CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 19 NO. 8 October 2013 October Meeting Huntsville Golf Club Host: Mark McCormick, GCS Our final golf meeting of the year is hosted by another great Pocono course, Huntsville Golf Club. This highly rated (5th in Pennsylvania) Reese Jones design opened in 1994. At 7,204 yards, the bentgrass greens, 6 sets of tees, and fairways are spread over this rolling 500 acre property. The finely manicured playing surfaces are framed by extensive native fescue areas and 110 bunkers. Huntsville has been host to several U.S. Open qualifier events and a number of other amateur events, as well. As you can imagine, a course of this relatively new nature has only needed minor renovations, the most recent of which was the installation of drainage on holes #16 and #2. In the future, there is a possible tee renovation project in the works. Overseeing Huntsville and these projects is long time superintendent Mark McCormick. Mark is a Pennsylvania native, growing up in State College. Of course, you can’t grow up in Continued on Page 5 Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2013 It has been my pleasure to serve as your president in the past two years. I have been a member of this Association and enjoyed the camaraderie of the membership, their families and friends since the mid 1980’s. It is my hope this will continue in the years to come. Although PRESIDENT the past few years have been difficult for me, the support and help of John Downer, Marjon GC so many of the members has been strengthening. I THANK YOU ALL. 570-840-0078 The Pocono Turfgrass Association is very strong. Those who have VICE PRESIDENT served on the Board in the past are owed a great appreciation. The Patrick Knelly, Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 objective to serve and help others to improve the industry of golf is TREASURER obvious to those who attend conferences and meetings. Everyone is Greg Boring, Country Club of Scranton willing to share ideas, provide observations and solutions. The 570-587-4046 experiences that each and every member brings to the table are SECRETARY overwhelming. Don’t miss out. Get to meetings and conferences. Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC Share your knowledge. 570-842-4705 On a personal note, yes, after a six month chase of Harrisburg, I have attained a Wildlife Pest Control Permit, one more item to add to DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. the resume. After weeks of study and a two hour exam in June, the 973-418-3468 Pennsylvania Game Commission sent the Permit Back Dated March Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club 2013 to June 2013. Not a typo - June 2013. Had to call and get re- 570-378-2249 Thomas Height, Country Club of Scranton permitted to June 2014. This took weeks. All you can do is laugh!! 570-237-0878 Insanity surrounds us all, and you can’t fix stupid. Words to live by. Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak CC. 570-586-5791 The last local meeting of the 2013 Season is at Huntsville. This is James Gurzler, Green Valley Landscaping our election and reorganization of the PTGA. Please attend. Meeting 570-592-2473 Corey Pries, Pocono Manor GC sights are needed for the 2014 Season. Those who wish to have the 570-994-8270 honor of serving on the Board are encouraged to get their names on Chris Moran, Honesdale CC the ballot. The future of the Association is bright. Those who are serving 570-253-9094 __________________________ on the Board do so with the members’ support and input. They are CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF strong leaders, good people and willing to help anyone in need. EDITOR Remember to manage, stabilize, motivate, maintain and above Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. 484-661-6105 all LAUGH! bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com Managing Editor John Downer Melinda Wisnosky Class A – Golf Course Superintendent 570-388-2167 mmel500@aol.com ISA Arborist PAST PRESIDENT Permitted Wildlife Pest Control Agent Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC 570-424-6391 Editor’s Notes….. Here we come...to the last meeting of the season at Huntsville. It’s been a great lineup of meetings for the year and this one is no less impressive. PTGA Office The weather doesn’t seem to want to turn into fall, which can 309 Terrace Avenue Harding, PA 18643 be good for revenues but exhausting for superintendents still chasing Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 irrigation in a month when they normally don’t have to. Thanks for all the pictures submitted this year and please keep Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and/or person quoted, and may not represent the them coming. 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 Brian Bachman would appreciate a credit line. PagePage 3 3 September Meeting Wrap-Up Glenmaura was as spectacular as ever for our Septem- ber meeting. Thanks to Jeff Koch and his staff for the great conditions and a successful day. The greens were lightning fast and the food was delicious. Hope- fully, we’ll be able to come back soon. Superintendents: 1st Place(72) Russell Hauenstein and Jerry Decker 2nd Place (74) Jeff Smolha and Bob Morin 3rd Place (77) TJ Hart and John Downer Closest to the Pin Members #9 Corey Pries 8’2” Closest to the Pin All #11 Bob Morin 10’7” Long Drive #11 Rick Anglemyer Skins Paul Brandon and Steve Chirip #8 Ian Kunesch and Chris Moran #11 Chris Snopkowski and Aaron Giordano #18 Jeff Smolha and Bob Morin # 12 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. PTGA Elections Our final meeting of the year will be held on Monday, October 21, 2013, at Huntsville Golf Club. This is also our Annual Meeting in which elections to the Board of Directors is conducted. Anyone wishing to run for a position on the Board, please contact one of the following members: John Downer, President, 570-840-0078 or email johnfdowner@gmail.com Patrick Knelly, Vice President, 570-956-3331 or email psk114@sugarloafgolfclub.com Patrick Healey, Sgt. at Arms, 570-793-6426 or email patrickdhealey@gmail.com Melinda Wisnosky, Executive Secretary, 570-388-2167 or mmel500@aol.com Page 5 Continued from Page 1 State College, enter the turf industry, and not attend Penn State. During his time at Penn State Mark worked at the Blue and White courses followed by summer internships at Castle Pines and Settin Down Creek. Hired right out of Penn State with his degree in hand, Mark has been with Huntsville since the construction days in 1992. Starting as the second assistant, Mark moved his way up the ladder over the years and was eventually named superintendent in 1999. Assisted by Casey Sheehan, Mark and the crew of 4 full time year round employees, 7 full time seasonal, 6 part time seasonal, and 6 true part timers oversee this vast property. As with many of us, Mark is a family man away from the course. He and his wife Janel have two daughters, Tyra who is 11 and Payton who is 14. In his free time, Mark en- joys hunting, fishing, and hiking with his family. If you’ve never played Huntsville, or even if you have, I would encourage you to take the opportunity to play one of the true gems of the Poconos!! Page 6 Assistant Superintendent Symposium Turf Republic is putting together a symposium for Assistant Superintendents. Bill Brown with Turf Republic states, "One of the key missions of Turf Republic is the enhancement of the future of the turf industry and that needs be started with our future leaders. With that being said, we are put- ting together resources for those individuals. We are really excited about this free event we have put together with the help of Syngenta for Assistant Golf Course Superintendents to at- tend. It will be held on Oct 23rd at Rivercrest Country Club in Phoenixville, PA. We are hoping some of the more northern members would want to attend. We have some great speakers lined up, Bruce Williams, CGCS, Matt Shaffer from Merion GC and Darin Bevard from the Mid-Atlantic USGA". The link to the event is - https://agcs-symposium.eventbrite.com They have 40 spots open. Individuals can sign up right from the link provided and it is first come, first serve. It is for Assistant Golf Course Superintendents only. 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). October Photo of the Month Not 20….not 25….23 MPH. One of the interesting things you get to see on the road. I snapped this photo from a local Pocono golf course…..any guess- es? 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 Page 9 Pocono Team places 5th in the Annual Met Tournament at Mountain Ridge C.C. Team members (L-R): Brian Bachman, John Downer, Ian Kunesch, Steve Chirip, Jerry Decker, TJ Hart, Chris Boyle, Paul Brandon Page 10 PTGA SCHEDULE POCONO ROUNDUP Oct 21 PTGA meeting @ Huntsville Golf Club Speaker: Darin Bevard, What’s New? USGA Any news you would like to share with Nov 12-14 PSU Turf Conference our members of the Pocono Turfgrass Association? Please send the information Dec 4-6 Atlantic City Turf Expo to bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 POSTAGE HARDING, PA 18643 POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 309 TERRACE AVENUE HARDING, PA 18643 NAME & ADDRESS PHONE/FAX 570-388-2167 WEBSITE: ptga.org ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.