CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS Volume 54 | No. 3 December 2020 CAGCS 2021 Winter Seminar Turned Virtual Our annual education seminar was nothing like it ever has Steve McDonald, founder of Turfgrass Disease Solutions been before, we went virtual. The virtual seminar was spoke to us about Weed Control in Fine Turf Areas during attended by 97 members and supported by 15 commercial Wet and Warm Summers. Dr. Karl Guillard, University of sponsors. I would like to thank our presenting partner Connecticut finished our day asking for our help in Atlantic Golf and Turf as well as Silver sponsors; BASF, supporting his project, The Minimum Level for Sustainable Cardinals, Corteva, Dunning, Executive Turf Products, Finch, Nutrition (MLSN) Project for New England Golf Courses. Hunter, K&J Tree Service, Plant Food, Read Custom Soils, Hopefully we can all send him some soil samples and help Syngenta, Turf Products, US PitchCare and Valley Green. It is him out. the continued support of you, which makes our educational IN THIS I would like to also ISSUE: Chapin. Without thank GraceMarie event truly remarkable. her, this event would not have been as successful as it was. A special thanks goes out to speakers for not only sharing She was the guiding aforce keeping me on track with all the their expertise, but their flexibility with our event. When we curveballs that that were thrown our way. first embarked on planning this event we did not know b whether we would have the event in person or virtual. Dr. Doug Snyder, CGCS What's Inside This Issue: Michelle DaCosta, University of Massachusetts began our day c Tashua Knolls Golf Course President's Message ......................2 with her talk on Summer Stress in Cool-Season Turfgrass. d BMP News.....................................4-5 e Kevin's Corner ..............................6-7 Golf Results......................................8 f Grass Catcher .................................10 g NERFT .........................................12-13 h 2021Schedule of Events..................14 Board of Directors...........................14 Dr. Michelle DaCosta Steve McDonald Dr. Karl Guillard UConn/UMass Research............15-16 University of Maddachusettes Turfgrass Disease Solutions University of Connecticut DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT WRITTEN BY PAUL BONINI, CGSC PRESIDENT, CAGCS Happy New Year as we welcome 2021, we definitely had a historic year and one I will never forget. I can honestly say I believe my job saved my sanity this year and most years that is not true. Golf was a true success during 2020 as many if not all clubs saw record rounds, revenue, and golfer activity. This kept all of us very busy and as for me away from the television and watching the news updates every hour! It goes without saying we had our help along the way and we will always be appreciative to the help and guidance we received last year from CSGA’s Executive Director Michael Moraghan and Michael Dugan from Capitol Consulting LLC. If nothing else 2020 showed our dedication, versatility, and creativity to get the job done; three characteristics needed in any superintendent so it did not surprise me we persevered. I hope I have given you a glimpse over this year as to what CAGCS stands for and who we There were a lot of great stories this past year and I would like to represent and more importantly who highlight a couple. Connecticut joined the list and helped represents us. I begin a final year on the board, complete the goal from GCSAA as we published the state’s BMP a trip I started back in 2005. I have worked document. I want to thank all members who helped complete with so many talented and inspiring this goal, Robert Dorsch, CGCS for chairing the committee, and superintendents along the way and Gina Rizzi along with her team at Radius Sports Group. It was a have always taken a little experience along with great team effort. We also learned of Marc Weston, CGCS decision me. Will I still be active? Yes, but CAGCS also to pursue a position on GCSAA Board of Directors. A true needs your voice. You will be hearing from the commitment to our industry and CAGCS has your back on this current board as we will be looking for new next “walk” in your career. We wish you all the best and you have CAGCS members to participate, volunteer our support. some time, and continue the tradition of having one of the strongest associations out there. I The CAGCS board and GraceMarie have been quite active over the have completely enjoyed my first year as winter and have put together a great year in front of you. We have CAGCS president and look forward to my recently completed our first and hopefully final virtual winter second year. seminar. Our thought of keeping the education commitment and Enjoy the off season and hope to see everyone tradition to our members drove us to find the way. Many thanks during our go to GraceMarie and Doug Snyder, CGCS for putting together a meetings. Stay safe, healthy, and very organized and technically flawless morning of education. positive. Thank you for your great work. You will see the schedule for Thanks. meetings soon and hope you can find time to participate in Paul Bonini. CGCS several if not all the events. CAGCS President DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 3 DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 4 Volume 54 | No. 3 December 2020 CAGCS Releases Best Management Practices We are happy to announce that the Connecticut The GCSAA, supported by the USGA and PGA Golf Industry Best Management Practices Guide TOUR, initially started the nationwide initiative by has been completed. We will be publishing the providing a base template. Our BMP steering guide on Tuesday, Nov 17, with a press release committee working along with Radius Sports going out from GCSAA nationally and locally. The Group (a sustainability consulting firm) guide will be loaded on the GCSAA website, in customized the content to address local needs, addition to our CAGCS site. We have a social media practices, and regulatory areas of importance. We campaign running in conjunction with the launch, engaged industryIN THIS ISSUE: regulators, and stakeholders, so please support the effort by sharing/liking on peers to review the guide. The efforts of these Twitter and Facebook.The guide provides an a folks (listed below) are greatly appreciated. Our overview of twelve best management practices b this state guide to help goal will be to utilize (BMPs) in golf course maintenance to support develop and implement individual facility BMPs in c environmental stewardship and optimal course 2021.The guide conveys the classic heritage, conditions in the state of Connecticut. Our goal is d environmental stewardship, and deep community to create and maintain courses that are roots of the CAGCS in an engaging format. Of e ecologically functional and healthy green spaces, special note - there is a foreword from Joe LaCava, demonstrating commitment to environmental f Caddie for Tiger Woods, and stewardship, the community, and the game. BMP Connecticut State Representative g guidelines provide a roadmap for our CAGCS David Arconti. members and a resource for stakeholders h including regulators, lawmakers, general managers, continued on page 5 our communities, members, and guests. DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 5 CAGCS Releases Best Management Practices continued from page 4 CT Golf Industry BMP Guide Contributors & Reviewers: David Arconti, Connecticut State Representative and The below links include an e-magazine which is best Energy + Tech Chair Candace Bartholomew, Pesticide Use for viewing electronically, In addition to a and GMOs, Cooperative Extension, UConn, O&T/GCS Chris downloadable PDF. We will be using it for meetings Bellucci, Supervising Environmental Analyst, Bureau of with legislators at National Golf Day as well. Water Protection and Land Reuse, CT DEEP, Kevin Doyle, GCSAA Northeast Field Representative, Corrine Fitting, Please take a look! Supervising Environmental Analyst, Water Planning & Management Division, CT DEEP, Tim Gerrish, Landscape CAGCS BMP Guide E-Magazine Architect and Golf Course Architect Mike Huck, Water https://issuu.com/arcusmarketinggroup/docs/cagcs_bmphan Quality/Irrigation Consultant, former USGA Agronomist dbook-final-highres John Hudak, Environmental Planning Manager, South CAGCS BMP Guide Downloadable PDF: Central CT Regional Water Authority Traci Lott, Supervising cagcs.com/news Environmental Analyst, CT DEEP, Diane Jorsey, Supervising Environmental Analyst, Pesticide Management Division, CT CT Golf Industry BMP Guide Steering Committee & DEEP, Joe LaCava, Caddie to Tiger Woods, Kevin Miele, Authors: Robert Dorsch, CGCS, Superintendent, Richter Park Turfgrass Research Assistant at U Conn, Mike Moraghan, Golf Course; Steering Committee Chair Gina Rizzi, President, Executive Director, CSGA Tim Moraghan, Owner of Aspire- Golf, Past Chief Agronomist of the USGA. Eric Morrison, Radius Sports Group; Steering Committee Co-Chair Paul Golf Course Superintendent, Shennecossett Golf Course, Bonini, CGCS, Superintendent, Watertown Golf Club, CAGCS Nisha Patel, Assistant Director, Waste Engineering and President; Andy Fries, CGCS, Superintendent, H.B. Brownson Enforcement Division, Stormwater Staff, CT DEEP Justin Country Club; Scott E. Niven, CGCS, Property Manager, The Williams, Sanitary Engineer, Waste Engineering and Stanwich Club; Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, Superintendent, Enforcement Division, CT DEEP, Fairview Country Club; Doug Snyder, CGCS, Director of Golf CT Golf Industry BMP Guide Foreword Written By :David Course Properties, Tashua Knolls Golf Course Arconti, Connecticut State Representative and Energy + Tech Chair Joe LaCava, Caddie for Tiger Woods DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 6 KEVIN'S KORNER With autumn passed by and the agronomic practices in the It's very crucial to plan how your company newsletter will come to life. Will you be assigning the writing tasks to your employees who are good with words or hiring an off-site emplyee for the task? Who will provide the images? Will these be sourced by human resources or will a The Assistant Superintendent Certificate rearview mirror, the frosty and snowy mornings are the norm and Series is composed of certificates covering key professional photographer will be designated for it? These are just some of the many questions you need to answer. Once you have made the relevant decisions and have your newsletter's editorial team built, brainstorm on the content you will share. Since a company newsletter can serve a variety of purposes, ensure the messages you will staff numbers have lightened. Planning projects may be publish are aligned with your objective. competency areas of: Don't hold back on light materials too, such as comics, fun photos from your company vacation, or inside jokes written in good taste. Some comic relief is a great way to keep readers interested! part of a larger master plan for the facility. These are great tools to ensure the projects undertaken by the · Agronomy club are done in a fiscally responsible manner and keep progress · Business moving forward on a schedule. A very beneficial undertaking · Leadership and Communications for the facility, but what impact does that have in your · Environmental Stewardship department? While budgeting offers a chance to plan for equipment and staffing numbers, have you done any planning The certificates are golf-centric, available to specific to the grounds team at your facility? GCSAA members and non-members, and can be The winter offers the perfect time to engage your biggest completed in any order. It is strongly assets, your team. Why not consider a SCOR analysis with them? recommended that an assistant superintendent Getting their feedback on team dynamics could be key in making has at least two years of work experience improvements you never saw. Where are the strengths of your before beginning any of the ASCS certificates. team, what challenges do they see? Are there opportunities that However, the certificates are available to all and would improve the processes you already have in place? What not limited to assistants. risks do your staff see within the grounds department? Would you benefit from this information? Would your team be more effective after engaging them in developing such an analysis? Equipment Management Certificate Program Effective planning includes a lot of input, and your staff Level 1-Level 2-Certification are a series of exams are poised to provide that information. Planning for a successful designed to demonstrate proficiency in key 2021 season could easily begin on a wintery morning this off- competency areas related to turf equipment. This season. GCSAA conducts such strategic planning sessions for certificate program is available to any and all turf chapters. Utilizing that same process and providing your board of equipment technicians regardless of whether directors’ similar opportunities to plan for improvement is a great you work for a golf course. benefit and assists in creating value for your association members. Do you challenge or set goals for your staff? We thrive in an The Level 1 program is made up of eight exams industry that blends science and art while newer techniques covering the key competency areas of: trend towards quantitative, measurable data. GCSAA offers two great programs that will benefit individuals on you staff, your · cutting units team, and the facility. These professional development · drivetrain systems opportunities for key staff members can assist you structure · electrical systems advancement or benefit increases for your people, all while · engine technology increasing their value to the facility. What better time to · hydraulic systems encourage participation than the off-season? · metalworking and fabrication · spray systems · fundamentals of turfgrass operations You can choose to take one exam or work to GCSAA Resources and Deadlines complete the entire program by successfully completing all eight exams in any order. Level 2 you Get Cool Stuff from your Association Already: follows completion, with a Certification opportunity upon finishing both levels. DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 7 KEVIN'S Matthew KORNER Crowther Wins GCSAA’s President’s Award for WANT TO SERVE YOUR It's very crucial to plan how your company newsletter will come to life. Will you be assigning the writing tasks to your employees who are good with words or hiring an off-site emplyee for the task? Who will provide the images? Will these be sourced by human resources or will a professional photographer will be designated for it? These are just some of the many questions you need to answer. Environmental Stewardship Once you have made the relevant decisions and have your newsletter's editorial team built, brainstorm on the content you will share. Since a company newsletter can serve a variety of ASSOCIATION? purposes, ensure the messages you will publish are aligned with your objective. Don't hold back on light materials too, such as comics, fun photos from your company vacation, or inside jokes written in good taste. Some comic relief is a great way to keep readers interested! THE MASSACHUSETTS SUPERINTENDENT Don't miss your chance to be part of a GCSAA committee or task group. Apply now. KEEPS INPUTS TO A MINIMUM TO www.gcsaa.org/about-gcsaa/membership/get- CULTIVATE COURSES THAT CATER TO BOTH involved GOLFERS AND MOTHER NATURE Matthew A. Crowther, CGCS, superintendent at Cape Cod Country Club in East Falmouth, Mass., has been named the recipient of GCSAA’s 2021 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship. Crowther, a 30-year GCSAA member who is in his second year at Cape Cod Country Club, will be recognized during the annual Golf Industry Show, which will be held virtually Feb. 2-4, 2021. To read more about Crowther’s recognition, please visit If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to GCMOnline.com linked below: contact me. Matthew Crowther wins GCSAA’s President’s Award for Kevin Doyle Environmental Stewardship - GCMOnline.com GCSAA Field Staff kdoyle@gcsaa.org Follow me on Twitter @GCSAA_NE DECEMBBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 8 MEMEBER/GUEST RESULTS NEW HAVEN COUNTRY CLUB SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 1st Place Gross: Kevin Collins, Tradition GC at Oak Lane Nick Rykoski, Guest 2nd Place Gross: Tyler Sears, Tradition GC at Wallingford Rob Murretti, Guest 1st Place Net: Stephen Curry, Blue Fox Run GC Dave Whitbeck, Guest 2nd Place Net: Kevin Doyle, GCSAA Jonathan Woodman, Guest Longest Drive: Sean Mitchell, Guest Closest to the Pin #2: Andy Drohen, Koch Turf & Ornamentals Closest to the Pin #9: Jay Popko, Winfield SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH RESULTS REDDING COUNTRY CLUB OCTOBER 6, 2020 1st Place: Paul Bonini, CGCS, Waterbury CC; John Ruzsbatzky, Wampanoag CC; Jonathan Charpinsky, GC of Avon; Andrew Hannah, Rhode Island CC 2nd Place: Chris Mauro, Western Hills GC; Mark Lombardo, Guest; Jack Gary, Guest; Mike Digiovvancarlo, Guest Longest Drive #9: Marcus Zotter, Shuttle Meadow CC Longest Drive #15: Timothy Nadeau, Rockledge GC Closest to the Pin #8: David Conrad, Plant Food CAGCS ANNUAL RESULTS Closest to the Pin #10: Timothy Nadeau, Rockledge GC ROCK RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB 1st Place Gross: Marc Weston, CGCS, Indian Hill CC; Matt Quinn, NOVEMBER 4, 2020 Indian Hill CC; Eric Morrison, CGCS, Shennecossett GC; Kevin Doyle, GCSAA 2nd Place Gross: Steve Loughran, Rock Ridge CC; Mark Osborn, Turf Products; Richard Duggan, Millbrook Club, Ben Lord, Millbrook Club 1st Place Net: Gilberto Perez, Dunning; Brett Chapin, Redding CC; Daryl Aresco, Borough of Fenwick; Peter Grace, H Smith Richardson 2nd Place Net: Doug Synder, CGCS, Tashua Knolls GC; Neil Lajeunesse, Dunning; John Callahan, The Cardinals Longest Drive #1: Steve Loughran, Rock Ridge CC Closest to the Pin #5: Steve Loughran, Rock Ridge CC Closest to the Pin #9: Eric Morrison, CGCS, Shennecossett GC Straighest Drive #8: Gilberto Perez, Dunning DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 9 DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 10 GRASS CATCHER CONDOLENCES Albert La Prise and family on the passing of his wife, Jane La Prise on November 5, 2020. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/jane -laprise-obituary?pid=197075109 CONGRATULATIONS! James Staszowski amd family on the passing of his grandson, Luca James Lagarce. Luca Marc Weston, CGCS on being named a passed on November 27, 2020. Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award https://www.rochefuneralhome.com/obituarie winner from the Golf Course Superintendents s/Luca-Lagarce/#!/Obituary Association of America (GCSAA). Dan Sisson and his family on the passing of his Chad Hall on starting his new position as mother, Mary M. Sisson on January 15, 2021. Assistant Superintendent at Rockledge Golf https://www.obrien- Club. funeralhome.com/tributes/Mary-Sisson David Golembeski is now the Golf Course Superintendent at Newtown Country Club. Patrick Sisk, CGCS, Longmeadow Country Club, newly recertified by GCSAA. DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 11 DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 12 DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 13 DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 14 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Paul Bonini, CGCS Vice President Stephen Curry Treasurer Kevin Collins Secretary Andrew Fries, CGCS Past President Marc Weston, CGCS Committee Chairs Education Doug Snyder, CGCS Golf Robert Dorsch, CGCS Government Relations Scott Ramsay, CGCS Membership Peter Grace Scholarship & Research Richard Duggan Social & Welfare Duncan McGowan Commercial Rep Gilberto Perez Class C Rep Timothy Dunn Clippings Editor Heather Garvin DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 15 DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 16 DECEMBER 2020 | CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS | PAGE 17 CAGCS thanks these patrons for their continued support of our association. Aquatrols Executive Turf & Synergy Turf Supply SiteOne Golf Keeping Conservation on Course Ken Gentile - (203) 496-0891 Stronger Together Tom Valentine - (619) 299-4470 HumaGroTurf.com Ward Weischet - (203) 605-0013 Tvalentine@aquatrols.com NuaLGiAGRiculture.com wweischet@siteone.com www.aquatrols.com Executiveturfproducts@gmail.com Sodco, Inc. Atlantic Golf and Turf Finch Services/John Deere Golf High Quality Sod For All Your Golf Course Needs Our Roots Run Deep 458 Danbury Road Sean Moran - (401) 569-1108 John Garcia - (203) 996-6267 New Milford, CT 06776 Alicia Pearson - (401) 215-8698 Chris Cowan - (413) 530-5040 (800) 560-3373 www.finchturf.com www.sodco.net/1-800-341-6900 Peter Gorman - (860) 573-2605 sales@finchinc.com www.AtlanticGolfandTurf.com Harrell’s Syngenta Professional Products Bayer U.S. Jim Wierzbicki - (860) 424-7250 Fairfield County – Brian Goudey Fairfield, Litchfield, New Haven Counties: Mike Dukette - (860) 930-8888 (518) 859-2953/Brian.goudey@syngenta.com Dave Sylvester - (860) 841-3173. Customer Service - (800) 228-6656 All other CT Counties - Melissa Gugliotti Hartford, New Haven, New London, www.harrells.com (860) 221-5712/melissa.gugliotti@syngenta.com Middlesex, Tolland, Windham: Brian Giblin - (508) 439-9809 Helena Agri Enterprises The Terre Company People…Products…Knowledge Jim Calladio, Sales Associate The Cardinals, Inc. Tim Gerzabek - (609) 221-9240 Cell (201) 259-1399 Complete Distributor of Golf Course Sean Kennedy - (802) 558-4009 Office - (973) 473-3393 Accessories & Turf Maintenance Supplies www.helenaAgri.com jcalladio@terrecompany.com John Callahan cell - (860) 916-3947 cardinalsinc@att.net - (800) 861-6256 New England Specialty Soils Turf Products 435 Lancaster Street Toro Equipment & Irrigation Chas. C Hart Seed Co. Leominster, MA 01453 Serving the Industry Since 1970 Quality Since 1892 Lauren Baldarelli - Cell (987) 860-5469 Enfield, CT - (800) 243-4355 www.hartsturfpro.com Office - (978) 660-0480 www.turfproductscorp.com (860) 529-2537 • 1-800-326-HART Paul Bednarczyk - (203) 430-4087 Heather Garvin - (860) 836-7337 Plant Food Company, Inc. Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. The Liquid Fertilizer Experts “SERVING THE CAGCS SINCE 1976” www.plantfoodco.com Bob Lippman - (914) 447-6257 Dunning Custom Soils Jason Dowgiewicz - (860) 508-5419 Dave Lippman - (914) 447-5192 Top Dressing Sand, Divot Mixes, Bunker David Conrad - (914) 263-3244 www.westchesterturf.com Sand, Premium Mulch, Rootzone Mixes, Bagged Sand Gilberto Perez - (860) 670-3222 Read Custom Soils gperez@dunningindustries.com Top Dressing Sand, Divot Mixes, Bunker Sand Rootzone Mixes, Bagged Sand Ed Downing - (508) 440-1833 ed@readcustomsoils.com