Sponsored by: Winfield and the UMN

Workshop Location:

November 17, 2016, Thursday — Mendota Heights, MN

Mendakota Country Club 2075 Mendakota Drive Mendota Heights, MN 55120

A high quality one-day general educational workshop is designed to best meet the needs of individuals who work on Minnesota golf courses.

This workshop will speci cally address the unique educational needs of golf course employees who maintain turf, landscape, and aquatic features.

Turf and landscape management at golf courses is unique in the different types of turf, how the turf
is maintained and management of landscape plants and type of disease, weed and insect situations. Turf and landscape plants management requires a very high level of intense management with extensive technology and expertise needed.

Golf course water features of small ponds, fountains etc, require quite different pest management practices, legal concerns, safety and environmental considerations than Minnesota’s lakes, streams, rivers and wetlands. 

Recertication for:

Pesticide applicator recerti cation recerti cation in Minnesota categories A: Core, E: Turf and Ornamentals and F: Aquatics categories pesticide applicator recerti cation. 

Topics / Workshop Schedule

• Laws & Regs

• Personal Protection Equipment – Respirators

• Proper nozzle selection

• Herbicide Resistance Management Strategies

• Soil Borne Root Pathogens and Control Strategies

• Aquatic Weed Control for Golf Courses

• Algae control in golf course ponds

  The workshop presentations will be given by state and national golf course experts. 

The workshop is co-sponsored by
Pesticide Safety & Environmental Education, University of Minnesota Extension, and by WinField. 

For Registration and Workshop Information

Contact Mary Ferguson, Pesticide Safety & Environmental Education, University of Minnesota, at 612-625-4271 or m-ferg@umn.edu 

A monthly electronic newsletter summarizing Minnesota's climate conditions and the resulting impact on water resources. Distributed on the first Thursday of the month.

State Climatology Office - DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources, St. Paul distributed: October 6, 2016

What happened in September 2016:

• September 2016 was essentially an extension of the Wet Summer 2016 for many locations in Minnesota. Waseca in south central Minnesota wound up with its wettest month ever with 14.80 inches. Through October 5, the annual total for 2016 at Waseca is 49.11 inches. This is only 4.41 inches short of the all time annual Minnesota precipitation record of 53.52 inches that was set at St. Francis in 1991. The preliminary average statewide precipitation total was 4.49 inches, or 1.31 inches above normal. This would be enough for the 13th wettest September on record (1895-2016). The heaviest rain fell across southern Minnesota, where monthly departures were in excess of 3-5 inches south of the Twin Cities. Much of central and northern Minnesota locations were near to slightly above normal. The exception was the far northwest which was about 1-3 inches above normal. 
• [see: September 2016 Precipitation Total Map  | September 2016 Precipitation Departure Map  | September 2016 Climate Summary Table  |  September 2016 Percent of Normal Precipitation Map] 
• September 2016 had one notable heavy rain event and some severe weather as well. Some notable events of the month include:
• September had one heavy rain episode that fell in two different places. The heavy rains of September 20-22 hit parts of the northern Twin Cities hard from Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park and Fridley, causing street flooding and damage to culverts. Heavy rains also affected a broad area of south central and southeast Minnesota. In particular, the town of Waseca was greatly affected with 75% of the homes in town affected by flooding. The University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center saw 10.16 inches for a two day total. 
• [see: September 20-22, 2016 Heavy Rain]
• A tornado struck Camp Ripley during the night of September 7, damaging barracks and a newly-installed solar panel farm. Luckily, the tornado struck during the week when there were few personnel present. 
• [see: Tornado at Camp Ripley: September 7. 2016]
• Nearly lost was the fact that September was a very warm month. The preliminary average statewide temperature was 60.8 degrees or about 3.1 degrees above normal. This would be enough for the fifteenth warmest September on record (1895-2016). The all time record was set in 2015 with 63.7 degrees. The highest temperature found for the state was 90 degrees in Sherburn in Martin County on September 21. The coldest temperature for the month was 29 degrees at Embarrass in St. Louis County on September 29. 
• [see: September 2016 Climate Summary Table  |  2016 September Departure from Normal Temperature Map]

Where we stand now:

• Seasonal precipitation totals (April 1 through October 4) ranked above the historical median over much of Minnesota, with much of south central, southeast and east central Minnesota in the 95% for the wettest growing season. Some areas are in the 99 percentile or nearly the wettest on record. Also, parts of northwest Minnesota rank in the 95 percentile as well. There are a few areas in north central and west central Minnesota that fall short of the median. 
• The U. S. Drought Monitor map released on October 6, depicts the entire state free of any drought designation. The state has been completely free of any drought designation for five weeks in a row, beginning on September 6. This is the longest stretch since the summer of 2014. The U.S. Drought Monitor index is a blend of science and subjectivity where drought categories (Moderate, Severe, etc.) are based on several indicators.
• [see: Drought Conditions Overview]
• The U.S. Geological Survey reports that stream discharge values are much above normal across large sections of western, central and southern Minnesota. Normal flows are in the north central and northeast. 
• [see: USGS Stream Flow Conditions]
• Water levels on most Minnesota lakes vary depending on lake and location in the state. Mille Lacs was above the median lake level for September. On October 6, Minnetonka was at 929.37 with 200 cfs flowing through Grays Bay Dam. White Bear Lake was at 922.62 feet on October 6, a rise of 1.26 feet from one year ago and a rise of 3.78 feet from the record low of 918.84 measured January 10, 2013. Rainy and Lake of the Woods are in the median range for September. Lake Superior was at 602.72 feet on September 30, seven inches higher than the monthly average for September. 
• [see: Mille Lacs Lake Water Level  |  Lake Minnetonka Water Level  |  White Bear Lake Water Level  |  Lake of the Woods Control Board Basin Data  |  Corps of Engineers Great Lakes Water Levels]
• The Agricultural Statistics Service on October 3 reports that topsoil moisture across Minnesota is 0 percent Very Short, 2 percent Short, 56 percent Adequate, and 42 percent Surplus. Soil moisture levels at Lamberton and Waseca are well above the historical median. 
• [see: Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Progress and Condition  |  U. of M. Southwest Research and Outreach Center (Lamberton)  |  U. of M. Southern Research and Outreach Center (Waseca)]
• The potential for wildfires is currently rated by DNR Forestry as Low across Minnesota, except for northwest and parts of north east sections where the fire danger is Moderate. Historically, 80 percent of all wildfires in Minnesota occur during April and May.
• [see: Fire Danger Rating Map]

Future prospects:

• The October precipitation outlook leans towards above normal precipitation across the western half of the state with equal chances over the eastern half of Minnesota. October precipitation normals range from about one-and-a-half inches in northwest Minnesota to about three-and-a-half inches in Cook County. Southern and central Minnesota range by about one-and-three-quarters of an inch in the southwest to about two-and-a-half inches in east central Minnesota. 
• [see: Climate Prediction Center 30-day Outlook  |  October Precipitation Normal Map]
• The October temperature outlook leans towards above normal temperatures throughout Minnesota for October, with the best chance in far northeast and southeast Minnesota. Normal October high temperatures are in the 60's to start the month, dropping to the low 50's to upper 40's by month's end. Normal lows are in the 40's early in the month, falling to the 30's by late October.
• [see: Climate Prediction Center 30-day Outlook  | October Temperature Normal Map]
• The 90-day temperature outlook for October through December has a continuation of above normal temperatures, heavily weighted for the anticipated warm October, The 90-day precipitation outlook for October through December indicates equal chances of below-normal, near-normal, or above-normal conditions across most of Minnesota.
• [see: Climate Prediction Center 90-day Outlook]
• The National Weather Service produces long-range probabilistic river stage and discharge outlooks for the Red River, Minnesota River, and Mississippi River basins. These products address both high flow and low flow probabilities.
• [see: National Weather Service - North Central River Forecast Center]

From the author:

• The Winter Outlook (December-February) From the Climate Prediction Center has a slight tendency for below normal temperatures and equal chances for below, normal and above normal precipiation. 
• [see: Climate Prediction Center December-February Outlook]

Upcoming dates of note:

• October 20: National Weather Service releases 30/90 day temperature and precipitation outlooks

2016-10-04 | Bob Helland, GCSAA - October 2016

The U.S. House passed a bill (H.R. 6094) that would delay implementation of the Department of Labor’s overtime rule until the middle of next year. The bill passed on a 246-177 mostly party-line vote. The Senate adjourned after passing a stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown, meaning there will be no Senate vote on the overtime bill until after the November elections at the earliest.

The final overtime rule, announced by the Department of Labor in May, raises the threshold for employees who are exempt from overtime pay to $47,476 – more than double the current salary threshold of $23,660. This increase in the salary threshold will take effect on December 1, 2016.

GCSAA does not oppose an adjustment to the current overtime threshold, but is concerned that the new rule as written would adversely affect many golf facilities. The association would like to see a phased in approach to the salary threshold as well as a salary threshold that is regionally based.

Without congressional action, the overtime rule is set to take effect Dec. 1. With Congress adjourned until Nov. 14 so that lawmakers can continue to campaign for reelection, there will be little time for the Senate to pass corrective legislation before the rule becomes effective.

The White House was sufficiently concerned about the Walberg bill that it issued a veto threat last week.

While continuing to press for a legislative solution to the Administration’s pending overtime rule, the American Society of Association Executives has joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and numerous other organizations in a lawsuit to block the rule from taking effect on Dec. 1.

 

The lawsuit filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, argues that the Department of Labor exceeded its authority under the Fair Labor Standards Act by drastically altering the minimum salary requirements for exemption and by establishing an automatic salary threshold increase every three years, to take place without notice or public comment.

With this weather, it's hard to believe that education season is just around the corner. For those new to the industry or looking for a refresher, registration for the online 12-week course we call the Great Lakes School of Turfgrass Science is now open. Details here:

http://turf.umn.edu/2016/09/registration-now-open-2017-great-lakes-school-turfgrass-science/

In addition to this online program (which is in its fourth year) the organizers will be rolling out a advanced online program for the first time. Details are still being hammered out and registration is not yet available, but I will keep you posted.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) have conducted a special registration review of neonicotinoid insecticides.In order to conduct this review, the MDA followed a scoping document that solicited input from the public and a number of interested stakeholders. Based on the review, the MDA identified several opportunities for action to minimize the impact of neonicotinoids on pollinators.

At the direction of the Minnesota legislature and the Commissioner of Agriculture (PDF: 213.8 KB / 1 page), the MDA, together with partners at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the University of Minnesota, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources, determined the scope-of-work (the underlying criteria) necessary to conduct a special registration review of neonicotinoid insecticides for the State of Minnesota. The draft scoping document was prepared to guide the special registration review of neonicotinoid insecticides and to describe the process and criteria that will be used when conducting the review.

The following links add more details to the neonicitinoid issue:

Proposed action steps to minimize the impact of neonicotinoid insecticides on pollinators  Executive summary special registration review of neonicotinoids (PDF: 1.10 MB / 10 pages) Special registration review of neonicotinoids (PDF: 3.31 MB / 120 pages) Frequently asked questions about the special registration review of neonicotinoids

In only a matter of weeks, Hazeltine National Golf Club will be host to perhaps the largest and most viewed golf event in history, the Ryder Cup.   As this tournament is very special, it is likely that a Minnesota course will participate just once in our lifetime.

Sharing this premier experience in a fun, educational and memorable fashion with volunteers and MGCSA members, has been of utmost importance to Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh and his staff.  Through negotiations with the PGA of America, Chris was provided event passes for all members of the MGCSA who also hold a GOLD GCSAA card.  Neither Chris or his staff, or Hazeltine officials are in control of these tickets. The following statement defines the rules of entry as provided the GCSAA and will be the only way to access the event as a member of the MGCSA.

“2016 Ryder Cup admittance is allowed for Class A, B (SM) and C gold card members who are also members of the Minnesota GCSA.

Complimentary daily Grounds ticket at the 2016 Ryder Cup, set for Sept. 27-Oct. 2 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

To take advantage of this offer, take the shuttle from public parking and then show a current membership card with photo identification at Admissions/Will Call, located at the main spectator entrance. More parking details are available at www.rydercup.com.

The PGA of America offer does not extend to a member’s spouse or guest, and does not extend to GCSAA members outside of Minnesota due to the small player field and limited spectator gate.”

To enhance the experience, the MGCSA is sponsoring lunch at the Hazeltine Turfgrass Center from Tuesday, September 27th through Sunday, October 2nd between the hours of 11:30 am and 2:00 pm.  Arrangements have been made with a food truck to provide this meal to all members of the MGCSA.  On Friday, representatives from the GCSAA will be joining the group for a networking opportunity.

The Hazeltine staff also extends an invitation for all MGCSA members to visit the Turfgrass Center in a casual and unhurried fashion.   Although no formal tours will be provided, as turf professionals, visitors will get a pretty good idea of the magnitude associated with hosting this event.  Please be respectful of the staff and volunteers as they actively continue preparations early and late in the day.  They need their space and most importantly they need to focus upon their task at hand, maintaining a premier Minnesota golf destination for a very special golf event.

Below you will find a map showing the access point to the Hazeltine Turfgrass Center as well as the lunch food truck.  This is the only gate to the operational facility; access will not be granted at other check points.  The posted guard will have a checklist of all current MGCSA members and GCSAA dignitaries.  Non-members of the MGCSA will not allowed entry, no exceptions. 

Link To Hazeltine Turfgrass Center Map

The Hazeltine National Golf Club Turfgrass Management Staff is excited about hosting this event and sharing their Turgrass Center.  All of the crew express great appreciation for the support they have received from volunteers, corporate sponsors and the MGCSA for their endorsement.   The meal truck is an especially important opportunity, as it will bring the MGCSA membership together for networking and a behind the scenes look at the golf tournament.

As a special opportunity and to thank those who have helped make the Ryder Cup an outstanding success, Tritabaugh has opened the opportunity to all volunteers and MGCSA members who are in attendance on Sunday, to join the Hazeltine Turfgrass Management Staff for a celebration party at the Turfgrass Center beginning at 6 pm.

Plan to attend this once in a lifetime event.  It wouldn’t be the same without you!

Advocacy pays off.  Five years ago, the MGCSA was invited to be a stakeholder in crafting the new and revised Pesticide Certification Manuals.  The intent was to make them more user friendly.

In the process, the MDA took invertebrates out of general category A&E and placed it in its own category called "P".  The MGCSA, with support from Sam Bauer and Dean Herzfeld, UMN Extension, objected to this change as it would add yet another layer to the already cumbersome and costly licensure programs. The MDA listened and heard the "foul" calls.

At a 2016 spring session of the House Agriculture Finance Committee meeting, the MDA, under the guidance of Joe Spitzmueller, Manager, Facility, Licensing and Emergency Response Section, MDA proposed a change in the law on golf's behalf, to exempt licensed golf course managers from needing more than the general permits unless the chemistries applied were restricted use products.  The MGCSA was at the hearing and leant support to the proposal.  The proposal was accepted and put into law.

The legislative changes became effective August 1, 2016 and removed the requirement for noncommercial golf course employees to hold multiple certifications for application of general use pesticides on golf course property. For golf course employees, this mean fewer certifications.

Golf course employees should seek certification in the category where training best aligns with the work they do or the sites of application where they apply restricted use pesticides.  In most situations, that means individuals will be licensed as noncommercial applicators with certifications in categories A (Core) and E (Turf and Ornamentals).  For questions, call the pesticide applicator licensing unit at MDA 651-201-6615 or email pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us.

The MDA was asked the following question to clarify the new licensure position: 

 "I am a licensed/certified A&E applicator on Happy Knoll Golf Club, under the new law I can apply general use products to kill moles (Talprid gummy worms) or copper sulfate for algae in my ponds without getting rodent (P) or aquatic (F) licensure?  Of course following the label etc.  Restricted use chemicals would require licensure correct?"

MDA response, "Your example is correct.  Another certification category (F, P etc.) would only be required if restricted use pesticides are used."

Straight from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.  A great change in Minnesota law to reduce your expense and the time necessary to gain and renew your license.  

MGCSA Advocacy is hard at work supporting your issues.

The Melrose Leadership Academy supports the professional development of GCSAA member superintendents by providing individuals the opportunity to attend the Golf Industry Show. The program is set up to provide up to 20 scholarships every year. Applications for the 2016 Melrose Leadership Academy are now closed.

The academy is open to applicants who meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Must be a current GCSAA Class A or Class B member and GCSAA Chapter member in good standing.
• Must be a Class A or Class B member for five or more years.
• Class A or Class B members working for current members of the board of directors or the board of trustees, and children of GCSAA staff members shall not be eligible for the Melrose Leadership Academy.
• Past recipients are not eligible.
• Attendees of the Golf Industry Show in the last five years are not eligible to apply.

The history

The Melrose Leadership Academy was established in 2012 by Ken Melrose, retired CEO and chairman of the board of The Toro Co., and is supported by a $1 million gift to the EIFG from The Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation. This program will have a positive impact for each superintendent selected and ultimately, the game of golf.

The program

While at the education conference, class members will attend sessions hosted by golf’s industry leaders, such as Melrose, CEOs of golf’s leading associations and recognized within the profession and the game. The event will also allow opportunities to network with GCSAA leadership, industry leaders and certified peers at various roundtables, receptions and events. The academy will offer education in the areas of:

• Risk management (health, safety, and environmental copliance)
• Efficient operations (agronomic, equipment maintenance, etc.)
• Key business elements, including communication
• Environmental stewardship

The benefits

Grant recipients will receive the following:

• Golf Industry Show full package registration
• Education seminars and leadership sessions
• Airfare
• Five nights’ hotel accommodations
• $200 spending money
• Following the conference and show, grant recipients will continue to receive communications recommending education, tools and resources offered by GCSAA to keep class participants engaged.

Graduates of the Melrose Leadership Academy will elevate their professional status and provide enhanced value to their facility through:

• Education points
• Leadership training

• Development of a new network of peers and resources
• A broad understanding of issues facing the golf industry
• An understanding of how to build a professional network through attending the conference and show

Selection process

The selection process is designed to provide a class representative of the diverse elements of the GCSAA membership. The selection criteria takes into account qualifications, interest and financial need, and to the extent possible, will be focused on less experienced superintendents who will benefit most from the educational opportunity. Applicants should be able to demonstrate an increasing level of responsibility in their profession by working to advance in their careers, and the potential for continuing to play a leadership role with GCSAA and their GCSAA affiliated chapter. Work experience, scope of personal interests, level of community involvement, and recognition of leadership abilities through receipt of honors/awards may also have significant impact in the final selection process.

a 300-Mile Bike Ride

by Larry Aylward

I’ve been covering the golf course maintenance/management industry for nearly 20 years, currently as the editor in chief of Superintendent magazine. Boy, am I blessed! It’s a fantastic industry loaded with wonderful people from all segments. I’m thankful to have made my living covering this industry for so long. Now it’s time to give back.

In late August, I will take my “Tour de Ohio” to benefit the Wee One Foundation. I will ride my bicycle from the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland to the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati. I estimate the 300-mile ride will take four days.

I’m asking you to sponsor me for my ride. ALL proceeds will go to the Wee One Foundation, which assists golf course management professionals (or their dependents) who incur overwhelming expenses due to medical hardship without comprehensive insurance or adequate financial resources. The foundation was created on behalf of Wayne Otto, the late golf course superintendent who died in 2004 after a long battle with cancer.

With your help, I’m aiming to raise thousands of dollars for the Wee One Foundation. I hope you will consider sponsoring me for a very worthy charity.

Sponsorship Levels:

• $0.05 per mile ($15)
• $0.10 per mile ($30)
• $0.15 per mile ($45)
• $0.25 per mile ($75)
• $0.50 per mile ($150)
• $1.00 per mile ($300)
• $2.00 per mile ($600)
• $3.00 per mile ($900)

Should you need a seperate invoice or wish to sponsor for a different amount than listed, please contact Wee One Foundation at or call/text 630-457-7276. 

Register to sponsor online here: "Le Tour de Ohio" a 300-Mile Bike Ride by Larry Aylward 

Golf course superintendent at Hazeltine National Golf Club, home of the 2016 Ryder Cup

You are building a whole village at Hazeltine to prepare for the Ryder Cup. It looks truly epic.

It is epic. We’re expecting 250,000 people, so there’s a lot to do. I’ve been involved in these tournaments before, but this is the first time that it’s really me managing the course and grounds from start to finish. It’s coming up quick!

Environmental stewardship is a big priority for you. What does that mean on a championship course?

There’s this thought that a golf course can’t be maintained in an environmentally friendly manner. Even within the industry there can be an idea that moving away from some of the conventional products and practices will mean quality will suffer. But when I managed Northland Country Club in Duluth, I was doing things with less and still producing a good product. Here at Hazeltine, we have more to work with, but I still want to conserve resources. The Ryder Cup is an opportunity to show that a golf course can be maintained with fewer inputs and be presented at the very highest level. 

How can golf courses help with the problems faced by pollinators?

There’s great pollinator habitat here by default, and golf courses need to preserve that. We keep a lot of areas off limits to the mowers. One of the first years I was here the assistants were spraying the milkweed, and I explained how important the milkweed is for monarchs. We have a lot of natural areas with clover and many native plants, like Joe-Pye weed. It just makes sense to have it be part of the native environment. 

How do you continue to learn from University of Minnesota Extension? 

Brian Horgan, an Extension turfgrass specialist, and Sam Bauer, an Extension educator, have been really valuable as we get ready for the Ryder Cup. With Extension, it’s not even just their own specific knowledge but also their connections to University experts in other areas. They are familiar with the literature on many subjects, but they also have the ability to say, “I don’t know about that, but I can get an answer.” That’s how they help us do better. 

How does that build on your experience at the University of Minnesota?

Mary Meyer (professor and Extension specialist) taught a horticulture class on herbaceous identification that I think back to all the time. My message to people in school at the University now is don’t see school just as a means to an end. Enjoy the people you get to be around. Take advantage of those relationships and don’t take for granted that these are the best people in their industry. To have that contact with them is very valuable. 

Can you give me an example of the collaboration between Extension and the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association (MGCSA)? 

The educational seminars put on by MGCSA are heavily backed by the research from Extension. There’s a great relationship between us. We’ll fire ideas to Brian and Sam about issues we face as superintendents. Then they’ll pull together trials, using the University’s Turfgrass Research and Outreach (TROE) Center, as well as using golf courses they have relationships with around the state. That’s what’s great about them. They listen to what our issues are, and then they’re willing to shape their research around our issues. That’s Extension to a tee. 

Any long-term change you’d like to see with water use on Minnesota golf courses?

I’d like to see more knowledge, and this goes back to the role of Extension. There are a lot of people out there managing smaller courses. They may not have the resources to attend a seminar, or to have a good irrigation system. But people can get information from Extension to help make decisions. I think the water used in our industry could be even further reduced, but some people pulling the trigger on the water may just not have the knowledge yet.

What are you going to do when the Ryder Cup is over?

My wife and I have an anniversary the day before it starts, and she’s volunteering at the event too. When it’s over, I know we’ll take a trip. But I like it all so much—using my skills and education to make good agronomic decisions. Even if someone came to me and said we weren’t going to do the Ryder Cup, I’d still be okay because I just love the work of managing the course.

Read more about the collaboration between University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association.