Spring 2015 Sidelines

Texas Sports Turf Managers Association

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Field Day March 11, 2015

See Details Inside this Issue

Featuring Dr. Calvin Finch—Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources and Tom Burns—Diamond Pro and Former Head Groundskeeper for the Texas Rangers

Providing education and training for safer and healthier sports turf facilities Txstma.org txstmainfo@ yahoo.com (817) 736-0727 P.O. Box 11967 College Station, TX 77842

Spring 2015 Issue

Sports Turf Managers Association Names Dan Bergstrom Professional Facilities Director (LAWRENCE, Kan.) – Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) – the professional organization for 2,600 men and women who manage sports fields worldwide – recently named Dan Bergstrom, Senior Director of Major League Field Operations for the Houston Astros, as its newly-elected Professional Facilities Director.

Bergstrom was officially installed at the STMA Conference & Exhibition in Denver (Jan. 13-16). STMA conducts its annual elections electronically in late November and directors serve two-year terms.

“STMA has been a guiding force in my 20-year sports field management career and my primary resource for continuing education in the industry,” says Bergstrom. “It’s an honor to be elected Professional Facilities Director and I look forward to contributing to STMA's growth as a leading association for the sports turf community.”

Bergstrom has served in this role with the Astros since 2004. He is charged with managing Minute Maid Park, the team’s practice facilities and has aided in surface renovation for many of Houston's minor league affiliates. Bergstrom has been an active STMA member since 1993.

A graduate of Iowa State University, Bergstrom and his wife, Krista, reside in Spring, Tex. and enjoy fostering rescued dogs in their home.

About STMA STMA is the not-for-profit, professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide. Since 1981, the association and its 34 local chapters have been providing education, information and sharing practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management. Its more than 2,600 members oversee sports fields and facilities at schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums.

MEMBERSHIP!!!

As a Sports Turf Manager, membership in a professional organization is important to help you advance your career and keep you current with cutting edge technology. So, don’t forget that it’s time to renew your membership and also it’s a great time to get your team on board as members to further their knowledge. Our membership renewal period goes by calendar year January-December.

Your TXSTMA professional organization is all about education and peer to peer interaction. We try to provide relative topics to all levels of Sport Field Managers as well as hands on training that will benefit your field management team from the beginning level employee to the seasoned veteran. When you do attend a field day we hope you invite your fellow turf manager from the town next door and you get to know your fellow turf manager sitting next to you at the field day. If you are part of a school district invite your coaches or Athletic Director to come learn and listen so they better understand why and how you do what you do. If you deal with youth organizations invite some of those non-turf folks to come to a field day so they can better understand why you make the day to day decisions for the fields that you maintain for them or those fields that they help you maintain for their respective youth organizations.

I want to give a Big Shout Out / Thank You to our Field Day Sponsors, newsletter advertisers, supporters of our scholarship funds, etc.: our Commercial Members. TXSTMA could not exist without our partnership with these companies. Please take the time to sit down and visit when that commercial member sales guy or gal comes by. These members are an invaluable asset to us as professionals because they are bringing a new insight or perspective and perhaps new product that could help solve a challenge that you are currently facing.

Good luck this spring and hopefully we all have a successful spring transition season. Pray for some good soaking, lake filling rains for all areas of the state that are in need. NO Floods!

Remember MEMBERSHIP!!!!

It has its PRIVLEDGES!!!

Sincerely your friend in Turf, Rusty Walker, CSFM

Thank you to our 2015 Star Sponsors.

Your generous support is greatly appreciated.

2015 Three-Star Sponsors

2015 One-Star Sponsors

January 13 - 16, 2015 STMA's 26th Conference & Exhibition

March 11, 2015 Mary Hardin Baylor University Education and Field Day Event

Spring 2015 Date and Site to be Determined - Houston Region Education and Field Day Event

May 12, 2015 Globe Life Park (Home of the Texas Rangers) Education and Field Day Event

July 13, 2015 Texas Tech University - Turfgrass Research Field Day Details of Event Coming Soon

October 6, 2015 DFW Clay Shoot Scholarship Fundraiser

October 2015 Texas A & M University - Education and Field Day Event These are just a few of the events that will be coming your way in 2015!

We will post more details and events as they become available.

All dates are tentative and subject to change.

LOVE COLLEGE BASKETBALL?

Join the TXSTMA NCAA’s Basketball Tour-

nament Challenge on ESPN.com. Compete against other TXSTMA members as you fill out a bracket and earn points for every correct pick! Earn plenty of bragging rights among your friends by winning it all. Best of all, it's free to play and win.

Get in the action now: Click here to join TXSTMA Group Group: TXSTMA Members Password: txstma2015

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Field Day March 11, 2015 Cost is FREE to all current TXSTMA Members.

Non-Members—$30.00 (this covers your dues for the remainder of 2015 and you can attend all other field days in 2015 FREE! Please RSVP on our website: http://www.txstma.org/ or email carolcloud@txstma.org

or michaelpinon@yahoo.com

8:30—9:00

New Member Reception *new meeting feature* - meet your Board of Directors and current members while enjoying a cup of coffee and donut

9:00—9:30

Meeting Registration—Crusader Stadium located off Martin Luther King and University Drive in Belton, TX

9:30—10:30

Dr. Calvin Finch, Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources Topic: Water Conservation for Sports Field Managers

10:30—11:30

Tom Burns—Diamond Pro Topic: Mound and Home Plate Management

11:30—12:15

Tour Crusader Stadium

12:15—1:00

Lunch at Dining Hall (All You Can Eat)

1:00—2:15

Tour Sportsplex Facilities (baseball, softball, soccer)

2:15—3:30

Vendors Exhibit

A BIG Thank You to our Sponsors!

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Lunch Sponsor

Dr. Calvin Finch is the Director of the Urban Water Program of the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources. The Center serves as a focal point for Texas A&M applied research in water conservation and water resource development. Dr. Finch's research priorities are in water conservation, reuse water, aquifer storage and recovery, and landscape plant water needs. He has a Ph.D. in horticulture from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Finch appears regularly on television in the San Antonio area. He also has popular columns published each week in the San Antonio Express-News and 7 other South Texas newspapers. His articles are archived on the website plantanswers.com. Dr. Finch also answers horticulture and water conservation questions every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2:00 p.m. on KLUP 930 AM Radio. Dr. Finch's work in water conservation, the media and with volunteers has garnered numerous state and national awards.

Tom Burns began his career with TXI Diamond Pro as a Sales / Professional Consultant, effective June 1, 2006. Tom has injected real-world experience and knowledge into all aspects of the Diamond Pro business.

Tom came to Diamond Pro from the Texas Rangers. He served as Head Groundskeeper for the Rangers at The Ballpark in Arlington since October, 1996.

Tom's career in the athletic field industry began in 1978 in Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked on the grounds crews for both the Browns and the Indians under legendary groundskeeper Marshall Bosard. After honing his skills for five years, Tom moved to Mesa, Arizona to become Head Groundskeeper for the California Angels' spring training site, Gene Autry Park. In February 1986, the Texas Rangers offered Tom the position of Assistant Field Superintendent under Jim Anglea, who later helped develop the Diamond Pro product in partnership with Barrett Reese Sr. and TXI. After one season, Tom was offered the Field Superintendent job at Charlotte County Stadium in Florida, the spring training site for the Texas Rangers. Tom spent the next ten years developing his talent and, for six of those ten years, he earned the Florida State League Groundskeeper of the Year. This achievement was truly impressive and made the Rangers stand-up and takes notice of his skills.

Tom is a long standing member of the National Sports Turf Managers Association and has served on the Board of Directors from 1998 through 2000. He is a member of the Texas Turfgrass Association and served on its Board of Directors from 2003 through 2005. A frequent speaker at turfgrass and athletic field seminars across the country and internationally, Tom has been widely known and respected as one of the top groundskeepers in Major League Baseball.

In January 2010 Tom was presented with the Harry Gill Award by the Sports Turf Managers Association. The Harry Gill award is the Association's highest honor and represents an individual's dedication and service to the sports turf industry.

STMA’s Call for Presentations for 2016 Conference now open!

Be a part of STMA’s 2016 annual conference from January 19-22 in San Diego, California. Share your ideas and expertise by being a presenter for the education sessions. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to share your experience and increase your visibility within the sports turf management profession. All submissions are due electronically to STMA by March 16, 2015. Please call Kristen Althouse at 785-542-9243 or email, kalthouse@stma.org, if you have any questions about presenting or problems with the electronic form.

Why should you submit? 

You have experience, expertise and ideas to share that would benefit your peers.



You would like to take your communication and presentation skills to the next level.



You would like to increase your visibility within the sports turf management profession.



You may earn 1 industry service point, per presentation, towards CSFM recertification.

What are the criteria for selection?

Successful submittals will: 

be relevant to the sports turf management profession.



include a clear & concise description of the presentation.



include a detailed outline of the presentation.



include clearly defined and detailed learning objectives.



feature a qualified presenter.

Click here for more details or to submit!

For 2016 conference presentation ideas, CLICK HERE to view the topics requested by attendees at the 2015 conference. (These suggestions were taken from attendee evaluations and the post-conference attendee survey.) STMA reserves the right to limit the number of speakers for presentations depending on session duration. Please direct any questions or concerns to Kristen Althouse, STMA Education Manager – 785-542-9243

A few things you should know: 

The conference takes place January 19-22 in San Diego, California. The exact time and length of each program will be determined at a later date.



All selected presenters will be required to sign a speaker contract.



All selected presenters will receive complimentary conference registration. Other benefits, such as travel, lodging, and an honorarium, will be defined in the subsequent speaker contract.



STMA may audio and/or video record conference programs. Presenters will not receive any compensation for any eventual sales of the recordings, but may receive a complimentary recording of their program upon request. Presenters may not opt out of recording unless the presentation contains sensitive information.



Presenters are expected to provide PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and any related articles to STMA prior to the conference. STMA posts materials on the website for conference attendees to use as supplements for furthering their education. STMA will secure all information in an effort to protect speaker materials.



Submittals will be reviewed by the STMA Conference Education Committee and notification of selection will take place in early June.

2015 Conference Education Session Recordings Available for Purchase STMA partnered with IQ Media this year to bring you recorded education sessions. Recorded sessions will be available through an On-Line Library where users can have access to education at any time throughout the year. CLICK HERE to access the library and purchase sessions.

than 60 other high-profile organizations commenting; and 3) Moves STMA into its first experience with formal lobbying efforts on members behalf.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a joint hearing on Wed., Feb. 4 to examine the impacts on state and local governments of this proposed rule. STMA will continue to monitor this issue and provide updates as it advances.

Price for an all access subscription to the On-Line Library is $99.00 for conference attendees. Hurry and take advantage of this low rate before it increases to $159 for STMA members on February 9.

Unable to attend the conference? Take the education you missed at your desk. The cost for STMA members who did not attend the conference is also $159. Individual sessions will also be available via the On-Line Library for $20 per session. A DVD will be available for purchase for those interested in a hard copy back up to the online content.

New SAFE Videos - Free to Download The SAFE Foundation, STMA's charity, in conjunction with the association has created three educational videos about field safety. Sports and Recreation Fields – Safety First, is a video outreach program directed to non-technical audiences -- parents, volunteers, athletic directors, coaches, referees -- anyone who comes in contact with athletic fields or oversees outdoor sporting events. Ross Kurcab, CSFM, former sports turf manager for the Denver Broncos and current sports field consultant with Championship Sports Turf wrote and produced the videos, which are downloadable in an MP4 format.

These recordings benefit conference attendees unable to make it to concurrent sessions and sports turf managers unable to make it to the conference.

The recordings are also valuable as a refresher throughout the year for sports turf managers to stay current and educated in the industry. Make sure to take advantage of this valuable opportunity to enhance your education and stay current with industry trends and research!

Also, don't forget to visit the STMA Conference Handouts page to download and print speaker presentations and handouts from education sessions at the conference.

Conference proceedings for 2010—2014 are also available here.

Water Advocacy Benefits Members In late 2014, STMA joined the Waters Advocacy Coalition with other industry organizations to contribute comments to the US EPA and US Army Corp of Engineers proposed rule to define waters of the US under the Clean Water Act. The coalition had numerous concerns with the rule as did STMA, and we supported the more than 85 pages of comments. This is important to members on three fronts: 1) Helps to protect the your facilities and your work from restrictive regulation; 2) Brings STMA into the national spotlight, joining with more

Natural Grass Field Safety Synthetic Field Safety Sports Facility & Equipment Safety Online Training in Turfgrass Science STMA has developed a unique on-line training course, Introduction to Turfgrass Science. This self -paced training will provide a good refresher for anyone who manages sports fields. It is especially pertinent for new crew members or for those who have not been formally educated in turfgrass science.

The On-line Curriculum: • Offers comprehensive training through 5 Units • Introduction to Turfgrass Science • Turfgrass Growth & Development, Anatomy, ID 4 • Turfgrass Soils • Turfgrass Cultural Practices • Turfgrass Establishment Click here and either log in or create a new visitor record, then click the membership, merchandise and online registration link to order Introduction to Turfgrass Science. The course is now available and is only $75 for STMA members.

Challenges for crabgrass and other annual grassy weed control: the preemergence/herbicide dilemma

By Dr. John R. Street, Pamela J. Sherratt, and Dr. David S. Gardner The basic concept of weed control in turfgrass ecosystems will really never change. The paramount principle against the establishment of weeds in any turfgrass system is the culture and maintenance of a healthy, dense, competitive stand of turf. A preventative cultural approach is successful only on sports fields if proper fertilization, mowing, irrigation, pest control, core cultivation, overseeding, etc. practices are implemented in an integrated management program. Unfortunately, on sports fields an additional challenge to maintaining a dense stand of turfgrass is foot traffic (in many cases severe) that creates the additional stress of both direct physical wear and tearing/shearing/ divoting that weakens the turfgrass and opens up the surface to an increasing opportunity for weed encroachment and for the germination of annual grassy weeds. Basically, annual grassy weed control in any turfgrass system is what I refer to as the “science of voidology” and “ecological niches.” Weed seed present in the soil is lying dormant just waiting for an opportunity under the right environmental and cultural conditions to invade a weakened turf with open voids. Annual grassy weeds like crabgrass prefer these voidology and ecological niche conditions. Weed encroachment on sports fields is much more likely due to “voidology conditions” and more so than any other turfgrass management system.

Sports turf managers therefore require the ultimate expertise in the art and science of turf management as the odds in many cases are against you. Although there are many potential problematic weeds that can invade athletic fields certainly the most common annual grassy weed across the country is crabgrass as it observes no boundaries. It is a C4 turfgrass in the same physiological class as the warm-season grasses and thus thrives under moist and warm/hot environmental conditions (ecological niche). Give crabgrass an opening/opportunity under the appropriate conditions and it germinates and infests turf quickly with tillering occurring within weeks of germination.

In our opinion the key predictive criteria for crabgrass germination and infestation is soil temperature.

Other predictive methods can be used to determine crabgrass germination like growing degree days (GDDs), phenological events like forsythia bloom drop, calendar dates, weather consultant services, historical experience, etc. but soil temperature monitoring is by far the most reliable qualitative method.

Crabgrass typically initially germinates in late winter/early spring when nighttime soil temperatures reach 50-55F for several consecutive nights. It continues to germinate throughout the spring and early to mid summer period.

Monitoring soil temperatures at a 2” depth is one of the best ways to predict when crabgrass will initially

germinate. The temperatures listed in Table 1 refer to the low nighttime soil temperatures over a period of several consecutive nights. Any method that assists in monitoring soil temperature within your region can be used like a simple soil thermometer or a website weather database; a weather monitoring technology like the Spectrum Technology Watch Dog weather system also can provide a wide variety of other climatological data in addition to soil temperature, local weather consultants, etc. Our Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at the Ohio State monitors climatological data at 20 different locations across the state and provides weather data via the OARDC weather system web-site every 5 minutes 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Sports field managers can log onto the site anytime and retrieve past and current nighttime soil temperatures at the 2” and 4” depths every night and day during the late winter/spring. As soil temperatures begin to move into the 50-55F range for several consecutive nights, just like a clock, crabgrass will initiate germination. The OARDC weather system is a great soil temperature monitoring tool. Check with your closest land grant university or state turfgrass specialists to see if such a weather-based system is available to you in your state. The second best attribute of this system is that it is FREE. I think most of us like valuable things that are free.

The relatively new GDD tracker program/model (www.GDDTracker.net) developed at Michigan State University is another good way to assist you in monitoring crabgrass germination timing based on growing degree days. It is set up for monitoring in four mid west states at the present time. In Ohio, GDD tracker program use is being financially sponsored by John Deere Landscapes and the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation. You may want to consider working with sponsoring agencies, associations and foundations in your state to bring this program on board.

Most turfgrass managers continue to rely on the use of preemergence herbicides as a standard preventative control for crabgrass and other annual grasses (an “offensive” strategy). Preemergence herbicides

provide a chemical barrier or blanket at the soil surface intercepting the young seedling weed and preventing it from emerging/developing. Thus, proper application timing is a key factor in its effectiveness.

Many agronomists consider improper (i.e. missing the initial window of crabgrass germination) as the primary reason for preemergence herbicide failure. Emerged crabgrass plants are not controlled by preemergence herbicides, except for Dimension, which exhibits early post and pre activity. The basic “offensive” principle is that the preemergence herbicide be applied before the onset of crabgrass seed germination. It is fairly simple if you engage the “offensive” principle and monitor soil temperatures and/ or GDDs. Crabgrass can germinate at significantly different times from year to year. In Columbus (a great example) crabgrass germinated at its typical time of April 20-25 in 2013, but in 2012 crabgrass surprised most turf managers by germinating March 15-20 (4 weeks earlier than normal). Sports turf managers monitoring for soil temperatures and/or GDDs where well ahead on the “offensive” side of the game plan whereas many other managers lost the game in the first quarter (March/April 2012). Really can’t recover when the initial germination window has long passed (like a wide receiver 30 yards down the field and wide open!).

Preemergence herbicides, or the “offensive” strategy for sports turf managers is confounded by the fact that most of these preemergence herbicides will severally damage, kill and/or prevent the emergence of desirable turfgrasses as well as weeds. Sports turf managers have several choices of preemergence herbicides based on species tolerance and efficacy where NO seeding or overseeding programs are planned. Most of the herbicides listed for standard preemergence use cannot be used on turfgrass areas at the time of seeding or within a certain time interval after a preemergence application.

Please note that there are major differences in the tolerance/safety of these herbicides between cool-

Are You Connected with TXSTMA? We hope you are enjoying all of the new communication vehicles we are using to reach our members!

Please make sure your email address is current so you don’t miss out.

Let us know at txstmainfo@yahoo.com You can also “Like” us on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter!

and warm-season grasses. Pay particular attention to the herbicide label regarding use on more sensitive species like the fine fescues and hybrid bermudagrasses, as well. Never use a preemergence or postemergence herbicide for crabgrass or other annual grassy weed control before fully reading and understanding the use requirements and restrictions on the label. A good example would be Dimension (dithiopyr) that cannot be safely applied at the time of seeding or until the desirable turfgrass has been mowed at least 2-3 times. Also, there is a suggested waiting period or time interval after a Dimension application of 6 to 16 weeks before seeding/overseeding depending on application rate.

Thus the standard “offensive” strategy becomes a problem in attempting to control crabgrass and other weed species during turfgrass establishment in seeding or overseeding operations. One approach is “site specific” management by only applying a preemergence herbicide on sports field areas that DO NOT require seeding or overseeding like outside the hash marks, beyond the 20 or 30 yard lines, end zone areas, and side line areas on football fields.

Where seeding or overseeding is necessary, there are a few options. The list is restricted to only a few but includes siduron (Tupersan), mesotrione (Tenacity) and Pylex (topramazone). Follow the label carefully. When used properly, siduron will reduce crabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail and many summer annual broadleaf weeds by 70-80%. Mesotrione (Tenacity) and Pylex (topramezone) are excellent preemergence tools to use in seedings for reducing spring/summer weed pressure from crabgrass, goosegrass, sedges, and summer annual broadleaf weeds by 90% or greater. These two latter products allow sports turf managers to be more successful with spring and summer seedings by effectively reducing weed competition and actually “widening the window” for successful seeding/overseeding into the summer.

Both Tenacity and Pylex are in the same chemical family and inhibit carotenoid biosynthesis with chlorophyll destruction resulting in all susceptible weeds turning white (bleaching symptom). These two herbicides have both pre- and postemergence activity on crabgrass and many other weeds. Preemergence residual with both these herbicides, however, lasts only about 30 days and, therefore, will not provide season-long preemergence activity. Where longer preemergence activity/residual is required, like in early spring or early summer seedings/overseedings, a sequential or follow-up application can be made at a 30-day interval or at least 4 weeks after seedling emergence. Where perennial ryegrass is a principle component of the sports field turf, it is NOT suggested that the interval on repeat applications be shortened to less than 30 days. Reducing crabgrass and other annual weed competition during seeding operations with these latter two herbicides should greatly enhance your success at spring and summer seedings/overseedings. They are a definite benefit in establishment programs should be included in every sports turf manager’s weed control tool box.

Defensive strategies Postemergence herbicide options or “defensive” strategies for controlling crabgrass in established turfgrasses include Acclaim Extra (fenoxaprop p-ethyl), a number of quinclorac (Drive DF) products and XLR8, Tenacity (mesotrione), Pylex (topramezone) and a few combination pre/post products including Calvalcade PQ (combo of prodiamine plus quinclorac), Echelon (combo of sulfentrazone plus prodiamine), and Dimension (dithiopyr). Dimension has early postemergence activity on crabgrass so young (3 -5 leaf and before tillering) crabgrass is controlled and a preemergence barrier is set in place for the remainder of the season. This is a great herbicide tool in the spring where crabgrass germination has occurred before the application of a preemergence herbicide. A similar “defensive” strategy is the basis for the combination products Calvalcade PQ and Echelon where the quinclorac or sulfentrazone provides post activity on already germinated crabgrass and the prodiamine provides a preemergence barrier for the remainder of the season.

Drive DF products and XLR8 are good “defensive” options where crabgrass has matured beyond the early post crabgrass stage (tillered). It is a foliar absorbed post herbicide that requires a surfactant and needs to be applied at no less than 0.75 lbs. ai/A for best results. XLR8 would be an excellent choice for sports turf managers in late summer where a rescue treatment for quick crabgrass knockdown is required before the beginning of the playing season (a “defensive” save face strategy). XLR8 will discolor and reduce the visibility of crabgrass in the canopy within 3-5 days in conjunction with a good fertility program.

Finally, both Tenacity and Pylex have been evaluated for postemergence crabgrass control in Ohio State research over the past several years. Both again are so called “bleacher” herbicides. Two sequential applications of both herbicides will effectively control mature crabgrass on a consistent basis. The addition of triclopyr with Tenacity (8 oz product/A) increases the efficacy of Tenacity to where a single application of the combo provides good to excellent post crabgrass control. Pylex alone has shown good to excellent postemergence activity on tillered crabgrass in a single application. The inclusion of triclopyr with Pylex also enhances its activity on tillered crabgrass and many other weeds. Pylex is a stellar product for goosegrass control. The inclusion of triclopyr in combos with Tenacity or Pylex also eliminates the bleaching or whitening symptom.

Dr. John R. Street is an extension/research associate professor; Dr. David Gardner is a research/ teaching associate professor; and Pamela Sherratt is a senior extension sports turf specialist, all with the Department f Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University, Columbus.

Satellite might help explain Texas water deficit

Fading El Niño could extend Texas drought

A satellite launched in California will provide im-

The Aussies say El Niño — the hoped-for rainmaker

portant data as researchers grope for ways to

for drought-plagued North Texas — has mostly fiz-

explain a massive deficit in Texas water over the

zled out in the Pacific Ocean.

past several years, a scientist involved in the

That might be good news Down Under, but it’s not

research said.

exactly what Texas water providers want to hear.

While gravitational measurements from a 13-

And the U.S. Climate Prediction Center’s latest sea-

year-old satellite mission were used to deter-

sonal drought forecast shows much less promise for

mine the size of the Texas water deficit, the mis-

improvements in Texas than it did a couple of

sion starting Friday will use radar and radio

months ago. Areas that expected to see the five-

waves to measure one little-understood compo-

year drought ease or even end are now looking at

nent — soil moisture.

continued or possibly worsening drought in the

Scientists are trying to figure out why Texas'

coming months.

"total water storage" has remained extremely

Even with last week’s rains — more than an inch in

low since scorching, drought-stricken 2011. To-

many parts of North Texas — lake levels showed

tal water storage is the amount of water stored

only the slightest improvements.

in the soil, in aquifers and in above-ground res-

Basically, said David Finfrock, chief meteorologist at

ervoirs and streams.

KXAS-TV (NBC5), any increases in lake levels prob-

As part of its ongoing coverage of water issues

ably came from the rain that actually fell over the

in the Southwest, the El Paso Times last

lakes. There was precious little runoff to trickle into

week reported on an analysis of satellite data..

the region’s reservoirs.

It showed that in 2011, Texas' water storage

“We’re well above average [in rainfall] for the first

dropped 84 million acre-feet below its 13-year

22 days of the month,” Finfrock said, “so the soil

average.

moisture is great — I think we’ll have a good wild-

Since then, despite unusually wet recent weath-

flower crop this spring.

er, the state's water storage has increased by

“But we haven’t had torrential downpours with

only 10 percent, leaving a deficit of 76 million

enough runoff to begin filling the lakes,” he said.

acre-feet, the amount of water needed to cover

“The native plants will do fine. But humans need

76 million acres a foot deep.

water in the lakes.”

Click here to read the full article from the

Click here to read the full article from the

El Paso Times

Dallas Morning News

Turface Athletics Presents 2014 Field Maintenance, Scholarship Awards Turface Athletics™ presented its 2014 Field Maintenance and Scholarship awards at the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) annual luncheon Jan. 4., held in Orlando, Florida. The maintenance awards recognize outstanding field maintenance at the high school and college levels, while the scholarships provide assistance to two schools in need of field improvements.

Worcester State University was selected as the recipient of the ABCA/Turface Athletics Field Maintenance Award for the college division, while Walton-Verona High School in Verona, Kentucky, was again the high school division winner, having won it twice before. Accepting on behalf of the schools at the luncheon were Worcester State head coach Dr. Dirk Baker, and Walton-Verona head coach Kevin McIntyre.

“It is very important to me, as well as the team to maintain and play on one of the finest ballparks in all of New England,” Baker said. “It is nice to know that all of our hard work has paid off these past few years with all the improvements we have made.”

As part of the award package, Baker and McIntyre each received 1 ton of Turface MVP ® infield conditioner and $400 to be spent on maintenance equipment.

“We look forward to the upcoming season and will further make improvements on the field with our honorable awards we were given,” Baker said.

The Worcester State Lancers play the team’s home games at Kevin Lyons Baseball Diamond at Rockwood Park in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Columbus Catholic High School in Waterloo, Iowa, and Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, received the Field Maintenance Scholarships in the high school and college divisions, respectively. The two schools will each receive three tons of Turface® and a total of $500 over the next two years for use on maintenance equipment and supplies.

“Turface Athletics has a long history of educating sports field managers, coaches and volunteers to keep fields of any size safe and playable for the athletes using them,” said Jeff Langner, brand manager for Turface Athletics. “The annual awards help showcase and congratulate fields that are maintained at the highest level, while providing assistance for fields that may have a strong support system in place, but lack the necessary resources to make field improvements.”

Dr. Dirk Baker (right) with ABCA Executive Director Craig Keilitz.

Photo courtesy of Lou Pavlovich

3 Simple Secrets to Turf Success: Explain Yourself!

The sports turf management career has certainly changed as the economy forced limited budgets and increased challenges to provide safe playable surfaces, among other issues. So how will you adjust your approach to work and your career to succeed in the new reality?

These 3 simple secrets will help you take control of your career into your own hands: Know your audience What individuals influence your professional success today? Consider your direct supervisor, his/her employer, athletes who play on the product you create, and even your close friends and family that have an opinion on how you spend your time. Identify their specific wants/needs and make them happen.

Speak their language Articulate why you do what you do in such a way that: 

Shares just the right amount of information (not too much detail, but answers their questions – even if not the ones they actually ask!)



Uses precise wording to clearly communicate to your audience (each individual may need different words, depending on their perspective)



Avoid jargon. Try different phrasing – sometimes multiple times – and speak in language non-turf professionals understand.

Share your value To help those significant individuals understand, first identify your specific value in terms of the unique strengths you offer. What makes you best suited for this work at this facility? It might be your educ tion and experience, but more likely, it’s your “soft skills” – knowing what you bring to the table and using those strengths to build a powerful team. Think how your personality helps you best communicate and relate to others.

The more you can help others understand what you do in a way that clarifies how your knowledge, skills and passion for the turf meet their needs, the more valuable you become.

The overall key to accomplishing these 3 simple secrets to succeed in your turf management career is to focus on building positive relationships – with your crew, your employer and your customers.

You are welcome to send questions, comments and stories about “explaining yourself” to me at: lyne@career-lift.com.

Lyne Tumlinson helps turf professionals who lead from the middle – those who both “manage up” and manage down – and find themselves stuck and their teams frustrated, overworked and unmotivated by energy-sucking changes at work. After team and/or individual coaching, clients discover their improved communication and leadership skills power up their level of confidence in what they offer and what direction to go, on their own and with their team.

She brings experience as career services director at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and cross-cultural trainer at University of Kansas, plus degrees in psychology, business and Russian Studies. Now a certified coach through the International Coach Federation, Tumlinson specializes in strengths strategy, and personal and social branding.

Executive Directors: President: Rusty Walker, CSFM—City of Grapevine, rwalker@grapevinetexas.gov Past President: Nick McKenna, CSFM— Texas A&M University, nmckenna@athletics.tamu.edu President - Elect: Kevin Lebanik—Harrell's, Klebanik@harrells.com 1st Commercial Vice Pres: Darin Eberly—Pioneer Manuf. Co., deberly@pioneerathletics.com 2nd Commercial Vice Pres: John Kearns—Professional Turf Products, kearnsj@proturf.com Treasurer: Leo Goertz—Texas A&M University, lgoertz@athletics.tamu.edu Committee Directors: Advertising: Travis Sales—City of Mesquite, tsales@ci.mesquite.tx.us Communication Committee: Dan Bergstrom—Houston Astros, dbergstrom@astros.com Region I (DFW): Allen Reed, CSFM, FC Dallas, areed@fcdallas.net Region II (Austin/San Antonio): Michael Piñon, San Antonio ISD, michaelpinon@yahoo.com Region III (Houston): Josh Scott, Alvin ISD, jscott@alvinisd.net Membership: Brant Williams, CSFM, Dallas Baptist University, brant@dbu.edu Scholarship: Chris Pitts, Clear Creek ISD, chpitts@ccisd.net Chapter Executive: Carol Cloud, Carolcloud@txstma.org, (817) 736-0727

2015 Membership Renewal!

The TXSTMA values your membership and continuing support. We appreciate your participation and would like to remind you that it is time to renew your membership for 2015. Follow the links below to make the process as easy as pie.

1. Update Contact Information Click Here if your contact information has changed.

If nothing has changed recently, skip to step 2.

2. Pay for Membership - Click Here 3. That's it! Your Done!

If you are not a current member we would love to have you as a member.

All you have to do is: 1. Membership Application - Click Here 2. Pay for Membership - Click Here 3. That's it! Your Done! Now enjoy you membership!

Members like you make doing business a real pleasure.