Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents Devoted to sharing knowledge and experience for better turf January, 1991 Volume 24, No. 5 CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS President Thomas Watroba Vice President Steven L. Rackliffe, CGCS Secretary Treasurer Immediate John F. Streeter, CGCS Scott M. Ramsay Robert Chalifour Past President Directors & Committee Chairpersons Scholarship & Research Public Relations Education Membership Newsletter Golf PPUC Social & Welfare Rep. to the Board Peter Pierson John Motycka David Stimson, CGCS Frank Lamphier John F. Streeter, CGCS Peter Lewis Peter Pierson Philip Neaton Stephanie Zanieski Connecticut Clippings is an official publication of The Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents. John F. Streeter, CGCS, Editor Newsletter Jeff Rogers The object of this Association is to encourage increased knowledge of golf course management and greater professionalism through education, research, exchange of practical experience, and the well-being of each individual member. 1990 Superintendent of the Year On January 8th at our Association's Annual Educational Semi­ nar, Mike Wallace, CGCS, was honored by his peers with the coveted annual Award of Superintendent of the Year. Mike, a veteran of many years in the golf course maintenance wars, truly exemplifies the meaning of the award. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts where he finished first in his class, he started his professional career as superintendent of the Blackledge Country Club in West Hartford, CT. Working for a municipality proved to be very beneficial in developing a need for organization and living by the rule of the day. After serving many successful years as superintendent at Blackledge, the call came from The Hopmeadow Country Club in Simsbury, CT, where Mike at this time still resides as super­ intendent. In recent years, many of you who have played Hop­ meadow, have witnessed all of the refurbishing that has been un­ derway on the golf course under his direction. This being such a formidable task teste the integrity and dedication of one in such a position. As we all know, even the day-to-day activities in maintaining a golf course can be tiresome, but add in many hours of planning, meetings and yes - sitting on a bulldozer him­ self, Mike has managed to come through with flying colors. Mike has also exhibited his leadership qualities on the "association front". He has served the Connecticut superinten­ dents as a board member and past president (1982-1983) for over 17 years. After his term as immediate past president was done, Mike came to the rescue of CAGCS by taking on the reigns of the Treasurer's duties. Through his dedicated work ethic and need for detail, he put CAGCS's finances to a point where we are a very solvent association. Mike also has made his mark on the "national front" and has served on GCSAA committees, includ­ ing membership services and public relations. Mike also made a by for election as director of GCSAA back in 1987. After a strong first showing, Mike was narrowly defeated in a close elec­ tion. In this writer's opinion, the only one who lost in this election was GCSAA. Mike believes in this Association and has always had the desire to serve his fellow man and colleague. k What’s Inside? Congratulations Mike Wallace! Superintendent of the Year January Seminar Grass Catcher Meet the Board Members Posting Update The award, whose recipient is determined by a mail-in vote from all voting members, is given annually to a CAGCS member who has shown exemplary skills in managing a golf facility; one who has been a Class A CAGCS member for a minimum of five years; and one who has devoted his or her time in an effort to help benefit fellow superintendents and local associations. January Seminar Keeping Members Informed Posting regulations, computers, pesticide injections, disease diagnostic kits and water efficiency were some of the many sub­ jects covered at the annual CAGCS winter seminar held at the Ramada Inn in Meriden. A group of over 115 concerned superin­ tendents and the like were in attendance for a very informative and educational day. Don Kiley, Executive Director of PPUC, and Greg Piontek from DEP highlighted the day with their presentations of the new posting laws which were recently adopted by the Connecticut Legislature and are in effect as of December 1,1990s We also heard from Dr. James Watson of the Toro Company, a very distinguished speaker, on the importance of the water that we use on our golf courses and how we should begin to regulate it as it is a precious resource. Dr. Pat Vittum talked about her research in the new avenue of pesticide injection. Duane Patton, CGCS, introduced his topic - computers in golf course man­ agement. We also had Kim Trella from the Waste Management Department who briefed us on the upcoming recycling laws that we will all have to adhere to. The program was not only well attended, but well organized by Dave Stimson and his committee of Peter Pierson and Carl Wallace. Thank you, Dave, for another successful seminar. I am sure we will all be looking forward to next year’s agenda. A very attentive audience. Dr. Watson of the Toro Company Grass Catcher HOW EPCRA WORKS IN CONNECTICUT As a response to growing concerns ibout the effects of chemical releases on communities, the U. S. Congress enaged the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To- Know Act (EPCRA) in 1986. The act supports state and local emer­ gency planning efforts and provides citizens and local governments with information concerning potential chemical hazards present in their communities by requiring reports from businesses — including golf courses — that deal with hazardous chemicals. Connecticut has enacted a law pro­ viding for both workers and commu­ nity right-to-know, requiring speci­ fied employers to provide chemical information to the fire department and permitting the state fire marshal to conduct on-site inspections. The state Department of Labor administers the law, which covers all employers who use, store, produce or dispose of hazardous substances. Golf course operations must pro­ vide the local fire marshal with the following chemical information: • chemical name, • chemical hazard class, • units of measure, • Department of Transportation (DOT) number, • on-site substance location, • copies of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for all hazardous substances. Local fire marshals are responsible | for distributing hazardous substance [ information to fire protection person­ nel in each town, city or borough under their jurisdiction. Golf facilities also must notify water companies that own or maintain well fields or reservoirs on the watersheds where facilities are located of any exist­ ing hazards, provided the water company has submitted a written request for the information. Employers not in compliance with the law are liable for civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. An addi­ tional $1,000 may be assessed for each day a violation continues. excluded. Heslin had a word for homeowners as well. "As of October 1,1990, you should contract for lawn sprinkler installations only with prop­ erly licensed contractors. Just call 566-3290 and ask whether the contrac­ tor is indeed licensed to do this work. The examination for the license took place in September, 1990. Con­ tractors and journeymen interested in taking the exam should contact the Occupational Licensing Division at 566-3290 or write to: Department of Consumer Protection, Occupational Licensing Division, Room G5, State Office Building, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT, 06106. NEW LAW CALLS FOR LICENSING OF LAWN SPRINKLER INSTALLERS Help Wanted The Connecticut Clippings is ac­ tively looking for committee members I to be responsible for taking pictures at meetings and functions; advertising I agent to pursue new advertisements for j the Clippings; and a person to help activate a "Superintendent Forum" column. I am pleased to inform that Jeff J Rogers was the first brave soul to vol­ unteer his services on behalf of the ! Connecticut Clippings. Jeff has already been active in taking pictures and has recently contributed an article which is published in this issue on page 5. Looking forward to hearing from more of you who may have a few min­ utes a month to spare for a worthy cause. Contact John Streeter at 387-6286 or 387-1892 for further information. If you install lawn sprinkler systems in residential, commercial or industrial property, a new public act requires you to be licensed by the State Plumbing Board as of October 1,1990. According to Consumer Protection Commissioner Mary M. Heslin, Public Act No. 90-194 requires all contractors and journeymen who perform this work to be licensed through her Department s Occupational Licensing Division which includes the Plumbing Board. In the past, such work fell under the definition of home improvement and in­ dividuals had to hold a valid Home Im­ provement Contractor's Registration in order to legally perform the work. Hes­ lin explained that the new lawn sprink­ ler contractors and journeymen s license will take the place of the home im­ provement contractor's registration to perform lawn sprinkler work. Heslin added that there will be no "grandfather clause" for licensing. In­ stallations on agricultural property are - 3 - Meet the Board Members This is the first of a series of biographies about the people who serve as officers and directors of the Connecticut Superintendents' Association. We will profile three or four board members each issue until we have covered all members. President Thomas Watroba Education Chairman Dave Stimson, CGCS Tom became the golf course superin­ tendent at Suffield Country Club in September, 1979, where he still resides. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Tom's first job out of school was that of the assistant superintendent at Winchendon Golf Club in Winchendon, MA. After a brief stay, Tom moved on to become the superintendent at the Forest Park Country Club in 1977. He became in­ terested in the game of golf while he was learning to caddy and play the game. Although his father was a scratch golfer, Tom soon realized that he would never become the player that his father was, and decided that the golf course maintenance avenue was the way to go. Tom joined CAGCS in 1980 and be­ came a board member in November of 1983. Tom served as membership chairman, secretary, long-range plan­ ning chairman, vice president and now President, serving his second term. His desire to serve on the board is fueled by a combination of reasons, in­ cluding contributing to our profession in a positive way, and he wants to have a chance at changing some aspects of CAGCS about which he feels very strongly. He feels the association should provide educational opportuni­ ties, promote comradery and good will among its members and also establish effective communication between its members and the leaders of the association. Dave Stimson has been the golf course superintendent at Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield, CT, for the past 22 years, where he also served as assistant superintendent from 1963 to 1969. He has been a CAGCS member for 23 years and has served on the board of governors for 15 years. David has held the positions of education chairman, secretary/treasurer, president and past president He feels that giving something back to the association and also the fact that he enjoys it are some of the things that have inspired him to serve our associa­ tion. Keeping the membership informed on changing professional and educational meetings and seminars is one of the ser­ vices David feels an association should provide for its members. Commercial Rep Stephanie Zanieski Stephanie Zanieski has been a sales representative for the Cadwell & Jones Company for the past three years. She got involved in the turf industry in a round-about way. She originally had in­ tended to major in landscape contracting at Penn State. While attending school, the contracting curriculum was never implemented. Therefore, she became in­ volved in horticulture. - 4 - PARTAC TOP-DRESSING GOLF COURSE AMERICA'S PREMIUM TOP-DRESSING HEAT TREATED DISTRIBUTED IN | & B TRUCKING 1-800-247-2326 I AVAILABLE IN BULK OR BAGS I I WESTCHESTER & FAIRFIELD BY: I I JAMES CARRIERE & SONS I I ELSEWHERE IN CONN. BY: I AGWAY/PROLAWN PRODUCTS I I I VALLEY FARMS NURSERY I I ,____________ _____________ JOE BIDWELL 203-651-8555 STEVE KOTOWICZ 914-937-5479 203-792-3032 Stephanie did her internship with (he Mobay Corporation and spent two summers calling oh golf courses and lawn care companies. This spawned her interest in turf upon graduation. Although new to the board of gov­ ernors, this being her second term, Stephanie has proved to be a refreshing and valuable addition to the board of governors. Stephanie feels that keep­ ing the members abreast of new infor­ mation regarding new products in the turf industry and changes in the laws are some of the important services that we should provide. She states that she is "just a committee-type of person." She has been a member of CAGCS for two years, and this is her first experience as a board member of an association. Conference to stress superintendent's environmental protector role "Green Education" for golf course superintendents will be in the spotlight at the 62nd International Golf Course Confer­ ence and Show held in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 5 - 12, 1991. Thousands of superintendents and other turfgrass pro­ fessionals will attend more than 40 educational sessions at the conference, many of which will focus on sound environ­ mental practices. New for this year's conference is an in-depth Environmental Management Program (EMP) developed by GCSAA that al­ lows superintendents an opportunity to gain specialized in­ struction in six environmental areas: Integrated Plant Man­ agement; Underground Storage Tanks (USTs); Employee Safety and Right-To-Know; Water Quality and Application; Golf Course Development; and Storage, Disposal and Recy­ cling. The EMP lets superintendents earn "specialist" certifi­ cates in each of the above areas. In order to achieve "specialist" status, a superintendent must successfully com­ plete as many as seven courses designed specifically for a par­ ticular area. Three EMP seminars - "Protection of Water Resources", "Scouting, Sampling and Monitoring Golf Course Pests" and (continued on page 8) 82nd Annual \ * International \ Golf Course * Conference iHlIlBlIBISI & Show February 5-12, 1991 Las Wgas, Nevada Conference to offer international events International turfgrass managers will be able to take advantage of special edu­ cational and informational opportuni­ ties. For the first time ever, GCSAA will present a special Japanese educa­ tional session which will be presented in English and simultaneously translat­ ed into Japanese. The session's agenda includes a pro­ file of U.S. golf course superinten­ dents, an overview of warm-season turf­ grass disease control and an introduc­ tion to GCSAA and its benefits for po­ tential Japanese members. A panel dis­ cussion will conclude the program. The Japanese ducational session, which will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, will be open to all GCSAA Conference and Show registrants. The Las Vegas Conference and Show will also be the site for the second an­ nual International Golf/Turfgrass Round Table sponsored by GCSAA. Leaders of golf course superintendents’ and greenkeepers' associations in 18 countries have been invited to meet with GCSAA leaders to discuss com­ mon problems, opportunites and goals. The first International Golf/Turfgrass Round Table was held at the 1990 GCSAA Conference and Show in Or­ lando, Florida. At that meeting, partic­ ipants from GCSAA and national asso­ ciations from 10 different countries dis­ cussed the environmental challenges that face golf course managers around the world. - 7 - International Conference Future GCSAA & Show Sites 1992 New Orleans, Louisiana 1993 Anaheim, California (Continued from page 7. "underground Storage Tank Selection and Installation" -- will premier at this year's conference. The 1991 one and two-day environ­ mental seminars in Las Vegas include: • Developing Your Hazard Communication Program • Safe Pesticide Management • Water Quality and Irrigation Scheduling • Integrated Pest Management • Protection of Water Resources • Environmental Considerations in Golf Course Management CAGCS NOTES • Underground Storage Tank Selection and Installation • Scouting, Sampling and Monitoring Golf Course Pests Because of the importance of groundwater protection and new Envi­ ronmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, GCSAA is hosting a spe­ cial UST symposium at 1:00 p.m., Monday, February 11. Donald E. Heam, CGCS, a GCSAA past presi­ dent, will serve as moderator for a panel discussion and question-and- answer period. The panel will feature Robert Klitz, superintendent at Inverrary Country Club in Coral Springs, Florida; Ed Kettenbrink, Ph.D., senior consultant at Advanced Environmental specialists; Robert Yoos, environmental scientist at Franklin Associates; Lee Daniels, representative from EPA's Region VII; and Richard Shanks, president of Jar­ dine Insurance Brokers of Kansas City. The panel will discuss UST selec­ tion, installation, closure and monitor­ ing. Information will be presented on legal requirements that affect an esti­ mated 85% of all golf facilities. Posting is now law’!! Have you paid your 1991 membership dues? As of now, we still have some member who have not paid their 1991 membership dues! All dues notices (and second notices) have been sent out. Anyone who has not received a dues notice should con­ tact John Streeter (387-1892 or 387- 6286). The 1991 Membership Cards are in the process of being prepared and will shortly be forwarded to all members who have paid their 1991 dues. The 1991 Green Book will be going to print in the near future. If you have not paid your member­ ship dues and/or returned the informa­ tion sheet, you will not be inserted in the 1991 Green Book. In case you have not heard, the Connecticut Legislature, after many hours of review and political rhetoric, has finally adopted and passed the pesticide posting and notification laws for all pesticide users in Connecticut. In short, what these laws mean is that if you apply pesticides you must post. Different regulations have been set accordingly for the various groups of applicators (golf courses, commercial applicators, homeowners). Thanks to the efforts of PPUC, the regulations for golf courses are pretty straight forward. Generally, golf courses will have to post at point of registration at the first and tenth tees. The sign for posting must also meet certain criteria. It must state (1) Pesticides have been applied within the last 24 hours; (2) It must indicate the areas to which pesticides have been applied; and (3) It must provide a contact person in case any­ one would like some information on the pesticide that was used that particular day. The sign itself must also be of a certain size and be posted to certain dimensions. All of the regulations are available from DEP. If you have not obtained a copy as of yet, you may do so by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT, 06115 (566-5599). - 8 - The annual GCSAA convention is the biggest show on earth for golf course management professionals. It’s your chance to meet your peers from all over the world, exchange views, make invaluable contacts and discover what’s new in techniques, equipment, products and theory. It’s the largest trade show in golf course management, with booths by virtually every supplier in the business. And it’s a learning experi­ ence, too, with sessions and presentations by leading industry specialists, progressive fellow superintendents and outstanding university researchers. Once a year it’s the one place to be for anybody who cares about keeping golf green. WE KEEP GOLF GREEN. 913-841-2240 The Clippings ___________Calendar____________ CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS j DATE EVENT February 4 -12 GCSAA International Conference & Show LOCATION Las Vegas, Nevada March 5, 6 & 7 Massachusetts Turfgrass Conference & Show Civic Center Springfield, MA HOST GCSAA MA Turf & Lawn Grass Association GCSA of NE U/Mass/Amherst CAGCS March TBA April TBA May TBA CAGCS Monthly Meeting Ramada Inn Meriden, CT CAGCS Monthly Meeting New Haven Country Club New Haven, CT Jim MacDonald CAGCS Monthly Meeting Hartford Golf Club Hartford, CT Herb Watson June 25 CAGCS Annua! Invitational Tournament Woodbridge Country Club Woodbridge, CT John F. Streeter July TBA CAGCS Monthly Meeting Willimantic Country Club Willimantic, CT Steve Rackliffe CAGCS Thanks the Following Patrons for Their Continued^uppor£jaf our J^s ociation Alpine Tree Care, Inc. 44 Slocum St., Norwalk, CT 769 N. Mountain Rd., Newington, CT Ken Clear (847-1855) Alan Carey (953-1776) Anderson Turf Irrigation, Inc. 5 Cronk Road, P. O. Box 7036 Plainville, CT 06062 Jesse J. Anderson, Jr. (203) 747-9911 Breudan Corp, of Connecticut John Deere Golf Equipment Bolton, CT 06040 Scott Lowe, Frank Savakis & Jeff McDowell (203)647-1774 Cadwell & Jones P. O. Box G, Buckland Street Manchester, CT 06040 Stephanie A. Zanieski (203) 643-0644 The Cardinals, Inc. 166 River Road Unionville, CT 06085 John Callahan (203) 673-3699 Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Wethersfield, CT 06109 Roy Sibley, Bob Kennedy Ron Holcomb, Roger Barrett (203) 529-2537 Country Club Cars of N.E. 10 Shoreham Road, P. O. Box 464 East Windsor, CT 06088 Dick Kaupin - Dick Mather (203) 623-3871 Earth Works Custom Deep Aerification Service Old Greenwich, CT 06870 Patrick Lucas, CGCS (203) 698-0030 East Haven Landscape Products 10 Mill Street East Haven, CT 06512 Bud Escola (203) 467-6260 Egypt Farms, Inc. Golf Green Topdressing (800) 899-7645 (Soil) The Terry Co. (201) 473-3393 Metro Milorganite (914) 666-3171 Fairway Landscapers, Inc. Green, Tee, Bunker Construction South Glastonbury, CT 06073 Walter Vami (203) 633-1273 Glenmore Landscape Service RR3, Box 199 Pound Ridge, NY 10576 Glenn S. Moore (914) 764-4348 Imperial Nurseries Horticultural Distribution Center Granby, CT 06035 John Perrotti, Jr. (203) 653-4541 James Carriere & Sons, Inc. Trap Sand - Partac Topdressing Port Chester, NY 10573 Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136 Larchmont Eng. & Irrig. Co. Box 66, Larchmont Lane Lexington, MA 02173 Steve Butler (617) 862-2550 Lesco, Inc. 20005 Lake Road Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Mike Donahue (800) 825-3726 The Magovern Company Windsor Locks, CT 06096 Carl Wallace - Peter Moran (203) 623-2508 - Windsor Locks (203) 348-8211 - Stamford Mantek 12 Bradley Street Branford, CT 06405 Bob Reinhold (203) 481-4321 Metro Milorganite 365 Adams Street Bedford Hills, NY 10507 Joe Stahl (914)666-3171 Nor-Am Chemical Company 311 Carriage Drive Kensington, CT 06037 David Sylvester (203) 828-8905 O. M. Scott & Sons Proturf Division Marysville, OH 43041 A1 Arison (203) 336-9890 Old Fox Chemical, Inc. 249 Shaker Road, P. O. Box 2287 Enfield, CT 06082 Mike Dukette (203) 684-9426 Partac Topdressing Great Meadows, NJ 07838 (800) 247-2326/(201) 637-4191 Golf Course Top-Dressing, Construction Mixes, and Tennis Court Supplies Pipe & Irrigation Equipment 243 Woodmont Road, P. O. Box 3049 Milford, CT 06460 Paul J. Roche (203) 878-0658 Pro-Lawn Products, Inc. 30 Nashville Road Bethel, CT 06801 Stephen M. Kotowicz (203) 792-3032 Shawnmark Products for Industry Warwick, RI 02888 Matt Howland (401) 295-1673 Terre Co. of NJ 206 Delawanna Avenue Clifton, NJ 07014 Byron Johnson, Jr. W-(201)473-3893; H-748-5069 Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc. Wamertown Road West Suffield, CT 06093 Skip Deubel (800) 243-7582 Turf Products Corporation 157 Moody Rd., P. O. Box 2576 Enfield, CT 06082 John Ferry, Mark Loper (203) 763-3581 Turf Specialty, Inc. 60 Merrimack Street Hooksett, NH 03106 Dave Schermerhom (603) 485-7866 Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. P. O. Box 198 Lincolndale, NY 10540 Bob Lippman (914) 248-7476 Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc. 240 Griswold Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 Donald Grant (203) 529-6869