Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | September/October 2010
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12 12 Cover Story
Maximize Fungicide Effectiveness with Proper Application 18 Upcoming Event
22 DEPARTMENTS 6 Director’s Corner
from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.
8 Editor’s Perspective
from Mark Vaughn, CGCS
Sneak Preview of the 2011 VTC Conference and Trade Show
10 VTF Report
20 Words of Wisdom
26 Turfgrass Calendar
Ideas about Teamwork... Can you fly like a goose?
26 Index of Advertisers
22 Recent Event VTF Research Golf Tournament, June 7
24 Industry News Recent Groundbreaking for the Research Center for Safer Athletic Fields 4 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2010 www.vaturf.org
from Betty Parker
Director’s Corner
One Word Defines Our Mission:
SERVICE
Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director
The
Mission of the Virginia Turfgrass Council is to unify efforts to promote turfgrass improvement and the advancement of the turfgrass industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia. One word defines the Mission: Service. Simply stated, we exist to serve our members. Our members are industry professionals who make their living from turfgrass — if we fail to serve them, we fail the entire industry. Since the true measure of our progress towards fulfillment of the Mission is to take a measure of our service, we must apply this measure to every event we host, to every meeting with every member of the General Assembly, to every page of our Journal and to all the content of our website. In this column, I want to take a snapshot of our activities to show how we are serving our membership.
January Conference and Trade Show This is the VTC’s flagship event. Members attend to network, make deals on the trade show floor and learn from top-notch researchers and industry leaders. All three activities are vital, and we structure conference events to enhance each one.
Virginia Turfgrass Journal The bi-monthly publication gives members details about upcoming events, provides a recap of events that already occurred and reports on timely research updates. Also, through the advertisers, Journal readers get details on providers of goods and services.
Pesticide Recertification Classes Two years ago, we recognized the need for our members to have options for renewing their pesticide licenses. Not only were more training programs needed, but also program content needed to be more relevant. Too often, these programs only met the basic requirements for recertification but did not address specific needs of professionals who selected and applied pest-control products. This past year, we offered six different recertification programs in various parts of the state. After each event, comments were received on the benefit of the information to the business.
Industry Surveys Over the past few years, several of our members have asked for a survey that will give them information they can use in the daily operation of their businesses. These surveys are now a reality, with the first one being done this fall.
Legislative Actions The future health of our industry easily rests on one stroke of a pen — a signature stroke that turns a bill or regulation into law. We seek to be very aware of bills before the General Assembly and of regulations of various state and local agencies. These bills and regulations can deeply affect us. We meet with key people to inform them about the value of our industry and to ask them to constantly make decisions based on sound science. In 1819, a court defined a corporation — even a non-profit corporation such as the VTC — as “an artificial being, invisible, intangible, and existing only in contemplation of law.” While the definition meets a legal need, it does not even begin to describe our commitment to serving our members. 6 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2010 www.vaturf.org
Virginia Turfgrass Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Office: (757) 464-1004 Fax: (757) 282-2693 vaturf@verizon.net PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com EDITOR Mark Vaughn, CGCS VTC OFFICERS President Melissa Reynolds Dura Turf Service Corp. (804) 233-4972 Vice President Frank Flannagan Belmont Golf Course (804) 501-5993 Treasurer Brian Vincel, CGCS Spring Creek Golf Club (434) 566-2580 Past President Rick Viancour, CGCS Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (757) 220-7489 VTC DIRECTORS Patrick Connelly Gil Grattan Vince Henderson Jeff Holliday, CGCS Rick Owens, CGCS Steve Slominski Steve Smith VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair) Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. Erik Ervin, Ph.D. Rajandra Waghray, Ph.D. Rod Youngman, Ph.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 681-6065 VIRGINIA TURFGRASS FOUNDATION Betty Parker (757) 574-9061
Editor’s Perspective
Who the Heck Is Concocting This Recipe?
Stephen King? Mark Vaughn, CGCS Virginia Turfgrass Journal Editor
W
ell, it’s day 62 of the Penncross deathwatch here in Southside. I can’t TELL you when I’ve had more fun in the grass business. That ol’ voice in my head (the one I’ve referenced many times before) told me during the bucolic summer of 2009, in his best Vincent Price voice, “Ah ha ha ha! Just wait ‘til next year, boy!” Who the heck is concocting this recipe? Stephen King? Let’s see now… we’ll start with a down economy; mix it with a bad winter and an early spring; to prevent ANYONE from playing, throw in a little winter-kill; turn on some heavy water for, oh, eight or nine weeks in late spring; and then, turn that sucker up to BROIL in mid-May. Cook until DONE. And, then, I have to turn on the tube and see spectators wearing JACKETS at Pebble Beach while the paint is blistering off the outside of my ol’ Virginny home. (Hey, in case anyone is listening, I have a car, and U-Haul still rents trucks. I don’t have to stay here and take this, you know.) Whew. Now that I’ve got that out of my system, we can move on. Okay, I guess there IS some good that comes out of a season such as the one we are passing/just passed through. In fact, I can hear my mother’s voice (regular readers will know I hear this quite often) saying, “Okay, son, what did we learn?” Amateur psychologist that she is, she knew it’s the tough times that contain most of the teaching moments. So, class… what did we learn on our summer vacation this year? #1 — Never assume that things you have been spraying safely separately will react the same in a mixture. #2 — Don’t outsmart yourself. Wilting grass MIGHT die if you water it and Pythium root rot is present. It WILL die if you don’t water. #3 — Your friend “Banker Buddy” will not remember from year to year that 5 p.m. thunderstorms are not “good for your grass” when it’s been 120 degrees, and he will continue to remind you how lucky you are to be getting those timely rains. He, of course, observes all this whilst looking out the window of his climate-controlled office. #4 — Stressed bentgrass actually putts pretty good. For a while. #5 — If you think things can’t get any worse, just wait. #6 — Aerify, aerify, aerify. As my old friend Dick Fisher says, “It ain’t Rocket Surgery.” #7 — 89 degrees can be refreshing. #8 — Going forward, I will only speak of temperatures in Celsius. 35°C sounds so much better than 95°F. #9 — As tempting and as sad as it is, I probably WOULDN’T be happy in the insurance business, or any other industry besides this one. #10 — A movie theatre is a great place to chill. Better than a therapist’s couch. #11 — Cotton is no longer my fabric of choice. #12 — Properly placed, Gold Bond powder and fungicides are equally effective in reducing discomfort for their respective hosts. #13 — Good friends are better than gold. (Actually, I knew that one already.) So, if this summer didn’t run you out, I guess you’re a lifer. Pass the Prozac and the Guinness.
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VTF Report
THANK YOU! Betty Parker VTF Manager
I
would like to give a big Thank You for everyone who helped make this year’s Research Tournament at Wintergreen Resort such a tremendous success. We understand how difficult it is make donations during this economically distressed time, and your donations are very much appreciated. Whether you sponsored a hole or just participated as a competitor, we thank you. It was a beautiful day and a huge success!
Host for the Day
The Eagle Sponsor
Mr. Fred Biggers, Superintendent
Box Lunch Sponsors Landscape Supply Quali-Pro
The Awards Dinner Sponsor
Hole in One $20,000 Shoot Out Innovative Turf Services
Hole Sponsors Beverage Cart Sponsors Grigg Brothers JRM Incorporated Virginia Green
The Double Eagle Sponsors
Bayer Becker Underwood Boonsboro Country Club Davisson Golf Egypt Farms FMC Growth Enhancer Turf Consultants Harmon Turf Services Novozymes Biologicals NuFarm Plant Food Company UMAXX/Agrotain Valent
Thank you to Dr. Dick Schmidt and the late Dr. Link Taylor for their continued support of the turfgrass research being done at Virginia Tech’s Turfgrass Research Center. Royalties from sales of MOHAWK Seed via Seeds West contributed $8,103.85 this year. Thanks also to The Shenandoah Valley Turf Association, which held its annual turfgrass research tournament in July. The association continues to raise valuable dollars for this cause and, over the years, has already donated in excess of $45,000.
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Cover Story
12 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2010 www.vaturf.org
By Ted Huhn, Senior Sales Specialist, BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals
For
golf course superintendents, the battle against fungal diseases that attack and destroy turfgrass is never-ending. While today’s science has produced many fungicides designed to prevent and cure outbreaks of the most-damaging turf diseases, superintendents need to both properly choose the correct fungicide for a particular pathogen and then properly apply that fungicide. Superintendents with the healthiest, disease-free turfgrass are those who have developed a comprehensive strategy to protect their turf, including cultural controls, proper fertility and a fungicide application and rotation program to prevent disease resistance. Such a strategy increases the chances for successfully keeping disease outbreaks at bay and decreases the likelihood of future flare-ups.
Create a turf-management plan Any good turf-management plan for combating fungal diseases should include strategies that mix both chemical and cultural controls to help balance the effect on people, the environment and the turf. When developing a program, superintendents should consider their plan as a “work in progress,” using several different, varying methods to promote long-term health. Key strategies to consider include the following.
Understand the challenges More than 20 known fungal diseases attack turf, degrading its density, color and overall health. Some of the most common — and toughest to control — turfgrass diseases in the Virginia area include: • dollar spot • brown patch • Pythium blight • gray leaf spot • anthracnose • take-all patch • summer patch • pink snow mold Cultural controls and proper fungicide use are vital for helping maintain turf health and reducing plant stress. This well-rounded approach is critical for managing golf course turf, especially on greens. Greens are the areas most closely scrutinized and most susceptible to damage, primarily due to the disease-causing challenges placed upon the turf by regular, short mowing heights (1/8" or less), heavy traffic and the low disease resistance of grass species adapted to the environment. Given these disease-favoring conditions, golf course superintendents who take the time to understand the conditions that lead to turf ailments and disease mode of action will have a greater chance at successfully preventing disease. With knowledge in hand, superintendents can be better prepared to make superior choices when it comes to managing cultural controls, determining fungicide selection and calculating proper application timing and techniques.
Develop a base of knowledge. Through building reference resources, superintendents will have a better understanding of key grasses, the pests that attack them and conditions that favor disease development. Common sources of knowledge might include fellow superintendents and university researchers, professors and Extension specialists, as well product distributors and manufacturers, all of whom can provide a wealth of knowledge and background to help develop a successful strategy. Additionally, many university Extension offices, distributors and manufacturers have developed websites that house their many published research reports, informational articles, application guides and product labels. For instance, the University of Tennessees’ turfgrass website can be accessed at tennesseeturf.utk.edu (no www. before the address).
Develop a plan. Create a written plan outlining key tasks, overall plan purpose and the seasonal timing for both chemical and cultural controls. Having a written plan can help superintendents and staff to identify priorities and concerns at distinct times, helping keep management efforts on track.
Rely on cultural practices. With rising disease resistance, ecological concerns and the need to manage time and money more effectively, the benefits
Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council
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from cultural practices to develop healthy turf should always be considered as a key part of an overall disease program. While cultural practices are not a quick fix, the long-term benefits of proper cultural turf care can help keep devastating outbreaks at bay.
Regularly scout your turf. During daily course drives, pay particular attention to trouble areas, and monitor the environmental conditions that can lead to disease, so that disease onset can be predicted and managed before reaching an epidemic stage. Maintaining a course map or diagram annotated with problem-prone areas can help provide a visual reminder of symptoms and areas to monitor.
Maintain a log. Keeping a record of turf conditions, weather, course activity, disease occurrence, the actions taken and the results of those actions can assist in building a plan and furthering success in disease prevention.
Do your own research. Select locations on the golf course where you can make product comparisons and create your own test plots. Evaluate cultural practices such as removing dew before spraying versus not removing dew. Test other factors that may impact product performance.
Choosing the correct products and preventing resistance Choosing a fungicide that is effective against the fungus causing the disease in your turf is a critical first step, as products are not equally effective against all fungi. Knowing the benefits and effects of a diverse range of fungicide products is important, because relying on a single product or type of fungicide can spur the development of areas that resist fungicides, which is an increasingly common trait amongst fungal diseases. To maintain effectiveness, consider rotating fungicide products as part of an overall diseasecontrol program. Additionally, it is 14 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2010 www.vaturf.org
very important to maintain a log of the effectiveness of fungicides for your particular turf against prevalent turf diseases in your region. Fungicides are characterized as contacts, local penetrants or systemics in the way they move about in the turfgrass. All three types have their advantages and disadvantages, and a balance of all three is needed for a comprehensive disease control program.
Contact fungicides In order to protect turf, contact fungicides must cover the plant surfaces before fungi attack. If the target fungi attack the leaves, it is easy to apply a contact fungicide to the leaves; but as the leaves grow, new leaf tissue is exposed and unprotected. In order to maintain protection, frequent application is necessary. In the spring, this could be as often as every week. If the fungi attack the crown, rhizomes, stolons or roots, similar challenges are encountered, but they are further complicated by the fact that the soil and organic matter surrounding the plant will filter and bind many chemicals to their surfaces.
Local penetrant fungicides Local penetrants move into the plant, but they have limited movement once inside the plant. However, they are effective at providing protection to areas of the turf that are not sprayed.
Systemic fungicides Once applied to the turf, systemic fungicides are able to “move� within the plant. Because the application, delivery and incorporation of fungicides play a major part in ensuring proper coverage and protection, systemic fungicides have the added advantage of making themselves present throughout the plant.
Proper application is key Many times, the efficacy of a fungicide has more to do with the timing of its application than any other factor. As a general rule, preventive applications of fungicides generally have the greatest success against turf loss.
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Cover Story
Brown Patch
This rule is especially true for root and crown diseases such as brown patch and pythium, where disease is not easily seen until foliage is affected by damage caused at the plant’s lower extremities. Preventive fungicide applications in the fall and spring can help reduce the amount of pathogens before the arrival of conditions favorable to the onset of such maladies. At the same time, seasonal applications of fungicide can help give the turf time to grow and become stronger. Applying fungicide before infection occurs is key because once a turf area is infected, it becomes stressed, meaning that some degree of loss will almost certainly occur, regardless of how quickly superintendents react to the outbreak. In addition to treating turf at the appropriate times, applying fungicide in correct quantities at the appropriate target location is also critical to success. Flat-fan nozzles spaced on 20" centers and placement of spray booms at 16" aboveground height have been shown to help provide excellent coverage and overlap. The most common problem related to poor application is caused by improper spray-nozzle selection. Selecting the proper nozzle type — which controls spray droplet size — is an important management decision, because the size of a spray droplet can have a direct influence on the efficacy of chemicals applied. As an example, if the average diameter of a droplet is reduced to half its original size, eight times as many droplets can be produced from the same flow, so a nozzle that produces small droplets can theoretically cover a greater area with a given flow. It is important to note, however, that extremely small droplets may not be able to deliver fungicides on target, because factors such as relative humidity and wind speed can affect the application accuracy of small droplets. As a general rule, flat-fan nozzles are the preferred nozzles for use when treating for foliar diseases (such
Summer Patch
as dollar spot) where the active ingredient should be concentrated at the turf canopy. When treating for diseases that attack the crowns and roots (such as summer patch, anthracnose and pythium), fungicide needs to be delivered below the turf’s foliage. While leaf wetness is less of a problem with systemic fungicides, efficacy is only possible with contact fungicides when the active ingredient comes in contact with the affected area. To help keep fungicides on target (especially contacts), applications should be made when the turf is dry, not dew-covered, and sprayer water volumes should be appropriate for the chemistry being applied. In areas where there is poor irrigation-water quality, the use of buffering agents may be necessary to correct extreme pH levels or water hardness to ensure that they do not hinder the active ingredient’s effectiveness. Before considering the addition of buffering agents, read the label and consult with your local manufacturer or dealer sales representative to understand how the current water quality and how changing that water quality will affect the product that you are applying.
Know your turf and its enemies There is no “universal program” available when it comes to preventing turf diseases and maximizing the effectiveness of fungicides. Therefore, superintendents need to consider many factors, including turfgrass species, disease type and persistence, cultural controls, fungicide spectrum of control, efficacy and length of control and environmental concerns. By understanding the challenges associated with turf diseases and how today’s modern chemistry helps support cultural control measures, superintendents will be able to best develop their individual, supporting fungicide program that considers the best products to use and the appropriate timing and application practices to ensure the greatest success in protecting turfgrass against fungal diseases.
16 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2010 www.vaturf.org
Upcoming Event
SNEAK PREVIEW of the VTC’s 51st Annual TURF & LANDSCAPE CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW January 17–20, 2011 | Fredericksburg, VA | Fredericksburg Conference & Expo Center MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2011 MANAGING YOURSELF/ YOUR CAREER 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Class Sponsored by the Old Dominion Golf Course Superintendents Association Morning Sessions Focus on professional skills (working with greens committees, etc.) Afternoon Sessions Focus on individual skills
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2011 MORNING SEMINARS 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Take your pick of topics for each Session. Session One 8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Masked Chafer Research Update Rod Youngman, Ph.D., Virginia Tech New Products for Turfgrass Professionals Lambert McCarty, Ph.D., Clemson University Session Three 10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Nematode Biology and Management Bruce Martin, Ph.D., Clemson University Overseeding Bermudagrass Jeff Derr, Ph.D., and Adam Nichols, Virginia Tech Capitalizing on the Strengths of Bermudagrass Mike Goatley Jr., Ph.D., Virginia Tech Session Four 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Maintaining Quality over Summer Months Bruce Martin, Ph.D., Clemson University
Fine-tuning Your Foliar Nutrition Program Roch Gaussoin, Ph.D., University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Organic Matter Dilution: Project at independence Erik Ervin, Ph.D., Virginia Tech
New Products for Turfgrass Professionals Lambert McCarty, Ph.D., Clemson University
Everyday Tips to Manage Lawn Diseases David McCall, Virginia Tech Session Two 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. a. Killing the Last 10%: New Techniques for Poa Control on Putting Greens b. A Taste of the Orient: New Herbicides on the Way for Putting Greens c. Dealing with Moss on Greens Shawn Askew, Ph.D., Virginia Tech
Lessons from Ontario: Coping with Pesticide Regulations Mark Prieus, Ontario GCSA LUNCH (on your own) 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. TRADESHOW 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. VTC SOCIAL HOUR 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Informal Year in Review and recognition of scholarship winners.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2011 FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. TRADESHOW & LUNCH 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. VTC ANNUAL MEETING AND GENERAL SESSION 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. CONCURRENT EDUCATIONAL TRACKS 2:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Golf Track VGCSA Annual Meeting Travels with Terry: Equipment Maintenance Gleanings Terry Buchen, CGCS, Golf Agronomy International 2010: The Year in Review Darin Bevard, Keith Happ and Stan Zonteck USGA Lawn/Landscape Track Managing the Top 20 Landscape Insects and Mites with and without Pesticides David Shetlar, Ph.D., Ohio State University Yellow Nutsedge Management in Lawns and Ornamental Beds Jeff Derr, Ph.D., Virginia Tech Impact of Mowing and Fertilization on Brown Patch and Weed Encroachment in Tall Fescue Matt Cutulle, Virginia Tech
Sports Track One More Look at Ryegrass Overseeding Roch Gaussoin, Ph.D., University of Nebraska–Lincoln MSMA Update Shawn Askew, Ph.D., Virginia Tech Maximizing Performance of Insect-Control Products in Turfgrass David Shetlar, Ph.D., Ohio State University Sod Track MSMA Update Shawn Askew, Ph.D., Virginia Tech Impact of Mowing and Fertilization on Brown Patch and Weed Encroachment in Tall Fescue Matt Cutulle, Virginia Tech Using Biosolids for Sod Production Jeff Derr, Ph.D., Virginia Tech Complying with Worker Protection Standards when Harvesting Sod Micah Raub, Virginia Office of Pesticide Service
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 INITIAL PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION REVIEW SESSION FOR CORE EXAM 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. INITIAL CERTIFICATION EXAM 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CONFERENCE ADJOURNS 3:00 p.m.
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Words of Wisdom
By Jack McClenahan [Note from editor: This article originally ran in the August 1977 issue of the Journal, but its philosophies are as relevant today as they were three decades ago.]
Number One As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if one bird flew alone.
LESSON: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and sooner because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
Number Two Geese instinctively know the proper direction to fly.
LESSON: We need to plan our direction, then frequently and regularly check that plan to make sure we are still heading in the direction we wish to go.
fly alone, and it quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the “lifting power” of the bird immediately in front.
LESSON: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go (and be willing to accept their help, as well as give ours to the others).
Number Four When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation, and another goose flies at the point position.
LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and share leadership — with people, as with geese, we are interdependent on each other.
Number Three
Number Five
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to
The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
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LESSON: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, and not something else.
Number Six When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or catch up with the flock.
LESSON: If we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong. As I think about these geese, one lesson stands out above all others: it is the natural instinct of geese to work together. Whether it’s rotating, flapping, helping or simply honking, the flock is in it together… which enables them to accomplish what they set out to do. Our “flight pattern” works well only if all of us participate, including you.
Recent Event
Congratulations to the Winners! Closest to the Pin Terry Robinson Sam Coggin Roger Brizendine
Longest Drive
VTF Research Golf Tournament, June 7, 2010, at Wintergreen’s Stoney Creek Course
On
June 7, the VTC hosted the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation’s 27-hole golf tournament at Wintergreen’s Stoney Creek Course. Success of the event is measured in several ways: by dollars raised for research, by the number of teams and by the satisfaction of participants. In terms of raising money for turfgrass research, the golf tournament broke previous records. We raised enough money to give over $17,000! Despite a down economy, 42 teams competed in the tournament. Based on the positive comments from players, the number of teams will probably increase next year. Satisfaction of participants, a third measure of success, was very high. Thanks to Fred Biggers, superintendent at Wintergreen, the course was in great shape, and the pins were laid out to maximize enjoyment while maintaining a good pace of play. Members of the Research Golf Committee who worked many hours before the event, making sure everything went well, were Fred Biggers, Sterling Caudle, Patrick Connelly, Gil Grattan, Jeff Holliday, David McCall, John Pennypacker and Marc Petrus.
Above: The Old Castle team, winners of the Gus Constantino trophy.
Jeff Whitmire Jim Wilson Brian Songer
Putting Contest John Post
Team NET (Gus Constantino Trophy) First Old Castle Team • Mike Pastore • Jake Pastore • Michael Pastore • Chip Childress Second Tidewater Turfgrass Association • Chris Brnich • Rob Wilmans • Matt Boyce • Travis Creech Third Old Dominion GCSA • Mark Price • John Post • Scott Kinan • Chris Roberts
Team – GROSS First Lebanon Turf #2 • Ned Herod • Jim Wilson • Mark Vaughn • Terry Robinson Second Harrells Team #1 • Neal Andrews • Eddie Foust • Brian Songer • Rocky Blankenship Third Virginia Green • Daryl Watkins • Billy Gallagher • Jimmy Gallagher • Steve Krask
Commonwealth Cup • Old Dominion GCSA
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Industry News
The University of Tennessee and AstroTurf® Break Ground on the
RESEARCH CENTER for SAFER ATHLETIC FIELDS
S
ignifying a new era in athletic-field research focused on injury prevention, The University of Tennessee and AstroTurf® broke ground on June 18 on the Center for Safer Athletic Fields. The center is a comprehensive research initiative to improve athletic performance and reduce injuries that can occur on both natural and synthetic turf playing surfaces. Ceremonies were held at the research site located at the UT Institute of Agriculture’s East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Knoxville, Tenn. “Possessing all facets of syntheticturf manufacturing from polymer development to field installation, AstroTurf® is an integral research partner,” explained Jim Brosnan, Ph.D., assistant professor of Plant Sciences at the UT Institute of Agriculture and research co-investigator (with John Sorochan, Ph.D., also with UT). “We needed to work with a company that can use our research findings to advance the products installed in stadiums across the globe. It is our hope that comparing natural and synthetic turf surfaces to this scale will allow for fields to be safer at all levels of play.” Bryan Peeples, president of AstroTurf, added, “Ensuring the highest standards for athletic field safety and outstanding performance is our top priority. Advancing the science behind injury prevention helps athletes of all ages and the sports turf industry overall.”
performance of AstroTurf® products compared to various natural-turfgrass systems, UT turfgrass scientists will also monitor these relationships over time. Additionally, they will evaluate the environmental impacts of each system. The research should lead to the development of new, more accurate methods for testing the safety and performance of all synthetic turf systems. Initial research will start as soon as fall 2010, and the center will be fully operational by 2011. Natural surfaces will be planted with bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass and others. Both mechanical and human studies will be performed to create “real play” conditions.
The research will be scientifically based for statistical analysis. In addition, the geographic location of the site will enable scientists to conduct research on a variety of surfaces from both cool- and warm-season climates. The unique outdoor research facility will comprise 60 small-scale athletic research fields constructed from a variety of playing surfaces. UT turfgrass scientists will compare the safety and performance of synthetic playing surfaces to natural grass surfaces. Field qualities will range from those employed for professional–level sports to surfaces used by schools, public parks and recreation fields.
Pictured from left: Dr. Caula Beyl, dean, UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; Andy Belles, AstroTurf® brand manager; Dr. Jim Brosnan, assistant professor, UT Department of Plant Sciences; Jim Prettyman, AstroTurf® chief operating officer; Dr. Bob Auge, department head, UT Plant Sciences; Eric Berry, former Tennessee Volunteer and first-round draft pick for the Kansas City Chiefs; Bobby Simpson, director, East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center; James Berry, Eric’s father; Dr. John Sorochan, associate professor, UT Department of Plant Sciences; Buddy Mitchell, associate vice president, UT Institute of Agriculture; and Dr. Bill Brown, dean, UT AgResearch.
A game-changing initiative The Center for Safer Athletic Fields aims to make a long-term difference. While determining the safety and
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Index of Advertisers
Calendar of Events
Turf Industry Events October 26–30
December 15–17
NRPA Congress & Expo (National Recreation & Park Association) Minneapolis, MN
Turfgrass Short Course Hampton Roads AREC Virginia Beach, VA
October 28–30 Green Industry & Equipment Expo Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, KY
December 13–15 Turfgrass Short Course Charlottesville, VA
January 11–15, 2011 STMA Annual Conference (Sports Turf Managers Assn.) Austin, TX
January 17–20, 2011 VTC 51st Annual Turf & Landscape Conference and Trade Show Fredericksburg, VA
January 31 – February 4, 2011 TPI Midwinter Conference (Turfgrass Producers International) Orlando, FL
February 7–11 Golf Industry Show Orlando, Florida
A.R.M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 www.armva.com Barenbrug USA . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 www.barusa.com Bayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 www.bayerprocentral.com Camp Chemical Corp. . . . . . 19 Collins Wharf Sod Farm . . . . 14 www.collinswharfsod.com Dura Turf Service Corp. . . Inside Back Cover E & S Soil and Peat . . . . . . . . 15 www.eandssoil.com East Coast Sod & Seed . . . . . . 7 www.eastcoastsod.com Egypt Farms, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 www.egyptfarms.com Ernst Conservation Seeds . . . . . 15 www.ernstseed.com Harmon Turf Service, Inc. . . . Inside Front Cover www.harmonturfservices.com Harrell’s Custom Fertilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover www.harrells.com Luck Stone Specialty Products . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.luckstone.com Mid-Atlantic Sports Turf . . . . 26 Modern Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . 11 www.modernturf.com Oakwood Sod Farm, Inc. . . . 19 www.oakwoodsod.com Quali-Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.quali-pro.com Roxbury Farm & Garden Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.roxburyfarmgarden.com Southern States Cooperative . . 11 www.southernstates.com Texas Sod Leasing . . . . . . . . . 25 www.texassod.com The Turfgrass Group . . . . . 5, 17 www.theturfgrassgroup.com United Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 www.unitedturfinc.com Wood Bay Turf Technologies . . 25 www.woodbayturftech.com
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