Texas Sports Turf Managers

Association

Providing education and training for safer and

healthier sports turf facilities

Txstma.org

txstmainfo@ yahoo.com

(817) 736-0727

P.O. Box 11967

College Station, TX 77842

Spring 2015 Issue

Sports Turf Managers Association

Names Dan Bergstrom

Professional Facilities Director

(LAWRENCE, Kan.) – Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) – the professional organization for 2,600 men and women who manage sports fields worldwide – recently named Dan Bergstrom, Sen-ior Director of Major League Field Operations for the Houston Astros, as its newly-elected Profes-sional Facilities Director.

Bergstrom was officially installed at the STMA Conference & Exhibition in Denver (Jan. 13-16). STMA conducts its annu-al elections electronically in late November and directors serve two-year terms.

“STMA has been a guiding force in my 20-year sports field management career and my primary resource for continuing

education in the industry,” says Bergstrom. “It’s an honor to be elected Professional Facilities Director and I look forward

to contributing to STMA's growth as a leading association for the sports turf community.”

Bergstrom has served in this role with the Astros since 2004. He is charged with managing Minute Maid Park, the team’s practice facilities and has aided in surface renovation for many of Houston's minor league affiliates. Bergstrom has been an active STMA member since 1993.

A graduate of Iowa State University, Bergstrom and his wife, Krista, reside in Spring, Tex. and enjoy fostering rescued dogs in their home.

About STMA

STMA is the not-for-profit, professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide. Since 1981, the association and its 34 local chapters have been providing education, information and sharing practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management. Its more than 2,600 members oversee sports fields and facilities at schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums.

See Details Inside

this Issue

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Field Day

March 11, 2015

Featuring

Dr. Calvin Finch—Texas A&M Institute of

Renewable Natural Resources

and

Tom Burns—Diamond Pro and Former Head

Groundskeeper for the Texas Rangers

MEMBERSHIP!!!

As a Sports Turf Manager, membership in a

professional organization is important to

help you advance your career and keep you

current with cutting edge technology. So,

don’t forget that it’s time to renew your

membership and also it’s a great time to

get your team on board as members to fur-

ther their knowledge. Our membership re-

newal period goes by calendar year January-December.

Your TXSTMA professional organization is all about education and

peer to peer interaction. We try to provide relative topics to all

levels of Sport Field Managers as well as hands on training that

will benefit your field management team from the beginning level

employee to the seasoned veteran. When you do attend a field

day we hope you invite your fellow turf manager from the town

next door and you get to know your fellow turf manager sitting

next to you at the field day. If you are part of a school district in-

vite your coaches or Athletic Director to come learn and listen so

they better understand why and how you do what you do. If you

deal with youth organizations invite some of those non-turf folks

to come to a field day so they can better understand why you

make the day to day decisions for the fields that you maintain for

them or those fields that they help you maintain for their respec-

tive youth organizations.

I want to give a Big Shout Out / Thank You to our Field Day Spon-

sors, newsletter advertisers, supporters of our scholarship funds,

etc.: our Commercial Members. TXSTMA could not exist without

our partnership with these companies. Please take the time to sit

down and visit when that commercial member sales guy or gal

comes by. These members are an invaluable asset to us as pro-

fessionals because they are bringing a new insight or perspective

and perhaps new product that could help solve a challenge that

you are currently facing.

Good luck this spring and hopefully we all have a successful

spring transition season. Pray for some good soaking, lake filling

rains for all areas of the state that

are in need. NO Floods!

Remember MEMBERSHIP!!!!

It has its PRIVLEDGES!!!

Sincerely your friend in Turf,

Rusty Walker, CSFM

2015 One-Star Sponsors

2015 Three-Star Sponsors

Thank you to our

2015 Star Sponsors.

Your generous

support is greatly

appreciated.

January 13 - 16, 2015 STMA's 26th Conference & Exhibition

March 11, 2015 Mary Hardin Baylor University

Education and Field Day Event

Spring 2015 Date and Site to be Determined - Houston Region

Education and Field Day Event

May 12, 2015 Globe Life Park (Home of the Texas Rangers)

Education and Field Day Event

July 13, 2015 Texas Tech University - Turfgrass Research Field Day

Details of Event Coming Soon

October 6, 2015 DFW Clay Shoot Scholarship Fundraiser

October 2015 Texas A & M University - Education and Field Day Event

These are just a few of the events that will be coming your way in 2015!

We will post more details and events as they become available.

All dates are tentative and subject to change.

LOVE COLLEGE BASKETBALL? Join the TXSTMA NCAA’s Basketball Tour-

nament Challenge on ESPN.com. Compete against other TXSTMA members as you fill out a

bracket and earn points for every correct pick! Earn plenty of bragging rights among your

friends by winning it all. Best of all, it's free to play and win.

Get in the action now: Click here to join TXSTMA Group

Group: TXSTMA Members

Password: txstma2015

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Field Day

March 11, 2015

Cost is FREE to all current TXSTMA Members.

Non-Members—$30.00 (this covers your dues for the remainder of

2015 and you can attend all other field days in 2015 FREE!

Please RSVP on our website: http://www.txstma.org/

or email

carolcloud@txstma.org or michaelpinon@yahoo.com

8:30—9:00 New Member Reception *new meeting feature* - meet your Board of Directors and current members while

enjoying a cup of coffee and donut

9:00—9:30 Meeting Registration—Crusader Stadium located off Martin Luther King and University Drive in Belton, TX

9:30—10:30 Dr. Calvin Finch, Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources

Topic: Water Conservation for Sports Field Managers

10:30—11:30 Tom Burns—Diamond Pro

Topic: Mound and Home Plate Management

11:30—12:15 Tour Crusader Stadium

12:15—1:00 Lunch at Dining Hall (All You Can Eat)

1:00—2:15 Tour Sportsplex Facilities (baseball, softball, soccer)

2:15—3:30 Vendors Exhibit

A BIG Thank You to our Sponsors!

Silver Sponsor Bronze Sponsor

Lunch Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Dr. Calvin Finch is the Director of the Urban Water Program of the Texas A&M Institute

of Renewable Natural Resources. The Center serves as a focal point for Texas A&M applied

research in water conservation and water resource development. Dr. Finch's research pri-

orities are in water conservation, reuse water, aquifer storage and recovery, and land-

scape plant water needs. He has a Ph.D. in horticulture from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Finch appears regularly on television in the San Antonio area. He also has popular col-

umns published each week in the San Antonio Express-News and 7 other South Texas newspapers. His

articles are archived on the website plan-

tanswers.com. Dr. Finch also answers horticulture and

water conservation questions every Saturday and Sunday

from noon to 2:00 p.m. on KLUP 930 AM Radio. Dr.

Finch's work in water conservation, the media and with

volunteers has garnered numerous state and national

awards.

Tom Burns began his career with TXI

Diamond Pro as a Sales / Professional

Consultant, effective June 1, 2006. Tom

has injected real-world experience and

knowledge into all aspects of the Dia-

mond Pro business.

Tom came to Diamond Pro from the Tex-

as Rangers. He served as Head Groundskeeper for the

Rangers at The Ballpark in Arlington since October, 1996.

Tom's career in the athletic field industry began in 1978

in Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked on the grounds

crews for both the Browns and the Indians under legend-

ary groundskeeper Marshall Bosard. After honing his

skills for five years, Tom moved to Mesa, Arizona to be-

come Head Groundskeeper for the California Angels' spring training site, Gene Autry Park. In February

1986, the Texas Rangers offered Tom the position of Assistant Field Superintendent under Jim Anglea,

who later helped develop the Diamond Pro product in partnership with Barrett Reese Sr. and TXI. After

one season, Tom was offered the Field Superintendent job at Charlotte County Stadium in Florida, the

spring training site for the Texas Rangers. Tom spent the next ten years developing his talent and, for

six of those ten years, he earned the Florida State League Groundskeeper of the Year. This achieve-

ment was truly impressive and made the Rangers stand-up and takes notice of his skills.

Tom is a long standing member of the National Sports Turf Managers Association and has served on the

Board of Directors from 1998 through 2000. He is a member of the Texas Turfgrass Association and

served on its Board of Directors from 2003 through 2005. A frequent speaker at turfgrass and athletic

field seminars across the country and internationally, Tom has been widely known and respected as one

of the top groundskeepers in Major League Baseball.

In January 2010 Tom was presented with the Harry Gill Award by the Sports Turf Managers Associa-

tion. The Harry Gill award is the Association's highest honor and represents an individual's dedication

and service to the sports turf industry.

STMA’s Call for Presentations

for 2016 Conference now open!

Be a part of STMA’s 2016 annual conference from

January 19-22 in San Diego, California. Share

your ideas and expertise by being a presenter for

the education sessions. Take advantage of this

unique opportunity to share your experience and

increase your visibility within the sports turf man-

agement profession. All submissions are due elec-

tronically to STMA by March 16, 2015. Please call

Kristen Althouse at 785-542-9243 or email, kalt-

house@stma.org, if you have any questions about

presenting or problems with the electronic form.

Why should you submit?

You have experience, expertise and ideas to

share that would benefit your peers.

You would like to take your communication and

presentation skills to the next level.

You would like to increase your visibility within

the sports turf management profession.

You may earn 1 industry service point, per

presentation, towards CSFM recertification.

What are the criteria for selection?

Successful submittals will:

be relevant to the sports turf management pro-

fession.

include a clear & concise description of the

presentation.

include a detailed outline of the presentation.

include clearly defined and detailed learning

objectives.

feature a qualified presenter.

Click here for

more details

or to submit!

For 2016 con-

ference

presentation ideas, CLICK HERE to view the topics

requested by attendees at the 2015 confer-

ence. (These suggestions were taken from at-

tendee evaluations and the post-conference at-

tendee survey.) STMA reserves the right to limit

the number of speakers for presentations depend-

ing on session duration. Please direct any ques-

tions or concerns to Kristen Althouse, STMA Educa-

tion Manager – 785-542-9243

A few things you should know:

The conference takes place January 19-22 in San Diego, California. The exact time and length of each

program will be determined at a later date.

All selected presenters will be required to sign a speaker contract.

All selected presenters will receive complimentary conference registration. Other benefits, such as

travel, lodging, and an honorarium, will be defined in the subsequent speaker contract.

STMA may audio and/or video record conference programs. Presenters will not receive any compen-

sation for any eventual sales of the recordings, but may receive a complimentary recording of their

program upon request. Presenters may not opt out of recording unless the presentation contains

sensitive information.

Presenters are expected to provide PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and any related articles to

STMA prior to the conference. STMA posts materials on the website for conference attendees to use

as supplements for furthering their education. STMA will secure all information in an effort to protect

speaker materials.

Submittals will be reviewed by the STMA Conference Education Committee and notification of selec-

tion will take place in early June.

4

2015 Conference Education Session Record-

ings Available for Purchase

STMA partnered with IQ Media this year to bring

you recorded education sessions. Recorded ses-

sions will be available through an On-Line Library

where users can have access to education at any

time throughout the year. CLICK HERE to access

the library and purchase sessions.

Price for an all access subscription to the On-Line

Library is $99.00 for conference attendees. Hurry

and take advantage of this low rate before it in-

creases to $159 for STMA members on February 9.

Unable to attend the conference? Take the educa-

tion you missed at your desk. The cost for STMA

members who did not attend the conference is also

$159. Individual sessions will also be available via

the On-Line Library for $20 per session. A DVD will

be available for purchase for those interested in a

hard copy back up to the online content.

These recordings benefit conference attendees un-

able to make it to concurrent sessions and sports

turf managers unable to make it to the conference.

The recordings are also valuable as a refresher

throughout the year for sports turf managers to

stay current and educated in the industry. Make

sure to take advantage of this valuable opportunity

to enhance your education and stay current with

industry trends and research!

Also, don't forget to visit the STMA Conference

Handouts page to download and print speaker

presentations and handouts from education ses-

sions at the conference.

Conference proceedings for 2010—2014 are also

available here.

Water Advocacy Benefits Members

In late 2014, STMA joined the Waters Advocacy

Coalition with other industry organizations to con-

tribute comments to the US EPA and US Army

Corp of Engineers proposed rule to define waters

of the US under the Clean Water Act. The coalition

had numerous concerns with the rule as did STMA,

and we supported the more than 85 pages of com-

ments. This is important to members on three

fronts: 1) Helps to protect the your facilities and

your work from restrictive regulation; 2) Brings

STMA into the national spotlight, joining with more

than 60 other high-profile organizations comment-

ing; and 3) Moves STMA into its first experience

with formal lobbying efforts on members behalf.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and

Public Works will hold a joint hearing on Wed.,

Feb. 4 to examine the impacts on state and local

governments of this proposed rule. STMA will con-

tinue to monitor this issue and provide updates as

it advances.

New SAFE Videos - Free to Download

The SAFE Foundation, STMA's charity, in conjunc-

tion with the association has created three educa-

tional videos about field safety. Sports and Recrea-

tion Fields – Safety First, is a video outreach pro-

gram directed to non-technical audiences -- par-

ents, volunteers, athletic directors, coaches, refer-

ees -- anyone who comes in contact with athletic

fields or oversees outdoor sporting events. Ross

Kurcab, CSFM, former sports turf manager for the

Denver Broncos and current sports field consultant

with Championship Sports Turf wrote and pro-

duced the videos, which are downloadable in an

MP4 format.

Natural Grass Field Safety

Synthetic Field Safety

Sports Facility & Equipment Safety

Online Training in Turfgrass Science

STMA has developed a unique on-line training

course, Introduction to Turfgrass Science. This self

-paced training will provide a good refresher for

anyone who manages sports fields. It is especially

pertinent for new crew members or for those who

have not been formally educated in turfgrass sci-

ence.

The On-line Curriculum: • Offers comprehensive training through 5 Units

• Introduction to Turfgrass Science

• Turfgrass Growth & Development, Anatomy, ID

• Turfgrass Soils

• Turfgrass Cultural Practices

• Turfgrass Establishment

Click here and either log in or create a new visitor

record, then click the membership, merchandise

and online registration link to order Introduction to

Turfgrass Science. The course is now available and

is only $75 for STMA members.

Challenges for crabgrass and other annual grassy weed control: the preemergence/herbicide dilemma By Dr. John R. Street, Pamela J. Sherratt, and Dr. David S. Gardner

The basic concept of weed control in turfgrass ecosystems will really never change. The paramount prin-

ciple against the establishment of weeds in any turfgrass system is the culture and maintenance of a

healthy, dense, competitive stand of turf. A preventative cultural approach is successful only on sports

fields if proper fertilization, mowing, irrigation, pest control, core cultivation, overseeding, etc. practices

are implemented in an integrated management program. Unfortunately, on sports fields an additional

challenge to maintaining a dense stand of turfgrass is foot

traffic (in many cases severe) that creates the additional

stress of both direct physical wear and tearing/shearing/

divoting that weakens the turfgrass and opens up the sur-

face to an increasing opportunity for weed encroachment

and for the germination of annual grassy weeds. Basically,

annual grassy weed control in any turfgrass system is

what I refer to as the “science of voidology” and

“ecological niches.” Weed seed present in the soil is lying

dormant just waiting for an opportunity under the right

environmental and cultural conditions to invade a weak-

ened turf with open voids. Annual grassy weeds like

crabgrass prefer these voidology and ecological niche con-

ditions. Weed encroachment on sports fields is much more

likely due to “voidology conditions” and more so than any other turfgrass management system.

Sports turf managers therefore require the ultimate expertise in the art and science of turf management

as the odds in many cases are against you. Although there are many potential problematic weeds that

can invade athletic fields certainly the most common annual grassy weed across the country is crabgrass

as it observes no boundaries. It is a C4 turfgrass in the same physiological class as the warm-season

grasses and thus thrives under moist and warm/hot environmental conditions (ecological niche). Give

crabgrass an opening/opportunity under the appropriate conditions and it germinates and infests turf

quickly with tillering occurring within weeks of germination.

In our opinion the key predictive criteria for crabgrass germination and infestation is soil temperature.

Other predictive methods can be used to determine crabgrass germination like growing degree days

(GDDs), phenological events like forsythia bloom drop, calendar dates, weather consultant services, his-

torical experience, etc. but soil temperature monitoring is by far the most reliable qualitative method.

Crabgrass typically initially germinates in late winter/early spring when nighttime soil temperatures reach

50-55F for several consecutive nights. It continues to germinate throughout the spring and early to mid

summer period.

Monitoring soil temperatures at a 2” depth is one of the best ways to predict when crabgrass will initially

germinate. The temperatures listed in Table 1 refer to the low nighttime soil temperatures over a period

of several consecutive nights. Any method that assists in monitoring soil temperature within your region

can be used like a simple soil thermometer or a website weather database; a weather monitoring tech-

nology like the Spectrum Technology Watch Dog weather system also can provide a wide variety of oth-

er climatological data in addition to soil temperature, local weather consultants, etc. Our Ohio Agricultur-

al Research and Development Center at the Ohio State monitors climatological data at 20 different loca-

tions across the state and provides weather data via the OARDC weather system web-site every 5

minutes 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Sports field managers can log onto the site anytime and retrieve

past and current nighttime soil temperatures at the 2” and 4” depths every night and day during the late

winter/spring. As soil temperatures begin to move into the 50-55F range for several consecutive nights,

just like a clock, crabgrass will initiate germination. The OARDC weather system is a great soil tempera-

ture monitoring tool. Check with your closest land grant university or state turfgrass specialists to see if

such a weather-based system is available to you in your state. The second best attribute of this system

is that it is FREE. I think most of us like valuable things that are free.

The relatively new GDD tracker program/model (www.GDDTracker.net) developed at Michigan State Uni-

versity is another good way to assist you in monitoring crabgrass germination timing based on growing

degree days. It is set up for monitoring in four mid west states at the present time. In Ohio, GDD tracker

program use is being financially sponsored by John Deere Landscapes and the Ohio Turfgrass Founda-

tion. You may want to consider working with sponsoring agencies, associations and foundations in your

state to bring this program on board.

Most turfgrass managers continue to rely on the use of preemergence herbicides as a standard preven-

tative control for crabgrass and other annual grasses (an “offensive” strategy). Preemergence herbicides

provide a chemical barrier or blanket at the soil surface intercepting the young seedling weed and pre-

venting it from emerging/developing. Thus, proper application timing is a key factor in its effectiveness.

Many agronomists consider improper (i.e. missing the initial window of crabgrass germination) as the

primary reason for preemergence herbicide failure. Emerged crabgrass plants are not controlled by

preemergence herbicides, except for Dimension, which exhibits early post and pre activity. The basic

“offensive” principle is that the preemergence herbicide be applied before the onset of crabgrass seed

germination. It is fairly simple if you engage the “offensive” principle and monitor soil temperatures and/

or GDDs. Crabgrass can germinate at significantly different times from year to year. In Columbus (a

great example) crabgrass germinated at its typical time of April 20-25 in 2013, but in 2012 crabgrass

surprised most turf managers by germinating March 15-20 (4 weeks earlier than normal). Sports turf

managers monitoring for soil temperatures and/or GDDs where well ahead on the “offensive” side of the

game plan whereas many other managers lost the game in the first quarter (March/April 2012). Really

can’t recover when the initial germination window has long passed (like a wide receiver 30 yards down

the field and wide open!).

Preemergence herbicides, or the “offensive” strategy for sports turf managers is confounded by the fact

that most of these preemergence herbicides will severally damage, kill and/or prevent the emergence of

desirable turfgrasses as well as weeds. Sports turf managers have several choices of preemergence

herbicides based on species tolerance and efficacy where NO seeding or overseeding programs are

planned. Most of the herbicides listed for standard preemergence use cannot be used on turfgrass areas

at the time of seeding or within a certain time interval after a preemergence application.

Please note that there are major differences in the tolerance/safety of these herbicides between cool-

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and warm-season grasses. Pay particular attention to the herbicide label regarding use on more sensitive

species like the fine fescues and hybrid bermudagrasses, as well. Never use a preemergence or

postemergence herbicide for crabgrass or other annual grassy weed control before fully reading and un-

derstanding the use requirements and restrictions on the label. A good example would be Dimension

(dithiopyr) that cannot be safely applied at the time of seeding or until the desirable turfgrass has been

mowed at least 2-3 times. Also, there is a suggested waiting period or time interval after a Dimension

application of 6 to 16 weeks before seeding/overseeding depending on application rate.

Thus the standard “offensive” strategy becomes a problem in attempting to control crabgrass and other

weed species during turfgrass establishment in seeding or overseeding operations. One approach is “site

specific” management by only applying a preemergence herbicide on sports field areas that DO NOT re-

quire seeding or overseeding like outside the hash marks, beyond the 20 or 30 yard lines, end zone are-

as, and side line areas on football fields.

Where seeding or overseeding is necessary, there are a few options. The list is restricted to only a few

but includes siduron (Tupersan), mesotrione (Tenacity) and Pylex (topramazone). Follow the label care-

fully. When used properly, siduron will reduce crabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail and many summer annual

broadleaf weeds by 70-80%. Mesotrione (Tenacity) and Pylex (topramezone) are excellent preemergence

tools to use in seedings for reducing spring/summer weed pressure from crabgrass, goosegrass, sedges,

and summer annual broadleaf weeds by 90% or greater. These two latter products allow sports turf

managers to be more successful with spring and summer seedings by effectively reducing weed competi-

tion and actually “widening the window” for successful seeding/overseeding into the summer.

Both Tenacity and Pylex are in the same chemical family and inhibit carotenoid biosynthesis with chloro-

phyll destruction resulting in all susceptible weeds turning white (bleaching symptom). These two herbi-

cides have both pre- and postemergence activity on crabgrass and many other weeds. Preemergence

residual with both these herbicides, however, lasts only about 30 days and, therefore, will not provide

season-long preemergence activity. Where longer preemergence activity/residual is required, like in ear-

ly spring or early summer seedings/overseedings, a sequential or follow-up application can be made at a

30-day interval or at least 4 weeks after seedling emergence. Where perennial ryegrass is a principle

component of the sports field turf, it is NOT suggested that the interval on repeat applications be short-

ened to less than 30 days. Reducing crabgrass and other annual weed competition during seeding oper-

ations with these latter two herbicides should greatly enhance your success at spring and summer seed-

ings/overseedings. They are a definite benefit in establishment programs should be included in every

sports turf manager’s weed control tool box.

Defensive strategies

Postemergence herbicide options or “defensive” strategies for controlling crabgrass in established

turfgrasses include Acclaim Extra (fenoxaprop p-ethyl), a number of quinclorac (Drive DF) products and

XLR8, Tenacity (mesotrione), Pylex (topramezone) and a few combination pre/post products including

Calvalcade PQ (combo of prodiamine plus quinclorac), Echelon (combo of sulfentrazone plus prodia-

mine), and Dimension (dithiopyr). Dimension has early postemergence activity on crabgrass so young (3

-5 leaf and before tillering) crabgrass is controlled and a preemergence barrier is set in place for the re-

mainder of the season. This is a great herbicide tool in the spring where crabgrass germination has oc-

curred before the application of a preemergence herbicide. A similar “defensive” strategy is the basis for

the combination products Calvalcade PQ and Echelon where the quinclorac or sulfentrazone provides

post activity on already germinated crabgrass and the prodiamine provides a preemergence barrier for

the remainder of the season.

Drive DF products and XLR8 are good “defensive” options where crabgrass has matured beyond the ear-

ly post crabgrass stage (tillered). It is a foliar absorbed post herbicide that requires a surfactant and

needs to be applied at no less than 0.75 lbs. ai/A for best results. XLR8 would be an excellent choice for

sports turf managers in late summer where a rescue treatment for quick crabgrass knockdown is re-

quired before the beginning of the playing season (a “defensive” save face strategy). XLR8 will discolor

and reduce the visibility of crabgrass in the canopy within 3-5 days in conjunction with a good fertility

program.

Finally, both Tenacity and Pylex have been evaluated for postemergence crabgrass control in Ohio State

research over the past several years. Both again are so called “bleacher” herbicides. Two sequential ap-

plications of both herbicides will effectively control mature crabgrass on a consistent basis. The addition

of triclopyr with Tenacity (8 oz product/A) increases the efficacy of Tenacity to where a single application

of the combo provides good to excellent post crabgrass control. Pylex alone has shown good to excellent

postemergence activity on tillered crabgrass in a single application. The inclusion of triclopyr with Pylex

also enhances its activity on tillered crabgrass and many other weeds. Pylex is a stellar product for

goosegrass control. The inclusion of triclopyr in combos with Tenacity or Pylex also eliminates the

bleaching or whitening symptom.

Dr. John R. Street is an extension/research associate professor; Dr. David Gardner is a research/

teaching associate professor; and Pamela Sherratt is a senior extension sports turf specialist, all with the

Department f Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University, Columbus.

Satellite might help explain Texas water deficit

A satellite launched in California will provide im-

portant data as researchers grope for ways to

explain a massive deficit in Texas water over the

past several years, a scientist involved in the

research said.

While gravitational measurements from a 13-

year-old satellite mission were used to deter-

mine the size of the Texas water deficit, the mis-

sion starting Friday will use radar and radio

waves to measure one little-understood compo-

nent — soil moisture.

Scientists are trying to figure out why Texas'

"total water storage" has remained extremely

low since scorching, drought-stricken 2011. To-

tal water storage is the amount of water stored

in the soil, in aquifers and in above-ground res-

ervoirs and streams.

As part of its ongoing coverage of water issues

in the Southwest, the El Paso Times last

week reported on an analysis of satellite data..

It showed that in 2011, Texas' water storage

dropped 84 million acre-feet below its 13-year

average.

Since then, despite unusually wet recent weath-

er, the state's water storage has increased by

only 10 percent, leaving a deficit of 76 million

acre-feet, the amount of water needed to cover

76 million acres a foot deep.

Click here to read the full article from the

El Paso Times

Fading El Niño could extend Texas drought

The Aussies say El Niño — the hoped-for rainmaker

for drought-plagued North Texas — has mostly fiz-

zled out in the Pacific Ocean.

That might be good news Down Under, but it’s not

exactly what Texas water providers want to hear.

And the U.S. Climate Prediction Center’s latest sea-

sonal drought forecast shows much less promise for

improvements in Texas than it did a couple of

months ago. Areas that expected to see the five-

year drought ease or even end are now looking at

continued or possibly worsening drought in the

coming months.

Even with last week’s rains — more than an inch in

many parts of North Texas — lake levels showed

only the slightest improvements.

Basically, said David Finfrock, chief meteorologist at

KXAS-TV (NBC5), any increases in lake levels prob-

ably came from the rain that actually fell over the

lakes. There was precious little runoff to trickle into

the region’s reservoirs.

“We’re well above average [in rainfall] for the first

22 days of the month,” Finfrock said, “so the soil

moisture is great — I think we’ll have a good wild-

flower crop this spring.

“But we haven’t had torrential downpours with

enough runoff to begin filling the lakes,” he said.

“The native plants will do fine. But humans need

water in the lakes.”

Click here to read the full article from the

Dallas Morning News

Turface Athletics Presents 2014 Field Maintenance,

Scholarship Awards

Turface Athletics™ presented its 2014 Field Maintenance and Scholarship awards at the American

Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) annual luncheon Jan. 4., held in Orlando, Florida. The mainte-

nance awards recognize outstanding field maintenance at the high school and college levels, while the

scholarships provide assistance to two schools in need of field improvements.

Worcester State University was selected as the recipient of the ABCA/Turface Athletics Field Mainte-

nance Award for the college division, while Walton-Verona High School in Verona, Kentucky, was again

the high school division winner, having won it twice before. Accepting on behalf of the schools at the

luncheon were Worcester State head coach Dr. Dirk Baker, and Walton-Verona head coach Kevin

McIntyre.

“It is very important to me, as well as the team to maintain and play on one of the finest ballparks in

all of New England,” Baker said. “It is nice to know that all of our hard work has paid off these past

few years with all the improvements we have made.”

As part of the award package, Baker and McIntyre each received 1 ton of Turface MVP® infield condi-

tioner and $400 to be spent on maintenance equipment.

“We look forward to the upcoming season and will further make improvements on the field with our

honorable awards we were given,” Baker said.

The Worcester State Lancers play the team’s home

games at Kevin Lyons Baseball Diamond at Rockwood

Park in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Columbus Catholic High School in Waterloo, Iowa,

and Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina,

received the Field Maintenance Scholarships in the

high school and college divisions, respectively. The

two schools will each receive three tons of

Turface® and a total of $500 over the next two years

for use on maintenance equipment and supplies.

“Turface Athletics has a long history of educating

sports field managers, coaches and volunteers to

keep fields of any size safe and playable for the ath-

letes using them,” said Jeff Langner, brand manager

for Turface Athletics. “The annual awards help show-

case and congratulate fields that are maintained at

the highest level, while providing assistance for fields

that may have a strong support system in place, but

lack the necessary resources to make field improve-

ments.”

Dr. Dirk Baker (right) with ABCA

Executive Director Craig Keilitz.

Photo courtesy of Lou Pavlovich

3 Simple Secrets to Turf Success: Explain Yourself!

The sports turf management career has certainly changed as the economy forced limited budgets and

increased challenges to provide safe playable surfaces, among other issues. So how will you adjust your

approach to work and your career to succeed in the new reality?

These 3 simple secrets will help you take control of your career into your own hands:

Know your audience

What individuals influence your professional success today? Consider your direct supervisor, his/her em-

ployer, athletes who play on the product you create, and even your close friends and family that have

an opinion on how you spend your time. Identify their specific wants/needs and make them happen.

Speak their language Articulate why you do what you do in such a way that:

Shares just the right amount of information (not too much detail, but answers their questions –

even if not the ones they actually ask!)

Uses precise wording to clearly communicate to your audience (each individual may need dif-

ferent words, depending on their perspective)

Avoid jargon. Try different phrasing – sometimes multiple times – and speak in language non-turf

professionals understand.

Share your value

To help those significant individuals understand, first identify your specific value in terms of the unique

strengths you offer. What makes you best suited for this work at this facility? It might be your educ

tion and experience, but more likely, it’s your “soft skills” – knowing what you bring to the table and

using those strengths to build a powerful team. Think how your personality helps you best communicate

and relate to others.

The more you can help others understand what you do in a way that clarifies how your knowledge, skills

and passion for the turf meet their needs, the more valuable you become.

The overall key to accomplishing these 3 simple secrets to succeed in your turf management career is to

focus on building positive relationships – with your crew, your employer and your customers.

You are welcome to send questions, comments and stories about “explaining yourself” to me at:

lyne@career-lift.com.

Lyne Tumlinson helps turf professionals who lead from the middle – those who both “manage up” and

manage down – and find themselves stuck and their teams frustrated, overworked and unmotivated by

energy-sucking changes at work. After team and/or individual coaching, clients

discover their improved communication and leadership skills power up their level

of confidence in what they offer and what direction to go, on their own and with

their team.

She brings experience as career services director at the Golf Course Superinten-

dents Association of America (GCSAA) and cross-cultural trainer at University of

Kansas, plus degrees in psychology, business and Russian Studies. Now a certi-

fied coach through the International Coach Federation, Tumlinson specializes in

strengths strategy, and personal and social branding.

Executive Directors:

President: Rusty Walker, CSFM—City of Grapevine, rwalker@grapevinetexas.gov

Past President: Nick McKenna, CSFM— Texas A&M University, nmckenna@athletics.tamu.edu

President - Elect: Kevin Lebanik—Harrell's, Klebanik@harrells.com

1st Commercial Vice Pres: Darin Eberly—Pioneer Manuf. Co., deberly@pioneerathletics.com

2nd Commercial Vice Pres: John Kearns—Professional Turf Products, kearnsj@proturf.com

Treasurer: Leo Goertz—Texas A&M University, lgoertz@athletics.tamu.edu

Committee Directors:

Advertising: Travis Sales—City of Mesquite, tsales@ci.mesquite.tx.us

Communication Committee: Dan Bergstrom—Houston Astros, dbergstrom@astros.com

Region I (DFW): Allen Reed, CSFM, FC Dallas, areed@fcdallas.net

Region II (Austin/San Antonio): Michael Piñon, San Antonio ISD, michaelpinon@yahoo.com

Region III (Houston): Josh Scott, Alvin ISD, jscott@alvinisd.net

Membership: Brant Williams, CSFM, Dallas Baptist University, brant@dbu.edu

Scholarship: Chris Pitts, Clear Creek ISD, chpitts@ccisd.net

Chapter Executive: Carol Cloud, Carolcloud@txstma.org, (817) 736-0727

2015 Membership Renewal!

The TXSTMA values your membership and continuing support. We

appreciate your participation and would like to remind you that it

is time to renew your membership for 2015. Follow the links be-

low to make the process as easy as pie.

1. Update Contact Information Click Here if your contact information has changed.

If nothing has changed recently, skip to step 2.

2. Pay for Membership - Click Here

3. That's it! Your Done!

If you are not a current member we would love to have you as a member.

All you have to do is:

1. Membership Application - Click Here

2. Pay for Membership - Click Here

3. That's it! Your Done! Now enjoy you membership!

Members like you make doing business a real pleasure.