Pennsylvania Turfgrass - Fall 2020

Fall 2020 • Vol. 9/No. 4

Consider the Source: How & Why Tissue Testing Delivers

Disease Season 2020 – It Wasn’t Just COVID-19 Causing Problems

Vol. 9 / No. 4 • Fall 2020

Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 99 Boalsburg, PA 16827-0550 Phone: (814) 237-0767 Fax: (814) 414-3303 info@paturf.org www.paturf.org Publisher: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge St. • Franklin, TN 37064 Phone: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 info@leadingedge communications.com

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Pennsylvania Turfgrass Editor Max Schlossberg, Ph.D. Penn State University • mjs38@psu.edu Pennsylvania Turfgrass Associate Editor Heather Welch Penn State University • hgw1@psu.edu President Pete Ramsey Masonic Villages • Mechanicsburg, PA (717) 766-2511 Vice President Tom Fisher Wildwood Golf Club • Allison Park, PA (412) 518-8384 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Catalogna Harrell’s LLC Territory Manager (412) 897-0480

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Past President Chase Rogan GCSAA Field Staff • Mid-Atlantic Region Allison Park, PA (614) 241-3037

Features

Departments

8 Cover Story

6 President’s Update

Tom Bettle Penn State University

6 Penn State Turf Team

Tanner Delvalle Penn State University

7 Advertiser Index

Dan Douglas Reading Fightin Phils

18 Research Updates

Elliott Dowling USGA Agronomist, Northeast Region

18 News from PTC

Nick Huttie Allentown Parks and Recreation

Disease Season 2020 – It wasn’t just COVID-19 causing problems

12 Feature Story

Consider the Source: How & Why Tissue Testing Delivers

16 Between the Lines

New KAFMO Website Brings Up-to-Date Technology to Turfgrass

4 Pennsylvania Turfgrass • Fall 2020

Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: THETURFZONE.COM

Directors

Shawn Kister Longwood Gardens Tim Wilk Scotch Valley Country Club Matt Wolf Penn State University

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Fall 2020 • Pennsylvania Turfgrass

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President’s Update

ONE for the RECORD BOOKS

The

2020 growing season roller coaster has not slowed down to allow professionals to catch their breath yet. We have had everything from record closures to record revenue to record heat to record rainfall.

When it is safe to reassemble, the year in review will be one for the ages. Due to concern for the safety of our members, attendees, and vendors, the PTC board of directors made the decision to cancel the 2021 conference schedule. Presentations of the 2020 season will have to wait. I have a feeling we will be talking about this season for years to come. I am so glad we have a new benchmark of stress to reflect on.

The uncertainty of the closures in golf were quickly alleviated once courses reopened and experienced record play. Golf became a refuge for many who suddenly found time on their hands. In most cases, they were welcomed back to excellent playing conditions after the unnecessary six-week closure. Things got serious in July with the record setting heat. Monday July 20th, I won’t soon forget. At 4:00 am, the weather station at my course said 84 degrees F. The wind was blowing 7–12 mph, and the high that day was close to 100 degrees F. Even my wife checked in to ask, ‘This isn’t good, is it?’ Soon thereafter, the rains of August showed up. Record flooding devastated facilities in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, forcing some to close for extended periods of time. On radar, the I-95 corridor looked like it was being carpet bombed.

Unfortunately, the season for athletic field managers has been far worse. They have dealt with the same weather conditions, but the financial impact of Covid-19 will last for years to come. Financial losses to collegiate and professional sports are in the millions of dollars. I feel for those managers and the struggles they are enduring. Eventually, this will pass, and activity at facilities will resume, but it will take time for things to feel normal again. The expectation of playing surfaces will not change regardless of financial constraints. Communication among colleagues will be helpful in trying to navigate the constantly changing narrative.

Our ability to adapt to these changes will prove invaluable to our facilities. Decision makers need our guidance now more than ever. I hope they all find favor with you. Try to stay safe and continue to protect your vulnerable family and friends. The sky isn’t falling yet regardless of what you may hear!

Pete Ramsey PTC President

The Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC) 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, Pennsylvania Turfgrass, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or PTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Copyright © 2020 by the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council.

Pennsylvania Turfgrass is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to PTC members. Presorted standard postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Pennsylvania Turfgrass allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to the PTC. 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 St., Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

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Penn State Turf Team

Jeffrey A. Borger Senior Instructor in Turfgrass Weed Management 814-865-3005 • jborger@psu.edu

Michael A. Fidanza, Ph.D. Professor of Plant & Soil Science 610-396-6330 • maf100@psu.edu

David R. Huff, Ph.D. Professor of Turfgrass Genetics 814-863-9805 • drh15@psu.edu

Brad Jakubowski Instructor of Plant Science 814-865-7118 • brj8@psu.edu

John E. Kaminski, Ph.D. Professor of Turfgrass Science 814-865-3007 • jek156@psu.edu

Peter J. Landschoot, Ph.D. Professor of Turfgrass Science 814-863-1017 • pjl1@psu.edu

Ben McGraw, Ph.D. Associate Professor of

Turfgrass Entomology 814-865-1138 • bam53@psu.edu

Andrew S. McNitt, Ph.D. Professor of Soil Science 814-863-1368 • asm4@psu.edu

Max Schlossberg, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Turfgrass Nutrition / Soil Fertility 814-863-1015 • mjs38@psu.edu

Al J. Turgeon, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Turfgrass Management aturgeon@psu.edu

Wakar Uddin, Ph.D. Professor of Plant Pathology 814-863-4498 • wxu2@psu.edu

Advertiser Index

Aer-Core, Inc.............................................. 5 www.aer-core.com

Beam Clay................................................. 7 www.BEAMCLAY.com • www.PARTAC.com

Burlingham Seeds................................... 13 www.burlinghamseeds.com

Coombs Sod Farms................................ 15 www.coombsfarms.com

East Coast Sod & Seed.......................... 17 www.eastcoastsod.com

Fisher & Son Company, Inc...................... 3 www.fisherandson.com

FM Brown’s & Sons................................... 7 www.fmbrown.com

Forse Design Incorporated..................... 19 www.forsegolfdesign.com

George E. Ley Co.................................... 15 www.gelcogolf.com

Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization (KAFMO)............................ 17 www.kafmo.org

Leading Edge Communications............. 19 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

Progressive Turf Equipment Inc............... 5 www.progressiveturfequip.com

Quest Products Corp....Inside Front Cover www.questproducts.us

Mike Kachurak

ISA Certified Arborist PD-2739A

334 South Henderson Road King of Prussia, PA 19406

Office 610.265.6004 Cell 570.262.3612 mikek@shreinertreecare.com www.shreinertreecare.com

Seedway.................................................. 15 www.seedway.com

Shreiner Tree Care..................................... 7 www.shreinertreecare.com

Smith Seed Services................................. 7 www.smithseed.com

The Turfgrass Group..........11, Back Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Tomlinson Bomberger............................. 17 www.mytombom.com

Fall 2020 • Pennsylvania Turfgrass

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Cover Story

DISEASE SEASON 2020 – It wasn’t just COVID-19 causing problems

By Travis R. Russell and John E. Kaminski, Ph.D.

T

his year is likely one that we all are going to want to forget. While our undergrads were on spring break and the two-year students were at TPC Sawgrass volunteering for The Players Championship, Penn State decided to shut down campus for the remainder of the semester. Faculty and students scrambled to shift to online learning while others were stuck at home waiting for their internships to begin.

FIGURE 1: Bacterial wilt on poa

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1

On March 19th, Governor Wolf ordered all non-lifesustaining business to close across the state. Turfgrass managers scrambled to get exemptions to at least be able to maintain their turfgrass during the shutdown. On May 1st, golf courses throughout the state of Pennsylvania were reopened for play.

We are all now familiar with “pool noodles” in the cups, no rakes in the bunkers, no touching of the pins, and four golf carts per foursome. Things looked very different from a golf perspective.

From a “turf” perspective, things also started out a little slow.

Bentgrass was slow to wake up and Poa seedheads peaked right around the time golf courses were opening. These were all par for the course and not atypical in any given year. Throughout May and June, golf course fairways were in some of the best shape we’ve seen, but turf health was about to go south.

Many areas had limited rainfall. State College had less than 1" of rain total during the months of May, June and July. That also coincided with periods of extreme temperatures in June and July. The need for supplemental irrigation to keep turf alive combined with high temperatures and relative humidity resulted in a series of disease outbreaks in the middle of the summer.

Bacterial Wilt

Bacterial wilt is an uncommon disease of annual bluegrass.

Bacterial wilt was diagnosed several times in our lab this year from multiple golf courses throughout the northeast region.

In fact, a severe bacterial wilt outbreak occurred on a young annual bluegrass green at our research facility in early June (Figure 1). The disease was initially observed as small, speckled necrotic spots on the green in early to mid-June that quickly coalesced into larger diffuse areas of turf loss by early July.

Control of bacterial wilt is difficult since chemical options are not efficient or practical with products having to be applied after every mowing. Instead, turfgrass managers must designate a mower specific only to the infected turfgrass surfaces and mow in the afternoon when turf is dry to limit spread to healthy areas of turf and to avoid abrasive cultural practices while disease is active.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose (Figure 2) is a chronic disease on annual bluegrass green during the summer. Symptoms include yellow to orange spots of infected Poa but expand into a general thinning of highly infected areas. Golf course superintendents can easily identify this disease by looking for blackening at the crown and black fungal structures (i.e. setae) on individual leaves.

Although we diagnosed samples from other regions in June, anthracnose severity began to increase in the first few weeks of July on our research putting green. By the end of July into early August, anthracnose was uniformly distributed throughout the green.

Preventive fungicide programs are essential to effectively control anthracnose. In addition, minimizing physiological stress is recommended to slow disease intensity. Maintaining adequate fertilization and irrigation will significantly limit physiological stress that can increase disease severity. Increasing mowing height is a critical mitigation strategy but long-term cultural control strategies of reducing organic matter thatch development with regular aerification and routine topdressing when disease is not active will significantly help in combatting the disease.

Brown Patch

FIGURE 2A: Anthracnose basal rot

2A

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FIGURE 3: Brown patch

FIGURE 2B: Anthracnose

2B

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FIGURE 4: Pythium patch

Brown patch (Figure 3), caused by the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, can be problematic on most turfgrasses including those grown on golf course putting greens, tees and fairways, but also in the rough where tall fescue has become a more utilized species. Brown patch generally has a narrow window of activity in central PA but can be a more common problem in other areas where prolonged warm temperatures and high relative humidity are present. In 2020, however, the extended hot and humid conditions in State College resulted in prolonged brown patch activity from late June that continued into August.

Maintaining adequate, but not excessive nitrogen fertility and proper irrigation strategies can limit the occurrence of brown patch. Avoiding long periods of leaf wetness through early morning dew removal significantly reduces the duration of leaf wetness which is favorable for disease development.

Several fungicides are available for preventive and curative control of brown patch.

Pythium Blight

Pythium blight is always a fear for turfgrass managers when intense heat waves roll through in the peak of summer across the state. The progression of Pythium blight is often manifested by cottony mycelial growth causing rapid blighting that leaves large areas of turf bare in a matter of days. This year, the unusually hot and humid conditions consistent throughout July allowed for Pythium blight to strike at a moment’s notice over this long stretch in the warmest part of the growing season.

Outbreaks observed in our lab were generally from situations where turf was irrigated frequently due to the lack of rainfall.

The excessive moisture combined with high temperatures resulted in rapid death.

Limiting excessive moisture through proper irrigation and drainage practices is important in reducing conditions favorable for the Pythium pathogen. Preventative fungicide applications are a must when environmental conditions are favorable for growth of the pathogen to limit Pythium blight outbreaks and subsequent turfgrass loss.

Fall 2020 • Pennsylvania Turfgrass

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Cover Story • continued

Pythium Patch

Pythium patch (Figure 4) is currently an undescribed and unique disease of annual bluegrass putting greens. Our lab is currently investigating the pathogen to fully understand its biology as well as the epidemiology of the disease. This disease emerges in patches less than a foot in diameter and progresses slowly over time. The pathogen can completely kill turfgrass within the patch and often has a thin, yellow ring of turf at the patch borders. Symptoms mimic summer patch where unaffected creeping bentgrass fills in patches where annual bluegrass has been killed. The disease has been found in a dozen or more states and emerged this year on a young annual bluegrass putting green at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Facility in early July and continued into August, allowing us to collect valuable data on the disease.

Control strategies are currently being investigated, but ensuring proper nutrition, irrigation, and drainage is important to minimizing suitable conditions for favorable infection and disease development. Fungicides typically used to control Pythium diseases are currently recommended during the summer months. Reliance on fosetyl-Al as your sole Pythium fungicide should be avoided as anecdotal reports suggest it to be less effective. The benefits of fosetyl-Al as a Pythium blight control and its enhanced summer stress relief warrant its use, but other more traditional Pythium fungicides should be incorporated into the overall program.

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FIGURE 5: Summer patch

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FIGURE 6: Dollar spot

Summer Patch

Summer patch (Figure 5) has not appeared at Valentine in at least 10 years, but that changed in 2020. Summer patch is a severe root pathogen that causes disease of annual bluegrass and Kentucky bluegrass. Initial symptoms include small circular patches that ultimately can increase up to 1' or more in diameter. Grasses and weeds that are not susceptible to the pathogen often fill in infected areas creating a “frog eye” appearance to the patches.

Symptoms appeared in our anthracnose fungicide trials in late July and became severe in August. Fungicide control programs need to be initiated in the spring with the general rule of thumb being to make the first application when soil temperatures at a 2" depth at 2:00–3:00 pm reach 65F for several consecutive days. A tank mix of a DMI and QoI are generally considered to be most effective but must be reapplied every 21 to 28 days through the summer months.

Dollar Spot

Despite this being a banner year for turfgrass diseases in PA, the main disease threat that we annually contend with, dollar spot (Figure 6), had a slow start in central PA due to dry conditions and high temperatures. Warm days and cool nights in early August, however, resulted in a dramatic increase in dollar spot and are setting up for a severe fall season for managing this disease.

Dollar spot can be minimized culturally through adequate nitrogen fertility, maintaining sufficient soil moisture and limiting lead wetness periods during periods of favorable environmental conditions. Preventative fungicide applications are often

10 Pennsylvania Turfgrass • Fall 2020

necessary to completely control the disease in lower cut turfgrass. With the potential for a severe fall dollar spot season, turfgrass managers should be cautious not to let their guard down in September and maybe even into October.

Gray Leaf Spot

Although at the time of writing this article gray leaf spot has not been identified in the state, turfgrass managers should always be wary of its appearance in late summer and early fall.

Initial reports from the southeastern US suggest that this could be a severe year for the disease. Recent reports of gray leaf spot causing severe outbreaks on tall fescue in our region means that it’s not only stands of perennial ryegrass that should be scouted for the disease.

Although 2020 will be most remembered by many for the impact COVID-19 had on our lives, turf pathologists will likely remember this as one of the most severe disease seasons on record. The presence of such a diverse set of pathogens and significant disease outbreaks will make for a year that we will soon not forget.

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Feature Story

CONSIDER THE SOURCE:

How & Why Tissue Testing Delivers

By Max Schlossberg, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Turfgrass Nutrition/Soil Fertility, PSU Center for Turfgrass Science

As

turfgrass managers, understanding the nutritional requirements of our turf and staying abreast of its nutritional status comprise important responsibilities. The methods by which we do so are varied, and generally coined fertility or nutritional assessment techniques.

One of these techniques, soil testing, was the topic of a cover article written for the Fall 2016 Pennsylvania Turfgrass issue.

Tissue testing is the nutritional assessment of a plant through sampling of its vegetative tissue, followed by elemental analysis in an agricultural laboratory. The next step is to interpret the analysis results, which involves characterization of nutrient levels by keyword or index. Last is the recommendation step, typically comprising zero or more fertilizer treatment(s) recommended to reverse current or pending deficiencies.

Why is tissue testing an effective nutritional assessment technique?

Reason 1. Because it is a direct analysis of the biomass we foster, revere, and defend. This morning’s clippings were yesterday’s canopy, so how wouldn’t they contain valuable information?

Despite reading several popular twitter feeds, I’ve yet to discover a valid answer. If your health declined, and you sought medical help, which doctor would you prefer: the one who insists on examining you, or the one who insists on examining your living conditions? Relative to dicotyledonous angiosperms, grasses are simple plants that distribute acquired nutrients across vegetation per local concentration gradient. As a benefactor of FIGURE 1

12 Pennsylvania Turfgrass • Fall 2020

robust research and reporting, our discipline maintains speciesspecific expectations for leaf concentration of fourteen mineral plant essential nutrients and arguably three additional elements. Ostensibly, the same cannot be said of current fertility assessments of turfgrass soil.

Reason 2. Because the full panel of turfgrass tissue nutrient concentrations readily implicate contamination, it intrinsically supports quality assurance and control efforts. Of course, discovering a clipping sample to be contaminated by fertilizer or soil is not a desired outcome. Yet even experienced scientists commit sampling errors and know well enough to jettison tainted observation(s) from the set. Agronomists recognize the irreplacability of plant essential nutrients, and that faultily derived fertilizer recommendations consume valuable time and resources but rarely resolve the original issue. And, yeah, irreplaceability is a word. I liken a full panel of turf clipping nutrient levels to a Figure-8 knot, the knot most used by climbers to secure their harnesses. Do you know why the Figure-8 knot is most used? Because its proper configuration is more readily confirmed than every alternative. Allegorically speaking, it is better to discover the error and restart than plow on oblivious and die. For those readers who took TURF 435 in residence, you may like that analogy as much as my photorespiration one. Perhaps not. Regardless, example tissue test results indicating sample contamination by source are shown (Figure 1). Full test results of single, stand-alone soil samples do not afford equivalent insight or indication of sample contamination.

For test results check www.ntep.org

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Feature Story • continued

Tissue sampling As with soil testing, the sampling step is an incredibly important component of the tissue testing process. Hence, the following guidelines to consider when sampling turfgrass tissue: Collect a comprehensive sample set. If you have one or two fragile greens (out of 20) or one problematic field in a complex of four; by all means, tissue sample these suspect systems.

However, be sure to ALSO sample tissue from one or two of your identically fertilized AND healthy systems. It is helpful to know the extent to which the healthy systems are responding to your fertilizer program. Securing a nutritional benchmark from healthy system(s) will help you determine whether the problematic system is suffering from a unique edaphic or cultural issue, or whether the healthier systems are steadily digressing to the problematic condition.

Obtain a time array instead of a point. Growth rate is highly influenced by temperature, ET, and soil water. When plants are rapidly transpiring, they assimilate primarily mass flow nutrients, excluding those nutrients which move to the root by diffusion and/or biological facilitation. Furthermore, tissue growth can surge with N uptake and dilute less-mobile nutrients. Therefore, sub-sample on multiple dates (say Monday, then Thursday), homogenize the composite sample from that turfgrass system and submit as representative of the whole week.

This approach is already used by golf course superintendents who recognize the pitfalls of over-irrigation, employ PGRs, and cannot obtain enough clippings in a single greens-mowing event. I know who you are and hope you never change!

Avoid contamination. For those continuing the long-honored tradition of assessing growth by clipping volume (Figure 2), kudos! The foremost benefit of #clipvol vigor assessment includes prompt receipt of clear results immune from soil/ sand contamination. On the contrary, the accuracy of leaf clipping nutritional analysis is highly dependent on sample integrity. Why? Because dry leaf clippings have very low mass relative to sand/soil particles and/or fertilizer prills (Figure 1).

So avoid sampling dormant, dessicated, or necrotic areas in the system. While collecting clippings from recently dragged or brushed swards generally reduces the likelihood of particulate contamination, avoid collecting tissue samples within four mows of a topdressing event. DO NOT collect tissue samples immediately following a fertilizer application. Following a foliar fertilizer application, wait until either a significant rainfall/ irrigation event has occurred or the turfgrass has been mowed twice. If a granular fertilizer has recently been applied, then wait at least a week to collect clippings for nutritional analysis (Figure 1). Fortunately, recent irrigation by low-quality effluent does not comprise a significant contamination risk.

Processing. Dried clippings are most stable and analysis ready. Taking the extra time to air-dry your tissue samples, ideally in a dependably clean room, helps ensure quality results. If impractical, consider oven-drying the tissue at very low temperature. Research grade tissue drying is done at temperatures <180 F. Some nitrogen (N) forms volatilize at temps above 300 F, inciting under-reporting of tissue N. If you are in a hurry and must submit moist clippings, consider overnight mail and alert the lab of their condition.

14 Pennsylvania Turfgrass • Fall 2020

Submission. In the final stage of preparing the sample for shipment, shuffle the dry clippings on a 1-mm to 1.7-mm mesh screen (no. 18 to 14 sieve size) or on a clean, smooth, sloping surface. Avoid shoveling dry clippings into the mailer/bag; use multiple ‘pinched lifts’ to transfer the dry clippings instead.

Most labs require 1 to 2 cups dry leaf clippings (yes, talking cooking measurements here) per full analysis report.

Tissue Analysis Most labs will analyze tissue samples for most, or all, plant essential nutrients. The Penn State Ag. Analytical Serv. Lab (aasl.psu.edu) doesn’t offer tissue analysis of chlorine, molybdenum, or nickel; but includes sodium and aluminum (Al) at no extra charge. Reporting Al levels on a tissue test report comprises added value, despite it not being an essential nutrient. The reason? Aluminum is a common component of clay minerals, and elevated levels of leaf Al indicate sample contamination by soil (Figure 1).

Interpretation & Recommendation Given a contaminant-free sample was analyzed, tissue test results routinely deliver valuable information. Tissue N level is particularly useful in assessing current fertilizer N availability as well as potential disease susceptibility. Penn State field research indicates creeping bentgrass systems having <4.2% leaf N in dry clippings are otherwise more susceptible to dollar spot.

Similarly, leaf N in the 3 to 4% mass range of dry clippings collected from annual bluegrass greens indirectly relate to anthracnose susceptibility. Many overt soil testing proponents discount tissue testing as ‘a mere snapshot in time.’ Unconvinced that’s a bad thing, I encourage Penn State students

FIGURE 2: Daily job / reporting whiteboard, designed by H.J. Loke, CGCS (ret.) and implemented at Bent Creek CC (Aug. 2003 photo). Upon completion of morning tasks, greens mowers reported daily clipping volumes for each green here.

and alumni to embrace high resolution technology in support of effective decision making, particularly June through August.

Another reason N concentration sits atop the tissue test report is accumulation of several other plant-essential nutrients interact with N fertilization. For example, potassium (K) level in turfgrass clippings often relates directly to N concentration, even when target soil K levels are maintained or exceeded. On the contrary, phosphorus (P) level in clippings often inversely relates to leaf N level, even across plots showing equivalent soil P availability.

These interactions should be considered when interpreting your tissue test results.

As with soil testing, tissue testing has imitations. For example, many studies have shown different cultivars of turfgrass accumulate varied levels of nutrients, even when growing on common soil and receiving an identical fertilizer regimen. Thus, the extent to which phenotype governs nutrient uptake/accumulation remains an important objective of future turfgrass field research!

Summary. For those using/considering tissue testing as a tool for turfgrass management decision making, I approve and hope you found the content useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss the topic and/or methods further at mjs38@psu.edu.

130 Devereux Road

610-942-3809

gelcogolf.com

Irrigation Systems Golf Course Alterations • Field Drainage

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Glenmoore, PA 19343 Fax: 610-942-9556

Pump Stations Vibratory Plowing • Pond Cleanout

Trenching Stream Bank Stabilization • Drainage on Existing Greens

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Fall 2020 • Pennsylvania Turfgrass 15

Between the Lines NEW KAFMO WEBSITE Brings Up-to-Date Technology to Turfgrass

If

you have visited the KAFMO website recently, you may have noticed a new look. The familiar green on green checkerboard background is gone, replaced by an up-to-date online presence with a clean, modern look built to serve members, board, and staff equally. We talked with KAFMO Board member “Turftechguy” Bill Brown, who designed the new website, about his involvement in the project and KAFMO’s goals. According to Bill, this is not just a facelift.

“We are making a big leap in the technology of the KAFMO website and I think it is important to highlight that,” Bill says.

“Turftechguy” “Given my technology background, Dan Douglas asked me to serve on the Board to assist in updating the KAFMO website,” he says. Bill’s credentials in both Turfgrass Science and technology are indeed impressive. In 2009 Bill founded iTurf Apps, the leading technology and Social Media source for turfgrass professionals, and in 2012 he founded Turf Republic, a platform for a turf-centric community of solution generation and sharing that connects industry, professionals, academia, students and enthusiasts. In 2013, he was named to Golf Inc’s Most Innovative People in Golf. Since 2016, Bill has served as the Director of Brand Development / NE Distributor Support for AQUA-AID SOLUTIONS. Bill was showcased in Golf Course Industry Magazine in a 2010 article entitled Mobile Mileage. “That article was really my springboard into the industry as the leader of integrating technology into turfgrass management,” he says. Since then, Bill has been teaching and giving presentations across North

Screenshot of the new KAFMO homepage at www.kafmo.org Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization 1451 Peter’s Mountain Road Dauphin, PA 17018-9504 www.KAFMO.org • Email: KAFMO@aol.com

16 Pennsylvania Turfgrass • Fall 2020

America on the integration of Technology and Social Media to turfgrass managers. He served as faculty for the GCSAA, teaching at the Golf Industry Show on Technology and Personal Branding. He also helped found the Test Drive Technology Center, GCSAA’s technology showcase at the Golf Course Industry Show. KAFMO is fortunate to be able to draw on the expertise of someone so uniquely qualified to understand both the industry and the technology needs of the organization.

KAFMO.ORG: Old vs. New The old KAFMO site provided great information regarding the organization. It was home to all of KAFMO’s history of awards, events, and publications and had a current calendar.

However, in Bill’s opinion, it had some limitations on the backend technology to help with managing the organization and allowing members to manage their membership. The old site’s architecture also made it difficult to use on anything other than a desktop. The website was not mobile friendly, which is what nearly two-thirds of people use these days to access website information. KAFMO’s ability to provide value to sponsors through a digital system was also limited. It was time for an upgrade.

With phase one of the launch of the new kafmo.org this summer, the goal was to bring the website up to 2021 design and feature standards. KAFMO’s objectives for the new site were as follows: pdate the architecture of the website, including the design U and capabilities. The new website’s technologies give the board and Executive Director Linda Kulp a more simplified, unified system to manage the organization that exists in one location, versus the more piece-meal system that had been in place before. Through the new website CMS (Content Management System) and CRM (Customer Relationship Manager) systems, staff and board can now evaluate the current overall health of the KAFMO organization from a membership and financial standpoint. A modernized communication system will allow a streamlined system of communication with members and prospective members.

Provide a new and modernized platform to allow members and prospective members the ability to engage with the organization.

Provide a modern and simplified system for members and organizations to take ownership of their KAFMO membership. Members and organizations can now manage and renew their memberships, register, and make payments for events and sponsorships directly through a secure portal on the website.

Showcase the value that KAFMO and its members bring to athletics in the state of Pennsylvania through the new design of the website.

All these goals were met with the initial launch, but Bill adds, “There are several features that we look forward to rolling out in the months to come.” One of these is the ability to showcase sponsors through a more digital platform, providing a great return on their investment in KAFMO. Additional member features that will add value to their membership with KAFMO are in the works as well.

Contact: Linda Kulp, Executive Secretary Phone: 717-497-4154 kulp1451@gmail.com

Contact: Dan Douglas, President Phone: 610-375-8469 x 212 KAFMO@aol.com

Turf and Tech

on his iMac to solve various problems the students were assigned. When he entered the industry, he continued to integrate various technologies that were available at the time to help track data collection on the course to better analyze the efficiency of operations and the ability to achieve required turfgrass standards. The culmination of his tenure in the industry and his technology expertise have served him well in his current role with AQUA-AID Solutions.

Bill Brown’s expertise and passion for turfgrass and technology have grown concurrently over the course of his career. If you visit www.kafmo.org, you will see that his work on the newlylaunched KAFMO website is just one more piece of evidence that “Turftechguy” is a perfect title for him.

Bill Brown brings two very different areas of expertise to bear on this project. When asked how he came to combine turf and information technology, he responded, “Technology has always intrigued me since I was a kid.” He got his B.S. in Turfgrass Science at Penn State and he has been an integral part of the turf industry for over 27 years. As a Certified Golf Course Superintendent, Bill served as both a Superintendent and Regional Agronomist, completing his tenure at Hartefeld National in Avondale, PA. However, he recalls that even as a Turfgrass Science student he quickly found he also had a passion for both technology and a fantastic array of Apple Inc. products. In his Penn State days, he would write excel scripts

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Fall 2020 • Pennsylvania Turfgrass 17

Research Updates

RETIRED GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT JOINS PENN STATE’S TURF TEAM

By Michael Fidanza, Ph.D., Professor of Plant and Soil Science, Berks Campus, Pennsylvania State University, Reading, PA M. John Nairn is the newest member of Penn State’s “turf team.” Although a retired golf course superintendent, he comes out of retirement for two days a week to help “Dr. Mike” at the 30-acre Valentine East facility at the Berks Campus. His duties include mowing the fairway height creeping bentgrass, mowing other turf areas, fixing equipment that always seems to break-down after students use it, and repairing irrigation. He also maintains the tees, fairway, rough, and green of the 440yard, par 4 hole. Designed by golf course architect Jim Nagle of Forse Design, and shaped by Greg Nolan and Gary Nolan,

News from PTC

John Nairn on a mower.

again John also pitched it to help build the golf hole, known as “Lion’s Paw.” John’s grandfather was from Scotland, settled in Berks County, and introduced the famous Aryshire cow to America.

Although John’s background was in dairy production, with his Scottish heritage, he found his way to golf and graduated from Penn State’s turf certificate program in 1976. He fondly remembers Dr. Duich would smoke a cigarette in class, inhale for what seemed like five minutes, then calmly share turf wisdom as he exhaled.

As the superintendent at Willow Hollow GC, John was instrumental in many of the early grey leaf spot fungicide trials conducted there. John, welcome back to Penn State!

BERMUDAGRASS / KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS MIXTURES FOR SPORTS TURF

By Tanner Delvalle, Pete Landschoot, Ph.D., and Mike Fidanza, Ph.D. Mixtures of Kentucky bluegrass and cold-tolerant bermudagrass, sometimes referred to as “bluemuda,” have received interest from turf managers in the transition zone as a means of maintaining green turf in cold weather without overseeding.

Preliminary research at several universities has demonstrated improved green color retention, traffic tolerance, and recovery from wear of bermudagrass/Kentucky bluegrass mixtures vs. bermudagrass alone. Although mixtures of cold-tolerant bermudagrass and Kentucky bluegrass appear to have potential for success in the transition zone, questions remain about performance in northern areas of the Mid-Atlantic region.

Field studies were initiated during June 2020 at two locations in Pennsylvania: the Center for the Agricultural Sciences and a Sustainable Environment at Penn State Berks Campus and the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center in University Park.

The objectives of this research are to 1) develop methods of establishment and 18 Pennsylvania Turfgrass • Fall 2020

management of cold-tolerant bermudagrass/Kentucky bluegrass mixtures, 2) determine the fluctuations of bermudagrass and Kentucky bluegrass turf cover throughout the growing season and when subjected to simulated football-type wear, and 3) examine winter survival and injury of cold-tolerant bermudagrass in Pennsylvania. Establishment studies using Tahoma-31 bermudagrass (donated

by Tuckahoe Turf Farms) and HGT Kentucky bluegrass are showing positive results with respect to bermudagrass establishment in plots of Kentucky bluegrass.

ALUMNI UPDATES Seth Burchill (BS ’18) has joined the field staff of SoFi Stadium (home of the LA Rams and LA Chargers).

Colby Murray (BS ‘19) is now Assistant Groundskeeper with the Univ. of Houston.

Justin Taylor (BS ’19) has joined the field staff of Levi Stadium (home of the San Francisco 49ers).

Cooper Gulley (BS ’20) has joined the Lucas Oil Stadium field staff (home of the Indianapolis Colts).

CONFERENCE UPDATE In the interest of the health and safety of our members, the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council Board has cancelled the Winter 2021 Conferences.

However, the latest field research results continue to be compiled, and updating of management guidelines remain underway. The PTC Conference Educational Programs, featuring seminars and workshops from Green Industry experts nationwide, will be presented in remote/virtual format throughout the months of January, February, and March, 2021.

Please visit paturf.org and psuturf.com for updated program and registration information.

Lancaster Country Club • Lancaster, PA • Hole #3

Golf Course DesiG ners Office – (724) 438-1727 • Ron Forse – (412) 855-8130 • Jim Nagle – (717) 575-0598 1224 National Pike – Suite A • P.O. Box 154 • Hopwood, PA 15445 1900 Saxon Drive • New Smryna Beach, FL 32169

Fall 2020 • Pennsylvania Turfgrass 19

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