The SuperNews - October 2016

The SuperNews OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIO GRANDE GCSA

October 2016

President Matt Urban Vice President Secretary / Treasurer Jimmy Rodriguez Board of Directors: Matt Alcala Matt Hughes Paul Kerr Caleb Buckley (Past Pres.)

Vendor Representative Clay Guck Chapter Executive Carol Cloud GCSAA Field Rep Brian Cloud

President’s Message Rio Grande Members, It is my extreme honor to write this letter as the RGGCSA president.

As many of you may know, the 2016 Rio Grande president Caleb Buckley has accepted a position with Austin Turf and Tractor. Our By-Laws only allow Class ‘A’ superintendents to serve as president and vice president of the association. So, for the last quarter of 2016 I will do my best to perform the duties as president of the Rio Grande Association. I wish to express my gratitude to Caleb for his service on the board of directors the past few years, as president in 2015 and 2016, and wish him luck in his new endeavor.

The RGGCSA has been an integral part of my career in the 10+ years I have been a member. I truly believe I am a better superintendent because I am a part of this great association. Our meetings continue to be a place to meet new people, learn, network with our peers, and grow as professional turf mangers. We are fortunate to have such a diverse group of members from a wide variety of facilities and climates across the state of New Mexico and El Paso. In addition, our vendors are a group of generous people willing to give their time and sponsorship dollars in support of our association.

Our July meeting was a success thanks to Jimmy Rodriguez and Laurie Meredith at Towa Golf Club in Santa Fe. Sunday afternoon, Jimmy hosted a skins game and cookout for several members and vendors at the club. Thanks to Dr. Goss of NMSU for providing the educational portion of our meeting discussing herbicide timing and effectiveness.

Our annual meeting will be held at UNM South on Monday October 17th. As at every annual meeting, elections will take place during the business meeting. Two director positions will need to be filled and a new vendor representative will be announced as Clay Guck of Helena Chemical will be stepping down. On behalf of the board I wish to thank Clay for his service to the association. Anyone interested in serving on the board can contact a current board member, or our executive director Carol Cloud. In addition to the business meeting and elections, we will be accepting applications for the Alan Salter Scholarship to be awarded at the January meeting. Applications for the scholarship can be found on the RGGCSA website. In addition, host sites for 2017 will be decided. If you haven’t had the opportunity to host a meeting recently and wish to do so, please let us know. We are always looking for facilities we haven’t visited in a few years or places we may have not been at all. The education for this meeting promises to be informative as we will hear from the CEO of our national organization, Rhett Featured Articles: Evans. Come join us in Al Jimmy Rodriguez—How to turn the negative into a positive buquerque October 17 for what is sure to be a great  Member Profile—Laurie Meredith event!

God Bless, Matt Urban RGCSAA President

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Brian Whitlark—A Southwestern Course Switches from Overseeding to Turf Colorants

Superintendent Article How to turn the negative into a positive By Jimmy Rodriguez Well what is the one thing we wish we could do more often, no not that, “Aerate” right?

We all know the importance of aeration for the entire course. We wish we could do aeration more often but that always comes with a “UGH” from the golf shop and the golfers at the course.

I learned about aeration of greens at the Aspen Golf Course in Colorado back in 1994 when I got my first golf course job. I needed something to do in the summer and the chance to get free golf was appealing. The crew at the course was very well seasoned for a bunch of, really ski bums and ski instructors and had the job down to an art. They took great care to pick up the cores and leave no “caca de perro” behind and they did a great job filling holes for faster healing.

This left a lasting impression on me that I have tried to improve on every year.

We try to inform the players and all the staff about the importance of aeration. The grass plant derives oxygen through several means. From the air, through the leaves CO2 is absorbed and used in photosynthesis, but the most important area for oxygen to be absorbed is in the root zone. This factor alone is the most important reason to aerate along with venting of bad gases that can build up.

Several pieces of equipment have greatly aided me on the greens at aeration time in the perception of the owner, golf shop staff and the playing public. We currently use a mechanical picker for the majority of the cores but there is always some shovel work to be done in our effort to leave a very clean green and surround. The picker is a big positive for the crew and shows them that when we can use equipment to do the job we will. The picker also does a great job in rolling the greens as it picks. We use a drop spreader for the sand and good overlap to insure that we put down enough sand to fill holes. Following the top dressing a dedicated roller and a pull behind blower both help me make the case for the “negative turning into the positive”. The biggest negative is always the sand left behind after we have drug the sand into the aeration holes by metal drags, coco mats or brooms and the surface disruption of all equipment used for the aeration. All of these do a good job incorporating the sand into the holes. I have found through trial and error that rolling the greens after topdressing helps tremendously to level and deposit some of the sand in the holes also prior to incorporation of the sand. The use of the blower the second day makes the greens looks like you mowed them. The perception the day after is a positive. The roller follows this procedure and we continue to roll every day for a few days before mowing. Green speeds are really good and surface disruption is minimized by the rolling. Next spring I am going to add a salt and pepper top dress with my spinner top dresser maybe post day three to give the surface a final light fill. When we do mow grass to sand ratio is more grass than sand. I have always been very concerned for the staff trying to mow up the sand. The toll on the equipment and possible back injuries for the staff. We all have done this and one wrong move with a heavy bucket and a back injury is possible.

Over the year’s core and solid tine aeration has become a main stay for me at the courses I have been in charge of over the past eleven years. I built a case at each venue for ownership so, they also understood this cultural practice is so very important to their investment. I have been fortunate enough to be able to core aerate in both the spring and fall at all courses. I have also incorporated over time monthly ¼” to 5/16” solid tines which are very non-invasive. A post roll of the greens leaves them ready for play. I never let the players know that we are doing this and no one has ever said anything about the small holes that are visible.

If you take the approach to make aeration as important as you do your daily greens preparation you may enjoy the success of having the perception of post aeration to be less negative and more positive.

Why Do Golf Courses Aerate So Much?

The word aeration stimulates negative emotions for many golfers. It may come as a surprise, but golf course superintendents also dislike aeration. After all, the last person who wants to disrupt the smoothness of the putting greens they work so hard to maintain is the superintendent.

Golfers often ask, “Why is aeration needed so often?” Aeration is an essential program to keep playing surfaces healthy and in good condition. Aeration primarily is performed to control organic matter – i.e., decaying roots and grass stems – relieve soil compaction, stimulate root growth and improve drainage. If organic matter becomes too thick, it acts like a sponge and holds water at the surface after rain or irrigation. Excessive organic matter also inhibits root growth, reduces oxygen levels in the soil, encourages disease and eventually can lead to turf failure. Furthermore, excessive organic matter creates soft surfaces prone to ball marks, foot printing and inconsistent playing conditions.

Aeration and topdressing are the most effective ways to control organic matter and maintain smooth, firm putting surfaces.

Core aeration involves physically removing small soil cores – e.g., 0.5-inch diameter cores – from the turf and is the most common type of aeration. Aeration holes allow excess moisture to evaporate and promote gas exchange in the soil, resulting in stronger root systems and turf that is better able to tolerate golfer traffic.

Proper timing of aeration will ensure the fastest possible recovery and return to smooth surface conditions. The key to a quick recovery is to perform aeration when the turf is healthy and actively growing. The articles, Core Cultivation: Timing is Everything and Easing the Pain of Core Aeration expand on proper aeration timing. There are many types of aeration that superintendents use throughout the season; some are more labor-intensive and disruptive to playing surfaces than others. Less-disruptive forms of aeration, including venting aeration with small-diameter, solid tines, also are beneficial because they can alleviate turf stress by promoting oxygen levels in the soil. Aeration programs that have a small impact on a playing surface generally can be performed throughout the season with little or no disruption to play.

The type and frequency of aeration needed is course specific. Superintendents adjust aeration programs based on soil conditions, turf requirements, climate/weather, available labor and equipment, course events, etc.

Aeration holes filled with sand topdressing will allow excess water from the soil to evaporate, promote root development and improve drainage.

Playing conditions are of the utmost importance for most golfers, and aeration is needed to keep turf healthy and playing well.

Aeration can be disruptive, but the long-term benefits of aeration far outweigh the shortlived disruption. The next time you play on greens that were recently aerated, keep in mind that aeration is performed for the long-

term health of the course. The greens may not play their best immediately following some aeration treatments, but everyone is playing the same conditions and golfers still can enjoy the game and make plenty of putts.

After all, Tom Watson once shot a 58 when playing at Kansas City Country Club just a few days after the greens had been aerified.

Adam Moeller is an agronomist in the Northeast Region.

Aeration can create short-lived disruption but it is a highly beneficial program that keeps greens healthy and playing well.

Our Mission The USGA promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. It acts in the best interests of the game for the continued enjoyment of those who love and play it.

Annual Meeting Host

Join us for the 2016 Annual Meeting where elections for the Board of Directors will be held. If you are interested in serving your association as a board member, please contact Carol Cloud at rggcsa.executivedirector@yahoo.com or any board member.

"Board service is a very rewarding way to give back to your Association, profession and fellow members. Service will expand your professional network and develop your business and organizational skills. Every Superintendent should consider board service at some point in their career.�

Paul Latshaw to receive Old Tom Morris Award at 2017 Golf Industry Show in Orlando Longtime superintendent impacted major championship play and playing conditions for all golfers

Shelia Finney selected as senior director of member programs

Former Tennessee association executive and golf course superintendent tapped to lead membership initiatives for national association Shelia Finney will oversee four key programmatic areas in membership programs, chapter services, professional development and environmental programs for the national association, which represents 17,500 members in 72 countries. In addition to serving current members, she will be responsible for the development and implementation of growth and retention strategies of new members.

“I believe everything I've done in my career up until now has prepared me for this opportunity,” said Finney, who will begin her new position Aug. 22. “I was successful as a superintendent because of GCSAA, and I am excited to now play an integral part of this association that means so much to me.”

A 28-year GCSAA member who has served on numerous committees and task groups at both the state and national levels, Finney successfully increased revenue and member participation during her tenure as TGCSA executive director. She also increased membership in TGCSA by more than 30 percent and introduced new revenue streams for the association.

“This is an exciting time for GCSAA and Shelia brings a unique mix of qualities to this highly impactful position,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA's chief executive officer.

“Shelia has demonstrated an ability to drive membership growth and value, and she understands the role of a superintendent at a golf facility. This position, which demonstrates our continual commitment to serve our members, aligns well with her experience and skill set and we look forward to benefitting from her energy and expertise.”

Prior to her position as TGCSA executive director, Finney was the head golf course superintendent at Gaylord Springs from 1994 to 2015. She began her career as the assistant there from 1990 to 1994. During her tenure at Gaylord Springs, Finney was responsible for overseeing major course renovations and course preparations for hosting the Bell South Classic on the PGA

Member Profile It’s not often you run into a woman Director of Golf, let alone one that has no PGA background nor played in high school or college. But here I am! But how DID I get to where I am today?

It started in my mid 30’s when I learned to play golf and fell in love with the game and just being outside. But work and starting my own business got in the way, as it does with a lot of players, and I didn’t play for several years.

About 10 years ago I decided to retire from being a Real Estate Broker, and even though I still had my own business I asked myself “now what?” I had the time to play again, but did I have the means? So I told myself “I’ll work for golf!” There was a new Nicklaus course that had opened 6 months prior and I saw that they were looking for cart employees in the want ads, so I decided to apply. I interviewed with the Head Pro, Linda Howell, and she hired me immediately. Not as a cart attendant, but with my skills she wanted me to work in the golf shop. And as long as I had the winters off to visit my folks in Palm Springs, and working part-time allowed me to play golf, things were perfect and I was having fun.

I’d work the mornings and play in the afternoons. Then one December afternoon the Superintendent, who I’d barely talked to, asked if he could join me. And the rest as they say was “history”.

That Superintendent was Jimmy Rodriguez and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

But as things would have it, and the market took a down-turn, the golf industry started to suffer. It wasn’t long before Linda was laid-off and the Director left for a more stable club. That left me, as the senior shop employee, to run the operations with Jimmy. Being “Type A” I had learned from Linda how to run tournaments and kept things running, then we got “the call”. Linda had taken a position in Santa Fe and was now the Director of Golf at Towa Golf Club. Her Superintendent had given notice and Jimmy was asked if he wanted to interview. I told Jimmy that we’d love living in Santa Fe. He interviewed and I found myself packing 2 households and moving to Santa Fe while Jimmy took over at Towa.

Linda knew that with Jimmy at the club I would soon follow, and the next Spring I was back running the golf shop. After a couple years, and the Head Pro leaving and not being replaced, I became Linda’s assistant. I learned not only to organize tournaments, but ordering apparel and merchandising the golf accessories. Things were great, until Linda decided to leave. I was left with the operations just weeks before the biggest tournament of the year, the Wine & Chile Golf Classic. I dug in and got myself organized and at the end of September put out a 164 player tournament and it was a success. For the next 3 months the season started winding down and I just kept running the day-today operations, all the time wondering who was going to take over. The first of January the GM of the resort came to me and offered me the Director’s job, which I took.

It has been an adventure to say the least, but a good one. I have a wonderful staff and getting to work closely with Jimmy has been an education. We make a good team, and the operations between the maintenance staff and the golf shop staff works well when everyone has a clearer understanding of what the other side is doing. We’ve even educated our guests and now they too have a better understanding of the operations. And when they know “why we do the things we do” they see the changes and enjoy the experience. And most importantly, the golf course has been the best beneficiary of this unique working relationship.

Do you have a child or grandchild that is attending college or will be soon?

Application Deadline December 1st Scholarship Criteria 2016 Scholarship Application 2016

Meeting Wrap Up

Laurie Meredith and Jimmy Rodriguez were our gracious hosts. We appreciate their hospitality and continued support of the RGGCSA.

Some of our door prize winners. Notice how excited Josh Ogden is about winning a sleeve of golf balls? He knew he was going to need them!

A few of the golfers in action

Once again‌.thanks to Jimmy and Laurie and the entire staff at Towa Golf Resort. We not only got to enjoy a great golf course but also a beautiful hotel.

Oh yea, the gambling was super fun also.

Some of our golf teams

Our speaker for the day was Dr. Ryan Goss. His topic for the day was Turfgrass Weed Control.

This is eight year old Skye.

She is a rescue and can be seen on GCSAA TV as a Superdog. What a beauty.

She had a great time being petted by all the attendees and cleaning up our crumbs.

The views were spectacular

Annual Southwest Turfgrass Association Recreational Landscape Conference & Expo October 25 - 27, 2016 Las Cruces Convention Center Las Cruces, NM The annual Conference & Expo is quickly approaching and we would like to invite you as an Attendee and/or Exhibitor. This year’s show will be held at the Las Cruces Convention Center in Las Cruces, NM. The annual Golf Tournament will kick things off on Tuesday the 25th. The educational sessions will begin the following Wednesday morning and conclude Thursday afternoon. Registration and be made online or with a mail in form (see link for download). Register now for the area’s best recreational landscape education event and expo!

Online Registration Is Now Open!

Download Exhibitor Registration Form Download the Attendee Registration Form Tradeshow floor map 2016 Conference Program The Southwest Turfgrass Association (SWTA) made its debut with the first annual conference and show in 1955 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and professionals in the turfgrass industry. The Southwest Turfgrass Association (SWTA) is an educational, research and management organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of turfgrasses and supporting the turfgrass industry.

The Association’s main event is the Annual Turfgrass Conference and Show. Comprised of professionals from the green industry and related fields, the annual conference brings our membership together with seminars and workshops, providing CEUs to those who need them and providing those involved with an invaluable opportunity to learn and share ideas. Participants can attend presentations by Extension Specialists and guest speakers. The trade show runs concurrently with the seminars allowing participants to either view products and equipment, or attend presentations.

Proceeds of the conference support undergraduate and graduate students in the landscape and turfgrass program and turfgrass research at New Mexico State University. The SWTA believes that even in the desert southwest there is a place for the responsible use of turfgrasses and we are leading the way to show how turfgrass improves the quality of life for everyone.

The annual Golf Tournament will kick things off on Tuesday the 25th.

Location - TBD

Thank You Sun Country Golf Association for Highlighting our Members Great Work on Twitter!

A Southwestern Course Switches from Overseeding to Turf Colorants MARCH 31, 2016 By Brian Whitlark, agronomist, West Region

In the Southwest, overseeding bermudagrass fairways is seen as a necessary practice to attract golfers during the primary revenue seasons of fall, winter and spring.

However, last year one course boldly decided to forego overseeding due to history of poor overseeded conditions. Highly saline reclaimed water and poorly draining soils resulted in soil salinity that far exceeded what overseeded ryegrass could tolerate, leading to poor playing conditions. Therefore, rather than overseeding the bermudagrass fairways and roughs were treated with a colorant during the fall of 2015.

Did playing conditions improve?

During the fall, winter and spring of 2014 to 2015, overseeded playing conditions did Golfers enjoy the playability and aesthetics of this southern Arizona golf course even though not meet expectations. The course was re- fairway overseeding has been replaced with ceiving negative comments from golfers turf colorants. and negative feedback on social media.

After switching from overseeding to using colorants, playing conditions have monumentally improved. Golfers now are enjoying a more consistent playing surface and additional roll on their drives, as opposed to the inconsistent and wet conditions previously experienced on the overseeded fairways.

Has the course received negative comments about the nonoverseeded conditions?

Golfers have been very happy with the new playing conditions and aesthetics. In the absence of cart traffic, the colorant-treated fairways remained in excellent condition.

The agronomic staff planned to stop colorant treatments with warmer temperatures on the way; however, increased cart traffic in February had an immediate negative impact on fairway aesthetics. Consequently, additional colorant applications were made to maintain the desired appearance.

What colorant was used and how was it applied?

This course found that Endurant PR ÂŽ applied at 2 to 4 gallons of product per acre, with a spray volume of 40 gallons per acre, on a two- to four-week spray interval produced good results. The colorant was applied with dual flat-fan nozzles, and sprayed in only one direction due to time constraints. The superintendent estimates that they will spend nearly $30,000 on colorant to treat slightly over 20 acres of turf.

Would they have done anything differently?

Playing conditions on the colorant-treated fairways were excellent, but the superin-

tendent noted that he had not anticipated the need to continue applying colorant into March, and possibly even April, as a result of cart traffic wearing away the colorant.

It is likely that carts again will be allowed on fairways in February of next year and, with that in mind, the superintendent plans to continue applying colorant until the bermudagrass resumes active growth in April or early May of next year.

Has the course saved water?

From October through the end of March, the superintendent noted they have reduced water use by over 20 percent compared to previous years. Additionally, more significant water savings are expected over the next few months now that there is no need for substantial watering to promote bermudagrass recovery from overseeding.

Is this the first of many courses to eliminate overseeding in the Southwest?

Discontinuing overseeding at this course was logical given the challenges of establishing and maintaining healthy ryegrass in highly saline conditions. It is unknown whether golf courses that are able to produce healthy overseeded ryegrass will follow suit, but this course demonstrates that quality playing conditions and aesthetics can be achieved without overseeding.

USGA—Water Resource Center “It is essential for everyone involved in the game to strive to conserve and protect the world’s most vital resource.”

Latest in Water Resources 

How much water does a golf course need? http://www.usga.org/videos/2015/06/04/ how-much-water-4276009161001.html

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Water budgets: A Hydration Plan for Golf Course Turf http://www.usga.org/coursecare/forethegolfer/water-budgets--ahydration-plan-for-golf-course-turf.html How Can Golf Courses Use Less Water? http://www.usga.org/videos/2015/06/04/ uselesswater-4276011467001.html  Plus Many More Topics….. http://www.usga.org/course-care/waterresource-center.html

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National study shows golf courses have significantly reduced nutrient use and acreage fertilized Survey by Golf Course Superintendents Association of America also shows conservation practices account for 90 percent of the reduction in nutrient use Golf course superintendents have significantly decreased nutrient use rates and the number of acres being fertilized, according to recently released results of a national survey that compared totals from 2006 and 2014. The survey was the second in the latest series of the Golf Course Environmental Profile reports, conducted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and funded by the United States Golf Association (USGA) through GCSAA’s Environmental institute for Golf (EIFG). The survey results from more than 1,500 golf course superintendents were collected and independently analyzed by scientists at PACE Turf and the National Golf Foundation, which published the findings for peer review before making the information public.

“This study shows us that the golf industry is doing more with less when it comes to nutrient use on golf courses. The numbers show that golf course superintendents have reduced nutrient use across the board with positive results,” said Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D., co-owner of PACE Turf, which has been providing data analysis for the golf industry for more than 25 years. “Conservation practices accounted for about 90 percent of the reduction in nutrient use.”

While the study demonstrated an overall reduction in fertilizer use, it also showed that golf course superintendents cut back most dramatically on their use of phosphate fertilizers, one of the three main nutrients used on managed turf. The study results showed a 53 percent reduction in the use of phosphate fertilizers from 2006 to 2014. The largest overall reduction in the use of phosphate and all nutrients was realized in the cooler climates of the Northeast and North Central regions. The industry also lowered its use of potash by 42 percent and nitrogen by 34 percent, resulting in a drop of more than 80,000 tons of nitrogen, phosphate and potash fertilizers each year. Golf courses nationally are fertilizing fewer acres than ever before, which helped lower total nutrient use. Acreage fertilized with phosphate was again cut the most sharply, as superintendents reduced the application of phosphate on 463,000 acres, potash on 252,000 acres and nitrogen on 192,000 acres.

“Golf course superintendents are committed to their role as environmental stewards,” said Rhett Evans, CEO of GCSAA. “This national study further demonstrates our commitment to monitor resources used and willingness to implement change for the betterment of the environment.”

Visit www.gcsaa.org to review the complete survey report. The first study in this series of the Golf Course Environmental Profile was devoted to water use and conservation. It was released in December 2015 and showed that superintendents used 21.8 percent less water over an eight-year period from 2005 to 2013. Over the next year-and-a-half, GCSAA will publish three additional national surveys in key areas related to golf course management as part of this series of the Golf Course Environmental Profile.

Each of those surveys is also being funded by the USGA through the EIFG.

Golf course superintendents from Canada and U.S. to compete in first CanAm Cup Competition for golfers from each country set for October 2017 We know that Canada and the United States have educated and talented golf course superintendents, but we will find out which country’s superintendents will rise to the occasion when the inaugural CanAm Cup is played Oct. 23-24, 2017, at two premier golf clubs in the Northeast.

More than 200 total golfers from each country’s national golf course superintendents’ association will take part in a flighted competition to be held over two days at Baltusrol Golf Club (Upper and Lower courses) in Springfield, N.J., and Canoe Brook Country Club (North and South courses) in Summit, N.J. “There is more interaction between golf course superintendents from Canada and the U.S. than ever before, and this friendly rivalry will give us a chance to strengthen the camaraderie we have built over the years,” said Rhett Evans, CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), one of the sponsoring organizations for the event. The other is the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA).

“I think we have hit on something great for our two organizations,” said James Beebe, CGSA president. “Our superintendent associations were forged on cooperation and learning from each other.

Now, we will get to do that more than ever before while enriching our long-standing annual Fall Field history with this event.”

The event, which looks to build on the rich history of the CGSA Fall Field Day that has been held in Canada annually since 1966, will also feature continuing education and offer an opportunity to visit New York City, as well as team networking receptions.

“I would be excited to play,” said reigning GCSAA national champion Shawn Westacott, the superintendent at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrolton, Texas. “It would be a great way to build relations and have a competitive spirit. And those are some fantastic venues. Count me in.”

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Thank you to all our wonderful 2016 Sponsors.

Without your support we would not be able to have a successful association.