*    2007 Hospitality Suite

*    CDPR IPM Innovator Award

*    CGCSA Government Relations

*    Job Opportunities

*    GCSAA News

*    Safe use of Control Products?

*    What is a “Turf Pro”?

*    Member's Profile
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

California GCSA Board of Directors Meeting: December 2, 2006, Ontario, CA

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation will honor Kevin Breen, CGCS with the IPM Innovator Award. 

Kevin Breen, CGCS at Lahontan Golf Club, said, "Of the numerous awards and recognition that Lahontan has garnered over the years, this means the most to me". The awards ceremony was a representation of all facets of the agricultural industry, and to be the second golf course (the first being The Pebble Beach Co. in 1999) to be recognized amongst a group containing organic farmers is humbling.  

"This is a great opportunity to utilize the momentum of this award to organize golf courses regionally in order to demonstrate the environmental stewardship that exists not only at Lahontan but at other facilities as well."  

Breen will work with the Environmental Institute for Golf in developing case studies in 2007. Water quality monitoring, SOP for pesticide selection and snow mold trials are topics that will be developed for presentations in the coming year.  

"My wish is for this award and Lahontan to be utilized as an example that golf and the environment are at there best when they exist in a sustainable, balanced ecosystem," Breen said.  

Lahontan Golf Club opened in 1998 as part of a private, gated community on 880 acres.  
For more on the Award visit: CDPR web Site 

"The House of Blues"
1530 S. Disneyland Dr. Anaheim, CA, 
Thursday, February 22, 2007, from 6:30 - 9:30 PM.
 

2007 California Hospitality Suite Sponsorship: Online Registration Form

When Dave Barlow saw an editorial on the battle against the safe use of control products, and thought it was “on the money”, he thought he would send the information to everyone he had email addresses for.

Dave Barlow serves on two national committees. RISE (Responsible Industry for a Safe Environment www.pestfacts.org/) Formulators Committee and TFI’s (The Fertilizer Institute http://www.tfi.org/) Nutrient Use and Advanced Efficiency Fertilizer Task Force.  Because of these committees, he's seen that this is happening all across the United States. 

Dave Barlow  says; OK, at this point I'm thinking “do I really want to send this and maybe offend someone”? And then I think “if this offends you, get over it”!  Most of us have some portion of our livelihood that is dependent upon turfgrasses, landscapes, nutrients, or plant protection materials.  If we don't stand up for our industry, who will?  We all care about the environment, but controls should be based on science. 

Read the editorial in  the August 2006 issue of Turf West magazine......>>> more
 

For quite some time now, I have been writing articles for the “Inforemer” highlighting the superintendents that host monthly meetings. Appropriately titled “Turf Pros”, the articles look into the past and personal lives of local superintendents. Based on the interviews I have done, and my experience in the industry, (for those of you that don't know me, I'm OLD) I thought I would share with you my personal opinion on what it takes to be a “Turf Pro”.
What I have learned and heard over the years is incredible, the knowledge, experience and energy superintendents have is not only remarkable, but a common denominator. Breaking it all down is a different story, but in this short article I will attempt to do just that. If I miss something, forgive me. Remember, I'm old; I forget a lot of things!
Agronomic intelligence is obviously number one, the litmus test. We get paid to grow grass. Dealing with poor water quality and poor soils is enough to make your hair turn gray. Add traffic, heat and wind, your hair falls out. Trust me, I know. The agronomic capabilities of superintendents are based on education and experience, and is an important part of our day-to-day decision making process. Fertility and nutrition, disease identification and control, soils, cultural practices, irrigation scheduling and system maintenance, are just a few of the issues we face every day. And it is not a one time educational process; a superintendent must also stay on top of current trends via continuing education. Forget everything else a superintendent does, just typing that made me tired.

As important as the agronomic aspect is to being a good superintendent, it remains only a small but vital part of our job. What does all that education and experience get us if we struggle in leadership? Superintendents are responsible for many acres of turf; we cannot do it alone. Our crews are a valuable resource that consists of different personalities, attitudes, cultures and personal problems. Performance management is imperative, inspiring excellence is essential and setting the example is crucial. All of those are easier said than done. The superintendents I have interviewed over the years have great leadership ability. You could be the brightest agronomist is the world, and your golf course will fall apart if you fail to lead effectively.
Human resources, as a separate but related issue to leadership, is another ongoing issue in our daily operations. Co-worker satisfaction does not mean a once a month carne asada. I read once that coworker satisfaction is kind of like taking a shower, you don't do it once a week, you need to do it every day. If anybody out there takes a shower once a week, I meant no offense.

Meet Jeff Place, teacher and advisor to countless students, over the past ten years. Jeff is the Professor of Turf Management and Environmental Horticulture at the College of the Desert. Many current Hi-Lo members are graduates from College of the Desert. Today's graduating students are well equipped to handle the challenges of golf course management. 
     Unfortunately, this hasn't always been the case In the late 90's, the department was a rundown, shell of a department. There was little in the way of equipment and what they had was in terrible shape. Superintendents complained that many graduating students hadn't learned practical skills and weren't a real asset to the maintenance department. Having a technical certificate or Associate degree from COD was not necessarily a plus in finding local employment. 
     Enter Jeff Place, the man who had been turned down for the full time professor position at COD Continued on Page 9 twenty years earlier. Jeff had a vision for what the department could be. He wanted to provide students with a facility that could offer real-life experience both in the classroom and out in the field. With hard work, perseverance and some outside support, Jeff has attained that vision. He has increased the equipment inventory by over 5000% and now has a full fleet equal to most golf courses. He recently acquired a flail mower, John Deere triplex, and will receive four more pieces over the next six months.
     The facility now has a putting green, shade and green houses, gardens, pond and shop; all designed to provide an outdoor lab for the students. The facility will be receiving $100,000 in improvements which will include a shop similar to a golf course shop with concrete pads, shade covers and accessories.

     Please support the COD Turfgrass program and let your employees know that the spring semester begins January 29, 2007. 
 
 

11/30/06         Plan for Replacement: How Long Does this Stuff Last?  12:00:00 PM 
12/07/06         Why Doesn't Everyone Use Environmentally Preferred Products? 10:00:00 AM 
12/14/06          Animation & Presentation Tips for Powerpoint Users   2:00:00 PM 
12/20/06          Environmental Risk Assessment   12:00:00 PM 
 

For Details; visit the GCSAA Web Address: http://www.gcsaa.org/education/webcast/webcast.aspx
Or call Kyle Kreighbaum 800-472-7878 x5167
 

Headway™ Fungicide Now Registered for Use in California

Headway™ fungicide from Syngenta is now registered for use in California. Headway provides golf course superintendents and lawn care operators with a potent and efficient means to control a broad spectrum of turf diseases.

Greensboro, N.C., November 6, 2006—Headway™ fungicide from Syngenta is now registered for use in California. Headway provides golf course superintendents and launcher operators with a potent and efficient means to control a broad spectrum of turf diseases.

Headway uses the power of two active ingredients to deliver broad-spectrum disease control against dollar spot, brown patch, and many other major turf diseases. Using dual modes of action helps ward off disease resistance and allows Headway to control a wider range of diseases than any other currently registered product.

Headway is expressly formulated to balance each active ingredient for control and optimal efficacy. In addition, Headway has little or no odor, and offers excellent tank-mix compatibility and stability with other products. It also won't settle out of solution or clog filters, and mixes into a clear solution with other products.

Headway is available in a one-gallon container or a 10-gallon LinkPak™. Customers enrolled in GreenPartners®, the flexible loyalty program that rewards customers for their Syngenta turf and ornamental product purchases, will receive points for Headway purchases. To learn more about the GreenPartners program, call the GreenPartners information line at 1-800-847-3592, visit www.greenpartners.com, or contact your local Syngenta turf and ornamental sales representative.

Product Highlights
Excellent tank-mix compatibility and stability 
No settling out 
Little or no odor
Won't clog filters 
Less wear on equipment

To learn more about Syngenta products and services for the golf, lawn and landscape, ornamental and aquatic businesses, visit www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com or call 1-866-SYNGENTA (796-4368).

In this Guideline:

Description of the disease 
Susceptible turfgrasses 
Conditions favoring disease 
Management 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF THE DISEASE
Microdochium patch is also called Fusarium patch as well as pink snow mold in areas that receive snowfall; the fungus can attack turf underneath the snow cover, causing considerable damage if fungicides are not applied before snowfall. This disease also occurs during periods of cool, wet weather in areas of northern California that receive no snow. 
The disease appears as small, circular dead spots (up to several inches in diameter) that have a pinkish color. Often white to pink mycelia are evident in affected areas in the early morning. Small white to pink spore masses (sporodochia) can develop on infected and dead plants. The fungus survives in plants and plant debris as dormant mycelia. 

SUSCEPTIBLE TURFGRASSES
Annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass are very susceptible to this disease. 

CONDITIONS FAVORING DISEASE 
The pathogen can be active across a broad range of cooler temperatures (32° to 65°F), but air temperatures above 70°F inhibit the growth of the fungus and can shut down the progression of the disease. 

MANAGEMENT 
Providing good soil aeration and water drainage and reducing shade can discourage the incidence of Microdochium patch. Monitor the evapotranspiration needs of turfgrass to schedule irrigations. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilization, especially in fall and maintain the soil pH between 6.5 and 6.7. High levels of potassium tend to suppress the disease. If Microdochium patch has been a problem in previous years, apply a fungicide in fall before symptoms develop. 

Cultural Control 
High levels of nitrogen in fall or winter months may increase susceptibility to the fungus, although a nitrogen application in spring after environmental conditions no longer favor Microdochium patch development may aid the recovery of affected areas. High potassium levels may help suppress the disease. Maintain soil pH around 6.5 to 6.7. 

Treatment Decisions
In areas where Microdochium patch is chronic, apply fungicides before the advent of cool, wet weather (late fall to early spring), and continue applications until the environmental conditions no longer favor pathogen development. Resistance to dicarboxmide and benzimidazole fungicides has occurred in parts of the United States but has not yet been reported in California.

Reprint: UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: 
Turfgrass UC ANR Publication 3365-T

While many golf courses around the country are either preparing to close or are closed for the winter, the southern and transition regions of the country continue to deal with pest problems. In the Southwest, we have seen the following diseases over the past few weeks: 

Yellow patch on poa greens 
Dollar spot on poa-bent greens 
Brown patch on bermuda and kikuyugrass fairways 
Rapid blight on poa greens 
Fusarium blight on ryegrass overseeded bermudagrass tees 
Microdochium patch on poa-bent greens 
Algae on poa and bentgrass 

We have always suspected that the reason that we see such a wide range of diseases in the fall is the result of reduced fungicide inputs. Once the summer is over, superintendents frequently drop their guard thinking that the worst is over (and the worst is over - sometimes). Unfortunately, once cooler temperatures arrive, there is a limited period of time when the turf can recover from damage before it becomes too cold. For this reason, it is important to treat fall diseases as soon as they are observed using curative rates of fungicides. We are not encouraging superintendents to prolong preventive programs, simply to keep a watchful eye for any signs of disease and respond rapidly in the fall. 

2006 PACE Turfgrass Research Institute - 
www.paceturf.org
 

   Surprising research results on gray leaf spot on turf and a new annual bluegrass disease were discussed at the PACE Turfgrass Research Institute’s 10th Annual Turfgrass Research Seminar held April 7 in San Diego. Findings, presentations and handouts from the seminar are available on the PACE Member Edition’s website. Non-members may sample the website through a free three-week trial membership available at www.paceturf.org.
   Dr. Frank Wong of the University of California addressed 145 turf managers in a presentation update on disease management. He said there were several areas in which his research yielded some unexpected results:

 · The genetic diversity of gray leaf spot isolates from the western U.S. is much higher than had been expected, possibly indicating that the disease has either been introduced many different times, or that it has been present in the West longer than previously believed. 

 · Gray leaf spot resistance to QoI fungicides (Heritage, Compass, Insignia) has been detected in the West, though it is not yet widespread. 

 · For optimal control of gray leaf spot, Wong saw the best results when planting resistant varieties of perennial ryegrass (such as the variety Paragon), as well as tank mixes of contact fungicides (such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb) with systemics (such as Banner, Bayleton, Cleary's 3336, Compass, Heritage, Insignia). 

 · A new Rhizoctonia-like disease has been causing problems on annual bluegrass in the West recently. The symptoms are similar to those caused by yellow patch, but unlike yellow patch, this disease occurs during warm weather. Genetic analysis indicates that the disease may be caused by Waitea circinata, a fungus that is closely related to Rhizoctonia. In preliminary lab tests, it was controlled best by Banner, Chipco 26GT and ProStar. 

PACE Turfgrass Research Institute (PACE) is a membership organization that provides research, education and information services to the turf management community. Founded in 1993 by its research directors Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D. and Larry Stowell, Ph.D., the PACE mission is to generate and share independent and objective agronomic information among turf professionals so they may develop management programs that are effective, practical and scientifically sound. 

Article Source: PACE Turfgrass Research Institute

The winners were announced Monday at the 27th International Irrigation Show.

SAN ANTONIO (Nov. 6, 2006) — A tool that quickly disassembles glued PVC pipe, a fertigation injector powered by water flow and a direct burial splice kit are winners of the 2006 Irrigation Association New Product Contest.

Come Unglued, a pipe debonding device by Debonding Systems Inc. won in the turf/landscape category. Metamix Inc.'s TF-25 Proportional injector won in the agriculture category, and Paige Electric's DB14-4 Direct Burial Splice Kit won for golf.

Judges said the debonding device, Come Unglued, is an innovative and practical tool that could save labor and materials. The product breaks the original cement bond of a broken pipe by heating the pipe to the exact temperature needed to remove it from a fitting while leaving the fitting cool and undamaged.

The Metamix water-to-water injector was praised for its innovative design. Judges identified it as portable, easy to use and easy to maintain. The injector requires no energy other than what it obtains from water flow. Users can hook the injector to a computer system to electronically regulate the flow of fertilizer or other liquids in irrigation.

The judges liked the simplicity and potential for cost savings associated with Paige's splice kit. The kit provides a connector assembly for splicing wires in underground installations, including irrigation system wires and cables, and low voltage lighting cables.
Irrigation Association 
News Release
November 6, 2006

Exam content:
Base schedules/scheduling 20%, Irrigation audit procedures/technology 18%, Terminology 13%, Soils 13%, Irrigation 12%, Weather 7%, Plants 7%, Site selection 4%, Water use 3%, Schedule adjustments 3% 
Prerequisites All candidates must attend and complete a CLIA training course, and must agree to operate by the IA Code of Ethics. 

Click on a location below for cost and further details:
Location Date Time 
Anaheim, CA  Feb. 20, 2007 

Contact info. follows:

Clive W. Mills, P.Eng.
Turf Products Market Manager
Western Nonwovens, Inc.
1590 Constitution Drive
Brookfield, WI 53045
 

tel. 262 796-9945 / TOLL FREE 877-SANDMAT
fax. 262 796-9946 / cell. 262 389-0695

www.sandmat.com

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