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