February 2018 Presidents Message The days are getting longer here in New England and it’s only a matter of time until we get ready to start the engines again. This winter has brought early snow, multiple heavy rain events, a 10 day arctic freeze, sporadic warm days and the list goes on. Needless to say, it has been a winter that has golf course superintendents watching their courses closely and hoping that spring is mild to help the tender confused turf come through healthy. With the weather aside, many educational opportunities have been available this winter. The GIS in San Antonio was one of these opportunities. The show was compacted into 4 days this year with endless education and a trade show that was action packed with all of the latest and greatest tools available to us. With over 13,000 attendees, the city of San Antonio was crawling with turf manag- ers and from what I gathered, a good showing from the New England states. The Nor’easter social was well attended and everyone seemed to have a great time catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. I have personally been focused on leadership semi- nars this off season, which I believe is crucial to be successful in this business and life in general. The GCSANE annual meeting at Renaissance Hotel at Gillette was very well attended once again. The members of GCSANE voted in the new 2018 Board of Directors, the Past Presidents got together to discuss the state of the association and our guest speaker Steve Sweeney lightened the mood. The highlight of the day was the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award post- humously to the late Dave Commee. Dave’s wife Kathy, son Tavis, daughter Megan and her husband Todd, were all there to accept the award in honor of Dave. Kathy spoke about Dave and what a great husband, father and man he was. She also spoke on how Dave’s close friends from GCSANE have been there to support her through some very tough times. Kathy’s speech was by far the highlight of the day with most in attendance on the verge of tears. I want to personally thank all of the GCSANE Board members, past and present, for their time and efforts dedicated working for the association and its members. I also want to thank all of the committee members who have stepped up to assist and support in any way needed. We are always looking for committee members to serve, so please reach out and get involved. Your time serving your association and profession will be sure to pay you back in time. I always hear that time just does not allow for this type of commit- ment, but I can promise you that we are survivors and your will figure out how to make it work. Dedicating yourself to help in the future success of our profession can be one of the most rewarding endeavors you will take on. In closing, we at GCSANE are looking forward to a great 2018 meeting season. Following the NERTF show in Providence on March 5th, we start the season on April 30, with the Bear Cup at Foxborough CC. This is always a great day with our friends from Cape Cod. I personally love the light hearted mood of this day and getting to know some of the Cape members. Another day you should mark on your calendar is September 24, when our Scholarship and Benevolence fundraising tournament will be held at Kernwood CC. This is going to be a special day at a special venue, that you should plan to attend in support of this very important fund that benefits all of our members. I wish you all the best for 2018 and please reach out to GCSANE if we can assist you in any way. All the Best, Dave Johnson, GCSANE President Thoughts From Your Executive Director by Don Hearn The big news this month is the recently completed Golf Industry Show (GIS) held in San Antonio, Texas. There was a lot to do: Friends to see and new ones to meet, new equipment to view, educa- tion sessions and seminars to attend and the opportunity to recharge our thoughts about another golf season in the Northeast. One of the important facts I learned was the potential liabilities we may incur if we try to help others in our profession. I know this doesn’t seem to make sense, but I was told this during the session held for chapter executive directors and managers. The legal counselor made a presentation that was an eye opener for all in the room. I realized that not publish- ing a position opening until it has been determined the current superintendent has been notified, may be illegal. Also, not publishing a position opening because the potential employer will not publish the salary or not advertise the position at a minimum salary is il- legal. There are other potential liabilities that may not please us, but we can’t restrain trade or fix prices. We are an educational association with that, not employment opportunities or other actions that we believe increase our members’ value, as our main mission. This does not mean we should not treat others with respect and caring. It means we must be careful not to step beyond the line of legal actions. While I may not like this, my feelings don’t have any standing with the legal system. I strongly believe we should help those in our profession to become successful. We should encourage better wages and benefits and fair treatment. We should respect others in our profession and encourage ethical behavior. I believe there will be more information distributed from this session at the GIS and I look forward to learning about ways to stay on the correct side of legal requirements. Keep in mind we must be careful not to encourage anti-competitive practices. The Show part of the GIS was an interesting way to get an up-close-and-personal look at equipment and products that enhance golf course maintenance and offer tools for a better way to move to the future. Every year there are new items introduced at the show and this year was no exception. Some of these products will become standard tools in maintenance routines. Others will be seen only this one time. Someone’s dream might become their greatest disappointment. It’s all part of moving forward. GCSANE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT David W. Johnson The Country Club 191 Clyde Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 617-456-3972 Email: Djohnson.wgc@gmail.com VICE PRESIDENT Jeffrey Urquhart Milton Hoosic Club 70 Green Lodge Street, Canton, MA 02021 781-828-2953 Fax 781-828-3220 Email: jmartin101@gmail.com SECRETARY/TREASURER Donald D’Errico 508-530-2113 Email: svderrico@icloud.com DIRECTOR, SCHOLARSHIP & BENEVOLENCE David Stowe, CGCS Newton Commonwealth Golf Club 212 Kenrick Street, Newton, MA 02458 617-789-4631 Email: Newtonmaint@aol.com DIRECTOR Peter J. Rappoccio, CGCS Concord Country Club 246 ORNAC, Concord, MA 01742 978-371-1089 Fax: 978-369-7231 Email: gcs@concordcc.org DIRECTOR, AFFILIATE Keith Tortorella Country Club Enterprises 2D Express Drive, Wareham, MA 02571 508-982-4820 Email: ktortorella@ccegolf cars.com DIRECTOR Bob Dembek Lexington Golf Club 55 Hill Street, Lexington, MA 02420 978-870-8669 Email: lexgc@rcn.com DIRECTOR Brian F. Skinner, CGCS Bellevue Golf Club PO Box 760661, Melrose, MA 02176 781-248-0216 Email: brianskinner@bellevuegolfclub.com PAST PRESIDENT Michael Luccini, CGCS Franklin Country Club 672 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 508-528-6110 Fax: 508-528-1885 Email: Mluccini@franklincc.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Donald E. Hearn, CGCS 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA 02766 774-430-9040 Email: donhearn@gcsane.org GCSANE Headquarters 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA 02766 Tel: (774) 430-9040 Web Site: www.gcsane.org Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and/or person quoted, and June not represent the position of GCSANE. Information contained in this publication June be used freely, in whole or in part, without special permission as long as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a credit line. 2 The Newsletter Thoughts From Your Executive Director by Don Hearn Matt Powell at the GIS While at the GIS I had the opportunity to listen to GCSA of New England Member, Matt Powell, Superintendent at Dedham Country & Polo Club present a session about the renovations tak- ing place at Dedham. Matt has been using a lot of technology to help with the construction process as well as keeping the members informed. Drones and remotes cameras are just some of the tech- nological tools he’s been using during the renovation. Other types of technology have been part of the toolkit he has created to keep members and club staff informed about the construction process, schedule, and completion status. He would be happy to share with you his experiences and what he has learned so far. The GCSA of New England recently received a $10,000.00 check from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) to help support our state’s BMP initiative. As you prob- ably know, this program has been established by the GCSAA to support affiliated chapter’s efforts to complete the BMP projects of all states by 2020. We are working jointly with the GCSA of Cape Cod to move forward with BMP’s for the state of Massachusetts and plan to have this program in place by year end 2019. Our ef- forts are being led by Rick Lawlor who serves as chairman of the group tasked with this project. In addition to state BMP’s, down the road will be a BMP program in place for individual facilities. Another item of interest that took place at the GIS was the an- nouncement of the First Green Foundation and GCSAA joining forces to promote the First Green program to our members. What follows is the announcement of the program: The First Green Foundation (First Green) and Golf Course Superintendents Association of American (GCSAA) have signed a memorandum of understanding that will bring First Green under the umbrella of the GCSAA’s philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG). The agreement was announced at the 2018 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. First Green, an innovative education outreach program using golf courses as hands-on environmental learning labs, has worked with golf course superintendents extensively for more than 20 years. Superintendents form the backbone of First Green initiatives, hosting STEM-focused field trips for students in grades five and up. First Green and GCSAA field staff representatives have collaborated to support golf courses and train superintendents, conducting field trips and instruction at GCSAA’s affiliated chapters. In addition, First Green has held well-received workshops at the Golf Industry Show for several years. Please contact me for more information about this program. The work you do plays a vital role in the health and well-being of people and the environment in which we live. We bring you a network of professionals and innovative solutions dedicated to your success in these efforts. With Tom Irwin, you’re not alone. Harris Schnare | 800-582-5959 | harris@tomirwin.com 3 February 2018 GIS 2018 Recap In case you missed the information coming out of GIS in San Antonio, below are some excerpts from GCSAA communica- tions detailing some of the highlights. You will find that many of those highlights have a Northeast region spin! Your 2018 GCSAA Board of Directors: Darren J. Davis, the golf course superintendent at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, Fla., has been elected to a one- year term as president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) at the association’s annual meeting Feb. 8, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. Davis, a certified golf course superintendent (CGCS), served as vice president of the association in 2017 and has been a member of the association’s board of directors since 2012. A 28-year member of GCSAA, Davis is a past president of the Everglades GCSA and a past president of the Florida GCSA and Florida Turfgrass Association. He is currently a director with the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation. In 2004, the FGCSA honored him with its Distinguished Service Award, and in 2011 the FTGA presented Davis with the Wreath of Grass - the association’s highest award. Other elected officers were Rafael Barajas, CGCS and direc- tor of golf course operations at Boca Grove Plantation in Boca Raton, Fla., as vice president, and John R. Fulling Jr., CGCS and grounds and facilities manager at Kalamazoo (Mich.) Country Club, as secretary/treasurer. Board members Kevin P. Breen, CGCS and golf course superintendent at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos, Calif., and Kevin P. Sunderman, director of grounds at Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club in St. Petersburg, Fla., were elected to serve again. While T.A. Barker, CGCS and superintendent at Fore Lakes Golf Course in Taylorsville, Utah; and Jeff L. White, CGCS and superintendent at Indian Hills Country Club in Prairie Village, Kan., were newly elected to the board. In addition, delegates voted to approve 11 changes to the asso- ciation’s bylaws. In Other News: The First Green Foundation (First Green) and Golf Course Superintendents Association of American (GCSAA) have signed a memorandum of understanding that will bring First Green under the umbrella of the GCSAA’s philanthropic orga- nization, the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG). The agreement was announced at the 2018 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. First Green, an innovative education outreach program using golf courses as hands-on environmental learning labs, has worked with golf course superintendents extensively for more than 20 years. Superintendents form the backbone of First Green initiatives, hosting STEM-focused field trips for students grades five and up. First Green and GCSAA field staff represen- tatives have collaborated to support golf courses and train super- intendents, conducting field trips and instruction at GCSAA’s affiliated chapters. In addition, First Green has held well- received workshops at the Golf Industry Show for several years. Northeast Region Members Recognized: Frank Rossi, Ph.D., associate professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and one of the world’s leading experts on turf- grass science, has been selected to receive the 2018 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship by the board of direc- tors of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The GCSAA President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship was established in 1991 to recognize “an excep- tional environmental contribution to the game of golf; a contri- bution that further exemplifies the golf course superintendent’s image as a steward of the land.” In 2014, Rossi was instrumental in the development of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for New York State Golf Courses. The project was initiated in 2012 by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association, and Rossi served as the lead author of the guidelines. Nearly two decades ear- lier, while working as a turfgrass environmental specialist at Michigan State University, he was key to the creation of the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program, which was officially launched in 1998. Chris Carson, the golf course superintendent at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield, N.J., has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 Leo Feser Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The award is presented annually to the author of the best superintendent- written article published in Golf Course Management, the asso- ciation’s flagship publication, during the previous year. Carson’s selection makes him the first three-time winner of the Leo Feser Award in the 40 years that GCSAA has pre- sented it as an annual honor. Carson previously won in 2000 and 2007. The only other repeat winner of the Feser is Darren Davis, CGCS, from Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, Fla., who won the award in 1997 and 2002. Carson, a 32-year GCSAA member, authored the story “8 essential budgeting principles for superintendents,” which was published in the October 2016 issue of GCM. The story offered readers time-tested tips on making successful budget requests and communicating with golf facility decisions-makers about how those requests will benefit the facility’s playing surfaces and, ultimately, its bottom line. “I wrote the article on the budgeting principles that have been 4 The Newsletter GIS 2018 Recap successful for me over the years — the same principles I teach at Rutgers — as a way of helping my peers grow profession- ally,” Carson said. “I’ve always enjoyed writing and the business aspects of our jobs, and putting my thoughts and ideas into print is one of the ways I try to give back to our profession. EXCEL offers leadership training for personal, career and community/industry stewardship exclusively for assistant super- intendents. The name EXCEL represents the education, cross training, community, encouragement and leadership develop- ment that the program provides. Twenty members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) were chosen for the 2018 Melrose Leadership Academy, which included a trip to the Golf Industry Show, Feb. 3-8 in San Antonio. • • Zachary Fleeger of Stowe Mountain Club in Stowe, Vt. Stephen Hicks of Brantford Golf & Country Club in Brantford, Ontario, Canada Academy members are chosen through an application process based on financial need, volunteerism and a drive to advance their careers. The new class participated in networking and leadership activities, as well as attended a variety of education seminars. • Albert Choiniere of Essex (Vt.) Country Club. • David F. D’Andrea of Sable Oaks Golf Club in South Portland, Maine. • Andrew Fries, CGCS, of HB Brownson Country Club in Shelton, Conn. John Gabbeitt of Owl’s Nest Golf Club in Campton, N.H. Ryan Green, CGCS, of Crystal Lake Golf Club in Haverhill, Mass. • • • • • David W. Johnson of Wianno Club in Osterville, Mass. • Gregory Klem, CGCS, of Monroe County Golf Courses in Rochester, N.Y. • Manuel ‘Joe’ Oliveira of Green Valley Country Club in Portsmouth, R.I. • Dennis Petruzzelli, CGCS, of Billy Casper Golf in Danbury, Conn. James J. Ritorto of Lake of Isles Golf Club and Resort in North Stonington, Conn. Brian Smoot of Crosswinds Golf Club in Plymouth, Mass. Twelve assistant superintendent members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) were chosen for the first class of the EXCEL Leadership Program, which is funded by Nufarm and administered by GCSAA’s philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf. 5 February 2018 Are Your Juices Flowing….Yet? by Mark Casey, Territory Manager for MTE – Turf Equipment Solutions The long winter provides the golf course management industry ample time to slow down and take a much deserved break, (sometimes called the regular 40 hour shift–and a schedule you may feel is a much needed rest!) Most will spend some of this time to evaluate decisions and impacts of cultural prac- tices and applications and response of the 2017 season; maybe direct the crew on course cleanup and brush clearing, tree work to alleviate shade issues, ice chip- ping activity, and mentally tweak plans for the coming spring. Oh Yea…., leave room for evaluating equipment bids and finalizing purchases as well! Shortly, the New England Conference season will be upon us, days will get longer, the sun higher and hopefully the industry is feel- ing recharged! Once the warming trend begins, juices will start to flow along with the drive and desire to get back out on the golf course to welcome and embrace the new season. Out on the golf course your Maple trees will be doing the same; and juices will be flowing! of Newton Commonwealth Golf Course for 24 years. With the last name of Stowe, Dave shares a Vermont town name and former residency of the Green Mountain State, along with tradition and brings his Northern expertise of the maple syrup trade to Massachusetts.  Wikipedia informs us that maple syrup was first collected and used by the indig- enous peoples of North America. Canada produces 70% of the global supply while our friendly neighboring state of Vermont is the largest producer in the United States, generating about six percent of the global supply. Smaller suppliers through- out Massachusetts exist and contribute to satisfy the world’s sweet tooth demand for Syrup, including a special brand from a semi-indigenous resident of Natick, Massachusetts; fellow Golf Course Superintendent, Mr. David Stowe. Dave is a long time staff member of Sterling Golf Management, and Superintendent 6 The eastern Massachusetts season typi- cally runs for 6-7 weeks starting in mid- February, and hits just in time for some of us who love to be outside as the winter drags on! The Stowe family now has deep ties in their Natick, MA neighborhood, along with an intricate network of tub- ing, tree taps, pails and drums! As the juices begin to flow this spring, Dave joins the effort of the syrup industry collecting hundreds of gallons of maple sap from his residential neighbors and back yard for “in-house processing” in the evaporator with his sons Peter and Sam, along with a small group of friend volunteers. This has been an enjoyable family activity for over 10 years, and has been a great way for them to meet neighbors and make new friends. This raw material is boiled down in the Stowe’s sweet smelling back yard neighborhood evaporator, a wood fired station that handles 40 gallons of sap to boil down to ONE sweet gallon of Maple Syrup. His system is producing on average 20-30 gallons annually of a fine grade AA maple syrup. Stowe Branded AA Syrup is often found as a raffle prize at GCSANE meetings and may be tastefully enjoyed on your local stack of pancakes, French toast or oatmeal dish. If you would like to try a quart of local maple syrup from the Stowe family product line, or make arrange- ments to see the process in action, con- tact Dave at maplestowe@gmail.com The Newsletter Some Unwritten Social Rules Everyone Should Know By Don Hearn • When a stranger or casual acquaintance asks, “How are you?” it’s just a culturally mandated salutation. They’re not sincerely interested in your problems, and this isn’t a cue to tell them. • Don’t say “Ew!” in response to something that someone else is eating. • This is another one I believe is important. When you open a gift, just express appreciation. Don’t say, “This was too expensive!” Or, “You shouldn’t have bought that.” • Never tell someone he or she looks tired. No one wants to hear this, and many people will interpret it as “You look old.” • If you’re on the phone and are forced to interact with someone else in person, ask the person on the phone to hang on so they don’t get confused. • There’s almost never a reason to comment on someone’s weight. Just say, “You look fantastic.” If they want to talk about losing weight, they will. • At an adult birthday party don’t open your gifts in front of the guests. Open them privately and respond later. Unwrapping in front of mixed company can cause awkwardness because of the disparity in expense, people who didn’t bring one, etc. • Don’t brag about your high-status purchases in front of people who can’t afford those things. • If you’re talking to someone and notice any of the following, they’re trying to end the conversation: Their eyes keep darting away. They angle their body away from you. They give you rapid one-word answers. • This is one where people really show their lack of patience and courtesy to others. Don’t crowd the baggage carousel at the airport. Stand back until you lay eyes on your suitcase, then step forward and get it. Give others a break! • If you invite people to a party, they’re expecting alcohol to be served unless all guests belong to a subculture that doesn’t drink. • If you bring food or drinks to a party, don’t take the leftovers home with you. • If you’re planning to visit someone and they ask what food they should have in the house for you, give them specific food items. This is much less stressful for them than, “I don’t care. Anything is fine.” • When you’re a guest in someone’s home, offer to help in the kitchen or with clean-up. Nearly all hosts will decline as a reflex. Offer one more time, and then drop it. • I believe this one is very important. When someone compliments you, just thank them. Or say, “That’s very kind of you.” If you respond by being self- deprecating, you’re actually insulting their taste. • If someone has suffered a personal tragedy, instead of generically offering to do “anything,” offer something specific. “Why don’t I come get the kids on Saturday?” “I’m going to the grocery store. Please let us bring dinner over and we can all eat together. Would 6:30 work?” 7 February 2018 8 The NewsletterLearn more about our products and services at:PRODUCT CATEGORIES•Granular Fertilizers•Specialty Nutrients•Control Products•Soil Conditioners• Turfgrass Seed•Golf Course Accessorieswww.northeastnursery.com Exclusive Distributor for Rain Bird GolfMA, NH, VT, ME and RINortheast Golf & Turf Supplya division of Northeast Nursery, Inc. - Est. 1982NORTHEAST CONTRACTOR CENTERPeabody, MA NORTHEAST TURF & IRRIGATION SUPPLY Londonderry, NH NORTHEAST TURF & IRRIGATION SUPPLY Dennis Port, MA Ideas on Maintenance Equipment Fleet Management. It’s 2018 and the state of the industry is stable and rebal- anced after many years of transition. Uncertainty in the economy over the past ten years has impacted the flow of industry dollars across the board to affect playing habits of golfers, membership numbers at private clubs, and purchasing habits of the mar- ketplace. Fleet management is critical for an operation to keep current with technological advances, and relevant with course conditioning, and provide a competitive product in an efficient manner. If after touring your building and seeing aged equip- ment that has been lingering for maybe a few too many years, it may be wise to evolve a strategic plan to evaluate and update the maintenance fleet and vehicles. A long-range plan over 3-5 years aims to identify and prioritize replacement needs based on the equipment age, hours and reliability; and based on equip- ment condition and importance to your operation. It may seem a daunting task but once you get it on paper, adjust and evaluate and reassess. Costs can be applied–so you have a plan to improve and make progress re-tooling the department and improve course conditions over time. For a Superintendent, this will help to communicate your long-range needs and be an exercise of due diligence for your management, and the operation. It is one of the best things you can do! Plan For Useful Life: Depreciation & life expectancy differ greatly from operation to operation, and can be strategic based on the company busi- ness plan and vision. It is common to see a 7-year depreciation schedule as a standard of the industry. I see private clubs utiliz- ing capital equipment 4-7 years, then turning them in as trades. Renewing equipment while young preserves higher trade values, reducing cost of the next purchase. Other, private owner opera- tions may hold them longer, 7-10 years. Cost Of Repairs: As equipment ages, reliability is in question and costs of repair generally increase, which is another factor in the equation for deciding when to renew. Young equipment may require tune-ups and hose repairs, older equipment may require expensive com- ponents like hydraulic motors and pumps and controllers. If you see your parts and repair expenses high across the operation, that may be a good indication of very old equipment. You are pay- ing for reliability in a different way, and based on breakdowns, may endure unforeseen operational challenges with catastrophic failures. With this scenario, there is a point where you may be investing “Good Money–into Bad Equipment” and it is hard to draw a line, and cease the pattern without a renewal of the entire fleet. Hard and Soft Costs: You must consider all the costs; hard and soft costs associated with maintaining an out of warranty aged fleet to understand the total cost to an operation. With close evaluation, you may find you’re spending the money already. There is substantial labor cost for your staff, or a service department to repair and maintain machines. If you have spent $20,000–$30,000 in repairs + pur- chased one piece for $ 50,000; that same $75,000 payment value could finance $300,000- $400,000 of a new equipment fleet. A significant portion of your parts and repair line item can then be accounted for and applied to renewal. You are lowering your repair costs of the fleet with more new equipment that is under warranty. Buying in packages provides the greatest value and larger discounts and added perks. There is a strong positive cor- relation to keeping the equipment young, it is less expensive to maintain. You can avoid suffering the loss of a machine at a criti- cal time. In your assessment, it is very possible to recognize your operation may be spending the same amount as renewing a large portion of your fleet! Financing: Equipment Leasing: Leasing machines for a 4 or 5-year term has become more popular in the past decade–shifting the expense from a Capital purchase to a line item in the Operations budget. It preserves capital for clubhouse and golf course improvements. Leasing is just like the automobile industry; establishing a long- term rental, and you can have an option for buy-out at the term end. If equipment is not purchased by the customer, we offer the equipment for re-sale on the used market as well. (MTE just received 20 machines from 3 clubs–fairway, triplex and rough mowers.) $1.00 Buyout Purchase/ Ownership leases are also effective for fleet purchases. The great discounts provided in a large equipment purchase will far outweigh costs of financing. Currently rates remain low, but the trend will likely move with rates increasing slightly. I hope this is helpful to provide insight for some, and maybe open an eye to see that the idea for reinvestment in equipment may be more affordable that you realize. It can have a substantial impact on course conditions and still preserve the balance sheet. Reach me at any time with questions as I would be pleased to assist you and your company with the task! Thank you! Successfully, Mark Casey Eastern Massachusetts Territory Manager, MTE Turf Equipment Solutions 115 Franklin Street Ext. Derry, NH Providing the very best tools for natural & artificial turf surfaces ! 617-990-2427 Mcasey@mte.us.com Twitter @McaseyMark 9 February 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information: Tracy Fleming, Director of Marketing SOLitude Lake Management 888-480-5253 888-358-0088 – fax tfleming@solitudelake.com www.solitudelakemanagement.com SOLitude Lake Management Officially Announces Expansion, Merger with Lake Masters SHREWSBURY, MA, January 9, 2018 – SOLitude Lake Management®, a leading environmental firm specializing in lake, pond and wetland management, fisheries management and related environmental services, has expanded its national presence by uniting with Lake Masters Aquatic Weed Control Inc. based in Florida. The leading provider of algae and aquatic weed control services in Florida, Lake Masters was founded in 1998 to deliver superior lake, pond, wetland and upland preserve expertise. Known for providing value-based services and embracing family-based cultures, SOLitude and Lake Masters find common ground in their ability to serve clients with a variety of premier aquatic and fisheries services. Team members from Lake Masters’ largest office in Fort Myers, FL, pose with newly branded trucks and SOLitude gear. SOLitude Lake Management, formally Lake Masters, has seven facilities located throughout the state, including locations in Palm City and Orlando. The alignment of the two companies under the SOLitude brand will foster an unparalleled focus on environmental responsibility, superior service offerings, broadened expertise, increased training and development efforts, enhanced technology, and additional educational resource offerings to stakeholders in Florida—all while continuing to provide our clients with the high level of customer service and performance they have come to know and expect. SOLitude welcomes 84 staff members from seven facilities across Florida, including locations in Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Palm City, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa and Melbourne. The team brings with them expanded knowledge of the local community, public waterways and sustainable aquatic management solutions that promote healthy, vibrant ecosystems. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome the Lake Masters team to the SOLitude family,” said Kevin Tucker, CEO of SOLitude Lake Management. “They’ve always made it a priority to deliver high-quality solutions, and together we look forward to exceeding the ever-evolving needs of our Florida clients and the local environment.” 10 The Newsletter “We are excited to join forces with SOLitude and carry on our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Bill Kurth, Regional Director of SOLitude’s newest market. “This is a win-win opportunity for all that has allowed us to grow and improve upon what each company built over several decades.” Learn about Lake Masters’ journey and transition to SOLitude: www.solitudelakemanagement.com/LMJourney Regional Director Bill Kurth leads the Florida team. He has 34 years of experience in lake, pond and wetland management, and specializes in the development and implementation of innovative treatment technologies. SOLitude Lake Management currently offers services in 33 states and continues to expand its ability to provide clients with superior value-added services that enrich their lives and the environment in which we live. Learn more about SOLitude’s nationwide lake, pond, wetland and fisheries management services: www.solitudelakemanagement.com/services SOLitude Lake Management is an environmental firm committed to providing full-service solutions that improve water quality, preserve natural resources, and reduce our environmental footprint. Our services include lake, pond, wetland and fisheries management programs, algae and aquatic weed control, mechanical harvesting, hydro-raking, installation and maintenance of fountains and aeration systems, water quality testing and restoration, bathymetry, lake vegetation studies, biological assessments, habitat assessments, invasive species management and nuisance wildlife management. Services, consulting and aquatic products are available to clients nationwide, including homeowners associations, multi-family and apartment communities, golf courses, commercial developments, ranches, private landowners, reservoirs, recreational and public lakes, municipalities, parks, and state and federal agencies. Learn more about SOLitude Lake Management and purchase products at www.solitudelakemanagement.com. # # # (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) 11 February 2018 topdressing sand - Bulk, bagged, super sacs cart path blends bunker sands - hd, buff, pro white divot mixes - Bulk, bagged, super sacs root zone blends engineered soils Scott whitcomb 781-789-8762 scott@nesoils.com Ed downing 978-230-2300 ed@nesoils.com Bob doran 978-230-2244 bob@nesoils.com @NESoils www.nesoils.com @NESpecialtySoil Untitled Event November 14, 2016 7–10pm The Location 1234 Main Street, Anytown, State ZIP www.example.com 12 The Newsletter Divot Drift Welcome New Members: James Tyler, Assistant Superintendent Concord Country Club William Sheehan, Assistant Superintendent Marlborough Country Club Michael Mahoney, Assistant Superintendent Needham Golf Club Zachary Savell, Superintendent Shining Rock Golf Club Bradley Gale, Assistant Superintendent Wianno Club Chris Hurley, Assistant Superintendent TPC Boston Max Fiorentino, Assistant Superintendent Cyprian Keyes Golf Club Jeffrey Tibbetts, Superintendent Quinnatisset Country Club CONGRATULATIONS TO: Dick Zepp on his retirement from Cyprian Keyes Golf Club Matt Bamforth on his new position as Superintendent at The Haven Country Club Back Issues! Past issues of the NEWSLETTER are available using this link: http://bit.ly/GCSANEnewsletters. As in the past, The Newsletter continues to invite Affiliate members to submit a press release about new personnel, new products or a company bio. We will print each and every release free of charge. This is a great way to advertise for free. Who said nothing in this world is free? Free advertising to better your company, wow what an offer. GCSANE Offers Website Banner advertising at www.gcsane.org The price is $500 for one year which will be re-occurring annually from your first billing unless otherwise specified. For more information, please contact Kris Armando at 508-745-8555 or karmando8@gmail.com 13 February 2018 14 The Newsletter 15 February 2018 Please patronize these Friends of the Association Agresource, Inc. 100 Main St. Amesbury, MA 01913 Quality Compost, Soil & Mulch. Dave Harding office: (978) 388-5110 cell: (978) 904-1203 Mike Carignan 978-270-9132 mcarignan@agresourceinc.com www.agresourceinc.com Allen’s Seed 693 S. County Trail Exeter, RI 02822 Specializing in quality seed, fertilizer, chemicals, & related golf course maintenance supplies. 1-800-527-3898 info@allenseed.com www.allensseed.com Atlantic Golf & Turf 9 Industrial Boulevard Turners Falls, MA 01376 Specializing in agronomy through the distribution of fertilizer, seed & chemicals throughout New England. Chris Cowan (413) 530-5040 Paul Jamrog (401) 524-3322 Scott Mackintosh CPAg (774) 551-6083 www.atlanticgolfandturf.com A-OK Turf Equipment Inc. 1357 Main St. Coventry, RI 02816-8435 Lastec, Tycrop, Blec, Wiedenmann, Therrien, Graden, Sweep & Fill, Baroness, & used equipment. Mike Cornicelli (401) 826-2584 www.pavewithasi.com Barenbrug USA Suppliers of supercharged bentgrasses now with Aquatrols, Turf Blue HGT, Regenerating perennial rye (RPG), and Turfsaver RTF, the only rhizomatous tall fescue on the market. 10549 Hammond Hill Road East Otto, NY 14729 Bruce Chapman, Territory Manager (401) 578-2300 BASF Turf & Ornamental PO Box 111 West Dennis, MA 02670 “We don’t make the turf. We make it better.” Pete Jacobson (919) 530-9062 peter.jacobson@basf.com 16 BACKED by BAYER Building on an already solid foundation of proven products to help you succeed. Crop Production Services Suppliers of Chemicals, Fertilizer, & Grass Seed Brian Giblin (508) 439-9809 brian.giblin@bayer.com www.backedbybayer.com Beals & Thomas, Inc. 144 Turnpike Road Southborough, MA 01772 32 Court Street Plymouth, MA 02360 Civil Engineers–Landscape Architects–Land Surveyors–Planners–Environmental Specialists Sarah Stearns 508-366-0560 sstearns@bealsandthomas.com Beals & Thomas specializes in golf course site design services including irrigation pond analysis & design, drainage & utility improvements, permitting, hydrogeologic evaluations, construction administration, boundary & topographic surveys, master planning & project design. The Cardinals, Inc. 166 River Rd., PO Box 520 Unionville, CT 06085 Golf course & landscape supplies. John Callahan (860) 916-3947 Dennis Friel (617) 755-6558 Cavicchio Greenhouses, Inc. 110 Codjer Lane Sudbury, MA 01776 Annuals, perennials, garden mums, ground covers, loam, & mulch. Darren Young (978) 443-7177 Charles C. Hart Seed Co., Inc. 304 Main St. Wethersfield, CT 06109 Authorized distributor for Bayer, Syngenta, Grigg Brothers foliar fertilizers, & Aquatrols. Specializing in custom seed blends. Robin Hayes (508) 237-2642 Country Club Enterprises PO Box 670, 29 Tobey Rd. W. Wareham, MA 02676 Club Car golf cars, Carryall utility vehicles. Keith Tortorella (508) 982-4820 Danny Brown (603) 365-6751 Mike Giles (978) 454-5472 (978) 685-3300 Nick Burchard (401) 601-7213 www.cpsagu.com DAF Services, Inc. 20 Lawnacre Rd. Windsor Locks, CT 06096 Custom pumping solutions. Custom pump controls. Complete pump service. Serving all of New England. Dick Young (860) 623-5207 DeLea Sod Farms 486 Church Street Wood River Junction, RI 02894 DeLea Sod Farms provides first quality tallgrasses & bentgrass to the landscape & golf markets. Full line of U.S. Silica Greens topdressing & bunker sands. Scott McLeod 800-344-7637 smcleod@deleasod.com www.deleasod.com Dependable Petroleum Service One Roberts Road Plymouth, MA 02360 UST / AST facility maintenance, installation & compliance testing. Bruce Garrett / Francis Turner (508) 747-6238 bgarrett@dependablecompany.com www.dependablecompany.com DGM Systems 153A Foster Center Road Foster, RI 02825 Golf & Sports Turf Specialty Products & Services Office (401) 647-0550 Manny Mihailides (401) 524-8999 David Mihailides (401) 742-1177 Visit www.dgmsystems.com Finch Services, Inc. Finch Servcies is your premier John Deere Golf Distributor in the Northeast. John Winskowicz (978) 471-8351 Bill Rockwell (508) 789-5293 Dan Paradise (978) 853-2916 Eric Berg (516) 473-3321 Call or visit our website at www.finchinc.com The Newsletter Five Star Golf Cars & Utility Vehicles 724 MacArthur Boulevard Pocasset, MA 02559 E-Z GO Golf Cars, Cushman Utility Vehicles Tim Russell (603) 557-3463 G. Fialkosky Lawn Sprinklers PO Box 600645 Newton, MA 02460 Irrigation services to golf courses throughout New England. Gary Fialkosky (617) 293-8632 www.garyfialkoskylawnsprinklers.com Green Sight Agronomics 12 Channel Street, Ste 605 Boston, MA 02210 617-855-5021 Turn-key automated turfgrass monitoring using drones. We deliver maps of moisture variation and turf stress daily. Matt Lapinski 978-551-0093 www.greensightag.com Harrell’s LLC 19 Technology Drive Auburn, MA 01501 Turf & Ornamental supplies. Chuck Bramhall (508) 400-0600 Jim Cohen (978) 337-0222 Mike Kroian (401) 265-5353 Mike Nagle (508) 380-1668 Helena Chemical Company 101 Elm Street Hatfield, MA 01038 National distributors of all your turf chemicals & fertilizers. Extensive line of Helena Branded wetting agents, foliars, micro nutrients & adjuvants. Louis Bettencourt, CGCS (978) 580-8166 Chris Leonard (339) 793-3705 www.helenachemical.com International Golf Construction Co. 5 Purcell Rd. Arlington, MA 02474 Golf course construction. Antonios Paganis (781) 648-2351 (508) 428-3022 Irrigation Management & Services 21 Lakeview Ave. Natick, MA 01760 Maltby & Company 30 Old Page Street, P.O. Box 364 Stoughton, MA 02072 Irrigation consultation, design, & system evaluation. Bob Healey, ASIC, CID (508) 653-0625 Ken Jones Tire, Inc. 71-73 Chandler St. Worcester, MA 01613 Distributor of tires for lawn & garden, trucks, cars, industrial equipment, & golf cars. Provides expert tree pruning, tree removal & tree planting ser-vices. Our two other divisions include Natural Tree & Lawn Care, which treats for winter moth caterpillars, ticks & mosquitoes etc. Forest Floor recycling manufactures color enhanced mulch & natural composted leaf mulch. For more information or to speak with one of our arborists please call Bill Maltby at (781) 344-3900 Gerry Jones (508) 755-5255 Larchmont Engineering & Irrigation 11 Larchmont Lane Lexington, MA 02420 Offering a full range of inventory for irrigation drainage, pumps, fountains & landscape lighting products & services for all of your residential & commercial needs. (781) 862-2550 Susan Tropeano, Tim Fitzgerald tim@larchmont-eng.com Lazaro’s Golf Course Supplies & Accessories dba Hammond Paint & Chemical Co., Inc. 738 Main St., Suite 223 Waltham, MA 02154 Complete line for all your of golf course supplies. Par Aide, Standard, Eagle One, turf & ornamentals, aquatics, turf marking paint, safety items, adjuvants. Joe Lazaro–cell: (617) 285-8670 Fax: (781) 647-0787 Email: jlazaro698@aol.com www.lazarogolfcoursesupplies.com Maher Services 71 Concord Street N. Reading, MA 01864 Well drilling, pump service & well maintenance Peter Maher cell: (781) 953-8167 or (978) 664-WELL (9355) Fax (978) 664-9356 www.maherserv.com MAS Golf Course Construction LLC 51 Saddle Hill Rd. Hopkinton, MA 01748 Fulfilling all your renovation and construction needs. Matthew Staffieri (508) 243-2443 www.masgolfconstruction.com McNulty Construction Corp. P. O. Box 3218 Framingham, MA 01705 Asphalt paving of cart paths, walkways, parking areas; imprinted asphalt. John McNulty (508) 879-8875 MTE, Inc. – Turf Equipment Solutions 115 Franklin Street Extension Derry, NH 03038 New England’s source for equipment: New & pre-owned mowers, tractors, & maintenance items from: Jacobsen, Turfco, Smithco, Ventrac, Redexim, Neary Grinders, Ryan, Buffalo Turbine, Mahindra, Gravely, Standard, Par-Aide & others. Sales, Parts, & Service all brands. Derry Shop: (603) 404-2286 Mark Casey: (617) 990-2427 Eastern MA Matt Lapinski: (978) 551-0093 Western MA VT Mark McEachern: (978) 857-3726 MA-Cape Jess Hamilton: (603) 500-3936 NH Sean Smith: (207) 385-6684 ME Mungeam Cornish Golf Design, Inc. 195 SW Main Street Douglas, MA 01516 Golf course architects Office: (508) 476-5630 Cell: (508) 873-0103 Email: info@mcgolfdesign.com Contact: Mark A. Mungeam, ASGCA www.mcgolfdesign.com 17 February 2018 Please patronize these Friends of the Association New England Specialty Soils 435 Lancaster Street Leominster, MA 01453 1mm. Top Dressing Sand, High Density Bunker Sand, Rootzone Mixes, Tee Blends, Divot Mixes, Bridging Stone, Cart Path Mix, Infield Mixes, Inorganic Amendments, SLOPE LOCK Soil. Ed Downing (978) 230-2300 Bob Doran (978) 230-2244 Scott Whitcomb (781) 789-8762 www.nesoils.com New England Turf P.O. Box 777, West Kingston, RI 02892 Phone: (800) 451-2900 Ernie Ketchum (508) 364-4428 Mike Brown (508) 272-1827 www.newenglandturf.com NMP Golf Construction Corp. 25 Bishop Ave. Ste. A-2, Williston, VT 05495 Golf course construction Mario Poirier (888) 707-0787 Northeast Golf & Turf Supply 6 Dearborn Road Peabody, MA 01960 Complete line of Golf Course, Landscape & Lawn Care Construction & Maintenance Supplies Tom Rowell (978) 317-0673 Jeff Brown (508) 868-8495 Dan Ricker (978) 317-7320 North Shore Hydroseeding 20 Wenham St. Danvers, MA 01923 Hydroseeding & erosion control services. Brian King (978) 762-8737 www.nshydro.com On-Course Golf Inc., Design/Build 16 Maple Street Acton, MA 01720 Golf Course Craftsmen. We serve all your remodeling and renovation needs. You can trust your project with us! We make you look good! Sean Hanley (978) 337-6661 www.on-coursegolf.com 18 Putnam Pipe Corp. Hopkinton & Taunton, MA Distributor of water, sewer, drain and stormwater pipe & fittings. Erosion & sediment control products. Free delivery & 24-hour service. David Putnam 508-435-3090 Read Custom Soils 5 Pond Park Road, Suite 1 Hingham, MA 02043 Consistent sand for the next twenty years. Top dressing sands, root zone blends, high density bunker sand,“early green” black sand, divot & cart path mixes. Mark Pendergrast (617) 686-5590 Garrett Whitney (617) 697-4247 Matt Medeiros (508) 951-6139 www.readcustomsoils.com Saturated Solutions 18 Evergreen Road Northford, CT 06472 Greg Moore (203) 980-1301 Saturated Solutions is the sole distributor of the Air2G2 Machine for sales & contracted services. Replenish your soils with oxygen when it needs it most in any conditions with no disruption. saturatedsolutionsllc.com Select Source 3208 Peach Street Erie, PA 16508 National, full line distributor of turf, ornamental & specialty products. Exclusive distributor of Prime Source branded pesticides & specialty products. Mike Blatt, Northeast Territory Manager (814) 440-7658 SiteOne Landscape Supply, LLC 300 Colonial Parkway, Suite 600 Roswell, GA 30076 Offering our customers the most complete line of products, service & expertise in the industry. Ron Tumiski (800) 321-5325 ext. 6219 Sodco Inc. PO Box 2 Slocum, Rl 02877 1-800-341-6900 Black Beauty, Tall Fescue, Green & Fairway Height Bent, Short Cut Black Beauty, Short Cut Blue, 90-10 Fine Fescue Installation options available Contact: Pat Hogan, Alicia Pearson SOLitude Lake Management Since 1998, SOLitude Lake Management has been committed to providing full service lake, pond & fisheries management services that improve water quality, preserve natural resources, & reduce our environmental footprint. Services, consulting, & aquatic products are available nationwide. Joe Onorato 508-885-0101 www.solitudelakemanagement.com. Southwest Putting Greens of Boston P.O. Box 827 Westford, MA 01886 Synthetic turf, tee lines, practice greens, outdoor & indoor practice facilities. Douglas Preston (978) 250-5996 Sportscapes Unlimited LLC PO Box 1686 Duxbury, MA 02332 Specializing in fairway aeration & cleanup, deep tine aeration, Air2G2 aeration & full seeding services. Mike Lucier 617-913-8958 mijke@sportscapesunlimited.com sportscapesunlimited.com Stumps Are Us Inc. Manchester, NH Professional stump chipping service. Brendan McQuade (603) 625-4165 Syngenta Professional Products P.O. Box 1775 Wells, ME 04090 John Bresnahan (413) 333-9914 Melissa Hyner Gugliotti (860) 221-5712 Target Specialty Products 165 Grove Street, Suite 70 Franklin, MA 02038 Supplier of fertilizer, chemicals & grass seed. Jim Pritchard, Territory Manager 401-862-1098 Glenn Larrabee 774-670-8880 Tartan Farms, LLC P.O. Box 983 West Kingston, RI 02892 Dave Wallace (401) 641-0306 The Newsletter Tom Irwin Inc. 13 A Street Burlington, MA 01803 (800) 582-5959 We bring you a network of professionals and innovative solutions dedicated to your success. With Tom Irwin, you’re not alone. Tree Tech, Inc. 6 Springbrook Rd Foxboro, MA 02035 Foxboro, Wellesley, Fall River Full service tree service specializing in zero impact tree removal, stump grinding, tree pruning & tree risk assessments by our team of Certified Arborists. Andy Felix (508) 543-5644 Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc. PO Box 167 Wood River Junction, Rl 02894 Many varieties of turfgrass sod for the golf course. Bentgrass, Bluegrass, Fine and Tall Fescues, Blends and Mixes. 800-556-6985 Joe Farina 774-260-0093 jfarina@tuckahoeturf.com Turf Enhancement Enterprises Featuring Floratine products, JRM tines and bed knives and Greenleaf Turbo Drop air induction spray nozzles. Tom Fox 508-450-9254 Brian Juneau 781-738-3201 Turf Cloud, Inc. 39 Mountain Gate Road Ashland, MA 01721 Whether you’re focused on your turf, your family, your friends, or your hobbies, our goal is to provide administrative assistance to your operation, so you can have just that, more time! Turf Cloud, Inc.’s unique passion for technology, coupled with years of turf grass experience can offer you superior data tracking programs and insight to web strategies to increase your time and productivity. Ask us how today! Jason VanBuskirk (774) 244-2630 jvb@turfcloud.com www.turfcloud.com Turf Products 157 Moody Rd. Enfield, CT 06082 Toro Equipment & Irrigation– Serving the industry since 1970 800-243-4355 Bill Conley, Dave Dynowski, Nat Binns (332) 351-5189 Tim Berge (860) 490-2787, Andy Melone (508) 561-0364 www.turfproductscorp.com U.S. Pavement Services 41 Industrial Parkway Woburn, MA 01801 Ken Sprague 781-825-3290 Providing asphalt paving, cart paths and walkways, line striping and concrete work. Valley Green 14 Copper Beech Drive Kingston, MA 02364 Phone: (413) 533-0726 Fax: (413) 533-0792 “Wholesale distributor of turf products” Doug Dondero (508) 944-3262 Jon Targett (978) 855-0932 Joe Trosky (860) 508-9875 Winding Brook Turf Farm Wethersfield, CT and Lyman, ME 240 Griswold Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 Kathy Arcari (401) 639-5462 kacari@windingbrookturf.com www.windingbrookturf.com WinField 29 Gilmore Drive–Unit C Sutton, MA 01590 Using industry-leading insights to provide you with the products that help you win. Jim Favreau (978) 815-9810 Winterberry Irrigation Pump service, installation and sales. Irrigation installation, service, repairs, and sales. Wire tracking, GPS mapping, grounding testing, start-up, and winterization. Matt Faherty 860-681-8982 mfaherty@winterberrylandscape.com Visit www.winterberryirrigation.com 19 February 2018 Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England The Newsletter–Rate Schedule THE NEWSLETTER DISPLAY ADVERTISING ORDER FORM Company Name: Address: Contact Name: Issues (List month and total number): Phone: Email: Amount of Check: (Made payable to “GCSANE”) Member Rates: Monthly Rate 4 Times Per Yr. (Save 5%) 6 Times Per Yr. (Save 10%) 8 Times Per Yr. 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Please send ads to Don Hearn at the email address below. Send all Newsletter ads to: Don Hearn, CGCS 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA 02766 Email: donhearn@gcsane.org 20