WINTER 2021-2022/ VOLUME 60 Contents Annual Awards 15 Learn about the 2021 Distinguished Service Award and Member of the Year Award recipients. 03 President's Message 07 Member News 10 Foundation News Timeline 18 23 15 Questions A timeline of Dr. Bruce Clarke's remarkable career. 27 GCSAA Update 30 Photo Pages 36 Patron Directory 20 Book Review Donovan Magugian shares wisdom from uncommon books. 34 ON THE COVER The Ask Atlantic City Country Club What's your favorite Mark Beaumont, Superintendent restaurant in New Jersey? THE GREENERSIDE | 1 Our Contributors Editor in Chief: Donovan Maguigan Design & Layout Editor: Maureen Sharples Photography Editor: Shaun Barry Contributing Writers: Doug Vogel, Shaun Barry, Maureen Sharples, Kevin Doyle, Donovan Maguigan Officers: Jeremy Hreben, CGCS, President Michael Tardogno, Vice President Ken Anson, Treasurer Donovan Maguigan, Secretary Joe Kinlin, Past President Directors: District I- Mark Miedler & Patrick Quinlan District II- Rob Wagner District III- Jennifer Torres & Drew White Commercial Representatives Rob Johnson & Paul Ramina Class C Liaison James Surico Rutgers Liaisons Dr. Bruce Clarke & Dr. James Murphy Executive Director Maureen Sharples GCSANJ Newsletter is published four times a year. © 2022 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. THE GREENERSIDE | 2 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Jeremy Hreben, CGCS, Chapter President Indian Spring Golf Course I am grateful and excited to have been elected as your chapter president. As a board member for the past several years, I have had the opportunity to learn from great past presidents. Joe Kinlin, Russ Harris, and Gary Arlio have all taught me different aspects of being a successful leader. I hope to make them proud. I pride myself on being an active member of GCSANJ and other professional associations. I enjoy attending meetings, volunteering to help on various committees, and overall participation as much as possible. As members, I now call on you to be active and volunteer your time and knowledge for the betterment of GCSANJ. This is, after all, your association. We have a lot to look forward to in 2022, including fun golf and non-golf events. We already kicked off 2022 with an ice hockey match hosted by our foundation between GCSANJ and PAGCS. Unfortunately, we did not come away with the win, but we all had fun. I am sure we will make up for the loss at the War at the Shore on April 11th. To increase member participation and see new faces, you have elected several new members onto the board. I am excited to introduce Rob Wagner, Mark Miedler, Pat Quinlan, Paul Ramina, and Drew White. We held a strategic planning meeting in December, and the excitement and energy from the new members and the board's current members were exhilarating. I am sure this energy and spirit will flow over into our events, and you, as members, should see the results. I am looking forward to an exciting 2022. Let's make your association the greatest it can be. Sincerely, JEREMY HREBEN, CGCS Chapter President THE GREENERSIDE | 3 FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Maureen Sharples 21 The off-season is a great time to work on projects and initiatives put on the back burner in the height of the season. Coming off the heels of the Green Expo and the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, professional development and fresh ideas from your peers may be at the top of your list. Our Class C and BMP committees have worked hard in the off-season to provide some new events and programs to take advantage of while your schedule is flexible. 36 James Surico of North Jersey Country Club serves as our Class C Liaison to the Board of Directors. He has put together a phenomenal committee of his peers who will be hosting two Assistant Superintendent Roundtable & Networking events. These events will feature small group discussions with golf course superintendents from around the state, covering various topics, including management styles, budgeting tactics, and agronomic practices. The first one is March 9th at 5:30 p.m. at North Jersey Country Club, and Let's Connect the second one will be on March 21st at Union League National. The events are complimentary. Please visit the website for more information. In March, I will be teaming up with newly appointed BMP Chair Jennifer Torres of Westlake Golf & Country Club and Kevin Doyle, GCSAA Northeast Regional Representative, to kick off the GCSANJ Facility BMP Road Show. 973-812-0710 We will be traveling throughout the state to offer workshops to help you complete your facility BMP manual. The workshops are free, and we expect all the attendees to leave the three-hour session with their completed BMP manual. We will provide you with a short supply list to bring to the event. Kevin and Jen will walk you through the template step-by-step, and I will be on hand to format your document and resize your logo and photos. Our first stops will be on March 14th at Essex Fells Country Club hosted by District 1 msharples@gcsanj.org Director Mark Miedler and then on March 15th at West Lake Golf & CC hosted by Jennifer. We are looking forward to working with our members towards completing this important project. If you have any questions about these programs, don't hesitate to contact me. Your feedback is valuable, so please reach out @GCSANJ1926 to me if you have any ideas or suggestions for other events or programs you would like our chapter to host. MAUREEN SHARPLES facebook.com/gcsanj Executive Director, GCSANJ THE GREENERSIDE | 4 THE GREENERSIDE | 6 MEMBER NEWS NEW MEMBERS Nicholas Kelly Kelly Shields Class C, Fairmount Country Club Class C, Baltusrol Golf Club Brian Weismantel Thomas Utter Class C, Fairmount Country Club Class C, Baltusrol Golf Club Brandan Baker Sean Carroll Class C, Riverton Country Club Class C, Baltusrol Golf Club Nicholas Paratore Herb Stevens Class C, Solider Hill Golf Course Class AF, Grass Roots Weather/T3-Turf Threat Tracker John Geltzeiler Class B, Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club Edward Schulsinger Class AF, Created Environments THE GREENERSIDE | 7 MEMBER NEWS MOVERS AND SHAKERS NEWLYWEDS Jonathan Heywood is the new golf course Donovan Maguigan, golf course superintendent superintendent at Sleepy Hollow Country Club. at Springdale Golf Club, married Jennifer Angeli on January 22nd. Nicholas LeViere is the new golf course superintendent at Morris County Golf Club. Michael Williams is the new golf course superintendent at Brigantine Golf Links. Jay Ewan is the new golf course superintendent at Stone Harbor Golf Club. Eric Junkins is the new golf course superintendent at Hidden Creek Golf Club. THE GREENERSIDE | 8 EVENTS SAVE THE DATE Assistant Superintendent Roundtable Session MGA Green Chairman Seminar Wednesday, March 9th Thursday, March 17th North Jersey Country Club, Wayne, NJ Garden City Country Club, Garden City, NY (Class C Members Only) War at the Shore- GCSANJ vs. PAGCS Facility BMP Workshop Monday, April 11th Monday, March 14th Atlantic City Country Club, Northfield, NJ Essex Fells Country Club, Essex Fells, NJ For more information or to register for Facility BMP Workshop chapter events, please visit gcsanj.org. Tuesday, March 15th West Lake Golf & CC, Jackson, NJ Assistant Superintendent Roundtable Session Monday, March 21st Union League National, Swainton, NJ (Class C Members Only) THE GREENERSIDE | 9 THE GCSANJ FOUNDATION HOLIDAY PARTY By Shaun Barry The GCSANJ Foundation hosted its Annual Everyone enjoyed getting together and forgot about Christmas Party at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como. the issues of the day for a few hours. Our holiday This location has hosted our event for many years. party happens every December and is open to every They always go above and beyond to provide great member & their guests, so hopefully, you will join us food, and their friendly staff is very accomodating to at our next party. our guests. Bill Murray and Dave Mishkin have a great relationship with everyone there, and it's the reason we go back year after year. The Foundation trustees held their Annual Meeting before the party. Tyler Otero stepped down as president, and we thank him for his service. Keith Bennett has taken over the role as Foundation President. Pat Husby stepped into the role of Vice President and will also continue his duties as Secretary. Jim Cadott is very comfortable continuing his role as Treasurer. Covid concerns seemed to affect attendance, but it did not reduce the number of toys donated to be Christmas gifts for local children in need. Several of our members brought up to five gifts. They, like the Foundation, are all about giving back and trying to help as many people as possible. The First Tee of the Jersey Shore joined us at the party and made a plaque presentation to honor the GCSANJ Foundation for supporting their work. Bill Murray accepted their Ace Award plaque on our behalf. The 50/50 went well but not every winner abided by our instructions not to give back their winnings. There is no charge for anyone for the food. This is another example of the Foundation trying to give back. We, however, had two anonymous donations that covered all of our refreshments. THE GREENERSIDE | 10 THE GREENERSIDE | 11 2021 Shaun M. Barry Distinguished Service Award Recipient John J. O'Keefe, CGCS By Doug Vogel Congratulations to John J. O'Keefe, CGCS, for hard, unpopular decisions about our being named the 2021 Shaun M. Barry association management, a topic that was Distinguished Service Award winner, the highest dividing the GCSANJ. But John was a strong honor bestowed upon a member of the Golf leader as president and had the respect of all Course Superintendent's Association of New the members. His delegation skills were his Jersey. For over 37 years, John has served the trademark. He solved the management issue, GCSANJ with great honor and irreproachable oversaw the GCSANJ's communication upgrade integrity. with an online presence, championed the resurrection of benevolence, and tasked his John's New Jersey career commenced in 1986 board with upgrading our education offerings. soon after being named the golf course superintendent of The Preakness Hills Country No article written about John would be Club in Wayne, New Jersey. The New England complete without a mention of his overall native became active with the GCSANJ from day service to the golf course maintenance industry. one, volunteering his time with any committee He has served on boards, committees, and that needed help. John worked his way up industry advisory councils on the local, state, through the ranks as a member of the Board of and national levels for his entire career. If it Directors culminating in being elected President helped his fellow superintendents, then John in 2003. was all in. Included are past presidencies of the MetGCSA, the Tri-State Turfgrass Foundation, This was a time of great GCSANJ constitutional and the Environmental Institute for Golf. turmoil. John and his Board had to make some THE GREENERSIDE | 12 John reached a career milestone when he had the distinct honor of serving his peers as the 79th President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. John has been a great mentor to his employees, a great friend to his fellow superintendents, and a great ambassador for our industry. “John is a good person and a wonderful family The O'Keefe Family at Preakness Hills CC man,” offered a testimonial on his behalf. “He’s a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and his list of awards and distinctions speak for themselves.” John O’Keefe’s continuing devotion to his fellow New Jersey greenkeeping family is without question, too. To this day, he proudly serves the association as the Chapter Delegate to the GCSAA and volunteers on our scholarship committee. Thank you, John, and keep up your continued important work for the GCSANJ. It is greatly Shaun Barry and John O'Keefe appreciated. THE GREENERSIDE | 13 THE GREENERSIDE | 14 2021 Member of the Year Award Recipient Patrick H. Husby By Donovan Maguigan When was the last time you took a run and gave my biggest fear heading into this challenge. it your all? Did you ever get up and run four Letting anyone down, falling short of hours later, then run again four hours after that, expectation, failing." continuing that for forty-eight hours? On March 21st of 2021, this year's Member of the Year This challenge, called the David Goggins 4x4x48 Award Recipient Patrick Husby did just that and Challenge, was developed by a former Navy Seal ran his way to raising $16,200 for the GCSANJ turned ultramarathoner and author of the book Foundation. "Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds." While physically taxing due to the Pat channeled his #Resolute fitness into lacing mileage, the challenge is also a strain on the up his shoes at 8 p.m. on March 21st and ran body due to the interrupted periods of recovery four miles, every four hours, for forty-eight and rest. Pat's forty-eight-hour challenge was hours, tweeting video thanks to the 150 driven by the sounds of Iron Maiden and supporters who donated to the foundation in Megadeth paired with heaps of support from his honor along the way. When interviewed for Twitter's many superintendents, industry The Greenerside in March, he said their support friends, and association members who followed motivated him to continue, "I knew I was not along as he tracked his progress. In between going to let down the over 150 colleagues, legs, while Pat recovered and refueled, he friends, and family that had contributed to the continued to push himself with additional GCSANJ Foundation during a pandemic when fitness challenges, including extra push-ups and we are all trying to make ends meet. That was sit-ups in honor of donations. Burning THE GREENERSIDE | 15 approximately six hundred calories for each of the Husby, a Rutgers University graduate, is the golf four-mile segments to which he averaged a sub- course superintendent at Due Process Stable, eight-minute per mile pace. Pat sustained himself where he joined their staff in September 2021. with pasta and hard-boiled eggs, shared on Prior to Due Process, Pat was at Navesink Country Twitter, of course. Club, Suneagles Golf Club, Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, and Hamilton Farm Golf Club. He is Providing support for the foundation requires the also currently on the Board of Directors for the will to be philanthropic and generous, but to place GCSANJ Foundation and a 16-year member of the your body in a state of extreme endurance places GCSANJ. Patrick in a class alone. Dedicating two days of one's time is enough of a challenge, but to push your physical limits to the brink in the name of supporting a cause requires a stone-cold determination. Joe Kinlin, past president of the GCSANJ, recalled his impression of Pat's dedication and endurance with the challenge, "In a profession that consumes so much of our time, Pat always seems to find time to challenge himself physically while selflessly giving to help others. I often question if he is human, but never question his humanity." Pat and his family after he ran a 50k. THE GREENERSIDE | 16 THE GREENERSIDE | 17 TAKE IT BACK TO 1971 THE FIRST TEE Bruce grew up in Cresskill, NJ. In high school, he learned about the game of golf as a caddie at Montammy Golf Club in Alpine, NJ. Dr. Bruce Clarke Through the Years 1973 Bruce graduated high school. He loved the outdoors and was interested in plants, so he enrolled at Cook College (formerly the College of Agriculture) at Rutgers University. 1977 Bruce Clarke and former Graduate Student James Hempfling He graduated with a bachelor's evaluating research studies at Hort Farm 2 in 2016. degree in Forest Management Photo credit: USGA and, after taking several courses in plant pathology, accepted a graduate assistantship from the 1986 Bruce and Ellen Clarke Department of Plant Pathology at Rutgers. Bruce continues his research, teaching, and outreach on their wedding day. program to support the state's Nursery, Greenhouse, Landscape, and Turfgrass Industries. In addition, Bruce had state-wide disease diagnostic responsibilities for 1983 1978 all plants except fruit and vegetables. Ellen and Bruce welcome their first child Christopher. Bruce married his college sweetheart Ellen Vernachio at the Rutgers Kirkpatrick Chapel on June 11, 1978. 1988 Their second child 1982 Katie is born, and 1989 Bruce completed his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology Bruce is promoted and interviewed for jobs at Texas A&M, the to Associate The GCSANJ, Tri-State Research Foundation, and Department of Agriculture in Bermuda, and Extension Specialist. Rutgers University. After careful consideration other groups provide over $100,000 to work on summer and with family in the Garden State, Bruce patch. Dr. Peter Landschoot is accepted a job with the Rutgers Cooperative hired as a post-doc, and later Extension Service as an Assistant Professor of Dr. David Thompson, who Ornamental and Turfgrass Pathology. He is together with Dr. Clarke Bruce diagnosing plant mentored by three pioneers in the Rutgers developed a set of Best diseases in 1985. Turf Program, C. Reed Funk, Henry Indyk, and Management Practices that Ralph Engel. are still in use on golf courses today. Christopher and Katie Clarke 1990 1993 1995 Bruce is offered a job in the private industry. Bruce is appointed With the help of a dedicated He decides to stay at Rutgers after the Director of the Rutgers group of people from Rutgers University changes his appointment to 100% Center for Turfgrass and the turf industry, Bruce turf pathology and creates a new position Pathology. A responsibility oversees the first Rutgers Turf for a plant disease diagnostician (filled by he had until December 31, Research Golf Classic. This Dr. Karen Kackley and later by Rich 2020, when Dr. Jim event has become the most Buckley). The ornamental portion of Bruce’s Murphy became the new successful turf research fund- responsibilities are transferred to a new director of the Center. raiser in the world and has ornamental extension specialist position generated over 2 million filled by Dr. Ann Gould. dollars to date. Bruce at the 2010 Rutgers Turf Research Golf Classic. THE GREENERSIDE | 18 2017 2021 Rutgers hosts the 2017 International With the help of colleagues at Rutgers Turf Research Conference (ITRC) at and the turf industry, Bruce oversees the the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New 3rd Turfgrass Economic Survey showing Brunswick, NJ, with Bruce overseeing that the industry has grown to 4.9 billion the event as outgoing President of the dollars. International Turfgrass Society. The ITRC is held every four years. This was Bruce finally achieves his goal to speak 2016 only the second time it was held in the U.S. Rutgers raised more than 2017 ITRC Planning Committee in every state in the U.S. when he is invited to speak in Anchorage, Alaska, Dr. Clarke receives the the last state on his list. $500,000, including donations from 2016 USGA Green the GCSANJ to host the event. Section Award. 2020 2015 Ellen and Bruce’s 1st grandchild, Anna Dollar Spot on fairways becomes Mary, is born during an increasing concern on golf the early months of courses in the U.S., particularly in the pandemic. Denali National Park in Alaska. the fall months. Bruce and his colleagues and graduate students at Rutgers use the same approach that worked for anthracnose to Present develop BMPs for dollar spot. Bruce retires from Rutgers after 40 Their work with disease predictive years of dedicated service. In models and quantifying dollar spot populations with molecular 2005 addition to spending more time with family, traveling, and techniques funded by the Ralph Geiger, a long-time supporter consulting, he plans to continue to GCSANJ, GCSAA, USDA, NJTA, of the Rutgers Turf Program, be involved with the Rutgers Golf and Ontario Turfgrass Research contributes more than 2 million Classic, teaching in the 2-yr Foundation continues today. dollars to establish an Endowed Professional Golf Management Chair in Turfgrass Science. Bruce Program, and helping several of his becomes the first Ralph Geiger graduate students finish their Endowed Chair and retained this graduate degrees. recognition until 2011, when Dr. Bingru Huang and later Dr. Jim Murphy receive the honor. 2012 Bruce becomes the Chairman of the Plant Pathology Department and restructures the department with the help of his colleagues. Bruce steps down from 2001 this position after the restructuring was completed Bruce oversees the construction of the in 2014. Ralph Geiger Education building at Hort Farm II, with donations of more than 1 million dollars from the turfgrass industry. The same year, with the help of colleagues at Rutgers and the turf industry, Bruce oversees the 2nd Turfgrass Economic Survey showing that Hort Farm II the industry has grown to 3.2 billion dollars. 1999 2000 The Clarke Family in Hawaii. With the retirement of several faculty Anthracnose becomes one of the top three in the Plant Pathology Department, diseases of annual bluegrass putting green turf in Bruce becomes chairman of the the U.S. Bruce and his colleagues and graduate department. He later becomes vice- students at Rutgers and 12 other universities in the chair of the Department of Plant U.S. and Canada embark on what would be a 20- Biology after the Plant Science and year research effort with grants from the GCSANJ, Plant Pathology Departments are Tri-state Research Foundation, NJTA, GCSAA, and merged in 2001. USGA. THE GREENERSIDE | 19 WISDOM IN UNCOMMON BOOKS By Donovan Magiugan The Survival of the Bark Canoe – John McPhee It’s not uncommon for me to be reading multiple books at The decision to read this book came from prior reading the same time, whether it is an audiobook, an e-book, and John McPhee (Princeton professor at the collegiate sometimes a printed book (or as Brian from Family Guy home of my course, Springdale Golf Club) and a mention says, “The internet made of trees.”). In a given day, I spend by Nick Offerman in his new book, Where the Deer and around one to two hours total reading, and I manage to Antelope Play, where he describes the book’s plot: “…the churn through 25-40 books a year. The topics are widely development of the birch bark canoe by the indigenous varied from finance, history, comedy, Stephen King tribes of the Canadian North Woods, who could walk into horror, and everything in between. The most important the forest with a knife and a little fire and paddle out in thing that I have learned from years of reading this much an eighteen-foot canoe. The history of the canoe has is that you should read the books that you want, and you been a favorite subject of mine [. . .] which started when I will be able to take valuable lessons from everything you read John McPhee’s wonderful, The Survival of the Bark read when you enjoy the subjects. Canoe.” It’s hard to pass up a recommendation from Nick Offerman, who celebrates the life of simple pleasures like Looking for the perfect book to read on a non-stop West woodworking, scotch, and walking in the woods. Coast to East Coast flight with no available wi-fi? Try the book about the possible last tradesmen constructing As described by Offerman, the book tells the true story canoes out of birch bark with no fasteners, nails, or of Henri Vaillancourt, a young man who builds canoes screws. That book is The Survival of the Bark solely out of birch and cedar harvested in the woods of Canoe written by John McPhee. New England and Canada. After traveling deep into the isolated remote woods for material, he uses no power THE GREENERSIDE | 20 tools, screws, nails, glue, or any other modern tools to -The Rewarding Value of a Physical Trade Skill construct functional works of art. In a world of fiberglass At the end of his work, the canoes are described as a and aluminum canoes, Vaillancourt remains the last work of art. At the end of our work, we have a large vestige of time long past. The book combines McPhee canvas to showcase the fruits of our labor. The golf shadowing the work on the canoes which include hours course, happy golfers, and full tee sheets reinforce the and hours of shaping and cutting using knives, and his value of what we have created. following along with an expedition to the north woods of Maine to find suitable building materials while traveling -A Descendent in a Long Line in one of Vaillancourt’s canoes. Unless you are on a new construction, superintendents came before you and there will be more after you. Like Reading this book, I was able to take away several the passed-on generations of boat builders before, we lessons that can be applied to working on a golf course: carry the traditions and methods of our past ancestors. -Dedication to One’s Craft Further Reading: Check out Shop Class as Soulcraft by Vaillancourt is obsessed with the construction of the Matthew B. Crawford. This book explores the merits of a canoes to the point where his movements, cutting, and skilled-based manual labor and its impact on the shaving are exact and deliberate. His dedication mirrors enrichment of our lives. ours as the daily maintenance on our course can become hardwired and muscle memory, with our minds able to detect imperfections and adjust. Donovan Maguigan is the golf course superintendent at Springdale Golf Club in Princeton and can be found on Twitter/Instagram at @McBuckeyeAT. THE GREENERSIDE | 21 THE GREENERSIDE | 22 15 QUESTIONS WITH DR. JAMES MURPHY By Maureen Sharples Dr. Jim Murphy recently sat down with The Greenerside to discuss his new role as Director of the Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science and more. 1. Tell us a little about where you are from? I grew up within one of the three major breadbaskets of the world in a small Illinois village (Manteno) about 50 miles south of Chicago. The village was established at the highest elevation (675 ft) in the county within the Kankakee River watershed. This slow-flowing river nurtured the largest inland wetlands in the United States — the Grand Kankakee Marsh. The marsh was home to 5. What is your biggest professional challenge? an amazing diversity of plants, birds, fish, and animals Currently, that would be recruiting and hiring an that supported a local economy built around fur trade, outstanding scientist and educator with strong hunting, fishing, and farming. After the Civil War, leadership potential to be the next turfgrass pathologist draining of the marsh converted the land into the highly at Rutgers University. productive corn and soybean farmland it is today. 6. Tell us about your family. 2. How long have you worked at Rutgers? My wife, Stephanie, and I were graduate students at I moved to New Jersey and started working at Rutgers in Michigan State University. She has her Ph.D. in soil 1991. biophysics and is the director of the Rutgers Soil Testing Lab. Our daughter, Devan enjoyed competitive horse 3. What are the unique aspects of career? jumping as she grew up. She is working on a dual degree The opportunities to travel internationally and engage at the University of California-Davis and will be a Doctor with colleagues in other countries is a unique part of my of Veterinary Medicine as well as a Ph.D. when she career. The perspectives gained from experiencing graduates. Our son, Brandon enjoys playing hockey. He cultures in Asia, southeast Asia, central Asia, Australia, works as a physical therapy assistant. Europe, Scandinavia, and the United Kingdom is something I didn’t anticipate when I started my career. 7. What are your interests outside of work? Watching my children grow and mature as adults. I’m a 4. What does a typical workday look like? hockey fan. Grew up a Chicago Blackhawks fan and A typical day for me often is not typical. I have many became a Devils fan after moving to New Jersey. Playing roles and duties at Rutgers, which results in a lot of golf, which I need to do more. Fly fishing, finding those variation in my day-to-day schedule. I will say to as the magical places of solitude and serenity on a stream, river, years go on I spend more time working at a keyboard and or lake, and then figuring out how to present a fly and get computer display. So, I definitely enjoy when spring a fish to eat is an amazing experience for me. Hiking, comes and I can get out on the farm to study the research especially mountain trails. plots. THE GREENERSIDE | 23 11. What are some of the major changes or milestones you have seen since you have been there? Major changes that I have witnessed at Rutgers include hiring Dr. Bill Meyer and the subsequent retirement of Dr. C. Reed Funk. The success of the transition in leadership of the turfgrass breeding program is a major reason for the continued success of the turfgrass program at Rutgers and was instrumental in the substantial growth in faculty that started in the 1990s. And more recently, we have entered another major transition with the retirement of Dr. Bruce Clarke. 8. Who is your mentor and what is the best piece of 12. At the turfgrass research field day this past summer, advice you’ve received? you were seen fly-casting on one of the turfgrass plots. I have been fortunate to have many mentors throughout Please share the story behind the photo. my career. I started my career with Dr. Paul Rieke at About four years ago, my interest in fly fishing was Michigan State University, who gave me the opportunity revived. And about the same time, I learned that Marsha to study and learn turfgrass soil science. To this day, I use Benovenga was an avid fly fisher and Chair of the New skills that I learned under his mentorship. Paul is one of Jersey Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Ever since, we share the most genuine and caring persons I know, fishing adventures during the NJ Green Expo and characteristics that I strive to emulate to this day. Dr. C. Rutgers Turfgrass Research Field Days, where Marsha Reed Funk mentored me on what it took to be a works at registration. Marsha raves about her Orvis successful faculty member at Rutgers University. I also Helios 3 fly rod, and she was kind enough to bring it to learned more about turfgrasses from Reed than anyone field day so that I could experience how it casts. I agree else. Moreover, he honed my ability to continue teaching with her; it has great casting action. myself through keen observation and listening. And then there is Dr. Bruce Clarke; I learned from him that to truly be a team player you need to be a builder as well. Building makes the team stronger. 9. What is the best piece of advice or guidance you give to your students? Pursue your passion. Having a sincere interest in what you do makes those pursuits fulfilling. Moreover, enjoying what you do gives you the motivation to problem solve during those times when little seems to go well. 10. You recently took on the role of Director of the Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science. What are some of your goals and aspirations for the Center? My aspiration for Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science is to see it continue its excellence in generating and disseminating knowledge in turfgrass science. To that end, an important goal is to re-fill the now vacant turfgrass pathologist position with an outstanding scientist and educator. We expect to be advertising that we are seeking applicants for that position within the next few weeks. THE GREENERSIDE | 24 13. Food on the Rutgers campus is synonymous with 15. List four things we don't know about you. Grease Trucks and Fat Sandwiches, do you have a 1. I learned golf from my dad and uncle. Dad played left- campus favorite sandwich or place to eat? handed and I almost did; I still remember my dad telling Yes, the Grease Trucks and Fat Sandwiches are me to make up my mind. I think he was tired of me using noteworthy, especially on the College Ave campus. I his clubs. To this day, I wonder if I should have played don’t go to the College Ave campus too often, so don’t left-handed. Would love to play another round with my have a favorite sandwich or place. And I definitely enjoy dad and uncle. partaking when I get the chance. 2. I held the record low score for my high school for a 14. Rutgers hosted the first-ever collegiate football couple of years. Not sure I remember the score, but I game in 1869, playing against Princeton and think it was a 39 or 38 for a nine-hole competition. establishing themselves as the birthplace of college football. What is your favorite Rutgers football 3. My first vehicle was a 1970 Chevy C10 truck that my memory? dad gave me. It needed an engine. My best friend, Dave, I wasn’t at the game but the 4th quarter comeback and I (mostly Dave) rebuilt an engine that I got from a victory on national TV over then No. 3 ranked Louisville friend of my dad. Drove that ’70 Chevy C10 for several in 2006 must be the favorite. Numerous people, years and gave it to my brother. Love trucks. Still have recognizing the block R on my shirt or hat, would the first truck that I bought. approach me in airports after that game and tell me how much they enjoyed watching that game. It was a thriller. 4. Tried to “walk-on” the Western Illinois University golf team but posted a few shots too many to play at that level. THE GREENERSIDE | 25 THE GREENERSIDE | 26 GCSAA CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW RECAP By Kevin Doyle, GCSAA Northeast Field Representative In case you couldn’t join us for the GCSA Conference and of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Show in San Diego, here are some snippets from Show America (GCSAA), will give 12 GCSAA members the and highlights for members here in the Northeast region. opportunity to attend the 2022 GCSAA Conference and A total of 3,700 seminar seats were filled. In addition to Trade Show, Feb. 5-10, in San Diego, CA. education for superintendents, the event also included The Melrose Leadership Academy supports the specialized education for assistant superintendents, professional development of GCSAA superintendent equipment managers, students and more. The GCSAA members, while the Melrose Equipment Management Conference and Trade Show in-person total attendance Experience provides professional development for was 6,500. The trade show covered nearly 114,000 GCSAA equipment managers. Both programs are square feet of exhibit space at the San Diego Convention administered through the GCSAA Foundation, the Center and hosted more than 300 exhibitors. philanthropic organization of GCSAA. Your 2022 Board of Directors NE Region participant in the 2022 Melrose Leadership Kevin P. Breen, the certified golf course superintendent Academy: (CGCS) at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos, Calif., · Donovan Maguigan of Springdale Golf Club in was elected to a one-year term as president of the Golf Princeton, N.J. Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) at the association’s annual meeting on Feb. 10, held in conjunction with the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. He is the 86th president in the association’s history. Other elected officers were Kevin P. Sunderman, CGCS, director of grounds at Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club in St. Petersburg, Fla., as vice president, and Jeff L. White, CGCS and superintendent at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, Kan.; as secretary/treasurer. Board members Douglas D. Dykstra, CGCS, golf course superintendent at White Mountain Country Club in Pinetop, Ariz., and Marc E. Weston, CGCS, superintendent at Indian Hill Country Club in Newington, Conn., were elected to serve again, while Steven J. Hammon, superintendent at Traverse City (Mich.) Country Club, was newly elected to the board. MELROSE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE Support from the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation, founded by the late Ken Melrose, former CEO and chairman of Toro Co., and longtime friend and supporter THE GREENERSIDE | 27 GCSAA WEBINARS Spring Dead Spot & Take-all Root Rot Prevention Lane Tredway, Ph.D., and Dean Mosdell, Ph.D. GCSAA LEARNING HUB SEPT. 16 @ NOON Benefits & Challenges of Sand Topdressing Programsa Veteran CGCS Goosegrass Control Options to Avoid Resistance Douglas Get Ideas to Get Ahead:Karcher, Ph.D. Tips from Fred Yelverton, Ph.D. Don Garrett, CGCS Mar. 10th @ noon SEPT. 22 @ 10 A.M. Mar. 29 @ 10 a.m. Lowering the Cost of Managing Trees, Be Precise! Reduce Water Use in Your Fairways Shrubs and Flowers Chase Straw, Ph.D. John Fech Mar. 31 @ 10 a.m. Mar. 23 @ noon . To access the webinars, . visit gcsaa.org/education/my-learning-hub THE GREENERSIDE | 28 THE GREENERSIDE | 29 CHAPTER CHAMPIONSHIP SOMERSET HILLS COUNTRY CLUB Hosted by Ryan Tuxhorn Grant Platz, Travis Pauley, Ben Stover, Phil Knudsen, Frank Tichenor, Chad Broderick, Tom Weinert, Shawn Haverdink Nick Adams, Frank Horan Jason Osterhoudt, Fred Parcells Stephen Rudich & John Carpinelli Jeremy Hreben & Ryan Tuxhorn Pat McMahon & Shawn Reynolds Josh Kopera, Ken Anson, Nick Alley, Sean Charles, Jonathan Heywood, Phil Page, Sean Konsavich, Rob Arnts Kyle Hillegass, Brian Kahl Joey Wolff, Jay Ewan THE GREENERSIDE | 30 TURF FEST METUCHEN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Hosted by Jason Osterhoudt Todd Raisch, Russ Harris, Fred Rapp Jennifer and Ricardo Torres Drone Demonstration Doug Vogel, and Rick Krok The Finch Turf Team Tim Reinagel and Paul Ramina Storr Tractor Demonstration Food Trucks and Vendor Tent Keith Bennett, Paul Ramina, and Jason Osterhoudt and Jeremy Hreben Corey Angelo's presentation THE GREENERSIDE | 31 ANNUAL MEETING GALLOPING HILL GOLF COURSE Hosted by Russ Harris Tom Pepe Brian O'Malley and Jeff Barr Lee Kozsey Ken Kubik and Doug Vogel Donovan Maguigan and Joe Kinlin Darrell Marcinek and Russ Harris John O'Keefe Jeremy Hreben and Jennifer Torres NJSGA Executive Director Kevin Purcell THE GREENERSIDE | 32 GREEN EXPO BORGATA HOTEL & CASINO Matt Castagna, Jack Higgins, Mike Tardogno & Lou Bosco Scott McBane & Scott Rose Zachary Owens Chris Carson & Dr. Bruce Clarke Pat Husby, Tom Weinert, Jen Schneider & Tyler Otero Mark Miedler Kevin Tansey & Keith Bennett Dennis DeSanctis Jr. & Bob Dickison Rob Schipper, Jillian Desmarais, Kelly Barrell THE GREENERSIDE | 33 WE ASKED, YOU ANSWERED "Sea Grass on Main Ave. in Ocean Grove. They have indoor and outdoor dining, which is set right in the middle of Ocean Grove. Super fresh food with a great variety of fish, pasta, steaks, and lots of specials. They have an awesome staff that has been around for years. Good desserts and prices, plus it is a BYOB." -Jeff Barr, Galloping Hill Golf Course "What is your favorite restaurant in New Jersey?" "Il Capricios in Whippany is the best Italian in New Jersey. One of the best dining experiences, and an atmosphere that is from a scene out of The Sopranos. Nothing can beat grandma’s home-cooked Italian, but this is as close as it gets.” -Nick Roberto, Textron E-Z-GO "I have a tie. They are both strip mall gems and BYOB. Nicola's Ristorante in Totowa. The vibe is consummately North Jersey Italian. Staff is knowledgeable, with typically 6-8 specials to add to the already good menu. Bread is served with Eggplant Spread & Bruschetta. Good meal presentation such as my favorites, Stuffed Artichokes, Pasta Orecchiette Alla Maria (sautéed broccoli rabe and white bean), Gnocchis, and Zuppa Di Pesce. Tarentella Ristorante in Medford. Owner, Salvatore, makes his way to every table to check on your meal, and I have never had a bad one. I recommend Calamari Salad, Eggplant Parm, Veal Tarentella, Grilled Salmon with mussels and clams over capellini. You will leave with dinner for another night or two." -Lou Bosco, Turf Equipment and Supply Company THE GREENERSIDE | 38 THE GREENERSIDE | 34 "Anyone who follows my Instagram stories probably knows that my favorite restaurant in NJ is Brick Farm Tavern in Hopewell. It's a farm-to-table tavern located just north of Princeton. I love it, especially for the fact that the menu is different every time because it is based on what is available from their partner farms. It's hard to pick a favorite food from there that I have enjoyed, from the pork meatballs, short rib, biscuits & gravy, their farm burger, empanadas, and really good cocktails from the brewery and distillery next door. Too many great evenings there with my wife to count, and we even love the tavern so much that we chose to have our wedding there." -Donovan Maguigan, Springdale Golf Club "It is so hard to pick just one favorite food, and I feel our favorite restaurant changes with time. Currently, my favorite restaurant in New Jersey is Nettie's House of Spaghetti. An upscale take on a step back in time of fresh daily, homemade pasta and meats just like Grandma used to make. The meals are served family-style for everyone to share. They have the best olive-filled gin martini around! This place is fun and fresh without reinventing the wheel. A great place for best friends and family to share time while enjoying great food." -Mike Tardogno, Tamarack Golf Course THE GREENERSIDE | 35 GCSANJ PATRON DIRECTORY A.G. ENTERPRISES BRAEN STONE EAST COAST SOD & SEED Staff Uniforms Construction Material Sod & Seed Supplier,Bent Grass, Rick Gordon Joe Klemm Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, and Fine Ph: (Cell) 201.741.4500 Stone, Sand, Recycled Materials, and Fescue Sod Fx: 201.575.4140 Asphalt Kevin Driscoll merrick160@gmail.com 400 Central Avenue Ph: 609.760.4099 agenterprisesonline.com Haledon, NJ 07508 kdriscoll@eastcoastsod.com Ph: 973.838.7100 Ext.2 BASF jklemm@braenstone.com EWING IRRIGATION & Plant Protection & Plant Health Products, www.braenstone.com LANDSCAPE SUPPLY Lexicon, Xzemplar, Honor, Insignia Irrigation & Turf Products David Schell DOWNES TREE SERVICE CO. Rain Bird Golf Distributor Ph: 410.800.8762 Tree Services, Mulch & Top Soil, Fred Rapp david.schell@basf.com Containers, Trimming & Removal frapp@ewingirrigation.com Paul Ramina Kevin Downes Ph: 848.225.4618 Ph: 908.413.2944 65 Royal Avenue Jim Miner paul.ramina@basf.com Hawthorne, NJ 07506 jminer@ewingirrigation.com Ph: 973.238.9800 Ph: 908.674.1145 BAYER info@downes.pro Plant Health Products E-Z-GO TEXTRON Jeffrey Weld DOUBLE ‘D’ TURF LLC Nick Roberto Pesticides Dennis DeSanctis Jr. & Sr. E-Z-GO, Cushman, Jacobsen 2 T.W. Alexander Drive Aeration Services, Rentals, Equip Sales Ph: 845.637.7641 Research Triangle Park, NC PO Box 1090 T 845.637.7641 Ph: 914.419.9384 Hightstown, NJ 08520 jeff.weld@bayer.com Ph: 732.580.5516 FINCH SERVICES Dennis Jr@doubledturf.com John Deere Authorized Dealer BLACK LAGOON POND Phil Page MANAGEMENT DRYJECT NEW JERSEY ppage@finchinc.com Pond/Lake Management Dennis Granahan Cell: 609.498.4031 Michael Blaner 7 Seagull Lane Joey Wolff Algae/Invasive Plants Control, Lincroft, NJ 07738 jwolff@finchinc.com Fountain & Diffused Aeration Systems Ph: 917.617.8827 Cell:410.215.6921 56 US Highway 130 South dryjectnj@comcast.net 419 Industrial Drive Bordentown, NJ 08620 North Wales, PA Ph: 1.888.243.0891 EARTHWORKS info@blacklagoon.us Carbon based fertilizers FISHER & SON COMPANY Jack Higgins Distributor of Golf & Turf BLOOMING BEDS Ph: 484.894.0242 Products,Fertilizer, Seed Plant Care Services hwww.earthworksturf.com Rob Johnson Wayne Jackson jack@soilfirst.com 110 Summit Drive, 21 Madison Plaza #130 Exton PA 19341 Madison, NJ 07940 Ph: 800.262.2127 Ph: 973.937.7009 Cell: 215.475.7998 www.bloomingbeds.com rjohnson@fisherandson.com wayne@bloomingbeds.com THE GREENERSIDE | 36 GCSANJ PATRON DIRECTORY FOLEY INC NOBLE TURF STEPHEN KAY GOLF COURSE CAT Equipment Dealer, Sales and Rentals Brian Gjelsvik ARCHITECT Cindy Snow 25 Roland Avenue Stephen Kay csnow@foleyinc.com Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 665 Saint Andrews Drive Office: (732) 885-3154 Ph: 856.273.1402 Egg Harbor City NJ 08215 855 Centennial Avenue briang@seetonturf.com Ph: 609.703.3300 Piscataway, NJ 08854 stephenkgolf@aol.com NUFARM GRASS ROOTS, INC. Pesticides for the turf & ornamentals SYNATEK Golf Course Maintenance Supplies Michael Molchan Shaun Kennedy Ken Kubik: 973.418.7035 25 Roland Avenue 737 Hagey Center Drive, Unit A Keith Kubik: 973.418.7034 Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Souderton, PA 18964 Jay McKenna: 973.418.7036 Ph: 610-653-7983 Ph: 8662.266.9288 Office: 973.252.6634 michael.molchan@nufarm.com Fx: (267) 203-1613 skennedy@synateksolutions.com GENESIS TURFGRASS PLANT FOOD COMPANY Mark Merrick “The Liquid Fertilizer Experts” SYNGENTA 717-759-8151 Dick Neufeld: 973.945.6318 Manufacturer, Plant Protectants info@genesisturfgrassinc.com Tom Weinert: 914.262.0111 Lee Kozsey 137 Commerce Drive Tom Pepe: 609.751.1372 Cell: 215.796.0409 Glen Rock, PA 17327 Biostimulants & Other Products Lee.kozsey@syngenta.com genesisturfgrass.com for Premium Turfgrass Brian Goudey Cell: 518-764-2412 HARRELL’S LLC SITEONE LANDSCAPE SUPPLY Brian.Goudey@Syngenta.com Josh Kopera Providing the Products & Cell:201.213.8693 Expertise That You Need & Trust TOTAL TURF GOLF SERVICES jkopera@harrells.com Frank Jacheo: 732.489.1442 Greg Hufner Jen Schneider fjacheo@siteone.com 1965 Byberry Road Cell:732.828.0895 Fred Stauffer: 317.518.2841 Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 jschneider@harrells.com fstauffer@siteone.com Ph: 215.426.0554 harrells.com Shawn Reynolds: 401.486.9133 gregh@totalturfservices.com Ph: 800.282.8007 sreynolds@siteone.com WILLOW'S BEND HELENA SOIL & WATER CONSULTING Specializes in golf course pump People…Products…Knowledge Corey Angelo stations. Service and installation. Tim Gerzabek Consulting and Analysis for Your Scott Scherer Cell: 609.221.9240 Turfgrass, Soils, and Water. P.O. Box 1344 GerzabekT@helenaagri.com Ph: 848.225.5115 Belle Mead, NJ 08502 www.helenaagri.com corey@soilandwaterconsulting.com Ph: 908.837.9102 scott@willowsbend.com LABAR GOLF RENOVATIONS STORR TRACTOR COMPANY Golf Course Construction & Commercial Toro Turf & Irrigation Renovations Equipment Richard S. LaBar Jr. Steve Bradley, Jim Devaney 170 Mount Airy Road, Suite A1 Rick Krok Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 3191 Highway 22, Branchburg NJ Ph: 908.502.5353 Ph: 908.722.9830 rich@labargolf.com sbradley@storrtractor.com THE GREENERSIDE | 37