CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 19 NO. 6 August 2013 August Meeting Elmhurst CC Host: Ray Waddell, GCS Elmhurst C.C. welcomes the PTGA for our August meeting. A familiar venue for many of us, Elmhurst has previously hosted our annual clambake. With the original 9 holes constructed in 1929, Elmhurst is reminiscent of many classic Pocono golf courses, but as to the architect….well that remains a mystery. Some have pointed to Donald Ross or White, but none are able to truly give credit to the original designer. The second 9 holes opened just 2 years later in 1931. Two new holes were built in 2001 and #18 was reconfigured in 2006 to give us the current 18 hole track. Playing at a mod- est 6,686 yards from the tips, don’t overlook the difficulty of Elmhurst. The tree lined fairways, multiple water hazards, and slick bent/poa greens make Elmhurst a true test of our ability (not to mention this is our official qualifier for the MET Tournament). Ray and Elmhurst hosted the Nationwide Tour in 2008 and 2009 and are the annual venue for the PIAA district tournament. Speaking of our host, Ray completed the 2 year turf program at Rutgers and has been the superintendent at Elmhurst since 2004. Ray and his long time assistant, Dave Weber, have taken on or Continued on Page 5 Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2013 What a great summer! Our meetings have been well attended and very educational and enjoyable. Those who attended the annual clambake saw nothing but excellence at the Country Club of Scranton. Thank you, Mr. Boring. PRESIDENT John Downer, Marjon Golf Club With three meetings left of the season, I would like to 570-840-0078 remind you that the difficult rain at the June meeting at Pocono VICE PRESIDENT Manor postponed the qualifier for the MET Championship. Therefore, Patrick Knelly, Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 the meeting at Elmhurst in August will be the Qualifier. TREASURER Greg Boring, Country Club of Scranton We will then be welcomed at Glenmaura National in 570-587-4046 September and Huntsville in October. Elections will be held in SECRETARY October. Those wishing to help sustain the PTGA in the upcoming Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC years can submit their name to Executive Secretary Melinda for 570-842-4705 election to the Board of Directors. Anyone in need of a sounding board, bouncing ideas or just to compare ideas may contact a Board DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. member. We are here to help and make you stronger. 973-418-3468 Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club Thank you, 570-378-2249 Thomas Height, Country Club of Scranton John Downer 570-237-0878 Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak CC. 570-586-5791 James Gurzler, Green Valley Landscaping 570-592-2473 Corey Pries, Pocono Manor GC Editor’s Notes….. 570-994-8270 Chris Moran, Honesdale CC 570-253-9094 __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Well, September...I mean August is upon us. The beautiful and Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. 484-661-6105 refreshing weather is a nice respite from the brutal July we had. bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com A big “Thank You” to Greg Boring and the staff at CC of Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky Scranton for the amazing day of golf and food enjoyed by all. We 570-388-2167 had a huge turnout and one of the best weather days to play golf mmel500@aol.com that I can remember. The course was amazing!! PAST PRESIDENT Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC 570-424-6391 Thanks to everyone who has contributed pictures and info for the newsletter. It is greatly appreciated. See you all at Elmhurst. Brian Bachman PTGA Office 309 Terrace Avenue Harding, PA 18643 Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the 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 permission, as long as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a credit line. PagePage 3 3 Syngenta Accepting Applications for Business Institute Syngenta is excited to announce for the fifth year,they are inviting golf course su- perintendents across the United States to apply for the Syngenta Business Insti- tute™, an innovative professional business development program developed specif- ically for the industry in partnership with Wake Forest University Schools of Business. The unique, four-day program focuses on financial and human resource manage- ment, delegation skills, effective commu- nications and negotiation skills, managing general differences and more. The program will supplement and comple- ment superintendents’ existing knowledge base, allowing more produc- tive and efficient golf course manage- ment. Syngenta is eager to provide a learning experience that goes well beyond the agronomic requirements of a superinten- dent’s job. The Syngenta Business Institute will be held Dec. 9-12, 2013, at Graylyn International Conference Center on the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. Superintendents must fill out an application, which includes an essay on why they believe they should be selected to attend. The application is due by Tuesday, Aug. 20 and can be found at www.greencastonline.com/SBI. Only 25 superintendents will be selected to participate. Page 4 PTGA Membership Drives Thinking of becoming a Know someone who PTGA Member?? would like to be a PTGA Member?? Anyone who joins the Association (with their paid dues and approved application of course) will be able to attend any monthly meeting immediately following their membership for half price!!! (Half-price meeting excludes the Clambake ) Talk to any Board Member for additional details. July Meeting Wrap-Up What a beautiful day for golf and an equally beautiful venue. Thanks to Greg Boring and his staff for a memorable day. From the course, to the food, to the camaraderie you couldn’t ask for a better day. 1st Place (59) Greg Boring, Jay Boring, Michael Vassil, Pat Murphy 2nd Place (60)Patrick Knelly, Matt DeMarco, Dave Shaffer, Kevin Rentschler 3rd Place (60) Duane Schell, Tony Barletta, Matt Kachurak, Josh Popowycz Closest to the Pin #3 Fran Ankenbrand 5’4” #5 Matt Kachurak 14’3” #11 T.J. Hart 9.5 inches Long Drive #18 Jay Boring Skins Patrick Knelly group with an eagle on #6 John Vojick group with an eagle on #8 Fred Rapp group with an eagle on #12 Page 5 Continued from Page 1 overseen several projects over the years, including some that have been completed since the last time we were there. These projects include rebuild- ing the #1 green complex, new tees on #2, #3 and #8, and removal and reshaping of the bunkers on #6. The driving range was also redone with target greens and bunkers and a short game practice facility has been added. Next on the list of things to do is to add greens surrounds heads. Ray and his crew of 14 full time seasonal employees will have the place in great shape for us, and we hope you’ll find the time and opportunity to join us at Elmhurst and enjoy a day of camaraderie, golf, and food!! GCSAA Announces New Field Staff Representative Chase Rogan, previously the owner of a turf consulting company in Pittsburgh, Pa., will serve as a liaison to GCSAA members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Mary- land and Virginia. Rogan will serve as GCSAA's Mid-Atlantic Regional representative. The Penn State graduate has extensive experience as an assistant superintendent and turf consultant in the region. Rogan is a familiar face to GCSAA members in the Mid-Atlantic region through his var- ied experience in the area. He comes to the Association after owning his own turf consulting company in Pittsburgh, Pa. Prior to that he worked as an assistant superintendent at Butler Country Club and Edge- wood Country Club. He has been an active member in GCSAA and the Greater Pittsburgh GCSA, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council. He has been an invited speaker at the Western Pennsylvania Turfgrass and Trade Show and the Penn State Golf Turfgrass Confer- ence. While pursuing graduate studies, he served as an assistant instructor in a turfgrass nutrition course. He has a firm understanding of the economic, social and environmental dynamics in the industry, as well as thorough scientific knowledge of sound agronomic principles. He also has an established network of relationships with superintendents and others in the industry in the Mid-Atlantic region. He is twice a grad- uate of Pennsylvania State University, holding a bachelor's degree in turfgrass science and master's de- gree in agronomy. The Mid-Atlantic region includes Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, and includes these associations: Central Pennsylvania GCSA Old Dominion GCSA Eastern Shore Association of GCS Philadelphia Association of GCS Greater Pittsburgh GCSA Pocono Turfgrass Association Mid-Atlantic Association of GCS Virginia GCSA Mountain & Valley GCSA West Virginia GSA Northwestern Pennsylvania GCSA Page 6 As a service to our members and way to say thank you….. All PTGA members will receive their own bag tag to proudly display. Please pick up your tag at the meetings throughout the season. Do John wn er PT M em GA be r Photo of the Month We all see interesting things every day….wildlife (like bald eagles and bears), strange turf problems (like a lightning strike), an employee who stayed out too late the night before, etc. So if you have a great photo, send it to me (bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com) and share it for everyone to enjoy (or laugh at). August Photo of the Month Yours truly snapped this photo. This picture is from the 6th green at the for- mer Center Valley Club in the Lehigh Valley. Center Valley closed its doors nearly two years ago and the once manicured bent- grass fairways have been replaced by corn. Notice the cart path on the right still in place. A sad sign of the times for a once beautiful venue. Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 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 Michael Longyhore 610.390.8827 EQUIPMENT PLANT PROTECTANTS Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 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 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Turf Equip. & Supply Michael Longyhore 610.390.8827 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 George Skawski 610.554.9366 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 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 SEED & SOD 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 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 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 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 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Profile Products LLC Dan Fick 610.562.0547 Support our Sponsors - They support us! Page 8 PTGA SCHEDULE POCONO ROUNDUP August 26 PTGA meeting @ Elmhurst Hotel Makeover Qualifier for Met Tourney Speaker: Dr. Buckley Keep your eyes open for one of our local cours- Rutgers University es, Water Gap C.C. (Wolf Hollow), to be fea- tured on national television in September. They Sept 17 PTGA meeting @ were the recipient of a hotel makeover via “Hotel Impossible” on TLC. More details to fol- Glenmaura National low. Speaker: Darin Bevard USGA Scholarship Winners Oct 21 PTGA meeting @ The PTGA scholarship winners will be announced in the next issue of “Chips & Putts.” Huntsville Golf Club Annual Meeting POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 POSTAGE HARDING, PA 18643 NAME & ADDRESS POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 309 TERRACE AVENUE HARDING, PA 18643 PHONE/FAX 570-388-2167 WEBSITE: ptga.org ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.