#15 - course conditions - winter 2011-12

Quarterly Publication of the Michigan golf course suPerintendents association | Winter 2011/12

featuring dan dingman, superintendent at birmingham country club

The History of Bacter ia l Diseases o f Tur fgrasses - Pg. 6 MiGCSA Donates $25,000 to the MTF - Pg. 19

Bob Rozmys, Equipment Technician,The Inn of St. Johns Golf and Conference Center

3course conditions | Winter 2011/12

contents

Craig Ruhl, Assistant Superintendent, Wuskowhan Players Club

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21

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4 MiGCSAMembershipReport

5 President’sPerspective

6 TheHistoryofBacterial DiseasesofTurfgrasses

10 MiGCSA2011Scholarship Winners

14 AlliedPartner

17 MiGCSAAnnualMeeting

19 MiGCSADonates$25,000to theMTF

22 FromNational

26 MiGCSAElections

28 CallfromCampus

29 2011CalendarOfEvents

30 AssociationUpdate

Dan Dingman, Superintendent,Birmingham Country Club

Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org

EDiTor

Adam Ikamas, [email protected]

Course Conditions is published 4 times a year by the Michigan GolfCourse Superintendents Association. Opinions expressed by guest writers do notnecessarily reflect the views of the MiCGSA. For more information onCourse Conditions or the MiGCSA please contact us at [email protected],1-888-3-MiGCSA or P.O. Box 64 in St. Johns, MI 48879.

PrESiDEnT JAY ECCLETON, CGCS-2014 Mid-Class A The Emerald

ViCE PrESiDEnT GREG PATTINSON-2013 Mid-Class A Captains Club

PAST PrESiDEnT RON DAHLIN, CGCS-2012 Western-Class A The Meadows Golf Club at GVSU

SECrETAry/ GREGG MATTHEWS -2013TrEASurEr Detroit-Class A Lakelands Golf and Country Club

BoArD MEMBErS ERIC RANK-2013 Western-Class A Chikaming Country Club

TIM DARK, CGCS-2014 Detroit-Class A Barton Hills Country Club JEFF HOLMES, CGCS-2014 Western-Class A Egypt Valley C.C DAVID J. PAWLUK, CGCS - 2012 Detroit-Class A The Inn at St. John’s MARK OSTRANDER-2015 Western-Class A The Moors G.C.

ASSiSTAnT TROY EVANS – 2012LiAiSon Detroit-Class C Bloomfield Hills Country Club

JIM BLUCK, CGCS-2013Northern-Class AForest Dunes

PHIL OWEN, CGCS-2015Mid-Class AWarwick Hills C.C.

Mike Rosen-2015Northern-Class AOtsego Club JUSTIN BICKEL - 2014Northern – Class AThe Dream and The Nightmare

DESiGnEr AnD EDiTor

Cuppa’ Jo [email protected]

Course Conditions staff

Board of direCtors

.4 .

Current Winter 2010/11 MeMBership MeMBership

Class aa 27 25Class a 232 247Class sM 69 72Class C 94 95Class d 33 48Class e 20 20Class aff 154 140Class h 23 15Class sa 14 13Class r 10 12Class i 4 1totaL 682 688

Migcsa Membership

reportsuMMary of CLasses 1/22/12

please log in to your account at www.migcsa.org to renew your membership for 2012. if you are unsure

of your status contact us at [email protected] or 1-888-3-MiGCsa.

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BuIlDInG A STRonG FounDATIon.

How fast a year goes. I would like to first say how proud I am to be a part of such a great organization of committed individuals. I am now entering my second term as the MiGCSA President and I am excited to bring in 2012 with a new outlook on the golf industry. I have been fortunate to serve on a Board of Directors that have put their heart and soul into this association and continue to work tirelessly towards the advancement of the MiGCSA and its membership. I would like to thank Mr. Ron Dahlin, Mr. Scott Pulaski and Mr. Rick Hakken for their many years of dedication to the board as they step off this year due to term limits. All three of these individuals were instrumental in the creation of the MiGCSA and without their efforts, the MiGCSA would not be as successful as it is today. I also would like to welcome new board members Mr. Mark ostrander, Mr. Phil owen, CGCS and Mr. Michael Rosen to the board as they start their own journey as future leaders of the MiGCSA. I would also like to thank our Executive Director Adam Ikamas, CGCS. His efforts and dedication to our association has raised the bar

for association management and has continued to make the MiGCSA one of the leading GCSAA affiliated chapters in the country.

As I put the finishing touches on this President’s message. I am also attending the last GlTE Conference that the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation will be part of for the time being. In 2013 the MTF will return to East lansing with the MTF Conference and Show. This is an exciting change for all of us. The new venue will now be located in the heart of East lansing on the MSu campus and The Kellogg Center. I had the privilege to attend a small meeting last month with a majority of the MTF Board members at The Kellogg Center. As we took our tour of the facility and were introduced to staff and amenities that will be available to us in 2013, I grew more eager to see this conference return home to East lansing and excited to be a part of the development of maybe the best turf conference ever.

The show will switch gears and return its focus towards education and less focus on a trade show. The benefits are numerous. Classes will now be offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with sessions scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday. This will give all attendees an ample opportunity to catch up on some much needed GCSAA CEu credits by attending various classes offered throughout the week. The return of the MTF Awards dinner and a new trade show format that will be located atop Spartan Stadium are only a couple new additions to the conference that will help launch a new chapter for the MTF. The Kellogg Center is currently and will be going through major renovation stages throughout the summer of 2012 and will welcome us with many new amenities and accommodations as well.

As I watch our industry struggle through this weak golf economy, I am also seeing allied associations doing whatever it takes to become stronger and build solid relationships amongst themselves. The partnership with the MTF and the MiGCSA has never been stronger and in fact this year at the GlTE Conference the MiGCSA was able to increase their contribution $10,000.00 for research from $15,000.00 in 2011 to $25,000.00 in 2012. This is all a direct relationship to the strong partnerships the MiGCSA has made with our Industry Partners and the continued growth of member participation. I personally cannot thank our Industry Partners and our members enough for their continued support of our industry and association.

In June of 2011 we saw the creation of a new award from the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM), The Superintendent of the Year Award. The late Theodore Woehrle was the inaugural selection. This award will be given out annually at the annual meeting of the GAM. In november of 2011 we also saw our own MSu Turf Team receive the Michigan Golf Course owners Association’s (MGCoA) Distinquished Service Award and this same group of individuals are also candidates for Inductee to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame this Spring.

As this article is titled, Building a Strong Foundation, I see all corners of our industry coming together to help solidify a new foundation for a new birth of the golf industry. Golf may never come back as strong as it once was but it will come back eventually. All of us need to focus on preparing ourselves for the reinvention of the game. Developing strong relationships throughout our industry and allied associations is crucial to our future success. As we enter 2012, take a moment to reflect on the past and how we use to operate and then take an even longer look into the future and what we have to do as a turf professional to advance our industry, ourselves, and our companies into the new era of golf.

I once again challenge all of you to become more involved in your association, help build that foundation one brick at a time. Continue to be positive and rest assured we will be ready when the industry returns to build upon our new solid foundation, a new golf industry full of positive growth and innovative ideas. I am extremely excited for 2012 and the opportunity to build on these already strong partnerships and to meet new individuals that will be instrumental in the future of the game. As the Winter comes to an end and Spring is among us, take the opportunity to reinvent yourself, one breath at a time. Here’s to a new foundation! let’s start building!

Regards,

Jay B. Eccleton, CGCS

JAy ECCLETon, CGCS

course conditions | Winter 2011/12

President’s Perspective

Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org.

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The hisTory of BacTerial Diseases of Turfgrasses

the vegetatively propagated creeping bentgrassesTheoriginalBacterialWiltwhichattackedthevegetativelypropagatedcreepingbentgrasseslikeToronto(C-15)wascausedbyabacteriumcalledXanthomonascampestris.ThevegetativecreepingbentgrasseswerefromacollectionmadebyUSGAagronomistinthe1930.TheywenttovariousgolfcoursesintheEasternUSandCanadaandselectedbiotypesthathadgoodagronomiccharacteristicsandboughtthembacktoWashingtonDCandestablishedtheminanurseryforfurtherevaluation.Foryourinformationtheplotswerewherethepentagonsitstoday.Theyeventuallyselected7ofwhattheyconsideredtobethebestofthecultivars.Theythenwenttovariousgolfcoursesandaskedthemiftheywouldputthesecultivarsinapieshapegreenandevaluatethemtoseewhatoneoronestheypreferred.Forwhateverreasonthegolfcoursesuperintendent’sinthemid-westchoseC-15orTorontoasthebestcultivarforthemid-west.Thebigadvantage,whichalsoturnedoutlatertobigthedisadvantage,wasthateveryplantinthegreenwaslikeeveryotherplant,sotherewasnosegregationwhichoftenoccurswiththeseededcreepingbentgrasses.determining the cause of the C-15 toronto creeping bentgrass problemWehadobservedformanyyearsaslowdeclineinTorontocreepingbentgrassgreensbutcouldnotdeterminewhatwascausingitandsinceitprogressedslowlytherewasnotmajorconcern.Itwasasiftheannualbluegrasswasjustdoingitsthingandtakingover.Thesandtopdressingofnativesoilgreens,whichbecamepopularinthe1970’s,toconvertthemintosandgreenscausedthediseasetogoparabolic.Bacteriaunlikefungineedfreshwoundstoentertheplant.Thedraggingofthesandintotheprofileresultedinmanywounds,andthisminordiseasebecameamajordiseaseovernight.Asturfgrasspathologistwearetrained(actuallyovertrained)tolookforfungiwhentheturfstartstodie.AcoupleofmycolleaguesfoundsomeleafspotsonafewplantonthegreensanddecideditwasaHelminthosporiumdisease;onesaiditwasredleafspot,andtheothersaiditwasleafandcrownrot.MylaboratoryatMSUdetermineditwasactuallyabacterialdiseasethatlivedinthexylemoftheplant,eventuallypluggingupenoughxylemcellstocausetheplantstowilt.

Why the Bacterial Wilt was so devastating Thesameadvantagethatmadethevegetativelypropagatedcreepingbentgrassessodesirablewasalsotheirdownfall;sinceeveryplantinthegreenwasthesamegeneticallyaseveryotherplant,thebacteriumcouldattackeveryplantinthegreenwhichresultedinextensiveturflossovernight.Bacterialwiltalsobroughtanendtothevegetativebentgrassera,notonlyinthemid-west,butthroughouttheUSastheothervegetativepropagatedbentgrasseswerealsodestroyedbythebacterium.

Bacterial etiolationAtaboutthesametime,webegantonoticeexcessivetilleringinannualbluegrassgreensandfairwayswhichhadbeenattributedtomanycauses.Thediseasewasoftenreferredtoas“MadTilleringdisease”WefounditwasduetoanotherXanthomonasbacteriumlateridentifiedbyDr.NathanielMitkowski,attheUniversityofRhodeIsland,asXanthomonastransluscenspv.poae.Butsinceitwasannualbluegrass,mostpeopledidnotcareotherthanafewindividualsatcourseswhereitbecameaseriousproblem.Morerecently,similarsymptomsbegantodevelopincreepingbentgrassgreensandnoweveryonecares.ThebacteriumattackingthecreepingbentgrasscultivarswasidentifiedbyourlaboratoryasAcidovoraxavenaesubsp.avenae(Aaa).Wearecallingthisnewdiseaseonbothannualbluegrassandcreepingbentgrass“BacterialEtiolation”todifferentiatefromthediseasethatoriginallyoccurredonthevegetativelypropagatedcreepingbentgrasses;wherethemajorsymptomwasthewiltingoftheinfectedplants.Whereasthexylemvesselsarepluggedwithbacterialikewithbacterialwilt,themajorsymptomistheetiolatingoftheshoots.Alsounlikethevegetativepropagatedcreepingbentgrassestheseededcreepingbentgrasseshavesomegeneticdiversitybecauseitisanopenpollinatedspecies.Therefore,onlycertainbiotypesinthegreensarebeingaffectedratherthanentiregreens,whichoccurredwiththevegetativelypropagatedcreepingbentgrassgreenswherealltheplantswerethesamegenetically,andthereforeequallysusceptible.

By J M Vargas Jr . anD Paul giorDano, DePT . of PlanT PaThology, Michigan sTaTe uniVersiTy

Typical etiolation, yellowing, and thinning on a stand of creeping bentgrass affected by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae

course conditions | Winter 2011/12 7

Creeping bentgrass cultivars affectedWeoriginallyisolatedAaafromPennG-2creepingbentgrass.Wehavesincefounditinothercreepingbentgrasscultivarssamplesfromothergolfcoursethatweresenttoourlaboratory.Wehavealsoinoculatedseveralcreepingbentgrasscultivarsingrowthchambers.Thesecultivarsinclude,butarenotlimitedto:PennA-4,PennA-1,L-93,Tyee,Declaration,Bengal,007,andPenncross.Ourinitialresearchhasindicatedsomeminorvariationsinsusceptibilityingrowthchamberinoculations;however,allcultivarstestedthusfarhavebeensusceptibletoinfectionbyAaa,tosomedegree.

What still needs to be doneThereseemstobeamovementinMichigantowardsconvertingannualbluegrassgreenstocreepingbentgrassgreens.Additionally,manyofthenewgolfcoursesthatwerebuiltinthelasttenyearsarestillpredominatelycreepingbentgrass.MuchstillremainstobelearnedabouttheAcidovoraxturfgrasspathogen,weareworkingtounderstandmanyaspectsofthedisease.Itisimportantthatwefindameansofcontrollingthisdiseaseanditsassociatedsymptoms.Webegantrialslastseason,butwithoutmuchsuccess.Wewillcontinuethemthisyearwiththehopeofobtainingbetterresults.StaytunedintoMSUresearchreportsandindustrypublicationsforprogressthatisbeingmadeonthisemergingissue.

Irregular shaped area of seeded creeping bentgrass etiolating due to infection by the bacterium Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae.

IMicroscopic view of bacterial cells flowing

out of the cut end of an infected turfgrass

plant. A common diagnostic sign of bacterial infection

byXanthomonas (poa annua) or Acidovorax (creeping bentgrass).

Jim KrugerTechnical Sales Representative

[email protected]

www.clearychemical.com

TURF & ORNAMENTAL PRODUCTS


golf course susTainaBiliTy sTorM waTer ManageMenT

Thereisoft-repeatedthatthethreekeystoagoodgolfcourseare:1.Drainage2.Drainage3.Drainage.Asallgolfdesignersandsuperintendentsunderstand,managingwateriscriticaltomaintainingaplayable,functionalandsustainablegolfcourse.But,thereismoretosustainabledrainagedesignthansimplyremovingwaterfromthegolfcourseasquicklyaspossible.Overthelastdecade,creativewatermanagementsystemshavebeendevelopedthatincreaseoverallsustainabilityofthegolflandscape,andthelargerregionalcontextaswell.

Itisamyththatgolfersdonotwanttoseewateronthegolfcourse.Theyjustdon’twanttoseeitmakingpuddles,orcreatingmudholesthroughwhichtheymustplay.Infact,golferswanttoseewater,butmorein“feature”forms,suchasponds,orwaterfalls,orevenwetlands.Ifdesignedproperly,thesamedrainagenuisancecanbecomethegenesisofanaestheticallypleasingwaterfeature.Thesolutionjustneedstobeproperlyandsustainablydesignedbydirectingwatertoadifferentplaceatadifferenttime.

Oneofthesimplestsustainablewatermanagementconceptsisthecollectionandreuseofwaterthatfallsnaturally.Toomanydrainagesystemsonly“flush”waterintotheneareststreamorcreekimmediatelyafterarainevent,evenwhenthesuperintendentmayneedtoreplenishtheirrigationreservoirthenextday.Thisoldmethodisawasteofwaterandthelossofanopportunitytobemoresustainable.Creativelydesigneddrainagesystemscancausedrainagewateronagolfcoursetobefunneledbacktotheirrigationsystem,enablingthesustainablere-useofthiscriticalresource.

Duetodifferenttopographyandsiteconditions,thereareusuallyareasonasitethatprecludethereuseofdrainagewaterforirrigation.But,thiswatershouldnotnecessarilybedischargedviapipesintothenearestdrainageway.Instead,opportunitiestodesignopendrainagechannelsshouldbeconsidered.And,withoutmuchadditionalcostorenergy,theseopendrainagechannelscanbedesignedintoaestheticallypleasingwaterfeaturessuchasanintermittentrockcreekorbrook.

Collectingandretainingwateronsitebeforeitis“letgo”intothelargerregionaldrainagesystemisanotheropportunityforsustainability.These“retentionareas”,ifwelldesigned,canfunctionasfeaturesaroundwhichgolferscanplayandalsobecomehometomanydifferentplant,birdandanimalspecies.Thistypeofconceptwillincreasetheoverallbio-diversityofthesite,akeyprincipleinsustainabledesign.

Thenexttimeyouseeadrainageproblemonyourgolfcourse,beforeatrenchiscutandapipeinstalled,considerifthereisanopportunitytocreateamoresustainablegolfenvironment.

Paul Albanese, ASGCA is a principal with Albanese & Lutzke, Golf Course Architects/Construction Managers. They have an office in Plymouth, Michigan and are currently working in seven countries on small and large projects.

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10

Migcsa 2011 scholarship Winners

AttheGLTEinGrandRapidstheMiGCSAawardedavarietyofScholarshipstostudentsandMiGCSAMemberdependents.

ThereweretwostudentscholarshipstoMSUTurfStudents.WilliamWeslayKeisterandClintonJ.Steketeeboth4yearturfstudents.Theybothreceived$1,500tohelpoffsettheireducationcosts.Thesestudents

werechosenbasedoninterviewswiththeMiGCSAScholarshipCommitteecomprisedofChairmanScottPulaskiandmembersJayEccleton,CGCS,JimBluck,CGCSandJohnSeefeldt,CGCS.

TherewerefourrecipientsoftheHeritageScholarship;thesewenttodependentsofMiGCSAmembers.TheserecipientswerechosenbasedonanapplicationandessaysubmittedtotheScholarshipCommittee.ThewinnerswerefromtheMidDistrict,TylerOwen,sonofPhilOwen,CGCSClassAatWarwickHillsCountryClub.WestDistrict-JustinHolmes,sonofJeffHolmes,CGCSClassAatEgyptValleyCountryClub.DetroitDistrict-ChloeAkers,daughterofJeffAkersClassCatOakhurstGolfandCountryClub.AndtheNorthDistrict-DillonHunt,sonofDanHuntClassAFFatTurfgrassInc.

2012 Student Scholarship, Scott Pulaksi, Clinton Steketee, and Jay Eccleton


Over 40 Years Industry Experience

Factory Direct Training

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Focused on Service

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Michigan Irrigation Team

Chad KempfWestern Michigan Sales

[email protected]

Steve CarrierEastern Michigan Sales

[email protected]

TheMiGCSAalsovotedtomakeadonationof$1,000totheMSUTurfClubtohelpthemgettotheGolfIndustryShowandoffsetcostsofanewbooth,makesureyoustopbyinLasVegastoseethegreatjobthesestudentsdid.Withadonationof$25,000totheMTFtheMiGCSAFoundationdonatedatotalof$33,000fromfundraisingin2011.

Pleasemarkyourcalendarsforthe2012Fundraisers.February24thatGalaxyLanesinGrandBlanc,June4thatArcadiaBluffs,September17thatWuskowhanPlayersClubinHolland,andTheBigEventonOctober8thatBirminghamCountryClub.Manyofthesefundscamefromsponsorshipsfromour8PremiereSponsorsandothersponsorssuchasCivitas,Jacobsen,Turfgrass,AbsoluteGolfBallRetrieval,andKno-Markswhichisstilldonating$20foreveryballmarkrepairtooltheysell.

Scott Pulaski, Jeff Akers, Chloe Akers, and Jay Eccleton

Scott Pulaski, Jay Eccleton, Tyler owen, and Phil owen

Scott Pulaski, Dan Hunt, Dillon Hunt, and Jay Eccleton

Scott Pulaski, Jeff Holmes, Jay Eccleton

Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org.

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Dan Dingman has just completed his first season as the Superintendent at Birmingham Country Club, before that he was the Superintendent at Grosse Ile Country Club. Dan has been married to his wife Angela for 2 years and they have a son named Tyler. In his limited spare time he enjoys playing golf to a 5 handicap, cycling, skiing, and reading. Dan has been in the golf business since he was 14 years old. He started his career at Willowbrook Golf Course in Byron, MI working with Chris Drummond, now at Elk Rapids Golf Course who told Dan about the Turf Program at MSU. After an internship at The Creek Club in Long Island Dan went to Pine Hollow Country Club next door as an Assistant after graduating from MSU in 1998.

dandingman

a full round

How DiD you BECoME inVoLVED in THE GoLF BuSinESS?IhavebeenonthegolfcourseasfarbackasIcanremember.Myparentsbothplayedgolfandtookuskidsalongwhenwewereyoung.

wHAT PArT oF THAT EDuCATion Do you uSE MoST oFTEn on THE JoB?Dr.Rogerswouldalwayssaythat“Growinggrassistheeasypartofthejob”,andhisemphasisonthe,“importanceofcommunication”stickswithmethemosttoday.

wHAT CourSE DiD you Go To AFTEr CoLLEGE? MyfirstAssistantSuperintendentpositionwasatPineHollowCountryClubimmediatelyfollowinggraduationworkingforGerryKunkel.Myfirstdayonthejob,Gerrysaidtome“Startingtoday,youaregoingtolearnhowtowateragolfcourse”.Iwillneverforgetthat!

wHErE CAn THE MiGCSA iMProVE?Memberparticipationhasbeendowninthepastfewyears,whichIbelieveisaresultofsuperintendentsbeingsobusyintheirownpersonallives.Theeconomicsituationofthepastfiveyearshasledtomostsuperintendentsdoing“morewithless”andanysparetimewehaveisspentwithfamily.Reducethenumberofeventstoavoidoversaturation,andconcentrateonhavingeventsthatwilldrawgreaterparticipation.

wHErE CAn THE GCSAA iMProVE? TheGCSAAhasdonegreatthingstobringawarenesstoourprofessionbuttheytendtoover-regulatethelocalassociations.IwouldalsoliketoseetheannualduesbeloweredsomoreSuperintendentscanaffordamembership.

How HAVE you GiVEn BACk To your ProFESSion? Aspartofmy“give-back”tomyprofessionIhavebeenaguestspeakertothestudentsatMSU,andhavealsobeenaguestpresenterattheGLTE.IwasinvolvedintheinitialdevelopmentoftheAssistantSuperintendentCommittee,andIcurrentlysitonthemembershipandeventscommitteefortheDetroitchapteroftheMIGCSA.wHAT iS your oPinion ABouT THE AuGuSTA SynDroME? IwilluseaquotefromDr.AlisterMackenzietoanswerthequestion–“Thebestgolfinggrassesvaryincolor.Theymaybered,brown,blue,darkgreen,lightgreen,yellow,andattimesevenwhiteandgray.Agolfcoursethatisconsistedentirelyofoneshadeofgreenwouldbemerelyugly.Thereisgreatcharmandbeautyinthevaryingshadesofcoloronagolfcourse”.


5 things you don’t knoW about dan

dingMan

1. i HAVE BEEn workinG on A GoLF CourSE SinCE i wAS 14 yrS oLD

2. i HATE ToMAToES

3. i AM DEATHLy AFrAiD oF roLLEr CoASTErS AnD THE oCEAn

4. i HAVE A GrEAT inTErEST in CLASSiC GoLF CourSE ArCHiTECTurE

5. i MET My wiFE in BrECkEnriDGE CoLorADo wHiLE on A Ski TriP wiTH AAron MCMASTEr

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wHAT Do you SEE For THE nExT GEnErATion oF SuPErinTEnDEnTS?Increasedenvironmentalregulation,higheroperationalcosts,andcontinuationofgreatexpectationstoproduceagreatproduct.Superintendentswillbeaskedtoacceptgreaterleadershiproleswithintheirfacility,thereforespendinglesstimeonthegolfcourse.

wHo inFLuEnCED you THE MoST ABouT TurFGrASS MAnAGEMEnT?GerryKunkelandJohnCooney.IwasfortunatetobeanAssistantfortwoverygoodSuperintendents,bothofwhomIamstillveryclosetotoday.

wHo iS THE GrEATEST inFLuEnCE in your PErSonAL LiFE? MywifeAngela.Sheholdsitalltogether!

nAME Any THrEE PEoPLE wHo wouLD MAkE uP your “DrEAM SCrAMBLE TEAM”?BobbyJones,NeilYoung,DavidFeherty

wHo iS your FAVoriTE TourinG ProFESSionAL? SteveStricker–Crieseverytimehewins!

wHAT PErCEnTAGE oF your TiME iS DEVoTED To non-AGronoMiC GoLF CourSE MAnAGEMEnT? 65%ofmydayisspentonmattersunrelatedtoturfgrasssuchasattendingmeetings,communicatingwiththemembership,budgeting,andpurchasing.ItisvitalformetohaveastaffthatIcantrusttoprovideaqualityproduct.

wHAT iS your oPinion oF THE roLE oF An ASSiSTAnT SuPErinTEnDEnT? TheAssistantisresponsibleforthedailymaintenanceofthegolfcourse,gettingthejobdone,andmanagingthestaff.IwasanAssistantfortenyearssoIhavegreatrespectandexpectationsfortheposition.VictorMorales-RiosisoneoftheAssistant’shereandhedoesanoutstandingjobalongwithGregPugleisi,whohasbeenatBCCfor32yrs.

wHAT iS your oPinion oF THE roLE oF THE GoLF CourSE MECHAniC/TECHniCiAn? MikeHewittistheMechanichereatBirminghamandheisequallyasimportantastheAssistant,themechanicmustbeorganized,haveagreatattitude,andkeeptheequipmentperformingatitsbest.MostSuperintendentsIknowchangetheirmindconstantlysothemechanicmustbewillingtoadaptandunderstandthattheretrulyisamethodbehindourmadness.

wHAT iS your oPinion oF wALkinG A GoLF CourSE VS. riDinG A GoLF CourSE in ToDAy’S GAME? ThereisnothingliketakingacaddieandwalkingthecourseandIthinkit’suncannythatsomefacilitieswon’tallowyoutocarryyourownbag.Intoday’seconomy,onlyasmallnumberoffacilitiescanaffordtosupportacaddieprogrambecausecartrevenuegreatlyinfluencesoperationalcosts;howeverit’sahistoricalpartofthegamethatneedstobepreserved.

wHAT ADViCE wouLD you GiVE To A nEw SuPErinTEnDEnT? Bevisible,havethickskin,playgolf,andhiretalentedpeoplethatyoucantrust.


Michigan turfgrass foundation

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allie

d P

artn

er

YourMichiganTurfgrassFoundationisarguablythebestturfresearchfoundationintheworld.Itisthebeacontowhichallotherslookforlight.Therearemanyfactorswhichplayapartinthelongtermsuccessesofthefoundation,suchashighlymotivatedanddedicatedpeople,aworldrenownuniversityresearchteam,goodcommunication,servicesandmanagement,butthesinglemostimportantkeytooursuccessistheextraordinarilyproductiveandsupportiverelationshipweenjoy

withouralliedpartners.TheMichiganTurfgrassFoundationisthecollectivefinancial,intellectualandcommunicationpoweroftheentireturfgrassindustryinMichiganworkingtowardonegoalofprovidingforthebestresearchandinformationattainable,makingtheturfgrassprofession,itsusesanditsenjoymentbetterforeveryonearoundMichiganandtheglobe.

2011wasabanneryearforyourMichiganTurfgrassFoundation.InthewakeofsuccessiveeconomicobstacleyearstheMTFwasabletomakegreatforwardstrides.Wehavecompletelystreamlinedourcostsandatthesametimedramaticallyincreasedannualinvestmentinworldclassturfgrassresearch.Allofthiswaspossiblebecauseouralliedpartnerstookastrongandpersonalpositionofownershipinthefoundationandsteppeduptotheplate.YourcommunicationeffortsmadeourTeeTimesforTurfcampaignstrongerthanweeverthoughtpossible,nettinga300%gainover2010.Yourcontributionsfromfundraisersyouheldaroundthestateprovided60%moreresearchdollarsthanin2010.YourstrengthandsupportwasthereasonwewilladdatenuretrackedTurfgrassMolecularPhysiologistandResearchLeadertotheTurfTeamin2012inatimewhenUniversitypositionsareveryhardtocomeby.YoursupportoftheMTFandtheworkofourTurfTeamenablesourprofessorstobetterpositionthemselvesthroughleveragetoreceivegrantsfrominsideMichigan,likeProjectGreenandtheStateofMichiganandoutsideofMichigan,liketheUSGA,GCSAA,theFederalGovernmentandnumerousindustrypartnersfromaroundtheworld.Inshort,noneofthesegreatthingshappenwithoutyou.

We’realllookingforwardto2012and2013.Wecertainlyhavesomeloftygoalsbutweknowwehavesomegreatpartnerswhowillhelpusachievethosegoals.OnegoalistoprepareandproducethebestMTFConferenceeverinJanuaryof2013.Asyouknow,wewillbemovingtheconferencebacktoEastLansingtotheKelloggCenteranditwillonceagainbededicatedtotheturfgrassindustry.Thismoveisverywellreceivedbytheindustry.MTFVicePresidentandConferenceChairBrianSchweihoferhasassembledacommitteecomprisedofrepresentativesofouralliedpartners,ourturfteamandanumberofourindustrypartners.TheyarehardatworkandIcantellyouthattheresultingconferencewillbefantastic!

Inclosingandasthisarticleisinyourpublication,IdirectthistothegreatmembersoftheMiGCSA,towhomIampersonallydeeplycommitted.Thankyouforyourhardworkanddedicationtoyourfellowgolfcoursesuperintendentsandtotheturfgrassindustry.YourMiGCSABoardworksveryhardtohelpensurethesuccessoftheMTF,whichallowsustoprovideyouwiththetoolstomakebetterdecisionsforyourbusinesses.Youareagreatallyandpartner!BestwishestoallforasafeandprosperousNewYearandIlookforwardtoseeingyouagainverysoon!

JohnFulling,CGCSMTFPresident

JoHn FuLLinG, CGCS

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Migcsa annual MeetingTheMiGCSAAnnualMeetingwasheldintheVandenburgBroomattheAmwayGrandinGrandRapidsonJanuary10that5:00.

Someofthehighlightsofthemeetingweretheelectionsofofficersandnewboardmembers,pleaseseepage26formoreinformationonthesenewlyelectedmembers.AchangetotheMiGCSABylawswasapproved,thischangedeletestheFoundationCommitteeandreplacesthemwithaFoundationBoardofDirectorscomprisedofthesameofficersastheAssociation,thischangewastogaincompliancewiththe501c3requirementsofanon-profitorganization.

SomeofthecommunicationeffortsfromtheMiGCSAarethismagazineCourseConditionsprintedquarterlywhichisalsoavailableindigitalform,nowwithclickablelinkstomoreinformationTheMembershipDirectorynowbeingprintedinwinter,alsoavailableindigitalform.ThemonthlyNewsandUpdatesemailwhichincreaseswebsitetrafficby60%.TheMiGCSAFacebookpagehas210followersandtheTwitterfeedhas93followersand337tweetsin2011.

Thefinancialreportisasfollows.TheMiGCSAIncomecamefrom3sourcesIndustryPartnership:$89,620.00,MembershipDues:$50,186.00andEventRegistrationFees:$26,365.00foratotalincomeof$166,171.00.ThiswaswithExpensesfromOperating:$90,490.64,EventExpense:$24,066.12andMagazine:$19,434.86foratotalof$133,991.62.TheMiGCSAhadanetof$32,179.58in2011.The

currentassetsareMiGCSAChecking$62,699.72,AccountsReceivable$2,475.00andWebsiteDevelopment$27,733.75foratotalof$92,908.97incurrentassets.

TheFoundationreporthasthefollowingincomesourcesFoundationSponsorship:$22,650.00andFundraiserRegistration:$45,687.50foratotalincomeof$68,337.50.Withatotalexpenseof$36,529.31thefoundationraised$31,808.19in2011andwiththeadditionof$3,436.51carryoverfrom2010theMiGCSAFoundationaccounthas$35,244.70.ThedispersionoftheFoundationfundsareasfollows,HeritageScholarships:$4,000,StudentScholarships:$3,000,MSUTurfClubDonation:$1,000andanMTFDonationof$25,000theFoundationaccountwillhave$2,244.70tostart2012.

TheMiGCSAwantstothankScottPulaskiandRickHakkenwhofinishedtheir6yearsasMiGCSABoardMembersfortheirservicetotheindustry.Alsoahugethankyouthe2011IndustryPartnersasnoneofthisispossiblewithouttheirsupport,pleasehelpusthankthesecompaniesbysupportingthemthewaytheysupportyou.

17


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fundraiserwasheldatArcadiaBluffsGolfClub,inSeptembertherewasaneventatTheGolfClubatHarborShoresandtheyearendedwiththeBigEventatWarwickHillsCountryClub.SincetheinceptionoftheMiGCSAin2008theMiGCSAhasdonated$70,000totheMTFtohelpfundresearchatMichiganStateUniversity.Manyofthesefundscamefromsponsorshipsfromour8PremiereSponsorsandothersponsorssuchasCivitas,Jacobsen,Turfgrass,AbsoluteGolfBallRetrieval,andKno-Markswhichisstilldonating$20foreveryballmarkrepairtooltheysell.

With$7,000inscholarshipsand$1,000indonationstotheMSUTurfClubtheMiGCSAFoundationgaveaway$33,000fromfundraisingin2011.

Pleasemarkyourcalendarsforthe2012Fundraisers.February24thatGalaxyLanesinGrandBlanc,June3rdand4thatArcadiaBluffs,September17thatWuskowhanPlayersClubinHolland,andTheBigEventonOctober8thatBirminghamCountryClub.

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21

bob rozmys equipment technician at the inn at st. Johns golf and conference center

Bob Rozmys is the Equipment Technician at The Inn at St. Johns Golf and Conference Center; he was offered this position by the president of the management company. Bob has an associate of Science degree from Henry Ford Community College and continues his education by attending training classes from John Deere, Club Car, Jacobsen & the MiGCSA.

1. wHAT iS THE MoST DiFFiCuLT PArT oF your JoB? Chasingthedemon,thoseintermittedequipmentproblemsthatareveryhardtodiagnose

2. wHAT iS THE EASiEST PArT oF your JoB? Maintenance;oilchanges,lubereelsharpening&adjustments

3. wHAT Do you SEE For THE nExT GEnErATion oF EquiPMEnT MAnAGErS? Electricmotorsreplacinghydraulicmotors

4. wHErE Do you SEE yourSELF TEn yEArS FroM now? HopefullymaintainingequipmentatSt.Johns.

5. How wouLD you LikE To BE rEMEMBErED 100 yEArS FroM now? Astheguywhogetsthejobdone.

6. wHo inFLuEnCED you THE MoST ABouT EquiPMEnT MAnAGEMEnT?TheothertechniciansthatImetattheMiGCSAclassesandseminarsalwayshavegreatideasandexperiencetoshare.ThespeakersaregoodbuttheinformationIgetfromtheotherattendeesisgreat.

7. How Do you rATE iMPorTAnCE oF THE EquiPMEnT MAnAGEr’S roLE AnD inFLuEnCE in THE GoLF inDuSTry?Itisveryimportanttomakesurethegroundskeepershavetheequipmenttheyneedtodotheirjobverywell.

8. wHAT iS your oPinion oF THE roLE oF An ASSiSTAnT SuPErinTEnDEnT? Ibelieveitisaveryimportantroleincoordinationtheworkthatneedtobedone,especiallyona27holegolfcourse.

9. wHAT iS your BiGGEST PET PEEVE ConCErninG GoLF CourSE EquiPMEnT? Keepingmovingpartscleaned&lubricated.Theyneedbetterseals&moregreasefittings.

10. wHAT iS THE oLDEST PiECE oF EquiPMEnT THAT iS STiLL uSED? JacobsenGK-IV

11. wHErE Do you SEE THE FuTurE oF GoLF EquiPMEnT HEADinG? Moreelectronicsandmoreelectricalmotors.

under the hood


As we enter a new year we are all facing new challenges at our golf facilities. Superintendents are under constant pressure to produce a golf course that is in tremendous condition while cutting expenses as much as possible. The one thing superintendents cannot control but has had a major impact on

revenues the past two years is the weather. GCSAA continues to work with superintendents to help them communicate with their golf course officials to help those officials better understand what superintendents are up against and that many times it is not just a local issue but one that is affecting golf course superintendents on a national level. Please share this information with your club officials and make sure you are giving them constant updates on what is going on with the golf course. In my travels this past year I saw a lot of golf courses that were affected by the weather but the good news that through good communication most superintendents weathered the storm just fine and with a good fall in the Great Lakes Region for growing grass, most golf courses entered the winter in great condition.

GCSAA has also weathered a tough couple of years from an economic standpoint and we too have made changes in how we do business. Our members have and always will matter most and we have kept that in mind as we have made those changes trying not to impact the goods and services we provide to our members. Our mission states that GCSAA is dedicated to:

• Serving its members• Advancing their profession• And enhancing the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf

We have also used this as we have navigated the rough waters of the economy. In 2012 we are adding two more field staff representatives, continuing the leadership academy and once again bringing new delegates to headquarters so that they can better understand what GCSAA is all about.

As I write this article, the numbers coming in for the GCSAA Conference and Show in Las Vegas are encouraging. Attendance and show floor square footage are strong. I hope you are all planning on attending the premiere golf course maintenance event of 2012. There will be over 600 hours of education in one place! GCSAA again is committed to bringing the best possible education to our members at an affordable price. If that is not enough, GCSAA webinars are now FREE to our members! GCSAA is also very committed to the health of the environment and the Environmental Institute for Golf continues to lead the way and ensure golf course superintendents have the tools and education necessary to be the leaders in environmental stewardship. GCSAA’s Drive toward Sustainability in is high gear and one of the leaders in this area resides in Michigan. GCSAA’s Greg Lyman recently spent time giving an interview on the Golf Channel’s Morning Drive. GCSAA is also working hard on legislative issues such as NPDES permitting HR 872, H2B Visa program and Disaster Relief just to mention a few. If you have any questions or comments on any of these issues please feel free to call GCSAA at 800-472-7878 or visit the website gcsaa.org. Have a great spring and I will see all of you soon.

Best Wishes for a great upcoming season,John Miller, CGCS

JoHn MiLLEr, CGCS

22.

froM national

great lake regional roundupgcsaa update

By JoHn MiLLEr, CGCS – GCSAA MiDwEST FiELD STAFF


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Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org24.

Craig Ruhl has been the Assistant Superintendent at Wuskowhan Players Club in West olive since 2009 after graduating from Michigan State. Craig also started his career at Wuskowhan mowing greens and raking bunkers, and walk mowing greens is still his favorite job. Craig has a son, Jacob who is 10 years old. In his spare time he enjoys throwing darts and watching sports. He has also started a room by room renovation of his condo. In 2012 the MiGCSA Western Golf Day Fundraiser will be held at Wuskowhan on August 27th.

1. wHo wAS THE FirST SuPErinTEnDEnT you workED For?RyanOsborn

2. wHAT DiD you LEArn FroM THAT SuPErinTEnDEnT in THE FirST yEAr? Patienceandbeingabletochangeplansquicklyaretwothingshehashelpedmetoimproveupon.

3. wHAT ArE your ExPECTATionS FroM THE MiCHiGAn GoLF CourSE SuPErinTEnDEnTS ASSoCiATion? Myexpectationswouldincludesupportingturfresearchandtocontinuetoofferwaysforanindividualtofurthertheirowncareerthroughmeetings,outingsandtheGLTE.

4. wHAT iS your FAVoriTE GoLF HoLE you HAVE PLAyED? #4attheNationalGolfLinksofAmerica.Thisisaredanstylepar3thatplaysnearly190yards.

5. wHAT iS your oPinion ABouT THE AuGuSTA SynDroME? WhileitisvisuallystunningtowatchonHDTV,theideathatthelevelofconditioningshouldbeexpectedonadailybasistomeisimpracticalformostclubs.Withgolf’smovetowardsustainability,Ifeelabettermeasureforagolfcoursewouldbegettingthemostoutofwhattheyaregiventoworkwith.

6. wHAT iS your FAVoriTE PiECE oF EquiPMEnT you HAVE in your ArSEnAL For GoLF CourSE MAnAGEMEnT? WerecentlypurchasedaPlanet-Airmachineandit’squicklybecomemyfavorite.Theversatilityandspeedofusearehardtobeat.

7. wHAT iS THE MoST DiFFiCuLT PArT oF your JoB? Keepingtrackofwhat20peoplespreadoutover200+acresaredoingatanygiventime.

the better half


craig ruhl


1. onCE DELiVErED A PizzA To ToM izzo AT HiS SuMMEr HoME in SPrinG LAkE.

2. HAVE BEEn To Two FinAL FourS, inCLuDinG MSu winninG in 2000.

3. HAD CornEAL TrAnSPLAnT SurGEry in My riGHT EyE in 2005.

4. HAVE BEEn To onLy onE GiS - in orLAnDo 2011.

5. HAVE BEEn To EVEry STATE wEST oF THE MiSSiSSiPPi.

8. wHAT ArE THE BiGGEST iSSuES FACinG ASSiSTAnT SuPErinTEnDEnTS ToDAy? Whiletheshrinkingjobmarketisaconcern,therearealwaysgoodjobsforgoodpeople(orsoI’mtold).Iwouldliketoseetheassistant’sjobplayamoremeaningfulrolewithinaclubs’managementteam.

9. wHo MAkES you LAuGH THE MoST on your CrEw? OurmechanicChrisisprettyamusing–especiallywhenhe’stalkingUniversityofMichiganfootball.

10. wHo inFLuEnCED you THE MoST ABouT TurFGrASS MAnAGEMEnT? Probablymytwobossessofarinthisindustry,RyanOsbornandKevinDushane

11. How Do you rATE iMPorTAnCE oF THE ASSiSTAnT SuPErinTEnDEnT’S roLE AnD inFLuEnCE in THE GoLF inDuSTry?Ifeelit’svitaltoanysuccessfulgolfoperation.Havingatrustedassistantgivesthesuperintendenttheabilitytofocusonotherimportantareassuchasmemberandclubhouserelations.

12. wHAT iS your oPinion oF THE roLE oF THE MECHAniC in rELATionSHiP To THE ASSiSTAnT SuPErinTEnDEnT? It’simportantinthesensethatanydepartmentwillrunbestwhenallpeoplearegettingalongandworkingefficientlytogether.Weareluckytohaveaveryskilled,jack-of-all-tradestypeofguy.

13. wHAT iS your oPinion oF wALkinG A GoLF CourSE VS. riDinG A GoLF CourSE in ToDAy’S GAME? Fromamanagementperspective,takingridingoutoftheequationwouldmakeourjobsmucheasier,especiallywiththeamountofshadewehavehere.Howeverfromapracticalperspective,theincreasedrevenuesmeantheyareheretostay.Ithinkit’sbesttoacceptthatandtofocusonbetterwaysofmanagingthestress.

14. wHAT ArE your oPinionS oF GrEEn SPEED AnD THE GAME oF GoLF ToDAy?Ienjoythefactthatit’sourjobtomaintainacoursetotheexpectedlevelofourmembers.Iftheyareaskingforfastergreens,Ithinkweoweittothem.Itcanbefrustrating,however,whenoutsidefactors(weather)outofourcontrolarethereason.

15. wHo iS THE GrEATEST inFLuEnCE in your PErSonAL LiFE? Mymotherandson.Bothinspiremetobemybesteveryday.

16. nAME Any THrEE PEoPLE wHo wouLD MAkE uP your “DrEAM SCrAMBLE TEAM”TomIzzo,FredCouplesandJohnElway

17. wHErE Do you SEE yourSELF TEn yEArS FroM now? IwouldliketobeaSuperintendentwithmyowncoursebythatpointintime.

18. How wouLD you LikE To BE rEMEMBErED 100 yEArS FroM now?Iwouldliketoberememberedforbeingarespectablefatherandson.

5 things you did not knoW about craig ruhl

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Migcsa elections

TheMichiganGolfCourseSuperintendentsAssociation(MiGCSA)helditsannualelectionsonJanuary10th2012intheVandenburgBRoomatthe

AmwayGrandHotelinGrandRapids.JayEccleton,CGCS,DirectorofGolfCourseOperationsatTheEmeraldGolfCourse,St.JohnswaselectedtohissecondconsecutivetermasPresidentwiththisvote.

After the elections President Eccleton said “ i have been fortunate to serve on a Board of Directors that have put their heart and soul into this association and continue to work tirelessly towards the advancement of the MiGCSA and its membership. i would like to thank Mr. ron Dahlin, Mr. Scott Pulaski and Mr. rick Hakken for their many years of dedication to the board as they step off this year due to term limits. All three of these individuals were instrumental in the creation of the MiGCSA and without their efforts, the MiGCSA would not be as successful as it is today. i also would like to welcome new board members Mr. Mark ostrander, Mr. Phil owen, CGCS and Mr. Michael rosen to the board as they start their own journey as future leaders of the MiGCSA.”

ThetwootherelectedofficersvotedintotheirsecondconsecutivetermsincludeGregPattinson,SuperintendentatTheCaptainsClub,GrandBlancasVicePresident,andGreggMatthewsSuperintendentatLakelandsGolfandCountryClub,BrightonasSecretary/Treasurer.ThreeopenseatswerealsofilledbyMikeRosen,SuperintendentatTheOtsegoClubinGaylord,MarkOstrander,SuperintendentatTheMoorsCountryClubinPortage,andPhilOwen,CGCSfromWarwickHillsCountryClubinGrandBlancforthreeyearterms.

TheMichiganGolfCourseSuperintendentsAssociationMissionStatementistoprovideleadershipforGolfCourseSuperintendentsandothergolfindustrypartnersontheeconomic,environmentalandrecreationalvitalityofgolfinMichigan.

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HaveyoueverwantedtotakeMSUturfclassesbutcouldn’tbecauseyouwouldhavetocommittoasemesterinEastLansing?Or,doyouneedarefresherforthetimesyouwerethere?Ifyouranswertoeitherofthesequestionsisatleastamaybe,thenpleasereadonaboutanewercoursethatI’mnowteachingcompletelyonline.

CSS202WorldofTurfhasexistedforafewyears,andI’mteachingitonlineforthesecondtimethisspring.It’sarequiredcourseforHorticulturemajors,Ag-TechLandscapestudents,andthoseenrolledintheLawnandLandscapeManagementprograminGrandRapidsandtheAppliedPlantScienceprograminTraverseCity,bothofwhichareadministeredbyourHorticultureDepartment.Here’stheorderoflecturesandexams:

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Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org28

Lesson Topics 1 Course and Subject Introduction 2 Turfgrass Growth and Development 3 Soils Primer 4 Species Primer 5 Warm-Season Turfgrass Identification 6 Cool-Season Turfgrass Identification 7 Turfgrass Adaptations to Macroenvironments 8 Turfgrass Adaptations to Microenvironments 9 Turfgrass Establishment I 10 Turfgrass Establishment II First Trimester Exam 11 Mowing 12 Nutrients and Fertilizers 13 Fertilizer Rates and Applications 14 Pests and Pest Management 15 Weed Control 16 Insect Management 17 Disease Management Second Trimester Exam 18 Irrigation 19 Cultivation 20 Benefits of Turf 21 Liability and Safety 22 Lawn Care Companies 23 Golf Courses 24 Sports Fields Final Exam

Dr. DAViD GiLSTrAP


2012 calendar of events

February 24 Bowling Scholarship Fundraiser (Galaxy Lanes, Grand Blanc)

February 27- March 3 Golf industry Show in Las Vegas

February 29 Michigan Gathering, Las Vegas Hilton

March 12 MiGCSA Spring Management Meeting (Egypt Valley CC, Ada)

March 26 MiGCSA Spring Management Meeting (Tree Tops, Gaylord)

April 16 MiGCSA Spring opener (The Meadows at GVSu, Grand rapids)

April 30 Can-Am Tournament (TPC Dearborn)

please visit www.MiGCsa.org for all of the latest and most up to date information. you can quickly and easily register for events, view past issues of Course Conditions, browse and post items for sale, post and browse classifieds, and so much more. if you need help logging in email us at [email protected].

ThiscourseistakenviaAngel,whichistheuniversity’scoursedeliverysystem.Youmaysamplethecoursebygoingtohttp://angel.msu.edu.WorldofTurfcanbefoundbydoinganAngelCourseSearch.Youdon’tneedanyusernameorpasswordtodothis.Onceyouhavegottenintothecourse,youcanviewtheSyllabusundertheResourcestab.UnderLessons,openupCourseIntroductionfolder.ThereyoucanviewshortvideoclipsaswellasaPowerPointpresentationofthetext-onlyslidesthatappearinthevideoclips.Thisistheformatusetodelivercoursematerial.YoumayalsoviewtheSubjectIntroductionfoundintheLecturesfolder.

Thiscourseisalsobeingtakenasanelectivebyanincreasingnumberofstudentsacrosstheuniversity.Lastsummer,Ihad16studentsandthisspringtheenrollmentisupto54.HavinganewcourseisawayfortheDepartmentofCropandSoilSciencestoincreaseitsnumberofstudentcreditsthattheProvostandtheDeanofAgricultureandNaturalResourcesmonitorregularly.Thisnumberisanimportantmetric,especiallywhendeterminingwhetherornotfacultypositionswillberefilledorcreated.

Thiscoursealsobringsinmoneyforthedepartmentwheneverastudentisenrolledandnottakinganyon-campuscoursesduringthesamesemester,inwhichcase70%ofthetuitionispassedthoughtothedepartment.Thisisalikelysituationduringsummersemesterswhenmoststudentsareawayfromcampusbutstillwanttoearnsomecredits.Foreach110studentsthatfitthiscriterionduringanacademicyear,therevenuegeneratedbythiscourseforthedepartmentalwouldbeabout$75,000,whichcloselyequatestotheoverheadthatthedepartmentgetsfroma$500,000one-yeargrant!

Thecourseisofferedeveryspring,summer,andfallsemesters.Inordertoenroll,youwouldfirsthavetocompleteaLifelongEducationapplicationathttps://admissions.msu.edu/application/app.asp?AL=L.Atpresent,thecoursecanbetakenfor-creditonly,whichmeansthatthetuitionwouldbe$1138.Currently,theoptiontotakeitonanon-creditbasisdoesnotexist.Thisisnotminetodecidesincesuchpronouncementsarewithinthedomainoftheuniversitybureaucracy.Foranyotherquestions,[email protected].

Asablanketofsnowstartstocoverourstatehopefullyyourhoursatthecourseareshorterandyourtimeforeducationandinvolvementislarger.ThiswintertherearesomefantasticopportunitiesforeducationwiththeMiGCSA,GCSAAandMTF.

TheGLTEwasJanuary9thtothe11thinGrandRapids,thisisaneventputtogetherbytheMTFinpartnershipwiththeMNLA.Butin2013theMTFwillbebreakingawayfromtheMNLAandwillbeheadingbacktoLansing.ButitisnotthesameshowitusedtobeinLansing,the2013showwillbeheldattheKelloggCenterandtherewillbesomegreatTurfspecificeducationandveryspecialeventsontheCampusofMSU.StaytunedformoreinformationfromtheMTFandtheMiGCSA.

TheSpringManagementsessionsdatesareset.TheDetroitmeetingonFebruary13thwashighlightedbyBruceWilliams,CGCSspeakingoncareerdevelopmentTheWesternmeetingonMarch12thatEgyptValleyhassomegreateducationwithfeaturespeakerSteveKeatingfromToro.AndMarch26thatTreetopsResortinGaylordtherewillbeafeaturefromChrisWilczynskionmasterplanning.

OfcoursethereisalsotheGISshowinLasVegasattheendofFebruary.Asusualafantasticlistoftopicsareonthedocketin2012.IhavebeenaskedtospeakaboutthecommunicationeffortsoftheMiGCSAattheChapterExecutivessessiononTuesday.Alloftheinformationyouwillneedfortheshowcanbefoundatwww.golfindustryshow.com.TherewillbeagatheringforMiGCSAmembersandfriendsonWednesdayFebruary29thattheLasVegasHilton,aconcertfeaturingtheBronkBrothersanddrummerJohn“Dutch”Fulling,CGCSsopleaseplantocatchupwitheveryoneinLasVegas!

The2012eventcalendarisalsoready;youcandownloaditatwww.migcsa.org.Clickontheeventstabandyouwillseealinkinthemiddleofthepageforthe2012EventsCalendar.SomeofthehighlightsareareturntoArcadiaBluffsonJune4thfortheNorthernFundraiserandtheBigMoneySkinsgametheeveningbefore.TheCan-AmreturnstotheUnitedStatesattheTPCofDearbornonApril30th.TheWesternGolfDaywillbeatWuskowhanPlayersClubinHollandonSeptember17thandtheBigEventheadstoBirminghamCountryClubonOctober8th.Someoftheotheramazingvenuesfor2012areTheMeadowsatGrandValley,TheCaptainsClub,andTheCedarRiverCourseatShantyCreek,andmanymore.Stayinformedatwww.migcsa.organdviaemailfrominfo@migcsa.org.

AdamIkamas,CGCSMiGCSAExecutiveDirector

ADAM ikAMAS, CGCS

association uPdate

.30 Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org

education season

Utility Vehicles

Turf Equipment

Irrigation Solutions

www.toro.com

487 West Divison Street Sparta, MI 49345 1050 North Opdyke Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 800-822-2216

www.ezgo.com

Supplying all your golf course needs

MiChiGan GoLf Course superintendents assoCiation

7113 DEMErLy rD. | BEnzoniA, Mi 49616

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Protect your course with the most powerful technology out there. When it comes to overall plant health, Bayer fungicides with StressGard™ Formulation Technology give you control when it matters most. We’ve developed these products to work at a cellular level, strengthening turf and fighting against evil stressors like heat, drought and traffic so you’ll have the strongest, healthiest turf and happy golfers. To learn more visit BackedbyBayer.com/StressGard.

Contact Mike Hirvela at (248)514-7027 or [email protected] to learn about our StressGard Formulation Technology portfolio of products.

Tartan® | Chipco Triton® Flo | Interface® | Chipco® Signature™ | Reserve®

Dedicated to fi ghting evils,StressGard™ Formulation Technology never rests.

Our fi ve quality fungicides with StressGard Formulation Technology are proven to have preventive and curative properties against disease.

Bayer CropScience LP, Environmental Science Division, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. 1-800-331-2867. www.BackedbyBayer.com. Bayer (reg’d), the Bayer Cross (reg’d), Chipco®, Chipco Triton®, Interface®, Reserve®, Tartan®, Stressgard, and Signature are trademarks of Bayer. Not all products are registered in all states. Always read and follow label instructions carefully. © 2011 Bayer CropScience LP

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#15 - course conditions - winter 2011-12

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