May - June 2020 GCSANE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Peter J. Rappoccio, CGCS Concord Country Club 246 ORNAC, Concord, MA 01742 978-371-1089 Fax: 978-369-7231 Email: gcs@concordcc.org VICE PRESIDENT Brian Skinner, CGCS, CPO Bellevue Golf Club PO Box 760661, Melrose, MA 02176 781-248-0216 Email: brianskinner@bellevuegolfclub.com SECRETARY/TREASURER Bob Dembek Lexington Golf Club 55 Hill Street, Lexington, MA 02420 978-870-8669 Email: lexgc@rcn.com DIRECTORS Greg Cormier, CGCS Tom Irwin, Inc. 11A Street, Burlington, MA 01803 978-846-1133 Email: gregcormier@tomirwin.com Len Curtin George Wright Golf Course 420 West Street, Hyde Park, MA 02136 617-839-3613 lencurtin@yahoo.com Ryan Emerich Vesper Country Club 185 Pawtucket Boulevard, Tyngsboro, MA 01879 717-575-1332 Email: remerich@vespercc.com Eric Richardson Essex County Club 153 School Street, Manchester, MA 01944 978-500-2094 Email: erichardson@essexcc.org David Stowe, CGCS Newton Commonwealth Golf Club 212 Kenrick Street, Newton, MA 02458 617-789-4631 Email: Newtonmaint@aol.com PAST PRESIDENT David W. Johnson The Country Club 191 Clyde Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 617-456-3972 Email: Djohnson.wgc@gmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Donald E. Hearn, CGCS 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA 02766 774-430-9040 Email: donhearn@gcsane.org NEWSLETTER EDITOR Greg Cormier, CGCS Tom Irwin, Inc. 11A Street, Burlington, MA 01803 978-846-1133 Email: gregcormier@tomirwin.com 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. Thoughts From Your Executive Director by Don Hearn A benefit of membership in the Association is the ability to obtain a GHIN handicap. This is made possible by our friends at Mass Golf. If you are interested in acquiring a handicap with the GCSA of New England please contact me at donhearn@gcsane.org and I’ll be certain to add you to our roster. Something new that we’ve come up with is a way for companies enrolled in the PPP to present their story to the Membership by video. Since we haven’t been able to meet where we can play golf and socialize, this is a way for commercial Members and Affiliates to spend a few minutes on a video designed to help with their visibility. As of this writing, we’ve had six companies participate and we are looking for more. It’s an easy process, is a way to promote your company, allows the membership to learn about the company and its representatives, and it’s fun! The video can last anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. The length is flexible. It just depends on the individuals involved and how free-flowing the conversation becomes. The interviewee can be anyplace of his or her choice. The time can be any time and any day of his or her choice. Whatever works best for the interviewee will work for us. “Us” refers to Greg Cormier, the Association’s Affiliate Director, and me. One of us will conduct the interview. Please know this is an easy process and you don’t need any special equipment or advanced technical knowledge. All you will need is a computer or phone and the ability to download a free app that is needed to connect with the interviewer. So, give Greg or me a call, text or email and let us know when you would like to be interviewed. To contact Greg: C 978-846-1133 gregcormier@tomirwin.com To contact Don: C 617-930-0729 donhearn@gcsane.org Much has been shared about the coronavirus/covid-19 pandemic, so there’s no need to expound on what it is and how it has changed our lives and businesses. We were fortunate to have the Providence Show completed before the pandemic was full bore and part of our daily lives. It is unfortunate that golf facilities have been classified as non-essential businesses. Some thought golf could be played safely and wondered why the governor didn’t agree with this. Others thought golf facilities should be closed for play. Even some in our industry felt this way. Governor Baker, a non-golfer, made the decision to keep courses closed until early May. This created a lot of hard feelings and much controversy. Personally, I received several inquiries questioning the governor’s wisdom to allow parks to be open, along with other allowances, when golf courses remained closed. This became more difficult to understand and accept when surrounding states were allowing golf to be played, with restrictions, and Massachusetts was not allowing play. Fortunately, we were allowed to maintain courses, but nothing else was happening. The Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations (AMGO), of which the GCSA of New England is a participant, and representatives from other New England golf organizations met many times by conference call to discuss the status of the game in New England. Northeast Golf & Turf Supply a division of Northeast Nursery, Inc. - Est. 1982 Exclusive Distributor for Rain Bird Golf MA, NH, VT, ME and RI • Granular Fertilizers • Specialty Nutrients PRODUCT CATEGORIES • Control Products • Soil Conditioners • Turfgrass Seed • Golf Course Accessories NORTHEAST TURF & IRRIGATION SUPPLY Dennis Port, MA NORTHEAST CONTRACTOR CENTER Peabody, MA NORTHEAST TURF & IRRIGATION SUPPLY Londonderry, NH Learn more about our products and services at: www.northeastnursery.com Thoughts continued We tried our hardest to present facts to the governor that would allow courses to open with restrictions that we believed were reasonable. Especially so when considering what appeared to be the lack of enthusiasm by the governor to open courses for play. One of the difficulties we had, and still have, is the mixed message people hear and see when we explain how golfers will follow the rules established. Yes, most will. It’s those who, for whatever the reason, feel they can get around the rules and do so that give golfers the reputation in some corners as being “entitled.” AMGO is not done and continues to present facts and alternatives to the governor’s administration that make sense and are practical. You will continue to be kept up to date by notices sent from the Association. We all know this has been a difficult time for our Members and we understand if things have gotten a bit astray. With this in mind, we want all who have continued their support of the Association to know we appreciate your support. 92% of our income is derived from dues and sponsorships. Without your continued support we will not exist. The GCSA of New England is the second oldest Association in the country. The oldest is the Ohio Association which came into existence 2 months before us in 1924. It is our hope that we provide value to our Members and companies in a way that encourages your continued support. If you have ideas about programs or projects that you believe will enhance your membership experience, please pass them on to any member of the board of directors or to me. We are always listening. Sportscapes Sport unlimited Golf Course, Sports Field Services and Construction 2 The Newsletter Public vs. Private Course Superintendent By Colin Smethurst In my almost 20 years working on golf courses, I have been fortunate enough to work with some tremendous people at different private and public clubs in Massachusetts and Florida. I have faced challenges at each stop and at this point I have gained my own perspective on what differences there are between being a public and private course superintendent. At a private course, the goal is to meet and hopefully exceed member expecta- tions everyday. Expectations are obvi- ously higher at a private club. Beyond providing exceptional turf health, details like edging, landscape manicuring, and overall course presentation must always be on point. Green speed must be closely monitored and managed. Having a larger crew with multiple assistants often means you as superintendent are best utilized planning short and long term projects. Above all else, it’s about making sure work quality is satisfactory and coaching your team. Setting an example as a calm, confident leader in the most stressful of times is paramount to how your staff will perform. Lastly, public communication is a vital skill for a private course superin- tendent as the political game of keeping membership on your side by being effec- tive in the boardroom is probably just as important as your agronomic skills. The goal of a public course is to be sus- tainable and profitable and to generate as many rounds as possible while providing the golfer a memorable experience. As a superintendent, meticulous planning is essential. Chemical applications and cul- tural practices must be carefully planned around outings, leagues, etc which a lot of times means coming in to work when some other people in your household are just going to bed. You must do more with less. You have to be creative with smaller staffs and aging equipment. You can’t be above collecting trash and weed whack- ing because sometimes there just isn’t anybody else to do it. The high expecta- tions you set for yourself can be madden- ing, as most times, you just don’t have the resources to reach your standards. I’m sure a lot of guys out there have had different experiences than myself in these roles but a wise man once told me what I think rings true a lot of times, “It’s all a game.” It really doesn’t matter where we’re employed, superintendents are a different breed. We’re resourceful and in- novative. No matter what challenges are thrown at us, we figure out a way to get the job done. 3 May - June 2020 GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT: WATER MANAGEMENT IN GOLF By Precision Laboratories Water is a precious resource. Smart water management has the greatest impact on your turf’s playability and performance. The ability to influence the behavior of water at the surface, and in the soil, helps give the Golf Course Superintendent more control over turfgrass conditions and playability. The tool that helps give you that control is called a soil surfactant. What is a soil surfactant? The word surfactant itself is a combination of three words that describe their performance characteristics: SURFace ACTive AgeNTS. These chemistries perform by reducing the surface ten- sion between two liquids, or between a liquid and a solid surface. The basic anatomy of a surfactant molecule is a head that is at- tracted to water and a tail that is attracted to organic matter. How will a soil surfactant help me during dry conditions? When surfactant-treated water penetrates the soil, the tail of the surfactant molecule seeks out organic matter coatings on the soil particles. When the tail anchors to the organic coating of the soil particle, the head of the molecule attracts and holds water in the root zone, eliminating hydrophobic conditions and local dry spots. Which surfactant should I use? Surfactants differ in the make up of their performance characteristics. Penetrants: Formulated to improve water infiltration. They excel at moving water off the surface and through the soil profile. They are not designed to hold water. Hydrators: Built to facilitate better hydration. Once rinsed into the soil, they will aggressively hold water for a determined period of time. Combination Formulations: These are the most commonly used formulations. They combine various ratios of penetrants and hy- drators to give the user more flexibility when choosing the amount of moisture, if any, to retain in the soil. There are also quite a few options when choosing how to apply these products. Liquids: Most soil surfactants come in a liquid form. The soil surfactant is sprayed onto the leaf surface. After the application, the product is watered into the soil to the desired depth of activity. Injectables: Many of the liquid formulations can also be injected directly into a central irrigation system. Injecting is easier to do than many may believe. A small injector pump is installed with little effort, allowing you to easily apply surfactants wherever you have irrigation coverage. Surfactant Tablets: These tabs are placed in a hose end applica- tor and can be applied while hand watering. It is a great option for small areas and newly laid sod. A single tab will usually treat somewhere between 8,000 to 16,000 square feet, depending on how they are formulated. Granular Soil Surfactant: These products have the surfactant technology either sprayed onto or impregnated into a granule of some type. These granules can be fertilizer or inert carriers. These products need to be applied to dry turf or soil surfaces. The surfac- tant chemistry is washed off and activated once rain or irrigation is applied to the granule. The surfactant is dormant until moisture is introduced. We know that balancing playability with soil moisture is always a challenge. Golf Course Superintendents have many options when choosing the right surfactant for the right set of results. Precision Laboratories has the products to help you achieve that balance. For more information or help in choosing the surfactant right for you, connect with your local Tom Irwin Client Representative or contact Harris Schnare at harris@tomirwin.com, 508-654-2488 Or Greg Bennett at (978)-877-3772 gbennett@precisionlab. com. 4 The Newsletter 5 May - June 2020 For Release: IMMEDIATE FMC Corporation 2929 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA 215.299.6000 fmc.com Media contact: Emily Parenteau, 215-299-6288 emily.parenteau@fmc.com Investor contact: Michael Wherley, 215-299-6543 michael.wherley@fmc.com FMC to Donate $21,000 to 71 Local Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Chapters Donation is part of an ongoing FMC initiative that teed off at the 2020 Golf Industry Show. PHILADELPHIA, February 25, 2020 – More than 200 golf course superintendents from across the United States stepped up to the tee box at the FMC Professional Solutions booth during the 2020 Golf Industry Show for the chance to earn donations for their local Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) chapter. In total, FMC will donate $21,000 to 71 local GCSAA chapters as a result of the kick-off event. “We couldn’t have asked for a better place to emphasize the commitment FMC has to the golf industry than at the Golf Industry Show. We had really strong in-booth participation, which is a testament to the passion superintendents have for our industry,” stated Mike Sisti, golf and lawn care market manager for FMC. “As a committed partner, it is important to us to support the golf industry and those who are helping it progress each day.” The fundraiser was an initiative driven by FMC True Champions that was launched in fall 2019. One of the key features of the loyalty program is to support industry associations such as GCSAA chapters, We Are Golf and RISE. The FMC booth featured a golf simulator for golf course superintendents to “grip it and rip it” to secure donations. For each yard driven off the “tee,” FMC donated 50 cents to that superintendent’s GCSAA chapter. Approximately 43,100 yards were driven off the virtual tee. “The FMC golf simulator would have been a great experience all on its own, but the donations for local GCSAA chapters put it over the top,” said Doug Ware, golf course superintendent for City of Livonia and vice president of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association. “FMC’s support cannot be minimized. It is immensely appreciated and will not be forgotten.” This donation is the first step in a 2020 pledge FMC has made to the local GCSAA chapters. Through August 2020, a percentage of all Fame® SC fungicide and Rayora™ fungicide sales will be donated to local GCSAA chapters. Rayora Fungicide Launches at the Show FMC also launched Rayora fungicide, its breakthrough demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide, at the Golf 6 The Newsletter Industry Show along with the fungicide’s free sampling program for the 2020 season. “We had a very successful launch and generated a lot of interest for samples of Rayora fungicide,” Sisti said. “The product really resonated with show attendees, especially characteristics like its rapid root and shoot uptake, movement within the plant to protect the newly developed turf and its proven safety with no turf regulation effect.” To learn more about Rayora™ fungicide and how to obtain free samples for the 2020 season, visit rayorafungicide.com. FMC True Champions The FMC True Champions program is a source for golf course superintendents and managers to access valuable Product Rewards and Product Assurances. It also has a third pillar that supports industry initiatives and associations like GCSAA, We Are Golf, and RISE. This depth of industry commitment by FMC includes increased investments in these causes and, to support those efforts, annual contributions are set aside based on annual purchases. About FMC FMC Corporation, an agricultural sciences company, provides innovative solutions to customers around the world with a robust product portfolio fueled by a market-driven discovery and development pipeline in crop protection, plant health and professional pest and turf management. FMC Corporation employs approximately 6,500 employees around the globe. To learn more, please visit fmc.com. ### Always read and follow all label directions, precautions and restrictions for use. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states. FMC, the FMC logo, Fame, Rayora and True Champions are trademarks or service marks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. © 2020 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 19-GSS- 2749 02/20 7 May - June 2020 Your Golf Irrigation Specialist Tanto Irrigation has proudly provided the Golf Industry with Irrigation Services for over 50 years. Let us know how we can serve Please Contact: Tim Clarke (845) 325-3868 Or Paul L. Guillaro (914) 262-7324 8 The Newsletter 9 May - June 2020 May 25, 2020 Volume 21:6 Gazing in the Grass Frank S. Rossi, Ph.D. Spring conditions have rapidly become Summer-like with temperatures 8-10 degrees above normal. Soils remain in the upper 50’s to mid 60s and widespread reports across the Northeast indicate an excellent year for root growth. Drying conditions are beginning to prevail in many areas, as ET levels are increasing. Dry conditions might assist with slowing the usual Spring surge of top growth, however, to date that does not appear to be the case. Top growth of grasses is a function of mowing height and frequency, growth potential (temperature at which photosynthesis can produce energy for growth), warm moist soils, and warm moist air. Currently, these conditions are ideal for cool-season and with no limitations on potential for growth, expect to increase mowing frequency to remain close to 30% removal. Excessive clipping production reduces mowing quality, energy consumption and turfgrass injury. Clippings that remain on the turfgrass surface after mowing lead to shading and heat stress. Excess clippings deposited on pavement can lead to nutrient loading of lakes and streams. Increased growth and mowing needs leads to increases in water use, energy use, and labor needs. Consequently, it is a good time to evaluate fertilizer N fertilizer programs from last Fall and this Spring that might lead to excessive clipping production. Turfgrass areas not receiving traffic will have little need for supplemental N beyond what is needed to keep pace with weed growth and withstand maintenance traffic. Steady, but not excessive growth at this time of year with good uniform color and density suggests fertilizer programs are sufficient. However, N fertilizer programs that produce excessive growth in Spring, often result in grasses with substantially less roots and less drought tolerance. 10 The Newsletter Get The Right Growth Rate Cool-season turfgrass species grown in the Northeast experience an annual surge in top growth that challenges every turfgrass operation to keep pace with increasing mowing needs. During these times it is useful to consider how much growth a turfgrass stand actually needs? Often turfgrass stands from lawns and sports fields to cemeteries and golf courses are judged by uniformity and color of a sward, NOT how much it is growing. It is time to establish turfgrass growth rates that match the needs of the turfgrass stand, reduce labor needs, reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and maintain the playability and safety of the turfgrass surfaces. The recent GCSAA-NY Golf Turf Symposium with Professor Doug Soldat discussed growth rate and the importance of measuring clipping volume to determine mowing, rolling, fertilizer needs, water management, surface firmness, etc. Any turfgrass operation should be capable of measuring an area, harvesting the clippings from that area, depositing the clippings into a container that measures volume and recording that number. Most golf courses that have adopted this strategy started with the standard form of resistance from “it takes too much time”, “no time in the AM”, “not enough labor”, etc. In short order it became clear in the case of putting green management that this simple tactic was a game changer. Ball roll distance, firmness, trueness could all be traced back to growth rate. Growth rate can be managed by mowing programs, altering nutrients and water in most high value turf systems but ultimately it is GOVERNED by climate and soil organic matter level. Climate creates the conditions conducive for growth and soil moisture and temperature govern nutrient recycling and release. Persistently wet conditions the last several years produced long periods of active growth through summer months when normally growth would decline in unfertilized turfgrass. Only the most careful turfgrass managers have been able to “get a handle” on their growth rate by proper use of plant growth regulators. Normally confined to use in golf course turf, PGRs have become an essential tool in sports fields and cemeteries that have specific growth requirements for safety, labor, and aesthetics. The cost of a PGR in a 400 acre cemetery that reduces one to two mowings per year easily pays for itself with no loss in turfgrass quality. Sports fields lying idle have little need for persistent growth and should be maintained on a PGR program if possible. The key to effective PGR use is not unlike any other product use, right product, right rate, and right time. Different types of PGRs influence growth in different ways, but all reduce the production of gibberillic acid, the hormone that stimulates leaf growth. Maintaining proper application rates and intervals based on temperature (Growing Degree Days) will allow for maximum growth management with minimum reduction in turf quality. Measuring growth has not been a standard practice, yet offers great potential to reduce labor and resource needs. Of course it will assist with automation as price and technology allow. Sean Reehoorn 2020 11 May - June 2020 12 The Newsletter 13 May - June 2020OUR PASSION IS YOUR SUCCESS Harris Schnare | 800-582-5959 | harris@tomirwin.comWith Tom Irwin, you’re not alone. GCSAA Update by Kevin Doyle When I got my start in the industry there was no social media. There were no cell phones. The industry news was garnered through chapter meetings, newsletters, and the vendor network. Those in sales traveled the area, shared conver- sations, agronomic information, and jobs open or opening soon. I saw vendors as a critical tool to remain connected. Thanks to social media, information travels faster than an agronomic materials supplier during Pythium season. Does that make our vendors or the vendor network any less valuable? Beyond supplying materials, what is the value of our vendors in the industry now? The entire golf industry seems more reliant on a collective ap- proach for success. The days of the golf professionals, food and beverage, superintendents, and those who sell products and sup- plies to those professions operating in silos exclusive of each other are gone. No one succeeds unless we all succeed together. Same goes for the related associations, local or national. More than ever, collaboration is taking place between sectors in our industry. The successful groups have members willing to step up and volunteer their time for the benefit of the whole group with our valued ven- dors right there leading the charge. I think about many of our partners giving their associations much needed financial support, but more importantly holding seats on chapter boards and serving our superintendent associations through various additional capacities. I sat down with two such valuable vendors at the NERTF Conference and Show in Providence and asked them why they undertake these additional efforts, and what value they and their companies see from such endeavors. This topic came to me last May, as I had a conversation with Gilberto (Gil) Perez, Account Specialist for Dunning Industries, at National Golf Day (NGD) in Washington D.C. I caught up with Perez this year at the NERTF Conference and Show to ask about NGD involvement: “As a company, we sat down and asked is this of any value to us, for us to go and be a part of National Golf Day? We said yes. Why, because we are supporting our customers, and we are supporting a great cause, which is what keeps our doors open.” Both Perez and Division Manager Neil Lajeunesse attended the community service event and legislative visits at the nation’s capital. “What a valuable experience it was and will continue to be. Not only personally, but professionally. When you leave there, you feel like you’ve done something for the betterment of the industry” 14 When asked why a focus on government affairs, Perez simply states, “it opens up eyes. It lets everybody realize that golf course superintendents aren’t the devil. Everybody needs to know how responsible we are in everything that we do. I say we, I’m not a superintendent, but as an industry we do things in a responsible manner.” “It about supporting the industry that supports us.” At the local level Rhode Island government affairs guru Pat Hogan, sales manager for Sodco, is on top of his game. When asked why he is involved with government affairs, Hogan cited the availability of time. “Superintendents really don’t have the time. As a vendor, I’ve got a little more time to go and promote what they do, to tell legislators about the Green Certification program and being stewards of the land.” Hogan found his way into the government affairs realm first through necessity, serving in that capacity as he proceeded through the board ranks of the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association. Those skills found purchase as he became more in- volved with the Rhode Island GCSA. “There used to be a time where you had to go to the state house and into the basement to find out what bills for pesticide or other regulations like that had been submitted. Now they’re online, but superintendents didn’t have the time to go to the state house and search through filing cabinets to find bills that would affect them.” Sodco is a 526-acre farm that takes environmental efforts very seriously. “It’s up to us to make sure that land can be passed down generation to generation. Hopefully we’re passing it down to the next generation better than we went into it.” When asked if he enjoyed his volunteer efforts in government af- fairs, Hogan quickly replied, “Yes, I do!” These are just two examples of the many vendors in our region that volunteer their time for the betterment of our industry. The regula- tory landscape in Maine would look much different without the dogged effort of Jesse O’Brien of Down East Turf Farm. Chuck Bramhall, Harrell’s, also advocates so well for our industry in a dif- ficult regulatory area on Cape Cod. It’s no different outside of the government affairs realm. Successful association newsletters thanks to the hard work of Heather Garvin, Chas. C. Hart Seed, in Connecticut, Barrie Robertson, Foster Materials, in New Hampshire and the always entertaining con- tent provided by Kevin Collins at Ocean Organics. Local event calendars would look so much different without the coordination assistance of Chris Cowan, Atlantic Golf & Turf in Vermont, and Brian Goudey, Syngenta, with the Northeastern GCSAA. Region wide events such as the MetGCSA Team Championship and The Newsletter Nor’Easter Ski Day only happen thanks in large part to the efforts of Andy Drohen, Koch Industries. I’m leaving out so many valued industry professionals, but you get the picture. If I had the time and opportunity to speak with every vendor working hard to make our industry better, my guess is I would hear much of the same feedback. I’m supporting the industry that sup- ports me, and I enjoy what I do. I challenge you, the non-vendors in our industry, to take a moment to thank your partners for all that they do. Without the efforts of our valued vendors the land- scape of our golf course maintenance industry would look drasti- cally different, and not for the better. GCSAA Resources and Deadlines you Get Cool Stuff from your Association Already COVID-19 Pandemic Resources GCSAA knows your lives and businesses are being affected by the global COVID-19 Pandemic. While there is no lack of gen- eral information about the virus and its widespread impact, we wanted to provide you with resources specific to golf and business operations to assist you in this challenging time. Plus, keep up with GCSAA’s latest updates concerning the pandemic. GCM’s Most Valuable Technician Award Cast your vote by June 26. GCM’s Most Valuable Technician Award is designed to honor the best and brightest golf course equipment technicians in the industry, the men and women who play such a key role in keeping the tools of golf course maintenance up and running. The award is presented annually in partnership with Foley Co. Nominations are narrowed to a field of three final- ists by a team of industry judges. GCM readers then review the qualifications of the finalists and vote online for their favorite. Long Island GCSA member J.R. Wilson at Noyac Golf Club in Sag Harbor, N.Y. could be the first technician in the Northeast Region to win. Please take 1 minute to vote for J.R. here. 2021 Dog Days of Golf Calendar sponsored by LebanonTurf in cooperation with GCSAA Submit your entry today » Submissions for the 2021 Dog Days of Golf Calendar will be accepted through Aug. 3, 2020. From the submissions, 14 dogs will be selected. Owners of the selected dogs will be notified in September, and the calendar will be distributed with the November issue of GCM magazine. Again, if I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me. Kevin Doyle GCSAA Field Staff kdoyle@gcsaa.org Follow me on Twitter @GCSAA_NE 15 May - June 2020 16 The Newsletter 17 May - June 2020 Divot Drift CONGRATULATIONS TO Tom Colombo, CGCS, on his recent renewal of Certified Golf Course Superintendent status. Back Issues! WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Paul Jacob, Honorary, USGA Agronomist, Northeast Region Ryan Lane, Affiliate, Finch Services / John Deere Golf Jeffrey Wiley, Superintendent, Castine Golf Club, Maine WELCOME RETURNING MEMBER Pat Lange, Superintendent, Oakley Country Club To Friends and Affiliates Enrolled in the 2020 PPP (Partnership Promotion Program) Dear Friends and Affiliates, Thank you to those PPP Participants who have reached out and have been interviewed on Zoom. To clarify, the Zoom interviews are recorded. Our members will receive a recorded version of the Zoom interview via email. They will not need to join the Zoom call. If you have any interest in these options or another way we can add value to your commitment to the PPP, please reach out and let me know. To view the interviews to date please click this link. Greg Cormier, CGCS Client Representative Tom Irwin, Inc. Affiliate Director for GCSANE 978-846-1133 18 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 Don Hearn at 774-430-9040 or donhearn@gcsane.org The Newsletter We thank our partners who have made the commitment to support our Association this year. Please support those who support you, your Association and your industry when making choices for products and services this year. 2020 PARTNERS Platinum Partners MTE – TURF EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS TANTO IRRIGATION TOM IRWIN, INC. TURF PRODUCTS Gold Partners ATLANTIC GOLF & TURF FINCH SERVICES / JOHN DEERE GOLF HARRELL’S Silver Partners LARCHMONT ENGINEERING NORTHEAST GOLF AND TURF SPORTSCAPES UNLIMITED NEW ENGLAND SPECIALTY SOILS SYNGENTA READ CUSTOM SOILS Patron Partners AGRESOURCE BAYER BEALS + THOMAS CAVICCHIO GREENHOUSES CHAS. C. HART SEED CO. HELENA AGRI ENTERPRISES LAZARO’S GOLF COURSE SUPPLIES & ACCESSORIES / HAMMOND PAINT & CHEMICAL CO. INC. MAS GOLF CONSTRUCTION NEW ENGLAND TURF NOBLE TURF NUTRIEN SOLUTIONS PRECISION LABORATORIES PUTNAM PIPE CORP. SITEONE LANDSCAPE SUPPLY SODCO TARTAN FARMS TUCKAHOE TURF FARMS WINDING BROOK TURF FARM WINFIELD UNITED 19 May - June 2020 MAX YOUR RESULTS WITH ® LIQUID FOLIAR NUTRITIONALS Specifically formulated to provide you with a complete and highly effective fertilizer portfolio. Harrell’s MAX uses the finest foliar grade sources, with chelated or complexed micronutrients, allowing for maximum uptake and exceptional product quality. Are you ready to MAX your results? Call your Harrell’s rep or visit harrells.com today. 20 800.282.8007 | www.harrells.com The Newsletter Please patronize these Friends of the Association Agresource, Inc. 110 Boxford Rd. Rowley, MA 01969 Agresource Inc. is a proud manufacturer and distributor of quality compost, soil, and sand throughout the northeast for over 30 years. Agresport, a division of Agresource focused on materials and services specifically for the golf and sports fields market working together to enhance and maintain your unique properties Dave Harding office: (978) 388-5110 cell: (978) 904-1203 Mike Carignan 978-270-9132 mcarignan@agresourceinc.com www.agresourceinc.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. Atlantic Golf & Turf 27 Industrial Boulevard Turners Falls, MA 01376 The Cardinals, Inc. 166 River Rd., PO Box 520 Unionville, CT 06085 Specializing in agronomy through the distribution of fertilizer, seed & chemicals throughout New England. Golf course & landscape supplies. John Callahan (860) 916-3947 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 Cavicchio Greenhouses, Inc. 110 Codjer Lane Sudbury, MA 01776 Annuals, perennials, garden mums, ground covers, loam, & mulch. Darren Young (978) 443-7177 Lastec, Tycrop, Blec, Wiedenmann, Therrien, Graden, Sweep & Fill, Baroness, & used equipment. Charles C. Hart Seed Co., Inc. 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. Harley Ingham jingham@barusa.com BASF Turf & Ornamental 169 Kings Hwy Hancock, NH 03449 “We don’t make the turf. We make it better.” Pete Jacobson (919) 530-9062 peter.jacobson@basf.com BACKED by BAYER Building on an already solid foundation of proven products to help you succeed. Brian Giblin (508) 439-9809 brian.giblin@bayer.com www.backedbybayer.com 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 Club ProCure We proudly support the GCSA of New England Call your Club ProCure team at 800-363-5480 Local Representative: Jim Murray jmurray@clubprocure.com www.clubprocure.com (203) 952-8252 Cub Cadet / MTD Products Cub Cadet’s innovative products utilize advanced technologies to enable turf managers to achieve consistently excellent turf conditions, reduce operational costs and improve overall turf health. From robotic greens mowers to all-electric pitch mowers, explore how Cub Cadet is “Unlocking Possible” and setting the standard for turf that delivers: www.cubcadetturf.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. Tim Berge, Sales Manager c (860) 690-1192 o (860) 623-5207 x227 tberge@dafsvcs.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 Finch Services, Inc. Finch Services is your premier John Deere Golf Distributor in the Northeast. Bill Rockwell (508) 789-5293 Mark Casey (617) 447-4076 Ryan Lane (978)758-8671 Call or visit our website at www.finchinc.com Five Star Golf Cars & Utility Vehicles 174 Main Street Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 E-Z GO Golf Cars, Cushman Utility Vehicles Andrew Ingham (617) 780-5482 Andrew@fivestargolfcars.com MA Territory Harrell’s LLC 19 Technology Drive Auburn, MA 01501 Turf & Ornamental supplies. Chuck Bramhall (508) 400-0600 Jim Cohen (978) 337-0222 Jim Favreau (978) 227-2785 Mike Kroian (401) 265-5353 Kent Lemme (413) 281-8087 Helena Agri-Enterprises 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. Jeff Urquhart (781) 571-1164 www.helenaagr.com International Golf Construction Co. 5 Purcell Rd. Arlington, MA 02474 Golf course construction. Antonios Paganis (781) 648-2351 (508) 428-3022 21 May - June 2020 Please patronize these Friends of the Association Irrigation Management & Services McNulty Construction Corp. Northeast Golf & Turf Supply 21 Lakeview Ave. Natick, MA 01760 Irrigation consultation, design, & system evaluation. Bob Healey, ASIC, CID (508) 653-0625 P. O. Box 3218 Framingham, MA 01705 Asphalt paving of cart paths, walkways, parking areas; imprinted asphalt. John McNulty (508) 879-8875 Ken Jones Tire, Inc. 71-73 Chandler St. Worcester, MA 01613 Distributor of tires for lawn & garden, trucks, cars, industrial equipment, & golf cars. 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 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 Mayer Tree Service Providing a wide range of tree care from Plant Health Care to tree removal. Mobile wood waste grinding services. Stump grinding. Land clearing. Loam and mulch delivery. Tree pruning to enhance shot value and playability. Richard Grant (978) 500-8849 rich@mayertree.com MAS Golf Course Construction 60 Lumber St. Hopkinton, MA 01748 Fulfilling all your renovation and construction needs. Matthew Staffieri (508) 243-2443 matt@masgolfconstruction www.masgolfconstruction.com 22 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 Rob Nolek: (617) 990-2427 Eastern MA Jess Hamilton: (603) 500-3936 NH Sean Smith: (207) 385-6684 ME Bob Barrow: (401) 537-8597 RI Alan Hubbard: (413) 355-0603 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 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. Bob Doran (978) 230-2244 John Toomey (978) 660-0175 Lauren Baldarelli (978) 860-5469 www.nesoils.com New England Turf Farm, Inc. P.O. Box 777 West Kingston, RI 02892 Many types of tallgrasses and bentgrass available for golf courses, sports turf and landscapers. Expert installation available. Office: (800) 451-2900 Ernie Ketchum (508) 364-4428 erniesod@comcast.net 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 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 49 North Putnam St. Danvers, MA 01923 Hydroseeding & erosion control services. Brian King (978) 762-8737 www.nshydro.com Nutrien Solutions Suppliers of Chemicals, Fertilizer, & Grass Seed (978) 685-3300 Nick Burchard (401) 601-7213 Drew Cummins (401) 952-4219 www.nutrien.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 Precision Laboratories 1428 S. Shields Drive Waukegan, IL 60083 Specialized chemistries that enhance plants, seeds, soil and water. Greg Bennett 978-877-3772 www.precisionlab.com Prime 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 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 The Newsletter 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 Ed Downing (508) 440-1833 www.readcustomsoils.com SiteOne Landscape Supply, LLC 7 Lincoln Road Foxboro, MA 02035 Offering our customers the most complete line of products, service & expertise in the industry. Ron Tumiski (508) 697-2757 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 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 time aeration, Air2G2 aeration & full seeding services. Mike Lucier 617-913-8958 mike@sportscapesunlimited.com sportscapesunlimited.com Tartan Farms, LLC P.O. Box 983 West Kingston, RI 02892 Dave Wallace (401) 641-0306 Tanto Irrigation 5 N. Payne Street Elmsford, NY 10532 Golf Irrigation specialists. Proudly providing the Golf Industry with irrigation services for over 50 Years. Bill Bartels 914-347-5151 tantoirrigation.com Tom Irwin, Inc. 13 A Street Burlington, MA 01803 (800) 582-5959 www.tomirwin.com We bring you a network of professionals and innovative solutions dedicated to your success. With Tom Irwin, you’re not alone. Harris Schnare, Client Relations Manager: 508-654-2488 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 Tuckahoe Turf grows some of the finest sod in the Northeast. We grow Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, and Blue/Fescue blends. We also have several bentgrass varieties at both tee and green height. Please call for details. Scott McLeod (401) 230-2631 Peter DeBrusk (603) 819-9700 800-556-6985 Syngenta Professional Products TurfCloud powered by GreenSight 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 12 Channel Street, Ste 605 Boston, MA 02210 Whether its autonomous drone service to keep your turf dialed in or a digital platform to keep your data on point, TurfCloud has you covered! Jason VanBuskirk VP Sales & Marketing (774) 244-2630 jvb@greensightag.com drift.me/jvb www.turfcloud.com @greensight @TurfCloud 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 Products 157 Moody Rd. Enfield, CT 06082 Toro Equipment & Irrigation– Serving the industry since 1970 800-243-4355 Bill Conley Nat Binns (332) 351-5189 www.turfproductscorp.com 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 karcari@windingbrookturf.net www.windingbrookturf.com WinField United 29 Gilmore Drive–Unit C Sutton, MA 01590 Using industry-leading insights to provide you with the products that help you win. Time Hanrahan (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 23 May - June 2020 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): Amount of Check: Phone: Email: (Made payable to “GCSANE”) Payment can be made by check payable to GCSANE or by creidt card using the Pay Pal link on the home page of the Association's website at gcsane.org. You do not need a Pay Pal account to use your credit card. Member Rates: Monthly Rate 3 Times Per Yr. (Save 5%) 6 Times Per Yr. 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Send all Newsletter ads to: Don Hearn, CGCS 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA 02766 Email: donhearn@gcsane.org 24