EDITORS NOTEBOOK Summer Fun By David Brandenburg, Manager, Rolling Meadows Golf Course

Losses in the Industry - Oliver F. Vogel the Founder of Spring Val- ley Turf of West Bend passed away on Au- gust 13, 2012 at the age of 88. Oliver is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Betty and four children, Kathleen (Gerald) Barbian, Laurie (Alan) Aleksand- rowicz, William (Joyce) Vogel and Randall (Susan) Vogel; grandchildren Brian Bar- bian, Michael Aleksandrowicz, Elizabeth (James) Stamatokos, John (Jennie) Alek- sandrowicz, Lawrence (Sara) Vogel, Julie (Paul) Fagley, Daniel Vogel, Oliver R. Vogel, Alexander (Elizabeth) Vogel, Abigail Vogel; six great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends. He was a lifetime member of David’s Star Evangelical Lutheran Church and a past member of the church council. He started the Cedar Valley 4-H Club which later be- came the Kirchhayn Trotters 4-H Club. He also started the Dairyland Softball League. After his barn was struck by lighting and Stan Zontek at the 1993 GCSAA Conference and Show killed most of his milk cows in April 1954, Oliver started Vogel Seed & Fertilizer (now (Photo from The Grass Roots Archives) known as Spring Valley Turf). He was Presi- bunkers for his golf course superintendent Golf Course Superintendents Association, dent for 35 years. father for $1.10 per hour. His fathers course the Don A Rossi Award from the Golf He was a member of the past Jackson Busi- installed the first ‘Penncross’ bentgrass put- Course Builders Association of America ness Association. In 1970, Oliver was ap- ting green in West Virginia. and the 2007 Crop and Soil Sciences Out- pointed a Director of the Jackson State Bank After high school his interest in turfgrass standing Alumni Award from his alma and also became a Director of the Fertilizer science led him to enroll at Penn State. He mater Penn State. Association. In 1976, he was a member of started his USGA career as an agronomist Along with helping thousands of golf the MATC Advisory Committee. Oliver in the Northeastern Region in 1971. He courses provide better conditions for daily received the Ag. Dealer of the moved to our North Central Region (Now play or national tournaments Zontek also Year Award in 1988. He was a member of the Great Lakes Region) in 1980 before be- helped maintain the putting green at the the Town of Jackson Planning Commission coming the director of the Mid-Atlantic Re- White House. for 22 years and also served as Chairman on gion in 1985. He will be missed by turf enthusiasts ev- the Board of Appeals. Oliver helped start the While in our region Zontek was a con- erywhere. Jackson Senior Citizens organization. tributor to The Grass Roots penning a column called ‘From The Directors Desk’. Weather Extremes The national turf industry was surprised In the November issue of The Grass Roots This summer can be called anything but by the passing of USGA Agronomist Stanley Zontek was awarded the best quote at the normal with the nicest spring weather in J Zontek on August 28, 2012 from a heart 1990 Wisconsin Golf Turf Symposium years followed by heat and drought for attack. with the following statement while dis- most of the state in June and July. They say Zontek joined the USGA in 1971 and was cussing the most indispensable manager politics and weather are local and that was the associations most tenured employee. of a golf club. “Golf is played on grass, not proven this year as the rain was hit and With 41 years of golf course visits, published on a hamburger or on a Izod shirt”. miss through most of July but overall it articles and speaking engagements Zontek Stanley was a true friend of the golf was dry through most of the state. has made friends all over the world. course superintendent and was awarded In Fond du Lac our average high in July Stanley’s introduction to golf was raking the Distinguished Service Award from the was 90.5 with a average low of 67.5.

42 THE GRASS ROOTS JULY / AUGUST 2012 EDITORS NOTEBOOK The heat alone would not have been so bad In seasons or periods like this we find ev- down some days when golfers wisely choose but with high evapotranspiration rates irriga- ery weakness in water supplies, pumpstation to stay in air-conditioned comfort rather than tion systems and water supplies were taxed to output and sprinkler head efficiency. The the steamy links but overall it was a good year the limit or over the limit as some courses had positives to come out of a stressful summer to play golf. to reduce irrigated acres. From June 19 to July are golf course manager know where they can 25th our course had .55” of rain with a total improve their irrigation systems in the future GCSAA ET rate of 6.22. or it if is time to drill a new well or rehab a Early this summer I was able to attend the Here are the ugly numbers from the United old well. GCSAA Professional Development Commit- States Department of Agriculture National The other positive is most golf courses are tee meetings at our headquarters in Lawrence, Wisconsin CropAgricultural Progress StatisticsWisconsin Service Wisconsin Crop Cropdoing fairly Progress well withWisconsin rounds and revenues CropKS. We were Progress able to discuss ways GCSAA can Progress report. with few actual rainouts. For us play was improve they way they educate members. June 25, 2012 July 9, 2012 Vol. 12, No. 12 August 20, 2012 Vol. 12, No. 14 Vol. 12, No. 20 Uneven Rains and High Temps Continue Heat Wave Crests, Breaks Hints of Fall Wisconsin received some much-needed rain this Wisconsin endured anotherSOIL week MOISTURE of brutal heat and Wisconsin saw another weekSOIL of coolerMOISTURE than average SOIL MOISTURE week, with up to 6 inches reported in the northern minimal rainfall, taxing crops,CONDITIONS livestock AS andOF people. temperatures, with thunderstormsCONDITIONS and AS spotty OF rain CONDITIONS AS OF regions. Flooding and standing water in fields were Temperatures soared into theJune triple 24, digits 2012 across much showers. Overnight temperaturesJuly 8, in2012 north-central August 19, 2012 reported in some counties. Rains were lighter across of the state, with daily high temperature records Wisconsin fell into the low forties and upper thirties, the central regions and spotty in the south, where dry broken0 at all five major reporting stations. Nights prompting2 frost protection measures for the cranberry 12 conditions persist. Crops perked up with moisture, but provided7 little relief, with record high overnight lows crop. 17Soil moistures improved slightly in the southern 57 southern Wisconsin needs additional rain badly. observed in several cities. Northern Wisconsin and central parts of the state, but fell in the north. As 66 0 74 13 31 49 Cutworm, armyworm and leafhopper infestations were received some timely rain, allowing5 crops to take corn and soybeans mature, farmers12 continue to 27 0 7 23 0 24 19 being treated in many areas, though rain and winds advantage of the heat. However, non23 -irrigated crops in monitor the damage caused by this summer’s41 drought. 63 62 27 34 hampered spraying for some. There were 4.8 days the drought-stricken southern portions60 of the state Reporters statewide commented that46 poor pollination suitable for fieldwork statewide. 37 and cob fill will affect2 corn yields and silage quality. 0 46 were reportedly in very poor condition.12 Many reporters 1 noted that early planted crops were hanging on, but Crop condition and maturity remained patchy and 1 Across the reporting stations, average temperatures 3 15 this week were 3 to 9 degrees above normal. Average late planted crops were stunted and stressed. Soil widely varied according to soil type and rain received, 12 4 20 51 77 high temperatures ranged from 82 to 88 degrees, moisture was 95-100 percent short 14to very short in with soybeans in overall better condition43 than corn. 39 25 four of 82the nine reporting19 districts. Pastures in these 34 4 while average low temperatures ranged from 60 to 68 43 Pasture conditions ranged18 from 22 percent42 poor to 48 31 areas were11 in very poor55 condition as well, adding to very poor in0 the Northwest5 District to 78 percent poor 31 degrees. Precipitation totals ranged from 0.11 inches 37 14 1 44 in Milwaukee to 2.76 inches in Eau Claire. If you are the stress on herds. Saturday6 finally brought an end to to very poor in the Southwest0 District. A few farmers 60 6 1 0 interested in further weather data, please reference the heat wave as temperatures dropped to more across the state were reportedly chopping silage early 5 State Average the following sites: seasonal levels34 statewide, 57but rain is badly needed. State Averageto supplement short feed supplies. Spraying for weeds 50 55 81 85 State Average Very ShortThere21% were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork this week. Very Shortand 41%insect pests continued. There were 5.7 days 39 33 http://www.noaa.gov/ 41 41 42 40 19 36 Short 24% suitable for fieldwork. 14 Very Short 23% 43 42 http://www.aos.wisc.edu/~sco/ Across the reporting24 stations,2 average8 temperatures Short 32% 5 0 55 Adequate this45% week were 11 to 15 degrees above normal. 1 Short 39% 18 25 http://www.cocorahs.org/ 1 0 0 AdequateAcross26% the reporting0 stations,0 average temperatures 9 Average high temperatures ranged from 92 to 98 0 Adequate 37% http://www.weather.gov/ Surplus 10% Surplusthis week1% were 2 to 5 degrees below normal. Average 0 0 0 degrees, while average low temperatures ranged from Source: USDA, NASS, Wisconsin Field Office. high temperatures ranged from 76 to 78 degrees, Surplus 1% 67 to 74 degrees. Precipitation totals ranged from 0.0 Source: USDA, NASS, Wisconsin Field Office. Corn had an average height of 28 inches statewide. while average low temperatures ranged from 54 to 60 Source: USDA, NASS, Wisconsin Field Office. Corn was reportedly looking good where moisture was inches in La Crosse and Madison to 0.76 inches in degrees. Precipitation totals ranged from 0.27 inches adequate. But reporters in the south noted poor Eau Claire. If you are interested in further weather Wisconsin Crop Conditions as of June 24, 2012 Wisconsinin La Crosse Crop to Conditions 0.82 inchesas inof Green July 8 ,Bay. 2012 If you are emergence, uneven fields, and signs of plant stress data, please reference the following sites: interested in further weather data, please reference Item V.-poor Poor Fair Good Excellent Wisconsin Crop Conditions as of August 19, 2012 due to lack of moisture. http://www.noaa.gov/ Itemthe followingV.- poorsites: Poor Fair Good Excellent Percent Item V.-poor Poor Fair Good Excellent were 60 percent in good to excellent http://www.aos.wisc.edu/~sco/ Percent Soybeans Pasture 8 16 27 41 8 http://www.noaa.gov/ condition on average, though condition was 30 http://www.cocorahs.org/ Pasture 24 24 25 25 2 Percent Oats 1 5 20 65 9 http://www.aos.wisc.edu/~sco/ percent poor to very poor in the South Central district http://www.weather.gov/ Oats 3 8 24 57 8 Pasture 24 30 34 11 1 Corn 4 11 25 45 15 http://www.cocorahs.org/ and 44 percent poor to very poor in the South East Corn 12 19 26 36 7 Corn 14 22 25 31 8 Corn had an average height of 54 inches and was 11 http://www.weather.gov/ Soybeans 5 11 24 49 11 Soybeans 7 17 31 36 9 district. Reporters commented that soybeans percent silking statewide. Reporters across the state Soybeans 11 20 28 36 5 responded well to additional moisture, but weed Source: USDA, NASS, Wisconsin Field Office. Corn was 63 percent in dough stage and 20 percent noted corn curling in the extreme ™heat. Corn on light Source: USDA, NASS, Wisconsin Field Office. Source: USDA, NASS, Wisconsin Field Office. pressure was high where weather conditions denting statewide. Though chopping of drought Daconilsoils was reportedly Action in need of addit ionalFungicide, moisture prevented timely spraying. damaged corn continued this week, silage harvest even in areas that have received rain. Progress of Oats Headed Degrees hasDaily not Maximum begun Highin earnest. Temperatures, July 2-8, 2012 Oats were 89 percent headed statewide. Reporters F Corn in Dent Stage SoybeansWisconsin,were 16 June percent 24, 2002 -2012blooming this week. from Grant and Trempealeau County noted oats being 110 Soybeans were 93 percent setting pods this week. State Average for August 19, 2002-2012 A NewReporters Eranoted that soybeanin growthTurfgrass had halted in Management Percent harvested this week. 100 Two percent of the crop had leaves turning, compared some areas due to lack of moisture. 89 105 to 0 percent last year and a 1 percent five-year 30 Second cutting hay was 42 percent harvested, 34 78 76 80 Oats were 14 percent harvested for grain. This is 2-3 100 24 percentage points above the previous record year. 68 average. Reporters noted that much of the soybean 25 weeks earlier than average. crop® has bounced back after recent rains. Weeds and Heavy rain halted haying in the north. Third crop 60 45 54 59 47 95 20 The power of the active ingredient contained in Daconil fungicide combined 19 regrowth was slow in the south due to droughty Second cutting hay was 87 percent harvested. The spider mites remain a concern in some areas. 20 40 35 90 16

Percent 30 29 conditions. with a revolutionarythird cutting was Turf5 percent Protein complete, Booster compared to results 0 in longer,Oats harvestmore wasefficient, wrapping upand with 97 percent 15 20 percent last year and a 0 percent five-year average. 85 complete this week. A reporter from Shawano County Winter wheat was ripening quickly. Reporters in 9 8 broader spectrumYield and quality turfgrass of the third crop disease are reportedly control. poor Statewide Normal Range 10 southern Wisconsin anticipated harvest will begin in 80 commented that some producers were planting oats 6 the next week or two. Fruit and vegetable crops were 0 due to insect damage and short moisture. In the driest for fall forage. 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 5 3 2 boosted by the rains this week, where received. The areas, growth of the third crop has reportedly halted. 75 - Boosts turfgrass naturalYear defense proteins (PR2-Jul proteins)Third3-Jul cutting4-Jul hay was5-Jul 93 percent6-Jul harvested7-Jul , and8- Julthe 0 0 cranberry crop was reportedly looking strong, with all Winter wheat harvest was speeding along in southern 0 % Headed 10-yr Avg Greenfo urthBay cuttingEau Claire was 24 Lapercent Crosse harvestedMadison . A reporterMilwaukee in varieties blooming in Oneida County. A reporter from - Enhancesand central overall Wisconsin, plant with good health yields reported for Waupaca County noted some fifth crop hay being cut. 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Crawford County noted that apple and other fruit trees both grain and straw. Potatoes were blooming and Quality and yield reports varied greatly. Year were dropping fruit due to the hot, dry conditions. reportedly in good condition in Oneida, Langlade, Reporters statewide noted that this year’s strawberry - IncreasesDunn and tolerancePortage counties to .environmentalEarly potatoes were stresses, likeVine droughtkilling has reportedly begun in the potato fields % Dented 10-yr Avg season was shorter than usual due to the heat. being dug in Portage County. Blueberries were being of Oneida County, with early red varieties being dug. - Suppressespicked in Chippewa, activity Eau Claireof fungi, and Portage bacteria, counties. viruses, andReports abiotic on sweet diseases corn and other vegetable quality were mixed, with irrigated crops in very good condition. Wisconsin Crop Progress, July 8, 2012 Wisconsin CropTo Progress, learn Junemore 24, 2012 about Daconil Action, visitDistrict DaconilAction.com average or contact:State average Crop and percent Wisconsin Crop Progress, August 19, 2012 District average State average This Last Last 5-year Crop and percent of acreage NW NC NE WC C EC SW SC SE District average State average week week year average of acreage This Last Last 5-year Crop and percent NW NC NE WC C EC SW SC SE This Last Last 5-year Phil SpitzAverage corn height (in.)week 51week 56year 55average61 46 46 52 of59 acreage51 54 NW 40 NC37 NE WC45 C EC SW SC SE week week year average Average corn height (in.) 21 19 29 29 25 16 34Corn silked34 29 28 718 217 9 22 13 6 4 17 13 17 11 1 0 2 Oats headed 80 85 97 85 81 Cell:94 414-429-201591Soybeans100 blooming100 89 1072 2229 17 53 12 10 13 Corn12 in dough18 stage29 16 60 3 85 1060 1368 56 43 83 63 45 63 42 52 48 Second cutting hay 17 13 50 34 38 51 57Oats Harvested65 52 42 024 0 0 2 2 27 4 13 Corn24 in dent26 stage21 14 9 2 27 0 18 270 11 7 34 24 6 20 6 6 10 Source: USDA, NASS, Wisconsin Field Office. [email protected] cutting hay 75 71 95 89 80 85 Soybeans95 98 setting 84pods 87 93 68 94 43100 3793 91 91 95 99 76 93 81 86 83 Third cutting hay 2 0 5 1 4 7 Oats11 Harvested10 5 5 96 n.a. 94 0100 1000 100 94 100 100 100 97 91 78 78 Source: USDA, NASS, Wisconsin Field Office. Third cutting hay 89 89 99 94 87 94 99 95 88 93 88 70 57 Fourth cutting hay 17 2 36 21 19 38 25 33 12 24 11 1 1 Source: USDA, NASS, Wisconsin Field Office.

©2011 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using these products. The instructions contain important conditions of sale, including limitations of warranty and remedy. Daconil Action is not currently registered for sale or use in all states. Please check with your state or local extension service before buying or using this product. Daconil,® Daconil Action,™ the Purpose icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-800-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368). EDITORS NOTEBOOK

Changes in technology has made reach- change to those looking to save money but time away from home. ing and educating members easier and less still participate in the tournament. Having the tournament in the same city expensive. Webinars allow golf course su- The other major change is to shorten the as the conference will eliminate any sites perintendents around the globe to follow time away from home and work by having with questionable winter weather. and interact with a presenter in any class- the championship on Monday and Tues- room. day. This will mean attendees will have Future Golf Industry Show Sites The committee discussed job satisfaction, to choose between golf and seminars on job security, superintendents relationship those days but can still attend seminars on with the pro and club manager, the com- Friday. 2013 - San Diego pensation survey and membership stan- Saturday will be practice rounds fol- 2014 - Orlando dards. lowed by Fourball on Sunday. The Na- 2015 San Antonio I would encourage any WGCSA member tional Championship and Golf Classic will 2016 - San Diego to volunteer for committee service. The be played on Monday and Tuesday with a 2017 - Orlando only cost to your family or club is your new Shamble or similar event on Monday time away as GCSAA picks up all travel for those who just want to play for fun. cost. It is a rewarding experience and al- Attendance at the tournament has Through the new Melrose Scholarships lows you to fully appreciate all the national dropped over the past 15 years especially 20 GCSAA members can apply for free at- association does for and has to offer to the for Wisconsin players. Hopefully this tendance and travel to the Golf Industry average member. change will make the tournament more Show. The deadline is September 15th and accessible and although I am a casual play- it is for members who have not attended There are some welcome changes coming er I am considering getting in the event. the show in the past 5 years. to the GCSAA golf tournament. Toro will The format of the conference and show continue to be the sponsor and the biggest will be the same as last year with seminars Awards and Best Lists. change will be having the tournament in on Monday, Tuesday and Friday with the Quite a few Wisconsin courses have been the same area as the GCSAA Conference Golf Industry Show on Wednesday and recognized by different golf publications and Golf Industry Show rather than a flight Thursday. Attendees have stressed they for their quality facilities or architecture. or long drive away. This will be a welcome want to fit the show in a week to reduce

44 THE GRASS ROOTS JULY / AUGUST 2012 EDITORS NOTEBOOK

Golf Digest recently listed America’s “most Lawsonia Links Course has the summer gone? On one hand it fun” courses. On the public list The Links Congratulations to these and all the great feels like it should only be July 20th but Course At Lawsonia in Green Lake came designs in Wisconsin. on the other hand it feels like it should be in at number 13 while the Seth Raynor mid October and we should be bringing in designed Blue Mound Golf and Country Lets Party and Remember ballwashers for the winter. Club in Wauwatosa came in at 41 in the Kurt Roskopf is organising a get-together Our summer staff had 5 high school seniors private list. to allow friends of his father Don “Red” on it and 4 of them left the area for college Roskopf to gather and remember him. so the job board shrunk substantially the In the Golfweeks Best Courses You Can Red was a leader in the golf industry as a past two weeks as they and 3 others started Play in 2012 the Wisconsin list includes: active member in the WGCSA, WTA and school for the year. Whistling Straights, Kohler GCOW along with hours of time given to We are happy each spring when our hard Blackwolf Run River Course, Kohler the Lions Club and Knights of Columbus. working well meaning students start to re- Lawsonia Links Course, Green Lake Red passed away on August 3, 2011. The lieve some of the workload but we are just as Irish Course, Kohler event will be held on Sunday Sept 30th at happy to see them go each September. Erin Hills, Hartford the Golf Club at Camelot. I will be attend- They “kids” still make me smile every day The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, Sheboygan ing and hope to see you there. but in many ways the smaller staff allows Falls Attendees can just gather at the club for James and I to do actual work and planning University Ridge, Madison socializing and watching the Packer game for the future without one of them standing Troy Burne, Hudson or they can sign up for 9 or 18 holes. You eagerly in front of us waiting for instructions. Blackwolf Run Meadow Valley Course, can find more information with a quick “Kids” and “Old Guys”, what would we do Kohler internet search or by contacting Kurt at without them? For us they do most of the Geneva National Palmer Course, Lake Geneva. 262-720-7031 or [email protected]. actual work so we appreciate they choose to Reservations are requested by Sept 23. spend the season with us. On Golfweeks Best Resort Courses list the following Kohler Courses made the top With both our kids in college Noelle and I 100. are empty nesters for the first time in 21 years 4 - Whistling Straights, Straights Course so that will start a new time in our lives. I can 15 - Blackwolf Run’s River Course tell the prospective college parents moving a 38 - Whistling Straights Irish Course boy into the dorms is a lot easier than mov- 85 - Blackwolf Run Meadow Valley Course ing a girl into the dorms. Less clothes and a lot less stuff period! Washington County Golf Course in Hart- Around our house grocery shopping and ford came in at 31 in Golfweeks Best Mu- cooking will be easier and the house should nicipal Courses. be a breeze to clean up. I will have to go back Don Roskopf at the 1988 WTA to taking out the garbage and cleaning the On the Classic Design List from Golfweek Field Day with Terry Kurth bathroom. Milwaukee Country Club came in at 37 (photo from The Grass Roots Archives) Hopefully we are not just sleeping in front while Lawsonia Links came in at 55. of the television at 7:30 PM. It will take a few Miscellaney weeks just to get the house to the way we Making the Modern Design top 100 List For my time as business manager for The want it and some of the kids “treasures” into from Golfweek were Whistling Straits, The Grass Roots issue after issue editor Monroe storage in the basement. I will stay busy with Straits Course at number 4 and Blackwolf Miller would tell me this is the latest and the magazine and village board and Noelle Run, River Course at 47. issue has ever come out. I am sure some of stays busy with card making and scrapbook- them were later than normal but I can say ing along with keeping up with the kids. On the top Wisconsin Courses I can say I have him beat with this one. The I wish everyone a great fall period with the list includes: issue is later than I planned but computer good business and a time of personal recov- Whistling Straits, Straits Course and e-mail issues along with summer and ery as long hot days are replaced with 8 hour Milwaukee C.C. everything that goes with it seemed to get cool fall workdays. Good luck with aerifica- Blackwolf Run River Course in the way of writing and editing. tion and fall maintenance to your courses to Whistling Straits G.C. Irish Course On the positive the readers will have build up healthy plants for winter. Oneida G. & C.C. more time to read the issue thouroughly Hopefully the weather allows for continued Blackwolf Run Meadow Valley Course with the summer stress behind us. play and revenue for courses throughout the SentryWorld G.C. Badger State well into mid fall. Blue Mound G. & C.C. It is hard to believe it will be past Labor The Bull at Pinehurst Farms day when your receive this issue. Where Happy September!

THE GRASS ROOTS JULY / AUGUST 2012 45