Mid-Atlantic Association of ^¡¡¡fr Golf Course Superintendents NEWSLETTER ifîri

VOLUME XXXX JULY 1987 NUMBER 5

Presidents Message July Meeting . . .

Our thanks again to Jim Kelly, our June meeting host, for showing us so much of that great eastern shore hospitality. The meeting, speaker, lunch, and golf all went well, until — we can hardly blame Jim for the rain, can we? Those of you that didn't stay for a Columbia Country Club and Ken few crabs at the Red Roost missed a real treat. That was a long Ingram are pleased to host the July 14th -rnJ^1 home though, it once again made me »ealtze what our meeting of the MAAGCS. One of Wash- members on the shore do each month to attend our meetings. ington's oldest clubs, its roots date back I want to extend a special thanks to the members that made the 1889 when nine men formed an organi- trip, we wanted to prove that it works both ways. zation and built a nine hole course near Those of you that didn't attend the meeting missed the the Soldier's Home in northeast Wash- awarding of a plaque and honorary membership to our long ington. Forced to move when they lost time friend and member Lou White. Lou was the Superin- their lease in 1908, the original nine pur- tendent at Green Hill when he retired after over 20 years of chased the present property, sold mem- service to his club and our association. berships and built the clubhouse and Columbia Country Club and Dr. Houston B. Couch have set course which are still in use today. us up for a record turn out for this July meeting. Reservations are The golf course was designed by a again a must if you want to eat and play golf. The attendance at this meeting could break committee chaired by Dr. Walter S. our attendance record of 135. Dr. Couch has personally promised me to bring a new Harbane, dentist to several Presidents, disease to the meeting so if you want your share be there. with several prominent golf professionals Hold on to your hats! It looks like another crazy Washington summer doesn't it? consulting. Ten years later, Walter Travis Come to the meetings and share your problems and your solutions with your fellow was hired to make alterations in prepara- Superintendents. Believe me it helps to know you aren't the only one with problems, tion for the 1921 U.S. Open. According to see you at the meeting. Dr. Fred Grau, the Open ironically was played on dead greens due to dollar spot Lee Dieter, President damage brought on by over fertilization with crude fertilizers. Regardless, they played and the Open was won by Long , with and "Where the Skies are not Cloudy All Day" Columbia's pro Fred McLeod tied for second. A belated hello to all my friend and fellow supers in the Mid-Atlantic! Also, a warm The current course is virtually un- and sincere thank you for the beautiful gifts and breakfast at BCC before my heading changed from the layout of the 1921 U.S.

-M£L - t _ Open course. Two greens, #5 and #18 The butterflies of a new joLThave subsided and I am starting to settle in. The job and were rebuilt orTsite in 1968. The 15th and area are even better than my expectations. Temperatures have been around 100 each 16th holes were rebuilt on site with minor day but I have yet to use the air conditioning at home and only use it in the car to keep changes to USGA specs when they were the dust out. I thought it was raining the other night and rished to the window — it was destroyed in 1980 by a WSSC pipeline. only the lawn sprinklers — dream on! The fact that these four new greens are A super in the valley called Paradise phoned me the first day on the job and wanted the most unpopular with the member- to play golf. I explained to him patiently, yet firmly, that not all of us have a "cushey" job. ship certainly gives credence to the belief I think his name was Bill, or Em, or Bit "E" — he'll probably be all right once I get to that members prefer the old holes no know him. matter how good the rebuilding job! Please welcome Marty at BTC to the Mid-Atlantic. He's a good man; Philly's loss is At Columbia, Bentgrass is a weed on the Mid-Atlantic's gain. the greens with perennial Poa annua the I am excited about learning new facets of our profession here — the Desert. I think desired turf. The best green has red clay I'm already pretty much up on the horticultural end of things — it has spines, it's called six inches under the turf and tree roots in cactus. There are a lot of cactus down here; so far, I haven't seen anything without the bottom of the cup. Figure that one spines! out! Tees have six different grasses, seven Also, the Lely Mass Output Ring is used for overseeding and the Lely Seed Ring is if you count goosegrass. Fairways are used for topdressing. Rainbird is the official state bird and Toro the official state pro- ryegrass with good bermuda on the hill- tected animal. sides. Prograss has drastically improved In signing off to those friends and supers I hold dear, I can think of nothing more summer playing conditions — no more appropriate than, "The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one dollar spot and afternoon wilting. from another". Small fairways are mowed with tri- God Bless, plexes, large ones with a Jacobsen F-10. Virgil (Continued on page 2) Mid-Atlantic Association of Your Help Please ... Perennials by Brian K. Finger Golf Course Superintendents Tom Regan, our Finance Chairman, NEWSLETTER would like to have an idea of how many Perennials make the existence of low- MAAGCS members would be interested maintenance flower gardens a reality. A Published by this Association to aid the in purchasing dry goods through the majority of our most beautiful and advancement of the Golf Course Super- association. dependable flowers are in fact perennials. intendent through education and merit. Tom has contacted numerous sales One reason for the increased interest persons and a minimum order is required. in perennials is the relatively recent intro- George Renault, C.G.C.S. He also needs to know if you would be duction of container grown plants. Editor interested in having the MAAGSC crest Therefore, you can purchase and plant 1987 Officers and Directors or the words "Mid-Atlantic Superin- them with hardly any transplant shock. tendent" in script. This increased interest has resulted in a President Lee Dieter Items to be made available are: Shirts large number of new and improved Vice President George Renault (100% cotton or 55/45 blend); Jackets varieties of many standard perennials. Secretary Bill Neus (lined); Sweaters (orlon); and baseball There is such a variety available that Treasurer Walter Montross style hats. you can find plants for border plantings, President Emeritus .... Gerald Gerard If you're interested in ordering, give ground covers, various seasonal flower- Educational Steve Cohoon Tom a call so that he can wrap up the final ing and heights, or gardens for sun or Membership Russell Bateman arrangements. Remember, we're order- shade. Additionally, perennials come Golf Nick Vance ing dry goods rather than maintaining an back every year and usually survive no Social & Benevolence Steve Nash inventory, so get your requests in. matter what kind of maintenance they Editorial & Publicity .... Letter Tanner receive. . • •,.--»•.• .„• Finance Tom Regan Following are a few that I have grown with success and give a long period of bloom. On the Tee ... Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) This perennial grows to 2' or 4' and It's been an interesting spring so far. JULY MEETING produces pink daisy like flowers about 3' Our weather patterns seem to be mimick- (Continued from page 1) in diameter. It likes a well-drained sandy ing the stock market with its wide climatic soil but is very drought tolerant. Will take swings. As we move into what has all the Irrigation is city water with Moody medal sun or part shade. Blooms in midsummer makings of another challenging summer, M controllers centrally located, center but the blooms last for a long time. I have it was nice to have Jim Pfafflin of the row coverage. The biggest course prob- found it beneficial to cut off the old Performance Institute of Washington, lems are old grasses, old members, old blooms to encourage additional flower- D.C. provide some perspective and equipment, old irrigation, old greens ing. There is a white form available called pointers on handling the stress that goes crew, and a superintendent who likes old "White Luster". things! with our territory. Gaillardia or Blanket Flower The day's events involve lunch which We certainly lucked out on the wea- is available anytime after 11:30 in the ther for Ladies Night with clear skies and There are many varieties available, Men's or Mixed Grill; golf after 11:00. sparkling stars as we cruised up the Poto- ranging from the small grower "Goblin" Note that Columbia is a caddy club and mac on the "Spirit of Washington" on to larger varieties "Burgundy" and use of a caddy is mandatory if one if avail- June 6th. The evening was delightfully "Dazzler". Gaillardias like full sun and a able, even if you take a cart. Caddy fees relaxed and the view from the river cer- light soil. However, I've grown them in are $25 double 18 holes, and $6 per rider tainly underscores why visitors to our clay with some peat mixed in thoroughly. on carts. Carts are $14 and Columbia nation's capital find it captivating. How- Flowers are various combinations of red prefers one caddy and cart per foursome. ever, if you think that the event passed and yellow and daisy like. Bloom from Complete lockerroom service is avail- without challenge, you should have been June until frost. able. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. with a cash in this driver's car as we motored up hill In many cases the old crown of the bar. A buffet dinner is scheduled for- and down dale in pursuit of that rarest of plant dies, but new growth-appcowotftW- 7 p.m. at an estimated cost of $20. Note rare — a parking space during Riverfest! crown in addition to plenty of seedlings that the golf shop will be open afterwards All that effort made the evening doubly each spring. enjoyable and the corsages and Godiva for prize redemption. Remember to Coreopsis or Tickseed RSVP at (301) 381-0030. Dr. Houston chocolate favors certainly did wonders Couch will be our guest speaker for the for our ladies' sore feet. The many variations available offer a evening educational program. Congratulations to Dave Anderson on wide range of heights and textures al- a successful tournament at T.P.C. Avenel. though most have yellow flowers. All are DIRECTIONS: From 495 take exits 33 The players seemed to enjoy themselves summer bloomers, like full sun and most (Connecticut Avenue South), continue 3 and the hole layouts certainly provided are very drought tolerant. /4 mile to club on the right. Address is excellent viewing for the gallery. Two that have done well for me are 7900 Connecticut Avenue. Congratulations to Lou White for Lance Coreopsis (C. Lanceolata) "Culti- receiving an Honorary Membership var Sunray". This cultivar grows V/i to 2' from the Mid-Atlantic Golf Course high and has double yellow flowers. Superintendent's Association. Formal Threadleaf Coreopsis (C. verticillata) New presentation was made at Green Hill cultivar "Golden Shower" grows 2'-3'and Members/ Yacht and Country Club on June 9th. Lou has yellow flowers. Reclassifications was Superintendent at Green Hill for There are some excellent books avail- some 23 years and normally attended able on the subject. One of these is Craig Shaff, Class F monthly meetings as well as served on "Taylor's Guide to Perennials" which is Sales Representative, Lesco the Board of Directors. We hope to con- available at most bookstores. This con- tinue seeing you at our monthly meet- tains detailed information on the wide Chris Johnson, Class F ings for another 23 years and again, range available and provides good color Sales Representative, Wimmer & Wimmer congratulations! photos. JUST HOW TOXIC ARE THE CHEMICALS WE ARE USING ON OUR COURSES? by Dr. Paul Sartoretto

The following presentation by Dr. Paul In my talk I make a general broad vaporized and that he breathed in a Sartoretto of the W.A. Cleary Chemical statement that all the insoluble pesticides sufficient amount of it to poison him. I will Corp., was made April 9 at Columbia CC. can be tank mixed and sprayed and you now show you how doubtful this mode of The audience was composed of a regional will not incur phototoxicity. The reason is toxicity is with respect to Daconil. U.S.G.A. rep meeting with supt's, man- obvious. Even though the insolubles have Whereas the grass plant breathes agers, professionals and other golf enthu- to be ground down to micron size in through stomates and receives nutrition siasts. Questions regarding this informa- order to get them to disperse in water, the not only through the stomates but also tion can and should be forwarded to Dr. micron particles are too large to diffuse the roots, we humans breathe through Sartoretto at (201) 247-8000or through our through the stomates. They have to be our lungs and receive nutrition through local contact Don Cherry (804) 740-5656. thousands of times smaller, actually our mouth, and then via the alimentary The issue is and will remain a "hot potato" molecular in size and in solution to diffuse canal, by digestion into the blood stream. for some time to come. While we cannot into the cells of the grass blade. We measure toxicity primarily by the offer the LD^ table referred to, please The same principle applies to our minimum lethal dosage necessary to kill feel free to contact Dr. Sartoretto (via outer skin. The insolubles cannot be an animal by ingestion. Let us use aspirin W.A. Cleary) to receive a copy. Hopefully absorbed through our pores because the as a bench mark to compare with our this information will help when you're particles are too large, and only the solu- pesticides. It takes 1750 milligrams of questioned about your chemicals or you bles that are molecular in size can diffuse aspirin for every kilogram of body weight Overhear someone presenting 'myth as through the skin. -^mBI to kill 50% of the animals ingesting it Trie fact. You can take a certain amount of MLD^Q of aspirin is 1750 — that's about 6 "For the past fifteen years I have been comfort in knowing that you work with a aspirin tablets. An adult weighing 50 kg going around the country speaking at large number of insolubles and that they (110 lbs.) by extrapolation would die from regional or monthly meetings of the Golf cannot penetrate our tough outer layer of 50 times the dosage or 300 aspirin tablets. Course Superintendents on the subject of skin, and can conclude that epidermal In actuality 10 times the dosage or 60 tank mixing pesticides with the emphasis toxicity with insolubles (wettable pow- aspirin is fatal — 17.5 grams about 2/3 of on compatibility and avoiding phototox- ders and flowables) is non-existent to a an ounce. Reference is Merck Index. icity. as you will see, primarily because of very high degree. But Daconil 2787 has an LD5()of 10,000 the close similarity of the toughness of the From what you have learned thus far mg. That is six times safer than aspirin. epdermis of the grass blade and our outer you can see how doubtful the claim was That golfer would have had to ingest 100 skin. that a golfer died as the result of dermal grams or over 3 ounces of Daconil to have The skin of the grass blade has its exposure to Daconil 2787 which is an killed him. That's unlikely. stomates through which air and water insoluable and was sprayed on the grass. pass in and out. Whereas our skin has No way could Daconil have diffused into This article will be continued in the next pores through which water diffuses. his body. It could be argued that Daconil issue of the MAAGCS newsletter.

personal instruction by the area's teach- Orazi; Low net - George Renault; 2nd Watson Recognized ing professionals. net - Jim Kelly; 3rd net - Ken Ingram. "'s creativity and willing- Guest Category: Low gross - Jack By the GCSAA ness to contribute both personal time Montecalvo; 2nd gross - Kevin Mathias; and finances into this program benefit Low net - Doug Sanner; 2nd net - Phillip Tom Watson may be better known for everyone involved with the game," said Pennsinger. hie \/ibefore Rritk^ Qpon i i Open an4 DonaTd E. Hearn, CGCS, president "of other golf championship performances, GCSAA. Points Awarded Totals but, to the many thousands of youngsters "Volunteerism is a major catalyst to Nick Vance 7 17 in his hometown of Kansas City, he's the the success of a program like this. The George Renault 10 15 "man who started them in golf." unselfish dedication by the KC Parks and Steve Potter 51/2 141/2 Watson's "Clubs for Kids" program Recreation folks, plus that of the PGA and Tom Regan 6 13 was honored in Kansas City on June 6 by GCSA, can't help but create better rela- Bob Orazi 5 13 the Golf Course Superintendents Associ- tionships and encourage additional 5V2 12 ation of America (GCSAA) for his "insight Wally Whetzel growth to the game." 8 10 and vision in bringing the sport of golf Ken Ingram 9 into the lives of numerous youths, there- Jim Kelly 9 by enriching the dimensions of their Grant Pennsinger 2 m 1 experience." Golf Results... June Howard Gaskill 3 /2 7V:2 With volunteer assistance from the Steve Cohoon 3 7 Ben Stagg 7 7 Kansas City Parks and Recreation Depart- Our monthly meeting at Green Hill ment, the PGA Midwest section and the Yacht & CC fielded the second round of The list continues; if you would like to Heart of American Golf Course Superin- our match play tournament. Inclement know where you stand, Nick Vance will tendents Association, the "Clubs for weather tested both the golfers and be glad to answer your questions. A Kids" program has become a model for tournament director. An amended scor- remainder, the third round of our golf other golf professionals and their home ing procedure was used to decide low tournament will be played at Columbia communities. gross and low net winners after which Country Club. The fourth round will be More than 1,000 young golfers attend points were awarded and totaled. Results played at Twin Lakes, September 8 with the bi-yearly event, which includes a were as follows: Low gross - Nick Vance; the final round being played Novem- clinic by Watson plus club fittings and 2nd gross - Tom Regan; 3rd gross - Bob ber 10 at Herndon Golf Club. Par-Ex Professional Products Slow Release Fertilizer with IBDU, IBDU/SCU Mid-Atlantic Newsletter Supporters R.A. "Dick" Doyle 301-357-8056 Estech, Inc., P.O. Box 512, Winter Haven, Florida 33882-0512 813-294-2567 Aqua-Flo, Inc. G.L Cornell Company Buckner, L.R Nelson, Nightscaping, Pierre fit- Jacobsen Turf Equipment Terry Hill tings, PVC pipe, Could pumps, Pump station Cushman Turf Trucksters Russ Bull Pro-Lawn Products, Inc. fabrication and design Ryan Turf Equipment Bob Lynch Technical and Planning Services, Professional UF & SCU Fertilizers, Pesticides (Fungicides, Herbi- Phillip F. DeMarco 1-BOO-524-0895 Bean Sprayers, National Mowers Bill Brown cides, Insecticides, etc.), Turf Seeds (Bents, Ryes, Rick Hill, Front Royal, VA 703-635-7155 Standard, Par Aide Golf Supplies Randy Reed Club Car, Columbia Par Car Blues, Fescues, etc.). Soil Amendments, Limestone Products. Atlas Stump Removal 301-948-2000 800-492-1373 Tree Pruning & Removal, Chipper Rental 981 Hacienda Ct., Westminster, Md. 21157 Tom Malehorn 301-8787474 Bob Tasker, Cheryl Guynn (301) 649-1200 Hartford Industrial Minerals, Inc., loppa Md. Precision Topdressing and Bunker Sand. Centreville Sod Growers Russell Roberts Co., Inc. Jack Montecalvo Baltimore: 301-679-9191 Bluegrass, Sod Blends and Turf-type Tall Fescues. Golf Course Architect and Builder. Irrigation sys- Sheldon & Craig Betterly 703-361-8338 tems and Pumping Stations. Lea's Green Meadows, Inc. Jack Roberts 301-253-4066 Fertilizers, Chemicals, Grass Seed, Spreaders, Conway, Inc. Russell Roberts 301-762-3270 Honda Generators, Sandancers, Shindaiwa Gas Power Sprayers, Tools, Safety Equipment and Supplies. Trimmers, Ransomes Bob-Cats, Hanson Sprayers, Scott's Proturf Division Herb Lea, Harry Fridley 202-4881818 Turf Vac, Terra Aerators, Chain Saws and Pumps. Slow Release Fertilizers, Herbicides, Goosegrass & Dick jones, Jim Duvall Wash: 301-953-9220 Pendimethalin "New" Fungicide Flowables Lebanon Total Turf Care — A Division of Lebanon Jar qui Kildale Bait: 301-792-7383 "New" Insecticides, seed and growth regulators Chemical Corporation "New" Cornell Chemical & Equipment Co., Inc. Manufacturers and Formulators of Country Club, Mike Layle 804-565-2763 Greenskeeper and Lebanon Professional Turf Golf Course Chemicals. Ken Cominsky, 668 Marr Dr., Warrenton, VA Product Fertili—

Finch Golf & Turf Company Newsom Seed Co., Rockville, MD Turf Center, Inc. John Deere Golf and Turf Equipment Mowing Grass Seed. New Varieties, Custom Mixes, Ferti- Premium Turf (Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Bermuda- Machines, Grinders and Reels. 1127 Littles Town lizers and Chemicals. grass, Zoysia), Vaughan's Grass Seed, Fertilizer. ' Pike, P.O. Box 565, Westminster. MD 21157. Strick Newsom 301-762-20% Diana Patton, Emory Patton 301-384-6300 Mike Witt, Ray Finch and Scott Johnson In State. 1-800-445-5119 Out of State. Turf Equipment and Supply Company, Inc. 1-800-233-7404 Toro Turf Equipment and Irrigation Products, Olathe Turf Equipment, Giant Vac Blowers, Vacs, Truck Loaders, Daihatsu Utility Vehicles and

Mid-Atlantic Association of i irst Class Mail Lynn Matson, Bill Hughes, Gary Phillips, Lance Ernst, Paul Standerfer Golf Course Superintendents Wash: 301-621-2975 Bait. 301-7985576 NEWSLETTER

George Renault, C.G.C.S., Editor 10323 Emerald Rock Drive Oakton, VA 22124 (703) 385-8121 m iiiiiiiinG"^'

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