CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 16 NO. 5 June 2010 Stonehedge Golf Club Hosts Tony Kenia & Mark Brown Stone Hedge Golf Course was built from 1990 to 1992 by Tony Kenia, Dan Kenia, and Dan Kenia, Jr. They worked with architect Jim Blaukovich and Dennis Watkins on the design of the course that winds it ways through the hill sides of the Endless Mountains in Wyoming County. The site was originally home to a family dairy farm before deciding that golf would be a better use of the land. The property is 289 acres and features the golf course, home lots, and town homes. A new clubhouse is planned for later this year to further enhance the amenities offered by this fine course. In addition to the clubhouse project, a bunker renovation project is also on the books for Stonehedge. The golf course is 6600 yards and plays to Par 71. The course has a slope rating of 72.3 and a course rat- ing of 127 for those using the GHIN system this year. Mark Brown is in his fourth season as superintendent of Stone- hedge Golf Club. Prior to working at Stonehedge, Mark worked at Glen Oak Country Club and Berwick Country Club. He is a graduate of Penn State University. The course is operated out of a small maintenance facility that is centrally located on the property. There are plans for a new facility that may begin before we have our golf meeting there. There are plans to add a couple tees to some of the par 3 holes in coming months. as well. Mark has a summer staff of 8 and a winter crew of 2 for course maintenance. The course has 3 acres of greens, 2 acres of tees and 22 acres of fairways. There are some 60 bunkers around the property, as well as open rolling hills and tight tree lined fairways on some holes. This month John Vojick of Andre & Son and Steve Chirip of Grass Roots have agreed to sponsor the meet- ing. Try to make the trek north of Scranton to enjoy a fine golf course and the beautiful Endless Mountains of Penn- sylvania. Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2010 Ok, somebody pinch me! June has been here for awhile and no major catastrophes, low humidity, only small irrigation breaks and most of my new help is still showing up for work. Alright, I know most of you are saying, just wait, but I’ll take this as a sign from the gods we PRESIDENT are finally making the turn. From my point of view the golf business is in Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC fairly good shape and even the General Manager smiles once in a 570-424-6391 while. Maybe I’m just an optimist at heart ( my wife says that I am), but VICE PRESIDENT a positive outlook has gotten me through a rough spot now and John Downer, Elkview C.C. 570-840-0078 again. Try to keep yourself and those around you motivated. There is a long way to go still in the season. A smile and a laugh are priceless. TREASURER Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC Thanks to Corey and the whole staff at the Manor. What a great 570-842-4705 day. Every meeting seems to bring new people out, and that’s what SECRETARY we are hoping for. I encourage each and every one of you to take a Patrick Knelly Sugarloaf Golf Club day to have fun and relax with some of your own kind; even a few 570-384-4724 hours away can make a difference. They say that absence makes the DIRECTORS heart grow fonder. Maybe in our case just a little more tolerable. Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Matthew Brown, Turf Equipment & Supply 888-384-8676 Greg Boring, Country Club of Scranton Rick Anglemyer 570-587-4046 Thomas Height, Country Club of Scranton 570-237-0878 Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak CC. 570-586-5791 Editor’s Notes….. Patrick Healy, Scranton Canoe Club 570-378-2249 __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Wow!!!! What a great day you missed if you didn’t take the Jim Gurzler, George Schofield Co. time out of your schedule to come to The Inn at Pocono Manor. 732-433-5474 Corey and the crew had the place in shape and the pro shop and jim@gurzler.com banquet staff did everything right for the PTGA. Thanks to everyone Managing Editor at the Inn for making us feel so welcome. Melinda Wisnosky 570-388-2167 Editorial Committee This month you will see the scholarship information in here as Darrin Larkin well as an update on the website. I ask you to make use of both, as Matt Brown both are member benefits of the PTGA. Past President Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course Also, this month our meeting goes to a new venue. Make the 570-222-9260 trip to Stonehedge and enjoy a day in the Endless Mountains of PA. Tony and Mark should make this a fun filled day. Got some pictures, some project you want to show off? Send them in to the newsletter for publication. As always, I am looking for PTGA Office newsletter articles, as well. So help out and send some along. R.R. 1, Box 219 Enough with the groveling for materials. Enjoy the nice weather and Harding, PA 18643 Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 have a great 4th of July. Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the To Gino: I used spell check this month :P Sorry about that . author and/or person quoted, and may not represent the position of PTGA. Information contained in this publication may be used freely, in whole or in part, without special Jim Gurzler permission, as long as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a credit line. Page Page 3 3 What’s new on PTGA.org? By Patrick Knelly A buzz word I have been hearing in many Where’s the value? To make the website conversations lately is “value”. Private clubs are striv- more useful and functional to our members we felt ing to providing members “value”, public courses that all new features of the site should be FREE! All have begun offering additional amenities in an effort PTGA members have access to these features and to provide their players more “value”, and it’s some- the Board of Directors would like to encourage every thing we all consider with every purchase we make. member to take advantage of these features now It’s interesting how important providing more “value” that we are up and running. We have added a can be for anyone and everyone, especially as we “Jobs” section to the site. You can post any position continue to struggle in this flat golf economy. This you have available for potential applicants to view, past winter during the PTGA’s annual winter session of or we can list your professional resume if you are look- board meetings we discussed a number of improve- ing for employment. The second new feature we are ments and changes we hoped to make to our web- providing is an “Equipment Swap.” In this section page in an effort to provide our members more PTGA members can list any used equipment they “value”. So, if you haven’t stopped by www.ptga.org would like to sell for other PTGA members to view! lately, let me take a minute to run down what is new Again, this is provided free of charge and we would and improved and how it can help you! like to encourage all Superintendents and Affiliates What’s new? Well, for starters after years of alike to take advantage of this feature. dedicated work on the website our Past President To begin posting, simply visit www.ptga.org Darrin Larkin has willingly (and eagerly!) handed over and follow the links to submit your listing. We will re- the reins of the website to me. While Darrin and I are view your posing and insert the description and/or by no means professional web designers, I am very pictures that you provide us, all while filtering out any thankful to take over a site that is as well built and or- spam we may receive. We look at this as a way to ganized as the one Darrin created for the PTGA! I provide you with more “value” for your PTGA mem- would like to offer many thanks to you, Darrin, for all bership dues, and we hope this becomes an active your hard work and dedication to the construction section of the site. and maintenance of www.ptga.org over the years. As always, the other services that were always We also have worked together to make the transition provided on www.ptga.org are still available. If any- as smooth as possible, and we have collaborated on one has any questions or suggestions, I would be glad the addition of a handful of new features that we to listen to your thoughts. really hope will be valuable additions to the website. Page 4 Pocono Turfgrass Association 2010 Scholarships The Patterson Scholarship for Turfgrass Related Studies The Pocono Turfgrass Association is now accepting scholarship applications for the Patterson Scholarship. The deadline for application is October 31, 2010. The following is a list of guidelines for all individuals interested in applying for the scholarship: 1. Applicant must be in his or her final year of study or a recent graduate of a two- or four-year turf related program. 2. The applicant must be a member of the Pocono Turfgrass Association, employed by a member of PTGA, or an immediate family member of a member of PTGA. 3. The applicant must submit, in writing, why he or she would like to be considered for the scholarship. The essay should include what he or she feels their contribution to the turfgrass field will be. 4. Applicants must include a letter of endorsement from their PTGA relation with their application. The Pocono Turfgrass Association Scholarship for Non-Turf Related Studies The Pocono Turfgrass Association is now accepting applications for a non-turfgrass related field of study scholarship. The deadline for application is October 31, 2010. The following is a list of guidelines for all individuals interested in applying for the scholarship: 1. Applicant must be in his or her final year of study or a recent graduate of a two- or four-year non-turf related program. 2. The applicant must be a member of the Pocono Turfgrass Association, employed by a member of PTGA, or an immediate family member of a member of PTGA. 3. The applicant must submit, in writing, why he or she would like to be considered for the scholarship. The essay should include information pertaining to field of study, educational achievement, and future goals with respect to utilization of his or her educa- tion. 4. Applicants must include a letter of endorsement from their PTGA relation with their application. Applications should be submitted to: Rick Anglemyer Water Gap Country Club PO Box 725 Mountain Rd. Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327 Page 5 May Meeting Wrap Up Corey Pries and the staff at the Inn at Pocono Manor were fabulous hosts for the May monthly meeting. We had a great turnout, and the weather was bright and sunny. An educational talk pro- vided by Matt Brown of Turf Equipment & Supply was held prior to golf . The subject of the talk concerned the benefits of purchasing or leasing of equipment and when each would be beneficial to the club. Turf Equipment was also our meeting sponsor for this month. We had an After the Round Blind Draw to form 4 man teams ,which was won by Patrick Knelly of Sugarloaf, Jerry Decker of Fern Hall, Lisa of the Inn and Jerry Hurst with a combined score of 340. In second place with a 355 were Brian Bachman of Genesis Turf, Rick Anglemyer of Water Gap CC, and guests Pete Tortetti and Tony Raz- inski. Skill prizes were awarded for Closet to the Pin on Hole number 7 (Sal Scalzo) and Hole number 18 (Jerry Hurst) and Longest Drive on Hole number 1 (Patrick Knelly). What a bomb that was, It even made Chris Butler look like a normal ball striker. There were 4 skins awarded in the Skins Tournament; Frank Marten had one on the 4th hole, Jim Gurzler had one on the 7th Hole, Barry Goodhart had an eagle for a skin on the 9th hole and Paul Brandon had a skin on the 13th hole. We had 47 golfers for the day which was great and a couple more for dinner, which was a great meal provided by the club. Thanks again to The Inn at Pocono Manor for doing such a great job with the meeting for us. Thanks also to the meeting sponsor Turf Equipment Sup- ply who was a full sponsor for this month’s meeting. Thanks also to Matt Brown for his presentation on Golf Strategies for purchasing. There were GCSAA ceu available for this meeting, so if you didn’t get the number and were present for the talk, please give me a call. Jim Gurzler Page 6 What Month is it anyway? By David Oatis, Director May 11, 2010 The weather always seems to jump around some in the • With sporadic cool periods and even a few frosts, spring, and it certainly is doing that this year! Long johns certain bentgrass cultivars become severely discol- have been traded for sun block and vice versa a cou- ored. It may look like a disease, but more often ple of times already this year, and that always makes than not, the discoloration is just a result of the cool for an interesting start to the season. Golfers have been temperatures, possibly combined with some me- out in droves on many courses, and their early start has chanical injury. made it challenging to get the last of the spring cleanup accomplished. Despite the unseasonably • Poa/bent putting greens will remain somewhat warm temperatures bumpy until the growth of the two species evens When golfers experience a we have experienced out, and this won’t happen until we experience at times, there have consistently warm temperatures. For warmer, more few warm days, they start to been plenty of cold southerly areas, this may be occurring right now. expect better playing snaps, and some ar- For cooler areas, this may not occur for another conditions. eas still are experienc- month. ing some frost. Playing conditions in the • Regardless of how effective your seed head sup- Northeast Region probably won’t round into peak form pression program worked, a few seed heads, for a few more weeks. (maybe quite a few) often pop up, and these will contribute to the bumpy conditions. When golfers experience a few warm days, they start to expect better playing conditions. A few warm days fol- • We haven’t seen any ABW damage yet, but it is lowed by cold weather, and possibly frost, gives golfers just around the corner. Plan on the first weevil dam- the perception that things should be growing, but the age to begin appearing in the next two weeks or annual bluegrass and the bentgrasses won’t grow con- so. sistently under these conditions. Here are a few things you can expect for the next couple of weeks: • Cool season brown patch and brown ring patch both may be active now, but as conditions con- tinue to warm (especially if it is dry) cool season • Bentgrass is very prone to mechanical injury during brown patch will fade away. The two are difficult the spring season, and even normal mowing and to distinguish between, and since the conditions rolling operations may cause visible injury to bent- that favor each are similar and overlap, be sure to grass while temperatures remain cool. get a laboratory diagnosis. Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING Aer-Core Ryan Davidheiser 610-310-3925 IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Turf Equip. & Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 710.933.5801 Matt Brown 484-357-6312 PLANT PROTECTANTS EQUIPMENT Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Aer-Core Ryan Davidheiser 610-310-3925 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Reel Sharp Brian Grebeldinger 845-597-7738 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Turf Equip. & Supply Matt Brown 484.357.6312 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 George Skawski 610.554.9366 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 FERTILIZER Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 SEED & SOD Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 East Coast Sod & Seed Kevin Driscoll 609.760.4099 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Geo. Schofield Jim Gurzler 732-433-5474 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Support our Sponsors - They support us! PTGA SCHEDULE POCONO ROUNDUP June 21 Stone Hedge Host Tony Kenia Ooooops! My apologies to Gino Marchetti of Glen Oak C.C. on the misspelling of his name in last July 19 Glenbrook CC month’s newsletter. Host Jeff Feick Penn State Turfgrass Field Days Aug 11 and 12 Aug 16 Elmhurst CC Joseph Valentine Research Center Host Ray Waddell University Park Drive Contact CSCO@psu.edu for information Sept 20 Pine Hills CC Host Eric Duffy Rutgers Turfgrass Field Days July 27 Hort Farm II Oct 7 Valley CC New Brunswick NJ Host Eric Reed, CGCS http://www.njturfgrass.org for more information Oct 7 MetGCSA Championship The Bridge, Long Island NY POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 309 TERRACE AVE. HARDING, PA 18643 Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 www.ptga.org