Top Ten Florida 'Diseases'

8 ADVERTISER INDEX

FALL 2007 Aerification Plus ...... 28 Parkway Research ...... 35 Agrotain International ...... 25 Phoenix Environmental Services ...... 27 Published four times a year: Almar Turf Supply ...... 8 Pike Creek Turf Farms ...... 62 On the 25th of January, April, July and October Amerigrow Golf ...... 37 Planet Air ...... 59 EDITOR Joel Jackson, CGCS 6780 Tamarind Circle Arysta ...... 46 Ragan Technical ...... 44 Orlando, FL 32819 Beeman’s Nursery ...... 39 Regal Chemical Co...... 15 407-248-1971 voice/fax [email protected] President Matt Taylor Calusa GCSA ...... 31 Rymatt Golf ...... 14 Royal Poinciana GC Central Florida GCSA ...... 11 Seaisle One Growers ...... 63 PO Box 7039 PUBLICATIONS CHAIR Shane Bass Naples, FL 34101 St. James Bay GC Classic Greens ...... 8 ShowTurf of South Florida .....Back Cover 239-261-4987 201 Crooked River Rd. Carabelle, FL 32346 Coastal Equipment Systems, Inc...... 41 Sod Solutions ...... 57 VicePresident Shane Bass, CGCS (850) 528-3839 Country Club Services ...... 9 South Florida Grassing ...... 7 St. James Bay GC 201 Crooked River Rd. EDITOR EMERITUS Dan Jones, CGCS Disbrow Enterprises ...... 1 Spread-Rite ...... 44 Carabelle, FL 32346 Oviedo Emerald Tree ...... 51 Syngenta ...... 13, 53 850-528-3839 60 25 COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Copyright 2007, Florida Golf Course Florida Turf Support ...... 29 Tampa Bay Turf ...... 47 Secretary/Treasurer Bill Kistler Superintendents Association. All rights reserved. May not be Tampa Palms G&CC reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of Golf Agronomics Supply ...... 6 TifEagle Growers Association ...... 43 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd., the FGCSA. EXCEPTION: Official publications of all golf course Golf Ventures ...... 45 TifSport Growers Association ...... 5 Tampa, FL 33647 superintendent associations affiliated with the Golf Course 813-972-3375 4 SPOTLIGHT: CHANGING OF THE GUARD Superintendents Association of America are welcome to use any Green-Way ...... 21 Tifton Physical Lab ...... 27 New Association Manager Jennifer Innes was presented to the members at the material contained herein provided they give credit and copyright Past President Craig Weyandt notice. Harrell’s ...... 3 TMI Turf Merchants ....Inside Back Cover The Moorings Club annual Florida Turfgrass Association Conference and Show in Estero; two Howard Fertilizer & Chemical Co...... 16 Tom Burrows Turfgrass Services ...... 48 100 Harbour Drive Presidents Awards were announced, and two new directors were seated SUBSCRIPTIONS: $20 for four issues. Contact the FGCSA office. Vero Beach, FL 32963 Kilpatrick Turf ...... 45 Toro Distributors of Florida ...... 32 772-2 31-4996 ADVERTISING: For rates and information, contact the FGCSA Kubota Tractor Corp...... 23 Turf EcoSystems ...... 61 COVER STORY: KINGSWAY COUNTRY CLUB office at 800-732-6053 DIRECTORS 18 Laserturf Leveling ...... 48 UAP ...... 55 Architect Ron Garl and the members of Kingsway Country Club made some great EDITORIAL: All inquiries should be directed to the editor, Joel CALUSA Nancy Miller Lesco, Inc ...... 49 Upstart Products ...... 44 lemonade from the lemons Hurricane Charlie left behind when it flattened Jackson, CGCS. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs Maple Leaf G&CC Liquid Ag Systems ...... 38 941-255-3677 the course Aug. 13, 2005. Its signature feature had been trees; cannot be returned. CENTRAL FLORIDA Gary Myers, CGCS now it's waste areas... and the members couldn't be happier. Walt Disney World CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE 407-824-3030 CALL FOR ARTICLES Davis. Darren Davis is director of golf operations, Olde Florida GC; 941- COASTAL PLAINS Shane Bass HANDS ON: MANAGING DURING THE SEASON St. James Bay GC 34 353-4441; fax 941-333-3947; [email protected] 850-528-3839 Managing turfgrass in the golf season is never fun, but mproved equipment and Hands on Topics: Share your best practices and tips for these upcoming Fenton. Dave Fenton is golf course superintendent at Quail Creek CC; 239- EVERGLADES Wayne Kappauf, CGCS products, flexibility and cooperation among the superintendent, pro shop topics. Photographs or slides are encouraged. Digital images that are 5 The Island CC inches wide at 300 dpi or greater accepted. 597-1719; [email protected] 239-642-5558 and golfers, it's possible to get healthy turf with minimal effect Foy. Shelly Foy is ACSP coordinator, Florida Region, USGA Green Section; NORTH FLORIDA Rip Phillips to playing conditions Winter 2008 - Disease Management Strategies Windsor Parke GC 561-546-2620; fax 561-546-4653; [email protected] 904-241-2837 . Spring 2008 - Irrigation Management and Water Conservation PALM BEACH Kevin Downing, CGCS INDUSTRY NEWS: NEW DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE Gelmis. Georgia Gelmis isTurfgrass Information Specialist University of 561-427-4501 48 Florida; 352-392-1831 x239; Fax 352-392-1413; calicoj@ufl.edu RIDGE Tom Barnett The University of Florida Disease Diagnostic Clinic was revamped last year, Summer 200 8 - Ultradwarf and Seashore Paspalum Greens Bartow GC under the guidance of Dr. Phil Harmon, to provide golf courses with a Rapid Turf Healy. Mike Healy is a turfgrass pathologist in private practice: 863-258-1047 Fall 2008 - Improving communication [email protected] SEVEN RIVERS Mark Kann Diagnosis disease service for turfgrass managers. UF Plant Science REC Please submit articles via e-mail if possible. Attached articles should be Kappauf. Wayne Kappauf, CGCS is superintendent at The Island C.C.; 352-843-3540 saved in Microsoft Word or, if you use another word processor save it as a 239-642-5558; [email protected] SOUTH FLORIDA Kelly Cragin 52 OFFICIAL BUSINESS: LET THE SCIENCE BEGIN text file before attaching, or you may just copy and paste it into the Kyle. Kenyon Kyle, CGCS is Director of Golf Course Operations at Shadow Granada GC The Florida Consumer Fertilizer Task Force was created by the 2007 Florida Legislature e-mail text box. Try to limit articles to 1500 words or less. The Florida 305-460-5334 Green pays $100 per page and $50 for 1-3 pictures. Wood C.C.; (239) 992-2262 SUN COAST Bob Wagner to address several issues beginning with phosphorus loading in Lake Okeechobee Coral Creek Club and eventually expanding to include nitrogen and all watersheds and basins in the state. Lowe. Todd Lowe is agronomist, Florida Region, USGA Green Section; 941-697-3208 Digital photos must be a minimum of 5 inches wide at 300 dpi for pub- 941-828-2625; fax 941-828-2629; [email protected] TREASURE COAST John Curran lication-quality reproduction. Johns Island Club Ondo. Joe Ondo, CGCS is superintendent at Winter Pines G.C.; 407-657- 772-231-1700 Conventional Photos: Do not write on the back of prints. Attach a Post-it 7565; fx: 407-671-3420 WEST COAST Bill Kistler DEPARTMENTS note with ID information. All slides and photographs should include Tampa Palms G&CC President’s Message ...... 2 Plants of the Year ...... 46 identification of persons in the picture and the name of the photogra- Phelps. Jim Phelps is golf course superintendent at Gateway G&CC; 239- 813-972-3375 pher. 561-1030; [email protected] Chapter Roundup ...... 4 USGA Update ...... 48 Superintendent Facts ...... 20 Research Reports ...... 58 Contact Joel D. Jackson, editor for more information. Mail: 6780 Ragsdale. Andy Ragsdale is superintendent at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, STAFF Tamarind Circle, Orlando, FL 32819. Phone or fax: 407-248-1971. E- Orlando, Grande Lakes; 407-393-4917; [email protected] Course Facts ...... 22 As I See it ...... 62 mail: [email protected]. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Joel Jackson Taylor. Matt Taylor, CGCS is superintendent at Royal Poinciana Club; 239- 6780 Tamarind Circle Fun Facts ...... 26 Green Side Up ...... 64 Orlando, FL 32819 261-4987, [email protected] 407-248-1971 voice/fax Super Tip ...... 36 [email protected] Walker. Jim Walker is superintendent, Briar Bay Golf Course; 305-235- 6667; fax 305-971-8828; [email protected] ASSOCIATION MANAGER Jennifer Innes About the use of trade names: The use of trade names in this magazine is solely for the purpose of pro- 1293 NE Oceanside Circle Willis. Ryan Willis, CGCS is superintendent at Kingsway C. C.; 941-625- viding specific information and does not imply endorsement of the products named nor Jensen Beach, FL 34957 1870; [email protected] 772-334-7515; 800-732-6053 (FL) discrimination against similar unnamed products. It is the responsibility of the user to determine that [email protected] product use is consistent with the directions on the label. 8 ADVERTISER INDEX

FOREWORDS

Finally the fall season is here. Hopefully a show was the live auction held on the trade show second uneventful hurricane season is behind floor; this was a huge success and a lot of fun. us by the time this reaches you. With any luck At any three- or four-day event, one of the the reality and relief of lower humidity and largest challenges is getting people to stick temperatures is close. Who knows, we may around on the last day. This year Casey Pace, even have a wet fall which would help everyone FTGA’s executive director, and her staff made a around the state with lower-than-normal water step in the right direction by scheduling a panel levels. discussion with leading professionals to discuss Here in south Florida, water restrictions seem topics that are at the forefront of what we face to be at the top of the list of issues for many. today in the turfgrass industry. The closing Through a series of meetings held with the remarks were given this year by the Florida South Florida Water Management District, many Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson. chapters have learned that water restrictions at He gave an excellent update on many issues, least for this year will not be including recent happenings with immigration, lifted. If they are, the relief the work being done on the Urban Turf Rule, will likely only be short lived. and a new initiative called Farm to Fuel using A Season In other areas across the state, cellulosic biofuels. it will most likely not take Congratulations to Darren Davis for being long before restrictions might elected as the president of the FTGA. I am sure of Change be enacted or put back in he will continue to guide the FTGA in the right place. Hopefully this cycle of direction. Next year’s event promises to be just as lower-than-normal rainfall good with a change in venue to West Palm Beach. will be over soon and ease the Hopefully we will see everyone there again. tensions of managing turfgrass and watching the Meanwhile the FGCSA staff is undergoing a flow meters every day. couple of changes. One important change is that Lately many superintendents and allied Joel Jackson is now our new executive director. professionals have also been busy keeping a His title has been changed from director of watchful eye out and attending local government communications. This change will help to ensure meetings concerning fertilizer application rates a smooth transition with Association Manager and timing. While most of the attention is Marie Roberts retiring, as well as provide better being thrust toward lawncare companies and continuity between the changing of officers and homeowners, you only have to look toward boards. Canada for a glimpse of what lies ahead In August the FGCSA selection committee, By beginning with landscapers’ and formed to find a replacement for the retiring homeowners’ use of fertilizers, it will be much Marie Roberts, went through 42 resumes to easier in a few years to use these models for narrow the field down to four very qualified many to say that we really don’t need to fertilize candidates in Orlando for interviews. Out of during the summer months; we really don’t need those four, we hired our first new FGCSA staff phosphorus in our blends and other assumptions person in ten years! Jennifer Innes began full of things we “really don’t need.” time with us on October 1. She lives very close to This is just another reason we need to begin Marie on the East Coast, which will facilitate her to adopt the BMPs crafted for our industry by training and transition process. We feel that she industry with governmental and environmental is more than capable of continuing to provide input. BMP’s are science-based and show very support for the executive director, officers, board little emotion... unlike many of our local leaders of directors and all members of the FGCSA. and environmental groups who do not want to Hiring Jennifer has been a bittersweet be confused with the facts. experience, because her hiring means Marie will In September the FTGA held its annual be leaving us soon. Marie will officially retire conference and show in Estero. This year’s event from the FGCSA in late January 2008, and we was excellent and was proof of how hard the hope you will join us at the GCSAA Show in FTGA staff, board of directors and volunteers Orlando in January to say goodbye and thank worked to make it a success. The education was you for 24 years of loyal service. better than ever with attendance at the sessions I sincerely hope that everyone has a up more than 12 percent. The social functions productive and successful 2007-2008 golfing Matthew Taylor, CGCS were well attended and everyone seemed to enjoy season. President themselves. One of the highlights of the trade See you in Orlando. ��

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�� SPOTLIGHT

FTGA Show In August we held a Golf BMP Manual Conference at Marks End of the Timuquana C.C. with a panel of speakers from Summer government and industry Chapters have weathered that talked about the various the summer and are falling sections of the BMPs. into the busy golf season. PALM BEACH: We had an Most chapters did not hold outstanding annual meeting September meetings and at Aberdeen. Many thanks instead encouraged their to Brian Main and the members to attend the FTGA entire staff for making it an Conference and Show to outstanding day. We had a fulfill their networking and dash of excitement during educational needs. the venomous nakes and CALUSA: Our 9th Outgoing president Lon Chatfield, left. recieved a plaque from reptiles of Florida education Annual Pro-Super-Supplier newly elected President Rip Phillips for service as president of segment when the 8-foot tournament and meeting the NFGCSA from 2005-2007. king cobra got a little frisky. will be at Martin Wierengo’s But handler Jim Mendenhal Gulf Harbour CC Oct. 11. looking forward to our NORTH FLORIDA: At our from Squamata Reptiles had This is one of our primary November meeting at the St. Annual meeting in July things under control. fundraisers for the year. James Bay Golf Club hosted we honored two of our Steve Wright, CGCS CENTRAL FLORIDA: by Shane Bass, CGCS. members. hosted our annual joint Contratulations to our EVERGLADES: Congratula- Butch Singo with Harrell’s meeting with the South President Chris Cartin for tions to FGCSA President’s Inc. was presented the Florida GCSA at BocaWest winning the Crowfoot Open Award recipient Steve Du- FGCSA President’s Award for in August where we trophy at Grand Cypress rand of Harrell’s Inc. Steve Lifetime Service. Butch has unsuccessfully tried to this past August. We held received the award at our served our chapter faithfully retain the Jimmy Blackledge our Memorial Tournament annual meeting at the Twin as education chairman for trophy in our traditional at Brett Harris’s Lake Eagles GC hosted by Bob a number of years among Ryder Cup format match. Nona Club Sept. 17. Proceeds Volpe, CGCS. Our chapter is other services to our chapter. Congratulations also to go to our scholarship fund. also happy to donate to the Outgoing president Steve’s daughter Casey for The team of Gene Stys, John FGCSA Reception Fund for Lon Chatfield recieved a earning a GCSAA Legacy Raycroft, Mike Sullivan and the farewell celebration for plaque from newly elected Scholarship. Casey is Jimmy Keufeld won the four- Marie Roberts who will be President Rip Phillips, studying architecture at man scramble event. retiring as FGCSA Associa- for service as president of Baylor University. In October COASTAL PLAINS: We are tion Manager. NFGCSA from 2005-2007. we will be traveling north for our annual joint meeting with the Treasure Coast GCSA at the Jupiter Island Club. SEVEN RIVERS: In July we helped IFAS put on the 2007 Field Days in Gainesville and Citra. Our August meeting was at Mike McNeil’s Hernando Oaks G.C., and Ron Rood at Glen Lakes CC will host our October meeting. In November we will host our annual fishing From left: Dr. Laurie Trenholm, UF/IFAS; Jan Beljan, Fazio Golf Design, Warren Zwanka, trip outing on Crystal River. SJRWMD; Mike Thomas, FLDEP; Joel Jackson, FGCSA; Katherine Pordeli, SJRWMD and Bob SOUTH FLORIDA: Many Cook, Willamsburg Environmental reviewed the history and highlights of the new Golf BMP thanks to Jason Bagwell Manual for members of the North Florida GCSA. Also participating was John Wildmon, LCCC. for hosting for hosting our Photo by Rip Phillips. July meeting at the historic

4 THE FLORIDA GREEN F A L L 2 0 0 7 5 SPOTLIGHT

charity event, the Missing TREASURE COAST: Thanks & Exploited Children’s to our successful fundraising Tournament at Colony West efforts during the year, hosted by Dale Kuehner, President John Curran CGCS. is pleased to announce a SUNCOAST: September was $5,000 donation to the a busy month for us with our FGCSA Research Account. Annual Pro/Superintendent/ Additionally our chapter Supplier Tournament at is donating to the FGCSA Bill Tyde’s Mission Valley Reception in honor of Marie CC a week after the FTGA Roberts. Conference. The week after WEST COAST: We are that we will be holding looking forward to our our 12th Annual Make a annual fall events like the Wish Golf Tournament at Bud Quandt Tournament in New FGCSA Ofﬁcers for 2007-08 are, from left: Secretary/ Robby Robertson’s Bird October at the Tampa Palms Treasurer Bill Kistler, President Matt Taylor, CGCS and Vice Bay G.C. On Nov. 4 we will G&CC, our monthly meeting President Shane Bass, CGCS. Photo by Joel Jackson. host an outing to the NFL at Isla del Sol in November Tampa Bay Bucs vs. Arizona and our Vendor Appreciation Westview CC. Seth Strickland to our team for winning the Cardinals game. Later in Day in December. won the President’s Cup Jimmy Blackledge Trophy November (TBA)we will FGCSA and then turned around at the joint meeting at Boca hold our meeting at the After a lot of recent and won the FTGA Golf West with the Palm Beach Gasparilla Inn on Boca questions about pending Championship at Bonita Chapter. Our next big Grande thanks to host Jeff retirements of our FGCSA Bay in September. Congrats event will be our October Strother. staff let’s set the record

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6 THE FLORIDA GREEN straight. Marie Roberts is retiring from service at the state level. She will continue to serve both the Palm Beach and South Florida Chapters. As noted in Matt Taylor’s President’s Message, the FGCSA search committee narrowed down 42 resumes to four possible candidates and, after interviews in August, made an offer to Jennifer Innes. Jennifer resides in Jensen Beach a scant four miles from Marie. She will begin her formal training with Marie on Oct. 1. Jennifer attended the FTGA Conference in September to meet and greet members, vendors and other industry leaders. At the same time Joel FGCSA directors for 2007-08, from left: Mark Kann, Kelly Cragin, Rip Phillips, John Curran, Jackson will assume the title Tom Barnett, Nancy Miller, Gary Myers, CGCS and Wayne Kappauf, CGCS. Not pictured, Bob of Executive Director of the Wagner and Kevin Downing, CGCS. Photo by Joel Jackson

F A L L 2 0 0 7 7 SPOTLIGHT

growth, member and chapter services and non-dues revenue projects. So Joel is not retiring any time soon. Please welcome the 2007-08 FGCSA ofﬁcers and directors recently elected at the annual meeting Aug. 3 at Grand Cypress in Orlando: President Matt Taylor, CGCS; Vice President Shane Bass, CGCS and Secretary/ Treasurer Bill Kistler (A). Shane and Bill will also serve as their chapters’ external vice presidents and FGCSA directors. Directors are Nancy President Matt Taylor, CGCS checks in with Jennifer Innes and Marie Roberts at the FGCSA Miller, Calusa; Gary Myers, booth at the FTGA Trade Show. Jennifer is in training to replace Marie when she retires later this CGCS, Central Florida; year. Photo by Joel Jackson. Shane Bass, CGCS, Coastal Plains; Wayne Kappauf, FGCSA. While Joel will still media, public and allied in internal affairs working CGCS, Everglades; Rip be focused on large-scale industry relations, he will with Jennifer and the board Phillips, North Florida; issues like government, also take a more active role on publications, membership Kevin Downing, Palm Beach;

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8 THE FLORIDA GREEN FGCSA Association Manager Marie Roberts received a bouquet of ﬂowers at the annual meeting from Tom Alex and Lisa McDowell of Grand Cypress in token of her service and likely her last FGCSA Board meeting at their conference center. Photo by Joel Jackson.

Tom Barnett, Ridge; Mark to also do some positive Kann, Seven Rivers; Kelly pre-emptive education. All Cragin, South Florida; Bob 12 FGCSA chapters have Wagner, Suncoast; John been asked to support this Curran, Treasure Coast and effort with small donations. Bill Kistler, West Coast. We’d like to thank those superintendents The FGCSA has donated from various chapters $500 to the Ag Institute of who have attended recent Florida’s public relations county commission and campaign designed to water management district survey and deﬁne the actual meetings to discuss local public perceptions about fertilizer ordinances and Florida’s agriculture and watering restrictions. By green industries. After speaking up and presenting the data are gathered, facts to counter unfounded talking points, written allegations about golf materials and public service course operations, these messages will be created superintendents have helped and disseminated to target bring common sense and audiences including the fairness to the discussions. general public, lawmakers But we need more general and the media. This managers and club initiative is being mounted members to get involved to have an arsenal of as citizens and community prepared facts to not only leaders to help guide public defend against unfounded policy concerning natural attacks on our indutry but resources and golf courses.

F A L L 2 0 0 7 9 SPOTLIGHT

31ST ANNUAL CROWFOOT OPEN Sizzling President Shoots Cool 70 It was a scorching hot day Aug. 4 when a full field of golfers teed it up on the North and East Nines at the Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando to contend for medalist honors and a spot on the FGCSA team in the GCSAA Golf Championship. There was also a two-man scramble event for those seeking more fun than glory. In the end most players wilted except Central Florida’s own President Chris Cartin who carded a 2-under par 70 to beat his nearest competitor, Seth3095 Strickland by six shots. Trailing Stickland’s 76 was Jim Torba at 79 and Steve Wright with an 80. In the Net Division, Dave 12-year old Robert Jennings Hoggard from Citrus Hills shown here with his dad, T. J. finished first with -3 in the Swaford, and brother, James Stableford points event. Top Swaford, won the Sunday vendor was Gary Wilhelm morning fishing contest. He with 78. Scramble team Chris Cartin, superintendent of the Tuscawilla CC won the not only caught the biggest winners were Ryan and Jason 2007 Crowfoot Open with a cool 70 on a sizzling hot day. Photo fish, he caught the only fish. Peters in the A Flight and by Joel Jackson. Photo by Joel Jackson. Bobby “Darkside” Ellis and partner Travis Wellman in the B Flight. Skillful golfers included “Atomic” Tommy Land, long drive winner and closest-to- the-pin winners Dale Dexter, Travis Wellman, Jeff Klontz and Mike Gwaltney. On a more serious note, the Crowfoot Open Committee named Chuck Garrett from Florida Irrigation as the 2007 Larry Kamphaus Award Winner. The award is alternated Stephen Fox from the Ocean between Central Florida Reef Club in Key Largo, left, chapter superintendent and and host superintendent and supplier members and given From left: Tom Alex and Vilma Kamphaus congratulate Florida Crowfoot Open Chairman in recognition to outstanding Irrigation’s Chuck Garrett as the 2007 Larry Kamphaus Award Tom Alex teamed up to win service to the chapter, the recipient during the Crowfoot Reception Aug, 4 in Orlando. the Sunday Shoot Out. Photo industry and community. Photo by Joel Jackson. by Joel Jackson.

1 0 THE FLORIDA GREEN 31ST ANNUAL CENT RAL FLORIDA Larry Kamphaus CROWFOOT OPEN

In the heat of summer, these sponsors are really cool! Thanks for your support.

TITLE SPONSOR Coastal Equipment Systems, Inc. PRESENTING SPONSORS Harrells, Inc – Awards Reception Aquatrols/Howard Fertilizer & Chemical – Golf Tournament Wesco Turf Suppply, Inc. – Tournament Lunches PLATINUM SPONSORS EZ-Go Textron Geospace 1 GPS Services Golf Ventures Lake Masters Aquatic Weed Control Laserturf Southeast, Inc Lesco/John Deere Landscapes Parkway Research Phoenix Environmental Care Rainbird Golf & Florida Irrigation Supply UAP Professional Products SILVER SPONSORS Bayer Environmental Sciences DuPont Professional Products Eckert Golf Sales, Inc Everglades GCSA Florida Potting Soils Florida Turfgrass Association ITT Flowtronex Golf Agronomics Supply & Handling Maintenance Supply Specialists, Inc. Pro Source One Roots, Inc Sunniland Corporation Syngenta Valent USA USA Golf Flags – Crowfoot Flags DIAMOND SPONORS Golf Specialities, Inc Hendrix & Dail, Inc Proplus Golf Services Turf Merchants Inc / Innovative Turf Supply GOLD SPONSORS Dow AgroSciences, LLC DuCor International Corp. Precision Small Engine Co. Seven Rivers GCSA Upstart Products

F A L L 2 0 0 7 11 SPOTLIGHT

PRESIDENTS AWARDS Chapters Honor Lifetime Service North Florida Singo previously has been awarded Chapter Says, the Larry Kamphaus 'Dwight Got and Jack Harrell Sr. It Right!' Awards for Lifetime In a career spanning 34 years so far, Dwight “Butch” Service Singo has been from Lake reservations for at least the Placid to Jacksonville and past 12 years. a few stops in between. Singo’s service has not Singo began his career at gone unnoticed by his peers the Sun ‘N Lake Executive in the industry. In August Golf Course in 1973 in Lake 2005 he was given the Placid. A few years later his President Lon Chatfield proudly presents Dwight “Butch” Singo Central Florida Crowfoot company opened the Sun ‘N with a 2007 FGCSA President’s Award for Lifetime Service at Open Larry Kamphaus Lake Resort of Sebring and the chapter’s annual meeting in Jacksonville for his 16 years of Award; in December 2006 Singo transferred to head service to the North Florida GCSA. he was presented the up the new operation where Jack Harrell Sr. Lifetime he remained for four more Florida GCSA Board of Harrell’s Inc. in 1993. He Achievement Award; and years. Directors beginning in 1975. been there 14 years and Singo this year the North Florida In 1979 Singo moved to Once in central Florida, says he hopefully expects to Chapter has presented him Winter Springs to take over Singo moved through the retire from Harrell's. with the FGCSA President’s the Big Cypress Golf Club board and officer chairs to Beside his tenure as an Award for Lifetime Service. working with Dr. Harry Day. become chapter president in officer and board member of A man’s character and his Big Cypress was originally 1979. the Central Florida Chapter, actions tell the whole story. the Devlin-Von Hagge course In 1984 Singo went to Singo served on the Crowfoot The quiet unassuming steady called Sheoah G.C. work for Vigoro Industries. Committee for approximately and dependable Butch Singo Even in his early days Who doesn’t remember Par five years before becoming has been getting it right for Singo was volunteering Ex products? Well maybe not a commercial member and a long time and his friends and long before the Ridge the young whipper snappers. board member of the North in the North Florida wanted Chapter was born, Singo After nine years with Vigoro. Florida GCSA for the past to add their thanks and commuted to the Orlando Singo accepted a sales 16 years. Singo has been recognition for a job well area to serve on the Central representative position with handling chapter meeting done.

Naples. Long time FGCSA in the turf industry for Now with Harrell's, Everglades and Everglades member over 30 years and has been Recognizes Steven Durand was given the a superintendent in four Steve Durand has FGCSA’s Presidents Award states and in four different been a superinten- Durand's 4 for Lifetime Service. decades. Originally from the Decades Outgoing Everglades Northeast, dent in four states President Billy Davidson Steve made his way to over four different By Wayne Kappauf, CGCS made the presentation and Florida in the 80’s and never gave an emotional account looked back. decades On July 12, the of Durand’s service to Steve has experience Harrell Fertilizer’s top Everglades GCSA held its the industry and his own from both sides of the representatives. Prior to his annual meeting at Twin personal history with Steve. superintendent’s desk Harrells position, Steve was Eagles Country Club in Steve Durand has been and is currently one of superintendent at Quail

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CreekCreek Country Country Club Club in in NaplesNaples for for 13 13 years. years. During During thisthis period period he he served served on on thethe Everglades Everglades Board Board of of DirectorsDirectors and and is ais pasta past presidentpresident of ofthe the chapter. chapter. Steve’sSteve’s wife wife Vicki Vicki attendedattended the the meeting meeting and and waswas thrilled thrilled to tosee see her her husbandhusband so sowarmly warmly received received byby nearly nearly a hundreda hundred of ofhis his peerspeers and and friends. friends. StevenSteven Durand Durand has has made made hishis mark mark on on the the golf golf course course industryindustry and and we we all all know know he he hadhad a greata great time time doing doing it. it. FromFrom all all of ofus us who who have have At the EGCSA Annual knownknown and and worked worked with with Meeting President Billy SteveSteve over over the the years years we we Davidson (left) paid tribute to say,say, “Thank “Thank you you for for your your veteran superintendent Steve serviceservice and and friendship friendship and and Durand in his remarks and congratulationscongratulations on on receiving receiving presented him with a 2007 thethe 2007 2007 FGCSA’s FGCSA’s Presidents Presidents FGCSA President’s Award for Award.”Award.” Lifetime Service.

1 4 THE FLORIDA GREEN

Number 15 Par 5, 520 yards Kingsway CC Photo by Daniel Zelazek KINGSWAY COUNTRY CLUB Turning a Challenge Into an Opportunity By Joel Jackson, CGCS on the course, while others live in as well. nearby communities like Punta The day after the storm, Willis It is just a little over two years Gorda, Port Charlotte, Arcadia, couldn’t access the property. He ago that Hurricane Charlie took and North Port. came back the next day and made dead aim on Punta Gorda and Superintendent Ryan Willis, his way through the debris, fi red roared up Charlotte Harbor, CGCS says that Kingsway CC was up the front-end loader tractor and gaterhering strength from the on the western edge of the 20-mile- began clearing a path so people shallow warm waters of the Gulf of wide eye-wall of the storm as it could get into the property to begin Mexico and the bay just before it roughly followed U.S. Highway 17 damage assessments and basic slammed into the mainland. northward on its destructive path cleanup. Kingsway CC is located about a across Florida on Friday the 13th Those early days of shock and mile east of I-75 in Lake Suzy, off in August, 2005. Acting more like a awe have fi nally been replaced by Kings Highway in Desoto County large tornado, the storm destroyed more normal operations on a newly and only a couple of miles from the Kingsway clubhouse facilities redesigned and renovated golf where the Peace River fl ows into and conservatively more than 2,000 course and clubhouse. Recovery, the upper bay. Many members live large trees and many smaller ones rebuilding and rejuvenation have COVER STORY

SUPERINTENDENT FACTS become a way of life. The members and employees can never go back completely to the way things were, but they can take pride in a new Ryan Willis, CGCS facility, better designed and equipped From: Born in Newport to prosper in the future growth of News, Va. Grew up in Port southwest Florida. Charlotte Restoration of the golf course to its orginal condition was not really an Family: Wife Catrina. Son option. The pine woods that the course Taylor (5) and daughter had been carved from by architect Ron Morgan (2) Garl in 1976 were gone forever. The club could not afford to plant large tree Education: B.S. in Turf specimens and neither did it make sense Management, University to install thousands of small caliber of Florida, 1995 trees that would take decades to restore the course to its original character and Employment: 2003- appearance. present, superintendent It was time for the club to assess its Kingsway C.C.; 2002-03 resources and create a vision for the superintendent (IGM) future. It was time for decisive action World Woods; 1998-2002 in order to make lemonade out of superintendent (IGM) the lemon that Mother Nature had Tarpon Springs G.C.; just handed the members. A group of 1997-98 superintendent members led by Rocky Farhat, long- (IGM) Poinciana G. & time resident and die-hard Kingsway R.C.; 1996-97 assistant booster, contacted Garl about coming superintendent (IGM) back to renovate and redesign one of Palm Aire Spa & Resort; Ryan Willis, CGCS. Photo by Joel Jackson. his early golf courses. Farhart said Garl 1995-96 crew Gainesville was visibly emotional as he assessed G&CC; 1994-95 staff UF Dept. of Soil & Water Science. the damage and discussed possible improvements to the course. After all, Professional Affiliations: 13-year member of GCSAA. Certified in 2004. Kingsway was one of his babies. FGCSA member and 3 years on Calusa GCSA Board. Immediate Past President . Anyone who takes pride in his work How did you get into the business? I went to UF to study architecture and and has labored long and hard on a building construction. After the intial classes I realized I didn’t like being inside piece of land and left his or her mark all day hunched over a drafting table. I explored other options and discovered on it will always be tied to that property. turf management and working on golf courses. After a few turf classes I got a job It comes with the job. We all move on. doing research project sampling at the horticulture unit. Soon after that I started It’s inevitable. But we always have soft working for Jeff Hayden and Buddy Keene at Gainesville G&CC. Jeff was a very spots in our hearts for those courses big factor in getting me into the the business. we built or maintained. Garl signed on and a new Kingsway began to rise from Work philosophy and advice: Lead by example. Don’t be afraid to get sweaty the jumble of shattered tree trunks and and dirty. Document or die. broken branches. With no stands of trees to define Immediate goals: I want to get our Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program the routing as before, Garl suggested back up and running post hurricane recovery. We have been naturalizing areas that the committee consider adopting and have a long-range plan to re-forest them. some design features of notable courses that also didn’t have many trees. The Memorable moments: It has to be the birth of my children. original Pine Valley golf course came to mind, so the addition of waste areas Hobbies: Golfing, fishing (I jumped my first tarpon recently. Pretty exciting) planted with native grasses became and the Gators. part of the new look to replace some of the former wooded areas left barren by the storm. Other improvements

2 0 THE FLORIDA GREEN No. 12 is still the shortest par-four at 391 yards from the tips, but it is no pushover with a new full-length waste area left and strategic bunkering on the right and at the green. Photo by Daniel Zelazek.

included new mounding and fairway least inﬂuenced — by trees. them into the fairway to provide more contouring to enhance surface drainage On my ride through the course, risk-and-reward situations. New tees and expanding several of the current Willis recounted how much he had and bulkheading provided additonal lakes to store more irrigation water and learned about shot values and strategy length and challenging shot-making enhance the shot options on some holes as Garl moved bunkers that once had decisions. The new design has ﬁve sets that no longer were dominated — or at merely paralleled the fairways to jut of tees and stretches from 5,100 to

F A L L 2 0 0 7 2 1 COVER STORY

COURSE FACTS 7,100 yards for the enjoyment of golfers at all skill levels. Kingsway CC is Willis’ first head superintendent’s position after spending eight years with the International Golf Management team, so he had plenty of seasoning before taking over the reins at Kingsway in 2003. Willis laughs now, but in his first major event that first year, a PGA section charity fundraiser, an irrigation blowout occurred in the back half of the third green putting surface. Willis Kingsway Country Club and staff jumped through hoops to fill in the golf-cart-sized hole and remove Location: Lake Suzy nearly six inches of sand that caked the Ownership: Members Equity lower half of the green. The next year Playing Policy: Members and guests – Hurricane Charlie! What a welcome. Holes: 18; 7,138 yds; Par 72; Slope/Rating: 142/75.2 As noted before, things are almost Designed by: Ron Garl. Opened: 1976 back to normal, but the hurricane also Management Team: Club Manager: J. B. Belknap; Club President: Rocky did more than just knock down trees; it Farhart; Green Chairman: Bill McDermott; Head Golf Professional: Jimmy Karr; also had an impact on membership as Golf Course Superintendent: Ryan Willis, CGCS some people defected or failed to renew Major renovations or ongoing projects: Rebuild and redesign in 2005 by Ron during the recovery and rebuilding. Garl to repair damage from Hurricane Charley in 2004 and upgrade course Those who stayed and pitched in have playability, infrastructure and facilities. been rewarded with a new layout Total acreage: 160; 110 under maintenance that has a promising future in the Greens: TifEagle; avg. size 5,000 sq.ft.; 2.5 acres; HOC .110 - .140 in.; green competitive southwest Florida golf speeds: 10+ ; No overseeding. market. Tees, Fairways and Roughs: Tifway 419. No overseeding. Tees 4 A, HOC .500 Some of those residents who pitch in in.; Fairways 30 A, HOC .500 in.; Roughs 60 A, HOC 1.25 in. live along the course and help marshal Bunkers: 64; Sand type GA26; machine raked. the holes, generally cleaning up debris, Natural areas: 9 acres of crushed rock (250 mesh screening) waste areas with picking up fallen limbs, filling divots native plants and trees are machine-raked 3 times per week. and repairing ball marks. Each marshall Waterways: 15 lakes and ponds, 18 acres. Monthly inspection and maintenance is assigned two holes, and they also by Aquagenix. serve as an extra pair of eyes for Willis Irrigation water source: Reclaimed water from Charlotte County; backup of reporting unusual conditions, etc. two small supplemental wells capable only of watering greens. Flowtronex VFD Willis sees progress as he learns how pumping system. Toro Site Pro/Network 8000. Fertigation system. best to manage the new layout with Water Management and Conservation practices: Monitor and adjust run times the extensive waste areas. “We selected daily in conjunction with weather station ET data. Hand water hot spots on crushed coquina as the material for greens. the waste areas for several reasons. Wildlife Inventory: Annual nesting and fledging of bald eagles, strolling It doesn’t blow and drift like sand. It sandhill cranes, alligators ambling across a fairway, great blue herons gulping compacts and the waste areas can be down a fish, members wetting a line to catch and release huge fish from the used as cart traffic areas during wet lakes, and a host of wild birds and other small critters. conditions. Unlike sand, pinestraw or Maintenance Staff: Total including superintendent 14 (12 plus 2 part time); other mulch material the coquina is weekly budgeted hours 40 ST. Key staff specialists: Assistant Superintendent actually not a bad surface to play from. Scotty Helmig; Equipment Technician Paul Gesell; Pest Control Technician Weed intrusion is kept in check by William Connelly; Irrigation Techician Norman LeBlanc cultivating the areas two or three times Communications/meetings: Daily check-in with Pro Shop. Monthly Green a week. However, we did take the tines Committee meetings. Special crew meetings as needed. of the bunker rakes to keep the material Special events: Hosted PGA Charities tournament and will be hosting first firm and playable.” round of Charlotte County Open in the fall. Hosted Calusa GCSA Annual “Since these are waste areas and not Meeting. sand bukers under the rules of golf,” he said, “players can smooth away the

2 2 THE FLORIDA GREEN We selected crushed coquina as the material for the waste areas for several reasons. It doesn’t blow and drift like sand. It compacts and the waste areas can be used as cart trafﬁc areas during wet conditions.

stone chips behind the ball to allow for good clubhead contact. Now members are sometimes actually aiming for some waste areas to get more ball roll on a long hole or to avoid a more unforgiving water hazard.” While the waste areas were a good option and solution for the loss of so many trees, there is a master tree- planting plan to add trees where they make sense and when time and the budget allow. Willis wants also to experiment with wildﬂower beds in Any way you cut it, a Kubota works for you. some of the now-bare out-of-play areas. If they are successful they will provide an appealing, colorful low-cost and ZD300 Series • B26 TLB • M4800 low-maintenance solution. But right From lawn care to landscaping, Kubota gets the job done right. Our new ZD300 Series zero-turn mower gives you the durability and efficiency of a now Willis is concentrating on the powerful Kubota diesel engine, plus a high-capacity HST transmission. critical “must-do” practices and adds The versatile B26 TLB compact tractor is equipped to do it all with an impressive the “nice-to-do” touches whenever he front loader, powerful backhoe and skid steer-type attachments. can. The M4800, with its hydraulic independent PTO and partially synchronized Nematodes were one of the “must- transmission, is the most productive utility tractor you can buy for the money. dos” on the list, and long overdue Kubota. Making the cut with today’s turf pros. because of the recovery effort. “We wanted to go with a Curfew application last year, but since it was getting late See one of these authorized Kubota dealerships near you! in the warm season, they suggested we Clewiston Ft. Myers Panama City wait to get the best timing and effect Southern Turf & Tractor Creel Ford Tractor Sowell Tractor Co., Inc. from the product and best bang for 549 E. Sugarland Hwy. 3771 Palm Beach Blvd. 2841 Hwy. 77 N. our buck. So we bit the bullet until this (863) 983-4484 (239) 694-2185 (850) 763-5441 www.sowelltractor.com past spring and made the application, Crestview Fort Pierce and I have to say the turf is looking the Wise Equipment Sales Pippen Tractor Co. Plant City & Service 3200 N. Kings Hwy. Gulf Coast Turf & Tractor best it ever has. In the future we will be 1147 S. Ferdon Blvd. (772) 461-7896 404 N. Frontage Road rotating the treated acreage annually to (850) 682-3366 Leesburg (813) 764-0603/ cover the most critical areas. Davie Mid-Florida Tractor (888) 764-0603 “We also had a bout with fairy ring Growers Equipment Co. & Equipment Co. last year that was hard to get under 2695 Davie Road 3701 W. Main Street control. We had a green committee (954) 916-1020 (352) 787-1234 meeting and I brought in Todd Lowe

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F A L L 2 0 0 7 2 3 COVER STORY

what the club was going to do. It available. literally became a battle for survival of “The redesign allowed us to make the club and its members. improvements to the irrigation and “They formed a task force and, drainage systems. Technology has utilizing the talents and specialties of changed dramatically in recent years various members, began to hammer and Kingsway needed to upgrade to be out a path to recovery and created a competitive. This opportunity allowed timetable and3104 strategic plan not only Garl us to improve weaker holes like No. 12, to rebuild the course and clubhouse, a short par-4 by today’s standards. We but to think ahead five to ten years and added a new back tee, which makes the project what the club would be like. hole more challenging with the new Ron Garl has designed 215 courses I was honored that they asked me to bunker and waste area complexes. worldwide with 96 in Florida. Photo come back and help them revitalize the “During the whole process Ryan from Sylvia Garl. golf course with a design that would fit Willis, the superintendent, was the altered setting and appeal to golfers helping to guide the clean-up and of all skills. keep the turf alive. He’s a great young Architect Goes “I suggested that since most of the superintendent who had to reorganize Back to the Future hole-defining trees were destroyed, and revitalize his crew to face the why not look at successful designs that challenges. The members certainly After Hurricane Charlie, Lakeland- didn’t depend on trees. Pine Valley and appreciated the efforts to get the course based golf course architect Ron Garl Fiddlesticks both used waste areas to back into playing condition. was commissioned by a post-hurricane help shape holes. We also expanded “Keep in mind all this recovery task force at Kingsway CC to put all the the lakes by five acres to provide fill work began without power for several pieces back together and make a new, to construct new tee complexes and weeks. Insurance companies weren’t modern course out of the rubble. For fairway mounding. But first we needed easy to deal with either, with all the Garl, it was going back to the future a plan to clean up the golf course and chaos in the region. But I give a lot of since he had designed the original at least get the doors open to give the credit to the members who decided to layout back in 1976 and then he was members something play. turn this disaster into an opportunity asked to create a design for the future. “We decided to clean up the to modernize the club. With Rocky Garl also is a course owner, avid greens first so we could perform basic Farhat leading the charge, they made golfer and longtime member of the maintenance and keep the turf alive. timely decisions to get equipment and Florida Turfgrass Association. He Then we would clear tees and fairways services they needed to get the project appreciates that a course is a business and move the large debris to the roughs under way and stay on track. This that must return a profit and, as a for cutting up and removal. Finding a committee put in thousands of hours golfer, he knows that good design and contractor at a reasonable price was a hashing out details and decisions, and maintenance elements enhance and challenge since they were in demand. getting permits and equipment. They build golfer loyalty to a course. The We struck a deal with one outfit that all stepped up. It was great to see how challenge now was to come up with had the proper equipment to do the much they cared for their golf course.” a design that would please the old work with the minimal damage to the members while attracting new ones. turf areas. We also had to work out an Garl related the story of the agreement with Charlotte County to resurrection of Kingsway during a lull pick up the debris if it were cut and in the International Network of Golf tacked along the county road at the spring conference. 3096entrance. Cover I have to say they were great Story “The sheer magnitude of the power to work with. of the storm and its devastation to “The new look of the golf course the golf course was unbelievable,” he required replacing and repositioning said. “The majority of the trees on the bunkers and creating waste areas to course were gone and the resulting offer shot-making options all the while litter covered the whole course. With incorporating existing features and the clubhouse destroyed, and the whole the remaining stands of trees. We also In appreciation for Garl’s innovative region reeling from the effects of the created a total tree plan — including redesign at Kingsway, the members storm, it was critical that someone take type, size and location — that the dubbed the entrance road “Ron Garl charge and lead the effort to decide club could execute as funds became Lane.” Photo by Joel Jackson.

2 4 THE FLORIDA GREEN have ever had. They were able to explain the total situation from the stresses and causes to the to the solutions including cultural needs control costs. “We make pre-emergent herbicide applications with fertilizer in the early spring and late fall to control weeds. Like most courses3104 we spot treat any weeds that do emerge. We also combine fertilizer with our mole cricket control application in late spring. “I really appreciateGarl that the members realized from that meeting that we haven’t been in a normal maintenance mode for several years as we have been making a comeback from mass destruction. “Before the storms we had a good reputation for competitive greens and our goal is to have the best greens, tees and fairways in the area. To achieve that goal we are exploring revenue A snapshot of a few of the 2,500 large trees that were destroyed. More trees have died options of opening up for outside play due to internal damage from twisting in the wind. The oak at 17 tee is lying 90 degrees and charity events. This time of year to the large pine in the background showing the wind shift as the eye of the storm most clubs have “reciprocal season” moved through. Photo by Ryan Willis.

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F A L L 2 0 0 7 2 5 COVER STORY

Thanks to ﬁve sets of tees, the par-3, 13th hole can play from a respectable 147 yards to a challenging 246 yards from the back tees. Photo by Daniel Zelazek.

FUN FACTS 10. Nobody knows that I: Hate to lose The Wild, Wild Willis 11. I’m better than anyone when it comes to: Not catching fish 1. Vehicle: 1995 Ford Ranger Work 12. I’d give anything to meet: Truck Urban Meyer 2. Last good movie I saw: Deja Vu 13. If I could do it over: I would not 3. I stay home to watch: Any UF change a thing Gator sporting event 14. My fantasy is: Win the lottery 4. The book I’ve been reading: The and spend my time golfing and Boys From Old Florida, The Gator fishing Nation by Buddy Martin 15. If I could change one thing 5. Favorite meal: Pizza about myself: I’d lose weight 6. Favorite performers: Jimmy Buffet 16. My most irrational act: Was and Drivin’ and Cryin’ thinking I could do it all myself 7. Prized possessions: My children 17. Most humbling experience: 8. Personal Heroes: My parents for Birth of my children Here’s another Fun Fact: Willis says supporting me in everything 17. Words that best describe me: members intentionally hit into the 9. The one thing I can’t stand: People Hard working and dedicated crushed coquina waste areas for more who talk down to you like you are 18. My best fish story: Still working ball roll and legally improved lies. stupid on that one Photo by Joel Jackson.

2 6 THE FLORIDA GREEN where members from area clubs can play each others’ courses. We want to generate more traffic so area golfers can see we are back and in good shape. We have hosted the Calusa GCSA annual meeting the last two years and the club will also host the first round of the Charlotte County Open this fall.” While touring the new clubhouse facility, head pro J. B. Belknap and club president Rocky Farhat chimed in that they wanted the green speeds at 12 as part of their quest to have the best greens in the area to help draw more play. I didn’t see them wink, but they were smiling as they also gave Willis kudos for the progress made since Charlie. On the course data form sent to all cover story courses, Willis put down 10-plus as the green speed goals, so these folks are serious about being competitive. To achieve those speeds Willis has turned to more rolling of the greens while adjusting the height of cut between .110 to .140 inches depending on the weather conditions. “ We have been able to keep the turf healthier and keep the speeds up by rolling,” he said. I asked Willis if there were any other built-in challenges with the site itself. “The course does have a few muck pockets with No. 14 being the worst when we get lots of rain, but we deal with it and install drainage where we can. Managing our lake levels is also something we are quite aware of since we store reclaimed irrigation water and it mixes with stormwater. By expanding the lake acreage during the renvovation to supply fill for the additional tees and

F A L L 2 0 0 7 2 7 COVER STORY

The new bulkhead on No. 6 is evidence of the ﬁve acre expansion in lake area to generate ﬁll for the new mounding and to store more irrigation water. Photo by Daniel Zelazek.

mounding, it has helped store more biggest challenges facing today’s people that you can build and coach water. We do need to look at some superintendents in the industry overall. into a core group of reliable crew lake banks in the future to prevent “You hear people say about our jobs members. Managing, organizing and undercutting when the lake levels rise that growing grass is the easy part, and communicating effectively with them is and fall.” it’s true. I think the biggest challenge vital. No less important is being able to I asked Willis what were the is ﬁnding really good people. Finding communicate and work with the whole

2 8 THE FLORIDA GREEN F A L L 2 0 0 7 2 9 COVER STORY

Kingsway doesn’t have wall-to-wall cart paths, so this new waste area on the 5th hole serves a dual purpose as hazard and cart path. Photo by Daniel Zelazek.

management/ownership team and the members on committees and general members as well. “The labor market around here is just beginning to improve again now that the housing construction has slowed down, but ﬁnding good quality people can be a challenge. On the other side of the chain of command, I am playing golf once a month with the men’s association. I am only a bogey golfer, but I can’t imagine a superintendent not playing golf. It has helped me get a different perspective on playing conditions on the course and the vision and expectations of the players.” Kingsway Country Club has come a long way since the devastation of Hurricane Charlie to fulﬁll the vision of a better golf club with the hard work and leadership of a lot of people. People Working together to create the best playing conditions and amiable atmosphere for who turned the challenge of destruction members are, from left, head golf professional J. B. Belknap, club president Rocky into an opportunity to rebuild for the Farhat and superintendent Ryan Willis, CGCS. Photo by Joel Jackson future.

3 0 THE FLORIDA GREEN CONGRATULATIONS Ryan Willis, CGCS and the Kingsway Country Club for being selected by the Calusa GCSA as the 2007 Fall Florida Green cover story.

Aeri-Fine, Inc Pine Straw of South Show Turf Keith Nicoletta Florida /Club Care Mike McMahon (863) 409-2368 Lance Allen, (239) 707-7339 (941) 447-3500 Matt Fancher, (239) 225-8375 From the people and companies who service Golf Agronomics Wesco Turf and supply the Kingsway Country Club. Dale Mitchell Proplus Golf Services Scott Ford - Equipment (239) 462-1191 Steve Hritsko (941) 650-1255 (863) 781-2110 Golf Ventures Tim Denton – Irrigation Mack Baugh Wesco Turf (800) 330-8874 (239)825-0429

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Managing Turf in the Golf Season By Joel Jackson, CGCS

We are blessed or cursed with year-round growing conditions. While many northern clubs shut their doors during the winter season, we get to look forward to a busy golf season during our cooler months. Meanwhile, our native turf either keeps growing or, in north Florida, we sow seeds to grow a winter crop of cool-season grass if our turf goes dormant. In any case the turf must be managed to provide acceptable playing conditions while keeping any disruptions to the playing surfaces to a bare minimum. In the summer months, it is usually easy to find time to close the course or at least nine holes to schedule some needed — but also disruptive — cultural practices like aerifying, verticutting and top dressing. In the money-making winter months, with all the increased traffic and often Superintendents must adjust maintenance practices in the busy winter golf season less-than-ideal growing conditions, to keep the turf healthy and golfers happy. Photo by Joel Jackson. we still need to do those same practices, but closing the course groom the golf course, so we settled up. It usually takes two mornings, may not be an option. Certainly any on some basic practices that produce Monday and Tuesday. We double-cut procedure that detracts from suitable results for our needs. greens twice a week regardless during playing conditions for days on end is After we overseed in November the cool season as a matter of regular becoming even more unacceptable. and the Poa trivialis is established, maintenance. But thanks to improved we attach brushes to our Cushman Our only topdressing takes equipment and products, flexibility spiker for a once-a-week grooming place after the three or four major and cooperation among the of the greens. After January we begin aerifications and none during the superintendent, pro shop and golfers, aerifying one a month with 1/4-inch cool golf season. Fertility during healthy turf and minimal effect to solid tines on a tractor-mounted this time is also all foliar with playing conditions is being achieved. Mustang Verti-Drain machine with approximately half of nitrogen going Here are some tips and ideas from heavy rollers. We use that set up on out with minors every two to three around the state on how to manage our push-up greens followed by a weeks depending on appearance and your turf during the busy golf season. cleanup cut. Because we can’t go as performance. often as we sometimes need, we are Joe Ondo, CGCS PUBLIC COURSE: WINTER PINES GOLF considering testing 3/8- or 5/16- CLUB, WINTER PARK inch tines to see if we get longer PUBLIC COURSE: STONEYBROOK GOLF Really we are busy year round compaction relief. On our new greens CLUB, ESTERO thanks to our moderate prices and we use a Sysis slicer, which does a Performing cultural practices on loyal customers, but play does pick great job of relieving compact with our greens during peak winter season up from Thanksgiving to Christmas little surface disruption. Again we do a at Stoneybrook is a definite challenge. — when it starts to cool off — and cleanup cut behind the Sysis. We are a public facility, so our first from January to May, we are wall-to- Whatever machine we are using, we tee time is 7 a.m., with most practices wall golfers. When it gets that busy, we start at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning done in front of play. don’t have lots of bells and whistles and go as far as we can with the greens I subcontract a pencil-tine that our six-man crew can employ to and collar mowers behind us cleaning aerification. They have the equipment

3 4 THE FLORIDA GREEN and manpower to do this with enough In the late winter and early spring, are lucky to have 36) at 1 p.m., and speed to stay ahead of play.�When we we needle-tine or hydroject to help keep that course closed the rest of the lightly verticut and topdress, we will reduce compaction from the traffic. day. We get behind the last group and do nine holes a day. We do the back We continually foliar feed to stimulate lightly verticut with a triplex, topdress nine first, then start play on No. 10 growth. During the winter, when lightly, carpet drag, spike with a sand the following day while we complete needed, we will use turf paint to keep pro/spiker and then add whatever the front nine. This system has worked color, usually four to five applications amendments we are scheduled for. well for us, with few complaints. per winter. The next day we have Ladies Fertilization is almost 100 percent The obvious major benefits of our Day and we always have them play foliar and ahead of play. We will do a approach in prime golf season: No the course that did not get top- granular 0-0-22 applications ahead of down time for seedbed preperation or dressed. The men who play the play once a month and water it in. seeding; no saturated conditions to verticut course do not seem to germinate seed; and no over-watering mind. They are used to it and, because Matthew Nieder, GCS during any warm spells during fall we keep up with the thatch/mat, we or winter. Normally we can maintain do not have to go as aggressively. On RESORT COURSE: RITZ CARLTON GOLF very good putting conditions October the course that was top-dressed we CLUB, GRANDE LAKES, ORLANDO thru June when overseeding can pose mow the greens for the next two days We do not overseed anything on many issues. with a Triplex so we do not trash out the golf course. We use fertigation to our walkers and save a little on labor; help keep overall color. We also lighten Andy Ragsdale, GCS we use that labor to mow the other up on the intensity and fequency of course prior to the ladies shotgun. our cultural practices, performing PRIVATE CLUB: ROYAL POINCIANA GOLF Years ago we started to use Ideal only light grooming, brushing, and CLUB, NAPLES sand, which is very fine, during the topdressing on greens during the Each Monday during the season winter months. It brushes in easier winter. we close the first hole on one 18 (We and does not cause issues days later.

F A L L 2 0 0 7 3 5 HANDS ON

Get the Habit of Communicating repetitive messages to the membership are beneficial, why wouldn’t the same approach work on my crew? I located the “Hard Plastic Information Holder” through Club Car (Club Car part No. 101808302) for approximately $24 each. We determined that, on our Carryall Turf 252 utility vehicles, the best location to mount the information holder was on the dash just above the ignition key switch. The mounting bracket was secured in this location using two stainless steel sheet metal screws. Thumbscrews on the mounting bracket are then used to affix the clear holder. The thumbscrews enable quick installation and removal of the holder. On one side of the information holder is an opening that accepts a standard 8-1/2 by 11-inch piece of paper cut or folded in half. The crew message that we display is usually changed weekly, and has included topics such as; keeping utility vehicles on cart paths, a reminder on hand-pulling weeds, safety items or concerns, motivational sayings, etc. You are truly limited only by your imagination on what can By Darren J. Davis be displayed. In keeping with the theme of my most recent Super My assistants and I also use the information holders for Tips, “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” - Spring 2007 our personal benefit. For example, I use the information and “Words that Stick” - Summer 2007 the following tip holder in my vehicle as a “cheat sheet” for the hand-held addresses an employer/employee communication issue. radio commands for the irrigation system. An excellent communicator himself, the ancient Greek During a busy, hectic day, we all need reminders to philosopher Aristotle taught, “We are what we repeatedly get certain things done. This is one tool you might use do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” As all golf to provide that extra communication when you can’t get course superintendents are aware, instilling good habits or around to see everyone. breaking bad habits in employees can often be a challenge. However, repetition is one of the keys to success and the following tip has been beneficial in the training and/or retraining of crew members in our operation. The idea originated last year at the height of our busy winter golfing season. It was then that I worked with my counterpart in the pro shop to develop a series of messages aimed at educating the golfing membership on basic course etiquette. The messages were displayed in the information holders routinely mounted in golf cars. During the process a “light bulb went off in my head” and I asked myself - if

Since we aggressively aerify in the program and the use of brushes, we Shadow Wood Country Club to summer months we have not seen have really been able to take the greens provide for both member play and an issue with layering of sands.�The to a consistent level without peaks adequate maintenance time. Shadow course that has the off week is spiked and valleys usually caused by fertilizer Wood has 36 holes at our main on Monday morning ahead of the applications. We have also been able to facility, and 18 holes approximately 5 mowers, which causes little if any keep the HOC up during most times miles north of the 36-hole complex.� disruption. of the year. Starting in January, our offsite In addition to the spiking on the facility has an 8:30 shotgun every course that is not being verticut, we Matt Taylor, CGCS Monday. We are able to close this golf also groom and/or brush during the course following the morning shotgun week as needed. You can only really do PRIVATE CLUB: SHADOW WOOD COUNTRY every week. Our weekly men’s and this on the off weeks from verticutting CLUB, NAPLES ladies’ events are held on Tuesdays and or you will pull up sand. We set up our event schedule Thursdays, and also are 8:30 shotguns. Since getting on a 52-week Primo during the height of our season at We are also able to close these

3 6 THE FLORIDA GREEN golf courses during the afternoon, our members to a lack of uniform PRIVATE/EQUITY CLUB: GATEWAY GOLF following these events. These closures playability due to the topdressing or & COUNTRY CLUB, FT. MYERS are imperative to our success, because verticutting process. We have a two-hour gap in tee — other than these shotgun events Second, we are able to make our times every Monday from noon until — we do a 1 and 10 tee start on each material applications and water them 2:00 p.m. This is consistent Oct. 1 course every day.�During most of in appropriately, minimizing any through April 30. The rest of the year these closures, we are flexible enough contact with our golfers. This is both we are closed on Monday as are many to allow for several additional tee for the safety of our members, as well clubs. During the two-hour gap in times if needed. as eliminating any opportunity for tee times, we lightly topdress, brush This all is dependent on tip burn associated with driving a and apply granular K religiously and what projects we are trying to golf cart over the fertilizer before it is lightly water-in. It is easy for us to stay accomplish. For example, if we are adequately watered in. in the time slot following the noon attempting to mow our rough, we can We do a tremendous volume of group around and finishing in about still allow 4 to 5 groups to go off No. play at Shadow Wood, as much as any four and a half hours 1. We start mowing No. 10 forward, private club in our area. During the winter season we do and by the time we make the turn, the Through a great relationship with many different cultural practices. groups on the front are far enough our members, who understand what it We use pencil tines often, at least along that we never run into each takes to provide quality conditioning, monthly, and walk-mow right behind other. and our Golf Staff, and Club it, then roll. The holes are virtually If we are verticutting or topdressing Management, we are able to maintain undetectable. About three days a week greens, or applying fertilizers, we healthy turf and provide consistent we use the brush attachments on our do not allow any groups to go off playing conditions and adequate walkers. We have been using vibratory following the application for two availability of golf. rollers for a couple of years with important reasons: excellent results. We roll three times The first is to avoid subjecting Kenyon Kyle, CGCS per week, occasionally more.

F A L L 2 0 0 7 3 7 HANDS ON

At Gateway, we rarely verticut Dolomite per 1,000 sq.ft., and changed to Agriox). It is a calcium in the winter. (I can see the raised spray a foliar fertilizer including peroxide powder that gives off oxygen eyebrows now!) We get very Primo® weekly with a nice selection of as it dissolves. aggressive in summer, and with weekly minors. We had a great year with really no topdressing and brushing we find that We really do not get too much into bad areas on any greens and had to grain is a non-issue for us. verticutting after Sept. 1, but will do do very little hand watering. I made Our Tifeagle greens are very good so in March when the weather heats a comment to my irrigation manager here. We are quite blessed. In fact up. last spring that I was pleased with we often get comments about the We do use groomers often when the number of small projects he was surfaces being too fast. This winter the grass is actively growing, which able to complete last season and he we are going to see how a height of helps to keep us from having to indicated it was largely due to the cut at .130 does for us. Last year we verticut when the weather isn’t prime. extra time they had because they were maintained green speed around 11 I used to use brushes before I had not hand watering all morning every to 11.5, and often quicker, on the groomers on all my walk mowers but day. Stimpmeter while mowing at .120. thought the brushes had a tendency to I generally try to stay on a bounce when they became worn. preventive fungicide program splitting Jim Phelps, GCS I make it a point to Hydroject applications between a contact and a all my greens one time per month systemic every two weeks. Last year PRIVATE: QUAIL CREEK COUNTRY CLUB, from October to April and throw in was a bit different. We were hit so NAPLES a pencil-tine aerification in January hard with leaf spot I sprayed almost We have a pretty simple approach for good measure. I also try to get in weekly, more fungicide than I have to our greens management during a soil flush each month heavily with a ever sprayed before. season. Every other week we try calcium product and a wetting agent. to topdress and fertilize with half Last year I started using a product Dave Fenton, GCS a pound of N and 10 pounds of called Terrox (now the name has

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3 8 THE FLORIDA GREEN F A L L 2 0 0 7 3 9 INDUSTRY NEWS

55th Annual Show Completes FTGA's Estero Run 'Greatest Show on Turf' Moves to PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens Sept. 16-19, 2008

By Joel Jackson, CGCS (Ret.)

There at the podium during the 2007 Awards Luncheon stood Ralph White, senior statesman of the FTGA. I met White when he worked for Southern Turf Nurseries when I was just a high school kid working a summer job on the Apollo Beach Golf Course near Tampa. Now, 47 years later, we have been colleagues in this great industry. White said he had missed only two of the 55 conferences over the years. He commented on past leaders and future New 2007-08 FTGA Officers open Trade Show. From left: Secretary/Treasurer Greg generations of the turf industry in his Pheneger, Vice President Todd Himmelberger, President Darren Davis, Executive impromptu remarks. He also lauded the Director Casey Wohl Pace and Immediate Past President Jay McCord. Photo courtesy FTGA for its trend of inclusion to make of The Marketplace. sure all sectors of the turfgrass industry are being represented on the board of moves to the PGA National Resort in This year the conference started off directors. He praised the FTGA on its Palm Beach Gardens. The dates are with some fun events — the fishing vision and direction. Sept. 16-19. The FTGA is trying to serve and golf tournaments. This year the This was the FTGA’s last meeting its members by making the education golf tournament had special meaning at the Hyatt Coconut Point in Estero and networking accessible to as many for FGCSA members as the winner for awhile. Next year, the conference members as possible. of the individual low gross event automatically gains a spot on the FGCSA’s golf team to compete in the GCSAA National Golf Championship in Orlando in January. Seth Strickland from the South Florida GCSA and Miami Shores CC took home the trophy. For those not playing golf, workshops and pesticide license classes filled the day Wednesday leading up to the annual Toro Corn Boil steak dinner that evening prepared by Wiley McCall and company from Environmental Turf. The rains held off and everyone ate his fill. Thursday morning was full of concurrent education sessions for every sector of the turf industry. At the Awards Luncheon, former NFL All-Pro quarterback Jim Hart, now a Southwest FTGA President Jay McCord (left) presents Roy Bates with the 2007 Wreath of Grass Florida resident, entertained the crowd Award for Lifetime Service to the FTGA during the Awards Luncheon at the 2007 with a recap of his career and life FTGA Conference and Show in Estero, FL. Photo courtesy of The Marketplace. experience from a “right time – right

4 0 THE FLORIDA GREEN F A L L 2 0 0 7 4 1 INDUSTRY NEWS

place” perspective. Then the new FTGA ofﬁcers and directors were installed, scholarships were awarded and Roy Bates received the Wreath of Grass Award after a friendly roasting from his longtime pal, Jerry Redden. For me and the FGCSA, our new association manager, Jennifer Innes, made her public debut at our booth at the trade show and met lots of our members and other key industry folks. We made several promising advertising contacts for the Florida Green and got a chance to touch base with Hannes Combest from GCSAA as the national group fulﬁlls its mission to be a solid resource for chapters and members to succeed. I met more turf industry Seth Strickland won the 2007 FTGA professionals from other sectors such Golf Tournament at Bonita Bay West as parks and recreation and sports turf. and a place on the FGCSA Golf Team for which bodes well for the FTGA and for the GCSAA National Championships in After his keynote address at the 2007 our united turf interests and issues in Orlando in 2008. Photo by Joel Jackson. FTGA Awards Luncheon, All-Pro the state. Quarterback Jim Hart spent an hour at the Trade Show signing autographs and chatting with NFL fans. Photo courtesy of Leading Edge Communications.

From left: During the Trade Show in Estero, Dale Mitchell and Richard Coyler from Golf Agronomic Supply and Handling presented President Darren Davis with a $3,000 donation for the FTGA Research Foundation. Photo by Joel Jackson.

4 2 THE FLORIDA GREEN F A L L 2 0 0 7 4 3 INDUSTRY NEWS

UF Turfgrass Faculty Back to Full Strength Former Extension an M.S. in soil and water science at UF, studying the management of Agent to Teach and ultradwarf bermudagrasses, and a Conduct Research in Ph.D. from Iowa State University. His Golf and Sports Turf research at Iowa involved the use of remote sensing systems in nutrient and Management water resources management. Research will be a priority for GAINESVILLE – The University Dettman-Kruse in his new position as of Florida environmental horticulture well. His research program will focus department has hired Jason Dettman- on the management of athletic fields Kruse as a turfgrass science assistant as related to player safety and site- professor. Beginning August, he has specific management of soil and water been teaching several hands-on courses resources in urban turfgrass systems. to Gainesville students and starting his “Turfgrass beautifies our research program on athletic fields. environment and protects against Students in Dettman-Kruse’s injuries during athletic activities, while undergraduate courses will be using working to filter our air and water the Turfgrass Envirotron on campus resources,” said Dettman-Kruse. “My and the Turfgrass Research3101 Unit in Dr. Jason Dettman-Kruse is the newest FTGAteaching philosophy is focused on Citra. In these facilities, students get addition to the UF Environmental creating a learning environment that to practice hands-on management of Horticulture Dept. He will specialize in combines traditional classroom and turf, including irrigation, mowing, sports turf management and will focus laboratory experience with a variety of topdressing, overseeding, and on developing students in all phases of hands-on learning activities and on- fertilization. He is also team-teaching a turfgrass science. the-job training. Students successfully Landscape and Turfgrass Management completing the Golf and Sports class. from the University of Wisconsin’s Turf Management program at the “Having worked in both the Extension program, where he worked University of Florida will leave with the industry and as an Extension educator, as an educator for the commercial education and experience necessary to I recognize the value of hands-on horticulture industry. There he be successful turfgrass managers and learning opportunities,” said Dettman- developed and taught curricula good stewards of the environment.” Kruse. “I look forward to working with to Wisconsin’s green industry on my colleagues and the industry across turfgrass identification, weed control, EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr.Dettman-Kruse the state to help establish the Golf and spreader calibration and pesticide essentially replaces the position vacated Sports Turf Management Program at application. by Dr. Grady Miller. We were lucky to the University of Florida as one of the Dettman-Kruse received his B.S. fill the position before the recent budget best in the nation.” in crop science from the University cuts necessitated a university wide hiring Dettman-Kruse comes to UF/IFAS of Idaho, his native state. He earned freeze.

4 4 THE FLORIDA GREEN

INDUSTRY NEWS

2007 PLANTS OF THE YEAR Exotic-looking seed cones surrounded by tough green The exotic Cardboard Palm wraps up our review of the 2007 fronds arise through the green, Plants of the Year selections. These plants are selected annually cardboard-like fronds... by a panel who look for their native ability to exist in Florida’s three geographic zones.

Zamia maritima (formerly furfuracea) Common Name: Cardboard Palm Zones: North protected areas, Central & South Mature Height and Spread: 3.5 x 4-6 ft. Classiﬁ cation: Cycad Landscape Use: Specimen, foundation planting, container Characteristics: Exotic-looking seed cones surrounded by tough green fronds arise through the green, cardboard-like fronds making this plant a standout in the landscape. New growth appears as light olive above the mature dark green leaves. This cycad is drought tolerant and also tolerates neglect well. Its use adds a tropical ﬂ air to virtually any landscape. It is exceptionally salt tolerant and tough, making it ideal for use in coastal regions. Possible Insect/Disease Problems: Occasional scale or mealybug Propagation: by seed

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4 6 THE FLORIDA GREEN

INDUSTRY NEWS

It is interesting to note that no pathogens were found in many samples sent to the clinic. This result can be frustrating for a golf course superintendent who suffers turf damage or loss that is not caused by a pathogen. Top Ten Florida 'Diseases'

By Todd Lowe The University of Florida Disease Diagnostic Clinic was revamped last year, under the guidance of Dr. Phil Harmon, to provide golf courses with a Rapid Turf Diagnosis disease service for turfgrass managers. The new service has been a value to the golf course industry in our region, as it provides reliable and timely disease diagnoses and management suggestions. In its ﬁrst year, the laboratory received 165 samples and has received 61 samples as of April this year. The results from those samples yielded the following results:

Samples Samples Disease 2006 2007 no pathogen ...... 42 ...... 10 Pythium Root Rot ...... 35 ...... 7 Rhizoctonia Lear/Sheaat Spot ...... 18 ...... 2 Bermudagrass Decline ...... 17 ...... 3 Pythium Blight ...... 16 ...... 16 Fairy Ring ...... 13 ...... 0 Brown Patch ...... 12 ...... 3 Dollar Spot ...... 9 ...... 3 Take-All Root Rot ...... 8 ...... 0 Bipolaris Leaf Spot ...... 5 ...... 4 Anaerobic Soil ...... 3 ...... 0

Other pathogens found included Nigrospora blight, Rhizoctonia circinata brown ring patch, Limonomyces pink patch, Fusarium blight, Michrodochium patch, gray leaf spot It is interesting to note that no pathogens were found in many samples sent to the clinic. This result can be frustrating for a golf course superintendent who suffers turf damage or loss that is not caused by a pathogen. Samples are sometimes submitted following fungicide treatments, which can provide a false diagnosis. Oftentimes, other environmental, mechanical, chemical or climatic factors cause the damage and the problem cannot be easily ﬁxed with a fungicide treatment. A disease laboratory technician cannot determine whether turf loss occurred because of trees surrounding the putting green, improper drainage, or mechanic/climatic stress. Such factors can easily cause turf damage without the presence of pathogens and it may be necessary to conduct a Turfgrass Advisory Service visit by a qualiﬁed agronomist to assess the putting greens. The clinic also provides updates on turfgrass diseases throughout the region. Dr. Harmon and associates also are receiving research funds from the USGA to study diseases on seashore paspalum. We appreciate the value that the University of Florida provides the turfgrass industry and the game of golf.

Updates on turfgrass diseases can be found at http://turfpath.ifas.ufl.edu/turfgrass/rapiddiag_disease.shtml

4 8 THE FLORIDA GREEN

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

ANALYSIS EPA cuts that amount and submits debate, we must ask congress to step in its nomination to the International and do just one simple thing: Require Critical Flaws in body. That group usually approves an EPA to explain why it takes two cuts to allocation for all users and it is always the annual allowable amounts of MeBr. MeBr Critical-Use less than EPA’s request. Then the EPA Meanwhile golf-course use has not Exemption Process again cuts the amount approved by been granted a CUE in part because international group. U.S. golf and turfgrass don’t hold much By Joel Jackson Why? sway in the international community. EPA’s Office of Stratospheric The international body did approve The phase-out of methyl bromide Protection has been charged with MeBr use for golf course development (MeBr) has been decreed by the overseeing the phase-out of MeBr. in some Caribbean countries. And international Montreal Protocol Officials do not appear to be swayed by they have seen fit to allow MeBr for cut signed by the USA in 1987. Under the arguments of national interest in terms flower production. So cultural biases agreement, critical-use exemptions of having no safe effective economic have been endemic in the process. (CUE) would be granted for alternatives to grow our crops, fumigate Strike Three. commodities that could show critical stored grains, fumigate soil to keep We are not married to MeBr if an need, no viable alternatives and market yields profitable and competitive in effective alternative were available. disruption if MeBr were not avialable. the global market. Their job is to phase After USDA spent $192 million on Originally, golf courses and sod out MeBr and, at the rate they are research, we still have the same flawed production were granted a CUE. double-cutting supplies, it will take alternatives which potentially have Subsequent applications have been only another year or two. They are not more damaging environmental effects denied. The science and data haven’t tasked with weighing risks and benefits. and inconsistent performance. If you changed but EPA’s position has. The science and data remain are contemplating regrassing your golf Strike one. debatable depending on whether you course in the future, your chances of When a commodity is not approved have zero tolerance for this product encountering off-type contamination for critical use, producers may use that is generally recognized as the are pretty much guaranteed. MeBr in stockpiles. Our stockplies only reliable and effective fumigant. If not challenged, EPA’s aggressive are dwindling rapidly, thanks to Arguments revolve around naturally- cuts will deplete MeBr stocks as early EPA’s aggressive annual cuts which occuring MeBr and manmade as 2009. If it’s important to you, your supersede the amounts required by the quanities. Some cite biomass burning business and your club, write your International Body. and leaded gasoline combustion senators and representatives and ask Strike two. as producting more MeBr than them to require EPA to explain and How it works: U.S. farmers and agricultural uses. But these debates rage justify its accelerated phase-out process growers have consistently justified the on whle our access to this product is at the expense of transparency and due amount of MeBr they need annually. vanishing. Rather than continue the process.

Following are excerpts of comments We do not understand why soil This seems counter to the mission of made on the record at the September fumigation for the protection of certiﬁed EPA. 11, 2007 Methyl Bromide CUE Hearing turfgrass varieties is not deemed worthy There are roughly 15,000 golf courses at EPA. Please use these ideas in your of consideration, especially since reliable in the U.S. They do not all need methyl own letters to your legislators asking for or safer alternatives have not been bromide annually, and as the golf market their help. We are past arguing science developed. The only alternatives have adjusts to current trends new course and data. We are asking for fairness and been shown to perform dramatically construction has slowed appreciably since due process: inconsistently and pose devastating its boom in 1980s and 90s. Annual course We are concerned that the EPA has impacts like ﬁsh kills in nearby waters. renovations calling for the installation of not forwarded our repeated Critical Without a modest supply of methyl newer varieties – which generally call for Use Exemption applications to the bromide for pre-plant fumigation of fewer inputs that impact the environment International Body. new courses or regrassing of existing – (are not many). The point is that golf We understand that golf is the only properties, more quantities of traditional does not need large amounts to ... serve its commodity held to the market disruption pesticides must be applied during the customers, yet our applications have been standard, which we did address in critical grow-in phase when the turf cover summarily dismissed at the entry level. amended applications. Golf courses and is thinnest and susceptible to runoff and It appears that the denial of sod production were granted a CUE leaching of materials to control soil-borne consideration for a CUE for golf in the originally. The data and need has not diseases, weed seeds and nematode and U.S. rests on arbitrary value judgments changed but now we are denied. Why? insects. or biases against the worthiness of golf or

5 0 THE FLORIDA GREEN turfgrass in general as if they are trivial the agency makes additional cuts to or frivolous. These concerns have merit, production and reserves beyond the levels considering international exceptions called for in the treaty. have been made for cut ﬂowers and golf By making deeper than necessary cuts course development in other countries. to supplies, golf will likely be squeezed Contrary to common belief, golf is not out when allocations are made. We Other background “just” a rich man’s game or “elitist understand food production and safety information on Methyl pastime.” Well over 70 percent of golf are number one, but why isn’t the EPA Bromide can be found at the courses in the U. S. are public access actively supporting our own national following Web sites: venues. interests? We were told by members of EPA ...Owning and operating a golf course in a meeting last year that “political is a business that competes for and serves http://methyl-bromide.com/faq/ pressure” at the international level is the millions of customers. We deserve some plenty-of-skepticism-remains- main obstacle to overcome in terms of consideration. the golf CUE. Essentially other countries We annually support ongoing research about-the-phase-out-of-methyl- do not see the value in using MeBr for to produce new grasses that require less bromide/ golf courses or grass in general. Those.... water, fertilizer and pesticide inputs. pressures... should be dealt with in the Trying to breed, produce and install http://methylbromide.typepad. proper forum. these grasses without access to a fair and com/ Those “opinions” are not part of the reasonable amount of MeBr to insure Montreal Protocol, which speciﬁcally their success without using increased http://www.methyl-bromide.com created critical use exemptions to help amounts of conventional pesticides or support industries until such time as more questionable alternatives is counter viable alternatives could be found. productive for the environment and the We also do not understand why industry.

F A L L 2 0 0 7 5 1 OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Florida Consumer Fertilizer Task Force Task Force Members and Representation Let the Science Begin Mayor Jay Arend, Florida League of Cities, Inc. Sen. David Aronberg, Florida Senate By Joel Jackson 407-248-1971 or [email protected]. Peter John Barile, Environmental As of Sept. 30, at least two local Community The Florida Consumer Fertilizer Task ordinances (Sanibel Island and Sarasota Jerry Brooks, Department of Force was created by the 2007 Florida County) have cited the Golf BMP Environmental Protection Legislature to address several issues Manual recommendations as the Richard Budell, DACS Office of beginning with phosphorus loading guidelines that golf courses in their Agricultural Water Policy in Lake Okeechobee and eventually jurisdictions must follow regarding Casey Fitzgerald (Vice-chair), Water expanding to include nitrogen and all nutrient management. Both ordinances Management Districts watersheds and basins in the state. also ban the application of N and P Richard Martinez, National Fertilizer The clean-up of Lake Okeechobee during the “rainy season” which they Industry began with addressing agricultural each define with different dates. The state Representative Bryan Nelson, uses of fertilizers but quickly spread hopes that by drafting a standardized Florida House of Representatives to addressing urban uses of fertilizer statewide rule based on science that Ron Olson, Florida-Based Fertilizer including residential and commercial local governments will use that rule to Industry lawns, sports fields and golf courses. The educate and guide homeowner use to Andy Rackley (Chair), Department rule deals primarily with the amount help minimize any negative effects of of Agriculture and Consumer of phosphorus (P) and3111 nitrogen (N) Fertilizerresidential fertilizer use. Services that can be formulated and put into Jerry Sartain, UF Institute for Food containers of fertilizer products weighing MISSION STATEMENT and Agricultural Sciences less than 49 pounds, also known as “The Florida Consumer Fertilizer Karen Taylor, Registered Landscape specialty products. The lawTask does not Task ForceForce, representing diverse architect regulate improper application of the stakeholder interests from around the Commissioner Jon Thaxton, Florida products. state, will provide recommendations Association of Counties However, limitations have been to the Florida Legislature to improve placed on the amount of total P and N efficiency, effectiveness and consistency that can be applied per application and in Florida’s regulation and use of federal water quality standards.” per year. Intensely managed sports and consumer fertilizers. The Task Force’s Here is the remaining meeting golf turf can use tissue- and soil-testing task will be to review, discuss and schedule for the Task Force. It would results to justify additional nutrient seek consensus (10 of 13 votes is be a good idea for representatives of all applications if needed. The golf industry agreed as consensus) on a package of green industries to attend one of these is guided by the nutrient management recommendations to the Legislature public meetings in their areas so they recommendations contained in the for proposed refinements to Florida’s can monitor the progress and make newly published Golf Course BMP regulation and use of consumer appropriate comments. Manual. fertilizers to ensure they are based EDITOR’S NOTE: I attended the first Copies of the BMP manuals were sent on the very best available science and meeting in Sarasota and it was primarily to every golf course in the state. If you uniform(ly) subject to variations to set up the process and ground rules for did not receive one contact the FGCSA at necessary to meet mandated state and conducting the business of the Task Force. They elected Andy Rackley of FDOACS as chairman of the group and Casey Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDOACS) Florida Fitzgerald from the water management Consumer Fertilizer Task Force Project Development and Delivery Schedule districts as vice chairman. While all members cited using best available science, Nov. 2, 2007: Task Force Meeting 3 - West Palm Beach several members of the group also were Nov. 14, 2007:Task Force Meeting 4: Draft Recommendations Approval Public involved in local ordinances which ban Workshops—Round One (Following Task Force Meeting) Tallahassee the use of nitrogen and phosphorus Dec. 17, 2007: Task Force Meeting 5—Review of Public Comments Public during warm-season turf-growing (rainy) Workshops—Round Two (Following Task Force Meeting) Apopka season. That ban is not based on science. Jan. 11, 2008: Task Force Meeting 6—Adoption of Final Package of It is based on intution that if fertilizer Recommendations - Tallahassee is applied and it rains it automatically Jan. 15, 2008: Delivery of Final Recommendations to DACS and Florida must run off. That’s why we need to stay Legislature involved.

5 2 THE FLORIDA GREEN 2001 Bloomcamp 7.5x10 9/21/04 5:16 PM Page 1

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F A L L 2 0 0 7 5 3 STEWARDSHIP

ACSP CERTIFICATION these areas wider in the future. This project is its infant stage. I have had great response from the community What Does It Mean to You? on my efforts. I will continue to use BMPs to reduce costs and improve the By Shelly Foy It is plain as the nose on your face environment. Ryan J. Costello, CGCS, that environmental issues in general Audubon Country Club, Naples I don’t know how long I have and concerning golf courses specifi cally been urging Florida golf course aren’t going away. You guys are always I believe the majority of our members superintendents to join the Audubon interested in citing peer-reviewed studies are really interested in protecting our International’s Cooperative Sanctuary when arguing about environmental environment and participation in this program. Now with the publishing and activists coming after golf courses. program is one way to demonstrate distribution of the Florida Golf Course Well, here are some reviews from your this interest. Then there is the matter BMP Manual the past few months, there peers about what the Cooperative of community pride. It’s kind of nice to are even more excellent reasons and Sanctuary has meant to them and their have our little golf course appear in the motivation to join. golf courses. Read what your peers have same list containing the names of some First, many of those BMPs were based to say about the program. If you can’t of the most famous courses in the world. on guidelines suggested by Audubon believe them, who will you believe? In a broader sense, we need to be International. Second, several cities aware of the ‘bad rap’ that golf seems and counties have said that golf courses Your top ten reasons are right on the to be gaining; that we are the ‘bad would be exempt from their local target. The only other one I can think guys’ polluting and destroying the fertilizer ordinances if they followed the of... Best and most practical program environment without caring. Our new BMPs. To follow the BMPs you need available to ensure highest standards participation in the ACSP along with to have a plan. What better plan than the of environmental stewardship in the that of so many other courses seems to AI Cooperative Sanctuary Program to Golf Industry… and of course Audubon provide a powerful message that this help you fi ll out the checklist in the back International’s track record speaks for game, played and enjoyed by so many of the BMP manual? itself. Bill Iwinski, PGA, Golf Course millions throughout the world, is, in If you are reading through Audubon Manager, Ironwood Golf Course fact, a responsible member of the world International’s Web sites (www. society. Jim Toth, Six Lakes Country auduboninternational.org or www. Since we have become certifi ed, it has Club golfandenvironment.org), chances are heightened our awareness of everything you might run across this list of the “Top around us. We now notice how rapidly I don’t think it’s an option (to join Ten Reasons to get Certifi ed.” I think our (wildlife) populations are increasing, the ACSP for Golf). What better way is there is a lot we can add to this list and such as osprey, blue heron, red fox and there to showcase your environmental I encourage you to do so by sending me many other animals. We have reduced efforts and prove that golf amd nature an e-mail at [email protected]. signifi cantly our most toxic pesticides to can be harmonious? Our efforts near zero and always are looking for the clearly show that golf cares about the TOP TEN REASONS TO GET CERTIFIED safest methods available. Fred Klauk, environment. Scott Welder, Golf Course • Do the right thing for the Superintendent, TPC at Sawgrass, Superintendent, Walt Disney World environment Ponte Vedra Beach • Enjoy a new and rewarding aspect As we all know, golf course of your job and be able to share it with Water quality has greatly improved superintendents are environmentalists. others over the past year. Visually the lakes are Being a member of Audubon • Gain positive publicity for your golf no longer full of algae and weeds and the International helps show our course aquatic plants and wildlife are thriving. commitment to protecting the • Better organize and coordinate your Since my arrival here at Audubon CC, environment and providing habitat environmental management efforts I have totally changed the way fertilizers for Florida’s wildlife. Robert R Bittner • Track environmental improvements and chemicals are used, especially CGCS, The Club Pelican Bay • Save money through reduced around the lakes. Fertilizer is NO longer resource use thrown into the lakes and chemicals are Achieving certifi cation • Build your skill set and your resume used as needed. as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary • Promote your stewardship efforts I have also started a bank was a goal that brought immense • Be recognized as a community and naturalization plan which catches and satisfaction once accomplished. I always golf industry environmental leader fi lters any runoff going into the lakes. believed I was a good steward of the • Gain valuable feedback from The golfers are also happy because this environment, but the program enabled Audubon International catches their golf balls. I plan to make me to quantify my achievements as well

5 4 THE FLORIDA GREEN as provide me tools to demonstrate the industry as well as your local community. Once you take the fi rst step, you’ll value of the golf course and the programs The role of today’s golf course fi nd the hardest part was taking that that we have in place. In a nutshell, it is superintendent must include an awareness step. Set certifi cation as a goal for your the right thing to do and it feels good! of our environment. Golf Course career at your club. Your knowledge of Darren J. Davis, Director of Golf Course Maintenance Operations are scrutinized your property and understanding of your Operations, Olde Florida Golf Club by employers and the public alike. complete operation will increase as you go Involvement in the Audubon Cooperative through the process. It’s a win-win! Kyle The Habitat Golf Course just went Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses D. Sweet, CGCS, The Sanctuary Golf through our site visit for recertifi cation proves that your operation is committed to Club last week. It was nice to be able to a higher environmental standard. showcase our golf course not only as a golf course, but as a sanctuary to numerous species of birds and animals. I feel very fortunate to be able to preserve over 200 acres of habitat suitable for maintaining wildlife, so that all generations to come will enjoy. Jim Moller, GCS, IGM@The Habitat

I believe when you have everyone involved, you have a higher long-term success rate. This generates more creativity and support for programs that A Galaxy of may not be well received initially by the members. I see my role in the ACSP as ‘facilitator.’ I enjoy helping bring other Top Performers people’s ideas to the table and helping them to gain a better understanding of Servicing the finest golf courses, colleges, parks, nurseries, how these programs impact our club. lawn care, and greenhouse in Florida and surrounding areas. Audubon provides a tremendous amount of depth. Kenyon Kyle, Golf Course Superintendent, Shadow Wood Country Club

The fact that we are a certiﬁ ed sanctuary is just as important in our decision making as sound agronomic practices. Matthew Taylor, Golf Course Superintendent, Royal Poinciana Golf Club

For us the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses For More Information Contact your was a natural ﬁ t. It reinforced the Local UAP Representative ongoing stewardship efforts that we had Dan Bott Ken Gagne Bill Lloyd Matthew Stacey been involved in for several years. The East Coast FL Orlando, FL SE Florida SW Florida certiﬁ cation process, from beginning to (772) 473-7544 (407) 466-9403 (954) 815-8368 (941) 737-3668 end, was an education for my staff, my Brian Bretz Bayardo Herrera Gary Morgan Patrick Wienstroer membership and me. NE Florida SE Florida NE Florida Tampa - Sarasota (901) 669-0848 (321) 508-7497 (386) 527-0682 (813) 625-3431 As golf and environmentalism continue their travel down the same path, the Chris Collins Dave Kohl Steve Niedzwiedzki Orlando, FL SW Florida SE Florida Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (407) 448-3703 (239) 424-0116 (954) 557-3967 for Golf Courses sets goals and procedures that can put your course on the leading edge of environmental awareness and promote your efforts throughout the www.uap.com

F A L L 2 0 0 7 5 5 STEWARDSHIP

My club’s involvement in the ACSP is The cost to join the ACSP was low Norton, General Manager, Tournament a statement to our members, our residents but the benefits have been substantial. I Players Club at Prestancia and neighbors alike that our maintenance highly recommend this to all golf courses. programs are well planned and executed; At the very least it will bring about a self The Green Committee is keenly aware and deliver the highest in turf quality assessment to determine where you are of our interest in mitigation efforts to and environmental care. We do it right and what you can do to improve. Jim enhance habitat and are supportive of and want everyone to know about it. The Schell CCM, General Manager, Venice suggestions for plantings that provide ACSP is a well respected environmental Golf & Country Club food and cover for birds and other small leader and to be positively associated to animals. I think it is important to such an organization will only benefit As a leader of the Flagler Audubon have members of the club involved with the club. The Cooperative program costs Society, I wanted to gain first-hand insight Audubon activities, as it is an avenue nothing and is a great way to show your into the AI programs for golf courses. I am for them to become stake holders in the community you care. Ryan J Costello, really impressed with the overall quality Club, its golf course and our community. CGCS, Audubon Country Club of the programs and in how extremely Dr. H. Bernton, Chairman, Audubon As the program succeeds club well the programs are being managed Committee and Member, Windstar officials, members of the management at Hammock Dunes. I plan to propose Country Club team and influential golfers are infected that my own golf course apply to join this by the positive results. Read on: program, Neil Davies, Co-President, I have the ability to provide support Flagler Audubon Society. (Quotes from for projects the superintendent feels will Hammock Dunes has two courses Hammock Dunes Creekside Course site enhance the ACSP. From a corporate which are certified by the ACSP. The visit recertification) perspective I am able to gather the program has been well received by the financial support, and from a club membership. It has caused us to focus our Everything we’ve done as a result of standpoint, I can involve our members. attention on our beautiful environment participation in the program has enabled Involvement brings knowledge, and the and to seek methods to maintain and us to be better stewards of the 200 acres of more a club is involved, the greater our enhance nature’s great gift to us. It also land we control. We have been amazed at ability to educate not only our members, bought our community together behind a how little cost and little effort there can be but our critics as well. Susie Stiegmann, noble endeavor. Bob Haley, MD in a program making a golf course more General Manager, Shadow Wood compatible with the environment. To Country Club It gives you a chance to share your anyone considering the program, I would passion for wildlife with others and point out that they should expect a great What a wonderful sense of then see that passion spread throughout deal of interest and support from their achievement it is to know that the the entire community. Peggy Ogden, membership. Fred Yarrington, The Hole participation of Frenchman’s Reserve Landscape Manager Arlington Ridge in the Wall Golf Club in the ACSS has had an immediate Country Club effect on the wildlife and the fragile Efforts to achieve designation as a flatwoods ecosystem that they inhabit. The ACSP has provided us with a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Having finally completed this intensive method to perform self analysis of our have generated interest, participation, and certification process, I am thrilled BMP’s. It gives us guidance on how our appreciation of what is required to create to report that we are already seeing cultural practices have a positive impact and maintain our habitat and ecosystem. dramatic changes and improvements on the environment. Everybody is on We have done this while still maintaining throughout the golf course. Elizabeth the GREEN bandwagon these days and and interacting in a compatible fashion Gilmour, Landscape Superintendent, anything that we as a company can share with a quality golf facility. Everyone in Frenchman’s Reserve, Palm Beach with governmental agencies is viewed in a the FoxFire community is proud of this Gardens. positive light. accomplishment. Ted Beisler, General As an Audubon Certified Golf Course Manager, FoxFire Golf and Country Programs such as this represent the we are often used as a model club for Club types of positive partnerships that need to responsible stewardship. The ACSP was be created across the country. This type the first step in propelling our club into The open space of our golf courses and of an effort is the only way that we can a leadership role in Sarasota County. community is utilized not only by golfers, positively deal with the many, serious The County Commissioners look at but is a habitat for a variety of wildlife environmental issues that we face as a this club in a very positive light and and plant species. Our goal in being part nation. EPA Administrator, Christine often solicit our input as it relates to of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Todd Whitman, presenting Audubon environmental issues. The club continues Program is to manage our golf courses in International with the EPA Region 2 to be recognized for our environmental a matter that is conducive to maintaining 2001 Environmental Quality Award. leadership. and enhancing the environment. - Robert

5 6 THE FLORIDA GREEN F A L L 2 0 0 7 5 7 RESEARCH

Nearly 200 Attend UF Turfgrass Field Day

Event Showcases New the premiere turfgrass research facility with the facility in Citra and the Research, Environmentally in the nation. Faculty-led tours of the research studies under way there. The Friendly Management outdoor turfgrass plots were followed Envirotron Unit on campus continues by a lunch sponsored by Environmental to also generate excellent data and EDITOR’S NOTE: In the last issue we listed Turf and a putting contest on the greens. information in more controlled growth the research projects the FGCSA is funding Event attendees included UF faculty environments.” in cooperation with the FTGA and others. and students, horticulturalists, golf Billy Crow, associate professor of Here is a report to the state’s general news course managers and pesticide operators entomology and nematology, talked media from the University of about his work on new Florida’s Envirotron and GC methods for managing Horn Turf Plots, where that nematodes with beneficial research is being conducted. parasites such as the fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus. If By Georgia Gelmis used together with water, this fungus can significantly GAINESVILLE — Nearly suppress nematode numbers two hundred green industry in the soil. professionals visited University Carol Stiles, assistant of Florida facilities July 17-18 to professor of plant pathology, learn about the latest Florida- explained the effectiveness of friendly turfgrass management fungicides such as Insignia, practices. The two-day event Heritage and Prostar, in highlighted research on pest combination with soil- control, fertilization and wetting agents, for controlling nutrient leaching. fairy ring in bermudagrass The North Central Florida and increasing turf quality. Turfgrass Field Day allows Phil Harmon, assistant industry professionals to learn professor of plant pathology, about ongoing UF research and From lab to turf plots Dr. Jerry Sartain continues to find explained the UF/IFAS to network with peers. With the best sustainable nutrient application rates that will be turfgrass disease diagnostic over 5 million acres of home environmentally responsible. Photo by Joel Jackson program, made possible by lawns and 200,000 acres of support from FTGA and golf courses in Florida, UF scientists are eager to learn new techniques for FGCSA. This rapid diagnostic program continually developing better methods sounder, more efficient management of for managers of high-quality turf costs for managing turfgrass, as well as lawns and sports turf. $75 and can provide a preliminary breeding new species that require less Golf course managers are always diagnosis within 36 hours of receiving water and fertilizer and with higher pest interested in finding new ways to a sample. The final report provides resistance. combat pests and diseases harmful a diagnosis based on culture plate The first day of the 2007 Turfgrass to bermudagrass. The 2007 Turfgrass results, and will include fungicide Field Day included tours of the Field Day spotlighted research being recommendations based on UF research. Envirotron greenhouses on the UF conducted by faculty members Billy Members of the student body campus, where turfgrass experiments Crow, Carol Stiles and Phil Harmon on were involved in the event as well. are conducted in a controlled ways to effectively deal with golf course Entomology and nematology graduate environment, and of the sports turf pests and diseases at the lowest cost student Scott Portman’s presentation on at the recreational sports fields and and in the most environmentally sound the Larra bicolor wasp as a biocontrol Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The second ways. for mole crickets made golf course part of the afternoon was devoted to “We should be pleased and proud managers aware of this economical, educational sessions on weed control of the results our support is helping effective alternative to chemical controls. and fertilization conducted by UF/IFAS to produce across the whole spectrum The 2007 Turfgrass Field Day faculty. of turf management issues,” said Joel also showcased research by Laurie On the second day, participants Jackson, executive director of the Trenholm, Jerry Sartain, Eileen Buss and gathered at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Florida Golf Course Superintendents Michael Dukes that hopes to shed new Research and Education Unit in Citra, Association. “We were very impressed light on fertilization, pest control and

5 8 THE FLORIDA GREEN ��

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irrigation management. Michael Dukes, associate professor A five-year DEP grant allows UF/IFAS of agricultural and biological professors Laurie Trenholm and Jerry engineering, tests irrigation controllers Sartain to explore the effects of nutrient known as Smart Water Application leaching from fertilizer on a variety of Technologies (SWAT), which consist turfgrasses. The study is under way at of evapotranspiration controllers, soil three locations in the state, including moisture sensor controllers and rain sites in the Panhandle and South Florida. sensors that are commonly found in The unique Citra facility affords these irrigation systems. According to UF researchers an opportunity to test a scientists, these water savers can reduce number of different grasses at once in water use by 10-60 percent during dry a single location. Turfgrass Field Day years, and up to 90 percent in normal to participants were able to walk the plots high rainfall years. and see for themselves the visual qualities A highlight of this year’s Turfgrass of various grasses under different Field Day was the tour of Ben Hill fertilizer and irrigation regimes. Griffin Stadium at Florida Field and “I enjoyed meeting with the the recreational sports fields on the researchers and learning more University of Florida campus. John about growing healthy turfgrass in Mascaro, executive director of the Florida,” said Jeff Michel, in field North Florida Sports Turf Managers development and technical science with Association, arranged the tours of the Bayer Environmental Science. “The sports facilities. information Dr. Trenholm presented on “There are a huge number of people zoysiagrass nutrient requirements was involved in the sports turf industry Besides training lawn care technicians very interesting. I also enjoyed seeing the here in North Florida. We are trying in Green Industry BMPs, Dr. Laurie turf disease trials on seashore paspalum, to provide additional educational Trenholm along with research assistant bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass.” opportunities for them in conjunction Basil Wetherington, is conducting Eventually the findings of the with the NFSTMA and the University of fertilizer leaching studies funded by nutrient leaching study, which is Florida,” said Mascaro. the Florida Dept. of Environmental currently in year three, will be used to Mascaro led a group of about 50 Protection. Photo by Joel Jackson. determine new fertilizer policies around Field Day participants in an hour-long the state. tour from the Southwest Recreational a year, fertilize on a strict schedule Kevin Kenworthy, assistant Fields over to the stadium. Along the and aerate every 30-45 days to reduce professor of agronomy, updated Field way he spoke about the necessity of compaction. Zurburg credits UF’s 10- Day participants on the University of keeping UF fields safe, playable and year capital-outlay plan with having Florida’s turfgrass breeding program, a looking good for the TV cameras. money in place for new equipment when program that has focused on developing Wayne Zurburg, maintenance it’s needed. environmentally sound turfgrass cultivars superintendent for UF’s Recreational “We have a great crew with a real since 1943. Nineteen cultivars with Sports division, gave Field Day passion and love for the turf,” said increased disease and pest resistance, participants an overview of the Zurburg. “That’s really what keeps it that require less water and fertilizer, intensive care regimen employed on the looking so good.” have been released by the program Southwest Recreational Fields. Zurburg’s Mike Cheeseman, maintenance since its inception. As Floridians face team manages 19 acres of Tifway 419 turf manager for Florida Field, spoke greater restrictions for water and applied bermudagrass and a four-field softball to participants in the stadium about nutrients, this work becomes more complex. His job includes keeping management practices employed on relevant and important than ever. the turf in prime condition for events Florida Field. The stadium turf had just Eileen Buss, associate professor like the annual Swamp Bowl football been aerified, verticut and topdressed, so of entomology and nematology, is tournament. it was in top condition for the Field Day. looking at the short-term effects of “I’ve been to other colleges around the Turfgrass Field Day happens every nitrogen on chinch bug fecundity in Southeast and I’ve never seen facilities to year and brings together a dynamic cross St. Augustinegrass. Though healthy match ours,” said Zurburg. “People are section of industry professionals and turf typically has a good resistance blown away when they come here. Our researchers. The event affords a unique to pest invaders, Buss’s experiments kids get to practice on turf that’s of the opportunity for business and science may necessitate a reevaluation of the same quality as Florida Field.” to intersect and allows participants to relationship between fertility regimes Zurburg and his team mow three share ideas and techniques for continued and feeding a major pest species. times a week, topdress multiple times improvement of Florida turf.

6 0 THE FLORIDA GREEN F A L L 2 0 0 7 6 1 AFTERWORDS

playing skills but have never I tell this story because I heard him speak before. Now want Boo to know that I like Peek- A -Boo! that I have, I still like him country music and I’m no except he says after 10 or 12 snob. years on the Tour, and he has Good ol’ boy golf is just enough money in his bank fine. To each his own. It is AS I SEE IT (Sealy Posturepedic Savings the game of a lifetime. But BY JIM WALKER and Loan). He is giving when you have the title “golf up the grind and plans to professional,” there is a small sit home and do whatever burden of proof to act like a Oh my god. Excuse me Ryder Cup, the FedEx Cup, folks living on the Redneck professional. for a moment while I go and “ain’t no good at math.” Riviera do. Arnie’s folks taught him and change my shorts. I just His player profile indicates Boo, it’s not nice to take table etiquette and, while he watched the Boo Weekly he attended Abraham what you want from golf did puff cigarettes on TV interview which followed Baldwin Agricultural and not plan on giving back in the 50s and 60s when the third round of the PGA College, but doesn’t say how anything back to the game it was still politically correct, Championship. They don’t long he stayed. I’m shocked that will put you in a Jon I never saw any tobacco juice spend nearly enough money he went anywhere that has a boat or duck blind instead dribbling down his chin. Tim on “edgeecation” in Milton five syllable word in its title. of the local chemical plant. Finchem must have felt a where Boo was born July 23, While he enjoys the PGA I have always liked John migraine coming on during 1973. Tour, he says it would be Daly as well, who is a good Boo’s interview. This man, who turned pro “funner” to be back home old boy from Arkansas, but in 1997 and has won over catchin’ 10 pounders with his Boo makes John seem like Now imagine if you will, two million dollars in 2007, buddies. a Rhodes Scholar. Hellfire, a Golf Channel reporter is doesn’t know squat about the I have always liked Boo’s Jeff Foxworthy could do a interviewing a golf course 30-minute routine on the superintendent about Boo’ster without even trying. fertilizers or pesticides When God love ya’ Boo. asked about nitrogen or Bobby Clampett, who phophorus applications he almost drove himself into says, with a chaw or pinch of the looney bin trying to hit tobaccy in his lumpy cheek, the perfect golf shot (Do you “I don’t know nuthin bout remember the book, “The no BMPs, PPEs, MSDS, Golf Machine “ by Homer OSHA and all that gummint Kelly? Bobby took it to heart) crap! I’ve been putting out says you have one of the fertilizer every other Monday ten best swings he has ever for dern near 20 years now.” seen. You are a helluva player Now Steve Mona is the with clearly the right mental one reaching for the Extra- attitude for the game. Git ‘er strength Excedrin. done! Of course the difference is Many years ago, I went that Boo and the pros are the to Perdenales, Texas to try entertainers and performers and sell “The Red Headed and superintendents are Stranger” (Willie Nelson) the technicians. We know some orange iron when — from recent and all- I worked for Watson too-frequent media stories Distributing. They had some about personal train wrecks strange rules at his nine-hole — that entertainers can self- course. A couple that stick in destruct instantaneously and my mind are, “A foursome sometimes say the darndest shall consist of no more harebrained things on the than 15 players,” and, “The air. guy with the fastest golf cart Thankfully always gets the best lie.” superintendents tend to be

6 2 THE FLORIDA GREEN

AFTERWORDS

just a tad more practical whose recent President’s resources? Did you send course operations. Nobody and generally reticent about message in the GGCSA’s any comments to EPA should take shortcuts with putting their feet in their Through the Green Magazine regarding methyl bromide, environmental stewardship. mouths. Maybe it’s just revived this old chestnut and MSMA or Nemacur when Anybody can do better and as well that we don’t get provided the opening lines and their cancellation notices Everybody should. more air time than a cameo inspiration for this column. were posted? Have you ever You are fortunate that appearance at the major There was an important attended or volunteered to in our associations — from events. Professionalism job to be done and serve on a Green Advisory national to local — there may be different things to Everybody was asked to do Board of your regional water are people who are willing different people. I might not it. However, Everybody was management district? Have to deliver positive messages, be able to define it, but I sure sure Somebody would do it. you attended a city or county provide testimony at know what it when I see it, Anybody could have done it, commission meeting held on hearings, engage and educate or when I don’t. but Nobody did it. fertilizer regulation issues? regulators and lawmakers. It Boo left me wanting so Somebody got angry Have you paid or made is your job to support them. much more from a person about that, because it was sure your 2008 dues were It is your job to respond with such a talent for the Everybody’s job. Everybody renewed on time? to surveys and to provide game, but one having so little thought Anybody could do I’m sorry. You may not information that can be used interest in the finer points of it, but Nobody realized that like it but, in today’s world, to defend your practices. It the history and opportunities Everybody wouldn’t do it. it is your job. I know they is your job to inform your of the profession. Boo It ended up that didn’t teach advocacy in club officials about the issues certainly isn’t one of those Everybody blamed turf school. Call it one facing our industry so we bland golf clones. He’s more Somebody when Nobody did of life’s lessions. I call it build public support. of a golf clown just joking what Anybody could have survival, given today’s rush Today Anybody can around. Golf just doesn’t done. to judgment and regulation become the target of need him to be the punch • • • of our industry. If we don’t a negative news story. line. It seems to me that the speak up as a unified group, Nobody is exempt. It only above scenario could easily who will? takes one phone call from be applied to our world Everybody should, a disgruntled employee or in the area of volunteer Anybody can but Nobody an unfortunate accident. participation on our does except for a precious Somebody could be fired local chapter boards of few. and a reputation ruined. directors and committees. You manage 100-plus Everybody will suffer the Also the act of providing acres in one of the state’s consequences. data and input on local, many watershed basins, So to Everybody out state and national surveys and a goodly portion of there, is Anybody listening? dealing with economic and them have been declared environmental issues that impaired. Florida’s DEP affect how we conduct our will be assigning Total ATTENTION! golf course maintenance Maximum Daily Load limits New Association Manager It’s Not practices. Anybody can fill for everybody living and Jennifer Innes started Oct. 1. out the survey, but usually operating in those basins. My Job! Nobody does. Sometimes The more you participate, New FGCSA office contact 30 percent is a good return. the better informed you will information: GREEN SIDE UP How much more effective be about your role and the Watts line: 800-732-6053 would the data be if we had a responsibilites that are tied Phone: 772-334-7515 BY JOEL JACKSON 70 percent return? to your practices. Plus you (Fax number TBA) Here is a little quiz to owe it to your club to make [email protected]. measure who you are in sure they (you) don’t get 1293 NE Oceanside Circle, (Is Anybody the little story above. Did into any hot water over these Jensen Beach, FL 34957 Listening?) you participate in the issues. recent FGCSA Golf Course So Everybody has a Marie and Jennifer will Acknowledgement: A Maintenance Survey? Did stake in best management be working together until tip of the hat to Richard you participate in the practices to minimize complete transition has Staughton, president of GCSAA member surveys any negative impacts and occurred. the Georgia Golf Course on fertilizer use, water Everybody affects the Superintendents Association use and environmental public perception of golf

6 4 THE FLORIDA GREEN