as the University of Tennessee, to determine how they can be optimally used to control weeds of cool- and warm-season turfgrass while minimizing environmental impact. This article will outline attributes of these new herbicides to aid turfgrass managers considering incorporating them into their weed management programs this year.
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COASTAL Coastal is a new herbicide mixture from Sipcam Agro that contains prodiamine (WSSA Group 3), imazaquin (WSSA Group 2), and simazine (WSSA Group 5). This mixture can be applied preemergence to control many grassy and broadleaf weeds including crabgrass (Digitaria spp), annual bluegrass (Poa annua), and goosegrass (Eleusine indica). Coastal is labeled for use in many turfgrass systems including golf courses, athletic fields, home lawns and sod farms; Coastal can be applied to several turfgrass species including bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.), zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.), St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), and centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) as well. Coastal offers early-postemergence control of several weed species, particularly annual bluegrass. Depending on geography, Coastal should be applied between September 15th and May 31st at rates of 48 to 64 fl oz/A. Researchers at the University of Tennessee observed 100%
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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F E A T U RE STORY control of annual bluegrass 24 weeks after treatment of Coastal applied twice at 32 fl oz/A (Figure 1). If used at an early postemergence timing, a single application of Coastal at 60 to 64 fl oz/A is recommended. Coastal can hamper spring transition of warm-season turfgrasses. Therefore, use as turfgrass is emerging from dormancy is not recommended.
FIGURE 1
Annual bluegrass control 24 weeks after initial treatment with Coastal applied twice in fall at 32 fl oz/A in Knoxville, TN.
CHEETAH PRO Cheetah Pro is a new herbicide from NuFarm that offers an alternative to glyphosate on select weeds. Cheetah Pro contains 24.5% glufosinate (WSSA Group 10), the same active ingredient in Finale. However, Finale (11.3% glufosinate) is less concentrated than Cheetah Pro, so turfgrass managers must carefully read product labeling to identify optimal Cheetah Pro application rates. As a nonselective herbicide, Cheetah Pro can be applied postemergence to dormant bermudagrass at rates of 24 to 82 fl oz/A based on weed size and growth stage. The herbicide is labeled for control of nearly 200 weed species including common winter annual weeds such as annual bluegrass, henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), and common chickweed (Stellaria media). Cheetah Pro is rainfast within four hours and has low soil residual, making it an excellent product for use preplant in landscape beds. Cheetah Pro is labeled for both commercial and residential turfgrass use. Research at the University of
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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F E A T U RE STORY Tennessee has shown that herbicides containing glufosinate can control certain populations of annual bluegrass that have evolved resistance to glyphosate. Sequential applications of Cheetah Pro may be required to control certain weed species and can be applied as early as five days after initial treatment. In a field trial conducted at the University of Tennessee in 2020, applications of Cheetah Pro from 56 to 82 fl oz/A resulted in greater annual bluegrass control (93 to 95%) two weeks after treatment than either Monument (trifloxysulfuron) or Certainty (sulfosulfuron; Figure 2).
FIGURE 2
Annual bluegrass control two weeks after treatment with Cheetah Pro at 56 fl oz/A in Knoxville, TN during February 2020.
CREW Crew is a new herbicide mixture from Corteva Agriscience that contains isoxaben (WSSA Group 29) and dithiopyr (WSSA Group 3) labeled for preemergence control of many broadleaf and grassy weeds including crabgrass, goosegrass, and annual bluegrass. Additionally, Crew can be used for postemergence control of newly emerged crabgrass through the one-tiller growth stage. Crew is labeled for use in both residential and commercial areas comprised of bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), or tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). However, the herbicide should not be applied to turfgrass stands that have been sodded, sprigged, or reseeded until they are fully
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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F E A T U RE STORY established. Additionally, turfgrass managers should delay seeding or sodding areas treated with Crew until 8 to 12 weeks after application. Crew is labeled for use at 150 to 200 lbs/A. Research conducted the University of Tennessee in 2019 highlighted that by late August, single applications of Crew in midMarch (150 or 200 lbs/A) controlled smooth crabgrass greater than Specticle G (indazaflam) or Freehand (dimethenamid + pendimethalin) at rates of 150 lbs/A.
GAMEON Another new Corteva Agriscience product, GameOn, is a mixture of 2,4-D choline, fluroxypyr, and halauxifen-methyl (Arylex™). All of these active ingredients are synthetic auxin herbicides (WSSA Group 4) with efficacy for postemergence control of broadleaf weeds such as plantain (Plantago spp.), clover (Trifolium spp.), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). Similar to Crew, GameOn is labeled for use on many turfgrass species including bermudagrass, creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall
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fescue. GameOn can be used on bermudagrass; however, the height-of-cut must be greater than 0.5 inches and application rate is capped at 3 fl oz/A (compared to 4 fl oz/A on other grasses). GameOn is rainfast within two hours of application and unlike other 2,4-D containing herbicide mixtures, the product is formulated to reduce odor. Turfgrass managers should be advised that GameOn should not be applied to bermudagrass when breaking dormancy in the spring. Additionally, seeding areas treated with GameOn should be delayed for a minimum of three weeks after application. Lastly, turfgrass managers should be aware that the product is currently not labeled for use on residential turf.
MANUSCRIPT Manuscript is a systemic herbicide from Syngenta with the active ingredient pinoxaden (WSSA Group 1). Manuscript is a postemergence product labeled for use on bermudagrass and zoysiagrass golf courses, home lawns, sports fields, and sod farms. On sod farms, Manuscript may be applied to
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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F E A T U RE STORY St. Augustinegrass. Manuscript is labeled for both broadcast and spot treatment application. However, spot treatments 9.6 fl oz/10,000 ft2 (applied twice) or 19.2 fl oz/10,000ft2 (applied once) are recommended for maximum weed control. Manuscript must be applied in combination with the spray surfactant Adigor. Manuscript is only effective on grassy weeds such as large and smooth crabgrass or tropical signalgrass (Urochloa subquadripara). Manuscript is a fast-acting herbicide on susceptible weeds with symptoms typically manifesting within a few days after treatment. Researchers at the University of Tennessee are actively exploring Manuscript use for control of common grassy weed species in warm-season turfgrass.
season turfgrasses used for golf courses, athletic fields, and home lawns. Initially, Vexis will be available to turfgrass managers in a 2 lb shaker can designed for spot treating individual weeds (rather than broadcasting across an entire area). One shaker can supplies enough product to treat an area as large as 500 square feet. Turfgrass managers must delay seeding or sodding for three weeks after Vexis treatment; when using the product on newly established turfgrass a three-week delay is required as well. Unlike most granular herbicides, Vexis can be applied to wet or dry foliage, but will require irrigation (or rainfall) within 48 hours after application.
VEXIS Vexis is a new granular herbicide from PBI Gordon that contains the acetolactate synthase inhibiting herbicide pyrimisulfan (WSSA Group 2). Vexis is labeled for postemergence control of sedge (Cyperus spp.), kyllinga (Kyllinga spp.), rush (Juncus spp.), and select broadleaf weeds on nearly all cool and warm
This article was modified from a piece drafted by the same authors for publication in SportsTurf Management.
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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C O V E R STORY
THE BASICS OF
FIELD TESTING By Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. and John Sorochan, Ph.D.
This article was originally published in SportsField Management.
A
thletic fields require maintenance whether they are natural or synthetic. The challenging aspect for athletic fields is that they change as a season progresses. One of the best ways to reduce injuries and increase performance is to have a consistent playing surface that is within acceptable ranges for athlete safety. Without regular field testing, it is hard to determine variances in playing surface consistency as use/ wear increases. Knowing how a field is changing throughout the year can help field managers make data driven decisions to optimize the performance of the playing surface and in turn the safety of the surface for the athlete. Keeping records of different field properties across a season and years can help paint the picture for the field managers on what is also going on below the surface. Unfortunately, testing takes time and can be expensive, and these draw backs can lead to many overlooking the need to test a field. However, testing is another important tool to have in the field managers toolbox. One of the main benefits of testing a field is it indicates consistency and characteristics of a field’s impact on athletes. Tests that are conducted give clues to the health of a field and help identify maintenance practices that are needed. While there are different testing criteria for natural and synthetic surfaces,
there are shared tests beneficial for both. However, not all tests can be used on both types of fields. In determining what tests are needed for a surface, a few questions need to be answered: first, is it natural or synthetic; second, what sport or sports are played on the field; and lastly, what is the budget and time available for testing. This information will help determine what tests would be the most beneficial information for a surface. To start, some basic tests need to be established for field managers as a base. The University of Tennessee Center for Athletic Field Safety (UTCAFS) has a suggested basic kit for natural and synthetic fields. Natural field basic test kit should include a soil moisture probe, a side soil profiler, and a rotational traction testing device. The cost for the components to buy new will range from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on which products are selected. On a synthetic surface the basic kit recommended is an infill depth gauge, surface temperature measuring device, and some type of rotational traction device. The costs for synthetic turf range from $850 to $1,000. All kit estimates are from price researching different suppliers’ websites and totaling the cost. The purpose of this article is not to promote one specific brand’s testing equipment, there are a variety of products available.
FIGURE 1: Side cut of soil from a side soil profiler
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
C O V E R STORY All testing done is a snapshot of that field at that particular time, the same test could be conducted the following week with different results being observed. That is why taking multiple readings in a year will give a more detailed picture of what is happening. The other key in getting a good snapshot is testing for the variables that have the greatest impact. Published research has identified a few variables that have been found to influence many parts of the field (Baker, 1991; Dickson et al., 2018). For natural grass fields, the soil moisture content of the field has been found to impact: surface hardness, traffic tolerance of grass, rotational traction/ resistance, increase in soil bulk density when trafficked, head injury criterion, and translational traction (Baker and Gibbs, 1989; Baker, 1991; Dickson et al., 2018a, Dickson et al., 2018b). Soil type of a field is important, because soil moisture content will have a greater influence on the playability of a soil that is higher in silt plus clay than a sand based field (Dickson et al., 2018). While there are a multitude of tests for additional field performance parameters, getting the soil moisture content right could improve safety, longevity, and performance of a field, in addition to improving the overall quality of the grass. There are several different kinds of devices that measure soil moisture, and most of them can test fields relatively fast. Another tool for natural grass is a side soil profiler. This is a device that lets you take a side cut out of your field to see what is really going on below the surface (Figure 1). This device can be used to determine: root depth, layering issues, black layer, and buried objects just to name a few. Figure 2 shows a sand based root zone that has a pocket of clay preventing consistent grass growth. The grass above the clay was worse than the surrounding areas, and a soil profiler revealed the problem. After a soil profile is taken, it can be reinserted back into the area tested with minimal surface disruption
FIGURE 2: Sand based root zone that has a pocket of clay
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020
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C O V E R STORY Rotational traction is an additional tool that is very useful for both natural and synthetic surfaces. These testing devices give more of a performance and safety standpoint for the athletes on the field. Trying to keep a field consistent for rotational traction is helpful in providing a consistent footing and potentially safer playing surfaces. Rotational traction has been associated with both lower extremity injuries and grass health (Orchard et al., 1999; Stier et al., 1999). The smaller portable devices are relatively easy to use and quick. These devices will slightly disrupt the playing surface where tested, but it is still considered minimal surface disruption. For synthetic turf, infill depth can be just as important as soil moisture is for natural grass. The infill depth is something that is taken for granted on many synthetic fields. As seasons progress on synthetic turf, infill can be moved around and create spots on the field that are lower/higher than other areas. Variances in infill depth have been found to impact: surface hardness, surface temperature, and rotational traction (Center for Athletic Field Safety Reports). Infill depth is a very easy measurement and can be done very quickly. This test lets the field manager know infill is needed because the levels are too
low, or if the infill simply needs to be redistributed from areas that are too high to areas that are too low. The goal is keeping the infill depth as close to manufacturers recommendation. Surface temperature is another important variable. Synthetic turfs have temperatures that can be much higher than natural grass fields during full sun hot conditions (Lim and Walker, 2009; Thoms et al., 2016). As heat increases, it has a detrimental impact on athletes, decreasing performance and increasing the need for breaks and rehydration (Charalambous et al., 2016). Surface temperatures can be taken with a variety of tools, but the temperature gun used by most automotive repair shops is a fast and easy device to determine the surface temperature. While little can be done to reduce synthetic turf temperature after a system is installed, educating field stakeholders of potential heat concerns is one potential plan of action. Difficulty comes in choosing what tests have time and the budget to be completed. The last thing a field manager needs are tests that take a long time to complete. Some of the tests do not need to be collected before every game, some could be done once a year. In addition, the cost of testing devices has a wide range from affordable to very expensive. Each addition
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C O V E R STORY of a test can increase the cost and time to complete but give greater detail about the field. There are companies that test both natural and synthetic athletic fields. These companies can provide a wide range of tests and provide a summary of their findings and recommendations for any actions needed. While more information is always desired, selecting the most important tests can save time and money. The tests described above are just the basics while there are many more tests available if budget and time permits. Another consideration is what sport/sports are played on the field. In soccer, FIFA has requirements about ball roll and ball rebound that take place on a field, while in football, knowing surface hardness and rotational traction are of greater importance than ball to surface interaction questions. One way to help determine what tests are important for a particular sport are generally listed by a professional sports governing body (i.e. FIFA handbook). Currently, most field testing is only required at the professional level and some sports do not have sports specific tests. However, there are universal tests such as surface hardness and rotational traction on most surfaces that can be completed. Another key in field testing is being able to interpret the results in a meaningful way and have a record of the testing. It is recommended to test the same 8–12 spots (Example, Figure 3)
on a field each time while testing additional areas that may be of concern. Testing the same spot will tell you how it is changing each time testing is completed. The more locations that can be tested on a field, the better. A representative sample of the field is desired for testing. Keeping data in a spreadsheet or some type of record keeping system to go back and review is vital. If comparing multiple fields on a complex, each field will have some variation from each other due to soil type, construction, grass, infill, etc. Focusing on the testing within each field shows variability that can be addressed to improve safety and performance. While there are more tests available, the basic tests suggested can potentially increase the performance and eventual safety of an athletic field and can be completed quickly with minimal expense. These quick data snapshots throughout a season would take less than an hour to complete per field and would provide extremely useful information for the field manager. When you put the snapshots together for the entire year, you get a pretty clear picture of the changes that occur throughout the season. Ultimately, these data will also aid in maintenance decisions needed to provide a consistent playing surface. When it comes to field testing start with the basics and work out from there.
FIGURE 3: Sample test location outline
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
WORK CITED Baker, S.W. 1991. Temporal variation of selected mechanical properties of natural turf football pitches. J. Sports Turf Res. Inst. 67:83–92. Baker, S.W., and R.J. Gibbs. 1989. Making the most of natural turf pitches. Case studies: II. Playing quality. Nat. Turf Pitches Prototypes Advis. Panel Rep. 4. Sports Council, London. Charalambous, L., und Wilkau, H.C.V.L., Potthast, W. and Irwin, G., 2016. The effects of artificial surface temperature on mechanical properties and player kinematics during landing and acceleration. Journal of sport and health science, 5(3), pp.355-360. Dickson, K.H., J.C. Sorochan, J.T. Brosnan, J.C. Stier, J. Lee, and W.D. Strunk. 2018a. Impact of soil water content on hybrid bermudagrass athletic fields. Crop Sci. 58:1416-1425. Dickson, K.H.,W. Strunk, and J. Sorochan. 2018b. Head impact criteria of natural grass athletic fields is affected by soil type and volumetric water content. Proceedings 2:270. doi:10.3390/ proceedings2060270 Lim, L., and Walker, R., 2009. An assess ment of chemical leaching, released to the air and temperature at crumb-rubber infilled synthetic turf fields. New York State Dept. of Health. pp. 1–140 Orchard, J., H. Seward, J. McGivern, and S. Hood. 1999. Rainfall evaporation and the risk of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Australian Football League. Med. J. Aust. 170:304–306. Stier, J. C., J. N. Rogers, J. R. Crum, and P. E. Rieke. 1999. Flurprimidol effects on Kentucky bluegrass under reduced irradiance. Crop Sci. 39:1423-1430. Thoms, A.W.; Brosnan, J.T.; Zidek, J.M.; Sorochan, J.C. Models for Predicting Surface Temperatures on Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces. Procedia Eng. 2014, 72, 895–900, doi:10.1016/j.proeng. 2014.06.153.
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M E MBER SPOTLIG HT
RYAN STOREY TTA SECRETARY / TREASURER
SPORTS TURF MANAGER AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY Tennessee Turfgrass Magazine: How did you get into turfgrass management? Ryan Storey: I loved baseball my whole life and played as long as I could until I figured out it wasn’t going to pay bills. I had a mentor back home in Bill Marbet, who got me into turfgrass. Once I found out I wasn’t going to play ball, he was like, “Well, you like working on ball fields, let’s see what we can do.” He had a contact down at Mississippi State and had a job lined up for me on the grounds crew. So I went to Mississippi for a four-year education in turfgrass management. TTM: What was the career path, once you got out of school, all of those different jobs and moves, did you go in as a sports turf manager? How did you progress to get to where you are today? RS: When I graduated from Mississippi State, I wanted to stay close to Starkville. I wanted to stay close to my wife (we weren’t married at the time), so I took a job at Ole Miss as the Assistant Sports Turf Manager doing all of their athletic fields and facilities. Once my wife graduated, we got married and she moved in and we hung around for a little while. She’d never lived further than an hour and a half away from home, so she
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
Logo painting on the soccer/lacrosse field
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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M E MBER SPOTLIG HT wanted to get out and see the area and I told her to pick a spot and I’d see if I could find a job. She picked New Orleans and we moved to a nice little town just north of New Orleans across Lake Pontchartrain called Mandeville. I was at a 36-hole country club with hydraulic irrigation in the deep south. It’s not fun, I don’t recommend it to anybody. So we stayed there for two years and had a kid on the way. I grew up with grandparents and I wanted my kids to have grandparents. So we made the decision to either move back to Mississippi or back to Tennessee, and she said that Tennessee would work, so we moved back home and here we are. TTM: So you had a period of time there that you were on a golf course instead of in sports turf. How was that different and what was your overall feeling about being in golf? RS: It’s a lot of grass. Thirty-six holes, like I said, with hydraulic irrigation. If you’ve never experienced working on a golf course, you need to just for your career’s sake, because you appreciate those guys a lot more. You’re there when the sun comes up and you’re leaving when the sun goes down, and you’re out and about with the members. It was a lot of grass, a lot of heights of grass. I’d never really worked on greens that much, I was always a sports turf guy, so getting that aspect of it can make anybody a better turf manager. Just having to fine-tune everything, trying to bring some of the golf agronomics over into the sports turf agronomics, it was an eye-opener for sure. TTM: So let’s talk about your current job at Vanderbilt. How many fields and how many people are on your team? What does your standard work day look like now? RS: Vanderbilt is unique in the fact that we don’t just do the grass things, we do the paved surfaces, parking garages, residential halls, a couple of off-campus properties. I have a crew of two guys who come in at night, they do our parking garages, help out where needed if we can get some stuff done at night. Our main focus is our sports turf crew and we have four guys, plus myself. We have a synthetic football field, a synthetic baseball field, synthetic football practice field, a synthetic indoor facility, and one synthetic intramural field. Then our natural surfaces are a soccer/lacrosse stadium, which is a shared facility between the soccer team and the lacrosse team so that one never gets a break. Football has a natural grass practice field, we have our track infield, which doubles as a practice facility for soccer or lacrosse. Whichever sport is not in season, they go up there and practice. Then we have three natural grass intramural fields that we mow, line, paint and all that good stuff. TTM: That’s a lot of shifting gears between artificial and paved surfaces and natural grass. Did you ever expect to have to wear all those hats?
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RS: Not really. When we went out this morning, we had to paint a giant crosswalk in front of a main drive on campus while the kids are gone for spring break. Stuff like that pops up every now and then and we need help painting crosswalks or restriping a parking lot or we clean elevator lobbies in parking garages. It’s something different, something new, something I’m not really used to doing with a turf degree, but you know it’s part of the job and we’ll get it done one way or another. TTM: How is this rainy spring shaping up for you on your natural grass fields? Has that been a challenge already this year? RS: Yeah, the weather did have an impact already, with as wet as it’s been and as warm as it’s been, just trying to get out and make different applications, whether it’s pre-emerge or a fertilizer or herbicide, just to try to stay on top of things. Weeds have popped a little bit earlier than normal around here. We had to get rain suits on and line fields in the rain because there was a practice scheduled. It’s been a challenge, but I live in Nashville, where there’s a lot of sports turf managers around and we all have to fight the same battles, so I’m not the only one. TTM: How did you get involved in serving on the TTA board? RS: Probably three years ago, Theo was the president and he came up to me and said, “We need some more sports turf involvement on the TTA board, would you be interested?” I said, “Sure, anything to keep turf relevant in middle Tennessee or the whole state for that matter.” I started out serving as a member on the board for two years and then this year, with the executive board having to switch around and move up, changing of presidents and vice presidents, I was nominated for secretary/ treasurer. I don’t mind the position at all. Like I said, anything to keep sports turf and turf in general relevant and going in the state of Tennessee, I’m all about. TTM: You mentioned Bill Marbet as someone who helped you get into the industry, but since then as you’ve grown and had different jobs in the industry, has there been anybody else that has been a big influence on your career path? RS: I got my start with Bill, we went down to the SEC baseball tournament for 12 years in a row, starting in 2001. I got to meet a lot of guys that were in the industry, some guys weren’t in turfgrass, but going through that process helped me get one of my first internships that I did with the Birmingham Barons. At the time, Darren Seybold was the sports turf manager there, so I got to work under Darren for eight months. I learned a lot from Darren, with him being with the Houston Astros and the Dodgers, and he was at a golf course. Darren taught me a lot of things, he’s where he is because he was a great sports turf manager and a great boss. He’s very knowledgeable, he’s helped me along the way in my career path.
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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M E MBER SPOTLIG HT Bart Prather was the sports turf manager at Mississippi State when I was in college and I worked under him on the grounds crew. He kind of pioneered the way for me as far as, that’s the first football field I’d ever painted. I was always a dirt guy, coming from Bill, but when I got down to Mississippi State, he kind of brought the grass into it for me. A lot of hands-on, painting logos, painting football fields, mowing patterns, just an endless amount of knowledge when you work with somebody every day that has the knowledge and they’re willing to share.
TTM: What is your proudest accomplishment as a sports turf manager? RS: I don’t know if I can say I accomplished it or not, but building a good enough relationship with Coach Corbin and our baseball team. They invited me out to Omaha, so I got to spend almost two weeks in Omaha watching College World Series baseball. We brought home the National Championship and that was good enough, but then to get presented a National Championship ring was even better. I know it’s not a whole lot
Vanderbilt football practice fields
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
of turf management, but my turf management accomplishments are not so much about fields and quality of grass, those are all important, but my biggest accomplishments, I think are building the relationships that I’ve built. Good ones, bad ones, they all come around and you make yourself a better person and other people better, just building better relationships. TTM: What would your advice be for someone coming into the industry right now?
RS: When I was coming out of college and working my first job, you’re young, you think you know a lot or if not, you know everything. Just take a back seat sometimes. You can learn stuff from guys that don’t have an education, you can learn stuff from guys that have Ph.D.’s. Somebody is there, somebody will teach you something. It’s whether you have the ability and the knowledge to know when to be quiet and when to listen and learn things. Kids coming out think, “we’re going to come out making $60,000 out of college.” That’s not the case. We all had to start somewhere and most of us started at the bottom coming out of
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
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M E MBER SPOTLIG HT college and we worked our way up to assistants and superintendents and head sports turf directors, so just stick in there, it’s gonna be a grind. A lot of us made it through the recession when there wasn’t a whole lot of money moving around, so keep your head down and keep working and good things will happen. TTM: As a part of the board, can you tell us about any goals or plans for the TTA in the coming year? RS: Just trying to make the conference and trade show better every year. We’ve already had one meeting with the board of directors and everybody is excited and we’ve gotten good feedback from our last trade show. We’re trying to get some very knowledgeable and reputable speakers to come in and educate people. We want to increase the trade show with the newest technology that coming out, whether it be chemicals, equipment, fertilizers, just trying to keep up with the times because times in turf are moving fast. It seems like something new is coming out every day almost with technology, so if we can keep on top of that and continue the relationship building part like the Top Golf event we had last year, which seemed to be a hit. Maybe adding some more social events in there for guys to get together, maybe make some connections that they might have missed, just
create some networking where people can talk about things. TTM: I have to ask – with your busy work schedule and being on the board, I think a lot of turf managers, especially during this upcoming busy season struggle with that work/life balance, and I know you have a life and kids, how do you strike that balance and what do you do in your free time? RS: My daughter does if you want to call it dance, it’s a little organized chaos, so I try to make all those that I can. I also coach my son’s Little League team, as well as soccer. I spend as much time with them as I can. I’m lucky enough, both my parents are still alive, so me and my dad, we’re actually heading down this Saturday to Birmingham to the BassMaster Classic. We both like to fish. He’s got the boat, so we’ll head down and visit an Expo down there and hang out. We take the to my parents’ house every Sunday after church and they get to spend time with the grandkids. When I come home, I try to be home. I don’t try to be at work. Sometimes it’s inevitable, we’ve had some bad weather, a significant tornado came through town, so the phone blows up from time to time and you really can’t help that. But like I said, when you’re home, be home and enjoy it. Life’s too short to work every day.
Ryan (front row, left) with his wife Lauren, son Jude, mom Pam, dad Mike, daughter Lucy, brother Tyler, sister-in-law Brittain, sister-in-law Heather, brother Brent
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
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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 © 2020 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 Jefferson City, MO. 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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T H E T URFGRASS TE AM AT THE UNI VE R SI T Y O F T EN N ESSEE, K N O X V I LLE 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 tnturfgrassweeds.org Twitter: @UTweedwhisperer
Jim 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 tnturfgrassweeds.org Twitter: @UTturfweeds
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 ag.tennessee.edu/spp
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 turf.utk.edu Twitter: @tnturfman
John Stier, Ph.D. Associate Dean The University of Tennessee 2621 Morgan Circle 126 Morgan Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7493 jstier1@utk.edu turf.utk.edu Twitter: @Drjohnstier
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 tnturfgrassweeds.org Twitter: @gbreeden1
Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. Associate Director, Center for Athletic Field Safety Turfgrass Management & Physiology (865) 974-6730 kdickso1@utk.edu Twitter: @DicksonTurf
Brandon Horvath, Ph.D. Associate 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 turf.utk.edu Twitter: @UTturfpath
John Sorochan, Ph.D. 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 turf.utk.edu Twitter: @sorochan
Alan Windham, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201 (615) 832-6802 https://ag.tennessee.edu/spp/ Twitter: @UTPlantDoc
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