CITATION II • BIRDIE II • MANHATTAN II

FERRY-MORSE GOLD TAG BRANDCOVERS THE 1986 ROSE BOWL

The RoseBowl at Pasadena, CA,January 1, 1986

New generation perennialryegrasses provide 'nearperfect' playing surface. . . prove older ryegrassvarieties to be passePN;ADENA,CA- When the field turfmanagement team for the Rose Bowlspecified the perennial ryegrass blend to

The field still looked terrific the day afterthe game

overseed the 1986 Classic, they choseFerry-Morse Gold Tag Brand, a blend ofCitation II, Birdie II and Manhattan I!ryegrasses produced by Turf-Seed, Inc.

To meet demanding time andperformance constraints, they opted touse this blend of genetically improvedryegrasses based on performance inprior testing against other varieties andcombinations. Gold Tag Blend germi-nated and established quickly, producinga dark green, durable playing surfacethat enhanced the playing fieldgraphics and the proud heritage of theRose Bowl itself.

Based on comments and accoladesbestowed in 1986, the turf managementteam anticipates the use of geneticallyimproved ryegrasses like Citation II,Birdie II and Manhattan II, and Gold TagBlend in the future.

And it looks like a very bright future,indeed. Circle 118 on Postage Free Card

Citation II, Birdie II and Manhattan II are products of=~IKPO Box 250, Hubbard, OR 97032503/981-9571 1WX 510 590 0957

Gold Tag Brand is a product of

Ferry-Morse Seed Co.PO Box 4938, Modesto, CA 97352In California, 1-800-572-SEEO209/579-SEEO2120 Via Burton, Anaheim, CA 92806714/ 774-5460600 Stephen Beale Dr., Fulton, KY420411-800-626-3392 502/ 472-3400

. ·JanuarylFebruary198631

Golf Course Traffic Control:

Maximizing RevenueWhile Protecting the Turf

Since the commercial production ofthe first golf car, the Arthritis Spe-cial in 1947, the science of reducing

turfgrass wear stress and soil compactionhas been a priority with every golf coursesuperintendent.

Prior to golf· cars, similar traffic con-cerns were caused by pull carts, caddiesand golfers as they played "follow theleader" from tees to greens. The golf caronly enlarged the problem of sportsmantrampling sportsturf.

After all, it is the responsibility of all golfpersonnel to encourage more golf trafficto generate greater revenue. The superin-tendent shares this goal by promotingdenser turf in intense traffic areas.

By Steve Batten

Many golf clubs are now requiring therental of a golf car by each player. Therevenue produced from renting golf carshas enabled golf clubs to maintain asteady source of income that has promot-ed our own turfgrass industry.

Golf cars have been a main focus of turfwear stress because of their increasingnumbers and inadequate limitations totheir use. In 1982, an estimated industry-wide revenue potential close to $1 billiona year was proposed for the 670,000 golfcars then in existence. The averagenationwide number of golf cars was then52.2 for 18 holes according to a survey bya major golf industry association. Sincethen, the trend to improve golf car fleet

efficiency has increased this number. TheNational Golf Foundation and the Profes-sional Golf Association are cooperativelycompiling the results of a new statusreport on golf cars on the golf course.

On the positive side, golf cars havepromoted the game of golf by enablingelderly players and those with medicalconsiderations to enjoy the sport in moreconvenience and comfort. However, of thepresent 17.5 million golfers in the UnitedStates, the highest percent of those usinggolf cars is in the age group between30-39years. Common sense would predictan increase in the next 20 years of futureelderly players in the age group over 59

continued on page 36

Quarter..circles at the end of cart paths disperse golf cars exiting from the path and help reduce concentration of wear.32 sportsTURF

or our 120 car investment,Gainey Ranch demandedmore than dependability. Wewanted the style, comfortand performance only Yamahacould deliver." Dan Desmond, General Manager.

When it comes to the successof his golf club, General ManagerDan Desmond is uncompromising."Gainey Ranch is and will con-tinue to be the finest resort facilityin this part of the country;' heasserts. "And because every golferwho plays here will ride a golf car,we had to insist on a fleet car ofsuperior quality

"I've run Yamaha fleets onother courses and have nothingbut praise for their dependabilityIn my 25 years of experience,Yamaha cars have provided moreusage and less downtime than anyother make.

"But in choosing a fleet forGainey Ranch, we had to lookbeyond dependability: We neededa car that looked stylish, rodecomfortably and performedwell on our three demandingcourses. So we tested the top fivecompetitors:'

Club Pro Rick Donahue didthe testing. JlIspent weeks drivingthe cars on our course and a testtrack. I checked hill climbing,handling, noise level and smooth-ness of ride. The Yamaha wasexcellent in all counts. Plus, it hadextras like covered storage, benchseats and drink holders-comfort

Rick Donahue, Dan Desmond, Gainey RanchGolf Club, Scottsdale, Arizona.

and convenience features we feelmake a difference to our players.

'Today we have a fleet of 120Yamaha G2s. We made our choicethe same way we've selected every-thing else for Gainey Ranch. Welooked at everything available andpicked the best;' reveals Donahue."I feel very strongly that Yamahais the best there is:'

Yamaha Golf Cars. Now anyfleet operator can afford to beuncompromising. To learn moreabout the ultimate fleet cars, con-tact your local Yamaha Dealer orcall 1-800-447-4700.

YAMAHA

NOR-AMi URFPRO UCTSDON'51 0 RISH

OUR TURF•••T Y TCTTNow achieve fine turf with fewer problems ... thanks to NOR-AM's

Total Turf Management Program. This unique programbrings you a broad selection of high-performance products

that assure healthier turf with better root development, fewerinsect problems and less disease destruction.

As a service to the industry, NOR-AM has developed a Total Turf Management Program.This program includes a turf management calendar guide, brochures on turf diseases,

insect control and fertilization techniques, in addition to timely turf management reports.To enroll in this helpful program, fill out the coupon below or contact your local

NOR-AM sales representative.------~T.,YES, I would like to be enrolled in NOR-AM's Total Turf Management IProgram. Please send me further information.

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34 sportsTURF

IMPORTANT: Please remember always to read and follow care-fully all label directions when applying any chemical.

Circle 121 on Postage Free Card

Nitroform@Slow predictable release by soil bacteriaprovides constant 38 % nitrogen when mostneeded for even, sustained growth.Nitroform reduces the risk of nitrate con-tamination, decreases thatch build-up, isnonburning and nonstreaking, resists leach-ing even in sandy soil, and assures betterroot development.'lurcarn"An advanced broad-spectrum carbamateinsecticide that controls white grubs, chinchbugs, sod webworms, mole crickets andmany other turf and ornamental pests.Turcam is odorless, works well in sprayequipment, won't tie up in thatch, won'tdamage turf or ornamentals, and should beyour product of choice when long residualcontrol is required.Proxol"Economical Proxol 80SP Insecticide worksfast on surface-feeding sod webworms,armyworms and cutworms, and readilypenetrates thatch to control grubs. Proxol iseasy to apply as a spray, has no unpleasantodor, and no long-term residual build-up inthe soil.Prograss@A selective herbicide that effectively con-trols annual bluegrass, crabgrass and othertroublesome weed species.Acti·dione@Broad-spectrum family of turf fungicidesthat provide four-season disease control.Acti-dione has proven to be effective withoutcreating resistance problems.Acti-dione TGF@can be tank-mixed withBayteton" or Oaconll" to complement orimprove disease control with significant cost-per-acre savings.Banol"Specialized fungicide that controls pythiumand phytophthora in turf and ornamentalplants. Preventative control with Banol stopsthe spread of pythium by mowers, foot traf-fic and surface water; it also means fewerapplications, lower rates and savings inlabor, fuel and equipment.

"~NOR·AM~NOR·AM CHEMICAL COMPANY3509 Silverside Road, P. O. Box 7495Wilmington, DE 19803

Total Turf Care from theTurf Manager.

January/February 1986 35

FINALLY!A Moisture Sensing

& Controlling SystemFOR

It Really Works!

THE PROBLEMS:• Skyrocketing Water Costs

• Water ConservationCausing Turf Damage

• Escalating Labor Costs

THE SOLUTION:THE

HYDROTURFm

SYSTEMFully automated turf irrigationwithout computers or expensivecable installation. Fullyde-cen tralized.

• Saves an Average of 50 %of Your Water Bill

• Insures Healthy Turf

• Reduces Maintenance Costs

AND NEVER RESETA TIME CLOCK

AGAIN!

~[gPROOUCTS. INC.

1943-F Friendship DriveEI Cajon, CA 92020

(619) 258-8853Telex: 510 100 3195

DISTRIBUTOR INQUIRIES INVITED

36 Circle 122 on Postage Free CardsportsTURF

Golf Course Trafficcontinued from page 32using golf cars. The fact that there will bea greater total number of players of allages will increase the need for efficienttraffic control.

Meeting this demand, the golf coursesuperintendent will rely on his ingenuityand versatility typical of his profession toproduce many tricks of the trade to reducethe wear stress caused by golf traffic. Thebasis of many of these traffic control tech-niques were pioneered in this country.

Much of the solution to car wear stresscan be found in the design of the golf car.Research in more efficient power plants,

terrain. Some basic patterns include a col-lection of theories to provide gentle curvesthrough non-playing areas. This reducesunfair and unnatural playing conditionsand does not interrupt the pastoral beautyassociated with a course.

Concrete cart paths, as opposed to as-phalt, stone, or organic substance, shouldalways be considered since its nominalcost will provide a more permanent andwear tolerant surface. A heavily brushed-finish surface is imperative to provide trac-tion for both cars and golfers.

The cart path areas that receive thegreatest concentration of wear are at theends of the paths where the pavement

Traffic buttons on the edge of a cart path remind golf car drivers to stay on the path as theywould stay in a highway lane.

better weight ratios, and tire standards hasbeen continuous since the later 1950's.

Tire size and inflation are important con-siderations to reduce turfgrass wear. Dur-ing the early 19605the University of Geor-gia at Tifton in cooperation with GoodyearTire Company and The Toro Companyconducted a series of studies to determinethe effects of tire size and inflation on turfwear. At the same time, the effects of tiresize on cool season turfgrasses werebeing evaluated at Ohio State University.From both studies, the 9.50 width tirebecame the standard that has a greatinfluence on golf cars built today.

Presently, four-wheel golf cars are gain-ing popularity over three wheel modelsbecause of a smoother ride. However, thethree wheel golf car causes less loss ofturfgrass leaf canopy and has a sharperturning radius due to its tricycle wheelpattern. Since three wheel golf cars oftencost less, they present an ideal purchasesituation for public golf courses withlimited budgets or where turfgrass wear isa primary consideration.

The design of golf cart paths has evolvedinto design characteristics similar toproper highway and road construction.Cart paths are now typically eight feet inwidth to allow for mobility of both golf carsand maintenance equipment in all types of

meets the turf. These areas are referred toas stubbouts. Encouraging players in carsto scatter their traffic patterns will preventpermanent turf damage and tire ruts in thesoil along the edges of paths. Flairing theend of the pavement or curving the pathback toward the rough provides a wideradius for players to choose a point ofentrance and exit. Wear on short concretepaths can be reduced by making the lastconcrete section into a quarter-circle. Thisrounded cart path end has proven verysuccessful on several desert golf coursesin Arizona.

Many methods have been tried to re-duce compaction at cart path ends and tireruts. These include the removal of nativesoil and replacing it with sandy soil thatresists compaction. Changing the soil in asmall area at stubbouts can be disastrousbecause the sandy soil will move morereadily and cause greater rutting andinstability of the car.

A better solution is to raise the existingsoil level to be the same as the pavement.This small soil ramp greatly reducesseverity of the ruts or tire tracking.

Barriers also serve to distribute wear. Abarrier can be any device that changes theflow of traffic. Most barriers on a golfcourse should be temporary objects, such

continued on page 38

Palm Desert Greens Country Clubis positive proof.

Maintaining one of theheaviest played executive golfcourses in Southern California isa challenging job. An average of290 rounds of golf a day putstough demands on the turf, andon the irrigation system. That'swhy golf course superintendentRobert Stuczynski recentlyinstalled Weather-matic rotarypop-up sprinklers to upgradethe system at the Palm DesertGreens Country Club.

Stuczynski was won awayfrom a brand he's used for morethan a decade by Weather-marie's high quality design andfeatures. The exclusiveadjustable armspring allows fine-tuningwhile the sprinkler is on or off. and stays adjustedonce set - a must for handling Palm Desert'sexacting schedule of watering or fertilizing.

Weather-matic impact drive, rotary pop-upsprinkler heads are available in rugged cast

aluminum alloy and high impactplastic housings for your long-

range or medium-range needs -from golf courses, parks and

athletic fields to commercial use.Designed for years of

dependable service, they offermany outstanding features. Like

the backsplash control arm onK-50/80 and PK-50/80. And the

optional check valve, availableon PK models, to preventbackflow in low areas and

damaging line surge. Plus onlyWeather-matic can help reduce

your inventory withinterchangeable parts for plastic

and metal housings.When you team up our rotary pop-up sprinklers,

controllers and valves, you have a combination thatcan't be beat. Just ask Stuczynski. He's now finalizinga plan to changeover the entire Palm Desert system

to Weather-matie. Because Weather-matic works.Write or call for all the details.

You can't beat the s

Sprinkler Division/Telsco Industries Weal er ['"]mal-Iczo Box 18205 •Dallas, Texas -75218 'l' ®

214/278-6131 LAWN AND TURF , IRRIGATIONCircle 123 on Postage Free Card

Golf Course Trafficcontinued from page 36as ropes, posts, or just timbers layedacross the ground. The object is to diverttraffic from an area while it recovers.Ropes and other barriers more than a fewinches off the ground can cause damageto golf cars or injury to players when theyare placed at the end of cart paths. Atthese points, small signs are commonlyused to direct traffic away from the ends ofthe path.

In a similar manner, a 4 x 4 inch timbercan be used to force golf cars to exitbefore they reach the end of the cart path.These temporary barriers layed acrossthe path are not only highly mobile, but

adjacent to paths and parking areas nextto tees and greens.

An idea gaining popularity is the use ofsmall buttons placed 30 inches apart onthe edge of paths and parking areas.These traffic control buttons are similar tothe reflector buttons used to distinguishlanes on highways. They can be purchas-ed commercially or made of anythingfrom formed concrete to plastic. Any per-son who drives an automobile is familiarwith these buttons and they provide apolite reminder to keep the wheels of golfvehicles on the pavement. One areawhere buttons are especially useful is theparking area at the first tee where order isperhaps most important. If the golf car

Scatter block on a cart path helps distribute golf car traffic wear and can be easily moved toa new location upon need.

they cause little damage to the golf cars inthe event of a collision.

If vertical posts are needed to prevententry onto a protected area, they shouldbe parallel and not perpendicular to theflow of traffic. An effective short verticalpost barrier can be made from short sec-tions of fence posts or painted timbers.They can be anchored with steel spikes (6to 10 inches long) inserted in the bottomof the post. The spikes should be longenough to insure rigidity when placed intothe soil.

Ropes should always be avoided asbarriers on a golf course whenever possi-ble. Ropes require daily attention to rea-lign and tighten, a costly considerationfrom a labor standpoint. They are, how-ever, customary for any ground underrepair or around excavations, irrigationrepairs, or reseeding.

The best height above ground at whichto set ropes for high visibility has alwaysbeen debatable. A rope set too low (12-24inches) encourages golfers to step overand trip. The best height for markingropes is 30-36 inches.

Golf cart paths have created anotherturf wear problem beside the areas at theend of paths. Golfers, whose minds aregenerally more on the location of their ballthan how they are driving, constantly ven-ture off paths causing wear on the turf38 sporfsTURF

driver starts the round under control, he ismore likely to continue this care on therest of the course.

Buttons relate to a tendency peoplehave to follow lines, just as they followeach other. A white line painted in front ofthe apron of each green will guide golfcars away from the green site. Lines areeffective becasue they do not detract fromthe playability of the course. On privategolf clubs, members are encouraged tokeep their vehicles behind the lines neargreens.

The first lines used for this purposewere made from chalk, but paint hassince taken its place. Painted lines needto be repainted every two to three weeksin a new location during peak golf playingperiods. In South Florida, a few golf clubsare now using highly visible plastic ropelayed across the ground in place ofpainted lines. These ropes can be relo-cated more frequently than painted lines.

A recent development to reduce wearon turf has been the use of protective turfmats and subsurface cellular devices(blocks or grids). The mats, made of per-forated rubber or plastic or geotextilefabric, distribute the load of the turf vehi-cle. The advantage of the geotextile is itallows the turf underneath to breath andreceive some sunlight. The blocks or

grids are buried in the soil and the cellsare filled with soil and seeded. Both sub-surface devices and geotextile also per-mit normal drainage of rain and irrigationwater.

Currently, there is very little universityresearch information about use of thesedevices in this country but they are foundon a growing number of courses eachyear. In Japan, superintendents at severalcourses are trying a thick perforated plas-tic mat. The mat, approximately 1/2-inchthick with 314-inchholes, is pinned on topof the zoysiagrass and the turf is allowedto grow through it. Reduced traffic wearhas been reported after the mat stabilizesand the turf matures.

Another interesting idea being utilizedin Japan is the are incorporation of rubberwalk paths into the asphalt cart paths. Atwo foot wide path made of rubber chipsplasticized with a urethane resin is placedflush with the asphalt surface parallel tothe cart path. The surface, like a rubber-ized track, is wear-resistant and providesa comfortable walking surface.

Cultural practices can also playa majorrole in managing turf wear and compac-tion. Any practice that stimulates deeproots, a dense leaf canopy, tillering orgrowth of stolons and rhizomes will pro-vide extra protection from wear andimprove the ability of the turf to recover.

Of course, little can help heavilytrafficked turf if basic maintenance proce-dures are not followed. Aerification isextremely important along with regularapplication of fertilizer with high rate ofpotassium to stengthen turfgrass plants.Traffic areas should be mowed higherthan other turf areas and soil should drainwell to promote deep root development.

Another factor that affects the ability ofturf to resist wear is plant maturity. As turfmatures, it tillers. or in the case of warmseason grasses, produces a dense under-ground rhizome system. An example ofthis is the fall overseeding of perennialryegrass on bermudagrass. In early fall,the ryegrass is allowed to grow higherthan normal until it tillers and matures.

Changing putting green cups and teemarker placements has become a dailypractice by tradition to reduce wear pat-terns on tees and greens. However, thesechanges also alter the point of entranceand exit on these areas which distributesthe traffic concentration on the areas sur-rounding greens and tees.

The success of any traffic control tech-nique depends on the cooperation of thegolf players to scatter their traffic pat-terns. However, it is the golf coursesuperintendent's responsibility to growmore grass than golfers and their carscan wear out. ...

Editor's note: Steve Batten is agronomistfor Golfturf, Inc., a Jack Nicklaus companyin North Palm Beach, FL, which hasdesigned and consulted more than 30 golfclubs around the world.

George Toma, Head Groundskeeper for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Super Bowl and the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl: 'I bring my OWN fbrker Estate Master Sweepers with me.•

How George Toma made a clean sweepof Super Bowl XX™ in 3 minutes.

When George Toma (known affec-tionately as the Sod God) takes on aproject like Super Bowl XX, he takesalong his OWN Parker Estate Mastersweepers. Why?

"Because," says George, "the EstateMaster is the only sweeper that givesme what I need." He counts thereasons off on his fingers:

"First, there's its general quality andtoughness- I know I can depend onthe Estate Master when I need itSecond, there's its versatility. I use itto pick up grass clippings, to dress thefield between mowings, to shade thefield right before a game, and to pickup debris at halftime."

"And third," says George, "there's

Estate Master's 8' plus swath makesquick work of Super Bowl X X cleanup

for George Toma's "Sod Squad."

PARKER SWEEPER COMPANYBox 1728· Springfield, Ohio 45501-1728

Circle 124 on Postage Free Card

what I call the 'speed factor.' TheEstate Master is the only sweeper thatlets you clean a swath over 8 feet withevery pass."

Which is how George Toma and his"Sod Squad" raced through halftimecleanup at Super Bowl Xx. Usingonly a pair of Estate Masters, theymade a clean sweep in 3 minutes.

You can put the same speed,versatility, and reliability to work onyour own field. Just see your Parkerdealer and ask him about the ParkerEstate Master. In fact, ask him aboutParker's full line of sweepers andvacuums. Tell him George Tomasent you.

Pe a -es Give Way to StrategyIn Modern Golf CourseArchitecture

By Cal Olson

.8..ome golf course architects are de-termined to have a naturally con-toured look on the course they de-

sign - no matter how many tons of dirthave to be trucked in to achieve it.

Students of the game, avid golfers andprofessionals who have visited or playedthe original seaside courses dating back acentury or more, might believe that natureis the best golf course architect. Probablyno one who has studied the old courseswould disagree with this.

Unfortunately, there are only so manyavailable sites endowed by nature to beproperly picturesque. With the popularityof the game growing yearly, we need tohave many courses in areas where naturehas not been so bountiful.

Enter the golf course architect with hismultidisciplinary talents. Where naturehas failed, he must succeed. It's seldomeasy, but that's what he gets paid for.

Golf course architecture is constantlyevolving. Older, penal golf design is giv-ing way to a strategy approach with therecent trend toward links-type courses.Water is increasing on the newer coursesfor a number of reasons including aesthe-tic ones. This evolution coincides with thedevelopment of equipment, longer balls,and improved horticultural practices.

Golf course design varies with the siteand the inherent natural resources. It alsovaries with the architect providing thedesign.

The terrain might start as a flat areawith no special features, or it could be ahilly forest area with streams meanderingthroughout. The architect must work withboth and make his best attempt to createa natural setting if at all possible.

Golf course design varies by the type ofcourse. Public courses, private courses,resort courses, championship or tourna-ment courses all have unique design con-siderations. Each variable requires adifferent approach to routing, hazards,strategy, and maintenance to best accom-plish the goals and end needs of the aver-age user of the course.

It is the responsibility of the golfarchitect to create the difficulty andstrategy of a course based upon theexpected users' talents and to generateinterest and desire in the golfer to play thecourse many times to discover each sub-tle nuance of the design. This particular40 sporfsTURF

Improper irrigation design is evident on this new course, the center of a multi-million dollarreal estate project. The obvious pattem in the turf will cause maintenance problems and gol-fer dissatisfaction.

talent in golf architecture requires thearchitect to be a student of the greatcourses and to understand the tech-niques and mysteries of this subtleelement.

There is no rule that says which hole isa par 3, 4, or 5 - only that the courseshould play in an interesting fashion andwork with the available land. The courseshould be arranged so that the first holeor two is of medium difficulty and par isnot too difficult. To quote Robert TrentJones, "A good design would make pardemanding and a bogey comfortable."The design should be such that playmoves rather quickly and players do nothave to wait at any tee to continue play.The game should be able to be played in4112 hours or less to further enhance theenjoyment of golf.

In other words, the course designshould not be too easy, yet not toodifficult. Players should not be penalizedfor a good shot, nor should they be madeto face blind shots or unwarranted haz-ards. When a golfer makes a great shotonly to get penalized, his anger is justifiedand should be directed at the golf archi-tect.

Routing- Variety is the key to good

routing. There should be an equal num-ber of dog legs left and right and straight-aways. If wind is a factor, routing shouldbe varied so the wind has different effectson various holes throughout the course.

A long linear course that follows thewind one way and against it the other wayis less interesting than routing that inter-mixes every hole or every other hole withdiffering wind conditions.

Hazards- The term hazard is a mis-nomer because hazardscan create beauty,protect golfers on some holes, penalizeerrant shots, and challenge the golfer.Hazards are a large part of the aestheticsof a course, and aesthetics bring the gol-fer back again and again. Beauty instills apositive memory of the course often re-placing any bad memories.

The other item that brings golfers backto a course is challenge. The challenge ofa course is relative to the golfer's ability.The architect must understand this to cre-ate a course most suited for the targetedclientele.

A 5,600-yard course with moderate ha-zards might present a challenging yetenjoyable round to the golfer with a 20plus handicap. A 6,500-yard course is

continued on page 43