CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 20 NO. 1 March 2014 “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more im- portant than any other.” Abraham Lincoln Bethlehem Golf Club….site of the April PTGA meeting Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2014 It seems like this is the winter that just will not end, but before we know it we'll be mowing and raking and spraying and weeding and building and setting up and painting and PRESIDENT Ray Waddell filling and cleaning and...well you get the idea. Hopefully, this 570-903-9571 unrelenting winter has given all the time needed to be well VICE PRESIDENT prepared for the start of the season and has allowed a little Patrick Knelly, Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 more time to be with family and friends before the annual disappearance into the golf course maintenance vortex. TREASURER Greg Boring, Country Club of Scranton 570-587-4046 Trusting the warm weather will return as it always does, SECRETARY we have prepared an interesting golf meeting schedule. I hope Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club 570-378-2249 most of you will be able to make time to attend and enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie that the Pocono is known for. I look DIRECTORS forward to seeing you, and for now enjoy the “down time” Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 while it last. Thomas Height, Country Club of Scranton 570-237-0878 Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak CC. 570-586-5791 Ray Waddell Corey Pries, Pocono Manor GC 570-994-8270 Chris Moran, Honesdale CC 570-253-9094 __________________________ Editor’s Notes….. CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. 484-661-6105 bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com And so another year of the newsletter begins while the golf season is itching to get started after this harsh winter. We’re Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky all hoping for the snow to melt quickly and this cold weather to 570-388-2167 let up. mmel500@aol.com PAST PRESIDENT John Downer, Marjon GC I’m always looking for articles and pictures to put in our 570-840-0078 newsletter, so don’t be afraid to share. Here’s to a spring thaw and the actual sight of some green grass. 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 The VTGCSA Wins Inaugural Nor’easter Cup at The 2nd Annual Nor’easter Ski Day at Killington Nine superintendent associations from as far away as Pennsylvania competed at the Second An- nual Nor’easter Cup at Killington Ski Resort in Killington, VT on January 16, 2014. Once again, golf course superintendents and industry representatives, along with their families came together for a day of cama- raderie, great skiing and competition on the slopes of Vermont. Ironically enough in 2013, due to too much snow, the race had to be canceled for safety reasons. This year, however, despite a little fog, conditions were great for the 2-run giant slalom race held at the top of Killington! Teams totaled their fastest four racers for both runs and by the slimmest of margins, just 0.65 seconds; the team from Vermont won this year’s Nor’easter Cup over the Northeastern Associa- tion of NY! Vermont also successfully defended their title over the Northeastern group in the VT Cup, a rivalry that dates back to 1993! The turnout was fantastic for the second annual event as over 100 members from the Northeast made the trek to Killington for the day’s festivities. Despite Mother Nature’s slow start to winter this year, Killington’s snowmaking provided world class skiing! Trophies and prizes were awarded to the “Kings and Queens” of the Mountain as follows: Fastest Male Skier: Eric McGuire from the NEGCSA Fastest Female Skier: Lea Cure from the NEGCSA Fastest Male Snowboarder: Jesse Shannon from the METGCSA Fastest Female Snowboarder: Nicole Krieger from the VTGCSA Team breakdown went as follows: Team Scores (Fastest 4 individual times totaled) Time 1st Vermont GCSA ------------- Winner of Nor’easter Cup and VT Cup 77.55 2 nd Northeastern GCSA 78.20 3rd GCSA New England 84.14 4th MET GCSA 84.18 5 th Rhode Island GCSA 85.70 6th GCSA Cape Cod 95.35 7th Connecticut AGCS 106.86 8 th Philadelphia AGCA 112.86 9th Long Island GCSA DSQ – only 3 times Generous support from sponsors made possible the Apres Skip party at the Wobbly Barn on the Killington access road. Great good and drinks along with a DJ provided entertainment for a few hours after skiing, and Killington provided highly discounted ski passes for the long Martin Luther King weekend and affordable pricing on lodging! This is fast becoming a “can’t miss” event, so be sure to watch for dates for 2015 and bring the family. Continuing in the tradition of supporting our own, this year’s Nor’easter Ski Day also served as a fundrais- ing event for fellow superintendent Jason Van Buskirk at Stow Acres Country Club in Stow, MA. Jason’s wife, Gloria, affectionately known as “Glo” was in an induced coma due to an unexplained illness Continued on Page 4 Page 4 Continued from Page 3 which was causing seizures. Jason has been providing daily heart-felt blogs about Glo’s progress at http://bidmcgvb.wordpress.com/, if you would like to read more. Glo is blessed to have a husband like Jason, and we are all wishing her a speedy recovery. This year’s Nor’easter Ski Day was able to raise $2,500 to support Jason and Glo’s medical bills which have been quickly piling up. In an incredibly kind hearted gesture, last year’s recipient, Matt Dutremble of Ardsley C.C., who was seriously injured in a tree accident after Hurricane Sandy hit, called the committee and donated $500.00 to Jason in a “pay it forward” gesture. We are all fortunate to be associated with such great folks, and we encourage all of you to join us next year as we continue to use the event as a means to help our own. Thanks to all who donated so generously and special thanks to Augie Young of Sipcam who generously donated skis and apparel to the raffle. Photos of the race day can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/115122615@N07/. The Nor’easter Ski Day was made great because of the overwhelming support of its sponsors. We would like to thank the following companies for their help in making this event a huge success: Gold Sponsors: Sipcam Advan, Syngenta Silver Sponsors: MTE Turf Equipment, Jacobsen, Winfield, Bisco, Harrell’s, Agrium Advanced Technolo- gies, Valent, Toro, Grassland Equipment, NE Specialty Soils, Helena Bronze Sponsors: Atlantic Golf & Turf, Bayer, Putnam Pipe, Andre & Son, John Deere, Westchester Turf, The Northeastern GCSAA Page 5 Proposed Changes to the PTGA By-Laws As required in the By-laws, any changes made by the Board of Directors must be presented to the membership for review over a 3 month period and must then be voted on by the membership. What follows, while not an exciting read, are the proposed changes (highlighted in red) and the explanation for those changes. They will be presented in the newsletter for the next three months and will be voted on at the Annual Clambake Meeting in August (which is our best attended event). Below is a link to the current By-laws on the PTGA website. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Ray Waddell, President, or any Board member. http://www2.cybergolf.com/sites/images/1270/BYLAWS.pdf Class C - Assistant Golf Course Superintendent To qualify for Class C membership, an applicant shall be, at the time of application for membership, an Assistant to a Golf Course Superintendent, and shall be presently employed in such capacity. Class C Members shall have all the privileges of the Association, subject to the provisions of Article V, Section 1 hereof. Sentence moved to Article V, Section 2. Class D – Golf Course Employee To qualify for Class D membership, an applicant shall be any person of good character who at the time of application for membership is employed at a golf course (phrase omitted). Class D members shall have such privileges of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting or holding office. SECTION 2 – QUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE Class A, Class SM, Class C and Class AF members are eligible to serve as Directors of this Association. Assistant Superintendent (C) Members and Affiliate (AF) Members can hold positions on the Board of Directors as long as their numbers are in a minority to the Class A and Class SM Board Member summa- tion. The Directors of this Association shall hold office for a period of two (2) years and an election shall be held each year for those Director positions whose terms are to expire in order to maintain a total of ten (10) Directors. These will include the following named Officers who shall serve on the Board of Direc- tors: a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer who shall perform the duties hereinafter prescribed for each of such offices. The Board of Directors will also include one (1) Assistant Superin- tendent (C) Member who will serve as a “C Liaison” on the Board of Directors as voted on by the mem- bership. The Immediate Past President of the Association shall continue to serve as a Director until he is succeeded by the presiding president. The Officers of the Association, as hereinabove provided for, to- gether with the Directors as above constituted, shall constitute the Board of Directors of this Association. Each member of such Board of Directors shall be entitled to vote at the meetings thereof and a quorum necessary for the transaction of business shall be not less than a majority of said Board of Directors. The majority of a quorum must be made up of Class A and Class SM Board Members. In the event a Class A, Class SM or Class C member of the Board of Directors becomes unemployed, he/she has six (6) months to become employed again as a Class A, Class SM or Class C Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent before having to resign his/her seat on the Board of Directors. In the case of an Affiliate Member, a va- cancy shall occur, and a replacement found under the guidelines of Section 3 of this Article. Continued on Page 6 Page 6 Continued from Page 5 SECTION 4 - DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors shall have general charge and management of the affairs of the Association. The Board of Directors shall, at each annual meeting, make a full report of its activities during the preceding fiscal year. A financial audit shall be completed within thirty (30) days of the end of each fiscal year and a reconciliation thereof shall be presented to the membership at the next annual meeting. SECTION 7 - DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY The Secretary shall be an officer of this Association and be present at all meetings of members of the Associa- tion and of the Board of Directors, and shall be responsible for and keep a record of all the transactions at the meetings in a book, belonging to the Association, kept for such purposes. The Secretary will maintain a record of election results and terms of office for all Directors of the Association and will within ninety (90) days of the Annual Meeting inform the Nominating Committee of any Directors whose terms are expiring. The Secre- tary shall read the minutes from the previous Association meeting and all appropriate correspondence of the Association. The Secretary shall ascertain that due and proper notice, as provided by the Bylaws, has been giv- en of all the meetings of the members of the Association and of the Board of Directors, and shall be the custo- dian of the corporate seal, and shall perform all other duties usually performed by the Secretary of a like corpo- ration and such other additional duties as may be required by the Board of Directors. The books of the Secre- tary shall be open at all times for inspection by the members of the Board of Directors. SECTION 8 - DUTIES OF THE TREASURER The Treasurer shall be responsible for all monies, bills, notes, bonds and similar property belonging to the As- sociation and the safekeeping of the same in the name of the Association. The Treasurer shall prepare an annu- al budget and submit it for approval to the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall keep such financial records and accounts as may be required of them by the Board of Directors and in accordance with standard accounting and bookkeeping procedures and shall make a monthly report of all Association transactions. The books of the Treasurer shall be open at all times for inspection by the members of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS SECTION 1 The Board of Directors shall meet prior to monthly meeting preferably the same day as the monthly general meeting of the Association members. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the President, providing the request is made fourteen (14) days in advance of such meeting. President’s request may be in writing or verbal communication. There must be a majority of members present at said meeting. A majority of members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any Board of Directors meeting, provided that the majority of the quorum is made up of Class A and Class SM Directors. The general meeting of the Association’s members shall be held on the third Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise specified in advance. General meetings shall be held each and every third Tuesday, provided a quorum is indicated by the return attendance card provided by the Association Secretary. The Association’s annual meeting shall be held in the month of August on the third Tuesday as provided by Standing Rules or as designated by the Board of Directors. Any valid Association business may be conducted at this time. The annual election of Officers and Continued on Page 7 Page 7 Bethlehem Golf Club Host of our first PTGA meeting in April Continued from Page 6 Directors will be held at this time with the Nominating Committee Chair acting as elections Director. The ballot of such elections shall be by secret written ballot and shall be provided for by the Association Secre- tary. A simple majority vote shall be required to be elected. All standard and proper election procedures shall rule at all elections. A quorum at any annual or general Association meeting shall be fifteen (15) vot- ing members. SECTION 2 - ANNUAL REPORT The Association Board of Directors, or specially appointed committee by the Board of Directors, shall pre- pare an annual chapter financial statement in accordance with general accepted accounting principles and a summary thereof shall be filed with the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America. The Associa- tion shall submit an annual report to GCSAA which shall contain an outline of Chapter activities for the year, current Bylaws, current Officers, a current membership roster, a certificate of good standing from the state the Association is incorporated in, a certificate of insurance, summary of the annual financial statement and a copy of the Association’s annual tax return. This report will be submitted to GCSAA within sixty (60) days following the Association’s annual meeting. SECTION 5 – INSURANCE The Association shall procure Insurance coverage for its operation, activities and conduct to include, but not limited to, premises, operations, property, personal injury, special events, and Directors and Officers Liabil- ity. A Certificate of Insurance shall be provided to the GCSAA with the annual report confirming that the minimum requirements for General Liability and Directors and Officers coverage are met. Page 8 Explanation of Proposed Bylaw Changes: The red highlighted sections show what the proposed changes are and are explained section by section below. Page 1: To reflect the date of the current revision if the changes are adopted. Page3, Article II, Section 3, Class C: This sentence is moved because it isn’t really part of the description of the class and seems to it better in the Qualifications and Terms section. Page3, Article II, Section 3, Golf Course Employee: To allow a golf course employee to be a member of the association without requiring that the Superintendent that they work for be a member. Page 5, Article V, Section2: This section is completely rewritten. Instead of stipulating that only one Class C can serve on the board this simply says now that they can serve on the board the same as AF members as long as the majority of the board is made up of (A) and (SM) members and wording has been added to make cer- tain that a quorum of the board must be comprised mostly of A and SM members. This allows the possibility of more than 1 assistant (C) member serving on the board because it doesn’t seem reasonable that they should be more restricted than the affiliate (AF) members are. The position of Secretary and Treasurer is separated instead of designating one officer as Secretary/Treasurer to reflect our current practice. Instead of stipulating a 1 year term for the officers and a two year term for the other directors the new wording states that all directors will serve 2 year terms and that at the annual election enough directors will be elected to replace those whose terms are expiring so that we maintain a 10 member board. Also eliminated is the stipulation of no more than 3 successive terms. Page 5, Article V, Section 4: This is changed so that the audit is performed within 30 days of the end of the fiscal year rather than within 30 days of the annual meeting, because it has not been completed within the time frame outlined in our current bylaws because our fiscal year ends about 15 days after the annual meeting. We have agreed to make the fiscal year end on March 31st and changing the annual meeting to August would make it possible to get the audit done in time for a report of it to be made at the annual meeting. It is hoped that these changes will increase membership awareness of and involvement in Association activities and make the Annual Meeting more relevant. Page 6, Article V, Section 7 & 8: This is simply the separation of the duties of the secretary and treasurer with the addition that the secretary will be responsible for keeping track of the board members terms and letting the nominating committee know whose terms are expiring. Page 7, Article VIII: To reiterate that a quorum of the board must be mostly superintendents, and to change the annual meeting to August. Page 7, Article IX, Section 2: Lengthens the time frame for getting the report to the GCSAA. The GCSAA doesn’t stipulate a time frame so we are at liberty to change this. Page 7, Article IX, Section 5: We currently stipulate a minimum dollar amount for the Association insurance coverage and this is something that is likely to change over time so it would be better to simply say we will meet the GCSAA’s minimum requirement rather than specify a dollar amount. Page 9 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 en- joy (or laugh at). March Photo of the Month This photo is courtesy of Bill Parr (Country Club of the Pocono’s). We all know how harsh this winter has been. It’s been a little extra harsh to Bill. He came in one morning to find his equipment shed collapsed under the weight of the snow. Only one wall remained. Now that’s a bad day…. 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 Support our Sponsors - They support us! POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA SCHEDULE Congratulations! April 28 PTGA Golf Meeting Bethlehem Golf Course Congratulations to Emanuel Santos (Assistant Superintendent from Glenmaura) and his wife May TBD PTGA/Central Golf Meeting on the birth of their daughter Victoria on Feb- Lehigh C.C. ruary 23, 2014. June 9 PTGA Golf Meeting Congratulations and welcome to Ryan White on becoming the new superintendent at Elkview C.C. Elmhurst C.C. Congratulations to Jason Brown on becoming the new superintendent at Emanon C.C. POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION POSTAGE R.R. 1, BOX 219 HARDING, PA 18643 POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 309 TERRACE AVENUE NAME & ADDRESS HARDING, PA 18643 PHONE/FAX 570-388-2167 WEBSITE: ptga.org ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.