CONNECTICUT- CLIPPINGS Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents Devoted to sharing knowledge and experience for better turf September, 1992 Volume 26, No. 3 CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS President Steven L. Rackliffe, CGCS Vice President John F. Streeter, CGCS Secretary Treasurer Immediate Philip Neaton John Motycka Thomas Watroba Past President Directors & Committee Chairpersons Scholarship & Research Public Relations Education Membership Newsletter Golf & PPUC Social & Welfare Rep. to the Board David Stimson, CGCS Robert Chalifour, CGCS Peter Lewis John Napieracz, CGCS John F. Streeter, CGCS Peter Pierson Brian Skelly Peter Hull Connecticut Clippings is an official publication of The Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents. Newsletter John F. Streeter, CGCS, Editor The object of this Association is to encourage | increased knowledge of golf course management and j greater professionalism through education, research, I exchange of practical experience, and the well-being of ; each individual member. What's Inside? Grass Catcher......................... Championship Results............ PPUC Reports........................ 3 4 5 Living on the Golf Course By Charlie Cross, Superintendent Meadow Brook Club Long Island, NY Charles Cross, a long-time friend and colleague of mine, in addition to being the Editor of the Hole Nine Yards, the official publication of the Long Island GCSA, wrote an article which appeared in their February, 1992, issue. Being a superintendent in the same situation, the article tickled me enough that I felt it was worth sharing with you. Many golf course superintendents throughout the Northeast and Mid-Adantic sections of the country live in homes on the golf course at which they work. These homes, owned by the club, are part of the compensation package that the golf course superintendent receives. I have been a golf course superinten­ dent for eleven years and each one of those years has been spent living on the golf course. There are many positive aspects to living on the golf course and they far outweigh the negative aspects. Living on the golf course provides my family with a great environment What a tremendous 'backyard' we have. My chil­ dren (Gretchen 8 1/2 years old, Brandon 3 1/2 years old) have the chance to see wildlife in scenarios that other children would never see. Baby fox coming out of their den in early evening... A mother snapping turtle laying her eggs in a sand trap... Watching hawks fly overhead and occasionally seeing a great homed owl perched in a tree... Seeing rabbits and countless varieties of birds in their natural habitat. All these experiences have helped my children gain an appreciation for nature that will be with them the rest of their lives. Our backyard' is a quiet place with no noisy or obnoxious neighbors. It's a beautiful place to observe the seasons come and go. Being able to go out our back door and in no time be walking with my family on a beautiful piece of property makes me realize how lucky we are. Living on the golf course puts me closer to my work. No commuting and no fighting traffic on a daily basis. Going back to the golf course after dinner doesn't take a long time. After dinner my kids are usually asking me at what time or how soon are we going out on the golf course? They love it. Cruising around the golf course with me is quality time we spend together. My son, Brandon, peed in the woods on the golf course for the first time last summer. Now all he wants to do is pee in the woods. I can easily check employees who may be working late. We do a good amount of late afternoon and early evening mowing of fairways. Being close allows me to check on the mowing (continued from page 1.) and help out if there are any small problems. Many times I'll go home for lunch. I enjoy having lunch with my family and take advantage of it when possible. There are some negative points to living on the golf course. When I go home at the end of the day, I'm still on the property. Not physically being away from work can grate on you at times. I've learned to block out those feelings. Many times my wife, Lynda, and I will agree it's time for a quick change of scenery. We'll grab the kids and spend some quality time together away from the golf course. It's impor­ tant to get away occasionally. I've heard some people comment that by living in a house supplied by the golf club that you're not building equity. Buy a home or apartment else­ where. Rent it out. Make sure you are putting money away on a yearly basis for that time when you change jobs or when your children are ready for college. Having a house that is poorly situat­ ed on club property can lead to a lack of privacy and some thoughtless golfer may hurl out a few comments about the golf course. This type of incident has happened and it emphasizes that privacy is extremely important. The membership should respect your privacy and in most cases will. Not having neighbors for my chil­ dren to play with could pose a prob­ lem. Not with us. We import friends of our children to come over and spend the day. We also export our children to their friends' houses. It works out great One example of the type of fun we have living on the golf course would be the "annual Cross Family October- fest". We invite 25 to 30 kids and their parents for an afternoon of barbe­ cuing, bobbing for apples, carving pumpkins, biting apples on a string and the highlight of the day the hay ride. I hook up a tractor and a trailer. The trailer is filled with straw and we drive the children and adults around the golf course. Everybodty has a ball. They talk about it for weeks. It's great fun. My family and I enjoy living on the golf course. The club I work for pro­ vides us with a beautiful home in a great surrounding. I'm fortunate to be able to work for such a fine club as the Meadow Brook Club. The club respects our privacy and is genuinely concerned about the security and happi­ ness of me and my family. I wouldn't trade living where we are now for any­ thing. Editor's Comment Since moving to Connecticut, I, too, have also been afforded housing accom­ odations with my past two clubs. I feel it is important not to sacrifice salary when negotiating a compensa­ tion package. I have enjoyed the many benefits of living near the golf course, and I believe that my membership has bene­ fited as well. I must say "Yes, living on the golf course is a commodity that I have sur­ prisingly enjoyed. THE STEPHEN B. CHURCH COMPANY P. O. BOX 67 SEYMOUR, CT 06483 Telephone: (203) 888-2132 Fax: (203) 888 1863 Irrigation Wells Packaged Pumping Systems Well & Pump Maintenance - 2 - EGYPT Sterilized FARMS Top Dressing WHITE MARSH, MO (301) 335-3700 1-80O-899-SOIL (7645) EGYPT FARMS EXCLUSIVE! All top dressing ingredients are thorough­ ly mixed and sterilized by indirect heat in ourspecial process. The sand particlesare actually coated with a mixture of top soil and peat humus for a completely homoge­ nous mixture that will not separate during handling and spreading. Egypt Farms top dressing is formulated especially for your area to specifications recommended by leading universities and testing laboratories. • Computerized blending of soil mix­ tures for a superior growing medium. • Custom on-site soil blending and testing with a portable computerized blender to meet your specifications. • Bunker Sands • Mulch • Canadian Sphagnum Peat The Terre Co. (201)473-3393 Distributed by: Metro-Milorganite, Inc. (914)666-3171 PARTAC GOLF COURSE TOP-DRESSING PLUS GREEN & TEE CONSTRUCTION MIXES, WHITE TRAP SANDS, CART PATH & DIVOT REPAIR MIXES U.S. GOLF HOLE TARGETS (WHITE OR OPTIC YELLOW/ AND MUCH MORE! DISTRIBUTED IN CT BY: JAMES CARRIERE & SONS 914-937-5476 914-937-2136 VALLEY FARMS SUPPLY 203-651-8555 800-247-2326 Grass Catcher CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS! Z7 FLORIDA GCSA sets up hurricane relief fund A relief fund for South Florida-area golf course maintenance employees, whose homes were destroyed or dam­ aged by Hurricane Andrew last week, has been established by the statewide Florida Golf Course Superintendents' Association. The fund was started with a $1,000 donation from Palm Beach GCSA, and offers of help have also been received from Carolinas GCSA and Georgia GCSA. The South Florida GCSA is respon­ sible for locating those employees hardest hit by the storm. Checks earmarked for the relief fund may be made payable to the FGCSA and mailed to their association office at 1760 Northwest Pine Lake Drive, Stuart, FL 34994. For further information, please contact Marie Roberts, Executive Secretary, FGCSA, (407) 692-9349. Upcoming Events You should have received your invita­ tion to the Annual Scholarship & Research Tournament scheduled for October 6th at the Avon Golf Club where Jim Medeiros, CGCS, is superin­ tendent. Our Association is fortunate to have a club such as Avon to host one of year's most important events. Jim Medeiros and Dave Stimson, S&R Chairperson, have ironed out all of the details for the day and we are looking forward to a premier event at the Avon Golf Club. All proceeds from this tournament go to our S & R Fund. In addition to this year's tournament, we will be offering raffle prizes with all proceeds going to the Robert Johnston Memorial Fund. We urge all participants to partake in the purchase of a $10 raffle ticket so that our Association may help make the lives of recently deceased Bob Johnston's family a little less burdensome. Slate of Officers Announced for 1993 Thomas Watroba, Nominating Chairman President John F. Streeter, CGCS Vice President Peter R. Pierson Treasurer John Motycka Secretary Philip Neaton The following people will be run­ ning for the two vacant spots on the Board of Directors: Brian Skelly Eric J. Cadenelli Jud W. Smith Mike Wallace, CGCS Members to vote on Amendments and Additions to CAGCS Bylaws Bylaws amendments and additions have been mailed to all voting mem­ bers (Class A, B, and A-Life). Please be sure to review any concerns you may have before the meeting and feel free to comment at the Annual Meeting. TEE AND GREEN SOD, INC. Specializing in Bentgrass and Fine Fescue Sod Dave Wallace 401/295-1870 (Home) 401/789-8177 (Office) P. O. Box 418 Exeter, RI 02822 401/789-3895 (FAX) - 3 - 413-637-2592 Mark Armstrong Verti-Drain Service / Armstrong ^lurf Care 56 Lime Kiln Road, Lenox, MA 01240 c Frank Lamphier captures CAGCS Championship Frank Lamphier, Jr., golf course superintendent at Aspetuck Valley Country Club, stroked his way to the Association’s low gross championship. Frank fired rounds of 74 and 83, respectively, at the Wallingford Country Club, site of the May meeting, and at Cliffside Country Club in June where the final round was held. Scott Gennings and Scott Ramsay, superintendents of our host clubs, provided the members in attendance with out­ standing course conditions and an enjoyable day. In the 0 to 11 flight, Paul Jamrog, superintendent of the Orchard Club, captured the low net prize posting scores of 70/75 for a total of 145. Mike Ovian from Tallwood was the low gross winner in the 12 to 23 flight firing scores of 85/80 for a total of 165. The net winner in the 12 to 23 flight was Ed Lamphier firing 65/70 for a total of 135. Scott Gennings, host of the May meeting, captured the low gross prize in the 24 to 36 handicap flight with a sizzling 95/96. In this flight we had a tie for the low net with Jon Case from Rolling Hills and A1 Adaskaveg from Rockledge with a hard fought 160 net. I say these boys should "play off. In the Senior flight, Dick Cook, Hunter Golf Course, finally won a prize as he played his way to the low gross crown firing 87/90 for a total of 177. Bob Kennedy from Chas C. Hart, captured the net prize with a 75/79, total of 154. Last, but certainly not least, in our Affiliate Division, Jim Staszowski of Turf Products Corp., captured the low gross prize by posting an outstanding 75/75, 150, and Mike Dukette, Pro Lawn Company, captured the low net, ha... ha...ha..., with a 76/71, 147. Congratulations to all winners!!! Met Area Team Qualifiers The following CAGCS members have qualified to repre­ sent our Association in the Met Area Team Championships to be held October 5th at the Country Club of Farmington. Peter Lewis, host superintendent of this event, has a first- class day arranged for all participants. I am sure Peter will have his best shoes on as his club represents our Associa­ tion. Gross Team Mike Dukette Jim Staszowski Ward Weischet Peter Pierson Net Team Frank Lamphier, Jr. Paul Jamrog Mike Ovian Ed Lamphier A Continuing Tradition of Quality Seed, Turf &. Garden Supplies The Chas. C. Hart Seed Company 304 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06129-0169 1-800-326-HART Fax 203-563-7221 - 4 - FOR THE PERFECT PUTT PPUC Reports By Peter Pierson You've seen the Smooth Roll in action - grooming the greens at the following major events: ✓ PGA LAS VEGAS INVITATIONAL ✓ 1992 PGA-QUALIFIER 2nd ROUND ✓ CANADIAN SENIOR MENS ✓ AUSTRALIAN OPEN ✓ AUSTRALIAN MASTERS ✓ MITSUBISHI LPGA PRO-AM ✓ VICTORIA OPEN ✓ SOUTH AUSTRALIAN OPEN ✓ AUSTRALIAN PGA PPUC held a general membership meeting on July 9,1992 to vote on two motions of the Board - change of name and restructuring of dues. The new name of the organization is PPUC - The Environmental Industry • j . if Council. With Aquafier Protection Regulations being pointed at goli courses, Mike Wallace and I are working with Don Kiley of PPUC and Peter Gillan of the newly formed Club Associa­ tion to try to help get regulations approved which are based on factual data, not emotions, and which are reasonably rea­ listic (financially). The restructuring of dues saw the membership fee for all golf courses to be $100. The dues will be effective with the 1992-1993 fiscal year beginning in October, 1992. Westchester Ford Tractor, Inc. Goldens Bridge, New York 10526 Meadow Street (914) 232-7746 SOIL SHREDDING ON YOUR SITE GCSAA offers technical training for your spray technician ... GCSAA is offering a seminar to be held in various loca­ tions throughout the country concerning hands-on learning for your spray technician. Seminar participants will learn the principles of effective sprayer operations, safety procedures and gain exposure to calibration and application methods. Registration information was sent to all GCSAA members in the August issue of Newsline. Anyone wishing to enroll a staff member should return the registration information as soon as possible or contact GCSAA, Education Department, (913) 832-4444. Seminars in our area October 7,1992 Woods Hole Golf Club Falmouth, MA March 16,1993 Hartford Golf Club Hartford, CT It makes economical sense to turn compost and waste soils into 1-800-992-8649 • (203) 723-2740 fine graded topsoil GRASSHOPPER LAWNS, INC. The Clippings ____________Calendar______________ CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS DATE EVENT LOCATION HOST September 22 CAGCS Monthly Meeting Greenwich Country Club Greenwich, CT Gregory Wojick, CGCS October 6 CAGCS Scholarship & Research Tournament Golf Club of Avon Avon, CT James Medeiros, CGCS October 13 Rain Date Oct. 14 Professional Turfgrass Field Day Westchester Country Club Rye, New York Met GCSA October 19 CAGCS Monthly Meeting Country Club of Torrington Torrington, CT Edward Goodhouse November 10 December TBA January 23 - 31 1993 CAGCS Annual Meeting Rock Ridge Country Club Newtown, CT Robert Welch CAGCS Christmas Party GCSAA Golf Championship -and- Conference & Show Old Lyme Country Club CAGCS Golf Championship San Diego, CA Conference & Show Anaheim, CA GCSAA CAGCS Thanks the Following Patrons for Their Continued Support of our Association Anderson Turf Irrigation, Inc. 5 Cronk Rd., P.O. Box 7036 Plainville, CT 06062 Jesse J. Anderson, Jr. (203) 747-9911 Imperial Nurseries 713 Pigeon Hill Road Windsor, CT 06095 Karl Novak - Bruce Adams (203) 688-0598 Bruedan Corp. 25 West Street Bolton, CT 06043 Scott Lowe - Frank Savakis (203) 647-1774 The Cardinals, Inc. P.O. Box 520, 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 - (800) 432-SEED D & S Floratine Products, Reveal Test Kits Precision Small Engine Co., Flymo Dave Basconi (203) 250-TURF James Carriere & Sons, Inc. 7 Cottage St., Port Chester, NY Trap Sand - Partac Topdressing Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136 Larchmont Eng. & Irrig. Co. Box 66, Larchmont Lane Lexington, MA 02173 Steve Butler (914) 862-2550 Lesco, Inc. 20005 Lake Road Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Mike Donahue (800) 321-5325 Lofts Seed, Inc. Chimney Rock Road Bound Brook, NJ 08805 Paul Bednarczyk (800)526-3890 or (203)421-4641 Eastern Land Management, Inc. Golf Course Renovation, Hydro/Aeration Serv. Shelton, CT 06484 Bruce T. Moore, Sr. (800) 926-GREEN Nor-Am Chemical Company 311 Carriage Drive Kensington, CT 06037 David Sylvester (203) 828-8905 Purple Kings Farm Golf Green Topdressing Williamstown, MA 01267 Ralph Mason Bus: (413)458-4646 Home(413)458-3184 Reichert Company P. O. Box 273, Riverside, CT 06878 Petroleum Products Frank X. Reichert (203) 637-2958 Shawnmark Industries, Inc. Specialty Products & Service Warwick, RI 02888 Matt Howland (24 hours a day) (401) 295-1673 Terre Co. 206 Delawanna Avenue Clifton, NJ 07014 Byron Johnson, Jr. H-(203) 748-5069/W-(201) 473-3393 Toelles Road Sand & Gravel Co. 29 Toelles Road Wallingford, CT 06492 Hal Kraus - Bruce Imbt (203) 284-8552 Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc. West Suffield, CT 06093 Penncross ~ Bluegrass ~ Fescue ~ Rye Skip Deubel (800) 243-7582 Earth Works Deep Aerification Specialists Old Greenwich, CT 06870 Patrick Lucas, CGCS (203) 698-0030 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 RR 3, Box 285, Hackgreen Rd. Pound Ridge, NY 10576 Glenn S. Moore (914) 764-4348 O. M. Scott & Sons P. O. Box 286 Naugatuck, CT 06770 Steve DiVito (203) 723-5190 P.I.E. Supply Co. 243 Woodmont Rd., P.O. Box 3049 Milford, CT 06460 J. Anderson (203) 878-0658 Turf Products Corporation 157 Moody Rd., P. O. Box 2576 Enfield, CT John Ferry - Mark Loper (203) 763-3581 Turf Specialty, Inc. 15 Londonderry Road, Suite 3 Londonderry, NH 03053-3388 Dave Schermerhom (603) 437-0008 Partac Golf Course Top-Dressing Great Meadows, NJ 07838 (800) 247-2326/(908)637-4191 Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136 Joe Bidwell (203) 651-8555 Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. P. O. Box 198 Lincolndale, NY 10540 Bob Lippman (914) 248-7746 Pro-Lawn Products, Inc. Syracuse, NY Professional Turf Maintenance Stephen Kotowicz (203) 792-3032 Michael Dukette (203) 684-6242 Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc. 240 Griswold Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 Donald Grant W/(203) 529-6869 H/(203)225-9232