Hole Notes January/February 2021

Hole Notes

The Official Publication of the MGCSA Vol. 56, #1 January/February 2021

Featured in this issue:

Columbia Golf Course

The Community’s Largest Rain Garden

Industry Spotlight:

SiteOne

MGCSA 2021 Platinum Annual Sponsor pages 46 - 49

On the cover: Columbia Golf Course undergoes some creative design work to address growing community storm water management concerns. The enhancements were designed by Golf Course Architect Kevin Norby ASGCS and construction aspects of the project completed by Duininck Golf.

Brush up on your IPM Best Management Practices pages 38 - 45 Page 2

Hole Notes (ISSN 108-27994) is digitally published monthly except bimonthly in November/ December and January/February by the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents’ Association, 10050 204th Street North, Forest Lake, MN 55025. Jack MacKenzie CGCS publisher. Please send any address changes, articles for publication, advertising and concerns to jack@mgcsa.org.

Hole Notes Magazine Vol. 56, No. 1 January February 2021

Featured Articles Columbia Golf Course: Stormwater Destination

pages 6 - 14

By Kevin Norby ASGCA, Norby Golf Course Design

Logs To Lumber

pages 16 - 28

By Derrick Robbins, Reinders Inc

Get To Know Them: Matt McKinnon

pages

30- 36

By Joe Berggren, Superintendent at The Wilds

Guide To Integrated Pest Management

pages 38 - 45

Industry Spotlight: SiteOne

pages

By Dr. Vera Krischik and Laurie Schneider, UMN Department of Entomology

Monthly Columns Presidential Perspective pages

By Scott Thayer

In Bounds

By Jack MacKenzie

46 - 49

Editor 4-5

pages 50 - 56

Joe Berggren JBERGGREN@GOLFTHEWILDS. COM

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Presidential Perspective

by Scott Thayer, Legends Club

I would like to start this 2021 presidential report by thanking you for trusting your elected Board members and me to represent the MGCSA. 2020 was a very different year, and like I said in my year-end report, the Board did everything in their power to ensure the value of your membership over and over again. It was valuable to see how hard your “membership” worked for golf and your behalf last year, especially considering the affects of the pandemic.

Well, it is a new year and a hopeful one, to say the least. Although it has started very much like 2020 ended, there is definitely light at the end of the CV19 tunnel with many positive things happening in our nation. The release of the vaccine is really a game changer and I am excited to see how much will be opened up as the vaccine keeps

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getting released and applied to more people. My wife received the vaccine at the end of December and her second at the end of January and she felt fine, and we will see how that goes. Looking forward to more vaccines being distributed and getting our country closer to a feeling of “normalcy”.

I am curious about how the 2021 golf season will be. Did the golf business make its mark for a long period of time or will it go back to how it was last couple of years? I believe the numbers will continue to be up, despite the world being very different after the pandemic, from working at home for some to living socially safer. I think it’s good and could be a blessing in disguise, the healthier and better for all of us.

How was all the virtual education for you this winter? Did you sign up for the Green Expo? The Golf Industry Show? Did you like not hav-

ing to travel? Did you like choosing the education you wanted (if you signed up for this option)? Did you visit the virtual trade show? Lots of good questions, but it was so different than we are all used to. I personally enjoyed participating in the both the Green Expo and the GIS as I had time; I enjoyed not traveling downtown or flying to the GIS sight. However, I really missed seeing people during these events and being able to catch up. Not having human connections has been the biggest challenge for me.

By now you know our Day on The Hill was changed as the Capitol Campus is closed to the public. At one time we considered a virtual platform, but eventually landed on a letter to our legislators. Very simple, but a way to maintain our

presence. You also are likely aware that “We have a Bill”! The water legislation is tremendously important to our industry. Hopefully you have reacted to my email requests and sent support materials to your legislators. It really makes a difference. We have talked about protecting our access to irrigation water for over a decade and I am excited to see it finally gaining some traction.

Last month my column referenced the DNR Water Conservation Survey and how important it is for you to participate. That survey can still be filled out, until end of March, and this will help our advocacy campaign as well! Please help with this very important issue.

Thank you, stay safe and hope to see you all soon.

Have you taken the DNR Irrigation Conservation Survey? Have you done your part for industry advocacy by contacting your legislators?

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The Local Golf Course: A Community’s Largest Rain Garden

Columbia Golf Course

By Kevin Norby ASGCA, Norby Golf Course Design

About the Project:

Construction has begun on a unique stormwater management and habitat improvement project at Columbia Golf Course in Minnesota. New storm sewer pipes, stormwater best management practices (BMPs) and habitat restoration will improve water quality, mitigate flooding, improve ecological systems and enhance golf play in Northeast Minneapolis.

Hennepin County Natural Resources Opportunity Grant. The project is the first phase of the larger more comprehensive Northeast Stormwater Management Initiative.

In 2016, the MWMO approached the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and asked them to partner in the project. The partners agreed that the overarching goals for the Northeast Water The Northern Columbia Golf shed project included increased Course BMP project is a jointly flood resiliency, reduced pollutant funded project by the City of Minloading to the Mississippi River, and neapolis, the Mississippi Waterimproved ecological function. A shed Management Organization secondary goal of the project was (MWMO) and the Minneapolis Park to improve overall turf quality, playand Recreation Board (MPRB). Ad- ability and maintenance of the golf ditional funding includes contribu- course. tions from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (via

The Northeast Watershed the state’s Clean Water, Land and drains 2,150 acres of northeast Legacy Amendment Grant), and a Minneapolis and southern ColumPage 6

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bia Heights into the Mississippi River. The northern and eastern portions of the watershed drain toward and through Columbia Golf Course.

A low-spot on the landscape once contained historic Lake Sandy and, although the 40 acre lake basin was drained in the 1920s, the golf course remains a natural low area for water to accumulate.

Columbia Golf Club was designed by Theodore Wirth and William D. Clark in 1919. The first 6 holes opened for play in 1919 with sand greens and clay tees. In Page 8

1923, the course was expanded to eighteen holes. The golf course is divided by a railroad track that runs through the middle of the course.

The terrain on the east side is noticeably different, with more mature trees and rolling hills, than the west side of the tracks, where the course is flatter and relatively open.

The holes on the east side, where Lake Sandy was once located, is prone to flooding and has been plagued for decades by shifting soils, poor turf conditions and playability issues.

Shaping on hole 7 at Columbia Golf Course.

Planning started in 2017, when the MWMO hired SRF Consulting and Applied Ecological Services to assist the project partners in developing and vetting stormwater management and ecological improvement scenarios for the watershed.

At the same time, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board hired golf course architect Kevin Norby, ASGCA of Norby Golf Course Design to ensure that the integrity of the course and issues like disruption to play and playability received proper consideration. Norby is

keenly familiar with Columbia Golf Course and has been involved with several earlier projects at Columbia including the installation of a new irrigation system in 2010 and implementation of a stormwater management project on the eighteenth hole in 2012.

According to Norby, one of the benefits for the golf course owner on these publicly funded stormwater improvement projects is that they provide the opportunity and funding to make significant changes or improvements to the golf course.

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Often times this includes tree removal, new forward tees, new cart paths, irrigation and regrassing of fairways.

water basin. In addition to the work on the golf course, the project involves construction of three new hydrodynamic separators to filter pollutants out of stormwater runoff

Construction Phases and Scope as it drains from Northeast MinnePhase 1 of construction began Octo- apolis through the golf course and ber 26, 2020, and will run through into the Mississippi River.

February 2021. This phase will include abandonment and

The hydrodynamic separator removal of old storm sewer pipes is a pretreatment system that uses running along the northern half of swirl concentration and continuthe golf course, construction of a ous deflective separation (CDS) to new larger-capacity storm sewer remove floating contaminants and extending from Central Avenue to suspended pollutants from runoff 5th Street NE along with earthwork water. Sediment and suspended and mass grading of a new stormparticles settle into an isolated

Inside a hydrodynamic separator Page 10

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sump for removal (via vacuum truck hose) during maintenance.

Stormwater then moves under a hydrocarbon baffle to trap oils, and then the treated water exits the system via an outlet pipe.

The pretreatment unit was designed to provide treatment of approximately 70 acres of drainage area upstream of the Columbia Golf Course, of which 65 percent is estimated as impervious area. The unit is expected to remove 80 percent of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in the runoff of a 1.1-inch rainfall event. Each system includes six large concrete cylindrical pieces stacked together with holes for inlet and outlet pipes. The system is constructed by excavating soils to make a rectangular pit reaching a depth of approximately 28 feet. A prefabricated CDS hydrodynamic separator from Contech Engineering Solutions is then lowered into the pit via crane.

Phase 2 of construction will run from May through August 2021. This phase will include final grading and shaping, construction of golf course features, irrigation and seeding of the native habitat restoration.

Golf course improvements will occur in two areas of the golf course. On the west side of the course, the fourteenth hole will be converted from a short 334 yard par four to a medium length par three to create space for a new stormwater basin.

Norby said, “we looked at numerous alternatives to preserve the par four but, by converting it to a par three and constructing new tees on the adjacent hole 15, we were able to provide for some additional width and improved safety between holes 5,14 and 15. I also felt that the course already had too many holes that were bordered by water and adding another pond on another hole only made for more challenge and more monotony. The new par three will also allow us to Page 12

Aerial view of construction on Hole 14

Page 13

create an entirely new hole that will reinforce the golden-age character of the golf course with a new green, tees, bunker and irrigation.”

The new elevated green pad will be guarded by a single front green side bunker. Multiple tees set diagonally and stretching from 110 yards to 165 yards will provide for a variety of angles of approach.

will be used to raise the fairways on holes 2 and 7. New tees will be constructed on the par 4 seventh to convert it to a par 5 – keeping the course at a par 71. Constructing the new tees also provides an opportunity to reposition the landing area for the shorter hitter and provides for a more strategic line of play for the more skilled golfer. As with the work on hole 14, hole 2 will receive

On the east side of the course, new irrigation, fairway and rough a small existing pond between holes regrassing and new cart paths.

2 and 7 will be enlarged to improve drainage and provide increased

Construction of the golf course stormwater detention. This is the improvements will be completed lowest area on the east side of the by Duininck Golf, a member of the golf course and has historically Golf Course Builder’s Association of been plagued by playability, drain- America (GCBAA) and certified golf age and turf quality issues. The ex- course builder. cess soil from the pond excavation

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Phone: 952.361.0644 Email: kevin@norbygolf.com Web: www.NorbyGolfDesign.com

Page Page 14 6

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THE DESIGN.

Page 15

Logs to Lumber

By Darrick Robbins, Reinders Inc.

A long time ago, on the land that

became your golf course, an acorn sprouted. Many of them did, but there wasn’t sufficient sunshine for them, or a wandering deer ate the leaves off of them, or they rooted poorly, or a thousand other elements kept them from thriving— but not this one. It survived, and thrived, and grew into a mighty oak. Soon men arrived looking for a plot of land suitable to a game they wished to play, and a golf course was formed around it. Over time the tree went from middle age, to old age and it began to senesce.

This article was graciously provided by the Midwest Golf Course Superintendents Association and author Darrick Robbins. Thank you for your support and opportunity to reprint this fine piece. *****

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Each year it had a little less vigor, and it began to decline. One day you looked at it, and decided it had to go. And so, after some thought, and perhaps the opinions of some other stakeholders you were given the go ahead to cut it down. Have you ever considered what to do with the tree now that it has been cut down?

Certainly, one way to look at it is as an inconvenience, something to be “disposed” of. Maybe you think of it as firewood—a good honorable end to a tree that will faithfully serve to the end by warming a house. Have you ever considered a

higher and better use for this tree?

Does it make it special that the tree grew on a golf course? What can it be used for, and how do you go about it?

I had the good fortune some years ago to work for a golf course superintendent who had an idea. We knew it was a fanciful idea, but he thought it just might work. A clubhouse renovation was coming up in a couple years, so he decided we would take all of the trees that had been cut down on the property in the last couple of years, and turn them in to lumber so the wood could be used in the renovation.

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It seemed like a good idea, so one October morning a somewhat rustic looking dude arrived at the maintenance building pulling a long trailer with a motorized contraption on the top. It was a mobile sawmill.

For the next 3 days we cut wood out there, steadily working our way through the pile, stacking and stickering (more on this later) the wood until we had 4 piles of wood roughly 10’ tall. He left, and the season after I left, and soon after that the superintendent left—and somewhere in there the wood left, but not before I got 30 or 40 boards off the top. The stuff I got was white oak, heavy and strong with a light caramel color that is beautiful all by itself. Over time I have used a lot of wood from a lot of different places, but to make something out of wood that you know grew at a certain place for a hundred years is special.

Before we get too far along, I need to issue a disclaimer—I am an amateur woodworker, and the same goes for my knowledge of milling lumber. In more familiar terms I am like the greens committee chair who has worked with you for 4 years, and spent 3 more years on Page 18

Above: All of the solid oak that comprises these cabinets is from Franklin Hills Country Club just outside of Detroit.

the committee, but who still only knows enough to be dangerous. I am no expert, but I have done some milling and my hope is that if nothing else this will inspire you to look at the trees you cut down a little differently. If you are become interested, there are a ton of resources these days on the internet, there is a list of resources at the end of this article, and you can always contact me to get you started.

or cut into lumber, from which a craftsman can make anything. You can even sell it, but it generally requires drying to be commercially desirable. A quick look at Facebook marketplace or Craigslist will give you an idea what this wood is worth on the open market, but the most important question is what is it worth to you?

Why is the wood that you have on the golf course worth anything?

There are a number of questions Mostly, because it is unique. Most that may have come to mind recourses have a wide variety of spegarding this wood. What is the cies, that are generally “old growth” value of a plank of wood cut out of which is a term that describes my tree? What can it be used for? larger trees that are older and grew How much work is it to get somein tighter canopies so the growth thing usable? How is it done? In rings are tighter. If you have the terms of use, the sky is the limit, wood cut into lumber on-site you there are literally hundreds of also have the option of cutting it in things that the wood can be used a certain way. For instance, if white for. It depends on what species oak is quarter sawn, which is essenyou have, the condition it is in, and tially cutting a log into 4 quarters how creative you are. For instance, and then taking slices off of each white oak is a moisture tolerant quarter, the ray fleck that is highly species. It can be used to make bar- prized in certain styles of furniture rels because it is watertight. These is revealed. This lumber is more same attributes make it good for valuable than a piece of white oak outdoor use, like benches, bridges, that is through sawn, just sliced all or even to frame an outdoor shelthe way through side to side (see ter. Trees can be turned into bowls, diagram) Trees on the golf course Page 19

have often been maintained as well.

When you keep a tree limbed up it often results in long straight trunks with few knots that make very good lumber. That being said, these days the strange, dramatic grain variation of the crotch of a tree, or the compression grain in a tree that occurs when a tree or a branch leans are highly prized by some, and you have plenty of that as well.

band saws, and “Illinois Custom Sawmill Directory”. Both are lists, with contact information of people who own sawmills and have listed them for hire. Pay special attention to the size of the mill that they have listed if you have very large logs. It is pretty easy to get logs off the golf course that are too big for a given mill. If you are more of a do-it-yourself kind of person you can also use a chainsaw mill. You

If you decide to get some need a large chainsaw, a frame, and wood milled for your own use, how a ripping blade. The chainsaw is do you go about it? It is surprisflipped on its side, and used to cut ingly easy to find a sawyer with a slices through a log. This setup is mobile sawmill around the Chicago- often called an Alaskan Mill, or a land area. Proving once again that Granberg Mill. It is slower, and has there is a website for anything, you a larger kerf (the width of the cut can head over to illinoisurbanwood.org for a great list of resources.

This website is a fount of information on urban lumber use, but under the “Urban Wood Users Resource Guide” you will find a huge list of links that includes the “Wood Mizer Pro Sawyer’s Network” which is a list of people who own Wood Mizer portable Above: A simple chainsaw mill for the DIY crowd.

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through the log), but it can handle the largest logs out there—upwards of 84”. There are other types of mills available as well, but these are the two most popular methods.

SAWING The first step after the log has been dropped is to coat the ends of the log with something that retards the loss of moisture from the ends of the log.

If left uncoated the ends will dry out faster than the rest of the board and check or split. There is a special emulsified wax product called Anchorseal that can be used, but latex paint is an acceptable substitute. Then arrange your logs so they are easily accessible, determine how you want them cut, and call the sawyer.

Sawyers generally charge mileage Hiring a sawyer is not difficult to do, especially when they find out they’ll be working at a golf course that has equipment and staff to help move the logs with adequate space to work – you might even be able to work with them on pricing.

If you’ve got a lot of trees to mill some portable saw mills are relatively inexpensive.

Rather than have your staff spend time splitting wood, it might pay for them to mill it.

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and an hourly fee, with some charging for any blades they ruin if they happen to hit metal in the log. I used Jeff at wiilsaw.com. His sawyer business is a side job and he only works weekends within a specific distance from his home. He was among the most reasonable I found at $72 per hour plus $1 per mile each way from his home to the location. For a days work he would come in around $700, but I think most sawyers would be around $1000 a day. There was a 3 hour minimum, and blades were $15 each if we ruined any (which we did).

If you describe the situation at your golf course to them most sawyers will be thrilled to work for you. They are accustomed to homeowners calling and wanting them to slab a big tree in their backyard with no access or equipment that can move the logs. When you tell them they are going to be on a hard surface, with machinery available to bring the logs to them, with easy access and guys to unload as they saw, they will be doing back flips to do the work. The thinnest green lumber is cut is usually

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1” because after it is dried some of the wood must be removed during the process of creating a good flat board. Thicker lumber is more desirable, but it also takes longer to dry. You should remove the bark unless you plan to use the “live edge” which is often done if the whole slab is going to be used for a table, or bar top—it tends to attract insects.

split, or check. Wood can become case hardened, this is when the outside of the board is dry but the inside is still relatively wet. Compression of the interior wood occurs which produces checking (little cracks in the wood), and when you attempt to work the wood it will do some crazy things as the compression is released. Properly kiln dried wood will leave you with a moisture content of around 6 to 8%, which DRYING can be measured with a moisture After the wood is cut it must be meter that works using the same dried. There are two broad catconcept as a TDR. This is suitable egories of drying for lumber--kiln for interior use--furniture making, drying, and air drying. Kiln drying flooring, trim, etc. The vast majoris how most lumber is dried. There ity of the lumber you see for sale are a number of different methods has been kiln dried. Kiln drying to do this, but in general a kiln can does have some negatives however. be described as a heated box, the In some woods it can change the wood is put inside, and hot air is color—for example, air dried walcirculated through the box to help nut is prized because it has a much remove the moisture. You can use more vibrant color than kiln dried the sun, steam, a vacuum, or a walnut. Some uses like wood turnnumber of other methods to create ing, and steam bending work better the heat, but in the end it all does with wood that is green (undried), the same thing. It sounds simple or wood that has been air dried. but getting usable lumber from the process can be difficult. It is a Air drying is a relatively lengthy little like growing fine turf, it is art process where wood is stacked and and science working together. If stickered and left outside to acthe wood is dried too quickly it can climate to the climate. In our area Page 24

this takes roughly one year per inch of thickness of the lumber. Air drying will give you a board of around 10-12% moisture content which is pretty good for most uses. You can bring it inside into the area you intend to use it, or to a heated inside area and it will dry further to the same 6-8% that kiln drying produces, it just takes much longer. Air drying can be a little tricky as well, but if you do a few things right your chances of getting good quality lumber go way up. Stacking and stickering the lumber properly is essential to getting a good outcome.

STACKING AND STICKERING

Quite a bit of variability is acceptable in the stacking/stickering process, but a few things are important. The site must have good air flow which is the most important thing for drying lumber. Generally, a base of 4x4 posts is set up on cinder blocks (photo). This gets the lumber up off the ground so it won’t absorb moisture from the soil. This base doesn’t need to be level, but it must be co-planar, or flat. Whatever twists or bows there are in the base layer will be telegraphed through the lumber as it dries. Fortunately, it Page 25

isn’t that difficult to achieve this by putting two strings corner to corner and adjusting the cinder blocks until they touch. After the base is ready you can start stacking lumber.

There should be a row of stickers within 4” of the end of the boards, and at 18”-24” intervals the length of the board. Stickers can be of any thickness from ½” up to 1.5”, but they should be made of wood that is already dry, or the same species as the wood that the lumber is cut from. If this isn’t done you can get a stain on the wood from the sticker that is very difficult to remove. As you stack, each layer should be composed of pieces that are the same thickness. You can stack it as tall as you want to as long as it is stable, but 6’ to 8’ is the most con-

venient. After stacking/stickering is complete a cap needs to be put in place. You can use anything that will keep the rain off the top. The weight of the lumber keeps everything in place as it dries, and flat co-planar stacking will give you the best chance to produce boards that are not bowed or twisted. All you have to do then is wait.

There is always some loss from the process. A knot in the wrong place, a cup in the board, or other flaws like a nail someone drove into the tree 40 years ago can cause some of the wood to be unusable. Generally, this loss is 30% give or take, but it can be much more if things don’t go well.

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If it does go well, you can make some wonderful things. Scott White who is now at Urbana Country Club made several benches out of a walnut tree that had to be removed from the golf course. He used a chain saw mill to cut the lumber, and he and the staff crafted the benches. They are beautiful, and it is hard to imagine anyone not agreeing that this is better than throwing the wood into a burn pile.

Hopefully as you read you have been coming up with ideas for the wood you are taking down out on the golf course. Members like the idea of reusing the wood, and it may help you get rid of that nuisance tree out there if you can tell the membership it is going to become a nice set of benches or a bridge out on the course. There are a whole bunch of tips and tricks that are beyond the scope of this article and I have included several links below as an entrance to the rabbit hole so to speak. Dive in and let your mind wander, who knows what you can make with all that wood you are pulling off the golf course.

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Thank you and you and you!!!

Page 29 Page

Get to Know Them: Matt McKinnon CGCS

Superintendent at The Legacy Courses at Craguns

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Dutch Course Hole One

FACILITY Information Public or Private: Public Resort Number of Holes: 37 plus a Nine-hole par 3 course that is reversible.

Full time employees: 4 Seasonal employees (not including full time): 30 Number of employees of entire facility at peak season: 400 to 500 Types of grass: Providence creeping bentgrass fairways and greens.

Penncross creeping bentgrass tees.

Total course acreage: 200 maintained acres across 300 to 400 acres of land, wetlands and a natural environment lake.

Greens acreage: 8.2 Tee acreage: 10.64 Fairway acreage: 65 Rough acreage: 80 Driving range acreage: 7 Range tee acreage: .93 Page 31

Personal Facts: How many years have you been in your current position? 20 How many years have you been in the turf industry? 32 Where else have you worked? Oxbow C.C and Bemidji Town and C.C. Turf School Attended (if any)? Anoka Hennepin Tech Industry Thoughts What is one “master plan” thing you would like to change at your golf course? Bunkers!!! In a one-inch rain a lot of them wash out. We have 7.57 acres of bunkers on two courses. We need to eliminate some, reshape the rest of them and add sand.

What concerns do you have the turf business and the future of golf? One concern in the industry is losing so many great superintendents and assistants with only a small amount of people coming into the industry to fill the positions. The other side of that is I think the industry could retain these people if it changed the way they operate and do business. Another concern is finding enough general labor staff to keep up the property. Our programs for setting up the course changes every year and season to accommodate not having enough staff to get the job done.

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UW-MADISON TURFGRASS SCIENCE entomoLoGY * Genetics * HorticuLture * PLant PatHoLoGY * soiL science

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the certificate courses are offered over two 8-week periods, early-october through mid-December, and mid-January through mid-march. this timing works well for prospective students who already work in the turf industry and want to augment their work experience with a world class education. it also allows those in the two-year program to participate in an extended internship program (late march – october).

i n ternsHip s on world class gol f courses !

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the two-year certificate curriculum offers courses in introductory soil science and turfgrass management with a focus on communications, human resources, and the business side of the industry in year one, and specialized courses in turfgrass management in year two. the two-year certificate courses follow the same time frame as the one-year certificate courses. recent high school graduates should to pursue the two-year certificate instead of the one-year option.

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What is needed to bring more young professionals into the industry? I think when you talk to young people about this industry and they find out that you work more than 40 hours in a week with maybe 4 total days off per month it scares them. Then for all your efforts you get to take time off or work less in the winter, when you do not want to be outside as it is below zero. I just don’t think young people are geared up for the way things currently are in this industry. I feel that if the autonomous mowers take off, they may have an interest as I feel a lot of the young people these days are geared for technology. I think the industry is going to have to change in order to get young people interested in this industry.

What piece of equipment do you want? Not a need, a want. The thing I want is an able body, hardworking employee or an option to hire one.

You cannot operate a piece of equipment without an operator.

In terms of industry costs (equipment, pesticides, labor, etc.) are they too low, too high or just right? I do not think we are at the high end of the cost for labor (at least at my course). The cost of pesticides, fertilizers and supplies I feel are getting a little too high to operate which makes it harder to pay more for labor. Labor seems to be the first thing that gets reduced when you need to save money. You still have to apply pesticides and fertilizers so you can only cut so much.

FUN FACTS Have you ever met a celebrity? Who? No one really that famous!

What is your favorite vacation spot? I do like Orlando but, anywhere works as long as I am not at work and hanging out with the family.

What is your favorite memory of starting your turf career? Meeting a lot of great new people and having fun working on a crew as team.

Page 34

We’ve Got You

Covered

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL INSTRUCTIONS Bayer Environmental Science, a Division of Bayer CropScience LP. 5000 CentreGreen Way, Suite 400, Cary, NC 27513. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-800-331-2867. environmentalscience.bayer.us. Not all products are registered in all states. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Exteris and Stressgard are registered trademarks of Bayer. ©2019 Bayer CropScience ES-0519-EXT-0046-A-1

Page 35

What is your favorite job on the golf course? Anything that involves a team effort to get a task completed. One of my favorite things is working on irrigation. I feel that is really what attracted me to this industry.

What is your least favorite job on the golf course? Dealing with people’s trash!

Have you played any famous golf courses? Which ones? Pinehurst #2 is probably the most famous golf course I have played.

Who is your dream foursome? Not really sure, my game is so bad I would not dare to play with anyone as it would be embarrassing, lol.

Dutch Course, Hole Eleven

Page 36

Page 7

The MGCSA is seeking Member Driven Articles for publication in the Hole Notes Magazine. Each original article receives $50 . And each article is eligible for the Watson Award and another $250!

With or without pictures, your story matters to member peers. You have great ideas and have achieved so much as a professional. Share your accomplishments!

Contact HN Editor Joe Berggren Page 37

Page 38

Integrated Pest Management

Page 2 of 8

Chemical control is the use of pesticides. In IPM, pesticides are used only when needed, and in combination with other approaches for more effective, long-term control. Do not spray on a weekly schedule, rather only spray when pest numbers meet the threshold.

Always use the least toxic option first, and if pest numbers are not lowered, then use a stronger control.

Conventional insecticides kill all insects, while biorational insecticides target pests and not good bugs.

Biorational pesticides are developed to conserve beneficial insects and include horticultural soaps and oils, corn gluten, spinosad, and Bacillus thuringiensis.

Checking sticky traps for apple codling moth, Carpenter Nature Center

Pesticides should be selected and applied in a way that minimizes their harm to people, non-target organisms and the environment. Use pesticides only as a last resort, follow the label, and apply only when weather conditions permit. Spotspray in the evening, and do not apply to flowers to avoid pollinators. Never spray without monitoring number of pests and beneficial insects first.

• • • • •

•

Insecticides have lethal and sub-lethal effects on pollinators.

Herbicides can kill pollinators and the plants pollinators use for food and shelter.

Fungicides can kill pollinators.

Additives and inert ingredients are part of the pesticide formulation and can be toxic to pollinators.

Systemic insecticides such as neonicotinoids are absorbed into the plant’s vascular system, and move into the pollen and nectar, leaving the entire plant toxic to both target and non-target species. Systemics stay in the plant longer than contact insecticides. Contact insecticides are formulated to decompose in approximately one week, while residue from systemic insecticides lasts months to years.

Organic management allows only OMRI listed products to be used, derived from plants or natural products, which does not make them less toxic to beneficial insects and pollinators.

Mechanical and physical controls kill pests directly, block pests out, or make the environment unsuitable for them. Sticky traps are an example of mechanical control. Physical controls include steam sterilization of soil for disease control, or barriers like high tunnels to keep birds and insects out.

Wait to mow pollinator lawns until 4” or taller

Checking sticky trap for pest insects

Kaolin clay sprayed on fruit (not blossoms)

Biological controls include insect predators and parasitoids, such as lady beetles and braconid wasps, and are

mainly free-living species that kill pest insects. Pathogens are disease-causing organisms including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They kill or debilitate their host and are relatively specific to certain insect groups. Pest insects and weeds have many natural enemies. Land managers can foster conservation biocontrol by planting biodiverse habitat to support natural enemies. Heirloom and native plants provide pollen and nectar to attract many beneficial natural enemies already at work such as lady beetles and lacewings. Find more information here: ncipmhort.dl.umn.edu/beneficial-insects and here: xerces.org/sites/default/files/2018-05/16-020_01_XercesSoc_Habitat-Planning-for-Beneficial-Insects_web.pdf.

Page 39

Integrated Pest Management

Page 3 of 8

Why insects versus pesticides

Conservation of natural enemies of insects (predators and parasitoids) and pollinators (such as bees and beetles) around the farm, garden and green spaces can help suppress pests and increase crop yields.

Some pest insects can develop pesticide resistance with increased use of pesticides.

Pesticides kill both good and bad (target and non-target) insects including predator bugs, as well as important soil dwelling insect predators.

Beneficial insects are cost-effective and safe for humans, birds, wildlife and the environment.

•

•

•

•

Predatory lady beetle (Coccinellidae) feeding on Milkweed aphid (Aphis nerii).

Photo: Pavlos Skenteridis, Bio-insecta

Weed Control (compatible w/beneficial insects)

Pest Controls (compatible w/beneficial insects)

Solarization

Insecticidal soaps and oils, neem oil

Smothering

Contact instead of systemic insecticides

Compost, mulch

Biocontrols such as beneficial insects

Cover crops

Flower borders serve as insectaries to boost natural enemies

Corn gluten, natural preen, white vinegar

Biorational insecticides: Bt for mosquitos, Btk for moths, Btg for beetles, spinosad for eating sawflies & mosquitos, Beauveria bassiana for aphids & thrips, nematodes for grass insects, insect growth regulars (IGR) to kill larval stages, some miticides.

Hand weeding

Fungicides

Microflora bacillus, chromo bacterium

Bio fungicides

Spinosad, Bt

Soil

Improve plant health with healthy soil through cultural treatments such as compost, bio fertilizers, and aeration.

Integrated Pest Management plans include multiple practices 1. Inspection and monitoring: Regular and close examination of plants is essential to diagnose pest problems. Monitoring includes devices such as traps, and practices such as observation and recordkeeping. Track numbers of good bugs and pest bugs.

If a pesticide must be used, use a biorational pesticide which is less harmful.

2. Forecasting: Weather and plant growth cycles (called plant phenology) help predict potential pest outbreaks. Properly timed pesticide applications will be more effective and reduce need for re-application.

3. Thresholds: Set thresholds for pest populations and plant damage. Before insecticide use, wait until pest populations reach a determined level that could cause economic or irreversible plant damage. Use hardy plants that are naturally resistant to pests to avoid exceeding pest thresholds.

4. Education: Regularly update the IPM plan and pesticide/treatment list so it remains effective. All staff should be educated and updated on IPM and best management practices.

5. Recordkeeping: Keep updated records to compare year to year and for decision-making. Track data including weather patterns, when pests appear, number of pests, plant damage, and practices that work and don’t work. Always count pests before and after pesticide application to determine if application was successful.

Page 40

Page 7

Integrated Pest Management

Page 4 of 8

Biorational instead of systemic insecticides for pest control For most pests that eat leaves, use contact insecticides that sit on the leaf surface for a few days, but does not move into the plant tissue. In contrast, systemic insecticides move from the leaves or soil into other plant parts such as nectar and pollen. Flowers that open after systemic insecticides are sprayed can absorb the insecticide and the residue in leaves and flowers, and can last for many months. For insects that bore into trunks or branches, a systemic insecticide will kill borers.

Managing plants for insects For leaf feeding insects, use spot treatments of the appropriate biorational insecticide that does not kill the good bugs, such as predators. Biorational insecticides include: spinosad and chlorantraniliprole which kill many leaf-feeding larva, Neem oil for aphids, pyrethrin insecticides, and different Bt formulations for beetles, moths, and flies. For mosquitoes in ponds use the biorational Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis. Never spray on flowers or when bees are foraging.

Practices for healthy turf •

•

• •

For healthy turf, use cultural practices that decrease thatch and bring new nutrients to the soil such as aerating the lawn to make holes in the fall. Applying high rate fertilizers and herbicides each spring will not result in sustainable, healthy turf. Instead of applying herbicides, it is best to improve turf density, root depth, and resistance to diseases through healthy soil.

In the spring top dress with compost, micronutrients, and turf boosters and over seed bare spots with varieties of fescues rather than Kentucky blue grass. Use lower rate fertilizer such as 10-0-10 and milorganite with iron in the spring and fall at least two times. By increasing the nutrients and soil texture, turf can grow more vigorously and outcompete weeds.

Kill existing weeds by cutting them out or spot treating with corn gluten. Then, add compost and grass seed in the resulting holes.

Creeping Charlie is a mint that bees visit for nectar. It grows vigorously in shade and moist areas. It may spread to sunny areas if turf is not growing vigorously. Leaving Creeping Charlie in shady, moist areas where most grasses will not grow keeps the area free of mud that can get on the feet of pets and people.

Managing turf for brown spots and Japanese beetles If your turf is plagued with brown patches, do not assume it is a grub like Japanese beetle. Most brown spots in turf are due to fungus, which are hard for even lawn care professionals to identify and manage, as different diseases require different fungicides. You may need to take a sample to the University of MN plant disease clinic to learn pest species and how to manage it (https://pdc.umn.edu/ 612-625-1275.) For Japanese beetle grubs in the soil use GrubEx, and for adults feeding on plants, use Acelepryn, both contain biorational chlorantraniliprole. For all grubs use Bt galleriae or grubgone. Native insect predators cannot kill enough grubs and adult Japanese beetles to manage their populations. Remember: Never spray any pesticide on flowers or when bees are foraging.

Page 41

Beneficial Insects for Natural Pest Control

Page 5 of 8

The conservation of beneficial insects, including bees, insect predators, parasitic wasps, and butterflies, is an essential part of IPM programs. Natural predators can be divided into two groups – predators and parasitoids. Many are attracted to flowering plants for pollen and nectar and contribute to pollination services. Conserve them with habitat containing native and heirloom plants that provide pollen and nectar. Natural predators are a long-lasting, natural, non-toxic solution that will further the ecological diversity of your green space. If using pesticides, do judicious spot treaments.

Cicada Killer Wasps (Family Crabronidae)

predator

Spider wasp (Family Sphecidae)

These very large wasps are docile and mild mannered.

Females paralyze and drag cicadas to their ground nest for their young. Only active for about 1 month, July and August.

These efficient pollinators feed on nectar and spiders. With their long legs, they search for spiders, paralyze them and drag them to their nest for their young. They are usually deep purple and flick their wings.

Photo: Elizabeth Sosa, iNaturalist.org

Photo: Laurie Schneider

Lacewing (Family Chrysopidae)

predator

Lady beetle (Family Coccinellidae)

Photo: Ward Upham, Bugwood.org

Photo: Dvoribird, Bugguide.com

Beneficial nematodes

predator Nematodes are the most numerous multicellular animals on earth. A handful of dirt can contain thousands of microscopic worms that attack ground dwelling insects.

Pirate bug (Hemiptera)

predator Aggressive thrip predators for crops, landscape and greenhouse. These “true” bugs kill egg and adult thrips and many species of small insects.

Photo: Alice Abela, BugGuide

Photo: Wikimedia

Braconid wasps (Family Braconidae)

predator

Lady beetles or ladybugs can consume many aphids, insect eggs and larvae (50 in a day, or 5,000 in a lifetime).

Lacewing larvae are also known as aphid lions. They seize aphids with their sucking jaws and paralyze them before draining body fluids and killing them.

parasitoid Syrphid flies (Family Syrphidae)

pollinator / predator

There are 2000+ species of these tiny, non-stinging wasps.

Females lay eggs in or on the host, which then kills the insect when they hatch. Most every pest insect has a parasitoid that can kill it.

Syrphid fly or hoverfly adults can hover over flowers and are efficient pollinators. The larvae eat a wide range of aphids, scale insects, thrips and caterpillars.

Photo: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org

Photo: Kildale, Bugguide

Tachinid flies (Family Tachinidae) pollinator / parasitoid Spider (Arthropod / Arachnids) Fly larva develop within or on their hosts, consuming and killing the host. Hosts include larvae of beetles, moths, earwigs, sawflies, grasshoppers and true bugs. Adults feed on nectar and pollen. Photo: Jon

Yuschock, Bugwood.org

Page 42

predator

predator

Spiders are arthropods related to insects which eat insects at any stage from egg to adult.

They have a wide generalist diet and don’t eat plants. Spiders use venom to paralyze their prey.

Photo: Kaldari, Wikimedia

IPM to Reduce Pesticide Use for Pollinators at Risk

Federally Endangered Species Poweshiek skipperling butterfly Photo: Owen Boyle

Karner blue butterfly

Photo: Wikimedia

Federally Threatened Species Dakota skipper butterfly Photo: Eric Rundquist

Yellow-banded bumble bee

Photo: iNaturalist.org

Page 6 of 8 Rusty-patched bumble bee Photo: Marcie Forsberg

Monarch butterfly

Photo: Laurie Schneider

Other Resources Integrated Pest Management of Midwest Landscapes by Vera Krischik, University of Minnesota Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability, University of Minnesota Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service, Continuing Education, IPM Value of Habitat for Pest Management, USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects, Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Greenhouse Pest Identification by Vera Krischik, University of Minnesota Habitat Development for Beneficial Insects, USDA/NRCS Colorado VIDEO: Integrated Pest Management tactics and strategies, University of California, Pete Goodell Understanding Pesticide Toxicity to Pollinators by Vera Krischik, University of Minnesota

Native Plant & Seed Suppliers BluPrairie Native Plant Nursery, bluprairie.com Glacial Ridge Growers, glacialridgegrowers.com Hammarlund Nursery, hammarlundnursery.com Hayland Woods Nursery, haylandwoods.com Kinnickinnic Natives, kinnicnatives.com Landscape Alternatives, landscapealternatives.com Minnesota Native Landscapes, mnnativelandscapes.com Morning Sky Greenery, morningskygreenery.com

Native Sun, nativesunseedsandplants.com Natural Shore Technologies, naturalshore.com Northstar Seed & Nursery 507-334-6288 Outback Nursery, outbacknursery.com Prairie Moon Nursery, prairiemoon.com Prairie Restoration, prairieresto.com Sogn Valley Farm, sognvalleyfarm.com/native-plants Sunrise Native Plants, sunrisenativeplants.com

Page 43

Toxicity to Pollinators of Insecticides (Greenhouse, Nursery, Landscape)

Page 7 of 8

Bolded insecticides are not permitted by MDA on bee-friendly plants. Highlighted in gray are less toxic.

Toxicity to honeybees**

Chemical class/MOA

Common name / MOA

Trade name

LD50*ug/bee Non

Carbamates/1A

carbaryl methomyl imidacloprid thiamethoxam clothianidin dinotefuran imid+bifenthrin imid+cyfluthrin flypyradifurone sulfloxaflor+spinetoram acetammiprid

Sevin Lannate Merit, Marathon Flagship, Meridian Arena, Aloft Safari, Venom Allectus Discus Altus

0.014 0.816 0.004 0.004 0.005 0.023 0.004 0.004 1.2 0.02+0.1

Neonicotinoids/4

thiacloprid

XXpire - cancelled Tristar, Assail Calypso Orthene Dursban/Lorsban Dimethoate Malathion Imidan Attain/Talstar Tempo, Decathalon Tame Scimitar Astro, Pounce foggers Pyganic Adept, Dimilin Confirm Aza-Direct, Azatin

x x x x x x x x x x

14.5

x x

x x x x x x x

Juvenile hormone /7A

s-kinoprene

Enstar II

27.8 0.1082 0.06 0.038 0.16 0.1 0.1 0.001 0.05 0.038 0.029 0.065 0.15 25 234 2.5 163 100 100 150 25 35

Anthranilic Diamides/28

chlorantraniliprole

Altacor, Acelepryn

>104

Macrocyclic lactones/6 Miticides

cyantraniliprole abamectin emamectin-benzoate acequinocyl/20B etoxazole/10B

Mainspring Avid, Sirocco Tree-age, Enfold Shuttle TetraSan, Beethoven

0.116 0.009 0.41 >100 200

x x

fenpyroximate/21A

Akari, Vendex

162

x

Organophosphates/1B

Pyrethroids/3A

Botanical/3 Insect growth regulators

acephate chlorpyrifos dimethoate malathion phosmet bifenthrin cyfluthrin fenpropathrin lambda-cyhalothrin permethrin resmethrin pyrethrin diflubenzuron/15 tebufenozide/18 azadirachtin/UN neem oil buprofezin/16 pyriproxyfen/7C novaluron/15 cyromazine/17

insecticides" can be very toxic.

Page 44

Talus Distance, Fulcrom Pedestal Citation

Moderate Highly

x x

x x x x x x x x x x x x x

x x x

rmitted by the Toxicity to Pollinators of Insecticides (Greenhouse, Nursery, Landscape) e-friendly-labeled plants Bolded insecticides are not permitted by MDA on bee-friendly plants.

Highlighted in gray are less toxic.

Chemical class/MOA Common name/MOA Trade name

Spinosyns/5

fenbutatin-oxide/12B halofenozide/18 clofentezine/10A hexythiazox /10A bifenazate/20D bifenazate/20D+ abemectin/6 pyridaben/21A chlorfenapyr/13 fenpyroximate/21A fenazaquin/21A tebufenpyrad/21A cyflumetofen/25A spinosad

spinetoram Tetronic acids/23 spirotetramat spiromesifen GABA-channel fipronil/2B Pyridine carboxamide flonicamid/29 Pyridine azomethines/9B pymetrozine pyrifluqinazon Unknown pyridalyl Microbial/11 Bacillus thuringiensis/11A Moth larvae B. thuringiensis isrealensis/11A Mosquitos, flies B. thuringiensis galleriae11A Japanese beetle Chromobacterium/11A Microbial Cydia pomonella granulovirus Burkholderia rinojensis Isaria fungus Unknown potassium salts fatty acids soaps horticultural oils, soaps

Page 8 of 8

Toxicity to honeybees** LD50*ug/bee Non

3982 100 Ovation 111 Hexygon 200 7.8 Floramite Sirocco 0.009 002 Sanmite 0.024 0.12 Pylon 0.15 Akari Magus, Magister 4 Engulf 60 Sultan 102 Conserve/Entrust, less toxic 0.05 dried 0.14 Radiant 107 Kontos 200 Judo, Forbid Fipronil, Termidor 0.004 Aria 60.5 158.5 Endeavor 1 Rycar 6.16 Overture Bt/Dipel

x x x x

Mosquito dunks, Mosquito beater

x

Grubgone, grubhalt

x

Granevo Carpovirusine, Cyd-X, Madex HP Venerate XC Preferal, Ancora Surround, M-Pede

x x

Monterey Oil

x

Mach II

Moderate Highly

x

x x x

x x x

x x

x x

x

x x

x

x

x

x

x x x

The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by University of Minnesota Extension. Remember, the label is law.

**Toxicity Category I: Highly toxic to bees, Acute Contact LD50 is < 2 µg/bee Toxicity Category II: Moderately toxic to bees, the LD50 is 2-10.99 µg/bee Toxicity Category III: Relatively nontoxic, NT, to bees, the LD50 is 11-100 µg/bee 1.

2.

3.

4.

Protecting honeybees from pesticides, Purdue Extension, E-53W, Krupke, C.,G. Hunt, and R. Foster, 6/2014 Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Farmland birds, list of EPA 2011 pesticides and LD50 University of PPDB Hertfordshire, pesticide properties database

Page 45

Affiliate Spotlight

We Are Proud to announce that we are teaming up with the MGCSA at the highest level with the Platinum Sponsorship.

with SiteOne. “We understand the importance of supporting the association and its members. What MGCSA does to help take golf course maintenance to the next level is impressive and we are very With a joy like that of sinking a 30- glad to be a resource to help its foot putt, SiteOne Landscaping Sup- membership and the research and ply® is very excited to announce development it provides to the asits partnership with the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association (MGCSA) for the 2021 season.

The opportunity to be partner with the MGCSA is something SiteOne is very proud of. “The entire SiteOne Golf Team is excited about this partnership,” said Craig Hendrickson, pictured on right, Outside Sales Page 46

sociation.”

The SiteOne golf team feels their partnership is set-up for a great round. The company has always prided themselves on getting to know the unique challenges Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents face and works to treat each course uniquely with decades of golf industry experience. But, as a token of their sincerity to the effort, SiteOne upped its game.

“We wanted to convey to the MCGSA how deep our commitment to this partnership runs,” said Brandon Young, pictured below, Outside

Sales with SiteOne. “To that end, we secured a Platinum sponsorship

with MCGSA. To be at this echelon is not only an honor for our company, but it allows us to partner with MGCSA at the very highest level possible.” For added benefit, SiteOne formed an association with Hedberg, a company well-known in Minnesota for landscaping and masonry excellence. Golf course maintenance takes a relentless commitment, and everyone involved in the effort understands that. This new alliance promises MGSCA that there will be a team they can count on to be there for almost any need, no matter the time or the place.

“We are already building plans that match the things SiteOne offers to places they will do the greatest good,” said SiteOne Branch Manager Will Riedel. “For instance, we are very excited to be there to assist the MGCSA when they sponsor educational events, golf events, provide financial and product support to the University of Minnesota research facility and all the other avenues that work to get the MGCSA members together.” SiteOne knows the importance of the U of MN Research Facility and what a great asset it is to the majority of Page 47

SiteOne determine its success.

“Measuring the successful of this alliance will be done by growing the MGCSA members and educational events,” Hendrickson said. “We see great gains in allowing our sponsorship dollars to be used by the board in any way they see fit.”

Above, Will Reidel the MGCSA Golf Superintendents.

As most people recognize, SiteOne is no beginner in the golf industry game. The SiteOne Golf Team has partnered with over twenty top golf brands to provide the products needed across the irrigation, lighting, outdoor living and hardscape, turf maintenance, landscape supply, nursery, tools, and equipment and accessories categories. What SiteOne has in its bag proves they know the challenges golf course maintenance faces.

While all this sounds wonderful on paper, how will the MGCSA and Page 48

The SiteOne journey began in 2001 when John Deere Landscapes was born. In 2005, John Deere Landscapes acquired Lesco and expanded its product and service availability. In 2015, the company was officially renamed SiteOne Landscape Supply. SiteOne acquired Hedberg Landscape Supply in 2020 and this allowed further expansion into the hardscapes, mulch and stone products division.

Andrew Carnegie once said, “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to obtain uncommon results.” There is nothing common about the MCGSA nor the excitement SiteOne feels now that they are part of the team.

However, the pairing between the name of the MGCSA and the re-

sources of SiteOne, promises results golf course industry for over 10 far from ordinary. years. He was the former Assistant Superintendent at Hudson Golf Club Brandon joined the SiteOne team in and Oak Marsh Golf Course. Will 2015 and has been in the golf inenjoys coaching hockey, golfing, dustry since 2003. He was a former fishing, and spending time outdoors Assistant Superintendent at Island with his wife, Leah.

View Golf Club in Waconia, MN and an Assistant Superintendent Minnesota branch locations at Spring Hill Golf Club in Wayzata, • Burnsville 11431 Rupp MN. When not working, Brandon Dr, Burnsville Mn 55337 - 952-707enjoys spending time with his fam- 8831 ily, being outdoors, and sports.

• Edina 6925 Washington Ave, Edina Mn 55439 - 952-942Craig joined the SiteOne team 9282 in 2020 and has been in the golf • Hamel 640 Hamel Rd, course industry since 1994. He was Hamel Mn 55340 - 763-478-4725 the former golf course superinten- • Ham lake 15840 Central dent at Oak Ridge Country and Bear Ave NE, Ham Lake Mn - 763-413Path Golf and Country Club. Outside 7000 of work, Craig enjoys health and • Maplewood 1261 Highway fitness and spending time with his 36 E, Maplewood Mn - 651-484family.

5166 • Waite Park 217 33rd Ave S, Will joined the SiteOne team in Waite Park Mn - 320-253-0028 2017 and has been working in the

Page 49

In Bounds

by Jack MacKenzie, CGCS

Even before 2020 turned from normal to weirdness, it was designated as a year committed to “all about me” and my health. Achieving the ripe age of sixty, prime middle-age as far as I understand, it was my determination to pursue a bit of tune-up work so I would be ready to tackle the next twenty years.

Despite the hassles of safety protocols, complicated appointment requirements and seemingly excessive surgery precautions, I survived an abundance of both non and invasive events that I am sure will enhance my future dreams and desires.

removed using my health insurance plan.

Ah yes, can’t bring up health without insurance. My 2020 plan was budgeted beginning January 2nd to BLOW my deductible and open the door for free-wheeling physician time!

Regarding my sight, there were two options: number one, cataract removal with the implant of a monocular vision lens requiring “cheater” glasses the rest of my life, or option two, the removal of the cataracts Preparation actually began in 2019. and implant of a multi-focal lens During a regular optometrist apthat should (85% likelihood) allow pointment, I was told that the cata- for clear vison in all ranges. The ract in my right eye would require caveat was that the second option removal soon, as it was seriously would be significantly more expenimpacting my acute vision, and in sive. However, having worn glasses 2020 the cataract in my left eye since early third grade in elemenwould be “big enough” to have it tary school, I was willing to dole out

Page 50 Page 50

the extra coin to be “frame-free”.

By the end of January, and six doctor visits later, including two tickets to the surgery theater, my vision is better than 20/20 in the near, mid and longrange spectrums. Of course, my pocketbook is a bit skinnier, but that is what a “budget” is all about! FYI, following the first four weeks of the New Year, my deductible was left far in the rearview mirror and I was full speed ahead toward more tweaks and a bit of buffing.

February brought the first round of shingle shots, as my physician said this would be the most important vaccination of my life, little did the good doctor know the future! Following the injection, Dr. M did recommend that I begin a

light regiment of medication for an upward creeping cholesterol level.

Although I hate taking medication, the statin “test” would begin and last for a six-month trial period because of a genetic predisposition to stroke and heart issues.

At about this time I also had my colon inspected, unlike ten years ago, the drugs worked, and I slept like a baby throughout the procedure. Although the video intrusion was covered by insurance, the early season discovery tour was timed to maximize my out-of-pocket expenses

Page 51 Page 51

should I need a bit of internal fixes. sonal service one would hope for They say, “Proper Planning Prevents but none of the too personal and Poor Performance”. potentially uncomfortable feelings an older guy could have when talkMan, I was on a roll. The clinic was ing about options that older guys surely recognizing me due to my might wish to pursue under the frequent maintenance visits, and I right circumstances. All I can say is was excited as they were all going “sildenafil”. KAPOW! And all it took to be free of charge. Being a thrifty was a discussion with my Doc while guy with a strategy was going to sitting at my kitchen table having pay off handsomely. And then Co- a cup of joe and wondering, “what vid-19 happened and the ensuring if?”. KAPOW! Modern medicine is pandemic kerfuffle exploded and, simply amazing. at least temporarily, messed up my best laid agenda.

On another video visit just a few weeks later, this time with a poAh, but wait… only a couple of diatrist to talk about chronic nerve months into the crisis I discovered pain I had been suffering for over the latest and greatest of opportu- a decade in both of my feet, Dr. K nities, video visits with my Doctor. requested an immediate in-person Cool beans! Time to reevaluate my visit to include x-rays. Because trafoptions and dig deeper into my de- fic had been very light at the clinic, ducible health bank account, perI scored an appointment the very sonally justified as I had been pay- next day. Diagnosed with severe ing health insurance premiums for Morton’s neuroma, she slammed the previous forty years with very home two giant shots of cortisone few withdrawals. into the nerve sacs of the inflamed region of both feet. Another mirI LUV the video visit!!!! All the per- acle, pain free for the first time in,

Page 52 Page 52

gosh, I couldn’t remember when.

Pain sucks gang, don’t live with it.

Midsummer I had my blood drawn for a cholesterol check. AccordMy left foot was remedied and reing to my new bromance partner mains without malady, unfortunate- Dr M, I am a poster boy for how a ly the nerve damage was so great very small amount of statin can put in my right foot that six weeks after the smackdown on bad cholesterol the HUGE injection, I was under the without causing negative effects. knife to have the nerve bundle (.25 Cheap through GoodRx too! x .5 inches big) removed. Permanent hurt permanently gone. Sure, I was on a roll now. A quick video I have no feeling in a couple toes, visit with my dermatologist and I but that isn’t a big deal. The chron- was soon baby naked having my ic is GONE. Oh yeah, all covered un- skin inspected for sun damage. In der my insurance. my youth, desires of bronze “babemagnet” skin followed by a career out of doors had ravaged my epidermis, requiring two actions of blue light therapy ten and twenty years ago, to remove cancerous and precancerous cells from my face and scalp. Unfortunately, the quick and easy light treatment wasn’t available during the pandemic due to time re-

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quirements in a confined space. I was sent home with a tube of Efudex-5, chemotherapy in a cream application. Four weeks of scary skin, thank goodness for masks, and my minor face lift has made my mug charming once again. The experience didn’t cost a dime.

Back to my eyes. Although the cataracts were addressed and my vision incredible, I continued to be plagued with floaters, amoeba shaped blobs drifting in and out of my vision like clouds of cotton candy. Why not go in for yet another Dr’s visit, the process was already paid for. Another appointment and soon my eyes were dilated, and Dr. P was eyeballing my eyeballs. Although my fluid fog wasn’t bad enough for a vitrectomy, simply said, the removal of the eye fluid which is then replaced with clean saline solution, he did mandate an immediate surgical procedure to fix the start of a tear in

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my right retina. I was back the next day for a bit of laser touch up to adhere my retina against the eyeball through the growth of scar tissue.

In for a dime, as they say, last November I reached out to my new best friend Dr. M to discuss headaches that I had been experiencing since I was a kid. Please recall that for twenty years I was a cardcarrying professional alcoholic and had always attributed my cerebral pounding as penance for a heavier than normal night of boozing.

Then, for the last two decades I chased excuses for the off and on shadow boxers as allergic reactions, MSG’s, a gluten diet, too much sun, not enough water, dust, pet dander, smoke, the heat, the cold … you name it, I blamed it!

Dr. M listened to my diatribe about headaches that ranged from a distracting mist to a ground pounding, nauseous and thought numbing void of about a day, the only repose was achieved through time, consistently 24 hours. The mind benders occurred about three times a month and came on with a soft knock upon my sinus, followed by either a giant flare or a prolonged ramp up in volume. Of course, my MacKenzie stubbornness prevented me from even thinking about contacting my physician for over an astounding four decades! Hold the superlative please!

and imply a cure. Enter my new very best friend and lover, Sumatriptan. The small pill is consumed as my migraine tickles the inside of my sinus cavity. A short half hour later and I am clear thinking and once again, happy-go-lucky. Almost better than KAPOW!

So, what can we learn from my 2020 medical pilgrimage? Don’t suffer needless pain, there are many remedies available if you are honest and take the risk of asking for help. Medicine can be relatively inexpensive if you budget accordingly. My high deductible of over $6,750 covered many video doctor’s visits, several in-person appointments, three general and two regional anesthesia opportunities, MRI and regular x-rays, over the counter drugs (yup, the good stuff!), therapy and post-operative visits, the last one on December 31st, 2020 with Dr. K who admired The Doc indicated I was being imher fancy foot work. And finally, pacted by migraine headaches. But pills are great when used approprithe best news was that there were ately. many options to reduce the hurt

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