Alabama Turf Times - Spring 2015

Spring 2015

Pioneering for

the Future of ATA

Goosegrass Control in Bermudagrass Greens Using Granular PRE Herbicides

Boxwood Blight‌ a New Landscape Threat Plus,

ATA Member Spotlight on Ken Dillard, CGCS, Turf Maintenance Co. 1

Spring 2015

Top Features 12

ATA Member Spotlight — 12 Ken Dillard, CGCS,

Turf Maintenance Co.

Cover Story — 14 Pioneering for

the Future of ATA

Turf Talk — 23 Goosegrass Control in

Bermudagrass Greens Using Granular PRE Herbicides

Disease Rx — 26 Boxwood Blight, a New Threat in the Landscape

14

Turf Tips — 28 Protecting Bees,

Plus a New Book!

Departments 6 6 8 30 30

From the President’s Pen ATA Annual Sponsors Welcome, New ATA Members!

Calendar of Events Advertiser Index

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

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www.AlTurfgrass.org 4

The Alabama Turfgrass Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Alabama Turf Times, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Alabama Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright ©2015 by the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Alabama Turf Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertion please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

From the President’s Pen >>>

An Exciting Start to the Year

In

Jeremy Sutton

2015 ATA Annual Sponsors Gold • • • • • •

ayer Environmental Science B Beard Equipment Company Greenville Turf & Tractor Harrell’s, Inc. Jacobsen Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Silver • • • •

Ewing John Deere Landscapes Residex Syngenta

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

Bronze • • • • • • • • •

6

AGRI-AFC, LLC Agromax Aquatrols BASF Dow AgroSciences Humphries Turf Supply PBI-Gordon Southern States Turf Sur-Line Turf

February, I attended the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio, Texas, and I’m thrilled to report that the vibe regarding the Deep South Turf Expo was extremely positive. Everyone was talking about it, and we are receiving lots of interest and press in various turf publications and organizations! The Deep South Turf Expo board of directors is offering a free registration for an employee of anyone who submits a paid full registration.

There will be a deadline for this offer, but it’s a great way to bring an employee from your company with you. I think we’ve made a good decision in starting a regional show, and I encourage every member to attend and bring an employee to take advantage of this great offer!

I know everyone is enjoying the spring weather and getting ready for the growing season. Before we get too busy, I want to thank all the participants of our winter events. The RoadShow Seminars were some of our highestattended seminars since their conception. The Birmingham seminar alone had more than 200 attendees. We collectively educated more than 550 turfgrass managers this winter with the five RoadShow Seminars. Thank you for your support of these programs.

We also handled the registration of the non-members differently this year at the RoadShow Seminars; every non-member registration received a complimentary membership into ATA for 2015. You will notice how large our new member list is on page 8 due to this fact. I want to personally welcome all of our new members to the Alabama Turfgrass Association. We hope this magazine, the educational opportunities, the funding we provide for turfgrass research and scholarships and the networking offerings we provide for our members will benefit you and your career. We are proud of our association and what it has accomplished over the last 55 years — we hope you will take pride in being a part of this great organization and get involved!

Thank you for supporting the Auburn University Turfgrass Field Day and the ATA Poa annua Classic Golf Tournament held April 1. Those who attended were able to witness first-hand the turfgrass research plots that morning, while hearing from those conducting the research. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions about the progress being made and gauge the impact that the research results would have in their daily operations. Moving the golf tournament to the same day also allowed for networking (and a relaxing afternoon on the course), while building friendships and peer relationships for years to come. ATA was excited about being a part of this action-packed day for our industry.

In closing, I would like to thank our annual sponsors. You will find them listed at left. These companies are our industry PARTNERS; we work together to support each other, advance our industry and grow our association. We could not provide our services without the financial support of each of these companies. As an ATA member, I encourage you to thank these companies for their support when you talk with their representatives and, most importantly, use their products. We need to support the companies that support us!

Until next time, keep it green!

Jeremy Sutton 2015 ATA President Montgomery Country Club

Al abam a T ur f Ti me s > >> Spri ng 2015

7

Welcome, New ATA Members! >>>

Welcome,

New ATA Members!

Chris Agnew City of Huntsville Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL Billy Allen Trees and Turf, Inc. Mobile, AL Roumley Ash Freedom Landscape Pelham, AL Mark Aspden Montgomery Area Mental Health Montgomery, AL Roy Ball Roy Ball Landscaping Cullman, AL Caleb Bankston ScottLand Yards, Inc. Foley, AL Casey Bankston ScottLand Yards, Inc. Foley, AL Pat Barnes Stillwaters Golf & C.C. Dadeville, AL

Gerald Craft Landscapes, LLC Athens, AL

Judith Dunkle Jack’s Mowing Svc. Irondale, AL

Curt Boudreau City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

Jeff Christensen Sunbelt Golf — RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley Birmingham, AL

Philip Creasy Diamondcutter Hazel Green, AL

George Duquette Ornamental & Turf Consultants, LLC Birmingham, AL

Scott Brandon Distinctive Landscaping, Inc. Athens, AL Michael Brass Univ. of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Eric Brazeel Gro Landscaping Birmingham, AL Scott Brooks City of Trussville Trussville, AL Deon Bryan Byran’s Landscape Saraland, AL

Billy Clark U.S. Veterans Landscaping, Inc. dba U.S. Lawns Dothan, AL Jon Clarke Better Lawns & Gardens Calera, AL Robert Collier Auburn University Auburn, AL Jeremy Comer Auburn University Auburn, AL Craig Conner ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Raymond Butler Alabama Landscape Maintenance Birmingham, AL

Glenn Cooch Highland Grounds Services, Inc. Bessemer, AL

Cole Carter Auburn University Elmore, AL

Ben Cotton ProTurf, LLC Gadsden, AL

John Bearden Retirement Systems of Alabama Montgomery, AL

Roger Chambless Retirement Systems of Alabama Montgomery, AL

David Billie City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

Tim Chambless A Showplace Lawn Oneonta, AL

Robert Baxter Creative Touch Landscaping, LLC Loxley, AL

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

Baoxin Chang Auburn University Auburn, AL

Gary Bush Ballantrae Golf Club Pelham, AL

Don Bartholomew Gulf Coast Ground Control Orange Beach, AL

8

Dudley Bolton Landcare, Inc. Theodore, AL

Sean Dailey Morgan County Parks and Rec. Decatur, AL Terry Deese Twins Lawn Care Columbia, AL Cam DeLoney Cutt-N-Edge Lawn Service, LLC Dothan, AL

James Durrill Jim Durrill Lawn Service, Inc. Huntsville, AL Daniel Elliott City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL Fred Emens Leeds, AL

Kendall DeLoney Cutt-N-Edge Lawn Service, LLC Dothan, AL

Bradford Evens Rockett’s Bug Juice Gardens, Inc. Birmingham, AL

Glenn DiNella Barefoot Green Ecoscaping Birmingham, AL

Mack Free PCI Gaming Titus, AL

Robert Dixon Earthwise, Inc. Ohatchee, AL

Jay Fultz City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

Daniel Dorrough Kiva Dunes G.C. Gulf Shores, AL

Cress Garvin Garvin Turf Mgmt.

Madison, AL

Jim Dotson Rock Creek G.C. Fairhope, AL

Jeremy Gilbert Southern Lawn Creola, AL

Tim Cox Coastal Exposures Landscape, Inc. Daphne, AL

Mark Dover Dover Farms, LLC Stevenson, AL

Murphy Coy Auburn University Auburn, AL

Manuel Duncan MLG Services Warrior, AL

Steve Gilliam Alabama Landscape Solutions Ashford, AL Derek Glidewell Glidewell Lawn Care Andalusia, AL

Welcome, New ATA Members! >>> Continued

Gregory Godwin Godwin Lawn Mgmt.

Montgomery, AL

Ricky Hornbuckle City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

Mike Lietchy City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

Jeffery Morgan Morgan Lawn Landscape Albertville, AL

Thomas Jenne Turfscape of West AL Tuscaloosa, AL

Lester Linden Century South Elberta, AL

Torra Justice Hoover City Schools Hoover, AL

Timothy Maddox Maddox Lawn Co., Inc. Muscle Shoals, AL

Matthew Morgan AL Dept. of Finance, Service Division Montgomery, AL

Danny Keith Keith Landscaping Co. Trussville, AL

Mac Mann Davispaces, Inc. Hoover, AL

Steve Greer Centreville, AL

Laramie Kelley Kelley’s Lawncare Odenville, AL

James Matthews Lawn Guard Pinson, AL

Charles Grissett Lawn South Dothan, AL

Jacob Kendall Auburn University Athens, AL

Hannah Mattill Auburn University Auburn, AL

Tye Gwin Nation Green, Inc. Memphis, TN

Lisa Kent Southern Exposure Landscapes, Inc. Orange Beach, AL

John McAtee McAtee Lawn, Landscaping & Tree Care Pensacola, FL

Laura Gonzalez GreatEscape Outdoors Pelham, AL Chris Grall Edge to Edge Lawn and Landscape Pelham, AL Jeff Green Southern Green Lawn & Shrub Care Birmingham, AL

Bryan Hahn Burnum-Hahn Exterminators Tuscaloosa, AL Jim Haisten Green Thumb Nursery Montgomery, AL Jason Hallow City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL James Hardin City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

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Ryan Harper Chemscape Cropwell, AL Ken Healy Robertson Golf Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL Eric Heisner Mustard Seed Landscaping Headland, AL

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Paul Kent Southern Exposure Landscapes, Inc. Orange Beach, AL Ricky Kilgore City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

Charles McKinnon McKinnon Enterprises Hope Hull, AL Randy McQueen TruGreen Theodore, AL

Aaron Murchison Pursell Farms Sylacauga, AL Richard Murphy Murphy Turf Dothan, AL Bart Muse Gunter’s Landing G.C. Guntersville, AL Heath Naramore Hoover City Schools Hoover, AL Mike Naramore Hoover City Schools Hoover, AL Kurtis Nelms Third Day Landscape Fairhope, AL Martha Netherton Roy Ball Landscaping Cullman, AL Nick Norsworthy Steelwood C.C. Loxley, AL

Jeff King PureGreen Athens, AL

Edward Megahee Fallen Oak Farm Lawn Spraying Blakely, GA

Frank Krob Krob Landscape Silverhill, AL

Carlton Melton Barefoot Environment Mobile, AL

Michael Lawrence Southern Pride Lawn Care Theodore, AL

Rodney Miller City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

Mike Lawrence Southern Pride Lawn Care Mobile, AL

Robert Milliken Woodward G.C. Bessemer, AL

Josh Phillips Choice Landscapes Trussville, AL

Robert Mitchell FarmLinks Golf Club Sylacauga, AL

Neil Pittman Nitro-Green Lawn Care Madison, AL

Ryan Lawyer Lawyer’s Lawn Svc. Alabaster, AL

John Parish John’s Lawn Care Dothan, AL Jason Peek Indian Hills C.C. Tuscaloosa, AL David Phillips Yard Therapy, LLC Wetumpka, AL

Ramsey Prescott Lost Key Golf Club Pensacola, FL Lisa Pride City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL Deborah Rhoden Rhoden Lawn Care Boaz, AL John Riddle City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL Steve Shanneyfield ProLawn Care & Landscaping Gadsden, AL Craig Shaw City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL Chris Sheedy Turf Mgmt. Systems Birmingham, AL Pete Sheppard Birmingham, AL Carey Sims Lake Guntersville State Park Guntersville, AL Walter Smelley Jr. Walt’s Land Care Chelsea, AL Adam Smith EcoScapes Montgomery, AL Jerry Smith Green Land Turf Minor Hill, TN John Smith TruGreen Dothan, AL George S. Spivey Jr. Spivey Lawn Service Selma, AL

Charles Stinnett Morgan County Parks & Rec. Decatur, AL

Larry Underwood Humphries Turf Supply Redstone, AL

Michelle Taylor Seminole Lawn Care Loxley, AL

Roger Valentine Total Lawn Care, LLC Robertsdale, AL

Anthony Thomas Affordable Landscape and Lawn Service Montgomery, AL

Ryan Varnum Ryan Turf Anniston, AL

Toby Thomas United Pest & Turf Control Ardmore, TN John Thompson John Thompson Mobile, AL Christopher Tincher Capstone Lawncare and Landscaping Huntsville, AL

Ricky Vickers Lawn Doctor Vestavia Hills, AL Jeremy Waldrop Sunbelt Golf — RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley Birmingham, AL Josh Wilder Landscape Workshop Birmingham, AL

Ashley Wilkinson Auburn University Myrtle Beach, SC Kevin Winkles City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL Leslie Winters Burnum-Hahn Exterminators Tuscaloosa, AL Josh Yale Southern Green Lawn & Shrub Care Birmingham, AL Allan Yoell Town & Country Lawns Ozark, AL

Alabama Turf Times is the official publication of the: Alabama Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 70 Auburn, Alabama 36831 Tel: (334) 821-3000 Fax: (334) 821-3800 Email: mailbox@alaturfgrass.org www.alturfgrass.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com Executive Director Tricia Roberts Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton Birmingham Botanical Gardens

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Jeremy Sutton Montgomery Country Club

Vice President Jason Cooper

Richter Landscape Co.

Treasurer Paul Patterson

Univ. of Alabama Huntsville

Some of the Benefits of ATA Membership

Past President John Carter

Carter Sod Farm

BOARD OF DIRECTORS At–Large Kim Byram University of Alabama

David Isbell

Educational opportunities through five RoadShow seminars conducted across the state each year, plus field days that are industry specific and provide all ATA members the opportunity to earn Pesticide Recertification points and other industry CEUs. Free subscription to ATA’s quarterly magazine, Alabama Turf Times, and to ATA’s monthly e-newsletters, as well as a free listing in ATA’s annual membership directory.

Scholarships for turfgrass students at Auburn University and, coming next year, a legacy scholarship for our members’ children and grandchildren.

Twelve Oaks Landscaping

Mickey Pitts

Beard Equipment Co.

Golf Mark Langner

FarmLinks Golf Club

Industry Chad Lambert Sur-Line Turf

Institution Joshua Slaven Troy University

Lawn Care Tom Luchner

Turf Tenders, LLC

Lobbying efforts for industry concerns.

City of Prattville

Discounts on everything from registration fees for various events to ATA clothing and merchandise.

Sod Tres’ Wilkinson

Turfgrass research support through two major fundraisers: the Poa annua Golf Tournament and the Mole Cricket Classic Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament.

EX OFFICIO/ EDUCATION ADVISORS Dave Han, Ph.D.

South Dallas Turf

Auburn University

Jim Jacobi, Ph.D.

Alabama Coop. Extension System 11

Al abam a T ur f Ti me s > >> Spri ng 2015

Parks & Recreation Deven Peek

ATA Member Spotlight >>>

ATA Member Spotlight on...

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

Ken Dillard Turf Maintenance Co.

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

12

S

peaking of pioneers, one of our original pioneers is still very active in our association today — Mr. Ken Dillard. We are fortunate to have Ken as a member. He has helped lead our association to where it is today, and he has shared a wealth of knowledge to members and peers along the way. It’s hard to grasp his dedication to the Alabama Turfgrass Association; since he joined back in 1966, he has never missed an Annual Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow.

Wow! We hope his commitment to ATA inspires other members to support the association in the same manner.

Ken was born in Geneva County, Alabama, where he was raised and schooled. He married his lovely wife Faye, and together they raised four successful children, three sons (Paul, David and Tyler) and one daughter (Michelle).

We are sure the success of his children was modeled after their father’s

In 1984, Ken decided to branch out on his own and started a contract golf course maintenance company, Turf Maintenance Company, Inc. He is a licensed pesticide control applicator and a certified pesticide injection applicator (which allows him to treat for mole crickets, a major problem for golf courses). When his second son, David, graduated from Auburn University and joined his father in the family business, Turf Maintenance added additional services to include landscape, irriga-

tion and sales and service of outdoor power equipment. Today, the business is very successful, and the father-son duo is continuing to move the industry forward.

Ken, thank you for all the hours, days, months, years and decades you have dedicated to the Alabama Turfgrass Association. We would not be where we are today without your insight and determination to advance our industry. Thank you! v

13

Al abam a T ur f Ti me s > >> Spri ng 2015

motivation and determination. Of course, Ken credits his wife for being a wonderful mother and support system for the entire family.

A graduate of the Command and General Staff College (in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas), Ken is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army, with 36 years of active duty in the Army and National Guard. Throughout his military career, he received numerous awards and decorations from the Department of Defense and the State of Alabama. He even redesigned a human-resource policy for the government during this tenure when he saw that it was inadequate and was asked to present the new, improved policy to his peers at a conference in Washington, D.C. That’s a perfect example of the forward-thinking skills that also benefited ATA. Ken’s career in turfgrass management started in 1966 when he became the assistant superintendent at the Dothan Country Club. Just two short years after our association started, Ken joined the Alabama-Northwest Florida Turfgrass Association as the youngest member (he was a mere 24 years old). In 1971, Ken became the first superintendent at the Olympia Spa and Country Club in Dothan. This was one of the country’s best golf courses and was even listed in the Top 25 of Reader’s Digest. During his early years at Olympia, Ken installed one of the first fully automatic irrigation systems in Alabama on his course. It’s hard to believe that golf courses had to manually irrigate the course until the early 1970s. Innovation at its finest!

During his career at Olympia Spa & Country Club, Ken earned his Certified Golf Course Superintendent designation, one of the first ten in Alabama.

He even helped certify many of the superintendents across Alabama. He also served on the board of our association and became the 18th president of ATA in 1978. He immediately went to work for ATA, helping us get recognition for our industry, receive funding for turfgrass research and increase the knowledge of every turfgrass manager.

We even started the first tradeshow under his presidency.

Cover Story >>>

Pioneering for the Future of ATA

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

As

the Alabama Turfgrass Association is on the brink of a remarkable experience with the launch of the Deep South Turf Expo, it seems appropriate to give homage to our history and the pioneers who had a vision for our great association and industry. With a current membership of 650 turfgrass managers and industry suppliers, the Alabama Turfgrass Association has come a long way since our organization’s inception 55 years ago.

In the early years

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

Back in 1960, when our association was originally born as the Alabama-Northwest Florida Turfgrass Association, our membership consisted of about 25 golf course superintendents spread out across Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

These members were true pioneers; with a thirst for knowledge, they realized that our industry needed research and support, and they had the determination to make it happen.

Along with help from Dr. Ray Dickens, a professor in the Agronomy and Soils Department at Auburn University, they led a mission to get the turfgrass industry recognized, as well as research funded and supported through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. This took years and many volunteer hours to make it a reality, but like many persevering pioneers, they were successful.

At the time of the inception of the Alabama-Northwest Florida Turfgrass Association, another big conference was

ATA Timeline

14

Dr. Ray Dickenson conducting one of the first Auburn University Turfgrass Research Field Days.

taking place in the South, hosted by the Southern Turfgrass Association. At this regional conference, a wealth of knowledge was shared on a broader scale to a large group of turf managers. Members of this association were from all over the Southeast, including Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Arkansas. A great concept, the conference started the movement of holding additional

1960

1972

1977

1978

Alabama-Northwest Florida Turfgrass Association formed.

Changed the name to Alabama Turfgrass Association.

Opened membership up to all segments of the turfgrass industry.

Started the first ATA tradeshow.

Early Turfgrass Research Field Days.

Our tradeshow, which started in 1978, with three equipment companies, grew quickly.

Pioneers from the late 1980s.

Pioneers from the early 1990s.

educational meetings on a more local level; unfortunately, that movement led to the demise of the Southern Turfgrass Association, but it was the catalyst for new beginnings for state associations.

During those early years, education was of utmost importance. The Alabama-Northwest Florida Turfgrass Association members met at various golf courses and discussed what

was working for them, how they handled a problem on the golf course, inventions they made with their own hands that helped them do their job more efficiently, new products on the market, etc. The members had a quest for knowledge, and with little research back in these early days, they used these meetings as a means to share success (and failure) stories to help each other.

1993

1998

2015

Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association formed.

Gulf Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association formed.

Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation formed.

Deep South Turf Expo formed.

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Al abam a T ur f Ti me s > >> Spri ng 2015

1987

Cover Story >>> Continued

Once they established a relationship with Dr. Ray Dickens, they went to work raising funds for research. They conducted economic impact studies of the industry and lobbied elected officials and Auburn University for recognition and support. They knew this was important if advancements in the turfgrass industry were going to ever take place. Dr. Dickens not only helped lead this charge, but also he donated his time to the association by serving as the secretarytreasurer for many years, handling the day-to-day operations of the organization.

Getting recognition from Governor Guy Hunt for the Alabama turfgrass industry in the early 1990s.

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

Seeing progress

In the early 1970s, we started making progress; the name of the organization was changed to the Alabama Turfgrass Association, and because of those early pioneering days, funding started to come our way. Dr. Dickens set up a research facility that is now the Turfgrass Research Unit at Auburn University. He also received help through our industry suppliers, especially from Jacobsen and Tieco, who donated the equipment needed to conduct research.

The association held regular meetings in Auburn that included research-plot tours, educational sessions in the classrooms of Funchess Hall and housing at the various hotels in Auburn, including the Heart of Auburn and both locations of the Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center (the original property is now the Clarion Inn). Those meetings in Auburn eventually turned into our Annual Conference and Tradeshow. Soon, the association leaders realized they should invite other turfgrass managers into the organization, and in 1977, lawn care operators, sports field managers and sod producers were invited to attend the Annual Conference and join the membership.

The next year, the association held its first-ever tradeshow along with the conference in Auburn. Three equipment companies demonstrated their products for attendees, which was the beginning of a great benefit for both the turf managers and the equipment dealers. The tradeshow has had many “homes,” from every golf course in Auburn, to JordanHare Stadium, to the ballrooms at the Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center, to Ag Heritage Park, to Ham Wilson Arena and, most recently, at the new Auburn Arena.

The turfgrass program at Auburn University was growing. The University hired Dr. Coleman Ward, who spent a lot of his career with turf managers and turf producers, and Dr. Pat Cobb, who spent most of her career working on mole cricket research for turf managers. Like Dickens, Coleman and Cobb threw themselves into their research and made great strides at advancing the turfgrass industry.

The three of them collectively were the primary reason for the success of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Members were dependent on their research to be successful as turfgrass managers.

Growing green!

During the next couple of decades, the association experienced rapid growth. Our membership grew to include more turfgrass managers from all different segments of the industry. We started the Mole Cricket Classic Golf Tournament 16

Honoring Dr. Ray Dickens at his retirement inn 1995.

Early Mole Cricket Classic participants.

Pioneers from the 1999–2000 era.

Cover Story >>> Continued

to help secure funding for Pat Cobb’s research efforts in south Alabama. We hosted the Sports Turf Short Courses in Birmingham and Mobile, which provided education for our sports field managers. And we continued to grow our Annual Conference and Tradeshow each fall in Auburn. Other organizations even joined in the fun, like the Alabama Irrigation Association, which held an annual fish fry (and, a couple of years, a pig roast) at the Conference as a fundraiser.

By the 1990s, we had made great progress in growing our association, while two golf course superintendents’ chapters were chartered with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association in 1987 and the Gulf Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association in 1993). By 1998, we started a non-profit foundation for research, the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation (ATRF). We are proud to announce that ATRF has more than $250,000 in investments, which we hope to turn into an endowment when we reach our $1 million goal, and we have funded more than $140,000 in turfgrass research projects.

Since 2000, the Alabama Turfgrass Association has grown to 650 members strong, we have formed alliances with other green-industry organizations to have a political voice, we’ve added the RoadShow Seminars to our annual schedule to provide one-day educational training in five different geographical locations across Alabama, and we added another golf tournament (the Poa annua Classic) to our fundraising efforts, while we turned the Mole Cricket Classic into a deepsea fishing tournament (keeping it in south Alabama, obviously). We alternate a Sod Producers Field Day and a Sports Turf Field Day every other year, providing specific education and equipment demonstrations for those industry segments.

And, in 2015, we are adding a networking dove hunt to the mix. All of our efforts have been to provide education, support turfgrass research and promote our industry. These are the same founding principles that our original pioneers had from the beginning.

Dr. David Teem and Dr. Robert Walker giving a calibration demo at Hank Aaron Stadium in the early 2000s.

Some of these pioneers are still around: Dennis Weber, Scott Snellgove, Bill Haberstroh, John Chapman, Eric Merkt, Rick Tibbett, Todd Rogers and Chuck Thurlow.

Evolution of the ATA Newsletter into Alabama Turf Times

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

The first ATA Newsletter, published on May 5, 1978

18

The ATA Scribe, first published in September 1984.

A new look for the ATA Newsletter, June/July 1993.

Alabama Turf Times is born, first published in 2001.

Turf Times blossomed into a full-color magazine in Fall 2008.

Cover Story >>> Continued

Alabama Turfgrass Association

We’ve come a long way baby!

1960 Doyle Smith 1961 Jim F. Moore 1962 Bill Norrie Jr. 1963 C.G. Berdeaux 1964 G. “Ed” Godwin 1965 R.L. “Toots” Tompkins 1966 Bob Bradbury 1967 J.“Boots” Lang 1968 Tommie Hill 1969 “Mike” Johnson 1970 Ken Rines 1971 Stanley Files 1972 A.F. Casey 1973 Eugene Baston 1974 John Wilson 1975 Elinor Jones 1976 Carl Edmondson 1977 Carl Edmondson 1978 Ken Dillard 1979 Shull Vance 1980 Donnie Arthur 1981 Dennis Crim 1982 Ken Mangum 1983 Jerry Redden 1984 Ronnie Zwiebel 1985 William Dodd 1986 Stephan Wood

Like with any organization, a time comes when there are growing pains, and ATA was no exception. For years, we’ve had growing pains in finding a “home” for our tradeshow, which led to moving the Conference and Tradeshow to Birmingham and Mobile and then testing out the facilities around the AU campus (Ag Heritage Park, Ham Wilson Arena and the Auburn Arena). We’ve had our share of personnel challenges, including being able to financially hire someone, then losing great employees for reasons outside our control, to hiring an association-management company that just wasn’t the right “fit.” We’ve also had office issues, from the files residing in Funchess Hall in Dicken’s or Ward’s office, to the small office on Gay Street in downtown Auburn, to the fancy office in downtown Montgomery, to our current executive director’s home office (aka basement/dungeon).

We’ve had our share of challenges, but we’ve come a long way, too! In the beginning, we had to announce the next meeting date and location at the closing of a meeting; now, we email meeting notifications with on-line registrations and payment options. We went from minimum communication with landline telephones to a black-andwhite newsletter and then to our current four-color magazine, Alabama Turf Times, with an on-line version as well.

Plus, with the internet came the launch of our website (www.AlTurfGrass.org) and monthly e-newsletters.

Our membership is rapidly growing, even with the downturn of the economy in 2008. Our association is 2,600% larger than when we started 55 years ago. We have developed a great board format where every segment of the industry is represented with one (if not two) members including the executive committee and at-large positions.

We also guarantee board representation in every part of the state. We have had an amazing group of board members and past presidents over the years. These men and women are not only pioneers, but they also have serving hearts and are dedicated to improving our industry. Although we can’t list all of our previous board members to thank them individually, our association applauds their service to our association, especially the ones who served as presidents of this great association (see the list of these fine folks on this page).

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

Keeping that pioneering tradition

The next big pioneer effort we are making is the Deep South Turf Expo. This event is a collaboration of five organizations (ATA, MTA, AGCSA, GCGCSA and LMGCSA) coming together for the benefit of the industry. It will house a static tradeshow with enough room for greens mowers, sod harvesters, chemical sprayer trucks and forklifts. This is a huge improvement from our humble beginnings back in 1978 when we had our first three equipment exhibitors, but it’s the vision that our early ATA pioneers had for our association. Of course, the Deep South Turf Expo will also feature outstanding educational sessions for every segment of the industry and will serve as a place where we can network with peers across the Southeast and catch up with old friends while making new ones. Growing it forward… pioneering ATA’s future! v

20

Past Presidents 1987 Joe R. Williams 1988 Sherrell White 1989 Cliff Dixon 1990 Scott McCracken 1991 Max McGill 1992 Rodney Guy 1993 Ruby Nixon 1994 Rick Tibbett 1995 Chuck Thurlow 1996 Bill Haberstroh 1997 Todd Rogers 1998 Wayne Bassett 1999 Wayne Bassett 2000 P. “Dirt” Green 2001 Jeff Cornelson 2002 Mark Cleveland 2003 Pete Winford 2004 Brian Aaron, CGCS 2005 Kevin Goolsby 2006 Randy Bodine 2007 James Horton 2008 Lee McLemore, CGCS 2009 Pat White 2010 Jeff Oelmann, CGCS 2011 Tom Wolf 2012 James Bartley 2013 Glenn Hedden 2014 John Carter

ATA Past President Trivia 1

Which past president ran for Attorney General of Alabama?

2

Which past presidents were equipment salesmen?

3

Which past president hauled two day-old calves in the back of a Toyota Corolla through Birmingham traffic?

4

Who was our one and only female past president?

5

Which past president has never missed an ATA Conference?

6

Which past president drives his restored International tractors in Christmas parades?

7

Which past president is married to a minister?

8

Who is our most recently retired past president?

Answers 1. A.F. Casey • 2. Mike Johnson (Tieco) and Ronnie Zwiebel (Toro) • 3. James Horton • 4. Ruby Nixon • 5. Ken Dillard • 6. Randy Bodine • 7. Brian Aaron’s wife Melissa is the Lead Pastor at Robertsdale Church of the Nazarene. • 8. Ken Mangum just retired this year from the Atlanta Athletic Club.

<<< Turf Talk

Goosegrass Control Research in Bermudagrass Putting Greens Using Granular PRE Herbicides

By Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University, and Michael Flessner, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Dept. of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, Virginia Tech University

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of control with AGC, and none have been found to be resistant. It is suspected that some goosegrass populations can become perennial in putting greens or that enhanced degradation of AGC occurs with continual use. No data exists to confirm either of these theories for lack of control. Nevertheless, while reports of inconsistent control are common, AGC still comes highly recommended, as it likely reduces the total goosegrass population, making further goosegrass control practices more effective.

Research in 2013 demonstrated the potential for goosegrass control in bermudagrass putting greens with dithiopyr. Dithiopyr applied as a liquid,

Table 1

however, did cause unacceptable injury to some bermudagrass greens. Thus, 2014 research focused on the use of AGC and dithiopyr applied on a granular carrier.

2014 research

In 2014, research was conducted on a Tifdwarf practice green at Lagoon Park Golf Course in Montgomery, AL (special thanks to Wes Pitts and Zach Tolleson at Lagoon Park, as well as Jim DeReuil of Honours Golf, for use of this location). Herbicide treatments are listed in Table 1, along with rate and application timing. Herbicides were applied with a CO2-pressurized, small-plot backpack sprayer at 30 gallons per acre or were

Preemergence herbicide treatments evaluated in 2014 at Lagoon Park Golf Course in Montgomery, AL.

Treatment

Rate

Application Timing

Dithiopyr Granular

0.25 lb. ai/a

March 11

Anderson’s Goose and Crab

57 lb./a

April 2 and April 24

Anderson’s Goose and Crab

114 lb./a

April 2

Dithiopyr Granular

0.5 lb. ai/a

April 2

Dithiopyr Granular

0.25 lb. ai/a

April 2 and April 24

Dithiopyr Granular

0.38 lb. ai/a

April 2

Dithiopyr Granular

0.19 lb. ai/a

April 2 and April 24

Dimension 2EW

0.25 lb. ai/a

April 2 and April 24

Ronstar 2G

75 lb./a (1.5 lb. ai)

April 2 and April 24

Specticle Flo

4 fl. oz./a

April 2 and April 24

23

Al abam a T ur f Ti me s > >> Spri ng 2015

oosegrass is an increasing problem in turf, especially on putting greens. One major issue is the lack of preemergence herbicides labeled for use on putting greens. Traditional preemergence herbicides such as Barricade (prodiamine), Pendulum (pendimethalin), Ronstar (oxadiazon), Specticle (indaziflam) and their comparable generic products are not labeled for use on putting greens or, in most instances, tee boxes. Closer, more frequently mowed turf simply does not develop a rootzone extensive enough to withstand such herbicides.

With some products, however, the use is not as clear. Dimension, also a root-inhibiting herbicide, is not labeled for bermudagrass use on putting greens; however, on dithiopyr generic labels, it is not explicitly prohibited.

Dithiopyr is also formulated on a granular carrier and sold as Dithiopyr Granular by The Anderson’s. Ronstar (specifically, Ronstar G) explicitly states that it should not be used on putting greens due to the varying cultural practices uses. The active ingredient in Ronstar, oxadiazon, is labeled for use as Anderson’s Goose and Crab (AGC), which also contains bensulide, the active ingredient in Bensumec.

Simply due to the limited number of preemergence herbicides available for use on putting greens, AGC is becoming a popular choice for use on bermudagrass putting greens in the Southeast. There are a couple negatives regarding the use of AGC. First, bensulide can negatively impact roots, but it is viewed as less damaging than dinitroanilines, Dimension or Specticle.

Second, AGC is reportedly inconsistent in control. My research group has followed up on numerous reports of lack

Turf Talk >>> Continued

uniformly distributed with a shaker can depending on herbicide type. Herbicides tested were Dithiopyr Granular 0.164% on DG carrier, Anderson’s Goosegrass/Crabgrass with 5.25% bensulide and 1.31% oxadizon, Ronstar 2G, Specticle Flo and Dimension 2EW.

The data presented here will focus only on end-of-season (July 31) control data and pictures.

Goosegrass control in bermudagrass putting greens

First, never apply Specticle to a bermu-

Goosegrass population as affected by individual preemergence treatments rated on July 31, 2014 (LSD = 5).

Figure 1

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75 Sp

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Comparison of select treatments from granular herbicide research.

Photos were taken on July 31, 2014.

Ronstar 2G @ 75lb/a @ App B + C

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

25

W 2E m

Di

Photo 1

0.

0.

19

38 Di

th

0. th

Di

0.

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th

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nontreated

dagrass putting green. Just don’t do it.

Trust us. The chance of injury is just too much. No “injury” was observed for any other treatments, although dithiopyr treatments caused a decrease in green color that was deemed acceptable. Strangely, dithiopyr treatments also induced or allowed for seedhead production, something not observed in other treatments.

Second, all treatments reduced goosegrass compared to non-treated plots. In evaluating the individual treatments, it is noted that Dithiopyr Granular at 0.25 lb. ai/a applied March 11 was less effective in controlling goosegrass than treatments applied in April (Figure 1). This is possibly due to the degradation of dithiopyr before the onset of goosegrass germination.

Third, as can be seen in a picture slide set in Photo 1, even the most effective treatments still contained goosegrass. Compare those treatments, though, to the non-treated, and the possibility of implementing further management practices is more feasible.

In the treated plot, hand-weeding is a definite possibility, but not in the nontreated plot. Further, a postemergence herbicide treatment in the non-treated plot would result in a tremendous amount of dead goosegrass plants (if successful) that would lower the turf quality until the turf could recover (probably not this year). In the preemergence-treated plots, postemergence goosegrass control is feasible and will be more effective due to greater turf competition.

For the final point, from this research, we have realized that preemergence use of these products must be part of a program approach, and complete control is likely not going to occur with any preemergence herbicide. Instead, turfgrass managers must be prepared to hand-remove escaped plants or apply secondary postemergence herbicides as plants emerge.

Moving forward

In order to improve goosegrass control, a greater understanding of biological aspects is needed. Several questions remain: • When does goosegrass germinate? It is commonly thought that goosegrass Goose/Crab @ 57lb/a @ App B + C 24

Dithiopyr DG @ 152lb/a @ App B + C

Continued <<< Turf Talk

germination begins four to six weeks after crabgrass — April 15 to May 1 in the greater southeastern U.S. However, there is little to no evidence that such is true.

• How long does goosegrass seed survive in the soil? It is speculated that small grass seeds, such as goosegrass, survive only two to three years in the soil. If goosegrass could be controlled for two to three years, population pressure could theoretically be reduced, due to a reduction of the goosegrass seed bank.

• Is goosegrass a perennial? It does exist as a perennial plant in more tropical areas, such as Hawaii and south Florida. If goosegrass is perenniating in putting greens, this could explain the difficulty to control it with preemergence herbicides in some places.

• Is goosegrass developing resistance to herbicides? Evolved resistance to repeat application herbicides could explain the lack of control from certain postemergence and preemergence herbicides.

• Is the goosegrass that inhabits golf course putting greens a specially adapted biotype that is distinct from other goosegrass populations?

Goosegrass that is commonly present in golf putting greens is simply different. It is harder to control with herbicides, seed germination is more rapid, and it maintains a dwarf growth habit, even when removed from a putting green. Are such characteristics influencing control?

While herbicide testing to develop strategies will continue, goosegrass will not be completely controlled until there is a greater understanding of its biology. Such will be the focus of future research.

Purchase Your Ticket for the ATRF Draw Down Fundraiser!

The Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation is hosting a $5,000 Draw Down Fundraiser. Only 300 tickets will be sold for this fundraiser, and every 50th ticket drawn will win cash. You can support turfgrass research by donating $50 for a ticket. You can mail it to: ATRF, P.O. Box 2887, Auburn, AL 36831.

Remember, all donations are tax-deductible, as ATRF is a 501 ©(3) organization whose sole purpose is to fund turfgrass research.

The drawing will take place at the Deep South Turf Expo tradeshow floor on October 14. Thank you for your support of ATRF and this fundraising effort!

Special thanks to the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation, Sunbelt Golf, Honours Golf and Dow AgroSciences for donations that allowed for this research to occur. The research presented here is part of a larger project focused on goosegrass genetics, biology and control. v

25

Al abam a T ur f Ti me s > >> Spri ng 2015

Special Thanks

Boxwood Blight, Disease Rx >>>

a New Threat in the Landscape

By James Jacobi, Ph.D., Extension Plant Pathology Specialist, and Kassie Connor, Ph.D., Extension Plant Pathologist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

B

oxwood blight (or box blight) is a disease caused by the fungus Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum. First discovered in the United Kingdom during the mid1990s causing a severe blight of boxwood, the disease is now widespread throughout most of Europe and New Zealand. The disease was detected for the first time in the United States during 2011 in Connecticut and, shortly thereafter, in North Carolina and Virginia. Since then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been found in 15 states, including AL, CT, DE, GA, MA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN and VA. The disease was first found in Alabama in July 2013. No other reports of the disease occurred in Alabama during 2013 or 2014. In February 2015, however, the disease was in found in English boxwoods at seven garden centers throughout Alabama. The diseased plants were destroyed; however, some

Photo

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

1

26

infected boxwoods had already been sold to the public. If you have purchased new boxwoods in the last six months, carefully check the plants for symptoms of disease.

What we know

Symptoms of boxwood blight include circular, tan leaf spots with darker borders (Photo 2). The spots may develop a zonate or bulls-eye appearance. Besides leaf spots, infected leaves will turn brown and rapidly drop from the plant. The sudden defoliation and associated leaf litter scattered around the base of the plants is another important symptom to look for (Photo 3).

Defoliated stems may produce new shoots, giving the appearance that the plants will recover, only to have another round of leaf spots and associated defoliation. The stems develop

Boxwood shrubs are a popular (and very common) element in many landscapes.

(Photo courtesy of Alabama Cooperative Extension System)

Photo

2

dark brown or black thin lesions or streaks that are also unique to box blight (Photo 4).

Unlike some Cylindrocladium spp., the causal fungus of boxwood blight doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cause a root rot. It is often fatal to young plants, but an established plant may not initially die from the disease.

Long-distance spread of this disease occurs via movement of infected plants or plant debris, or via infested soil or equipment. The sticky spores of the pathogen can also be spread on infested shoes, clothing, burlap bags or animals. C. pseudonaviculatum is spread by splashing water or windblown rain short distances, and this can spread the disease from infected to healthy plants within a landscape or between landscapes.

There appears to be some tolerance to the disease within the Buxus genus.

Leaf spots caused by Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculata boxwood blight on common boxwood.

(Photo by Mary Ann Hansen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org)

Photo

3

Photo

Black stem streaking caused by Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculata on common boxwood.

(Photo by Mary Ann Hansen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org)

In general, the boxwood cultivars within the species B. sempervirens tend to be more susceptible to this disease; this would include the most popular cultivars of ‘English’ and ‘American’ or common boxwood. Other plants within the boxwood family Buxacaea, such as Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) and Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens), have also been shown to be susceptible to this fungal pathogen.

4

Defoliation and associated leaf litter caused

by Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculata on common boxwood.

(Photo by Kassie Conner, Alabama Cooperative Extension System)

pathogen can live on infected leaves for up to five years. Consult with a county agent or your plant diagnostic lab to confirm the diagnosis.

• Fungicides won’t cure plants, but they can be used to protect nursery and landscape plants from the disease. The most effective fungicides contain the active ingredients chlorothalonil, chlorothalonil

+ thiophanate-methyl, tebuconazole and fludioxonil.

• Use resistant boxwood cultivars.

B. harlandii, B. microphylla var. japonica ‘Green Beauty’ and B. sinica var. insularis ‘Nana’ are some of the cultivars with good resistance to boxwood blight.

• Consider plants other than boxwood. v

Boxwood blight management

27

Al abam a T ur f Ti me s > >> Spri ng 2015

There is no known cure for box blight.

However, a number of steps can be taken to prevent the spread of the blight: • In established landscapes with healthy boxwood plants, do not bring in new boxwoods.

• For new plantings, carefully inspect plants for symptoms.

• Use drip irrigation, rather than overhead sprinkler irrigation.

• Improve air circulation around plants through proper pruning and plant spacing. Avoid shearing plants.

• Don’t compost infected leaf and other plant material.

• Clean and sterilize pruning/shearing tools, especially between job sites to prevent the spread of the pathogen on contaminated tools.

• If you find an infected plant, remove the whole plant and put it in a plastic bag. Also, carefully rake up and dispose of fallen leaves. The

Turf Tips >>>

Protect Bees When Applying Neonicotinoid Insecticides

By David Han, Ph.D., Auburn University

N

eonicotinoid insecticides include popular turfgrass and ornamental products such as imidacloprid (Merit), clothianidin

(Aloft, Arena), thiamethoxam (Meridian) and dinotefuran (Zylam). Due to concerns about the potential exposure of pollinators, especially bees, to these

products, their labels now include a “Bee Box,” with recommendations on how to limit bees’ exposure.

In turf, the easiest way to minimize bees’ exposure is to mow the grass immediately before applying neonicitinoid insecticides. Bees are often unintentionally exposed to insecticides by foraging in flowers that have been sprayed. Removing any flowers present in the turf (from weeds like white clover, for example) by mowing ensures that bees will not be drawn to a just-sprayed turf area. Of course, great care must also be taken to prevent drift on any insecticide sprays from the grass to ornamentals, especially ones that are flowering.

For more information, see the article “Reducing the Hazards of Turfgrass Insecticides to Bees” by Dr. David Held and Murphey Coy in the Winter 2014 issue of Alabama Turf Times and the EPA’s website at http://www2.epa.gov/ pollinator-protection. v

Gardening in the South iBook Now Available from Alabama Extension

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

The

Alabama Cooperative Extension System is in the process of publishing a comprehensive set of iBooks — the Gardening in the South series. The first three volumes are now available: Getting Started, Pest Management and Landscaping. The Landscaping volume includes several chapters on selecting and maintaining turfgrasses for lawns and landscapes, while the Pest Management volume contains information on weeds, insects and dis-

28

eases in the garden, lawn and landscape. Gardening in the South contains links to other Extension resources and includes videos, animations and other enhancements. Check out this excellent reference resource on the iTunes Store or at https://itunes.apple.com/us/ book/gardening-in-south-getting/id9 25369027?mt=11. Gardening in the South is viewable on an iPad with iBooks 3 or later and iOS 5.1 or later, or a Mac with iBooks 1.0 or later and OS X 10.9 or later. v

Al abam a T ur f Ti me s > >> Spri ng 2015

29

Digital Marketplace

Turf Events >>>

July 9–11

TPI Live Show & Tell (Turfgrass Producers International) Portland, OR

July 19–21

PLANET Legislative Day on the Hill Washington, D.C.

July 27 – August 1 Perennial Plant Symposium Hilton Baltimore Baltimore, MD

August 2–6

StormCon — 2015 Conference The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Conference JW Marriott Austin Austin, TX

September 13–14 Mole Cricket Classic Orange Beach, AL

September 15–17 NRPA Congress and Expo (Nat. Rec. and Park Assn.)

Las Vegas, NV

Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.

October 13–15

Deep South Turf Expo Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center Biloxi, MS www.DeepSouth TurfExpo.org

October 21–23

PLANET Green Industry Conference Louisville, KY

October 22–24

GIE+Expo — Green Industry Equipment Expo and School of Grounds Management Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

December 7

ATA Dove Hunt Montgomery, AL

January 19–22, 2016 STMA Conference and Exhibition San Diego, CA

February 6–11, 2016

Golf Industry Show San Diego Convention Ctr. San Diego, CA

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015

Index of Advertisers >>> Agri-AFC,LLC www.agri-afc.com................................................ 3

Gulf Coast Organic, Inc. www.gcogrows.com............................................. 5

Southern Specialty Equipment www.ssequip.net..................................................13

Alabama 811 www.al1call.com.................................................25

Humphries Turf Supply www.humphriesturf.com................................29

Southern State Turf www.ssturf.net................................................... 30

Bayer www.bayerprocentral.com................................9

Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation www.jerrypate.com........................................... 19

Southern States Cooperative www.southernstates.com.................................21

Brouwer Kesmac www.kesmac.com............................................... 22

Leading Edge Communications www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com....... ................................. 27, 29, Inside Back Cover

Sur-Line Turf, Inc. www.surlineturf.com.......................................... 7

Coosa Valley Turf Farms, LLC www.coosavalleyturffarms.com................... 30 Ewing Irrigation www.ewing1.com.................................................17 Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc. www.greenvilleturf.com...Inside Front Cover 30

RD Murphy, LLC www.rdmurphy.com...........................................13

Syngenta Professional Products www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com.... 7

Riebeling Farms, Inc.......................................13

The Turfgrass Group www.theturfgrassgroup.com..... Back Cover

Smith Seed Services www.smithseed.com........................................ 30

TriEst Ag Group, Inc. www.hendrixanddail.com................................29