VOLUME X. PART 5. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994
NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept. 17

Lake City Community College Alumni Golf
Tournament, Deer Creek GC, Dcerfield Beach

Sept. 18
-21

FTG A Conference and Show, Broward County
Convention Center, Marina Marriott, Ft. Lauderdale.
Show hours are 1:30 - 6:00 p.m. on Monday and
noon - 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Concurrent sessions
will be held on Monday morning with Workshops
and Research Reports on Tuesday morning.

Sept. 18

FTG A Research Golf Tournament, Jacaranda CC
FGCS A Championship Tournament, Deer Creek
(both tournaments followed by Toro Corn Boil at
the IFAS University of Florida Research Center)

Sept. 27

Suncoast Chapter Pro/Superintendent Tournament,
Plantation G&CC, Venice

Septe. 27 Central Florida Chapter meeting, Windermere CC

Ray Hansen (left) receives the 1994 FGCSA
Distinguished Service Award from Paul Crawford
at the Crowfoot banquet in Orlando.

Sept. 30

Adam Walsh Golf Tournament, Inverrary CC

Oct. 12

Central Florida Chapter meeting, Marriott World
Center, Orlando

Oct. 18

Joint chapter meeting with PBGCSA and SFGCSA,
Deer Creek CC, Dcerfield Beach

Oct. 20

Treasure Coast Chapter Pro/Supt,Tournament at
Monarch CC, Stuart

Oct. 25

Suncoast Chapter meeting, Sunrise GC, Sarasota

Oct. 31

West Coast Chapter Bud Quandt Turfgrass Research
Tournament, Pasadena Yacht & Country' Club

Nov. 10

GCSAA Regional Seminar, "Personal Stress
Management," Omni Hotel, Orlando

Feb. 20
-27

66th Annual GCSAA Conference and Show,
Moscone Center, San Francisco

Ray became a member of the FGCSA Board of Directors in
1987 and served as President of the FGCSA in 1991. He
remains active on the board and is currently serving as our
Voting Delegate. Ray is the golf course superintendent at
Delaire CC in Delray Beach.

Apr. 24

3rd Annual Envirotron Tournament, World Woods

For other stories on the Crowfoot weekend, see page 3.

Ray Hansen came to Florida in 1985 and lost no time in getting
involved with his local FGCSA chapter. He was the driving
force in organizing theFirst Annual South Florida Expo in Fort
Lauderdale in 1988. This event has become the major fund
raiser in the South Florida area. His next achievement was to
head the committee to get permission to build a research green
at the University of Florida Fort Lauderdale Research and
Education Center. Ray stayed with the project until its
completion and is active on the FGCSA Research Committee
in seeing that appropriate projects are conducted on the green.

President's Message

President's Message
by Scott Bell
My name is Scott Bell and on July
30, 1994 I was elected President
of the FGCSA for the 1994-94
year. I have been the golf course
manager at Bent Pine Golf Club
in Vero Beach since 1986. Prior
to 1986 I had the privilege to
work for the PGA TOUR through
the Tournament Players Club
network. I am a 1981 graduate of
Colorado State University. My
degree was in Landscape Horticulture with a turf management
concentration. My first job out of
school was with Club Corporation of America as an assistant at
the Pinery CC outside of Denver.
While serving on the Treasure
Coast Chapter Board, I began to
attend Florida Board meetings in
1988. I've served through all of

The point is that this war that these anti-golf lobbies
are waging is going to be long and drawn out.
the offices of the Treasure Coast
Chapter prior to serving on the
state board.
When I started attending Florida
Board meetings in 1988, we were
primarily concerned with improving the image and the vocation of the golf course manager/
superintendent. We dreamed of a
lobbyist and the research green
was still a twinkle in Ray Hansen's
eye. We are now over the halfway
mark for 1994 and we are not only
fighting to improve the image of
the superintendent, we are also
trying to help the image of the
golf business in general.
Unfortunately much of the media
seems to dwell on the perceived
negatives rather than on all of the

GREEN SHEE
Editor:
Greg Plotner, CGCS
Tampa Palms GC
5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33647
(813) 972-3375
News Coordinator:
Mrs. Marie Roberts
1760 N.W. Pine Lake Drive
Stuart, FL 34994
(407) 692-9349
(407) 692-9654 (Fax)
The Green Sheet is a bimonthly FGCSA
newsletter printed as follows: Jan ./Feb.,
March/April, May/June, July/Aug.,
Sept./Oct., Nov./Dec.
2

Financial Support:
This issue of the Green Sheet is
being sponsored by:
Golf Ventures
2101 EastEdgewood Dr.
Lakeland, FL 33803
(800) 330-8874
Now in Tampa and Fort Myers.
All material submitted for printing will
be edited at the discretion of the editor.
Material must be typed or clearly
printed. All photos must be black and
white. Items must be for the good of
the association.
Deadline next Issue, October 15.

positive things that we do. Just
this morning I read an article
through the Associated Press in
our local Vero Beach Press
Journal about how the National
Audubon Society disagrees with
theUSGA/N.Y. Audubon Society Cooperative Sanctuary Program. The article tried to make
the N. Y. Audubon Society look
money hungry and greedy, while
at the same time the article inferred that the golf course managers were duped into thinking
that the program was with the
National Society. The article
gave us no credit for trying to
become even better environmental stewards.
The point is that this war that
these anti-golf lobbies are waging is going to be long and drawn
out. We need an endless supply
of proactive people, not just the
same managers who write letters
or call both state and national
legislators, and media sources.
Please get involved. A letter or
two a year, a couple of phone
calls to Washington or Tallahassee is a great contribution.
I've seen firsthand what a group
working together can do over
the past six years and with new
blood coming in, we can continue to move forward. Feel free
to call me anytime with comments or suggestions. I would
.love to hear from you. yj^
The Green Sheet

Crowfoot Open Weekend

CROWFOOT OPEN REPORT
The Crowfoot Open returned to Grand Cypress Golf Club in "Grand"
fashion this year. The 18th Crowfoot kicked off on Sunday morning with
theextremely informative FGCSA sponsored Employee Relations Seminar
given by Seay Management. The seminar received high marks from all
25 attendees and those in attendance picked up many hints on how to deal
with the numerous employee problems that golf course superintendents
must deal with on a daily basis. The seminar covered everything from the
interview process, fair employment regulations, wage and hour violations,
dealing with problem employees, and sexual harassment situations.
Sunday night's banquet featured the FGCSA presenting its annual
Distinguished Service Award to Ray Hansen (see picture on page 1) and
several Presidents Awards for Lifetime Service. Presidents Awards went
to Paul Nevers of the Everglades chapter; Lonny Stubbs and Joe Snook of
the Treasure Coast chapter, and Bill McKee from South Florida. Two
other awards will be presented at local chapter meetings—Royce Stewart
from Suncoast chapter and Lou Oxneved from the Palm Beach chapter.
Sponsors are always a big part of any tournament and the Crowfoot is no
exception. This Crowfoot included a first-time-ever auction that saw an
Arnold Palmer autographed putter go for a cool $1,500 thanks to the
generosity of Steve Burrell from Southern Golf Products.
The usual good natured bantering that is so familiar to FGCSA members
was present during the ceremonies and Tom Alex, host superintendent,

Scott Bell (left) newly elected President
of the FGCSA and his Crowfoot Open
partner GCSAA President Joe Baidy
was once again the butt of cruel jokes, but
the condition of his golf course for the
championship was not a joke. The North
and South courses were immaculate. As
usual the Grand Cypress layout put a premium on shot placement and rewarded the
few who were able to overcome the heat
and pace of play.
Newcomer Cary Stoffel of Baytree National in Melbourne won low gross in the
superintendent division with a 72. Mark
Wheaton, Growers Fertilizer, shot a 70 to
capture the commercial crown. The Central Florida team of Stoffel, Scott Welder,
Pat Tomlinson, and Mark Heater won the
superintendent team championship.

Larry Kamphaus, left, presents the winners trophy to Cary Stoffel
September/October 1994

Larry and Vilma Kamphaus headed a focused Crowfoot Committee in getting the
job done again this year. A record number
of sponsorships were sold and the whole
affair was first class. Congratulations and
thanks are due to the entire committee, Tom
Alex and the Grand Cypress staff.
.
3

Excerpts from FGCSA Summer Board Meeting
The Summer 1994 meeting of the
FGCSA Board of Directors was called
to order by President Paul Crawford at
1:00 p.m. at Grand Cypress Resort.
All officers were in attendance. Big
Bend and North Florida chapters were
not represented.
GOLF AGRONOMICS: Paul I
Crawford introduced Dale Mitchell
and Richard Colyer of Golf
Agronomics who presented the
FGCSA Research Committee with a
check for $4,563.40 which represents
the proceeds from their rebate program for the past year. Golf
Agronomics was one of the first
companies to initiate a successful
rebate program four years ago and
the amount of funds raised has increased every year.
SECRETARY/TREASURER: Minutes of the Poa board meeting were
approved. Financial Statements for the
past fiscal year were accepted. Greg
Plotner then went over each line item in
the proposed budget for the next fiscal
year.
Alan Puckett made a motion to raise the
amount that is paid to Mark Jarrell for
writing his Golfweek articles to $200.00
an article. The motion was approved.

make up only about 30% of the FTGA
membership, they raise 70% of the funds!
We want to keep this percentage up. An
informal poll of each chapter was taken
but most chapters have not finalized
their budget figures. This is an important item that all External Vice Presidents
must be aware of and be prepared to give
an answer by the end of August.

4

Green Sheet: Golf Ventures has been
awarded a yearly contract to advertise in
the Green Sheet for the next six issues.
Greg Plotner will serve as editor.
Membership Directory: All chapter
secretaries were urged to get their
membership lists in as soon as possible.

The final figure for the proposed FGCSA
1994-95 budget shows expenses at
$267,000 with income projected at
$283,200. The budget was approved.
Paul Crawford thanked Greg Plotner for
his patience in explaining the budget in
such detail.

EDUCATION: Dale Kuehnerreported
that all the credit for the educational
programs must go to David Court. The
Poa seminar set a record for attendance
this year.

AWARDS: Joel Jackson requested that
each chapter who has nominated someone for a Presidents Award should submit a written bio to him for the Florida
Green.

Dale Kuehner and Chip Fowkes suggested that quality education should
continue to be a priority for the FGCSA
and should be considered a member
benefit rather than an expense item.

PUBLICATIONS: Scott Bell reported
on the Publications Committee meeting
that was held immediately prior to this
board meeting. Joel Jackson replaces
Tom Benefield as editor with the upcoming Fall issue. The Summer issue
will be mailed within the next two weeks.
Larry Kieffer gave the Committee a
report on how to make the magazine
more efficient. Paul Crawford then presented a plaque to Tom Benefield for the

The GCSAA Regional Seminar will be
held in November in Orlando and we
will be looking for another strong showing even though there are other events
going on in Orlando at that time.

Line items for donations were also discussed. Paul Crawford suggested that
the FGCSA should respond to written
requests for funds rather than verbal
suggestions at board meetings. He also
stated that if these written requests give
a synopses of where the money goes,
that the board would be more inclined to
grant a donation.
Donations to the FTGA were discussed.
As usual we will be presenting the
FGCSA donation at the FTGA Awards
Luncheon and will be announcing the
total funds that have been raised by
superintendent chapters. BobYounthas
mentioned that while superintendents

great job he has done as editor of the
Florida Green for the past two years.

Paul Crawfordy left presents a plaque
to Tom Benefield CGCS for his service
as editor of the Florida Green.
}

GOLF: Joe reported that the GCSAA
has sent out a list of courses in the San
Francisco that will offer daily play for
superintendents. He also noted that the
GCSAA is considering an offer from the
USGA to run the tournament in the
future. Joe also reported on the FTGA
Golf Tournament. Besides the scramble,
there will again be a superintendent team
championship played at Deer Creek.
Each chapter is reminded to call the
FTGA if you have not registered a team
for this gross event. Paul Crawford also
reminded all Externals that there will be
a fishing tournament on Sunday.
FTGA: Tom Benefield reported on the
IFAS Field Day in Gainesville. He
stated that the turf field plots looked
good and that instructors and students
all seemed to be busy with on-going
projects. One of the highlights was the
Hawaiian grass that Dr. Dudeck and the
University will be releasing this fall. A
discussion was held on royalties and
The Green Sheet

Excerpts from FGCSA Summer Board Meeting
new grasses. Paul Crawford noted that
the envirotron looked in good shape and
that irrigation is in the final stages .
Chuck Rogers reported that the Conference and Show reservations are ahead of
last year in exhibits and they are hoping
for a big turnout. Each External was
charged with giving out details for the
Conference at their next local chapter
meeting.
FUND RAISING: Mark Jarrell gave
an update on the CIB A program for next
year. Last year's program resulted in
over $20,000 donated to our research
account (which we will turn over to the
FTGA once the board decides what
projects to fund). The 1994 program
goal is set at $60,000. If all chapters do
their part, the goal will be met. Next
came the question of where will the
funds go? Mickey Lovett of CIB A suggests that the funds should go through
the FGCSA to the FTGA Research
Foundation Account. The FGCS A can
then stipulate where the money should
go, keeping in close contact with Bob
Yount who may have some suggestions
on worthy projects. This will be a joint
FGCSA/FTGA effort. Paul Crawford
has received a letter from Mickey
clarifying this partnership.
Mark then discussed the other rebate
programs that were not as successful as
the CIB A program. Rhone Poulenc sent
a check for $2,240 for the 224 profiles
that were filled out by superintendents.
The money was put into the FGCSA
Research Account. There may still be
some funds forthcoming from Miles. A
letter was written to Miles distributors
but to date no answers have been received.
RESEARCH: Kevin Downing gave
an update on the research green activities. We will not be planting zoy siagrass
around the plots because the price was
too high. A weather forecaster is needed
at the sight. If one is not donated, Kevin
will contact Monica to see that this is
taken care of. A new dedication plaque
has been ordered and should be in place
in time for the FTGA show.
September/October 1994

A lengthy discussion was held on the
grass certification program and Dr.
Busey's request for a research grant to
do DNA studies. This was a subject that
everyone was concerned about and, in
the interest of time, it was decided to
have a special meeting on this subject
before the next board meeting at the
FTGA.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS:
Mark Jarrell gave a report from Mike
Goldie suggesting that each chapter
contact your local politicians who are
running for election this fall and ask
them to speak at your next meeting.

this "Chapter Relations" meeting.
SURVEY: Dale Kuehner will be the
chairman for this year's survey. A discussion was held on the scope of the
survey. Some questions that might be
included will be in regard to SARA III
compliance to see how many golf courses
have been fined by government agencies, or what can be done to help courses
comply with the laws. Any ideas for
questions on the survey should be sent to
Dale before the end of September.

Greg Plotner spoke on the Audubon
Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Florida
is the leading state in this program and
Greg read a letter from the USGA requesting that the FGCS A formally adopt/
endorse the program.

NEW BUSINESS: Paul Crawford reported on a meeting called by Miles to
discuss their product, "Nemacur". The
meeting was held in Kansas and attendees included Paul, Joe O'Brien, Steve
Mona, Dave Ferris, and Bob Yount along
with the Miles executives. Suggestions
were made and will be presented to state
agencies later this month.

GCSAA: Greg Plotner distributed a
memo from GCSAA which states that,
since we are the hosts for the 1996
Convention, we will be expected to man
a booth in San Francisco. The booth will
be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on
Friday through Monday when it will
close at 1 p.m. Therefore we will be
calling on help from every FGCSA
member who is planning on going to San
Francisco! The Central Florida chapter
will be responsible for literature and
pamphlets to be distributed at the booth.

An Emergency Pesticide Committee was
proposed by Mike Bailey who suggested
that the FGCSA establish some guidelines for members to use when there has
been a pesticide emergency at their
course. Mike and John Gallagher were
appointed as co-chairman of this new
committee to come up with guidelines
on how to handle Emergency Pesticide
Situations. They will check with the
chemical companies and other associations who may already have booklets
available for our use.

Paul Crawford has agreed to be responsible for this year's FGCSA Reception
in San Francisco. If anyone knows a
company who would like to join in by
sponsoring a part of the reception, please
call Paul or Marie. (See page 6)

Paul Crawford reported on a meeting
attended by Paul and Marie in Gainesville
earlier this month. Fifteen allied associations got together and formed a Greens
Industry Summit for purposes of sharing ideas of mutual concerns on an informal basis. It was a very beneficial
meeting attended by Dr. Nell, Bob Yount,
and various representatives from all
phases of the industry. Issues discussed
included legislative matters, certification, water concerns, safe pesticide use,
and other pertinent common concerns.
Minutes of the meeting are available.

Mike Bailey discussed the Florida room
block which will be at the Hyatt Hotel in
San Francisco. The cost is $138.00/
night and reservations must be made
through the FGCSA office. (Seepg.6)
There will again be a meeting in Kansas
for all chapters during the last week of
September which our Voting Delegate
will attend. Gary Grigg is in charge of

Since there was no further business, the
meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
5

FGCSA Chapter Officers/GCSAA Conference

CHAPTER OFFICERS
1994-1995
CENTRAL FLORIDA
President
Don McCommon
Vice President
Kevin Rotti
Ext Vice President
Joe Ondo
Sec/Treasurer
Brian Jenkins
EVERGLADES CHAPTER
President
Wayne Kappauf
Vice President
George Bowling
Ext Vice President Mike Mongoven
Sec/Treasurer
Terry Wood
NORTH FLORIDA
President
Brigid Braun
Vice President
Kim Shine
Ext Vice President
Kim Shine
Sec/Treasurer
Bill Plante
PALM BEACH
President
Mike Bailey
Vice President
Robin Goodell
Ext Vice President
Chip Fowkes
Secretary
Jeff Klontz
Treasurer
Karl Schmidt
RIDGE
President
Alan Puckett
Vice President
Roy Wilshire
Ext Vice President
Alan Puckett
Sec/Treasurer
Ray Cuzzone
SEVEN RIVERS
President
Jeff Hayden
Vice President
Dave Hoggard
Ext Vice President Mike Swinson
Sec/Treasurer
Mike Swinson
SOUTH FLORIDA
President
Bob Klitz
Vice President
Dale Kuehner
Ext Vice President
A1 Ross
Sec/Treasurer
Mark Richard
SUNCOAST
President
Gary MacDougall
Vice President
Mark Todd
Ext Vice President
Jim Miller
Sec/Treasurer
Troy Futch
TREASURE COAST
President
Tim Cann
Vice President
Dick Gray
Ext Vice President
Bill Lanthier
Sec/Treasurer
Roger Welker
WEST COAST
Picsident
Kirk Sowers
Vice President
Garth Boline
Ext Vice President Chip Lewison
Sec/Treasurer
Pete Bass
6

Newly elected SFGCSA Board of Directors are (left to right): Bob Klitz CGCS,
Mark Richard CGCS, Ron Wright, Kelly Cragin, Dale Kuehner CGCS, A1 Ross
CGCS, and Rick lies. Board Member Tony Ursolco is not pictured.

SAN FRANCISCO BEAT
66th Annual GCSAA Conference & Show
The Florida GCS A has arranged for a room block at the Grand
Hyatt San Francisco for any FGCSA member or affiliated
supplier. This hotel is located in Union Square, six blocks
from the Moscone Center, approximately a 15-minute walk.
Rate is $ 138/night which is about average for the better quality
hotels listed on the GCSAA hotel list. S imply call the FGCSA
office at 1-800-732-6053 before November 1st to make your
reservation at the Grand Hyatt. If vou have filled in vour
Earlv Bird registration and not gotten vour first choice.
Yvu may still get intv the Hyatt rwm blwk, Just call the
FGCSA office before November 1st.
The FGCSA will again be holding its annual Reception during
the GCSAA Conference. Paul Crawford promises another
spectacular evening! All Florida suppliers are urged to
participate by helping to co-sponsor this event. We have had
wonderful response for this event and don't want to leave
anyone out. Call the FGCSA office for more information.
The Green Sheet

FGCSA Membership News

m>M i & ì

1

4 ® ItifttsM.

Superintendent. Panama Country Club. Contact Doug Quilling
at 904-265-2911 or send resumes
to 100 Country Club Drive, Lynn
Haven, FL 32444.
Assistant Superintendent. Bonita
Bay Club. Contact Mark Black at
813-495-0073 or send resumes to
25551 Country Club Drive,
Bonita Springs, FL 33923
Assistant Superintendent.
Stonebridge GC. Contact Bob
Jacks at 407-483-8444.
Assistant Superintendent.
Rosemont GC. Mail resumes to
Joe Little, 4224 Clubhouse Rd.,
Orlando, FL 32808.

NEWLY CERTIFIED SUPERINTENDENTS
The FGCSA congratulates the following superintendents who have
become Certified during the past few months. The first superintendent to be recognized is R. Jeff Brewster who is currently serving as
superintendent at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates. Jeff formerly served as Assistant Superintendent at Boca Del Mar GC in Boca Raton and still considers himself
to be a Florida superintendent!
S t m Ehrbar CfiCSi Old Marsh
Steve received his A.S. degree in Applied Science from Ohio State
in 1983. After working in the Ohio area for two years, Steve moved
to Florida in 1985. After a short stint at Frenchmen's Creek, Steve
became interested in the construction and grow-in phase of the
business. He spent 2 1/2 years working for Pete Dye during the
construction of Old Marsh and then spent another 2 years at Cypress
Links in Jupiter for their grow-in. Steve stated that he gained a lot of
valuable experience from seeing a golf course from the ground up.
After leaving Cypress Links^ Steve accepted the position of head
superintendent at Lost Tree Club for 3 1/2 years. In 1993, he returned
to Old Marsh where he is currently serving as superintendent.

1994-1995 FGCSA
OFFICERS

Steve satisfied one of his major career goals by becoming certified.
The Palm Beach chapter member is married, has a six year old
daughter and a 20 month old son.

The following were elected to
serve as FGCSA officers for the
1994-1995 fiscal year at the Annual Board Meeting in Orlando.

Jim Witt CCiCS, Avila C^lfClub
Jim graduated from Lake City CC in 1981. Before attending Lake
City, Jim spent 3 years working on an Air Force-run golf course in
Hawaii which gave him an interest in golf course management.

Scott Bell
President
Greg Plotner Vice President
Dale Kuehner Sec/Treasurer
Paul Crawford Past President

After graduation, he served two years as Assistant Superintendent at
Carrollwood Village. Later he accepted a position with U. S. Homes
that enabled him to be involved in the construction and grow in of
Foxfire and Countryside Golf Courses in Naples. Like Steve, he
stated that he gained tremendous experience during those five years.
Jim was a member of the Everglades chapter and served briefly on
their Board of Directors.

The next meeting of the FGCSA
Board of Directors will be held in
Fort Lauderdale on Monday,
September 19th at 2:00 p.m. The
meeting will be at the Broward
County Convention Center and is
open to all those attending the
FTGA Conference and Show.
September/October 1994

In 1990, Jim accepted the position of golf course superintendent at
Avila GC. He has recently become a member of the Board of
Directors of the West Coast GCS A. Jim feels that certification is the
way of the future and that it is an excellent way to show golf course
owners that you have a professional commitment to the industry.
7

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