Chips & Putts OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Summer 2018 Issue www.ptga.org In This Issue  July Meeting - Elkview Country Club, Greenfield Twp., PA  August Meeting - Glenmaura National Golf Club, Moosic, PA  September Meeting - Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, Pocono, PA Pocono Turfgrass Association was founded in 1936. Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2018 So far, this year has been a wet one. I know I have measured almost 8 inches of rain in the past 30 days which has caused many problems with the daily maintenance of the course. The only good part is that many of my PRESIDENT Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak C.C. members are understanding of the situation we are in. This is a great time to 570-586-5791 see where drainage can be installed on the course to help remove that excess VICE PRESIDENT water off the property as fast as possible. Ronald Garrison, Fox Hill C.C. 570-655-1065 This time of year is also prime time for ABW. I hope everyone is TREASURER doing well with their control. This is the first year I did not try to control Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club 570-378-2249 adults, only larvae. It has worked well so far, but time will tell. SECRETARY Chris Moran, Honesdale C.C. The weather this season has affected course revenue at my course as 570-253-9094 well as many others. Hopefully the weather will help us out and turn dry and warm for the rest of the season. As of today, only 78 more days until DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. September!! 973-418-3468 Michael Darby, Eagle Rock Resort 570-384-6627 Jerry Decker, Glen Oak C.C. Gino Marchetti 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. 570-775-6653 Editor’s Notes….. Past Prresident Greg Boring, C.C. of Scranton 570-587-4046 __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF The timely, and not so timely, rains combined with the severe lack of EDITOR sun have really got me wondering if summer is ever going to show up! Les Lear, Turf Equipment and Supply Co. 570-903-8412 leslear@turf-equipment.com The courses I am fortunate to visit in my daily travels, and ones I have been even more fortunate enough to have played this last month, are Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky really doing a tremendous job. They are in fantastic shape heading into the 570-388-2167 heat of the summer considering the late, miserable start to the season we mmel500@aol.com have experienced. I can tell you that I am personally looking forward to playing the great line-up of courses we have in the coming months. I am also really look forward to seeing many of the Superintendents and Assistants out there! Les Lear 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. Page 3 JULY MEETING Elkview Country Club Host: Russell Hauenstein, GCS Nestled between Crystal and Newton Lakes, Elkview Country Club was founded in 1919. James Johnson of the Johnson and Johnson family donated the land and the Hemelright and Niles families financed the clubhouse and course. Legendary Scottish architect Donald Ross designed the course, and the first nine holes opened in 1923. The course has three acres of poa greens, twenty five acres of bent grass and poa mix fairways, four acres of fescue grass and over an acre of colorful flowerbeds highlighting the layout of the course. Most notable are the lakefront views from nearly every hole and a private beach on Crystal Lake. Superintendent Russell Hauenstein and Assistant Superintendent manage a grounds crew of thirteen peo- ple who work diligently to ensure the course is in pristine condition. Russell earned a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science and Turf Grass Management from The State University of New York Cobleskill and has worked at Elkview for thirteen years. He was promoted to Superintendent in 2012. Page 4 AUGUST MEETING Glenmaura National Golf Club Host: Jeff Koch, GCS PTGA Annual Clambake The PTGA Annual Clambake takes us back 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. Another unique and defining aspect of Glenmaura National is that it only one of three courses in the world that has a truly gravitational irrigation system that does not require the use or assistance of a pump station to pow- er 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 Superintendent 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. Page 5 SEPTEMBER MEETING Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort Host: Steve Taggert, GCS Located on an island in the middle of the Delaware River in the heart of the Poconos lies home to famed Ar- chitect A.W. Tillinghast first ever designed golf course. Founded in 1911, Shawnee has 24 of its 27 holes originally designed by Tillinghast and are believed to be his first ever professional design. The classic design features individu- ally distinctive holes while keeping a steady rhythm to their sequence. Each of the three 9-holes (Red, White, and Blue) has traditional tree-lined fairways and undulating greens with the beautiful Pocono Mountains providing a sce- nic backdrop throughout. It is also regarded as only one of two Tillinghast courses currently open to public play. Shawnee has a very strong golf history of both professional and celebrity figures alike. After opening in 1911, it only took one year for the inaugural playing of the Shawnee Open which is still regarded as one of the first ever PGA tournaments and became a regular stop for golf professionals from Walter Hagen and Sam Snead to Ar- nold Palmer. In fact, Palmer actually met his wife Winnie in the Shawnee Pro Shop. The course also became the “home” course for many celebrities such as Jackie Gleason, Ed Sullivan, Art Carney, and Perry Como. The golf history is extremely rich at Shawnee, which played host to some prestigious events such as the 1938 PGA Championship and 1967 NCAA Championship which was won by one of golf’s premier players, Hale Irwin. To this day, the Shawnee Open is still a sanctioned point tournament for the Philadelphia Section. Shawnee boasts a state-of-the-art practice facility which includes a Driving Range, Putting Green, and the Tillinghast Chip ‘n’ Putt Course (lit for night play). The 6-hole “Chip ‘n’ Putt” were originally modeled after the greens and bunkering from famous Tillinghast designed golf courses including the San Francisco Golf Club, Winged Foot and Baltusrol Golf Club. Page 7 Pocono Turfgrass Association 2018 Scholarships The Patterson Scholarship for Turfgrass Related Studies The Pocono Turfgrass Association is now accepting scholarship applications for the Patterson Scholarship. The deadline for application is June 30, 2018. The following is a list of guidelines for all individuals interest- ed in applying for the scholarship: 1. Applicant must be in his or her final year of study or a recent graduate of a two- or four-year turf related program. 2. The applicant must be a member of the Pocono Turfgrass Association, employed by a member of PTGA, or an immediate family member of a member of PTGA. 3. The applicant must submit, in writing, why he or she would like to be considered for the scholarship. The essay should include what he or she feels their contribution to the turfgrass field will be. 4. Applicants must include a letter of endorsement from their PTGA relation with their application. The Pocono Turfgrass Association Scholarship for Non-Turf Related Studies The Pocono Turfgrass Association is now accepting applications for a non-turfgrass related field of study scholarship. The deadline for application is June 30, 2018. The following is a list of guidelines for all individ- uals interested in applying for the scholarship: 1. Applicant must be in his or her final year of study or a recent graduate of a two- or four-year non-turf related program. 2. The applicant must be a member of the Pocono Turfgrass Association, employed by a member of PTGA, or an immediate family member of a member of PTGA. 3. The applicant must submit, in writing, why he or she would like to be considered for the scholarship. The essay should include information pertaining to field of study, educational achievement, and future goals with respect to utilization of his or her education. 4. Applicants must include a letter of endorsement from their PTGA relation with their application. Applications should be submitted to: Chris Passenti Lords Valley C.C. 1004 Hemlock Farms Hawley, PA 18428 570-775-6653 lvccsupr@ptd.net PagePage 3 8 PA Legislature Mulls Limits on Phosphorus in Fertilizer Posted By: John Reitman Pennsylvania is the latest state considering a ban on phosphorus in some fertilizers, and the legislature could take things a step further by requiring specialized training for professional applicators. Senate Bill 792 passed by a vote of 47-3 on March 19, and is scheduled to go before the House for a vote in Oc- tober. A previous version of the bill first was introduced in Harrisburg in 2014. According to the current version, any fertilizer product used in Pennsylvania can contain no more than 0.9 pounds of total ni- trogen, at least 20 percent of which must be in an enhanced efficient (slow-release) form. The proposed legislation also prohibits phos- phorus in fertilizer products with the follow- ing exceptions: - the fertilizer is an organic-based or natural organic product, - the fertilizer is labeled for repairing an ex- isting turf area or establishing a new one, - the fertilizer is a liquid product. Also exempt from a proposed phosphorus ban are instances where a soil test performed in the previous three years indicates phosphorus would be of benefit. Each of those exceptions has been fairly common in other states imposing phosphorus bans. What is unique in the Pennsylvania bill is that, as written, it will require golf courses, parks, playgrounds, schools, universities and colleges that apply fertilizers to employ a "commercial applicator" who "applies or supervises the application of fertilizer to the property or premises of another or who applies or supervises application of fertilizer." The bill makes no mention of the actual certification process that will be put into place if and when the bill is signed into law. That includes the process itself, funding and implementation as well as enforcement. Page Page3 10 Randquist Named GCSAA Chief Operating Officer Lawrence, Kan.– Bringing decades of influence and experience in the golf industry, Robert M. Randquist, CGCS, has been named chief operating officer for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Randquist will begin his position May 29. Randquist comes to GCSAA after 20 years serving as director of golf course and grounds at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Fla., where in the last year he oversaw the renovation of its Robert von Hagge-designed course. The leadership at Bo- ca Rio has always been highly supportive of Randquist’s involvement with GCSAA as well as his new opportunity. Prior to Boca Rio, he spent two decades as superintendent at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., where he hosted the 1982 and 1994 PGA Championships and helped secure the 2001 U.S. Open. No stranger to GCSAA and its members, Randquist served as the Association’s president in 2011. He has been a GCSAA member for 41 years and became a certified golf course superintendent in 1985. Randquist served on the USGA Green Sec- tion Committee for 27 years and has been honored by the USGA with its Ike Grainer Award, which recognizes 25 years of volunteer service. “Bob has always been an active member and wonderful advocate for GCSAA, and I am very excited for him to join our team,” GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Rhett Evans said. “His leadership skills, coupled with his strategic thinking and proven ability to deliver results, make him the right person to help execute our strategic priorities. His wealth of experience across the golf industry will be a valuable asset as we continue to accelerate the delivery of our programs and services to our membership. I’m looking forward to a successful partnership as he oversees the day-to-day operations while I represent GCSAA on a more external front.” GCSAA is dedicated to serving its members, advancing their profession and enhancing the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. In his senior leadership role, Randquist will be responsible for managing a broad and complex array of functions and facili- tate multiple projects to meet the objectives of the association. While he will represent GCSAA and maintain relationships with industry and allied partners, his main focus will be on internal stakeholders and being an integral part of the headquar- ter’s culture. “Consistent participation in GCSAA’s professional development programs has been an integral part of my career success as a long-term golf course superintendent,” Randquist said. “I feel extremely privileged and blessed to be selected as the new chief operating officer for GCSAA. I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve in a role that will allow me to make a sig- nificant contribution back to GCSAA and its members. I can’t imagine a more satisfying way to finish my career than with service to a profession that I so passionately care about. “ A native of Cordell, Okla., Randquist graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in metal- lurgical engineering. While training in engineering with an eye toward law school, he spent his college years working on the crew at Trosper Golf Course in Oklahoma City. Upon graduating, he was offered the assistant superintendent position at Trosper GC, and his career path was set. In addition to his years on the GCSAA Board of Directors, he was active on the local level, having served on the board of the Palm Beach Golf Course Superintendents Association and as president of the Oklahoma Golf Course Superintendents Asso- ciation and Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation. Randquist has shared his expertise with others as a seminar instructor for GCSAA’s annual education conference in conjunc- tion with the Golf Industry Show and has been a speaker at industry events for organizations around the world, including the USGA, PGA of America, Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. A talented musician, Randquist has a long history of music ministry for churches in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Boca Raton. He shares his love of music with his wife of 47 years, La Vada. The Randquists have two daughters, Jennifer and Laura, and a granddaughter, Scout. Page 11 Labor Crunch is Not Just a Golf Problem By: John Reitman How many Washington politicians does it take to solve a problem? No one knows: They've never solved one." To say the golf industry is facing a labor crisis is as obvious as pointing out that the game needs more players. Josh Saunders would like to hire local workers at the Longue Vue Club in Pennsylvania, if only he could find them. Wheth- er it's finding enough interns, AITs or just hourly employees to mow fairways and rake bunkers, it seems like most superin- tendents are having a difficult time finding, hiring and/or retaining enough help. A shortage of labor is not a private club problem and it's not a daily fee problem. It's not a west coast problem or an east coast problem. It's just a problem, and it's not just limited to golf. Washington is in a unique position to help - with at least some of this problem - but don't hold your breath. According to the New York Times, there were more than 50 teenagers in the labor force for every fast-food restaurant 25 years ago. While the number of restaurants in the marketplace has ballooned by more than 40 percent since then, the number of available workers seeking employment has been cut in half. A Federal Reserve survey indicates that construction, retail, healthcare and agriculture are industries struggling to find enough help. In 2000, about 45 percent of teenagers between 16-19 were employed. Today, only about 30 percent of eligible teens have a job. Sounds a lot like the golf business, where a shortage of applicants has led many superintendents to lean on seasonal help through the H2B program. Josh Saunders has been hiring temporary workers through the H2B program for the past five years at Longue Vue Club in Verona, Pennsylvania, mostly out of necessity. He runs ads in the classified section of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette not only to comply with H2B regulations, but genuinely in hopes of attracting local workers. "I would love to hire Pittsburghers. The problem is, no one wants to do this work anymore," Saunders said. "I post ads and go through interviews, but people don't want to commit to the hours, they don't want to work weekends, and where we are, the opioid issue is a big deal. I would ask people, can you pass a drug test?' because that is a prerequisite of working here, and I'd watch as people would get up and walk right out." Some newspapers have recognized that employers are facing a labor crunch and have increased the cost of classified adver- tising exponentially. Pat O'Brien, superintendent at Hyde Park Golf and Country Club in Cincinnati said the same help-wanted classifieds that once cost him $600 just a few years ago now cost $4,500. "It's just another piece to the puzzle," O'Brien said. His luck in attracting local talent through the paper is about on par with Saunders'. "In four years, I've had just one applicant for an interview," he said. "Nobody (here) wants to do this work. There is a need for temporary seasonal labor.” Continued on Page 12 Page 12 Continued from Page 11 Even for those who apply for seasonal workers, there is no guarantee they will get them. The number of requests the U.S. Cit- izenship and Immigration Service receives routinely exceeds the cap of 66,000 workers with 33,000 for workers who begin employment in the first half of the fiscal year (October 1 - March 31) and 33,000 for workers who begin employment in the second half of the fiscal year (April 1 - September 30). USCIS stopped accepting petitions in February. With those petitions for seasonal help approved on a lottery system this year, even some of those who have crossed all their T's and dotted all their I's found themselves on the outside looking in. "The process is getting harder and harder and harder," Saunders said. Doug Norwell at Camargo Country Club in Cincinnati experienced a five-week delay in getting his seasonal help this year. "I like the guys we get. They are fantastic," Norwell said. "I don't enjoy the process. I do it because I have to. We have a seri- ous lack of workers. "The work is not going to get done otherwise. No one is applying for those jobs." The need for hard-to-get seasonal H2B employment isn't limited to golf. On June 5, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested 114 undocumented workers at two Corso's Land- scape locations in northern Ohio. A raid of a Tennessee meatpacking facility in April netted a similar number of arrests. Investigations into employers suspected of hiring undocumented workers were up about 60 percent in 2017 compared with 2016. While the current administration's view on immigration policy and Congress's perpetual inertia at drafting comprehensive legislation is another topic for another day, the above examples help illustrate the fact that there are more unskilled, low- paying jobs in the U.S. than there are legal candidates (either U.S. citizens or guest workers) willing or able to fill them. And that is something Washington can't ignore, or at least shouldn't. May Meeting Results - Skytop 1st Place T.J. Hart, Steve Chirip, 2nd Place John & Luke Chassard 3rd Place George & Dan Skawski Closest to the Pin Longest Drive #6 Dave vanLeeuwen #15 John Polak #15 Luke Chassard Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 Aquarius Supply Jim Gurzler 610-984-4286 William Mast 610.327.3390 SiteOne Landscape Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Andre & Son, Inc. Rich Gdovin 607-761-9465 Turf Equip. and Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Les Lear 570.903.8412 EQUIPMENT PLANT PROTECTANTS Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 Andre & Son, Inc. Rich Gdovin 607-761-9465 William Mast 610.327.3390 Aquarius Supply Jim Gurzler 610-984-4286 Andre & Son, Inc. Rich Gdovin 607-761-9465 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Turf Equip. & Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Les Lear 570.903.8412 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 SiteOne Landscape Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 FERTILIZER Andre & Son, Inc. Rich Gdovin 607-761-9465 SEED & SOD Aquarius Supply Jim Gurzler 610-984-4286 Andre & Son, Inc. Rich Gdovin 607-761-9465 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Aquarius Supply Jim Gurzler 610-984-4286 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 Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Plant Food Co., Inc. Tom Weinert 914.262.0111 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Andre & Son, Inc. Rich Gdovin 607-761-9465 Andre & Son, Inc. Rich Gdovin 607-761-9465 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 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 Have a….. June 21st PTGA Meeting @ Jack Frost National G.C. July 9th PTGA Meeting @ Elkview C.C. Aug. 6th PTGA Annual Meeting and Clambake @ Glenmaura National G.C. Sept. 25th PTGA Meeting and Championships @ Shawnee G.C and a Great Summer! Oct. 8th PTGA Meeting @ Allentown G.C. Next issue will be in September. 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.