Once again the Indiana Green Expo, held in Indianapolis on January 14 ^th and 15 ^th , was a big success. Despite the Colts being knocked out of the football playoffs on the eve of the conference, everyone seemed to enjoy the combination of good presentations, the equipment show, and catching up with friends. A USGA regional conference was merged with the Expo on Tuesday (15 ^th ) afternoon. Pete Bevacqua, chief business officer for the USGA, Jim Moore, director of Green Section Construction Education, Bill McCarthy, director Regional Affairs Ohio Valley Region, and I jointly covered a variety of topics. Based on the questions received and ensuing feedback the program was well received. Beyond the USGA program, a few points of interest gleaned include the following.

• Adding a surfactant to properly labeled fungicides, per label allowance, will, in most cases, aid fairy ring disease control.
• Aeration or venting fairy rings allows toxic gas to escape and aids control.
• Relative to label parameters, use at least 4 gallons of water per 1000 square feet when applying a fungicide to control fairy ring activity.
• In Indiana, the herbicide Velocity offered better control of Poa trivialis during 2006 than Certainty.
• Certainty is more effective for Poa trivialis control when used during the summer (above 70 degrees)
• Poa trivialis control via either Certainty or Velocity should be combined with overseeding.
• Velocity can be a good tool for Poa annua control when used every 2 or 3 weeks through the summer on bentgrass fairways. Velocity is not safe on Kentucky bluegrass and is not labeled for putting greens.
• Adding a surfactant or methylated seed oil may allow a lower rate of Velocity.

Should the above points generate any thoughts or questions about maintenance at your course give me a call.

Information about our Turf Advisory Service (TAS) will be mailed to all courses in our database in mid-to-late February. Contained within will be an invoice for subscribing in 2008. The fee structure this year is $2,000 for a half-day visit and $2,700 for a full-day. A $300 discount is possible with early (before May 15 ^th ) payment. Visits can be scheduled anytime during the season while still capitalizing on the discount as long as payment is received by May 15 ^th . There is no additional cost and value satisfaction is guaranteed.

With the golf course being the primary asset at most operations, a comprehensive review by a USGA agronomist is money well spent. A tight economy further elevates the potential benefits as recommendations followed will commonly generate savings that far exceed the visit cost, especially over the long haul. If your course does not receive subscription information give us a call. We look forward to working with you in the days ahead.

Source: Bob Brame, bobbrame@usga.org or 859-356-3272