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What have we learned from this and other tough winters? Svngenta Business Institute™ "Mother Nature is always in charge, and sometimes we try to do everything ALUMNI UPDATE right and wind up being wrong." Says Darin Bevard, director. Mid-Atlantic Green Section, USGA from the Pennsylvania office. "When the 'm now leaching DASR techniques weather goes against you, there isn't much you to my four assistants! These four can do." simple steps: Describe, Acknowledge, Jim Skorulski, senior agronomist with the USGA office Specify and Reaffirm are definitely a in Massachusetts says. "Some portion of the NE region will experience some difficult winter weather and cold temperature Imore appropriate, productive way to give injury on a fairly regular basis. This year's winter weather is more negative feedback. extreme or seems to be impacting a much wider portion of the region and country. There have been records broken forcoid It was great talking with other supers temperature and for snowfall totals in many areas, and winter seems to be holding on hard." He adds. "Mother Nature is boss. about member programming/family She flexed some muscle to let us know that.* programming. I was able to come back "Learn that what we do throughout the year will have an with a bunch of new ideas for our impact on what happens when the turf is dormant," says Carmen membership director. Magro. CGCS. MBA, professional agronomist and vice president, business development for Stevens Water Monitoring Services. "The Overall, this was the best educational turf system's performance level is highly dependent on what we do throughout the year, from year to year. It is why tournament courses event I've ever been to in my 15 years as a begin to prepare for major tournaments years in advance." superintendent. The fact that Syngenta kept Magro adds, "We can only achieve great success by learning it completely free of product advertising was to manage all the things that are manageable to the best of our appreciated by all. The camaraderie between ability...these include soil management, irrigation management the selected superintendents was incredible. and nutritional management in no particular order, but of equal importance." IL was almost too good to be true!
going, there will be no stop- As soon as the grass can ping it," Magro says. "It will be vented or allowed to be Adam Bagwell surely depend on how well exposed to sun and air, do it, MPS, CGCS the superintendent addresses Magro says. Do not aerify the Crane Creek the turfs needs as it breaks turf too soon. Gradually, over Country Club dormancy, and it will also a period of 7-10 days of sun I Boise, ID depend on the practices put and warmth exposure, mow in place prior to dormancy. off the dead material and "If the turf survived the begin your nutritional and ice/snow damage in the IPM management program. North, then it will green "Focus on the fundamental up perfectly if we allow it to needs of the turf.. .stimulate transition properly," Magro growth down through the adds. "If we are delayed in roots, manage the soil/mois- the south by extended cooler ture relationships, air out temperatures, then the cool the turf any way possible to season grasses (or painted get the gas exchange moving Exclusively Sponsored by warm season turf) will hang well," he says. ' Only in the around a little longer than case where there are active Learn more about the syngenta usual but be assured once the fungi growing and thriving Syngenta Business Institute at BUSINESS soils begin to warm ever so would I make a fungicide www.greencastonline.com/SBI MNSTITUTE slightly, the deep green nirf application my first priority." will be on us quickly." Do not lie over aggressive
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www.precisionlab.com f f "Once it [the grass] gets w ^ going, there will be no stopping it... If the turf survived the ice/snow damage in the North, then it will green up perfectly if we allow it to transition properly. If we are delayed in the south bv extended cooler temperatures, then the cool season grasses (or painted warm season turf) will hang around a little longer than usual, but be assured that once the soils begin to warm ever so slightly, the "een turf will be on us quicKiy. — Canncn Magro, CGCS, MBA, Stevens Water Monitoring Services
with maintenance practices If seeding you need to when the grass isn't growing, decide what seed to use. Will iCPHITE 7LP Bevard says. Also, monitor the seed that matches the SYSTEMICFUNGICID^ACTERICIDE the weather and grass closely. primary stand in the affected "It may be possible to skip areas germinate in time to be fungicide applications to effective? KPHITE 7LP Systemic Fungicide control a disease such as If not, what can you use Bactericide is proven effective Microdocluum patch if, for 11 lat wi 11 establ isli itself quick against pythium, dollar spot, example, the weather is go- enough but not contaminate ing to turn dry, warm and brown patch and fungal diseases, your stand? What kind of sunny," Bevard says. "The combination can you use KPHITE is EPA labeled, pH neutral disease will no longer be ac- that will provide maximum and is uniquely formulated to tive under these conditions." results? What can be done increase plant health and vigor. If you find out that you to speed up the germination have experienced winterkill process? in certain areas, you'll need to [f any kind of pre- or post- determine your next course emergent weed control is of action. needed, how do you time it There are a number of with seeding for optimum factors to take into consider- control and seed establish- ation. Depending on the size ment? How do you need to PlantjFood and location of the areas you adjust your fertility program? systems have the option of seeding or Keep in mind that the sodding. seedlings will not develop a TO FIND A DISTRIBUTOR Budget also certainly good root system for some OR LEARN MORE comes into play here. Avail- time so low rates of fertilizer applied more frequently will WWW.PLANTFOODSYSTEMS.COM ability of the preferred sod is also a question. be more effective. You will 800.343.7775 Da Vinci was ahead of his time... We are too.
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SPECIALIZED When turf doesn't have any snow cover desiccation can be a major problem. It can thin the turf by affecting some of the plants or wipe oul an area by drying out all the crowns.
Magro says. "Monitoring will prevent teaching of nutrients from the turf, allow for the most air exchange to take place, allow for the most extensive cr rooting to take place and sim- ply help to setup the turf to withstand this year's stress also need to water the seeded To encourage the seedlings thhmi, and/or brown patch. and future stresses yet to be areas more frequently until to spread mow early and fre- Last, but certainly not least, encountered." GCI I the plants become established. quently. If hot and humid manage moisture and salts to- X 3 Mow as soon as the first seed- weather is in the forecast, you gether on a regular basis. Steve Trusty is a Coupiril Bluffs, i lings reach the mowing height may need to apply a fungicide "Monitoring those is sim- Joma, basal writer and frequent for the area. to prevent damping off, Py ple with today's technology," CCf contributor. °
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i* Available on the • App Store Brian Vlnchesi, the 2009 EPA WaterSense Irrigation Partner of the Year, is president of Irrigation Consulting Inc., a golf course irrigation design and consulting firm headquartered in Peppereil, Mass., that designs irrigation systems throughout the IRRIGATION ISSUES world. He can be reached at bvinchesiCs'irrigationconsulting.com or 9?8/433-89?2.
THE LITTLE THINGS Low- to no-cost additions to make your system easier to operate.
atiy times the little things IDENTIFICATION TAGS with different colors is distinguish- make the difference in Identifying cables and valves helps ing between old and new wires. Mseparating good from average tremendously with troubleshoot- When you install new irrigation the or great from superior. Irrigation ing. With the popularity of today's new wires should not be any of the design and installation is no different. decoder systems, identifying where same colors as the old wires, so you The little design and installation a communication cable is coming immediately know which wires you nuances that make the irrigation from along with where it is going need to deal with. system better have always impressed should be labeled at the time of me. When designing, renovating or installation. For example: "from," CASE ALIGNMENT installing a system, the following "to," "volts," "amps" and "output" at Ins and outs for greens have been are some of the little things that will each junction should be put on the popular for many years, and ins and make your system easier to manage tag. Lastly, on conventional systems outs on fairway edges are becoming and troubleshoot, tagging the communication cable more popular with today's systems. path and all electric valves with When you look down on these pairs VALVE BOX COVERS controller and zone number is also of back-to-back sprinklers on greens very helpful. Today's irrigation systems have lots and fairways it would be nice to of valve boxes installed for isolation know which is the iu and which valves, drain valves, air release valves, BALL VALVES the is the out. This is accomplished quick couplers, wire splices and Tired of getting wet when quick by placing the selector valve on electric valves. When you walk up to a couplers are engaged or the key re- the opposite side of the sprinkler group of valve boxes it would be nice moved? Put a ball valve on the outlet nozzle. So the "in" sprinklers would have the selector switches on the to know what is housed in which box l>et\veen the key and the swivel using back side of the sprinkler and the without having to pop them all open, two brass nipples. Now you can keep "out" sprinklers on the inside edge especially if you're in a hurry due to a the water flow off when engaging and against the fairway cut of the green pipe or fitting break. Valve box covers disengaging the key, keeping you and collar. are available in a variety of colors. your crew drier. Pick one each type of valve, keeping in mind what they'll look like in their in- WIRE COLOR GRAVEL stalled environment and let your crew Wire comes in many different colors, Tired of opening a valve box and know what each color represents. for ft 12 and #14 AWC valve and finding it full of water? Many tines Tired of not being able to find sprinkler wires, decoder cable and this is due to the way the valve valve boxes? Here's a hint: attach some manufacturer's communica- box was installed and its inability a #10 stainless-steel washer with a tion cables. Color coding also helps to drain. If the box is installed on stainless-steel screw on the under- identify what color operates which a gravel base, in most eases it will side of the cover. This makes the communication path or what area of drain. Unfortunately, in most instal- valve box easy to locate with a metal the golf course. For example, greens lations, the valve box is installed and detector. Some manufacturers will and tees purple control wires, fair- gravel is simply poured into the box. even supply the covers with the way and rough orange control wires; This does not help in draining the detection already installed. You can path A communication blue and path box at all. Make sure that the box is also easily add them to your system's B communication yellow. installed on the gravel, 4 inches is
existing boxes. However, the most beneficial part preferred, for it to drain. GCI
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•p scan the QR code with your smartphone wa or visit YouTube.com/Aquatrols Hi ®Aquatrols www.aquatrols.com Show plenty of patience and "TLC" with your turf because the last thing you want to do is pul it under more stress.
BY JASON STAHL COMING IN FOR
Winter's severe cold and snow could heighten an- thracnose's impact in 2014, but so could spring weather conditions, experts debate. One thing is certain: stress - whether from dry-and-hot or wet- and-cold conditions - is the key. eas," he says. "Also, make sure Matt Giese. regional techni- Key points you apply adequate fertilizer cal manager for the Midwest for • Bottom line: Turf stress is the main influence on anthracnose. in the spring to promote active Syngenta, has kept a close eye • Winter's polar votex, extensive ice buildup and resulting winterkill plant growth and recovery." on the United States Drought may place Midwest courses at the most risk for an anthracnose outbreak. Research from the Rutgers Monitor and feels that tem- • warm, dry spring conditions could also herald an anthracnose School of Environmental and peratures have been the most outbreak. Biological Sciences and the sign i fican t characteristic of th is • Consider a preventative fungicide program soon after the spring New jersey Agricultural Experi- winter. There have been areas thaw. ment Station seems to support on the East Coast that have • Nitrogen deficient turf predisposes turf to anthracnose and Wong's assertion about nitro- received significant amounts compromises its ability to recuperate from disease damage. gen, at least on annual blue- of precipitation, whether it be grass puttinggreens. Its current rain or snow, but the story has findings indicate that nitrogen been entirely different in other t's 110 secret the key with ease and develops under "ex- fertilization is "the most influ- parts of the country. anthracnose is stress. If treme" environmental condi- ential cultural practice affect- "Yes, it has been a harsh turf is stressed, it opens tions. On the flip side, dry, hot ing anthracnose severity in winter, but in some areas it the door for the disease weather can induce stress as annual bluegrass putting green has been a dry winter. A lot of to come in and go for the kill. well and make plans susceptible turf. Nitrogen deficient turf areas may not have recovered It's exactly for this reason that to anthracnose. Wong cites the pred isposes turf to an th racnose from previous summer mois- Frank Wong says his "patho- example of California this year. and compromises its ability to ture conditions," he says, "So logical spidey sense" is telling While it has received some recuperate from disease dam- as we move into the spring him this year is going to be a rain, it is still experiencing se- age, Other practices that we months, that can be a key factor bad one for anthracnose. vere drought conditions which have studied such as mowing as to what level of severity an- height, topdressing, foot traffic, "If you look at this last win- will probably open the door for thracnose and ultimately some irrigation, lightweight rolling ter, there's a lot of environ- anthracnose. other diseases that also require and the application of plant mental stress on those plants," As superintendents go into moisture manifest themselves." growth regulators can also af- says Wong, technical service winter dormancy, they un- Predicting anthracnose pres- fect this disease." specialist for Bayer Environ- doubtedly cross their fingers sure based on winter condi- mental Science. "Anthracnose and hope to have a mild win- Wong's other recommenda- tions as a crystal ball question. is particularly hard on annual ter. With that out the window tion is to show plenty of pa- "It's difficult to answer, but bluegrass, and a lot of it has this year, there's not much that tience and "TLC" with your turf there is research that says cold taken a heavy beating this win- can be done when a course because the last thing you want temperatures will affect disease ter. If your annual bluegrass is is buried under 6 inches of to do is put it under more stress. pathogens such dollar spot, 1 'farkakte,' it may be at high risk snow and ice. It's a waiting "If you want summer U.S. anthracnose, et cetera, ' Giese for anthracnose to come in and game until, temperatures rise, Open conditions right out of says. "It might reduce maybe finish it off." everything thaws out and plant the gate in the late-winter or the number of pathogens that The region Wong believes growth resumes. early spring, and put that stress might be isolated out of a par- is most at risk is the Midwest, After a stressful winter, on your turf, you may be setting ticular area, but does it reduce based on the "polar vortex" and Wong recommends embark- yourself up for anthracnose," the severity going into spring? ice damage and winter kill. And ing on an early preventative he says. "I lave patience, show It's hard to answer. Once you lie goes one step further to say fungicide program. your turf TLC, and let it recover have disease in an area, it the form of anthracnose that "You should go on this pro- and get reestablished and then resides in that plant debris, will likely be seen this spring gram as early as possible, es- put stress on it later when it's maybe even the thatch area. is basal rot. which tends to pecially in winter-damaged ar- ready for it." And so, at least with anthrac- come in on plants with dam- aged crowns and stems and is considered more virulent than foliar anthracnose. "Crown infections tend to DONT RULE OUT Bayer's Frank Wong also cautions to not forget about other diseases like Fythium root rot, Microdoctiium occur in cold, wet conditions, patch are worse in the Spring on winter-injured turf. leading to basal rot," Wong says. In addition, pay attention to air and soil temperatures rather than a calendar-based program as they are "Once you get basal rot, the more reliable indicators of when to enact disease management strategies. changes of recovery are tow." "if you base your management programs strictly on a calendar instead of environmental conditions, you Anthracnose is a stress dis- can miss a critical disease control window and be behind the8-ball for a longtime." he says. nose, it requires some sort of tinues to stay wet, how long the stress in the plant to manifest leaf stays wet during the day, if or activate its symptoms. There we have cold conditions, etc." is a germination or incuba- Giese says that if the spring tion period for overwintering is cool and wet and you have structures, so once it detects poor drainage areas, it will be the stress in the plant we see those areas you want to check Anthracnose severity is more dependent on spring conditions the symptoms on leaves, roots first as they are hot spots where and whether there is continued moisture and what sort of or in the crown." you might see anthracnose stressful events might occur. According to Giese, anthrac- initially. But he admits that nose severity is more depen- sometimes anthracnose is not dent on spring conditions and temperature-related. weren't aerified. Or maybe it Basal rot anthracnose is whether there is continued "I have seen where even didn't receive the last round of more likely to occur when the moisture and what sort of in February we saw anthrac- fertilization so there are nutri- soil is saturated with moisture. stressful events might occur. nose active on putting greens, tional deficiencies as well. It's If you have drier conditions "Clearly, there are some so it certainly isn't waiting all of those things working to- on the surface then you have cultural practices that can beat for 70-degree temperatures," gether and creating this mutual less leaf wetness, so foliar an- up the turf a little, and that's he says. "The key factor is stress on the plant, and that's thracnose is less likely in that a normal part of the turf life moisture, especially in poorly where we see anthracnose scenario but not exclusive. But cycle, but it's more dependent drained areas or areas that survive and continue to cause Giese admits you could also on spring conditions - if it con- have compaction because they problems." have both foliar and basal rot
32 APRIL 2014 golfcourseindustnj.com anthracnose at the same time. way, Concert or Strata. Snow "You could have wet condi- mold applications contain For more tions above and below the sur- three different Al that can also Looking for more info on anthracnose? Enter bit- ty/lgKkl.20 into your browser to hear Dr. Karl face that could make the plant be used against anthracnose in Danneberger talk about how to spot anthracnose in more susceptible to infection, .spring. In the Central Plains the wild and control it with cultural practices in this especially if it's under stress," and Great Lakes, snow mold Ohio State University Turfgrass series. Giese says. apps made in the fall can some- If you have a well-drained times carry over into spring. soil profile but have continuous "It's one application and Many pathologists, Giese if it seems it may be earlier dew or leaf moisture and this done, but it sort of helps set the says, recommend applications than the previous year. The situation occurs for a long time, stage to be a bit more ready to at least a month prior to when reason is it's much easier to be it's possible you could only get start those spring applications you expect to see symptoms. on a preventative program and foliar anthracnose. and allows you to be one step For example, if you typically get better control with that "Sometimes it will stay foliar ahead of the disease curve," see symptoms in late June, approach than waiting till you and sometimes it will turn into Geise says. "It ends up being then you would apply in mid- to see symptoms and then use basal," says Giese. "It depends a more preventative approach late-May. rescue treatments to manage on what environmental condi- if you can get ahead of the "Be prepared. If you have the disease." GCI tions and parameters might be turf. And then it also gives you areas historically were hit with occurring." broad spectrum activity against anthracnose, have a spray pro- Jason Stuhi is a Cleveland-based For treatment, Giese prefers a plethora of other diseases in gram ready. Be prepared to writer and a frequent GCI con- AI combo fungicides like Head- that early spring timeframe." make the first application even tributor. there's only one SOLUTION.
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® 2014 Agritim Advanced technologies U.S.) Inc. DIRECT SOLUTIONS is a trademark owned by Agrium. Monroe Miller retired after 36 years as superintendent at Biackhawk CC in Madison, Wis. He is a recipient of the 2004 USGA Green Section Award, the 2009 GCSAA Col. John Morley DSA Award, and is the only superintendent in THE MONROE DOCTRINE the Wisconsin Gulf Hall of Fame. Reach him at groDts@ii:harter.net.
W W WW
HARD WORK AND GRIT What paves the road to success hasn't or will ever change.
lot has been said 18 year old who sued her the rough mower Omar was to discipline and conscien- lately that Obamarare parents for money to finish repairing. They looked up tiousness and everything Awould allow some her private high school and long enough to trade some between. If I were to write people to quit working (or for college. banter and insults, and then a book on this topic, it work fewer hours) and still What is going on here? T left. I felt a sense of pride. would be a very slender receive health care. This I still contend, as I have I had hired them all, pretty volume. I lard work is first, was viewed by many as a my whole life, that hard much based on the belief A close second in success good thing because it al- work is our country's key that they would work hard predictors is grit, I have lowed those same people to to success. It isn't always and probably enjoy it. Hind- witnessed this up close "do what they really wanted a guarantee, but it is more sight says I was right. many times, too. to do." In many cases, that important than anything Back in the early 70s I Grit is a passionate com- else. That is true in our made a conscious effort to mitment to a single notion. was essentially nothing. hire farm kids. Some of it It's a constant that wavers was prejudice - I was a for- little, if at all. It is persever- © "Grit is that passionate mer farm kid. My thinking ance to the max. I think commitment to a single notion. It's was that they worked hard about a new superinten- a constant that wavers little, if at and cheerfully. From the dent charged with fairway time you were big enough improvement but no equip- all. It is perseverance to the max." to feed chickens or calves, ment to get the job done. kids were part of what He put 34-inch tines on made a successful farming his four Ryan Greensaires
Really? Are you kidding profession as much as it is operation. The virtues of and slowly moved up and me? I thought the whole in any other. In my travels working hard were in- down a fairway at a time. program was to help people. to golf course around our grained at an early age, and It was time consuming, Instead, abuse like this is state, hard work is indeed the opportunities to see the boring and aggravating, but pathetic and counter-pro- valued and practiced. I see results of your efforts were incredibly effective. His grit ductive and is a negative ap- it everywhere. endless. It turns out the got the job done for several same principles are true for years, and the fairways im- proach to life and success. It During the last CIS, I golf course management. proved dramatically. They essentially condemns hard made a cjuick stop at our were healthier and tolerat- work in lieu of a freebie shop (I know it isn't my I've noticed in my career, ed closer mowing now that from Uncle Sam. Whoever shop anymore, but I am which covers almost five the surface was smoother. advocates such an approach lucky my successor gave me decades, that really success- There are endless examples should l)e ashamed. a key). Chad and Pat were ful people work really hard. of such grit in our golf turf And then there were in Florida, but the guys Effort counts. The Greatest profession. stories about dumbing all had their noses to the Generation got this right. down the SAT exam. Fewer grindstone, working hard. I saw it in my parents and So, there you have it. students were taking it, Dave had a chains aw in a grandparents and aunts and Tom Edison famously! scores were going down, million pieces, and Omar uncles. said success is "1 percent and rather than encourage was tangled up in the rough Bookstores have inspiration and 99 percent more study and college mower making a repair. hundreds of titles on the perspiration." There is no prep, they made the exam Cliris had the Foley grinder business, economics, need to set your standards easier. Like Kathleen humming along, proud of psychology, education and lower to make it appear Parker said, "when the his lineup of sharp walking the steps to success. And that you have accomplished going gets tough, just make greensmowers. Angel was I agree there are other more. Just apply hard work the going easier." Even in a cloud of steam and factors involved - from and grit; they'll get that job more appalling was the mist, cleaning die decks of education and intelligence done. GCI INTRODUCING THE MOST POWERFUL GASLESS TOOLS EVER BUILT. V C( » E L 1I T T m
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^here was a time when wetting agents, or surfactants, were benefits beyond water savings," she says. "You get into chemical considered snake oil. Something yon might buy from a efficiency, irrigation efficiency and payability because you're street corner huckster who would claim that they were creating healthier turf and roots and those help fight off disease the miracle cure for diseased turf. Rodney Tocco admits as and insect pressure. You're just creating ahealthier environment Tmuch. The researcher at Michigan State University's Plant and Soil in the soil profile." Sciences Department, says Uiis reputation was still alive andweil in Still, Tocci admits that one of the most common reasons to 2003 unless your course was located in an arid region and you had use injectable surfactants is to increase the efficiency of your seen firsthand the benefits from salinity flushes. irrigation system. "Why did people need them when they had plenty of water to use?" "A lot of money has been spent over years upgrading and im- he says. "But now, restrictions are coming out of the Great Lakes re- proving overall irrigation systems on golf courses," says Tocci. gion and Ontario, requiring the need to monitor water usage. Also, a " H dK w 14 golfcourseindustry.com FASTER? OR
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TECHNOLOGIES
Does More. Costs Less. www.nearytec.com particles can become hydropho- bic or water repellent after years of typical cultural practices (ie. Breakdown of fertilizer and buildup of some topdressing products) and natural processes such as decaying plant roots, certain fungal species, surface waxes from plant leaves, and de- composing soil organic material that create a water repellent, organic coating on the particles. "Surfactants help create sites 011 those particles making them water receptive or hydrophilic," she says. "Surfactant molecules in popularity especially over the help the soil particles accept die last couple years with the lack water and allow hydration." of moisture and rainfall. Turning soil into a "water "One of the things surfac- lover" versus a "water hater" tants do is help modify the is something MSU and Win- environment so we get the field's Rodney Tocco has seen benefit from those peaks we firsthand. He conducted a study see and keeping them more with wetting agents over a moderated." three-year period, where the it's important to note, how- first year was mild, the second ever, that all surfactants are not year was wet and the third year the same. There are multiple was the hottest, driest season classifications, and new ones in Mic higan in 100 years. And are constantly being introduced Some welling agents are meanl lo be used preventively to that's when surfactants really to the market. Ones you would prepare the soil for what's coming, bul others, both liquid and wowed. use on your greens would not pellet formulations, can be used for spot treatments. Gasparillo "They really stood out for be ones you would use on your Golf Club in Boca Grande. Fla.. has been injecting the surfactant what I was doing in the environ- fairways because you're dealing Integrate on its course for aboul a year and a half. ment to help sustain rurfgrass, with different soil types and dif- pa rtic 111 ar ly o n pu t ti ng gree n s," ferent cultural practices. That's penetrate, there are products brain er if you're treating your he says. "We received 110 rain where you get into different just for that/ says Engage Agro fairways because you don't for two months, and wetting formulations and classifications USA's Tocci. "Then there are have to monitor the application agents kept things alive." of chemistries. products that will help water closely." Tocco believes wetting "If you're looking for some- to penetrate but will also have Wetting agents have been agents have really ramped up thing that will help water to a residual in the soil profile around since the 1950s, but and help facilitate continued Tocci says today's formula- Integrate Chemistry hydration." tions arc definitely better. With block copolymers, triblock Tri Block Copolymer Tocci says there are also products that go beyond that copolymers and multi-block 3 different surfactant •y j + and are long-term and don't copolymers, modern wetting
* j Long chain break down as quickly in the agents have three different repeating surfactant components that can battle the chain - gives soil, holding on longer and help- longevity in the soil. ing hydration and rehydration different soil particles and what in wet/dry cycles. "Some people is causing water repellency. want a long term product so Some wetting agents are they don't have to apply as meant to be used preventatively Hydrophilic head Hydrophobic tail frequently, but others are just to prepare the soil for what's put through your fertigation coining, but others, both liquid system, which makes it a no- and pellet formulations, can You wouldn't use a race car to measure green speed.
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©2012 Synganta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using Syngenta products, The label contains important conditions of sale, including limitations of remedy and warranty. All products may rot be registered for sale or use in all states. Please check with your state or local Extension Service before buying or using Syngenta products. Daconil Action." and the Syngenta logo TM are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company, Secure" is a Irademark ol ISK Biosciences Corporation. 1LGG2044-GC 09/12 SUPERINTENDENT R-A D I-O N-E-T UJ O R-K be used for spot treatments, when they were repellent. It ooking for more information about how to employ including a pellet by Engage. definitely helps aid your other surfactants at your course? Drainage is paramount for golf courses that see a lot of precipitation, and soil This pellet is comprised of 10 cultural practices." L surfactants can keep help keep that water moving. Check out percent seaweed, which pro- Wetting agents can do a lot of this podcast with Kevin Collins, territory manager for Aquatrols. vides some beneficial kickbacks things, but one thing Tocci says Enter bit.ly/lgHFsp2 into your browser to access and listen. to the turf. They can also be they can't do, at least alone, is used as tank additives. alleviate soil compaction. "If your soil is receptive to "I've been in the industry crobes, no increase in them," water through profiles that have water, it will also be receptive to for 20-plus years and I can say Tocco says. "This was a huge been plugged up," Winfield's whatever chemicals you apply," that soil compaction will not thing 1 saw as a positive, espe- Tocco says. "With research Tocci says, "Most surfactants be alleviated solely by a soil cially in the European market and a gain in popularity due to can be applied with fertilizer surfactant. Compaction gets where they're locking down economics, we've seen them with no problem. However, into more of a physical issue, so their pesticide storage facilities getting used in more places we there are a lot of requirements, you'll need to verticut. core aer- or taking them totally offline. So ever thought of. I know of some especially in California, where ate and perform other practices they're using surfactants, which courses using them from tee to they won't allow you to mix it in conjunction with surfactants. are safe and not designated as green, and smaller ones that are with another chemical. Many Once those other things are pesticides. They give you an trying them out or don't have foliar adjuvants arc labeled for done, then surfactants can opportunity to optimize the turf the budget for them still be- tank mixing but soil surfactants help aid the movement of the from a health standpoint, giving cause they're still expensive for really focus on die soil. How- water and chemicals Lhrough it the ability to combat diseases the 'Cadillac' prcxlucts. Even ar- ever, if your soil is receptive the soil." and insect pressure." eas in Michigan that have been to water, and two days later Another benefit is they pres- Tocco believes another rea- known to have plenty of water you go out with either a fungi- ent no negative impact to the son for wetting agents' surge and have never considered a cide or herbicide application, environment - something the in popularity is that people are water shortage are using them." you're adding benefits to those European market has taken starting to see an economic Colleen Clifford, marketing chemicals because you have advantage of, says Tocco. return on them. Now that a manager at Aquatrols, also gotten your soil particles ready "With the ones I've worked greater premium has been makes the important point that to accept them, more so than with, I saw no negative to mi- placed on wateT resources, wetting agents are not meant to the tables are turning a little. lie a "cure-all," but one tool in There's no longer just an envi- the toolbox for superintendents ronmental reason to use them, to combat turf issues. but monetary as well. "There is a lot of documenta- ' People are now seeing there tion on their ability to reduce can be an economic value to us- your volume of water and irriga- ing them," Tocco says. "People tion frequency. As long as you weren't looking at wetting can irrigate, they're helping.'' agents a while ago because But Clifford is careful to dis- there was no economic impact. pel the notion that, if it's not dry In fact, there probably would and you don't have water con- have been an upcharge. You servation issues and have gotten would have been spending copious amounts of water and more to use a wetting agent reservoirs are overflowing, you than you would have needed. don't need surfactants. Now, economics is playing a "Formulations totlay allow for big role. It's gocxi to be a gixxl increased drainage and move- environmental steward because ment of water, so surfactants you're using less water, but the will also benefit you if you have economics needed to catch up." too much water or rain. It's still In a nutshell, wetting agents a good d li ng to be on a surfactant Graphic depiction of the new 100% Multi Block Copolymer help level the playing field program because you can help Surfactant, Pisces"" EA. Ratios of surfactants were selected between courses that have too move moisture through, make that give rise to long rod micelles structures that combine little water and courses that greens drier and firmer, and to form hexagon shaped rods. The hexagon structure have plenty of water. improve payability. Tt's not just covers larger surface area in the soil profile. "But they also help move a question of water savings." GCI High concentrations of salt in your soil disrupts osmosis, effectively sucking needed water away from turf roots. This leads to rapid wilting, reduced shoot growth and leaf tip burn.
Aquaplex Amino sprayable osmotic regulator works within the plant to balance osmotic potential, improving water and nutrient uptake and minimizing the impact of stress caused by high EC. AQUAPLEX amino®* Fight back against those evil little suckers |j5Aquatrols www.aquatrol5.com Tim Moraghan, principal, ASPIRE Golf [[email protected]], } . Follow Tim's blag, Golf Course Confidential at www.aspire-golf.com/buzz.html or ori Twitter (
ART OR SCIENCE? Has science killed the art of growing grass?
s science taking the art out of is that it's a touchy-Feely business and fault in that logic is that you can only growing quality turf grass? sport: Architects and builders touch put science first if you also under- I the ground, feci the dirt; superinten- stand and have art in your arsenal. I've been mulling that question dents have a close relationship with I'm worried that art has all but disap- as my travels have made it obvious the turf; and golf professionals place peared. Echoing an argument often that superintendents are relying more their hands on the shoulders of stu- used when talking about how golf is and more on data, research, and high- dents when teaching the game. Sci- played, I'm fine with the new equip- technology while losing die feel and ence has made many inroads the last ment until it takes the golfer's skill connection to the golf course. few years, from equipment technol- out of the game. Being somewhat old fashioned ogy to apparel that wicks and warms, When I was moving up in the in- — I came of age in the white shoe, GPS devices and lightweight shoes. dustry three decades ago, the practice hard-collar, plaid-pants era — I'm of agronomy varied with each super- concerned that the next generation of But as always throughout history' superintendents doesn't know the art of grcenkeeping. They arc so wrapped © "I've used this column for years to advocate more up in the bells and whistles, so glued out-of-the-box thinking in agronomy. I fear that a to their screens, that they neglect to look up (and down) and are unable to science-only approach puts us back in the box, a take in, touch and feel the very real box that is now a computer or a smartphone." world around them. Please don't think that I'm anti-sci- ence, some sort of technophobe who — not just golf history but world intendent, who practiced his trade wants to return to sheep as mowers history — even the most dramatic any way he wanted. The science was and the wind as seed-spreader. There breakthroughs in science only work new and not very widespread, so each was science when I was starting out as adjuncts to our human senses. superintendent made his course as a in the business. But it wasn't nearly as I asked a number of prominent personal laboratory. Today, with the developed or all-encompassing, and people in our business their thoughts science blanketing the industry, we're as a result we were forced to view our on the art vs. science debate to see all doing the same thing pretty much golf courses from a true "grassroots" if my view made sense. I received a the same way, often without regard to perspective. My most important tools range of responses. A noted super- whether its right for our courses. 30 years ago were a soil probe, a knife intendent in my age bracket echoed Talking early one morning to a very and pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses. my sentiments when he asked, "Are successful superintendent, I asked Yes, there are more and better tools these young guys looking at their golf what his game plan was for the day available today, without question. courses and knowing what they are ahead. His answer sums up my feel- However, I strongly suggest that seeing? Are they really thinking about ings exactly: "I don't know," he said. superintendents and others who want what is in the best interest of their "I need to walk around and see what to succeed need to learn how to man- golf course?" my golf course needs." age by touch as well as by tech, and Another looked at the landscape of Is that your first thought every have a real feel for the environment our industry today and said, "Science day? It should be. rather than automatically referencing versus art is actually a trick question Here are some thoughts from oth- a computerized graph or a smart- because you need both. But if I had ers in our business regarding art vs. phone app to explain where, when to pick one, I would take science over science. and how to apply water or chemicals. art because its nice to have paint on a From a prominent turfgrass Because only with this feel can you ripped canvas" management Ph.D.: "Golf turf man- make the best use of the tools and I agree that we need both, and I agement has evolved over the past technologies available. see the logic — if not quite agreeing One of golfs fundamental tenets — with placing science first. But the (MORAGHAN continues on page 64) y/////////////////v GRIGG BROS
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VISIT ^^ JOIN LIKE YOU SUBSCRIBE n http://griggbros.com LJ http://gri.gg/join http://gri.gg/fb ffflfa http://gri.gg/tv Rough life
Roughs populated with native species are not maintenance-free. Key problems to be aware of to keep your native areas from going wild. By John Torsiello
he pros and cons of of turf type tall fescues since A similar scenario occurs cues (both tall and fine fescues) the native-or nat- the early 1980's has encour- regarding mowing height ad- can make for an attractive uralized - roughs aged more use of tall fescue as justments for roughs further rough. Similarly, unmowed is pretty simple. primary or secondary rough, south where Bermudagrass is Bermudagrass in the south T"The pros are that native rough says Zenon Lis, vice president the prevailing fairway grass. can provide a native look as areas are aesthetically pleasing of sales at Ohio's Birmingham The roughs are also defined well. This can be a good test to to the eye, easier to maintain Seeds. In traditional cool-sea- as primary and secondary by see what the native rough will and are good for wildlife," says son grass growing climates and height of cut. So, the on gets look like in certain areas of the Tim Moraghan, founder of the transition zone of the U.S., higher the further away from course. If the look isn't a good Aspire Golf Consulting in New interest in less maintenance the fairway. one, the grass can be mowed Jersey. "The cons are they are has driven the use of tall fescue. Out of bounds or far rough back to down to turf height. a pain in the ass when you hit "Tall fescue is used now in areas may be near or around While grasses are generally your $5 Pro V into them and areas where there are limits sensitive waterways, so "no the plant of choice for native can't find it due to density." placed on annual fertility and mow" grasses can be used here, areas, wild flowers are an op- Moraghan's assessment is chemical applications," Lis says Lis. Native grasses such tion. The advantage of using intentionally glib, but it strikes says. "The turf quality in high as buffalograss, little and big grasses is they are familiar to a chord. A $5 hit in the wallet performing NTEP-rated tall bluestem, switch grass, wildrye the superintendent when it for the paying customer not- fescues is excellent, mimick- and other species are being comes to management. Fur- withstanding. more and more ing a wide bladed bluegrass. used to define extreme far ther, weed control is easier owners and superintendents They can be cut at 1.5 inches rough and out of bounds areas with grass roughs; selective are turning to a wide variety or higher, up to natural plant of play. Some native grasses weed management in wildflow- of grasses to naturalize rough heights non-mowed." take a year or longer to show ers is complicated (for some areas on their courses. Another group of species their "true potential," and weed mixes) to impossible. An added control can be difficult in the "Converting mowed, irri- that has garnered more interest plus of going native, says Dr. establishment year. Some of gated rough areas to native in golf rough use, are fine fes- Koski, is that, "Conversion to native grasses above have a far grasses can reduce water, fer- cues. These species consist of the native look - and especially reaching geographic potential tilizer, and pesticide inputs hard, sheeps, creeping red and if using true native species for usage, in both cool- and and may reduce mowing," says chewings fescues. The hard, - can be attractive for many warm-season grass areas. Dr. Anthony Koski, extension chewings and sheeps fescues forms of wildlife on golf course: birds, butterflies, and bees and turfgrass specialist, Colorado have been used more as "no Traditional cool-season native pollinators. State University Department mow" grasses in far roughs and grasses for golf roughs are of Horticulture and Landscape out of bounds areas. They can the normal species used in Depending on the grasses Architecture. "However, it grow to 8 to 18 inches high and fairways, including Kentucky established, the native area will is important to understand cascade over themselves if left bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, require some sort of vegetation/ native areas will not be main- in a natural state. fine and tall fescues. biomass management. This tenance-free. In fact, if they Fine fescues have an in- "Generally, the roughs start might entail mowing in the fail are neglected they can quickly teresting ornamental look, as a higher cut area from nor- or spring and clipping collec- become weedy and unsightly." Says Lis says. "In warm-season mal fairway heights," Lis says. tion, Burning every other year Older areas must also be grass areas in the lower transi- "So superintendents i now at 1.5 is an effective biomass man- maintained to prevent the tion zone and further south in inches for a primary rough, and agement tool, where practical invasion of shrubs, brambles the U.S., weeping lovegrass a further out secondary rough and allowed. Dr. Koski says and trees, Koski says. Grass performs similarly as the fine would be mowed at a 3-inch or weed management is essential species - especially if a mix ol fescue 'no mow' grasses above. higher height of cut." during the establishment years grasses - will change over time. These all have the potential to An easy way of transform- one to three. When established "The species of weeds, and you be left alone with literally no ing mowed rough to native is successfully, weed manage- will have weeds to deal with, maintenance when established, to simply stop mowing and ment can be done on a spot will change overtime, as well." except for occasional weed con- irrigating the grass, Koski says. basis. He adds, "Fertilization 1 of native areas should not be Major advances in breeding trol and spot seeding for fill in.' Unmowed bluegrass and fes- necessary. Fertilization often replanting something else, encourages weed growth and Converting mowed, irrigated says Chris Hartwiger, a USGA provides little benefit to the rough areas to native grasses senior agronomist. establishing grasses. How- a "If the proper plant is used ever, on soine very poor soils, can reduce water, fertilizer, and in the wrong location, extra including those low in organic pesticide inputs and may reduce maintenance may be required matter, some starter fertilizer mowing. However, it is important to to facilitate less searching for might be warranted." understand that native areas will lost golf balls," he says. "If The most common mistake expectations are not commu- made in the establishment and not be maintenance-free. In fact, if nicated clearly to management ongoing maintenance of native they are neglected they can quickly and staff, the finished product grass areas is excessive irriga- become weedy and unsightly." may be disappointing to some, tion -especially once the grass leading to a change in species has become established, lading — Dr. Anthony Koski, Colorado State University or different management." to weed problems in native Plants suited for native ar- areas. Excess irrigation creates eas run the gamut and should a stand that is so dense that it broad native range, from the (Andropogons) planted in the be researched and selected is impossible to find a lost ball Northeast to California, and naturalized areas. The more based on the region a course is - much less give the golfer an fairly far south into the humid species you put in these areas, located in," Moraghan says. "I opportunity to attempt a shot. Southeast," he says, "A couple the greater the difficulty in constantly preach do not force Depending on whether of other widely-adapted na- managing them. Weed man- a square agronomic peg into a grasses are warm- or cool-sea- tives, though taller than little agement is typically the most round hole." son species, there are specific bluestem, are indiangrass and important part of maintaining Fescues, broom sedges, and windows of time when they switchgrass. The gram a grasses, naturalized areas." red top bent grass may work can be planted in rough areas particularly blue and side-oats, Choose a pant that performs well in cool-season arenas," he for optimal success. While can also be used throughout a well in your area. If not, you adds. Tall fescues for "way out combinations of cool- and broad range of the U.S." will be in constant re-estab- of the way" areas can work. warm-season species are "natu- While not native, the fine fes- lishment mode, says Yelverton. Wildflowers "look great" but ral" and commonly sold by cues (hard, chewings, sheeps) The most common symptom are time consuming to estab- seed companies for native con- can provide a native look and of poorly adapted plants is lish and can end up with weed versions, weed management will do well evciywhere except weed invasion. "For instance, patches. Warm-season golf is complicated with a cool/ the deep Southeast. fine fescue typically gives the courses may have a limit to fine warm mixture. Herbicides Dr. Fred Yelvertou, co-direc- desired look for most of the fescues, but the further south safe for use on warm-season tor of the Center for Turfgrass country, but in the warmest the less successful you will be, species (imazapic; Plateau, for Environmental Research and climates or the desert, fine Moraghan adds. GCI example) are often not safe on Education at North Carolina fescue will not work." cool-season grass, and vice- State University, cites studies If unsuitable plants are used John Torsiella is a Torringtnn, versa. If burning is desired as that show a wide variety of in a region, they may not sur- Cnnn.-based writer and frequent a biomass management tool, plants are used in naturalized vive, leading to the cost of GCI coniribulor. then warm-season grasses are rough areas. "The main thing a better choice, since they hum people need to know about more easily. If true natives are these naturalized areas is that preferred, it is important to they are not low maintenance. For more... do your homework to find the Superintendents who have Looking for more info about what to plant in your roughs? Just enter the best-adapted natives for your following link into your browser to check out the following articles. these areas on the golf course area and a good source of • The Fescue of Your Dreams. If you want it wispy...it must be crispyf will tell you they are pretty high seed for those grasses. By Bob Vavrek trtta/ZfriUy/lPwifrrg maintenance." • The Use of Non-Mowed Fine-Leaf Fescue Grasses on Golf Courses. One true native grass that He says plant species some- Fine-leaf fescue is a versatile candidate for use in many areas seems well-adapted for use times best for naturalized areas around the golf course. By M. Alihari Vandi and Kevin N, Morris throughout the U.S. is little are Andropogons, but prob- http://bH.ly/lm3V0E9 • Fine Fescue Roughs and Fairways. Green alternative or niche grass? bluestem, Koski says. ably the most common species By Robert Vavrek http://bit.ty/ldKnuxS used are fescues. "Fine fescue "This is a native, warm- • Native Spaces. A growing trend that's good for the environment - season, shorter-growing spe- is very common but many of and. in some cases, the budget. By Megan Leonhardt http;//bit. cies that has a remarkably these areas have other plants A smooth transition
ransitiorf HC iqh Concentrate Dark Turf Colorant rransition™ HC turf colorant helps manage turf color throughout fall and spring ransilions of overseeding programs. The high concentrate formulation allows for lexibility in application rates, with color lasting up to 30 days.
etterturf,basf.us The Chemical Company Rising from the waters
Austin's venerable Onion Creek Club is back on track after devastating late-October flood. By Steve Ha be
Iter enduring several years of droughr conditions, October of 2013 was rhe wettest
October on record in Austin, the capital of the Texas and one of the country's most A desirable places to live. In fact, a small flash flood 011 Oct. 12 ripped up several of the greens at the venerable Onion Creek Club, and knocked down some trees and destroyed all the bunkers 011 the course's low-lying holes.
The original venue for the Liberty Mutual the Lone Star State in 2012 to take a position Legends of Golf Tournament and the birth- as the golf course superintendent at the Do- place of the Senior (now Champions) Tour, minion County Club in San Antonio, his first Onion Creek Club was designed by Jimmy impression of the course he had signed up to Demaret in 1974. An additional nine holes, care for was that it was dead. fashioned by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, "It wasn't, but things were just a lighter were put into play on higher ground in 1996. shade of green," says Crump, who'd worked It is considered of the state's finest courses at Wade Hampton Golf Club and Colleton but was suffering from the same drier-than- River Plantation Club. "Having things green dry conditions as most courses in the region. as possible was the expected condition of the Through the years, Onion Creek Club also course I had just left, so the reality of the situ- battled an overgrowth of trees and a reduction ation here hit me really hard." of the size of its greens after a series of floods By the following year, Crump moved from and the passing of time had compacted die soil the Alamo City to Austin and Onion Creek underneath and around the putting surfaces. Club, which is celebrating its 40th anniver- Onion Creek Club's original 18 holes were sary in 2014. For 11 years, beginning in 1978, built in the flood plain of the burgeoning Onion Creek Club conducted the celebrated neighborhood some 15 minutes southeast of Legends tournament, as the course more than Austin's downtown. The club and the com- held its own before the great golfers of the munity have endured floods in the past, most black-and-white television days, players that notably in 1998 and 2001 when the creek eventually brought the sport into the modern overflowed and destroyed parts of the course. world with a dash of charm and savoir-faire. None of the previous floods came close to "My main job was to try to find enough wa- reaching the homes that border the course's ter to keep the course's greens alive," Crump low-lying holes, many of which are set 150 says. "With the water rationing that was put yards and 20 feet above the usual edges of in place here in central Texas because of the the creek. drought, even the reclaimed water we were al- Thusly. no one could have been prepared lowed from the neighborhood was not enough. for the cruel surprise Mother Nature had in It was a constant battle." store for Onion Creek Club or the residents Rain was predicted for overnight on Oct. of the community that surrounds the course. 30-31 but when the storms came they moved When the rains came on the night of Oct. 30. to and then stalled over the southeast corner conditions combined for a recipe for disaster. of the Austin city limits and Hays County, a bit further to the south. From 11 p.m. on Oct. PRAYING FDR RAIN 30 to 6 a.m. on Halloween, 18 inches of rain The American Southwest - and especially fell in the already saturated region, making a Texas - has been shackled over the past several flash flood a certainty. years by a continuing drought, and when Ryan At one point during the morning. Onion Crump decided to move from the Carolinas to Creek rose 11 feet in 15 minutes and by a few NEW from Quali-Pro
hours before sunrise on Oct. 31 the creek's flow rate was 120,000-cubic feet per sec- "When I got on ond. That's nearly double the average flow U site, I coLild feel rate over Niagara Falls. "I immediately went down to the cor- the ground moving ner of the original course where the third under me and hear the green and the fourth tee are set," Crump water like it was says. "The water there was already about two feet from a security light on the back moving through wall of a home 10 feet above ground level rapids. It was still pitch and 20 feet above the golf courses." dark, but when The water would go even higher, lightning struck - and completely flooding all the homes on the golf-course side of the street that separates it did frequently - I the first hole from the third and finally could see the cresting in the middle of the No. 1 fairway, whitecaps as the creek across that street and into another line of houses some 30 feet above the course and rose toward me" 45 feet from the bottom of the creek bed. - Ryan Crump, Onion Creek Club "We were just worried about getting as many people to safety as we could - that was our focus," Crump says. Onion Creek crested at the highest it built to protect the tee box on the fourth Herbicide has been in 92 years and reached into hole was twisted and rolled like a wet scores of homes in the neighborhood, dishrag - but it did its job, the fourth tee including a line of houses across the street box remains intact. from the creek and 80 yards across the A cement dam between the creek and fairway of the third hole. pond that fronts the par-3 second hole on "I was called to the club at about 6:30 the North course was breeched and left 2DQ Herbicide (a.m.) and when I got here the water was with a huge sinkhole. Containing three active ingredients over some of the road bridges," says Justin A dozen putting surfaces were scraped that provide weed control of annual Jafarian, Onion Creek Club's general man- down to sub turf level, exposing irrigation and perennial broadleaf weeds ager. "Some houses bad four feet of water pipes and electrical wires. Trees were in them and people just didn't know what felled and were swept away - a 70-foot in warm-season and cool-season to do or how that happened." tall oak that once stood to the left of the turfgrasses. 2DQ is for use on Those families that lived in the houses green at the par-3 sixth hole in the original ornamental turf lawns (residen- bordering the course are still not back in course was uprooted and rolled down the tial, industrial, and institutional), their homes, some five months later. fairway of the adjacent par-5 seventh hole, parks, cemeteries, athletic fields, But the amount of water that flowed tumbling some 700 yards before becoming sod farms, golf courses (fairways, into the valley that forms the course's lodged against another huge oak. aprons, tees, and roughs), and signature hole - the downhill par-4 third Yes, Mother Nature had provided the similar turf areas to control clover, hole on the North course, with a drop of club with water, but there were conse- 50 feet from tee to fairway - was almost quences aplenty. Damages, to the course dandelion, henbit, plantains, incomprehensible. Looking out front the were estimated at about $7 million. The wild onion and many other tee box of the par-3 17th, which also rests club also lost its course-maintenance broad leaf weeds. high above the valley that forms the third, equipment when the building where it is all one could see was a lake of water; the housed was swamped with four feet of wa- green of the third hole was covered by at ter; to get to that building, the rising creek least 20 feet of floodwater. had to cross a huge grass berm constructed Once the water subsided, a better ac- to keep water away after the flood of 2001. mum counting of the damages could be taken. It was not a pretty picture. ONESTEPATATIME For more information on our wide selection A cement and shell barrier encased in After the water subsided, Crump and his of turf and ornamental products, visit chicken wire and weighing tons that was crew spent the next few days evaluating quali-pro.com or call 800-242-5562 MARUYAMA The POWER in Outdoor Power
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weather that allowed the grass to grow in relatively fast. "We had to play off a tem- porary green on the 16th hole because the actual green was pretty ripped up by the floods," Crump says. "We used some sod from our nursery green that was hung up in the trees and recovered to form the tempo- rary green. It took about 800 pounds of seed to tack the temp green because the only thing to seed it in was the silt and mud from the flood." Crump's crew also reworked all 55 bunkers on the north course in two months after all the drainage was ripped out of them by the floods. "We thought if the bunkers and greens are good then it would help deflect some of the prob- lems on the edges of the course that we are still working on," he says. Above: Devastating flood The North course reopened damage to Onion Creek Club's by Christmas Day. Yes, there golf course. Left: Onion Creek Club's grounds crew. Their were some bare lies and some hard work and dedication got bumps on the greens, and some the course cleaned up and plastic bags and tires and trash back into shape. still hung from trees 40 feet above the level of the now docile creek, but golf was be- where to start putting the course's trees by the raging days, through wind and rain ing played. courses back together. water. The debris pile eventu- and ice and the short days of "The staff and crew took the He borrowed some equip- ally grew to a massive mound winter, to get the course back bull by the horns and went to ment from Onion Creek Club's some 15 feet high. into shape. The Crenshaw nine work, showing their pride for sister clubs - three of which The initial goal was to get at was open for play by Thanksgiv- the golf course and their desire are within an hour and halfs least some of the course ready ing, just four weeks after the to get it back to where it once drive from south Austin - and, for play, both to bring some floods. was," Crump says. He carries because all his equipment and money into the club and to help Then the real work began, a crew of 10-12 workers in the tools had been washed away, rebuild the pride and psyche with the goal of having all 18 non-growing season and 18 in spent about $1,000 at the home of the battered neighborhood. holes on the North course open the spring, summer and early improvement store up the "Only three holes on the by the end of the year. Back- fall. He used as many as 25 street for shovels and rakes high side of the course's Cren- hoes and grapples were brought workers during the first two and anything to help with the shaw nine had been affected," in and the crew focused on months of course cleanup. cleanup. Crump says. "We tackled the cleaning up, puling debris Another hurdle had been "We started out just mov- issues with those holes first away, re-grading, shaping and crossed but there is still plenty ing debris so we could just get because we were determined trying the smooth out the of work to be done. Since around the golf course," Crump to get that nine open as soon as course as much as was possible. December, the crew has been says. His crew then worked to we could to show some tangible The putting surfaces were focused on general upkeep and clear some of the trash and evidence of recovery." seeded with rye in nine days maintenance of the 18 holes material that was left in the The crew worked 10 hour and got a little break from the that are open while continuing
52 APRIL 2014 gQlfcourseiridustry.com Keep the green in its place. Remove stubborn pigments and dye stains From your equipment and accessories with Turf Max Pigment Remover. Turf Max Pigment Remover is ready to use: just spray, wait 3*5 minutes and pressure wash away. It's that simple. Buy Turf Max Pigment Remover in ready to use spray bottles or concentrate.
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turfscreen.com l nhmndJolM Pumtwn' the cleanup of the most dam- the underbrush that insulated certificates, each with a value of and his crew at Onion Creek aged parts - the low-lying areas the course from noise is gone, S5,000 towards the purchase of Club is to put the course back of the original nine. making some of the original a new golf membership, to pass to where it was and even going course's holes that were once along to a friend, neighbor or a step further by returning the LIKEA PHOENIX tree-lined look nearly links-like business associate. The certifi- Course's putting surfaces re- The club announced in March and hundreds of trees were cate covers the entire initiation turning to their original edges that reconstruction of the origi- uprooted and have not been fee, allowing the referrals to as designed by Demaret and, nal nine had begun and set replaced. join Onion Creek Club for free. later, by Crenshaw. a goal on July 1 for there to After the original nine is The Dominion Golf Group, "If there is an upside to be golf played on those nine finished the attention will turn which operates six clubs in- what's happened it's that we holes again. The plans include to the course that's currently cluding Onion Creek Club, are going to be able to restore rebuilding some greens and open, shutting down nine holes is known for its innovative the course to the way it is really reshaping others, sanding and at a time to assure there is al- membership offerings. Its fo- supposed to be," Crump says. sprigging the grass with Tif ways IB holes in play. cus is on signing dues-paying "Now that the trees have been Eagle and to replace the Tif- To help pay for the reno- members rather than assigning thinned out it will help us get Dwarf Bermuda that has been vation, the club, which has expensive initiation fees. More sunlight to the places where on the putting surfaces since about 410 golfers among its members paying dues means we were having trouble before the course was founded. membership of just more than more money for the clubs for the flood. Everything that was When play begins on the 800, is offering a special drive the long haul, and that tack will the golf course at Onion Creek reworked holes, the golfexperi- for members. Every current surely be put to use. will be the golf course at Onion Creek again.'1 GC| ence will be quite different. All member has been given two The ultimate goal for Crump
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li-nhfrh- ImMvM rir ll'u.U>tfu.1 Kiiau f li.lnrfrr. Proud Sponsor of GCM's MVT Award - Go to GCSAA.org for more information Maintained ornamentals add just as much to the overall experience at your course as manicured greens and fairways. Pest control expert Joe Cea outlines how to protect that landscaped beauty from varmints looking to make it their lunch.
by Joe Cea
hile maintaining the grounds and greens of a local golf course there is one thing I have learned about golfers over the better part of the last decade - they are very passionate Wabout dieir sjxjrt and how they play. In spite of this zealousness for the game and always striving for personal "bests" even bad play can be augmented by the beauty of the course itself. Every golfer has had "one of those days". You know "Not my day today but you know what: it's a beautiful day on a beautiful course..." Even in passing I've heard this quote more than a few times while meandering around the course carrying out my responsibilities. As part of the grounds crew 1 always key in on the last part about the grounds being beautiful. Indeed, 1 have first-hand familiarity that when it comes to the golf- ! FIRE ANTS
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Always read and Follow label directions. Extinguish is registered trademark of Wellmaik International. ©201 -1 Wellmark International. ing experience, a well-designed them completely destroyed by and maintained landscape deer, rabbits and other native plays an integral part. wildlife the very next day. Sculpting that landscape Realistically, if the majority obviously has several purposes ofyour ornamentals live behind and objectives. Visual appeal, netting, burlap or individual especially driving up to and wire/wooden coverings to pre- around the clubhouse area, vent wildlife damage, then not is first and foremost. Specific only does it look awful but it ornamentals and perennials suggests a different approach help guide golfers through the is required. course and/or provide chal- The first line of defense is lenges as well as shield certain to find specific plants that not supplemental areas, such as only bloom brilliantly, but are a pool, tennis court or mid- not palatable for some wild- course bathroom from com- life species. This is mostly in mon view. The challenge not reference to whitetail deer as only lies with matching your there are many lists from both "Chipmunks are notorious for landscape to the particulars of private and public wildlife digging and eating the bulbs your course - such as taking management agencies, as well ofmany ornamental flowers, into account shade tolerance as university cooperative exten- or having weeping willow trees sion offices, that specify plants thereby costing golf courses near ponds - but also tak- that deer don't like. not only for annual flowers ing into account the various Let's first draw a distinction but also perennials that you wildlife species that typically between the terms "resistant" inhabit a golf course that may wouldn't normally have to and "repel." Plants that repel damage your hard work. deer will usually keep them at buy year after year." Obviously, keeping the very a distance. Many plants that fall character of the course intact into this category have a strong and beautiful is paramount odor, such as lilac or sage. Deer to enhance a round of golf. resistant plants are ones deer examples include barberry, may help protect - at least on a But from a cost standpoint, typically won't eat. Even when holly and juniper. Other more limited basi s - i n this ei ideavor. every superintendent knows eaten, tliey will still retain colorful examples would be Our main goal, though, is sim- it's easy to drop big dollars on their character showing little snapdragons, alyssum, iris and ply to protect some flower beds. ornamental plants only to have effects of browsing. Common marigolds. In doing so we just have to keep Other protections against the flowers far enough away deer include fencing, but the from the outstretched browsing trick is to place them not only reach of a whitetail. Angling to protect, but also to allow a fence pointing outward - at your flower arrangements to 45 degrees - from a flower be seen and admired. Most bed does just this because deer recommendations for deer have a difficult time judging fencing include having otie 7 angles, i.e. jumping high and Grow your own foot or higher. However, fenc- over distance therefore avoid ing of this nature is usually in fencing when not up right at To cut ciown on costs of consistently replacing wildlife damaged plants 90 degrees. Decorative fencing you may wish to consider a greenhouse to grow your own (lowers. reference to preventing deer While the start-up costs may prove high, this is definitely an from invading the perimeter can be set up in this manner, investment where costs will be defrayed over time. Also, if individual of a property which you will but I suggest some kind of gardens and flower beds scattered throughout the course prove never be able to do on a golf blunted point at the top that too tough with multiple attempts, then you may wish to consider an course consisting of several will come right up under the arboretum with a nature trail. This not only shows off your plants, but hundred acres. That said deer neck of deer to prevent them can be more easily protected with everything in one area. This can be a can browse some plants such as from advancing. Also elevate fantastic feature to a course. arborvitae up to six feet and pe- flower beds about three feet in rimeter fencing on some areas conjunction with angled fenc- SePRO Corporation-the Leader in aquatic restoration products-has helped golf course superintendents manage and maintain one of the most important aspects of their golf course-water. 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Arwayi. read and totow nM awwrc 'PTooram not avauabM m Flonoa or nawau Act; your SaPRO Tactrcal Soaoakifi lot morn rtorms-.cr Sonar Cajxan and SaCWar are traoamarM a SoPFlO Gcrnorumn Gopynpit 2014 E«PftO Corporation # & ing prohibit deer from reaching or jumping to the bed. Spray away
Elevated flower beds also There are dozens of sprays and other repellents that can be applied to ornamentals to prevent various prevent damage from our next species of wildlife from destroying your expensive plants. contestant - rabbits. Some work and others don't. The good thing about using any chemical repellents is that on a golf course the Rabbits are endowed with superintendent, or another employee, will generally have a pesticide applicators permit to handle the product. an amazing jumping ability. Ultimately, experimenting with plant repellents may cost you more than replacing the plant itself. So you're better off with more long-term solutions. While spraying pesticides to reduce insect damage - which should Even elevated flower beds will be done in conjunction to reduce stress on plants to keep them blooming and beautiful - you may stumble not prevent access. So the goal on one that helps with other critters. It's important to Keep a journal or some other notations until you find a with an animal that is typically combination that works in more than one maintenance area. more numerous than deer is to reduce damage because 100 percent prevention is next to impossible. If you have flower a perfect shear on plant stems. something golfers want to see. tunnels through mulch and beds on the ground a smaller Deer, on the other hand, only A better, long-term solution is other soft soil. fence (maybe 2-3 feet high) can have lower incisors and their to prevent them from taking Moles also dig tunnels, but limit rabbit damage. cut is only sheared from the up residence. The trick here is are usually much deeper. So Reinforce this by attach- lower side leaving a ragged to prevent them from digging a shallow wire barrier would ing either 'A inch x Vi inch or edge on top from tearing off and that's where the hardware be ineffective. While moles, VA inch x VA inch galvanized the rest of the flower. cloth comes in. unlike voles, are carnivorous hardware cloth to the fence Other uses for hardware In each flower bed, in addi- they usually aren't too much and buried in the ground three cloth are to aid in the war tion to a weed barrier, cut out of a threat to ornamental flow- to four inches and then folded oji chipmunks. Chipmunks a section of hardware cloth ers. However, it's their tunnels outward another 3 inches or so are notorious for digging and and steak it down. Holes can that become an issue for a to prevent digging underneath. eating the bulbs of many or- be cut with heavy-duty scis- course. GCI This should cut down drasti- namental flowers, thereby sors or metal shears to plant cally on rabbits chewing the costing golf courses not only seeds or potted plants. The Joseph Ceo owns C&rC Wildlife tops off your expensive flowers. for annual flowers but also galvanized wire will allow for Management. Delmar, N.Y. (IVUNT. Recognition of which spe- perennials. the plants to grow while pre- ccwildUfe.com). With fu>o degrees cies is nibbling is important. Chipmunk holes are about venting chipmunks from dig- in wildlife management and 19 Flowers with a clean cut and 2 inches in diameter and are ging at and accessing any roots years of experience he has been tower to the ground are usu- frequented throughout the day. and bulbs. This same strategy assisting residences and business, ally rabbits because they are Obviously, these critters can be will also work for other dig- including local golf courses, with smaller and because their trapped. However, dead chip- gers such as voles that have nuisance wildlife issues with safe, lower and upper incisors leave munks in snap traps may not be a tendency to dig shallow humane and practical techniques.
"Even elevated flower beds will not totally prevent [rabbit] access, out the goal with an animal that is typically more numerous tnan deer is to reduce damage. One hundred percent prevention is next to impossible." o RISE Grassroots Network When issues about pesticides and fertilizers pop up in your services and the products you use. Keep up-to-date your neck of the woods, you don't have to address on policy and regulations running the gamut from private them alone. Join the free RISE Grassroots Network at and public pesticide property bans to specific restrictions pestfacts,org/grassroots or scan the QR code below. on sales, use and display of fertilizers and pesticides. RISE Access resources you can use on the local, state and is a national trade association of pesticide and fertilizer federal levels with customers, neighbors, community suppliers serving as a resource to help you keep these leaders and policy makers to communicate the benefits of products in your toolbox and you out of the woods. [email protected] I pestfacts.org/grassroots I DebugTheMyths.com
RISE Responsible Industry for a Sound EnvironmentR 1156 15th St., N.W. Washington D.C. 20005 (202) 872-3860 failure-related events to pro- vide advance notification that a hose is approaching the end of its useful life. During the winter of 2013, each of The Greenbrier's three greens rollers had se- lect hydraulic hoses replaced with LifeSense, Each hose is equipped with a sensor that monitors hose conditions via electrical signals. These signals then transmit to a diagnostic unit that interprets the data. If the system identifies a compro- mised hose, an alert is gener- ated to warn greens keepers.
"This is one of those solu- F:T«N tions you hope you never have LifeSense to use, much like an insurance LifeSense intelligently monitors hydraulic hose policy," says Kelly Shumate, conditions and detects failure-related events. director of golf course main- tenance at The Greenbrier. "LifeSense provides a total sense of security that even with our strict and regular main- tenance on the rollers, if we miss something, it will alert us Insurance policy before we have a big problem on our hands." Preventative measures taken by the team at The Greenbrier
reduces the risk of hydraulic hose failure. RESULTS The Greenbrier's course man- agers have been satisfied with he Greenbrier staff goes unnoticed, it can disrupt vidual hoses for signs of failure. Eaton's LifeSense system, uses mowers and roll- the operation and create sig- When a potential problem was which reinforces its sound ers to maintain its im- nificant costs. identified, the hoses would maintenance practices and maculate greens early The resulting fluid spill can be replaced. Even with this gives them enhanced confi- Tin the Sulphur Springs, W. dence that greens will remain cause extensive turf damage, regimen, The Greenbrier was Vd., morning while it is still including the possibility of not 100 percent certain it was pristine just as its players have dark and the bentgrass turf is a course having to replace a catching every problematic come to expect. covered in dew. green and close for repair - a hose, "With LifeSense, course However, the early hours costly consequence. To avoid superintendents gain peace of and light conditions make it a unexpected hose failure, super- SOLUTION mind knowing their hydraulic challenge to notice a hydraulic intendents frequently change To help The Greenbrier achieve hoses are constantly moni- hose failure, leaving the course hydraulic hoses on equipment its goal of more efficient course tored, providing assurance that open to potential damage. before it is necessary. maintenance and ensure ide- they are taking steps to avoid Turf equipment is outfitted As part of The Greenbrier's al playing conditions, Eaton turf damage and unexpected with many hydraulic hoses in preventive maintenance pro- recommended its LifeSense and expensive repairs," says hard-to-see places - all criti- gram, it conducted a compre- hydraulic hose condition moni- Kelly Moore-Floyd, Eaton prod- cal to smooth operation and hensive monthly review of its toring system for the resort's uct manager. "We are pleased operator ease. Yet if one of the turf care equipment, including greens rollers. LifeSense intel- The Greenbrier is happy with hoses fails unexpectedly during hydraulic hose inspection. ligently monitors hydraulic LifeSense thus a win for them a course's turf care routine and Staff visually checked indi- hose conditions and detects and for Eaton." GCI Terry Buchen, CGCS, ME, is president of Golf Agronomy International, He's a 41-year, life member of the GCSAA. He can be reached at 75P-5G1-???? or terrybuchen(3Jearthlink.net. n Travels With Terry
Globetrotting HOMEMADE CHIPPER BOX consulting agronomist Terry Buchen visits many golf courses his 2008 Ford F350 dump truck was fitted with a homemade annually with his digital "chipper box" that is easily removed when switching from tree Camera in hand He Twork to snow plowing. It measures 814 feet in length by 82 shares helpful ideas feet by 6 feet and is built with pressure treated 2x4 secured together relating to maintenance with 3-inch deck screws. Four-inch and 6^-inch carriage bolts with equipment from the golf course superintendents flat and lock washers are used at the four comers to attach the frame he visits-as well as together and the box to the truck bed. Nineteen-gauge PVC coated a few ideas of his own hardware cloth was attached on the sides and top (with overlaps in -with timely photos the corners and on top secured with zip-ties) with inch-by-1-inch and captions that fence staples, to keep the wood chips from scattering explore the changing world of golf con rsc outside the chipper box. Two additional 2x4 were installed management. perpendicular to the three top braces on top so the box can be removed with a fork lift or it is light enough that 2-3 employees can lift it on and off. A Vs-inch thick 29-inch- by-79-inch plywood sheet was fitted in the front inside of the box to keep the wood chips from damaging the truck cab. A red-colored Rust-Oleum oil-based paint was used to match the truck color. The tailgate can be fully closed with the box in place and the dump body can be fully extended when dumping the wood chips. The materials cost about $220 and it took about 20 labor hours to build. Kyle DeNuys, assistant superintendent, at the North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, N.J., designed and built the box. Tyler Otero is the superintendent and Simon Quinoa is the equipment technician.
MODIFIED HITCH PIN
he hitches were modified on the mower trailers because the pins were being lost. A '4-inch thick piece of 2-inch-by-8-inch steel, bent in two places, was welded to the existing trailer T 5 hitch frame. A 6-inch by /s-mch diameter lynch pin was installed with a spring and flat washer and is held iu place with a cotter pin and the flat piece of steel. An employee simply lifts the pin and hooks the trailer to the tow vehicle and the pin falls securely in place with the spring. Materials cost about $16 and it took about 30 minutes to build and paint. Bill Brousseau is the director of golf course mainte- nance, Steve Judd, superintendent of the Golf Village, and Blair Kirby, superintendent of the East Course, John Lombardi is the equipment manager and Clay Bormuth is the assistant technician of The Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, Fla., a 45-hole venue. GCi (BRAUER continued from page 8) (MORAGHAN continued from page 42)
On many days, staff outnumbers play- three decades from a discipline where a lot like a work of art." ers, Like some U.S. clubs, they are run success was often dependent on art and A turf grass specialist: "Fur most by smart business executives who meet experience to one where new, young modern-day superintendents, it is mostly budgets at work, but overspend on their superintendents are better trained in the science. But, when you get to the best club. Chinese are known to be practical, sciences and quickly embrace techno- conditions and the best superintendents, so how long will that trend continue? As logical advances. As such, the discipline it becomes more of an art." you can tell, I wish they would learn some has moved to a much more science- In all of those quotations, even the of lessons more quickly. based effort. Of course, golf course ones that give a nod to science, it is the This is the first time a country is under- supers are also reqiured now to be much ability to understand the artistic side that taking new golf development based on the more well-rounded in communications, separates the best from the rest. Even U.S. golf model, which has evolved from its personnel management, and business if art is knowing how to evaluate the Scottish roots over the last 120 years. Some skills to be successful." science anil choose what's best for your worry that there is too much disconnect From a soil physicist: "Science and course. from golfs origins and roots in the U.S. technology will never replace the real I've used this column for years to model. In my opinion, golf's adaptability to masters and artisans. Rather, we're talk- advocate more out-of-the-box thinking in different climates and cultures proves that ing art, or a natural world that just to agronomy. I fear that a science-only ap- the essence of the game remains powerful happens to be labeled golf course.' It's proach puts us back in the box, a box that enough to thrive and endure as strongly in unfortunate more golf course superin- is now a computer or a sinartphone. the next 500 years, as it has in the last 500. tendents don't understand their role or Learn the science, use the science. But Overall, golf will thrive in China, and they have the passion to understand the arti- never forget that at its best, agronomy is will be good stewards of the games many san's role in these natural settings. In my first and foremost an art because every traditions, even while adapting them to mind, it's a uatural paleLte of bio-mass golfcour.se - like every other master- their unique conditions. GCI that has been refined and in many cases, piece - is unique. GCI
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SEEDS OF TROUBLE
et's take a little trip in Mr. Pea- and most folks were fat and happy. June will move the dial back toward a body's WABAC machine and go Just 25 years later, the picture center-line maintenance philosophy Lback a quarter-century to the is very different. We overbuilt. We utilizing fewer heads and irrigating halcyon days of 19B9, overdesigned. We overmaintained. less turf. And yes, the Coore/Cren- Mikhail Gorbachev took the reins Now we're in an era when new shaw/Doak/Hanse/Kidd design trend of the Soviet Union and the Berlin construction is rarer than a pink of'less is more" will continue and Wall soon fell. A few brave Chinese unicorn, minimalism and naturalism that will help. students faced down tanks in Tianan- are crowding out the manicured look, But none of that will matter if we men Square. People had big hair. pigments are the new overseeding and don't have turf types that allow us In our happy little business, new maintained acreage nationally goes to use less water or be able to grow facility construction was zipping down a little every day. more turf using non-potable water. right along despite little setbacks On top of that, as our cover story Drought-resistant and salt-tolerant like the fact the "Savings & Loan details, the seed business has its own species must be developed to ensure Crisis" briefly made Uncle Sam the set of issues created by other factors, that golf continues to be played on largest course owner in the world, notably the spectacularly successful natural grass in die days ahead when (Every new housing development corn/ethanol lobby. What, you ask, courses everywhere - South and had to have a golf course to anchor it, does ethanol have to do with why it's North - will be irrigated with waste- right?) Even attacks by the legendary going to be tough and expensive to water or they won't be irrigated at all. but slightly loony broadcaster Paul find seed this spring? Read the story, The Holy Grail for golfs future Harvey couldn't dim the prospects of but the short answer is: Everything. might be something akin to a cool- development. New courses sprung up Other factors like consolidation, season Paspalum. Is it possible to de- because, as one of the year's best mov- competition in the global market from velop bent or Poa that can withstand ies, "Field of Dreams," told us, "if you overseas growers and slashed research the salts and metals in wastewater? build it, they will come." budgets at universities are also cramp- Can we somehow stimulate chloro- Many aspccts of the turf business ing the style of the once-booming phyll to maintain a green appearance were flying high, but none more so turf seed market. Times have most without all the H,0? Could hybrids than seed production. New courses, definitely changed. that intersplice natural grass into a expansions, remodeling and the Yet, despite those challenges, there synthetic base be acceptable for fair- growth of overseeding drove seed is great opportunity within the seed ways? Can roughs simply become, er, sales and fueled a boom in research market in the future. The single larg- roughs, with little maintenance other and development. est threat to the future of golf is the than the occasional mow? At the time, I served on the USGA cost and availability of water. Without I honestly believe that turf science Research Committee and we saw action on many fronts, it's entirely holds the answers to those questions. endless proposals for breeding studies possible that many thirsty areas of the The problem is whether we can fund to develop drought-tolerant, salt- country will eventually decide that their development and figure how to tolerant, cold-tolerant, endophyti- golf courses don't deserve to use fresh make it profitable for farmers to once cal I y-e n h anced, glypho sat e- re si stan t, water. again grow turf instead of the corn or low-grow, no-mow, glow-in-the-dark Think I'm exaggerating? Think soybeans that have crowded it out up turf species. If you could dream it, again. Yes, we can show that courses in the fertile fields of the Northwest. some PhD up in Oregon was figuring benefit the environment, create jobs I hope in 2039 we can look back out how to splice and dice genetic and help communities and that's and find that 2014 was the beginning material together to create it. New important to our future as regulated of a new golden era of turf breed- species poured out of a dozen or more water users. Yes, golfer attitudes ing when solutions were created to big, profitable seed companies in the might gradually become more accept- protect and preserve our game and Willamette Valley and universities ing of a different standard. Maybe our business. We need to start now... around the nation. Times were good the big show down in Pinehurst this because the clock is ticking. GCI THE NATURAL CHOICE
(C ETQfungicides are the core of our program."
"We use ETQ''' fungicides on 44 acres of fairways and tees. From a disease management standpoint, weve seen great results and have most definitely reduced hand-watering and seen an overall improvement in turf quality and health. To be able to pick from a great combination of active ingredients gives us good disease defense. You can tell a lot of thought went inro the development of These products."
Brad Fry Golf Course Superintendent Harbor Shores Golf Club Benton Harbor, Michigan Host of 2014 Senior PGA Championship
ETQ fungicides from SipcamAdvan promote tournament-ready turf at Harbor Shores Golf Club, site of rhe 2014 Senior PGA Championship. They can do the same on your course. Because ETQ fungicides deliver all the advantages you expect. And plenty more you never thought you'd see.
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