MPSTMA
NEWS VOL. 2, NO. 1
SPRING 2012
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA PARK AND SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
Golden Gopher Football Coach Jerry Kill Will Keynote March 7 Spring Workshop Minnesota Twins’ Head Groundskeeper Larry DiVito Also Will Speak University of Minnesota Head Football Coach Jerry Kill will keynote the March 7 MPSTMA Spring Workshop at the newly-remodeled Northwestern College in Roseville. Take advantage of this opportunity to catch up with friends, see vendors, learn something new and hear an inspiring talk by Coach Jerry Kill. The Minnesota Twins’ Head Groundskeeper Larry DiVito will follow Kill’s keynote and give a talk about “Understanding Pitching Mound Maintenance on All Levels.” Attendees JERRY KILL will have over University of Minnesota two hours of Golden Gophers dedicated vendor time to visit all table-top displays. Each displaying vendor will have an opportunity to address the crowd and give an informal 2minute talk about their company’s business. Dedicated vendor time will follow for oneon-one opportunities for more information. LARRY DIVITO This year’s Workshop features two tracts. Minnesota Twins A Management tract and a Laborer tract. In Baseball Club the morning, Dave Schlotthauer, Brigham Young University, will speak on “The Importance of Safety and Potential Liabilities for Managers” and also the “Playing Conditions Index, Field Rating System.” John Hopko, Professionial Turf and Renovation, will give a talk entitled “Turf 101: Turf Maintenance Practices” which focuses on basic fundamentals. Walk-ups at registration are always welcome! If possible, however, please pre-register in advance so appropriate arrangements can be made.
www.mpstma.org
2012 MPSTMA CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 SPRING WORKSHOP Northwestern College, Roseville TUESDAY, APRIL 17 NETWORK PICNIC Hosted by: S&S Tree Specialists MAY NETWORK PICNIC* Hosted by: JRK Seed and Turf Supply TUESDAY, JUNE 12 NETWORK PICNIC Hosted by: Town & Country Fence FRI.-SAT., JULY 6-7 MINNESOTA/IOWA CHAPTER CLASH* AUGUST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT* SEPTEMBER FALL WORKSHOP* OCTOBER NETWORK PICNIC* Hosted by: The Toro Company *Date and/or location to be announced.
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
“Looking Back and Moving Forward” DAVID NOZAL President Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association MPSTMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Greetings! For my first column, I’d like to offer a brief recap of 2011 and a preview of 2012. The year 2011 was a transition year as the Board began to shape the newly merged organization. In 2012, we plan to build on this work and expand upon it. We have a full slate of educational events and networking opportunities planned beginning with the March 7 Spring Workshop, Fall Workshop and several networking picnics throughout the year. In addition to this we will have a renewed focus on recruiting new members and marketing ourselves so our group can receive recognition for our efforts. As we look to a new year of planning I’d like to thank all of you that filled out the recent survey. Your responses and comments will help guide us as we build this year’s program of education and networking events. The Top 10 areas of interest according to the survey are: 1) Strategies for working on tight budgets 2) More facility tours 3) Care and maintenance of natural fields 4) Irrigation 5) More networking opportunities 6) Strategies for managing employees 7) More Equipment demonstrations 8) Playground Safety 9) Natural Resources 10) Trail Construction and Maintenance
Mike Brunelle (612) 817-5296 E-mail:
magicturfs@msn.com
11920 Park Dr., Rogers, MN 55374
2 MPSTMA NEWS
• Sodding • • • •
Seeding Over Seeding Laser Leveling Grading
GENERAL MEMBER DIRECTOR LOWELL LUEBECK City of Plymouth 763-509-5946 lluebeck@ci.plymouth.mn.us COMMERCIAL MEMBER DIRECTOR JON ALMQUIST The Toro Company 612-384-3619 jon.almquist@toro.com COMMERCIAL MEMBER DIRECTOR JOE CHURCHILL Reinders Inc. 612-790-7333 jchurchill@reinders.com
David Nozal President, Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association
Landscaping of Rogers, Inc.
TREASURER ROGER WEINBRENNER CSFM University of St. Thomas 651-962-6546 roger.weinbrenner@mpstma.org
GENERAL MEMBER DIRECTOR AMY HOWARD City of Woodbury 651-714-3721 ahoward@ci.woodbury.mn.us
David Nozal
Town & Country
VICE PRESIDENT KEVIN FERNANDEZ White Bear Lake Area Schools #624 651-653-2736 kmfern@wbl.whitebear.k12.mn.us
DIRECTORS
Sincerely,
• Construction • Re-Construction • Maintenance
PRESIDENT DAVID NOZAL Tree Trust 651-644-5800 daven@treetrust.com
PAST PRESIDENT STEVE GILBERTSON City of Lino Lakes 612-599-8017 socassign@aol.com
Moving forward, we cannot lose site that collectively our organizations maintain and manage athletic fields, parks and wild spaces that allow athletes and citizens to create outdoor experiences and memories that will last them a lifetime; the elation of a homerun hit on a youth baseball field, the serenity and bonding of a family hike through a natural area, the laughter of a group picnic, the camaraderie experienced on a softball field. Be proud of what you do in helping these memories come to life each and every day. I look forward to seeing you at one of our many events this year.
Athletic Field
OFFICERS
Golf Course
• Tee Construction • Re-Construction
• Spraying • Aeration • Fertilizing • Detailing • Consulting
www.magicturfs.com Here Today, Lawn Tomorrow! www.mpstma.org
MTGF REPRESENTATIVE PAUL GRIFFIN City of Woodbury 651-714-3720 pgriffin@ci.woodbury.mn.us MTGF REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MANLEY JRK Seed & Turf Supply 651-686-6756 kmanley@jrkseed.com MPSTMA BUSINESS OFFICE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY JEFF TURTINEN Office: 952-473-3722 Cell: 952-239-5168 P. O. Box 617 Wayzata, MN 55391 jeff.turtinen@mpstma.org
www.mpstma.org
SPRING 2012
How Does Turfgrass Breeding Benefit the MPSTMA? By ERIC WATKINS Associate Professor, University of Minnesota
support our research efforts related to cultivar developIn recent years, the MPSTMA (and before that both the MPSA and MSTMA) have been very supportive of the tur- ment. When we finally develop a new cultivar, it is licensed through the Minnesota Crop Improvement fgrass science program at the University of Minnesota. Association to a seed company or grower group. The One of the major activities of our program is turfgrass breeding. Current targets of our breeding program include licensee then contracts with farmers to grow the seed, which is then processed and distributed to consumers Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, sheep fescue, hard fescue, tufted hairgrass, and prairie junegrass. throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Every time a pound of seed is sold, a small portion of In this turfgrass research update I want to briefly explain how our breeding program can positively impact turfgrass the price is paid back to the original inventor of the cultivar (in our case, the University of Minnesota). A substanmanagers. tial portion of this revenue goes directly back into our A new cultivar can take a long time to develop -- at overall turfgrass research program. The evidence that least five years and oftentimes much longer. Because of these royalties are important is apparent when you considthis, plant breeders need to think about the needs of the er that most of the larger turfgrass research programs in end-user 10, 15, or even 20 years into the future. One can the United States have large breeding programs (e.g. Penn imagine that the future will bring greater restrictions on St., Rutgers, Georgia). the types of inputs allowed on turf, which is why our proWe are excited about some of the advances we have gram has been working on the development of lowermade in the breeding program in recent years and it is our input grasses such as prairie junegrass for use as turf in hope that turfgrass managers throughout Minnesota and parks, home lawns, golf course roughs, and other lower much of the northern United States will benefit from our maintenance situations. Developing a useful cultivar of work at the University of Minnesota. prairie junegrass may take more than a decade, but the impact of such a cultivar could last for many years more. There are a limited number of public breeding programs in the northern United States. Several private breeding programs are quite active and most of these are located in Oregon. The private breeding programs do an Your ONE Tractor Solution excellent job of developing new cultivars that respond to current consumer demands. One advantage that a public breeding program (such as ours) has is that it can work on projects that have longer-term goals in mind— a public turfgrass breeder does not need to worry about short-term revenue forecasts or recent seed sales numbers. An excellent example that illustrates this point is our work in breeding for improved winterhardiness in perennial ryegrass. For any number of reasons (climate where other breeding programs are located, difficulty of screening for 30o winterhardiness, lack of national market for this trait), (Up to 58% Grade) there have not been successful cultivars of perennial ryegrass developed that have adequate winterhardiness for use in Minnesota. Our program has been working for a number of years on this project (the initial work was done by Dr. Nancy Ehlke, and I have now joined in the effort), and we are now making some significant gains in winterhardiness. One cultivar has been released from this work (Arctic Find the 4-Season Ventrac at: Green) and we expect more to come over the next few years. Cushman Motor Company, Inc. When groups such as the MPSTMA give funding for www.cushmanmotorco.com turfgrass breeding research, it is likely that those funds t will lead to even greater funding for our program through & 'SBOLMJO "WF .JOOFBQPMJT ./ royalties paid on turfgrass cultivars. The funds are used to SPRING 2012 www.mpstma.org MPSTMA NEWS 3
Lowell Luebeck, Jon Almquist Elected to MPSTMA Board of Directors at January 5 Annual Meeting Seventy members attended the 2nd Annual MPSTMA Annual Meeting at the Minneapolis Convention Center on January 5 during the MNLA / MTGF Northern Green Expo. Lowell Luebeck, City of Plymouth, was re-elected as General Member Representative. Jon Almquist, The Toro Company, was elected as Commercial Member representative. Both will serve 2-year terms. Luebeck ran against Andy Johnson, TCF Bank Stadium, and Nick Germann, Northwestern College. For 33 years, Lowell has been involved with the former MPSA and MSTMA associations and most recently served as 2011 Co-Treasurer for the new MPSTMA. Luebeck manages the daily operation of all aspects of park maintenance and management along with
preparing and managing the budget, equipment and supply purchasing and capitol projects for the City of Plymouth. Almquist was up against Harlan Gallop, Sports Technologies, Inc. Almquist is an active member of MPSTMA and volunteered time and equipment last fall at the MPSTMA Community Service Project at Christian Life Schools in Farmington, Minn. David Nozal, Tree Trust, is the
new MPSTMA President. 2011 President Steve Gilbertson, City of Lino Lakes, will remain on the Board as Past President. Kevin Fernandez, White Bear Lake Area Schools, moves into the Vice President position. Roger Weinbrenner, CSFM, is Treasurer. Lowell Luebeck, as stated previously, was re-elected to the Board. Luebeck and Weinbrenner shared treasurer duties in the inaugural year of the Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association. The MPSTMA is always receptive to members volunteering on Committees and those interested in serving on the Board of Directors. If either of these interests you, contact a Board member or the MPSTMA office at 952-473-3722 or go the association’s website at www.mpstma.org.
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Does Your Field Need Renovation?
The MPSTMA annually holds a Community Service Project and will select a field from entries submitted and provide the labor for the renovation project. Entry deadline for 2012 is April 1. The project will take place in late summer. Possible renovation ideas include: § § § § § § § § § §
Check out our web site www.dhathletics.com
Your Source for all Athletic Field and Court Supplies 4 MPSTMA NEWS
Seeding Sodding Topdressing Aerifying Pitching mounds Homeplate Skinned areas Irrigation repair Grass areas Field layout
Go to www.mpstma.org for more information and to apply on-line or call the MPSTMA office at 952-473-3722.
www.mpstma.org
SPRING 2012
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Brooklyn Park’s Noble Sport Park Complex Is 2011 TURFCO/MPSTMA Field of the Year The Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association presented the annual Field of the Year Award to the Noble Sport Park Complex in Brooklyn Park, Minn., on Jan. 5. The annual award, sponsored by TURFCO® Manufacturing, recognizes an athletic facility for outstanding maintenance, aesthetics and overall playing conditions. “This is an honor that shows the dedication of our entire maintenance division in maintaining not only the Noble Sport Park Complex, but the 60 other parks that we maintain. It shows that our peers see us as a premier facility in the State of Minnesota.” -- Greg Hoag
FIELD OF THE YEAR Noble Sport Park Complex, Burnsville, MN
Park Maintenance Superintendent, Greg Hoag along with Fran Headline, Chris Lindsley, Chris Slattengren, Jeff Frybarger, Norm Faste and Mary Pat Black accepted the award on behalf of Brooklyn Park. Noble Sport Park Complex opened in May 2004 and hosts baseball, softball and soccer games on its eleven fields.
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Hoag said, “This is an honor that shows the dedication of our entire maintenance division in maintaining not only the Noble Sport Park Complex, but the 60 other parks that we maintain. It shows that our peers see us as a premier facility in the State of Minnesota.” The award was presented by Greg Brodd of TURFCO® at the MPSTMA Annual Meeting. “The quality conditions at Noble Sport Park Complex showcases Brooklyn Park’s dedication to safe and consistent playing conditions and also confirms the commitment and professionalism throughout our industry,” Brodd said. “TURFCO® is proud to sponsor this program, and we look forward to participating in this event for many years to come.” The TURFCO® / MPSTMA Field of the Year Award is presented to an athletic facility that exemplifies resourcefulness of staff, budget and maintenance practices and demonstrates the ability to overcome challenges in the management of an athletic field. Condition and aesthetics of the field are also considered, as well as the number and type of games and events held at the site.
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The MPSTMA along with TURFCO® Manufacturing annually recognize a field in Minnesota as Field of the Year. Entries for 2012 will be accepted until October 31. The field must be located in the state of Minnesota. Other criteria that will be judges is the resourcefulness of the staff, budget, maintenance practices, challenges in the management of the athletic field, condition and aesthetics of the athletic field and the number and type of games and/or events. The entry form must include five to 15 5" x 7" color photos of the field and maintenance procedures along with a brief description of the field. Go to www.mpstma.org for more information and to enter online or call the MPSTMA office at 952-473-3722.
www.mpstma.org
SPRING 2012
A Rookie’s Take on the National STMA Conference By DAVID NOZAL Tree Trust
The 2012 conference National conference provided attendees with include: Steve Gilbertson, three days of classes on Roger Weinbrenner CSFM, every topic imaginable in Kevin Fernandez, Tom the creation and upkeep Rudberg CSFM, Mike of sports fields in addition McDonald CSFM, Joe to a wide range of classes Churchill, Jon Hummel, a first class trade show Mike Johnson, Greg was put on along with Brodd, Mike Kelly, Randy numerous opportunities Bastyr, Andy Johnson, for networking with other Matt Grosjean, Paul professional’s in the Griffin, Jeff Hintz, Connie STMA’s Tour-On-Wheels featured a stop at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. industry. STMA provided Rudolph CSFM, Scott enough about how welcomed I felt as training and roundtable discussions Melling, Jon Almquist, Bob Frank, a first time attendee, the attendees that help chapter organizations grow Tom Adamini, Larry DiVito, Al were a great group of people. If you and operate efficiently. Kuehner, Jared Alley, Bob Reed, Dale have an interest in attending this My personal highlight from the Wysocki, Darrell Ervasti, Jeff event in the future please contact any- Hartman, Jay Pomeroy, Josh Graham, trip was the Tour-on-Wheels which one from our organization who’s stopped at the Rose Bowl, Dodger Rick Gabler, Rick Grannes, Paula attended in the past, we’d all be Stadium, Loyola Marymount Sliefert, Dale Getz, myself and others. happy to share our experiences. University and Cal State Long Beach The STMA National Convention is Recent Minnesota attendees of the set for January 15-19, 2013. to tour their facilities. I can’t say
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MPSTMA NEWS 7
Facts About May/June Beetles --A Familiar Plant and Turf Pest Courtesy University of Minnesota Phyllophaga Species
Life History
Order Coleoptera, Family Scarabaeidae; scarab beetles Native pest.
The adult scarab beetle feeds on foliage and lays eggs in the turf in early summer (May beetles) and summer (June beetles). Most species have a three year life cycle.
Pest Information
Turfgrasses, root-feeding grub; adults feed on foliage of many species of plants, including cottonwood and wheat.
Overwintering
Grubs or prepupae in soil.
May beetle
Description
the turf in early summer (May beetles) and summer (June beetles). The grubs are whitish with brown heads and are usually found curled ina “C” shape and range from 15-25 mm long. These are the largest grubs found in turf.
All species of Phyllophaga are called May or June beetles. Adults are about 1 inch long and a chestnut brown color and fly to lights in the early summer. The adult scarab beetle feeds on foliage and deposits eggs in
Damage Symptoms
Grubs feed on the roots of the grass and heavy infestations will loosen the sod so that it can be rolled back. (Continued on Page 9)
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SPRING 2012
Grubs and Beetles(Continued from Page 8)
The damage will appear as irregular patches of yellowed or dead grass. In Minnesota, May/June beetle grubs feed on grass roots for three years before become adults. The first year grubs grow up to 13 mm long and produce little damage. The second year, they are 20 mm long, and damage becomes more apparent. This second year is the best time to control grubs since damage usually is not extensive, and an insecticide will be effective. Control for grubs is desirable when there are more than four.
Three grubs
Monitoring
Biorational Pesticides
Grub populations between 7 and 15 grubs/ sq. ft. can cause significant damage to non-irrigated turf. Irrigated turf can withstand a higher grub count because the increase in water compensates for the roots chewed off by the grub. Grubs chew off grass roots and they reduce the ability of grass to take up enough water to withstand the stresses of hot, dry weather. As a result, large dead patches of grass develop in the grub-infested areas. The sod on these dead patches can be rolled back like a carpet to expose the grubs and lack of turf roots. Early recognition of the problem can prevent this destruction. When grubs are close to the surface, starlings and crows as well as moles, shrews and skunks may be seen digging up grubs and damaging turf.
Halofenozide. Conventional Pesticides
Carbaryl, deltamethrin, imidacloprid, lamb da-cyhalothrin, trichlorfon.grubs/sq. ft. The third year, the grubs grow to 25 mm long and damage becomes very apparent, particularly in July and August.
Cultural Control
Maintain healthy grass by fertilizing in the spring and fall and watering during periods of drought. Chemical Control
Halofenozide and imidacloprid are not fast actinga nd are often used in areas that experienced high damage the previous year; apply from mid May until early August. Do not use broad spectrum insecticides routinely without scouting for pest presence, as they will do more harm than good and will kill the beneficial insects that live in the turf, which can cause pest outbreaks.
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Carabid ground beetles, staphylinid rove beetles, ants, spiders. Plant Mortality Risk
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SPRING 2012
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MPSTMA NEWS 9
U of M’s Mike McDonald, CSFM, Gets a Hole-in-One At STMA’s National Golf Tournament in California MPSTMA member Mike McDonald, CSFM, TCF Bank Stadium, University of Minnesota, scored an ace on the ninth hole at STMA's National Golf Tournament on the Eisenhower Course at Industry Hills Golf Club in Pacific Palms, Calif. on January 11. The hole measured 137 yards. Playing partner Greg Brodd, Turfco Manufacturing, said "Mike was using Herb Combs' 8-iron because he kept his own clubs back in Minnesota." Combs, a sports turf manager at Penn State, formerly worked with McDonald at the University of Minnesota. The shot was called by Mike on the tee before he hit. McDonald said "when we got to the tee I told the guys it looks like you have to aim at the "closet to the pin marker" (which was about 15' to the left) then it looks like the ball should roll to the right. Herb hit first and doesn't get on. Then I hit and it was tracking right at the marker. The ball landed and started rolling then I lost track of it. Jeff Bridges, the fourth member of our group, said "it's rolling, still rolling, it’s rock’n rollin’ -- I lost it" then Herb, yelling to the Gods, said "it went in, it went in!" the group behind us heard the excitement and came up to our green to verify that it indeed was an ace. Then a member of that group comes up to the tee, with a bottle of ‘Jack’ in his hand, and
10 MPSTMA NEWS
Mike McDonald, CSFM, TCF Bank Stadium, University of Minnesota, left, scored an ace at this year’s STMA's National Golf Tournament.
says you better take a big swig after that shot." "All I can say is unbelievable accuracy. It truly was a well-struck shot! And yes, Mike did buy beers!" added Brodd. "Unbelievable, who would've thunk it?" said McDonald.
www.mpstma.org
SPRING 2012
Looking for Success? Look No Further than...YOUR STAFF Courtesy Sports Turf Managers Association
Your staff has a significant impact on your success. The work that they do is a direct reflection on you, your ability to train, to motivate and to lead. Reaching the goals of your facility is only possible through good management of your people and their continued development. To make sure you are fully embracing the talents of your staff, use these simple techniques.
Top 10 Strategies to Engage Your Staff
By being visible and available, you send the message that you are part of the team and are ready to support their efforts to get the job done. 6) Train, Train, Train. Training in the correct procedures and equipment use is critical to getting the job done right, but also for health and safety reasons. The continuous upgrading of skills also provides employees with the means for promotion. Consider training opportunities in areas outside of their core responsibilities, such as in writing skills, public speaking, customer service, business management, etc. You and your facility will reap many benefits from improving their “softer” skills. 7) Empower your staff. Give them as much information as possible about what and why, and allow them to make decisions appropriate to their work. 8) Provide a safe and comfortable environment. Don’t expect employees to use outdated or faulty equipment. With anxieties at an all time high regarding increased terrorist activity, make sure you have emergency procedures in place to protect the workforce in the event of an attack, and ensure that every employee is aware of these procedures. 9) Treat with respect. Respect and accept each person as an important member of the team. 10) Inspire your staff. Be a coach and a cheerleader. Be sure your boss knows about the good work they do. When you help them succeed, you succeed. For more information about STMA, go to www.stma.org or call he Sports Turf Managers Association toll free at 1-800-323-3875.
1) Seek input and listen. Your staff is a great resource for ideas and improvements. Asking for their opinions and solutions to problems, truly listening to them, and implementing as appropriate, strengthens their commitment to you and to their job. Involving your staff in decisionmaking builds loyalty and improves retention. 2) Set expectations. Clearly and consistently set expectations for each employee through jointly written performance objectives. Good performance can’t happen if they do not understand what you expect. Reinforce your expectations verbally. 3) Provide continuous feedback. Praise accomplishments, large and small, and for those projects that weren’t as successful, use them as learning experiences to find out what could have been done differently. Don’t wait until the end of the year at performance time to express dissatisfaction. Troy D. Carlson 4) Show appreciation. Just say “thank you!” When you reward and acknowledge good behaviors, you get more of the same. Publicly acknowledge your staff for doing a good job, and look for other + Tennis Courts + Running Tracks ways to reward their efforts. + Basketball Courts + In-Line Skate Surfaces According to a Harris Poll, the top + Consulting + Snow Plowing three satisfaction drivers for employees are control over their work; the oppor(763) 783-8086 tunity to use their talents and skills; Cell: (612) 386-9171 16215 Yalta St. NE and recognition and appreciation. Fax: (763) 785-7929 Ham Lake, MN 55304 5) Be accessible.
Court Surfaces & Repair
SPRING 2012
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MPSTMA NEWS 11
P. O. Box 617 Wayzata, MN 55391
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