Tracey Holliday, Golf Course Superintendent.
Photo Credit: Dru Nadler and The Stamford Advocate
Volume 45, No 3 September 2011
In This Issue...
President’s Message....................2
Tricks Of The Trade.......................4
July Meeting Results....................5
CAGCS Annual Scholarships.....6
Calendar Of Events......................7
Grasscatcher..............................8-9
NERTF........................................10
Nemetodes..................................12
In The Rearview Mirror..............14
Greg’s Run 5k.............................15
The Dart: Women call the shots at Sterling Farms
and teaching facilities. “I just kind of
went ahead and did what I wanted,”
said Aulenti, who came on board as head
pro in 1994. Holliday, who has groomed
Sterling’s fairways and greens since
1988, took a similar approach. She never
listened to her teacher at Stockbridge
School of Agriculture who told her she
would end up waiting tables like the
handful of other female students who
graduated with the school’s Turfgrass
Management degree.
“My dad never even let me mow the
lawn,” she said. Holliday wears a deep
tan from laboring on the greens and
fairways, and her arms are corded with
sinew -- the result of hoisting bag after
bag of fertilizer over the years. At special
Teke Wiggin, Correspondent
Stamford Advocate Published 07:55 p.m.,
Sunday, June 12, 2011
STAMFORD -- A female head pro or
groundskeeper is almost as rare as a
hole-in-one. That’s what makes Sterling
Farms Golf Course a real diamond in the
rough.
For 17 years Director of Golf Angela
Aulenti and golf course superintendent
Tracey Holliday have called the shots at
the public course.
The two are the first women in
Connecticut to fill their respective
positions and the driving forces behind
Sterling Farm’s well-respected upkeep
request, the fertilizer arrives in 50-pound
bags instead of the industry 80 -- making
them more manageable for the slight but
committed groundskeeper.
“No one is more passionate about what
she does than this woman,” said assistant
superintendent Keith Carper, sitting
at the wheel of a golf cart last week as
Holliday used a special instrument to
scoop out new holes on the course’s
“nursery green.” “When Tracey got in, it
was unheard of,” he said.
Carper said, at first, he was unsure of
what female ownership of a job typically
held by men could mean for him as a
deputy. But “it’s been a godsend,”
continued on page 3...
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 2
style, with resourcefulness, professionalism,
passion, and hard work. Thank you to all past
and current Board Members and especially to
Mary Jo Kennedy for the continued commitment
to CAGCS and its membership.
As most of you know by now, my 9 year tenure
at The Patterson Club came to an end in August.
Although I do not want to utilize this message to
discuss my personal employment situation, I do
think that one very important point needs to be
shared. The number of phone calls, emails, and
well-wishes that I have received was absolutely
over-whelming, and I will be forever grateful to
those that have offered an ear, a shoulder to cry
on, and some very sound advice. While most of
corporate America is afflicted with backstabbers
and poor ethics, our profession continues to
epitomize the fraternal bond that so many of
us rely on for continued success. I can only
hope that this behavior continues with the next
generation of Golf Course Superintendents.
Finally, we have completed the negotiations
with the government agency formerly known
as DEP (now the DEEP). There have been
several extensions granted to the DEEP by the
Regulatory Review Committee, but it looks as if
it will finally be heard, and passed in the October
Time flies when you’re having fun! This is my
last official President’s Message as my term will
end in November. It seems like just yesterday
Peter Pierson cornered me at a Winter Seminar
and convinced me to get involved with the
association. Thank you Peter! It has certainly
been a fun ride, and although board service has
its ups and downs, I must say that I would not
trade the experience for anything. I have been
very fortunate to represent this association
and am grateful for the people I have served
with, and the relationships that we have all
developed. We have certainly faced our share of
challenges since my time began with the board,
but I can proudly say that we have handled those
challenges in typical golf course superintendent
Session. As reported earlier, the final outcome is
that golf courses will be exempted from the Stream
Flow Standard provided that they sign off in
agreement that they will adopt, to the best of their
ability, the “Best Management Practices for Golf
Course Water Use”. This document can be found in
PDF form at: http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/
water_inland/diversions/golfcoursewaterusebmp.
pdf. We have also included language to ensure
that our organization has a seat at the table if and
when that document is to be updated or altered.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to Michael Dugan
(lobbyist for CAGCS/CSGA), Scott Ramsay, CGCS
(Government Relations Chairman), and Ron
Drapeau (Executive Director of CSGA) for their
leadership, foresight, and dedication in organizing
and carrying out this effort. If you haven’t already,
drop a note or an email to these gentleman and thank
them for their time and effort on this critical issue.
We must remain diligent on the legislative front as
there are several new bills to be proposed soon that
could affect groundwater, as well as fertilizers and
pesticides.
Enjoy the fall……I look forward to seeing you all at
our upcoming events including the Superintendent/
Assistant, the Member Guest, the Annual Meeting,
and of course, the Christmas party!
Connecticut Clippings is an
official publication of the
Connecticut Association of Golf
Course Superintendents
Newsletter Editor
Stephen Smith, CGCS
Co-Editor
Heather Garvin
Newsletter Committee
David Basconi, Bob Chalifour,
CGCS (ret.) Steve Curry, John
Garcia, David Golembeski, Ron
Holcomb, Doug Zitnay
The Clippings is open to all
commentary. Please send your
comments to: Stephen Smith,
CGCS, Newsletter Editor
sascgcs@charter.net
or
CAGCS
P.O. Box 3678
Woodbridge, CT 06525
203/387-0810
John Garcia
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 3
nest in its holes pierced by stray drives
and approach shots. “We get so much play
(that) the challenge, to me, is to make it
look like it’s private.” A veteran who has
overhauled the irrigation system, coped
with streakers and vandals, managed
redesigns and gotten hit by seven golf
balls, Holliday said: “Everything is the
way we want it to be.” Aulenti said she
feels a similar sense of accomplishment.
As president of the LPGA Northeast
section, Aulenti has built a program
which attracts an unusually high
number of female participants. “Female
golfers tend to feel more comfortable
coming to us,” she said, adding that her
junior players are 40 percent female,
up from 10 percent when she arrived.
“They’re more comfortable here. They
can relate to you.”
But Aulenti, rated as one of the top
50 female teachers in 2002, hasn’t just
helped foster interest in the sport among
women, she’s proved herself a savvy
businesswoman as well.
continued from page 1...
he said, calling Holliday unusually
collaborative for a groundskeeper.
“I get a little more room to spread my
wings here,” he said. Hosting about
60,000 rounds a year, Sterling sees
more than twice as much traffic as your
average private course, according to
Holliday and her assistant, but lacks
the resources swankier establishments
have to devote to maintenance. That’s
one of the reasons Holliday is at work
from dawn until dusk every day of the
golf season, tinkering with mower and
golf cart engines with her head mechanic
Tom Bakis or replenishing bunkers and
trimming greens with Carper. Contrary
to what many people think, she said,
work doesn’t stop when summer ends:
she must conduct tree work, staircase
maintenance and snow removal among
other little-known off-season tasks.
“I just eat, live and breath it,” she said by
the wall of the maintenance shop known
as the “condo” because of the birds who
“I took a chance and merchandised it
properly,” she said. She converted the
“dark and dingy” pro shop she inherited
into the gleaming establishment it is
today, brimming with clubs and golf
paraphernalia. She recently had a studio
built to house a machine which uses
Doppler radar and computer imaging
to diagnose swings and prescribe club
customizations.
Her entrepreneurial instincts won her
LPGA Merchandiser of the Year in 2004
and 2006. Aulenti said she tries to “stay
one step ahead” of the market and hopes
her swing-analysis machine -- only one
of 50 in the country, according to her --
will put her ahead of the game.
That would be nothing new for Aulenti
-- or Holliday: one of the only female
groundskeeper-pro duos in the country.
They got the swing of things a long
time ago.
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 4
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TRICKS OF THE TRADE
In both the professional and personal
aspects of our lives we all call on different
resources to find solutions to problems,
educate ourselves or others, and to
advertise our accomplishments. The
chances are that these techniques have
evolved with the growth of the internet
and the increasing functionality of smart
phones and tablets.
It is amazing what can be found with
just a little searching. I frequently search
for You Tube videos to either show me
how to perform a repair or to understand
how something works. Recently I had
to replace the rear differential in my
truck and, not really understanding
how a differential works, I found a
great video on You Tube ( http://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=KnSiXhe_p_Y ).
I also found many videos that actually
walked me through some of the work. It
is important to evaluate these videos as
anyone can post to them.
My cell phone has become an important
tool far beyond making phone calls.
The camera function is as useful to
me as any of the applications that I
currently have. I frequently take pictures
either for my use or to communicate
accomplishments or concerns on the
golf course. Photographic records can
be extremely valuable. When you look
at something every day, using your cell
phones camera allows you to keep a
photographic time capsule of your golf
course.
There are many applications that are
available for the smart phone. The
Weather Channel application provides
information while on the property. It
is very accurate for tracking incoming
storms as well as to provide the current
temperature, humidity and wind
strength. Translation applications, such
as Jibbigo, can be useful to help cross
language barriers. Recently I learned of
an application called Sun Seeker. This
application allows the user to estimate
when an area will receive sunlight. It
uses the phones camera to display the
current and future position of the sun
from the user’s vantage point
Many golf course superintendents
are now creating blogs. This seems
to be a wonderful tool to bridge the
communication gap that is common
between golf course superintendents
and golfers. I would welcome the input
of any member currently maintaining
a blog who would like to share their
experiences in a future Connecticut
Clippings. For that matter please
send along any information on useful
websites, smart phone applications,
solutions to problems or any other
resource that may be helpful to CAGCS
members.
Stephen A. Smith, CGCS
Connecticut Clippings Editor
sascgcs@charter.net
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 5
July Meeting Results
Country Club of
Farmington
July 11, 2011
Gross
1st Gary Sykes/Richard Kremer 72
2nd Matt Fauerbach/Bruce Morse 79
3rd Paul Bonini/Scott McLeod 79
Net
1st Tim O’Neil/Ted Tighe 58
2nd Mike Turner/Edward Downing 62
3rd Richard Schock/Ryan Barrington 63
Skins
#1 Gordon Kauffman
#8 Mike Turner
#13 Paul Bonini
#14 Alexander Simpson
#15 Todd Olovson
#17 Richard Schock
S ponsored by G olfer
Longest Drive #9 Bayer Environmental Science Paul Bonini
Longest Putt #3 John Deere Golf Scott Ramsay
Longest Putt #14 The Cardinals, Inc. Mike Astram
Closest to the pin #2 Arbor Care of Trees Les Kennedy
Closest to the pin 1st #4 Atlantic Golf & Turf Steve Smith
Closest to the pin 2nd #4 New England Specialty Soils Melissa Gugliotti
Closest to the pin #8 Winding Brook Turf Scott Ramsy
Closest to the pin #12 Plant Food Company Les Kennedy
Closest to the pin #18 Chas C. Hart Seed Co. Les Kennedy
Kickers Sodco Inc. Ryan O’Neal
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For more information contact
Jaime at 1-800-287-9645
www.milorganite.com
11-149
CAGCS Awards Annual Scholarships
The following are recipients of the 2011 CAGCS scholarships.
Dr. Richard Skogley Scholarship recipient: Kara Wojick, daughter of Greg Wojick, she will be attending
University of Connecticut.
CAGCS Scholarships were awarded to:
Austin Adaskaveg, son of Alexander Adaskaveg, he is attending Western New England College
John Bresnahan, he is the son of John J. Bresnahan he is attending Plymouth State University
Tyler DeVaux, son of Gary DeVaux, he is attending Lyndon State College
Edward Dukette, son of Michael Dukette, he is attending University of Hartford
Patrick Gallagher, son of John Gallagher, III, he is attending Central CT State University
Matthew Grace, son of Peter Grace, he is attending Johnson State College
Jennifer Kilburn, daughter of James Kilburn, she is attending University of Connecticut
Elizabeth Malay, daughter of Joseph Malay, she is attending Liberty University
Emily Malay, daughter of Joseph Malay, she is attending Trinity International University
Alexandra Mish, daughter of Terrance Mish, she is attending Springfield College
Heather Niven, daughter of Scott Niven, CGCS, she is attending University of Delaware
Kristen O’Neill, daughter of Timothy O’Neill, CGCS, she is attending Connecticut College
Hannah Pelkey, daughter of Mark Pelkey, she is attending University of New England
Jonathan Pope, son of Brian Pope, he is attending University of Tampa
Randi Schock, she is the daughter of Richard Schock, Jr., she is attending Southern CT State University
Kathryn Wallace, daughter of Dave & Vicki Wallace, she is attending University of Connecticut
Patrick Wollenberg, son of Paul Wollenberg, he is attending Saint Anselm
The Board of Directors and members of the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents
want to congratulate all recipients, and wish them the best in their scholastic endeavors.
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 6
CAGCS Calendar of Events
Monday, October 3 THE PATTERSON CLUB CAGCS Member Guest (formerly Invitational)
Thursday, October 6 SAMOSET RESORT ROCKPORT, MAINE New England Superintendents Championship
Tuesday, October 11 THE COUNTRY CLUB 8th Annual Joe Troll Turf Classic
Thursday, October 25 GALLOWAY NATIONAL MET Team Championship
Thursday, October 20 GREAT RIVER GOLF CLUB Class C Tournament
Monday, November 7 TORRINGTON COUNTRY CLUB CAGCS Annual Meeting
Wed., November 30 THE PATTERSON CLUB CAGCS/MET Joint Education Meeting
Thursday, December 8 J. TIMOTHY’S TAVERNE CAGCS Christmas Party
Tuesday, January 17 MYSTIC MARRIOTT CAGCS Winter Seminar
Tuesday, April 30 NORWICH GOLF COURSE 2 Ball Schamble
Tuesday, May 1 RHODE ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB RI Turfgrass Foundation Golf Tournament
Monday, May 21 CLINTON COUNTRY CLUB CAGCS S & R Tournament
Tuesday, July 17 UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT 3rd Biannual Turfgrass Field Day
All good things must come to an end. This is Peter and Tara Gorman’s 4 year old son Tristan upset over the fact he couldn’t make the turn because it was
almost bedtime and he hadn’t had dinner. That is why Superintendents put so many hours in................for those that love the game and its future.
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 7
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 8
New Members!
Gary Cioe; Class Commercial
Agrium Advanced Technologies
Kevin Fuchs; Class C
Brownson Country Club
Michael Glidden; Class Affiliate
Lyman Orchards Golf Course
Michael Hollander; Class Commercial
Delea & Sons Sod Farms
Ed Kaufmann; Class SM
Pleasantville Country Club
Condolences
Thomas Watroba on the passing of his father,
Walter, on July 22, 2011.
Congratulations
Heather & Matthew Guilmette, Superintendent
at Cedar Ridge GC, on the birth of their
daughter, Elena Lillian Alice, on June 30, 2011.
Robert G. Dorsch III, CGCS, at Richter Park
Golf Course, Danbury, Conn, on becoming a
Certified Golf Course Superintendent through
GCSAA.
To Brian & Mary Skelly on the birth of their
grandson Carson Michael Skelly weighing in
at 8lbs 1oz, 20 inches. Carson was born on
August 24, 2011.
Congratulations to Kim Heyl and husband,
Gene Baker, on their marriage September 17,
2011. Pictured with them are Cindy Johnson,
Heather Garvin and Peter Pierson.
News
The threat of Hurricane Irene forced
the closure of Lake Compounce and the
cancelation of the CAGCS 2011 Family Day.
The 2012 Family Day is scheduled for Sunday,
August 26th. Let’s hope for better weather!
GCSAA - ROOM BLOCK
GCSAA Education Conference & Golf Industry
Show will be held from February 27, 2012 to
March 2, 2012. This year CAGCS will not be
providing a “Room Block” through GCSAA
Golf Industry Travel. You are required to
register for your room directly by calling 866-
940-0938, and select option 1 or by using the
following link to Golf Industry Show Housing
& Travel: http://www.golfindustryshow.com/
showinfo/housingtravel.asp
GCSAA Head Quarters hotel is Las Vegas
Hilton room rates are $119, Friday, Feb 24-
Sunday, Feb 26 and $149, Monday, Feb 27 –
Saturday, March 3. Their sales tax is 12%.
Please note you will need your credit card
information. One night room + tax will be
held as a deposit.
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 9
CAGCS Board of Directors
President – John Garcia
Vice President – Mark B. Mansur
Secretary – Donald Beck
Treasurer – Paul Bonini, CGCS
Past President – Christian P. Mauro
Committee Chairpersons
Education – Eric Morrison, CGCS
Golf – Marc Weston
Membership – Stephen J. Curry
Scholarship & Research –
Peter Gorman
Social & Welfare –
Stephen A. Smith, CGCS
Government Relations –
Scott Ramsay, CGCS
Commercial Rep to Board –
Michael Donahue
Class C Representative –
Douglas Zitney, Great River GC
Only John Deere Golf offers both a full selection of golf maintenance
equipment and soft goods from top name brands. Plus advice on how
to pick the best of each for your course. Call us today.
Equipment Sales:
Lacorte Farm & Lawn Equipment,
Calverton, NY
631-727-8700
Agronomic Sales:
Ward Weischet,
203-605-0013
Paul Cormier, SOW,
860-625-0918
Think Ahead.
See how equipment and
agronomics can work together.
48675-1_B2B_Half_Page.indd 1 3/8/11 6:16:04 PM
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 10
New England Regional
Turfgrass Foundation ,
Inc. elects new officers
and announce show
dates for 2011-2012
The New England Regional Turfgrass
Foundation announces that Christopher
Cowan of Atlantic Golf & Turf has been
elected as the 15th President for the 2011-2012
Fiscal year. Chris has served on the NERTF
Board of Directors since 2001 as a delegate
appointed by the Vermont Golf Course
Superintendent Association. Chris replaces
Mike Buras, CSFM of the Longwood Cricket
Club, Chestnut Hill, MA, who will continue
to serve as the foundation’s Immediate Past
President. Scott Cybulski, of the Martindale
Country Club, in Auburn, Maine will serve
as Vice-President. Steve Mann, CGCS of
Captain’s Golf Course in Brewster, MA
will serve as Treasurer for 2 years. Michael
Stachowicz of Dedham Country and Polo Club
will serve as the Foundation Secretary. Other
board members will include: Roderick Blake,
NHGCSA, John Clark, NHGCSA; James H.
Connelly, MALCP; Matthew Crowther, CGCS
, GCSACC, Anthony Grosso, CAGCS; James
Hodge, MGCSA; Ted Maddocks, VTGCSA;
Steve Mann, GCSACC; William Morton,
CGCS, RIGCSA; Philip Neaton, CAGCS;
Mark Richard, CGCS, RIGCSA; Robert
Ruzala, GCSANE. Also serving in an advisory
capacity is: Mary Owen, UMass Extension and
Dr. Noel Jackson, URI.
The Foundation enjoyed a successful 14th
Turfgrass Education Conference and Trade
Show on March 7-10, 2011 at the Rhode
Island Convention Center in Providence,
RI. More than 3000 individuals attended
4 days of education conference and trade
show activities. The 15th Annual New
England Regional Turfgrass Conference and
Trade Show scheduled dates for 2012 are
February 6-9th. These are unusual dates as
the foundation will normally target the 1st
Monday in March. The NERTF continues to
fund turfgrass research in the New England
Region and, since 1996, the foundation will
soon reach 1.3 million dollars of research
funding to New England Universities. For
more information concerning the foundation,
the conference and show, or funded turfgrass
research go to www.nertf.org.
Submitted by: Gary J. Sykes, Executive Director
(401-841-5490)
2011-2012 NERTF Board of Directors: Sitting (l-r): Steve Mann, CGCS (Treasurer), Bob Matthews, CGCS,
Mary Owen (UMass Extension), Michael Buras, CSFM (Immediate Past-President), Christopher Cowan
(2011-2012 NERTF President) Standing (l-r): Bob Ruszala, Mark Richard, CGCS, Jim Connolly, Scott
Cybulski, CGCS (V-President), Bill Morton, CGCS, Dr. Noel Jackson (Professor Emeritus URI), Cliff
Drezek, Phil Neaton, David Rosenberg (M&E, Inc.), Ted Maddocks, Michael Stachowicz (Secretary),
John Clark, Rod Blake, Jim Hodge, Gary Sykes

September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 12
Identifying and
managing nematodes
in the Northeast
In the Northeast, the two most commonly
encountered plant parasitic nematodes on turf are
stunt nematodes (Tylenchorhynchus) and lance
(Hoplolaimus) nematodes. Stunt nematodes are
found everywhere. Every golf course has them.
Usually, they remain at low levels and produce
negligible amounts of root damage. When their
populations get high (above 4,000 nematodes/100cc
from a cup-cutter) they stunt roots. When they
hit 10,000 nematodes/100 cc soil, most roots,
especially Poa annua roots, will atrophy and die
from extensive feeding damage. Lance nematodes
are much less common than stunt but do occur
with some regularity. Lance nematodes, however,
are far more aggressive. Whereas stunt nematodes
sit outside roots and poke little holes in them,
lance nematodes punch a large hole in the root and
then swim into that hole, essentially destroying
the root cortex as they move. Not only are lance
nematodes aggressive, they are big. A lance
nematode is about 1/3 the width of a bentgrass
root. Three of these nematodes lying next to each
other will cover the entire width of the root. Lance
nematodes can cause root decline with as few as
1,000 nematodes/100 cc soil from a cup-cutter, but
at about 5,000 nematodes/100 cc soil, bentgrass
will wilt constantly and roots will disappear. Plant
death is also possible. While it is not always the
case, stunt nematode populations are often higher
on Poa and lance nematode populations are often
higher on bentgrass- although bentgrass does
usually have better tolerance to nematode damage
than Poa.
We usually talk about damage thresholds as the
level at which nematodes cause damage. But
thresholds are not fixed numbers. Any threshold
we use is only an estimate. Bentgrass will have
better tolerance than Poa so it will typically have
a higher threshold. And rooting depth has a major
impact on where a disease threshold lies. If your
Poa roots are only 2” deep in May, you will not be
able to withstand as high a population of nematodes
as someone with Poa roots that are 4” deep in May.
Obviously, if you only have ½” of rooting depth
in July, as little as 2,000 stunt nematodes/100 cc
soil could be causing severe damage. Thresholds
are often moving targets, they change based on a
myriad of factors.
An added complication arises when we count
lance nematodes. As mentioned earlier, stunt
nematodes spend their entire lives in the soil
so they are relatively easy to extract and count.
Lance nematodes spend much of their lives in
roots, although they do migrate through the soil.
Our typical soil extraction is unable to dislodge
nematodes from the roots so even though a lance
count may be low, there may still be many lance
nematodes in the roots and the soil extraction is
actually underestimating the damage potential of
these nematodes. For this reason, we often try to
visually gauge the extent of nematode activity in
the roots to determine how much physical damage
they may be causing.
Nematode populations do not remain steady.
They typically start out low in the spring and rise
into the middle of the summer. Depending upon
many different factors, nematode populations
peak between July and August. As the fall
arrives, populations will decline with a decline
in temperatures and some mortality will often
occur throughout the winter- although nematodes
do have the ability to withstand freezing soil
temperatures. When we talk about insect
populations, specifically annual bluegrass weevil,
we talk about the number of generations of insects
per year. This is not the case with nematodes. Most
turfgrass nematodes have continuous, overlapping
generations. Their lifecycle may range from a week
to a number of months but they are constantly
producing new juveniles that hatch, mature and
produce even more juveniles. And if the soil is not
frozen, all stages of the nematode lifecycle feed on
plant roots.
Both stunt and lance nematodes were relatively
well controlled by Nemacur. Without Nemacur, it
has been much more difficult for superintendents to
manage nematode populations. The most effective
nematicides are organophosphates and carbamates
and the EPA’s general opposition towards these
products (which is probably justifiable considering
the high mammalian toxicity associated with these
materials) suggests that it may be a long time before
we find alternative nematidcides as effective as
Nemacur. Some alternatives have shown promise,
specifically Avid and Nortica, but these do not
always appear to be effective for everyone or in
every situation.
For the past few years, I’ve seen an increasing
number of golf courses with high nematode
populations. It appears as though the problems
with nematodes are becoming more prevalent
but it is still unclear whether this is actually true
or just a perception. It is possible that nematode
populations have always been high but the use of
Nemacur masked this fact. When Nemacur was
widely available, a superintendent that suspected
a nematode issue might simply make a Nemacur
application and control the problem. Today, few
superintendents have much Nemacur on hand
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􀅶􀄞􀄞􀄚􀆐􀀃􀅝􀅶􀄐􀅯􀆵􀄚􀅝􀅶􀅐􀀃􀆉􀄞􀆐􀆟􀄐􀅝􀄚􀄞􀆐􀀃􀄂􀅶􀄚􀀃􀄨􀅽􀅯􀅝􀄂􀆌􀆐􀍘
􀁤􀆌􀆵􀆐􀆚􀀃􀀬􀄂􀆌􀆌􀄞􀅯􀅯􀍛􀆐􀀃􀆚􀅽􀀃􀆉􀆌􀅽􀇀􀅝􀄚􀄞􀀃􀀒􀅽􀅶􀅶􀄞􀄐􀆟􀄐􀆵􀆚􀍛􀆐􀀃
􀆉􀆌􀄞􀅵􀅝􀄞􀆌􀀃􀅐􀅽􀅯􀄨􀀃􀆉􀆌􀅽􀆉􀄞􀆌􀆟􀄞􀆐􀀃􀇁􀅝􀆚􀅚􀀃􀄞􀇆􀆉􀄞􀆌􀆚􀀃
􀄨􀄞􀆌􀆟􀅯􀅝􀆚􀇇􀀃􀄂􀄚􀇀􀅝􀄐􀄞􀍕􀀃􀆚􀅚􀄞􀀃􀅚􀅝􀅐􀅚􀄞􀆐􀆚􀀃􀆋􀆵􀄂􀅯􀅝􀆚􀇇􀀃
􀄨􀄞􀆌􀆟􀅯􀅝􀇌􀄞􀆌􀆐􀀃􀄂􀅶􀄚􀀃􀆐􀆵􀆉􀄞􀆌􀅝􀅽􀆌􀀃􀆉􀆌􀅽􀄚􀆵􀄐􀆚􀆐􀀃􀄨􀆌􀅽􀅵􀀃
top-branded manufactures like Bayer,
BASF, and Syngenta.
􀀒􀅽􀅶􀆚􀄂􀄐􀆚􀀃􀇇􀅽􀆵􀆌􀀃􀅯􀅽􀄐􀄂􀅯􀀃􀆐􀄂􀅯􀄞􀆐􀀃􀆌􀄞􀆉􀆌􀄞􀆐􀄞􀅶􀆚􀄂􀆟􀇀􀄞􀀃
􀄨􀅽􀆌􀀃􀅵􀅽􀆌􀄞􀀃􀅝􀅶􀄨􀅽􀆌􀅵􀄂􀆟􀅽􀅶􀍘
www.harrells.com
Maximize your budget with
Harrell’s Fall Early Order Program.
Mike Dukette
860.930.8888
mdukette@harrells.com
Jim Wierzbicki
860.424.7250
jwierzbicki@harrells.com
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 13
and therefore, diagnostic labs are likely to see
more samples with high nematode populations.
Additionally, those superintendents that do have
a supply of Nemacur are careful to use it sparingly
and will often request a nematode assay before
they use up the little Nemacur they have left. If
a superintendent had been on an annual Nemacur
application schedule, any counts that were made
later in the season would have been relatively low.
This also would have contributed to a perception
that nematode populations were “normally” low.
In addition to the impact Nemacur had on our
perception of nematode populations, other
chemicals may have also affected nematode
lifecycles. The EPA recently
added restrictions on the
use of thiophanate-methyl
and many superintendents
have moved away from the
product in the light of these
restrictions, often substituting
strobilurin fungicides in its
place. Thiophanate-methyl
(and benomyl- which was
marketed as Tersan 1991
before its registration was
withdrawn) breaks down into
a series of carbamates that have
been shown to be effective
against some nematodes in
experimental trials. Many
superintendents have also
greatly reduced their use of
chlorpyrifos. This insecticide
is an organophosphate and
seems to have some effect against stunt nematodes
when applied at higher rates. Although these
products were never used against nematodes or
labeled for nematode control, it is possible that they
have cumulative side-effects that led to artificially
reduced nematode populations.
Mercury was commonly applied on golf courses
years ago. It was demonstrated in the 1950’s that
when mercury was applied to the soil, plant-parasitic
nematode populations dropped dramatically.
Research from the 1960’s demonstrated that mercury
does not leach much when applied in pesticide
form. Consequently, it is probable that mercury
has slowed nematode population growth in those
locations where it has been previously applied.
However, the application of 20 years of topdressing
has likely buried most residual mercury 3-4 inches
below the surface of the soil where it will have little
effect on nematodes today.
There are other potential reasons for an increase
in nematode populations, aside from just the
heightened awareness of their presence. It is
possible that higher average temperatures and
global warming have led to a rise in nematode
populations. Although this is difficult to track,
it does appear plausible. And without a doubt,
things have changed dramatically on golf courses
in the past few decades: height-of-cut has steadily
declined, traffic has increased, topdressing is
far more frequent and the type of chemicals we
currently apply are very different from those used
in the past. All may contribute to either higher
nematode numbers or an increase in observed
nematode damage symptoms.
Despite the lack of chemical approaches to
controlling nematodes, I have seen a number of
golf courses that have been able to minimize plant
damage by focusing on plant health. Specifically,
these courses have made significant efforts to grow
roots and minimize stress. In addition to fertilizer
management and cultural practices, these courses
have also worked hard to control root diseases like
Pythium and summer patch. These techniques
will not reduce the number of nematodes present
on a putting green but they will allow grass to
more successfully tolerate nematode damage
and recover from this damage more quickly.
Unfortunately, the trade-off for healthy grass
may sometimes be slower speeds and this is a
compromise many courses are unwilling to make.
I f y ou r g o a l i s t o p ro d u ce
CH A M PIONSH I P
PL AY I NG CON DI T IONS
E V E RY DAY,
You Are Not Alone
We offer you the soil testing, the analysis, the range of turf
management products and the depth of support that no one
else can match. Because it’s not just about selling you supplies.
Its about supplying you with everything you need to be
successful. With Tom Irwin, you’re not alone.
Call Rob Larson at (508)789-0059 or Jeff Houde at
(203)731-1776 and see what it feels like to have the best players
in the business on your team.
Tom I r w i n, I nc. | 1 1 A S t r eet, B u rl i n g ton, M A 018 03 | 781.273 .01 43 | w w w.Tom I r w i n.com
Lance nematode exiting bentgrass root
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 14
IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR
T-MINUS 40
GCSAA Certification program reaches
40 year milestone (August 1971, VOL. 4,
NO. 3)
CERTIFICATION OF GOLF COURSE
SUPERINTENDENTS
The Golf Course Superintendents
Association of America Certification
Program will be ready for all eligible
applicants by the end of August.
Application forms will be mailed to the
membership in August. All GCSAA
members will be sent the application
forms as a matter of information
regardless of eligibility.
All eligible applicants will then be sent
study materials including tables and
formulas, which they should study in
preparations for the examination. Dates
and locations of examinations will be
announced well in enough in advance to
allow ample study time.
Only GCSAA members are eligible.
Basic requirements for certification
are that the member: (1) be
currently employed as a golf course
superintendent; (2) have held a Class A
membership for at least three years.
EXCERPT FROM “THE GRASS
CATCHER” (August 1971, VOL. 4,
NO. 3)
There are clubs actively seeking
golf course superintendents for Fall
employment. One Conn. Club is in
need of a golf course superintendent
immediately. Salaries are continuing
to rise with the economy and in many
areas at a faster pace. As an example,
one club in the East is openly soliciting
for a superintendent in the $20,000 to
$25,000 range.
T-MINUS 30
EXCERPT FROM “MEET YOUR
HOSTS” (August/September 1981,
VOL. 14, NO.4)
“Above all, golfers come here to play
our fast greens” says John Nowobilski’s
head professional at the Pautipaug
Country Club. And they certainly are
fast. Superintendent Fran Rodgers and I
recently measured the Pautipaug greens
at 111 inches with the stimpmeter.
T-MINUS 20
EXCERPT FROM “GCSAA ELECTS
Stephen G. Cadenelli, CGCS, President”
(April 1991, VOL. 25, NO.1)
GCSAA will celebrate the association’s
65th anniversary with the official
dedication of its new building in
Lawrence, Kansas, on September 6-7,
1991. All GCSAA members are invited.
Two EZ Fixes For Golf Course Projects
EZ Roll™ Grass Pavers EZ Flow® Drainage Systems
This product is a 10 foot long
slotted pipe surrounded by
Poly Rock and enclosed in a
geotextile mesh.
Combining the pipe,
aggregate and mesh in
one unit reduces the cost
of installing a French Drain
system by 50% or more.
And it eliminates gravel.
EZflow Poly-Rock™ is
100% recycled content and
has a 100 year lifespan.
EZflow® is used to
drain bunkers and
low water-prone areas.
These plastic grass pavers
allow light to heavy
vehicular traffic to drive
over turf areas by
providing undergrass
reinforcement.
They stabilize the soil and
prevent soil compaction,
allowing healthy root
growth so grass can thrive.
Great for golf course paths,
or overflow parking, etc.
EZ Roll™ Grass Pavers are
interlocking, easy to install
and available in rolls of
4 ft. x 150 ft. or 24" squares.
􀁳􀀀􀀩􀁍 􀁍􀁅􀁄􀁉􀁁􀁔􀁅􀀀􀀳􀁈􀁉􀁐􀁍􀁅􀁎􀁔􀀀􀀀􀀀􀁳􀀀􀀥􀁃􀁏􀀍􀀳􀁍􀁁􀁒􀁔􀀀􀀀􀀀􀁳􀀀􀀬􀀥􀀥􀀤􀂸􀀀􀀣􀁒􀁅􀁄􀁉􀁔􀁓
C􀁁􀁌􀁌􀀀􀀑􀀍􀀘􀀐􀀐􀀍􀀓􀀖􀀗􀀍􀀙􀀒􀀖􀀕􀀀or (203) 261-4955
more info? email: ed.sullivan@yankocy.com
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www.yankocy.com
8.4.11 3pm final
Easy to Install as ...
Dig Trench Connect & Lay
EZow in Trench
Cover with Soil
September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 15
Notification of 1st
Annual Greg’s Run 5K
The 1st Annual Greg’s Run 5K will be held on Saturday,
October 8 at 10:00 am at Apponequet Regional High School
(ARHS). This run/walk event will benefit the Gregory G.
Misodoulakis Memorial Scholarship, established by his
family to honor the memory of 2010 Apponequet Regional
High School graduate Gregory Misodoulakis. Greg died
unexpectedly a few days prior to beginning his freshmen
year at UMass Amherst. The financial and in-kind support
of local businesses and community members is vital to
ensure the success of this inaugural event.
At the 2011 ARHS graduation ceremony, three seniors
were awarded the first Gregory G. Misodoulakis Memorial
Scholarship. It is our hope to award Greg’s scholarship
to deserving ARHS graduating seniors for years to come.
Proceeds from this annual 5K fundraising road race will
be put towards his scholarship which is managed by the
Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts,
a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity. Please join us
in making the inaugural Greg’s Run 5K a memorable
event that benefits current and future students of the
Freetown and Lakeville communities. Any donations
— monetary, post-race refreshments or raffle prizes —
would be greatly appreciated.
All sponsors will be listed according to their
sponsorship level on the race webpage and will be
recognized during race day activities. Sponsors may
set up a display table the day of the event and distribute
promotional materials (if desired). Sponsors may also
display a banner or logo at the event. The deadline
to guarantee sponsorship recognition on the race
website and printed materials is September 1, 2011.
For more information, please visit: www.gregsrun.org
or E-Mail: gregsrun10@gmail.com















September 2011 Connecticut Clippings Page 16
D & S
Floratine – JRM
TURBODROP NOZZLES
Jerry Marin (203) 380-9503
Dave Basconi (860) 349-1291
DryJect N.E./TurfPounders
Dryject, Core & Deeptine Aeration
Kevin Collins (914) 525-3681
Home Office (914) 672-6029
Servicing CT & NY since 2004
Egypt Farms, Inc.
Sterilized Topdressing, Greensmix
Bagged Topdressing & Divot Mix
Dean Snyder
(800) 899-7645 FAX (410) 335-0164
Executive Turf Products
Performancefertilizers.com
Earthgreen.com
Ken Gentile (203) 496-0891
executiveturf@aol.com
Grigg Brothers
Gordon Kauffman III, Ph.D.
Email: gordon@griggbros. Com
Website: www.griggbros.com
Become a Fan @ facebook.com/griggbros
Harrell’s
Jim Wierzbicki (860) 424-7250
Mike Dukette (860) 930-8888
Customer Service (800) 228-6656
www.harrells.com
The Chas C. Hart Seed Co.
Wethersfield, CT - Roy Sibley,
P. Bednarczyk, Heather Garvin
(860) 529-2537 or (800) 326-4278
Quality Since 1892
James Carriere & Son, Inc.
Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136
Trap Sand Partac Top Dressing
Const Mixes
Decorative Stone
Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc.
Hydrogeologic Consulting and
Environmental Engineering Services
CAGCS member since 2001
Rob Good (860) 678-0404
Metro Turf Specialists
Customers, OUR TOP Priority
Dave Conrad (914) 490-3698
Rob Steinman (914) 588-6593
(203) 748-4653 – metroturfspecialists.com
MGC Developers, LLC
Netting Safety Barrier
Steve LaMesa (860) 290-8552
www.mgcdevelopers.com
email: info@mgcdevelopers.com
A-OK Turf Equipment
Lastec Articulator, Graden, Wiedenmann,
Pequea, Agrimetal, Baroness, Therrien, Sweep
& Fill, Blec. Michael Cornicelli (401) 826-2584
Fax (401) 826-3749 – aokturfequipment.com
Allens Seed
Seed, Fertilizer, Turf Supplies
Exeter, RI 02822
Al LaPrise
(401) 741-4444 - (800) 527-3898
Aquatrols Corp. of America
Innovative Products for Effective
Resource Management
Kevin P. Collins, N.E. Territory Mgr.
(609) 841-2077 (cell)
Bartlett Tree Experts
~Providing Scientific
Tree Care since 1907~
Matt Flanagan, Arborist
(203) 744-1400 or www.bartlett.com
BASF
47 Falmouth Road
Longmeddow, MA 01106
John Bresnahan
(413) 565-5340
Bayer Environmental Science
Fairfield, Litchfield, New Haven Counties:
Dave Sylvester (860) 841-3173. Hartford, New
Haven, New London, Middlesex, Tolland,
Windham: Brian Giblin (508) 439-9809
BISCO
Irrigation Supplies featuring Rain Bird
60 Stergis Way, Dedham MA 02026
(800) 225-8006 - MA / (888) 522-9182 - CT
J. Anderson III cell: (203) 494-5217
C.R.I.S., LLC
Golf Course Irrigation
P.O. Box 6194
Wolcott, CT 06716
Troy Carney – (203) 879-2362
The Cardinals, Inc.
Complete Distributor of Golf Course
Accessories & Turf Maintenance Supplies
John Callahan cell – (860) 673-3699
cardinalsinc@att.net – (800) 861-6256
Championship Turf Services
Precision Laser Leveling
Custom Aerification - Overseeding
Sisis Turf Equipment
Michael Flowers (800) 562-5860
DGM Systems
Specialty Products Distributor For Golf & Sports Turf
Servicing Your Needs www.dgmsystems.com
Office (401) 647-0550 or (877) DGM Products
Manny (401) 524-8999 - David (401) 742-1177
New England Specialty Soils
1mm + 2mm Top Dressing Sand, HD
Bunker Sand, Divot Blends, 5221 Mix, Root Zone
Blends. ed@nesoils.com
Ed Downing (978) 230-2300
Partac Golf Course Top-Dressing
(800) 247-2326 Fax (908) 637-8421
Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136
Joe Bidwell (860) 651-8555
Jim Wierzbicki (860) 424-7250
Plant Food Company, Inc.
The Liquid Fertilizer Experts
www.plantfoodco.com
Jason Dowgiewicz (860) 508-5419
Larry Pakkala, CGCS (203) 505-3750
Sodco, Inc.
P.O. Box 2
Slocum, RI 02877
Sean Moran
(800) 341-6900 - sodco.net
Steven Willand, Inc.
Jacobsen – Club Car – Smithco – Turfco
Parts/Service (203) 775-5757
Mark Osborn-Brett Armstrong
www.stevenwillandinc.com
Syngenta Professional Products
Fairfield County - Dennis DeSanctis
(732) 580-5514 - dennis.desanctis@syngenta.com
All other CT Counties - Melissa Gugliotti
(860) 221-5712 - melissa.gugliotti@syngenta.com
Terre Co.
206 Delawanne Ave. Clifton NJ
(973) 473-3393 FAX (973) 473-4402
Byron Johnson
Home (203) 748-5069
Tom Irwin, Inc.
Turf Management Products
Knowledge & Experience You Can Trust
Rob Larson (508) 789-0059
Jeff Houde (203) 731-1776 office (800) 582-5959
TurfLinks, Inc.
Committed to your success!
Products, Equipment & Agronomic Services
Jim Favreau (978) 815-9810
Turf Products Corporation
157 Moody Rd., P.O. Box 1200
Enfield, CT 06083
John Ferry - Mark Loper
(800) 243-4355
Westchester Turf Supply, Inc.
34 Years of Serving the CAGCS
Bob Lippman (914) 447-6257
Dave Lippman (914) 447-5192
Office (845) 621-5067 – westturf@comcast.net
CAGCS thanks these patrons for their continued support of our association.