F o u n d e d in chips v purrs OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL 9, NO. 4 June/July 2003 POCONO MEETING ThePocono Turfgrass As IMeeting for August will be a Clambake, which will be held at Great Bear Golf & Country Club. Ron Garrison, CGCS, Superintendent The date is August Fox Hill Country Club 18. Exeter, PA The Association's president, Mr. Ron Garrison, CGCS, w ill be hosting our Plan now to attend. next golf meeting on July 21, 2003, at the lovely Fox Hill Country Ciub. The It should be a great meeting will be an educational meeting to which, hopefully, all our superin­ tendents w ill bring their owners, greens chairman, greens committee mem­ day! bers, club president, or anyone involved with day to day operations on the links. We can then cook up some great discussions. Fox Hill C.C. is an A. W. Tillinghast design built in the early 1920's. The course plays all 6,528 yards and is a Par 71. Ron manages a staff of 8 full­ time employees, and during the height of the season manages up to 21 employees. Mr. Chris Pries is the assistant superintendent. Ronald Garrison, CGCS, attended Penn State's two-year program in 1987 and interned at Congressional C.C. under Bill Black. Ron has also experienced the preparation needed to host a PGA tour event while at the T.P.C. course in Connecticut for two years. Ron then went to Lord's Valley C.C. and worked for Dennis Watkins, CGCS, as his assistant. Ron credits these two (Continued on page 4) President's Message....... What a great day for golf at Woodloch Springs last month. The golf Officers & Directors course was in great shape, and the food was out of this world! I had 2003 seconds of everything! Big "Thanks" go out to Mark Eisele and the entire staff at Woodloch for taking good care of us! PRESIDENT The month of June was another one for the record books in regards RonGarrison, CGCS, Fox Hill C.C. 570-655-2383 to rainfall. I think it was in the top five of all time for the amount of rain Rgarrison@aol.com we received. The Dog Days of Summer are upon us. I wish all of you success in VICE PRESIDENT Eric Re ed Valley C.C. "m aintaining" your golf courses over the next 120 days. Hopefully, the 570-788-4277 weather w ill cooperate and the disease pressure w ill be low. Barley5@aol.com The Clambake will be held at Great Bear this year! I know I am TREASURER looking forward to playing this great track. Our defending champions Mark Eisele, CGCS, C. C. at Woodloch Springs 570-685-2980 from Blue Ridge Trail have reloaded with a few new members. Those eiselemk@ltis.net interested in sponsoring a hole for this event can contact Steve Chirip. I hope over the next few remaining months we w ill see an increase SECRETARY Jason J. Barndt, Berwick Golf Club in Superintendent attendance at the meetings. The Board of Directors 570-759-6480 has done a terrific job in setting up these events and the affiliate grassman72@hotmail.com members are tired of seeing fhe same old faces! DIRECTORS See you at the meetings! Steven Chirip, Egypt Farms, Inc. 570-894-3131 Ron Garrison, CGCS John Downer, Elkview C.C. 570-222-9247 Joseph Henry, Hideaway Hills G.C. 610-681-6000 jrcmhenry@earthlink.net \ndrew Jubinski, Jr., Glenmaura National G.C. 570-457-8733 Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. 570-868-8113 djschell@epix.net From the Editor's Desk, Richard Sweeney, CGCS, Glen Oak C.C. 570-586-5791 r.j.sweeney@att.net CHIPS & PUHS STAFF People are saying that there are only a few weeks left until the end EDITOR Eric Reed of the season. For a year that seemed to drag on forever, I now feel Managing Editor like I am wondering where it went. This year has brought on some new Melinda Wisnosky challenges which w ill certainly have an impact on next year. Editorial Committee The Roundtable Discussion at Fox Hill was somewhat reassuring to Jason Barndt hear that most clubs in our area are experiencing sim ilar situations. Jeff Koch Jim MacLaren Let's hope for a great fall. PTGA Office RR 1, Box 219 Eric Reed Harding, PA 19 6 4 3 Phone/Fax: (570) 3 8 8 -2 1 6 7 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. W e would appreciate a credit line. — POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION REPRESENTED AT THE 2003 MASTERS (An interview with Ron Garrison, CGCS, conducted by Charlie Koennecker) Over the last year, a big transition has occurred in the tunate to have our current year and next yea r's Pocono Turfgrass Association. As everyone knows, Ron meeting sites chosen. Those clubs should not loose Garrison is back as President of the Association. I took money for being gracious enough to host our events. a few minutes to sit down with Ron to discuss the The value for members attending is tremendous for changes that have taken place in the Association the product and atmosphere received. We have and about his recent experience volunteering at Au­ some great clubs lined up for this year and next. gust National G.C. fo r the 2003 M aster's Tournament. Enough Association business. Those people still read­ Pocono Issues: ing want to hear about the Masters. Q: What changes have been made this year with the Association to improve upon last year? Q: After seeing “golf perfection” at Augusta, is there A: We felt a need to get membership involvement to anything you would change? another level. One of the most important issues we A: Clothes Dryers would have been nice this year due needed to address was getting a "unified board" in to the rain. (What, hundreds of hand-held blowers did place. So far this year, we feel we have been very not give you that bouncy soft feeling?) Other than unified and have worked hard together to get great that, I did not see anything I would change. meeting sites/host clubs. We are also excited about our new and exciting golf formats. As always, we are Q: Did you meet any golfers or celebrities? very open to member ideas on how this can be im­ A: Jack Nicklaus spoke to the crew and congratu­ proved, but we feel that we have gotten off to a lated us on our efforts. I did see Jim Belushi, Tiki Barber, good start so far. and Ingrid (the Fox Sports News update girt). Q: What improvements would you like to see in the Q: What was the grounds crew schedule like? tuture? A: 4:00 A.M. Assistant Superintendents came in to A: Improved superintendent attendance at meet­ walk fairways with flashlights to check for any imper­ ings. We are working hard to improve the perceived fections. value of each meeting as a valuable educational 5:45 A.M. Volunteers show up for Staff Meeting, experience, in addition to a good time. We know that then off to work. your time is valuable and by getting good meeting 9:00 A.M. Finish up with first jobs. (Ron whipped fair­ sites, along with good education, we feel we can cre­ ways, raked bunkers and pushed squeegees.) ate a productive day even for those superintendents 9:15 A.M. Start on Second job (called Passive who do not get reimbursed for meeting expenses. The Mode). Our fearless leader ran the sub-airs and Association has many different types of superinten­ waited for play while working on a "response team ". dents in its membership. A good suggestion is to have The response team consists of 5-7 ambulance type commercial members bring new or non-attending carts that respond to anything that can happen on members to meetings. This is a great way for those the course. commercial guys to continue to develop relationships After Round Conclusion: Crews receive their next while improving superintendent attendance. Please jobs. Ron originally was slated to flymo, but due to rain note: This is just a suggestion. We are very thankful for he ended up on bunker work/patron area work/ and commercial member support. Without their support got to walk mow fairways. we would have a hard time functioning. Q: What was vendor support like? Q: Meeting prices continue to rise. What has been A: Let’s just say, with one call. Brad had 25+ Walk done to control meeting costs? mowers delivered. Fairways were walk mowed due to A: On every meeting notice, we have decided to the rain. Normally, they use about 20 5-gang Fairway break down the cost of the meeting to show mem­ units. bers where our money is going. Right now we are for­ Continued from Page 1 (Continued from page 3) Q: Did you pick up any tips for the members of the gentlemen for having the most positive influences on his Pocono Association to use? career. In 1990 Ron attained his first superintendent's A: One of the main things I noticed was the differ­ position at The Center Valley Club overseeing the con­ ent terminology used to describe jobs. For example: struction and first several years of play. In 1995 Ron ac­ Jake Care = collar and fringe work; Rough = First cepted the superintendent's position at Glen Oak C.C. Cut. They also drag fairways with a chain to elimi­ He remained there for two years before coming to Fox nate clumps and used “wet rakes" for bunker work. Hill C.C. Ron has a beautiful wife, Amy, and two children, Q: Did you see/hear of any protestors? Logan, 7 and Haley, 11. Ron likes to golf, hunt, fish, and A: They actually sold "Support Hootie" buttons in coach girls' basketball. Ron's favorite meal is breakfast, some of the tents. Other than that we did not see potato chips, and soda (biggie size). any. Finally, Ron is serving his third term as our Associa­ tio n 's president. Therefore, we would like to thank him Q: How have your members responded to you for ail the time and effort he has given to our Associa­ since you returned? tion. A: I think they are glad I went because they ask a Thanks, Ron! lot of questions about Augusta and my experience at The Masters. I am just gracious for their flexibility by allowing me to attend such an event. Hopefully, they w ill see the results on their golf course. I am still wondering, though, how I will compete with last m onth's meeting at Woodloch Springs. The whole day could not have been better. The golf, food, and education were all top notch. Hopefully, we will have as nice a day at Fox Hill. Charlie Koennecker N o r th er n N u r s e r ie s , in c . 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The linguistic connections between the Dutch and Scottish terms are but one reflection of what was a very active trade industry between the Dutch ports and the ports on the east coast of Scotland from the 14th through 17th centuries. Hisher son Some scholars suggest that the Dutch game of 'kolf,' played with a stick company,inc. and ball on frozen canals in the wintertime, was brought by the Dutch Superior Products for the sailors to the east coast of Scotland, where it was transferred on to the Turf and Horticultural Professional public linkslands and eventually became the game we know today. Mark Reed (610)282-2381 fax (610) 282-2392 237 East King St. Malvern PA 19355 PH. 1-800-262-2127 FAX (610) 644-7791 www.fisherandson.com How did the terms 'birdie' and 'eagle' come into golf? The term 'birdie' originated in the United States in 1899. H.B. Martin's "Fifty Years of American G o lf contains an account of a foursomes match Office & Home Phone Top Dressing played at the Atlantic City (N.J.) CC. One of the players A h Smith re­ White Haven 570-443-9596 Bunker Sand lates: "my ban... came to rest within six inches of the cup. i s u ia Tha t was Fax 570-443-9590 Infield Mix a bird of a shot... I suggest that when one of us plays a hole in one under par he receives double compensation.' The other two agreed and we Blue Ridge Peat Farms, Inc. began right away, just as soon as the next one came, to call it a White Haven, PA 18661-9674 'birdie.' In 19th century American slang, 'bird' refereed to anyone or any­ thing excellent or wonderful. Potting Soil Gene Evans, Owner By analogy with 'birdie,' the term 'eagle' soon thereafter became Soil Mixes Professional Engineer common to refer to a score one better than a 'bird.' Also by analogy, the term 'albatross’ for double eagle - an even bigger eagle! P re m iu m sod fo r (golf c o u rs e s What is the origin of the word 'bogey?' The term 'bogey' comes from a song that was popular in the British Chip Presendofer A T Sales Associates, Ltd. Isles in the early 1890s, called 'The Bogey Man" (later known as 'The Colo­ 1011 Church Road nel Bogey March"). The character of the song was an elusive figure who Oreland, PA 19705 hid in the shadows: "I'm the Bogey Man, catch me if you can." Golfers in Scotland and England equated the quest for the elusive Bo­ Tel 215-886-6011 Fax 215-886-1203 gey Man with the quest for the elusive perfect score. By the mid to late Pager 800-983-3430 1890s, the term 'bogey score' referred to the ideal score a good player could be expected to make on a hole under perfect conditions. It also came to be used to describe stroke play tournaments - hence, in early Rules books we find a section detailing the regulations for 'Bogey Com­ Robert Seltzer Market Sales Representative petitions.' It was only in the late 1900s/early 1910s that the concept of 'Par' started to emerge - this being the designated number of strokes a 15885 Sprague Road scratch player could be expected to take on a hole in ideal condi­ Strongsville, OH 44136-1799 tions. In this way par was distinguished from bogey. The term par itself is 717.865.4771 a standard term in sports handicapping, where it simply means 'level' or 800.321.5325 VM 6125 717.865.4771 Office/Fax 'even.' sls2p8@lesco.com What are the origins of the term 'dormie?' Historically, the term dormie is derived from the French/Latin cognate 'dorm ir,' meaning 'to sleep,' suggesting that a player who is 'dormie' can continued on Page 6 (Continued from Page 5) Bayer CropScience relax (literally go to sleep) without fear of losing the match. John W. Wiblishauser Field Sales R epresentative Why do Golfers shout “Fore” when they hit an errant shot? B ayer C rop S cie nce 318 E. G lenside A venue The word “Fore" is Scottish origin, and is a shortened ver­ G len d side , PA 19038 sion of the word "before" or "a fo re". The old Scottish Phone: 215 887-8936 Voicem ail: 888 2 42-4200 x3225 warning, essentially meaning "look out ahead," most Fax: 215 887-0971 jo h n .w ib lish au se r@ ba ye rcro pscien ce .com probably originated in military circles where it was used by artillery men as a warning to troops in foreword positions. Golfers as early as the 18th Century simply adopted this military warning cry for use on the links. Turf Sates & ConsuCtation What is the definition of a 'links' course? f i V NDR£&S0N’ INC. 'Links' is a term that refers to a very specific geographic land form found • TURF KING PRODUCTS & in Scotland. Such tracts of low-lying, seaside land are characteristically CONTRACTED SERVICES sandy, treeless, and undulating, often with lines of dunes or dune ridges, JOHN VOJICK and covered by bent grass and gorse. To be a true links, the tract of land VOICE/FAX 1.888.887.3770 EXTN 671 CELLULAR 1.607.768.0575 2 MILL STREET must lie near the mouth of a river - that is, in an estuarine environ­ RESIDENCE, VOICE/FAX 570.222.TURF MONTROSE, PA 18801 ment. From the Middle Ages onward, linksland (generally speaking, poor land for farming) were common grounds used for sports, including arch­ ery, bowls and golf. Grass Roots, Inc. Because many of the early courses of Scotland were built on these grass roots Mount Freedom, NJ 07970 common linksland, golf courses and links have forever been associ­ 1248 Sussex Turnpike ated. The term 'links' is commonly misapplied to refer to any golf _ Steve Chinp . . c/o Mt. Ridge Business Park Units A- 1&2 course. But remember that a true links depends only on geography. Technical Sales Rep. Randolph, NJ 07869 (973) 418-3468, Mobile What is the origin of the popular golf game called 'skins?' (570) 839-3399, PA Office (973) 361-5943, NJ Office As a format of golf gambling, 'skins' has been around for decades, but (973) 895-1388, NJ Fax really only became popular after the creation of 'The Skins Game" in the Service ♦ Technical Support ♦ Quality Products 1980s. In other parts of the country, 'skins' is also known as 'cats,' 'scats,' 'skats,' or 'syndicates.' Of these, 'syndicates' seems to be the oldest term, going back at least to the 1950s, and possibly earlier. It has been sug­ gested that 'skins,' 'scats,' etc. are simply shortened, sim plified versions of the term 'syndicates.' Natural Organic Products Joel Simmons Compiled by Dr.Rand Jerris, USGA Museum Curator P.O. Box 278K www.soilfirst.com 6574 S. Delaware Drive Fax: 610-250-7840 Martins Creek, PA 18063 Phone: 610-250-9560 Look for more golf terms in the next issue! 800-732-TURF • Layout and Design • Typesetting It’s every player’s responsibility... • Mac/IBM desktop publishing interface • Laser color separations ■ Repair ball marks • Scitex® electronic photo retouching • Full electronic prepress services ■ Replace or fill divots 31 Hill Street, P.0. Box 507 W ilkes-Barre, PA 18703-0507 • Foil stamping, embossing ■ Rake bunkers 570-822-8181 • Complete bindery including FAX: 570-823-3579 saddlestitch and perfect binding A message from your g o lf course superintendent and GCSAA % Golfers Seem To Understand By Stanley J. Zontek The people living in the USGA Green Section's • Do not topdress too heavily (if at all) Mid-Atlantic Region, along with most of the East • Do not groom or vertical mow too deeply (if at all) Coast, cannot escape the reality of this season's • Lightly syringe the grass, but do not puddle or over weather. It has been w et...very wet. While extra water rainfall was needed to fill reservoirs and replenish • Switch from grooved to solid rollers groundwater following the drought of 2002, too much of anything is never good. Golf courses are • Compress fungicide spray intervals on the defensive. Most courses are following a • Tankmix and rotate fungicide chemistries conservative maintenance program. In other • Do not over regulate the turf using growth regulators words, turf managers are being careful. • Punch holes. Vent the soil, dry out the soil and stimu­ Turf managers know and appreciate the link late some new roots. between mechanical damage and the weaken­ If there has been one surprise this summer it has been ing or predisposition of the grass to disease and how golfers have accepted these practices even sum­ summer heat stress problems. To manage grass mer aeration. Maybe they are just happy playing golf in through this period, you try to minimize those fac­ between the rain events. A few small aerator holes seem tors that weaken grass. insignificant to simply being able to play a round of golf. • Do not cut grass too short I personally like to think golfers are becoming more sen- Continued on Page 8 AER-CORE, Inc. TORO. Specialized Turfgrass Aerification UARIUS. For Service or Demo Please Call: CUSTOMER SERVICE IS OUR #1 PRIORITY TURF EQUIPMENT 610 327-3390 - PA 1-800-989-7374 MATT BROWN Bob Eichert Bill Rahling NJ 1-800-922-0717 MOBILE: 484-357-6312 IRRIGATION GEORGE SKAWSKI MOBILE: 610-554-9366 EMAIL: g.skawski@philyturf.com KOONZ 39 Waverly Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey 07081 Supply, 800 - 772-8486 • 570- 788-2061 Floratine* Invested In The W onder IP T C I J 4 POCONO ROUNDUP [continued from Page 7) NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO sitive to the needs of the golf course during periods TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION of inclement weather. I like to think that golfers ac­ cept the fact that turf managers are doing their best to maintain their golf courses in spite of some terrible weather. As you are probably aware. Dr. George Hamilton is the The solution? Turfgrass Program Director at Penn State. He was recently diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Please 1. Be patient include Dr. Hamilton and his family in your prayers. 2. Be understanding 3. If you want good weather for golf, go West where it has been hot and dry or travel to the United Kingdom and northern Europe where it The Roster Books for 2003 have been mailed out. If you also has been unusually hot and dry. should need an extra one, please contact Melinda. It seems to be a sign of our times that the globe is experiencing periods of weather extremes. Perhaps these situations will help all of us to better understand When mailing a check to Melinda, please remember to that we all must work together, especially when con­ tell her what the check is for! ditions are not conducive to produce the best possi­ ble golf turf. Right now, turf managers are just trying to keep the grass alive. As always, if the Mid-Atlantic Region agronomists can be of assistance, contact Stan Zontek (szontek@ usaa.org) or Darin Bevard (d b ev a rd @ u sa a .o rg POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION c/o MELINDA WISNOSKY POSTAGE R.R. 1, BOX 219 HARDING, PA 18643 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.