CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 23, NO. 6 October/November 2017 October Meeting Glenmaura National Golf Club Host: Jeff Koch, CGS The final meeting of the 2017 golf season took us to one of our favorite host sites at Glenmaura National Golf Club. The Club opened in 1995 and plays nearly 7,000 yards from the back tees. Glenmaura National was de- signed by the architectural team of Hurzdan-Fry. They created something truly unique by incorporating several natural fescue areas, along with natural features such as large rock outcroppings and the waterfalls throughout the property. It is a delicate balancing act between providing a tour level challenge with a member friendly day- to-day playability. That balance proved to be successful, as Glenmaura National has hosted numerous events such as being an annual PGA Nationwide Tour stop from 2000-2008, hosting the NCAA Eastern Regional, and having hosted multiple U.S. Open Qualifiers. Continued on Page 5 Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2017 PRESIDENT Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak C.C. 570-586-5791 VICE PRESIDENT Ronald Garrison, Fox Hill C.C. 570-655-1065 TREASURER Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club 570-378-2249 SECRETARY Chris Moran, Honesdale C.C. Gino Marchetti 570-253-9094 DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Michael Darby, Eagle Rock Resort 570-384-6627 Jerry Decker, Elkview C.C. 570-282-3080 Jeff Koch, Glenmaura National G.C. 570-332-8555 Les Lear, Turf Equipment and Supply Co. 570-903-8412 Chris Passenti, Lords Valley C.C. Editor’s Notes….. 570-775-6653 Past Prresident Greg Boring, C.C. of Scranton 570-587-4046 __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and great 2017, as we look forward EDITOR to having an even better 2018. Les Lear, Turf Equipment and Supply Co. 570-903-8412 leslear@turf-equipment.com See you all next year! Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky Les Lear 570-388-2167 mmel500@aol.com 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 Study Could Debunk Claims That Glyphosate is a Carcinogen By: John Reitman Ask experts whether the active ingredient in the world's most widely used weed killer causes cancer, and you're not likely to receive a definitive answer. "Maybe," "probably" or "perhaps - in very high doses" seem to be the most popular answers when experts are asked wheth- er glyphosate, the active ingredient in RoundUp, is a carcino- gen. Until now. A recent study, published in the November issue of Journal of the National Cancer Institute concluded there was no relation- ship between glyphosate and cancers including "any solid tu- mors or lymphoid malignancies overall, including non- Hodgkin Lymphoma and its subtypes." The study also concluded there is "some evidence of increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia among the highest exposed group", but that the association was "not statistically significant". The research is part of the Agricultural Health Study that has been tracking the health of farmers, farm workers and their families in Iowa and North Carolina. In a summary of the results, the researchers, led by Laura Beane Freeman, principal investigator of the Agricultur- al Health Study at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, said that among 54,251 pesticide applicators studied, 44,932, or 82.9 percent, used glyphosate. "Glyphosate was not statistically significantly associated with cancer at any site," researchers wrote in the sum- mary. The results of the study are almost certain to impact a host of pending legal proceedings against Monsanto. Cur- rently, nearly 200 plaintiffs have claimed that exposure to glyphosate is responsible for them getting cancer, ac- cording to published reports. Concerns about the safety of handling and working with products containing glyphosate have circulated for years in 2015 when the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that the active ingredient in RoundUp was "probably carcinogenic." As a result of that report, California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in July, added glypho- sate to its list of cancer-causing agents and the state will require all products containing the chemical to carry a cancer warning on their label by next year. Since the results of the Agricultural Health Study research have been published, Monsanto, as well as advocacy groups from the agricultural industry, have filed suit against the California agency to stop the amended warning labels. PagePage 3 5 Continued from Page 1 Another unique and defining aspect of Glenmaura National is that it only 1 of 3 courses in the world that has a truly gravitational irrigation system that does not require the use or assistance of a pump station to power its irrigation system. The system is fed entirely by a large reservoir located approximately 65’ above the course from its highest point and creates natural water pressure through gravity and designed pipe sizing as it flows down the mountain. Our host superintendent, Jeff Koch, has been at Glenmaura National since 1998, serving as the Assistant Super- intendent prior to accepting his first head superintendent role at neighboring Wyoming Valley Country Club back in 2002. While there, he was offered his “dream” position in 2004 as the Golf Course Superintendent at Glenmaura National where he still can be found today. Jeff is a 1997 Penn State University graduate under the late George Hamilton. GCSAA Providing New Educational Opportunity for Asst. Superintendents By: Chase Rogan Within any industry, continuing education is an important asset in professional development. Our indus- try is no different, and superintendent positions are as competitive as ever. For assistant superintendents look- ing for their first opportunity, this education could be a key factor in separating themselves from the pack. Par- ticularly, it should be highlighted and leveraged on a resume to show potential employers that you are engaged in actively trying to improve yourself beyond the degree you may have previously earned. To help you reach your educational goals, GCSAA has been developing and will soon be releasing edu- cation certificates for assistant superintendents. The certificates will cover 4 competency areas including: prin- ciples of golf course agronomy, business, communications/leadership, and environmental management. Alt- hough these certificates are geared toward assistants, any member or non-member can take the exams (cost is cheaper for members) to help improve their skills. The first two exams, agronomy and business, are scheduled to be released in January 2018 with an asso- ciated study guide, and each exam will be between 70-75 questions. The remaining two exams will be devel- oped and released later in 2018. For assistants or others looking to hone their mechanical intuition, GCSAA also has 8 competency ex- ams for equipment managers and covering: cutting units, drivetrain systems, electrical systems, engine technol- ogy, hydraulic systems, metalworking and fabrication, spray systems, and fundamentals of turfgrass operations. These certificates are currently available for any member or non-member, and can be found at gcsaa.org. Page 6 Page 7 October Meeting Results Superintendents Affliliates Closest to the Pin #2 Chuck DeAngelo - 11’4” 1st Place 1st Place #7 Chuck DeAngelo -14’5” Chris Boyle Chuck DeAngelo #11 Chuck DeAngelo -15’6” #13 Jim Ghigarelli - 6’2” 2nd Place 2nd Place #16 Chris Boyle - 6’6” Greg Boring T.J. Hart Longest Drive Chuck DeAngelo 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 (leslear@turf-equipment.com) and share it for everyone to enjoy (or laugh at). Send in those Photos!! Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE William Mast 610.327.3390 Aquarius Supply Jim Gurzler 610-984-4286 Air2G2 John Downer 570-840-0078 SiteOne Landscape Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Turf Equip. and Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Les Lear 570.903.8412 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 PLANT PROTECTANTS EQUIPMENT Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 William Mast 610.327.3390 Aquarius Supply Jim Gurzler 610-984-4286 Air2G2 John Downer 570-840-0078 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Turf Equip. & Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 SiteOne Landscape Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Les Lear 570.903.8412 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 SEED & SOD FERTILIZER 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 Aquarius Supply Jim Gurzler 610-984-4286 Aquarius Supply Jim Gurzler 610-984-4286 Coombs Sod Farms John Downer 570-840-0078 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 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 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Plant Food Co., Inc. Tom Weinert 914.262.0111 TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES 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 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Fertl Soil John Downer 570-840-0078 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 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 SiteOne Landscape Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Support our Sponsors - They support us! PTGA SCHEDULE POCONO ROUNDUP Jan. 25 Northeastern PA Turf Conference and Trade Show @ The Woodlands Inn & Resort Updates Please be sure to keep us updated with any changes you may have, such as address, telephone number, email, new Feb. 3-8 Golf Industry Show (San Antonio, TX) job, etc. We can’t keep you informed of what is going on with the Association if we don’t have your current infor- mation. Thank you! WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! *PA BMP (Best Management Practices) Manual link will be available on the website in the coming weeks.* 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.