March/April 2010

2010
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT
Craig Kachline
craig23k@adelphia.net
440.785.0870

VICE PRESIDENT
Chapter Delegate
Sean P. McHugh, CGCS
spm@clevelandmetroparks.com As I write this in early April, I can’t help
440.232.7247
but wonder if everyone else is asking the
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT same question, what happened to spring?
Communication/Mal McLaren Award This year it seemed to go right from
Charles (Chuck) E. Hayes
chuckshcc@msn.com
winter to summer already. I hope all of
330.832.5699 you are much further ahead with your
golf course than I am.
SECRETARY/TREASURER
CHAPTER ADMINISTRATOR
Communications/Benevolent Please keep a few dates in mind for this summer. We have our popular Club Official
Website meeting May24th at Signature of Solon. Please try to come out and enjoy a great
Michelle L. Frazier-Feher, CGCS
mlfrazier@aol.com day with fellow superintendents and play a great course. We have also finalized
216.469.9287 plans for our third annual Industry Day, July 5th at Firestone Country Club. Please
come out and support our great vendors and play one of areas most renowned
TRUSTEES
Historical courses. Also look for a date soon in September for our annual Clambake, this year
Website at Ridgetop Golf Course. We should all thank Bob Doty for hosting that event for
Jason Bennett
jbennett@shalecreekgolfclubgp.com
many years and providing many great memories. This year Greg Bobs has stepped
330.725.9996 up to continue this great tradition. Thanks guys!
Public Relations
Government Relations As a result of our meeting attendance declining for the past few years we only have
Scott Brickley three golf meetings scheduled this year. With our jobs becoming more demanding
Brick1@zoominternet.net and budgets being cut more every year it is not always easy to get away, but please
330.725.2829
remember that an association is only as strong as its membership support. We as a
Strategic Planning Board are hoping that a new schedule and a few new ideas for the education
Mark Figurella
mfigurella421@gmail.com
segment of our meetings can attract better numbers.
330.562.1691 I hope to see everyone this summer and I hope you all have a great year at your
own course!
Membership
Social
Tyler Good Craig Kachline, NOGCSA President
tgoodosu@yahoo.com
330.723.6216 craig23k@adelphia.net
Program & Education
Brent Palich
Bpalich@matfieldsandridge.com
440.336.2856

Golf & Tournament

Dave Peck
Schedule of Events 3
Ldpeck@roadrunner.com
440.248.4646
Superintendent’s Korner 4
ASSISTANT GCS RELATIONS By The Board 5
Jeff Austin
Austin271@excite.com On the Road with the USGA 9
216.906.0211

INDUTRIAL RELATIONS
BWC Safety Leaders Discussion 11
Scholarship & Research
Tim Hughes
Advertiser Directory 14
thughes@centuryequip.com
330.354.9641
&
Morgan Timberlake
Mtturfman@yahoo.com
330.353.0816

Mission Statement
Promoting the profession of the golf course 2
superintendent through education, camaraderie and
cooperation among fellow members in Northern
Ohio since 1923
March 6, 2010
Annual Reverse Raffle June 2010
Raintree Country Club Family Night at The Aeros
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Cost: $65/person July 5, 2010
Industry Field Day
March 9, 2010 Firestone Country Club
USGA Green Section Regional Meeting Host: Larry Napora
Oakmont Country Club Time: 9:00 AM Registration
$35 pre-registration 12:00 PM Shotgun Start
$50 at the door Cost: $90
Points: 0.1 Service points
Vendors contact Morgan Timberlake or
April 6, 2010 Tim Hughes
Educational Seminar
Working Smarter With Lean Tools September 2010
Kirtland Country Club Clambake
Hosts: CCMA & NOGCSA Ridgetop Golf Course
Time: 8:30 AM Host: Greg Bobbs
Cost: $50 Cost:
Points: TBD Points: 0.1 Service Points

May 24, 2010 November 2010

Club Officials Meeting Annual Meeting
Signature of Solon Acacia Country Club
Host: Tim Gruber Host: Craig Kachline
Time: 12:00 P.M. Shotgun Cost:
5:30 P.M. Program & Dinner Points:
Cost: $90 – All day Speaker:
$60 – Dinner & Program Only
Points: 0.1 Service Points
Speaker: Dr. Karl Danneberger

3

As the snow begins to recede a key question for the
turf manager is how much snow mold damage will
there be? Due to the prolonged snow cover this
winter chances are high that there will be much
more damage from this diseases than experienced
in recent years. Snow mold is active at temperatures
just above freezing in moist conditions. The gray
snow molds (Typhula incarnata & ishikariensis) most
often occurs when snow cover exceeds 40 - 60 days,
pink snow mold (Microdochium nivaile) does not
require any snow cover to develop. The freezing and
thawing of snow and excessive ice build up on grass
is the major cause of snow mold and can cause
winter damage to turfgrasses. If gray snow mold
damage is present little can be done to undo the
damage and the focus should be on recovery. To
help determine the extent of damage take samples
of affected turfgrass and bring into an environment
conducive to growth (warm temperatures & light).
Observe growth of the plants and development of
new shoots to assess potential recovery. It would be
recommended to photograph and document the
process to demonstrate the potential recovery of
the turfgrass.
Tips to Help Recover from Snow Mold:
- Remove snow and ice from turfgrass areas (this is
easier said than done).
- Lightly rake the grass to promote air circulation
and light to penetrate the canopy and encourage
new shoot and leaf develop.
-It there is any dead and matted material, rake and
remove. In the case of dead turfgrass renovation of
the site would be recommended as soon as
possible.
- If the site did not receive appropriate fertility in the
fall a modest application of started fertilizer would be
recommended
- Bentgrasses and Poa annua are especially
susceptible to damage but all cool-season grasses
can be affected.
photograph courtesy of Pam Sherratt.
- For gray snow molds the damage is done, so
fungicide applications are of little to no benefit at this
time. In the case of pink snow mold or Microdochium
Patch (the common name for the disease when it
occurs without snow) fungicide applications would be
recommended especially if there are wet conditions
experienced during the spring. Some fungicides to
consider for pink snow mold would be fludioxonil,
iprodione + chlorothalonil, iprodione, propiconazole,
pyraclostrobin, thiophanate-methyl or trifloxystrobin.
How to identify the different snow molds:
To identify gray snow molds look for the sclerotia
(compact mass of mycelium that is the survival
structure of the pathogen) on the leaf tissue and
debt. Typhula incarnata has reddish brown to dark
colored sclerotia that are rather large, up to 0.2
inches in diameter. Typhula ihikariensis has much
smaller sclerotia that appear similar to flecks of black
pepper on the leaves and debt. Active mycelium is a
white to gray color.
Pink snow molds do NOT produce sclerotia and the
active mycelium is a pinkish to white color depending
on exposure to light. Both gray and pink snow molds
occur together so it can be difficult to assess which is
the predominate pathogen.
Posted by Joseph Rimelspach
4
Acacia Country Club
President Kachline called the Board of Trustees of the
Northern Ohio Chapter of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America meeting to order
at 1:20 P.M.
Roll Call: Bennett, Brickley, Feher, Figurella, Good, Hayes,
Kachline, McHugh, Peck, Timberlake present. Austin,
Hughes, Palich absent.
The Minutes from the December strategic Planning Board
Meeting were presented to the Board of Trustees.
Trustee Hayes moved to accept the minutes. Industrial
Representative Timberlake seconded. Motion Passed.
Budget and Finance: Treasurer Feher reported that the
there is currently $5,508.26 in the checking account,
$5,476.35 in the money market, and $20,448.73 in the
Scholarship & Research account. The Profit & Loss
statement year to date shows a net income of $3,920.59
to date. The Net Income for 2009 was $6,173.38. This
includes all revenues for all accounts including the
Scholarship & Research Account. Feher voiced concern
over the fact that this amount and that we should really
watch our spending in 2010.
January 20, 2009
Program and Education: The Board discussed that the
educational seminar would be April 6 at Kirtland Country
Club with the CCMAA. President Kachline reported for
Trustee Palich that most of the clubs were set for 2010
we just need to pin down dates.
Editorial: Editor Feher reported that contracts would be
going out shortly.
Golf & Tournament: Trustee Peck discussed that Tom
Bolon would like to host the Ohio Cup he is looking at
either September 25 or October 2. Peck also suggested
that for the gift for The Club Official meeting we use the
same thing as last year since very few club officials
attended the event.
Membership & Welcoming: The board discussed getting
everyone to where their nametags again and collecting $1
for not.
Social: Trustee Good reported that he is trying to find
someone to do a Texas Hold’em tournament.
Strategic Planning: No Report
Continued to next page
5
Historical & Benevolent: William Powell past away.
We will send $100 to the Clearview Legacy
Foundation.
Public Relations: Trustee Brickley reported that he
would look into doing Camp Cheerful again and
possible a day with Habit for Humanity.
Industrial Relations: No report
Assistant Relations: No Report – Jeff is currently
interning at Augusta National.
Employment Relations: Trustee McHugh reported
that he would have two openings. Both Hudak and
Minch will be retiring this year.
Mal McLaren Award: No Report – no nominations
have been received.
Scholarship and Research: No report
Government Relations: Trustee Brickley brought up
discussion on what was being proposed with the
clean water act and that he was still awaiting
information from the GCSAA. In addition, he brought
up about the possible new health insurance
requirement. This requirement would require all
business to offer health insurance to all of their
employees including part-time employees.
Website: Trustee Hayes requested more pictures
from everyone and that the poll questions were
working again.
Old Business:
Reverse Raffle – sales are good. There have been
some complaints about the change in venue.
Timberlake is working on the barrel to hold the balls
& a board for the numbers. We will also print
another 100 tickets.
Life Insurance - We will be adjusting the dues notice
and membership application to include date of birth.
We are going to see about getting life insurance for
each of our members. For those we don’t have we
will need to call.
New Business:
Membership: Administrator Feher presented the
following candidates for Membership:
Cody Dinger Shaker Country Club
Class C (pending payment)
Ralph Halblaub Brunswick Golf Course
Class SM (pending payment)
The Next Board Meeting will be Wednesday, February
17, 2010 at 1:00 PM. The place will be determined.
President Kachline adjourned 3:03 P.M.
6
Don’t Tread Lightning
Presented by the GCSAA
It always seems to happen when you are having the round of your
life. The sky darkens, the wind picks up and the thunder begins to
roll across the golf course.
It’s tempting to convince yourself and your playing partners that
there is enough time to finish your round, or at least a few more
holes. If you play on, instead of seeking shelter, your great round
could become the last round of your life.
Every year more people are killed or injured by lightning than by
tornadoes, floods or hurricanes. In fact, it's estimated that in the
United States, as many as 300 people are killed by lightning each
year.
Because of the generally open areas with scattered individual
trees, golf courses are dangerous places during a thunderstorm. A
lightning bolt will take the shortest route between the cloud and
the ground, which means that a golfer standing in the middle of a
fairway or huddled under a tree is a prime target for a strike.
However, there are several safety measures you can take to avoid
being hit by lightning:
• Seek shelter at the first sign of a thunderstorm. If the
course's warning system sounds, take cover.
• If possible, get off the golf course or go to a designated
lightning shelter.
• Do not stand under a lone tree. This is where most people
are injured or killed.
• Stay away from water.
• Stay away from your golf clubs.
• If your shoes have metal spikes, take them off.
• Move away from your golf cart.
• If stranded in the open, go to a low place such as a ravine or
valley.
First aid
If a player in your group is struck by lightning, the person is no
longer carrying any electrical current, so you can apply first aid
immediately. The golfer will be burned and have received a severe
electrical shock.
People who have been apparently "killed" by lightning can be
revived if quick action is taken. If you must make a choice, treat
those who are not breathing first -- those who are unconscious
but still breathing will probably come out of it on their own.
First aid should be rendered to those not breathing within four to
six minutes to prevent irrevocable brain damage. Mouth-to mouth
resuscitation should be administered once every five seconds to
adults and once every three seconds to infants and small children.
However, if the victim is not breathing and has no pulse,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary, but should be
administered only by persons with proper training. You should
also check for burns along the extremities and around areas in
contact with metal, give first aid for shock and then send for help.
For more information regarding golf course management
practices, contact your local superintendent or the GCSAA at 800-
472-7878 or www.gcsaa.org.
7
8
By R.A. (Bob) Brame, Director
April 1, 2010
Yep, it’s always a factor. We talk about it frequently
and no doubt always will. It directly and persistently
affects golf course maintenance. No matter how well
we plan, there are times it gets the best of us. There
are times it compromises what we’d like to present to
those playing the course. There are times when it
prevents us from playing at all. There are also times
when it gives back more than we could ever
accomplish on our own. Some say don’t use it as an
excuse, but the reality is it can be the reason. The ‘it,’
of course, is weather. Whether or not all agree,
weather is a factor in both the preparation and play of
golf courses. If nothing else, the past should teach us
not to fight against it, but to work with it by preparing
for the unexpected.
surprisingly, weather is a factor that must be carefully
considered to formulate the best strategy. The GDD
(growing degree day) tracker from Michigan State
University (http://www.gddtracker.net/) is an
excellent tool for improving timing. There is also
information about pre-emergent herbicide timing.
Clearly, there are more golf course management
resources available today than ever before. Yet,
economics and politics must be considered along with
the agronomics. An onsite visit from your local Green
Section agronomist is the best way to effectively
merge agronomics, economics and politics.
Recognizing that it’s hard to effectively review your
own program, we can also provide a candid and
unbiased review of your course’s maintenance
operation. Are you prepared for the unexpected? Give
us a call, or drop an email, to schedule a visit.

A solid infrastructure, with an agronomically sound

maintenance program added, maximizes flexibility Source: Bob Brame bobbrame@usga.org or
when the unexpected happens. A good example has 859.356.3272
been the extensive gray snow mold disease (Typhula
blight) experienced in the lower North Central Region.
Unusually heavy snows, for much of the area, opened
the door to gray snow mold disease activity further
south than typically seen. Who could have foreseen
this, and yet those with a sound maintenance program
have experienced quick recovery without having to
make any changes. Additional information on snow
mold disease, from Purdue and Ohio State, can be
reviewed by clicking on the links below.

http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/tips/2010/03082
010_snowmold.html

http://buckeyeturf.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_
turfnotes&Itemid=84&noteid=2457

To comprehensively review your total disease

management program, check out the publication by
Drs. Vincelli and Williams at the University of
Kentucky.

http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ppa/ppa1/ppa1.p
df

There have been a number of recent questions about

managing Poa annua seed heads. Here again, not

9
Call for Nominations
Posted on behalf of David S. Downing II, CGCS
2010 GCSAA Nominating Committee Chairman
The GCSAA Nominating Committee is now accepting
nominations for the 2011 GCSAA Board of Directors. The
following offices will be up for election at the 2011
Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.:
• President
• Vice president
• Secretary/treasurer
• Director (three (3) positions)
The deadline for the Call for Nominations is July 2,
2010.
Eligibility
To qualify for election as an officer or director of GCSAA,
a candidate must be a Class A member who is employed
as a golf course superintendent.
How to nominate a candidate
Chapters can nominate a candidate by sending a letter
on chapter letterhead to the following address:
GCSAA Nominating Committee Chairman
c/o R. Scott Woodhead, CAE, CGCS Retired
1421 Research Park Drive
Lawrence, KS 66049-3859
Nominating Committee
The 2010 Nominating Committee will meet in late July
or early August to review the nominations and to select
the official slate of candidates for the available offices.
Per Article VII, Section 1 of the GCSAA Bylaws,
Secretary/Treasurer Sanford G. Queen, CGCS,
announces that the following members have been
appointed to the 2010 GCSAA Nominating Committee:
Questions
If you have any questions concerning the nominating or
election process, please contact R. Scott Woodhead,
CAE, CGCS Retired, senior manager of member relations,
at (800) 472-7878, ext. 4418, or swoodhead@gcsaa.org
10
Introduction
Almost all companies use contractors. They may come to
your facility for many reasons, including heating,
ventilation and air conditioning problems and many
other work assignments. Because they are not on your
payroll, there is a potential for serious injury to
themselves or your employees. It is crucial you
determine who else could expose your employees to
injuries and create a process to minimize the hazards.
Discussion
Companies often bring outside contractors in to do
dangerous or non-routine jobs. If a serious injury results
from this work, companies can face inspections, citations
and lawsuits. Some companies require they review and
prequalify contractors before they allow them to enter
their work site.
Once on site, contractors need to have a meeting prior to
starting the work. In addition, they need to have audits
during the work’s operations. If you see unsafe
behaviors, confront the employees and correct the
behavior or remove them from the premises. These tools
help keep employees safe.
Continued on next page
11
Process steps
Your first step is to take an inventory of what services
and companies your employer uses. The second step is
to create a policy and a program. Third, you implement
the program and train your employees. The final step is
to evaluate - at least annually - the program and make
needed changes. Create the process using a safety
committee or employee input. Involve the person
responsible for purchasing because he or she can be a
gatekeeper for part of this process.
You must have a contractor portion included in the hazard
Communication written program 1910.1200 (e). (See the
reference section below for other Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) standards that include
a contractor component.) However, an all-inclusive
written contractor program is not an OSHA requirement
for most employers. But, it is a best practice that can help
you properly manage contractors.
o Alarm meanings and outside assembly locations;
o A company-equipment policy;
o Enforcement and company safety rules.
You may include other relevant topics. These rules and
topics may be centrally located in a Contractor Safety
Handbook and you may refer to them in your policy.
Group activities
As a group, make a list of what type of outside contractor
services your company uses. In addition, identify which
companies/contractors you regularly have at your facility.
Once this list is complete, consider qualifying contractors
before you permit them in your facility.
Ask employees what types of safety rules the contractors
need to follow. Discuss with employees how they can
participate in the contractor-safety process. This includes
being involved in audits, reporting unsafe behaviors or
aiding in the prequalification process.

When creating or updating your contractor-safety

program, there are topics you need to include. They are:
o Prequalification; Continued on next page
o Responsibilities;
o Emergency procedures;
o Training requirements;
o Housekeeping;
o Personal protective equipment;
o Fire prevention;
o Reporting an incident;
o Hazard Communication Standard requirements
including informing your employer about chemicals
brought into the facility;
o Communicating the emergency action plan to the
contractor that includes your interior shelter
locations,

12
Summary
Once you create the contractor-safety program, review
with your employees the requirements and
procedures. Do this at least annually.
If you involve employees in creating the program and
its policies, they are more likely to recognize, approach
and ensure contractors are working safely.
References
Articles
For Contractors, Safety Means Planning, eLCOSH Web
site
http://www.elcosh.org/en/document/754/d000712/fo
rcontractors%252C-safety-means-planning.html
Web sites
o Dow Jones Company Contractor Safety Program
http://www.dowjones.com/ESP/contractor_safety
.Html
o California State University Example Contractor
Safety Handbook
http://ehis.fullerton.edu/OHS/OCCSafety/Contract
orSafetyHandbook.pdf
Standards
OSHA standards that reference contractor safety
requirements:
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200,
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119, OSHA
29 CFR 1926.98
Cari Gray is a BWC safety consultant for the Canton
Customer Service Office. She has 10 years of
environmental, health and safety experience.
BWC always strives to improve the Safety Leader’s
Discussion Guide.
Your feedback can help. Please send your comments
via e-mail to discussionguide@ohiobwc.state.oh.us
Reprinted from the:
Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation
Safety Leaders Discussion guide 2010
13
 2010 Advertiser Directory
Turfgrass Inc.
Advanced Turf Solutions John Deere Golf Tony Cardinale – Gary
Allan Truelson 216.299.0576 Bob Burkett D’Andrea – Bob Figurella -
Morgan Timberlake 440.653.1778 Mark Slavick – Luke Stratton
330.353.0816 Ron Rucinski 330.225.2084
Paul Taliaferro 412.818.9241 440.647.1051
Walker Supply
Arms Trucking Loos Golf Construction Mike Sekula - Bill Walker
Brian Bates Matt Loos 800.792.5537
800.362.1343 330.414.4151

Baker Vehicle Systems Nutramax Agriculture, Inc.

Rick Baker - Gary Guhde - 800.925.5187 * denotes new advertiser
Lenny Marino - Steve McCoy -
Ron Wolf Perk Air
330.467.2250 Bob Doty
330.296.7307
BASF Corporation Remember to thank our
Gerald Husemann Precision Golf Construction advertisers for supporting
937.604.5617 Mike O’Donnell, CGCS you!
440.285.2117
Century Equipment NOGCSA
Norton Brick - Tim Hughes - Reynolds Golf & Turf
Ryan Miller - Ron Smolik Jim Keller – Steve Green – CONTACT INFORMATION
800.522.8676 Nick Novak - George Reese –
Mike Sterzer
Golf Sense, Inc. 877.723.6675
Brian Huntley
330.699.6409 South East Golf Car Co.
888.684.4653
Harrell’s Turf Specialty E-Mail:
Glenn Omori Superior Striping
440.439.1393 Lucas Fowler info@nogcsa.com
330.606.8859
H & S Stump Removal
Jack Hopkins Syngenta Website:
330.654.2347 Gary Watschke www.nogcsa.com
216.339.8564
Lake Erie Golf Cars
Frank Cisterino Turfcare with Air, Inc. Address:
800.276.0909 Bruce Denning
800.397.2044 1106 Royce St. NW
Uniontown, OH 44685
(216)469-9287

14