chips « purrs OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in PO CO N O TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL 8, NO. 8 December 2002/January 2003 Restoration, Sympathetic Redesign, or Renovation? By: Edward F. Shearon, Shearon G olf When assessing a golf course and making a decision as to the best way to GCSAA Narrows revive its physical features and appeal, there are three redesign styles to consider: restoration, sympathetic redesign, and renovation. The first step in Relocation to deciding which style is right for your course Three Sights is to gather insight from the Club's mem­ When assessing a golf bership. A membership survey is the best course....there are three way to garner this information. The survey redesign styles to consider: At Its recent planning will help determine members' likes and dis­ restoration, sympathetic meeting, the GCSAA likes and areas of concern that need to be addressed, all broken down by demo­ redesign, and renovation. Board of Directors graphics. The resulting information can engaged FPL Associates then be summarized and used as the basis for research and strategy devel­ to narrow the search to opment by a committee comprised of the course superintendent, golf pro, three communities- and various levels of players within the club, with the design team acting as Phoenix, Orlando, and a consultant. Jacksonville- while A restoration is the basic level of redesign. By studying archived pictures keeping Lawrence as an and plans, the course can be restored as it was originally built. With the option. In the weeks of plans and pictures as a guide, the original shapes of bunkers, tees, and January 13th and 20th, greens that may have been altered over the years though maintenance principals of the search practices, can be re-established. By restoring the nuances of the archi­ firm will visit Orlando and tect's original design, you can capture the essence of the course as it was Jacksonville to ascertain intended. However, there are some disadvantages to this process. Unless what opportunities exist you apply the same technology (i.e. hickory-shafted clubs and gutta perch for relocation. No balls) and agronomics (i.e. green speeds) as in the past, the course’s origi­ decision has been made nal intent will be lost and will no longer have the shot values to challenge on if or when to visit the best players, but instead penalize the higher handicap golfer because of the locations of the hazards. Phoenix. A more desirable approach is to develop a sympathetic redesign. In this approach, the course will be restored to its original design while making slight modifications that allow for changes in technology, agronomics, and environmental issues. In order to have the course play to it’s original objective, it must be lengthened, hazards moved out, and tees pushed back. The use of computer-aided design allows for the re-creation of the design intent while taking modern factors into consideration. The top concern when doing a sympathetic redesign is safety. The Urban Land Institute rec­ ommends 300-foot corridors - 150 feet from the center of each fairway to adjacent fairways or property. Few classic courses meet this requirement. A master plan will at- President's Message....... What a Christmas Day snowstorm! Over twelve inches of snow fell throughout the Northeastern part of the state. Hopefully, by now all of us have gotten through this holiday season safe and with minimal PRESIDENT storm damage! RonGarrison, CGCS, Fox Hill C.C. It is time now to start getting all our educational seminars and 570-655-2383 conference schedules together for the next few months before we are Rgarrison@aol.com back out on our courses prepping for another golf season. V IC E PRESIDENT In the month of January there are a few Pennsylvania Turfgrass Eric Reed, V alley C.C. 570-788-4277 Association sponsored educational events we should be attending. Barley5@aol.com The Eastern PA Turf Conference at Valley Forge is set for January 7-9 at the Valley Forge Convention Center. Along with that, the Northeastern TREASURER Mark Eisele, CGCS, C. C. a t W ood lo ch Springs PA Turf School & Trade Show is scheduled for January 30, 2003, at The 570-685-2980 Woodlands Inn & Resort in Wilkes-Barre. eiselemk@ltis.net I would like to congratulate Jim MacLaren. He is the recipient of the SECRETARY first Dave Rafferty Distinguished Service Award. The award is given by Jason J. Barndt, Berwick G olf C lub 570-759-6480 the Central Pennsylvania Golf Course Superintendents Association in grassm an72@ hotm ail.com honor of the late Dave Rafferty. Dave was a dedicated past CPGCSA president who recently passed away. Jim is a well deserved recipient DIRECTORS and has helped many of us throughout his many years of service in the Steven Chirip, Egypt Farms, Inc. state. Way to go, Jim! 570-894-3131 The PTGA Board is near completion of the golf/meeting schedule for John Downer, E lkview C .C . the 2003 season and has started to book host courses for the 2004 570-222-9247 season as well. You can find these sites listed elsewhere in this issue. Joseph Henry, H idea w ay Hills G.C. In your 2003 dues notice you will receive five raffle tickets to sell to 610-681-6000 individuals for a chance to win golf passes at some great golf courses. jYcmhenry@ earthlink.net This raffle will be our main fundraiser for the season and all proceeds A ndrew Jubinski, Jr., G len m aura N ational G.C. will be deposited into our Scholarship Fund. Thank you for helping out 570-457-8733 in this fundraiser! D uane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. See you all at the meetings! 570-868-8113 djschell@ epix.net Ron , CGCS Garrison Richard Sweeney, CGCS, Glen O ak C.C. 570-586-5791 r.j.sweeney@ att.net CHIPS & PU nS STAFF EDITOR Eric Reed From the Editor’s Desk...... M a n a g in g Editor M e lin da Wisnosky Happy New Year to all! I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday Ed itorial C o m m itt e e season. Jason Barndt This month's issue includes Part Two of the GCSAA Delegates Meeting Jeff Koch Jim M acLaren Recap. Please pay attention to the issues involving your vote. If you feel strongly about any issues, don't hesitate to let your voice be heard PTGA Office so that the vote of this association can be a proper reflection of its RR 1, Box 219 membership. Harding, PA 19643 Phone/Fax: (570] 388-2167 Eric Reed P.S. Good luck to the Steelers the rest of the way as it appears that the Browns shall assume their throne atop the AFC North next year and for many years to follow. Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author a n d /o r 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. W e would appreciate a credit line. GCSAA Chapter Delegates Meeting Recap— Part 2 Considerations for a change in Headquarters Currently, BOD must have an annual audit avail­ Location able at the annual meeting. The new fiscal year will • 18 Months ago, GCSAA contracted a consultant only permit five weeks to prepare audit. Bylaw pro­ to narrow potential relocation sites based on cer­ posal is to permit BOD 150 days to audit books and tain criteria such as accessibility, climate, labor make audit available to membership. This would pools, and golf visibility. The selected cities include be approximate to the time that the BOD now has Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Jacksonville, Orlando, to prepare and present an audit based on the cur­ Phoenix, Lawrence, Houston, Charlotte and Miami rent fiscal year being used (September 30). • The Leadership of GCSAA feel today that to maxi­ 2003 GCSAA Board Candidates mize the visibility of the association in the golf community, to broaden the scope of member ser­ • For President: Jon D. Maddern, CGCS vices, and to continue to solidify its leadership role • For Vice President: Mark J. Woodward, CGCS in golf requires a re-examination of the benefits to • For Secretary/Treas: Robert J. Maibusch, CGCS, MG the membership of moving GCSAA to a high- • For Secretary/Treas: Timothy T. O'Neill, CGCS traffic, golf intensive region. A higher association • For Director: Gary K. Carls, CGCS profile has tangible benefits in expanded member • For Director: Ricky D. Heine, CGCS services, and serves to elevate the awareness and understanding of the role of the golf course super­ • For Director: Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS intendent. • Currently, a change in headquarters location • Dave Downing and Sean Hoolehan have remaining would require a 2/3 approval from the member­ terms as directors, leaving three vacancies for Di­ ship at an annual meeting. You are being asked rector’s positions. The loser in the Secretary/ to vote a change to the bylaws, which will grant Treasurer vote will be nominated from the floor for a the GCSAA Board of Directors the authority to Director's position. Two out of the remaining three change the headquarters location without a candidates will be elected to Director’s positions. membership vote. This leveraging power would be Information on the candidates will be available on advantageous to the Board getting the best deal the GCSAA website or in Golf Management Maga­ possible if a move is to be considered. zine. GCSAA Bylaws Proposals Career Development • The addition of a Class A-Retired classification, • A compensation and benefits survey will be mailed that would allow Class A members to retire, but to members in January 2003, with results available in continue to work within the golf course manage­ May 2003. The survey will also be available online ment industry. for members to complete. Everyone who com­ • When the PDI is implemented on July 1,2003, the pletes the survey will receive a free copy of the re­ current definition for Superintendent Member will port. no longer apply. The classification will now include all superintendents who have not met the addi­ GCSAA Board Service tional qualifications for Class A status, regardless of • The approximate days of voluntary service per year their years of superintendent experience. are 30 days for directors, 60 days for the secretary/ • Establishing an International Superintendent classi­ treasurer and 80 to 100 for the president and vice fication , l.e., a green card member with limited president. membership benefits at 50% of the Class A cost. Professional Development Initiative • Revise Associate Member to read: applicant must • A pilot project began in November and will run be employed at a golf course and does not qual­ ify for membership under the Class A, Superinten­ through April. dent Member, or Class C bylaws definition. (Continued on page 4) • Fiscal year will end December 31 (effective 2004). PlantStar Fertigation.. to Grow On! PLANTSTAR, Inc. in association with CARBTROL Corp. John Fowler Announce the introduction of its Syngenta Professional Products ADVANCED WASHWATER RECYCLE SYSTEM „g, ^ Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. Engineered system provides: Designed to integrate: ^ Syngenta ** 325MillPondLane Oxford, PA 19363 * Zero pollutant discharge »Vehicle wash Tel. 610-998-2896 * Best available technology * Fueling Fax 610-998-2987 www.syngenta.com ►High reliability and low maintenance »Chemical mixing/sprayer storage jolm.fowler@syngenta.com Let us show you how INTEGRATED CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT can work for you! To learn more about PlantStar and our services, call us at: 8 0 0 » 2 7 7 » S T A R www.plantstar.com (Continued from page 3) cants completion of case studies, skill state­ • In May, Class A members will be provided their ments and submission of work samples. particular renewal cycle (a 3-, 4-, or 5-year cycle 0 Written closed book examination consisting of with corresponding requirements). The cycles are 236 questions within 6 hours. Some questions of different length only to stagger the member­ will provide exhibits to assist in answering the ship; requirements will be equal for all Class A questions. members. After your first cycle, you will always 0 On-site course attesting. have a 5-year renewal cycle. 0 3-year cycle: 3 points, 1.2 must be from edu­ The minutes for the delegate meeting were 36 pages cation in length. You can access the minutes on the GCSAA 0 4-year cycle: 4 points, 1.6 must be from edu­ website, or I will be happy to try and get more infor­ cation mation concerning any questions that you might 0 5-year cycle: 5 points, 2.0 must be from edu­ have. You can reach me, Eric Reed, at Barley5@aol. cation com, or by phone at 570-788-4277. 0 Certified members will utilize their current re­ newal cycle. • After July 1,2003, anyone registering for the certifi­ cation exam will be required to also complete a Office & Home Phone Top Dressing self-competency assessment as well as create a White Haven 570-443-9596 Bunker Sand Development Action FIan through the Professional Fax 570-443-9590 Infield Mix Development Resource. • Certification renewal for anyone earning certifica­ Blue Ridge Peat Farms, Inc. White Haven, PA 18661-9674 tion on or after 7/1/03: 15 points with 5 coming from education points, or 5 points with a minimum of 2 coming from education points, plus passing Potting Soil Gene Evans, Owner Soil Mixes Professional Engineer the six-hour written exam. All CGCS's must show proof of having a pesticide license or of passing the GCSAA IPM exam between the period 7/1/03 and 6/30/08. After that date, they will be required Ed Zimmerman Market Sales Representative to show proof once during their 5-year renewal cycle. LESCO, Inc. • A redesigned certification process is planned for JE S C O 1121 Lehigh Street Allentown, PA implementation in November 2004. 18103 0 Submission of a portfolio used to validate the 800.321.5325 V.M. 6284 "soft” skill testing objectives through the appli­ 610.432.2919 Office PAfS PATTERSON SCHOLARSHIP The Pocono Turfgrass Association is now accepting applications for the Patterson Scholarship. The $500.00 scholarship is awarded annually and includes an hon­ orary membership in the Pocono Turfgrass Associa­ tion. Dues notices will be mailed mid-January. Please re­ turn to Melinda as soon as possible. The requirements for consideration are: A notice for the Snow Meeting on January 24 was • Applicants must be in their final year of a two-year sent out in last month’s newsletter. Be sure to get your turf program or a four-year undergraduate pro­ reservations in as soon as possible. Don't miss out on gram in a turf related major. a great time! • Applicants must submit in writing why they wish to Anyone with an announcement concerning a mem­ be considered for the scholarship. ber such as a birth, death, marriage, please call Melinda at 570-388-2167. She will see that it gets into • Applicants should include a letter of endorsement the newsletter. from the applicant's employer in the turfgrass pro­ fession. This endorsement may come from an in­ ternship program employer. • • Applications must be received by the Pocono Turfgrass Association on or before May 31,2003. Please mail the applications to the following ad­ TORO. dress: TURF EQUIPMENT Patterson Scholarship Program MATT BROWN Duane Schell, Chairman TELEPHONE: 215-340-5401 260 Country Club Drive PAGER: 888-896-5094 Mountaintop, PA 18707 IRRIGATION GEORGE SKAWSKI For any questions, please call Duane Schell at 570- TELEPHONE: 215-340-5450 868-8113. PAGER: 888-376-2074 EMAIL: g.skawski@philyturf.com Lee Kozsey Syngenta Professional Products Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. syng'enta 3710 Amherst Court Bethlehem, PA 18020-1356 Tel. 610-861-8174 Fax 610-882-9358 Mobile 215-796-0409 www.syngenta.com lee.kozsey @syngenta. com Golf Meeting Sites Did You Know? 2003 Babies are born without kneecaps. April Olde Homestead G.C. (tentative) They don't appear until the child May Hideaway Hills reaches 2-6 years of age. June C. C. at Woodloch Springs July Fox Hill Country Club No piece of square dry paper August Great Bear G. & C. C. (tentative) can be folded in half more than September Valley Country Club seven times. October Glenmaura National G. C. 2004 (tentative) April Silver Creek C.C. May Berwick Golf Club June Glen Oak Country Club July Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club August OPEN September Wyoming Valley Country Club October Eagle Rock Resort w LiirfSates & ConsuCtation E a r t H J U a r l r s N a tu ra l O r g a n ic P r o d u c ts f i ) ANDRE & SON. INC. • TURF KING PRODUCTS & Joel Simmons CONTRACTED SERUICES P.O. Box 278K www.soilfirst.com 6574 S. Delaware Drive Fax: 610-250-7840 JOHN V0JICK Martins Creek, PA 18063 Phone: 610-250-9560 V0ICE/FAX CELLULAR 1.888.887.3770 1.607.768.0575 EXTN671 f_ .... . OTnci-T M jy - S T R f c f c i ......... 800-732-TURF RESIDENCE, V0ICE/FAX 570.222.TURF M O N TR O SE , PA 18801 — Nothing Runs Like A Deere TOM BRAGO DALE ANDREW SEAN P. CULLEN T e rrito ry M a n a g e r STULL EQUIPMENT COMPANY FINCH TURF EQUIPMENT, INC. (215) 661-0390 T u rf & In d u s tria l D iv is io n 6 1 0 /4 9 5 -7 4 4 1 419 Industrial Drive (800) 875-TURF 201 W in d s o r R o ad 8 0 0 /7 2 7 -1 0 2 4 North Wales, PA 19454 FAX: (215) 661-9161 P o tts to w n , PA 1 9 4 6 4 FAX 6 1 0 /4 9 5 -7 5 1 0 Web Site: www.finchlnc.com PARTS: (800) 78-DEERE It’s every player’s responsibility... * Layout and Design * Typesetting * Mac/IBM desktop publishing interface * Laser color separations ■ Repair ball marks * Scitex electronic photo retouching ■ Replace or fill divots 31 Hill Street, P.0. Box 507 * Full electronic prepress services Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-0507 * Foil stamping, embossing ■ Rake bunkers 570-822-8181 FAX: 570-823-3579 * Complete bindery including saddlestitch and perfect binding A message from your golf course superintendent and GCSAA P * 'I (Continued from page 1) house discussion and comments on existing problems and proposed solutions. By having a set, coherent tempt to mitigate this concern and many others by plan, alterations to the course can easily be imple­ way of mounds, hollows, tree plantings, and bunker­ mented in one stage or be broken down into multiple ing. If the safety concerns are not addressed, liability stages, regardless of turnover in staff or membership. will become an issue. Drainage is another important As the master plan will serve as the basis for the future concern that must be addressed when developing a of fhe course, much painstaking effort should be par­ sympathetic redesign. Due to upland development, layed into its development. many classic courses are now being flooded. A strat­ egy must be developed to remove this additional wa­ Whether embarking on a restoration, sympathetic re­ ter as quickly as possible to prevent any turf damage. design, or a renovation, it is imperative that you select The membership demographics must also be taken a quality golf course architectural firm. Having a firm into consideration. Most classic courses were origi­ that will take the time to gather the necessary infor­ nally designed for the male golfer playing fewer mation, skillfully design a master plan, and work har­ rounds per year. Now, a course must cater to all moniously with the contractor during its implementa­ types of players, including women, seniors, and jun­ tion is essential in the success of the redesign process. iors, by adding new tee boxes and adapting for an With over 4,000 new golf courses built in the last ten increase in the number of rounds. years, competition for rounds is steadily increasing. If existing courses remain stagnant, they will lose their A renovation is the third design option. This approach original design intent and shot value and may fall be­ entails the complete redesign of a course without re­ hind in the campaign to attract new members. gard for the original intent of play or style. A renova­ tion is usually chosen when a course is in need of modernization in regards to agronomics, technology, environmental issues, and player demographics. A renovation may also occur when land is sold or ac­ Some Words of Wisdom quired and necessitates the re-routing of various holes. Re-routing may also be necessary if it is de­ cided that the infrastructure (i.e. parking lots, club­ He who permits himself to tell a lie once, house, tennis courts) of the course needs to be relo­ finds it much easier to do it a second time. cated. When you have an elephant by the hind Regardless of which design style you choose, having legs and he is trying to run away, a master plan is vital. The general objective of a mas­ it's best to let him run. ter plan is to provide maximum playability for the membership, enhance the aesthetics of the course, and allow for the most efficient maintenance. This plan will also provide you with the existing conditions of the course that should prove useful to generate in­ Premium sod for golf courses VERTI-DRAIN & R0TADAIR0N DEALERS & CONTRACTORS 5 7 0 -6 0 2 -3 0 5 4 8 0 0 -5 5 4 -4 8 6 3 FAX 5 7 0 6 0 2 - 3 0 5 3 fisher son f company, inc. Chip Presendofer A T Sales Associates, Ltd. 1011 Chur ch Road E & M Golf S upply C o . Superior Products for the Oreland, F>A 19705 A DIVISION OF H.V. INC. 9 5 0 SATHERS DRIVE, PITTSTON TOWNSHIP, PA 1 8 6 4 0 Turf and Horticultural Professional Mark Reed (6 io ) 282-2381 fax (6 io ) 282-2392 Tel 215 -886-6011 SPECIALIST IN DEEP TINE AERATION 237 East King St. Malvern PA 19355 Fax 215 -886-1203 STEPHEN MICHAEL PH. 1-800-262-2127 FAX (610) 644-7791 www.fisherandson.com Pager 80C)-983-3430 P*#. 9 ' PO CO NO R O U N D U P NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO Government Chairman: Mark Eisele TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Relations Co-Chair: Eric Reed Social/ Chairman: John Downer COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN and CO-CHAIRS Welfare Co-Chair: Duane Schell FOR YEAR 2003 Finance: Chairman: Mark Eisele Co-Chair: Jason Barndt Education: Chairman: Andy Jubinski Membership: Chairman: Duane Schell Co-Chair: Rich Sweeney Co-Chair: Andy Jubinski Golf: Chairman: Steve Chirip GCSAA: Chairman: Eric Reed Co-Chair: Eric Reed Co-Chair: Mark Eisele Publicity/ Chairman: Eric Reed Sgt. Of Arms: Chairman: Joe Henry Editorial Co-Chair: Jason Barndt Co-Chair: Steve Chirip By-Laws: Chairman: Rich Sweeney Scholarship/ Chairman: Duane Schell Co-Chair: Andy Jubinski Research Co-Chair: Joe Henry Long Range Chairman: Eric Reed Nominating/ Co-Chair: Ron Garrison Steering POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION c/o MELINDA WISNOSKY POSTAGE RR. 1, BOX 219 HARDING, PA 18643 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.