North Carolina Turfgrass - March/April 2018

March/April 2018

A Publication of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina

SOIL PREPARATION for a Beautiful Sodded lawn

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON 2018 TCNC Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient W. Ray Avery

BLUEGRASS WEEVIL in western North Carolina Highlights from TCNC’s

ANNUAL MEETING AND EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE

14 18 table of contents March/April 2018

10 member spotlight TCNC Honors W. Ray Avery with Lifetime Achievement Award

14 green light on lawns Soil Preparation for a Beautiful Sodded lawn

18 turf tips

12 recent event Highlights from TCNC’s 2018 Annual Meeting and Educational Conference

The “Evil Weevil” Comes to North Carolina

From the President, Damon Dean

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TCNC Corporate and Deluxe Members

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New TCNC Members & NCCTPs News from TCNC NCCTP Program Index of Advertisers Calendar of Events NC State Turf Team

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The Turfgrass Council of North Carolina (TCNC) 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, North Carolina Turfgrass, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or TCNC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bimonthly publication. Copyright © 2018 by the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina. North Carolina Turfgrass is published bi-monthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of TCNC. Presorted standard postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: North Carolina Turfgrass allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to TCNC. 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 insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, 615-790-3718, Fax 615-794-4524.

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from the president

North Carolina Turfgrass is the official publication of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina 110 Horizon Drive Suite 210 Raleigh, NC 27615 (919) 459-2070 fax (919) 459-2075 www.ncturfgrass.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SEASONS

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inter is finally coming to an end, and spring is here. North Carolina is a very challenging place to grow quality turfgrass because of the ever-changing weather patterns. Hopefully, the warm-season grasses were not injured much from the cold temperatures this winter and the upcoming summer will be kind to all the cool-season grasses. The change of seasons is one of the many reasons I love North Carolina.

The TCNC wrapped up January with our annual meeting and conference at Providence Country Club. This was a fantastic event with great speakers. I want to thank all who attended. For the ones who did not make it, do not miss out next year.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Ray Avery for all his accomplishments in the turf industry. It was an honor to present him with the award, because he is an excellent person and turf professional. The annual meeting and conference was a time for education and networking with other parts of our industry. I was able to meet a lot of people from different areas of the turf trade. The diversity of the TCNC is one of the reasons I love being a part of this great group.

The changing of the seasons and the start of spring shows that new beginnings are ahead of us. Springtime brings most homeowners out to their lawns, looking for advice. Spring is time for golf courses and athletic fields to be busy and sod farms to be gearing up. All this is good for our business. TCNC is working hard to keep you informed on the industry and showing our value to you as a member. We are constantly looking for ways to better serve you and make all of us better turf professionals.

So when the weather changes, look at it as a new opportunity to make improvements to your career and your life. We do not need to fear change, but embrace it. You never know what you will miss out on.

God bless.

Jessica Lytle IMI Association Executives jessica@imiae.com (919) 459-6095 Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, TN 37064 (615) 790-3718 fax (615) 794-4524 info@leadingedge communications.com

TCNC OFFICERS PRESIDENT Damon Dean Keith Hills Country Club West End, NC (910) 893-1372

VICE PRESIDENT Gene Queen Nature’s Select Premium Turf Services Winston-Salem, NC (336) 768-7999

PAST PRESIDENT Billy Cole Raleigh Country Club Raleigh, NC (919) 427-0312

TREASURER Kevin Herrmann Fairway Green, Inc. Raleigh, NC (919) 818-9640

DIRECTORS H. Dean Baker Kinston Country Club Kinston, NC David Bradley, NCCTP Turf Mountain Sod, Inc. Hendersonville, NC Michael Hrivnak, NCCTP Canopy Lawn Care Raleigh, NC

Damon Dean, CGCS 2017–2018 TCNC President

Jonathan Richardson, NCCTP Coastal Floratine Dunn, NC

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TCNC Corporate & Deluxe Members

Thank You to Our CORPORATE MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS TCNC’s membership level for companies that wish to provide more support by adding ten or more employees to their membership has attracted five Corporate Members —

TCNC Corporate Memberships receive a distinguished listing in each issue of NC Turfgrass magazine. This membership includes ten employees with additional employees added for a nominal fee. Companies holding a Corporate Membership are

given priority for TCNC website home page advertising and event sponsorships. All employees included in the Corporate Membership receive full benefits and features including their own subscription to our magazine.

If you would like to know more about the Corporate Membership, please contact the TCNC office at (919) 459-2070 or info@ncturfgrass.org.

Thank You to Our DELUXE MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS American Turf Grass Corporation Barefoot & Associates, Inc. BASF Corporation Buy Sod, Inc Carolina Farm Credit Carolina Green Corp.

City of Brevard City of Raleigh Parks & Recreation City of Shelby Country Boy Landscaping Inc Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Diamond Creek Golf Club Duke University Fairway Green

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Fayetteville Technical Community College

SAS Institute Landscaping Dept.

Givens Estates

SiteOne Landscape Supply

JRM, Inc.

Smith Turf & Irrigation

Keith Hills Country Club

Sod Solutions, Inc.

Kinston Country Club

Southern Ag

Leap Frog Landcare, Inc.

Southern Seeds Inc

Myatt Landscaping Concepts Inc

The Club at Longview

Nature's Select Premium Turf Services

Town of Cary Public Works

NCSU Landscape Construction Services North Carolina A&T State University Pennington Seed — ProTurf Division

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Revels Turf & Tractor

Town of Huntersville Parks & Recreation Town of Southern Pines Tri Est Ag Group Inc. Turf Mountain Sod Inc UNC Chapel Hill Vereens Turf Products

New TCNC Members and NCCTP (As of April, 2018)

Welcome, NEW TCNC MEMBERS! Scott Stevenson

Eddie Conway

Jason Brown

Travis Scott

NC Arboretum Asheville, NC

Conway's Landscaping Youngsville, NC

SiteOne Landscape Supply Mooresville, NC

Crossroads Turf Service Statesville, NC

Abraham Contreras

Rickey Craft

Incredible Lawns and Gardens Hampstead, NC

UNC Greensboro Greensboro, NC

Scott Brady

Larry Feller Syngenta Smyrna, SC

Umstead Pines Golf & Swim Club Durham, NC

Hampton Haney

John Hart

Forest Creek Golf Club Pinehurst, NC

RealGreen Lawn & Shrub Care Cary, NC

Larry Adcock Revels Turf & Tractor Fuquay Varina, NC

Neal Duff Revels Turf & Tractor Fuquay Varina, NC

Russell Montgomery Revels Turf & Tractor Fuquay Varina, NC

Turner Revels Revels Turf & Tractor Fuquay Varina, NC

Rick Henderson Greenville Turf & Tractor Concord, NC

Tyler Herman Smith Turf and Irrigation Charlotte, NC

Regal Chemical Company Carthage, NC

Kyle Manus The Golf Club at Ballantyne Charlotte, NC

Brandon Pope Super-Sod Marshville, NC

Landmark Carolinas Inc. Arden, NC

Josh Rice

Colby Griffin

Phillip Bruner Dow AgroSciences Charlotte, NC

Cole Dunaway Pennington Seed — ProTurf Division Courtland, VA

Coastal Floratine Valdese, NC

Larry Vaughn Winston Salem, NC

Jarad Webster UNC Greensboro Greensboro, NC

Dave Collins Distinctive Naturescapes, Inc. Salisbury, NC

Justin Starling

Eugene Coleman

Starling Lawn Works LLC Hendersonville, NC

City Of High Point High Point, NC

Jeremy Bull

Jason Kilgore

Walker and Associates Raleigh, NC

Henderson County Parks And Rec. Hendersonville, NC

William Maultsby Compass Pointe Golf Course Whiteville, NC

Barry Evans Duplin Sod Farms Kenansville, NC

Eloy Aguilar Perez Fresh 365 Lawn Care Winston Salem, NC

WestleyStone Raleigh, NC

Brandon Cordell Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Asheville, NC

Tanner Keyse Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Asheville, NC

Mark Scott McConnell Golf LLC Charlotte, NC

Congratulations to OUR NEW NCCTPs!

John McCarthy

Alex Howe

Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Asheville, NC

Landmark Carolinas Inc. Arden, NC

Robert Morris

Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Asheville, NC

John McCarthy Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Asheville, NC

Robert Morris Tiffany Small Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Asheville, NC

Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Asheville, NC

Robert Sinclair Byron Vaughn

Daniel Miller Pennington Seed — ProTurf Division Courtland, VA

Michael Hill Tull Hill Farms, Inc. Kinston, NC

Christopher Lassiter

Alex Howe

NC Cooperative Extension Louisburg, NC

Daniel Scroggs Carefree Landscapes Fairview, NC

Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Asheville, NC

Vereens Turf Products Longs, SC

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TCNC member spotlight

TCNC HONORS

W. RAY AVERY WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Interviewed by Maria Tipton, March 20, 2018

At

the TCNC 2018 Annual Meeting and Educational Conference, the organization presented long-time member Ray Avery with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In a recent interview, Ray was asked to respond to questions about his career.

Here is what he had to say:

What year did you get started in turfgrass?

Actually, I was going to work in horticulture and landscape design. I always looked

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to get a job working outside. It’s in my nature. So, I got started with my degree in ornamental horticulture in 1969.

Before I got drafted into the military, it just so happens that a position came open to work on a local golf course that summer. I thought it would be a good fillin job until after my military service. I found that I really enjoyed it. But I knew that I needed to know more about turf.

In those days, there was no turfgrass degree, per se, like there is now.

When I came back from the service, they had just begun offering a two-year

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turf program for recreational grounds management. I was one of their first graduates. After that, I got a job as a superintendent at Rolling Hills Country Club in Monroe, NC. I was at Rolling Hills from 1973 to 1986.

What’s your most recent position in the turfgrass industry?

I was director of golf course operations for the Club at Longview in Weddington, NC, which is a Jack Nicklaus Signature

18-Hole Championship Golf Course. I was there for sixteen years, from 2001 until 2017.

Ray Avery and guests at TCNC’s 2018 Annual Meeting and Educational Conference, held at Providence Country Club in Charlotte, NC. (Ray Avery pictured, center in brown sports coat.)

What was your previous position?

Director of greens and grounds at Quail Hollow Club from 1986 to 2002. The only reason I would leave such a great position at Quail Hollow is to go to work for Mel Graham, of the Graham family. I helped him realize his vision for a highend gated community with a golf course.

We worked from the ground up to build that vision.

What did you enjoy most about your job?

You could always see what you did, good or bad. I enjoyed the daily accomplishment of being able to see the improvements and what you did to make things better, year in and year out. I felt that I could make an impact by making it substantially better than before.

Who have been your mentors in the turfgrass industry?

Harry DuBose—he got me my first job.

Also, Jake “JC” Plyler was the gentleman who was the committee chairman there at Rolling Hills. He hired me and he stayed on as the committee chairman as long as I was there. JC was a founding member and cared a lot about the course.

He was a great guy to work for, and he appreciated the work I did there. We had a very good relationship. He was instrumental in my career.

What positions have you held with TCNC? I went on the board back in the mid80s and then went through the ranks. In 1990, I became president. Then I became the tradeshow committee chairman from the mid-90s through the early 2000s.

Have you received any other awards?

In 1974, the North South Turfgrass Association (NSTA) was formed. I was

a founding member of NSTA, and I went on to be the president in 1980 and 1981.

From the NSTA, I received a few outstanding service awards, and in 2017, I received an honorary lifetime membership award.

In 1989, I received the Carolina’s Golf Course Superintendents Association North Carolina’s Superintendent of the Year Award.

I also received the outstanding service award from the TCNC in 1993. Later, in 1999, I received special recognition for leadership as tradeshow committee chairman of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina.

Challenges you’ve faced in the industry?

Nothing… it was a cake walk!

I guess just that things have changed from whenever I started in 1973. When I began, golf courses just had to be a little better than the courses around you. Each step I went, I had to grow into the new position or new challenge. As we improve conditions, it just makes the job tougher.

Members of our clubs travel to some of the best courses in the world, and we had to try to keep up with those standards.

We had to try new things that would give us the edge. We looked at sampling, trying new products and techniques, and even inventing techniques to give us an advantage.

Civic contributions?

I am quite involved with our church, Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. Our Baptist men take on quite a few projects that I help with. I also serve on the deacon board and fill in for Sunday school teachers.

Charitable contributions to the community?

I have family members who are coaches at different local high schools. I would visit and make recommendations to them about their fields. Then I would get out there and show them how to do it. If we can help to make their ballfields safer and better, it gives them a sense of pride.

Other important information about your career?

All the awards I’ve won and all the success… my part was probably the least of it. Instead, it was working with good people all these years and being at a place where we could attract people who wanted to learn a better way. I’ve been fortunate to work with good people, from assistant superintendents, all the way down to the regular crew. Everyone has to give back something, and everyone can benefit from it. That’s why I’m so involved.

I just want to give back in any way that I can.

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recent event

HIGHLIGHTS FROM

THANK YOU TO OUR

TCNC’s 2018 ANNUAL MEETING AND EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE SPONSORS

Held at Providence Country Club Charlotte, NC This event was presented in partnership with NC State University faculty/staff in providing quality education and knowledge for all turfgrass industry professionals.

Attendees

TCNC board members introducing a speaker

Attendees playing at the putting green exhibit

Damon Dean, President, presenting award to Ray Avery

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Charles Peacock of NC State presenting

Damon Dean conducting the TCNC Annual Membership Meeting

Past Presidents in attendance – most ever www. n c t urfg rass. o r g

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news from TCNC

MEET YOUR TCNC LEADERS FOR 2018 PRESIDENT Damon Dean Keith Hills Country Club 115 Birdnest Court West End, NC 27376 (910) 893-1372 deand@campbell.edu

VICE PRESIDENT Gene Queen Nature’s Select Premium Turf Services 2550 Landmark Drive Winston-Salem, NC 27103 (336) 768-7999 gqueen@naturesselect.com

PAST PRESIDENT Billy Cole Raleigh Country Club 400 Donald Ross Drive Raleigh, NC 27610 (919) 427-0312 bcole@raleighcc.com

DIRECTORS H. Dean Baker Kinston Country Club P.O. Box 1423 Kinston, NC 28503 (252) 527-0464 kinstoncc@suddenlinkmail.com

David Bradley, NCCTP Turf Mountain Sod, Inc. 3277 Chimney Rock Road Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 685-3642 dmbradley86@yahoo.com

Kevin Herrmann Acting TCNC Treasurer Communication Committee Chair Fairway Green, Inc. 140 Rupert Road Raleigh, NC 27603 (919) 329-0995 kherrmann@fairwaygreen.com

Michael Hrivnak, NCCTP Canopy Lawn Care 891 Washington Street Raleigh, NC 27605 (919) 800-9368 mdhrivnak78@gmail.com

Jonathan Richardson, NCCTP NCCTP Committee Chair Coastal Floratine 89 Killington Place Dunn, NC 28334 (910) 890-7428 sujmrichardson@embarqmail.com A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e T u r f g r a s s C o u n c i l o f Nor t h Ca r o lina 13

green light on lawns

SOIL PREPARATION FOR A BEAUTIFUL SODDED LAWN From the North Carolina Sod Producers Association

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here is no better way to enhance your lawn’s ultimate beauty and success than by improving the soil before any planting takes place. Placing sod on poorly prepared soil is comparable to building an expensive house on a poor foundation. Problems can continue for years.

Benefits of Proper and Complete Soil Preparation Improved Uniformity Increased Density Faster Recovery From Wear Reduced Use of Water, Fertilizer, & Chemicals Reduced Maintenance Quick Fact:

Why Is Good Soil Important?

For optimum growth, turfgrass needs just four things (in the proper balance) to grow: sunlight, air, water, and nutrients. Reduce any of these or provide too much of any one, and the grass may die or simply suffer. In the right proportions, the grass will flourish, providing not only beauty to the landscape, but also a clean and safe place to play and many benefits to the environment. Grass obtains three of these four essential factors (air, water, and nutrients) from the soil, but many soils are less than ideal for growing grass. Some soils contain too much clay and may be very compacted… great for roads, but bad for grass because air and water aren’t available to the roots and the roots can’t grow. Other soils may have too much sand… beautiful on a beach, but difficult to grow grass in because water and nutrients won’t stay in

the root zone long enough for the plant to use. Another frequently observed problem with many soils is that its pH (the degree of acidity or alkalinity) is too high or too low for optimum grass growth.

Quick Fact:

What Is the Best Soil for Turfgrass?

Loams, sandy loams, and loamy sands, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, are the very best soils for producing a beautiful, high-use, low-maintenance lawn. Unfortunately, this ideal soil mixture is seldom found on any property after construction.

Quick Fact:

How Deep Should the Soil Be for Turfgrass?

The absolute minimum quality soil depth for a care-free lawn is 4 inches; however, for deeper root penetration and the benefits that brings, the accepted standard is 6 to 8 inches.

Quick Fact:

Can Soils Be Improved?

Practically without exception, not only can most soils be improved, but they also usually need to be improved to get the maximum results with only a minimum of other ongoing effort.

The knowledge of what’s necessary, the amount and availability of materials, and the immediate costs of time and money are the factors that typically deter people from taking the steps necessary to improving the soil. While some people do not fully understand the importance of good soils for grass, many also believe they can save time and money by ignoring the need to improve their lawn’s soil.

The fact is that failing to improve the soil before planting is only inviting a much greater and continual investment of both time and money, one that will never return its value as fully as preparing the soil properly before planting any grass.

Site Preparation Steps “The beauty is in the blades, but the ‘action’ is in the roots,” is a good adage to remember when growing grass. Thus, the value of proper site preparation and soil improvement, before any planting takes place, is that it will be easier for the grass roots to penetrate deeply and evenly. Deep roots will make the lawn more drought resistant, a more efficient water and nutrient user, and more dense as new grass plant shoots emerge. A dense lawn crowds out weeds and better resists insects and disease.

Follow these steps for a beautiful, healthy, and trouble-free lawn: Clear the site of all building materials (wood, cement, bricks, etc.), as well as any buried stumps, rocks, stones, or other debris that is larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

Rough grade the entire area to eliminate any drainage problems on the property. This would include sloping the grade away from building foundations, eliminating or reducing severe slopes, and filling low-lying areas.

A tractor-mounted blade and/or box are most often used for rough grading; but if the area is smaller, it can be done with hand tools. The rough grading probably will uncover more debris that should be removed and not buried.

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Initial tilling, to a depth of at least 4 inches, should be completed prior to adding any topsoil or soil amendments. This will control most annual weeds, alleviate subsoil compaction, permit a bonding of the topsoil to the subsoil, and improve root penetration and water movement.

Add topsoil to achieve a total topsoil depth of 6 to 8 inches, after firming. The topsoil should be a loamy sand, sandy loam, clay loam, loam, silt

loam, sandy clay loam, or other soil suitable for the area. To the extent possible, practical, affordable, and available, incorporate humus (fully decomposed organic matter) into the topsoil.

Test the soil pH with a chemical soil test to determine if any pH correction materials are required.

Acidic soils (pH of 6 and below), common for North Carolina, can be improved with the addition of lime. The type (or source) and total amount of applied

lime will be determined by the level of acidity and should be based on the soil test recommendations. Take soil samples from the front yard and the back yard to determine soil pH and nutrient requirements. A single soil test may be all that is necessary, if there are no obvious differences in soil texture, terrain, or troubled areas of the front yard and back yard. If the soils seem different, collect soil samples to a depth of 3 to 4 inches from several (ten to fifteen) locations and mix them together to produce a composite sample. Send approximately 1 cup of the air-dried soil sample to the NCDA & CS Agronomic Division Soil Testing Services, 1040 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27607. Boxes and forms can be obtained at your county cooperative extension center or at the Agronomic Division Office in Raleigh. Allow several weeks for the results to be returned. Alkaline soils (pH of 7.5 and higher) can be improved with the addition of sulfur. As with acidic soil correction materials, the type and total amount of materials will be determined by the level of alkalinity and should be based on soil recommendations.

Apply “starter fertilizer” (one that is high in phosphate, P, or the middle number on a bag of fertilizer), at a rate recommended for the particular product.

To prevent root injury to newly installed turfgrass sod, this fertilizer should be worked into the top 4 to 6 inches. Finish grading the entire site, maintaining the rough grading contours and slopes, with a tractor-mounted box blade on large areas or heavy-duty rake on smaller sites.

Roll the area with a lawn roller one third full of water to firm and settle the surface and reveal any low spots that should be filled to match the surrounding grade surface. If time permits, allow the area to settle further with rainfall or by applying irrigation water.

This site is now ready for turfgrass sod.

With this degree of careful and thoughtful soil preparation, the resultant lawn will be absolutely beautiful. It will require less maintenance, smaller quantities of applied water, fertilizer, and pesticides; but it will maintain a high degree of density and uniformity and will recover much more rapidly from wear. For years to come, your investment in soil preparations will yield a high return.

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turf tips

“E V IL

THE

W E EV I L” COMES TO NO R TH CAROLINA By: Dr. Terri Billeisen, Extension Associate, NC State University

H

istorically, the annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) has been a significant pest of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass in short- and long-mowed turf in the northeastern US. In 2008, it was reported to be damaging fairways and greens on several golf courses in Jackson County, NC. Four years later, annual bluegrass weevil adults and larvae were detected at an additional site in Avery County, NC. This second location was 150 miles northeast of the original site of detection, suggesting its initial appearance was not an isolated incident. Since 2015, research at NC State has been focused on developing a regionspecific management plan for this insect pest. Differences in air temperature, soil moisture, day length, and elevation may drastically change how this insect behaves in NC, compared to the northeast.

Adult ABWs are dark brown or black beetles, approximately 1⁄8-inch long, with a pronounced, curved snout and gray-yellow hairs and scales on the thorax and elytra (hind wings). ABWs can look similar to billbugs (Fig. 1); but they are much smaller (~1⁄3 size), their antennae attach to the tip of their proboscis (snout) rather than the base, and their snout is shorter and stouter than that of a billbug. Larvae are creamcolored with red-brown head capsules, legless, and range from 1⁄25- to 1⁄6inches long.

Although traditionally a turfgrass pest of the northeast, in recent years, ABWs have spread to southern Canada, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Bret Corbett, a master’s student under the direction of Rick Brandenburg at NCSU, conducted a two-year distribution study to determine how ABW has spread throughout NC since its initial detection.

From 2016 to 2017, Bret sampled 46 different golf course fairways that had no previous record of infestation and recovered ABWs from 32 of the 46 courses sampled (Fig. 2), indicating ABW presence in NC is more widespread than originally thought.

Adult ABWs overwinter in both leaf litter along tree lines and also deep in the soil of managed turf. Adults become active in late March to early April, depending on air temperature, and begin to mate, feed, and cause minor damage to short-mown turf. Females will lay eggs following emergence, with the first larval population becoming active in the soil in early May. We typically see some of the most severe damage (Fig. 3) in NC when the overwintering adult population starts to overlap with the first larval generation, so it is important to be on the lookout for adults as soon as they emerge from their overwintering sites. Adults will become active two more times (late June to July

FIGURE 1: Hunting billbug adult (left) and annual bluegrass weevil adult (right). Photo credit: C. Sorenson (hunting billbug), M. Bertone (annual bluegrass weevil)

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turf tips | continued

and early August) during the growing season and are capable of causing damage when they occur in large numbers.

To create a management plan for ABW in NC, we conducted a weekly sampling program at five sites between March and October from 2015 to 2017.

Sampling consisted of soap flushes for adults and core sampling for larvae. Although we were able to chart adult activity throughout the year, we were unable to recover any larvae from soil cores.

This likely is due to a number of factors, among which are the fact that populations in NC are much smaller than in the northeast and, similar to hunting billbug larvae in NC, they are active much deeper in the soil profile. Since ABW adults are easy to find, especially when compared to larvae, we have created an adultfocused management program for this region. When managing an ABW population in turf, it is essential to implement a weekly monitoring program in order to time your insecticide application correctly. You can accomplish this by taking weekly soap flush samples in areas of past damage, count the number of adults in a fixed area each week and write them down; and when you see a sharp increase in activity, apply an insecticide with contact toxicity (Table 1).

Be aware that both in the northeast and in NC, we have observed issues with insecticide resistance. If you are managing an ABW population each year, be sure to rotate insecticide classes to avoid selecting for naturally-resistant individuals. Failure to do so will result in a loss of efficacy of that product and reduce the number of options for control.

For more information on this pest, visit the Annual Bluegrass Weevil Info Sheet on Turffiles (https://www.turffiles.ncsu. edu/insects/annual-bluegrass-weevilin-turf).

FIGURE 2: Golf course fairways (46) sampled for annual bluegrass weevil adults via soap flush in western North Carolina. Red pins indicate annual bluegrass weevil activity. Photo credit: B. Corbett, Google Maps

FIGURE 3: Summer (June) annual bluegrass weevil damage in bentgrass.

Photo credit: T. Billeisen

TABLE 1: Current recommendations for annual bluegrass weevil adult control via the North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual Pest Insecticide and Formulation

Amount per 1,000 sq ft

Precautions and Remarks

Annual Bluegrass Weevil

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bifenthrin (Menace, Tlastar, others) F, GC

0.25– 0.5 fl oz

Monitor for adults, apply at peak activity. Use GC formulation for golf courses.

chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn)

0.28 fl oz

Apply approximately 7–14 days after adulticide to target larvae.

cyantraniliprole (Ference)

0.28 fl oz

Monitor for adults, apply at peak activity. Apply approximately 7–14 days after adulticide to target larvae.

lambda-cyhalothrin (Battle, Scimitar, Cayonara)

0.23 fl oz

Monitor for adults, apply at peak activity.

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NCCTP Program

NCCTP? The

comprehensive North Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional (NCCTP) program was developed to enhance the technical competency of turfgrass professionals, while elevating their professional image, that of their businesses and of the turfgrass-management industry. Administered by TCNC, the NCCTP designation confirms your expertise in turfgrass management to prospective customers and your peers.

Reasons to Earn Your NCCTP Designation Today!

• It confers immediate credibility by confirming your knowledge of turfgrass management practices to customers and prospective employers.

• The Turfgrass Management Subclass License in the Landscape Contractors’ Licensing proposal is based on the NCCTP program and exam. NCCTPs will be grandfathered into the proposed Landscape Contractors’ Licensing legislation, avoiding the headaches of additional testing.

• The price of earning your NCCTP was dropped by about 50% this year to help make the program more affordable to industry professionals.

• You’ll be able to promote and market yourself as a North Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional and use the NCCTP logo on your business correspondence.

• You’ll get pins, uniform patches and vehicle decals to promote your status as a NCCTP. • You get association support with promotional tools and adverting publicity opportunities to help promote your status as a NCCTP. • You’ll get public visibility for customer referrals from TCNC’s website.

For more information on how the NCCTP can help your business, contact info@ncturfgrass.org today!

Fast Facts About The NCCTP Program NCCTP Program Enrollment Requirements

1. Enrollment in the NCCTP program requires a minimum of one full year of work experience in the turfgrass industry and a valid NC pesticide applicator’s license.

2. All candidates must subscribe to the NCCTP Code of Conduct as detailed on the application form.

3. Enrollment fees are as follow: Program application $150; Exam $50; Study Materials $50.

The Exam

1. Candidates have six months from the date of their enrollment acceptance to complete the NCCTP exam.

2. At the time of the exam, all candidates must be TCNC members.

3. The exam covers 9 core areas: Turfgrass Characteristics; Establishing Turfgrass; Soils & Nutrient Management; Cultural Practices; Pests & Integrated Pest Management; Pesticides & Plant Growth Regulators; Landscape Safety & Pesticide Use; Calculations & Calibration; Turfgrass Business & Economics.

4. Candidates have 6 hours to complete the exam and must score 80% or more on each section to receive the NCCTP designation.

5. Exams can be taken at the TCNC office in Raleigh during normal business hours.

6. Exams will not be graded if any application information is missing or if TCNC membership status cannot be confirmed.

7. Please allow 2–3 weeks for exam grading and reports.

Maintenance Requirements

1. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates will receive a phone call followed by a packet containing several important items, such as their NCCTP plaque, patches, vehicle decals and license plate, etc.

2. Maintenance of the designation requires continued membership in TCNC as a means of demonstrating continued support for the industry.

3. A $50 renewal fee is billed every July 1 to maintain the designation. Funds provide support for the NCCTP program and related promotional activities.

The NC Certified Turfgrass Professional designation (NCCTP), the NCCTP logo and related programs materials are the trademarked property of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina and cannot be used without TCNC’s written permission. For additional information, contact TCNC at (919) 459-2070.

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NCCTP Certification Application/Enrollment Name __________________________________________________________________

Title _____________________________________________________

Company _______________________________________________________________

Pesticide Applicator License ________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________

Day Phone _______________________________________________

City, State, Zip __________________________________________________________

Fax Number ______________________________________________

TCNC Membership No. __________________________________________________

E-Mail ____________________________________________________

Qualifications MEMBERSHIP: I am now, or am applying here, to be a member in good standing of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina.

EXPERIENCE: Please list your turfgrass management job experience during the last full year. Attach additional page(s) if necessary.

Company ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Contact Person(s) _______________________________________________________

Title _____________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________________________________

Title _____________________________________________________

Your Duties: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PESTICIDE LICENCE: A current North Carolina pesticide ground applicator license (or equivalent from other state) subclass L, turf and ornamental is required. Please document current status of your turf and ornamental pesticide applicator license by attaching a copy of your most recent Dept. of Agriculture license renewal statement showing education units completed. A minimum of 20 credits every 5 years is required to maintain your NCCTP status.

DUTY: I have initialed the following page of this application to show that I strongly support and willingly subscribe to the TCNC Certification Code of Ethics and pledge to uphold the credibility and integrity of the program.

EXAM: Upon acceptance into the program, I plan to complete my study and take the required examination within six months.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: I agree to successfully complete additional future curriculum materials or sections that may be required as a result of new technology or regulation.

Signature _________________________________________________________________________________

Date ___________________________________

By signing this enrollment application, I verify that all information above is true and correct.

NCCTP Application Fee: $150, Study Materials: $50, Exam Fee: $50 (per exam), Renewal Fee: $50 TCNC Membership: $125

Amount Enclosed: $ _________________

Charge my Credit Card:

Visa

Master Card

AmEx

Card Number ___________________________________________________________

Exp _____________________

CSV# _________________________

Name on Card __________________________________________________________

Signature _________________________________________________

Card Billing Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mail Completed Form with Payment to: Turfgrass Council of NC • 110 Horizon Drive • Suite 210 • Raleigh NC 27615 or fax to: (919) 459-2075 24

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North Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional

CODE OF ETHICS

Duty to the Public Conduct service first and foremost with regards to the safety, health and welfare of the general public. Provide service, recommendations and information based upon honest experience and scientifically accurate and factual knowledge.

Applicant‌ Please initial in the spaces below.

I agree.

Duty to the Environment Operate in such a manner to protect and preserve our environment. Use and monitor all equipment, products and materials in a manner consistent with the label and that is safe for the environment.

I agree.

Duty to the Laws of Our Land Abide by all laws and regulations affecting the turf industry, and support enforcement of these laws.

I agree.

Duty to Fellow Professionals Refrain from the use of false, misleading or deceptive marketing and advertising practices. Practice and insist upon sound business-management practices. Maintain the highest standard of personal conduct to reflect credit and add stature to the turf industry. Recognize the importance of strong relationships within the industry. Abstain from untruthful debasement of, or encroachment upon, the professional reputation or practice of another turfgrass professional.

I agree.

Duty to the Association Participate in association activities and events to help further the profession. Abstain from any unfair exploitation of my association, industry or profession.

I agree.

index of advertisers Amick’s Superstore .............. 17 www.amickssuperstore.com Andrew Sanderson Lawn Management .............. 16 www.sandersonlawn.com/ services.html

NC Sod Producers Association ........................... 22 www.ncsod.org NewLife Turf, Inc. ................ 22 www.newlifeturf.com

Barenbrug USA ...................... 5 www.barusa.com

Progressive Turf Equipment, Inc. ............ 21 www.progressiveturfequip.com

Buy Sod .......Inside Back Cover www.buysod.com

Revels Tractor Co. Inc.......... 19 www.revelstractor.com

Carolina Green Corp............ 25 www.cgcfields.com

Southern Specialty Equipment ............................ 16 www.ssequip.net

Carolina Turf Farms, Inc....... 13 www.carolinaturffarms.com Divots, Inc. ........................... 25 www.divotssand.com Golf Agronomics Supply & Handling ............... 16 www.golfag.com Green Resource .... Back Cover www.green-resource.com

Digital Marketplace

Download your favorite QR reader to your phone, and scan the code to learn more about this company.

Super-Sod............................... 3 www.supersod.com The Turfgrass Group .........Inside Front Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com Turf Mountain Sod ............... 13 www.turfmountain.com Vandemark Farms ................ 21 www.vandemarkfarms.com

Mid-Atlantic STIHL, Inc. ......... 7 www.stihldealers.com

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calendar of events

nc state turf team

CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

Mark Your Calendar and

SAVE THESE DATES! (Visit ncturfgrass.org for links to event pages)

Daniel C. Bowman, Ph.D. Professor (919) 515-2085 dan_bowman@ncsu.edu Arthur H. Bruneau, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus (919) 515-5855 art_bruneau@ncsu.edu Richard J. Cooper, Ph.D. Professor, Turfgrass Management Specialist (919) 515-7600 rich_cooper@ncsu.edu Emily Erickson CENTERE Assoc. Director (919) 513-2034 emily_erickson@ncsu.edu Travis Gannon, Ph.D. Assistant Professor (919) 513-4655 travis_gannon@ncsu.edu

July 15–17 NALP Legislative Day on the Hill Washington, DC

Matthew C. Martin Extension Associate (910) 675-2314 matthew_martin@ncsu.edu

Rongda Qu, Ph.D. Professor (919) 515-7616 rongda_qu@ncsu.edu

Susana Milla-Lewis, Ph.D. Associate Professor (919) 515-3196 susana_milla@ncsu.edu

Rob Richardson, Ph.D. Professor, Extension Specialist (919) 515-5653 rob_richardson@ncsu.edu

Grady Miller, Ph.D. Professor & Ext. Specialist (919) 515-5656 grady_miller@ncsu.edu Charles Peacock, Ph.D. Professor & Ext. Specialist (919) 515-7615 charles_peacock@ ncsu.edu Marty Parish Superintendent Lake Wheeler Turf Field Lab (919) 498-4808 mbparish@ncsu.edu

ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

September 25–27

Thomas Rufty, Ph.D. CENTERE Co-Director Professor (919) 515-3660 tom_rufty@ncsu.edu Wei Shi (919) 513-4641 wei_shi@ncsu.edu Fred H. Yelverton, Ph.D. CENTERE Co-Director Professor, Ext. Specialist (919) 515-5639 fred_yelverton@ncsu.edu

HORTICULTURE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

NRPA Annual Conference Rick Brandenburg, Ph.D. Professor (919) 515-8876 rick_brandenburg@ ncsu.edu

Indianapolis, IN

October 17–19 GIE+Expo – Green Industry & Equipment Expo

Jim Kerns, Ph.D. Associate Professor & Extension Specialist (919) 515-4820 jpkerns@ncsu.edu

Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, KY

Lee Butler Extension Coordinator Turf Diagnostic Lab (919) 513-3878 lee_butler@ncsu.edu

November 12–14 Carolinas GCSA Annual Conference & Tradeshow Myrtle Beach Convention Center Myrtle Beach, SC

February 18–22, 2019 The Westin Charlotte Charlotte, NC

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Danesha Seth Carley, Ph.D. NC IPM Coordinator (919) 513-2717 danesha_carley@ncsu.edu

SANDHILLS RESEARCH STATION Jeremy R. Martin Research Operations Manager (910) 974-4673 jeremy_martin@ncsu.edu John Michael Phillips II Turfgrass Unit Manager (910) 974-4673 johnmichael_phillips@ ncsu.edu

TPI International Education Conference

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Joe Neal, Ph.D. Professor, Ext. Specialist (919) 805-1707 joe_neal@ncsu.edu

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