onnecticut ings Volume 9 csa B -y!“ atedC H » y March. 2003 3 No. 1 mm Superintendent of the Year F o r the past 21 years the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Super­ intendents has presented an award voted on by the recipients peers. Only Class A and Life Members are eligible for this prestigious award which is in recognition for demonstrating exemplary skills in managing and maintaining a golf facility, and who has been devoted to helping fellow superintendents on the local and national level. At our January Seminar where 170 members attended, everyone anxiously awaited the announcement and presentation. For the first time in the history of CAGCS presenting this award the honor belongs to a women. Although she grew up in the golf business, our recipient Heather Lowell Garvin's first choice was not golf course maintenance at her family's golf course, Canton Public GC. After graduating high school where she played on the golf team, she attended Bradford College for two years and received a degree in Psychology from the University of Denver. (Which surely has come in handy being in the golf business). Heather worked in the Pro Shop of the course through high school and college. While in college, Heather ran the Connecticut Women's Golf Association Junior Program for three years. ! Wanting to live in Bermuda, Heather was told that she would need a "marketable trade" so she chose legal secretary. She attended Morse School of Business and upon graduation started work at a Canton, CT law office. Heather stated that she did not like it at all. At his time her Dad, Walter Lowell, PGA Member, and CAGCS Life Member needed some help on the golf course. Heather joined the crew and enjoyed the work. Scheduled to go to Bermuda to look for that secretarial job and live on the island, she instead looked for work on Callahan (R) presenting award to Heather Garvin ( a golf course but came up empty. So it was back to Canton GC, and with help from a CAGCS Scholarship (Parson Memorial) she attended UMASS Stockbridge Winter School. Since 1985 Heather has organized and run a weekly junior golf program for 40 junior golfers at Canton PG, a challenge at times but she states the rewards of seeing many of her students continuing the game in high school and college is rewarding. She is also on the CT Women's Golf Association Priscilla Maxwell Endicott Scholarship MAR I 0 ?002 Committee (also one of their first recipients) and Treasurer of CT Women's Tournament of Champions. In 1993 Heather was appointed to the CAGCS Board of Directors. She continues to be reelected and has served as Chair of Scholarship and Research, Treasurer, and serves on the newsletter Clippings committee. Since 2002 she has served as the golf chairperson. She was on the Advisory Committee for Best Management Practices for Golf Course Water Use in the State of Connecticut in 2001. Along with Ronald Holcomb, Heather continues to provide informative Superintendent Profiles of upcoming meeting hosts. An avid golfer, Heather has won the Women's Club Championship at Canton Public GC numerous times. In 1994 she earned a qualifying position in the Public Links Championship in Canton, Ohio for the National Championship. A tournament that she stated was a learning experience. In 2000 The Metropolitan Golf Writers awarded their prestigious Family of the Year award to the Lowell Family. Heather lives in Canton, CT with her husband Dana who is her Assistant and Mechanic at the golf course. And as Heather states is invaluable in his support of her endeavors. Along with golf, she enjoys gardening and the activities that Long Island Sound provides along the Connecticut shoreline. Heather, congratulations from all your fellow Golf Course Superintendents. ■ March,2003 «■ Connecticut Clippings Page 2 1* JflLdCMPfcJ The P r e s t i ’* Messag e awhile. There is no time like the present because that is really all we have. Yesterday is gone and who knows about tomorrow? It's all about the precious present. Jud W. Smith, C4GCS President "Dancing days are here again... When the summer evening grow s..." I t certainly won't belong before tree buds tint the landscape, the infamous Robin makes his/her first appearance and our crop beings to wake-up after its long winters nap. There is still sometime left to complete those house projects, finish that book on the night stand or take that trip you've been pondering for Connecticut Clippings is an official publication of the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents P.O. Box 3678 Woodbridge, CT 06525 Telephone 203/387-0810 Toll Free Tel: 888/561-7778 Fax: 203/387-7866 e-mail: cagcs@noreaster.net Newsletter Editor Bob Chalifour, CGCS (Ret.) Newsletter Committee David Basconi, Heather Garvin, John Garcia, Edward Goodhouse, Ron Holcomb, Mike Mooney and Jud W. Smith Newsletter Designer Marysia Brejwo www.cagcs.com The Clippings is open to all com­ mentary. Please send your com­ ments to: Bob Chalifour, Newsletter Editor In the light of the recent shuttle disaster I'm beginning to sadly accept a common human behavior... specifically... taking things for granted. By things I mean those various aspects that make up our lives, people, places and our health. Why does it take a tragic event or a near death experience to wake up? Why do we as a species usually appreciate something more when it is gone? Take a look at your back for example, yes, that's right your back. How many of you forget, ignore or neglect your back until of course it "goes out" on you? Then, when you are flat on it with nothing to do but think...you realize how important that part of your anatomy is. Come to think of it, don't we do that with almost everything? Why does it take pain or loss to realize what is valuable in our lives? A recent event that serves as a good example of this human behavior is the tragic end to the space shuttle Columbia. I was amazed to discover that there were 112 shuttle flights between Challenger and Columbia. That's right, one hundred and twelve - that is like a train schedule! It seemed like there was a shuttle take-off and landing every few months. I was taking these highrisk events of space exploration for granted - partly because the memory of the Challenger faded and also because shuttle missions became routine, ordinary and even perhaps mundane. But then fate happens, there is a shift in standard operating procedures and then, and only then, do we get a wake-up call on the precious gift of human existence. I guess my point is this....if you haven't already... don't wait for that wake-up call to appreciate all the little things that make up your life on a daily basis. A good place to start is by being grateful to even wake-up in the morning! Hit the floor and stretch your body, especially your back, shoulders and neck - you know, those parts of the body that we use to "carry" all those things we do all day long!! Make some home made pancakes and really smell the coffee. Actually have a conversation with your wife or dog and/or your kids. Appreciate them today as if they could be gone tomorrow. On the way to work, turn the radio off and notice the tint of the trees, the chill of the cold or the movement of clouds. W hen you boil down this whole concept you are left with something like... "Pay extraordinary attention to everyday things." Not because we should do, but rather, because most of us don't. And unless you have a hard drive connection to fate and the future you never know when one or any of those things that make-up your existence could be altered or even removed. So why wait, wait for what? ...life is what's happening when you're busy making other plans. Get in the game, enjoy the precious present because "it's" alright, you know it's alright, you know its all in your heart". On an important association n ote... Congratulations are in order to Ms. Heather Garvin on receiving the 2002 Superintendent of the Year Award. Heather has been serving on various boards and committees for as long as I can remember. She does a great job with anything she undertakes. I am very happy that our association recognizes her value to the group. Congratulations again. I'd also like to welcome Mr. Kevin Balocca to the Board. He has a lot of enthusiasm and is a welcome addition! Peace, Jud i R. Plant/J. Page March, 2003 Page 3 Connecticut Clippings > The One And Only By Ronald Holcomb H a n k Suchinski, Golf Course Superintendent (Ret) after almost 33 years as the only super­ intendent at Simsbury Farms GC retired January 31, 2003. A member of Terryville High School Basketball Championship Team in 1954, he also played baseball and after a tryout with the NY Yankees, Hank ended up in Germany. After serving with the 7th Army for two years, he went to work for Roger Wallace, (father of Michael Wallace, CGCS) and then John Perry at the CC of Farmington. His work while in High School for Louis Dziediz at Pequabuck GC started him on his long and successful career. MMMBI became the first and only Golf Course Superintendent at Simsbury Farms GC. Hank and his wife Kathleen, LPN live in Simsbury. He has three daughters, Bonnie, Darcy and Sandra, along with eleven grandchildren. Hanks hobbies are golf, travel, trips to Saratoga Race Track and playing the bass guitar with the "Fender Benders". Hank stated that he also enjoys getting his family together for CAGCS Family Day at Lake Compounce. The Board of Directors and membership of CAGCS wishes you a long and healthy retirement. While working at the CC of Farmington he attended The Stockbridge School of Agriculture Winter School. In 1970 Hank Keep The Course Green and Playable . . . Even on Service Days TTS ROTORS Hunter's new TTS Rotors are the industry's most popular new upgrade. Why? Because superintendents can now achieve efficient water management and "hassle-free" service days. All Hunter TTS Rotors are fully accessible from the top - including the solenoid, solenoid connections, pilot valve and adjustable pressure regulator. The unitized inlet valve features one-step removal of the snap ring, valve, valve seat and rock screen. See how Hunter can upgrade your course with TTS Rotors, valves and central control systems. Total Top Servicing authorized hunter distributor IB IS C O ! IR R IG A T IO N - W A T E R S Y S T E M S CONNECTICUT East Hartford, 60 Thomas S U 886*522-9182 Golf Hdqtrs: M itford, 110 Raton Or., 877-878-0658 Hunter M arch2003 Reel Lawn Mower History and Preservation Project at North Farms Bob Chalifour, CGCS (Ret.) T wo Centuries ago, elaborate landscapes were almost entirely without what we refer to as a lawn. Why? Mown grass was difficult and costly to maintain. To get that perfect look that many want today, you either needed a small flock of sheep and someone to tend them or a full time gardener ready to wield a scythe, very labor intensive and time consuming, but good exercise. As a result, only the richest of the rich had lawns, and these took the form of small areas of close-cropped turf suitable for outdoor games like Boules (a form of lawn bowling) which was then all the rage. The grassless landscape changed forever when in 1830 a patent was obtained by Edwin Budding. Having seen the large-bladed machines used in mills to remove excess nap from woolen cloth, he decided that the same process could be adapted to grass cutting. The new invention manufactured by John Ferrabe, instantly removed the main impediment to a lush green lawn - the lack of an easy, cost efficient means of mowing it. Suddenly everyone could have their own perfect green carpet with far less labor, and lawns started to spring up everywhere as the ultimate status symbol in the Victorian garden. Connecticut Clippings About ten years ago Jim purchased Stop and Visit Jim Ricci at the NERTC! a Locke Power Mower, remember them, dark green with pinstripes and a sulky. Almost too nice to mow with. This mower sparked Jim's interest and he started looking into the company that makes them. There was not much historical material available so Jim made a visit to Bridgeport, CT U SG A R ecom m en d ed S and s D Tiff« R o ad - S la te rsv ille , R1 0 2 8 7 6 Plant B o b C h a lifo u r. C G C S ( R e t ) 8 6 0 /9 0 8 -7 4 1 4 M »«n C o n n e c tic u t M ulch ! 1 /+ * \ Distributors» Inc. H o m e Phone & fa x : ( 860) 741-1017 Sa l e s R e p r e s e n t a t iv e 4 0 1 /7 6 6 -5 0 1 0 Fax 4 0 1 /7 6 2 -4 9 7 6 iv is io n JOE TROSKY R o o t-Z o n e M ixes B u n k e r Sand & Pea Stone A l o t L i i t o n < á> and. C o . , U n e . N o r t h e r n N u r s e r ie s , I n c . in f ie l d Jim 's emphasis is on pre WWII turfgrass related literature, mowers and tools. His barn is a virtual storehouse of old equipment, rusty parts, stuff under the bench, to items which could still do a day's work. His goal is to establish a turfgrass equipment literature library at a university or professional organization. Jim along with Margaret, who is good at finding old mowers at antique shops, continue to look for old golf and turf related items to add to his collection. Jim asks when it comes to paper, please don't use it to light a fire, just stick a stamp on it and send it along. After all, as Jim says "it is your heritage, being just as important as the ball, tee and club". Send items to: James B. Ricci, 30 North Farms Rd. Haydenville, MA 01039-9724, E-mail jricci@reellazvnmower.com T op d ressin g - Divot M ix P ro fe s s io n a l T u r f P ro d u c ts 1320 M o u n tain Rd W est S u ffk k L C T 06093 Phone: (860) 668-5225 Fax ( 860) 668-5714 where the company had started. Like a lot of things his research became more interesting as he got more involved. The research has expanded from this one mower to a barn full of antique mowing equipment as well as a book project about the history of the reel mower. with his wife Margaret, and two children live on a farm in Haydenville MA. A rural community just west of Amherst, where Jim earned a degree from UMASS. An entrepreneur, and a former owner of an automotive machine shop, has proven to be helpful experience when working on various pieces of equipment. How much of this old, excuse me, antique mowing equipment is still around? Enter James B. Ricci, who W Page 4 Cell Phone; ( 860) 604-6454 Covering ground since 1977 Business Address 70 Mullen Road Enfield. CT 06062 m am m asi u r n Mailing Address 1515 North Stone St. W Some«, CT 06090 Telephone (860) 696*9579 Fax 696*9581 — ' March, 2003 Connecticut Clippings Page 5 * 2003 W inter Sem inar * GOLF COURSES RELY ON BUILT TO LAST C o n V a u lts patented system protects your fuel w ithin a steel prim ary tank w rapped in a 30 m il poly liner, reinforced w ithin a six-in ch concrete vau lt. O ver 33,000 C o n V a u h rem ain in service today w ithout a single system failure. Connecticut Golf Courses wtth Convautt Fuel Storage ALUNG MEMORIAL GOLF B U C K HALL GOLF CANDIEW OOD U K E CLUB CLINTON COUNTRY CLUB C C OF AVON C .C OF NEW CANAAN C .C . OF WATERBURY C C OF FARMINGTON CRESTWOOD PARK EAST MOUNTAIN GOLF DARIEN C C FARMINCBUKY GOLF FARMS COUNTRY CLUB FENW ICK GOLF GRASSY HILL C .C . GREAT RIVER GOLF HARBOR VIEW HOP BROOK GOLF HOPMEADOW C .C . HUNTER GOLF INDIAN SPRINGS INNIS ARDEN MADISON C .C . NEW HAVEN COUNTRY CLUB OAK LANE C .C . OLD LYME C .C . P1NF. ORCHARD C.C PINE VALLEY GOLF PORTLAND WEST PORTLAND GOLF COURSE PUTNAM C.C QUARRY RIDGE ROCKLEDGE GOLF ROCK RIMMON C .C . SHENNECOSSETT GOLF SHUTTLE MEADOW SILVERMINE GOLF SILVER SPRINGSCC SOUTHINGTON C C . TA5HUA KNOLLS TIMBERLAND GOLF T.P.C. AT RIVER HIGHLANDS THE PATTERSON CLUB TUMBLEBROOKC.C. WAMPANOAG C C WASHINGTON CLUB WATERTOWN GOLF WETHERSFIELD C .C . WESTWOOD GOLF WOODBRJDGE C.C WOODWAY C C U N IT E D [ i] > ;iV i- P R O D D C T $ i 173 ChwfOi A b o v e G ro u n d F u e l S to r a g e T a n k s UL 2 0 8 5 L is te d a 06497 (203) 769-311 9. % (203) 263-4941 W*C' s*» www vntfmóconcrvti oorr March, 2003 Connecticut Clippings Page 6 CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION Of GOlf COURSE ^ SUPERINTENDENTS Ï ¿3 ê s L L Jjét New Members Dean J. Gurney; Class C Shorehaven Golf Club Kevin S. Lafferty; Class C Aspetuck Valley Country Club Scott A. Lund; Class C Black Hall Club Thomas Marmelstein; Commercial Hunter Golf Clay M. Pedigo; Class C Brooklawn Country Club Congratulations To John Garcia formerly Golf Course Superintendent at Crumpin Fox in Bernaston, MA is now at The Patterson Club. To Bob Witkoski, Golf Course Superintendent Washington GC, featured in an article in the Febru­ ary 03 issue of Golf Digest. Author David Owen unearths a treasure of wisdom, commitment and a few quirks as he stresses the importance of the superintendent as the key to any good golf club. Also view at golfdigest.com The Irrigation Association is pleased to announce that Glenn S. Moore of Glenmore Landscaping Service, has passed the required IA Certification Examination to become a Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor. The CIGIA program was created in a partner­ ship with GCSAA. To Michael and Cassy Griswold on the birth of their daughter Lilith Diane. To Hank Suchinski, Golf Course Superintendent (Ret) on his retire­ ment after 32 years at Simsbury Farms GC. To Tim O'Neill, CGCS, Country Club of Darien, on his election to GCSAA Secretary-Treasurer. Condolences To the family of Wayne Ripley, a former golf course superintendent, and sales representative for the Tom Irwin Co. To the family of Peter Smith, former golf course superintendent at Shinnecock Hills GC and manager of Fox woods Golf and Country Club. To the family of Scott Lowe. Scott, formerly with Bruedan Corp served as VP of Operations for the north­ east for 15 years. In March of 2001 he formed Golf Car Protection, LLC with Robert Hall. To the family of Herbert L. Emanuelson, Jr., former CSGA President (1973-1974) To Jim and Matt Medeiros, two of seven children, on the passing of their father Louis "Lefty" Medeiros, a USMC WW II Veteran. GCSAA Essay Contest GCSAA Essay Contest is open to undergraduate and graduate stu­ dents pursuing degrees or a certifi­ cate in the turf grass field. Appli­ cants must be a member of GCSAA. The focus of the essay should be the golf course management profes­ sion and be seven to twelve pages in length. Three awards for this competition total $4,500. Applications for the GCSAA Es­ say Contest are available in the CAGCS office and is also available on the GCSAA Web site at: http: / / www.gcsaa.org/ career/ pursuing/ scholarships/scholars.html The deadline for the contest is March 31st. Calendar NERTC - March 17-20 Rhode Island Convention Center 401 /848-0004 www.nertf.org March 19 8:00 a.m. UMass/ Stockbridge/Winter School Break­ fast Renunion (all invited) at the NERTC, The Rotunda Room, RI Convention Center. Please join Joe & Lonnie Troll as we celebrate and reflect on 81 years of turf education at UMass March 25 CAGCS Monthly Meeting. Hawthorne Inn, Berlin, CT CAGCS Board of Directors President - Jud W. Smith Vice President - Wayne C. Urban Secretary - Keith A. Angilly Treasurer - John Motycka Past President - Brian Skelly Committee Chairpersons Education - John Ruzsbatzky, CGCS Golf - Heather L. Garvin Membership - Christian P. Mauro Scholarship & Research Kimberly J. Heyl Social & Welfare - Kevin Balocca Government Relations Peter R. Pierson Commercial Rep to Board John E. Callahan Connecticut Clippings is an official publication o f the Connecticut Association o f G olf Course Superintendents Newsletter Editor Bob Chalifour, CGCS (Ret.) Newsletter Committee David Basconi, Heather Garvin John Garcia, Edward Goodhouse, Ron Holcomb, Mike Mooney and Jud W. Smith The Clippings is open to all commentary. Please send your comments to: Bob Chalifour, Newsletter Editor, 39 First Street Groton, CT 06340 2002 « w mi■■ C h r t i l ma i 'isma r r a w a rir» m ? i i ¡fia rtij Mi nm a h # 4? n m i » v e 'XK-^aaM y^M — Wjfmtmmm mmmmm 2 0 0 2 L C h r is im aâ j^ arttj *** }\ ace $ ro o h C o u n i r ij C (ub Ul 73 « fl pd S3 * © co • r-H Ü, 0) Oh CO jd o ^ d H cd es s O CO 3 Ö 0) ^ cd 0 Ö cd D CL h -l „ o 00 O O •î-H 2 cß 3 L n> CO r ^ 2a vP¡ ^ p r ^ 3 3 sr p <-K PT P X v; Cß p SS ft ^ P ft v g - 3 OQTQ ft o a■ a » 3 o o c ? I a a ^9 5 * 3 «K O äse Cß ^ co » p ** rctß > ff o tr 3* £» —^ p 2* CD d: "3 3 w * CTQ < U P I* cß & EL p ft o 1 V) a ,!» cr o p a°S c aro S ^ f t< ^ p 2 ST 3* 73 O c (D O o 3 Cß > o •Ü 3 P o rf N-*• o 3^ OQ „ fl) Cß * p 3 OQ CD & n> 3 o < p r-tf*• O 3 ÿ z CD rf rf N-* • 3 CTQ a n> CO 7) T3 O a i—‘ • P ^ co H-k• "3 3 OQ -1 O a c O r-f CO I (7) ^3 •I rf ci-*f • P 3 CTQ CD ► —* P X 4 5" 3 •1 CO OQ OQ CD W "O is P 3 CD P > rf co a CD ►i co *-t 7) > CL CD o 3P P rf 3 3 3 in c CO _P 13 £f> a Vi CD co CTQ 13 K CD co o’ w 3 P r 7) a 3 s s CO o » a a 3 CL ^ 3 T5 y> p CD co 5' o 5* 5O . h^* o a (V ^ cß s ê S. CO e c+ > CD O O CD co co O ►t CD CO CD CO r-K H-k« o H-k* a CD CO N 2 W n p •-i a 2 CD a ^ o n o 3 *-i CO CD 3 3 3 P cr 3. 3 Po CD ►û a CO P „ H n O 3 CO G CD a N CD CD CO _i a E C CO E71 < cr VÍ P CD 3* O 0 3 >-$ Cß P. Cß“ 3 if O 3 3 CD .(Q. ^ a O “a Cß OQ s 0 O i f 7) S.B.I.TURF SERVICES Providing innovative equipment and services for turfgrass management professionals. 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Westchester Turf Supply r Banner MAXX r Medallion r r Barricade r ~~ PrimoMAXX r Ctt&mç 9* bn* Syngenta never stops working to keep your course green. r Daconil Jln ilu /fc Subdue MAXX tu ri ckrrvnds the fo»t product* * * « a m u r t h t foramtHxm m i newon« ifeeraur*yx» r-w whirt ym to fcetp turf Nhaithy 9m bmitohJ Contact Bob Goglu at 1S60-646 323S to team m ort about Syngenta products tmâ m i Wtenv Ube< torio» 020Û3 Vyngcnu v*ierit# IMeswnil Products, •wpertJRt A h u y Backed by over 58 years o f experience, I-BG has a proven track record on golf course projects which include irrigation and potable water-supply development, water diversion and environmental permitting, construction and site engineering. •M irar» a*nc*Jr*, Oaccxvf*. M ffltagT, M AXX\ and it»#Syngentalogo #* badpwdts«4a c*