News Notes - Summer 2025 - Volume 5 Issue 1

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VOL 5

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ISSUE 1

SUMMER 2025

NOTES

A PUBLICATION FOR THE TURFGRASS PROFESSIONAL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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President’s Message MSU Turf Team Research News — x

Winter Turf Survival & Recovery Management Strategies

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Winterkill and Nutrient Management Research Update

Effects of Rolling, Dyes & Coatings, Seedhead, Pelletized Maple Leaf Mulch on Disease, Turf Health and Soil Health in Fairways, Evaluating GDD, Practices for No Mow/Native Areas, Mowing Height and Irrigation, Sod on Plastic Establishment Practices for Cool-Season Grasses x

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MTF Membership Application Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall Takes Time to Talk Golf with Industry Leaders at 17th Golf Day at the Capitol

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Industry News: Members in The Field — x

Innovation, Culture, and Connections on the TPI Italy Study Tour

34 MTF Appreciates the Involvement of All TT4Turf Courses 38 LaFontaine Golf Outing 40 Conference Recap 46 Executive Director’s Report 49 2025 MSU Turfgrass Field Day MTF NEWS NOTES

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MTF Executive Committee PRESIDENT Mr. Brad Lazroff

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mr. Carey Mitchelson

VICE PRESIDENT Mr. Scott Rettmann

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Ms. Britney VanderKodde

TREASURER Mr. Christian Koval

PRESIDENT EMERITUS Mr. Dan Mausolf

Upcoming Events

SECRETARY Mr. Mitchell Hooten

MTF Board of Directors

2026 Michigan Turfgrass

CONFERENCE

Mr. Jeff Stickney | Professional Grounds Services REPRESENTING: Turf Services

January 13-15, 2026

Mr. Dan Mausolf LIC, CSP, ASM | Stine Turf & Snow

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort

REPRESENTING: Lawn & Maintenance

Mr. Brad Lazroff | Huron Meadows Golf Course REPRESENTING: Cemetery, Park, or Sod

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation

Adam Palmatier | Helena REPRESENTING: Commercial Turfgrass Supplier

TEE TIMES 4 TURF

Mr. Mitch Hooten | West Michigan Whitecaps REPRESENTING: Sports or Institutional Turf

Spring 2026

Mr. Craig Moore | Marquette Golf Club REPRESENTING: Northern Michigan District - MiGCSA

Mr. Jeff Holmes CGCS | Egypt Valley Country Club REPRESENTING: Western Michigan District - MiGCSA

2025 Michigan State Turfgrass

Mr. Doug Ware | Fox Creek REPRESENTING: Greater Detroit District - MiGCSA

FIELD DAY

Mr. Christian Koval | Lakelands Golf and Country Club

August 13, 2025

REPRESENTING: Mid-Michigan District - MiGCSA

Mr. Scott Rettman | Walnut Creek Country Club REPRESENTING: At Large

Mr. Chris Wilczynski | CW Golf Architecture REPRESENTING: At Large

Mr. Brian Schweihofer | Franklin Hills Country Club REPRESENTING: At Large

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation P.O. Box 27156 Lansing, MI 48909

Phone: +1-517-392-5003 miturfgrass@gmail.com

Mission Statement 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.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Friends and Supporters, As President of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation, it is my privilege to reflect on the progress we have made, and the path ahead. I would like to acknowledge the leadership provided by our past President, Dan Mausolf, as well as last years Board of Directors. I am excited to welcome new members to the Board, as well as give a sincere thank you to our returning Board members for the time and effort they contribute to help the Foundation meet its goals. To our members, thank you for your support. Because of you we have expanded our reach and deepened our programs, bringing turfgrass research to the forefront more than ever before. Whether through funding the work that takes place daily at the Hancock Center, the procurement of essential equipment, or providing educational opportunities to our members and supporters, we continue to be guided by our mission of helping all individuals who manage turfgrass. Of course, challenges remain. However, with every obstacle we also see opportunity. To become more innovative in our approach, to grow as a Foundation, and most importantly to listen more closely to the voices of those we serve. None of our progress would be possible without the dedication of our Executive Director, Carey Mitchelson, our Board of Directors, our industry partners, and donors like you. As we look forward to the future, I invite you to remain engaged, share your ideas, and stand with us. Together we are building a better, greener industry. Best Regards, Brad Lazroff President, Michigan Turfgrass Foundation

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MSU TURF TEAM Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences John N. Trey Rogers III, Ph.D. rogersj@msu.edu Professor, Turfgrass Research - Golf Course Renovations - Sports Turf and Golf Turf Management Programs; Turfgrass Research Telephone: 517-353-0136 Nancy Dykema dykema@msu.edu Research Assistant/Instructor, Turfgrass Pathology Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Telephone: 517-353-9082

Thomas Nikolai, Ph.D. nikolait@msu.edu Senior Turfgrass Academic Specialist - Golf Course Putting Green mechanical and cultural practices, turfgrass health. Telephone: 517-353-0133 David Gilstrap, Ph.D. gilstrap@msu.edu Senior Academic Specialist Sports and Commercial Turf Management Education Telephone: 517-353-0140

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Kevin Frank, Ph.D. frankk@msu.edu Professor and Turf Extension Specialist Telephone: 517-353-0147

Emily Merewitz-Holm, Ph.D. merewitz@msu.edu

Max Helmberger, Ph.D. helmberg@msu.edu

Assistant Professor - Plant physiologist; abiotic & biotic stresses of turfgrass and crop species; whole-plant, biochemical, & molecular techniques. Telephone: 517-353-0203

Academic SpecialistTeacher, Department of Entomology, Telephone: 517-432-2668

Wei Zhang, Ph.D. weizhang@msu.edu Professor and Interim Chair Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Brian Horgan, Ph.D. horgan@msu.edu CANR Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

RESEARCH NEWS

RESEARCH

2025

summaries Dr. Emily Holm

MTF funding is requested for graduate student support, facility fees, and consumable costs for the following projects: PROJECT NAME:

Influence of fall mowing height changes and timing of the change on winter survival of annual bluegrass putting greens Student: Ruilin Miao Project Description: In theory for perennial species, the accumulation of sugars from photosynthetic leaf tissues that can go into storage as starches is very important for winter survival and the quantity stored could be influenced by mowing height. The carbohydrates are largely transported from the leaves or root system and stored in crown or other overwintering structure. Theoretically, if annual bluegrass is allowed to develop more leaf surface area for photosynthesis, more carbohydrates could be stored and used for regrowth in the spring; however, annual bluegrass’s unique genetics and flowering capacity calls into question whether annual bluegrass will benefit from increased mowing heights and extra storage carbohydrates. Golf course superintendents may be reluctant to raise cutting heights of putting greens due to slower green speeds and the demand to maintain optimal playing conditions as long into the fall as weather permits play. Typically, if superintendents raise cutting heights at all it is when play is declining. Raising the mowing height would be a viable and cost-effective practice to adopt. But first, superintendents need more information on at what level and on approximately what date the mowing

height needs to be raised to see any increase in winter survival. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine the effect of mowing height on winterkill survival of annual bluegrass putting greens. We hypothesize that raising mowing heights in September from a 0.125-inch standard height to higher levels of cut will reduce winterkill associated with ice cover on annual bluegrass putting greens. Methods: Research plots at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center of annual bluegrass putting greens will be mowed at 0.125 inch mowing height until the following treatments with 4 replications begin: Mowing height treatments: Height 1: 5,10,12,15, always mow 0.125 inch for 9 weeks. Height 2: 7,9,13,20, mow 0.125 at start, 0.150 for week4, 0.175 for week 5 and 0.200 in all remaining weeks. Height 3: 3,8,16,19, mow 0.125 at start, 0.150 for week 2, 0.175 for week 3 and 0.200 in all remaining weeks. Height 4: 1,6,14,17, always mow 0.200 for 9 weeks. Turfgrass

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quality, normalized difference vegetative index, canopy height, root length, and root biomass will be measured in plots on a weekly basis starting in the late summer, through fall mowing treatments, and in the spring for winter survival ratings.. Turf plugs 4 inch in diameter will be taken from each plot in midNovember prior to soil freezing and brought into a low temperature growth chamber (-4°C). Growth chamber methods. For ice treatment, plants will be misted under low temperature to develop an ice layer as in Figure 1. Plants will be exposed to two ice treatments 1) no ice 2) ice cover (1.27 cm deep). Plants will be sampled at 0, 20, 40 and 80 days of ice cover. Lights in the chamber will be set to simulate an overcast winter day in Michigan (200 μmol m-2 s -1 with 10 h day length). Thus, a total of 128 turf plugs will be taken (4 replications x 4 mowing height treatments x 2 ice treatments x 4 sampling dates). On a given sampling day, turfgrass plugs will then be cut in half. Half of the plugs will go towards a regrowth assay in a greenhouse (plants will be de-acclimated for one week in a refrigerator prior to transferring to the greenhouse) and percent regrowth will be documented weekly or on an as needed basis. Half of the turfgrass plug will be used for ice stress tolerance characteristics. Expected results – Enhanced recommendations regarding putting greens care will be the major outcome of this project. We expect mowing height to significantly influence winter survival of annual bluegrass. Benefit Group – The benefit groups include golf courses and turfgrass scientists. Estimated project duration – 2 years (initiated in summer 2024-2026). Benefit Group – EThe benefit groups include golf courses and turfgrass scientists. Estimated project duration – 2 years (initiated in summer 2024-2026).

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PROJECT NAME:

WinterTurf: A holistic approach to understanding the mechanisms and mitigating the effects of winter stress on turfgrasses in northern climates (U of MN lead institution) Student: Devendra Chalise USDA-SCRI funded project. Requesting MTF funding for supplementation of researcher support (Devendra Chalise), facility fees, and consumable costs. Project Description: This is a large, multi-state project with broad objectives for investigating strategies to improve turfgrass winter survival. The objectives lead by Dr Holm include 1) developing a method for determination of crown viability correlated with whole-plant survival and 2) identifying physiological and metabolic factors associated with tolerance to anoxia and accumulation of toxic metabolites. Methods: For objective 1) The most widely used method of testing cold tolerance using leaf electrolyte leakage is not necessarily correlated with actual crown viability in grasses. Consequently, survival assessments are typically based on whole-plant regrowth that takes a minimum of 2 weeks for accurate assessment. A high-throughput method would increase efficiency of identifying germplasm with improved winter hardiness traits. We will evaluate a widely used cell viability assay, using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC), and compare cell viability with dyes (Figure 2) For objective 2) Under prolonged ice encasement, oxygen depletion is one of the most important factors leading to winterkill. The continued consumption of oxygen under ice, due to plant and microbial respiration, results in hypoxia or anoxia. Moreover, the shift to anaerobic respiration leads to changes in metabolism

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PROJECT NAME: that result in accumulation of toxic fermentation metabolites. The ability to study turfgrass responses to ice-induced oxygen deprivation in both controlled environment and field experiments is complicated by the ability to maintain consistent ice cover. We will expose plants to different durations of anoxia and evaluate various gas treatments to better understand inter- and intraspecific differences in survival under ice for informing phenotyping approaches (Figure 3) Expected results - These studies will provide fundamental information to facilitate breeding efforts for improved winter survival through the identification of mechanisms/traits associated with enhanced tolerance to ice encasement and freezing. We will also develop and implement an improved crown viability assay to enhance screening efficiency of other physiology and breeding studies. Information generated from the above studies will also provide information to better inform management practices associated with winter preparation in fall months as well as winterkill mitigation strategies (e.g. defining critical gas concentrations or byproducts to trigger ice removal; risks of post-anoxia injury following ice or cover removal). Benefit group - The benefit groups include golf courses, athletic fields, homelawns, and turfgrass scientists since the project outcome is new knowledge of turfgrass resistance mechanisms to winterkill for research and breeding purposes. Estimated project duration - 4 years (2021-2025)

Winter recovery management strategies for cool-season turfgrasses Student: Ruilin Miao Project Description: Winterkill damage of perennial turfgrasses on golf courses and other turf areas is costly to repair and detrimental to the success and sustainability of the turfgrass industry. Maintaining mature turfgrass areas is critical to reducing environmental impacts, which is difficult with climate change induced seasonal fluctuations and severe weather. Therefore, research to determine post-winter management strategies to promote perennial turfgrass plant survival and release from winter dormancy is critical. Light and water are two major factors associated with plant death during the winter to spring transitional period, but little research has been performed to evaluate spring turfgrass management strategies to reduce plant stress associated with these factors. Our research uses controlled condition and field conditions to determine the efficacy of novel spring management practices on turfgrass survival of severe winter conditions. Objectives and Expected results: Objective 1 – Quantify water uptake rates of crowns and chlorophyll damage of plants with and without ice encasement and in response to spring warming (de-acclimation) and ABA treatments. Hypothesis – Ice encasement will cause more rapid water uptake compared than without ice encasement and an interrupting warming treatment will exacerbate this effect. ABA to promote stomatal closure, inhibit growth, and limit water uptake will reduce water absorption of crown tissue. Crown survival could be promoted by delayed water uptake.

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Objective 2 – Identify the effect of varying light intensities during ice and during spring recovery from ice encasement on annual bluegrass survival and physiological properties. Hypothesis – Since minimal levels of photosynthesis could occur under illuminated ice and plants would be acclimated to light, we hypothesize that recovery will be promoted. The shock associated with darkness under ice encasement followed by sudden light exposure could cause photoinhibition and irreversibly damage crown tissue. Objective 3 – Test sustainable, novel turfgrass spring treatments for post-winter protection and identify whether the treatments moderate annual bluegrass responses to water and light following winter in field and controlled conditions Hypothesis – Protection from light and moderated temperatures by shading turf with either powder or a cloth following winterkill stress could reduce irreversible damage caused by photoinhibition and promote turfgrass crown survival. Methods Objective 1 – Turfgrass plugs (4” diameter) of annual bluegrass will be collected from the field, exposed to cold acclimation temperature regime and then treated with 0 or 50 d of 1) ice encasement 2) no ice encasement 3) ice melt + warm period exposure (premature de-acclimation) 4) warm exposure only. Deacclimation temperature and duration methods will be used as in Hoffman et al., (2014). Following winter treatments plants will be deacclimated gradually and treated with or without ABA (100μM; Wang et al., 2003) and tetraloneABA (0.5 g·L-1 as in Wang et al. (2025); this rate may be modified with trial). Leaf and crowns will be excised from half of the plant and tested in vitro to measure the moisture content and rate of water uptake of tissue during soaking (Wang et al., 2023) and tissue will be saved in a -80oC

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freezer for cuticle analysis. The remaining intact plant will go towards recovery in a greenhouse where light incidence, photochemical health (OJIP parameters including Fv/Fo; Lootens et al., 2004), chlorophyll content (using not destructive meter), chlorophyll ratios (chl a, chl b, chl, carotenoids), malondialdehyde content to indicate lipid peroxidation, green tiller counts, and digital image analysis for percent green cover will be measured. Objective 2 – Annual bluegrass plugs will be treated as described above and exposed to varying light conditions during winter (ice or no ice) in growth chamber conditions or following winter as a factorial experimental design (high 1000, med 500, low 100 μmol m-2 s-1). Growth chambers will be set to the desired light levels and light incidence will be monitored with a light meter at canopy height. While ice will reduce actual incidence of light plants are receiving, this would be uniform for all plants under the ice and not limit interpretation. Recovery, photochemical health, and plant tissue will be harvested and preserved for health analysis as described in objective 1. Objective 3 – Preliminary growth chamber experiments of annual bluegrass will test for any toxicity and resolve application issues and rates needed for good coverage prior to field treatments. Subsequently, a two-year field study at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center will be performed to evaluate spring protective effects of 1) kaolin clay dry application 2) a product called Surround (NovaSource WP Crop Protectant, more soluble in water) as a wet application 3) talc treatment (more hydrophobic compared to kaolin clay) 4) a shade cloth treatment for 5 days 5) shade cloth for 10 days and 6) no treatment. Timing of these application will be made based on weather predictions and may be made on an as needed frequency. Light incidence in the field and under the shade cloths will be tracked. Shade cloths will be pinned down to turf plots. Digital image analysis will

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be performed to monitor coverage of the white powder. Duration of treatment persistence on the leaves will be tracked and normalized difference vegetative index, chlorophyll content, turf quality and crown viability (triphenyl tetrazolium chloride method) will be measured on field plots during the fall and spring seasons until plots are fully recovered. Benefit group - The benefit groups include golf courses, athletic fields, homelawns, and turfgrass scientists since the project outcome is new knowledge of turfgrass winter recovery that can be used in management, research, and breeding purposes.

Figure 1 – Ice encasement treatments in controlled growth chambers using pots dipped in paraffin wax and acetate sheeting wrapped around the rim.

Estimated project duration 2 years (2025-2027) Supplemental to funding from Project GREEEN

Figure 2 – Testing for plant viability by staining roots and crown tisssues which will be used to evaluate overwintering survival

Figure 3 – Large screening for ice encasement tolerance of turfgrass populations growing in the greenhouse

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RESEARCH NEWS PROJECT NAME:

Winterkill and Nutrient Management Research Update Dr. Kevin W. Frank and Eric Galbraith Michigan State University I. Winterkill Research Projects 1. MTF funding is used to complement project costs that are not supported by the WinterTurf grant, including supporting Eric Galbraith, research technician. 2. Grad students involved: Payton Perkinson – winterkill reestablishment research projects were the focus of Payton’s Masters thesis research which was completed in 2024. 3. Research benefits turf managers in identifying best practices for reestablishment following winterkill, potential effects of fertilizer rate and timing on snow mold incidence, leaf mulch effects on snow mold and turfgrass health, and the effect of late fall topdressing on turfgrass health.

and an unseeded control. To simulate winterkill, nonselective herbicide was applied twice prior to seeding and plots were vertically mowed in two directions. Seed was applied at 2 lbs 1,000 ft-2 three consecutive weeks once soil temperatures reached a daily average of 45°F at a 2-inch depth. Digital image analysis was collected for five weeks during the establishment period to assess turfgrass cover. Seeding date 1 had the highest turfgrass cover in both years at the beginning of data collection, but by the end of the study, seeding date was not significant. In 2023, Penn A-4 and Penncross had the highest turfgrass cover but differences were small and biologically insignificant. In 2024, there were no differences among creeping bentgrass cultivars and in both years Two-Putt was one of the worst performing entries. Although seeding early before soil temperatures are optimum results in higher turfgrass cover, the benefit is short-lived for only a couple weeks.

4. Reestablishment projects were completed in 2024. The fertility and snow mold, leaf mulch and snow mold, photoinhibition, and topdressing study will be completed in 2025.

Reestablishment on an annual bluegrass putting green At MSU we conducted a reestablishment trial on a native soil annual bluegrass green. The objective of this study was to evaluate spring establishment rate of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) and annual bluegrass (Poa annua var. reptans (Hauskn.)) seeded three consecutive weeks in the spring of 2023 and 2024. Seed entries included creeping bentgrass cultivars, ‘Penncross’, ‘Pure Distinction’, ‘Declaration’, ‘Penn A-4’, one annual bluegrass seed, ‘Two-Putt’, a 50/50 by weight Pure Distinction and Two-Putt mix,

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Photo of the research area on May 8, 2025, one month after the first seeding date.

Fertilizer rate, timing, and leaf mulch effects on snow mold There are three different research trials related to snow mold that we have conducted in cooperation with Dr. Koch at the University of Wisconsin. All these trials are completing their 3rd and final year of research in 2025. There are two trials studying the effect of nitrogen and potassium applications on snow mold incidence on a creeping bentgrass fairway. Trial 1 is analyzing the effect of annual rate of nitrogen and potassium on snow mold incidence.

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Trial 2 is analyzing the effect of timing of the last application of nitrogen and potassium on snow mold incidence. In addition to measuring snow mold incidence, we are also measuring turfgrass quality and tissue nitrogen and potassium levels.

Photo of the leaf mulch research area on April 11, 2023, showing the smothering effect of the 6 inch depth non-mulched leaves treatment on turfgrass.

Monitoring Winter Conditions with Sensors on Michigan Golf Courses Photo of the annual nitrogen and potassium rate effects on snow mold incidence research area on April 1, 2025.

The third trial is researching the effect of different depths of mulched or non-mulched leaves on turfgrass quality, snow mold development, and measures of soil health. Research was initiated in the fall of 2022 at MSU and the University of Wisconsin and will conclude in the spring of 2025. Treatments include untreated, mulched and non-mulched leaves at a depth of 2 inches (buried within the turf canopy) or at a depth of 6 inches (fully covering the turfgrass). To date we haven’t seen any effects with respect to snow mold incidence. Common to both locations were that the 6-inch depth of non-mulched leaves caused significant injury to the turfgrass due to smothering, with less injury on the mulched 6 inch depth of leaves. Once again, we had minimal snow mold incidence over the winter of 2023-2024 and few significant differences for treatment effects on snow mold. The winter of 2024-2025 may result in more favorable conditions for snow mold due to the persistent snow cover.

Winterkill sensor packages were installed at 5 courses in Michigan in 2024. The sensor package was developed by scientists at the University of Minnesota as part of the WinterTurf grant. The objective is to develop a low-cost sensor package that would allow golf course superintendents to monitor winter conditions in real time and make decisions, for example on removing ice, to prevent winterkill. The golf courses with sensor packages in 2024-2025 were: Arcadia Bluffs, Hidden River Golf and Casting Club, Prestwick Village GC, Treetops, and Walloon Lake CC. One of the courses we are monitoring had ice form on putting greens in January and we were able to track gas levels under the ice as represented in the figure below. As of writing this update at the end of February, we don’t believe the oxygen or carbon dioxide levels are at a point of causing injury, but more data is needed to confirm or refute this conclusion. Carbon dioxide and oxygen levels from a golf course being monitored by the sensor package developed as part of the WinterTurf grant. Ice formed on two different occasions, on or around January 19th and February 6. On both these dates you can see the level of carbon dioxide indicated by the yellow line increasing and especially on February 6 you can see the oxygen level starting to decline.

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RESEARCH NEWS and turfgrass quality were assessed within the fall topdressed plots and were compared to plots that were not topdressed. Data were collected after spring snow melt until spring aerification.

Photoinhibition study on dormant seeded creeping bentgrass putting green Research that Dr. Dominic Petrella from Ohio State University has conducted indicates that seeded creeping bentgrass in the spring can be damaged by ‘false spring’ conditions. Fall spring is when we have warm temperatures in the late winter/early spring that facilitates seeded creeping bentgrass germination but is followed by freezing temperatures and high light intensity. The use of shade cloth has shown potential for protecting new bentgrass seedlings from photoinhibition damage under these scenarios of cold temperatures and high light. To this point, research has shown the benefit of using shade cloth to protect seedlings in small pot studies. We dormant seeded a trial in 2023 for conducting this trial in spring of 2024 but unfortunately the seeding failed. In 2025 we will repeat the trial by seeding a plot area as soon as the snow melts instead of relying on a dormant seeding.

Late Fall Topdressing as a Practice to Mitigate Winterkill Late fall sand topdressing applications have become a common practice in many regions as a possible deterrent to winterkill. There is little if any data from trials to either support or refute the benefit of these applications. In the fall of 2023, topdressing applications were made to putting greens at turfgrass research facilities in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Norway and on a golf course in Oregon to determine the effects of late fall sand topdressing. The sand topdressing rates applied were none, 3 ft3 sand /1000 ft2 (normal rate), and 6 ft3/1000 ft2 (high rate). Topdressing was applied in a single application after the final mowing of the season and before the first anticipated snowfall. Response variable such as surface temperature, percent winter damage

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Results were mixed across diverse locations, but some commonalities were found in the 1st year of treatments. Surface temperatures were higher for the high topdressing rate treatments which may result in increased biological activity for snow mold pathogens. At the Wisconsin location this was in fact the case with more snow mold on the high topdressing rate treatments. At the Oregon location, surface temperature and quality increased with topdressing rate, while winter damage decreased with increasing topdressing rates. As of April 11, three weeks after snow melt no differences in winter damage were visible at the Oregon location. This trial was repeated in the fall of 2024 and will be evaluated upon snow meld in the spring of 2025. Throughout most of February the trial area was under approximately 1-2 inches of ice cover at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center so this will be interesting to see if 1) there is any damage from ice cover and 2) if there are any differences among topdressing treatments.

Late fall topdressing research area in November 2024 showing the differential frost formation on the plots.

The WinterTurf project was supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Specialty Crop Research Initiative under award number 2021-51181-35861.

II. Long-term nitrogen leaching 1. MTF funding is used for sampling costs and technical salary. 2. Grad students involved: Payton Perkinson was involved in fertilizer applications and sample collection in 2024. 3. Research benefits turf managers concerned with environmental fate and fertilizer efficiency. 4. Project duration: indefinite, July 2025 will mark 27 years of consecutive data collection, this is the longest running turfgrass leaching research in the world and we will continue to apply treatments and collect samples with no end date in mind.

measured from the high N rate from 19982002. In 2003 the high N rate was reduced from 5 to 4 N/1000 ft.2/yr, and subsequently leachate NO3-N concentrations declined over an approximately 15-year period. After 15 years of treating the high N rate at 4 lb. N/1000 ft.2/ yr, in 2018 we reverted to applying urea at 5 lb. N/1000 ft.2/yr split over 5 applications to two of the lysimeters to determine if the high N rate would once again result in high nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in leachate. The application dates were May 1, June 1, July 1, Aug. 1, and Sept. 1. The remaining two lysimeters were treated with urea at 2 lb. N/1000 ft.2/yr split over two applications on May 1 and Sept. 1. The turf was mowed at 3 in. and clippings returned to the plots. Lysimeter percolate was collected regularly, volume measured, and a sub sample collected for NO3-N, NH4-N, and phosphorus (orthophosphate) analysis. Sample analysis from 2024 is currently being completed. The most recent year of 2023 found mean NO3-N concentration in leachate for the low and high N rates of 0.8 and 4.1 ppm, respectively. Mean leachate concentration for the low N rate have remained below a level of concern for the entire 26 years of data collection. Since the high N rate was increased to 5 lb. N, NO3-N concentration in leachate has moderately increased from 1 ppm in 2018 to 4.1 ppm in 2023. This research will continue to measure nitrogen leaching in a continually managed turfgrass system and provide insight into the effect of fertilizer rates on nitrogen leaching from mature turfgrass stands.

5. Project Update

Key Points

Since the summer of 1998 leachate samples have been collected from the monolith lysimeters at the HTRC and analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen. July 2024 marked 26 years of consecutive leachate collection and 34 years since turfgrass was established on the lysimeters. The high N rate of 5 lb. N/1000 ft.2/ yr was applied in 1998 and concluded following the 2002 season. High levels of NO3-N leaching were

1. After six years of the high N rate, 5 lb. N/1000 ft.2/yr, mean annual nitrate-nitrogen concentrations have only moderately increased from 1 to 4 ppm. 2. Dormant season leaching continues to be a point of concern for the high N rate application.

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Photo: Lysimeters used for measuring nutrient leaching at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center.

III. National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) Trials I managed four NTEP trials at MSU in 2024: fine leaf fescue fairway traffic, and fine leaf fescue fairway height nitrogen rate trial, Kentucky bluegrass standard test, and Kentucky bluegrass ancillary traffic test. The results from these trials can be found at www.ntep.org.

IV. Future Plans a. Leaching research will continue indefinitely. b. Winterkill Trials in 2025 i. Photoinhibition study on seeded creeping bentgrass ii. Late Fall Topdressing as a Practice to Mitigate Winterkill iii. Fertilizer rate, timing, and leaf mulch effects on snow mold

V. Extension Activities My appointment at MSU is split among extension (70%), research (20%), and teaching (10%). I am the turfgrass extension specialist for Michigan and have been the committee chair of the MSU Turf Team since 2009. I view my role as an extension specialist as a conduit to communicate recommendations and research to both industry professionals and the public. I communicate via written articles, presentations, interviews, emails to industry list-serves, and social media using X and Facebook.

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In 2024, I gave extension presentations in East Lansing, Mt. Pleasant, Novi, Traverse City, Ann Arbor, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids. I attend almost all MiGCSA meetings to be a representative of MSU and provide informational updates on MSU and MTF activities and events. I continue to write and revise articles on turfgrass management for the MSUE news website throughout the year. I work with an IT specialist, to maintain the GDDTracker website. I serve as a resource for the MSUE Lawn and Garden telephone hotline and for turfgrass questions submitted online or via email. I participate in weekly/biweekly conference calls during the growing season for the Consumer Horticulture extension group to provide turfgrass management updates and answer questions extension educators may be receiving.

PROJECT NAME:

Effects of Winter Rolling on Turf Health, Disease and Spring Green Up (2023-2025) Thomas Nikolai, Eric J. Galbraith, Mike Rabe Michigan State University How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Support funding will allow researchers to evaluate turf tolerance to daily winter rolling and evaluate early spring green up effects as well as summer season effects pertaining to disease control, green speed and overall turf and soil health as daily rolling continues throughout the year. Also, in December of 2024 we inoculated the plots with snow mold. Currently it appears the rolling as diminished the snow mold.

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Expected Results and Methods: ʹͲʹ͵ Ǥ Ǥ ǡ in May of 2024. TDR analysis Expected Results and Methods: Ǥ shows rolled plots holding more This trial initiated late fall 2023 to observe the resilience of greens moisture and spring temperature height turf to daily rolling during the cold winter months and see if Ǥ ʹͲʹ͵ǦʹͲʹͶ ǡ readings show rolled plots being there were any effects carried into the spring season when green up significantly colder than unrolled Ǧ ratings were taken. TDR and surface temperatures were recorded on plots. Ͷ Ǥ Ǥ sunny days in early spring when snow was not present. Daily rolling ǡ continued throughout the growing season and green speed ratings, Project update: disease ratings and soil samples were taken. ʹͲʹͶǤ In November 2024 we inoculated We expected to see similar results as previous research on the a 1-foot square area on a section Ǥ effects of rolling on green speed and disease. Data collected during of each plot with Microdochium. 2023-2024 supports past research, but the increase of speed Project update: ʹͲʹͶ ͳǦ done to observe if daily This was compared to non-rolled plots in the spring was significantly longer MicrodochiumǤ Ȁ winter/spring rolling will have than any other previous studies averaging as much as 4 foot longer Ǥ an impact on snow mold similar rolled in the spring. . Although not statistically significant, we saw Ȁ Ǥ to the positive effect it has on a general shift from rolled plots having a diminished visual color Ǥ decreasing dollar spot. Plots have in April but shifting to in improved visual Ǥ color during green up been daily rolled throughout the fall and winter when snow was/is Table average green speed ratings 2024 Table 1.1.Monthly ʹͲʹͶ not present. Surface temperature readings will be taken as soon March April May June July August September as snow cover is gone. We are Roll +4.0’ +3.4’ +2.2’ +2.0’ +1.8’ +1.7’ +1.9’ hopeful of receiving positive No Roll spring green up differences this year. Table average surface temperature ratings 2024 Table 2. 2. Monthly ʹͲʹͶ Table 2. ʹͲʹͶ Table 2. Grad Student(s) Involved: February March April ʹͲʹͶ Table 2. February March April ʹͲʹͶ 1 February March April Roll 54.6 b 49.8 b 59.7 b Roll 54.6 b 49.8 b 59.7 b February March April Roll 49.8 59.7 No Roll 54.6 56.1 ba 51.3 ba 61.6 ba No Roll 54.6 56.1 ba 51.3 ba 61.6 ba Roll 49.8 59.7 No Roll 56.1 a 51.3 a 61.6 a No Roll3. 56.1 a average 51.3 a TDR 61.6 a Table 3. Monthly ȋ Ȍ ʹͲʹͶ Table (soil volumetric water content) ratings 2024

Mike Rabe

Benefit Group:

Table 3. ȋ Ȍ ʹͲʹͶ Table 3. ȋ February March April May June Ȍ ʹͲʹͶ July August September Table 3. ȋ February March April May June Ȍ ʹͲʹͶ July August September February March April Roll 22.6 22.8 a 23.4 a Roll 22.6 22.8 a 23.4 a February March April Roll 22.8 23.4 No Roll 22.6 20.5 20.5 ab 20.5 ab No Roll 22.6 20.5 20.5 ab 20.5 ab Roll 22.8 23.4 No Roll 20.5 20.5 b 20.5 b No Roll 20.5 20.5 b 20.5 b Table 4. ʹͲʹͶ

June 28.2 28.2 June 28.2 27.7 27.7 28.2 27.7 27.7 -

July 29 29 July 29 - 27.9 27.9 29 - 27.9 27.9 -

August 28.2 28.2 August 28.2 25.8 25.8 28.2 25.8 25.8 -

22-AprGreen 30-Apr 6-May 17-May Table Up Color Ratings 2024 21-May Table 5. 5. Spring 22-Apr ʹͲʹͶ 30-Apr 6-May 17-May 21-May

31-May 31-May 31-May 6.3 6.3 31-May 6.3 5.8 5.8 6.3 5.8 5.8 -

12-Jun 12-Jun 12-Jun 6.5 6.5 12-Jun 6.5 6.3 6.3 6.5 6.3 6.3 -

Table 4. ʹͲʹͶ Table 4. ʹͲʹͶ %Brown # Dollar

May 25.1 25.1 May 25.1 23.8 23.8 25.1 23.8 23.8 -

Table 4. 4. Disease ʹͲʹͶ Table Ratings 2024 %Brown # Dollar

# Dollar # Dollar Patch Spots %Brown #Spots Dollar #Spots Dollar Patch %Brown # Dollar #Spots Dollar Patch Spots Spots 15-Jul 15-Jul 3-Sep 15-Jul 15-Jul 3-Sep Patch Spots Spots 15-Jul 15-Jul 3-Sep Roll 9552 b Roll 9552 b 15-Jul 15-Jul 3-Sep Roll 9 -58 52 No Roll 7.7 74 ba No Roll 7.7 74 ba Roll 9 -58 52 No Roll 7.7 874 a No Roll5. 7.7 - ʹͲʹͶ 874 a Table

Table 5. ʹͲʹͶ Table 5. ʹͲʹͶ 22-Apr 30-Apr 6-May 17-May 4.2 4.2 5.5 5.5 Roll 4.2 4.2 5.5 5.5 Roll 22-Apr 30-Apr 6-May 17-May 4.2 4.2 5.5 5.5 Roll 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.7 No Roll 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.7 No Roll 4.2 4.2 5.5 5.5 Roll 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.7 No Roll 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.7 No Roll Grad Student(s) Involved: -

21-May 6621-May 6 -5.3 5.3 6 -5.3 5.3 -

This research will benefit golf courses. Rolling has September 26.5 become a staple practice 26.5 September 26.5 24.6 on many golf courses, but 24.6 26.5 24.6 it is not typically done 24.6 in the colder months for fear of damaging the turf. Investigation into winter/early spring rolling and its effects on spring green up will prove useful to courses looking to kickstart the playing season. If any benefit to snow mold control is observed, this too could add another crucial preventative tool for superintendents to use during the off season.

Grad Student(s) Involved: Grad Student(s) Involved: Grad Student(s) Involved: Group: Ǥ Benefit Benefit Group: Ǥ ǡ Benefit Group: Ǥ ǡ Benefit Group: Ǥ Ǥ Ȁ ǡ MTF NEWS NOTES | SUMMER 2025 Ǥ Ȁ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ Ȁ Ǥ Ǥ Ȁ ǡ Ǥ ǡ Ǥ

17

RESEARCH NEWS Project Images: Project Images: Image May 20, 2024 Green Up Image 1. 1. ʹͲǡ ʹͲʹͶ

PROJECT NAME:

Effects of Double Rolling Daily and Fertility Rates on Bent Greens (2024) Image 2. 2. Ͷǡ ʹͲʹͶ4, Dollar Spot Image September 2024

Image 3. Snow Mold Inoculation November 2024 Image Image 3. 3. ʹͲʹͶ ʹͲʹͶ 3

How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Support funding will allow researchers to evaluate the effects of daily rolling combined with different fertility rates on turf speed, firmness, dollar spot and soil volumetric water content. Funding will also be used to analyze soil and tissue samples in the fall and measure water infiltration rates. The impetus of the study is it is commonly believed that nitrogen rate has a greater impact on decreasing dollar spot that rolling, however, past studies at MSU show that believe is not true. This study will run through fall of 2027 and we will publish results in a scientific journal and golf maintenance magazine.

Expected Results and Methods:

Project Research: ʹͲʹͷ Project Duration/Future Duration/Future Research: This project ʹͲʹͷ Project Duration/Future Research: will continue Ǥ Ǥ through 2025 with intent for publication.

Image 4. Notice the rolled plot (the number 1 at the bottom of the plot) is displaying

Image 4. 4. Notice the rolled plot (the number at the bottom thebottom plot) is displaying Image Notice the rolled plot (the1number 1 at of the of the less at less snow snow mold mold inoculum inoculum compared compared to to the the plot plot to to its its right right (the (the number number 2 at the the plot) is displaying less snow mold inoculum compared to2the plot bottom). Photo taken 02/25/2025. bottom). Photo taken 02/25/2025. to its right (the number 2 at the bottom). Photo taken 02/25/2025. 4 4

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www.michiganturfgrass.org

In 2024 we initiated the trial in the summer season from mid-June to midAugust looking at the combination effects of rolling and fertility on a bent green. Previous research has shown rolling to increase surface firmness and soil water content while an increase in fertility tends to decrease surface firmness and soil water content. We expected to see similar results, but did not know to what extent either factor would contribute to any differences. We made weekly foliar Urea applications during the two-month trial period (a total of 9 applications) and rolled twice daily. We found significantly faster greenspeeds and less dollar spots on rolled plots. The rolled plots with lowest fertility significantly had the highest volumetric water content during July and August. Rolled plots had the

No Roll 0.15 #N 15 5.3 65 ab Ǥ Roll 0.3 #N 10 3.0 40 b No Roll 0.3 #N 15 5.7 90 a Expected Results and Methods: ʹͲʹͶ NOTE rolling appears to have decreased disease more than nitrogen rate. Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ Table 5. ʹͲʹͶ Ǥ ǡ Infiltration Rate (mm/hour) Ǥ Roll 0.15 #N 70 c Ǧ ȋ ͻ Ȍ Ǥ No Roll 0.15 #N 114 a lowest infiltration rate, but between the non-rolled Ǥ Grad Student(s) Involved: Roll 0.3 #N 64 c plots, the lower fertility rate had a significantly higher Mike Rabe No Roll 0.3 #N 94 b infiltration rate than the higher fertility rate plots. Ǥ ǡ Ǧ ǡ Benefit Group: Project update: Grad Student(s) Involved: Ǥ This trial needs to be re-run for an extended period This research will benefit golf courses, who are oftenGroup: trying to keep fertility ǡ rates high for healthier Project update: Ǧ to evaluate whether the effects of either variable Benefit turf but are also trying to maintain green speeds Ǥ can produce better differences. Infiltration readings through rolling. Data on the effects of these two also need to be taken at regular intervals to see how Ǥ ǡ variables on green speed, soil moisture and disease quickly the trends progress and Ǥ at what point the Ǥ control will be extremely useful. differences between the two factors maximize. Table ʹͲʹͶ Table 1. 1. Monthly Average Greenspeed Ratings 2024 Roll 0.15 #N No Roll 0.15 #N Roll 0.3 #N No Roll 0.3 #N

June +2’ a --- b +2.3’ a - 0.1’ b

July +2.1’ a --- b +1.7’ a +0.1’ b

August +2.1’ a --- b +1.7’ a +0.1’ b

Project Images: Project Images: Image 1. Image ʹͲʹͶ 1. Trial After Completion in September 2024

Table 3. ȋ

Table Table 2. 2. ʹͲʹͶ Monthly Average Trufirm Ratings 2024 Roll 0.15 #N No Roll 0.15 #N Roll 0.3 #N No Roll 0.3 #N

June 609 613 609 609 -

July 565 b 604 a 581 b 614 a

August 565 d 629 b 589 c 657 a

October 688 b 749 a 738 ab 782 a

ͲǤͳͷ ͓ ͲǤͳͷ ͓ ͲǤ͵ ͓ ͲǤ͵ ͓

͵ͳǤʹ Ǧ ͵ͳǤ͵ Ǧ ͵ͳǤ͵ Ǧ ͵ͳǤʹ Ǧ

͵ͲǤͶ ʹͻǤʹ ʹͻǤͷ ʹͺǤ͹

Table 4. ʹͲʹͶ

ʹ͸Ǥͷ ʹͷǤͶ ʹͷǤͻ ʹͷǤʹ

͵ʹǤͶ Ǧ ͵ͳǤͷ Ǧ ͵ͳǤͻ Ǧ ͵ͲǤ͸ Ǧ

Project Duration/Future Research: Table 3. Monthly Average TDR (soil volumetric water % Brown Patch # Dollar Spots # Dollar Sp 5 Table 3. ȋ Ȍ ʹͲʹͶ content) Ratings 2024 This trial will run for a much6 longer period in 2025 ͲǤͳͷ ͓ ͲǤͳͷ ͓ ͲǤ͵ ͓ ͲǤ͵ ͓

͵ͳǤʹ Ǧ ͵ͳǤ͵ Ǧ ͵ͳǤ͵ Ǧ ͵ͳǤʹ Ǧ

͵ͲǤͶ ʹͻǤʹ ʹͻǤͷ ʹͺǤ͹

Roll 0.15 #N No Roll 0.15 #N Roll 0.3 #N No Roll 0.3 #N

% Brown Patch 15-Jul 13 15 10 15 -

Table Table 4. 4. ʹͲʹͶ Disease Ratings 2024

ʹ͸Ǥͷ ʹͷǤͶ ʹͷǤͻ ʹͷǤʹ

͵ʹǤͶ Ǧ ͵ͳǤͷ Ǧ ͵ͳǤͻ Ǧ ͵ͲǤ͸ Ǧ

# Dollar Spots 15-Jul 1.7 5.3 3.0 5.7 -

# Dollar Spots 3-Sep 35 b 65 ab 40 b 90 a

15-Jul 15-Jul and we plan to take multiple infiltration ratings to Roll 0.15 #N 13 1.7 get a more complete picture and rule out one-off No Roll 0.15 #N 15 5.3 results. Roll 0.3 #N 10 3.0 No Roll 0.3 #N 15 5.7 -

NOTE rolling appears to have decreased disease more than nitroge

Table ʹͲʹͶ Table 5. 5. Double Ring Infiltrometer Ratings 2024 Roll 0.15 #N No Roll 0.15 #N Roll 0.3 #N No Roll 0.3 #N

Roll 0.15 #N No Roll 0.15 #N Roll 0.3 #N

Infiltration Rate (mm/hour) 70 c 114 a 64 c

Infiltration Rate (mm/hour) 70 c 114 a 64 c 94 b

Grad Student(s) Involved: Benefit Group: ǡ Ǥ 19 MTF NEWS NOTES | SUMMER 2025 Ǥ

NOTE rolling appears to have decreased disease more than nitrogen rate. NOTE rolling appears to have decreased disease more than nitrogen rate.

Table 5. ʹͲʹͶ

3-Sep 35 b 65 ab 40 b 90 a

RESEARCH NEWS

PROJECT NAME:

Effects of Dyes and Coatings on Winter Stress and Spring Green Up (2025) How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s):

in combination with other lawn and turf treatments. Determining if they have any effect on early spring green up could add another application to their uses in potentially speeding up spring play on courses or getting a head start to a green lawn for customers. Project Images:

Image 1. Trial Layout in December 2024 after initial application Support funding will allow researchers to Image 1. ʹͲʹͶ evaluate if turf dyes and coatings have Project Duration/Future Research: ʹͲʹͷ any effect on early spring green up on Ǧ Ǥ greens height turf. Ratings will be taken when snow cover is not present during Project Name: ȋʹͲʹͷȌ the winter and early spring.

How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Expected Results and Methods: Ǥ We expect to see differences between Ǥ treatments depending on the weather this winter and early spring. To date, snow Expected and Methods: cover hasResults been present since December. Ǥ ǡ Ǥ

Project Update: Applications were

Project Ǥ ǡ made inupdate: early December. As soon as snow Ǥ is gone, ǡ we will get color, quality and

surface temperature ratings.

Table 1. ʹͲʹͶǦʹͲʹͷ Trt No. 1 2 3 4 5

Project Duration/Future Research: ʹͲʹͷ ʹͲʹ͸ Ǥ

Treatment Name Control OMNI OMNI Surround WP Orbix Artavia Xce

Form Type

Mit-E-Oil

L

8fl oz/1000 ft2

OMNI

L

0.45fl oz/1000 ft2

L L WP L L

Rate

Rate Unit

Amt Product to Measure

0.34fl oz/1000 ft2 0.45fl oz/1000 ft2 2lb/1000 ft2 6fl oz/1000 ft2 3fl oz/1000 ft2

Rep 1 2 3 101 204 305 Project Name: Poa annua ȋʹͲʹ͵Ǧ 0.9187 mL/mx 102 205 302 ʹͲʹͷȌ 103 201 303 1.216 mL/mx How the MTF funding was used to support 82.88 g/mx 104 202project(s): 304 16.21 mL/mx 105 203 301 ȋ Ȍ ǡ 8.106 mL/mx Poa annuaȀAgrostis Ǥ

21.62 mL/mx Project update: 1.216 mL/mx Ǥ ǡ ǡ Grad Involved: GradStudent(s) Student(s) Involved: Project Duration/Future Research: Ǥ ȋ Mike Rabe Ȍ ͵ ʹͲʹͶǤ This trial will continue into spring 2025 and if differences Benefit Group: Ǥ Ǥ are seen we will revisit this trial at the end of the year for Ǥ Benefit Group: spring 2026 data. Ǥ

This research will benefit golf courses Ǥ and potentially home lawn care operators. Dyes have been used more Project Images: and more frequently as standalone and

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www.michiganturfgrass.org 7

8

PROJECT NAME:

Effects of PGR applications on Poa annua seedhead suppression (2023-2025) How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Support funding will allow researchers to evaluate annual bluegrass seedhead suppression potential in PGR products (alone or in combination with Proxy) applied during the fall, winter and spring on a mixed Poa annua/Agrostis solonifera green.

bluegrass during spring green up. In Michigan, annual bluegrass typically produces seedheads during May, when golfers are eager to hit the courses. The seedheads are bright silver in color and are considered by some to be unsightly on greens and fairways. Carefully planned PGR applications during the off season can help minimize seedheads and make for a more aesthetically pleasing start of golf season.

Grad Student(s) Involved: Mike Rabe

Table 1. Effects of treatments on Poa annua seedheads and Quality (Area Poa Under Disease Pressure Curve) at the Hancock Table 1. annua ȋ Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing, MI—2024. Ȍ ǡ ǡ —ʹͲʹ

Benefit Group: This research will benefit

Trt Treatment Rate Appl No. Name Rate Unit Code 1 UNTREATED 2 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC 3 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC Anuew 8 oz wt/a ABC 4 Anuew 8 oz wt/a ABC 5 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC Primo Maxx 5.5 fl oz/a ABC 6 Primo Maxx 5.5 fl oz/a ABC 7 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC Trimmit 5 fl oz/a ABC 8 Trimmit 5 fl oz/a ABC 9 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC Induce NIS 0.5 % v/v ABC 10 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC Revolution 8 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC 11 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC Oskie 3.3 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC 12 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC Banner Maxx II 4 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC 13 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC NanoCharge 1-0-0 8.7 fl oz/a ABC 14 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC NanoCharge 1-0-0 35 fl oz/a ABC 15 Proxy 3.8 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC 16 Proxy 3.8 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC NanoCharge 1-0-0 8.7 fl oz/a ABC 17 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC 46-0-0 Urea 0.3 lb ai/1000 ft2 ABC 18 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC 46-0-0 Urea 1 lb ai/1000 ft2 ABC 19 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC 0-21-0 phosphoric acid 0.5 lb ai/1000 ft2 ABC 20 Proxy 5 fl oz/1000 ft2 ABC 0-0-25 potassium acetate 1 lb ai/1000 ft2 ABC LSD P=.05

golf courses and help superintendents to better plan how to deal with annual

Project Images:

Project Update: PGRs such as Proxy and Anuew applied during the fall have been shown to decrease annual bluegrass seedheads the following spring in fairways. An experiment was initiated at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing, MI where we tested different combinations of PGRs and application intervals to assess annual bluegrass seedhead suppression efficacy on green height turfgrass. Initial fall applications (timing code A) were applied on 3 December 2024. Sequential applications will be made at the appropriate GDDs. We are replicating this trial in Utah with Adam Van Dyke of Professional Turfgrass Solutions and anticipate a publication detailing the results of two years of trial data.

Results: We expect to see similar results as we observed in spring 2024. Our data indicates significant seedhead suppression can be achieved with early applications of PGRs during the winter and early spring. We are curious to see if the results of this spring match our results from last spring.

AUDPC AUDPC Seedheads Quality 1343.17 - 858.5 c-f 797.33 - 832.67 efg 567.5 - 809.25 gh

1413.83 - 844.42 d-g 947.17 - 837.58 d-g 1104 - 824.67 fgh 1039.83 - 721.33 i 1460.67 697 i 1069.17 - 869.83 cde 595.5

- 818.17 fgh

376

- 862.25 c-f

598.5

- 786.17

873.17

- 881.33 cd

1080.83 - 893.67

h

c

1228.17 855 c-f 804.17 - 879.58 cd 1023.17 - 946.33

b

779.83

- 1072.6

a

1174.17 - 565.83

j

1128.17 - 897.17

c

658.615

44.612

Image 1. ʹͲʹͶ ʹͲʹͶǡ ʹ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ 21 MTF NEWS NOTES | SUMMER 2025 ͳʹȀ͸Ȁʹ͵ ʹȀ͸ȀʹͶǤ

RESEARCH NEWS Project Images: Image 1. 2024 Annual bluegrass seedhead suppression trial in Feb 2024, 2 days after application B at Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing-MI. Application A was applied on 12/6/23 and application B was applied on 2/6/24.

PROJECT NAME:

Effects of pelletized maple leaf mulch on disease, turf health and soil health in fairways How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Support funding will allow researchers to evaluate the effects of pelletized maple leaf mulch on turf and soil health when applied to fairway height turf in winter. We also want to look at whether the mulch will have any effect on disease, particularly snow mold over the winter months.

Image 2. Annual bluegrass seedhead suppression trial in December 2024

Project Update: An experiment was established at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing, MI in the winter of 2024-2025. Soil temperature and volumetric water content data will be gathered throughout the winter and spring. 1000 grams of sand cornmeal snow mold inoculum was applied on November 19, 2024. 1350 grams (10L volume) of maple mulch pellets were applied to each plot on November 20, 2024. Image 1. Silver Maple, Red Maple and Oak Pellets after mulch processing in November 2023 at Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing-MI.

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PROJECT NAME:

Image 2. Fairway Maple Mulch Pellets Trial After Snow Mold Inoculation in November 2023 at Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing-MI.

Evaluating GDD model accuracy when applying PRE and POST emergence herbicides for crabgrass control How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Support funding allowed researchers to evaluate the accuracy of GDD models when making PRE and POST emergence herbicide applications for crabgrass control. The percentage of crabgrass cover was visually estimated throughout the growing season.

Image 3. Fairway Maple Mulch Pellets Trial after Pellet Application in December 2023 at Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing-MI.

Project Update: A trial was initiated in 2023 and repeated in 2024. These trials were multi-factorial design and evaluated the efficacy of different PRE herbicides when applied at various Growing Degree Days on crabgrass control. An article is currently being written documenting the results of these trials. We hope to have it published in 2025. Results: By the end of the trial in 2023, crabgrass control was poorest when PRE herbicides were applied at 1270+ GDD. Herbicide had no effect on crabgrass control across GDD application timings. Across herbicides, crabgrass control was significantly reduced when applications were made at POST GDD. These data demonstrate the importance of PRE herbicide timing. That is, when applied too late in the season, the level of crabgrass control that these products offer declines drastically.

MTF NEWS NOTES

| SUMMER 2025

23

Ǥ Ǥ ʹͲʹͷǤ

RESEARCH NEWS

Results: ʹͲʹ͵ǡ ͳʹ͹ͲΪ Ǥ Ǥ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ ǡ ǡ Table 1. The effects of PRE herbicides on crabgrass Ǥ control applied at various GDD

timings to a Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) stand at the Hancock Turfgrass Table 1. The effects of PRE herbicides on crabgrass control applied at various GDD timings to a Research Center, East Lansing,L.) Michigan—Summer Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis stand at the Hancock 2023 Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing, Michigan—Summer 2023

1 WALA

1 MALA 2 MALA % Crabgrass Control______________

____________________

FACTOR GDD

LEVEL 100 470 750 1270 POST

Herbicide (H)

Prodiamine Pendimethalin Dithiopyr

96.9 a 99.8 a 99.4 a 88 ab 56.2 b ** 82.8 91.4 90 NS NS

(P<0.05)

(P<0.05) GDD x H

98.2 a 99.2 a 99.1 a 83.6 ab 64.6 b ** 84 91 91.8 NS NS

98.2 a 99.5 a 99.7 a 82.2 ab 68 b ** 84.9 91.9 91.7 NS NS

Benefit Group: This research will benefit golf courses and home lawn care operators by suggesting optimal application timings for PRE-emergence herbicides for crabgrass control. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of the GDD model in predicting when to make applications.

Grad Student(s) Involved: Mike Rabe

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 2. The effects of PRE herbicides on crabgrass control applied at various GDD Table The of PRE herbicides on crabgrass control at GDD timings to a Table 2. 2. Theto effects of PRE herbicides on crabgrass control applied at various GDDapplied timings toat a various timings a effects Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) stand the Hancock Turfgrass Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) stand at the Hancock Research Center, East Research Center, East Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) standTurfgrass at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing, Michigan—Summer 2024 Lansing, Michigan—Summer 2024 Lansing, Michigan—Summer 2024

1 WALA

MALA 2 MALA1 MALA 1 1WALA 2 MALA __________Control ________________________ % Crabgrass % Crabgrass Control______________

____________________

FACTOR FACTOR GDD GDD

Herbicide Herbicide (H) (H)

LEVEL LEVEL 100 100 470 470 750 750 1270 1270 POST POST

97.8 a 98.1 a 93.1 a 95.7 a 9.7 b (P<0.05) *** (P<0.05) Prodiamine 82.5 Prodiamine Pendimethalin 79.5 Pendimethalin Dithiopyr 74.6 Dithiopyr NS (P<0.05) GDD x H (P<0.05) NS GDD x H

79.7 aa 97.8 14 89.8 aa 98.1 90.1 aa 93.1 87.2 aa 95.7 25.4 b 9.7 b *** *** 79.4 82.5 67.3 79.5 76.6 74.6 NS NS * NS

75.8 a79.7 a 84.9 a89.8 a 85.8 a90.1 a 86.6 a87.2 a 33.1 b 25.4 b ** *** 80.8 a 79.4 67 b 67.3 71.9 ab * 76.6 NS * *

75.8 a 84.9 a 85.8 a 86.6 a 33.1 b ** 80.8 a 67 b 71.9 ab * *

Image 1. ʹͲʹͶ Image1. 1. GDD model for Crabgrass Application Timing Trial in ʹͲʹͶ July 2024 at Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing-MI. Image Hancock ǡ Ǧ Ǥ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ

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Benefit Group: Ǧ Ǥ www.michiganturfgrass.org Ǥ 15 Grad Student(s) Involved: Ryan Bearss

PROJECT NAME:

Establishing best management practices for No Mow/Native Areas

Image 1. Native/No Mow Area Trial being established in September 2023 at Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing-MI.

How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Support funding will allow researchers to evaluate different management practices for golf course native areas and develop optimal seeding rates, stand mixes and mowing regimes for these low maintenance areas.

Project Update: Since many Golf Course Superintendents are interested in knowing the optimal seeding rates to use for low input native areas, we decided to focus on seeding rates and species mixes for the first year. We prepared 16,000 square feet and seeded EcoStar Hard Fescue and Marco Polo Sheep Fescue at three different seeding rates. Turf quality, density and weed populations were evaluated. After listening to attendees at the HTRC field day in 2024, we decided that the rates were all too high and needed to be lowered. Our plan is to establish a new area nearby where we can test out updated lower rates in 2025.

Figure 2. Native/ No Mow Area Trial being established in September 2023 at Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing-MI.

Figure 3. Native/ No Mow Area Trial being covered in October 2023 at Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing-MI.

Ǥ ʹͲʹͷǤ

Table 7. Ȁ ǡ Table 1. Native/No Mow Area Trial plot plan at Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, East Lansing-MI. Ǧ Ǥ T1

T2

T3

T4

T5

T6

T3

T1 EcoStar Hard Fescue 20lbs/A T2 EcoStar Hard Fescue 80lbs/A T3 EcoStar Hard Fescue 140lbs/A T4 Marco Polo Sheep Fescue 20lbs/A T5 Marco Polo Sheep Fescue 80lbs/A T6 Marco Polo Sheep Fescue 140lbs/A

T4

T1

T6

T2

T5

T1

T6

T5

T2

T4

T3

Plots are 32'x24' or 768 ft^2

Image 1. Ȁ ʹͲʹ͵ MTF NEWS NOTES | SUMMER 2025 ǡ Ǧ Ǥ

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RESEARCH NEWS

PROJECT NAME:

PROJECT NAME:

Mowing height and irrigation effects on above ground biomass production of Schedonorus arundinaceus

The impact of aluminum dock sections on creeping bentgrass greens coming out of winter

How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Support funding allowed researchers to evaluate the effects of mowing height on tall fescue biomass production in summer 2020.

Results and Methods: We mowed plots to three treatment HOC’s [5.08, 6.35 and 7.62 cm] and collected clippings to determine which HOC produced the greatest above ground biomass. In general, 5.08 and 7.62 cm mowing height treatments consistently produced the greatest and lowest biomass yields, respectively. With few exceptions, results were consistent between irrigated and non-irrigated trials. For tall fescue, findings suggest an inverse relationship between height of cut (HOC) and aboveground biomass production. Regardless of irrigation, tall fescue clipping yields declined when mown at a greater HOC.

Project Update: This project was written into an article and submitted to the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. The manuscript was accepted in December 2024, and we are awaiting publication in 2025.

How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Support funding purchased three aluminum dock pieces in the late fall of 2024.

Results and Methods: Nikolai went to a local marina and purchased 3 scab aluminum dock sections. We placed them on a bentgrass/poa green area at the HTRC in hopes of increasing spring green up as observed at Burt Lake in the spring of 2024.

Project Update: Please see images below. Grad Student(s) Involved: None. This is Nikolai and Galbraith at their craziest. Image 1. Notice the turfgrass within the aluminum boat hoist in the spring of 2024 is growing at an accelerated pace compared to the grass outside of the hoist.

Images 2 & 3. On the left is initiation of the study by placing aluminum dock frames on creeping bentgrass/poa research green at the HTRC. The image on the right is the plots during the winter.

Grad Student(s) Involved: Mike Rabe

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Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall Takes Time to Talk Golf with Industry Leaders at

17TH GOLF DAY AT THE CAPITOL

LANSING – Speaker of the House Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) made time in his busy schedule to talk golf, specifically about the industry during the 17th Michigan Legislative Golf Day at the Capitol event Wednesday. Hall met with presidents, executive directors and owners from the Michigan Golf Alliance member organizations in his office, asked questions seeking input from the industry leaders and answered questions, too. “Speaker Hall listened to our message, talked about specific legislation that pertains to our industry and made it clear he believes in what we do and understands the impact golf has on the state,” Jada Paisley, executive director of the Michigan Golf Course Association, said. “Our golf leaders had the opportunity to discuss the industry with Speaker Hall and

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thanked him for all of his efforts. I can’t overstate the importance of this day in delivering the message to our government leaders.” Hall also presented a Special Tribute to the Michigan Golf Alliance honoring their unwavering dedication to advance the game of golf across the state and championing the economic, environmental and community benefits of golf in Michigan. The Michigan golf industry shared its message and the impactful results from a 2024-released National Golf Foundation (NGF) study by visiting the offices of each state legislator and inviting them and their staff members to lunch and dessert in tents on the Capitol building’s front lawn. The Golf Association of Michigan (GAM), Greater Michigan Club Management

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Association (GMCMA), Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA), Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA), Michigan Section PGA and Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF) form the Michigan Golf Alliance. Representatives from each Alliance group dispersed and delivered information to the offices of each legislator. Among the messages being delivered:

“The Michigan Golf Alliance was able to convey to the legislators that golf is a seasonal, weather dependent industry. It’s important to let our legislators know who their constituents are,” Paisley said. “Today was a great success once again.” INFORMATION: Visit michigangolfalliance.com, or contact Jada Paisley of the MGCA at 800-8608575 or jpaisley@michigangca.org

• The Michigan golf industry contributes $6.1 billion to the state’s economy, supports 61,000 jobs with $1.795 billion of wage and benefits income and more than $821 million in state and local taxes, and has a charitable impact of $104.3 million annually. • Michigan has 859 golf courses that are part of 709 facilities, almost all of which are classified as small businesses. Our state is 10th in the U.S. in size and 11th in population but ranks third in the total number of golf courses and fourth in volume of annual rounds played (16.42 million in 2023). • Michigan’s golf provides 92,200 professionally managed acres of green space in Michigan serving as wildlife sanctuaries, and the facilities practice several environmental impact programs. • More than 1.85 million golfers travel to Michigan for golf and spend more than $1 billion annually with non-residents playing about three of every 10 rounds in the state each year. Light rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the event, and legislators who came received golf umbrellas.

A Special Tribute to Michigan Golf Alliance presentation photo of the Michigan Golf Alliance leaders and Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall; from left, Tammy Carter of the GMCMA, Carey Mitchelson of the MTF and College Fields Golf Club, Stephanie Jennings of the Michigan PGA and of Whole Golf, Tom Schwark of MGCA Government Affairs and Sycamore Hills Golf Course, Speaker Hall, Jim Szilagyi of the MGCA and Lynx Golf Course, Richard Aginian of the GAM, Gene Davis of MiGCSA and Elk Rapids Golf Club, and Jada Paisley of the MGCA.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Innovation, Culture, and Connections on the

TPI ITALY STUDY TOUR By Diane Mischel, DeBuck’s Sod Farm

T

his past October, I had the opportunity to join 49 other sod farmers on a study tour of Italy organized by Turfgrass Producers International (TPI). Admittedly, before the trip, I had some work guilt- half-joking with friends that it might just be a cleverly disguised vacation. But by the time we packed our bags to head home, everyone on the bus agreed: we were surprised by the depth of knowledge we gained, the creative ideas sparked, and the strong connections built. Of course, we also enjoyed incredible wine, historic landmarks, and unforgettable food.

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Rome: Ancient Roots and Modern Grass Our journey began in Rome, where a group welcome dinner and walking tour introduced us to the city’s many layers of history—quite literally, as successive civilizations built on top of the ruins of their predecessors. From there, our group joined the European Turfgrass Producers (ETP) for a two-day event filled with tours and networking.

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Members in The Field

The first day focused on Italian sod production, with visits to two farms just outside Rome. At Beccia Prati (“prati” roughly translates to lawn, grass, or meadow), we learned that Italy’s climate—particularly around Rome—falls into the transition zone, with hot summers and winters that dip below freezing. Growers there produce traditional coolseason mixes with tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and ryegrass, plus warm-season species including Bermuda, St. Augustine, zoysia, seashore paspalum, and kikuyu. Beccia Prati features display plots at their office to help customers compare varieties—an excellent customer service tool. Due to limited land, Italian sod farms tend to be smaller in scale than their U.S. counterparts. A notable difference was the widespread use of 4-foot-wide electric robotic mowers, a practical solution for managing compact acreage. Over a spread of local delicacies, European growers shared insights into weed control under more limited chemical regulations. Although restrictions pose challenges for turf management, sod farms—classified as agricultural—still have effective tools at their disposal. Before we left, Beccia Prati gave each visitor a bottle of wine produced from grapes grown on their farm—because while not everyone in Italy grows grass, it seems everyone grows grapes.

Next, we visited Bindi Pratopronto (“pratopronto” means “ready lawn”), where we enjoyed a standout lunch served field-side under tents. Homemade lasagna, pit-roasted pork, fresh mozzarella, and delicious table wine set the tone for a memorable meal spent chatting with a few female European growers. Afterward, we toured the farm to see the unique practices Bindi utilizes for their success. Their office building boasts a 20-year-old zoysia-covered green roof. The variety they use grows slowly, requires no mowing, and provides natural insulation year-round. It has a fluffy, cloud-like appearance. They are also the first turf farm in Europe growing a new zoysia from Australia that remains green down to freezing—highly desirable for their climate. Bindi’s sod-washing machine was another highlight. The machine removes all the soil using high-pressure nozzles as sod travels down a conveyor. This technique is important when it is necessary to avoid soil layering, but Bindi has been able to promote other aspects of the washed sod to expand its market. They can sell to nearby islands and other countries by eliminating contamination risks, and the lightweight rolls reduce transport costs significantly. Customers are willing to pay a premium since they can install the lighter rolls twice as fast!

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Grass in Action The next morning, a local bus driver strike forced a last-minute itinerary change. We pivoted to Stadio Olimpico, home to two soccer clubs and Italy’s national rugby team. After touring the stadium, locker rooms, and press areas, we emerged through the players’ tunnel to inspect the pitch—a Bermuda base overseeded with perennial ryegrass. The grounds crew manages light exposure with a self-moving grow light system to counteract shade from the stadium’s canopy and frequent coastal cloud cover. After lunch, we headed to Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, site of the 2023 Ryder Cup. The course features paspalum tees, fairways, and collars and bentgrass greens—a combination that demands constant management to prevent encroachment. The choice of turf was also aimed at reducing irrigation and chemical inputs. We walked a few holes, kicked tires in the short-game area, and wrapped up with wine and cheese with our ETP colleagues and thanked them for letting us crash their two-day event.

Food & Culture Over the weekend, we explored the rolling hills of Tuscany and the rich culture of Florence. Between wine tastings, historic cathedrals, and bustling leather markets,

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we immersed ourselves in regional Italian life. While gelato was a daily pursuit, I also took note of the regional culinary variations—lasagna in Rome, cantucci with dessert wine in Tuscany, beef in Florence, and risotto in Verona. As a side note, I did manage to find an Irish pub to watch the Lions game on Sunday night—an unexpected bonus.

Paradello Green: Innovation Rooted in Sustainability The tours continued at Paradello Green, a sod farm named for a local pastry (pancake with pinwheel sugar decoration) that resembles a roll of sod. Paradello stands out not only for producing sandbased and traditional sod but also for their focus on diversification and environmentally sustainable solutions. Our visit began in town, at their farm-to-table learning center, which includes a coffee shop, display courtyard, and event space used for educational programs and community events. After a hearty mushroom risotto lunch in their renovated rustic lower dining room beneath original brick-vaulted ceilings, we headed out to tour the sod farm. They had just harvested a few pallets of their “Lippia Roll,” a low-maintenance, flowering ground cover in the verbena family that doesn’t require mowing, fertilizer, or irrigation after established. Sedum mats and other ground cover alternatives are also available. Customers like the low maintenance, natural aspect, and they even attract bees and butterflies. These alternatives are labor intensive to produce; most are

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started in greenhouse trays, the plugs are transplanted, and any final weeding must be done by hand. However, customers are willing to pay a premium for products that align with their values. Paradello offers additional solutions for unique green spaces. Their “Vertical Land” modules—pre-planted, modular structures that create living walls or privacy dividers. They can be attached to outer walls or roofs or built into a free-standing frame for use at restaurants and homes. These are especially valuable in urban Europe, where green space requirements are strict and land is limited. When we visited, they had modules that had just been planted with grasses, sedges, or succulents for upcoming projects. To develop these concepts, they have their own research and development plots right on site where they test new varieties of grass or ground covers before rolling them out into full production. We walked across the sod fields where they produce both sand-based sod for athletic fields and traditional sod for landscapes, to their customer storefront where customers can find fertilizer, irrigation parts, and other tools in addition to their sod order. Paradello’s clean, well-organized facilities, R&D plots, and multiple divisions that all run smoothly reflect a clear vision and a team fully committed to executing it.

Verona: Tradition Meets Modern Our final stop was Verona, a charming city with frescos painted on the side of the buildings, Romeo & Juliet lore, and a nearby lake resort area. The countryside surrounding Verona is rich in agricultural production. We drove past many greenhouses, vegetable fields, and other field crops just harvested.

Pallweber Valbissara Prati began as an apple orchard and has since expanded into sod production. One brother still manages the orchard (specializing in Pink Lady apples), while the other leads the sod operation. They merge tradition with innovation in both ventures. Though their climate favors cool-season grasses, they grow zoysia for use at the nearby lakeside resort. Since vacationers are usually absent during zoysia’s dormant season, it’s a smart, lowmaintenance solution to replace summer-stressed coolseason lawns. We ended the tour with a farewell dinner in a stunning restaurant housed in a former church, complete with preserved frescoes. Members of the TPI Future Leaders Fellowship program shared key takeaways from the tour, and it was clear that the experience was deeply impactful for all of us. Conversations during bus rides ranged from business transitions, to operational structures, to leadership style. Our group was diverse in age, location, and experiences and that gave depth to each conversation.

Rolling It Up This study tour exceeded expectations. We didn’t just learn about sod—we explored diversification strategies, gained global perspectives, and formed lasting connections with peers from around the world. I came home with a notebook full of ideas, a better understanding of international turf production, and a renewed appreciation for what’s possible when innovation and tradition grow side by side.

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MTF appreciates the involvement of all

TT4TURF COURSES. The 13th edition of the TeeTimes 4 Turf (TT4T) is complete and once again it proved very successful. The MSU Turf Team and MSU Turf students appreciate the support from all the courses that contributed to the Turf Program at MSU. These donations help maintain the MSU Turf Program’s significant role in the Turf Industry and highlight Michigan’s commitment to maintaining its courses and the superintendents who manage them. The 2025 TT4Turf event, chaired by Scott Rettmann and Doug Ware with assistance from Eric Davey, surpassed expectations. There were 211 courses registered, setting a new record, and gross income reached over $61,000. Additionally, 24 new courses joined the event this year. TT4Turf may have occasional omissions, but the committee will continue to encourage participation from as many courses as possible. The MTF is proud that 25% of the over 800 golf courses in Michigan support the MSU Turf program, showcasing the generosity of the state’s golf industry. Special thanks to Executive Director Chris Whitten and Senior Director of Communications & Operations Mary Jo Green from the Golf Association of Michigan for their contributions to our auction, which greatly benefited the MTF and MSU Turf Program. The complete list of courses is provided here, and the MTF acknowledges that the participation of each course is important to our success. Early registration helps the TT4Turf committee in assessing new courses. Acknowledgment notes and a token of our appreciation will be sent out with an opportunity for early registration for next year. We encourage you to register now to potentially set a record that will continue fund students and research. If your course has not participated previously, we invite you to register for next year by clicking the link.

2026 TT4T Early Registration

Thank you again for your support!!!

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TT4Turf 2025 Participant List:

Alpena Golf Club

Briar Ridge GC

American Dunes Golf Club

Briarwood Golf Club

Alpine Golf Course

Brentwood Golf Club & Event Center

Apple Mountain Golf Club

Brookshire Inn & Golf Course

Arbor Hills Golf Club

Bucks Run Golf Club

Arcadia - Bluffs Course

Bee Tee Golf Club

Arcadia - South Course

Cadillac Country Club

Arrowhead Golf & Grill

Calderone Golf Club

Atlas Valley Country Club

Canadian Lakes - Royal Golf Course

Avon Oaks Country Club

Cascade Hills Country Club

Barton Hills County Club

Cattails Golf Club

Battle Creek Country Club

Cherry Creek Golf Club

Bay County

City of Ann Arbor - Huron Hills Golf Course

Beacon Hill Golf Club

City of Ann Arbor - Leslie Park Golf Course

Belvedere Golf Club

City of Detroit - Chandler Park Golf Course

Birchwood Farms Golf & Country Club

City of Detroit - Rackham Golf Course

Blythefield Country Club

City of Detroit - Rouge Golf Course

Boulder Creek Golf Club

City of Livonia - Fox Creek

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City of Livonia - Idyl Wyld

Lakelands Golf and Country Club

City of Livonia -Whispering Willows

Lakes of Taylor

College Fields Golf Club

Lincoln Golf Club

Coyote Golf Club

Lochmoor Club

Coyote Preserve Golf Club

LochenHeath Country Club

Country Club of Lansing

Lost Lake Woods

Country Club of Jackson

Manistee National Golf & Resort

Cyrstal Downs CC

Marquette Golf Club - Heritage

Dearborn Country Club

Marquette Golf Club - Greywalls

Debuck’s Sod

Meadowbrook Country Club

Detroit Golf Club

Midland Country Club - Change in restrctions

Dunham Hills Country Club

Milham Park Golf Course

Elk Rapids Golf Club

Mt. Pleasant CC

Farmington Hills Golf Club

Mystic Creek Golf Course

Fellows Creek Golf Club

Napperville Country Club

Fieldstone Golf Club

Northville Hills Golf Club

Flint Golf Club

North Kent Golf Club

Forest Akers - East Golf Course

Oakland University Golf Courses

Forest Akers - West Course

Oak Pointe Country Club - Championship Course

Fox Hills -The Classic Fox

Oak Pointe Country Club - Honors Course

Fox Hills - The Golden Fox

Oakhurst Golf & Country Club

Fox HIlls - The Strategic Fox

Paint Creek Country Club

Gaylord Golf Club

Petoskey-Bay View Country Club

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa - The Bear

Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club

Grayling Country Club Item #1

Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club

Grayling Country Club Item #2

Pine Knob Golf Club

Great Oaks Country Club

Pine River Country Club

Gull Lake View Resorts - Bedford Valley Golf Club

Players Golden Passbook (West Michigan)

Hankerd Hills Golf Course

Players Golden Passbook (Northern Michigan)

Hartland Glen Golf Course

Plum Hollow Country Club

Hawk Hollow Golf Course

Prestwick Village Golf Club

Highland Meadows Golf Club - Sylvania, OH

Radrick Farms Golf Course (prior contributor)

HillTop Golf Course

Railside Golf Club

Huntmore Golf Club

Redwater Golf - Stone Water, Sunnybrook Country Club,

Indian Run Golf Club

Muskegon CC or Macatawa Legends

Indian Trails Golf Course

Rich Harvest Farms

Inkster Valley

Riverview Highlands Golf Club

Kent Country Club

Rush Lake Hills Golf Club

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Salem Hills Golf Club

Treetops Resort- Traditions Course

Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center

Tullymore Golf Resort

Shanty Creek- Stay and play package.

Twin Lakes Golf Swim Club

Shenandoah Country Club

Walnut Creek Country Club

Spring Lake Country Club

Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club

Spring Meadows

Western Golf Club

St. Ives Golf Course at Tullymore

West Shore Golf & Country Club

Stonycroft Hills Club Club

West Michigan White Caps

Sugar Loaf “The Old Course”

West Michigan White Caps

Island Resort and Casino-Sweetgrass Golf Club

Whispering Pines Golf Club

Island Resort and Casino -Sage Run

Wuskowhan Players Club

Tam O’Shanter Country Club Taylor Meadows Golf Club Tee Box Indoor Golf Tee Box Indoor Golf The Dream Golf Course The Dunes Club The Emerald Golf Course The Falls at Barber Creek The Fortress Golf Club The Links @ Crystal Lake The Majestic at Lake Walden The Meadows Golf Club The Medalist Golf Club The Mines Golf Course The Moors Golf Club The Nightmare The Orchards Golf Club The Quest The Wyndgate Country Club Westwynd Golf Course Timber Ridge Golf Club Timber Trace Timber Wolf Golf Club Timber Wolf Golf Club TPC of Michigan Traverse City Golf & CC Travis Pointe Country Club

Thank you!

2025 TT4Turf New Courses Bay City Country Club Boyne Resorts - Bay Harbor Broadmoor Country Club - Indiana Catawba Island Club Eastern Hills Golf Club Indianwood Golf and Country Club - New Course Indianwood Golf and Country Club - Old Course Links at Gateway LYNX Golf Course Oak Lane Golf Course Oakland Hills CC (North Course) Oakland Hills CC (South Course) Olde Mill Golf Club Pheasant Run Golf Club Pine View Golf Course Red Run Golf Club Rustic Glen Golf Club Shepard’s Hollow The Cardinal - St. Johns The Legacy by Arthur HIlls True North Whitmore Lake Golf Links Woodside Golf Course

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2025 LaFontaine Golf Outing On Wednesday, June 18th the MTF will be hosting its annual golf fundraiser for the LaFontaine Endowment Fund at Coyote Preserve Golf Club. The event will have a registration with coffee & doughnuts beginning at 8:00am and golf starting at shotgun 9:00am. Food and beverage will be provided after the conclusion of golf.

2024 Inaugural Vargas Flight Champions In honor of Dr. Joe Vargas - MSU Professor and profound supporter of the MTF

D&B Landscaping

(L-R) John Bork, Dan Bywalec, Jeff Thomas, Robert Bywalec

2024 LaFontaine Flight Champions

MTF Board Member and Treasurer, Christian Koval chairs this year’s event and thanks all suppliers, members and friends of Gordie Lafontaine who attend to acknowledge his contributions to the MSU Turf Program and leadership of the MTF. This event is part of the process of reestablishing the funding to the LaFontaine Endowment. The LaFontaine Endowment was a primary component that provided income to the MSU Turf Pathology Professorship in the name of his great friend, Dr. Joe Vargas. It is a thank you to Gordie for all his years of service to the MTF, MSU and his many friends in the industry. It also allows for interaction with the MSU Turf Team and Graduate Students during a day of golf and fellowship. There are 4 sponsorship levels (Corporate, Reception, Lunch & Tee sponsorships), and each will be acknowledged during the afternoon awards. Many of our attendees have been long-term sponsors and we appreciate your support and look forward to new companies and individuals for this year’s event. If you are interested in attending or supporting with a sponsorship you can register via the link below.

(L to R) Jeff Holmes, Richard Porter, Kevin Thielke, A.J. Riggs

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LaFontaine-Golf-Outing www.michiganturfgrass.org

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All photos are either the property of Syngenta or are used with permission. © 2024 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties and/or may have state-specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. GreenCast®, NOTES Posterity®, the Alliance Frame, MTF NEWS SUMMER 2025 the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective third-party owners.

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21

CONFERENCE

RECAP

Welcome Reception

Day One

JANUARY 7, 2025 Day one kicked off with sessions focused on Golf and Turfgrass Management. MTF Executive Director Carey Mitchelson, alongside Turf Team members Dr. Kevin Frank and Dr. Trey Rogers, welcomed attendees and provided updates for the conference. The afternoon featured presentations from several prominent figures in the turf industry and concluded with the presentation of the MTF Meritorious Service Award to Doug Johanningsmeier.

The first day concluded with a Welcome Reception, providing an excellent opportunity for attendees to network with fellow turfgrass professionals and unwind after a full day of classes. The MTF Board of Directors were pleased to recognize Doug Johanningsmeier Dr. Kevin Frank for his 25 years of commitment 2025 MTF Meritorious to the MTF Conference planning and education Service Award Winner oversight. Additionally, the reception featured the presentation of the MTF Meritorious Service Award, which was appropriately awarded to Doug Johannigsmeier. The evening wrapped up with remarks from Dr. Wei Zhang, Interim Department Chair and Professor of Environmental and Soil Physics.

MTF Past Presidents

L-R Jim Bogart, Carey Mitchelson, Brian Schweihofer, Doug Johanningsmeier, Curt Boak, Jeff Holmes, Dan Mausolf

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2025 MSU Turf Student Awards As the educational sessions concluded on Day 1, Dr. Rogers presented what he often calls “his favorite day of the year” when he hosted parents and family to the presentation of scholarships and awards to the deserving MSU Turfgrass students.

Addison Donahue

Anthony Lalonde

Kenyon T. Payne Outstanding Student Award

2025 MTF Norman W. Kramer Scholarship Award

Trent Bortnichak

Robert Hancock Award

Tristan Ziola

Sports and Commercial Turf Award

Glenn Schweihofer

Shanty Creek Resort Superintendent as Executive Award

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Michigan State University Awards

MSU Billy Olsen Family Scholarship (L-R) Dr. Trey Rogers, Owen Adams

MSU – Hal and Mark Vogler Scholarship Award (L-R) ) Dr. Trey Rogers, Mackenzie Hanselman (Not pictured Joe Zimmerlee)

MSU - Tuck and Becky Tate Scholarship Awardees (L-R) Tyler Warren, Dr. Trey Rogers, Tyler Hild, Matthew McDonald

Charles and Frances Osterman Scholarship (L-R) Seth Knutson, Jack Judge, Dr Trey Roger, Zachary Flink, Grant Kieft, Joshua Kares

MSU Turfgrass Student Awardees Dr. Trey Rogers favorite day of the Year. 42

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James and Harriett Beard Outstanding Turfgrass Student (L-R) Dr. Jackie Gevara, Dr. Trey Rogers, Ryan Bears

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State Association Awards

Michigan Golf Course Superintendent Association Scholarship Awards (L-R) Seth Britton MiGCSA-Scholarship Chairman, Andrew Dorland , Tyler Hild, Isobelle Brasher, Nick Michalek MiGCSA Scholarship Committee

Michigan Sports Field Managers Association Scholarship Awardee (L-R) MSFMA - Mitch Hooten, London Kamstra

Michigan Sports Field Managers Association & National Sports Fields Managers Association James Watson Award (L-R) MSFMA - Mitch Hooten, Awardee Tristin Ziola

National Awards

National GCSAA Scholarship Awardees (L-R) Trenton Bortnichak, Joe Wilczynski, Matthew Brown

National GCSAA Allan MacCurrach Award (L-R) Dr. Trey Rogers, Awardee Andrew Doland

National Trans-Miss Golf Association Turfgrass Scholarships (L-R) Tyler Warren, Dr. Trey Rogers, Tyler Hild, Trent Bortnichak, Anthony Lalonde

GCSAA – Samuel I. Russell Foundation Award (L-R) Awardee Joshua Higgs, Dr. Trey Rogers

National Caveman Construction Scholarship (L-R) Dr. Trey Rogers, Awardee Tyler Hild

National American Society of Golf Course Architects – Wadsworth Scholarship (L-R) Awardee Grant Keift, Chris Wilczynski - ASGCA

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Day Two

JANUARY 8, 2025 In addition to the Golf and Turfgrass Management sessions, Day Two featured topics for Sports Fields and Assistant Superintendents. Following lunch and afternoon educational workshops, the day wrapped up with the highly anticipated Vendor Show held in the expansive Entertainment Hall of the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in the closest to the pin contest at the simulator, indulge on appetizers and explore the latest innovations and services in the turfgrass industry. The MTF thanks all vendors who participated in the show and also thanks all Conference Sponsors who help make the event possible. In addition a special thank you goes to everyone who bid in the Silent Auction. Your generosity helps support the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation and its mission to fund turfgrass research at MSU.

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Day Three

JANUARY 10, 2025 Day Three Wraps up the 2025 Turfgrass Conference - Save the Date for Next Year! The conference concluded on day three with sessions focused on Golf and Turfgrass Management. The session’s themes included renovation and restoration projects, useful tips and tricks along with reviews and recaps.

Thank you again, to everyone who participated or attended, for making this event another fantastic experience. We are excited to invite you to next year’s conference which will be held from January 13-15, 2026, at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for another fantastic Turfgrass Conference!

Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our conference sponsors one last time. It goes without saying that your support is crucial for the foundation to continue its vital work in advancing turfgrass research. Scholarship Banner - Stine Turf & Snow Lanyard - AcuSpray Lawn Care Speaker Track - Gowan USA Golf Speaker Track - MiGCSA Golf Speaker Track - MGCA Coffee Cup - Helena Welcome Reception - MTESP Coffee - Rain Bird Coffee - Syngenta Lunch - NuFarm

Welcome Reception - DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc. Welcome Reception - Revels Tractor Welcome Reception - C.W. Golf Achitecture Vendor Show Food - Porous Pave Meritorious Award Dinner - Harrell’s Coffee & Lunch - Advanced Turf Solutions Sports Turf Speaker Track - MiSFMA Vendor Show Food - Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Ammon Pence Group

MTF NEWS NOTES

| SUMMER 2025

45

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT CAREY MITCHELSON

Each year…. Over the last 18 years, it’s been a pleasure to have been involved with the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation and its relationship with Michigan State University. Like many of you, in my earlier years of turf management for a living, I knew it was important part of our industry in Michigan, but the significance of how it impacts the turf industry in Michigan wasn’t particularly interesting and getting involved wasn’t high on the list of to-dos. Funding research is certainly important. Funding student scholarships is important, interesting and certainly a pleasure. Providing Graduate Student Assistantships is an item that makes the Turf Team tick…and when the Turf PRESIDENT’S Team is ticking – great things happen. All these elements are only a part of what the MTF’s commitments include, but they are the emphasis of our Mission Statement.

MESSAGE

In this issue of NewsNotes you will see the Research details from each of the Professors. And a great big thank you to Board Member Craig Moore for his efforts Carey Mitchelson each year for delivering on these reports. He has delivered every year to our requests to the Profs and he carefully reviews them for the Board meetings and decision making. These representations help us engage with the turf industry and they reflect how diverse the Turf Team is in its view of what the Turf Industry needs tand is with pleasure that the Michigan Turfgrass desiresgreat may be going forward. Interesting enough, last year while compiling the list of items for once a MTF again Board ofisDirectors the reports from Craig) I Foundation able tomeeting present(including our Annual Turfgrass was sent an email from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The email Conference. The decision four years ago to return to East was directed to me by the CANR Alumni Association, and it included a nice note to Lansing and make them the emphasis on education has proven the MTF congratulating on the 50 years of giving to Michigan State University. to beIt the correct choice. Our is onceand again is a very gracious account of speaker the MTF / line-up MSU relationship it canwellbe viewed here:

I

rounded and the topics for your consideration have been planned Celebrating the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation’s of impact at for months. A great deal of debate regarding what 50 ouryears attendees - Alumni &inFriends mayMSU be interested always takes place and the goal is to anticipate the priorities the attendees. Your input onthetopics For context,ofsignificant events occurred in 1974: Miamiduring Dolphinsthe won Super Conference throughout year is always welcome and wescandal Bowl VIII,and the Grand Ole Opry the House opened in Nashville, the Watergate exposed, Trade Center was inaugurated, and Hank lookwas forward tothe anyWorld thoughts you may have. We hope youAaron findequaled Babe Ruth’s home run to record. of you may not memories of those the Conference suited yourMany expectations andhave trust you will let and I wonder why it’s important. And there is no correct answer except each year us know your wetomay and if lives we have there will beopinions something on thatwhere allows us make improve a difference in our and just as effectively planned your time as well. important a difference in others’ as well. In 1974 the MTF decided to help those in the future by providing funding to MSU and planted a seed for future research and

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Many peopleOdds are are involved the planning process of organization the students. they did with not envision that 50 years later the they formed would impetus and after funding that would allowends. them to fund a position Conference and provide it starts the day the last session The at Michigan The MSUVice-President Turf Team understands fortunate catalyst of the State eventUniversity. is our current Amyhow Fouty. She their program has it with MSU and has spoken often on how many of us may not know has set the tone the last three years and always strives to enhance how fortunate we are in this State. The turf supporters in Michigan are loyal, gracious and and improve each day of any the proof sessions. Fellowauction Board MarkOur informed. If you need the TT4Turf is amembers perfect example. Wildeman and Curt Boak have been under her wing this past year and they will be chairing the Conference for the upcoming Many thanks to all of them as they continue to provide a VOL 5 | years. ISSUE 1 www.michiganturfgrass.org conference that we all enjoy and learn from.

golf season in Michigan is dependent upon 6 months of good weather and yet is #1 nationally in number of public golf courses and #3 overall. It is also a state the has over 200 supporters willing to donate a round of golf to help the MSU Turf Program...and does so... with our new goal.... each year. It is an amazing statistic and one each of you should be proud of. We should also be grateful to those in 1974 who had the foresight to provide something to others in the future.

LaFontaine Golf Outing

Board of Directors

MTF Board Member and Treasurer, Christian Koval chairs this year’s event and has noted that each year this gathering has gained the support of many of our suppliers, members and friends of Gordie to honor Dr. Joe Vargas. This get-together has many slices. It is part of the process of re-establishing the funding that is in part provided for the Turf Pathology Professorship in Dr. Vargas’s name at MSU. It is a thank you to Gordie for all his years of service to the MTF, MSU and his many friends in the industry. It also allows for interaction with the MSU Turf Team and Graduate Students during a day of golf and fellowship. As a note: candidates for the Vargas position are currently being reviewed by the MSU selection committee, chaired by Dr. Kevin Frank, and we look forward to having a day of engagement with all those who have supported Dr. Vargas, Gordie and the MSU Turf team over the years.

Each year, the MTF Board of Directors meets to discuss goals, objectives, and operations, supporting the MSU Turf Program and the turf industry. They volunteer their time to uphold high standards, working diligently to represent their various committees and responsibilities. This year we welcome 2 new Board of Directors to the MTF. Doug Ware - Past President of Michigan Chapter GCSAA and City of Livonia and Jeff Stickney - Professional Grounds Services. The MTF thanks them for their interest in supporting the MSU Turf Program.

Doug Ware City of Livonia - Golf Division Representing: Greater Detroit Section - MiGCSA

Jeff Stickney Professional Grounds Services Representing: Turfgrass Services

On Wed, June 19th the MTF will be hosting its annual golf fundraiser for the LaFontaine Endowment Fund at Coyote Preserve Golf Club. The event will have a registration with coffee & doughnuts beginning at 8:00am and golf shotgun 9:00am. Food and beverage provided after the golf is included.

There are 4 sponsorship levels (Corporate, Reception, Lunch & Tee sponsorships), and each will be acknowledged during the afternoon awards. Many of our attendees have been long-term sponsors and we appreciate your support and look forward to new companies and individuals for this year’s event. If you are interested in attending or supporting with a sponsorship you can register via the link.

LaFontaine Golf Outing

MTF NEWS NOTES

| SUMMER 2025

47

The MTF appreciates all TT4Turf Donations The 13th edition of the MTF TeeTimes4Turf (TT4Turf) was held successfully since its inception in 2012. The MSU Turf Team and MSU Turf students appreciate the support from all the courses that contributed to the Turf Program at MSU. These donations help maintain the MSU Turf Program’s significant role in the Turf Industry and highlight Michigan’s commitment to maintaining its courses and the superintendents who manage them. The 2025 TT4Turf event, chaired by Scott Rettmann and Doug Ware with assistance from Eric Davey, surpassed expectations. There were 211 courses registered, setting a new record, and gross income reached over $61,000. Additionally, 24 new courses joined the event this year. TT4Turf may have occasional omissions, but the committee will continue to encourage participation from as many courses as possible. The MTF is proud that 25% of the over 800 golf courses in Michigan support the MSU Turf program, showcasing the generosity of the state’s golf industry. Special thanks to Executive Director Chris Whitten and Senior Director of Communications & Operations Mary Jo Green from the Golf Association of Michigan for their contributions to our auction, which greatly benefited the MTF and MSU Turf Program. The complete list of courses is provided here, and the MTF acknowledges that the participation of each course is important to our success. Early registration helps the TT4Turf committee in assessing new courses. Acknowledgment notes and a token of our appreciation will be sent out with an opportunity for early registration for next year. We encourage you to register now to potentially set a record that will continue fund students and research. If your course has not participated previously, we invite you to register for next year by clicking the link below. 2026 TT4Turf Early Registration Thank you again for your support!!!

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VOL 5

| ISSUE 1

The Joe Vargas Professorship in Turfgrass Pathology update The MTF is pleased to update you regarding the search for an assistant professor for the Joe Vargas Professorship in Turfgrass Pathology. The search was initiated in the fall of 2024. The search committee of Dr. Kevin Frank (Chair), Dr. Emily Holm, Dr. George Sundin, Dr. Jan Byrne, and Dr. Tim Miles developed a position description for the 50% extension, 30% research, 15% teaching, and 5% service appointment. The position was advertised in national and international scientific associations and throughout academia. Applicants were reviewed in February, Zoom interviews conducted in March, and three candidates were interviewed on campus in May. Currently, an offer is being extended and negotiated with one of the candidates and we hope to be able to introduce our newest member of the MSU Turfgrass Science Team soon.

One final thought.... Each year the GAM is kind enough to acknowledge a superintendent in Michigan with the “The GAM Superintendent Award of Merit”. This year I was fortunate and honored to have been selected this year and would like to thank the MiGCSA and Adam Ikamas for their nomination and the work they do with the GAM on the award and many other items. Receiving an award entails fulfilling tasks and engaging with individuals. It means acknowledging the significance of each moment and valuing every interaction. I appreciate those who have contributed along the way, and am thankful to call so many friends, The GAM presents the award at its annual meeting each year and if you would like to learn more about the nomination process you can review the nomination standards on the GAM website. Both individuals and clubs can nominate a superintendent who meets the criteria established. The award highlights Michigan’s collaboration of six golfing organizations representing the Michigan Golf Alliance: GAM, MiGCSA, MGCA, Michigan PGA, Greater Michigan Chapter CMAA, and MTF.

www.michiganturfgrass.org

2025 MSU TURFGRASS

FIELD DAY August 13, 2025 •

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Once again on August 13th the MTF and the MSU Turf Team will host Turf Field Day at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center on the campus of MSU. Results from many of the innovative research items will be presented by the MSU Turf Team and their hardworking Graduate Student Assistants. MTF Field Day Chair Adam Palmatier has indicated that this year’s event will be well represented by the on-going research and the list of research initiatives presented will be examples of unique studies the Turf Team is conducting. Registration includes lunch and MDARD credits will be provided. Early registration is now available: MEMBER Registration

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Location: Hancock Turfgrass Research Center Cost: $70 Morning Session/ $60 MTF Members $40 Afternoon Session/ $30 MTF Members Pre-Registration Online thru August 11, 2025

NON-MEMBER Registration

New item!

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS:

The MTF Field Day Committee is pleased to inform you that this year’s Field Dav will have the USGA Davis Program Committee as guests to our event. Dr. Nikolia provided the MTF with the opportunity to host the USGA.and his efforts are greatly appreciated.

Bottled Water Sponsorship – $500.00

Walk and talk with the USGA on Field Day at the Hancock Turfgrass Research

Coffee and Donuts Sponsorship – $500.00

Coffee Cup Sponsorship – $500.00

The USGA Davis Program Committee is scheduled to attend the MTF Field Day August 13, 2025 at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center. The Mike Davis Program has invested nearly $50 million for Advancing Golf Course Management since 1983 which includes several significant studies past and present at MSU. The intention is to have the committee join the golf course maintenance walk where we can share perspectives on challenges facing the golf industry. Keep the date for what should be an insightful Q & A.

Corporate Lunch Sponsorship – $500.00

For many members of the Davis Program Committee the visit will be their first to the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center. It is an opportunity for those interested to attend and learn more about the USGA and their thoughts on turf, environmental issues and competitions. To learn, more about the USGA Davis Program click here:

Lanyard Sponsorship – $1,000.00

Support turf research at MSU by becoming a lunch sponsor at Field Day. Only 4 sponsorships will be sold, sponsors will be acknowledged during opening comments and with signage.

MDARD CREDITS AVAILABLE

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/ turfgrass-and-environmental-research/mike-davis-researchprogram.html MTF NEWS NOTES

| SUMMER 2025

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NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Lansing, MI Permit No. 689

P.O. Box 27156 Lansing, MI 48909-7156 www.michiganturfgrass.org

Phone: 517-392-5003 miturfgrass@gmail.com