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Jim GarrettSales
COMPANIES, INC.
P.O. Box 59206 Mobile 214.243.0123Dallas, TX 75229
Jim GarrettSales
COMPANIES, INC.
P.O. Box 59206 Mobile 214.243.0123Dallas, TX 75229
Gary BrooksField Sales Representative Tel. (817) 594-7164Fax (817) 594-7164Cell (817) [email protected]
Bob DucoteSenior Tech Sales SpecialistTel. (832) 640-1235Fax: (281) [email protected]
Bayer Environmental Science
The only greens roller that rolls a contoured surface properly**Because it has a patented three roller head that gently irons
the green and follows the contours as you roll.
www.truturf.com
John FreemanBrookside Equipment
P. 713.943.7100
· Built in trailer· Fast & safe to operate· LED lights available· Powerful & reliable· Other options available
TMthCaBo PhillipsRegional Account Manager
5484 S. Old Carriage RoadRocky Mount, NC 27803
Office: 252-937-4107Office Fax: 252-443-0320Mobile: 210-382-4079Email: [email protected]
“Lime and Gypsumenhanced with thCa”
Professional Products
800-394-1551www.aquaaid.com
www.verde-cal.com
All aspects of golf course and athletic �eldconstruction/repair/renovation.
www.greensmithtexas.com
Owner/Operator • Over 30 years ExperienceNo project too small
Need help? Ask me about my free consultation.Put my God given talent to work for you.
Greg SmithP.O. Box 1265
Blanco, TX 78606Cell: (210) 863-2719Consultation,
Laser Grading,Supervision, Shaping
Lone Star GCSA2601 Green Oak DriveCarrollton, TX 75010
fall 2011Golf Courses faCe Desperate DrouGht
Official Publication of the Lone Star Golf Course Superintendents
Association
112
The effective date for the H-2B wage methodology rule is Sept. 30, 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor
recently announced. The original effective date was set for Jan. 1, 2012. The final rule will increase H-2B
hourly wages for landscaping and laborer services by about $3.60/hour, and will be effective for wages
paid to H-2B workers and the U.S. workers recruited in connection with an H-2B labor certification for all
work performed on or after Sept. 30, 2011.
Mark your calendars! Housing for the 2012 GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic in Palm Springs, California and the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas, Ne-vada, will open on Thursday, Sept. 1.
Pictures of the Texas Drought 2011
310
President’s Message 4
Texas Trophy Registration Form
5
Texas A & M Field Day
6
I Can’t Stand the Heat—Get Me Out of the Kitchen! By Bud and Karen White
7
Around the State Your Local Chapter’s Calendar of Events
10
Inside this issue: Can Golf Courses Survive the Drought of 2011, Details of the Texas Trophy,
Upcoming Chapter Events, and Much More!
On the Cover: No, this is NOT a golf course—it’s Lake Travis in Austin. The water level at Lake Travis on
August 22, 2011, was 635.58 feet, 45.42 feet below full pool of 681.00 feet. Pictured on page 2: Irrigation coverage is not enough. Even the best of irrigation systems cannot replace rainfall.
Traffic damage can be devastating. Special thanks to Travis Moore and Bud White for photos.
Lone Star Links is the official publication of the Lone Star Golf Course Superintendents Association. Direct all new items, letters, corrections, or advertisements to:
Karen White, Executive Secretary, 2601 Green Oak Drive, Carrollton, TX 75010 972.307.8162—Phone; 972.662.1168—Fax; Email: [email protected]
GCSAA Updates 11
2011 Texas Trophy September 18-19, 2011
The Golf Club at Fossil Creek, Fort Worth, TX
North Texas GCSA Schedule
September 21—Education Event Texas Scottish Rite Hospital October 17—Annual Meeting & Golf The Golf Club at Champion’s Circle November 7—Scholarship Tournament Colonial Country Club
Contact: Lori Goodrich , Chapter Executive (817) 377-4552 www.ntgcsa.org
South Texas GCSA Schedule
September 29—Past Presidents’ Luncheon Traditions Golf Course October 11—Golf Tournament Meadowbrook Farms Golf Course November 8—Golf Tournament Ravens Nest Golf Course
Contact: Marian Takushi, Executive Director (281) 494-0094 www.stgcsa.org
Central Texas GCSA Schedule
October 3—Crew Event Roy Kizer Golf Course November 1—Annual Meeting Olympia Hills Golf Club
Contact: Monica Brown, Executive Director (512) 914-0194 www.ctgcsa.org
West Texas GCSA Schedule
October 24-26—25th Annual Trade Show and Con-ference, Odessa. MGM Grande FunDome Golf at Midland Country Club
Contact: Daysha Cheyne, Executive Director (432) 524-2003 www.wtgcsa.org
Texas Gulf Coast SA Schedule Sept. 13—Vendors Day Tournament Rockport Country Club October 11—Shary Golf Course, Mission
Contact: Darlene Curlee, Executive Secretary (361) 850-7974 www.tgcsa.org
Lone Star GCSA Schedule
September 18-19—Texas Trophy Championship The Golf Club at Fossil Creek, Fort Worth, TX Contact: Karen White , Executive Secretary
(972) 307-8162 www.lsgcsa.org
Texas Turfgrass Association
December 12-14—TTA Annual Conference and Show, San Antonio Convention Center
Contact: Shirley Duble, Executive Director (979) 690-2201
www.texasturf.com
frame of August and September are the most criti-cal times for adequate soil moisture for the bermu-dagrass as it hardens itself off for winter and builds carbohydrates in the root system.
Keys to survival include building soil moisture dur-ing the off-season as much as possible, raising cut-ting heights, and minimizing cart traffic, which can be extremely devastating to bermudagrass during the semi-dormancy/dormancy period for drought-stressed bermudagrass.
Normally potassium is put down at 1 lb. potash / 1000 sq. ft. in the late summer in preparation for winter hardiness of bermudagrass. This may be better applied to the turf in midsummer and then again in late summer.
Converting to native or naturalized grass areas can be a great option for many courses with a limited irrigation system and/or irrigation supply. Bermuda-grass areas can simply grow up in areas of very lim-ited water coverage or if the golf course is reducing acreage because of limited water availability. Allow-
ing bermudagrass areas to go native improves its ability to withstand the drought. Bermudagrasses make very good low maintenance areas because the maintenance staff can spray weeds post- or pre-emergently and keep the areas clean and aestheti-cally pleasing. This may be an approach you con-sider when determining future water availability.
No one can predict what the future holds for the turfgrass industry and water usage. Using your re-sources wisely may be the only way to survive.
4 9
H owdy everyone! What a spring! I hope everyone is finding the right tools and tactics that work for your course. The Texas Cup was a good event, and if you missed it, mark your calendar for May of next year so you can make it! Let’s all thank Jeff Mathis and C&M for the sponsorship of the Texas Cup at Twin Rivers in Waco. Without their support this event would not be possible. I think everyone’s hat was on snug, because the wind was a challenge. Despite this gusting test of skill, everyone had a great time.
Get ready for the 25th Annual Texas Trophy at Horseshoe Bay. Not only will it be a great test of golf, but Marble Falls is a wonderful city to visit. Room rates are golden. I don’t think you will find a better value in town to be that close to all the action. Having everyone at one place is what this tourney is all about. So get ready to have an extremely good time. This event might just fill up, so when you get your entry in the mail, don’t put it off or you might be on the waiting list. You can make your room reservations today (see info in-side).
Thank you to our fellow Texans who were part of Rounds4Research. What a great way to give back to our researchers here in our state! Supporting our local researchers will help improve our tools and practices on the course so the future of Texas golf will be bright.
Hopefully the weather will be better this summer than the previous. Last summer will be in the record books for a long time. Just have faith in what you are doing and never give up on a good plan. An old superinten-dent/pro at a small nine-hole course where I grew up once told me something that I keep in mind every year. He said, “Sonny, I am gonna tell you something about the golf course that will never change. The grass is the easy part, and getting along with the people is the hardest part. If you can master that you will be a good su-perintendent some day.” I have told so many youngsters this because he was right! This is one of those years. With winter kill and weather, which you cannot control, some people will not understand why some areas of the course are not like last year. They never want to hear about the last 14 months of what the weather has done to the course. It’s always about right now. You have to keep in the present and keep good people around you.
Thank You,
President’s Message
Wayne Slaton, GCS, President, Lone Star GCSA
As I sit and write this message, my view outside is that of an empty golf course. It has just been way too hot for anyone to want to get out and play. I’m sure this is true across the state. Morning tee times are hard to find; but after lunch, golf courses are a veritable graveyard. The weather is always a good subject to address. Sometimes it’s good. Other times, not so much. Pretty much the entire state is amidst one of the worst droughts ever. My folks have lived on a small farm in Gonzales for close to 40 years. They have four small ponds, with the largest being about four acres. Dad said he has never seen it go dry in the time he’s lived there. But now, a pond that once flourished with a plethora of large-mouth bass has dried up. Courses all over are quickly running out of their irrigation supply and hooking up to costly city lines just to keep a little turf alive. I know things are tough all over and I certainly hope that you all are finding a way to just make it a little lon-ger. Fall is right around the corner and, if nothing else, cooler temperatures.That’s enough about that depressing subject.Hey, at least football player and owners agreed on something and we get to look forward to some foot-ball this year!Back in August, I had the opportunity to visit chapter meetings for each of the state’s local chapters. I received a lot of “What are you doing here?” more than anything else. But as our association’s Presi-dent, I thought it would be a good idea to get out and visit with all of the chapters. It’s one thing to meet and visit with people at the Lone Star reception at National or at the Texas Cup or at the Texas Trophy. But I realize there are a large number of Lone Star members that do not have the opportunity to attend any of those events. They receive this newsletter along with Karen’s “Lone Star Lite’s” and that’s pretty much it. I just thought it would be a good opportunity to put a face with a name. I also took a moment to speak about this year’s Texas Trophy and personally invite those in attendance to come to North Texas for the event. I would like to thank each chapter for allowing me the opportunity to take part in their respective events. I had a great time seeing familiar faces and meeting a few new ones.The 2011 Chapter Delegate’s meeting is set for October 28-30 in Kansas City. This is an opportunity for representatives from all chapters across the country to gather for a weekend and discuss issues affecting our profession; voice opinions of individual chapters; get updated on Association initiatives, programs and policies; be introduced the candidates running for the 2012 Board of Directors; and have a Town Hall session with the current Board of Directors. The Member Relations committee has been/will be contacting all chapter presidents to gather questions and concerns to be addressed during the Town Hall meeting. If there is anything you may have a question or concern about, feel free to contact your local representative. Also, Ken Gorzycki, CGCS, is the Chapter Delegate for Lone Star. If you are unable to get in contact with your local delegate, I’m sure Ken will be more than happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.Finally, as always, I would like to thank Karen White for all she does in keeping our organization go-ing. Our state has had a lot going on from governmental issues to, of course, the climate. She does a great job of keeping us all informed on all these matters and our association is lucky to have her.
I hope you all have a quick ‘end to the summer’!
Chuck McCaskill, CGCS President, Lone Star GCSA
2011 TTA CONFERENCE & SHOW
DECEMBER 12-14
SAN ANTONIO
For more information, contact the Texas Turfgrass Association at
www.texasturf.com
First of all, it is critical your membership, as well as management and staff, understands that an irriga-tion system cannot replace God-given rainfall. Rain will cover all areas of the golf course consistently, but no matter how good your irrigation system, that just won’t be the case. Additionally, rain contains nitrogen, giving an extra burst to the plants. Your course can have the best of irrigation systems and you can have the best of management skills, but you still can’t beat rain.
You may have had golfers complain about browned-out areas in roughs while at the same time grumble about wet areas around irrigation heads or in low areas on fairways that don’t not drain very well. The better irrigation systems have individual head con-trol so the water coverage on drier areas can be in-creased and water coverage on wetter areas can be decreased as part of a normal irrigation cycle. Older systems, however, do not have such luxury and it is not uncommon for the same irrigation head to water a dry and a wet area both together. The superintendent must set the irrigation for the wet area and then supplement the needed water on the dry area if labor allows. At best, these drier areas will be off-color and the soil conditions harder, but were the irrigation system run to supply the de-mands of the drier area, the wet areas would be standing in water. No matter what type of irrigation system you have, golfer and management educa-tion is necessary. Golfers will find the area immedi-ately around the irrigation head to be wetter than normal because the heads are being used more than normal. Even the best of irrigation heads have
extra water being discharged immediately around the head, creating some softer conditions in the im-mediate circumference around the head. Again, if the irrigation system simply supplements rainfall it is used far less time during the season and the cir-cumference around the irrigation head not so wet.
Some golf courses have cut back on water applica-tions because of the extreme cost involved. The aesthetics of the fairways and roughs is less than desirable, but water is maintained on the tees, greens, and green surrounds. The end result is a golf course that plays very well but the course saves tremendous amounts of water and money by proper prioritization. The fairways and roughs are in a semi-dormant state but enough water is being applied to keep the turf and hopefully the trees in a survival mode until the drought is broken. Many golfers have even enjoyed this approach better because the firm fairways provide much more ball roll. This approach embraces the firm and fast management philosophy necessary for golf courses in the future as water becomes more of a limiting factor.
Bermudagrass is most susceptible to winter dam-age when it goes into its dormancy or semi-dormancy in a drought condition. Therefore, some superintendents have rationed their water in order to use it more generously in the latter half of August and in September to try to provide as much soil moisture as possible during this critical time. This is a very smart, strategic approach when water is so limited and you are determining potential winter problems for the bermudagrass. The time
Continued from page 7
Continued on next page
5
Retu
rn th
is po
rtion
on
ly to:
Lone S
tar GCSA
2601 Green O
ak Drive
Carrollton, Texas 75010
Phone: 972-307-8162 Fax: 972-662-1168
En
try fee: $180 for Superintendents
$180 for Affiliate M
embers
En
try Dea
dlin
e:
Wednesday S
eptember 7, 2011
Nam
e: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
____________________________
Club or C
ompany: _____________________
___________________________________
Phone Num
ber: _______________________
Email: ______________________________
Handicap: ________ Pro A
ttest: _________
Mem
ber of which local chapter?__________
Mixer Partner N
ame ___________________
Phone Num
ber: _______________________
Email: ______________________________
Payment: ___C
heck ___C
harge
(Check payable to Lone S
tar GCSA)
Credit C
ard Type: _____________________
Nam
e on Card: _______________________
Acct #
______________________________
Expiration Date: ______________________
Billing Z
ip Code: ______________________
Extra Sun D
inner-if needed $30.00 _______
Texas Trophy Entry Fee $180.00 _________
Total Charged A
mount: $ ______________
Sch
ed
ule
of E
ven
ts S
un
day, S
ep
tem
ber 1
8
Welcom
e and Registration
10:00 am – 11:45 am
Lu
nch
by W
infie
ld S
olu
tion
s
12:00 noon-Shot G
un Start
Th
e G
olf C
lub
at Fossil C
reek
Lone Star Texas Trophy M
ixer Tw
o-Man B
est Ball Pick Your
Partner Event/1st R
ound of Trophy M
ixer Payouts – Gross and N
et 6:00 PM
Long-Drive C
hampionship
Dinner, Education, and A
nnual Meeting
following Long D
rive Cham
pionship M
on
day, S
ep
tem
ber 1
9
2nd Round, Texas Trophy
Check-in – 7:00 A
M
8:00 AM
Shotgun S
tart 2010 Harry Yew
ens Trophy Cham
pion: Ed Martinez
2010 Chapter Champions:
Central Texas GCSA
Lon
e Sta
r Tex
as T
rop
hy
To
urn
am
en
t is a 2
-Day
Stro
ke P
lay E
ven
t. Flig
hted
Gro
ss an
d N
et D
ivision
s
ED
UC
ATIO
N
GCSAA A
ccredited Educational Program
will be held on S
unday, Septem
ber 18 during dinner.
“Environmental Planning &
Your G
olf Course”
Op
en
Discu
ssion
Follo
ws
Speaker: B
ob Cook, C
TP G
CS, W
alden on Lake Houston C
CL
To
urn
am
en
t Info
rmatio
n
Tournam
ent includes two days of
golf and food.
Includes D
aily Proximity and Long
Drive H
ole Aw
ards
N
ational GCSAA Entry Fee Paid for
the Four Top Gross and N
et Finishers
Individual Tournament G
ifts
Individual and Team
Cham
pionships are O
n the Line
Take part in the Long D
rive Contest
M
ulligans, Skins – S
unday only; 50/50 split - A
ll days, cash only.
Hotel Information
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES, 3701 NE Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76137. 817.232.5700
Ask for Lone Star GCSA Rates. Rate: $69/niight per room ++$99 per suite++Make your reservations quickly!
76
T he statistics on our current heat and drought do not lie—Texas is now in the mist of its most severe one-year drought on record, according to John Niel-sen-Gammon, the Texas State Climatologist.
Not to claim bragging rights, but we managed to have the driest January through July on record with a grand total of 6.53 inches. The normal is 16.03 inches, and the record low was 9.36 inches in 1917. We also have the driest June and July on record across Texas, and the driest October through July on record. We have a
rainfall deficit of 17.41 inches, 39 percent of normal. The “Take Home” Points from Bob Rose, Meteor-ologist, LCRA, does not paint a pretty picture. Basically there’s no end in sight to the ongoing drought. Intense droughts are hard to break up and more frequent rains are possible this fall, but we’re leaning more to a dry winter if La Nina returns. Now, 99.93 percent of the state is currently in some type of drought, and 73.45 percent of the state is in extreme drought.
I desperately miss the smell of rain, the joy of taking my dogs for a walk without the necessity of taking a shower immediately afterwards, and the pleasure of being outside without my skin starting to smolder!
How are golf courses enduring these extremes? Can turfgrass actually survive if we have a colder than normal winter? And what about next year? The pictures on page 2 (inside front cover) are common sights on golf courses throughout the state. Even those with the best of irrigation systems are suffering.
I Can’t Stand the Heat—Get Me Out of The Kitchen! Heat and Drought Blistering Texas Golf Courses
By Bud White and Karen White
Continued on page 8
All aspects of golf course and athletic �eldconstruction/repair/renovation.
www.greensmithtexas.com
Owner/Operator • Over 30 years ExperienceNo project too small
Need help? Ask me about my free consultation.Put my God given talent to work for you.
Greg SmithP.O. Box 1265
Blanco, TX 78606Cell: (210) 863-2719Consultation,
Laser Grading,Supervision, Shaping
This inaugural event celebrates the move to the NEW Turf Field Lab, highlights existing TAMU AgriLife Re-search and Extension programs and the first year of the collaborative relationship between AgriLife and Scotts Miracle-Gro. This year’s Field Day theme is “Best Management Practices In Difficult Times”.
Turf & Landscape Symposium - 7:00 to 8:45 pm - October 4th, 2011.
As a new part of Turf & Landscape Field Day activities we will hold a Symposium on Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:45 PM at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center (801 University Drive East, College Station). The goal is to bring together faculty working on turf and landscape issues with industry representatives and practitioners attending Field Day, for a moderated question and answer forum. So plan to arrive Oc-tober 4th to attend what will certainly be a lively and interactive session.
Turf & Landscape Field Day - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm - October 5th, 2011.
The site is the New TAMU Turfgrass Field Lab and the future site of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Lawn and Gar-den Research Facility on the Texas A&M University campus. Texas A&M University System faculty will pre-sent a field tour on October 5th of topics on: turf selection and management, irrigation management and drought recovery, pest management, new technologies, and educational demonstrations.
We also invite commercial suppliers to participate as Field Day exhibitors by securing a display space on-site for the day (space is limited).
Early registration is encouraged. Pre-registration IS OPEN and registration before 9/20/11 provides the best value. General information, Field Day brochure, exhibitor information and registration is available through the Texas AgriLife Extension Conference Services website:
https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ Keyword Search: Turf
Complete field day program details will be posted on the Texas AgriLife Extension Conference Services website by September 10th. https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ Keyword Search: Turf
For further information: Contact Dr. David Chalmers ([email protected]) or Toni Edwardson at ([email protected]), 979-845-0884 or visit the Field Day website.
The 8th Annual Texas A&M “Turf Short Course” is set for January 23-27, 2012.
For information visit https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/events/index.cfm
Texas AgriLife Extension Conference Services 2139 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2139
Office: 979-845-2604; Fax: 979-862-4511
Texas A&M Turf and Landscape Field Day October 4 & 5, 2011
76
T he statistics on our current heat and drought do not lie—Texas is now in the mist of its most severe one-year drought on record, according to John Niel-sen-Gammon, the Texas State Climatologist.
Not to claim bragging rights, but we managed to have the driest January through July on record with a grand total of 6.53 inches. The normal is 16.03 inches, and the record low was 9.36 inches in 1917. We also have the driest June and July on record across Texas, and the driest October through July on record. We have a
rainfall deficit of 17.41 inches, 39 percent of normal. The “Take Home” Points from Bob Rose, Meteor-ologist, LCRA, does not paint a pretty picture. Basically there’s no end in sight to the ongoing drought. Intense droughts are hard to break up and more frequent rains are possible this fall, but we’re leaning more to a dry winter if La Nina returns. Now, 99.93 percent of the state is currently in some type of drought, and 73.45 percent of the state is in extreme drought.
I desperately miss the smell of rain, the joy of taking my dogs for a walk without the necessity of taking a shower immediately afterwards, and the pleasure of being outside without my skin starting to smolder!
How are golf courses enduring these extremes? Can turfgrass actually survive if we have a colder than normal winter? And what about next year? The pictures on page 2 (inside front cover) are common sights on golf courses throughout the state. Even those with the best of irrigation systems are suffering.
I Can’t Stand the Heat—Get Me Out of The Kitchen! Heat and Drought Blistering Texas Golf Courses
By Bud White and Karen White
Continued on page 8
All aspects of golf course and athletic �eldconstruction/repair/renovation.
www.greensmithtexas.com
Owner/Operator • Over 30 years ExperienceNo project too small
Need help? Ask me about my free consultation.Put my God given talent to work for you.
Greg SmithP.O. Box 1265
Blanco, TX 78606Cell: (210) 863-2719Consultation,
Laser Grading,Supervision, Shaping
This inaugural event celebrates the move to the NEW Turf Field Lab, highlights existing TAMU AgriLife Re-search and Extension programs and the first year of the collaborative relationship between AgriLife and Scotts Miracle-Gro. This year’s Field Day theme is “Best Management Practices In Difficult Times”.
Turf & Landscape Symposium - 7:00 to 8:45 pm - October 4th, 2011.
As a new part of Turf & Landscape Field Day activities we will hold a Symposium on Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:45 PM at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center (801 University Drive East, College Station). The goal is to bring together faculty working on turf and landscape issues with industry representatives and practitioners attending Field Day, for a moderated question and answer forum. So plan to arrive Oc-tober 4th to attend what will certainly be a lively and interactive session.
Turf & Landscape Field Day - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm - October 5th, 2011.
The site is the New TAMU Turfgrass Field Lab and the future site of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Lawn and Gar-den Research Facility on the Texas A&M University campus. Texas A&M University System faculty will pre-sent a field tour on October 5th of topics on: turf selection and management, irrigation management and drought recovery, pest management, new technologies, and educational demonstrations.
We also invite commercial suppliers to participate as Field Day exhibitors by securing a display space on-site for the day (space is limited).
Early registration is encouraged. Pre-registration IS OPEN and registration before 9/20/11 provides the best value. General information, Field Day brochure, exhibitor information and registration is available through the Texas AgriLife Extension Conference Services website:
https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ Keyword Search: Turf
Complete field day program details will be posted on the Texas AgriLife Extension Conference Services website by September 10th. https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ Keyword Search: Turf
For further information: Contact Dr. David Chalmers ([email protected]) or Toni Edwardson at ([email protected]), 979-845-0884 or visit the Field Day website.
The 8th Annual Texas A&M “Turf Short Course” is set for January 23-27, 2012.
For information visit https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/events/index.cfm
Texas AgriLife Extension Conference Services 2139 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2139
Office: 979-845-2604; Fax: 979-862-4511
Texas A&M Turf and Landscape Field Day October 4 & 5, 2011
2011 TTA CONFERENCE & SHOW
DECEMBER 12-14
SAN ANTONIO
For more information, contact the Texas Turfgrass Association at
www.texasturf.com
First of all, it is critical your membership, as well as management and staff, understands that an irriga-tion system cannot replace God-given rainfall. Rain will cover all areas of the golf course consistently, but no matter how good your irrigation system, that just won’t be the case. Additionally, rain contains nitrogen, giving an extra burst to the plants. Your course can have the best of irrigation systems and you can have the best of management skills, but you still can’t beat rain.
You may have had golfers complain about browned-out areas in roughs while at the same time grumble about wet areas around irrigation heads or in low areas on fairways that don’t not drain very well. The better irrigation systems have individual head con-trol so the water coverage on drier areas can be in-creased and water coverage on wetter areas can be decreased as part of a normal irrigation cycle. Older systems, however, do not have such luxury and it is not uncommon for the same irrigation head to water a dry and a wet area both together. The superintendent must set the irrigation for the wet area and then supplement the needed water on the dry area if labor allows. At best, these drier areas will be off-color and the soil conditions harder, but were the irrigation system run to supply the de-mands of the drier area, the wet areas would be standing in water. No matter what type of irrigation system you have, golfer and management educa-tion is necessary. Golfers will find the area immedi-ately around the irrigation head to be wetter than normal because the heads are being used more than normal. Even the best of irrigation heads have
extra water being discharged immediately around the head, creating some softer conditions in the im-mediate circumference around the head. Again, if the irrigation system simply supplements rainfall it is used far less time during the season and the cir-cumference around the irrigation head not so wet.
Some golf courses have cut back on water applica-tions because of the extreme cost involved. The aesthetics of the fairways and roughs is less than desirable, but water is maintained on the tees, greens, and green surrounds. The end result is a golf course that plays very well but the course saves tremendous amounts of water and money by proper prioritization. The fairways and roughs are in a semi-dormant state but enough water is being applied to keep the turf and hopefully the trees in a survival mode until the drought is broken. Many golfers have even enjoyed this approach better because the firm fairways provide much more ball roll. This approach embraces the firm and fast management philosophy necessary for golf courses in the future as water becomes more of a limiting factor.
Bermudagrass is most susceptible to winter dam-age when it goes into its dormancy or semi-dormancy in a drought condition. Therefore, some superintendents have rationed their water in order to use it more generously in the latter half of August and in September to try to provide as much soil moisture as possible during this critical time. This is a very smart, strategic approach when water is so limited and you are determining potential winter problems for the bermudagrass. The time
Continued from page 7
Continued on next page
5
Retu
rn th
is po
rtion
on
ly to:
Lone S
tar GCSA
2601 Green O
ak Drive
Carrollton, Texas 75010
Phone: 972-307-8162 Fax: 972-662-1168
En
try fee: $180 for Superintendents
$180 for Affiliate M
embers
En
try Dea
dlin
e:
Wednesday S
eptember 7, 2011
Nam
e: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
____________________________
Club or C
ompany: _____________________
___________________________________
Phone Num
ber: _______________________
Email: ______________________________
Handicap: ________ Pro A
ttest: _________
Mem
ber of which local chapter?__________
Mixer Partner N
ame ___________________
Phone Num
ber: _______________________
Email: ______________________________
Payment: ___C
heck ___C
harge
(Check payable to Lone S
tar GCSA)
Credit C
ard Type: _____________________
Nam
e on Card: _______________________
Acct #
______________________________
Expiration Date: ______________________
Billing Z
ip Code: ______________________
Extra Sun D
inner-if needed $30.00 _______
Texas Trophy Entry Fee $180.00 _________
Total Charged A
mount: $ ______________
Sch
ed
ule
of E
ven
ts S
un
day, S
ep
tem
ber 1
8
Welcom
e and Registration
10:00 am – 11:45 am
Lu
nch
by W
infie
ld S
olu
tion
s
12:00 noon-Shot G
un Start
Th
e G
olf C
lub
at Fossil C
reek
Lone Star Texas Trophy M
ixer Tw
o-Man B
est Ball Pick Your
Partner Event/1st R
ound of Trophy M
ixer Payouts – Gross and N
et 6:00 PM
Long-Drive C
hampionship
Dinner, Education, and A
nnual Meeting
following Long D
rive Cham
pionship M
on
day, S
ep
tem
ber 1
9
2nd Round, Texas Trophy
Check-in – 7:00 A
M
8:00 AM
Shotgun S
tart 2010 Harry Yew
ens Trophy Cham
pion: Ed Martinez
2010 Chapter Champions:
Central Texas GCSA
Lon
e Sta
r Tex
as T
rop
hy
To
urn
am
en
t is a 2
-Day
Stro
ke P
lay E
ven
t. Flig
hted
Gro
ss an
d N
et D
ivision
s
ED
UC
ATIO
N
GCSAA A
ccredited Educational Program
will be held on S
unday, Septem
ber 18 during dinner.
“Environmental Planning &
Your G
olf Course”
Op
en
Discu
ssion
Follo
ws
Speaker: B
ob Cook, C
TP G
CS, W
alden on Lake Houston C
CL
To
urn
am
en
t Info
rmatio
n
Tournam
ent includes two days of
golf and food.
Includes D
aily Proximity and Long
Drive H
ole Aw
ards
N
ational GCSAA Entry Fee Paid for
the Four Top Gross and N
et Finishers
Individual Tournament G
ifts
Individual and Team
Cham
pionships are O
n the Line
Take part in the Long D
rive Contest
M
ulligans, Skins – S
unday only; 50/50 split - A
ll days, cash only.
Hotel Information
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES, 3701 NE Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76137. 817.232.5700
Ask for Lone Star GCSA Rates. Rate: $69/niight per room ++$99 per suite++Make your reservations quickly!
frame of August and September are the most criti-cal times for adequate soil moisture for the bermu-dagrass as it hardens itself off for winter and builds carbohydrates in the root system.
Keys to survival include building soil moisture dur-ing the off-season as much as possible, raising cut-ting heights, and minimizing cart traffic, which can be extremely devastating to bermudagrass during the semi-dormancy/dormancy period for drought-stressed bermudagrass.
Normally potassium is put down at 1 lb. potash / 1000 sq. ft. in the late summer in preparation for winter hardiness of bermudagrass. This may be better applied to the turf in midsummer and then again in late summer.
Converting to native or naturalized grass areas can be a great option for many courses with a limited irrigation system and/or irrigation supply. Bermuda-grass areas can simply grow up in areas of very lim-ited water coverage or if the golf course is reducing acreage because of limited water availability. Allow-
ing bermudagrass areas to go native improves its ability to withstand the drought. Bermudagrasses make very good low maintenance areas because the maintenance staff can spray weeds post- or pre-emergently and keep the areas clean and aestheti-cally pleasing. This may be an approach you con-sider when determining future water availability.
No one can predict what the future holds for the turfgrass industry and water usage. Using your re-sources wisely may be the only way to survive.
4 9
H owdy everyone! What a spring! I hope everyone is finding the right tools and tactics that work for your course. The Texas Cup was a good event, and if you missed it, mark your calendar for May of next year so you can make it! Let’s all thank Jeff Mathis and C&M for the sponsorship of the Texas Cup at Twin Rivers in Waco. Without their support this event would not be possible. I think everyone’s hat was on snug, because the wind was a challenge. Despite this gusting test of skill, everyone had a great time.
Get ready for the 25th Annual Texas Trophy at Horseshoe Bay. Not only will it be a great test of golf, but Marble Falls is a wonderful city to visit. Room rates are golden. I don’t think you will find a better value in town to be that close to all the action. Having everyone at one place is what this tourney is all about. So get ready to have an extremely good time. This event might just fill up, so when you get your entry in the mail, don’t put it off or you might be on the waiting list. You can make your room reservations today (see info in-side).
Thank you to our fellow Texans who were part of Rounds4Research. What a great way to give back to our researchers here in our state! Supporting our local researchers will help improve our tools and practices on the course so the future of Texas golf will be bright.
Hopefully the weather will be better this summer than the previous. Last summer will be in the record books for a long time. Just have faith in what you are doing and never give up on a good plan. An old superinten-dent/pro at a small nine-hole course where I grew up once told me something that I keep in mind every year. He said, “Sonny, I am gonna tell you something about the golf course that will never change. The grass is the easy part, and getting along with the people is the hardest part. If you can master that you will be a good su-perintendent some day.” I have told so many youngsters this because he was right! This is one of those years. With winter kill and weather, which you cannot control, some people will not understand why some areas of the course are not like last year. They never want to hear about the last 14 months of what the weather has done to the course. It’s always about right now. You have to keep in the present and keep good people around you.
Thank You,
President’s Message
Wayne Slaton, GCS, President, Lone Star GCSA
As I sit and write this message, my view outside is that of an empty golf course. It has just been way too hot for anyone to want to get out and play. I’m sure this is true across the state. Morning tee times are hard to find; but after lunch, golf courses are a veritable graveyard. The weather is always a good subject to address. Sometimes it’s good. Other times, not so much. Pretty much the entire state is amidst one of the worst droughts ever. My folks have lived on a small farm in Gonzales for close to 40 years. They have four small ponds, with the largest being about four acres. Dad said he has never seen it go dry in the time he’s lived there. But now, a pond that once flourished with a plethora of large-mouth bass has dried up. Courses all over are quickly running out of their irrigation supply and hooking up to costly city lines just to keep a little turf alive. I know things are tough all over and I certainly hope that you all are finding a way to just make it a little lon-ger. Fall is right around the corner and, if nothing else, cooler temperatures.That’s enough about that depressing subject.Hey, at least football player and owners agreed on something and we get to look forward to some foot-ball this year!Back in August, I had the opportunity to visit chapter meetings for each of the state’s local chapters. I received a lot of “What are you doing here?” more than anything else. But as our association’s Presi-dent, I thought it would be a good idea to get out and visit with all of the chapters. It’s one thing to meet and visit with people at the Lone Star reception at National or at the Texas Cup or at the Texas Trophy. But I realize there are a large number of Lone Star members that do not have the opportunity to attend any of those events. They receive this newsletter along with Karen’s “Lone Star Lite’s” and that’s pretty much it. I just thought it would be a good opportunity to put a face with a name. I also took a moment to speak about this year’s Texas Trophy and personally invite those in attendance to come to North Texas for the event. I would like to thank each chapter for allowing me the opportunity to take part in their respective events. I had a great time seeing familiar faces and meeting a few new ones.The 2011 Chapter Delegate’s meeting is set for October 28-30 in Kansas City. This is an opportunity for representatives from all chapters across the country to gather for a weekend and discuss issues affecting our profession; voice opinions of individual chapters; get updated on Association initiatives, programs and policies; be introduced the candidates running for the 2012 Board of Directors; and have a Town Hall session with the current Board of Directors. The Member Relations committee has been/will be contacting all chapter presidents to gather questions and concerns to be addressed during the Town Hall meeting. If there is anything you may have a question or concern about, feel free to contact your local representative. Also, Ken Gorzycki, CGCS, is the Chapter Delegate for Lone Star. If you are unable to get in contact with your local delegate, I’m sure Ken will be more than happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.Finally, as always, I would like to thank Karen White for all she does in keeping our organization go-ing. Our state has had a lot going on from governmental issues to, of course, the climate. She does a great job of keeping us all informed on all these matters and our association is lucky to have her.
I hope you all have a quick ‘end to the summer’!
Chuck McCaskill, CGCS President, Lone Star GCSA
310
President’s Message 4
Texas Trophy Registration Form
5
Texas A & M Field Day
6
I Can’t Stand the Heat—Get Me Out of the Kitchen! By Bud and Karen White
7
Around the State Your Local Chapter’s Calendar of Events
10
Inside this issue: Can Golf Courses Survive the Drought of 2011, Details of the Texas Trophy,
Upcoming Chapter Events, and Much More!
On the Cover: No, this is NOT a golf course—it’s Lake Travis in Austin. The water level at Lake Travis on
August 22, 2011, was 635.58 feet, 45.42 feet below full pool of 681.00 feet. Pictured on page 2: Irrigation coverage is not enough. Even the best of irrigation systems cannot replace rainfall.
Traffic damage can be devastating. Special thanks to Travis Moore and Bud White for photos.
Lone Star Links is the official publication of the Lone Star Golf Course Superintendents Association. Direct all new items, letters, corrections, or advertisements to:
Karen White, Executive Secretary, 2601 Green Oak Drive, Carrollton, TX 75010 972.307.8162—Phone; 972.662.1168—Fax; Email: [email protected]
GCSAA Updates 11
2011 Texas Trophy September 18-19, 2011
The Golf Club at Fossil Creek, Fort Worth, TX
North Texas GCSA Schedule
September 21—Education Event Texas Scottish Rite Hospital October 17—Annual Meeting & Golf The Golf Club at Champion’s Circle November 7—Scholarship Tournament Colonial Country Club
Contact: Lori Goodrich , Chapter Executive (817) 377-4552 www.ntgcsa.org
South Texas GCSA Schedule
September 29—Past Presidents’ Luncheon Traditions Golf Course October 11—Golf Tournament Meadowbrook Farms Golf Course November 8—Golf Tournament Ravens Nest Golf Course
Contact: Marian Takushi, Executive Director (281) 494-0094 www.stgcsa.org
Central Texas GCSA Schedule
October 3—Crew Event Roy Kizer Golf Course November 1—Annual Meeting Olympia Hills Golf Club
Contact: Monica Brown, Executive Director (512) 914-0194 www.ctgcsa.org
West Texas GCSA Schedule
October 24-26—25th Annual Trade Show and Con-ference, Odessa. MGM Grande FunDome Golf at Midland Country Club
Contact: Daysha Cheyne, Executive Director (432) 524-2003 www.wtgcsa.org
Texas Gulf Coast SA Schedule Sept. 13—Vendors Day Tournament Rockport Country Club October 11—Shary Golf Course, Mission
Contact: Darlene Curlee, Executive Secretary (361) 850-7974 www.tgcsa.org
Lone Star GCSA Schedule
September 18-19—Texas Trophy Championship The Golf Club at Fossil Creek, Fort Worth, TX Contact: Karen White , Executive Secretary
(972) 307-8162 www.lsgcsa.org
Texas Turfgrass Association
December 12-14—TTA Annual Conference and Show, San Antonio Convention Center
Contact: Shirley Duble, Executive Director (979) 690-2201
www.texasturf.com
112
The effective date for the H-2B wage methodology rule is Sept. 30, 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor
recently announced. The original effective date was set for Jan. 1, 2012. The final rule will increase H-2B
hourly wages for landscaping and laborer services by about $3.60/hour, and will be effective for wages
paid to H-2B workers and the U.S. workers recruited in connection with an H-2B labor certification for all
work performed on or after Sept. 30, 2011.
Mark your calendars! Housing for the 2012 GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic in Palm Springs, California and the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas, Ne-vada, will open on Thursday, Sept. 1.
Pictures of the Texas Drought 2011
Jim GarrettSales
COMPANIES, INC.
P.O. Box 59206 Mobile 214.243.0123Dallas, TX 75229
Jim GarrettSales
COMPANIES, INC.
P.O. Box 59206 Mobile 214.243.0123Dallas, TX 75229
Gary BrooksField Sales Representative Tel. (817) 594-7164Fax (817) 594-7164Cell (817) [email protected]
Bob DucoteSenior Tech Sales SpecialistTel. (832) 640-1235Fax: (281) [email protected]
Bayer Environmental Science
The only greens roller that rolls a contoured surface properly**Because it has a patented three roller head that gently irons
the green and follows the contours as you roll.
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John FreemanBrookside Equipment
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Greg SmithP.O. Box 1265
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Lone Star GCSA2601 Green Oak DriveCarrollton, TX 75010
fall 2011Golf Courses faCe Desperate DrouGht
Official Publication of the Lone Star Golf Course Superintendents
Association
