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4 protection. When it comes to the appearance of your course, par isn't good enough. Elevate your game with Syngenta. To learn more, call the Syngenta Customer Resource syngenta Center at 1-866-SYNGENTA or visit us at www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com. Reckless Op? Accessory City The push to increase green speed hasn't More superintendents seek sleek add-ons slowed down, which could mean there's an for greens mowers to improve cutting accident waiting to happen. and overall performance. By Thomas Skernivitz By Pete Blais
Prevent Defense The best way to control dollar spot on greens is to not let it surface in the first place, technical experts say. By Larry Aylward
Real-Life Solutions Poa Shakedown A Healthy Injection Clemson professor Bert McCarty offers 10 tips on how to disarm annual bluegrass. for the Greens — By Thomas Skernivitz and the... Machine uses a high-speed, water-based system that's dramatically changing the way superinten- dents handle routine aeration. By Shane Sharp
\ cover story This month Golfdom offers its annual guide on green maintenance. Our report hits on everything from the problems of green speed to dealing with 10 Pin High Poa annua. Here's to a Good and Hearty Laugh
20 Shades of Green Attention Where Attention Is Needed
22 Designs On Golf About the cover Blind Shots and Check out this cool view from the top Blind Thinking of a lush-looking green and a golf hole. Art direction by Carrie Parkhill. 92 Out of Bounds (Flag by ImagelOO, putting green Reel Fun image by Mike Klemme.)
Sweet Home Chicago 8 We've Got Mail Superintendent Jon Jennings thanks the 12 Big Picture golf course gods for guiding him to this golden oldie of a club. News with a hook Off the Fringe By Larry Aylward 14 Relaxed Atmosphere 91 Classifieds 16 Yale Goes Back Black Mesa Developers, architect and an Indian tribe work together to produce an award-winning golf experience in New Mexico for a mere $3.5 million. By Bruce Allar This month Golfdonh practical research digest for turf managers discusses annual perennial GETTING IT STRAIGHT A photograph of brown patch in the rwgrassesused in overseeding, February issue should have been credited among other topics. to Lane Tredway. See pages 65-81. Golfdom www.golfdom.com Over EDITORIAL STAFF
Larry Aylward EDITOR IN CHIEF 440-891-2770 75 Years Thomas Skernivitz MANAGING EDITOR 440-891 -2613 [email protected] Geoff Shackelford CONTRIBUTING EDITOR 310-451-5877 [email protected] Joel Jackson CONTRIBUTING EDITOR 407-248-1971 [email protected] of Turf Anthony Pioppi CONTRIBUTING EDITOR 860-344-8895 [email protected] Mark Luce CONTRIBUTING EDITOR 785-841-6044 [email protected] Stewardship Karl Danneberger SCIENCE EDITOR danneberger. 1 @osu.edu Lisa Lehman CORP. CREATIVE DIRECTOR 44O-89I-2785 llehman @advanstar. com Carrie Parkhill ART DIRECTOR 440-891-3101 :parkhill@advanstar. com Mike Klemme PHOTO EDITOR 580-234-8284 mike @golfoto. com Vernon Henry CORP. EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 440-891-2782 vhenry@advanstar. com Lynne Brakeman WEB EDITOR 440-891-2869 Ibrakeman @advanstar. com
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If s 5 a.m. Where Is Does Craig Zellers think that golf perintendents As- It's beautiful here four G@i Pro? professionals don't read Golfdom? sociation of Amer- in February. Just I was quite amused by the article Or that PGA professionals don't ica show several bring your parka. "What's in Store (and What's Not read Golfdom? And if he does times as an ex- in Store) 10 Years Down the think that we read the magazine, hibitor. He came Ban the Road" by Craig F. Zellers (January, why would he suggest such a pre- away impressed Book? page 21). posterous thing like, "A golf pro with the hard work The article "The However, there was one com- would not be likely to show up at and attention su- Book on Bunkers" ment I found to be untrue and a 5:30 and go out with the grounds perintendents by Jon Scott (No- perfect example as to one of the crew to change cups." showed during the show He at- vember 2004, page 72) is signifi- problems that has always faced I cannot say that I get up at 5 tended numerous other trade cantly contrary to the article the golf industry. Zellers states that in the morning to go out with the shows through the years and com- "Bunkers: Hazards or Havens," by one of the things you won't see is crew at my club, but I do go out on mented that nothing compared. Robert Vavrek, in the March 2004 "a golf pro showing up at 5:30 am. the golf course with them as often Conversely, boys will be boys USGA Green Section Record. to go out with the crew to see as possible, as does our director of and some superintendents and Personally, I prefer the USGA what changing a cup is all about" golf, to learn some of the many maybe even an owner or two may approach. I really prefer it. The PGA First of all, I am a golf pro. things that they have to teach cut a class to take in what the article says four things that both- And I have changed cups, but it about agronomy (probably didn't area has to offer, be it golf or ered me enough to take this time: was not at 5:30 a.m.; it was 5 a.m think I knew that word), horticul- gators. But they will be in a vast • "It could be argued that - so I could return to the shop to ture and overall golf course main- minority. Many will head down a bunker maintenance should be as greet the guests in our tourna- tenance. We, the PGA Profession- couple of days early or hang important as greens." If the goal is ment and work all day making als, respect our superintendents around a day or two after for a lit- to make golf even more expen- rulings, doing scores, loading golf and their crews, to the highest de- tle time away from the frozen tun- sive, that's a good idea. cars, shaking hands, putting ice gree. J'm not sure what Zellers was dra Isn't that why the Golf Industry • "Players who hit their ball in out, managing the range, etc., suggesting, but I took exception to Show (GIS) has fallen into a rota- bunkers should have a reasonable etc., etc. And on the same day I the fact that he thinks we don't tion of attractive weather sites and opportunity to make par." Yikes. left at 10 p.m. after doing scoring care. Anytime my superintendent won't be held in Cleveland? Did he not watch the PGA Cham- and pairings for the next day. invites me on the golf course, I Golf course owners (even be- pionship from Whistling Straits or Meanwhile, the superintendent jump at the chance to learn. fore the National Golf Course the U.S. Open at Shinnecock? A was home by 2:30 p.m. because Tony J. Gill, Head Golf Professional Owners Association), club officials reasonable chance for par from he had nothing to do while the The Quarry At La Quinta (Calif.) and maybe even a few Club Man- ANY and ALL bunkers? I'm hid- tournament was going on. And I agers Association of America ing this article. was again there at 5 a.m. to do it Big Brother = Bigger members have been attending the • "If bunkers are supposed to all over again. That was not the Misconception * superintendents' show for years. be more of a penalty to an errant first time I changed cups, nor will Maybe I'm just accustomed to Whether they attend the GIS or shot, why not use water?" Maybe it be the last upbeat articles in the opening not, they need not be concerned it's tough to put water on the side The statement by Zeller is a pages of Golfdom that promote with what's going on as your com- of a hill is one "why not" prime example of Golf Pro vs. Su- the high professional standards mentary may lead them to believe. • He says that the "reason perintendent, and a publication and work ethic of superintendents, Rod Johnson, Certified Superintendent bunkers fail to perform (whatever such as Golfdom should strive to but I must take issue with your Pin Pine Hills Country Club perform means) is because of have parties both work together High column ("Welcome to the Sheboygan, Wis. poor maintenance." Where are my to provide the best product for Show - and 1984," January, page Editor's response: Hey Rod, I nitroglycerin pills? the golfer. Otherwise, how about, 10). The tone of your commentary didn't mean to insinuate that ALL How about in the name of fair "A superintendent who will not is that for years superintendents superintendents are sneaking play, you print the Vavrek article as a have an excuse when the club have been sneaking around dur- around. Believe me, I know they're rebuttal? I circulated it to,my mem- chair wants an answer about any- ing conferences and not attending walking the floors and attending bership, and it was well-received. thing that is wrong." the trade show and educational educational sessions. My point in Walt Gooder, Superintendent Or, "A sales rep who doesn't sessions. This is just not true. The the column had more to do with Country Hills Golf Club promise the world but delivers a numbers of superintendents walk- proper communication between Calgary, Canada small town in West Virginia" ing the show floor and sitting in superintendents and owners than Mike Fields educational sessions are the facts. anything. But I do have a bone to We want to hear from you. You can Director of Golf, PGA Pro In the past I had a club presi- pick with you. Why couldn't Cleve- e-mail your letters to Thomas Skernivitz Kearney Hill Golf Links, Lexington, Ky. dent attend the Golf Course Su- land host the Golf Industry Show? at [email protected]. l (apply Quality products)
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his column is just what the happy-go-lucky Mike Veeck wanted — more ink to pro- Here's to a Good mote his wacky ways. Forgive me, but I've succumbed to Veeck's media magnetism. But and Hearty Laugh TI make no apologies for this column because Veeck is worth writing about. BY LARRY AYLWARD Veeck spoke in December at the Ohio Turf Federations annual conference in Columbus, Veeck's point was that while we say we aren't Ohio. While Veeck didn't talk about turf, he was afraid of taking risks, deep down we are terrified. informative and entertaining. He had people "Why is it we're so afraid of change?" Veeck asked. roaring with laughter one minute and reflecting "Because we don't know how to deal with failure." in their thoughts the next. Here's betting that Veeck doesn't hide the fact that he's failed — word gets out about Veeck's talk and he shows he's been fired four times by Major League Base- up more often on the golf turf show circuit. ball teams for trying promotions that went awry. Veeck is the owner of several minor-league For instance, while disco demolition night at baseball teams and the master of many zany Chicago's Comiskey Park in 1979 was a rousing baseball promotions (he holds disco demoli- 'BE OUTRAGEOUS, success in terms of razing disco records, a near tion night to his credit, among others). Unlike riot broke out at the park and the second game some, such as the brash and bratty Randy BE IRREVERENT of the doubleheader had to be canceled. Hence, Johnson, you can stick a camera in Veeck's Veeck was fired fromhi s promotion's post the face and he'll happily ham it up for you. AND HAVE SOME next day But Veeck didn't hang his head after "I'm a media pimp," the goateed and bushy- the firingbecaus e he knew he used his brain as haired Veeck said with a toothy smile, noting that FUN,'MIKE VEECK best he could to try something original. it's a rule of his to never say "no comment" or talk "Behind our eyes is the greatest machine ever off the record to the media. (By the way, if you known to mankind," Veeck says. "And we "Google" Veeck, you'll find item after item of sto- ADVISES. IT'S GOOD shouldn't squelch it." ries in magazines and newspapers about him.) I've never seen a someone laugh more at him- Veeck is the son of former Major League base- ADVICE FROM ONE self than Veeck did during his talk It's not that he ball team owner, the late Bill Veeck, a dynamic likes to hear himself laugh — he just likes to laugh. baseball owner and promoter and obvious men- WHO KNOWS Laughter, it seems, is Veeck's medicine when tor to his son. Mike is not your typical keynote tough times occur. Veeck told a story about his speaker. Let's just say he's a bit unorthodox in small daughter, who's as happy-go-lucky as her style and substance — but refreshingly so. old man. While she suffers froma n incurable eye There was Veeck, mugging for photographers disease and is going blind, you wouldn't know it at the outset of his speech. "I'm having a very from her attitude, Veeck says "She reminds me bad chin day," he quipped. that the only cure is laughter," he adds. Don't get me wrong. Veeck, who counts Bill If there was a theme to his speech, it was the Murray and Jimmy Buffett as his pals, isn't all importance of laughter. In fact, Veeck could start schtick. He has some influential thoughts, and billing this speech as Jollity 101: The Art and he shared them with attendees of his talk. Importance of Laughter. It's not that what Veeck said contains insight- "Be outrageous, be irreverent and have some ful philosophy that we haven't heard before. But fun," Veeck said before departing the stage. hearing these things from a guy who has tried "What are we going to remember about our trip more things in his life than 10 of us put together through this wonderful life? We're going to seemed to hit home a little harder. remember a little bit of laughter." "Do you remember when you were 3 years Here's to a hearty hoot and howl from the old and so many things were possible?" Veeck deepest part of your tummy. asked in his low, husky voice. "And now you're 33 and not many things are possible." You can [email protected].