The Greenerside Official Publication of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey July - August 2000 • Volume 23 Number 4 Getting the mosquito before it gets you Expert advice on keeping mosquitoes—and West Nile Virus—at bay on your course Until last summer, the presence of mosquitoes was about as consequential as the presence of geese: both were annoying but relatively harmless. Then came West Nile—a mosquito-borne virus that killed seven people in the New York metropolitan region, caused encephalitis or meningitis in 62 others and prompted widespread spray­ ing of insecticides, particularly in and around New York City. In the tri-state area, these pesky insects don’t become active until late spring. But with the recent discovery of low levels of the West Nile virus genetic material in hibernating mosquitoes collected in Fort Totten, Queens, it might be worth launching an attack even before these mosquitoes take their first flight. water—preferably now, before the egg-bearing females take flight. “Adult Culex Pipiens emerge from hibernation during May and start laying eggs in a suitable habitat soon after,” Dr. Andreadis says. “Eggs hatch within one to two days, Continued on page 3 In this issue President's Message.................................... 2 Rules and regulations, state-by-state....5 Member Profile.............................................6 GCSANJ News................................................8 GCSAA News..................................................18 X marks the spot returns............................ 19 Rutgers Golf Classic..................................... 20 Turfgrass education and research at Rutgers University....................................... 22 Field Days are coming!............................... 23 Vendor spotlight...........................................24 1st and goal...................................................25 To prevent a repeat of last year’s outbreak, health offi­ cials from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachu­ setts and Rhode Island are subscribing to a surveillance and control plan that involves disrupting the mosquitoes’ repro­ duction, monitoring mosquitoes and birds for signs of the virus, and, finally, instituting new procedures at hospitals to catch the earliest of human cases. The species targeted: the Culex pipiens, which seeks its meals in backyards and bed­ rooms and is known to carry the West Nile virus from birds to people. Health officials say that pesticide spraying would occur only as a last resort, if it becomes clear that the virus may threaten people. As golf course superintendents, there are steps you can— and really must—take to keep the number of new mosqui­ toes at bay on the course and club grounds. What follows is a collection of expert advice on how to keep your course— and ultimately, your crew and members—out of harm’s way. ELIMINATE THE BREEDING GROUNDS Chief Medical Entomologist at the Connecticut Agri­ cultural Experiment Station in New Haven, Connecticut, Dr. Theodore Andreadis, explains that the best way to reduce the number of mosquitoes is to remove or treat any standing GCSANJ Newsletter is published six times a year by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey Ken Krausz, Editor Newsletter Business Staff Chris Holenstein 973-627-3748 Ken Krausz, CGCS 201 599-8301 -FAX 201 447-0301 Contributing Writers Douglas Vogel, Brian M. Remo, Shaun Barry Please address inquiries to: Editor, The Greenerside 125 Crain Road, Paramus, NJ 07652 For Ad Placement: Judy Policastro (973) 379-1100 Art and Typography by Trend Multimedia 732-787-0786 • FAX 732-787-7212 Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey 66 Morris Ave., Suite 2A Springfield, New Jersey 07081 973-379-1100 • FAX 973-379-6507 Officers: Ken Krausz, CGCS, President Ed Mellor, Vice President Pat Campbell, CGCS, Secretary John O'Keefe, CGCS, Treasurer Glenn Miller, Past President Directors: District 1 Gary Arlio Elliott Lewis District 2 Kenneth Givens Chris Holenstein District 3 Bruce Peeples District 4 Gregg Armbruster Brian Minemier Chapter GCSAA Delegate James C. McNally Executive Secretary Judy Policastro Commercial Representatives Steve Chirip Shaun Barry Assistant Superintendent Representative Tim Kerwin ©2000 THE GREENERSIDE Opinions expressed in this Newsletter are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily express the opinions or policies of the GCSANJ Board and its membership. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. Printed on recycled paper President's Message Watch out for the little things There is a saying that “If you take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves.” I’ve been thinking about the little things a lot lately. Two little things in particular, deer ticks and mosquitoes. This past week a dead crow was found in River Edge (a town next to Paramus) and that crow was in­ fected with the West Nile Virus. Standing water has been quite an issue since that crow was found. It has been a very wet couple of weeks and even though we drain pretty well, we have had a lot of standing water. You know the areas I am talking about, the drainage ditch that does not drain too well, the areas on the side of the cart path where, no matter how hard you try and control cart traffic, they still drive through. Those annoying little puddles. We have been working hard on them lately, trying to get the proper pitch, filling them with soil, just plain draining them. It is a shame that we did not attack this problem before, because those areas look better already. Standing water breeds mosquitoes, and mosquitoes can carry the West Nile Virus. Check your course and see where you can improve the drain­ age and make sure that there are no tires around because they hold water like nothing else. Who knows, maybe we will have to drain our ball and club washers! Deer ticks are another of those little problems. I don’t think we had much of a problem before, but now we have a big construction project in the neighborhood and a lot of woods were destroyed. That means the deer need to find a new home. Along with that are the beautiful features we have added to the golf course. I’m referring to those naturalized areas. You know the out of play areas (well not for me) that wave in the wind and save on maintenance costs. I had a request today to re-evaluate an area as the concern about deer ticks and Lyme Disease grows. It is amazing that those two little insects can cause so much havoc, and they don’t have anything to do with growing grass! The little things cer­ tainly keep us on our toes! I hope your summer is going well. Now that we are taking care of the little things, let’s hope that the weather is kind to us. Getting the mosquito before it gets you Continued from page 1 and in two weeks’ time, a new crop of adults emerge.” On the golf course—and around many homes—the breeding grounds for the offending Culex pipiens is almost limitless. A tiny puddle will do. Other places likely to attract egg-laying mosquitoes, says Dr. Andreadis, are birdbaths, pool covers, pools that aren’t well chlorinated, buckets, dishes under flowerpots, unused equipment, wheelbarrows, ornamental garden pools and swamps that don’t have any fish, low-lying wet areas and last, but certainly not least, leaf-clogged rain gutters. “During midsummer, mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult in as little as 10 to 12 days,” notes Dr. Andreadis. “That means that a single neglected rain gutter could pro­ duce hundreds of mosquitoes each day.” Not a happy thought even if the West Nile virus weren’t a threat. YOUR BEST DEFENSE “Any area that collects water should be checked on a weekly basis,” suggests Dr. Andreadis. When you’re deal­ ing with an ornamental pool, you might consider stocking it with fish. “The fish will feed on the mosquito larvae,” says Dr. Andreadis, adding, “That’s why deep ponds generally don’t produce large numbers of mosquitoes.” What kind of fish should you use? Dr. Michael Potter, urban entomologist at the University of Kentucky in Lex­ ington, suggests mosquito fish, referring to what are called Gambusia—essentially predacious minnows; they’re about an inch to an inch-and-a-half long and dine quite happily on mosquito larvae. Dr. Andreadis finds goldfish work well and offer an added bonus: they tolerate low oxygen levels. “Both goldfish and minnows may not survive the winter,” cautions Dr. Andreadis, “which means you’ll have to be sure to re­ stock your ornamental pools come spring.” Another alternative, says Dr. Andreadis, is to treat the pond, swamp or wet area with a “biorational” insecticide that will kill mosquito larvae while leaving pets, plants and people unharmed. Among the products out there: • Bactimos, Vectobae and Vectolex. You can get these and other similar materials through local suppliers. • Mosquito Dunks, manufactured by March Biological Control in Sherwood, Oregon. They’re sold in six-packs and can be purchased through the company’s web site— www.marchbiological.com—or, again, through local ven­ dors. “Mosquito Dunks,” explains Dr. Andreadis, “are simi­ lar in size and shape to small doughnuts, and they float on the surface of standing water. These products contain a bac­ terium called Baciflus thuringiensis israelensis, which is toxic only to mosquitoes. The larvae eat it and die.” Each dunk will treat 100 square feet of surface water for 30 days and will remain effective for that time even in wet areas that may dry up and reflood. Continued on page 4 Calendar July 31 August 3 GCSANJ June Monthly Meeting: Deerwood C.C.,Host Superintendent, Joel Collura, CGCS. Contact Judy Policastro at 973-379-1100 Golf & Fine Turf Research Field Day: Rutgers Hort Farm II, Ryders Lane, East Brunswick August 9-10 Penn State Turfgrass Field Days: August Sept. 11 Oct 9- Dec 15 Oct. 21 Oct. 23 Oct. 24 Oct. 30 Nov. 14-16 Contact George Hamilton, 814-863- 3007 District Meetings:TBA GCSANJ Invitational: Copper Hill C.C., Host Superintendent Robert Mylnarski. Contact Judy Policastro at 973-379-1100 Rutgers Golf Turf Management School: Contact Rutgers University at 732-932-9271 GCSANJ 75th ANNIVERSARY ''KICK­ OFF GALA": Upper Montclair C.C. Mark Your Calendar Now! Contact Judy Policastro at 973-379-1100 GCSANJ CHAMPIONSHIP: Hopewell Valley G.C., Host Superintendent Steven T. Bradley. Contact Judy Policastro at 973-379-1100 GCSAA SEMINAR, Sustainable Golf Course Landscape Design: Green Brook C.C., Host Superintendent Joe Kennedy. Contact GCSAA at 800-472- 7878 GCSANJ ASSISTANT SUPERINTEN­ DENT OUTING: Richmond County C.C., Host Superintendent Brian Remo, Assistant Superintendent Curt Gandolfo. Contact Judy Policastro at 973-379-1100 Penn State Golf Turf Conference: Contact Peter Landschoot at 814-863- 1017 Getting the mosquito before it gets you Continued from page 3 ZAPPING THE ADULTS If you don’t catch the mosquitoes in the larval stage, you can go after them again as adults. There are numerous products out there. Which one you choose will vary with your state’s rules and regulations governing pesticide use (see related story on page 5), but areas you’ll want to target will remain the same. Some favorite adult hangouts: the bases of shrubs and high plants and vegetation along a pond’s edge. One purported mosquito killer you don’t want to count on, however, is bats. Though we’ve all been led to believe that bats feast on mosquitoes by the hundreds per hour (600 per hour, according to one estimate), this is, apparently . . . well... a crock of guano. threat,” says Dr. Andreadis, “people should take basic pre­ cautions to avoid contact with mosquitoes.” Universal recommendations: • If you must be outside at dawn, dusk or early evening when adult mosquitoes are present, wear long-sleeved shirts If you find dead birds on your property with no visible sign of injury, contact your local wildlife pathology department or health department to find out whether the bird should be tested for West Nile virus. “The reality is bats don’t eat many mosquitoes at all. In fact, mosquitoes make up less than one percent of the bat’s diet,” says Dr. Andreadis, referring to a recent study, which, among other things, examined the contents of bats’ stom­ achs and feces. “They eat more moths than they do mosqui­ toes,” he adds. A mosquito killer that may be worth a gander, however— particularly for your clubhouse or golf shop areas—is a new bug-zapper-like product. Unlike the old and notoriously in­ effective backyard bug zappers, this new device claims to increase its mosquito-killing power considerably by using heat and even carbon dioxide to lure its prey. “Our machine actually mimics the body temperature of humans, cattle and pets, all the things that mosquitoes like to bite,” says Alvin Wilbanks in a New York Times inter­ view. Wilbanks, president of Environmental Products and Research in Blytheville, Arkansas, the company responsible for this nifty product, goes on to say that while the device may look like an aluminum wastebasket with a hat to a hu­ man, it looks like a human to a mosquito. Sounds too good to be true, but the proof is in the pud­ ding: the town of Pollard, Arkansas, bought five of these devices last year and has bought five more for this summer, claiming they’ve worked well enough to be considered an alternative to using airplanes to spray insecticide in public parks. The technology, however, doesn’t come cheap. The ba­ sic Mosquito Killer unit costs $399. And according to Wilbanks, a $120 add-on that emits carbon dioxide, mim­ icking exhaled breath, increases the kill rate. You can find additional information on the Mosquito Killer at www.epar-mosquito.com. PERSONAL PROTECTION “Even without concrete evidence that the virus is a and long pants. • Apply insect repellent—sparingly, however, to exposed skin. Most effective are repellents that contain 20 to 30 per­ cent DEET. In higher concentrations, DEET may cause side effects, particularly in children. Don’t apply repellents to children under 3, and always avoid spraying their hands since repellents can irritate the eyes and mouth. • DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. • If you find dead birds on your property with no visible sign of injury, contact your local wildlife pathology depart­ ment or health department to find out whether the bird should be tested for West Nile virus. Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or Though there is no evidence that a person can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds, avoid bare­ handed contact when handling a carcass. Use gloves or double plastic bags to remove the dead bird from the course. The bird you’re most likely to find belly-up, according to Dr. Andreadis, is the crow. “Crows seem to be the most sensitive indicator of virus activity,” he says, adding, “That’s where the virus seems to appear first.” WHAT IF YOU GET THE BUG The symptoms of West Nile encephalitis range from barely perceptible to severe and can appear with 5 to 15 days of an infected mosquito bite. Most infections are mild, with symptoms including fever, headache and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More seri­ ous infection may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and, rarely, death. Unfortunately, there is no specific therapy. More severe cases may call for hospitalization. If you think you have West Nile encephalitis, seek medical care as soon as pos- Continued on page 5 Rules and regulations, state-by-state Here’s a quick take on the type of licensing you’ll need to apply mosquito-fighting pesticides on golf courses in New York, Connecticut and New Jer­ sey. quitoes on the property they manage, but you do need to get a permit from the Connecticut DEP that details the specific sites you plan to treat. • Superintendents who would like to apply pesticides to control mosquito larvae in stagnant or moving bodies of water will need to be certified in Category 5b, Aquatic In­ sect Control. If the body of water has an outflow, you will also need to apply for an Aquatic use Permit through the Connecticut DEP. IN NEW JERSEY • Biological controls have no restrictions in New Jersey, whether you’re applying them on land or in a body of water. • In New Jersey, superintendents who would like to apply pesticides to control adult mosquitoes on their property must be certified in Category 8B, Mosquito Pest Control. In addi­ tion, if you’re planning to treat more than three acres in to­ tal, you will need to apply for a seasonal permit through the New Jersey DEP. • Superintendents who would like to apply pesticides to control mosquito larvae in stagnant or moving bodies of water, will need to be certified in Category 5b, Aquatic Insect Control. If the body of water has an outflow, you will need to apply for an Aquatic Use Permit through the New Jersey DEP. As you run through the list, you’ll see that biological controls are not restricted in Connecticut and New Jersey. Just be sure to look at the product label carefully: not all products billed as biorational controls are wholly biologi­ cal. Some also contain restricted-use pesticides. If you see an EPA number on a product, that’s usually a tip-off that you’re dealing with a material that requires a special permit or license. Another point worthy of mention: homeowners apply­ ing similar materials may not be bound to any of these laws. IN NEW YORK • Superintendents who would like to apply pesticides— biological or otherwise—to control mosquito larvae in stag­ nant or moving bodies of water will need to be certified in Category 5b, Aquatic Insect Control. If the body of water has an outflow, you will also need to apply for an Aquatic Use Permit through the New York State DEC. • Superintendents who would like to apply pesticides— biological or otherwise—to control adult mosquitoes will need to be certified in Category 8, Public Health. IN CONNECTICUT • Biological controls have restrictions in Connecticut, whether you’re applying them on land or in a body of water. • Superintendents certified in Category 3B, Turf & Orna­ mental Control, can apply pesticides to control adult mos­ Editor s Note: This article and the cover article were re­ printed with permission from Tee to Green, the official pub­ lication of the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association. Mike Cook, Pat Sisk Scott Niven and Blake Halderman researched this piece. Getting the mosquito before it gets you Continued from page 4 sible. For further information on mosquito-borne viral en­ cephalitis, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Preven­ tion (CDC) web site on Arboviral Encephalitis: www.cdc.gov. For more information on pesticides used to control mos­ quito populations, visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) web site on Pesticides and Mosquito Control: www.epa.gov. RALPH McGILLIAN Excavating Contractor Specializing in Lakes & Ponds Over 35 years experience in building new ponds, enlarging & redesigning existing ponds. Can get all DEP permits 609-655-2281 174 Plainsboro Road, Cranbury, NJ Member profile By Brian M. Remo Superintendent, Richmond County C.C. An Interview with John Wantz, CGCS Golf Course Superintendent Due Process Stable Inc. I remember when I was interviewing for the job here at RCCC, our membership made their goals quite clear to me from the start. They wanted to take their golf course to the next level. I asked them to expand on that statement by naming a course that they wished to one day be com­ pared to. Of course, the Baltusrols and Pine Valleys imme­ diately found their way into the conversation, but there are only so many things that can be done with 140 acres and 6,500 yards. There was one golf course that kept repeating itself throughout the talks, and it was decided among all seated at the table that night that it would be great to one day be compared to a Due Process Stable. Likewise, when the circle of my peers discuss some of our industry’s finest, the name John Wantz repeats itself much Aerate, amend and topdress - play in 1 hour on a smooth surface The only machine in the world that injects high volumes of dry material. Before you buy, contract your greens aeration to us. Tired of drill-and-fill and time-consuming greens aeration? The new Land Pride Dryject™ injects soil amendments or topdressing so fast you can aerate, amend, and topdress in one pass. You’re back in play in 1 hour on a smooth putting surface. Adjust injection depth from 2” to 10” deep. Aerate and inject up to 8 cubic feet of amendment per 1000 sq. ft. at 10,000 sq. ft. per hour. Now, for about $ 15K, you’ll have unequaled versatility for injecting both dry and liquid materials. Easy operation. No maintenance headaches. LAND PRIDE Dryject Available exclusively from Advanced Agro Technologies, Inc., Wayside, NJ 1-800-270-TURF E-mail: turf@epix.net the same as his course did that night. It should come as no surprise that a great course is usually synonymous with a great super. It should come as no surprise that a 20-year veteran of the industry with a 9.2 handicap and three well- In his free time, he enjoys long rides on “Baby Beauty”and is a member of H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group)... See, I told you he was cool! respected clubs under his belt is considered a successful man. But those that know John Wantz can honestly say that what makes him so popular among the masses are his ingredi­ ents. The right blend of fire and ice, the perfect mix of busi­ ness and pleasure, an even melding of seriousness with a whole lot of joviality. I sit here now and try to come up with a word that might nail exactly the type of person that this profile examines this issue, and one word keeps repeating itself as well . . . John Wantz . . . COOL. John was bom and raised in York, Pennsylvania, and graduated from PSU with a degree in Turfgrass Manage­ ment. John is a Certified Golf Course Superintendent, hold­ ing the head jobs at Rockland C.C. (Sparkill, New York) and North Jersey C.C. (Wayne, New Jersey) before landing the top spot as grow-in and present super at Due Process in 1992. John presently remains quite active within GCSANJ, having contributed to the Golf and Invitational Committee, Distinguished Service Award Committee, Government Re- Continued on page 7 Joe and Anne Vasta Premium Bent Grass Sod for Golf Courses People you can trust—Quality you can count on A Third Generation Farm 1107 Courses Landing Road Woodstown, NJ 08098 Business Phone/Fax: (856)299-0274 Sales - Chip Presendofer Toll Free: 888-442-2322 Member profile Continued from page 6 lations Committee and District Director. John’s GCSAA involvement also lists the Tournament and Certification Committees. A previous GCSANJ golf champion, John is an avid player and maintains a 9.2 index. In his free time, he enjoys long rides on “Baby Beauty” and is a member of H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) . . . See, I told you he was cool! BR: John, maybe you could start with telling us how you got started in the industry. JW: My father started me in the game of golf when he and I would drive golf balls into the field on my grandfather’s farm in central Pennsylvania. I was 10 years old then. BR: Looking at your resume, it appears that Due Process was your first experience as a grow-in super. Did you find that experience to be difficult your first time out? JW: No, I must say that being involved in the construction and grow-in of a new golf course is an exhilarating and ca­ reer fulfilling experience that is worth the challenge. BR: Most grow-ins depend greatly on the ability of the su­ per, architect, planning board and local governments to work together cohesively. Often times when a problem occurs, lack of communication has the largest impact. How did your group juggle the various opinions and desires of each orga­ nization to come together to succeed? JW: Due Process is a one-owner operation. The wants and needs of that person were and continue to be the top prior­ ity. BR: There is an old saying that at least once in every person’s life they experience the feeling of greatness never to be com­ pared with. Looking back, what would say was your finest hour of accomplishment personally and professionally? JW: During the construction, hitting golf balls with Johnny Miller from proposed tee tops to try to determine landing areas. (He out-drove me every time.) BR: Very few of us every second guess our choice in profes­ sion, but an interesting question asked of me once was if I had to go back and choose another route, which would I choose. How would you answer that question? JW: My first career choice was to play professional golf on tour, but not having the financial backing, I chose the path of turf management, which has been as rewarding. BR: The golf course superintendent has to be an agronomist, manager, politician, environmentalist, businessman, golfer and a technician. Which of these characteristics is the hard­ est to master and why? JW: I feel if you have chosen your career wisely, are good at it and enjoy it, then nothing is hard to master. BR: If there was one person whom you would say influenced you the most throughout your career professionally, who might that be? Why? JW: Beethoven ... his music is soothing and a great stress reliever. BR: Our industry and the game of golf in general allows us to experience a variety of moments which become fond memories, and to meet a variety of people to contribute to them. Who has been the most interesting or memorable per­ son to play the courses you have maintained? Could you also comment as to why that meeting was so memorable? JW: I met and chatted with Alice Cooper two years ago at Due Process. He’s an excellent golfer with a single digit handicap; however, calling a man “Alice” struck me rather weird. I also shared a smoke once with Bill Murray in the maintenance building at Rockland C.C. in 1982. BR: John, I appreciate you sharing a piece of your life and time with us, and wish you the best of luck in 2000 and hope to see you again real soon. JW: You’re welcome, Brian, and thank you for your time and in-depth questions. What Value do Trees add to vour Course? Trees often define the playability of a golf course. Not only do they beautify your course, they also provide shade from the sun's harsh rays on summer days. Let Alpine assist in protecting and enhancing the trees that are so much a part of your course. We guarantee that you will find our service and skills more than just par for the course. Removal Plant Health Care Pruning Fertilization Consulting ALPINE the CARE of TREES Call us at- 201-445-4949 Our Business is People and Their Love for Trees GCSANJ news METEDECONK SETS THE STANDARD By Shaun Barry GCSANJ Commercial Representative Aventis Environmental Science The first chance to attend a GCSANJ monthly meeting in 2000 was on April 25. The day was cold and blustery with a strong chance of rain. We had to turn away 20 of our members as the field was filled within days of the notice going out. We had 128 scheduled golfers, and the weather only kept six people away. It was a meeting not be missed. Our hosts were the very generous Sambol family and Bruce Cadenelli. The course was Metedeconk National, and it appears that we all share the same admiration for this very special place. Everyone knew that they would have a won­ derful time and nobody was disappointed. Bruce, Robert Kedziora, Tim Kerwin and the staff did their normal profes- Aquarius, Irrigation SUPPLY,INC. Bear REINVENTS PERFORMANCE: Now you can replace worn out, outdated TORO®, Rain Bird® and other brand systems with high performance, long lasting golf sprinklers from Bear. The Bear RG870, RG850 & RG820 Series sprinklers are designed to replace and upgrade all golf sprinklers with performance of 53’ - 100’ radius and 11.0 - 66.0 GPM range. ... Full 5 year exchange warranty. Aquarius Irrigation Supply, Inc. 1120 Goffle Rd. Hawthorne, NJ 800-922-0717 sional job, and we got to experience the pleasure of a day at Metedeconk. Greeting our attendees as they arrived were Tournament Committee members Matt Anasiewicz, Kevin Driscoll, John Hyland, Tony Raczynski and Connie, who is Bruce’s ad­ ministrative assistant. Once inside the building they were attended to by Bill Kriews (Mark’s brother) and Mike Pol­ lack, whose staffs treated us like members. Herb Waterous spoke to a large and attentive audience giving everyone some very precise information and lots to think about. Lunch was sponsored by Novartis, Zeneca and Leba- Continued on page 9 Four DSA winners attended our April meeting at Metedeconk. Left to right: Dr. Henry Indyk, Al Caravella, Jack Martin and Joe Flaherty, CGCS. Ed Mellor presents the DSA plaque to Al Caravella. Al was unable to attend the original presentation. GCSANJ news Continued from page 8 non. They helped defray some of the costs for the associa­ tion. Lunch was superb. We had so many choices that ev­ eryone found their favorite food and lots of it. Mr. Hyland even remembered to take some cookies out to his cart. He said that they were for his group, but I am not so sure. The day continued to get better as we headed out to chal­ lenge the course, even though the weather got worse. We got to play the 1st and 3rd nines, which was a new and amaz­ ing experience for most of us. In addition to trying to beat Mr. Par, we also had many skill contests that were spon­ sored by various affiliate members. Jeff Wetterling—15 inches (Torsilieri), H. Waterous— 6 feet 10 inches (Zeneca), Joe Owsik—1 foot 11 inches (Koonz), Jeff Riggs—2 feet 4 inches (Fisher & Sons), hit the best shots on the par three holes. Hitting our longest Continued on page 70 Wilfred MacDonald, Inc. 19 Central Boulevard South Hackensack, NJ 07602 (888) 831-0891 www.wilfredmacdonald.com Ed Mellor, vice president of GCSANJ, proudly presents the 1999 DSA plaque to Joe Flaherty, CGCS. Simply Superior. Ransomes® G-PIeX II Greens Mower The electronically balanced, 11 -blade reels of the G-Plex II triplex greens mower deliver a tight, professional cut down to 5/64ths of an inch. An innovative “Mow Speed” system automatically maintains correct mowing speeds when reels are down and transport speeds when reels are up. The patented swing-out center reel of the G-Plex II simplifies service and maintenance. Versatile 7- and 9- blade reels, verticut. mowers and groomers are also available. For a simply superior greens mower, come in or call today. RANSOMES TEXTRON TURF CARE AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS GCSANJ news Continued from page 9 drives were Paul Dotti (Storr), John Carpinelli (AT Sales) and Kevin Giles (Fisher & Sons). It looks like we will have some real good competition in October at the Champion­ ship. I hope they stay out of my flight (the over-the-hill se­ nior flight). Concluding our skill competition was Dick Neufeld who had the straightest drive (AT Sales). We were able to break the field up into two divisions because of the size of our group. In the 0-14 handicappers we had Jay Antonelli (79) edging Tom Grimac (79) on a match of cards. Tom said that he never wins a match of cards. It appears that he is correct because he also lost to Trent Inman’s net 72. Tom (72) was second, followed by Ray Zelek (74) and John Alexander (75). In the other bracket, Jeff Wetterling swept the awards. His gross score of 83 and his net score of 66 took top honors. Tony Funari (85 and 70) placed second in both events. Rob Finnesey (74) and Dave Sickler (76) completed the list of prizewinners. Our skins competition gave us many winners in both Continued on page 12 Paula Rimbouski is one of the founders of the Jeremy Fund. She attended our April meeting to accept a check from the GCSANJ Foundation. Joseph M. Mercadante, Inc. 201-467-8622 GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION Millburn, NJ • PAVING • EXCAVATING • DRAINAGE SYSTEMS • TEE BUILDING • GRADING Tim Kerwin received the most honest golfer award given by Bruce Cadenelli. Are Your Ponds Greener Than Your Fairways ? Pond Management Services • Algae/weed control • Aeration • Grass carp • GPS/GIS mapping • Environmental audits • Wetland permits • Dredging PH Princeton Hydro, LLC Contact us for a free quote! 80 Lambert Lane Lambertville, NJ 08530 Phone 609.397.5335 Consulting and Engineering Services for Water and Wetland Resources There's No Mistaking an Original. The outstanding performonce of a reliable ' economical, multi-site fungicide. The two top selling fungicides in golf, HERITAGE* and DACONIL* WWW. zenecaprofprod. com Contact: Jean.Scott@agna.zeneca.com ZENECA Professional Products Always read and follow label directions carefully DACONIL and HERITAGE are registered trademarks of a Zeneca company 2000 Zeneca Ag Products Inc. Zeneca Professional Products is a business of Zeneca Ag Products Inc. ZPP-TRF-02Ö GCSANJ news Continued from page 10 flights. Walking away with one skin each were J. Alexander, J. Antonelli, Paul Crump, John Farrell, John Fenwick, T. Funari, Vic Gerard Jr., Sean Klotzbach, Dave McGhee, J. Owsik, J. Riggs and Brad Sparta. In addition to our golf awards we also presented a Dis­ tinguished Service Award plaque to A1 Caravella and Joe Flaherty. A1 won in 1998 and Joe won last year, but neither was able to receive the award in front of his peers. We were also very pleased that two other winners, Dr. Henry Indyk and Jack Martin were present. These men have helped our association in so many ways, and it felt very nice to say thank you. We also had two members of the Jeremy Fund join us for dinner. These people are dedicated to helping families with cancer. They help them with their daily needs so they can concentrate on getting well. Having lost a child to this Continued on page 13 New Construction Restoration Renovation pennink arrimour golf On-staff Agronomists Fully Equipped Fully Bonded P.O. Box 502 Bryn Athyn, PA 19009 Tel: 215-914-2490 Fax: 215-893-4767 Web: www.pa-golf.com Members of: Golf Course Builders Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Philadelphia Association of Golf Course Superintendents, Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey Al Foster, CGCS, received a gift from the GCSANJ for his 50-plus years of service. Making the presentation is Elliott Lewis, CGCS. RIGGI PAVING, INC. Asphalt and Concrete Construction Paved or Stone Pathways Fully Insured CAll 201-943-3913 GCSANJ news Continued from page 12 disease they understand what is needed. Our Foundation presented them with a check for $2,000. Jeremy’s mom ad­ dressed us to say thanks. It was quite apparent that this meant a lot to them and to us. Closing out the evening was a GCSANJ presentation made by Elliott Lewis to A1 Foster. In an attempt to acknowl­ edge and honor A1 for his 50-plus years as a superintendent and as a member of our association, we gave him a beautiful watch. A1 spoke briefly. You could tell how much this meant to him and how much he loves this profession and this asso­ ciation. We all left with some great memories, but I now realize that I forgot one memory. Bruce presented a beautiful bottle of wine and a Metedeconk vest to the most honest golfer. The good news is that Tim Kerwin won the prize. The bad news is that he has also won this award at the “C” Champi- Continued on page 14 Ed Mellor presents Bruce Cadenelli with a plaque to thank him for hosting our April meeting. PROformance Golf Sands U.S. Silica offers quality construction and maintenance products: • Pro White™ and Pro Buff™ Bunker Sands • Sure Play™ Top Dressing Sands , • Sure Play™ Root Zone Mixes • Sure Play™ Drainage Media U.S. Silica Golf Sands are offered from 12 locations including 5 former Morie Co. locations in New jersey. They are carefully washed and sized to beautify while reducing maintenance. Our Products meet all-USGA Recommendations. You can trust U.S. Silica for expertise and technical • support' when selecting either construction or maintenance materials. For more information: ; U.S. Silica Company P.O.Box 187 Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 (800)345-6170 Fax: (304) 258-8295 http://www.u-s-silica.com © 2000 U.S. SILICA GCSANJ news Continued from page 13 onship, and the sad news is that he won on a match of cards! Bruce, I know that you have already thanked everyone at the club for their help, but please tell them again—it was a marvelous day. MOTHER NATURE CANCELS WILDWOOD MEETING By Shawn Barry You can travel so far south in New Jersey that within a large part of the state you have to look north to find the Mason-Dixon Line. That is what many of our members de­ cided to do for our May meeting. Head south on the Park­ way and just before you get to the ocean, look left and there is Wildwood G. & C.C. If you were going by on the after­ noon of the 22nd of this month, you could have seen two Specializing in sand, stone and soils MITCHELL PRODUCTS □ GC-500 treated topdressing □ TriCure soil surfactant □ Crushed quartzite bunker sand □ Manufactured topsoil / compost □ Crushed stone and rip rap □ Green divot sand and mix □ Green waste compost Complete line: Root zone, tee & divot mixes, dry sands, drainage stone MITCHELL PRODUCTS Millville, NJ 856.327.2005 Fax: 856.327.6881 Email: dmitch67@aol.com Khlar Holthouse accepts the plaque and flag from President Ken Krausz for his efforts in preparing Wildwood G. & C.C. for our May meeting. golfers out enjoying the day. They were the only two people on the course, and they played 18 holes in around three hours. Enduring 20 minutes of soft rain and wet feet for the entire round did little to diminish their fun. They immediately knew if they had won a prize for the longest drive or were closest to the pin. Only one birdie was made so the skin money wouldn’t be split. This really did happen, but I can’t tell you who those two golfers were, but Steve and I now know that it takes 48 hours for soaked shoes to fully dry. The other 65 people missed getting wet, but they enjoyed a great lunch, learned about many new perennials, won some prizes and then headed home. John Bell from Yoder-Greenleaf Nursery in Pennsylva­ nia was our speaker, and his talk was excellent. You could tell he enjoys his chosen profession. After lunch it was de­ cided that the course could not recover in time to accept carts so that forced us to cancel the golf portion of our meet­ ing. Jack Martin came up with a good idea—pick names from a hat for the prizes. Everybody agreed so that is how we chose the following people. Winning gift certificates were Rick Broome (Fisher & Son), Jack Montecalvo (Koonz), Al Caravella (Torsilieri), Peter vanDrumpt (Zeneca), Kevin Smith (Storr), Craig Kinsey (Lebanon), A1 Phillips (Fisher & Sons—really!) and Jon O’Connor (Lebanon). Khlar Holthouse was disappointed, but he did not show it. He had asked to host a meeting for the last two years, and now he wants to try again next year. He and Jeff Staeger and their talented crew had worked hard for this one and the course was ready. I hope we can reschedule this because it is worth the trip. Continued on page 16 It’s Time to Take a Closer Look at Hunter Golf Introducing Vista - With the Power of Real-World Visual Control Reality-Based Software with Animated Graphics Hunter Golf introduces Vista, the most advanced and powerful irrigation control system available today. Vista utilizes the precision of your irrigation consultant’s AutoCAD™ design to create realistic 3D graphics that allow you to “drive” every fairway on your course, fine-tuning the system from a real-world golf cart perspective. Advanced yet easy to use, Vista features truly automated programming, real-time dynamic flow balancing and a familiar internet-style interface. Contact Century Rain Aid - and discover why it’s time to take a closer look at Hunter Golf products. Authorized Hunter Golf Distributor Century Rain Aid With More Than 130 Branches Coast to Coast • www.rainaid.com • email: rainaid@rainaid.com Call for a free Supplies Catalog or on-site consultation: 800-642-3706. GCSANJ news Continued from page 14 THE LESLIE CUP HAS A WINNER By Shaun Barry Old Yorke C.C. was the site for the finals of the 1999 Leslie Cup. It was a great choice for the match because it favored no team. Tom Grimac and Bob Prickett were the defending champs and were the favorites. They had a tough match, but they defeated the two Tonys (Raczynski and Toto) 3 and two. This means that they have won this tournament every year but one. What a wonderful record. It shows lots of courage, determination and an ability to perform under pressure. They will defend again this year, and I wish them and all of the teams good luck. In the Leslie Cup finals, the winning team of (left to right) Bob Prickett and Tom Grimac are congratulated by the second place team of Tony Toto and Tony Raczynski. by John Wantz, Member Profile Subject A funny story Throughout the annals of GCSANJ there are many stories, some fact and some fiction, about the Wantz/ LeSage relationship. I’ve known Armand for 15 years. We’ve roomed together at the GCSAA show and tour­ nament for 13 of those years, and we’ve accumulated vol­ umes of incidents, some are printable, others are not. One of the best occurred during the 1993 GCSAA golf tournament in San Diego. After golf, I enjoy returning to the hotel and relaxing in the hot tub. This one day, Armand had beaten me back to the room, made a dinner reservation and was impatiently waiting for me. I arrived a few minutes later, ready to soak my weary bones, but was told we had to leave for the restaurant NOW. Being stubborn, I persisted in the fact that I HAD TO GET TO THE HOT TUB! Quickly throwing on my customary sweats, I dashed downstairs knowing this would soothe my now frayed nerves as well as my body. Arriving at the hot tub area I tore off my tee shirt dropped my pants and sud­ denly realized to my extreme embarrassment, in front of several people, I had forgotten to put on my swimsuit! I returned to the room, shouted several obscenities, got dressed and Armand and I went to dinner. 717 White Horse Pike • Hammonton, NJ • 08037 609-567-7795 OR 609-561-0141 Call Jersey Turf For These Services • VERTIDRAIN "DEEP TINE GREENS & FAIRWAYS. • HYDROJECT AERATION • VERTIDRAIN FINE TINE AERIFYING • TOPDRESSING • FAIRWAY AERATION (USING TORO AERIFIERS) • GREENS AERATION (USING TORO GREENS AERIFIERS) • FAIRWAY AND ROUGH OVERSEEDING NEW for 2000 HINES DRILL & FILL HINES DRILL ROTADAIRON" RENOVATION IRENrrigaOVtionATION Is his specialty But listening is His STRONG POINT Toro distributors are experienced renovation specialists, And with experience comes the knowledge that listening is the most important part of a system, renovation. After all, you know your course better than anyone. Once you’ve shared your plans, goals and concerns, your Toro distributor will work closely with you during every step of the renovation process. Then, you can count on them to be there throughout the life of your irrigation system. The worlds number one irrigation renovation experts are ready to listen when you're ready to talk For more information contact TORO Storr Tractor Company Distributors of Quality Turf Equipment, Irrigation, and Supplies 908-722-9830 IRRIGATION GCSAA news LIMITED BUDGET OUTREACH PROGRAM By Bruce E. Cadenelli Member, Limited Budget Outreach Group GCSAA’s Limited Budget Outreach Program, the brain­ child of Immediate Past President Dave Fearis, CGCS, is set to roll by late summer. The goal of the program is to reach out, identify and better serve those golf facilities that many times, until now, have not been part of our family. The program is intended to offer friendship and support to those facilities where many of us learned the game, and where many of today’s new golfers receive the first introduction to the sport. This is GCSAA’s and its member superintendents’ effort to assist in this growing game. These limited budget facilities are vital to the continued growth and prosperity of golf and need to be recognized as such and assisted wher­ ever possible. What the program is not is a recruitment drive by The Best Liquid Fertilizers & Soil Amendments Available Today! Contact: PLANT FOOD COMPANY INC. The Liquid Fertilizer Experts 38 Hightstown-Cranbury Station Road, Cranbury New Jersey 08512 * Phone:(609)448-0935 ♦ Phone:(800)562-1291 ♦ Fax: (609) 443-8038 www.plantfoodco.com E-Mail: pfc@plantfoodco.com PLANT FOOD COMPANY. INC. GCSAA. In our resource group meetings, we stated clearly that many of these clubs, for various reasons, would never join the national. If they join an organization, it will most likely be their local chapter. Being part of the local allows for increased visibility and bonding with local superinten­ dents. It also limits their economic exposure. Regardless of whether they join any group, the outreach program is in­ tended to contact them, offer assistance and make them feel more a part of golf’s family. As always, the local chapters will be instrumental in getting out the word and working to ensure the program’s success. Local chapters will be asked to identify limited budget facilities in their areas. They will be asked to de­ velop lists of superintendent volunteers who will contact these clubs and arrange visits. GCSAA’s role will be to as­ sist chapters with printed materials in the form of a resource kit, which will aid in the exchange of information. As this is a new venture, responsibilities will shift, change and grow as the program evolves. Steve Mona, chief executive officer of the GCSAA, will be attending the Golf 20/20 Conference in November. He will be bringing this program and its message to that meet­ ing. Again, this is one way we, as superintendents, will be assisting in growing the game and working toward ensuring its bright and prosperous future. This is a great time to be involved with golf and with GCSAA. As the association approaches its 75th anniversary, this outreach program will be one of our more important efforts. In working toward assisting limited budget facili­ ties, we are working toward the continued growth for golf and the superintendents’ profession. As the program unfolds, assistance on the local level to see that we all succeed. DEMPSEY SALES and MARKETING, Inc. PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE NEW JERSEY GOLF INDUSTRY PROUDLY REPRESENTING EAGLE ONE GOLF PRODUCTS ATLANTIC MILLS GOLF DIVISION SERIOUS GOLF , Inc. FORE BETTER GOLF, Inc. WOODMERE CHINA, Inc. Phone 609-693-6183 FAX 609-693-6584 X marks the spot returns By Ed Walsh, CGCS The Golf Club at Adelphia Greetings from God's country After writing for this publication for what must seem like forever I have moved out of the area, but not far enough away where Ken Krausz can’t find me. Actually I am glad Ken gave me the opportunity to keep in touch with my friends. I have spent my entire career in the New Jersey/New York region and moving to the Northern Pennsylvania woods sometimes seems like the other side of the world. As I sat down to write this article, I realized there are some things I don’t really miss, but many that I do. Here are some of them: regular contact with Ken Krausz and Mike Mongon; any turf-related discussion with Bruce Cadenelli or Gerald Fountain; Peter Pedrazzi’s friendship, humor and commonsense; Tom Grimac’s and Bob Prickett’s constant and justifiable criticism of my golf game; Joe Flaherty real­ izing the grass is actually greener on the other side of the fence; visiting any course where a past assistant is the su­ perintendent and being very proud of the product they pro­ duce; getting to know Todd Raisch better; waiting for Al Rathjens to play golf again; lunch with Bill Koonz; waiting to see what Dave Pease does with his hair every summer; watching Jim Pelrine play golf (really); seeing the improve­ ments Steve Finamore keeps making at Alpine; working with Rob Finnesey; Robin Finnesey’s opinion of the veterinary science profession; telling Mary Lou DesChamps off-color jokes; Bruce, Jim, Bill, Rich and the rest of the great people at Rutgers; coffee at Somerset Hills with Dwyer; Jack Martin’s continual guidance; learning from Bob Dickison; stopping by Montclair Golf Club and spending time with Greg Vadala; seeing the changes at Crestmont and realizing the apple didn’t fall far from the tree; Chris Carson’s pro­ fessionalism; realizing what a great job Vinnie Bracken does; talking to Sam Juliano again; for some strange reason, Malikowski’s articles; and any time with Ken Kubik and Mary, Chris, Bethann, Jenny, Peanut and Nikki during the week. Editors Note: Ed can be reached at 814-260-3830 or ed.walsh@adelphiacom.com Hardgoods - 973-473-3393 Nursery - 973-473-2749 Fax - 973-473-4402 SINCE 1925 TURF SUPPLIES THE PRO’S CHOICE Grass Seed Fertilizers Insecticides Nursery Stock Fungicides Herbicides Mulches Tools Stone Soil Ties To Keep Your Turf Free from Disease & Insects TERRE Co has the Turf& Ornamental products that perform 206 Delawanna Ave Clifton NJ 07014 Rutgers Golf Classic By Steve Chirip President, NJTA, GCSANJ Commercial Representative Sales Person Egypt Farms The Rutgers Golf Classic was held May 15 at Fid­ dlers Elbow C.C. A perfect day dawned and over 200 golfers started arriving. This regional tourna­ ment attracts golfers and associations from the tri-state area. Our premier sponsors get the largest thank you. They are Aventis, Storr Tractor, Bayer, Novartis and Zeneca. Some of the area associations that took part are the Metropolitan Superintendents Association, the Tri-State Research Foun­ dation, N.J. Nursery and Landscape Association and our own GCSANJ (more about them later). The river and meadow courses were used this year. Gary Shupper and Bob Fellner did outstanding jobs in preparing the courses for play. There were prizes for first and second on both courses, long drives for men and women, and clos­ est to the pins, as well as Ford trucks for anyone lucky enough TURF PRODUCTS CORPORATION 47 Howell Road, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 We Specialize in the odd and the unusual • GRASS SEED • TURF TOOLS • COURSE ACCESSORIES • FUNGICIDES • HERBICIDES •TURF EQUIPMENT Call us at: 973-263-1234 to get a hole-in-one. Let’s just say the trucks are safe for another year. The Sod Association also donated $1,000 for holes-in- one with the deal being if no one made a hole-in-one, the money would be donated to the Foundation. Thank you, Sod Association for the donation. The winners for this year’s tournament are as follows: The Meadow Course: First Place - Total Turf Services Lance Seeton, Dave Ria, Scott McBane, Wendell Beakley Second Place - Joe Buzz, John Redman, Bill Giapolo, Stan Kross Long Drive Men was shared by Chris Boyle and Dave Pughe. Long Drive Women was first-time winner Jean Scott from Zeneca. Close to the Pin was Wendell Beakley. The River Course: First Place - Stormy Acres Kevin Gunn, Charlie Clarke, Harry Harsin, Jim Cross Second Place - GCSANJ Ken Krausz, Jim McNally, Chris Carson, Doug Vogel Long Drive Men - Sean Klotzbach Close to the Pin - Matt Cepalo Mike Kallam and his staff ran a double your money game out on the course. He donated 10 percent of the proceeds back to the Foundation. This was over $200, and we thank him for that as well as all the hard work in getting the bags on the carts and us on the course. A silent auction was also part of the evening with over $5,000 raised. We thank those who bid on items such as supplies to mowers and even rounds of golf. Lise DesChamps deserves special thanks for the extra effort and time spent on the silent auction. After golf we were treated to the Fiddlers Elbow Grand Buffet, grand being the key word. Thank you, Dave McGhee, and your staff. Everything was great. The committee of Dr. Bruce Clarke, Dr. Richard Caton, Steve Chirip, Shaun Barry, Keith Kubik, Dr. Rich Hurley, Dr. Henry Indyk, Ken Krausz, Lise DesChamps, Bea Devine, Marge Caton and Dave McGhee ask if you have any sug­ gestions for improvement let us know, and also mark your calendars for May 14, 2001. See you next year! INTRODUCING THE TORO MULTI PRO 5500 WITH OPTIONAL AIR CONDITIONED CAB. Now the world’s best sprayer just became the coolest. Toro’s Multi Pro 5500 is a dedicated sprayer offering unprecedented application precision and consistency. Optional air conditioned cab features a charcoal filtering system that allows cleaner, cooler air to circulate throughout and removes most pesticides. Ergonomically designed cockpit offers oper­ ators ultimate control, comfort, and safety. Multi Pro 5500 accessories include: Pro Control™ - automatically calibrates an even rate of spray regardless of vehicle speed or terrain. Go Boom™ - allows electronic raising and lowering of a boom without leaving the seat. Sonic Boom™ - employs sonar to adjust spray height automatically as it passes over ground contours. Storr Tractor Company 3191 Route 22 Somerville, New Jersey 08876 908-722-9830 Form No. 97-153-T ©1997 The Toro Company Turfgrass education and research at Rutgers University Following are some interesting facts about turfgrass educa­ tion and research at Rutgers University: • Rutgers turf researchers are engaged in a worldwide search for a better blade of grass. Looking for hardy turf, they have obtained samples growing in the hills of Mongolia and Uzbekistan, medieval cemeteries in Po­ land, the farthest reaches of South America and even in small patches of New Jersey golf courses that have thrived through 100 years of trampling by players and carts. • Golf course managers from around the world, including the only private country club in Moscow, travel to Rutgers to attend the intensive 500-hour Rutgers Pro­ fessional Golf Turf Management Program. Rutgers grads have managed golf courses in the United States, Japan, Indonesia and Guam. • Manhattan perennial ryegrass, one of the world’s most popular turf varieties, was developed from samples origi- Since 1923 MATERIALS FROM THE EARTH'S CRUST Geo. Schofield Co., Inc. P.O. BOX 110. BOUND BROOK. NEW JERSEY 08805 • Construction Gravels • Bunker Sands • Construction Sands/Blends • Cart Path Materials • Landscape Materials • Topdressings • SUPRGRO Topsoil • STABILIZER Blending Customized blends available with our new mobile blending equipment. ★ U.S.G.A. specification products. ★ (732) 356-0858 nally found in New York City’s Central Park by Dr. C. Reed Funk. • The research program at Rutgers University has more than 50,000 plots of turf that are evaluated every month by researchers. • Dr. William Meyer literally beats turf under his care with a machine he developed specifically to simulate the wear and tear created by foot traffic, a major stress on turfgrass in public areas, athletic fields and golf courses. • The turfgrass industry in New Jersey alone is valued at more than $750 million. Some historical notes about history of turf research and education: • • • • • 1923 - First turf research plots planted in 1923 to evalu­ ate bentgrasses. 1928 - U.S. Golf Association first funds research at Rutgers to evaluate the effects of irrigation on turf qual­ ity. 1928 - First continuing turfgrass education course is created in response to widespread turf failure on golf courses. In the same year, the New Jersey legislature makes a special appropriation to fund turf research at Rutgers, which finds that highly acidic soils contributed to lawn failure in summer. 1946 - Ten-week winter turf course begun. Program is revised and expanded into two-year, 20-week format in 1962. 1962 - Dr. C. Reed Funk begins turf breeding programs, Continued on page 23 JAMES BARRETT ASSOCIATES, INC. DESIGN AND CONSULTING GOLF COURSE IRRIGATION JIM BARRETT PRESIDENT P.O.Box 853 Montclair, NJ 07042 973-744-8237 Fax 973-744-0457 Field Days are coming! August 2 and 3, 2001, are the dates. Hort Farm II at Ryders Lane the place. August 2 will be the full- day geared to the lawn and landscape professional. August 3 was set up with the superintendent in mind. A 12:30 p.m. registration is planned so you can get your crews going and make it to Rutgers in plenty of time. The day’s focus is bentgrass, diseases and many other topics. Please come out and see the exciting things Rutgers University and Cook College have been studying. You may even get a glimpse of the new turf building. Any questions, please call Dick Caton at 856-853-5973. NJTGA President and GCSANJ Board member Steve Chirip inspects the new turfgrass building. Turfgrass education and research Continued from page 22 • • • which creates some of the world’s most popular turf varieties. 1991 - Center for Turfgrass Sci­ ence is created to coordinate in­ terdisciplinary research and edu­ cation in support of the turfgrass industry. 1995-1999 - Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science adds four new faculty positions to enhance its research, teaching and outreach programs. 1999 - Groundbreaking for a new 5,000 sq. ft. Turfgrass Education Complex entirely donated by contributions valued at $750,000 from the turfgrass industry. Vehicles that won’t CALL IT A DAY UNTIL YOU DO. No matter what the task, we offer a wide selection of the most reliable vehicles you can buy. To find out more, call or drop by your nearest authorized Carryall dealer. CARRYALL Authorized Dealer JOHN A. CZERWINSKI — REPRESENTATIVE — GOLF CARS, INC. 215-340-0880 OFFICE 215-340-1634 FAX 215-603-9164 CAR PHONE Vendor spotlight Partac Peat In 1974, Partac Peat Corporation’s Jim Kelsey went to the GCSANJ Field Day at Montclair Golf Club to mar­ ket peat to golf courses and heard about “golf course top-dressings”. Three years later, after much testing, Kelsey developed Partac® Premium heat-treated top-dressing in line with the then new Rutger’s University guidelines, followed by Partac® High-Sand Mix Top-Dressing in line with USGA guidelines. Today, Partac produces 15 different grades of heat-treated top-dressings, plus heat-treated sands, ceramically colored green sands, divot repair mixes, trap sands, cart path mixes, construction mixes for greens and tees, as well as being national distributors for accessories such as turf blankets and geotextiles, U.S. Golf Hole Tar­ gets, drag mats, ball and barrier netting and much more! Partac’s products are available nationally through its distributor network, from its production site in Great Mead­ ows, New Jersey, and from distribution centers in Orlando (Florida), Memphis (Tennessee) and Reno (Nevada). PARTAC GOLF COURSE TOP-DRESSING AMERICA'S PREMIUM TOP-DRESSING HEAT TREATED AVAILABLE IN BULK OR BAGS PLUS GREEN & TEE CONSTRUCTION MIXES, WHITE TRAP SANDS, CART PATH & DIVOT REPAIR MIXES AND MUCH MORE! DISTRIBUTED IN N.l. BY. FARM & GOLF COURSE SUPPLY 215/483-5000 GRASS ROOTS TURF PRODUCTS 973/361-5943 FISHER & SON COMPANY 610/644-3300 TURF PRODUCTS CORPORATION 973/263- 1234 PARTAC PEAT CORPORATION KELSEY PARK, GREAT MEADOWS, NEW JERSEY 07838 908-637-4191 Bonnie, Katie and Jim Kelsey, the main part of the Partac Peat family. Partac also operates Kelsey Park Sod Farms, Kelsey Park Aggregates and locally supplies a wide range of landscape products, but Partac is best know for its Beam Clay® base­ ball infield products which have been featured in many TV/ radio interviews and magazine articles. Partac supplies over 20 major league teams (including the Yankees, Mets and Phillies plus 12 of the last 14 World Series Champions), over 150 minor league teams and over 600 college teams. Partac also supplies sports surfaces and supplies for tennis, boccie, running tracks, horseshoes, field and equestrian events, as well as for football and soccer. Partac remains a family-run and oriented business, headed by Jim and his wife, Bonnie (and two-year-old daugh­ ter Katie), with seven family members and 12 other em­ ployees—all dedicated to creating better playing and easier to maintain sports surfaces. They can be reached at 800- 247-2326 or 908-637-4191. Don 't Fall Into The Same Old Trap Call on TILCON NEW JERSEY to supply all your course needs. Washed Sand - Crushed Stone Screened Top Soil TILCON NEW JERSEY 1-800- 789-ROCK (7625) 1st and goal by Brian M. Remo Golf Course Superintendent Richmond County C. C. OK, here we go. I don’t want to kick off the sum­ mer on a bad note, (heaven knows, last summer had only hair pulling races and fingernail antipasto to bring to the table at the family picnic), however, when something needs to be said, someone should say it. I figure I have the avenue to say it and have nothing to lose except, well, more fingernails and more hair. I can honestly say that I have always been pretty up-front with opinions. You all aren’t forced to listen to them, but I guess writers are driven by the one person who might listen. There seems to be a buzz rolling around these happy hallways of our association. And I must admit that it con­ fuses me to no end. You see, for a lot of people, the GCSANJ means more than the plastic card and a car sticker. Yes, there is a buzz rolling around the industry. It appears that there may be a few of us who feel that assistants and commercial representatives are getting a little too much attention these days. I sit here now and try my best to understand the thought process behind the buzz. Are we afraid? Do we feel less special than those who are as equal a contributor to our as­ sociation as we are? Help me out here, guys and gals, ’cause I fail to see the stinger here. Here’s a good one ... “This is an association of superin­ tendents!” Well, sure! That’s what it says here on the cover of my directory—Golf Course Superintendents Association of N.J. It even states it more clearly in ARTICLE 1, Section 1 of our Constitution: The name of this Association shall be the GCSANJ. Well, Section l’s constitutional meeting must have been an all-nighter, eh? But let’s read further down now . . . ARTICLE 1, Sec­ tion 2: The purposes of this Association shall be to promote professional improvement through the education and coop­ eration of its membership. Oh, now that we got that out of the way, let’s dissect what we’ve learned so far. It sounds to me like we are involved in an association with a pretty good mission statement . . . “professional improvement through the education and cooperation of its membership.” Sounds real nice, so how do I become a member? What are the quali­ fications? Why, here it is right here in ARTICLE 2: Mem­ bership in this association shall be limited to those inter­ ested persons within or dealing with the golf course man­ agement industry. All rightey, then . . . we’ve also made it quite clear what cuts the mustard to join GCSANJ as well. So, what’s all the hubbub, bub? Do we have different types of members, different classes that restrict them from certain privileges? We sure do, right here in ARTICLE 1 of the By-laws of GCSANJ. Section 1 clearly states the many classifications that allow ample involvement within our merry band of turf jocks. I may be reading from a 1999 di­ rectory, but I do believe the only restrictions made to any member are that of holding elected office and voting. But, alas, there’s still that buzz rolling around. It appears that there may be a few of us who feel that assistants and commercial representatives are getting a little too much attention these days. So now that we have learned that the by-laws and con­ stitution of this association provide for fair and equivocal benefit to each of its members, I fail to see the grounds for complaints. It seems that the biggest complaint is that of the Continued on page 26 Your One Source... For Water & Wastewater Solutions Design to Construction Treatment Services Inc. Sadlon Environmental We are working together to offer complete solutions to all your water and wastewater needs. Our combined team offers: • Site Analysis • System Design • DEP Permitting • Water Quality Management • Water and Wastewater Treatment • Water Conservation Plans • Recycling Systems • Control Systems • Civil and Mechanical Construction • Booster Stations • Pump Stations/ Well Houses • Ponds Phone: 908-904-0336 Fax: 908-359-2720 Email: nsadlon@eclipse.net guys are taking jobs away from veteran supers.” Again I must retort to this statement being of the full of crap variety. I must have missed that class in college where occupational thievery and superintendent sabotage were the key items on I must have missed that class in college where occupational thievery and superintendent sabotage were the key items on the syllabus. the syllabus. Yes, it is true that the average age of supers has dropped over the past few years, but this is more attributed to a higher level of education being offered to turf students each year, a higher level of education that we have fought for and continue to improve. The average age has dropped significantly in all professions worldwide, so why should ours be any different. I don’t think that the problem lies in the individual. In fact I fail to see where a problem exists. I merely think that the profession we have chosen has become a little more com­ petitive than we all would have liked. Maybe in return for giving the position of golf course superintendent the expo­ sure it has deserved for so many years we have also brought attention to the benefits it brings as well. The position we hold was once the sleeper of century. Now, it has become a road to follow for all that have come to love the game of golf and the great outdoors. So I think we all should keep in mind exactly why associations like ours were formed in the first place: to bring professionals with common goals to­ gether. If we wish to practice the art of cutthroat segregation that often rears its ugly head from time to time, I believe that a career change may be exactly what the doctor ordered. But I do believe a change of heart would be all the better. 1st and goal Continued from page 25 monthly meeting situation. Turns out that a few of our com­ mercial members and assistants may have gotten their res­ ervations in a little faster than us supers. I’m sure to some of you that may seem unfair or unjust. But let me be the first to openly disagree that it is neither of the two. What exactly do we expect? First come, first serve is a fact of life, guys and gals. I don’t want to even consider the thought that we should restrict the number of reps and assistants to be allowed to attend. Especially when without those companies, the cost of these meetings would more than double. I must admit that I have quite a generous Board and Greens chair, but I don’t think a $200 meeting bill is gonna’ fly too far in the accounting office. As for the assistants, well, this one really stumps me. This is what everyone has been speaking about for quite a number of years now. Get the future of the industry involved. Increase the interaction between the today and the tomor­ row by allowing an avenue for assistants and students to participate. There seems to be some fear of the youth in this industry. It is a fear that has almost turned into spite and, personally, I think it stinks. I can recall a conversation with a fellow super whose name will obviously be stricken from print. The conversation turned from the concern that the in­ dustry is becoming more competitive, to “too many young Shearon Golf a division of Shearon Environmental Design Company, Inc. SHEARON Construction I Maintenance Restorations I Renovations Design Certified Irrigation Installers Drainage Experts! Custom Spray Applicators Arboriculture 337 Route 31, Hopewell, NJ 08525 . 609-466-0666 ADVANCED AGRO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. DryJect, Axis Peter van Drumpt - Chris desGarennes - Chris Collins (732) 922-4743 ALPINE THE CARE OF TREES Arboriculture Firm Bobbie Carlos - Wendy A. Riehm, Designer (847) 394-4220 AQUARIUS IRRIGATION SUPPLY, INC. Wholesale Irrigation Supplies David Beausoleil - Renee Mure - Joe Jaskot (973) 423-0222, (800) 922-0717 AQUATROLS Soil Surfactants Phil O'Brien (856) 573-9795 AT SALES ASSOCIATES Premium Sod for Golf Courses Chip Presendofer - Owen Regan (215) 886-6011, (401) 465-8066 ATLANTIC MILLS INC. Accessories Jack Brady - Diane Hill - Bill Vogel (800) 583-3465 AVENTIS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Plant Protectants Shaun M. Barry (732) 846-8173 JAMES BARRETT ASSOCIATES, INC. Irrigation Design & Consulting Jim Barrett (973) 744-8237 BAYER CORPORATION Chemical Mfg. Jeffrey Weld (973)208-2418 BLUE RIDGE PEAT FARMS Topdressing - Construction Mix - Sand - Potting Soil Gene Evans (717) 443-9596 BOHM'S SOD FARM Growers of Premium Golf Turf David Bohm (800) 624-1947 THE BRUEDAN CORPORATION Golf Cars Peter Siegel - Mike Gesmundo (800) 535-1500 CENTURY RAIN AID Hunter Golf Phil DeMarco (800) 642-3706 CHIPCO Manufacturer of Plant Protectant Chemicals Greg Hutch (732) 929-4657 WA CLEARY CHEMICAL CORP. Turf & Horticulture Chemicals Bryan Bolehala (908) 329-8399 ALAN G.CRUSE INC. Golf Course Materials Alan Cruse-Jim Cruse (973) 227-7183; Fax 973-227-1984 COUNTRY VIEW, INC. Design, Renovation, Construcation & Root Zone Mixes Scott A Bills - Dave Barle (800) 284-9701; Fax (732) 560-0535 E-mail cvi560@aol.com 2000 Patron Directory DuBROW'S NURSERIES INC. Certified Landscape Architects, Ground Management Michael Branch - William Mulvaney (973) 992-0598 EARTHWORKS Natural Organic Fertilizer & Soil Condition­ ers Joel Simmons (800) 732-8873 EGYPT FARMS INC. Soils Steve Chirip - Dean Snyder - Dave Cammarota (800) 899-7645, (410) 335-3700 E/T EQUIPMENT CO. John Deere Golf & Turf Distributor Dick Neufeld - Tom Fallarcaro - Kevin Collins (914) 271-6126 FERTL-SOILTURF SUPPLY Golf Course Supplies,Topdressing & Divot Mixes Marty Futyma - Cathy Futyma-Brown (908) 322-6132; Fax (908) 322-6332 FINCH TURF EQUIPMENT John Deere Equipment Dennis DeSanctis - Bob Fields - Fred Blaicher (215) 661-0390 FISHER & SON CO., INC. SuperiorTurf and Horticultural Products Alan Phillips - Mike Fisher (856) 478-6704 GOLF CARS, INC. Distributor of Golf Cars & Utility Vehicles Jon F. Schneider-John A.Czerwinski - Paul H. Szymanski (215) 340-0880 GO WILD! NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Wildlife Consulting, ACSS Certification Consulting Christopher J. Markham (973) 726-0995 GRASS ROOTS, INC. Distributor of Golf Course Maintenance Supplies Ken Kubik - Keith Kubik - Jay McKenna (973) 361-5943 REES JONES, INC. Golf Course Design Rees Jones (201)744-4031 STEPHEN KAY, GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS Golf Course Design, Master Planning Stephen Kay - Doug Smith - Ron Torek (914) 699-4437 KOONZ SPRINKLER SUPPLY, INC. Irrigation Distributors to Golf William F. Koonz,Sr. (973) 379-9314 LEBANON TURF PRODUCTS Fertilizer, Seed, Mulch, Control Products John Farrell (800) 532-0090 LEON'S SOD FARMS Sod Farm Samuel Leon - Diane Leon Berger - Irene Leon (908) 996-2255 LESCO, INC. Manufacturer and Supplier to the Green Industry Craig Lambert - (973) 663-3368 Brad Simpkins - (609) 758-7620 Greg Moran - Tim Reinagel - (800) 321-5325 WILFRED MacDONALD, INC. www.wilfredmacdonald.com Turf Equipment Blair Quin - Chris Hunt - Mike Pelrine (888) 831-0891 RALPH McGILLAN EXCAVATING Lakes and Ponds Ralph (609) 655-2281 JOSEPH M. MERCADANTE, INC. Golf Course Construction Joseph J. Mercadante - Robert T. Mercadante (973) 467-8622; Fax (973) 467-2225 METRO MILORGANITE, INC. Barley Straw, Echo Chlorothalonil Biobarrier, Golf Course Supplies Scott Apgar - (914) 282-0049 Ernie Steinhofier - (914) 760-6112 Office - (888) 217-1039, Fax (203)-743-0458 MITCHELL PRODUCTS Treated Topdressing,TriCure Surfactant, Construction Sands & Mixes Dave Mitchell (609) 327-2005 MONTCO PRODUCTS/SURFSIDE Wetting Agents & ZAP! Defoamer Bob Oechsle-(215) 836-4992 Information - (800) 401-0411 NATIONAL SEED Lawn Seed Ken Griepentrog - Sky Bergen - Barry Van Sant (800) 828-5856, (732) 247-3100 NOVARTIS TURF & ORNAMENTAL Turf Chemicals John D. Fowler (610) 998-2896 P & P EXCAVATING INC. Excavating, Ponds & Lakes Bob Laner (973) 227-2030, (973) 227-2819 PARTAC PEAT CORPORATION Premium Top-Dressing & Construction Mixes, Golf Hole Targets,Turf Blankets & More Jim Kelsey (800) 247-2326, (908) 637-4191 PAVALEC BROS. GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. Golf Course Construction Anthony Pavelec (201)667-1643 PENNINK ARRIMOUR GOLF INC. Golf Course Construction & Restoration Tom Ristau - Brian Ruhl (215)914-2490 PLANT FOOD CO., INC. Fertilizer Supplier Ted Platz - Anthony Rippel (Rip) - Tom Weinert (609) 448-0935, (800) 562-1291 E-mail pfc@plantfoodco.com ♦ REED & PERRINE SALES INC. Fertilizer & Grass Seed Manufacturer/ Distributor Matt Anasiewicz - Chris Zelley (732) 446-6363 RIGGI PAVING INC. Frank S.Riggi, Jr. (201)943-3913 SADLON ENVIRONMENTAL Environmental Consultant Nancy Sadlon, John Sadlon (732) 560-9377 GEO. SCHOFIELD CO., INC. Golf Course Maintenance & Construction Materials Adam Geiger - Wes Perrine (732) 356-0858 THE SCOTTS CO./TURF PARTNERS Fertilizers,Turf Protectants, Seed & Growth Regulators Fran Berdine - (914) 361-4105 Steve Rudich - (610) 253-4003 SHEARON ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN Golf Course Design and Construction Chip Kern (609) 466-0666, (215) 828-5488 STORR TRACTOR COMPANY Turf and Irrigation Equipment, Environ­ mental Products & Services Fred Rapp - Bob Kaufman (908) 722-9830 WILLIAM STOTHOFF CO., INC. Well Drilling, Pump Sales and Service David C.Stothoff- Bill Snyder (908) 782-2717; Fax (908) 782-4131 STULL EQUIPMENT COMPANY Turf Equipment and Supplies Bob Fetzko - Charlie McGill (800) 724-1024 TEE AND GREEN SOD INC. Sod Supply and Installation Owen Regan - David Wallace (401)789-8177 THE TERRE CO. Grass Seed, Fertilizer,Chemicals,Top Dressing Byron Johnson - Bob Schreiner - Pat O'Neill - Peter Glanvill (973) 473-3393 TURF PARTNERS, INC./ECO SOIL SYSTEMS BiologicaIs, Plant Protectants, Fertilizer, Seed Steve Rudich - (610) 253-4003 Fran Berdine - (914) 361-4105 (800) 228-6656 TURF PRODUCTS CORPORATION Golf Course Suppliers Buddy Rizzio - Ron Lake - Jim Dempsey (973) 263-1234 ♦ TURFNET ASSOCIATES, INC. Information Services for the Golf Course Industry Peter L. McCormick (800)314-7949 UNITED HORTICULTURAL SUPPLY Fertilizer, Grass Seed, Chemicals Gerald Fountain - Richard Baker - Keith Lord -Tom Hughes (732) 296-8448 Rich Bernard - (609) 414-9185 ♦ WESTCHESTER TURF SUPPLY Accuform Rakes - Miltona Turf Tools, Pesticides, Fertilizer, Seed Bob Lippman,Sr.- Bob Lippman,Jr. (914) 621-5067, Fax (914) 621-7180 ♦ New Patrons for 2000 KOONZ Sprinkler Supply, Inc Irrigation supplier to the Golf Course Superintendent 800-772-8486 39 Waverly Avenue, P.O. Box 55 Springfield, NJ 07081