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Soccer Field Maintenance - Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association
ILSTMA Fall 2008 Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association d l e i F r Socce ance n e t n i a M Also inside: MIPE Vendor Fair PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BRAINERD Will the Cost of Fertilizer Change Your Program Seeding Tips for Maximum Effectiveness ...and more! ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 1 9/19/08 1:18:00 PM You’re always ahead of the game with a COVERMASTER® Raincover... “Great Service..., The Best...” wrote Chip Baker, Ass’t Baseball Coach, Florida State University, Chip’s comments confirm what we hear from the many groundskeepers who use a COVERMASTER ® raincover to keep their fields dry and ready for play. Call us and we’ll gladly tell you more. The COVERMASTER® Advantage... • • • • • • Superior in strength and UV resistance Outstanding heat reflective properties Light weight - easy to handle Widest materials for least number of seams Largest choice of weights and colors Backed by truly dependable warranties TARP MACHINE VIDEO! Covers for football and soccer fields are also readily available. © 2008, Covermaster Inc. - ILL STMA Tallahassee, FL TARP MACHINE™ lets you roll the cover on and off your field in minutes. Call, fax or e-mail for a free video, material samples and a brochure. CALL TOLL FREE The TARPMATE™ plastic roller comes in 3 standard lengths and with safety end caps. 1- 800-387-5808 TM MEMBER MASTERS IN THE ART OF SPORTS SURFACE COVERS covermaster. com E-MAIL: info@covermaster.com COVERMASTER INC., 100 WESTMORE DR. 11-D, REXDALE, ON, M9V 5C3 TEL 416-745-1811 FAX 416-742-6837 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 2 9/19/08 1:18:00 PM Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association 2008 ILSTMA OFFICERS President Scott Gaunky Conserv FS Service Center Manager Phone (847) 526-0007 Cell (847) 774-2161 sgaunky@conservfs.com Executive Director Libby Baker ILSTMA P.O. Box 471 Wadsworth, IL 60083 Phone (847) 263-7603 Fax (847) 263-7603 baker60ft6in@sbcglobal.net Rich Bailey Field Crew Leader City of Lake Forest 110 E. Laurel Lake Forest, IL 60045 Phone (847) 615.4320 athlfld@cityoflakeforest.com George Brandt American Sod Corporation P.O. Box 861 Palatine, IL 60078 Phone (847) 358-0144 americansod@comcast.net Tom Edgcomb C.T.S. GraincoFS, Inc. 3107 N. Ste Hwy 23 Ottawa, IL 61350 Phone (815) 434.0131 tedgcomb@graincofs.com Don Michaels, CTS Conserv FS 27310 W. Case Rd. Wauconda, IL 60084 Phone (847) 815-5671 dmichaels@conservfs.com Fsturfguy27@comcast.net Tom Rychlik Civil Engineer Gewalt Hamilton Assoc., Inc. 850 Forest Edge Drive Vernon Hills, IL 60061 Phone (847) 478-9700 trychlik@gha-engineers.com Mike Schiller, CSFM Salesman Olsen Distributing Co. 21 N 969 Pepper Road Barrington, IL 60010 Phone (847) 381-9333 mike@olsendistributing.com Schillerm66@wowway.com Dena DiVincenzo Waupaca Sand & Solutions 7343 111th Street Worth, IL 60482 Phone (715) 258-8566 x200 dena@waupacasand.com 805 New Hampshire, Ste E Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: (800) 323-3875 Email: lcraig@stma.org For advertising rates and information call (609) 655-2000, or e-mail: brainerdray@comcast.net. The materials contained in this publication are designed to provide accurate, timely and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. The opinions reflected within are the opinions of the authors and not necessarily of ILSTMA. Acceptance of advertisement in ILSTMA Magazine does not constitute approval or endorsement of the product or service by ILSTMA. ILSTMA reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement, articles or items appearing in this publication. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. President’s Message By Scott Gaunky F or those of you who have not heard I have a new employer, Conserv FS. At the time I sit and write this message it has been 121 days since I went to work for a commercial vendor. The reason I bring this to your attention is two fold. First, I knew that becoming an employee of a commercial vendor put me in a position with the chapter that we have not been in before. The current bylaws state that the President must not be a commercial vendor and that has been the situation for years until I lost my job this past March. I did not plan on losing my job, but I knew I had to find one and in this economy I feel blessed to have found the one I have. Now we were faced with this issue and it was compounded by the fact that a new board was elected last December. It was my concern and the concern of the other board members that to maintain continuity for the chapter it was in the best interest of the membership that I continue on as President until the end of my term. This would give time to find and or train a replacement. The second part of this involves the bylaws and the changes that we need to make. The National STMA has recognized this as an issue also so, as part of a revamping of the bylaws this issue was addressed. Having said that, the National membership will vote this winter on the changes the bylaws commit“By excluding commercial tee has proposed. One of the things that this group has noticed is that by excluding comvendors from holding the mercial vendors from holding the position of position of President we are President we are missing out on having some individuals in that position. missing out on having some veryInqualified the case of our chapter it appears that now only the commercial people have very qualified individuals in for stepped up to volunteer their time to be involved in the board. I would ask that if any that position.” member has issue with what has transpired than they should get involved. This winter the Illinois STMA will also look at changing the bylaws to bring them in line with the National organization. These changes will only benefit the membership and provide us with the ability to maintain strong leadership on the board. If you ever have any questions on the changes we are making please contact me or any of the other board members. We are here to represent you, and your opinion matters. As I have said in the past, “this is your chapter”. Get involved or let us know what you think. In December we will have a social event at the Fox and Hound in Schaumburg and I would love to see you there. This will be done in conjunction with the IPTC conference and should be a great chance to meet, greet, and do some networking. Have a great fall! n Inside This Issue 2008 ILSTMA Officers...................3 Solid Tine vs. Coring Tine............11 President’s Message..........................3 Will the Cost of Fertilizer Change Your Program?.................12 From the Executive Director..........5 ILSTMA Winter Social...................5 Membership Application...............12 Soccer Field Maintenance...............6 ILSTMA Field & Facility Award..............................................14 Welcome New Members.................7 Email Etiquette...............................15 Calendar of Events...........................7 Seeding Tips For Maximum Effectiveness................15 MIPE Vendor Fair...........................8 Do the Field Closures in New Jersey Affect Us?....................10 3 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 3 9/19/08 1:18:01 PM ILSTMA Magazine • Fall 2008 From the Executive Director By Libby Baker T ake a good look through this newsletter. It is once again filled with some great articles. I hope it provides you and your staff with pertinent information and resources you can use. If you have ideas for articles or would like to see other topics addressed, let me know. The newsletter is provided as a benefit to you and it should include things you want to know about. Watch your mail at the end of October for your 2009 membership renewals. If you are also a member of STMA, you will be receiving a membership renewal from them as well. Please submit your chapter dues directly to me and your National dues directly to National. It just makes the bookkeeping a bit cleaner and easier for us both. Don’t forget to go online to STMA.org. They have some new resources available, including Comprehensive irrigation designs for sports fields (provided by Hunter Industries), Bermudagrass Athletic Field Maintenance Calendar, Sports Field Painting Tips, Certification Recruitment Brochures, Baseball Maintenance Guide, and Baseball Maintenance Guide IN SPANISH. And last but not least, don’t forget the Field of the Year award and the scholarships. Please call me at 847.263.7603 or e-mail me at baker60ft6in@sbcglobal.net for application forms. Wouldn’t you love to see your field/facility on the next cover of the ILSTMA newsletter? n 4 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 4 9/19/08 1:18:02 PM Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association Instant Play Turf American Sports Turf Surfacing 847-404-1820 5 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 5 9/19/08 1:18:04 PM ILSTMA Magazine • Fall 2008 SOCCER FIELD MAINTENANCE By, Jeffrey A. Reinhard, CPRP Superintendent of Parks, Gurnee Park District T he Gurnee Park District Youth Soccer League has experienced increasing growth over the last several years. Currently, 832 youth play on our fields within District programs, with an additional 500 youth and adults playing for private leagues which utilize the same fields. This increase has occurred while using the same number of fields we had ten years ago with a much smaller program. Sports Field professionals can attest to the wear and tear on fields from April to November and the constant attention needed to keep the turf healthy while enduring the continuous and steady abuse. Cooperation between the Parks and Recreation staff allows us to rotate fields “The most important on an annual basis. Planning allows us to component in field “rest” fields for over a year. While restmaintenance is having ing extra maintenance occurs: topdressing, seeding, or adding calcined clay in the soil a staff that takes pride structure. Even fields that are in use have in the fields and cares had major work done during the season without disrupting playability. Adding calabout the individuals cined clay using a method called “drill and fill” has helped our larger fields have less that play on them.” compaction and better quality turf. The District Sports Field Team follows accepted cultural practices when maintaining a sports field. The grass needs to be maintained properly throughout the growing season; aerating, aeravating, fertilizing, irrigating, over-seeding, topdressing, soil testing and mowing frequency all have their use during the year. Mowing once to three times per week keeps the grass healthy. As important as irrigation is, it won’t do much without the proper nutrients and aeration. Seasonal timing of these turf practices is also important. Planting grass while it is hot and dry, with no chance of irrigation, will be a waste of time, energy and money. In my opinion, the most important component in field maintenance is having a staff that takes pride in the fields and cares about the individuals that play on them. Employees who work on our sports fields have been trained at our park district. They get on the job training as well as the opportunity to attend various workshops offered by other organizations. They are also expected to become pesticide turf operators through the State of Illinois. We also support education opportunities through the local community college. In the end, we know we’ve done our job when we receive compliments about our fields from the community and visiting teams. n 6 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 6 9/19/08 1:18:05 PM Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association Welcome New Members The ILSTMA would like to introduce and welcome our newest members: ENCAP, LLC Matthew Selle, University of Chicago CALENDAR OF EVENTS Illinois Professional Turf Conference December 10, 11, 12 Schaumburg Convention Center, Schaumburg ILSTMA/IPTC Winter Social December 10, 2008 Fox & Hound Tavern, Schaumburg STMA 20th Annual Conference & Exhibition January 13-17, 2009 San Jose, CA J. W. TURF, INC. www.JohnDeere.com JOHN DEERE EQUIPMENT. JOHN DEERE IRRIGATION. HELP MAKE IT A GREENER WORLD. NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE™ Gator TX Turf ProGator 2020A 1200A Bunker Rake 4-WHEEL SUSPENSION & TRACTION ASSIST. POWER & EXTRA-LARGE CARRYING CAPACITY. LOW-MAINTENANCE RAKE, MANY ATTACHMENTS. J. W. TURF, INC. 14 N 937 US HWY 20 HAMPSHIRE, IL 60140 (847) 683-4653 7 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ H23BCA3-00158918 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 7 9/19/08 1:19:20 PM ILSTMA Magazine • Fall 2008 MIPE Vendor Fair By Libby Baker T he weather was perfect for this years’ Vendor Fair, hosted by the Midwest Institute of Park Executives. The sight for the day’s event was the West Chicago Park District’s Reed-Keppler Park. Reed Keppler Park is a beautiful 89 acre sports and recreation complex featuring 7 baseball/softball fields, 2 soccer field, 1 small lacrosse field, a skate park, 2 playgrounds, concession stand, football field, ample parking and 5 acre water park. Reed Keppler also plays host to the areas largest annual award winning Mud Volleyball Tournament every July. More than 40 vendors were there to show off and demonstrate their equipment, as well as promote their supplies and services. Some ILSTMA member vendors in attendance were: Olsen Distributing, National Seed, TPEC/Reinders, JW Turf, Gewalt-Hamilton, Conserv FS, Team REIL, Commercial Turf & Tractor, Van’s Enterprises, and Hunter Industries. Over 90 MIPE members and 40 ILSTMA members registered for the event. As you may recall, last year the ILSTMA hosted this event and allowed to the MIPE to attend at membership rates. This year it was MIPE’s turn. The ILSTMA will be talking with the MIPE about the possibility of having this event every other year, per the request of some of the vendors. A big thank you goes out to Marv Wolf for allowing us to participate in and attend this annual event. n 8 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 8 9/19/08 1:18:07 PM ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 9 9/19/08 1:18:08 PM ILSTMA Magazine • Fall 2008 ® Athletic Field & Turf Maintenance Supplies TURFACE® LEGENDTM Professional Turf Grass Seed Kifco Water Reels Line Marking Paint Line Marking Machines Ball Diamond Mix Ball Field Rakes Drag Mats Making Your World Greener...TM Since 1928 27310 W Case Rd 7851 183rd St 14937 IL Route 76 1925 S Meridian Rd Wauconda, IL Tinley Park, IL Caledonia, IL Rockford, IL 847.526.0007 708.532.4723 815.765.2571 815.963.7669 www.conservfs.com Do the Field Closures in New Jersey Affect Us? From STMA.org R ecently, many national news outlets reported on the high lead levels found in three synthetic fields in New Jersey. If you manage a synthetic field, you no doubt have received questions from your employer and your user groups. We encourage you to continue to educate yourself on the issues. To help you stay current on this issue, STMA has listed several links on STMA.org about current articles and information from the Synthetic Turf Council. This information is certainly not all inclusive, but provides a snapshot of industry news. n BUILT ON EXPERIENCE, SERVICE & CUSTOMER SATISFACTION! CONTRACTING, SALES, SERVICE, PARTS Trust Your Turf to Us! • Terra Spike Deep-tine Aeration • Overseeding & Slit Seeding • • Core Collecting • Greens, Tees, Fairways, Sports Fields • Complete Turf Renovation • ® Wiedenmann® TERRA BRUSH Wiedenmann TERRA SPIKE DEEP TINE AERATION Wiedenmann® TERRA CLEAN Wiedenmann®/ ® Terra-Combi SHOWN W/SPIKED ROLLER & OPTIONAL OVERSEEDING UNIT ROTADAIRON® SOIL RENOVATOR WaterWick® GRAVEL VEIN INJECTION www.bryansblend.com Home of Bryan’s Blend Barbeque Sauce! ® 1-800-748-7497 Bryan Wood, Owner Serving the Industry for over 25 years Check out our demo and trade-in equipment for sale www.commercialturfandtractor.com 10 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 10 9/19/08 1:18:09 PM Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association SOLID TINE VS. CORING TINE By Bryan Wood, Commercial Turf & Tractor Copyright 2008 W ith turf managers and golf course superintendents aerifying year-round for different specific reasons these days, here is a brainteaser question to answer: Should you use solid or coring tines? The answer depends first on what style aerifier you’re using and then the problems being addressed. Some say that solid tines cause compaction, but they don’t quite have their facts straight. It’s not the solid tine that causes compaction, but the machine it’s attached to. Solid tines are available for both “straight-upand-down” (SUD) or “heave action” aerifiers. An SUD aerifier with solid tines can do more damage than good. Even with coring tines the SUD technology is obsolete compared to heave action machines. In fact, an adjustable-depth heave action aerator is the best all around machine choice. A heaving action machine actually slices into the soil profile with a slight lifting action. The tine is in a heaving motion at the bottom of the stroke, thus not creating any hardpan. This creates pour space and increases the cat ion exchange capacity of the soil. This is how it loosens without pulling a core. SUD aerifiers with solid tines can be used as a shallow pin spiker (possibly on hydrophobic greens or “in season” athletic fields) but are really only good for opening the surface during high stress times, allowing for quick water and air penetration with minimal disturbance to the surface or sub-surface. Again, this is only opening the surface, not “It’s not the solid tine relieving compaction. Be careful not use this method too much or an that causes compaction, to even more serious problem will develop. The SUD aerifier will create but the machine it’s a “sheep’s-foot roller” effect and a really bad hardpan layer in the soil attached to.” profile. I’ve seen these hardpan layers so severe that not only was there a toxic gas build-up underneath, but the soil also had a toxic chemical layer. So when using SUD aerifiers, whether going deep or shallow, you should generally avoid using solid tines and stick to coring tines for compaction relief. Solid tines can effectively be used, adjusted to any depth, with “heaving-type” aerifiers – the deeper the better. With little or no damage to the turf, these newer designed machines will relieve general compaction as well as relieve the shallow hardpan and toxic layer created by the SUD machines. Solid tines ranging from 3/16 to1 inch in diameter and 6 to16 inches in length, and can be used any time the ground has sufficient moisture for penetration. Avoid aerifying any ground (with any style machine) in bone dry condition, or excess damage to the turf and machinery will occur. The old mentality of bone dry “shatter-tining” has been effectively replaced with today’s newer technology. Turning to the subject of coring tines, they are used for thatch removal, topdressing, and soil amending. Although 90-95% of thatch removal is accomplished through a good verticutting/topdressing program, an important 5-10% of thatch is removed by pulling cores. This is especially helpful during hot, high stress times when the thatch can become hydrophobic and repel irrigation water. Ironically, in high traffic areas such as the center sections of sportsfields or cart path traffic areas, a certain amount of thatch retention is recommended. Most turf managers would love to have some thatch in these areas to help protect the crowns of the plants and prevent players from making a muddy “pig pen” of the area during wet conditions. Another advantage in using a coring tine is to bring soil to the surface for topdressing. This can be cost affective for multiple athletic fields and fairways. Lastly, soil amending through deep tine aerifying with coring tines has been successful for many years now. Through core removal and heavy topdressing, a soil profile can me modified over time without taking the area out of play or spending excessive amounts of money. Care should be taken to either alternate between solid and coring tines, or perform several extra topdressing applications since the densely compacted soil that is being removed is hard to completely replace with a single topdressing. This will prevent a “sinking” affect of the turf area being cored. You may even consider exclusively using solid tines for soil amending since they will generally heal faster and create less mess. Your turf will love you for it, and the channels created with the deep tine make a permanent chimney of sand allowing water and roots to penetrate with ease and flourish. As you can see, the choice between solid and coring tines varies with the machine design, the problem being addressed, and the desired outcome. There’s a time and place for both. For more tips on aeration, visit our website at www.commercialturfandtractor.com to download our article “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Aerifying But Was Afraid to Ask”. n ILSTMA Magazine Hits YOUR Target Market. To Advertise Call (609) 655-2000 or E-mail: brainerdray@comcast.net 11 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 11 9/19/08 1:18:09 PM ILSTMA Magazine • Fall 2008 Will the Cost of Fertilizer Change Your Program? By Thomas Edgcomb C.C.A. IL Certified Turf Specialist, GRAINCO FS Inc. N ormally in the fall, we aerify and fertilize with starter fertilizer and over seed areas that are over used or damaged to help thicken and promote root growth. We also apply fall and winter fertilizer to build roots and strengthen grass plants for winter stress so they can wake up strong and compete with Mother Nature’s best. With the cost of raw fertilizer products at record levels and rising, can we afford to continue our same programs? Starter fertilizers such as 13-13-13 or 19-19-19, even 14-24-9 are becoming very expensive with the cost of phosphorus product. It is looking like a no phosphorus “Potassium applications policy might be in order, especially on general maintenance applicain the fall improve tions. On new seeding, a half rate of phosphorus may be appropriate. plant development, I believe that phosphorus at seedstrengthen plant cell ing helps with establishment and improves root growth. walls and make the What about potassium? Do you grass stand upright.” neglect that nutrient? Potassium applications in the fall improve plant development, strengthen plant cell walls and make the grass stand upright. It is much safer to apply extra potassium in the cool weather of the fall. Usually Nitrogen is the factor that drove the cost of fertilizer, now it may be the cheapest of the three. Things have changed. The best recommendation would be to look at your soil tests. Make recommendations based on these results. It is more important than ever ILSTMA Membership Application to have current soil tests, hopefully within four years. If the soil tests are above optimum levels, maybe all that is required is Nitrogen. When getting soil tests, make sure you use a reputable soil lab and that they do turf samples regularly. Hopefully this strong market is short lived. It has already lasted longer Jaydee_SC_Save 11:17 AM than some have predicted. With good1/2/08 information we can make good choices and decisions, and next year we may be able to get back to our regular programs. n Page Save Time Time & Material Save Material TURFMARKER™ Model 15 The most operator friendly marker on the market. Name:________________________________ Title:_____________ Company Name: ________________________________________ Company Address: _ _____________________________________ City:_____________________________ State/Zip:_ ____________ Company Phone:_ _________________ E Mail:_ ______________ Membership dues are $40 annually per member. Payable by check or money order to: ILSTMA Please fill out form completely and mail with your payment to: Libby Baker ILSTMA P.O. Box 471 Wadsworth, IL 60083-0471 Call 800-443-3268 for more information Mfg. by Jaydee Equipment Company 202 E. Joliet Hwy. - New Lenox, IL 60451 E-Mail: turfmarker@comcast.net 12 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 12 9/19/08 1:18:10 PM Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association NEW LOCATION IN 2008 Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center Where Turf Professionals Grow™ M a r k Yo u r C a l e n d a r To d a y In case you missed it last year, we’re repeating and adding to our: Synthetic Sports Turf Symposium December 10-12, Schaumburg, Illinois Innovative turfgrass education is the hallmark of the IPTC. Your attendance at the 2008 IPTC demonstrates your professionalism and commitment to advancing yourself and your career. There is simply no better regional meeting than the 2008 IPTC for a vigorous and beneficial exchange of ideas. After two full member registrations from the same company, each additional registration is $50 per person. Plan to bring your entire staff. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the country’s experts on synthetic sports turf. Learn about installation, selection, maintenance and current research findings on all the synthetics the market has to offer. The Symposium will be comprised of the following talks followed by a roundtable discussion led by leading Sports Turf Managers in the area. Truths and Myths about Synthetic Turf Design Considerations & Permitting Synthetic Turf Surface Installation Shopping for a Synthetic Turf Surface Maintaining a Synthetic Turf Surface Financing a Synthetic Turf Surface Installation Sports Turf General Education Session Highlights Soils for Sports Turf, Dr. Ken Diesburg, Southern Illinois University Deep Tine Aerification-Improve Your Drainage, Dr. John Stier, University of Wisconsin Converting a Native Soil Field with Sand Topdressing, Dr. Trey Rogers, Michigan State University Topdressing Materials to Improve Drainage, Mr. Brett Grahms, Waupaca Sand & Solutions Making Sense of Soil Tests, Dr. Tom Voigt, University of Illinois Subsurface Drainage Systems, Mr. Andrew Plowman, Varicore Technologies Wetting Agents to Improve Drainage, Mr. Chip Houmes, Precision Laboratories CSFM The CEUs IPTC isAvailable sponosred by the Illinois Turfgrass Foundation illinoisturfgrassfoundation.org 13 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 13 9/19/08 1:18:10 PM ILSTMA Magazine • Fall 2008 ILSTMA Field & Facility Award Purpose: o recognize a sports turf facility that is managed with a high degree of excellence. To show appreciation for individual professional efforts, leading to an exceptional degree of maintenance and quality appearance of the field/facility. To inspire and challenge those responsible for maintenance of sports turf to achieve greater levels of excellence. The Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association, by sponsoring this award program, wishes to promote sports fields and facilities of exceptional safety, quality and beauty. T Eligibility: In order to be eligible for the ILSTMA Field & Facility Award: • Must be an active member in good standing. • Must be professionally engaged in and responsible for the maintenance of the sports field/facility described on the application form. • Have a facility that is at least two (2) years old. • The field is not eligible for submittal if an ILSTMA Board Member, representing the agency, sits on the ILSTMA Awards Committee. • Only natural grass surfaces/fields will be accepted. Applying for the Award: Completed applications must be postmarked by Monday, November 3, 2007 and mailed to: ILSTMA, P.O. Box 471, Wadsworth, IL 60083 Any application that does not meet the eligibility criteria, has not been completed properly, or is postmarked past the deadline, will be returned and not considered. The Awards Committee will evaluate each application received. The Awards Committee will consist of a member vendor, the Executive Director, a past FOY recipient, and two ILSTMA members. The winner will be presented with a plaque. ILSTMA Scholarship Program The Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association’s objective is the collection and dissemination of scientific, educational and applied knowledge through association with those person engaged in and who are con- cerned with the construction, maintenance and use of sports turf areas for superior playing conditions. As part of this mission, the ILSTMA offers a scholarship program. The scholarships are intended to help members to attend the National STMA Conference, the Illinois Professional Turf Conference, or pay for annual membership dues. Winners will be notified prior to the IPTC. Eligibility Any ILSTMA member in good standing is eligible to apply for a scholarship. Types of Scholarships A $750.00 scholarship is available to help cover expenses relating to the National STMA Conference in St. Jose, CA. The conference will be held at the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx A $200.00 scholarship is available to help cover the expenses necessary to attend the Illinois Professional Turf Conference & Trade Show, December 10-12, 2008, at the Schaumburg Convention Center. A $95.00 scholarship to cover the cost of becoming a member of the National STMA. A $40.00 scholarship to cover the cost of the 2009 LSTMA membership dues. Applying for the Scholarship Completed applications must be postmarked by Monday, November 3, 2007 and mailed to: ILSTMA, P.O. Box 471, Wadsworth, IL 60083 Contact Libby Baker, Executive Director at 847.263.7603 or baker60ft6in@ sbcglobal.net to receive the application packets for both the scholarships and the Field of the Year. The deadline will be here before you know it and you need to get started now! Take advantage of these membership opportunities. Show off your field/facility! Apply today! Questions should be directed to Libby Baker, Executive Director, 847-2637603 or baker60ft6in@sbcglobal.net. ILSTMA Magazine Hits YOUR Target Market. To Advertise Call (609) 655-2000 or E-mail: brainerdray@comcast.net 14 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 14 9/19/08 1:18:10 PM Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association Email Etiquette By Dean DiVincenzo, Waupaca Sand & Solutions E mail is increasingly becoming the communication medium of choice both in the workplace and at home. Following some simple guidelines will help your email communication look professional. Choose a meaningful subject line Always include a subject line that describes the message’s content. Some people get hundreds of emails a day. The subject line helps them decide which ones to open. Use spell check before sending Misspelled words mak you look unprofeshunl. Use proper grammar Email may seem like an informal form of communication. However, when writing to business colleagues, always follow basic grammar rules. Use complete sentences and proper punctuation. DON’T SHOUT! Typing in all capital letters looks like you’re YELLING! Dn abrvt Don’t type like a teenager on a cell phone. Thx ur gr8. l8rg8r. ROTFL. Who knows what those acronyms mean, anyway? Avoid smileys Typing a smiley face at the end of your email doesn’t automatically make everything you said OK. : ) Double-check recipients Before sending, make sure the correct recipients are in the address lines. Be careful when clicking the “reply all” button. Pick up the phone If you are upset or are dealing with a sensitive issue, call the person instead of emailing. A written email does not convey the tone of your voice. Your words could be interpreted the wrong way. Also, email is a permanent written record, so don’t unleash a poison pen tirade that can come back to hurt you later. Follow the postcard rule Some agencies monitor their employees’ emails. Don’t write anything in an email that you wouldn’t write on a postcard. Don’t send personal emails from your work account. Include a proper sign-off When sending an email message to someone outside of your agency, close with an appropriate signature. This should include your name, agency name, and phone number. You may also include your mailing address, email address, and cell phone number. n Seeding Tips for Maximum Effectiveness By Bryan Wood, Commercial Turf & Tractor Copyright 2008 W ith the popularity of the TV show “Myth Busters”, there are some myths that need to be evaluated when seeding. I’ve been seeding turf for over 25 years and my company contract seeds thousands of acres of golf course tees, greens, fairways, and athletic fields each year. With the introduction of new seeding equipment in recent years, operators now “The main key to good have the option of seeding up to 1 ½ seed germination is good inches deep (I don’t know who really would do that). The main key to good seed-to-soil contact, right? seed germination is good seed-to-soil Not necessarily.” contact, right? Not necessarily. If it’s Bentgrass, Bermudagrass, Ryegrass, Bluegrass, or Fescue, the results are always the same. If you plant the seed too deep it’s not going to grow. Even if you have a bad thatch prob- lem, don’t plant the seed so deep (to get in contact with the soil) that you bury it! For the smaller seeds such as Bentgrass, Bluegrass, or Bermudagrass, I’ve seen the best germination results when planting around 3/16 to 3/8 inch deep. Even for larger Ryegrass and Fescue seeds, the best germination rates seem to be when planted no deeper than ½ inch deep. If thatch is a problem, go ahead and plant the seed shallow, right into the thatch layer. This will give you the best germination rates, faster germination, and usually a cleaner seeding job. After getting the turf grass re-established, then start to tackle the thatch issue. Through verticutting, top-dressing, and coring the thatch can then be remedied with little disruption to play. So remember, with all the new seeder technology out there…. Just because the seeder will go that deep, doesn’t mean you have to do it. PS…. Don’t plant the seed upside down! n 15 ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 15 9/19/08 1:18:11 PM ILSTMA.Fall-08.indd 16 9/19/08 1:18:12 PM
