MID- ATLANTIC lews Letter Published by Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents to aid in the Advancement of the Golf Course Superintendent through Education and Merit VOLUME XX AUGUST 1970 No. 8 NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the MAGCSA will be held on September 15 (note the date change) at the Maryland Golf and Country in Bel Aire, Md. It will be our annual meeting with the Philadelphia group and should be well attended. Our host is Ron Hall who has been at the club 2 years. DIRECTIONS TO THE CLUB Take Route 95 to the north side of Baltimore to Maryland Route 24. Turn north on 24 and go to Wheel Road. Turn right on Wheel Rd. and go north about 2 l A miles to McPhail Rd. Turn left on McPhail and go 1 mile. The Club is on the right. MEETING PLACES September 15 Maryland Golf and Country Club. Host Ron Hall October 13 Turf Valley C.C. Host George Riddle November 10 Tantallon C.C. Host Jim Estepp December 8 Open ^SURVEY The survey is now complete! The results and a few choice editorial comments and explanations will be published in length in next month's newsletter, so brace yourself and your Greens Chairman 'cause we're gonna' lay it out face up for the whole world to see. Some of the results are good, many are bad and some are just plain ridiculous! But be that as it may, the results have been tabulated and they will be released next month, so watch out!!! IT'S HAPPENING IN GOLF News and Trends in Golf Course Development and Operation by Harry C. Eckhoff Facility Development Consultant Nat'l Golf Foundation Golf, marching upward at a steady pace ever since the end of World War II, took off like a rocket during the last decade when the once exclusive game of the very rich became one enjoyed by all the people. Daily fee courses experienced a meteoric rise of 85% during the 10 year period ending January 1, 1970; municipal operations increased 42% and private clubs 38%. New golf course openings during the same period averaged 354 a year. Of the 9926 courses in operation on January 1, 1970, approximately 13% were municipal; 42% were daily fee and 45% were private membership clubs. Golfers in the nation during the decade in question increased 110% going from 4,400,000 to over 9,500,000. NGF studies as to where golfers play indicate that 45% use municipal courses, 39% play at daily fee facilities and 16% are members of private country clubs. An acceptable yardstick for daily fee and municipal courses is one 18 hole operation for 20,000 to 25,000 persons. When 300 or more golfers in a given area are willing to share the responsibility for building a country club complex and its operational costs through a realistic dues structure, the time is right for the development of a private equity type member-owned facility. Operating costs at private ^country clubs have increased 65% during the past 15 years. Findings of a recent nationwide survey of 75 representative country clubs reveal that in 1969 the operating revenue per country club member averaged $676 with $320 representing food purchases, $167 beverages, $83 sports activities and $106 all other purchases. In addition, annual dues averaged $581 per regular member. Golf course maintenance costs for 1969 at the aforementioned 75 country clubs averaged $4,577 per hole of which $2,824 was for salaries and wages and $1,753 for all other expenses. Maintenance costs have increased 85% during the past 15 years. Despite high costs, many country clubs are thriving. Cherokee Town and Country Club at Atlanta opened in 1956 with a $500 initiation fee now charges $3,0C0 and still reports a long waiting list. The Country Club of Virginia, a 45-hole complex at Richmond, reports a golfing membership of 850 (total membership of. 5,600) and a sizeable waiting list. In Denver, Cherry
Transcript
MID-
ATLANTIC lews Letter Published by
Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents to aid in the Advancement of the Golf Course Superintendent through Education and Merit
VOLUME XX AUGUST 1970 No. 8
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the MAGCSA will be held on September 15 (note the date change) at the Maryland Golf and Country in Bel Aire, Md. It will be our annual meeting with the Philadelphia group and should be well attended. Our host is Ron Hall who has been at the club 2 years.
DIRECTIONS TO THE CLUB Take Route 95 to the north side of Baltimore to
Maryland Route 24. Turn north on 24 and go to Wheel Road. Turn right on Wheel Rd. and go north about 2lA miles to McPhail Rd. Turn left on McPhail and go 1 mile. The Club is on the right.
MEETING PLACES September 15 Maryland Golf and Country Club. Host Ron Hall October 13 Turf Valley C.C. Host George Riddle November 10 Tantallon C.C. Host Jim Estepp December 8 Open
^SURVEY The survey is now complete! The results and a
few choice editorial comments and explanations will be published in length in next month's newsletter, so brace yourself and your Greens Chairman 'cause we're gonna' lay it out face up for the whole world to see. Some of the results are good, many are bad and some are just plain ridiculous! But be that as it may, the results have been tabulated and they will be released next month, so watch out!!!
IT'S HAPPENING IN GOLF
News and Trends in Golf Course Development and Operation
by Harry C. Eckhoff Facility Development Consultant Nat'l Golf Foundation
Golf, marching upward at a steady pace ever since the end of World War II, took off like a rocket during the last decade when the once exclusive game of the very rich became one enjoyed by all the people.
Daily fee courses experienced a meteoric rise of 85% during the 10 year period ending January 1, 1970; municipal operations increased 42% and private clubs 38%.
New golf course openings during the same period averaged 354 a year. Of the 9926 courses in operation on January 1, 1970, approximately 13% were municipal; 42% were daily fee and 45% were private membership clubs.
Golfers in the nation during the decade in question increased 110% going from 4,400,000 to over 9,500,000. NGF studies as to where golfers play indicate that 45% use municipal courses, 39% play at daily fee facilities and 16% are members of private country clubs.
An acceptable yardstick for daily fee and municipal courses is one 18 hole operation for 20,000 to 25,000 persons. When 300 or more golfers in a given area are willing to share the responsibility for building a country club complex and its operational costs through a realistic dues structure, the time is right for the development of a private equity type member-owned facility.
Operating costs at private ^country clubs have increased 65% during the past 15 years. Findings of a recent nationwide survey of 75 representative country clubs reveal that in 1969 the operating revenue per country club member averaged $676 with $320 representing food purchases, $167 beverages, $83 sports activities and $106 all other purchases. In addition, annual dues averaged $581 per regular member.
Golf course maintenance costs for 1969 at the aforementioned 75 country clubs averaged $4,577 per hole of which $2,824 was for salaries and wages and $1,753 for all other expenses. Maintenance costs have increased 85% during the past 15 years.
Despite high costs, many country clubs are thriving. Cherokee Town and Country Club at Atlanta opened in 1956 with a $500 initiation fee now charges $3,0C0 and still reports a long waiting list. The Country Club of Virginia, a 45-hole complex at Richmond, reports a golfing membership of 850 (total membership of. 5,600) and a sizeable waiting list. In Denver, Cherry
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Hills Country Club has a $6,000 initiation fee and dues Sheldon Betterly, Lee Dieter, Sam Kessel and of $60 a month. It also has a two year waiting list. A l a n M o c k w e n t to Richmond to lobby this bill and to
vote against it earlier this year. Fortunately, others had But some private clubs are not prospering. This is heard of this at the last minute as we had and there were
especially true when projects were not adequately enough people there to get it delayed. But here it comes financed, management has not kept abreast of members' again, back for reconsideration and who knows what needs or dues schedules are unrealistic. will happen? This seems to be the situation not only in
Virginia, but in all the other states as well, that we as The United States, which leads the world in the agricultural people are not looking out for our own
continuing and apparently limitless expansion of the interests. Sheldon mentioned he felt that had the anti-game, will see around four thousand new courses built faction not been on hand that day, the bill might have in the next decade. So the golf boom of the 60's seems gone through as it was written. As it was, nothing destined to continue in the 70's. passed.
That this growth be intelligent and stable is one x h e government is our responsibility. If writing of the major concerns of the National Golf Foundation. l e t t e r s ? c a r r y i n g s i g n s o r g o i n g t o t h e s t a t e c a p i t a l w i l l d o
Supplementing the work of its headquarters staff are a n y g o o d let's go! full time regional consultants located in strategic areas of the nation who are available to golf course planning « 0 h , that's a waste of time," you say. "Nothing groups at no cost. NGF Information Sheet IS-2, c a n b e accomplished that way." Bull! If it hadn't been describing this facility development consultant service, f o r a f e w p e o p l e t h e r e t o o p p o s e i t w h o k n e w s o m e
is available for the asking from the National Golf FACTS, these old fogies who have been in the Virginia Foundation, 707 Merchandise Mart, Chicago, Illinois, or government since the Year One and think a cut worm is NGF's Eastern office, 1500 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, a biology lab specimen would have shut off our supply Virginia 22209. Qf g r u b worm control and then where would we be?
NOW is the time to do something about it. HELP WANTED
A new job is opening up on the Eastern Shore at St. Michaels, Md. It is the Martinham Inn and Golf Club and is on the eastern shore of the Bay. It is a Sheraton Inn venture and they are now looking for a superintendent. The course will be a private resort, will have an automatic water system and the salary is negotiable. This will be a resort operation and the Club will pay health and life insurance.
For Information Contact:
Brian Farris Martinham Inn & Golf Club St. Michaels, Md. Phone 301-822-0738 KEEPING ON TOP
In the not too distant future, the Virginia Assembly is going to be re-considering a bill for passage concerning the partial if not total elimination from the consumer market of dieldrin, aldrin, heptachlor, parathion and other hard chemicals in the controversial chlorinated hydro-carbon family. This bill, or at least one similar to it was brought up earlier this year in Richmond and when the legislators saw the opposition to the bill, it was tabled until a later date. That later date seems to be soon, and it should be brought to everyone's attention, whether you are a commercial man, a tree or park man, a golf course man or even a club member, that passage of this bill could be fatal to our operations.
UP, UP, AND AWAY
The following paragraph is from the August issue of Borden's Professional Turf News.
Gol f Courses spent $4,577 A HOLE for maintenance in 1969 according to a Wall Street Journal report. This compared to $2,469 a hole in 1955, a whopping 85.3% increase. What the current recession will do remains to be seen. Farm Index source data says that golf courses annually apply an average of more that 2 tons of fertilizer per hole - equivalent to 527 pounds per acre. In northeastern U.S., such non-farm use probably accounts for about 30% of all fertilizer used.
RANDOM THOTS
By the time this reaches you, it will almost be September. September — it has a magic sound to it, doesn't it? Once we reach Labor Day, a whole different frame of mind comes over us. What a great time of year - shorter days, cooler nights, chill winds, leaves falling, mums blooming, football under bright blue skies, kids back to school — makes you almost forget what a mess this world is really in.
With September comes budget preparation for most courses. What a crazy time for this job!. They ought to come due in May or June when the place really looks good instead of in September when the members
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remember the green you put Acti-dione and chlordane on; or the apron where the hydraulic hose on the three gang greens mower broke loose or the tee mower that rolled down the hill by a tee and took a bath in the creek at the bottom. Oh well, do your best and don't forget to figure enough money for your help next summer. They're the guys who make or break you, you know.
PERSONALS
We understand Woody Pitman is in the hospital. He is allowed no visitors, but imagine he would appreciate a card or note from the fellows. His address is: Greater Baltimore Medical Center Room 3628 Baltimore, Md.
Angie Cammarota is living back in Baltimore now. His new address is: 2011 Guy Way Baltimore, Md. 21222
GREENIES?????
Something new on the golf courses in our area this summer is the appearance of softball teams made up of supers and their crews. So far, six clubs are participating and all are having a great time. The games are all played after work at local parks and schools and the competative spirit runs high.
The clubs who are playing in the league are Fairfax (The Greenies), Columbia, Chevy Chase, Indian Spring and Washington Golf. Sam Kessel from Fairfax is the one to contact if you and your crew would like to get in on some of the action for the rest of the summer.
WHAT ABOUT - -
Application of fungicides each week is not a new idea. Applications of insecticide on a bi-weekly program is also more or less routine. But what about application once or twice a month of pre-emergent materials on turf? It would be interesting to see how well these emulsifiable materials acted residually when used once or twice a month at a reduced rate over the growing season.
True, treatment would cause trouble with fall overseeding, but if one could keep the crabgrass, goosegrass and Poa problem in their grasp over the summer, perhaps the need for as much overseeding would be put at a minimum since the good grass wouldn't be crowded out by weed competition.
Maybe some universities, manufacturers or even individuals have tested these materials like this. It would be nice to "dump a little in the tank" each week and know you would be free of these pests all summer long!
CLEARY PRODUCTS FOR BETTER TURF "PMAS" — Crabgrass & disease control "CADDY''— Liquid cadmium fungicide "SPOTRETE" - 75% Thiuram Fungicide " A L L WET" - Wetting agent "THIMER" — Mercury & Thiuram Fungicide "METHAR" & "SUPER METHAR" - Crabgrass
Control "CLEARYS MCCP" - Weed control in bent grass "TRU-GREEN" - Liquid Chelating agent "CLEAR-SPRAY" - Anti-dessicant Protective
Sticker
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NO. .8-0500
Want turf feeding flexibility?
Call on AGRICO* AGRICO COUNTRYCLUB FERTILIZER is
° Available in a variety of analysis formulated for . use on greens, tees and fairways. ® Available with pesticides for insect control, o Available with herbicides for control of broadleaf
weeds, clover and chickweeds.
AGRI-TONE 28-7-14 and AGRI-TONE 20-20-20
Water Soluble Fertilizers AGRINITE — natural organic nitrogen
AGRICO CHEMICAL C O M P A N Y , D IV IS ION OF CONTINENTAL OIL C O M P A N Y
BALTIMORE, MD. — ALEXANDRIA, VA.
Scotts the grass people
GOLF COURSE DIVISION . . . I N S E R V I C E T O T H E G O L F C O U R S E S U P E R I N T E N D E N T
BRIAN FINGER 4108 Charley Forest Street
Olney, Maryland 20832 301/774-4194
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Webl i te for Quality Turf Direct from research plots to the Golf Course. Weblite is available for mixing with your own soil or as a complete sterile soil mix for greens construction or top dressing.
FOR PUMPS-SPRI N K L E R S - P V C & T R A N S I T E PIPE & F I T T I N G S REPAIR PARTS & C O U P L I N G S - P O R T A B L E A L U M I N U M PIPE & F I T T I N G S - T R A V E L I N G S P R I N K L E R S - F E R T I L I Z E R EJECTOR
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PHONE 531-5051 OR 531-5814
A T T H E I N T E R S E C T I O N OF RT 29 A N D RT 32
YOUR COURSE DESERVES QUALITY
KAPCO CUSTOM MIXING IS QUALITY
For Best Results Contact —
John Gross 620 Regester Ave. Baltimore, Md. 21212 Phone 377-6172
You Know You'll Grow with KAPCO
Cornel l Chemical and Equipment Co . , Inc.
TURF M A I N T E N A N C E PRODUCTS
C L I F F O R D S. C A S E R E S I D E N C E P H O N E
W I N D S O R 4 - 1 3 4 8
1 1 1 5 N . R O L L I N G R O A D
B A L T I M O R E 2 8 , M A R Y L A N D
R I D G E W A Y 7 - 1 0 4 2
Miller Chemical & Fertilizer Corporation
• FERTILIZERS • INSECTICIDES
• FUNGICIDES • WEED KILLERS
and • NEW BLACK WONDER (H.A.D.) FERTILIZER
Hanover, Penna 717-637-8921 Met. Washington Wallie Miller 559-1648
D O U G L A S T O O L S B E A U T Y B L A N K E T ROOT M U L C H
A G R I C O F E R T I L I Z E R S D U PONT F U N G I C I D E S
P H O N E ( A R E A C O D E 301) - 752-3415
WM. G. SCARLETT & CO. 608-632 P R E S I D E N T S T R E E T
B A L T I M O R E , M A R Y L A N D 21202
Growers of highest qua l i t y sod fo r lawns, parks and gol f courses
PRINCETON
Office and Farm 12 miles Chesapeake Bay bridge on U.S. 30
TURF FARMS, INC.
Bo. IOSA. RR3, Centre*ilie. Md. Zip 21617 Area Code 301 827-8454-7 I SS
Grades of S T A T E C E R T I F I E D C U L T I V A T E D SOD Mer ion Blue K -31 Ta l l Fescue w / K e n t u c k y Blue Cert i f ied C o m m o n K e n t u c k y Fescue and Blue Mix tu res Penncross Bent Bermudas — 328 - 419 - T u f c o t e
A L L T U R F Irr igated - Cul t ivated and Mainta ined t o proper height fo r t w o years pr ior t o l i f t i ng .
State Inspected - Personal inspect ion inv i ted P A R K E R S H I R L I N G , Manager
Published monthly by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents to aid in the advancement of the golf course superintendent through education and merit.
Telephone 703-451-6619
Denny McCammon Springfield Golf and Country Club Editor-Director — 703-451-6619
Sam Kessel Country Club of Fairfax Virginia Editor — 703-273-7094
Dick Silvar Baltimore Country Club Baltimore Metro Editor -or 301-252-4498
301-252-0110
Dave Fairbank Lakewood Country Club D.C. and Suburban Md. Editor -or 301-946-3159
Above are the names, addresses ani the area editors. For contributio contact the person covering your are
