Tennessee Turfgrass - February / March 2023

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 57 th ANNUAL TTA CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW PLUS, ORIGINS OF TURF, PART 2

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Field Management Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Strong in Numbers

Thank you for an incredible 57th Annual Tennessee Turfgrass Association Conference and Show. We were back to pre-pandemic levels with near record participation in all areas. We were well over 500 registrations, sold out the trade show and had close to 100 participate in the Tennessee Top Golf Championship. There were many programming highlights, but the greatest highlight was simply you in the level of participation. Huge shoutout again to all our sponsors and industry partners as none of this would be possible without your support.

Thanks to the Board of Directors and everyone who contributed to this huge success. I want to again extend a special thank you to the Education, Awards, Conference and Tradeshow committees for all their hard work pulling everything together. Our Executive Director, Melissa Martin, plays a vital role in every step along the way and is the glue that holds it all together. Kudos and thank you, Melissa.

The overall success of the conference will best position the association to fulfill our mission to invest in education, promotion, and the advancement of the green industry in the State of Tennessee and beyond in partnership with the University of Tennessee Turfgrass Department.

Thank you again for our best show yet.

Chris Sykes President Tennessee Turfgrass Association

The Tennessee 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, Tennessee Turfgrass Magazine, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or 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 © 2023 by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Tennessee Turfgrass is published bi-monthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Tennessee Turfgrass allows reprinting of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. 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, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

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PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC

206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 info@leadingedgecommunications.com

EDITOR

Dr. James Brosnan

TTA OFFICERS

President Chris Sykes

PGA Golf Club

Vice President

Ryan Storey Line to Line LLC

Secretary / Treasurer

Ryan Blair, CGCS

Holston Hills Country Club

Past President

Doug Ward

Belle Meade Country Club

Executive Director

Melissa Martin

Tennessee Turfgrass Association

TTA 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jason Bradley

Bart Cash

Ben Dodd

Dan Johnson

Ashley Gaskin

Cal Hill

Jeff Huber

Jeff Kuhns

Bill Marbet

Bob McLean

Jason Sanderson

Mark Stovall

John Wagnon

Jeff Wyatt

TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Bill Blackburn

Dr. Jim Brosnan

Joe Hill

Dr. Brandon Horvath

Lynn Ray

Jeff Rumph

Dr. Tom Samples

Dr. Dennis Shepard

Dr. John Sorochan

Dr. Wes Totten

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Tennessee TURF

TWITTER

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From event updates to Job Listings to networking, Twitter is a great way to stay connected.

Follow TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION @TNTURFASSOC

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57 TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TRADESHOW

TheTTA Conference and Trade Show was held on January 9 – 11 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Murfreesboro which has been a great central location for members, vendors and sponsors across the state. Participation returned to pre-pandemic levels and the enthusiasm for the future of our industry was high. Despite the challenges we face, we know our members are professional, resourceful and innovative – and there is no time that is more evident than when we come together to learn and share our experiences. Thanks to all who made this event successful!

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Congratulations 2023 TTA AWARD RECIPIENTS

For applications and information about the Tennessee Turfgrass Association Awards and more, visit TTAONLINE.ORG

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP – Belle Meade Country Club, Nashville, TN

This year’s Environmental Stewardship award is presented to Belle Meade Country Club located in Nashville, TN. Over the past few years, the club has worked to reduce their environmental impact during course and maintenance facility renovations. During construction of the new maintenance facility, bioretention areas were constructed to catch and filter all surface water on the site. These bioretention areas are landscaping features adapted to treat stormwater runoff and remove contaminants and sediment. The filtered runoff water is collected in a perforated underdrain system that flows into nearby Richland Creek. A wash water recycling system was also installed so the crew could efficiently clean and maintain the course equipment. The stand-alone system is on a closed loop that allows them to wash equipment and recycle the water back through the system after biological water treatment. The station also includes a clipping separator that effectively removes grass clippings, sand and other small debris from the wash water prior to the recycling process. The free-standing Chemical Storage and Handling Building also facilitates the proper storage and safe handling of all chemicals used in maintaining the golf course and club property. This facility also provides for the proper disposal of pesticide rinsate by catching all rinse water and holding it in storage tanks for later use. Out on the course, the club is also working on wildflower areas and pollinators projects while also promoting birds and other wildlife. Congratulations to this year’s Environmental Stewardship award winner, Belle Meade Country Club.

PRIVATE COURSE OF THE YEAR – The Links at Kahite, Vonore, TN

This year’s Private Course of the year is The Links at Kahite, located in Vonore, TN. The Links at Kahite was the third golf course built in the Tellico Village Communities, opening for play in August 2002. The 200-acre property was originally designed with no bunkers in mind, yet when opened featured 93 bunkers spread all over the property. Over time the bunkers became dysfunctional, and it was time for a major improvement. Renowned Golf Architect Bill Bergin was selected for the bunker redesign. The strategy was to use in-house labor in conjunction with Bergin Design and local contractors. The front nine bunkers were reconstructed in 2021 and the back nine in the summer of 2022. Bergin’s plans were to completely erase the old-style bunkers and transform Kahite with a new look that fit the theme and natural landscape of the golf course. The new look at Kahite now provides a challenge for the low handicap golfers while creating a better experience for the high handicap golfers. Bergin’s vision, combined with the artistic work from the shapers and the execution from the maintenance staff has provided Tellico Village with a timeless piece of craftsmanship. This project concluded just in time for The Links at Kahite to host the TGA Women’s Mid, Senior and Super Senior Championships this past September. The Links of Kahite is no longer a hidden gem. It is becoming regarded as one of the state’s absolute best. Congratulations to this year’s Private Course of the Year award recipient, The Links at Kahite.

PUBLIC COURSE OF THE YEAR – The Barn Short Course at Beverly Park, Knoxville, TN

This year’s Public Course of the year is The Barn Short Course at Beverly Park in Knoxville, TN. This unique course is maintained by the Knox County Department of Parks and Recreation and is operated in conjunction with the Tennessee Golf Foundation. The Barn is a 9-hole short course geared towards junior golfers and those wanting to take up the game of golf. Chris Hurley, the Superintendent at Three Ridges Golf Course, another Knox County property, led an effort to transform The Barn in 2022. The property received a comprehensive fertilizer and weed control program, fairway and tee surfaces were maintained at modern heights of cut and expanded, and plant growth regulators were applied to increase quality and reduce mowing requirements. The signature piece of this transformation was a complete putting surface renovation. All nine putting surfaces were reshaped and planted with ultradwarf bermudagrass with mowing and rolling practices implemented daily. In the process of this transformation, Chris has motivated other Knox County Parks Department employees to become more involved in golf course operations. The transformation of The Barn in 2022 was made possible by Josh Conaway, who served as the main greenskeeper during the renovation process and is now aspiring to become more involved in golf course maintenance as a career. The transformation of The Barn in 2022 is a success story and excellent example of what makes our industry great! Thanks to the efforts of Chris Hurley and teammates from the Knox County Department of Parks & Recreation and Tennessee Golf Foundation, The Barn is now a marquee location in Knoxville as part of the Kids Play Free Program. Congratulations to this year’s Public Course of the Year, The Barn Short Course.

HIGH SCHOOL FIELD OF THE YEAR – Joe Paterson Field, Donelson, TN

This year’s High school field of the year is Joe Paterson Field in Donelson TN. Founded in 1971 and located in Nashville, Tennessee, Donelson Christian Academy is a Christian private school that serves students from preschool through twelfth grade. In March of 2020 the entire area was devastated as tornadoes destroyed the majority of the school and the surrounding community. Over the past few years, it has been amazing to see the school and community rebuild and the school welcome back students once more. Kirk Gates, golf course Superintendent at nearby Hillwood Country Club, has volunteered his time to maintain the field on a yearly basis. Kirk was also heavily involved to help rebuild Joe Paterson Field. Being tasked with all the agronomic tasks and getting the field ready for play again was no small task. To see where the field and community were a few years ago to today is amazing and would not have been possible without the help of numerous volunteers and Industry partners. Congratulations to this year’s High School field of the year, Joe Paterson field.

This year’s Collegiate Field of the year is Lipscomb University Soccer Field in Nashville, TN. The field site was originally a married housing complex before being demolished in the early to mid 1990’s and used as the university intramural field. When Lipscomb transitioned to Division I in 2000, the field was completely rebuilt. During this building process, large amounts of rocks were removed, followed by the installation of drain tile and irrigation, then being constructed as a sand-capped field and planted with Tifway 419 bermudagrass. The field is still managed today with Tifway 419 and overseeded with Perennial Ryegrass each September. The field is managed on a day-today basis by a crew of three Lipscomb University Athletics Operations workers, with the assistance of “Golf Management Group”. The field plays host to all of Lipscomb University’s Men’s and Women’s soccer matches along with various soccer camps throughout the summer months. The Bisons’ teams have enjoyed success on their field as the mens and womens programs have combined to go a remarkable 40-9-6 on their home field the last three years. Additionally, the men’s team hosted a second round NCAA Tournament match this past fall for the first time in school history. Congratulations to this year’s Collegiate Field of the Year, Lipscomb University.

COLLEGIATE FIELD OF THE YEAR – Lipscomb University Soccer Field, Nashville, TN

MUNICIPAL SPORTS FIELD OF THE YEAR – Jim Warren Park, Franklin, TN

This year’s Municipal Sports Field of the year is Jim Warren Park in Franklin, TN. Jim Warren Park is an 80-acre park that is home to four football fields, 12 baseball fields, two multipurpose fields, eight tennis courts, and one basketball court. The baseball fields play host to the Franklin Baseball Club, which runs recreation and travel baseball leagues and five tournaments throughout the year. The football fields play home to the Franklin Cowboys Football youth league. The multipurpose fields host the Franklin Cowboys Football youth league in the fall, as well as four local lacrosse teams in the spring. All the City of Franklin athletic fields are maintained by six full time turf specialists alongside the City of Franklin Parks Department Athletic and Turf Field Supervisor, John Wagnon (CSFM). Congratulations to this year’s Municipal Sports Field of the year, Jim Warren Park.

PROFESSIONAL FIELD OF THE YEAR – Geodis Park, Nashville, TN

This year’s Professional Field of the Year is Geodis Park in Nashville, TN. The field is the home of the Nashville Soccer Club and opened for play on May 1st of this past year. The 30,000-seat stadium is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada and features a 360-degree canopy design. This year they hosted 30 soccer events on the field from opening day on May 1st to October. These events include The Nashville Soccer Club, Open Cup and International friendly games. The field is a base of Latitude 36 bermudagrass which is overseeded. One of the biggest challenges they faced this year was implementing a plan to grow grass within this 360-degree canopy design. Adam and his crew did an amazing job getting the field built and ready for the inaugural season in Geodis Park. Congratulations to this year’s Professional Field of the Year, Geodis Park.

LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP – Anna Huber

The Legacy Scholarship offers financial aid to children or grandchildren of active TTA members in good standing. Scholarship applicants are not required to be pursuing education in a Turfgrass related field to be eligible for the Scholarship.

This year’s Legacy scholarship is awarded to Anna Huber, daughter of Jeff Huber, Director of Course and Grounds at The Golf Club of Tennessee. Anna is currently a freshman at The University of Notre Dame, enrolled in the Mendoza College of Business. Anna graduated High School as an Honors Diploma Recipient and as a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honors Society and a National Merit Finalist. While in high school she was also involved in several activities and held many leadership roles such as class treasurer all four

years while in high school, Girls State representative, Tennessee Governor’s School for International Studies and the Junior Economic Club of Nashville to name just a few. Outside the classroom, Anna played on both the Varsity Golf and Tennis teams while also remaining active in her community, volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank and teaching English lessons at the Nashville International Center for Empowerment. Congratulations to this year’s Legacy Scholarship awarded recipient, Anna Huber.

ERNEST HARDISON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – Landon Prentice

The Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship offers financial aid to students pursuing a career in turfgrass management.

This year’s Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Landon Prentice. Landon is currently a student at The University of Tennessee in Construction Science and Management. While in high school at the Columbia Academy in Columbia, Tennessee, Landon enjoyed playing baseball and was part of a State Championship team. This passion for sports and desire to remain on the field is what drove Landon to sports turf. Landon was part of the grounds crew for the 2021 TSSAA State

Baseball Championships and is currently working on the University of Tennessee grounds crew. He has found his passion for sports turf and just being able to maintain fields he loves to play on. Landon also currently serves as Intramural Chair of his Fraternity Beta Upsilon Chi, and continues to be a student worker for the SEC Baseball Tournament. Congratulations to this year’s Ernest Hardison Scholarship awarded receipt, Landon Prentice.

For applications and information about the Tennessee Turfgrass Association Awards and more, visit

THE TTA EDUCATION LINEUP IS ALWAYS TOP-NOTCH.

WINSTEAD TURF MATRIX

1. What is Matrix?

• Reinforced product grown at bottom of sand based profile

• Sprigged field to insure highest percolation rates

• Ready to Play product

2. Where is it used?

• High demand athletic fields: football, soccer, baseball, softball, and rugby.

• High traffic areas: Horsetracks, goalmouths, and tournament crosswalks.

Winstead Turf Matrix is a 100% USGA sand based , ready to play sports turf replacement system that enables instant use straight after install, perfectly suited for high demand stadium / elite field applications

Winstead Turf Farms, Inc. 22860 Highway 196 Arlington, TN 38002 901-268-8803

winsteadturffarms.com

@winsteadmatrix

1255 Mayes Road, Morristown, TN 37813

@Litzturffarm

Turf Grass Production Mowers

Contour

Advanced Turf Solutions

AgChimp, LLC

AquaAid

BASF

Better Billy Bunker

BUYSOD

BWI

Capillary Bunkers

Champion Turf Farms

ChemPro Services

Control Solutions Inc.

Corbin Turf & Ornamental Supply, Inc.

Corteva Agriscience

Crossroads Sod Farm

Dickens Turf & Landscape Supply

Envu Environmental Science

First Products Inc

FMC

Geoponics Corp.

Golf Agronomics Sand and Hauling

Grassroots, Inc.

Greenville Turf & Tractor

Harco Fittings LLC

Harrell’s

Huntsville Tractor & Equipment

Jackson Sand

JRM, Inc

Keeling Company

Ladd’s

Line to Line LLC

McCurdy Sod Farms

Modern Turf, Inc.

Nufarm Americas, Inc.

PBI Gordon

Professional Turfgrass Services

ProSolutions

Pure Green, LLC

Redexim

Regal Chemical

Sigma Organics Inc.

Simplot

SiteOne Landscape Supply

SiteOne Landscape Supply

Smith Turf & Irrigation

STEC Equipment

Super Sod

Syngenta

Tenbarge

The Hogan Company

Timac Agro USA – Rainbow Plant Food

Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc

Winstead Turf Farms

UPCOMING EVENTS

ETGCSA May Meeting

MAY 8, 2023

Country Club of Asheville Asheville, NC

ETGCSA June Meeting

JUNE 13, 2023

Warriors Path Golf Course Kingsport, TN

33rd Annual East Tennessee Scholarship and Research Golf Tournament

OCTOBER 23, 2023

Tennessee National Golf Club Loudon, TN

58th Annual TTA Conference & Trade Show

JANUARY 8 – 10, 2024

Embassy Suites Murfreesboro, TN

For event news and updates throughout the year, visit www.ttaonline.org www.tgcsa.net

Tom Samples Professional

Year Recipient

ON SPOTLIGHT MEMBER BILL MARBET

Each year at the annual conference, TTA presents the Tom Samples Professional of the Year Award to a deserving TTA member. This award honors a person who has exemplified the character, work ethic, knowledge and influence required to not only perform the duties of a turfgrass manager, but also to support and grow the industry and its professionals.

You’d be hard pressed to find a sports field manager in Tennessee who hasn’t been influenced, directly or indirectly, by this year’s recipient, Mr. Bill Marbet. His years of service in the sports field business have included everything from dirt to accessories to field renovation and have culminated in 25 years leading the grounds crew for the SEC Baseball Tournament.

Mr. Marbet began his sports field career in a way that will be familiar to many parents – he volunteered to help maintain the

fields his children played baseball on. When that work became more than just a means to an end, Marbet says, “I had the opportunity to sell my tire business, and I told my wife that we’re going to take a huge leap of faith and chase the passion.”

That leap of faith paid off in the form of three successful companies and a widespread range of influence in the sports field industry. Marbet says, “In 1996, we started Southern Athletic Fields and grew that until 2018, when we sold SAF to Profile Products. Since then, I’ve done a little for them, but now we’ve branched out and started a couple other companies. We have Game Time Sports Fields, it’s a renovation/grading/whatever needs to be done on an athletic field, we try to do it. Then Line to Line is accessory based – netting and painting, bases, drags, all the other things that I enjoy doing.”

of the

“Bill Marbet [is one of my mentors]. When I met him at Tech working the state tournaments, he was one of the big reasons I got the job at Florida, because my boss Jason Smith knew and had worked for Bill. We can call him for any advice, obviously he’s very local to us. He’s willing to help anybody and everybody.”

JOHN WAGNON , City of Franklin Parks and Athletics

“I had a mentor back home in Bill Marbet, who got me into the whole turfgrass thing. Once I found out I wasn’t going to play ball, he was like, ‘Well, you like working on ball fields, let’s see what we can do,’ and he had a contact down at Mississippi State and had me a job lined up on the grounds crew.”

RYAN STOREY , Line to Line

“He’s helped me with research, education and friendship. Bill has been such a great friend to our industry and to all of us. He’s done a great job helping us find future sports field managers, helping educate, helping promote growth of our industry. Bill also helps advocate in boardrooms where some of us need the help.”

DAN BERGSTROM , Pioneer Athletics

“Bill has been leading the grounds crew at the SEC Baseball Tournament for more than 20 years. He’s played a critical role in making it the best college baseball tournament in America.”

HERB VINCENT , Associate Commissioner, SEC

Here’s what TTA members and industry professionals have to say about Mr. Marbet:

ORIGINS OF TURFGRASS

PART 2 GOLF AND THE TRIUMPH OF TURFGRASS

In part one “Origins of Turfgrass,” we delved into the history and roots of turfgrass. Here we explore turf’s march towards modernity by focusing on the game of golf.

By Jay McCurdy Ph.D., Associate Professor, Turfgrass Extension Specialist Department of Plant & Soil Sciences Mississippi State University

The

popularity of lawns, the ability to maintain turf, and turfgrass in general, are all interlinked with the game of golf. Golf courses comprise less than 3% of maintained U.S. turf, yet the turfgrass industry is heavily impacted by the technology and agronomics that make the game possible. Golf’s origins are unclear and debatable. The earliest mention of colf (dutch for club) was in 1261. In 1297 Utrecht (modern day Netherlands), there’s mention of the colf or kolf used to play a ball sport.

Golf was banned at various points throughout its history: in 1360 the Council of Brussels banned the game under penalty of 20 shillings (or confiscation of one’s overcoat); in 1457 King James II prohibited golf due to distraction from archery practice; in 1471 and 1491 it was banned in Scotland because it was said to be an “unprofitable sport”; it was banned again in 1490s by King James IV; and in 1592 it was prohibited on the Sabbath in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Modern golf’s 18-hole format originated in Scotland, and most consider that country’s landscape and culture to be formative to the role of turfgrass on modern golf courses. The oldest sanctioning golf club is disputed—either the Royal Burgess Golfing Society (1735) or the Honourable Company of Edinburgh (records dating to 1744; originally played at the Leigh Links near Edinburgh and now hosted by Muirfield). The “Articles and Laws in Playing at Golf,” the oldest surviving rules of the game, are dated 1744 and are preserved in the National Library of Scotland.

Scotland and the North Sea coast of Europe share similar landscapes and environments that have shaped the game of golf and turfgrass culture over the centuries. Their proximity to the sea moderates temperature and assures ample and frequent moisture for the growth of common forage grass species. Those cool-season species thrive in this environment and have been shaped for millions of years by foraging livestock. Furthermore, the area’s links-land landscape (Photo 1) has harsh reliefs and rocky crags that are inviting to wallowing livestock seeking shelter and grazing. The seaside terrain is characterized by rolling hills of sand or links (via the Scottish or Northumbrian language from Old English “hlinc” which means “rising ground or ridge”). Away from the coast, the terrain remains pock-marked with the familiar “Kame and Kettle” topography that is mimicked by golf course architects the world over. These environments were shaped by glaciation—having been covered several times by ice over the last 500,000 years. These glacial landscapes are as dramatic as the Scottish Highlands and as placid as the moraine landscapes further south. These conditions were conducive to the original game of golf—played by shepherds and yeoman farmers with their crooks while tending their livestock. In fact, the “bunkers” that have evolved into common penal features of most modern courses originated in these sandy landscapes.

The earliest golf course architects highlighted the natural beauty of the game’s home at new locations, and the game (and the grasses) spread. The game of golf had evolved from a yeoman’s sport to one for the wealthy who could afford custom equipment.

Photo 1: Links Land.

Nissan Stadium Bluegrass Yacht Club University of Louisville

Allan Robertson (1815-1859) (Photo 2) is widely considered one of the earliest influential golf course architects and greens keepers. He was also the period’s renowned ball and club maker and oversaw course renovations and general supervision of the St. Andrews Links as well as the 10-hole course that eventually became Carnoustie.

His protégé Thomas Mitchell Morris (Old Tom Morris) assisted Robertson in his shop, and they played as a pair with great success. Robertson ultimately fired him after Morris beat him using the gutta ball, a competitor to Robertson’s featherie ball, and a superior piece of equipment that soon replaced other alternatives. Morris became greens keeper at Preswick in 1851 and returned to St. Andrews in 1865. He mentored the likes of C.B. Macdonald, Donald Ross, and A.W. Tillinghast.

He is credited with more than 60 course designs and remodels throughout the British Isles. He was an early advocate for frequent sand top-dressing to improve playing conditions of greens.

In the late 19th century, golf began to spread worldwide. Golf course architecture and greens keeping became popularized as professions/careers. Renowned Scottish Architects

Harry S. Colt, Willie Park Jr., and W.H. Fowler moved to the United States. The Chicago Golf Club opened in 1892. Architect C.B. Macdonald, famous for National Golf Links of America (1911), coined the term “Golf Course Architect.” In 1913, Francis Ouimet won the U.S. Open sparking a golf boom in America. He is considered by many to be the father of amateur golf in the U.S.

Photo 2: Allan Robertson, Pioneer Professional Golfer at St Andrews, Scotland, about 1850.

Credit: Thomas Rodger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 3: Toro Greensmaster eTriflex 3370, an example of a modern reel mower. Photo courtesy of Toro.

Photo 4: Pebble Beach, a modern links style course.

Credit: Big Stock Photo / Tupungato.

In the 1920s, the rapid growth of the game led to more than a thousand new courses. Prominent architects included A.W. Tillinghast (Bethpage State Park), Donald Ross (Pinehurst), William Flynn (Merion), and Alister Mackenzie (Augusta National). Between 1930 and 1950, golf’s growth in popularity slowed tremendously due to the Great Depression and World War II.

Tremendous post war expansion and an exodus of intercity middleclass fueled the growth of suburbs and accompanying amenities, including golf courses, but also parks and community green space. This was the era of “free-way” style golf courses, characterized by straight forward golf game rather than strategy and risk. This simplistic design commodified the game for the masses and led to a great golf-boom.

Expansion slowed in the 70s and 80s due to oil shortages and economic contraction. In the 90s and early 2000s, there was tremendous growth of the industry sparked by economic growth and the peak golfing age of baby-boomers. The game of golf, and the diverse industry surrounding it, has waxed and waned due to the prominence of professional golfers, the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. A postpandemic golf boom has most recently strengthened the industry around the world.

Throughout its history, golf course architecture and maintenance has pushed the bounds of technology necessary for cultivation of turfgrass in some of the harshest environments on the planet. Equipment spawned for the manufacturing of textiles (principally, the modern reel mower, Photo 3) quickly became available for golf course maintenance—first drawn by horses or pushed by man, but then mechanized with early combustion engines. Modern, high-maintenance golf courses would be almost unrecognizable to the earliest golfers, but the game remains reliant upon the people that design, build, and maintain the turfgrass playing surface.

The 411 on ANTS FIRE

By Terri Billeisen, Ph.D., Turfgrass Entomology Lab, North Carolina State University

INTRODUCTION

In turfgrass, the red imported fire ant (RIFA; Solenopsis invicta) is of primary concern both for its potential to create unsightly mounds and its readiness to sting anyone who disturbs it. RIFA entered the US in the 1930s and quickly spread throughout the southeastern states. Currently, RIFA continues to expand its distribution (Fig. 1) with new counties being added to the USDA quarantine map every year.

MOVEMENT

Fire ant expansion into new areas can be attributed to both active movement, with newly-mated queens flying to establish new colonies, and passive movement, through the transportation of infested plant material. RIFA queens typically fly 1 – 1.5 miles to establish a new colony and are capable of flying as far as six miles. In the case of severe flooding, fire ants can also link together to create a raft-like structure and float on the water surface into new areas.

MOUNDS

RIFA mounds are more likely to occur in areas of high soil temperature. Turf in full sun or adjacent to an impervious surface such as cement, concrete or asphalt is more likely to attract fire ant activity, particularly in the spring. Fire ants will also take advantage of the extensive root system of trees and large ornamental plants, creating mounds near the base of these plants to use the root network to gain easy access to the water table. Unlike nuisance ants that create mounds with a hollowed-out center with an entrance hole through which they travel, fire ants create dome-shaped mounds and travel in and out via foraging tunnels (Fig. 2). Fire ants will sometimes travel for 1 – 2 feet underground before coming to the soil surface in search of food. For this reason, labeling on many bait products will indicate that baits should be placed approximately two feet from the center of a mound for individual mound treatments. This ensures that foraging ants traveling in and out of the nest will be more likely to encounter the product.

SCOUTING

Prior to applying any insecticide for fire ant control, it is essential to confirm fire ants are active and as close to the soil surface as possible. Early in the season, this is usually when air temperatures are in the 50s and after a significant rainfall event. Before application, ensure fire ants are active near the soil surface by placing a potato chip or slice of hot dog 1 – 2 feet from the center of a mound. If fire ants are active, they will find the source of food within 3 – 5 minutes and provide visible confirmation that it is the right time to apply ( Fig. 3 ).

RIFA Survival Annual Rainfall USDA Quarantine (May 2000) < Not Enough > Enough

Improbable Undetermined Possible Certain

“Potential United States Range Expansion of the Invasive Fire Ant.” Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects, USDA-ARS, 5 Oct. 2017, https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/gainesville-fl/ center-for-medical-agricultural-and-veterinary-entomology/ imported-fire-ant-and-household-insects-research/docs/potentialunited-states-range-expansion-of-the-invasive-fire-ant/.

Greenberg, L., and J.N. Kabashima. Red Imported Fire Ant: Integrated Pest Management In and Around the Home.

Edited by K. Beverlin, UC-IPM, Dec. 2013, https://ipm.ucanr.edu/pdf/pestnotes/ pnredimportedfireant.pdf.

Adapted from Texas Agric. Exten. Serv. File photo.

Figure 1: Fire Ant Distribution in Southeastern US (USDA image)

Figure 3: Fire ants foraging on hot dog slice

(Photo Credit: B. Royals, NC State University)

Figure 2: Cross-section of Fire Ant Mound

MANAGEMENT

Management approaches for fire ants will depend on a number of factors. Primarily, the number of mounds and required speed of efficacy will determine the best method for application. Application methods can be generally grouped into two approaches: individual mound treatments (IMT) and broadcast applications. Because you are treating each mound individually, this approach is more time-consuming and require large volumes for an effective application. Formulation selection is less important than choosing an appropriate active ingredient, however, for IMT applications, it is best to choose one that has contact activity against fire ants. In an IMT, mounds should be left undisturbed until the equipment and applicator are ready. Products can be applied through soil drench or injection to the top of the mound and should be applied in a large volume to flood down through the tunnels and fill the nest chambers of the mound (Fig. 4). Ideally, enough volume is applied to reach the queen that is likely deep underground. If you are able to reach the queen, this approach can provide long-lasting control and generally uses less product compared to broadcast treatments, which can minimize impact on off-target beneficial insects in the landscape.

Broadcast treatments are quick and easy to apply – usually in a spreader or sprayer – to cover large areas. Liquid or granular formulations with contact activity can be effective, however, only ants active at the soil surface will be impacted. Depending on active ingredient, these applications may not have an effect on the colony. An exception to this would be products containing fipronil which will provide much longer lasting control. Unlike IMTs, broadcast applications will impact beneficial insects within the landscape, including native ant species.

Figure 4: Dry formulation application to Fire Ant Mound

Layton, B. “Control.” Fire Ants, Mississippi State University, http://extension.msstate.edu/ content/control.

Mike Jones, CGCS

Bait products can be applied in either an IMT or broadcast application and can also provide more long-lasting control. Baits must be placed two feet from the center of the mound and kept fresh and dry in order to be effective. If there is significant dew formation on the turf, wait until the areas have dried before placing a bait product. If fire ant control is needed but there is consistent rain in the forecast, give yourself at least a 5-6 hour window for fire ants to forage, find the bait, and bring it back to the nest before it rains. Bait products are considered more “slow-acting” than contact insecticides and provide control within 3 – 14 days of application, depending on active ingredient. See Fig. 5 for a complete list of active ingredients by application method and speed of efficacy. Biological control options for fire ants are limited. Botanical or plant-derived products are generally not effective. Products containing spinosad, a soil bacterium, can be effective against fire ants but results are inconsistent. Biocontrol products are

generally sensitive to environmental conditions and can be negatively affected by prolonged sun exposure, hot temperatures and dry conditions.

As we start to see temperatures increase, keep an eye out for fire ant activity, particularly following significant rainfall events. In North Carolina, we tend to see a sharp uptick in fire ant activity in late February and early March. Early spring is a great time to get a head start on fire ant control, particularly with insecticides with longer residual or bait products. Unlike other insects in turf, fire ants are very consistent and tend to be an issue in the same areas from year-to-year. The key to effective management is to 1) always make sure fire ants are foraging prior to making an application and 2) select the appropriate application method and product for control. For additional resources, be sure to check out NC Turf Bugs (“Resources” tab) for specific fire ant control and quarantine information.

Figure 5: Diagram for Fire Ant Control. *Note* High vs Low Traffic Area prompt determines the need for immediacy of efficacy. High traffic (or sensitive) areas may require immediate control where baits may not be a realistic option.

Fire Ant FAQs

1. Should I disturb the nest to bring the ants to the surface before drenching?

a. Applicators should drench the mound surface first and then break open the mound with a talc-coated shovel to saturate the interior of the mound.

2. Do fire ants sting or bite…or both?

a. Fire ants sting and cause a skin reaction (blister) where the venom is injected. For most people, it’s an itchy annoyance that lasts a week or two. However, in sensitive individuals, reactions are more severe and can require hospitalization. Fire ants do have mandibles (teeth) that they can use to latch on to the skin while they sting. For that reason, the best way to remove fire ants from your body is to wipe points of contact with your hands to physically separate the mandibles from the skin and remove the fire ants.

3. Do fire ants prefer certain soil types?

a. We observe them more often in clay soils but a lot of that has to do with areas where they are most prevalent. They will infest and inhabit basically any type of soil.

4. Can they be moved from place to place on a mower? Or, are they located in mulch?

a. Yes, it is pretty easy to move individual ants from one place to another on any equipment/vehicles. However, unless you move a newly-mated female to a new area, individual ants are not going to establish new colonies. It’s possible that you can have fire ants in a big (and undisturbed) pile of mulch, but the activities of loading and unloading of that mulch generally disrupt and scatter the colony (if there was an entire colony in one). There are generally a bigger problem in stacks of wheat straw that may be used after seeding a new lawn. If these stacks are undisturbed for months, fire ants might relocate a nest under or in a bale. As such, we recommend keeping the bales off the ground in storage.

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The MANAGER’S DILEMMA

By Neal Glatt, GrowTheBench.com

have a dilemma” is how one of my employees, ten days into managing her first direct report ever, started the conversation. The issue was that there were some concerns about the work her new employee, who started with the company only ten days previously, had just submitted. It wasn’t that the work was wrong or necessarily bad, but it was certainly a bit different than the typical work we do.

Much to my manager’s credit, she told me that she wanted to give feedback but was concerned about how it would be received. Should she encourage the initiative, excitement, and action of the new employee by accepting the work as it was submitted? Or should she enforce the quality standards of work at our company by correcting the new employee?

In fact, every manager faces this dilemma on the job. How can an employee’s engagement be increased while providing constructive criticism? A manager who picks one or the other usually has mediocre team prone to expensive employee turnover. Yet often trying to pick a middle-of-the-road approach leads to neither objective being realized.

There are three pitfalls managers are subject to which leads to this situation. By taking action, they can avoid the problem and engage high-performing employees who produce great work.

LACK OF TRAINING

The reason employees typically don’t perform to the standards expected is because they simply were never taught effectively. Training isn’t something that happens once but rather must be ongoing. The best organizations and teams realize that in a rapidly changing business environment there must be continuous learning from trainers who can add new value.

My first-time manager recognized this issue immediately and told me that while she had trained her new employee on how to technically create the work, she had been planning to have a conversation around the quality and specifics in the coming days. This absolutely explains why the work done wasn’t exactly what had been expected. More training would have prevented the dilemma in the first place.

LACK OF TIME

Unfortunately, the demand of most workers today is to do more work in less time. For both employees and managers, finding the time to adequately train while meeting all their other daily obligations is difficult. Yet by expecting production too soon, it leads to greater issues than extending deadlines would have. Most managers realize only when it’s too late that by not slowing down, they lose employee engagement and limit the potential of future production forever.

Our new employee was so excited to get started working that my first-time manager gave her the green light to get started. Yet if she had extended more time for the project, she could have easily allowed the new employee to create a draft and meet for a scheduled review discussion where feedback would have been expected and easily received. If those expectations were in place, and the time constraints lifted, she would not have landed in the current predicament.

LACK OF TRUST

The type of critical feedback that managers often want to deliver is never an issue when their employees trust them implicitly. People greatly care about the intentions of those who give them feedback and these intentions become known from competence, consistency, and character demonstrated throughout a relationship. Managers can build more trust through frequent and transparent conversations which back up consistency between values, intentions, and outcomes.

For my first-time manager, I could deliver a criticism via text with no negative engagement ramifications because there is a high level of trust built over years of working together. But her dilemma was caused because it’s impossible to have this level of confidence in another person after only ten days on the job. As a result, this issue became a true dilemma and navigating the conversation successfully required care and expertise.

In the end, my first-time manager succeeded in achieving both outcomes of employee engagement and high quality, a testament to her sharp intuition as well as the care she has for both the company and her direct report. But this result was only possible with much effort and time because the manager’s dilemma is not an easy one to navigate. Most of all, she learned a valuable lesson that will help her plan for the training, time, and trust, to avoid these situations in the future.

Neal Glatt is the Managing Partner of GrowTheBench, an online training platform for the green industry. You can learn more about him and his solutions at NealGlatt.com.

José Javier Vargas Almodóvar

Research Associate II

Turf & Ornamental Weed Science

The University of Tennessee

2431 Joe Johnson Drive

252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996

(865) 974-7379

jvargas@utk.edu

tnturfgrassweeds.org

@UTweedwhisperer

Greg Breeden

Extension Specialist,

The University of Tennessee

2431 Center Drive

252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996-4561

(865) 974-7208

gbreeden@utk.edu

tnturfgrassweeds.org

@gbreeden1

THE TURFGRASS TEAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE

Jim Brosnan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Turfgrass Weed Science

The University of Tennessee

2431 Joe Johnson Drive

252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561

(865) 974-8603

jbrosnan@utk.edu

tnturfgrassweeds.org

@UTturfweeds

Kyley Dickson, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Center for Athletic Field Safety

Turfgrass Management & Physiology

(865) 974-6730

kdickso1@utk.edu

@DicksonTurf

Frank Hale, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology

The University of Tennessee

5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201

(615) 832-6802

fahale@utk.edu

ag.tennessee.edu/spp

Tom Samples, Ph.D.

Professor, Turfgrass Extension

The University of Tennessee

2431 Joe Johnson Drive

252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996-4561

(865) 974-2595

tsamples@utk.edu

turf.utk.edu

@tnturfman

John Stier, Ph.D.

Associate Dean

The University of Tennessee

2621 Morgan Circle

126 Morgan Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-4561

(865) 974-7493

jstier1@utk.edu

turf.utk.edu

@Drjohnstier

Brandon Horvath, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Science

The University of Tennessee

252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. 2431 Joe Johnson Drive Knoxville, TN 37996 (865) 974-2975 bhorvath@utk.edu turf.utk.edu

@UTturfpath

John Sorochan, Ph.D.

Professor, Turfgrass Science

The University of Tennessee

2431 Joe Johnson Drive

363 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996-4561

(865) 974-7324

sorochan@utk.edu

turf.utk.edu

@sorochan

Alan Windham, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology

The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201 (615) 832-6802

https://ag.tennessee.edu/spp/ @UTPlantDoc

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