NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

The South Florida
GCSA makes it a
clean sweep at the
2004 FGCSA Golf
Championship taking
Team and Individual
Honors. (From left):
Howard Hulsebosch,
Kelly Cragin, Bob
Harper (low gross
winner), Joe Pantaleo
and Jim Torba. See
page 7 for more details.

Nov. 4

Calusa GCSA Chapter
Meeting, Lochmoor CC
Nov. 4 Lake City Endowment
Tournament, Hammock Bay
-5
Nov. 5 Everglades GCSA CREW
Land & Water Trust Golf
Tournament, Bonita Bay East.
Nov. 8 Everglades Meeting, The
Old Collier GC, Naples
Nov. 9 Coastal Plains GCSA chapter
meeting, St. James Bay
Nov. 10 Suncoast GCSA Grounds
Management Seminar, Selby
Gardens. See page 6.
Nov. 11 North Florida GCSA chapter
meeting, Deerwood CC
Nov. 12 Treasure Coast GCSA golf
outing, Hammock Creek

Upcoming Events

Nov. 16 Seven Rivers GCSA Fishing
Trip, Crystal River
Nov. 16 Sports Turf Managers Assn.,
Florida Chapter #1 Meeting,
Sable Pines Park, City of
Coconut Creek
Nov. 18 USGA Regional Conference,
Marriott, Palm Beach Gardens
See article on page 7
Nov. 23 West Coast GCSA chapter
meeting, Clearwater Exec. GC
Dec. 2 Calusa GCSA Second Annual
Charity Tournament, Kelly
Greens GC, Fort Myers
Dec. 4 South Florida GCSA Christmas
Party, Club at Emerald Hills
Dec. 4 Suncoast GCSA Christmas
Dinner Cruise, Sarasota

Dec. 10 Treasure Coast chapter
Chistmas Party, Gator Trace
Dec. 10 Palm Beach GCSA Christmas
Party, Delray Beach Marriott
Dec. 13 South Florida GCSA Golf
Outing, TPC at Eagle Trace
Dec. 15 Everglades Christmas
Tournament, Quail West
Dec. 16 North Florida Holiday Golf

FTGA Regional Turf Conferences:
Tuesday, Jan. 11: Orlando
Wednesday, Jan. 12: Tampa
Tuesday, Jan. 18: Lake Worth
Wednesday, Jan. 19: Miami
Thursday, Jan. 20: Fort Myers
Wednesday, Jan.26: Jacksonville
Tuesday, Feb. 1: Milton

President's Message

President's Message
Joe Pantaleo

some way, almost everyone's focus has been
getting their own ship righted. Obviously,
over the past couple of months priorities have
changed and shifted dramatically and time
for volunteer activity has slowed. What is
that old saying, "The best laid plans of mice
and men...?" We still have a very strong association made up of great people! While
our work toward our goals for the year has
slowed to a crawl, be assured we are still
looking to the future with positive thoughts
and plans for both the short and long terms.

Since the August writing of the President's
message, incredibly, three more hurricanes
have passed through our state. These storms
have impacted nearly every portion of
Florida, while repeatedly slamming the central portion of the state three times. I have
personally talked with many of the affected
superintendents and suppliers. The common
thread among them all is a dazed and helpless feeling; especially those who experienced multiple hits by the storms. However, It is hard to believe but just around the cormost have a good attitude and say, "We will ner is the Golf Industry Show to be held in
rebuild and recover from all of this."
Orlando in February. This is always an exciting event, especially when we are the host
We know the long-term effects of this unbe- chapter. The 2005 show, as you know, now
lievably active hurricane season are yet to includes the Golf Course Owners Associabe clearly seen. We do know that the com- tion. This should be a good addition since it
bined monetary damage is in the $30 billion includes a very important segment of our
range, which obviously will require quite a industry that has so much to do with our own
long time from which to recover. Charley, success as professionals. It appears that the
Frances, Ivan and Jeanne are gone now, but rotation of future shows will likely be locked
they have left behind many scars and chal- into Orlando, San Diego and New Orleans
lenges for our industry. As strong as golf is and maybe Anaheim if San Diego can't exhere in Florida, a $4.4 billion impact annu- pand to meet the demand. So it will be an
ally, you would expect us to bounce back. It East, Central and West rotation.
may take a while for some, but I am confident we will rebound in a big way.
While some of us may still be varying stages
of hurricane damage recovery, hopefully
It has been a tough start as President of this most will be able to make the shorter trip to
wonderful organization. With nearly the Orlando to attend this great conference and
whole state impacted by these hurricanes in show. This will be a great opportunity for

GREEN SHEE

Editor:
Joel Jackson, CGCS
(407) 248-1971 (fax/phone)
e-mail: FLGrn@aol.com

News Coordinator:
Mrs. Marie Roberts
1760 NW Pine Lake Drive
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 692-9349
(772) 692-9654 (fax)
(800) 732-6053 (Florida Wats)
e-mail: fgcsal23@bellsouth.net
WebSite: floridagcsa.com
The Green Sheet is a bimonthly FGCS A
newsletter printed the first of January,
March, May, July, Sept and November.

Financial Support:
This issue of the Green Sheet is
being sponsored by:
Golf Ventures
2101 E Edgewood Drive
Lakeland, FL 33803
800-330-8874
800-481-8911
888-222-7072
All material submitted for printing will
be edited at the discretion of the editor.
Material must be typed or clearly
printed. Photos are encouraged. Items
must be for the good of the association.
Deadline next issue: December 15.

Joe Pantaleo

many of us to get together for the first time
as a group for a while. To make that gathering extra special, we have appointed Paul
Crawford to serve once again as Chairman
of the FGCS A Reception, which will be held
at the Omni Hotel on Thursday, February
10th. You won't want to miss this event.
Since the 2004 FTGA Conference and Show
was cancelled, we can use the GCS AA Show
to help us catch up on our educational opportunities and credits. It goes without saying that the selection of seminars at the Golf
Industry Show will be vast and second to
none in one location, so plan to attend.
Other exciting new about the Golf Industry
Show is the candidacy of Bob Randquist,
CGCS from the Boca Rio C.C. as a GCS AA
Director. Bob was unable to attend the recent Chapter Delegates Meeting held in Kansas City to campaign because of his own
storm cleanup and arrival of Hurricane
Jeanne. Darren Davis was there to help meet
and greet delegates on Bob's behalf and to
help monitor several speaker phone sessions
that Bob held with groups of delegates.
Darren reports the delegates really appreciated Bob's participation under very trying
circumstances.
We are helping Bob by producing a campaign brochure and we will assist in any
other way possible to work for his election
Continued at top of page 3

Director of Communications Report
.... Continuation of President's Message
to the GCS A A Board of Directors. Good luck
to Bob! We will be reviewing voter registration and procedures in one of our upcoming
publications.
Other new and exciting news from GCS AA
is that the Club Managers Association will
be joining the Golf Industry Show beginning
in 2007. We have pointed toward partnering
with other Allied Associations as a source
of bolstering our own position on many issues. We cannot be more excited about the
ramifications of aligning ourselves further
with more golf decision makers.

1. Government Relations: The November
Pesticide Review Council meeting has been
cancelled and moved to January as various
Ag Dept. officials are dealing with
widespread recovery needs of the state's
various Ag commodities. One topic that
was on the agenda: Florida's Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services
(FDACS) has approached the U.S. EPA for
a grant to construct a vulnerable soils map
with a golf course locations overlay, so that
courses will be able to access it online to
determine if they are located in an area of
special for certain products. The first that
comes to mind is the use of Nemacur after
May 31, 2005, which is prohibited in areas
with vulnerable soils.

Our next FGCS A Board meeting will be held
at the Bradenton Country Club on Friday,
October 29th. It will be the first time your
leaders have gotten together since our flurry
of hurricanes. I am sure that we will share
many experiences and will decide on how
we can best structure both short and long
term recuperation and strengthening of your
organization.

Some concern has been voiced that by
having the vulnerable soils map on a public
access site that some radical environmental
groups will target Ag and Green Industry
(including golf) operations, since they use
pesticides and fertilizers in areas determined
to be potentially "vulnerable." This issue is
still under discussion and I'm sure will be
addressed at the next Pesticide Review
Council meeting. The grant proposal that
Even though these storms may have slowed FDACS is presenting is called the Pesticide
some of our momentum there is plenty of Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP).
exciting news coming up that we can't wait
to share with you in the very near future.
In conversation with an industry
representative, there is a strong feeling that
many of the companies will be active in
What's Up D.O.C.?
using this site to help golf courses identify
by Joel Jackson
their soil type at their locations and advise
them on the use of their products. This
potential service is only in the preliminary
Hopefully your lives are returning to a more stages of discussion as the companies seek
"normal" status as time passes and your to obtain more information on the PESP
recovery from the hurricane damage program.
progresses. Many courses have or continue
to feel the pinch from lost revenue as some FGCSA BMP Committee: The FGCS A BMP
courses are still feeling the effects from Committee will meet on November 17 to
flooded low lying areas and damage to
the progress of the draft of the BMP
buildings. Their may be little comfort in review
manual.
agreement of the draft
knowing that you are not alone in being content theUpon
committee
will seek input and
behind in your fall preparations or reduced cooperation from reasonable
resources and damaged courses, but you will groups to help lend credibilityenvironmental
and support
persevere and return to better days.
for the BMP manual. This BMP approach
has been well received by government and
Just a reminder that the GCS AA does have environmental
groups as a practical and
a disaster relief fund for GCS AA members reasonable way
sustain
who might need assistance to recover from environmental integritytoandhelp
provide
personal loss and repair costs. Contact operating guidelines for businesses.sound
GCSAA's Chapter Relations department at forest, cattle,and Indian River citrus, The
and
800-472-7878 if you need some assistance lawn care associations are a few who have
in recovering from the storms.
th

led the way and had success with the BMP
approach.
2. Allied Associations: GCSAA: Only four
FGCSA chapter delegates were able to go
to Kansas City for the annual delegates
meeting, given the recovery efforts from the
storms. Space does not permit a detailed
discussion of the outcomes, but you can
log onto the GCSAA website or consult
GCM or Newsline for information on the
issues discussed. Some of the topics were:
The Affiliation Agreement, Dual
Membership, Relocation, Name change,
Golf Course Owners and Club Managers
coming to the annual GCSAA conference
and of course meeting the candidates
running for board offices.
On that note, our own Bob Randquist could
not attend due to hurricane recovery efforts
and the impending arrival of the next
hurricane, but he did participate via speaker
phone for over 2 hours answering questions
on his positions on the issues from groups
of voting delegates. Darren Davis attended
those call session as Bob's proxy and said
the delegates gave very positive feedback
for Bob's efforts to participate.
3. Education: There will be two major
education opportunities in November for
those needing to make up some PDI or
Certification points missed at the stormcancelled FTGA Conference in Tampa. They
are: Nov. 10 Suncoast Grounds Maintenance
Seminar; and Nov 18 USGA Green Section
Regional Seminar. (See pages 6 and 7)
4. Media/Public Relations: Respecting the
tremendous amount of recovery work going
on, I have provided limited information to
the golf media seeking stories on the
hurricane damage and long term effects, and
have not made calls myself, rather waiting
for information to voluntarily filter in from
those willing to share their stories. I know
of golf damage related articles appearing in
the Orlando Sentinel and Palm Beach Post.
5. Chapter Relations/ Fundraising Events:
There will be a couple of events of note
coming up. Nov 4 -5 : The Lake City Alumni
Endowment Tournament, Hammock Bay GC,
Naples. Nov 5 EGCSA's CREW (Corkscrew
Regional Ecosytem Watershed) Fundraising
Tournament.
th

th

Hurricane News

A Hurricane Season to
Remember...or Forget?
Only a very few, if any, golf courses in
Florida were spared some sort of effect from the 2004 Hurricane Season.
A zone comprised of the middle third
of the state's peninsula was criss
crossed by three hurricanes and our
panhandle peers took Ivan on the
chin. If it wasn't wind damage it was
heavy rainfall and flooding. Practically
everyone got a taste of the storms to
some degree.
We haven't been able to get a firm
handle on the extent of the cultural or
financial impact yet, but suffice it to
say that debris clean up costs and
subsequent revenue losses will be
hitting everyone's pocketbook pretty
hard. From emails and conversations
I've had reports of $25,000 to close to
$1 million in clean up and repair costs
depending on the location of the
course.

Hole #11:

Superintendent Kyle Sweet poses on the 11th "Eagle Buffer Hole" at
The Sancturary GC on Sanibel Island before Hurricane Charlie.

Some clubhouses and maintenance
buildings took hard hits in SW and
SE Florida where Charley, Frances and
Jeanne made landfall. The long hours
of overtime to clean up and catch up
have been mind numbing. Cultural
practices are behind five to six weeks
and the changing weather means
overseeding preparations must be fast
tracked to get our courses ready for
the busy Winter season.
Florida golf courses will bounce back
and be ready, but some of the scars
will be visible for a long time as signature landmark trees are gone forever.
Hopefully, we have learned things we
can do better next time to protect our
assets, but we know deep down you
can't prevent Mother Nature from
having her way. The best we can do is
to strengthen some weakness in our
preparations and have more resources
prepared to get us through those first
days after the storm.
Here's hoping we all just experienced
a once in a lifetime hurricane season.

Hole #11 After Charlie:

This photo shows the massive destrution and defoliation
of the trees on the island.

Local Chapter Events

Suncoast GCSA Grounds
Seminar Set for Nov. 10

South Florida GCSA Hosts the 20th Annual
Missing & Exploited Children's Tournament

The Seventh Annual Suncoast Grounds
Management Seminar will be held at Selby
Gardens in Sarasota from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. on Wednesday, November 10th.

On Friday, October 8,2004, the SFGCSAMissing & Exploited Children's Benefit Tournament Committee hosted the 20th annual tournament at Colony West CC in Tamarac
Florida. Host Superintendent Dale Kuehner CGCS and his staff had the course in great
shape, and the day was a welcome relief from the previous long five weeks of hurricane
clean-up.

Morning speakers include Rick Schoellhorn,
" Easy Color in the Landscape - It Doesn't
Have to be Painful" and Dr. Bert McCarty
speaking on "New Management Tools for
Turfgrass Managers."

A full field of 152 players enjoyed a sunny, breezy day, while listening to a tub grinder
quietly working away in a cypress grove north of the Clubhouse. The day served as a
reminder of how we continue to be challenged by nature's desire to test our grass growing skills, as we continue to bond together as a group, facing nature's wrath, declining
budgets, and no tolerance or understanding from our owners and members for unacceptable course conditions.

The afternoon speakers are Phil Harmon,
"Turf Fungicides"; Ken Langeland,
"Aquatic Plant Management", Peggy
Dessaint "Pesticide Storage Facilities."The
full day program concludes with a question
and answer period.
The Seminar is jointly sponsored by
Suncoast GCSA and the UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Service for Sarasota County
in Conjunction with Selby Botanical Gardens.
Advance registration is $65.00 by Nov. 3rd
or a $70.00 at door registration. Checks
may be made payable to Extension Horticulture Advisory Committee and mailed to
Sarasota County Extension Service, Attn:
Golf, 6700 Clark Rd., Sarasota FL 34241.

Nancy McBride, Executive Director of the Florida Branch of the National Center for
Missing & Exploited Children, provided the group with an update of successes and
challenges their organization has faced over the past year. Eternal Tournament Chairman Billy Entwistle Jr. reflected on the long history of this Tournament, and mentioned
the original 1984 Tournament Founders including Bill Entwistle Sr, and David Lottes,
and how their vision guided this event to its most successful year to date, with over $22,
000 raised for the Center. The celebration of the 20th anniversary continued, with supporting vendors making very generous donations this year to surpass Entwistle Jrs.'
goal of $20, 000 by several thousand dollars. Year to date contributions from the past
twenty tournaments are now in excess of $206,000.
The 2004/2005 SFGCSA Board Members will be reviewing the performance of this
year's Tournament Committee, and SFGCSA President Kelly Cragin will be meeting
with both groups to determine the Benefit Tournament goals for 2005.
Thank you to all our players, sponsors, volunteers, and the Staff at Colony West for
another outstanding event.

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On behalf of the SFGCSA, Bryan Singleton presents Nancy McBride, Executive Director of the Florida Branch of the National Center
for Missing & Exploited Children with a check for $20,000 celebrating the 20th anniversary of this worthy event.

FGCSA Activities

South Florida Chapter Wins 2004 FGCSA Championship

The 2004 FGCSA Golf Championship Tournament was rescheduled from September 27th
to October 16th due to impending Hurricane Jeanne and recovery efforts from previous
storms. Due to the rescheduling several chapters were unable to field a team to participate
because of subsequent conflicts with the new date. However, five chapters did send teams
and several FGCSA members participated as individuals.
Those who were able to attend found that host superintendent, Scott Scamehorn had the
course in excellent shape and while evidence of the results of passage of three hurricanes
could be seen in some places they were few and far between and the turf overall and putting
surfaces in particular were in excellent playing condition with putts rolling fast and far as
usual.
The clubhouse had sustained some damage as well, but the grille was open and we had food
and drink and a beautiful day to pursue par and enjoy some down time together. Congratulations to the winners:
Low Gross Individual: Bob Harper. This is Bob's second FGCSA Championship victory.

2005 Florida Reception to
be Held February 10th

Team Champions: South Florida GCSA- Bob Harper, Joe Pantaleo, JimTorba, Kelly Cragin
and Howard Hulsebosch. Once again , South Florida presents the strongest team in the The FGCSA will host its always popular reception on Thursday evening, February 10th,
field with all players shooting scores in the 70's.
2005, from 7:00 - 9:30. p.m. at the Rosen
By virtue of his victory Bob Harper joins Poa Annua Classic Champion Seth Strickland and Centre Hotel in Orlando. This hotel is the
Crowfoot Open Champion Mark Henderson on the FGCSA Golf Team #1 to compete in GCSAA Headquarters hotel conveniently lothe GCSAA Golf Championship in Orlando in February 2005. Rounding out the four-man cated next to the Convention Center
team is Joe Ondo, who had the low average of the qualifying events. Dennis Neiswender,
Palma Ceia CC, West Coast GCSA, is the 1st Alternate if for any reason one of these All Florida Superintendents and Assistant
Superintendents are invited to attend. Look
gentlemen cannot participate.
for your invitation in January. Mark your
now and make your travel plans
2004 Hurricane Season a Hot Topic at USGA Conference calendar
accordingly. You will not want to miss this
The 2004 USGA Regional Conference will be held at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott opportunity to mingle with your peers.
(right off 1-95) on Thursday, November 18th with registration beginning at 7:00 a.m.
Sponsors will be solicited and we expect a
good response from our loyal affiliates who
Speakers and their topics for the all day event include:
enjoy the opportunity to network with all the
Roger Harvey, USGA Southeastern Regional Affairs. "Welcoming Remarks
Florida representatives who attend the ConSteve Kammerer, Syngenta. "Is it really a Disease Problem?"
ference. Needless to say we are expecting a
Robert Brame, USGA, Kentucky. "The Economy and Golf Course Maintenance"
Kraig Marquis, Audubon International. "The Venetian GC: Case Study in Sustainability" record breaking crowd!
Larry Gilhuly, USGA, Gig Harbor, Washington. "Down by the Seashore (Paspallum,)"
If you are an affiliate member of one of our
Tom Trammel, Hawks Nest GC, Vero Beach. "Hurricane Survival 101: What I've
local chapters who has never attended the
Learned"
reception, please call the FGCSA office toJohn Foy, USGA. "Agronomic and Economic Consequences of 2004 Hurricane
day at 1-800-732-6053 to receive your sponSeason" Gerald Chiddick, Zurich North America. "Insurance for Golf Courses: Panel
sor solicitation package. There is still time
Discussion"
for all affiliate members to become a part of
Dr. Edwin Duke, Floria A&M. "Trees: Before, during and after hurricanes."
the Orlando reception
Jan Beljan, Fazio GC Design. "Hurricane Impacts on Course Design Features."
Moderators Todd Lowe, USGA, and Bob Randquist, Boca Rio GC, will get the program
started at 8:00 a.m. and finished at 4:00 p.m. With this year's focus on hurricanes, a big
crowd is expected so get your reservation in as soon as possible. Cost is $55.00 for each
representative of USGA Member Clubs and Courses or $65.00 for guests. Please call
Shelly Foy at 772-546-2620 or fax your registration form to 772-546-4653. Checks should
be sent to USGA Green Section, P O Box 1087, Hobe Sound, FL 33475. You may also e-mail
your registration to sfoy @ usga. org. Take a well deserved break from your hurrcane clean
up to join your fellow superintendents at this Conference.

As in the past few years, we will have a
short Pre-Reception Welcome for all sponsors and FGCSA board members. This special time presents an opportunity for our
sponsors to unwind after the hectic first day
of the Show. We sincerely appreciate the
support of all our sponsors and look forward
to another great night!

a

Golf Ventures
A Meadowbrook

Company

Lakeland
Fort Myers
Jupiter

800-330-8874
800-481-8911
888-222-7072

MIKE S W I N S O N J O I N S GOLF VENTURES AS
TERRITORY MANAGER FOR T A O SALES
Golf Ventures is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Swinson as Territory
Manager f o r T <& O Sales in Alachua, Northern Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion,
Putnam, Sumter and Volusia counties. Mike has over 24 years experience in the golf
industry. Mike is a founding f a t h e r of the Seven Rivers
a past president
serving 12 years on the board as well as director of the J e f f Hayden Envirotron
Golf Classic since its inception. Please join us in welcoming Mike to the Golf
Ventures Team!

GCSA,

GOLF VENTURES OPENS ADDITIONAL
LOCATION I N OCALA
Golf Ventures has added a new location in Ocala to better service our customers in
the north Florida market. This Ocala location has over 14,000 square f e e t of o f f i c e
and warehouse space where we will inventory Jacobsen Equipment, Golf Ventures
Specialty Products, Standard and Par Aide accessories. Golf Ventures corporate
o f f i c e and warehouse are located in Lakeland, Florida along with strategic locations
in Ft. Myers and Jupiter.

Florida Superintendents Continue to Struggle through Hurricane Season