Retro-Edition: The TROE Ten Years Later! October 2012
Vol. 44, No. 9 October 2012
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Upcoming Events November 16th Pesticide Recertification Class Contact: mnla@mnla.biz MNLA/MTGF December 5th MGCSA Annual Awards Banquet Medina Golf and Country Club Erin McManus Host Superintendent January 8th-10th Northern Green Expo Minneapolis Convention Center Page 2
CONTENTS
Vol. 44, No. 9 October 2012
Feature Articles: Retro- TROE Center Articles Various Authors
EDITOR DAVE KAZMIERCZAK CGCS
DAVE@PRESTWICK.COMCASTBIZ.NET
pages
8-28
Smoothing Out A Rough Road By David Kazmierczak CGCS
page 17-19
Proposed Dues Increase to Support Member Driven Research Contributed by the Hole Notes Editorial Staff
pages 32-37
Get ‘Er Done E. Paul!!! In kind support
Monthly Columns: Presidential Perspective Scottie Hines CGCS
page 5
In Bounds Jack MacKenzie CGCS
pages 7
Within the Leather Dave Kazmierczak CGCS
pages 40-41
The University of Minnesota TROE Center celebrates its 10th Anniversary with this issue. Throughout this edition of Hole Notes follow the center through challenges, victories and finally the creation of a solid destination for turf grass research. The future looks bright for MGCSA member driven research!!!
built a destination for turf research, the TROE Center. Now the call is out for a dues increase to support member generated research. Read about the Board proposal on pages 32 - 37
...Even More Content... Regional Golf Course Report, Metro Area pages 14-20 Dr. Brian Horgan and Sam Bauer, University of Minnesota Bob Fitch Moves On by MNLA Staff
Dale Ledstrom shares a humble and heart felt “Thank You” at the Wee One Event. Read his article on pages 17-19
page
39
Hole Notes (ISSN 108-27994) is digitally published monthly except bimonthly in November/December and January/February by the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents’ Association, 10050 204th Street North, Forest Lake, MN 55025. Jack MacKenzie CGCS publisher. Please send any address changes, articles for publication, advertising and concerns to jack@mgcsa.org. Page 3
2012 Board of Directors Directors
President
Joe Churchill Reinders Inc.
David Kazmierczak CGCS Prestwick GC
Eric Counselman Somerby GC
Matt McKinnon The Legacy Courses
Kerry Glader Plaisted Companies
Bob Porter Hiawatha GC
Brian Brown Chisago Lakes GC
Bill Gullicks Bellwood Oaks GC
Jake Schmitz Olympic Hills GC
Treasurer
Jeff Ishe Golden Valley G&CC
Executive Director
Scottie Hines CGCS Windsong Farm GC
Vice-President
Roger Stewart Jr. TPC Twin Cities
Secretary
E. Paul Eckhom CGCS Heritage Links GC
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Page 4
Jack MacKenzie CGCS MGCSA
Presidential Perspective by Scottie Hines CGCS
Wow, mid-October already! Seems odd to have this much play, be using this much irrigation water and having this much staff on at this time of the year? The weather forecast FINALLY has some rain in it. I will believe it when I see it. I obviously have not been in Minnesota my entire life but it has been a very long time since I have seen conditions this dry. A nice four-day soaker would be great right about now. The Wee One fund raiser was held at North Oaks last week. What a great day and a great cause! We raised over $14,000 for or recipient, Dale Ledstrom of Tim’s Tree Service, this year. Dale was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and is now awaiting a bone marrow transplant from his brother. The Wee One is a foundation set up to donate funds to members of the golf industry during times of financial hardship due to emergency or life threatening health events. Simply, this is “us” taking care of “us”. If you have been a supporter, please continue. If you have not been a supporter, please consider it. I certainly hope to never have to tap this fund but I will find a way to support it as I follow my career path in this industry. From all of us, best wishes for a complete recovery Dale! The Fall Mixer was held at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club yesterday. Another great day! I even goaded Jack MacKenzie to tote a gun along and do some extra shooting after the event. Not a bad shooter, I might add. Congratulations to Jon Glader winner of the 2012 MGCSA Gun Raffle. He takes home a very nice Weatherby 12 guage, O/U shotgun. Erin Mc Manus was High Gun only dropping 4 targets! Well done. Not a bad day for Jon, Erin or anyone who shot! The call for GCSAA Committee Volunteers has gone out. The deadline to sign up is October 24. You can sign up for up to five committees. There are many to choose from. Things like expertise in a given field, prior local chapter leadership and local chapter committee work will be considered when GCSAA makes it’s committee appointments. This is a great way to give back to our national association, expand your industry network, learn and forge new relationships. I sit on the Government Relations Committee and I can’t begin to explain what a great experience it has been. I will be honest, I was a little intimidated at first but the GCSAA staff and the other committee members made me feel very welcome and very comfortable. Most of the committee work has been done via conference call or e-mail. The time commitment is minimal. Please consider volunteering for a committee, with GCSAA or MGCSA. Speaking of the GCSAA GR Committee, our latest endeavor has been creating the GCSAA Priority Issues Agenda. These are the issues the Committee recommends to GCSAA for focused attention by staff and the appropriate committees. On the list to be considered for 2013 are: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fertilizers, Labor and Immigration, Pesticides, The Value of Golf and Water Management. I am sure you will be hearing more from GCSAA or me on these issues in the near future. Kevin Clunis, CGCS recently attended the Chapter Delegates meeting at GCSAA HQ. He will be giving us a re-cap of the meetings at our next board meeting. Thanks Kevin for taking the time and effort to act as the MGCSA Delegate. It has been a long summer and as we wind into fall and shorter days take advantage and get a few of those things done you have had on the back burner since early summer. It is almost time to relax, even if only for a little while….
Page 5
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BEFORE
AFTER
In Bounds by Jack MacKenzie CGCS
Happy Anniversary U of M TROE Center!!! Just ten years ago the MGCSA mantra was, “Build It and They Will Come”. We did build it and indeed after ten years a lot of research has been conducted at the renowned destination. Kudos MGCSA for accomplishing your goal! You should notice a few retro pages in this issue of Hole Notes. They are actually articles about the TORE Center meant to take you back in time and walk you through some of the victories, challenges, trials, research and developmental stages of the home for Minnesota Turf Science. These articles, cut and pasted from previous issues, will generate thoughts of where we have been and how far we have come as a destination for turf investigations. From mandated fertilizer studies to NTEP trials the TROE Center has provided the turf community a fine landing zone for grass studies. But what about golf course research? Boldly, the MGCSA contributed money and resources to build several acres of prime playing ground for golf course turf scientists. In the early years the University was pleased to make use of a piece of property formerly set aside for cow cultivation. Dreams of giant expanses of fine cut turf, both fairway and green, came to reality. Partnering with the University, the MGCSA engaged in positive growth for all parties involved. But with squeezing budgets and changing politics the TROE Center was eventually left alone to survive through industry donations. Dr.’s Horgan and Watkins have been masterful in claiming national grant money for industrial turf studies and modest golf industry funds to supplement those larger dollars. Unfortunately, not enough has been contributed to sustain any member driven research ideas. In other words, the good stuff, the material you can use today and for years to come. To that end your Board of Directors and the recently reactivated Research Committee have resolved to inject new energy into Minnesota golf course turf research with the surge of sustainable funds and the creation of a system to refine ideas worth pursuing. Ideas generated by the membership of the MGCSA. Questions you want answers to today and research done in your back yard tomorrow. The plan includes research reports available in sections on line at the MGCSA.org website as well as three times annually generated regional reports from the staff at the University of Minnesota. Possible? Absolutely, but the choice is yours. It will mean a dues increase, a final bump enough to generate a minimum of $20,000 to be put toward member driven research annually. $35 bucks in total per member at the end of three years…the cost of a dozen cheap golf balls, three boxes of premium shotgun shells, a nice polo shirt, a prime time movie with popcorn and milk duds, nine gallons of gas, two bottles of reasonable wine…you get the picture. Here is to wishing the TROE Center another several years of success. “Cheers!”
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Your guide to complete snow mold control 2012 Fall SolutIonS: Proven, relIable anSwerS For your Snow Mold ProbleMS Protect your course from Snow Mold
It all starts with Interface®
Pink and gray snow molds are devastating turf diseases that occur on golf course putting greens, tees and fairways in the presence or absence of snow cover. These diseases are not only unsightly in the spring but can leave the turf surfaces unplayable.
Interface® is the cornerstone of a solid snow mold control program. Four years of university research and golf course applications have demonstrated that Interface provides earlier spring green up allowing you to jump start your 2013 golf season. Building your snow mold program around Interface allows the flexibility to tailor a program to fit your needs without sacrificing performance.
There are many fungicides that are labeled for the control of pink and gray snow molds, but the Bayer StressGard™ Formulation Technology product line is proven to provide superior disease control and outstanding turf quality. These powerful fungicides give you confident snow mold control with solutions to fit your budget – leading to earlier green up and more green in your pocket.
Page 10
Two other StressGard FT fungicides that perform well in combinations with Interface are Chipco Triton® FLO and Tartan.® For gray snow mold, Chipco Triton FLO is the tank-mix partner of choice, while Tartan should be used if pink snow mold is the predominant problem. All three fungicides represent distinct fungicide classes that when combined offer powerful disease management tools.
Spring, after a fall-applied Interface combination on an Idaho putting green.
Iprodione (Dicarboximide)
Product
Triadimefon (DMI)
Triticonazole (DMI)
Trifloxystrobin (Qol)
StressGard Formulation Technology
X
Triton FLO
X
X
Tartan
X
Interface
X
X
X
X
Snow Mold Control Recommendations Greens & Tees/Fairways Less than 60 days (Pink)
60 to 149 days (Pink + Gray)
150 days or more (Gray)
Interface 6 fl oz -ORTartan 2 fl oz
Interface 5 – 6 fl oz + Triton FLO 0.85 fl oz -ORInterface 5 fl oz + Reserve™ 4.5 fl oz
Interface 6 fl oz + Triton FLO 0.85 fl oz -ORInterface 6 fl oz + Reserve 5.4 fl oz
Greens & Tees
Fairways
Less than 80 days (mainly Pink)
80 days or more (mainly Gray)
Interface 4 fl oz + Tartan 2 fl oz
Interface 4 fl oz + Triton FLO 0.55 fl oz
Turf Quality
% Snow Mold
60
5.8
61 5
40
3.4 3
20 0
6.8
7
80
9 Untreated
7
Instrata 9 –11 fl oz ®
Interface + Triton FLO 5 + 0.85 fl oz
1
Untreated
Instrata 9 –11 fl oz
2008–2012 Summary of University Trials 25 Trial Comparisons
2008–2012 Summary of University Trials 31 Trial Comparisons
% Snow Mold
Turf Quality
80
7
74
60
6.5
5 38
40
3.3 3
20 0
Interface + Triton FLO 5 + 0.85 fl oz
1.5
6 Untreated
Pennstar® FLO (PCNB) 12 fl oz
Interface + Triton FLO 4 + 0.85 fl oz
Oregon State University, Golembiewski & McDonald
1
Untreated
Pennstar FLO (PCNB) 12 fl oz
Interface + Triton FLO 4 + 0.85 fl oz
Oregon State University, Golembiewski & McDonald
Contact Michael Kelly at (952) 292-1966 or Mike.Kelly@bayer.com to learn more about our snow mold solutions. Bayer CropScience LP, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. 1-800-331-2867. www.BackedbyBayer.com. Bayer (reg’d), the Bayer Cross (reg’d), Backed by Bayer,™ StressGard,™ Interface,® Chipco Triton,® Reserve,™ and Tartan® are trademarks of Bayer. Instrata® is a registered trademark of Syngenta. Pennstar ® is a registered trademark of The Andersons. Please verify state registration of these products in your state before selling, using, or distributing. Always read and follow label instructions carefully. ©2012 Bayer CropScience LP.
Page 11
JaNuaRY 9-11, 2013 Minneapolis Convention Center
1
Golf Course Master Planning
Incredible educational value at Northern Green Expo 2013 – just look at these golf course speakers!
Kevin Norby is the owner and principal of Herfort Norby Golf Course Architects in Chaska. Kevin attended the University of Idaho at Moscow and South Dakota State University at Brookings where he received a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture. He is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and is an active member of numerous golf course industry associations including the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the Midwest Public Golf Managers Association (MPGMA). In 1991, Norby formed Herfort Norby Golf Course Architects and worked with his partner and mentor Don Herfort until 2003. Today, Herfort Norby specializes exclusively in the design and renovation of golf courses. Norby has been involved with nearly 100 golf course projects throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean and is a frequent speaker and contributing writer on issues related to golf course design and master planning. His services cover all aspects of golf course development from site selection and market/feasibility studies, to renovations and new course design.
Whether a private country club or a public daily-fee golf course, a long-range master plan can be a valuable tool for identifying and prioritizing capital improvements. Norby will discuss the benefits of preparing a master plan and will describe steps which you, as a superintendent, can take to encourage your course to complete a long-range plan to reduce maintenance and unnecessary repairs and to improve course conditioning and playability.
Join the conversation on Twitter. #GreenExpo13
2
Panel Discussion on Golf Course Master Planning
This panel discussion will bring together superintendents who have completed a long-range master plan for their golf course including Mike Handrich, Superintendent at Racine Country Club in Racine, Wisc.; Kurt Knox, Superintendent at Island View Golf Club in Waconia, Minn.; Chris Bradford, Superintendent at Coal Creek Golf Course in Louisville, Colo. and Troy Malo, General Manager at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker, Minn. They will discuss the challenges they faced in convincing their club to pursue a master plan and the benefits which they have experienced since completing the process. They will discuss some of their specific changes and will describe what impact their master plan has had on their course and their budget.
Bob Vavrek has been part of the USGA Green Section staff for 22 years. His current responsibilities include making turf advisory service visits and USGA Championship preparation in Nebraska, Iowa, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The goal of the USGA Turf Advisory Service is to help provide golfers the best possible playing conditions within the budgetary limitations of a particular golf facility. Other duties include writing articles for various publications and making numerous educational presentations at turf conferences across the United States and abroad. A native of northeast Ohio, Vavrek holds a B.S. in biology from Marietta College. A Masters degree in turfgrass entomology from The Ohio State University explains his interest in helping golf course superintendents make a rapid, accurate diagnosis of turf related problems as well as presenting sustainable, environmentally friendly options to address these issues. He resides in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
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Golf Course: The 2012 Year In Review
A mild winter and early warm weather during spring started the 2012 golf season off on the right foot. However, record heat and extended periods of drought across the upper Midwest caused plenty of stress to golf courses during June and July. This presentation discusses ways golf course managers addressed issues of intense heat and inconsistent rainfall this summer.
plus many more great seminars and speakers! to view the entire preliminary schedule-at-a-glance, visit www.northernGreenexpo.org.
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THANK YOU SPONSORS!!! Title Sponsors: MGCSA Par Aide Products Reinders Inc
Interlachen Country Club Golden Valley Golf and Country Club
Meal Sponsors: Hartman Companies
Mitchell Products
3 Iron Challenge Sponsors: Syngenta Koch Industries/UMAXX Turfco Frontier Ag and Turf Sign Sponsors: Tee
EC Grow FMC Superior Turf Services Leitner Company
Plaisted Companies Turfwerks Agrium Advanced Winfield Solutions John Meyer Family Sustane Natural Excel Turf and Orna mental
Superior Tech Products Becker Underwood Dale Parske Family Dow Agroscience Twin City Seed BASF Brackett’s Crossing GC
Brackett’s Crossing Golf Club Mike Kelly Kerry Anderson MGCSA
Prize Package Sponsors:
Page 14
Frost Services Valent Professional Jay Mar Bayer Science Helena Lebanon Turf
JRK Seed MTI/Toro Duininck Golf Cycle Works Wee One Committee
Page 15
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The Wee One Foundation, Smoothing out a Rough Road by Dave Kazmeirczak CGCS The road to recovery from cancer can be a long and lonely one, but on October 8, 2012 Dale Ledstrom, owner of Tim’s Tree Service, got a little help from his industry brothers. Ledstrom is this year’s Wee One recipient. Ledstrom related in an acceptance speech at the Wee One Foundation event at North Oaks Country Club that while his road to recovery has already been trod upon, there are many more steps to take. Lesdstrom has owned and operated Tim’s tree service for the last seven years and has serviced close to a dozen golf courses in the greater Twin Cities area. He started experiencing neck and shoulder pain earlier in the year and tried chiropractic care and physical therapy to correct the pain he was experiencing. When that did not help, he decided to seek another opinion. On June 6, 2012 he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The devastating news was a blow not only to Ledstrom, but to his wife, Denise,
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their daughter, Annika and the rest of his Having heard of Ledstrom’s illness, family as well. Tim’s tree service would Mike Manthey, superintendent Midland also take a major hit, as Ledstrom was Hills and Jeff Ische, superintendent owner and operator, and his dawn to Golden Valley Country Club wondered if dusk schedule would be reduced to next the Wee One Foundation would be able to nothing. Clearly Ledstrom and his to help Ledstrom. Some investigation family needed from Ische some help, confirmed and that is that Ledstrom what they got was eligible in a variety of to receive ways. help from the In order foundation. to keep the Now all business Ledstrom had afloat, Denise to do was has stepped accept that in to run the help, which business side was not easy. Dale and Denise Ledstrom, cancer in while the When former owner, remission, share a good moment with Ische first Tim Hagen, approached Kerry Anderson, Wee One beneficiary returned to Ledstrom four years ago. help with the about the tree service Wee One end of the business. Ledstrom also did donation he was hesitant. Lestrom had landscaping and demolition work, but always been the giver, the one who went that part of the business has been halted above and beyond the normal service until Ledstrom recovers. While this plan and provided his customers what they has kept the business alive, it has not needed. Now he was the one in need. kept the business profitable, and some After about four weeks, Ische was equipment has had to be sold in order to contacted by Denise, and the application sustain the operation. Also, Denise has was quickly submitted and approved. not been able to return to a regular job All proceeds from the October 8 event, in order to concentrate on the business plus $2,500 more from the Wee One matters, further burdening the home Foundation would go to Ledstrom and budget. his family. Page 18
Perhaps the greatest gift of all, however, will come from his older brother. When Ledstrom was first diagnosed, he started four cycles of inpatient chemotherapy an the University of Minnesota Fairview hospital. An MRI in last September showed that the cancer was in remission, which allows Ledstrom to proceed in the next step to recovery- a bone marrow transplant that will be donated from his older brother. After the surgery, Ledstrom will spend 30 days in an isolated situation due to a lack of immune system, and then another couple months at Hope Lodge, a short-
term recovery facility. Ledstrom expressed gratitude to the Wee One and the MGCSA for supporting him, and thanked Ische for his support in getting it accomplished. His road to recovery will take time to travel, but he is looking forward to getting around this detour, and providing the strong service his customers have come to appreciate from him in the spring of 2013. If you are interested in helping support the Wee One Foundation visit Wee One.Org for more information. Your contributions make a difference and are greatly appreciated by many including Dale Ledstrom, Mike Smith, Tom Fuller and Kerry Anderson.
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Thanks for being a part of who we are.
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University of Minnesota Turfgrass Research Program Update By Brian Horgan, Ph.D. and Eric Watkins University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science The University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science program has had another successful year. Our research program has conducted research in three primary areas: (1) Environmental Protection, (2) Production and Management of Turfgrasses and (3) Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics. At the end of this article, we have listed peer-reviewed scientific publications from 2010 and also a list of current research projects that are being funded at our research center. As you can see, our team of students and researchers has been very successful in conducting important research that will benefit turfgrass professionals in both the short-term and the long-term. When interacting with stakeholders, we often are asked how the University of Minnesota financial situation affects our research and education program. Unfortunately, the declining financial resources available within the University are beginning to impact our program; in the past, the college was able to help support our field facility manager position, which is no longer the case. In the near future, we expect to see severe reductions, or even elimination, of funds dedicated towards personnel that help keep the TROE Center operational. Fortunately, the turfgrass science program has been wellsupported by the turf and grounds industry in Minnesota. When we talk to colleagues throughout the country, we realize how fortunate we are to have a great relationship with industry partners such as MGCSA and MTGF. The funding we receive from these organizations has allowed us to successfully compete for a number of large grants (see list at end of this article). Typically, industry groups, such as the MGCSA and MTGF, can support research in one of two ways. The first model supports research by funding the infrastructure necessary for longer-term, impactful research projects. The second model supports specific research projects but does not provide funding for critical infrastructure and personnel. One advantage to the project-specific funding model is industry professionals can quickly use the research results. For instance, a trial that evaluates a series of plant growth regulators for use on annual bluegrass would provide research results within a short time frame and lead to changes in turf
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Peer-Reviewed Publications in 2010
management. For these types of research projects, we are endowing a graduate student fellowship and are happy to report that we have commitments for $240,000 (goal is $400,000). We appreciate the MGCSA's support of this fellowship. The first model allows us to confidently present research proposals to outside funding agencies because we know that the infrastructure and personnel costs associated with maintaining our facility are in place. Most funding agencies want to fund graduate student research and related supplies and are not interested in funding infrastructure or long-term research personnel. This model provides industry a significant return on investment since a graduate student costs our program approximately $40,000/yr (same amount granted by MTGF to our program in 2011). In summary, our program relies on general funding for infrastructure and personnel (TROE Center and people to run it). This allows us to invest in longterm research projects that will have implications for turf management throughout the region and country for decades to come. At the same time, a fully-funded research center allows us to perform readily-applied research. It is our desire that MTGF and the allied organization, such as the MGCSA, will continue to support the TROE Center and the personnel necessary for the continuation of a nationally recognized, impactful turfgrass research program. We hope that MGCSA members will be able to join us for the 2011 Turf and Grounds Field which will be held on Thursday, September 15 on the St. Paul campus. Details will be provided later this summer at www.mtgf.org.
Bierman, P.M., B.P. Horgan, C.J. Rosen, A.B. Hollman and P.H. Pagliari. 2010. Phosphorus runoff from turfgrass as affected by phosphorus fertilization and clipping management. J. Environ. Qual. 39:282-292. Clark, M.D., and E. Watkins. 2010. Seed production characteristics of prairie junegrass germplasm accessions. Crop Science 50:1057-1065. Kerns, J.P., P.L. Koch, D. Cook, B.P. Horgan and F.P. Wong. 2010. First report of brown patch caused by Waitea circinata var. circinata on Poa annua in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Plant Disease. Vol. 94, No. 9:1165. Clark, M.D., and E. Watkins. 2010. Turfgrass characteristics of prairie junegrass germplasm accessions. Crop Science 50:2092-2102. Rice, P.J., B.P. Horgan, C.Hapeman and L. McConnell. 2010. In Press. Effectiveness of management practices to mitigate off-site movement and ecological risk of pesticides transported with runoff from agriculture and turf systems. In Pesticides. In-Tech. Vienna, Austria. ISBN 978-953-7619-X-X. Hoffman, L., M. DaCosta, J.S. Ebdon, and E. Watkins. 2010. Physiological changes during cold acclimation of perennial ryegrass accessions differing in freeze tolerance. Crop Science 50:1037-1047. Jiang, Y., E. Watkins, S. Liu, X. Yu, and N. Luo. 2010. Antioxidative responses and candidate gene expression in prairie junegrass under drought stress. Journal of the American Society of Horticultural Science 135: 303-309. Rice, P.J., B.P. Horgan and J.L. Rittenhouse. 2010. Pesticide transport with runoff from creeping bentgrass turf: relationship of pesticide properties to mass transport. Envrion. Tox. and Chem. Vol. 29, No. 6:1209-1214. Rice, P.J., B.P. Horgan and J.L. Rittenhouse. 2010. Evaluation of core cultivation practices to reduce ecological risk of pesticides in runoff from Agrostis palustris. Environ. Tox. and Chem. Vol. 29, No. 6:12151223. Watkins, E., A.B. Hollman and B.P. Horgan. 2010. Evaluation of alternative turfgrass species for lowinput golf course fairways. Hort. Sci. 45(1):113-118. Watkins, E, S. Fei, D. Gardner, J. Stier, S. Bughrara, D. Li, C. Bigelow, L. Schliecher, B. Horgan and K. Diesburg. 2011. Low-input turfgrass species for the north central United States. Online. Applied Turfgrass Science doi:10.1094/ATS-2011-0126-02-RS. Funded Research Ongoing Projects (does not include projects completed before 2010) Developing alternative sod mixtures for salt and drought affected sites. 2010-2013. Local Road Research Board (MnDOT). $176,516. Alternative turfgrass species as a pest management strategy. USDA/CSREES Pest Management Alternative Program. Watkins, E., C. Yue, B.P. Horgan, J. Kerns and M. Meyer. 2009-2012. $179,494. Genetic improvement of prairie junegrass. 20062012. United States Golf Association. Eric Watkins and Nancy Ehlke. $50,000. Mineralization rates of soils using the ISNT to predict nitrate leaching. 2010-2012. United States Golf Association. Brian Horgan and Dave Gardner. $38,150. Reducing P runoff from turf; an education and outreach approach. 2011. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Brian Horgan and Carl Rosen. $30,000. Watkins, E, and N. Ehlke. 2009-2011. Expanding the potential of native turfgrass seed production. Minnesota Turf Seed Council. $20,000. Horgan, B.P. and E. Watkins. 2009-2011. Determination best mixture and blend of cool-season grasses when exposed to acute drought. National Turfgrass Evaluation Program. $15,000. National Turfgrass Evaluation Program: Tall fescue. 2006-2011. NTEP. Eric Watkins and Brian Horgan. $12,500. National Turfgrass Evaluation Program: Bentgrass putting green. 2008-2013. Eric Watkins and Brian Horgan. $12,000. National Turfgrass Evaluation Program: Fine fescue wear tolerance. 2008-2013. Eric Watkins and Brian Horgan. $12,000. Alternative species for low input greens. 20082011. Brian Horgan, Eric Watkins, and Andrew Hollman. Hole Notes July 2011 5
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Through the years, Thank yo for the support. H
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ou Brian, Eric and your staffs Happy Anniversary!!!
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Proposed Dues Increase to Support Member Driven Research
By Dave Kazmierczak CGCS
To The Point
The $20,000 will initially be gifted from the existing MGCSA Research At the September 2012 monthly Fund, and re-paid by the dues increases. meeting, the MGCSA’s Board of The recommendation is to increase dues Directors voted unanimously to submit by seven percent year one, 14 percent to MGCSA members the proposal of a year two and 21 percent year three, dues increase to directly fund research equating to roughly $10 per year for the at the University of Minnesota TROE next three years. A five dollar fee would Center. The proposal will be voted upon also be attached to the first and each at the annual meeting in January. ensuing year to “pay back” the initial The plan involves an annual monies borrowed from our existing giving of $20,000 from the MGCSA Research Fund. After three years the directly to the University of Minnesota total dues increase per person will be turf program, specifically for directed $35 and will create a self-sustaining, research- meaning research proposals member driven research purse. Future put forth by the membership and funding will be 24 percent of annual approved by the MGCSA board of dues to keep up with inflation.. directors. The research projects generally The idea was brought to the will be of the one to two-year variety board by Roger Stewart, CGCS, and have direct impact for members of Superintendent at TPC Twin Cities, who the MGCSA and their golf courses. is also serving as Research Committee Page 32
Chair. The Research Committee, Erin McManus, E. Paul Eckholm CGCS, Dr. Brian Horgan, Sam Bauer, Mike Manthey, Brandon Schindele, Adam Murphy, Chris Tritibaugh, Jeff Johnson and Jamie Bezanson met several weeks prior to the BOD meeting, to discuss ideas and finalize the proposal which was sent to the Board. The concept’s origins came from Stewart and Jack MacKenzie, CGCS, and Executive Director of the MGCSA. Stewart said when the new research committee first met they sat down to talk about what was going on at the TROE center, and what the MGCSA was getting out of their existing contributions. The picture became clear very quickly. “I was concerned because of a lack of action,” Stewart said. “The money we gave just kind of kept the lights on. That first meeting I said… here’s what I think, and Jack had a plan for the funding, because……we don’t have any way to raise money.” While the team of Dr. Brian Horgan, Dr. Erik Watkins and Sam Bauer have had solid research conducted at the University and many papers
published, a majority of studies have not been specific to golf course work. This concept gives direct funding for work done for golf course purposes. The three turf researchers were first introduced to the idea in an August meeting with Stewart, MacKenzie and Erin McManus, Superintendent Medinah Golf Club. “I think at first Brian and the rest were very surprised, but then were instantly enthusiastic and said yes, we can definitely do that,” Stewart said. Stewart went on to say that what this plan really does is help set a constant flow of funding so the researchers know they have financial backing and can set up a game plan for operations. Research is funded by grants from associations like the MGCSA and private industry. There is stiff competition to secure that funding and conduct research, and much like a bidding process, the landing of funding can be very fickle. This provides stability and would help ensure that the TROE Center continues to be viewed as a valuable asset to the University. While Stewart admitted that nobody likes an increase in dues, Page 33
this increase is a direct benefit to the membership, and really the only way to get out the of TROE Center the potential that it has. “At some point in time you just have to go forward and see what happens,” Stewart said.
and articles pertaining to topics the RC feels are important to the membership. Once accumulated the material will be readily available on-line at mgcsa. org in the form of article links for ease of sharing. Information such as worm related studies, wetting solution reviews and weather anomaly impacts upon turf. Your Return on Investment The RC feels that a library of research material will save the membership the A dues increase totaling $35 dollars time it would take for them to locate, over the next three years is a significant review and replicate information for bump in Association membership fees. their club owners, General Managers or The Board appreciates the concerns it player’s use. will create however also realizes that the “By doing the legwork of finding MGCSA isn’t utilizing a destination they and accumulating research reports for had helped to build with direct funding the MGCSA membership, their time is and in kind support in 2002. After freed up to continue doing what they do reviewing alternative funding sources best, manage their golf course. When the BOD recognized that the only viable critical information is required the solution was to increase the dues to Library will provide links to University a level that would sustain the goal of Studies and professional articles at the member driven research. member’s finger tips,” MacKenzie said The Research Committee has at the first RC meeting. already begun developing a plan of This library of material, which action to be implemented should the takes significant time to gather and Membership accept the proposal. collate, will be a big benefit to the Working with the University of MGCSA membership. Minnesota a three-phase approach has been reviewed to provide a return on Phase Two Regional reports investment to the membership. generated three times each year by the University of Minnesota Staff. Phase One: The Creation of Remember last summer when the a Research Library. In actuality our weather turned ugly? Your turf may Executive Director has already begun have been struggling and players may the first phase of the project, the have been complaining about conditions gathering of relevant reports, studies and, although you had the answers, Page 34
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it took a report from Dr. Horgan to studies are long term and not driven substantiate what you were saying all by specific golf course issues. Your along…we are growing a cool season additional fees will go directly to fund turf in a warm season environment. research as directed by the membership The RC and University Staff have of the MGCSA. agreed that proactive reports would The RC has already begun a give golf courses through the state the short list of topics they feel need to be material needed to support cultural researched for direct and immediate practices, explain weather benefit to the MGCSA. anomalies and improve Soon this list will be dialogue between sent to each of you for all parties involved. further review to create Because we have five two specific topics to distinct regions, five be studied in the initial reports will be crafted research projects to by Brian, Sam and begin in 2013 with their staffs to anticipate results published as they and report on current are generated and NOT concerns when courses Roger Stewart, CGCS, several years down the open in the spring, road. As research is during the mid summer completed new research TPC Twin Cities months and right before will begin. winterizing. All of these reports will Studies such as Divot Mixes; be available on line with notification of Rates and Recovery, Combining posting through The Stimpmeter. Wetting Solutions and Blending These regional reports, generated Growth Regulators will be available by our partners at the University of as they are tabulated and can be Minnesota will support your turf applied to Minnesota golf course management and lend credibility to management. These reports are not seasonal changes in your practices, intended for University peer review but another great return on your investment. rather are working documents for the membership’s immediate use. Phase Three Member Driven $20,000 annually will allow staff Research. While it is nice to have to be available for conducting the studies the resources a fine University has to both at the TROE Center and in golf offer and an even better destination course environments across the state, not for research, the value is limited if the just in the metropolitan area.
“At some point in time you just have to go forward and see what happens,”
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The Future Is Yours To Decide For many years the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendent’s Association was ahead of their time with investing in member driven research. From top dressing studies, analysis of winter covers and the eventual creation of the TROE Center at the University of Minnesota, the MGCSA has proven to be leaders in regional research applicable to Minnesota goof courses. Since the beginning of the recession however, the research program has taken a back seat to streamlining the business management of the Association. The Board of Directors and Research Committee are recommending getting back into the game by developing a
funding vehicle and format for the establishment of a solid research program for years to come. The MGCSA has access to some of the finest turf scientists in the country, a facility for the application of member driven studies and the forward thinking to implement and sustain a financial system for this critical program indefinitely. There is a sound plan in place and now it is up to the membership to choose the direction for the research committee to pursue. The dues increase necessary to drive this research initiative will be reviewed and voted upon at the annual meeting in January. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact a member of the Board or Research Committee. 952-546-3678 stp@stproots.com www.stproots.com
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Regional Turfgrass Report Twin Cities Region Fall 2012 (authored 10.16.12) There is no question that this fall has been exceptionally challenging for golf course superintendents in the Twin Cities region. Following the second hottest July on record, the fall drought has left many of us playing catch up on a concluding growing season. Here are the precipitation (or lack of precipitation) statistics provided by the Minnesota Climatology Working Group:
August: -2.92 inch rainfall deficit. September: -2.78 inch rainfall deficit. October: -1.27 inch rainfall deficit to date.
The golfing public demanding firm and fast playing conditions were certainly pleased with the firmness of playing surfaces this fall, however our concerns relate to effect this drought will have on our turfgrass quality and irrigation system down the road. For those with less than adequate irrigation availability, greens have been given the highest priority and rightfully so. This means that we need to create a plan of attack for the areas that have been a low priority during the drought. In many cases the dormancy mechanisms of our turf will ensure its survival over extended periods of dryness, but what’s the cutoff? This fall has pushed these rough areas to the limits and we need to prepare for the worst. Unfortunately that’s the truth. Dormant seeding in November will be a good option for areas that might not recover next spring, and should be something you consider in addition to your timely irrigation blow out and snow mold applications. Speaking of snow mold applications, how many of you consulted the August issue of Hole Notes for purchasing your fungicides? We encourage you to use this valuable research whenever possible. Also consider leaving a small test area untreated to demonstrate the effectiveness of these costly (but critical) applications to yourself and your club’s management. The lack of rainfall has certainly tested the limits of our irrigation systems. The good news is it provided some perspective on the moisture distribution and the quality of our system components. The bad news, we might be in worse situation than we previously thought. Remember to take photos and document areas with less than adequate irrigation coverage. Making notations on as-builts might be a good idea as well. This information will be useful for implementing irrigation upgrades and adjustments in the future. As another golfing season comes to an end, it is important to reflect on the struggles of 2012 as a reminder that we can weather the storm. And what a storm it was. The optimist in each of us knows that 2013 will be a stellar year for turf. Still, be sure to prepare for battle as always with the proper planning to ensure a quick spring recovery and successful golfing season in 2013.
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Dr. Brian Horgan University Of Minnesota Turfgrass Extension Specialist
Sam Bauer University of Minnesota HorticultuteExtension Educator
Editors Note: On the facing page you will find the first stab at a Regional Golf Course Turf Report, Metropolitan Area, generated by Dr. Horgan and Same Bauer, Extension Specialists at the University of Minnesota. The Research plan as perscribed by the Board of Directors and Research Committee encompases this regional report format to provide you with current information associated with your section of the state three times annually; spring opening, mid summer and in the fall just pior to closure.
Bob Fitch, Executive Director of the MNLA, Moves On The MGCSA Wishes Bob the Best of Luck!!!
Bob Fitch has resigned as executive director of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. He has purchased a business that specializes in working with non-profit organizations on issues such as board orientation and training, strategic planning and organizational policies. Fitch will depart MNLA in mid-December.
Fitch joined MNLA in 1996. During his tenure, MNLA continued a remarkable run of growth and enhanced its position as one of the leading green industry organizations in the country. Since 2000, MNLA’s total number of members has typically ranked in the top five among state nursery and landscape organizations, its budget has grown significantly, and its grassroots member involvement has thrived at the same time it has added professional association staff. On behalf of MNLA, Fitch served as president of the Minnesota Grown Promotion Group from 2000-2004; and as president of the Nursery & Landscape Association Executives of North America from 2005-2007. The work of the MNLA team received numerous awards from the Midwest Society of Association Executives for publications, marketing, membership and communications. One of his signature accomplishments was successfully collaborating with Bob Mugaas and Larry Vetter, former executive directors of the Minnesota Turf & Grounds Foundation, to create and develop the Northern Green Expo from the merger of the MNLA Convention and the MTGF Conference. His new company, Cain Consulting Group (www.cain-consulting.com), serves associations, foundations and other non-profits across the United States and Canada. It is based in the small northwestern Iowa town of Hawarden, which is just 10 miles from Fitch’s birthplace in Hudson, S.D. Moving closer to family was an important consideration in the career change. “I’ve been really pleased in the growing relationship between MNLA and MGCSA,” Fitch said. “Not only is MGCSA a critically important audience to the Northern Green Expo, but the ability of MNLA and MGCSA to collaborate on legislative and regulatory matters is mutually beneficial to the members of both organizations. I know your great new executive director, Jack MacKenzie, will be able to forge a strong partnership with whomever is the next staff leader at MNLA.” Page 39
Within the Leather by David Kazmierczak CGCS With the season winding down and a closing date in the near future, I always take a moment to reflect back upon the year and digest what went right and what went wrong with our operation . I find it a very useful endeavor to try and capitalize on the successes, and remedy the failures. Ultimately, the changes and tweaks over the winter lead to one very important aspect for the future season: the idea of progress. Progress by definition is the advancing of thoughts and/or actions by an individual or group to further a concept or goal in a positive manor. It is the very essence of why people are in business. The idea is to make progress, or be progressive from the simplest of jobs to the overall operation. To not make progress is to become stagnant, or even worse, regress. So what about your operation? Take a moment to think about it. Did you make progress this year? Did you and your crew accomplish a large common goal? Did you expand your operation? Did you build a new bunker or add a new irrigation head? Did you add a new product line or expand your customer base? Are you satisfied with what you accomplished this year, or did you fall into the trap of being adequate? Did you do the same thing as last year with the same result, with the same people, doing the same Page 40
things? Are you satisfied with that? I am willing to bet the answer is no to the last question. It has been my observation that generally, people in the turf industry are not the complacent type. They are innovators either by necessity or design. They are constantly trying to figure out ways to make things better, more efficient, and ultimately lead to progress. That same idea of progress is currently permeating the management of the MGCSA. It had been suggested by some that the MGCSA had become stagnant: The same thing, at the same time with the same results. Some of the comments I heard included one particularly glaring one, surmising that all a member really got from their paid dues was access to job listings and a magazine. Whether this was true or not is up to debate, but I believe that idea of stagnation was the backbone for the change in the executive director position at the end of last year. In case you have been understandably too busy to notice, let me give you a quick update on what is different with the MGCSA from this point a year ago. A complete overhaul of the MGCSA website has taken place. It is now functional, reliable and full of information and quick, easy access. It is light years ahead of its’ predecessor, and there are many more functional components that will be added in the future. The Hole Notes publication you are reading is completely digital, giving the MGCSA the capability of producing a high quality information source without breaking the budget to send out a physical copy. The
magazine has also progressed style-wise and will continue to evolve. The MGCSA event schedule has evolved, and will continue to evolve. There is a commitment by the board and the event committee to add new and different events while strengthening the already popular ones. Attendance has been up at a majority of the events this year over last year, and hopefully this will continue to rise. Jack MacKenzie has demonstrated an amazing amount of enthusiasm and commitment at the executive director position, the likes of which have never been seen before. Lack of ideas and ambition will never be attached to his name. This commitment will pay off not only in your up-front dealings with the MGCSA, but there is a lot of behind the scenes things Jack is doing that will help you in the future without you even realizing it. Things like being involved in government affairs, being present and advocating the association with other associations, and generally being on top of matters concerning the association, that were not conducted in the past. I really think this is the tip of the iceberg. There are some pretty progressive individuals on the MGCSA board, and within the MGCSA membership. There will be many ideas both large and small that will help the MGCSA evolve into a bigger and better association. Some will work well, some might not, but at least there is an impetus and desire to progress. The latest big idea will be presented to the association at the annual MGCSA meeting in a few months. The idea is to directly fund research that we want and need at the T.R.O.E center at the University of Minnesota. While not a new concept,
(other turfgrass associations have similar support mechanisms to local universities), it is potentially a bold new step for the MGCSA. It is an opportunity to say yes, we care about turfgrass research and we want to do something about it. It will be a direct benefit to every member of the MGCSA and their facilities, and could lead to much bigger and better things in the future. What it takes is a commitment to funding. All the great ideas in the world start with an idea, and the need to be funded. Currently, the MGCSA annual dues are $115 per member. If you look around the country, or even the world, you will notice that that figure is rather low in comparison. The New England chapter is at $150. Carolinas are at $165. Ontario chimes in at a nice round $173. Our neighbors to the east are at $150. Iowa is at $100, but why would we want to be like Iowa? (Just kidding, of course, many of my former assistants were from Iowa.) The point I am trying to make is that this idea is solid, progressive and puts the MGCSA in line with the rest of the country. It takes many things to forge progress. It takes time, effort, work, planning, money, and many other things I am sure I am omitting, but mostly it takes commitment. I see a great deal of commitment from the leaders of the MGCSA to further and better the association. If you, the members of the association, have not noticed it yet, check it out. The leaders are leading,
they just need the association members to commit to joining in if they have not already.
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