CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL. 14, NO. 7 October 2008 Wyoming Valley Country Club Chris Snopkowski, GCS Annual Meeting and Election This year, the final meeting is at one of the first golf courses in Pennsylvania, another gem by A. W. Tillinghast – The Wyoming Valley Country Club, located minutes from downtown Wilkes- Barre. It is the fifth oldest golf club in Pennsylvania and forty-fifth oldest in the United States. Though the club was officially chartered on June 16, 1896, the original nine-hole course was replaced by the current course which opened for play in 1925. Although most of the holes have been lengthened, trees have been planted, and ponds have been added or enlarged over the years, the course has stayed true to the Tillinghast original. Narrow, undulating fair- ways and small, sloping greens more than make up for Wyoming Valley's lack of overall length. The course has just undergone the installation of a new Toro OSMAC irrigation system which is sure to pay dividends to the club in the years to come. The club has also begun a bunker renovation program which is in its second year and should be completed by 2012. The project is being done in-house by the staff of Wyoming Valley Country Club. The superintendent at Wyoming Valley is Chris Snopkowski a Penn State Graduate from 2001. Prior to Wyoming Valley, Chris worked at Huntingdon Valley before coming to Wyoming Valley as the Assistant Superintendent to Jeff Koch. The current Assistant Superintendent is Shawn Stevens who started at the club in 2003. Shawn is currently working towards his degree while keeping the course in shape with Chris and crew. A Tillinghast quote from the USGA: “It costs no more to follow nature than to ignore her; if you must introduce artificial creations into a golf design, take efforts to make them appear natural.” Tillinghast was the son of a wealthy Philadelphia business man who broke into golf architecture at the age of 32. Do you know his first course? On an interesting side note, “Tillie” lost his millions earned from golf course design and construction during the Great Depression; he ended up running an antique shop in Beverly Hills, California. Actually, for many years Till- inghast was misnamed by writers referring to him incorrectly as “Arthur or Archie” Tillinghast. It wasn’t until 1974 when Frank Hannigan of the USGA realized that 4 U.S. Opens were being held on his designs that Mr. Hanningan wrote a detailed profile of Albert TIllinghast and introduced the public to one of Pennsylvania’s most renowned golf course architects. His first course, Shawnee on the Delaware (Shawnee Inn and Resort today), was a project requested by long time Tillinghast family friend Charles Worthington (of Worthington mower fame) on their farm. Page 2 Officers & Directors 2008 President’s Message....… The end of the 2008 season is already here, and it seems as though the year has flown by. I would like to thank Tom Height of Frosty Valley C.C. and Chris Snopkowski of Wyoming Valley C.C. for PRESIDENT hosting the September and October meetings. Both events went off Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course well, and the courses were in great condition. Congratulations also 570-222-9260 to Patrick Knelly and Steve Chirip for winning this year’s VICE PRESIDENT Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC championships. 570-424-6391 A Thank You goes out to all the superintendents who hosted TREASURER our meetings and to everyone that attended and made them John Downer, Elkview C.C. successful. 570-840-0078 If anyone would like to host a meeting or knows of a speaker SECRETARY for next year, please contact someone on the Board of Directors. Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC 570-842-4705 DIRECTORS Darrin Larkin Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Matthew Brown, Philadelphia Turf 215-340-5401 Greg Boring, Glen Oak C.C. 570-586-5791 Patrick Knelly, Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 Thomas Height, Frosty Valley C.C. 570-275-4266 Chris Snopkowski, Wyoming Valley C.C. __________________________ Editor’s Notes….. CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Jim Gurzler, George Schofield Co. The fall is here and the cold temperatures came on a little quick 732-433-5474 jim@gurzler.com as far as I am concerned. Fuel costs are falling, so hopefully the in- dustry will stabilize and keep golf course budgets at least where they Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky were for the upcoming season. Hopefully, fall will stabilize and 570-388-2167 rounds will continue to help those who depend on income and not Editorial Committee membership to see a sound 2008. Darrin Larkin Matt Brown The elections have been held and a new Board member has Past President joined the ranks of those already working on the Board. Welcome to Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. 570-868-8113 Chris Snopkowski of the Wyoming Valley Country Club. Darrin was djschell@epix.net elected to a second term, even without a controversial running mate. The times are a slowing and the holidays are approaching so take the time to clear up that desk and send out those magazine renew- als so the reading room is well stocked next year. PTGA Office R.R. 1, Box 219 Harding, PA 18643 Jim Gurzler 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 USGA Golf House Trip The Pocono Turfgrass Association made the trek to Golf House in September and found the new putting course open to them. Our president, Darrin Larkin, had the privilege of playing in the first group on the new course. He now has his signature on a scorecard in the archives where some of Arnold Palmer’s clubs sit with Neil Armstrong’s 5 iron and other memorabilia that re- lates to the history of golf. The course was inspired by the renowned “Himalayas” putting course at St. Andrew’s. You may use replica clubs and balls on the 16,000 square foot putting green. Page 4 Page 5 Getting Ready Start Planning Now For Fall And Winter By Stanley J. Zontek, Director October 14, 2008 Web site updates from the Green Section’s Mid-Atlantic Region tend to cover a wide range of topics, and this update is no different. All of us, no matter what we do, need to plan ahead. This is an incredibly complex and technical industry. That said, no one can ever forget the basics. No matter how complex soil tests become or the ever-expanding use of technical terms and strange scientific names for every- thing, the grass still needs the basics of sunlight, air, water, fertilizer, and, when necessary, plant protectant chemicals. Common sense also helps maintain turf. Don’t mow too low or too often when the grass plant is under environmental stresses like heat, drought, excessive thatch, or saturated with water. Always remember, grass sel- dom dies by itself; it needs some help. As Professor Lawrence Dickinson of U. Mass once said, "Grass does not commit suicide." Keep this in mind as you begin planning for the next important phase of golf course turfgrass management, assuming your fall aeration, topdressing, interseeding, and weed and insect control programs have or are in the process of being completed. Begin planning to improve your mind. The turfgrass seminar and conference season is not that far away. For the Mid-Atlantic Region, the upcoming seminars are: West Virginia Turf Conf — Nov. 3-5 - Lakeview Resort, Morgantown, WV Penn State Golf Turf Conf — Nov. 11-13 - State College, Univ. Park, PA Near our region, New Jersey Green Expo — Dec. 9-11 - Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ Another basic element of golf course turfgrass management is EDUCATION. Consider taking your green chair- man, course official, golf professional or general manager (or one of their assistants) to one of these confer- ences. These meetings are a learning experience for everyone. It is a good time to meet, mingle, learn, and, yet, relax. Expand education for you, your staff, and those you work for as well as those you work with at the golf course. Just maybe in this era of tight operating budgets and a sour economy, a better understanding of what it takes to maintain a golf course could benefit everyone. Maybe those new carpets scheduled for the clubhouse can last another year so the money needed to maintain the golf course remains in the operating budget. After all, no matter what the economic environment may be, golfers still want to play on a well-maintained and con- ditioned golf course. That will be all of our challenges for the remainder of 2008 and for the 2009 golf and grass growing season. Always remember, the agronomists of the Mid-Atlantic Region are part of your agronomic support team. If you have a question or concern, especially now, give us a call or send us an e-mail. You may contact the agrono- mists of the Mid-Atlantic Region, Stan Zontek (szontek@usga.org) or Darin Bevard (dbevard@usga.org) at 610/ 558-9066 or Keith Happ (khapp@usga.org) at 412/ 341-5922. Page 6 Penn State Hires New Director of Certificate Program in Golf Course Turfgrass Management John E. Kaminski, Ph.D., has been hired as the newest member of the Pennsylvania State University’s turfgrass fac- ulty. He will assume the role of Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science and Director of the Penn State Certificate Program in Golf Course Turfgrass Management. Dr. Kaminski received his undergraduate degrees in Turfgrass Science and Landscape Contracting from Penn State in 1998. Following graduation, he attended the University of Maryland and received his MS and PhD under the direction of Dr. Peter H. Dernoeden. While at Maryland, Dr. Kaminski’s USGA-funded graduate research in- volved an in-depth investigation into bentgrass dead spot, a relatively new disease of golf course putting greens. Following graduation, he was hired as Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Pathology by the University of Connecticut. Dr. Kaminski’s research efforts are focused on various agronomic, disease and weed related issues pertaining to the management of fine turf. He has authored over 180 publications including scientific, trade and extension ar- ticles, and has presented numerous talks in the United States and abroad. Established in 1957, the Certificate Program in Golf Course Turfgrass Management provides education for those interested in the agronomics and business of golf course management. Students enrolled in this two-year pro- gram attend classes on the University Park campus for two eight-week terms per year and must complete six months of on-the-job training. According to the program’s Interim Director, Dr. Thomas Watschke, “John brings a strong background in golf course management and applied research and I envision that he will play a large role in the future direction of turfgrass at Penn State”. John is the recipient of the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation’s 2005 Award of Excellence. The annual award was created in honor of Professor H. B. Musser, whose career in turfgrass at Penn State spanned four dec- ades. The Musser Award of Excellence acknowledges the most outstanding of these scholars seeking a Ph.D. in the turfgrass sciences and encourages their continued pursuit of excellence. “I am excited to have the opportu- nity to work with and train future golf course superintendents and continue my applied research program at one of the most respected turfgrass programs in the country,” said Kaminski. MEETING RESULTS FROM SEPTEMBER MEETING FROSTY VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB 1st Low Gross Ian Kunesch Long Drive Duane Schell 2nd Low Gross Jack Sudlesky Closest to the Pin Joe Barrett Closest to the Pin John Downer 1st Low Net Steve Chirip 2nd Low Net Al Morrow Most Points Stableford Chris Butler SKINS: Steve Chirip #6 John Downer #12 Barry Goodhart #14 Paul Brandon #18 Page 7 Bernhard & Co. to send 10 GCSAA Class A members to England… FREE! Enter today to win a free trip to England and see how it’s done on the other side of the pond! For the third year running, Bernhard and Company, manufacturers of Express Dual and Anglemaster grind- ers, is sending 10 GCSAA Class A members to the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s (BIGGA) Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), January, 18 - 22, 2009 in Harrogate, England. Winners will have the opportunity to attend the conference and exhibition, participate in education semi- nars, network with greenkeepers from the UK and Europe, and visit golf courses in England. Register online at http://www.bernhard.co.uk/gcsaa-registration.0.html or call (888) 474-6348. Deadline for applications is November 14th, 2008. Bernhard and Company will notify the winners by December 5th, 2008. Results from the October Meeting at Wyoming Valley Country Club 1st Low Gross with a 73 was Patrick Knelly 2nd Low Gross with an 80 on a match of cards was Chris Snopkowski (Jeff Koch was a dejected 3rd) 1st Low gross Commercial was Steve Chirip with an 84 Closet to the Pin was Jack Sudleski Long Drive was Greg Boring, Superintendent, CC of Scranton 1st Guest - Bill Owens 78 1st Superintendent - Pat Knelly 73 1st Affiliate - Steve Chirip 81 SKINS: Bill Owens #1 Jack Sudleski #13 Gary Phillips #2 & #7 Randy Richtin #14 Eagle Joe Jordin #3 Eagle Joe Sellers #15 Greg Boring #12 Eagle Jeff Koch #16 Thanks to the meeting sponsors and the fifty players who came out to have a great day of golf. Thanks also to Chris Snopkowski and the Wyoming Valley Country Club for making our event another successful meeting with camaraderie and fun. Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Atlantic Irrigation Joe Jaskot 973.445.9418 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Lesco Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 710.933.5801 Turf Equip. & Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Matt Brown 484-357-6312 EQUIPMENT PLANT PROTECTANTS Aer-Core, Inc. Dennis DeSanctis 610.608.3181 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Turf Equip. & Supply Matt Brown 484.357.6312 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 George Skawski 610.554.9366 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Harrell’s Josh Kopera 201.213.8693 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Lesco Brent Wood 570.499.1441 FERTILIZER PBI/Gordon Corp. John Patten 609.970.1546 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Harrell’s Josh Kopera 201.213.8693 SEED & SOD Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 East Coast Sod & Seed Kevin Driscoll 609.760.4099 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES Harrell’s Josh Kopera 201.213.8693 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Lesco Brent Wood 570.499.1441 TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Harrell’s Josh Kopera 201.213.8693 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Partac Peat Corp. Jim Kelsey 800.247.2326 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Support our Sponsors - They support us! POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA MEETING SCHEDULE Congratulations! Congratulations to John Shema the new golf course Want to host a meeting in 2009? Contact a board superintendent at Sand Springs Country Club in Drums. member and express your interest and what month you would like. Congratulations also to Jeff Flamisch, the new superin- tendent at Riverview Country Club in Easton, PA. 5th Annual GCSANJ Crystal Conference Hamburg, NJ November 11-13, 2008 NJTA Turfgrass Conference and Show Announcements or Info Atlantic City, NJ December 9-11, 2008 Got any announcements or information you would like Eastern PA Turfgrass Conference and Show to share with your friends in the PTGA? Send them Valley Forge, PA January 6-9, 2009 along to Jim via email at Jim@gurzler.com or Melinda at mmel500@aol.com Exceeding POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 your expectations. POSTAGE HARDING, PA 18643 Every day. One hundred and thirty dedicate d peo ple with the NAME & ADDRESS best parts, pro d- ucts and service for the green in- dustry Turf Equipment and Supply Phone: 215-345-7200 Fax: 215-345-8132 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED. Web: www.turf-equipm ent.com