#48 - Course Conditions Q3-2020

COURSE Conditions Issue #48 - Q3 2020

Quarterly Publication of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

2021 FEATURE SUPERINTENDENT

EARLY ORDER PROGRAM Joe VerDuin

American Dunes Golf Club

RETURN

TO EXCELLENCE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Feature: We’re all in this together: a fairway annual bluegrass control story RETURN TO SIMPLICITY. RETURN TO INNOVATION. RETURN TO FLEXIBILITY. Industry Partner: Jake Green, Nufarm’s Regional Manager and send directly to your DSR at betterturf.basf.us/eop Create a profile, designSales your program for the Great Lakes Region

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Carrie Thomas, Assistant Superintendent at Oakland University’s Katke and Sharf golf courses

Sta te C h

ampion J

S os h

ha

They’ll come for the view,

but come back for the course.

Provide outstanding playing conditions, that’s what they’ll talk about at the nineteenth hole. How? With your dedication and precision and a little help from Bayer.

Your Success, Our Science

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COURSE Conditions Issue #48 - Q3 2020

Quarterly Publication of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

FEATURE SUPERINTENDENT

Joe VerDuin American Dunes Golf Club

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Feature: We’re all in this together: a fairway annual bluegrass control story Industry Partner: Jake Green, Nufarm’s Regional Sales Manager for the Great Lakes Region

20

20

w

Carrie Thomas, Assistant Superintendent at Oakland University’s Katke and Sharf golf courses

Sta te C h

ampion J

S os h

ha

They’ll come for the view,

but come back for the course.

Provide outstanding playing conditions, that’s what they’ll talk about at the nineteenth hole. How? With your dedication and precision and a little help from Bayer.

Your Success, Our Science

For more information, contact Robert Pylar 248-330-2638 | robert.pylar@bayer.com

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. Bayer and the Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer © 2020 Bayer CropScience LP. ES-0420-GLF-0111-A-1

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Contents

4

MiGCSA Board of Directors

28

From National

5

President’s Perspective

35

Industry Profile - Jake Green

7

Feature: We’re all in this together

41

Spooktacular: The Biggest Social Event

15

To Tree or Not to Tree……………that is the Question

46

Carrie Thomas - Assistant Superintendent

53

MTF Updates

18

The Wrench: Professionalism and work/home life balance

56

Oakland Hills South Course Renovation Tour

The 2020 MiGCSA State Championship

58

Association Update

20 22

Superintendent - Joe VerDuin

Course Conditions

| Issue #48 - Q3 2020

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COURSE Conditions

Profile interviews conducted by Greg Johnson, Greg Johnson Media L.L.C.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT

ROB STEGER, CGCS Mid-Class A Saginaw C.C.

EQUIPMENT MANAGER LIAISON

BOARD MEMBERS

JEFF HOPKINS Western-Class A

Muskegon County Club

BEN BEARD Western-Class EM American Dunes G.C.

COLLIN ROMANICK COMMUNICATIONS JESSE SHAVER GENE DAVIS COMMITTEE Gull Lake C.C. Blythefield C.C. Northern-Class A VICE PRESIDENT DOUG WARE Chairman

TOM SCHALL, CGCS Elk Rapids Golf Club

TREASURER Greater Detroit-Class A CRAIG MCKINLEY Oakland University

City of Livonia JARED MILNER Buck’s Run Golf Club ROB STEGER, CGCS Detroit-Class A

Saginaw C.C. Meadowbrook C.C. JARED MILNER SECRETARY/ RYAN MOORE Meadowbrook C.C. MICAH WISE TREASURER Greater Detroit-Class A

ADAM GARR

Forest Lake C.C. BRETT ROBERTS Site One Detroit-Class A Target Specialty JOE ETTAWAGESHIK

Syngenta Professional Products Products Lochenheath Golf Club PAST PRESIDENT JEFF SWEET, CGCS ASSISTANT LIAISON TIM MATTY Mid-Class A Greater Detroit-Class C

Bucks Run G.C.

Country Club of Detroit

Course Conditions is published 4 times a year by the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association. Opinions expressed by guest writers do not necessarily reflect the views of the MiCGSA. For more information on Course Conditions or the MiGCSA please contact us at info@migca.org, 1-888-3-MiGCSA or 316 Glencarin Dr. NE, Rockford, MI 49341.

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

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President’s

PERSPECTIVE

O

n October 1st I’ll be starting as the Superintendent at Red Run Golf Club. Filling the shoes of a renowned Superintendent like Gary Thommes, CGCS will not be easy, but I am excited for the challenge. While preparing myself for the move with a new team to lead I can’t stop thinking about the great people that I have worked with and for during my career.

RO

BS CS T E GE R , C G

My first job on a golf course working with one of my best friends raking bunkers and mowing greens for one of the most laid-back Superintendents I have ever met, Norm Brown. Norm had a calmness about him that kept everyone and everything level even when dealing with challenging issues. This was the job that made me think about changing majors and going into turf. My second job in turf was for Steve Sonoga, CGCS, Steve taught me about giving the golfers what they want, not necessarily what you want. As an intern at TPC Michigan working with 14 employees from Guanajuato, Mexico who took me under their wing teaching me their language and showing me how to work hard to provide for your family. TPC is also where I learned about intensity and extreme attention to detail, the Superintendent (John Kulka) was the polar opposite of Norm Brown but both gentlemen produced results. At Bird Creek I met a young man (Kevin Risch) who had a work ethic second to none, he also changed majors and is now the Lead Assistant at Saginaw CC. Our Equipment Manager (Aaron Kirsch) has always been willing to go the extra mile to help us produce great turf conditions. Kevin and Aaron are more than employees, they are friends. I think the friendships developed in the golf business make it different than any other line of work.

The members at Bird Creek and Saginaw Country Club have been so amazing to me and my family, breaking the news that I was going to be moving on was difficult. When leaving for a new opportunity there is a part of me that feels like I am letting someone down, that part is always difficult.

Each time I have interviewed for a Superintendent position (that I landed) I could feel immediately how badly I wanted to work for the people that were interviewing me. When I drove to Bird Creek 14 years ago, I was going for interview experience; after hearing what they had to say, I wanted to work for them. It was no different when interviewing at Saginaw Country Club and I had

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

the exact same feeling while interviewing at Red Run Golf Club. I left the first interview excited for the opportunity to work for the members I met and their COO Joe Marini.

As Superintendents, I think this is not only how it should be; but how it MUST be. We pour so much of ourselves into the job that we do each day, I think it is critical to have the same values as the people you work for.

I am so extremely thankful for everyone who has helped me get to this point, there have been so many. I have been lucky to work with some of the best crew members in the business; people who put the golf course second to only their families. I’ll miss each staff member at SCC but am excited to get to work with a new team at Red Run!

Rob Steger, CGCS

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SAFETY CUP (INVERTED)

FEATURE

Jared Milner stands atop his patch work fairway ABG control plots.

We’re all in this

together: a fairway annual bluegrass control story

DR. THOMAS A. NIKOLAI LED BY AARON HATHAWAY AND JARED MILNER

M

ost have heard the proverb “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” which suggests we should strive to make the best out of a bad situation. Clearly, members and management at Meadowbrook Country Club (MCC) chose to make a lemonade stand from their misfortune. Misfortune number 1 was the application of the very effective broadleaf herbicide aminocyclopyrachlor (Imprelis) in 2010 which led to significant tree damage/death and an eventual settlement of over 2 million dollars. If you are too young to know the story, simply Google “Imprelis”.

IMAGE 2

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IMAGE 3

IMAGES 2 & 3 In the fall of 2018 Aaron Hathaway sprayed the same experimental product to control annual bluegrass in creeping bentgrass greens. Both greens were within 10 miles of one-another and were sprayed on the same day, by the same person, with the same equipment. Both images were taken on April 30, 2019. Clearly, the image on the right has some good control of ABG in the 3 plots that can be seen in row 1. Even more clearly, the amount of damage caused by the product in image 2 is unacceptable. These two images show 1) why it takes so long to get an experimental product to market and 2) whenever you use a new herbicide or PGR on your side it is prudent to be cautious and start with some small plots before making a blanket application on all your greens, tees, or fairways.

Misfortune number 2 became evident with the snow melt in late winter/early spring of 2014 exposing a significant loss of annual bluegrass (ABG) due to winter kill. These combined misfortunes led to 72% membership support for redesigning their Willie Park Jr. course under the direction of architect Andy Staples. Ground was broken for reconstruction in October 2015 with plans to have it ready for play in May of 2017. Obviously, the expectation among some of the members was their course would be rid of ABG forever.

On November 30, 2015 Jared Milner was hired as the golf course superintendent to oversee the grow-in. The fairways at MCC were seeded to PureFormance Blend (Crystal blue links, Penn links II, and Pure Select) creeping bentgrass. Prior to seeding, the fairways were sprayed 3 times with glyphosate (Roundup) in an attempt to kill all the vegetation. Dazomet (Basamid) soil sterilant was

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

Jared Milner early on in the construction phase at Meadowbrook Country Club. Do, in part, to difficulties in finding qualified labor Jared brings in his daughter Naydine in for assistance.

| www.migcsa.org

FEATURE

considered, however, the members chose not to spend the additional $150,000.00 for the application.

Jared knew that keeping ABG out of the fairways was very important to many of his membership, so 30 days after the initial seeding he started using bispyribacsodium (Velocity) to keep ABG at bay. Jared explained, “During reshaping, some of the fairways had 1-inch or more of the soil removed. Those areas did not have very much ABG encroachment. However, in areas that did not have soil removed there was visible encroachment of ABG early on.” Jared added, “Velocity has been doing a nice job keeping ABG controlled on our fairways, but even though the members do not want the return of ABG, many object to the discoloration caused by Velocity” and, of course, the production of Velocity was halted in 2017 making it harder to acquire.

At the 2019 Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Conference in East Lansing, MI I walked into a conversation between Jared and Aaron Hathaway. A plan was being hatched to perform an ABG control study on MCC’s fairways with the objectives of keeping the infestation to a minimum with little, preferably no, discoloration. The first research I ever performed was in 1990 working for Dr. Bruce

Branham. It was a plant growth regulator study that included an experimental product called trinexapac-ethyl (Primo). Clearly a lot has changed in the world of ABG since then and I have not stayed on top of all of them so I was delighted when asked to be involved.

Products chosen to be included in the study along with their rates are presented in Table 1.

Aaron Hathaway became involved in turfgrass weed research in 1999 and he graduated with his master’s degree from MSU in 2005.

His master’s research compared many of the new bentgrass cultivars, which have vastly increased tiller densities compared to older and once more common cultivars like Penncross. The Hancock Turfgrass Research Center is basically an ABG farm, we actually harvest the ABG seed to plant research plots.

Aaron established putting green surfaces with different bentgrass cultivars, trafficked them, and measured the infiltration of ABG into each of them over time.

Table 1.

Product Treatment

Rates, respectively

Formulations, respectively

Anuew

12 ounces/acre

wettable granule (WG)

Anuew + Xonerate

8 oz./acre & 1 oz./acre

WG & WG

Anuew + Trimmit

8 oz./acre & 10 fl. oz. /acre

WG & suspension concentrate (SC)

Trimmit

12 fl. oz./acre

SC

Trimmit

20 fl. oz./acre

SC

Xonerate 70WG

1 oz./acre

WG

Anuew + Torque

12 oz./acre + 35 fl. ox./acre

WG & SC

Velocity 17.6SG

2 oz./acre

Soluble Granule (SG)

Anuew + Velocity

8 oz./acre + 2 oz./acre

WG & SG

Untreated control

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FIGURE 1.

Percentage of Annual Bluegrass per treatment from Meadowbrook Country Club Fairways 2019.

Intuitively, one would think the greater the density of a bentgrass cultivar the greater the reduction of ABG infiltration, however, Aaron’s research surprisingly showed that older cultivars, such as Penncross, performed better in the summer heat and made-up density when ABG struggled and the newer cultivars did not necessarily shine in the high heat of summer either. Key point, Aaron’s data shed light on the fact that ABG populations were always moving up and down, fluctuating with the seasons, along with the strengths and weaknesses of the differing bentgrass cultivars the ABG infiltrated.

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

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FEATURE

Aaron states, “There have been, and there remains, a select few effective herbicides for ABG removal or prevention in cool season putting greens, so other methods for ABG control are important. Back in 2005 paclobutrazol (Trimmit) and flurprimidol (Cutless) were really the only options for ABG control in bentgrass greens.

In fairways, the same 2 plant growth regulators (PGRs) were available, but I started to work with a few herbicides categorized as postemergence herbicides for ABG control like Velocity and amicarbazone (Xonerate). Neither were commercially available at that time and today only the Xonerate remains as an option.

Ethofumesate (Prograss) was another product on the market and some gutsy superintendents actually used Roundup like a PGR at low rates to slowly favor the bentgrass over ABG. Certain preemergence products have been around for a long time, but few are willing to use them. It makes sense to use preemergence herbicides to control a weed like ABG that primarily infiltrates golf turf through germination of seeds, but the potential for root pruning and the inability to interseed in a pinch is a huge drawback.

Control of ABG on golf courses is difficult because it is almost always a considerable percentage of the overall turf stand. The decision to control ABG often becomes a decision to kill much of that stand along with injuring the favorable turfgrass species. For example, Velocity at higher rates (2 apps at

30 g ai/A) or a few well-timed spring applications of Xonerate will very selectively and effectively kill ABG on a fairway. This would be great if the fairway has 5-10% ABG, but older fairways have much more ABG. Due to that fact we began to treat postemergence herbicides like PGRs, applying them at much lower rates to injure the ABG and favor the bentgrass hoping that, over time, ABG will fade away and bentgrass will take over. However, it seems that superintendents really didn’t like either option – bare ground was out and season-long use of herbicides that also injure bentgrass (not kill, but cause phytotoxicity) was also out. Really, golf course managers want something better – a product that effectively kills all ABG in a medium amount of time yet allows the bentgrass to fill in with very little visible turnover.”

In 2016, Jared started spot spraying areas he knew had the most ABG populations with Velocity at the 3 oz. rate, however, when spot spraying, phytotoxicity in treated areas stood out to the members. Jared added, “Blanket treatments resulted in every fairway displaying even amounts of turfgrass injury which were not as objectionable as the phytotoxicity from spot spraying. For that reason I won’t go back to the spot spraying method of application again.”

So in the spring of 2019 a replicated study was initiated in a fairway at MCC with the 11 treatments listed in Table 1. Nine applications were made two weeks apart followed by %ABG and phytotoxicity ratings taking place by Jared, Aaron, and myself separately and together on several occasions. Again, the objective was to determine which treatment led to the greatest decrease in the %ABG with as little visible phytotoxicity as possible.

The percentage of decrease of ABG per treatment was taken on September 20, 2 weeks after the final treatment of the season, and is listed in Figure 1. Notice the Xonerate and the Torque plots had a greater %ABG than the untreated check. The treatments that resulted with plots having the least %ABG were treated with Anuew, Trimmit at the high rate, Velocity, and the Anuew/Velocity combination treatment. In Figure 2 are the quality ratings taken on five dates from each treatment throughout the year. Quality ratings were taken 5, 5, 4, 17, and 11 days after treatments were applied, respectively. For this study quality ratings took into account the density of the plots, color, and most significantly the phytotoxicity caused by the treatment. It should be noted that Trimmit, in particular, can cause wider leaf blades and longer internodes which would have been included in overall quality ratings subjectively.

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FEATURE

FIGURE 2.

Bentgrass fairway quality ratings on a scale of 1-9 from Meadowbrook Country Club Fairways 2019. Quality ratings in this case took into account the density of the turfgrass, color, and most significantly the phytotoxicity caused by the treatment. The number 1 reflects the worst possible rating, 6 and above is acceptable quality for a bentgrass fairway, and 9 is turfgrass quality only God can obtain on a bentgrass fairway in Michigan and he was not on our team.

To interpret the data, the number 1 reflects the worst possible rating, 6 and above is acceptable quality for a bentgrass fairway, and 9 is turfgrass quality only God can obtain on a bentgrass fairway in Michigan. Notice the Velocity treatment resulted in below acceptable fairway quality on each rating date primarily due to phytotoxicity on the turfgrass. Tank-mixing the Anuew with the Velocity decreased the visible injury and overall the Trimmit at the low rate and the Anuew resulted in the best overall fairway quality at MCC. So, given the results in Figures 1 and 2 and the stated objective of the study it is easy to conclude, that for the mixture of bentgrass species grown in the soil at MCC the best product in this study was Anuew. So I asked Jared, “Did the results of this study change how you will perform ABG control on your golf course fairways?” Jared’s more cautioned response was, “Yes, but still not sold on a product or program. Time will tell. Velocity was the ticket but it is gone. Members who looked at the plots with

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

me always picked out Anuew or Anuew + Trimmit.” Aaron added, “Results we have from this spring (i.e. 2020) are much different from what we had at the end of 2019.

Much of the ABG came back, which means we were really suppressing ABG with some of these – this is definitely part of the story: PGRs (Trimmit and Anuew in particular) will work to suppress ABG in bentgrass over time and serve as a tool in the tool chest. Velocity plots had ZERO ABG this spring – but it cannot be purchased anymore so one less tool. I think PGRs can be helpful especially if you start with very little Poa, but other tools are necessary, such as dry downs, a postemergence herbicide [like Velocity or maybe PoaCure], and, perhaps, well-timed preemergence herbicides.”

The long-awaited methiozolin (PoaCure) product has hit the market and it is promising. PoaCure should be watered in to inhibit root production of ABG slowly (usually) killing ABG over time and allowing bentgrass to fill in the voids as it works. PoaCure also provides preemergence activity in the soil, which, again, is a huge plus for control of ABG, but can cause problems if any reseeding is necessary. Every golf course is different and even every putting green has differences that affect the starting health of the ABG and the majority of biotypes (more perennial or annual types), which changes how quickly a herbicide will kill ABG. Aaron added, “No matter which herbicide or PGR I

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FEATURE

have used over the years, they work differently and/or more quickly at one site versus another even when I apply the same product at the same rate on the same day in locations a half-mile apart.”

Please see Images 2 and 3.

The golf course turfgrass business is made-up of different pillars. The key pillars are the golf course superintendent, industry, and research (Image 4).

No one group leads, but we are all bound together and the more we communicate and work together the stronger and more knowledgeable our business

will be. I consider myself fortunate to be included in studies like this. I had planned to travel to several golf courses and sod farms this summer to gain insights. Last year I was also included in a project with the support of Jerry Husemann, Kimberly Rouleau, Mike Morris, and Don Roth looking at control of weeds in “no mow areas” that I had planned to continue this year but that was not to be. Perhaps this pandemic will be behind us next growing season and I can continue down that path. Until then, thanks for your support and be assured you have mine.

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Chad Kuzawa, Regional Agronomist | 616-255-2818 | chad@soilfirst.com www.earthworksturf.com | 800.732.8873 ©2020 EarthWorks Turf

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To Tree or Not to Tree……………

that is the Question

BY A. PAUL ALBANESE, ASGCA

Trees

on golf courses.

Controversial, usually.

When golf started back on the links land of Scotland, there was no talk of trees with relation to golf, because there were not any. The controversies of that era were more about rabbit holes, sheep dung and whether golf interfered with archery practice.

But, as golf evolved, and especially as it migrated across the pond, trees became part of the golf design palette.

And, like all golf design elements, trees have been utilized both well and poorly over the years.

Recognizing there are not “right” or “wrong” answers in art and design, this commentary is simply my take on what I think works well with regard to how trees are used in golf architecture. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the following comments are not meant as golf design gospel, but simply what I have seen over 28 years in golf design.

Trees are often quite beautiful and people playing on a golf course appreciate their splendor. Yet, golfers also enjoy hitting off turf and putting on bent grass versus dirt. And, I recognize where this column is being printed and that I am preaching to the choir on this point. So, a simple question a golf superintendent can ask any golfer that decries the loss of a tree: Do you want quality turf or a beautiful tree? It is a choice that golfers need to comprehend, and the decision is simply one of science. You cannot physically have both.

Another tree issue that continues to amaze me, are how many trees have been planted in locations that diminish the optical composition of a golf hole. An architect usually has a vision for how they believe a golf hole will look when viewed from the teeing area. They will often place bunkers in spots that work to offset another visual aspect of the

hole, creating what I call the “postcard” view. It is artistry.

And then, much to the chagrin of the original architect, a tree will be planted that will take away, and sometimes ruin, this picture. Clearly, the planter of these offending trees did not account for this artistry, especially when the trees are planted literally in front of a bunker the designer meticulously created for the beholder to enjoy; only to have it bifurcated by the tree planter. Before planting a tree, at a minimum, one should view the hole from the teeing area to appreciate the canvas on which they are splashing a tree.

And then, reconsider.

Golf is a hard-enough sport already. And, I often see trees planted in locations that just make the game too hard. The favorite being near a green complex, supposedly “off to the side” and not interfering with the visual composition or even the turf conditions. Yet, located on the outside edge of a bunker, this type of tree will often create the almost impossible shot. A golfer finds his ball under or behind this tree, and they then have unenviable position of not being able to run the ball up to the green due to the bunker, and also not hit a higher shot due to the limbs of the tree. In my book, this is patently penal (read: unfair) golf course design. A golfer should not be penalized with an almost impossible shot by simply hitting it near a tree not far from the green.

Specimen trees can be a great addition to a golf hole, when properly vetted and thought about prior to planting.

And, once ONE good tree is planted, there is usually no reason to continue planting more trees around it. In fact, on many old turn-of-the-century designed golf courses, we spend a lot of time and effort removing the many trees that have been planted around that unique specimen tree.

The results always being “less is more” and the removal of many trees will often make that

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single specimen tree become more focal, interesting and memorable.

Golfers don’t hit the ball straight off the tee. They often start out right or left, and then move one way or the other, with hopes of ending up in the middle of the fairway. Yet, those planting trees will often stand in the middle of a tee box, and point a straight line to the fairway and declare the trees on the edges of the hole a non-issue. Inevitably, these trees grow, and then force golfers to only be able to play

to one side of the fairway, or not be able to have the ball move from side to side, which is not something even the pros do.

Tree planting seems like a benign endeavor for a greens committee or golf operator to do. People love trees and who would argue about beautifying a golf course? But, if trees are an imperative, they need to be designed, planned and managed with similar diligence as all other aspects of the design.

Erwin McKone is a Michigan native, growing up in Flint, Michigan was introduced to turf at Genesee Valley Meadows. Erwin earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Michigan and was a Research Assistant for Bruce Branham at the University of Illinois. Erwin served as Chief Operating OďŹƒcer and Director of Golf Operations at Briar Ridge Country Club prior to joining the Turf Ventures team in 2016.

Turf Ventures is a major distributor of chemicals and supplies. The company philosophy emphasizes playability as guiding principle for agronomic decisions. Turf Ventures believes in common sense agronomic principles and proven cultural practices to ensure the success of its partners.

Erwin H. McKone, CGCS 219-688-0089 erwin@chicagolandturf.com 16

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

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BY: HECTOR VELAZQUEZ EQUIPMENT MANAGER, WALNUT CREEK C.C.

Professionalism and

work/home life balance

F

irst, I want to start off with a special thank you to Craig McKinley for asking me to write an article about professionalism and work/home life balance. I touched on this topic during Technician Day at Walnut Creek Country Club a while back. I will start off with professionalism in the shop because that is the easier topic to dive into. After five years traveling across the country full time, we visited and worked in a good amount of golf course maintenance facilities. Sometimes it was just a quick hello and other times it was for tech training or shop renovations. All too often I would walk in a shop that was not exactly the safest place to be in, to put it kindly. Being a mechanic, we are often labeled as a “Grease Monkey” because people picture a shop that is dirty and grimy with junk all over the workbench and reels laying around everywhere and a mechanic that’s wearing grease stained clothes and holey pants. We do not have to be a “Grease Monkey” just because we are mechanics.

It is up to us to change that stigma and to be seen as a professional.

It does not cost anything to clean up our operation.

We can organize

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

THE WRENCH

This article will be in every issue of Course Conditions featuring a new idea and author. If you have a helpful tip and would like to provide a contribution please contact the MiGCSA at info@migcsa.org. Is your Equipment Manager an MiGCSA Member? They can be for only $25 a year.

our workbenches, put tools away, sweep floors, and pick up trash laying around. It does not cost much to wear a clean shirt to work and tuck it in. Hold your chin up and work that swagger across your clean shop. Walking into a nice clean and organized shop changes your attitude and most likely will change the staff and superintendent’s attitude as well. They will not want your shop to look better than their office and the staff will want to make sure they are cleaning the equipment better to help keep the shop looking stellar. It changes the whole moral in the maintenance facility. That same swagger will carry out to the course! You have heard that saying “ Show me who your friends are, and I will know who you are”. That same thing applies here, “Show me your shop and I will know your course”. You see, it all starts in the maintenance facility.

Balancing work life and home life is not easy, and it requires one to be more intentional. Everyone has their reasons as to why they are not balancing work and home life. Sometimes it is easier to be a workaholic or maybe that is all you know how to do.

Maybe you use the excuse “well it comes with the title”. If you have a family to come home to, count your blessings, as all do not have that privilege. Do not come home one day and realize, whoa who are you? Time goes by so fast and children grow up quick, spouses go through personal growth, and we need to not miss out on that because of a job. Work will always need to be done. You cannot do it all in one day. Prioritize what needs to be done right now

and what can wait until the next day. Sure, you will have days where you cannot help but to stay late and take care of business but that should not be every day and every week. You can change things up by going into work earlier, rather than staying later on some days. Have a heart to heart with your boss if you need to and communicate what is important to you and put a plan together so you can make the most of your time while at work. It definitely helps when you have a boss that you can see eye to eye with. Sometimes sacrifice has to happen. Let us just make sure it is not always our families that are doing the sacrificing. Balance looks different to everyone. Do what works for you and your family and the season that your family is in. It changes continually. Be encouraged, you can make it work as long as you are making it a priority to stay connected with the relationships that mean the most to you.

Keep the communication open. It may not be easy, but it is definitely worth it.

| Issue | Winter #48 - Q3 2019-20 2020 Course Course Conditions Conditions

19 13

The 2020 MiGCSA State Championship Thank you 2020 Industry Partners

MiGCSA Class A Member Bob Stipcak, CGCS hosted the 13th annual State Championship, the MiGCSA Major, on August 18th at Timber Ridge G.C. in Bath. This event is not just for those competing for the trophy there is also a 2 of 4 net team event so everyone can get in the game. The course was really in remarkable condition thanks to the great work by Bob and his staff.

The 2020 event was well contested with a few rounds in the 70’s on a tough layout and set up. In the end the 2020 State Champion was Josh Shaw, Superintendent at Timber Trace in Pickney with a 73. Finishing second overall in the competition was MiGCSA Past President Jeff Holmes, CGCS of Egypt Valley with a personal lifetime best of 75 to win the low net contest with a net 63.

Congratulations to both of our individual winners! The best 2 of 4 net game was won by the team of Ryan Moore, Eric Davey, Marc McCoy and Jeff Holmes with a 125, second place was Tyler Cooper, Scott Mincher, Brett Roberts and Josh Shaw with a 129 and the third place team of Jim Apsey, Derek Koster, Kevin Frank and Robert Klingbeil shot 134.

The long drive was won by Scott Mincher.

Kevin Frank and Robert Klingbeil won the Thank you Bob Stipcak, CGCS closest to the pin competition. our 2020 Host

Josh Shaw, the 2020 State Champion

Jeff Holmes, CGCS the 2020 Net State Champion

With this win Josh will be heading to the Michigan Open in 2021 thanks to the exemption offered thanks to the Michigan PGA. Thank you to our 2020 Industry Partners for making events like these possible. This fall and all year please remember to support those who support you.

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

THE CORE SOLUTION FOR SOIL PROBLEMS

INCLUDED IN ANALYSIS: Total Core Water Holding % Particle Density Uniform Wetting %

RAPID. RELIABLE. AFFORDABLE.

Phone: 616.805.4718 / Website: www.greatlakesturf.com / Twitter: @greatlakesturf 21 Course Conditions | Issue #48 - Q3 2020

SUPERINTENDENT — JOE VERDUIN AT AMERICAN DUNES GOLF CLUB

JOE

VerDuin 1

Joe VerDuin is the superintendent for the soon-to-debut American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven. He started in the business working at Spring Lake Country Club at age 16. He is currently 30 and studied turfgrass at Michigan State University and business at Grand Valley State University where he also worked at The Meadows Golf Course at GVSU. He and his wife Emma have been married four years and have two boys. He has been at what was Grand Haven Golf Club and is now American Dunes since 2017. He has also worked at National Golf Links and Arcadia Bluffs.

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HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? I needed a summer job when I was 16. I walked into Spring Lake Country Club and they were hiring. I worked there for probably four years and Kirk Carls said to me that it seemed like I enjoyed myself, and that I had a knack. I went to a community college trying to figure out what I wanted to do.

Then went to Western Michigan for a little bit, too, before I found the golf industry.

3

WHAT PART OF YOUR EDUCATION DO YOU USE THE MOST? Things have changed even in the last two years to tell the truth. I used more of my current knowledge, especially with this grow-in. I was here when it was Grand Haven Golf Club in 2017 and 2018 and they needed help with the turf when I got here. I worked hard on that.

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

WHEN DID YOU LEARN IT WAS GOING TO BECOME AMERICAN DUNES? I heard that someone who was a big deal was coming to the course. They didn’t really tell me or anybody what was going on. It was probably July of 2018 and Jack Nicklaus showed up with his head designer and Dan Rooney. That was mid-day maybe 4 o-clock. There were golfers on the course and Jack and his designer got in carts and took a spin around the entire golf course. He was buzzing by people, and they were playing golf out there. People were kind of angry at first, and then they were like that’s Jack Nicklaus. It was an interesting day. I was then told at a fall meeting in 2018 the final word, that they were going to do the whole course. I was told we’re going to make this a different place. I was like, sweet, yeah.

4

TELL US ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATION? We kept the irrigation and there’s almost double the heads now, roughly 1200 heads, and we probably saved 700 off the old course.

All through 2019 there was just construction, bulldozers, backhoes, everything you can imagine. It was mostly taking out trees at first. The first tree hit the ground March 11. We did a first round of clearing, and that wasn’t quite enough, so we did another and then another if I remember right. Then on July 15 we had a huge storm and that night more than 100 trees got knocked down. We had irrigation in the ground, so those had to be cleared carefully because holes were being shaped and moved, too. We had to strategize and deal with some things, and we had a pretty cold spring and then not a lot of snow in the winter so sand was blowing around out there. Once we’re

done I think we will have to do a little snow fencing in the winter. We have acres of exposed sand out there. No dirt came in during construction or went out.

Everything here was here.

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WHAT HAS BEEN THE EXPERIENCE WITH JACK NICKLAUS? I would say he has been here at least 10 times, and he really seemed to like the site and the project. I think he wanted to make the place extra special because of his connection with the majority owner, Dan Rooney and what they are doing with the Folds of Honor charity work. He would drive around and he would ask questions. He was super nice, but he was all business out there.

It was great stuff watching him work.

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF AMERICAN DUNES? All of the profits of American Dunes, once the bills are paid, will go to Folds

THINGS PEOPLE MAY

NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

of Honor, a non-profit that helps children and spouses of our fallen military with scholarships. It’s a cool thing to be involved with. I didn’t go into the military, but it feels good to be involved in this indirect way. The better we do in this department, the more people will come to the course and it will help people down the line.

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WHAT ABOUT THE SEEDING? The really kind of cool thing we did was hydroseeding all around the greens. We couldn’t find any sod that matched our soil profile.

It looks great on the first nine.

It looks like it has worked pretty well. The other nine holes should be ready to go in May 2021 and then with a good spring we will be open.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FROM THE TURFGRASS FOUNDATION? I have questions right now about the research

1. I am 50% Mexican American.

2. I played water polo at MSU and won a Big Ten Title.

3. I have a business administration degree from Grand Valley State University.

4. I have 3 older brothers (one in the Turf industry).

5. When I was 18, I emailed Nicklaus Design to see how I could get into golf course design, and if they took interns.

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| Issue #48 - Q3 2020

23

on how quick I can put down a growth regulator. You know, 12-week-old grass?

10-week-old grass? Do I go through a full growing program. Most people tell you not to put it down until you are all the way grown in. I will be looking for more answers on that, and things like that. I like the research they do.

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DO YOU HAVE HOBBIES OR SPECIAL INTERESTS AWAY FROM GOLF? I like to watch basketball and I love college football, and it usually means the season is slowly wrapping up. My wife and her family love to hunt. I met her when I was working at The Meadows.

She worked in the shop there. Her family has 100 acres by Greenville, so we go up there and hunt some. After the season I’m kind of an inside person, but I do love to golf. My wife played golf in high school. I like to get on a course when I can.

10 WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST

CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB? When I first got here we really had to clean the equipment and organize the shop, and now it has moved to changing from a smaller operation to offering this world-class golf course. It’s going to be different.

1 1 WHAT IS THE MOST SATISFYING PART OF YOUR JOB? When people see and enjoy the hard work you have put in.

It’s great when somebody comes up and tells you they noticed. It means a lot when people understand the late nights you work and everything that goes into making a golf course work. I love it when people say they enjoyed playing. Then you know they enjoyed the hard work you and your team put in. That’s pretty sweet.

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

12 WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME OF

THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING GOLF TODAY? I guess the biggest one is the amount of time it takes for people to play a round. I know for me, to come up with four hours to play with us having two small kids is tough. The last thing my wife really wants to hear after I’ve been working at the golf course for so many hours is that I want to go back to the golf course to play.

13 WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN

10 YEARS? Hopefully still here. I don’t see why not. This place has so much potential and the cause is so great with Folds of Honor. I would like to see the impact it makes and be part of that.

14 HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE

REMEMBERED 100 YEARS FROM NOW? As a hardworking, positive person. There’s a lot to be said about how you treat people and I want people to think I treated them well. It normally works out. Every once in a while you’ve got to use a little more stick than carrot, but I like being a person who treats people with respect, works hard and leads by example.

15 WHO WAS YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE

IN THE TURFGRASS INDUSTRY? If I had to point one person out it would be Kirk Carls because he was the one who asked if I ever thought about going into the industry. I had never even thought about it before that. And then I would have to mention all the superintendents I’ve worked for. I’ve learned a lot from all of them. We all learn something from everybody we work with. Good, bad, or indifferent, it has all led to me being the kind of person I am.

| www.migcsa.org

Course Conditions

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16 WHAT’S THE MOST VALUABLE THING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED THAT YOU USE ALL THE TIME? I would go back with a golden rule, and that’s to respect everybody. The more respect you show them, and if they see you working hard, it works.

It is easier to pull people in than to push people, right?

17 WHAT PERCENTAGE OF TIME DO YOU DEVOTE TO NON-AGRONOMIC GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT? Right now 40 percent, and maybe more once we are fully open. Right now I have 12 guys, including myself, one mechanic, one assistant and the assistant just came on recently. We’re all working.

18 WHAT IS YOU OPINION OF THE ASSISTANT

SUPERINTENDENT? It’s huge. Before April I was doing both and a few other jobs. It anything broke, I was fixing it. If we needed to spray, I had to do it.

The assistant is also that other set of eyes to see things.

19 WHAT ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT MANAGER? I have learned quite a bit about fixing things over the years, but the backbone of a golf course operation is the mechanic. They are that important.

20 WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE REGARDING GOLF COURSE ETIQUETTE? People not using the cart paths. It is ridiculous. They are there for a reason.

21 WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM FOURSOME?

Jack Nicklaus. I can’t have anybody read this and not see Jack in there. Tiger, definitely and throw Gary Woodland in there. He’s a huge Folds of Honor guy. It would be a great group.

22 WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST PERSONAL

INFLUENCE? I have learned quite a bit about fixing things over the years, but the backbone of a golf course operation is the mechanic. They are that important.

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

SUPERINTENDENT

SPECIFICATIONS

320

400

Cutting Width SPECIFICATIONS

10' 7" 320

13' 1" 400

Cutting Width

10' 7"

13' 1"

Course Conditions

| Issue #48 - Q3 2020

27

FROM NATIONAL

BY SHANE CONROY AND GCSAA STAFF

2021 Golf Industry Show to be presented virtually

Your space. Your pace. All in one place.

Shan e Conroy

time away from work. It is a unique situation where we have the ability to connect more industry professionals from all corners of the world than ever before.” You can view John’s announcement of the 2021 Golf Industry Show here.

Registration for the 2021 Golf Industry Show will open Oct. 13 on the Golf Industry Show website. ____________________________________________

GIS 2021: The 2021 Golf Industry Show is going virtual.

Q&A with GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans

GCM sat down with GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans to discuss the Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, GCSAA announced today that move to a virtual GIS, the reasons behind it, what attendees the annual education conference and trade show will be presented in a can expect, and what the future might hold for other virtual format instead of the previously planned in-person event in Las upcoming conferences and trade shows.

Vegas.

Q: At the time of this interview in early August, we’re The decision was made in conjunction with GCSAA’s presenting GIS six months out from the scheduled dates for an partners, the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) in-person GIS 2021. Why did GCSAA decide now was and the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA). The the right time to make this decision? organizations say the virtual event will offer an experience that A: The short answer is that it was simply the right thing continues the Golf Industry Show’s long tradition of connecting to do — for our members, our exhibitors, our GIS attendees, exhibitors and industry experts through a week of presenting partners, and our staff who work so hard to unparalleled educational opportunities and access to golf facility plan and execute the Golf Industry Show each year. solutions for industry professionals.

As any organization that conducts an event as In addition to the education, trade show and special events that will substantial as GIS would do, we have been carefully take place live on the virtual platform the first week of February, monitoring the situation, tracking its effect on the attendees will also have the option to view or review all content from event and trade show industry, and gathering feedback the show for an extended period after the event concludes. from GCSAA members and longtime GIS exhibitors. In addition to planning for an in-person event in Las Vegas, The theme of GIS 2021 — “Your space. Your pace. All in one place.” — we were working concurrently on several contingency not only reflects the ability of participants to attend the show from the plans, all with the safety, health and comfort of all GIS safety of their homes or offices and consume the content when they attendees at the forefront of our thinking. want to, but also speaks to the convergence of industry experts that is a hallmark of GIS and will remain so in the virtual format.

As we entered the month of August, circumstances “As we monitored the national landscape and sought input from our members and exhibitors, it was clear that a virtual event would offer the safest and best way to provide a quality GIS experience,” said GCSAA President John R. Fulling Jr., CGCS. “We are confident our attendees will embrace this interactive, cutting-edge virtual platform. In addition, we believe the virtual event will offer opportunities for those who may have not been able to attend in-person shows due to travel costs or

made it clear that now was the time and that an all-virtual event was our best course of action. The pandemic remained a source of great concern for all of our constituents, and it was clear that concern would likely continue into the new year. Additionally, several other prominent events we had been watching closely — most notably, the 2021 Consumer Electronics CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

More time, More Control Building A Thoughtful EOP: The FMC 2020 Early Order Program was developed with you in mind.

How? FMC asked. Given the impact of this year effected each golf course differently, FMC listened to superintendents from across the country on how to best build a ‘thoughtful’ EOP with your needs in mind.

With ‘More Time, More Control’ you’ll see: • Low minimum to qualify • Longer payment terms • Extended In-Season Savings • More ways to reach RebateLock Visit FMCTrueChampions.com to enroll or contact your local FMC Market Specialist for more information.

EXTENDED SAVINGS NEW KIT OFFERINGS ADDED REBATELOCK TIERS Always read and follow all label directions, restrictions and precautions for use. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states.

Course FMC, the FMC logo, True Champions and RebateLock are trademarks or service marks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2020 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved.

Conditions

| Issue #47 - Q2 2020

29

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

Introducing our two newest allied partners Call your sales rep for a demo today!

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Course Conditions

| Issue #48 - Q3 2020

31

Show and the 2020 GIE+EXPO — announced that their events would either go virtual (in the case of CES) or be postponed (in the case of GIE+EXPO).

We were also cognizant of the need to give time for all involved to adjust and plan GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. for any changes to Photo by Montana Pritchard GIS that we might need to make. When you take all of that into consideration, it became clear that transitioning to a virtual event was our best option, and the time to make that decision was now.

Q: You mention the contingency plans you had been considering during GIS 2021 planning. Why was an allvirtual event selected as the best scenario to pursue?

A: As we began to plan in earnest for GIS 2021, all in the midst of the pandemic, we felt it prudent to work concurrently on other potential scenarios for the event. Those ranged from a normal, in-person GIS, to a hybrid event that would offer both in-person and online offerings, to an all-online, virtual conference and trade show.

We ultimately decided on the virtual-event option, because it was clear it was the one that best took into account the clear preferences of our members and exhibitors while still offering those groups an experience they would find valuable, educational, interactive and profitable.

Q: What factors and feedback were considered in the decision-making process?

A: We kept close tabs on national developments in the event and trade show industry, with a specific eye on Las Vegas and the state of Nevada. To assist in that effort, we engaged with a veteran trade show consultant to guide us through the process and offer his analysis on trends and best practices that were available to us.

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We also conducted surveys of our members and GIS attendees to gauge their preferences and comfort levels with an in-person event versus an online, virtual offering, and the data from those surveys made it clear that a virtual option was strongly preferred. In addition, we also regularly worked with our GIS exhibitors to make sure their feedback was received and considered as we came to this final decision.

There were other factors that we took into consideration, from virus-related travel restrictions to progress on the development of effective treatments and vaccines for

the disease. But in the end, based on the best available information, we think we made a sound decision that best serves everyone involved with GIS.

Q: How will this virtual GIS be delivered to attendees? Have you determined a technology partner yet?

A: A: We evaluated several potential vendors who all offered cutting-edge products, but ultimately selected one whose platform we all agreed was highly interactive, visually engaging and easy to use. The core content offered on this platform will be the same world-class offerings that you’d find at an in-person GIS. The lineup will include concurrent education sessions, networking opportunities, special events and a virtual trade show along with some fun features and special guests that are unique to the virtual platform.

Check out a preview of the virtual GIS 2021 experience:

Q: There is official GCSAA business conducted each year at GIS, from the presentation of major awards to the association’s annual meeting and election, plus special events such as Celebrating Certification and the Health in Action 5K run. How will those be affected by this decision?

A: GIS always presents such a great opportunity to acknowledge excellence in our industry and to recognize the notable work of our members. That will certainly be a different exercise in a virtual setting, but we’re committed to doing it in a way that will make it a special and memorable occasion for those being honored, whether those are Distinguished Service Award winners or members who have earned or maintained their status as certified superintendents.

Similarly, our annual meeting and election are crucial elements to the business of our association, and those events will also take place in the virtual format. We must make sure those are conducted in accordance with association bylaws, but we will have an annual meeting and election in February.

Q: What does this mean for the GCSAA Golf Championships?

Will those events be conducted as scheduled, or are changes planned?

A: We know how important the golf tournament is to so many of our members and how much they were looking forward to our return trip to Palm Springs (Calif.). Regrettably, though, the decision to transition GIS to an all-virtual event means that the GCSAA Golf Championships will not take place as planned.

We do remain strongly committed to this tournament. We have a wonderful corporate partner in The Toro Co. that has supported it for the past 26 years and a host of loyal and enthusiastic participants who take part year after year. As a result, we’re hopeful we’ll be able to offer an alternative event later in 2021, if conditions warrant, and I can say that we’ll do all we can to bring this event back to Palm Springs just as

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

FROM NATIONAL

that will translate select GIS content into as many as 10 different languages, which we think will broaden the appeal even further.

soon as we can.

Q: What will a virtual event provide for someone who has never had the opportunity to attend an in-person GIS before?

A: Quite a lot, actually. In fact, one of the things we’re most excited about in this transition to an all-virtual event in 2021 is what it can offer those who have been unable to attend an in-person GIS in the past or haven’t been able to take part as frequently as they would have liked.

We are certainly aware that there can be obstacles for some who are interested in taking advantage of an in-person GIS. There are financial constraints, time constraints, family obligations. It is our hope that savings in travel costs — airfare, lodging, food, etc. — from not having an in-person event, the flexibility offered by a virtual platform, and the fact that registered attendees can access GIS information for a period of time after the event ends will be enticing to those members.

Similarly, we think the virtual platform opens up significant opportunities for international attendees for many of those same reasons. There’s also a tool within the virtual platform

That said, we are extremely confident that we’ve settled on a virtual option that will create a memorable and valuable experience for attendees and exhibitors alike. We took great pains to make sure we found a tool that looked good, would be easy to use, and would be interactive. When you pair that with the world-class content delivered by industry experts from around the globe, we’re confident that GIS 2021 will be a great experience for all involved.

-M CK

EN

U

Q: What would you say to members or industry partners who might be skeptical that a virtual GIS experience will deliver the same value they receive at an in-person event?

A: I would say those feelings are understandable. GIS is such a unique event that delivers so much to so many. It offers an unmatched opportunity to bring our industry together and focus attention on what makes superintendents such an integral part of the game of golf. We share in the disappointment that we’re not going to be able to experience that in person in 2021.

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Course Conditions

| Issue #47 - Q2 2020

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©2020 Nufarm.

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

INDUSTRY PARTNER - JAKE GREEN

JAKE

Green 1

Jake Green is Nufarm’s

Regional Sales Manager for the Great Lakes Region that includes Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan.

He has been with Nufarm for 19 months and has grown up in the golf business as the son of a golf course superintendent and general manager. He received his BS in Turfgrass Management at Eastern Kentucky University and makes his home in Union, Ky. He is 38 and he and his wife Amy have two children, Lucas, 8, and Allie, 4.

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HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? My Dad (Pat Green) was a Superintendent and then he wised up (maybe) and moved into a GM position. I was 8 years old when he helped build Triple Crown Country Club in our home town, Union KY. Besides getting to ride around on bulldozers and excavators I loved watching the place take shape from beginning to end. Once complete and play started I worked filling divots, weed whacking and doing anything I could to help out. It still remember the joy and sense of accomplishment each time I learned to do something new and how excited I was to walk mow greens for the first time.

To me, at age 13, that was the holy grail, graduating from mowing rough, tees, collars and approaches and finally being trusted to mow greens. The love of this industry is kind of a bug you catch and once you have it, it never goes away.

WHAT STOPS HAVE YOU MADE IN YOUR CAREER? I did internships in Colorado then Connecticut where I ended up taking an Assistant position at Country Club of New Canaan. I was hired by Mike Reeb.

I was there for 10 years then decided I wanted to try something new. I got into sales for a distributor and was a rep for four years 2015 through 18 and ended up wanting to move back home and be closer to family. I moved back in 2018 and was lucky enough to get a position with Nufarm.

WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN PERSONAL LIFE? My dad.

He was in the business since I was four. I loved growing up working on the golf course.

WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? I worked for several Superintendents over 15 years and was influenced by all of them. You pick up a lot of great management traits from everyone you work with as well as management styles you don’t want to follow.

CAN YOU SHARE A FUNNY STORY FROM YOUR CAREER? Very early in my career, about age 9, I was driving a golf cart on a dirt road during a construction project. The not so funny part is I got thrown off the cart full superman style while screwing around standing up and taking my hands off the wheel while driving. The funny part is when I came walking back to the construction area my dad and a group of guys were working and they all turned and looked at me scraped up from the neck down. I made up the story that a bug flew in my eye, I took my hands off the wheel to get it out, the wheel turned sharply and tossed me out. I was pretty sure he didn’t believe me, but he let me stick with that story. We still laugh about it today.

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| Issue #48 - Q3 2020

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WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? Currently Covid-19 and I think we all can agree that labor is a major ongoing issue. Besides that, it is the ever-increasing demands and expectations from members and golfers. They just don’t truly understand the time effort it takes to get what they see on TV or when they visit the super highend clubs that really don’t have a budget. I’m not saying that more money and more help will fix all your problems, but it sure does help.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS WHEN WORKING WITH THE MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? No expectations, just looking to help out where I can and of course play some new golf courses. The group has been great to work with so far and everyone has been very inviting and welcoming.

The MiGCSA team does a great job keeping everyone informed with industry news and continues to fight for its members when needed. I guess my expectation would be for that to continue.

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DO YOU HAVE AN EMBARRASING CAREER MOMENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? I have lots, but one that sticks out is my first Asst Superintendent job. It was a Sunday morning and instead of waking to an alarm I woke up to my boss banging on my bedroom door in the staff housing. Needless to say, I was up a little late and had a few too many “sodas”. I was never late again.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE TO DECISION MAKERS WHEN DOING BUSINESS? Try new things, do your research, have check plots, understand what’s really making the difference on you course. Work with someone you trust and who will always steer you in the right direction.

10 WHAT IS THE MOST

REWARDING PART OF BEING IN AN INDUSTRY SUPPORT ROLE? I get to meet with lots of great people in the industry, visit the best golf courses around and help support many causes. With Nufarm it’s about people and

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

community. We are involved with Greencare for Troops which matches veterans with lawn care companies for free lawn service. We also fund the EXCEL Leadership Program for Assistant Superintendents.

It’s not always about selling the product but creating relationships and providing the best solutions.

11

WHAT IS YOUR BEST SUCCESS STORY? Just where I’m at today. Early on I knew I wanted to be in the golf course industry and I’m still doing it although in a little different capacity from when I started. It started with a love of being outdoors and growing up working on courses with my dad.

12 WHAT DO YOU ENJOY

THE MOST ABOUT YOUR POSITION? Helping people solve problems. We have a great team at Nufarm and some of the best technical guys around. If I don’t have an answer, these guys are always there ready to get on the road or phone call to lend a helping hand. I have enjoyed learning more and working

INDUSTRY PROFILE

with all the industries we support from golf to lawn care, tree care, greenhouse/nursery and sports turf. I pick up new tricks of the trade everywhere I go and get to share that knowledge “unless I’m sworn to secrecy” with others that may need help. It’s a great industry and everyone is always willing to help their peers.

13 DO YOU HAVE SOME TRAVEL

TIPS? Pack plenty of snacks and something to drink. It’s a good idea to always keep your GPS on even when you know where you’re going, you never know when a road may be closed or delayed.

Always keep a role of TP in your vehicle.

14 HOW MANY DAYS OF THE YEAR ARE YOU ON THE ROAD? More than I’m home.

15 DO YOU HAVE A FUNNY STORY

YOU CAN SHARE FROM THE ROAD? On my first trip to Michigan after starting with Nufarm, I’m heading up to the spring meeting in Grand Rapids.

I’m used to driving in snow after living in Connecticut for 12 years.

But as I’m rolling up the southwest side of the state near Kalamazoo, the snow is blowing sideways and while moving along straight in my pickup, suddenly the wheels just seem to break loose from the road and I’m fishtailing all over. I finally get to the side of the road and stop. I locked it in four-wheel drive after that. I call it my welcome to Michigan moment.

16 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ITEM

TO SELL/DEMONSTRATE? I don’t really have a favorite. I like to support all of our Nufarm product

D o e s t h e W e e d M o n s te r live in your pond?

line but It’s always nice to demonstrate a new product when it comes out.

17 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE

GOLF COURSE TO PLAY? Anything with great water views. I love playing Highland Links in Cape Cod. Just a fun 9-holer with great views. Only water view course I’ve played in MI so far is Arcadia Bluffs and it was spectacular.

18 IF YOU HAD A DIFFERENT

PROFESSION, WHAT WOULD IT BE? A world traveler.

19

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE GOLFER AND WHY? I do like to watch golf. I’m not sure I would call him a favorite, but I like to watch Brandt Snedeker. He

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| Issue #48 - Q3 2020

37

INDUSTRY PROFILE

doesn’t mess around with preshot routines. He walks up and hits the ball and keeps things loose. I like his demeanor and how he goes about playing.

20 HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HOLE

IN ONE? No. I’m happy to hit the green.

21 WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OR

ACTIVITIES AWAY FROM GOLF? I like anything outdoors like taking hikes with family, fishing, boating, and camping.

22 WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING

OUTSIDE OF WORK? Spending time with family and friends.

23 IF YOU COULD TRAVEL TO ANY

TIME IN GOLF WHEN WOULD IT BE AND WHY? The late 1800s early 1900s when the classic golf courses were being built. I would like to see the processes of construction then versus now.

It was also the era when greenskeeping really became a thing.

24 WHO HAS THE BEST

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT DOG? Met a lot of great dogs but we had a cat at the course in Connecticut. The cat was there by time I arrived. Story is it showed up with a broken tail, they took the cat in, named it Mulligan and we never had a mouse problem.

25 HOW MANY CONFERENCES

AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS DO YOU ATTEND PER YEAR? I would say 10 to 15, including some of the ones the company puts on themselves.

26 WHICH ONE IS THE BEST TURF CARE PROFESSIONALS CAN ATTEND? I still think GIS is the best one to attend. I wish more courses would pay to send

38

their supers and assistants.

The GCSAA works hard for our industry day in and day out and puts on a great lineup. GIS has great education opportunities and it’s a great time to network.

The best part is meeting up with old and new friends to trade war stories from the season.

This is when many manufactures showcase new products and equipment and gives you the chance to have in depth one on one conversations about them.

27 HOW MANY ROUNDS OF GOLF DO YOU PLAY IN A YEAR? About 10. Working in the business means less golf. I play when I attend the events.

28 HOW DO YOU THINK THE

INDUSTRY WILL BE DIFFERENT IN 10 YEARS? I think you will see more robotic mowing and more use of GPS for sprayers, and more technical tools. I don’t think the labor situation will be any better, but there will be better tools and more to combat the problem.

29 ARE THERE ANY

NEW PRODUCTS ON THE HORIZON? We have a few numbered compounds at university trials and plan to launch a new fungicide in late 2022. We are always trying to fill gaps in solutions for supers to help with resistance management and pests that need better control.

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

5

THINGS PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

1. I moved to Connecticut after college and worked there for 13 years.

2. I am Bengals and Reds fan (they keep making it hard to root for them) 3. My given name is Jason but I’ve gone by Jake since elementary school.

4. I once owned a stake in an oil well in Kentucky. The outcome…I’m still working.

5. Hobbies include fishing, hunting and hiking.

| www.migcsa.org

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Course Conditions

| Issue #48 - Q3 2020

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

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OFF COURSE

SPOOKTACULAR:

THE BIGGEST SOCIAL EVENT

BY JIM PRIEBE, POLO FIELDS C.C.

W

hen I first began at Polo Fields, all I heard about was this Halloween event and all the prep that goes into it. I’ve never really been into Halloween so I wasn’t excited and assumed this would be a small and corny membership event.

However, with being informed this was the biggest social event of the season and one all the members talk about and look forward to, I knew I had to be a team player on this one.

The Prep: During our weekly meetings, we begin brainstorming about ideas and which department does which part of the event months in advance. The four main stations are food & beverage, haunted basement, young kid/ non scary play zone, and the famous haunted hayride. With the grounds crew always doing the outside work it was easy for us to take on the haunted hayride station. This past season was the first time in years they had the hayride so we had to make sure it was a memorable one. Majority of the other department staff had been with Polo for years so it was easy to lean on them for help and support. We rented a wagon from a local farmer, who supplied the hay bales as well. Most of the

Course Conditions

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41

OFF COURSE

props were already on site and ready to be used. We just went through them and made sure they were ready to go for the main event.

The Event: The weather last year was perfect for the event, not too cold, not too hot and no rain insight. In the morning after our normal golf course maintenance work, we started putting out the props on the course for the hayride route. We returned at 4:00PM to finish the setup and had a quick meeting to discuss everyone’s role.

Just like any social event it was slow at first and mostly the younger kids. Our first few hayrides were geared towards young children and more family oriented, plus it was just getting dark so not very scary yet. As the night got darker the “I’m not scared teenagers showed up.” This was when we were able to shine. We switched gears and the hayride turned into a more traditional haunted ride. We had staff members dressed up and hiding in the bushes waiting to scare them. We used a utility cart with a scary clown driving with a chain saw and swerving near the wagon. I made the mistake of bringing my 8 year old on the hayride who rarely gets scared and gripping onto me for most of the ride. This part of the hayride went over well with everyone else and people were glad to see it return.

Recap: For it being my first year with this event I thought it went well, but as always feel there is plenty of room for improvements. With so many people

42

attending each year, it is important to change it up a bit. Gradually, some of the props could be updated or replaced within the next year or so. I think this season we will have multiple hayride routes instead of just one, so the families can ride more than once or friends won’t ruin it for each other. We will switch up the scare points along the ride as well. There is talk of adding a second longer hayride with a stop along the way to grab a pumpkin for the younger kids. I think we need to keep building on it and improving the experience as much as possible. We have been already planning our event for this season; we just hope we can have it without many COVID restrictions.

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

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Course Conditions

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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

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ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT - CARRIE THOMAS

CARRIE

Thomas 1

Carrie Thomas is the assistant superintendent at Oakland University’s Katke and Sharf golf courses. She has been employed there since 2008, including nine years as a union greenskeeper and the last three as the assistant superintendent.

The Pennsylvania native has a degree in health science from Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania and degrees in Turfgrass Science and Landscape Contracting from Penn State University. She is 45, married, and has two dogs and a cat.

46

2

HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? I was at Lock Haven studying to be an athletic trainer.

By the time I was a senior I knew I didn’t want to do that, but I decided to finish the program and graduate. The husband of one of my professors was a golf pro, she knew I wasn’t going to continue in athletic training after graduation, and she suggested the turfgrass science program at Penn State. I enrolled at Penn State and got a job at a golf course near campus – Centre Hills Country Club.

3

4

WHAT KEY THINGS DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR FIRST JOB? I liked doing it was my takeaway. I learned a lot of things and maybe the key thing was to always make friends with the mechanic.

It helped he was a good guy. If I needed something, it got done first. Making friends with the mechanic goes a long way.

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THAT FIRST JOB? I loved working outside and I love mowing fairways. The first piece of equipment I used besides a bunker machine was a fairway mower, and I loved it.

WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES? My job is doing the daily job assignments, doing the hiring for the seasonal staff, doing all the training, supervising the staff, taking care of watering during the day, inspecting and diagnosing irrigation issues, disease scouting, and then fill in wherever needed.

I filled in as a mechanic for a few months last year. Our spray tech recently left, so I fill in as a spray tech. I fill the gaps.

5

6

7

ON THE JOB, WHAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN YOUR ARESENAL FOR GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT? We have a lot of wooded areas and areas with autumn olive and weedy shrubs. I would love to have a skid-steer loader with a forest mower attachment. They are incredible. They can do so much work. The work it would take a crew of four two days or 16 hours, a skid-steer can knock it out in an hour’s time. And skid steers are just fun to drive.

WHAT IS THE OLDEST PIECE OF EQUIPMENTY STILL BEING UTILIZED IN YOUR FLEET? We recently have been eliminating most of the old stuff, but we have a couple of Club Cars from the late 1990s.

WHO ON YOUR CREW MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST? It seems to change yearly, but right now our new mechanic

Andy Miller. His stories are hilarious. He just cracks me up.

8

9

IF YOU HAD A MULLIGAN ON A DIFFERENT CAREER CHOICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I think if I could do it again I would be a CSI. If CSI came on TV 10 years earlier that is what I would be doing now. I like science, details, looking for clues and putting puzzles together.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ANY GOLF HOLE ON YOUR COURSE WITHOUT REPERCUSSION, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE? We have a couple holes on Katke that are in the plans to be changed. Waiting for funding.

Hole No. 4 is a short par 4 and the fairway goes out and drops to the approach and the green.

It is completely blind. Due to the fact I’ve almost been killed going through there, that’s a hole I would change. I would shave down the high point and move the green back.

10 WHAT IS THE CULTURAL

MANAGEMENT PRACTICE YOU COULD NOT DO WITHOUT? I think aerifying is probably the most important thing we do. Over the years we have switched to deep tining the Katke greens and the change has been astounding.

11

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FROM THE MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? I think they should provide us information on what happens in the field and provide educational opportunities for us, and they do that.

12 HOW HAVE YOU GIVEN BACK TO

YOUR PROFESSION? I try. I’ve encouraged staff members here to take classes, and two are doing Penn State on-line. I taught turf grass management at OCC one time, too.

13 WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST

ISSUES FACING ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? Probably lack of time. Having a work-life balance is really tough with the

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47

hours that we put in. I’ve been working 70-hour weeks and haven’t had a day off since we returned from COVID-19. It is what needs to be done, but it wears on you, and that balance is tough to find. We’ve been having a hard time finding people to work, which accentuates the problem.

14 WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART

OF THE JOB? Beside waking up 3 a.m.?

Professionally the most difficult part is managing people. You work with a lot of different personalities, a lot of different people, and you have to find the best way to motivate them. We are also short-staffed, and it’s tough to get people to continuously give extra. They get tired. We all do. An extra hitch here is that part of the crew is union and part is not, and you have to manage the differences there, too. On a more personal note, the long hours mean I’m missing out on my family and friends. My sister and her kids are back in Pennsylvania. I don’t get to see them nearly enough, and that’s been hard. I miss them a lot.

15 WHAT IS THE EASIEST PART OF THE JOB? I

don’t know what’s the easiest, but one of my favorite parts, which makes the getting up early a little easier, are the sunrises here. We have some pretty spectacular sunrises. When it looks like it’s going to be a good morning, I have a loop I take to catch some of my favorite spots. It really is beautiful here.

16 WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10

YEARS? If everything goes according to plan I will be superintendent here.

17 HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE

REMEMBERED IN THE FUTURE? In the future I would like to be remembered as a good person, great friend, and an awesome aunt.

18 WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST

ABOUT TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT? A couple people. Tom Schall, my superintendent here. I’ve been at OU for 12 years and have learned so much from him. He is probably the most hard-working person I know. He’s

48

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

a good man, has taught me a ton about turfgrass and the job, and has helped me grow into my current role. I moved to Michigan to work for Heather Nabozny, who is an amazing groundskeeper and person, that I respect more than anyone.

She not only honed my attention to detail, and been a mentor to me, she also introduced me to George Toma (NFL’s most famous groundskeeper). George took a liking to me and is the reason I’ve had the opportunity to work on 16 Super Bowls.

19 WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU HAVE LEARNED? Probably that there is always more that I could learn.

20 HOW DO YOU RATE THE IMPORTANCE

OF AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT’S ROLE? I believe it is important. I do my everything I can to help Tom out the best I can, and be that person who can take

some of the burden off him.

I’m an extra set of eyes for him, and do what I can to bridge the communication between him and the staff.

21 WHAT IS YOUR OPINION

OF THE MECHANIC? The mechanic is a key position.

I rely on him so much, not only to keep the equipment going, and blades sharp, but to help be a problem solver.

If I let him know what I need, or what I’m trying to do, he makes it happen. He keeps everything running. It’s really as simple as that.

22 WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET

than that is when they drive carts where they shouldn’t be. We have long rough areas and if a cart goes through those you see if for months.

23 WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS

OF GREEN SPEEDS AND THE GAME OF GOLF TODAY? I think that people don’t want the green speeds they think they want. They say faster, but the faster we make it the slower they play. You can get Katke greens too quick. If we do, you can watch groups four-putt all day. They can’t handle the speeds they think they want.

PEEVE CONCERNING GOLF COURSE ETIQUETTE? Golfers not fixing ball marks makes me crazy, but maybe more

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49

24 IF YOU COULD CHANGE

my main assignment, and it feels like home to me. Sharf is beautiful too. The scenery reminds me of southwest Pennsylvania. I guess I would like to play Katke and drive around on Sharf.

ANYTHING ABOUT GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Somehow find a way to get young people to want to get into this field. We need people.

25 AWAY FROM GOLF, WHAT IS

28 WHAT IS THE FAVORITE CLUB IN

YOUR BAG? They’re all going to betray me eventually, but I guess my 5-iron is the most cooperative at the moment.

YOUR FAVORITE SPORT? Baseball to watch and softball to play.

26 WHAT TYPE OF HOBBIES DO YOU

HAVE AWAY FROM GOLF? I read a lot and I like going to movies and walking the dogs. I haven’t had a chance yet this season, but we go up north to the Upper Peninsula, at least once a year, and I love it up there. I play softball in a coed league on Thursday nights. I also like motorcycles and we try to take a trip every year.

29 WHO IS THE GREATEST

27 DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE

GOLF COURSE? Haven’t played that many. I don’t play much and would like to golf more. I like our two courses and Katke is probably my favorite. When I originally started here, Katke was

5

THINGS PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

1. I received a Ducktorate degree from Disney’s college program 2. I’ve worked on the grounds crew for 16 Super Bowls and 8 International games 3. My bullmastiff Dottie (named after Dottie Hinson from A League of Their Own) is a Grand Champion who made it to the preliminary rounds at Westminster.

4. I read close to 100 books a year, but a textbook with put me to sleep in under 3 minutes.

5. I believe that chocolate and fruit are both delicious separately, but they should never be eaten together.

50

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

INFLUENCE IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE? My dad Jim Thomas and my Nanny, who is my mom’s mom.

My dad was a great guy. He was a heavy equipment operator, and worked a lot when I was a kid, but when he was home, he was actually present. He never complained about being too tired, and my sister and I always knew how important we were to him. He was always there when I needed him. We would go for drives a lot on the winding roads and hills. I would ask him if we were lost on some of those drives and he would always say no, we have a full tank

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

of gas. He had a great way of looking at things. My Nanny (Margaret McGreevy) was a strong, smart, funny woman. She was that person who encouraged me to try new things, explore different places, and always let me know she was proud of me. She made you feel like you could do anything. She was the best.

with. Jodi and Shannyn are friends of mine and they are a complete riot. So, me, Jodi, Shannyn and Heather, even though Heather hates golf.

30 DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE FOOD OR RESTAURANT? Italian food is probably my favorite. There’s a place in Ferndale called Pops and their pizza and pasta are both amazing.

31 WHAT VEHICLE WOULD YOU DRIVE IF YOU HAD A

MONEY TREE GROWING IN YOUR YARD? I want a BMW X-6 and then purely for fun a Dodge Challenger Hellcat

32 WHAT IS YOUR DREAM SCRAMBLE TEAM? I’m not

a serious golfer, so a round with professional golfers would be 4 hours of hell for me. I would go with people who I know I’m going to have a great time

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A Message From

BY CAREY MITCHELSON, MTF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MTF Updates

C “All at once

Summer

collapsed into Fall.”

— Oscar Wilde

The MTF hopes you are taking those chances at home and at work.

ount me in among those contented to see this year’s Summer collapse. It has been unlike any other… and hopefully… one never to return. There have been countless words and endless articles written regarding the effects of the pandemic and how it has impacted every phase of our lives. A return to some normalcy will be welcomed and hopefully a new beginning for everyone.

Those thoughts were expressed when the MTF Board of Directors met (via Zoom – naturally) and it was decided to step into the water and see if they can bring some symmetry yet this year.

Each of our Board members accept a leadership position when the agree to participate in a voluntary role with the Board. This year has stretched the limits of everyone’s personal and professional lives…and certainly impacted our normal MTF operations. However, like other past boards, taking on difficult decisions can be expected, and it is important that the mission of the MTF be calculated into the choices made.

Supporting the Turf Team and providing a solid ground for future boards is important part of the process.

The MTF Mission Statement is as follows:

“The mission of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is to work in partnership with Michigan State University, supporting ongoing programs in research, education, and extension in the area of professional turfgrass management that will benefit all individuals who manage turfgrasses or derive pleasure from the results of such management.”

Supporting the Turf Team is a key portion of that statement and the board had to work thru the dynamics of what would be acceptable and feasible fundraising efforts while understanding the industry and its supporters struggled with day to day operations.

“In tough times will you whine… or shine?”

Daren Martin It was decided that a survey would help determine the appetite our TT4Turf courses would have for donating their facility in order to help fund Turf Research. We received an overwhelming positive response to host the auction fundraiser…even under the

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restricted circumstances that many courses faced. After reviewing the survey results, TT4Turf Chairman –Scott Rettmann encouraged the Board of Directors to go forward with an amended auction in late summer. The auction was reduced from a normal 2-week event to single week (Aug 1 – Aug 9) and bidders would have a limited time to claim the precious tee times. This year’s online auction generated $30,000 with over 100 courses donating to support Turf Research and the Turf Team at MSU. The MTF thanks all courses who participated for their generosity and committment to the Turf Program in Michigan. The list of courses who donated this year can be viewed on our website.

The LaFontaine Golf outing also faced a postponement decision.

“Don’t focus on who let you down. Appreciate who lifted you up. Don’t focus on who darkened your days.

Appreciate who brightened them.”

Karen Salmansohn The words above provide a glimpse at why Gordie LaFontaine is in the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame and has been honored by almost all allied golf organizations and by Michigan State University as well. Inspiration, appreciation and commitment to goals are qualities that produce what others cannot even envision. Gordie guided the MTF for many years with these talents and it was his vision for the Turf Team that provided many of the tools required to enhance the Turf Program at MSU. The LaFontaine Golf Outing appropriately serves to benefit funding for Graduate Students for the Turf Team at MSU. The outing reflects the possibilities that Gordie envisioned when requesting the MTF Membership to support of the MSU Turf Team and the service they provide. Graduate Students are the core of research and they are also the future that represent MSU and golf in Michigan for years to come.

This year’s event will be held September 17th at Coyote Preserve Golf Club. With so many changes and cancellations this year we hope this is one day that many of you can find the time to relax, enjoy some golf and camaraderie while supporting a great cause. A small breakfast – 9am shotgun - boxed lunch and short cocktail hour to follow will be the timeline for everyone.

Those interested in playing or participating as a Sponsor

54 12

can do so on the MTF Website or by calling 517-3925003. We welcome all and encourage everyone to find the time to attend and enjoy themselves.

Dr. Kevin Frank has been diligently coordinating all the communications coming from MSU since the shutdown in Mid-March. He is to be commended for all his efforts in trying to keep everyone updated as best possible despite all the restrictions he faces as part of the Universities requirements. In addition, Dr. Frank has teaching duties (suspended temporarily), research obligations, extension responsibilities and serves as the Liaison for the Turf Team for the MTF, apretty full day.

His extension responsibilities with the University include coordination for both our Field Day and Turf Conference events. Both events are key components to our funding research.

Dr. Frank serves as the hub for a great deal of what the Foundation provides and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated individual. Like so many of our superintendents at courses in Michigan who go about their work without notice or appreciation, Kevin plugs away with little fanfare. But a thank you now and then can go a long way. From our Board of Directors – Thank you Dr. Frank

Membership Many of you will be receiving your membership renewals soon. Anniversary dates can now be used when renewing. If you prefer a certain date, it can be set for any date you wish. Most members still receive our annual notice for renewal by Oct 1 and that is still acceptable for our system. The MTF is aware that cost cutting is part of the process we are all a part of.

However, when we finally see a better future, MSU will be instrumental to courses returning to normal and the Turf Team be a part of that process. Your support will be important. Thank you for your consideration.

Board Update When accepting a positon on the Board of Directors, many incoming members are not aware of all the responsibities and decsion making that may come with a voluteer postion. Mark Wildeman is an exception.

Mark was asked to serve a second time on the MTF

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

Board after after previously seving in the 1990’s This go around, he took on the Secretary position as well as handling other activites made use of his experience and judgement. Mark recently notified the MTF Board that he will be taking some time well earned time with family and relaxation. The MTF is fortunate to have individuals in our industry like Mark Wildeman. The MTF, members of the Foundation and all those who know Mark certainly will miss his direction, but more importantly thank him for being an important part of our industry. Thanks Mark.... for all you have done. Replacing Mark as Secretary is Scott Rettmann - our current TT4Turf Chairman. Scott has been actively involved with the Foundation since coming on board and we look foward to Scotts involvement with the Executive Committee. Marks position on the Board was filled by appointment at the last Board Meeting by Rob Steger. The MTF looks forward to Robs input to the Foundation ...and

as he serves as the current MIGCSA President the term volunteer takes on a whole new level. Thank you Rob for taking on the appointement.

“Coming together is a

beginning,

staying together is

progress, and working together is

success.”

Henry Ford

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| Issue #48 - Q3 2020

55

Oakland Hills South Course

Renovation Tour

O

ne of the most famous golf courses in the world is right here in Michigan, Oakland Hills Country Club’s South Course. Built in 1916 major championships hosted include the 2016 U.S. Amateur, six U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships, the 2004 Ryder Cup, two U.S. Amateurs, a U.S. GCSAA Field Staff Rep Shane Conroy and Phil Cuffare Women’s Amateur and two U.S. Senior Opens. With these championships in mind for the future the membership approved a total renovation to be completed by Gil Hanse. In 2018 Phil Cuffare was hired as the Director of Agronomy at Oakland Hills coming from Oak Park Country

Club in River Grove, Illinois and Oak Hill Country Club before that.

Phil was very generous with his time by providing the opportunity for our members to attend any one of the four two-hour tours he hosted August 4th and 5th. The morning sessions started at 9:00 and the afternoon at 1:00. The tours were complete from the shop to every stage of construction and grow in across the entire South Course property. Phil went into depth about the unique greens mix, extensive drainage projects,Dan theDingman Precisionpresents Air unitsGAM for all Past President 18 greens andDirector puttingEmeritus green and all aspects of a Executive David graham with plaque of appreciation. the Gil Hanse restoration of the Donald Ross original design.

Thank you to our 2020 Industry Partners who made the day possible, to Phil and Oakland Hills and the attendees who took advantage of this amazing opportunity.

Phil Cuffare and GCSAA President John Fulling, CGCS 56

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

| www.migcsa.org

ASSOCIATION UPDATE

Back to

“Normal”

N

58

go to

“

“

Never let a good crisis

waste.

ormally this time of year we are gearing up for the Western and Big Event Fundraisers. Normally we are scheduling our first board meeting since early spring and having detailed meetings about the spring meeting that is scheduled to head up to Northern Michigan in 2021. Normally we are searching for a spot to host the Michigan gathering at GIS. Normally we are doing back to school shopping for our 7 and 4-year-old. As all who are reading this know there is just not much normal left. So, we can rage against the impact of COVID or we can use it to our advantage. As Winston Churchill and many more have said “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”

I think a massive upheaval like the COVID-19 pandemic can be an opportunity. I have heard of a few courses that still have not placed bunker rakes or ball washers back out, had this been an item to be voted on there is no way it would be considered. However now golfers have seen what it is like and Superintendents have too. As I asked a non-industry friend of mine “How much would you pay per year to have rakes in the bunkers at your club?”

“If you had to write a bunker rake check every spring, what would it be?”

He did not have an answer but the thought of paying for them was not very palatable. As we all know there is a cost to having them out there, same as ball washers and I will even go so far as to say tee markers. This year has really shown us what we need. I think a case can be made that all we need

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association

is a cup in the green and a flagstick.

What sort of expense do these extra items have? It may be a good opportunity to do a deep dive into this and ask your owners/members/golfers if this is how they want their payments allocated. I think many would rather see those funds invested into greens rather than hazards or teeing areas.

After all they are paying a greens fee, not a bunker rake fee.

For the MiGCSA we are extremely fortunate to have strong support of our Industry Partners every year including this one. As we go into the early order and planning season please consider the companies that support you in your decision-making process.

We have revamped our calendar to try to get some more in person events going safely. We continue to work on virtual options and are open as always to suggestions from our membership.

Please call me directly or speak to your local board member.

I hope many of you were able to use this to your advantage and enact some change that would have taken months or years to complete before COVID-19. 2020 has been a lemon of a year, use it to make some lemonade.

Adam Ikamas, CGCS MiGCSA Executive Director

| www.migcsa.org

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| Spring 2018

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Call your WinField® United representative today to learn how we can help you win.

Nick Binder - Professional Sales Representative (517) 974-4209 or ndbinder@landolakes.com adjuvants • dyes/wetting agents herbicides • insecticides • fungicides fertilizers • micronutrients

winfieldunitedpro.com WinField is a registered trademark of Winfield Solutions, LLC. © 2017 Winfield Solutions, LLC

Course Conditions

| Spring 2018

51

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

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The Toro Lynx® Control System was developed specifically to help you address the unique challenges and changing priorities you face every day. With the Lynx® System, you can now have all of your essential irrigation information readily available in one place, conveniently combined into a single, intuitive interface.

The patented INFINITY™ Series sprinklers are designed to save you time and money. Whether you choose a Toro Satellite or 2-wire control system the patented SMART ACCESS™ design enables you to add new technology for decades to come. You won’t need to invest in new sprinklers as technology advances. The INFINITY Series is built for flexible expansion, not replacement, to keep your course looking its best and your golfers playing.

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