December Golf Course Trades

The December issue of The Golf Course Trades is up and ready for viewing. The Company Spotlight this issue is on STEC Equipment.

"2010 has been a very exciting year for us at STEC Equipment. Formerly known as BLEC USA, we were able to successfully transition into a larger more effective company, offering a more comprehensive line of specialized turf equipment." check them out on page 53.



The Stempmeter article this month was written by Jeff Johnson from The Minikahda Club located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The article is titled "My Turning Point" just a small insert

"Many of us have had a moment in our career that we look back on and say it changed our professional outlook, a moment that maybe, at the time, appeared to be about the worst event that ever happened to us professionally. When I encountered my moment, I had no idea of the journey on which it would lead me. A journey, happily, that I’m still on."


Check out Jeff's article on page 12 you can also go to Jeff's blog here www.minikahdagrounds.blogspot.com and keep undated on his progress.

December is our annual Spring Buying Guide click on the cover picture above to go see the rest of the of the issue.

TRADES Publishing Receives 2010 Best of Crossville Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, November 1, 2010 -- TRADES Publishing has been selected for the 2010 Best of Crossville Award in the Magazines category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2010 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

September Golf Trades

The September issue of Golf Trades has its first golf course that is actually the class room. Washington State University uses its golf course for teaching students to be golf superintendents. 


We here at The Glof Trades would like to thank Todd and the rest of the folks at Palouse Ridge Golf Club for their time in putting this article together.

August Golf Trades Digital Edtion

The August digital magazine is up and running. This months article is written by Renowned architect Gene Bates he discusses how the Squaxin Island Tribe’s new championship golf course – Salish Cliffs Golf Club – is on track for a celebrated opening, more than four years after breaking ground.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: 
www.little-creek-casino.com, 800.667.7711

Golf Trades July Digital Edition

The July digital edition of The Golf Course Trades is up and ready for viewing. July is our Fall Directory issue with all the great listings from all the sellers around the country in one big issue. From carts to mowers from ponds and lakes to golf structures you can find everything you need throughout these sections or at our website at www.golfcoursetrades.com.

In this issue we have a really great article written by David Court CGCS who is the Director of Golf Course Maintenance at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. The article tells the history of their beautiful golf course and the wonderful staff the keeps it running. Black Diamond Ranch complex is actually three distinct golf courses, The quarry, The Ranch, and The Highlands with 45 holes of pure golf bliss. Our thanks to David for taking the time to put all this together. You can also go to their website and see their online magazine with even more spectacular shots of this truly amazing golf course, see it here www.blackdiamondranch.com.

This issue starts our new section called Trades Place check it out on page 57. This section shows that we are still the leader in affordable advertising. You can see all this and more here www.golfcoursetrades.com or by clicking the cover photo above.

June Golf Trades Digital Edition

The June issue of Golf Trades is up and ready. Most of you have probably already received your printed copy, sorry for the late posting it has been really busy here.

My thanks to John Van Kampen from Scott Aerator Company for the excellent article about ponds and lakes and how to keep them healthy by using an aeration system. Fountains are not only good for your ponds or lakes, but they are very nice to watch.

Click on the picture above to go to our home page from there just click on the same picture and your there. Happy Reading.

A Take on the 'Dandelion King'

I urge you to read Marcus’ blog posting from Wednesday, April 28th. The post refers to an article from the NY Times and a person self dubbed the ‘Dandelion King.’ I find his opinion that the war on weeds isn’t “winnable at a morally acceptable cost” is based on his opinion rather than any actual knowledge of turfgrasses or turfgrass management. See the complete article by clicking here.

I believe everyone in our industry should heed Marcus’ advice, “Equip yourself with this knowledge so you can provide an insightful answer next time you are challenged about the benefits of turfgrass.” The Wednesday April 28th blog article from Marcus contains excellent ‘equipment’ for that answer.

Again and again I observe the most ‘interesting’ writers getting their blather printed as fact because they are able to editorialize with word choices and interesting adjectives. For example, the so called ‘Dandelion King’ states; “I soon learned that the carpets of green in suburbia are the product of assiduously applied chemicals…” The word assiduous sounds very sinister here but the definition is benign:

I am certain the author meant ‘constant in application’ but the truth we know is that diligent is a better definition.

What the author obviously does not understand is that good management can lead to good turfgrass quality without an abundance of inputs. He just ‘doesn’t have time to figure this stuff out,’ so he has developed an ‘environmental excuse’ for his poor skills. Take a look at Marcus’ scientific response and help this author and others like him realize that there is nothing insidious about proper turfgrass management. It does take a little work and knowledge, but the environment will benefit from that knowledge and effort.

I won’t go on bashing this author about the other misrepresentations in his article, except to say that his ‘multiple’ applications of pre emergent are senseless and the subsequent post emergent applications he so despises have little to do with the success or failure of the preemerge. So it goes.

Suffice it to say the author has done just enough ‘Googling’ to be dangerously misinformed. Atrazine is a grass killer, let’s not lump it in as a ‘lawn chemical.’ Please.

Bottom line is simple, we either educate those that think like the ‘Dandelion King’ or we let the self proclaimed ‘environmentalists’ screw up things beyond belief.

Jeff Wendel Executive Director Iowa Turfgrass Institute

Ladies Day

I’m not sure our course is very different from other courses. We’re open 7 days a week, year around. We have no “Maintenance Day”, a day set aside for aerating, topdressing, verticutting, fertilizing, etc.

Most of those agronomic chores we begin on Tuesday, which just happens to be “Lady’s Day”. Why we don’t start some of our practices on Monday, or the Lady’s start on Wednesday, I don’t know. That’s just the way it is here. It seems a shame but at times, the Lady’s groups are viewed more as an inconvenience and an obstacle.

I look at my Mom in this light and what I see amazes me. Here’s a woman, who is barely 5’1” and as she says, “And shrinking”, who on a very good day can drive the ball 150 yards. She’s played at some of the better known and recognized clubs in the country, not that anyone would recognize her, but just because of her enjoyment of the game.

She’s the one who kept entering the ticket lotto for practice day tickets at Augusta, and then took the family there when she got them. (Twice) I’ve seen here walkup to a 6’4” linebacker type and ask if he’d mind letting a “short person” stand in front. Dad and I’d be left in the back while one way or another she’d work her way up to the ropes. At Augusta, we never saw the front nine. Mom had trouble walking. It was tough for her, we stopped regularly for breaks. Still, she managed to see her favorites, truly enjoyed being on the course and appreciated the efforts of the staff.


She’s the one who insists on the Membership in their Country Club, not Dad. She’s the one who goes for lessons, always trying to improve her game, brings him for Sunday Brunch and participates in the social activities. She’s the one who knows practically every employee by name and always has something nice to say to him or her.  

Even though she’s been playing golf over forty years she also liked tennis. But shoulder surgery took care of that. Her running days ended with hip surgery. Recently, after triple bypass surgery, within 15 minutes of coming out of anesthesia, she let me know she wouldn’t be able to play golf for 3 months. Nascar would kill to have fans this devoted.

When I see the Lady’s driving out for their shotgun start, I wonder. What have there lives been like? How did they end up here on this day? It would be reasonable to assume that they represent our Grandmothers, Mother’s, Wives, Daughters and Girlfriends. I can surmise that they aren’t out trying to impress some client or cut some kind of deal. Which leaves one with the possibility that they just may be out here, on the day the club allotted, because they enjoy the game of golf.

From the blog of TheMilitantMechanic, aka Turftech

Meet your greens: Valley Club golf course honored Sun Valley Brokers

The Valley Club golf course has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. Cameron Lloyd, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent, has led the effort to obtain sanctuary status on this course and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon International. The Valley Club is the 4th golf course in Idaho and the 781st in the world to receive the honor.

"The Valley Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Jim Sluiter, staff ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs.

"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Sluiter. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

"It is a privilege to be awarded certification for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses. The program has provided us a template for protecting our unique environment here in Idaho. It is our responsibility to be the best stewards of the land and this program continues to guide us in the right direction," said Jerry Flaherty, director of agronomy at The Valley Club.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program.

For more information on golf and the environment, visit www.golfandenvironment.org. In addition to golf courses, Audubon International also provides programs for businesses, schools, communities, and new developments. For more information, contact Audubon International, 46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158, USA, (518) 767-9051, e-mail them via the Internet at acsp@auduboninternational.org, or visit their website at www.auduboninternational.org .

Source: Idaho Mountain Express

Irrigation Factoid

If you've spent much time on a golf course, at one time or another you've encountered a wet area on the course that was obviously the culprit of a leak in the irrigation system. (or, as Alex likes to say the "irritation" system). Here's a little something to ponder on when your mind has nothing else to do. The plumbing that leads to each irrigation head on our golf course comprises about 10 different joints, "T"s, and fittings. As you know if you've ever done any plumbing, each of those is a prime candidate for a leak. Now, multiply that by over 700 heads on our course and you quickly see that we have over 7,000 potential leaks in our irrigation system. Add to that the fact that most of our system was installed in 1988, making it over 20 years old and you can see how an occasional leak will appear.

From the blog of Lake Valley

Geese a major problem!

Despite our best efforts thus far, the geese just don't want to leave! Someone needs to push for a change, these are not migratory! Last year when the geese issue became a problem, I went to my local nursery and asked for a solution. They pointed me to some reflective tap. Reflective tape? I thought no way would this work. I was wrong! Yesterday, I finally was able to return to the nursery to pick up some additional tape and we have surrounded our 6th hole.

The reflection on the tape aggrevates the eyes of not only geese, but most birds. I found many berry growers utilize this tape as well to keep from losing their harvest. We will keep the reflective tape up until I feel our issue with the geese has gone for the season. I have placed most of the stakes with the tape inside the hazard incase a ball comes to rest near one.

From the blog of William Brown, CGCS West Chester, PA

Family Golf Activities Abound During Family Golf Month in July

Throughout the month of July, affordable family fun is just a short par 3 away as PGA/LPGA Professionals nationwide encourage families to hit the links through special activities during the fifth annual Family Golf Month.

Family Golf Month provides a structured, yet casual, opportunity for families to learn the game of golf and spend uninterrupted quality time together. Every family member-young and old-can participate and receive the benefits a round of golf provides, including fresh air and beautiful outdoor scenery as well as a healthy dose of exercise.

Currently, there are more than 1,800 Family Golf Programs currently scheduled nationwide, including family golf clinics and play days, Take Your Daughter to the Course Week (July 5-11) and Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range (July). Consumers can find a complete list of facilities that are participating in Family Golf Month, along with details on specific events and online registration, by city and state on the Play Golf America Web site at PlayGolfAmerica.com.

Rotted Tree Falls

Just had to show you this OCH! that could have hurt!

As I was touring the course this morning I came across this fallen Basswood at the entrance to the 6th tee. As you can see by the photos the stem of the trunk was very rotten and decayed quite badly. It was

really only a matter of time before the tree would fall. With virtually no wind last night it goes to show it's important to have hazardous trees removed from the golf course before they reach this stage of decay. Thankfully no one was in the area at the time. The location of the tree is right where golfers enter the 6th tee complex as they walk back from the 5th green.

There's a time to save and maintain certain trees on the golf course and there comes a time when a decision needs to be made to remove what may even appear to be a perfectly healthy tree. But when we know the inside of the tree is showing signs of decay the tree needs to be removed especially when the health and safety of the golfers and employees is at risk (even though it may not always be the popular decision). Unfortunately Mother Nature took care of this one before we were able to act on it.

From the blog of Jeff Johnson, CGSA from The Minikahda Club in Minnesota

May Golf Trades dizital issue

I am a little behind getting this up we have been a little busier then usual around here. The May issue has an article written by Justin Ruiz, CGCS from The Rim Golf Club, located around scenic Payson, AZ. Justin talks about keeping yourself motivated on the job, and keeping your staff motivated. You can read the article and see the whole magazine by clicking on the cover picture.

Our new BlogRoll section seems to be popular after just two issue with it included, keep those comments coming we appreciate it. If you have a comment about our magazine or a particular issue please contact me direct through my email posted here on the blog or at layout@thetrades.com.

As always if anyone would like to write an article for us just let me know I will contact you with the pertinent information. If you would like to read through our magazine archives go to our website www.golfcoursetrades.com.

Here comes the Gang Mowers

The following is from Don Mahaffey our project and golf course superintendent extraordinaire. Here is his great post from earlier in the year regarding 19 things a golf course can do to lower maintenance costs. The top of his list included something you don't see every day - a Gang Mower - pictured above. He has received several inquiries from around the world once word got out - here Don's take on how it REDUCED THE FAIRWAY MOWING MAN HOURS BY 50%:

When Mike Nuzzo and I started building Wolf Point, we had a few instructions from our client, the owner of the course. Chief among those instructions was he wanted the course outrageously good and he wanted it maintained in a practical manner. Since we were in a very windy area, hard against the South Texas coast, we knew the course needed some width to be playable. The wind blows all the time here. Both Mike and I are huge fans of the Old Course at St. Andrews and we used her as inspiration for a lot of what we did. One of our challenges was to build this big golf course and yet find a way to keep maintenance costs reasonable. One of the ways we decided to do that was design the course so we could cut the fairways with a large pull behind gang mower.

How does mowing equipment like a large gang mower affect design? We made sure any bridges we needed were large enough to handle the tractor and mowing unit. Turned out that with a transport frame a standard 10 ton bridge was fine. Anywhere we had fairway bunkers close together we made sure there was not only room to pull the gang between them, but room enough to alter the path so as not to create permanent tire ruts. This required bunkers being a minimum of 20 feet apart, which was no problem. If we felt they needed to “play” closer together than that we simply shaped the bunkers to gather shots and beefed up the drainage so that they would still be dry if they were gathering water as well as balls. We knew we were going to have dew paths from greens-tees-fairways and we built those paths so the gang unit could mow them as well while traveling from one hole to the next. To create more width we have a number of shared fairways that melded perfectly with the use of a large production mower.

 We use a Toro 7-gang (above), wheel driven unit that we found used and refurbished over the winter. We installed 11-blade reels along with going through each unit and adding a new coat of paint. We have the unit set at .500, ½ inch, and we are very pleased with the quality of cut. We took one of our lightweight fairway mowers out of action and converted the cutting units to thatching reels. So now, we have a dedicated fairway verti-cutting machine. We slice the fairways as time allows and right now the plan is too vert-cut every fairway once a month. I believe one of the keys to a high quality of cut with gang units is too keep the grass thinned out. Puffy turf scalps with any mowing equipment but really scalps with a gang unit since there is no front roller. Keep the turf thinned out and not only does it cut better, it plays better as well. We cut our fairways twice a week and apply a growth regulator in conjunction with foliar feed every 21 days.

We maintain Wolf Point’s 80 acres of fwys, 4 acres of greens, and 10 acres of rough, along with other Ranch duties (like bailing hay) with 4 people plus myself. The only way that’s possible is with equipment that can get the job done well and in a practical time frame. Our gang unit helps us do that and I will be surprised if we didn’t see a little more of this approach as golf participation stagnates while maintenance costs continue to increase.

From the blog of Nuzzo Course Design

Turfgrass Staff - Don, Phil, & Mike K.

Don Cain & Phil Wagner
aka "The Everly Brother's"
aka "Phil Donahue"
aka "The Fairway Mower's"

Not known for their abilities to sing and perform (although it would be good fun entertainment) and certainly not American media personalities. These retirees have been mowing fairways as a duo since 2007. On mow days they arrive before sunrise, anxiously on the 1st fairway, waiting for the first rays to light the way. Not seen by the membership too often, usually done before play gets to the top of the course, their efforts often go easily unnoticed.

Don Cain (left in picture) - born in Cable, WI and at a young age moved to Superior. He has been a resident there since. A retiree of Barko Hydraulic (Superior), an innovator and industry leader of forestry and scrap handling equipment, he spent 28 successful years painting equipment as the company grew to be the worldwide leader in design. He use to spend his summers playing in softball leagues but now plays more golf and has always been a regular at the bowling alley. In his 4th year at NCC, our appreciation for his dedication and abilities continues to grow. We look forward to many more years.

Phil Wagner (right in picture) - was born in Nebraska but calls Minnesota his home. Raised in a military family he moved often throughout his youth. Feeling a need to serve our country he followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the US military. During his 4 year enlistment he was a military police dog handler. This led him down the path of an engaging 24 year career in law enforcement. Since retirement he has happily resided in Duluth. Entering his 6th year at NCC his pleasure for the job seems to grow every time he starts up his fairway mower. On occasion his family dog, Luna (golden retriever), comes to the golf course with me. The entire staff enjoys her company during the work day. With a refreshing outlook on life that is contagious, we look forward to the future.

Mike Kantor - grew up in Eagan and to Duluth to attend UMD where completed his BFA in Art Education. During college he had an emphasis in sculptural art and created artwork in many unique forms from welding to sewing. Since completing his degree in December he has decided to maintain his residence in Duluth. This fall he will be substitute teaching for the Duluth school district. Entering his 4th year at NCC we are fortunate to have Mike. His aptitude for learning the job makes our daily operations run smoothly. Always offering insight and thinking about effectiveness, he has proved to be a great team member. We hope he will be in Duluth for a long time and call NCC his second job during the summers.

From the blog of Chris Tritabaugh at Northland Country Club posted by Jake Ryan

4 Doing More

In the quest to boost business, these operators are driving revenue with ancillary vehicles


Desperate times call for drastic measures, or so the saying goes. That has never been truer than today, especially for the golf course industry.

With participation stagnant, income dwindling and an economic fever that shows no signs of breaking, many owners and operators are looking under every rock in search of ways to increase their revenues. And like Arnold Fornachou, who ran out of serving dishes at his ice cream stand at the 1904 World’s Fair and bought some waffles from neighboring vendor Ernest Hamwi, thus inventing the ice cream cone, some creative golf course owners are discovering there is some good that can emerge from this recession.

The following four innovators demonstrate that the key to survival often requires moving beyond traditional budget lines to find income in places where many have never thought or been willing to look before.

By Steve Eubanks, Golf Business
Read the rest

Seven More Holes Open Thursday

The back nine will be open Thursday, except holes 14 and 15. No golf carts on the back nine. These two holes remain soaked, tee to greens.

14 and 15 will open when standing water disappears from roughs and fairways.

We are amazed how wet 14 and 15 are a week after the storm. 15 remains unmowable, due to standing water, especially from road to fairway.

When trying to mow greenside 15 fairway today, the greensmower we used scalped turf before we abandoned the project. When play resumes on

15, this damage will be obvious. We are confident that most of 14 fairway will be mowed later today, and available for play later in the

week.

On the front side, we have kept the pump running on #1 to lower pond water level since Friday. However, much of the water we have removed

has been water that has flowed into the pond since Friday. See math below:

PUMPED FROM POND SINCE FRIDAY
IF:
Gallons per pump hour: 20,000
Hours Pump has run: x 50
TOTAL GALLONS PUMPED= 1,000,000 gals
AND:
GALLONS WATER PER POND INCH 70,000
POND LEVEL DROPPED 7 INCHES x 7
GALLONS REMOVED FROM POND= 490,000 gals
THEN
+510,000 gallons of water has flowed into the pond since Friday.

While not trained in hydrology, we are assuming that the high level of water in the pond is slowing percolation of water into soils,

especially on 15. Also, ground water levels are extremely high, adding to our issues. For these reasons, we will continue to pump down the

pond level using both our small 333GPM pump, and irrigation pumps.

And, to add some irony to your day, greens have dried out a bit since last Thursday, and will be hand watered within the next few hours.

From the blog of Patrick Gertner, CGCS, at Potowomut Golf Club

Read blog here

Back to Normal

After several days of sun and warm temperatures the weather is returning to normal Chicago spring conditions, cool and very wet. We received over 2 inches of rainfall from Saturday evening through last night. As you can see from the photos, the course is very wet. It will take some time for the course to dry considering the overcast and cool conditions.

From the blog of Tommy Witt, CGCS, at Northmore Country Club

18 greens in one day!

Yesterday, we set a new record by completing aerification  on all of our greens in a single day. Normally we would aerify 6 greens on Sunday evening and finish the rest on Monday. We were rained out on Sunday by a solid 3/4 inch of rain. Luckily, Monday's chance of showers never amounted to anything and we were able to work all day long without a hitch.

A day of aerification involves many steps that must be coordinated to maximize efficiency. The pictures below illustrate many of the steps involved as the day moves along. Eventually, I would like to improve my computer skills and put together an aerification montage, but today isn't the day, so a bunch of pics will have to suffice.

The first thing we need is some decent weather and we definitely had that yesterday. A few storm clouds passed by, but only a handful of drops hit the ground. All in all, a beautiful day at SGCC.

From the blog of Jim Alwine, CGCS, at Stockton Golf and Country Club


Read more here

What are all those yellow dots on the ground?

What are Chris and Silvio spreading all through the rough?

It isn’t a fertilizer, but a herbicide which we call a “pre-emergent”, or a “pre-em". Pre- em’s are a class of pesticide that is applied to kill weeds as they germinate, and must be applied prior to the target weed’s germination. The herbicide creates a barrier at the ground surface that newly emerging weeds must pass through on their way through the soil. As they pass through the barrier, they absorb the herbicide and die. The barrier, unless physically broken (by a divot, aeration, etc) will persist for 4 months, giving control until mid August. If a pre-em is applied after the target weed germinates and emerges, it is too late, and little control is achieved.

Pre –em’s are used for many types of weeds, but our main target is crabgrass and goose grass.

Crabgrass begins to germinate as the soil temperatures reach 55 degrees f, and continues to germinate until the soil temperature cools in the fall. Goose grass needs higher soil temperatures, and normally doesn’t begin to germinate until late May or June, continuing through September.

We determine our application timing two ways – prior to the soil temperature reaching 55 degrees f, and the “count back”. Count back refers to how long we want the barrier to remain, as it will also prevent wanted grasses from germinating. If we plan for fall reseeding, we need to apply the barrier in time that it will be gone (degraded). April through August is 4 months, so it gives us a seeding date of mid August to be safe.

Applying too early does not give control long enough into the summer, and too late doesn’t catch the weeds before germination, and then the barrier lasts past the late summer seeding window, causing yet another problem. Over and over, I will keep stressing one thing, and that is “Timing is everything for everything” … for everything we do!

We use different pre – em’s for different play areas and for different grasses. In a few weeks we will treat the tees and fairways with another product which was developed specifically for the finer turf areas. We will use yet another pre –em for our greens collars. We do not treat greens because pre –ems prune roots, and on greens, we always need every bit of root that is there. If crab grass or goose grass should emerge, we pick it out with a knife!

So that’s what we are doing, and what all those yellow dots are all about!

From the blog of Ken Thompson CGCS, at The Greate Bay Country Club
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Growth Regulators

Growth regulators are frequently applied to NSCC's turf throughout the growing season. As their name implies, these compounds are designed to slow the growth rate of the turf. In addition to reducing inputs such as labor and fuel, which are required in mowing, growth regulators also are a major component in our overall turf management program. On putting greens, growth regulators help to keep the grass "under control" providing for smoother ball roll and consistent green speeds. On fairways and tees, growth regulators promote the lateral growth of turf which promotes quicker recovery from damage such as divots. One of the most important assets growth regulators afford golf course managers is their ability to reduce the amount of seedheads which grasses, especially annual bluegrass (Poa annua), produce in the spring. Not only are the white seedheads unsightly, they also provide a very bumpy and inconsistent putting surface. By applying two different growth regulators at the same time, a synergistic affect is realized which can successfully suppress seedhead development. The lack of seedhead development promotes a true putting surface, as well as a healthy turf plant. Seedhead  production requires a tremendous amount of energy by the turf plant which is already susceptible to many biotic and abiotic stresses. By suppressing seedhead development, we can lessen the workload of the plant. This energy savings translates into a healthier plant. The timing of this application is critical. We base our application  timing on a computer generated model from Michigan State University together with our own site specific knowledge. Our first growth regulator application was made on Monday. We will follow with another application in three weeks to supplement the initial application.

From the blog of Garrett Luck, CGCS, North Shore Golf Club
Read more here

Aerials Galore

I love aerial photography and these being golf courses makes it that much sweeter.



Last winter I began a golf course archiving project that originated while I was trying to create a detailed image of the Yale course from the 1934 Connecticut statewide aerial survey. I was able to create a high-res file from images on the Connecticut state library’s website by stitching together 144 images into a .tif file that could print in a large poster size. I did the same for CC of Fairfield, where I spent most of middle to late teens caddying and working in the pro shop when I wasn’t mostly playing the course. (Unfortunately, the present course has lost much of the routing that appears in the 1934 photo.) And then I assembled one of Brooklawn CC where we played our high school matches for Fairfield High…and eventually I put together files for 23 courses from that one aerial survey. That 1934 April snap-shot reflects an impressive collection of work from Golden Age architects: Walter Travis, Donald Ross, Devereux Emmet, A.W. Tillinghast, Seth Raynor, C.B. Macdonald, Charles Banks, Robert White, Willie Park, Tom Bendelow, etc. In most cases, the aerials show these courses in their “as-built” conditions. By then, very few had been modified much from their original designs.

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Choose Your Course, Name Your Price:

It's that Easy! April 7 through April 21

Secure a rare chance to tee it up at some of the best known and most exclusive golf clubs in the game in an innovative online auction that runs April 7 to April 21. More than 650 golf courses from the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and Texas will be available for bid as the golf industry rallies to raise money for turfgrass research.

Some of the game's greatest venues are ready to welcome your foursome if you post the winning bid. View an updated list of courses on offer and register to receive a reminder email in the hours before the auction launch.

That list will grow right up to auction time but already high profile partners include:

    * Pinehurst No. 2 - which hosts its third U.S. Open Championship in 2014,
    * Harbour Town Golf Links - home of the PGA Tour's Verizon Heritage Classic.
    * The Ocean Course at Kiawah - host of the 1991 Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship in 2012.

Plus exclusive private playgrounds ranked by Golf Digest among the 100 best golf courses in the country including Sage Valley, Long Cove and Eagle Point.

In each region, proceeds will benefit research critical to the continued health of our great game and the billions of dollars in economic impact it generates in the participating states.

Read more here

Be on the lookout for annual bluegrass weevil adults

Golf course superintendents in central and western PA should be on the lookout for annual bluegrass weevil adults. Adults were observed at Bucknell C.C. late last week, and with the warm temperatures over the weekend, more adults should be on the move. Other monitoring sites in Western PA and West Virginia have reached or exceeded the 100 - 120 degree day mark. The late Dr. Paul Heller used to say that adults begin to come out of their over wintering sites between 100 and 120 degree days. Also, forsythia at full bloom to almost 1/2 gold and 1/2 green is consistent with the adult movement.

When numerous adult annual bluegrass weevils are observed, an application of an insecticide (pyrethroids are often used to control adults) may be warranted. Keep in mind that we are having a very unusual spring, so insect lifecycles may not be as predictable as we would like. More updates will be provided as the year progresses.

Read blog here

Trades Review - TopDown Images

TopDown Images LLC introduces TurfManager®, the first online turf management system with GPS imagery and detailed record keeping.

TurfManager is designed as an online ‘dashboard’ for turf managers and golf course superintendents to help manage multiple solutions that standardizes record keeping and processes, promote environmental sustainability, consolidate all real-time operational data into one platform accessible 24/7, meet compliance chemical reporting and identify costs for reduction.

TOPDOWN has achieved accurate record keeping by integrating two solutions: a GPS Visual solution that overlays assets, “as installed” configurations and other infrastructure overlays onto aerial imagery, along with the Maintenance Central solution, which is a record keeping system that tracks key success factors like labor, equipment, water, work and purchase orders, and chemical usage.

TurfManager consolidates record keeping into one internet-based platform accessible 24/7, provides sustainable solutions, develops ”Best of Class” processes, identifies costs to contain, and ensures accurate Government and regulatory agency compliance reporting. TurfManager fulfills the turf manager/superintendent’s need for a visual dashboard that uses a centralized one-stop-shop portal for total cost transparency. Identifying costs more accurately will result in better management and reduction of labor, inventory and equipment expense. TurfManager provides the turf manager with a quantifiable and sustainable ‘green orientation’. TurfManager provides a ‘bridge’ between General Management and the Superintendent/turf manager for collaborative planning and management. TurfManager is ideal for multiple course owners and management companies.

TopDown Images and employees have memberships in Audubon Int’l, USGA, GCSAA, GCBAA, IECA and ULI.

To learn more about TurfManager, visit www.topdownimages.com or contact
Hugh J. Rundle, TopDown Images, at (585) 472-6515.

Disease Profile: Waitea Patch

Most of the turf diseases I encounter have been around for as long as I've been working on golf courses. This one, however, is fairly new and has become our most common disease. Waitea patch or brown ring patch (I like Waitea because it sounds sexy) is more cosmetic than harmful.

The first time I saw this disease, I confused it for another common problem called yellow patch or cool season brown patch. Yellow patch is entirely cosmetic and disappears when temperatures warm up. For that reason, I let it alone and watched it grow in strength, size, and number day after day. The warmer it got, the uglier these rings became.

Now that we know what we're dealing with, all we have to do is spray the correct product to clean things up. That simple task gets tricky when the sprayer goes does with an electrical problem. The sprayer is brand new and under warranty, so we won't be billed for the repair, but it doesn't do us much good while it's sitting in the shop.

Our old sprayer had been converted into a weed and turf killing machine. All we have used it for since acquiring the new unit is herbicide sprays including a Revolver application on #11 fairway. Revolver is a product that kills cool season grasses and many weeds while leaving the bermuda alone to spread without competition. This is not the type of thing you want in your tank before you go treat the greens with a fungicide.

I let the Waitea run wild for over a week until the repair date was backed up waiting for parts. We cleaned the tank on the 1992 model very thoroughly and went out yesterday to fix the problem. There is little to worry about with this phenomenal weather and a ugly, but weak disease.

We can let it flex its muscle for a week or so and then put it back in its place. We have the technology.

I won't bore all of you with product names, rates, and specific control measures. However, if there are any Superintendents who want to trade notes, I would be happy to discuss our control program and hopefully learn some new tricks. I can be reached via email at sgccturf@sbcgloba.net

From the blog of Jim Alwine, Superintendent of Stockton Golf and Country Club

Let the good times Roll!

The Deep tining has begun!

Our last and final piece of new equipment arrived yesterday-a Redexim Vertidrain. The Redexim Company has been around for 30 years and is the leader in deep tine aerification. The piece of machinery will be become the foundation to our fairway aerification program.
This specific aerifier is much different than the typical aerifier that you usually see on putting green. This aerifier has the ability to reach depths of 12” deep, where are most aerifiers go 3-4” into the soil. When the aerifing tine is inserted into the ground, the machine is design to allow the tines to create a “kicking” motion, therefore affecting more area and increasing how alluvial the soil is, thus allowing for a better root structure.

Why is this important, you ask? During the renovation in 2005, the fairways were stripped of the old 419 bermudagrass, rototilled to a depth of 4” and regrassed. Though this created a wonderful soil profile for the juvenile grass, traditional core aerification that followed never allowed for the roots to get to a depth where they could withstand the stress of traffic, mowing and insects. Over the years, the soil has become “locked up” and severe compaction has settled in, along with the soil’s inability to flush salts and releases beneficial nutrients. After viewing all our fairways with our turfgrass consultant, we found that many Pine Tree’s fairways have a layer nearly 3” deep. The top 3” provides and fairly good growing medium for the plant, but that is where is stops…literally. In many cases, the layer that consists 3” below the surface is so compacted, that a hammer was needed to insert the soil probe past a 3” depth.
We tried out the new machine on #15 fairway and was shocked as to just how soft the soil is after the machine had done its work. There was smile on all our faces because we know that this is the beginning to return the fairways to the healthy, dense, aggressive turf that we all expect and can be proud of.

Our intensions are to deep tine the fairways 3-4 times this summer, along with traditional core aerification. Compile this with the LIME to adjust of ph levels and proper fertilizers and we will have a hard time slowing down the growth-believe us, our feelings will not be hurt when this is the case!

From the blog of Tony Nysse, Superintendent of Pine Tree Golf Club

Trades Review

STEC adds another leading name to its specialized line of turf equipment.
New Products distributed by STEC Specialized Turf Equipment Company.

STEC Specialized Turf Equipment Company will now be distributing multi functional vacuums, sweepers and blowers from the well known market leader Trilo, manufactured in the Netherlands. Trilo vacuums provide turf professionals and managers, time saving solutions that can be used for a wide variety of tasks. This includes clearing grass, hedge trimmings, autumn leaves, recreational waste and litter. Also bringing the ability to verticut, while vacuuming turf in one operation.

STEC Inc
(888)325-2532
www.stecequipment.com

Just crusin the Blogs spring is in the air!

Lots of aerifying going on the guys at Lake Valley are busy bees www.lakevalleygolf.blogspot.com

Some are still getting snow YIKES! Sorry Sean www.cccpgcm.blogspot.com

The crew at Corral De Tierra Country Club are almost done with their giant pond project www.corralmaintenance.blogspot.com

Chris Tritabaugh is changing his blog look over at Northland Country Club give it a look www.northlandgrounds.blogspot.com

Things are getting hot for David Soltvedt and his crew as they get ready for the start of the season www.cpnagronomy.blogspot.com

Mike Vogt gives some tips on hiring good people on his blog www.mcmahongroup.blogspot.com

Carbon Foot print, Why is it Important to Me?

From the blog of Micheal Vogt, CGCS

This is the best definition I can come-up with:

“The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly and indirectly to support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of either carbon or carbon dioxide.

Direct greenhouse gas emissions can include tailpipe emissions of CO2 from motor vehicles, methane from landfills, and hydro fluorocarbons from leaking refrigeration or air conditioning equipment. Indirect greenhouse gas emissions arise from coal and other fossil fuel-based energy generated to power residential, commercial, and industrial activities. Indirect emissions also arise from fossil fuel combustion used in the manufacture, transport, storage, disposal, and recycling of commodities and manufactured products.”

How about the golf course, what’s involved in calculating carbon foot prints for a golf course maintenance operation?

• Gasoline and diesel fuel for machinery and delivery trucks
• Heating and cooling the Turf Care Center
• Plastic packaging
• Electricity for irrigation pumps

Virtually everything, (products and services) used at the golf course has an associated carbon foot print. As soon as we use these products and services the green house gases (GHG) that help manufacture and delivered these products and services are assigned to the end user.

Basic Carbon Dioxide Chemistry:

• Chemical Formula: CO2
• Molecular Weight: 44.01
• Temperature of Solid CO2 ("dry ice"): -78.2° C or 108.4 below 0 F
• Common Uses of CO2:
Refrigeration (dry ice)
Fire fighting, fire extinguishers
Carbonated beverages
• CO2 in the Atmosphere: The Earth's atmosphere is about 360 ppm (parts per million) carbon dioxide gas. This concentration is an increase from 315 ppm in 1960.
• CO2 Production: You produce 1/2 lb (pound) of carbon dioxide when you watch television for an hour.
• Geometry: The CO2 molecule has a linear shape. This means that the atoms in carbon dioxide are arranged like the picture below. The Black circle represents one atom of carbon and the two Red circles represent oxygen atoms.
• One Pound: One pound of carbon dioxide gas has the volume of 8.2 cubic feet. You could store two pounds of carbon dioxide in the average kitchen refrigerator.

read the rest here

April Issue of The Golf Course Trades

The April Issue of The Golf Course Trades is up for viewing. Company Spotlights focus on Irrometer Company Inc writing about the "The efficient and beneficial use of water for golf course irrigation" and by Markers Inc where quality products at reasonable prices continues to be their hallmark.

The article for April was written by Ed Underhill from Underhill International the subject of the article is "Seven Steps for Saving Water" very interesting article hope you enjoy.

In our new feature section called Blogroll Michael Vogt, CGCS from the McMahon Group writes about Private Club Vitality and what you can do to help save your club.

Local golf: Grey Oaks on forefront of figuring out when to feed hungry fairways

NAPLES — The room could double as a lunch area, complete with the paper plates.

But what’s on them isn’t to be consumed, at least not by people. Dr. John S. Shenk and his son John hand off about a dozen paper plates — each covered with a square of grass — to one another and move what would look like an old-time corded electric razor over the top of it.

What in the heck are they doing? The end result will be helping golf courses go green — and save some greenbacks while they’re at it.

Rest of the article

Grass Is Greener at Southern Hills for New Superintendent

New Superintendent named to replace Russ Meyers At Southern Hills.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — At most golf courses, the superintendent might be instructed to “keep it nice.”

At Southern Hills Country Club, the mission statement might be to “keep it perfect.”

Last week, Kris Davis began work as the new superintendent at Southern Hills. He is a 34-year-old graduate of Ohio State, the alma mater of Jack Nicklaus.

Before arriving in Tulsa, Davis was a caretaker of Nicklaus-designed courses in New Albany, Ohio; Georgetown, Tex.; and San Antonio (the Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, where he served as head superintendent from 2005 until last month).

Southern Hills has hosted seven professional major championships and could be in line for another United States Open, perhaps in 2021. Russ Myers, the Southern Hills superintendent for the 2007 P.G.A. Championship and last year’s United States Amateur, recently accepted the position as superintendent at Los Angeles Country Club.

Read the rest here

March is here!

March is here spring is right around the corner. We have just finished our April issue and are ready to take on May which is our Structures issue.

A new feature in the April issue we will be running from time to time is the BlogRoll. A section dedicated to what Superintendents, or industry experts write in your blogs. If you would like something featured send me an email and we will put it in out next available issue.

The only requirements for the BlogRoll is it has to be relevant and fairly current. You don't have to write anything new we just use what is in your blog. Our first candidate for our new section is Mike Vogt from the McMahon Group he writes about "Private Club Vitality" and how to keep your club afloat during these trying times.

Visit Mikes blog here lots of good information.

The article this month is by Ed Underhill president of Underhill International titled
"From Sensors to Solid Metal Nozzles: Seven Steps to Saving Water on Golf Courses" very informative article about saving water on your golf course.

All this and more will be mailed out to you on or about the 12th of March. I will put our digital version up right after it prints and will have a link to it here also when it is ready.

Gagnon awarded for keeping safety the top priority at Segregansett

Taunton —

Striving to keep teens safe is the goal for Rich Gagnon, head golf course superintendent of grounds at Segregansett Country Club. As the recent recipient of the 2010 Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSAA) of America’s Excellence in Government Relations Award in the compliance category, his plan is to keep teens who work at golf courses everywhere out of harm’s way.

“The award was a huge surprise,” Gagnon said. “I’m passionate about what I do, but it’s a lot for one person to keep up with. I have to be diligent because I’m the one the responsibility falls to.”

As a way to save some money in a questionable economy, Gagnon decided that one way to save money was to hire some high school students because the hourly wage would be less. However, he did have questions regarding what types of child labor laws would come into effect, given the amount and types of gas-powered equipment being used and whether or not these kids needed a driver’s license to operate this equipment.

A front-end loader, a tractor, riding reel mower, riding rotary mower, utility carts and a chain saw are just some of the heavy equipment Gagnon was questioning.

Read more here

Our Congratulations to go out to Rich Gagdon for all his hard work. Rich wrote an article for us back in August of 2008.

Busy Days at Corral de Tierra Country Club

The maintenance department at Corral de Tierra Country Club is keeping busy with a new pond installation...

1000 gallons per minute of water was put in the pond Friday to start stretching the liner so that the installation of the liner into the anchor trench will go smoothly. A 2 foot by 2 foot trench is being dug around the pond edge that the liner will be placed in and held down with soil.

Keep up with their progress here

GIS 2010

Most folks here are off to the GIS show, gives me more time to post here. We hope everyone has a good time send me your pictures and I will post them here.

GCM, Foley partner for equipment tech contest

If you're looking for a way to recognize all the hard work and dedication put in by your course's equipment tech, but don't have a line in your budget for a trip to Hawaii or tickets to the Final Four, I think I can help.

GCM, in partnership with the good folks at Foley United, are presenting the Most Valuable Technician awards program, which we're officially launching this week at the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in San Diego. The concept is simple -- head on over to this Web site, fill out the nomination form, and let our esteemed panel of judges do the rest.

The deadline for nominations is March 5. After that, we'll narrow all of the nominations down to three finalists and at that time, you'll be invited to return to the Web site to vote for the equipment technician you think is most deserving of this honor. Our plans are to announce the winner in the Insider: Shop column in our June issue.

Get all the info here

Oakland Hills Country Club new Blog out!

Steve Cook, the Golf Superintendent from the Oakland Hills C. C. has a new blog, Turfgrass Maintenance. He will be keeping us all updated on the goings on at his club through this new blog so go over and give Steve a shout next time your out on the web.

Steve's blog here

Golf Course Trades March Issue

We have just about finished with another magazine we have the final proofs here now and once they get a good looking over we will go to the printing, our printer is here in town. Then a couple days after that all the Golf Course Superintendents across the country can see the latest.

Lets not forget though that we do have a digital version we put up every month that can be seen here on our website www.golfcoursetrades.com. There you can search through the archives to see what you have missed.

Blogs of Note

This blog written by Michael D. Vogt, CGCS, CGIA, Golf Division Director, McMahon Group a golf facility consulting company, has many useful articles from irrigation to writing mission statements, very informative.

Michael is presenting a half day seminar at the Golf Industry Show 2010, in San Diego. "Planning and Programming the Golf Turf Care Center" The seminar will consist of step-by-step planning for new or renovated maintenance buildings.


Go Here for the blog

Teaching the Future

Our February issue is up on our digital viewer. The article written by Sean McCue Golf Course Superintendent at The Country Club at Castle Pines.

In the article Sean talks about their internship at Castle Pines He says:

"The teaching process goes beyond the interns and filters down to the rest of the staff as well. I am a firm believer that the best way of learning is to actually get the hands on experience. It is for this reason that I love taking on many in house projects that provide numerous opportunities for learning"

Good luck Sean and thank you for taking the time to write an article for us.

Visit Sean's blog here

If you would like to write an article for The Golf Course Trades just call at 931-484-8819 or email me directly at ken@thetrades.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Getting back on course

With a down economy hurting their business, local golf course managers aren’t resting on their nine irons but are instead rolling out incentives and programs in an effort to entice more players to spend their green out on the green

The trend in local golf is similar to what’s occurring nationally, with rounds of golf down slightly in 2009 from the previous year, according to the latest data from the National Golf Foundation.

“The private clubs are trying various things to attract members — from trial memberships to reduced initiation fees,” said Jim Kass, director of research for the foundation. “With public courses, the best ones are offering player development programs and lessons for beginners, and club loaners, as opposed to just offering discounts.”


Read more

Off-season marketing generates $50,000 for golf course

A marketing plan launched in December at Sierra Sage Golf Course generated $50,000 for its new management team during a time the snow-covered course is closed.

Cal-Mazz Golf Management, a partnership between longtime golf superintendent Cal Swanson and managing partner Mike Mazzaferri, took over operation of the formerly Washoe County-owned course on Nov. 1. Cal-Mazz Golf in December offered $10 rounds of golf and quickly sold out the 5,000 rounds it made available.

More important than the revenue was the number of new golfers attracted to the course, says Mazzaferri, who ran the Rosewood Lakes and Brookside golf courses for nine years.

The $10 vouchers were limited to 10 per household. About 460 new names were added to the course’s customer database.

“Our big thing was we wanted to throw some marketing at it — a lot of people didn’t even know the course was there,” he says. “We were trying to get some new faces, and we got quite a few regulars who bought them, but at least half were new faces.”

The course’s customer database is more than 1,000 names strong, Mazzaferri says, and future marketing plans include offering a free birthday round of golf to those customers.

Read More

Starting again!

I have really been behind as late keeping this blog up to date, but I am going to start it over and try to keep it updated at least once a week.