Putting Down Roots

In case you're not signed up for Golfdom's e-newsletters, Karl Danneberger, Ph.D., our science editor, penned the below piece on Poa annua facts.

If you're interested in signing up for the Golfdom e-newsletters, visit www.golfdom.com and sign up! (Look for the golf ball on the left-hand column.)

Some Interesting Facts about Poa annua

Depending on the climatic region Poa annua is a plant that you either try to manage as a desirable turf, or it is a weed to be removed. Its evasive characteristics are due in a large part from the evolution of different survival strategies (Cline et al., 1993). One strategy is its broad genetic base resulting in a wide range of genotypes within a small area like a golf green. Poa annua has also maintained its ability to flower and produce seed under low mowing heights. 

Below I have provided some facts about Poa annua from a paper by Dr. Mary Lush that I hope you find interesting.

Looking for lightning stories

We've got a story cooking for Golfdom, and I'd like to hear from you if you have any interesting lightning/thunderstorm stories... I know every golf course deals with weather, but I'm sure there are some pretty amazing stories out there that I haven't heard...

Shoot me an email at sjones@questex.com if you've got a good story and don't mind me bugging you for it!

Odds on Tiger at Augusta

The thing I love about Tiger's win? It instantly generates excitement in the game.

Take, for example, the below press release that just hit my email inbox:

With renewed mental focus after a PGA Tour victory on Sunday, experts agree that Tiger Woods is well positioned to win the Masters this April. And sports bettors are well positioned to profit from his success thanks to SportsBettingOnline's victory and prop bet odds.

"The wait is over. Tiger won his first official PGA Tour event since his personal life was exposed by the media and almost ruined his career," stated Dave Johnson, head odds maker at SportsBettingOnline.com. "The win not only gives him a mental edge, but it will also incite the betting public to put their money on Tiger. We've got great odds for Tiger Woods winning the Masters, as well as several prop bet options to keep things interesting."

SportsBettingOnline opened Tiger as the favorite at 5/1 to odds, and sports bettors are jumping at the opportunity to bet on him. Tiger Woods has tied for fourth in the last two Masters, and given his recent performance, there's no reason to doubt that he'll be in the heat of things again this year.



You have to admit, it's a lot more fun talking odds on Tiger Woods than it is on, say, Paul Casey.

Golfdom TV -- Graffis BPOTY presentation

Here's the video of the presentation of the first ever Herb Graffis Business Person of the Year Award at the 2012 Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas.

If I seem to be going a little fast, it's because I am... I was on my fourth "Five-Hour Energy Drink" when we shot this! Kidding...

Hendren's Hyperbole! -- Celebrating a Tiger Win

What’s up Golfdom fans! It is me, Matt Hendren of Hendren’s Hyperbole back at you after an eventful hiatus.

In January my wife and I welcomed our third child into the world. After two girls I guess the third time really is the charm because I finally got the boy I have been wanting. The funny thing is he was born with a Wolverine beard and is the spitting image of his pop!

I also had the privilege of going to the 2012 GIS with the Golfdom crew. It was a great show and I had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people and catch up with some people I hadn’t seen in a while.

So, yesterday Tiger finally won a tournament. This was his first PGA Tour win since September 13, 2009. Good for Tiger but isn’t that what he is supposed to do? No one makes a big deal when Seth puts out an awesome magazine month after month… that’s what he is supposed to do!

Anyways, this got me thinking about what Tiger might have done to celebrate his first victory in a while. Here’s my shot at Tiger’s top 5 things to do after his big win. Here goes nothing!

Announcing... GOLFDOM CHINA (Sort of. OK, not really.)

I don't know if you've noticed, but a few of our competitors have launched new digital magazines for our friends in China. They have done this by translating their mags and plopping a "China" on the cover. Their are also a few China-specific stories added in, as well, I see.

Well I'm all for this. My hat is off to these guys for expanding their reach.

A lot of people have asked me, "Is Golfdom going to do the same thing?" And by "a lot of people" I mean no one. HOWEVER, that does not mean your pal Jonesy isn't scheming behind the scenes to see what he can pull out of his hat.

And so I present to you... GOLFDOM CHINA! (Queue dramatic thunder sound effect!!!)

OK, so it's not Golfdom China. But it is our November 2011 cover story by Stacie Zinn, "Just Add Germs," reprinted in China's own Golf People magazine.

And it's in the March 2012 issue... so as you can see... we've already got our friends in China covered! (And remember, everyone else on planet earth and elsewhere -- you can always read Golfdom magazine for FREE by simply going to www.golfdom.com. You're welcome!)

So, in a way, we were the first to be in China. And we'll also be the first in Kathmandu, as you'll see in a future issue. We're huge in Kathmandu!

Arrested Development

What the heck? Where have I been all week? Is it already Thursday?!?

I've been here all week, pounding away on the keyboard. Deadlines! Plus, perhaps the combination of both KU men's and women's basketball making the Sweet 16, Peyton Manning to Denver, Tim Tebow to New York, New Orleans Saints getting the hammer laid down... maybe my brain has exploded. It's entirely possible. I might be having too much Madness in my March.

But we'll be back with some real copy soon! Don't stop visiting! In the meantime, here's a photo of some guy getting arrested at TPC Scottsdale during the final round of the Phoenix Open. He decided, during the next-to-last group, that it was a good time to swim across this water hazard on No. 18.

Everyone was shaking their head but laughing... until the kid got his face buried in the dirt by the police! And then there was a group, "ooooohhh..."

And no, this photo did not make the cut for my story on the Waste Management Phoenix Open that ran in this month's issue!

How far ahead is your turf?

A super in Virgina told me he's going to mow his Bermuda fairways and tees today, about three weeks earlier than normal.

How far ahead is your turf, and where are you?

Web surfing...

And I found this from who I assume is a golf course superintendent in British Columbia, writing an op-ed about pesticide bans... pretty well done: http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/opinion/138606884.html

Poa control product receives EPA approval

News out of Arysta LifeScience -- the company has received EPA approval for their Xonerate herbicide that controls Poa annua.


I met with Doug Houseworth, Ph.D., and Michael Maravich of Arysta LifeScience during the Golf Industry Show, and they were excited about this product. The company has tested the product at numerous universities, and they've seen impressive results on what many consider the peskiest weed in turf.


We'll look more into this as news of the product comes down the pike. For now, here is the press release Arysta just issued this morning on Xonerate:

Arysta LifeScience North America announced today that Xonerate Herbicide (active ingredient: Amicarbazone) has received federal approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use on turf grasses providing control of Poa annua.

Who's got next?

Sent from my iPhoneCheck out the sweet foosball table the crew has out at Audubon CC in Louisville, Ky. Superintendent John Ballard says the games get pretty fierce out there. And they play real foos, too, that means NO SPINNING!

Chillin' with my friends at the Kentuckiana GCSA

Sent from my iPhone

Catch me in Kentucky!

I'm knee-deep in preparing for my speech on Monday.

Me and Matt Hendren, in-between Tweets at the GIS.

Yes, your pal Jonesy takes the Golfdom show on the road Monday morning. I'm the keynote speaker at the Kentuckiana Mini Pesticide Conference being held at Valhalla Golf Club. And to put it mildly, I'm excited.

They've slotted me for 90 minutes, and I can tell you right now that there's no way I'll speak that long. I'm hopeful the last 30 minutes can be reserved for a Q&A at the Valhalla bar.

But I do have some things prepared... a little song and dance about Golfdom magazine, my career, some of the more unusual interviews I've done, and a little bit of perspective on this interesting industry we all work in.

Hopefully I don't bomb! I think my friends out in Kentuckiana will take good care of me though. I know I'm honored to be asked to speak at their conference... so I'll try to return the favor and give them something worth listening to!

If you're anywhere in that area, please come out and see us! I'm hopeful to see as many of my friends in that area as possible. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up with everyone.

OK, back to the note cards...

Golembiewski leaves Oregon State, joins Bayer

There have been rumblings of this today, but now it is official. Rob Golembiewski, Ph.D., director of Oregon State's turf program, has accepted a position with Bayer CropScience. Golembiewski made the announcement publicly this afternoon via an email sent to all the members of the Oregon GCSA.

The email reads as follows:

Golembiewski will begin his new position with Bayer on April 2nd.

This is an email that I thought I would never be writing. Before you start hearing rumors, I wanted to let all of you know that I have been offered and accepted a new position with Bayer CropScience.  I will be serving as the Technical Service Specialist for the Midwest Region working out of my home in Columbus, Ohio. This is an amazing opportunity for me and my family to get back to the Midwest and closer to my 8 siblings and their families in Michigan. I plan to start my new position April 2nd and will be working out of my home in Philomath until approximately June 1st.

Please let me express that this is the most difficult decision that I have ever had to make professionally but for those who know me understand how important family is to me. I can’t overstate how appreciative I am for the support and friendship you have provided me over the past four years. I believe with all my heart that the OSU Turf Program is the preeminent turf program on the West Coast and it was made possible by each and every one of you.

A few photos from last week's GIS

Here are a couple shots from the 2012 GIS. First up is Paul Chojnacky, superintendent at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz, Calif., and the winner of our first ever Herb Graffis Business Person of the Year award. Paul came by the booth to accept his award, and we even got a nice video of the presentation that we'll be posting soon on Golfdom TV.

Think there weren't a lot of people in Las Vegas for this show? Check out this shot. There were times on Wednesday when the place was downright PACKED. Thursday's crowd was less dense, but I had one exhibitor tell me that Thursday was even busier than Wednesday!

Here's a pic of me in the Direct Solutions NASCAR simulator. That steering wheel was touchy! I have to admit, I had the second-best time of the media who took the challenge. I was bested by our own senior editor, Beth Geraci, who had a 44-second lap compared to my 47-second lap! Ouch! Oh well, I'm mostly happy that the gold went to someone wearing a GOLFDOM media badge. Nice driving, Beth!

Who should I make this out to?

Superintendent Anthony Williams signs copies of his book about environmental stewardship.

The showbot

In the Buffalo Turbine booth

Air it out

Las Vegas Hotel Men's Bathroom

Ever feel the need to take a Mulligan?

In the ring

Shine on

Toro's lighted cup. Perfect for early evening golf.

Let's take a walk

Beep, beep

Blow you away

Get organized

Trade show time

A typical trade show, or better-than-expected attendance? We'll find out soon.