CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 19 NO. 7 September 2013 September Meeting Glenmaura National Golf Club Host: Jeff Koch, GCS With only two meetings left on the PTGA calendar this year, we will round out the year in style by visiting another beautiful and highly ranked golf course in Glenmaura National. Opened in 1995 and boasting a solid membership of 350, Glenmaura plays nearly 7,000 yards from the tips. Designed by Hurzdan-Fry, Glenmaura is currently ranked 17th in the state by Golf Digest. Its bentgrass greens, tees, and fairways are framed by the classic tree lines of many Pocono golf courses, while the archi- tect also designed a large amount of naturalized fescue areas throughout the course. Additionally, Hurzdan-Fry incorporated several natural features into the course, such as large rock outcroppings and the waterfalls on #18. In a delicate balancing act between providing a tour level challenge with a member friendly day to day playability, Glenmaura’s 94 bunkers are complimented by 6 sets of tees. This balance appears to have been successful, as Glenmaura has hosted the Nationwide tour from 2000-2008, the NCAA Eastern Regional, and a U.S. Open Qualifier, among other events. Continued on Page 5 Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2013 John Downer PRESIDENT John Downer, Marjon GC 570-840-0078 VICE PRESIDENT Patrick Knelly, Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 TREASURER Greg Boring, Country Club of Scranton 570-587-4046 SECRETARY Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC 570-842-4705 DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club 570-378-2249 Thomas Height, Country Club of Scranton 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 Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. 484-661-6105 bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com As the year starts to wind down and the aerators punch their holes, I want to thank all who have contributed to the newsletter in their vari- Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky ous ways. 570-388-2167 mmel500@aol.com We have had some great meetings so far, and will close the year out PAST PRESIDENT Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC with style at Glenmaura and Huntsville. 570-424-6391 Keep those pictures coming, and I hope to see you all there!!! 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 August Meeting Wrap-Up Elmhurst was up to the task again for hosting the PTGA. Thanks to Ray and his staff for giving us such a great venue. And for those of you who missed our speaker, Dr. Buckley from Rutgers, you missed a good and entertain- ing presentation. Superintendents: 1st Place (77) Ron Garrison 2nd Place (83) John Downer Affiliates: 1st Place (74) Tom Weinert 2nd Place (75) T.J. Hart Guests: 1st Place (86) Marty Garrity Closest to the Pin #5 Tom Collum 15’4” Long Drive #6 T.J. Hart Skins Dave Schell on #4 Brian Bachman on #8 Ron Garrison on #13 Tom Weinert on #14 Jeff Smolha on #17 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. Page 5 Continued from Page 1 Our host superintendent, Jeff Koch, has been at Glenmaura as the superintendent since 2004. Jeff, a 1997 Penn State grad under the late George Hamilton, took a job at Talbot C.C. as his first job out of college. It didn’t take long before Jeff returned to PA to serve in his first stint at Glenmaura as the assis- tant superintendent from 1998-2002. He then moved on to Wyoming Valley C.C. to take his first superinten- dent position, which he held from 2002-2004. Then, just as quickly, the superintendent position at Glenmaura opened up again in 2004, and Jeff has been there ever since. Jeff, and his assistant Emanuel Santos, oversee a seasonal staff of 24. Projects of recent note in- clude upgrading the irrigation system 3 years ago and the constant maintenance of their concrete cart paths. In the future, Jeff and his crew are look- ing to do an entire bunker renovation by 2017. We hope you’ll join us for a memorable day at another of the Pocono’s finest venues!! Do John wn er PT M em GA be r 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. Page 6 Assistant Superintendent Symposium Turf Republic is putting together a symposium for Assistant Superintendents. Bill Brown with Turf Repub- lic 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 putting together re- sources 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 attend. It will be held on October 23, 2013, at Rivercrest Country Club in Phoenixville, PA. We are hoping some of the more northern mem- bers would want to attend. We have some great speakers lined up: Bruce Williams, CGCS, Matt Shaf- fer 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 Su- perintendents 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). September Photo of the Month Look closely at the oars for this boat….that’s right, they’re snow shovels!!! I love how in- novative we can be in this business. The shovels have the proper mounting brackets and everything. Thanks to Andy Dumas, former PTGA member and current su- perintendent at Cherry Valley C.C. in NJ for sharing this pic- ture. 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 What’s going on in the Pocono’s Water Gap C.C. at Wolf Hollow to be featured on TLC’s “Hotel Impossible” September 9th Glen Oak C.C. embarks on their bunker renovation Page 9 PTGA SCHEDULE POCONO ROUNDUP Sept 17 PTGA Meeting @ Congratulations to our Scholarship Recipients: Glenmaura National Josh Dixon—Turf Scholarship Speaker: Elliot Dowling, Joseph H. Kohut—Turf Scholarship USGA Melissa Barndt—Non-Turf Scholarship Sept 30 MET Meeting Best of Luck to you in your future endeavors! Mountain Ridge CC, NJ Congratulations to Ryan Berger who has taken the Oct. 5 Beat MPS Scramble at Sugarloaf superintendent position at Riverview CC. Watch for Water Gap C.C. to be featured on Sep- Oct 21 PTGA Meeting @ tember 9 at 10 pm on the Travel Channel show Huntsville Golf Club “Hotel Impossible”….if you miss it make sure to Speaker: Darin Bevard, check it out online. USGA Condolences Nov 12-14 PSU Turf Conference Our deepest condolences to John Chassard and his family on the unexpected passing of his wife, Dec 4-6 Atlantic City Turf Expo Susan. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. 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.