Texas Turfgrass Association 3rd Quarter Newsletter 2019

2019 Winter Program and 2018 Awards Recipient Highlights INSIDE!

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2019 Sponsors

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

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Table of Contents President’s Message Executive Director Message Turfgrass feature Article TTA Winter Conference Program 2018 Softball Field of the Year 2018 Complex Of the Year 2018 Baseball Field of the Year

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ADVERTISERS

2019 Sponsor Bowlin Consulting Larson Golf Services Target Specialty Products Austin Turf and Tractor PMC King Ranch Turfgrass All Seasons Turf Grass Sod Solutions

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President’s Message

Howdy All, I hope everyone had a great finish to the summer of 2019 and enjoyed the two or three days of fall we had this year. At least for myself, it sure seemed that we only had a couple of days of fall, as our first frost of 2019 was an intense frost and came way earlier than I ever remember. The employees in our area that over- seeded seem to be rolling along nicely as the temps weren’t too extreme once we got into October and there was some decent moisture for a change. Most of you will be reading this hopefully while at the winter conference in Corpus Christi, TX or shortly after. The registration for the show has been very strong so hopefully you are able to enjoy for yourself. Our Association is continuing to progress and make changes to keep things new and relevant to all the members. If there is something, our association is missing, please let us know and we will work to improve or address it if we can. One of the things our board has done is to look at new venues while working to keep cost down for all the attendees, including lower room cost that won’t affect the budget.

We hope you see our efforts and we appreciate the support.

Be sure to keep an eye for the fourth quarter newsletter which will include a winter conference wrap-up, which hopefully there were a lot of you there in attendance!

It’s going to be interesting to see who the second annual sporting clays winner is this year, and the first ever corn hole tournament winners.

Next, we will turn our attention to the Summer Conference at Horseshoe Bay July 19th- 21st 2020 so be sure to mark your calendars. Everyone please don’t forget to support our vendors and sponsors when repairs and equipment is needed. Thanks to all our sponsors; without you our industry would not survive.

Thank you again to all the Sponsors of TTA and our BOD for their continued dedication to our Association Have a Blessed winter, Holiday season, and Great New Year hope to see everyone in Horseshoe Bay for next year’s Summer Conference!!

Very Respectfully, Mike Chandler, MCPTM 2019 TTA President

Executive Director Message

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Howdy All Members !

Our Annual Winter Conference and Trade Show for 2019 is finally here!

If you are not able to join us this year, I hope you get to hear of the highlights from the members, exhibitors, and speakers who attended! Traveling down to the Corpus Christi region was a new venture for TTA and I think this will be a GREAT new location that TTA needs to keep in mind in the future.

Next Winter, the Board decided to try a new schedule change and slightly lessen the days of our winter education line up.

We will accomplish this by dropping the last day of the typical program. Don’t worry, this will not change the trade show at all or drop any TDA CEU education. What it will do, is allow myself and our board to get more creative on how to condense our education and trade show in a schedule that maximizes your time so you can attend and not take as much time away from work or family. Next Winter 2020, we will be in Dallas/Frisco December 1st and 2nd so please mark your calendars now and we will get to planning a trade show that will keep evolving.

At our winter reception this year we are offering a corn hole tournament as a way to engage members and exhibitors together to help promote business, networking and comradery. I would love feedback after the show if TTA should make this an annual event for our Exhibitor activity of the show.

Lastly, we are evolving our CPTM program and would love to have as many members get involved. If you ever want to find out how you can become a CPTM, please email me and I will let you know about the Texas A&M short course that will be offered coming this Spring.

Thank you all for a blessed year and I look forward to wrapping up 2019 with TTA and embarking on 2020!

God Bless, Katie Flowers Executive Director

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Turfgrass Feature Article Difficult Weeds of the Future By: Bart Fox Syngenta Professional Solutions

Back in my college days, we learned that a weed is just a plant out of place. That definition is still correct today but removing these plants has become more difficult. Back in the day, all we had to know is whether the weed was a grass weed, broadleaf weed or a sedge and then we could pick our herbicide accordingly.

Within this decade, we all have experienced weeds that have lost herbicide sensitivity, aka resistant goosegrass and Poa annua. The new exciting class of chemistry called sulfonylureas controlled so many weeds without discoloring the desirable turf the professional turfgrass manager became hooked on them for everything from Poa annua, goosegrass to kyllinga and sedges.

Personal experience has taught me when we change herbicide practices we sometimes end up with unexpected results. Before Monument® herbicide received registration, within my territory, Syngenta sold more Pennant Magnum® pre-emergent herbicide in the spring than it did Barricade®.

Pennant Magnum® was popular for reducing yellow nutsedge and kyllinga from seed as well as your other typical spring weeds. The popularity of Monument® for controlling all sedges and kyllinga caused the use of Pennant Magnum® to diminish. More doveweed started appearing soon afterwards. Doveweed would be considered a weed of the future since it was almost impossible to control post-emergence. Fortunately, the industry has started incorporating products like Pennant Magnum® and Tower® into spring herbicide programs because both herbicides have these weeds listed on their labels.

Henry’s Crabgrass, (Digitaria ciliaris) is the next major hurdle we will be facing.

We have been fighting this weed for several years without much success. We in the Houston area were calling it by the wrong name, India crabgrass but now we know better. It didn’t matter what name we called it, we could not control it from showing up on our professionally managed turf. Henry’s crabgrass didn’t seem to mind what pre-emergence herbicide we applied, it just invited itself over to stay and liked every height of cut. The typical crabgrass post-emergence herbicide didn’t control it either. By the end of summer, this crabgrass variety with short internodes and shorter leaves, forms into a massive mat that roots itself at each internode that touches the soil. While doing some research on this weed, it seems to thrive in Hawaii, but I have noticed it getting much worse throughout my territory of southern TX and all of Louisiana.

My final weed of the future that causes me the most anxiety is KR Bluestem. The KR stands for King Ranch since this was the first place this seed from Asia was planted. This weed has always

9 been spotty in turfgrass areas in San Antonio, Austin, College Station and the south Texas region. Since Hurricane Harvey’s flood waters came into Houston and Victoria Texas, this weed has exploded. I can identify this weed on almost every commercial property and school district grounds. From a distance, this grassy weed can look like Dallisgrass, but it is tougher to control. I can remember reading an herbicide research study a long time ago when the SU herbicides were coming into the market like Revolver® and Monument®. I do remember the only herbicide to give some control was the non-selective herbicide glyphosate, all other herbicides in trial didn’t give any relief. Most control options on the internet include words like plowing and burning. Properties with good pre-emergence programs don’t seem to have this weed for now. If this perennial grass weed ever gets established your selective post emergence herbicides options are currently non-existent.

I have been in the turfgrass industry for 32 years. It seems that the first 2 decades were simpler in CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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Turfgrass Feature Article

regards to weed control. Grass weeds received a mighty dose of MSMA + Sencor and if it was a broadleaf it was sprayed with a 3 -way herbicide which always included 2,4-D. I will close with a quote from Dr. Scott McElroy, Weed Scientist from Auburn University “long gone are the days of spraying a single herbicide, the future must contain a tank-mix of multiple active ingredients from different classes of chemistry” ©2019 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. All photos are either the property of Syngenta or are used with permission. The trademarks displayed or

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Opening Day and Registration 7 a.m. Registration

American Bank Center– By Exhibit Hall A

Certified Professional Turfgrass Manager (CPTM) - Harborview 225 D Lecture and Exam: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Register online and applications must be in TTA office within 30 days prior to conference.

TCEQ – for Licensed Irrigators Harborview 225 E 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

System Hydraulics & Design Trouble shooting (CEU’S approved) David Torres: L10003537; WETS Instructor At a time in Texas when our water supplies are being depleted faster than they can be replenished, it is the responsibility of the stakeholders to be more efficient with this valuable resource. This course covers & helps troubleshoot designs with emphasis on hydraulics & pressure losses to make sure the irrigation plan is most efficient.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Full Day Exhibitors Trade Show Schedule EXHIBIT HALL A

11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. GRAND OPENING OF EXHIBITS (Exhibit Hall A) ENJOY LUNCH WHILE YOU VISIT WITH OUR VENDORS

After Education -Join us 4:15-6:15 pm for Happy Hour with the Exhibitors! *Cash Bar *Hor d’oeuvres *And a Corn Hole Tournament!

Form a 2 Man team and Sign-up NOW Networking , Prizes and FUN!

Sponsors

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Morning Concurrent Sessions G O L F S E S S I O N - Harborview 225A 8:00 A.M. Strategies for identifying and Managing insects an mite Pests on Golf Courses.

Adam Dale; PhD. Assistant Professor Entomology and Nematology Department University of Florida, Gainesville

10:00 A.M. 2019 Year in Review and Planning for 2020 John Daniels Agronomist Central Region United States Golf Association

9:00 A.M. New Zoysiagrasses for Golf Course Use Ambika Chandra,PhD. Professor of Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics Texas A&M AgriLife Dept. Soil & Crop Sciences

S P O R T S T U R F S E S S I O N – Harborview 226 8:00 A.M. Turf Management at Minute Maid Park Izzy Hinajosa Director of Field Operations Minute Maid Park 9:00 A.M. Bacteria & Fungi, & Nematodes, Oh My! Chrissie Segars, PhD. Assistant Professor Extension Turfgrass Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

10:00 A.M. Partnerships with Local Youth Organizations Kenny Walsh

Superintendent Parks and Recreation City of League

C O M M E R C I A L S E S S I O N—Harborview 225C 8:00 A.M. What To Expect When You’re Inspected Laura Miller County Extension Agent Commercial Horticulture Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Tarrant County 9:00 A.M. Challenges Faced by Commercial Landscapers Jim Thomas Thomas Turf Services

10:00 A.M Updates on the biology and management of insect pests of warm season turfgrasses Adam Dale, PhD. Assistant Professor Entomology and Nematology Department University of Florida, Gainesville

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Afternoon Concurrent Sessions G O L F S E S S I O N - Harborview 225A 1:15 P.M. Preparing for Golf Course Flooding John Daniels Agronomist Central Regions United States Golf Association 2:15 P.M. Taking Turf Mgmt to Sky and Beyond Joseph Young, PhD Assistant Professor of Turf Science Department of Plant and Soil Science Texas Tech University

3:15 The Tale of Two Playing Surfaces Chrissie Segars, PhD. Assistant Professor Extension Turfgrass Specialist Texas A&M Agrilife Extension

S P O R T S T U R F S E S S I O N - Harborview 226 1:15 P.M. TCU Athletics Field Management– My Road to changing a culture through cultural practices Andrew Siegel Sports Field Manager TCU

3:15 P.M. Razorback Football: Natural Grass is back in the Natural State Jeff Salmond CSFM VP of Projects/Corporate Development United Turf and Track AND Patrick J. Berger, MCPTM/CGCS 2:15 P.M. Director of Sports Turf Operations Athletic Field Construction and Renovations, Lessons University of Arkansas Learned Matt Anderson, CSFM, CSE District Sales Manager; The Toro Company

C O M M E R C I A L S E S S I O N Harborview 225C 1:15pm Supplementing Natures Bounty through Rainwater Harvesting Kevin Gibbs CEA Horticulture Nueces County AND Sandra Ellis Environmental Project Manager Corpus Chrisit 2:15pm Getting the most efficiency out of your nutrient management program Ben Wherley, PhD. Associate Professor Turf Science and Ecology Dept of Soil & Crop Sciences Texas A&M University

3:15pm Diagnosing Turf Problems Becky Grubbs, PhD. Assistant Professor Turfgrass Extension Specialist Dept. of Soil and Crop Sciences Texas A&M University

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Morning and Afternoon

8:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. BREAKFAST WITH THE EXHIBITORS SILENT AUCTION CLOSES & PRIZE DRAWING AT 10:30 A.M.

Complimentary Head shots will be offered Courtesy of Photography by JT

Breakfast Sponsor 11:30 A.M. Room 225B LONE STAR GCSA LUNCHEON FOR MEMBERS

12:00 P.M. Room 227 TEXAS STMA LUNCHEON FOR MEMBERS

TDA LECTURES -

8:00 A.M. - 5 P. M. Harborview 225 E Dr. Mark Matocha - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LICENSE EXAMS "When you register for this session, you must pre-register and pay fees for the conference and this session. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is now charging for this session. When you register for this session, it also includes the fees for the manuals you will need.

The license exams are not given at the TTA Conference. The Texas Department of Agriculture conducts all testing through a third party testing company, PSI Exams. If you would like to schedule the exams you must first register with TDA. You can register at https://licensing.texasagriculture.gov You will pay the exam fee directly to them when you test.

If you are a new applicator you will need to take the General test and at least one category test to get a license, usually the Landscape Maintenance.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Annual Awards and Education 1:00 p.m. TTA Annual Meeting and Awards!

Henry B Garrett Ballroom A

1:45 p.m. Glyphosate Panel and Round Table Henry B Garrett Ballroom A Discuss this controversial topic and dive into the latest research and experience.

Allow for a great member round table discussion!

Round Table led by: Travis Gannon, PhD, Frank Wong, PhD, Scott Nolte, PhD.

General Sessions Henry B Garrett Ballroom A 3:30pm Managing Healthier Turf during droughts Joseph Young, PhD Assistant Professor of Turf Science Department of Plant and Soil Science Texas Tech University

4:30pm Weed Management in the Absence of Glyphosate Becky Grubbs, PhD. Assistant Professor Turfgrass Extension Specialist Dept. of Soil and Crop Sciences Texas A&M University

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Concurrent Morning Sessions G O L F S E S S I O N Harborview 225A 8am Care and Pruning of Trees on Golf Courses Ginger Easton-Smith County Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural Resources Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

10am Optimizing Use of Plant Growth Regulators in your Turf Management Program Will Bowling Texas A&M University

9am The Do’s and Don’ts of Sand capping fairways and other areas Jim Thomas Thomas Turf Services

C O M M E R C I A L S E S S I O N – Harborview 225C 8am: Protecting our Bays and Estuaries through proper fertilization Techniques Kevin Gibbs CEA Horticulture Nueces County AND Sandra Ellis; City of Corpus Chrisit 9am Herbicide Update for Texas Turfgrass Manager Travis Gannon, PhD. Associate Professor North Carolina State University Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

10am Commercial L&O– Ornamentals, Vegetables and the Multi Purpose Landscape Vikram Baliga University Greenhouse and Gardens Manager Instructor of Horticulture Texas Tech University

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS : TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 1 Laws and Regs; 4 IPM; 3 General Pest Features; 1 General Environmental; 2 General Pesticide Factors STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL 1 Laws and Regs; 3 Weed ; 1 General Safety; 6 L&O; 1 IPM ; 1 General Other GCSAA Approved Points: CPTM- .50 ; TCEQ –.70 ; TDA Lecture– .70;

2019 Winter Exhibitors!

Austin Turf and Tractor

Horizon Disctributors

Affordable Turf and Specialty Tire

King Ranch Turfgrass

All Seasons Turf Grass Aqua Aid Solutions Bayer Blue Sky Farm BOSS JCB BWI –Schulenburg Corteva AgriScience Dixequip Inc. Ewing Irrigation Exmark FMC Gail’s Flags, Inc. GLK Golf Safety/Cloud Golf and Turf Greene County Fertilizer Company Greensmiths Harco Fittings Helena

Knight Erosion Control, Inc

Locus Agricultural Solutions Mayer MCI Flowtronex Mountain View Seeds PBI-Gordon Corporation Precise Machinery

Professional Turf Products

Thomas Turfgrass TifTuf Certified Bermudagrasses Timberland Pine Straw Specialist, LLC Tri-Tex Grass TriEst Ag Group Trimax Mowing Systems Trinity Turf Nursery, Inc.

Pumps, Motors, & Controls

Turfgrass Producers of Texas

Quality Turf Renovation, LLC

Turfplaner of Texas

Redexim Turf Products

Viatrac Fertilizer LLC

Redox Turf

Winfied United

RS3 Turf

Zimmerer Kubota

Simplot Sod Solutions Synagro Technologies Syngenta Professional Solutions Target Specialty Products

Texas Sports Sands

THANK YOU!!!

American Bank Center Exhibit Hall A

Great Support from Exhibitors, Members, and Sponsors !

We thank you for your participation!

Texas Turfgrass Association’s Second Annual Sporting Clay Event!

Monday, December 9, 2019 12pm – 4pm Corpus Christi, Gun Club Cost: $ 75.00 / Man or $ 300 / Team (4man Team) Sign up Directly by going to www.texasturf.com OR contact Katie Flowers info@texasturf.com * Attendee MUST be a current member

Special Thank You To Our Speakers!

Matt Anderson, CSFM

Laura M. Miller Ginger Easton-Smith John Daniels, USGA

Becky Grubbs, PhD

Travis Gannon, PhD.

Adam Dale, PhD David Torres

Joey Young, PhD

Vikram Baliga, PhD.

Kevin Gibbs

Mark Matocha, PhD

Special Thank You To Our Speakers!

Will Bowling

Jeff Salmond, CSFM

Frank Wong, PhD.

Kenny Walsh

Scott Nolte, PhD

Pat Berger Izzy Hinojosa

Ambika Chandra, PhD.

Ben Wherley, PhD. Chrissie Segars, PhD

James Thomas

Summer 2020 Conference July 19th - July 21st, 2020 Horseshoe Bay, TX

Save the 2020 Dates!

Winter 2020 December 1st & 2nd, 2020 Embassy Suites Dallas/Frisco Convention Center and Spa

2018 Softball Field of the Year!

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2018 Softball Field of the Year Getterman Stadium; Waco, TX Sports Field Solutions Getterman Stadium is located in Waco, Texas on the campus of Baylor University.

Getterman Stadium was opened in 2000, with the original field still in place today except for the addition of synthetic turf in foul territory from dugout to dugout, completed in 2010 . The field consists of native soil but does have some drainage, french style drains that are 8 inches under the surface and only located in the left half of the field where water is dumped from the tarp. The native soil field presents many challenges during the spring time when rains come and games need to be played. The crew has used the Shockwave machine, solid tine aerifications, turbine blowers and squeegees all at one point or another to aid in getting the playing surface ready for games. The outfield grass was originally GN-1, but has mutated over time so there are a few different types of GN-1 on the field now. The staff at Baylor consists of 7 full-time employees, who also maintain the practice football fields, baseball, soccer and track facilities that are also natural grass.

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2018 Complex of the Year 2018 Complex of the Year

McMahan Turf and Agronomics, LLC McKinney Christian Academy in McKinney TX.

McMahan Turf and Ag has managed MCA’s sports turf for 10 years. We have experienced MCA grow from a small starter school with a minimal budget to a competitive athletic facility. We feel this is one of our best facilities because of the tremendous growth and traffic the facility has experienced. We continue to keep the turf healthy and dense for the safe use of students and athletes. We make this possible by year-round care and working closely with the mowing and irrigation staff that is employed privately by MCA. Age of fields: 10+ years Geographic Location: McKinney TX. Description of Maintenance: Rye seeding, fertilization, weed control, pest control and aeration. We do NOT mow or weed eat.

Operating budget: $25,000 per year Irrigation: automatic Total number of maintenance personnel for complex: 4 Facility does not have lights.

Number of events: From August through May MCA hosts games, practices and PE classes. Sports played are: soccer, baseball, softball and football.

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2018 Baseball Field of the Year

2018 Baseball Field of the Year Dell Diamond Head Groundskeeper- Nick Rozdilski Assistant Groundskeepers –Richard Douglas, Mallory Noble On 90,000n sq ft of Tiff Tuff Bermuda grass, in the heart of Texas you will find Dell Diamond home of the Round Rock Express Baseball Club, triple A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.

Opening its gates on April 16,2000 to the northeast suburb of Austin, the dell has been maintained to the highest standards of the MILB. This year in 2018 the Dell received Presidential Accommodations from the Pacific Coast League, acknowledging the exceptional playing conditions set forth by Head Groundskeeper Nick Rozdilski and his crew. Located 18 miles northeast of the capital city of the lone star state, Dell Diamond sits inside the up and coming suburb of Round Rock Texas. The field experiences all changes of climate from consistent triple digit weeks to below freezing conditions, and during the playing season (April-September) the Dell experiences drought conditions.

The field was renovated this past March due to AMC’s hit show “Fear of the Walking Dead” filming an entire season from September 2017-Feburary 2018. The field in September 17’ was sprayed with an multiple applications of Round Up to set the premise of the post apocalyptic show. This included the entirety of the 90,000 sq ft field as well as the 25,000 sq ft Bermuda berms that surround the field. Under the direction of Rozdilski and Head of Turf operations for RS3 Turf Garrett Reddehase, the crew had only 34 days to strip, grade, resod, and grow in an entirely new field before opening day. This is just one of the major events that is hosted at Dell Diamond, on top of the Express Schedule the field is host to: Texas UIL High School State Tournament (18 games in 4 days) 2 Mexican League professional soccer friendly (2 inch removal of infield dirt, removal of mound, sod across the 15,000 sq ft infield) 6 on field concerts 5 weeks of morning instructional Baseball camps during playing season Boy & Girl Scout overnight camps 6 High school showcase games The maintenance schedule of the dell is broken down based on what types of events are hosted at a certain time during the year. Usually overseeded with perennial rye grass the Dell sits inside the transition zone, but that was not the case this year due to new field construction. We utilize a regular application of both granular and foliar sprays for the fertilization program as well as a series of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and pre emergent’s. The fertilization schedule is made to promote the best recuperation and overall strength and health of the Tiff Tuff. Along with the fertilization program, we utilize two main cultural practices. A consistent series of aeration using different tine lengths helps with the constant compaction of the playing surfaces, and a bi weekly verticut helps with maintaining thickness as well as field recuperation. Our infield dirt is Duraedge Pro, with RS3 conditioner to promote moisture retention as well as player safety. Our mound is a mix between Pros Choice mound clay, along with Pros Choice Gumbo mound clay.

CLICK HERE

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Our day to day in game maintenance involves: Entire filed cut in correspondence with pattern, Hand watering our infield and foul areas, Nail/compact/ add conditioner to infield and drag, Nail/Drag/ Float board/ Water warning track, Paint lines/ logos/ coaches boxes, Inspect bullpen mounds for moisture and cleanliness, Water infield skin 6x daily Extended questions: Does field have lighting for night time play? Yes, this year the lights were upgraded to LED to match the lights at Globe Life Park (home of the Rangers) Irrigation: We run on a automatic Rainbird irrigation system for our playing field and out outfield berms.

Total number of maintenance Personnel: During the offseason it is just the head groundskeeper and the first assistant, during season we add two seasonal assistants along with a game day night staff of five.

Our field is the best playing is not only one of the best in MILB it rivals professional fields that host a significant lesser amount of events. We have an outstanding playing surface that is maintained at an exceptionally high level while consistently working within the realms out budget, space, and materials. The real reason why our field is the best playing surface is because 34 days before opening day, in 30 degree weather we didn’t have a field, we put the man hours the labor the blood sweat and tears into making the Dell one of the highest caliber fields not only in Minor League Baseball but in sports turf in general. The amount of late nights, long days, meticulous attention to detail will all show in the pictures supporting our field.