sn^r/fiolerilKH
VOLUME31 HUMBER5

Jtoard ai Directors
P re sid en t

JO H N CARLO NE, CGCS

The Meadow Brook Club
V ic e P re sid en t

TIM O TH Y M O O R E

Knollwood Country Club

Cover: The Meadow Brook Club.
Photo by Mike Norwalk,
Lightpath Long Island Classic
Tournament Coordinator.

S e c re ta ry

WILLIAM H EINTZ

Centennial Golf Club
T reasu rer

DAVID M A H O N E Y

Siwanoy Country Club
P ast P re sid en t

EARL MILLETT

Ridgeway Country Club
SEAN CAIN

Sunningdale Country Club
M ATTHEW CEPLO, CGCS

Rockland Country Club

this Issuie

A N T H O N Y G IRARDI, CGCS

Rockrimmon Country Club
PETER M cCO R M IC K

TurfNet Associates, Inc.
ERIC O ’NEILL

Scarsdale Golf Club

•

Feature

G LENN PERRY, CGCS

Rolling Hills Country Club
JEFFREY W E N T W O R T H

Pelham Country Club

MGA Executive Director Jay Mottola Earns MetGCSA’s 2001
John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award............................................2

G REG O RY WOJICK, CGCS

Greenwich Country Club
E xecu tive S e c re ta ry

INEKE PIERPO INT

Tee to Green Staff
GLENN PERRY
203-762-9484

E d ito rs

^■ 1
!■

GREG WOJICK
203-869-1000, ext. 253

Managing Editor

PANDORA C. WOJICK
Editorial Com m ittee

GLEN DUBE
CHIP LAFFERTY f
; SCOTT NIVEN
TIM O’NEILL
BILL PERLEE
Photographer

BILL PERLEE

Spotlights...................................................................................................5
Member News ..........................................................................................7
National N ew s..........................................................................................8
Inside the National................................................................................ 10

Advertising Manager

Scorecard................................................................................................. 11

Advisory Board

Upcoming Events..................................................................................11

GREG WOJICK, 203-869-1000, ext. 253
JOE ALONZI
JON JENNINGS
TIM MOORE
PAT SISK

STEVE CADENELl
PAT LUCAS
DENNIS PETRUZELLI
JOHN STREETERif

TEE TO GREEN is published bimonthly by the
Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents A ssociate
49 Knollwood Road, Elmsford, N Y 10523-2819
914-347-4653, FAX: 914-347-3437
Copyright © 2001

Work Smarts............................................................................................12
Giving Your Old Greens a New Look

Putting
Things in

September 11 attack on the World Trade
Center and Pentagon buildings, I did a lot of
reflecting. Many of you did, I’m sure. A
number of fellow superintendents I spoke
with shared similar sentiments, “A little dead
grass doesn’t seem to matter that much any­
more.” Or “No more 80-hour workweeks
for me.” However, the most notable theme
of all my conversations was, “What do you
think we can do to help?”
In response to that question, the
MetGCSA board asked The GCSAA
Foundation to assist us in accepting and
administering donations.
GCSAA sent out an e-mail, on my
behalf, to all affiliated chapters throughout
the country, making them aware that there is
a way that our associations could come
together to help those affected by this
unthinkable tragedy.
Basically, the way it works is that if any
chapter would like to make a donation to
the American Red Cross Disaster Relief
Fund or the FDNY and NYPD Relief
Fund (this fund provides relief to the chil­
dren of the firemen and policemen who
died in the act of duty during the attacks on
the World Trade Center), they could do it
through The GCSAA Foundation.
The chapter would then receive credit
for its donation within The GCSAA
Foundation’s Cumulative Giving program.
All donations received from the chapters by
November 1,2001 will be forwarded to the
American Red Cross and the FDNY and
NYPD Relief Fund to assist with the
national relief efforts. I am working with
GCSAA and The Foundation to see that the
contribution is presented on behalf of
GCSAA affiliated chapters.
If you would like to make an individual
contribution to this worthy cause, please
make your check payable to The GCSAA
Foundation - Relief, and mail it to The
GCSAA Foundation, PO. Box 419004,
Kansas City, MO 64141-6004.
If you have any questions, please feel free
to contact Teri Harris, director of develop­
ment of The GCSAA Foundation, at 800472-7878, ext. 465.

John Cartone, CGCS
MetGCSA President

The GCSAA Board of Directors has
already pledged $50,000 earmarked specifi­
cally for the American Red Cross.
Whatever amount we collect and
donate may seem small compared to the
millions of dollars corporate America has
donated to the relief effort in the days fol­
lowing the attack. But to those in need, any
amount, I’m sure, is appreciated.

Congratulations

At the annual Green Chairman/Superintendent meeting that I had the pleasure of
hosting October 16 at The Meadow Brook
Club, the MetGCSA awarded its highest
honor, the John Reid Lifetime Achieve­
ment Award, to Jay Mottola, executive
director of the MGA.
I am extremely proud to add Jay’s name
to the distinguished list of recipients of this
award. His association with our profession
through his involvement in such efforts as
the Tri-State Turf Research Foundation and
the GCSAA’s “Investing in the Beauty of
Golf” campaign, uniquely qualify him for
this award. I know I speak for every mem­
ber when I say congratulations to Jay
and that we look forward to many more
years of working with the MGA under his
direction.
continued on page 9
Tee to Green September/October 200i

MGA Executive Director
Jay Mottola Earns \l el U SA's
2001 John Reid Lifetime
Achievement Award
c ? ) Tee to Green September/October 200 Í

hen the MetGCSA
was looking for a recipient worthy of its
prestigious John Reid Lifetime Achieve­
ment Award, it didn’t have to look too far.
Right there at Golf Central, working on
behalf of area golf clubs and golf course
superintendents each and every day, was
someone who clearly met the criteria of
the Met’s high honor: MGA Executive
Director Jay Mottola.
In describing Jay’s many award-worthy
accomplishments, MetGCSA President
John Carlone, says, “Jay was selected for this
award not just because he is a strong sup­
porter of the golf course superintendents in
the Metropolitan area, but also because he is
an ambassador for the game of golf
throughout the country. We are extremely
proud to add Jay’s name to our distin­
guished list of Reid Award recipients.”

Once in Golf, Always in Golf

Jay’s life has long been intertwined with the
game of golf. At an early age—in his
Tuxedo, NY, hometown—Jay began playing
golf with his father. From playing the links,
Jay went on to working them, trying his
hand at caddying and then, for several
years during high school and college, the
grounds crew at The Tuxedo Club. During
that time, he says, he gained a true apprecia­
tion for the roles and responsibilities of the
golf course superintendent.
A member of The Tuxedo Club since
1980, Jay has stayed close to the golf course
maintenance operation— serving for the
past 10 years as co-green chairman.
“Jay’s knowledge of the game of golf—
and golf course management practices—
have been invaluable,” says Tuxedo Club
Superintendent Tim Garceau. “His input
and guidance are always on the mark, and
he adds credibility to our department’s
decisions and special projects. When Jay
backs us, the membership is always more apt
to follow suit.”
Isn’t it only fitting, then, that Jay was
honored with the Reid Award—reserved
for individuals who have “demonstrated a
knowledge of, and commitment to,
the game of golf and the science of golf
course management”— at the MetGCSA’s

October 16 Superintendent/Green Chair­
man Tournament at The Meadow Brook
Club.
Also fitting is that the award was pre­
sented by two long-time colleagues:
Meadow Brook member and former MGA
President John Baldwin and Met PGA
Section executive director and former John
Reid Award winner Charlie Robson.

bound Jim McLoughlin’s duties as executive
director. In 1982, Jay assumed sole responsi­
bility for the position, offering his predeces­
sor high praise for his work. “I can’t say
enough about Jim’s contributions,” says Jay.
He provided a great platform for the MGA
to build on.”

MGA Bound

Jay, like his predecessor on the Reid Award
roster, Charlie Robson, has had a knack for
making things happen—in a big way.
Though Jay modestly and readily credits
Jerry Mahoney, Jeanne McCooey, Gene
Westmoreland and the “MGA team” for the
organization’s success, he, himself, has clearly
had a far-reaching impact.
Under Jay’s leadership, the MGA has
grown in leaps and bounds—from an organ­
ization of 175 member clubs to more than
400 and with a service staff that has more
than tripled.
Considered by all who know him as one
of the Met area’s and golf’s most effective
and innovative leaders, Jay’s overseen the
development of dozens of new, ground­
breaking programs that have benefited the
game of golf and the golf community at
large. Under his charge, the MGA launched
The Met Golfer magazine, constructed Golf
Central, expanded area clubs’ caddie train­
ing programs and tournament programs,
created the MGA Foundation, and devel­
oped dozens of new educational programs.
Right now, the MGA Foundation, Met
PGA, and The First Tee, have joined forces
in the development of a Junior Golf
Learning and Teaching Center focused on
bringing golf to minorities and underprivi­
leged children. The center, which will oper­
ate at the Mosholu Golf Course in the
Bronx, includes a nine-hole course and
driving range. “I am hoping,” says Jay, “that
this project will encourage other municipal­
ities, golf organizations, and park systems to
develop similar programs.”
Anyone who has worked with Jay knows
that he is one of the game’s true visionaries.
His ability to “look ahead” and think “out­
side the box” have put him in the forefront
of the golf industry.

A graduate of Lafayette College, Jay went
on to earn his MBA at the University of
Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

“Jay was selectedfor
this award not just because he is
a strong supporter of the golf
course superintendents in the
Metropolitan area, but also
because he is an ambassadorfor
the game of golf throughout the
country. 99

—John Carlone, CGCS

His next stop, however, was not the
MGA— or even a job in the golf course
industry. Jay took a position as an account­
ant, which lasted barely a year. “It didn’t
take me long to realize I was in the wrong
business,” says Jay, who from there, became
an assistant college basketball coach.
It was at that point that Jay got his foot
in the door at the MGA. “David Fay, a life­
long friend who’s now the executive direc­
tor of the USGA, was working for the
MGA at the time as its communication
manager. He thought I might enjoy work­
ing on the MGA’s tournament field team.
So I gave it a go.
“The rest is history,” continues Jay. “I’ve
been with the MGA ever since.”
In 1980, Jay accepted a full-time posi­
tion as tournament director/assistant exec­
utive director, and then, in 1981, both he
and Jerry Mahoney assumed GCSAA-

For the Good of Golf

Tee to Green September/October 2001

Right

now,the

M G A Foundation, M et P G A , and The
First Tee, have joined forces in the development of a
Junior G olf Learning and Teaching Centerfocused on
bringing golf to minorities and underprivileged children.

“I can think of no one more
deserving of the 2001 John Reid
Lifetime Achievement Award
than Jay Mottola,” says MGA
President Connie DeLoca. “In
the nearly 20 years I’ve worked
with Jay, he has been a model of
excellence in golf administration.
His knowledge, zeal for the game
and the job, affable personality,
and ability to anticipate what is
needed today and in the future,
are key contributors to his consistent success
as executive director of the MGA and the
A friend and ardent supporter of the golf
MGA Foundation.”
course superintendent, Jay has campaigned
for research and the dissemination of infor­
mation on the positive impact golf courses
Jay’s efforts and initiatives extend beyond the have on the environment. He’s even gone
MGA to other areas of the game of golf and so far as to write several articles on the sub­
the country. He is closely involved with the ject and, for the past decade, has sat on the
USGA, serving on numerous committees boards of the Tri-State Turf Research
over the years. Right now, he’s chairman of Foundation and GCSAA’s “Investing in the
the Handicap Procedure Committee and Beauty of Golf” campaign, both of which
has among his list of contributions a role in fund pertinent turfgrass research.
“I don’t think that any group of profes­
the development and implementation of the
USGA GHIN Handicapping Service, as sionals has grown in importance in recent
years more than the golf course superin­
well as the Slope System.
A proponent of involving more young tendents,” says Jay. “At any club, the golf
people in the game of golf, Jay is a voice not course is the greatest asset, and the impor­
just locally, but also nationally for the revital­ tance of golf course superintendents in
ization of caddies and caddie programs and maintaining that asset speaks volumes for
for the MGA Foundation’s innovative stu­ their role in the game of golf.”
Jay strove to strengthen the relationship
dent intern program, GOLFWORKS.
Jay was also part of a contingent that among Met area golf groups—the MGA,
encouraged the USGA to bring the U.S. Met PGA, and the MetGCSA—by bring­
Open to Bethpage Black in 2002, the first ing them under one roof at Golf Central. “I
truly public golf course to hold the national felt strongly,” he says, “that sharing our
headquarters would improve the ability of
championship.
But then public golf—more specifically all groups to better service golf in the area.”
“We are proud to enjoy a wonderful
affordable public golf—is close to Jay’s heart.
“I’m concerned,” says Jay, “that both public alliance and friendship that Jay has helped
and private golf in the Met area has become foster, not only with the PGA, but with all
so expensive that many people who want to our working Metropolitan area golf organi­
play can’t afford it. I’d like to see us find zations,” says the PGA’s Charlie Robson,
ways to ensure the game remains accessible adding, “Jay is not only deserving of the
to people from all walks of life—in the pub­ Reid Award for the incredible energy, wis­
dom, and leadership he provides the MGA,
lic and private golf sectors.”
but for his lifetime of contributions to the
game of golf and the betterment of golf
course management and maintenance.”
When pondering how the superinten­

Super Support

Beyond the MGA

Tee to Green September/October 2001

dent’s roles and responsibilities
have evolved over the years, Jay
expresses one concern: the level
of maintenance required of super­
intendents today.
“I’m not just concerned about
the undue stress maintaining
superfast greens and achieving
other unrealistic standards has on
the superintendent and turf,” says
Jay. “I’m troubled by the cost of
pushing for these standards and by
the fact that maintaining these conditions
requires increased pesticide and irrigation
use, which can be counterproductive to
the great work golf course superintendents
have done to communicate and demon­
strate their commitment to preserving the
environment.”
Looking to the future, Jay is interested in
seeing how new golf club and ball technol­
ogy will affect the game of golf—particu­
larly golf course design and playability. He’s
hopeful that the Royal & Ancient and the
USGA will take a united stand on this
important issue and put reasonable limita­
tions on technology.

Joining the Ranks

When asked how he felt about being cho­
sen for an organization’s highest honor, Jay,
with his typical modesty, responds, “I am
honored and flattered to receive the John
Reid Lifetime Achievement Award. It
means a great deal coming from the
Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents
Association. I have always had a great
respect for the association and its leaders,
and I am honored to be in the company of
the others who have received this award.”
Previous Reid Award recipients are
Charlie Robson, Dr. Pat Vittum, the late Dr.
C. Richard Skogley, Arthur Weber, Jim
McLoughlin, Frank Hannigan, Geoffrey
Cornish, Dr. Haruo Tashiro, the late Dr.
Ralph Engel, Ken Venturi, the late
Alexander Radko, and Guido Cribari.
Glenn Perry, co-editor of the Tee to Green, is
superintendent at Rolling Hills Country Club in
Wilton, CT.

Meadow Brook Hosts Superintendent/Green
Chairman Tourney

John Carlone
f

'

by Glenn Perry, CGCS

V
October 16, Superintendent John
Carlone and The Meadow Brook Club
hosted the MetGCSA’s annual Superinten­
dent/ Green Chairman Tournament and
meeting, which we had the pleasure of shar­
ing with our peers from the Long Island
GCSA.
Though this event pales in comparison
to some of the regional events Meadow
Brook has hosted over the years, for
MetGCSA members, it was a special day.
Not just for the great golf or the opportu­
nity to court their green chairman, but for
the opportunity to present one of the associ­
ation s most prestigious awards—the John
Reid Lifetime Achievement Award—to the
MGA’s Executive Director and long-time
promoter of golf and the turfgrass manage­
ment industry, Jay Mattola.
Among the presenters were Meadow
Brook member and former MGA President
John Baldwin; Met PGA Section executive
director and former John Reid Award win­
ner Charlie Robson; and John, himself who
we can credit, in large part, for this perfect
day.

Colorful Beginnings

Rich in history and tradition, The Meadow
Brook Hunt Club—as it’s still officially
known—has been through several transfor­
mations. It started out in 1881 in Westbury,
NY, as a polo club. In 1894, members added
a nine-hole golf course, which they ended
up abandoning by 1905 in favor of polo.
But with a resurgence in golf and the
number of players competing for a tee time,
golf returned to Meadow Brook 11 years
later. The club leased the J. Clinton Smith
estate across the road and hired Devereux
Emmet to design a new 18-hole course. He
used the brook, which gives the club its

name, placing 10 greens beside it.
This course lasted until the early 1950s
when the club was forced to make way for
the Meadow Brook Parkway, which would
connect the middle of Nassau County with
the south shore beaches. It was at that point
that Meadow Brook moved to its present
site in Jericho, NY, which included 450 acres
and six polo fields.
The club hired Golf Course Architect
Dick Wilson to build a championship-style
course on the new grounds. It opened in
1955 but, by 1967, was under construction
again. Meadow Brook sold 180 acres to
developers, losing its six polo fields and three
of its golf holes. The club hired Dick Wilson
protégé Joe Lee to rebuild the three holes it
lost and reroute the existing holes on the
club’s current 270-acre site.
In more recent history, the club has held
numerous major regional tournaments,
including the Metropolitan PGA Cham­
pionships; The Metropolitan Open, an
LPGA event; and now, annually, the Lightpath Long Island Classic, a Senior PGA tour
event, which has on its roster of winners
golf greats Lee Trevino, Gary Player, and
Raymond Floyd.
And no wonder: The club boasts cham­
pionship tees that stretch 7,108 yards and
some of the largest greens in the country, the
first green being the club’s largest at 11,200
square feet. The eighth is Meadow Brook’s
centerpiece, a 615-yard par five that doglegs
left, then right. Byron Nelson called it the
“best extra-long par five in the country.”
Among the club’s other notable notes: It
became the 37th member of the USGA and,
in 1897, a charter member of the MGA.

Career in the Making

in life. At 11, in his hometown of Ports­
mouth, RI, he began playing golf and con­
tinued right through his college years at the
University of Rhode Island.
Though he toyed with becoming a tour­
ing pro, John found his way into turf man­
agement, with the help of the late Dr.
Skogley, a professor then in U R I’s Plant
Sciences Department. While earning his
B.S. in Turf Management, John did his place­
ment training at Westchester Country Club
in Rye, NY, and after graduating in 1983, he
worked as an assistant superintendent at The
Stanwich Club in Greenwich, CT.
Two-and-a-half years later, John accept­
ed his first superintendent’s job at Middle
Bay Country Club in Oceanside, NY, where
he stayed until moving on to Meadow
Brook.
For the past five years, John has contin­
ued to improve areas of the course. He’s
built a new range tee, laser-leveled nine tee
complexes, and installed subsurface drainage
in seven greens, with six more slated for
completion this fall.

Industry Focused

Another of John’s professional goals has
been to “remain a part of the industry’s
growth and progress.” Soon after becoming
a superintendent, John became actively
involved in the MetGCSA. A board mem­
ber since 1986, John’s served on numerous
committees and as the group’s secretary,
vice president, and for the past two years,
president.
John’s also served four years on the board
of the Tri-State Turf Research Foundation
and has been actively involved in the
GCSAA. Since 1991, he’s served on
GCSAA’s Election, Education, Tournament,
and Membership Committees, and, most
recently, its 75th Anniversary Resource
Group.
John hopes you enjoyed your day at
Meadow Brook and were able to keep your
three-putts to a minimum on the large
greens!
John lives on club grounds with his wife
of 14 years, Leslie, and his three children:
Emily, 11, David, 9, and Daniel, 6. In his
spare time, he enjoys coaching his son
David’s soccer team, playing golf, and taking
a spin on his motorcycle.

John became part of Meadow Brook history
in 1996, when he accepted his current posi­
tion as superintendent. It’s here that John
has been able to achieve one of his larger
professional goals: preparing a golf course for
a professional tournament. “Each year,” says
John, “I’m thrilled to not only meet, but in
some cases get to know, some of the great
people within the world of golf.”
Meadow Brook is a club devoted to golf.
“There’s no tennis, pool, or even dinner
service in the clubhouse,” says John. “The
membership is made up of serious golfers.
At least 30 percent of them have single-digit
handicaps—and two are former Met Glenn Perry, co-editor of the Tee to Green, is
superintendent at Rolling Hills Country Club in
Amateur champions.”
John started building his career early on Wilton, CT.
Tee to Green September/October 2001

o

Spotlight

St. Andrew s New Super to Host MetGCSA
Annual Meeting in November

the MetGCSA’s Annual Meeting.
Rob, who’s the son of Robert (Fenway
GC) and the nephew of Joe (Westchester
CC), took the helm at St. Andrew’s January
1 of this year. “I couldn’t be more pleased
with the job,” says Rob, who holds a B.S.
from UMass, with not only a major in
plant and soil science, but also a minor in
business.
Formerly assistant at Tamarack, Rob is
amply experienced by not only literally
eating, sleeping, and breathing course
maintenance through his childhood years
at home, but also through his long list of
former mentors.
Before his true indoctrination into the
Country Club, Chicago Golf Club, and St. business working as Jeff Scott’s assistant at
Andrew’s have in common? They are the Tamarack (1997 to 2001), Rob worked for
five founding clubs of the USGA. St. Steve Renzetti atWykagyl from ’95 to ’97;
Andrew’s Golf Club, in fact, has the oldest for Bruce Cadenelli at Caves Valley from
’93 to ’94; and last but not least, for his
golf club charter in America!
On Wednesday, November 7, this fabu­ father, Robert Alonzi, since he was—
lous, historical club—and its new superin­ according to Rob— “knee-high to a
tendent, Rob Alonzi—have agreed to host grasshopper.”

New Charter

Now at St. Andrew’s, Rob has been charged
with raising the level of conditions. “There
are a few weak greens that need attention
and a single-row irrigation system that is
constraining,” notes Rob, who also expects
to battle a significant thatch problem. And
although the club has just finished a major
clubhouse renovation and addition, Rob
will still have an adequate budget to work
with: just under $1 million. But with no
general manager in place at St. Andrew’s,
Rob expects to be very involved with com­
mittees and members.
As is characteristic of most superintend­
ents, Rob likes to do his job steadily and
quietly. “I love the business, and I like fol­
lowing in my father’s footsteps,” says Rob,
who clearly has not only the lineage, but
also the makings of a future “Legend.”
Greg Wojick, co-editor of the Tee to Green, is
superintendent at Greenwich Country Club in
Greenwich, CT.

Tis Nearly the Season for the Social
Event of the Year.. The Annual MetGCSA
Christinas Party

an inside look at the super who’s providing growing conditions; and installing additional
the backdrop for this always-fun kickoff to cart paths, tee to green.
the holidays.
In more recent history, Dennis has over­
seen the installation of a brand-new Toro
Site Pro irrigation system and, along with
that, the addition of many new water fea­
Located in Purchase, NY, Brae Burn is a tures. Also among Dennis’s long list of
relatively new course, designed in 1964 by accomplishments is the reconfiguration of
Frank Duane, who studied under Robert his maintenance building, which, he’s happy
Trent Jones and later joined forces with to say, has given him a facility double the
Arnold Palmer.
original size. “We added 5,200-square-feet
The course has seen numerous changes to the existing structure,” explains Dennis,
in its 36-year history—most of them under “complete with an employee locker room,
Dennis’s watchful eye. In his 20 years on lunchroom, and a significantly larger work­
the job, he’s swept through the mainte­ shop area with a hydraulic lift.”
nance operation and golf course, freeing
Dennis’s latest undertaking—a complete
the course from many of its agronomic and golf course renovation project— consumed
architectural flaws.
him and his staff for the past two years. “We
Among the first challenges he took on built two new greens and reshaped or
was weeding out the poa in his fairways, recontoured all the others,” says Dennis.
which are now primarily bentgrass; “We also built several tees, realigned two
rebuilding #6 green to correct agronomic fairways, and renovated all the bunkers. And
and other problems related to faulty con­ in the process, we added new drainage
struction; relocating trees interfering with throughout the course.”

The Course, of Course
Dennis Flynn
f

J

by Chip Lafferty
~ mt
11 l off your dancin’ shoes, the
MetGCSA’s annual holiday bash—believe it
or not—is fast approaching. Hosting this
year’s festivities on December 8 is Brae
Burn Country Club Superintendent
Dennis Flynn.
Though this event won’t take you
beyond the clubhouse walls, we want to
give you insight into the course—should
you have the pleasure of playing a round
once the season starts again—and, of course,
Tee to Green September/October 2 0 0 1

This sizable undertaking ended—no
doubt thankfully—in June.

Member News

Climbing the Ladder

A White Plains, NY, native, Dennis credits
his interest in turfgrass management to his
father, Joseph, who was superintendent at
Metropolis Country Club for 29 years—
and Dennis’s first mentor.
“I worked for my father during my
junior high school years,” says Dennis,
who returned to Metropolis in 1972
many years— and several jobs—later as a
crew member under the club’s longtenured former superintendent, the late
Bruno Vadala.
During that time, Dennis completed a
certificate from Rutgers Professional Golf
Turf Management School in 1975. While
at Rutgers, he saw his ticket to his first
assistant’s position. “A1 Caravella, Brae
Burn’s superintendent at the time, spoke
to one of our classes and mentioned he
was looking for an assistant. I followed up
and was offered the job,” says Dennis.
He started at Brae Burn in March
1975. From there, he went to Wykagyl
Country Club in New Rochelle, NY, and
his first superintendent’s position. That
was in 1977. Five years later, Dennis
“came back to roost” at Brae Burn—this
time as superintendent.
A longtime member of both the Met
and GCSAA, Dennis is a strong advocate
of our industry and profession. “I’m
happy to provide a training ground for
young people entering the business. I
truly enjoy working with assistants—and
helping them develop into outstanding
superintendents,” says Dennis.

Fun, Fun, Fun

Dennis is probably as busy outside of work
as he is on the job. Aside from being an
avid golfer, he’s become, in recent years, a
Harley fan joining fellow superintendents
on weekend trips to Vermont or on a
4,000-mile journey to Daytona for Bike
Week.
Dennis’s other passion is sailing. Up
until recently, he owned and raced a 28foot sailboat. Now, with family and vari­
ous time constraints, he generally limits
his time on the water to vacations, when
he and his wife, Cindy, take off and sail the
Caribbean.
A family man, Dennis has five children
who range in age from 14 to 35. He’s also
a proud grandfather of two. The Flynns
live in Katonah, NY.
Chip Lafferty, a member of the Tee to Green
Editorial Committee, is superintendent at
Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle,
NY.

New Members

Please join us in welcoming the following
new members:
Chris Barnigat, Class C, Friars Head,
Riverhead, NY
Brett Chapin, Class D, Siwanoy Country
Club, Bronxville, NY
Paul Dottie, Class A, Edgewood Country
Club, River Vale, NJ
Shannon Slevin, Class C, Pelham Country
Club, Pelham Manor, NY
John Tassone, Class C, Country Club at
Lake MacGregor, Mahopac, NY
John Wickes, Class AF, Ira Wickes/
Arborists, Spring Valley, NY

Well Wishes

Congratulations to:
• Rockrimmon Country Club Assistant
Tim Combs and his wife, Nicki, on the
birth of their son, Jordan Timothy, on
September 2
• Rolling Hills Country Club Super­
intendent and Tee to Green Co-Editor
Glenn Perry and his wife, Susan, on the
birth of their daughter, Kirsten Elisabeth, on
September 18

InMemoriam

We regret to announce the loss of longtime
MetGCSA member Mike Leary, who
passed away August 10. A Met member
since 1965, Mike last served as superinten­
dent at Bruce Memorial Golf Course in
Greenwich, CT.
Our deepest sympathy to Mike’s friends
and family.

We’d like to continue our well wishes to Our sincere condolences to Byron
MetGCSA friend Gerald Mahoney, MGA Johnson of The Terre Company on the
Director of Golf Programs.
loss of his mother, September 14.

Remembering September II, 2001
The MetGCSA wishes to extend onr sincere
condolences to all of the families who
have lost loved ones.
Our hearts and prayers are with yon.
God Bless America.
Tee to Green September/October 2001

Steve Mona
olf Course Superintendents Association
of America (GCSAA) CEO Steve Mona,
CAE, has been chosen by Crittenden
Golflnc. Magazine, as one of the “Most
Powerful People in Golf.”
Mona, GCSAA chief executive since
December 1993, was named by the maga­
zine as one of the industry’s “Most Dynamic
Movers & Shakers” in 1999. This year, he
joins 25 others in Crittenden’s August 2001
edition on the list for “Most Powerful.”
Among them was Jack Nicklaus, player and
president of Golden Bear International;Tim
Finchem, commissioner of the PGA Tour;
David Fay, executive director of the USGA;
Tom Fazio, president of Fazio Golf Course
Designers; and Joe Beditz, president and
CEO of the National Golf Foundation.
The magazine’s “Most Powerful” are
individuals who have the ability to influ­
ence the development of courses, the mar­
keting of the game, the number of golfers
playing the game, or revenues generated at
courses.
I “I think the recognition is well-deserved
and a credit to Steve and GCSAA as an
organization,” said GCSAA President
bmmy Witt, CGCS. “He came to GCSAA
at a critical time and, along with the mem­
bers, has elevated the association in the eyes
of the golf world.”
Mona, 44, has a strong record of service
to the golf industry. He was tournament
director of the Northern California Golf
ssociation from September 1980 to

January 1982. He then became assistant
manager of press relations for the United
States Golf Association from January 1982
to June 1983. In June 1983, Mona became
executive director of the Georgia State Golf
Association, a position he held until assum­
ing his current position at GCSAA.
In addition to his role at GCSAA, Mona
is active in the administration of the game as
a member of the First Tee Advisory
Committee, the World Golf Hall of Fame
Selection Committee, the National Golf
Foundation Board of Directors, the
National Minority Golf Foundation Board
of Directors, and the National Golf Course
Owners Association Advisory Committee.
In the fall of 1999, he was selected to
serve along with golf’s top allied association
leaders on the executive board of the Golf
20/20 initiative.
Mona is also active in the Kansas CityLawrence metropolitan region, currently
serving as president of the Kansas City
Society of Association Executives. He was
honored by that group as its Executive of
the Year in 1997. He is a past chairman
of the Lawrence Business/Education
Partnership.
In 1998, Golf Digest listed Mona as the
25th most powerful person in golf. At that
time only one person younger than Mona,
Tiger Woods at No. 2, was ranked higher.
Mona holds a bachelor’s degree in jour­
nalism, cum laude, which he received from
San Jose State University in 1980.

Former St. Andrews
Greenkeeper to Be
Honored With GCSAA’s
Old Tom Morris Award
to receive GCSAA’s 2002 Old Tom Morris
Award. The award will be presented at the
President’s Dinner Show, Friday, February 8,
2002, during the associations 73rd
International Golf Course Conference and
Show in Orlando, FL.
GCSAA’s most prestigious honor, the
Old Tom Morris Award is presented each
year to an individual who “through a con­
tinuing lifetime commitment to the game
of golf has helped to mold the welfare of the
game in a manner and style exemplified by
Old Tom Morris.”
Morris (1821-1908) was greenkeeper
and golf professional at the St. Andrews
Links Trust Golf Club of St. Andrews,
Scotland; a four-time winner of the British
Open (1861, ’62, ’64 and ’67); and ranked as
one of the top links designers of the 19th
century.
Woods has dedicated himself to the
development and professional management
of fine turf and to the education of young
greenkeepers. In his 33 years as a superin­
tendent, 21 were spent at
the prestigious St.
Andrews Links in
Scotland, where he hosted
numerous tournaments,
including four Open
Championships and 11
Dunhill Cups. Woods
served as chairman of the
Elmwood College Green­
keeping Advisory Com­
mittee for 16 years and
was past president and
director of education for
the former Scottish &
International Greenkeep­
ers Association.
A recipient of the

British Empire Medal, the Queen’s award
for contributions toward golf, Woods was
the first chairman of the British &
International Golf Greenkeepers Associa­
tion (BIGGA) and is an honorary member
of GCSAA. Since retiring in 1995, Woods
has continued to work as a consultant
within the golf industry and for the
European Tour.
“How fitting it is that as we celebrate
GCSAA’s 75th year of existence we recog­
nize a person who was entrusted with main­
taining the birthplace of golf,” says GCSAA
President Tommy D. Witt, CGCS. “Walter
Woods has given much to the game and the
golf course superintendent profession. We
are pleased to honor Walter for his lifelong
commitment to golf.”
Woods joins a list of highly respected
past award winners, including Arnold
Palmer, Tom Watson, Robert Trent Jones Sr.,
Tom Fazio, Gerald Ford, Bob Hope, Byron
Nelson, Ken Venturi, Ben Crenshaw, Jaime
Ortiz-Patino, Nancy Lopez, and Tim
Finchem.

President’s Message continuedfrom page 1

Farewell, not Goodbye

With the Annual Meeting and elections
in November, I will have completed my
term as MetGCSA president. Serving
on the MetGCSA board, and as presi­
dent for the past two years, has been a
rewarding and humbling experience. I
feel there is no greater reward in your
professional career than being elected to
serve your peers.
I plan to stay involved with the
MetGCSA as much as I possibly can. I
simply can’t walk away from something
that has been an important part of my
career and life for the past 16 years.

A Challenge

I would like to end my final President’s
Message the same way I started my first:
by stating that the MetGCSA is one of
the strongest, healthiest chapters in the
country. Our chapter is financially
healthy. We are providing our members
with programs and services that are
blueprints for other chapters in the
country to follow. We enjoy the recog­
nition and compensation that is
expected of a key employee who man­
ages the most valuable asset of some of
the finest country clubs in the U.S.
We have accomplished much, but
there is still much more to be done. My
challenge to all members is this: Get
involved in our association, YOUR
association. This association will not
continue to thrive without your in­
volvement. Do not sit back and ask why,
get involved and say why not!
John Carlone, CGCS
President

Tee to Green September/October 2 0 0 1

1

GCSAA’s 75th Anniversary Celebration Reconsidered

And Other Notes About Our National Association’s Future Plans
[_ y M

h

O ’Neill, CGCS

my term on the GCSAA Board of
Directors—I can’t believe I’ve almost com­
pleted my second full season!—probably the
most unfortunate course of events I’ve had
to report is the cancellation of GCSAA’s
75th Anniversary Celebration scheduled for
September 13 and 14 at our headquarters in
Lawrence, KS.
As chairman of the 75th Anniversary
Resource Group, I saw, firsthand, the exten­
sive planning and preparations that had
gone on for many months preceding the
September dedication, golf tournament, and
gala dinner. All three of the events were part
of a spectacular two-day celebration
planned in appreciation of our profession
and the association. In light of the tragic
events September 11, the “show” under­
standably could not go on.
Although it’s impossible to reschedule an
event of this magnitude, GCSAA is hoping
to fold the celebration into a grander-thanusual finale to the Orlando Conference and
Show in February. The board and staff are
currently brainstorming options.
Also affected by the terrorist attacks
were numerous committee meetings and
the Chapter Delegates Meeting. Though
the delegates meeting wasn’t canceled, it has
been rescheduled for December 1 and 2. As
always, in addition to association reports and
discussions, this annual meeting offers chap­
ter delegates the opportunity to hear from
the slate of candidates running for the
GCSAA Board of Directors.
At this year’s meeting, I will be a candi­
date for the office of secretary/treasurer. I
appreciate the opportunity to be considered
and am looking forward to the challenge.

PDI Planning Still Goes On

status. This document will include:
• Eligibility requirements for Class A
• Application and reclassification
processes
• Renewal and reentry requirements
• Point description and values for both
education and service that are required for
members to achieve—and then retain—
Class A status
• An appeal process for members who
wish to inquire about various membership
rulings
The review process for the Code of
Standards hasn’t ended. Committees and
staff will continue to fine tune this docu­
ment in preparation for the launch of the
PDI in July 2003.

Board Meeting Highlights and
Happenings

The GCSAA summer board meeting was
held in Charleston, SC—home base for
President Tommy Witt. In one day, we cov­
ered a substantial amount of ground:
• We approved a partnership agreement
with the national Irrigation Association to
provide education to superintendents at the
Conference and Show, as well as through
affiliated chapters. We also approved an
agreement to jointly develop and promote a
Golf Course Irrigation Auditors program,
designed to help superintendents analyze
their water needs and irrigation efficiency.
• We renamed the Boardroom at head­
quarters in Lawrence the John Morley
Room, after the founder and first president
of GCSAA.
• We reviewed present and potential spon­
sorship opportunities, which enable
GCSAA to provide services and events that
would not be possible with GCSAA funds
alone.
• We reviewed the financial statements of
the association and heard a report from the
CEO.

develop new ways to deliver educational
programs so that they’re easily affordable
and accessible to members. We are looking
closely at the Internet as a viable option.
• The proposed SOP for the newly created
GCSAA Political Action Committee (PAC).
This is important stuff. The PAC is
intended to back candidates for federal
election who support the interests and con­
cerns of the golf course superintendent
profession and the golf course management
industry. The PAC can accept only individ­
ual contributions—none from the associa­
tion. GCSAA can, however, fund the
administrative costs of operating the PAC
(managing bank accounts, bookkeeping,
coordinating reports, etc.), as well as any
costs associated with communications and
solicitations.
• The association’s Internet— or E-Commerce
—strategy. We reviewed conclusions gath­
ered from industry focus groups on the ECommerce option and decided to pursue
the online mall or “storefront” model.
Conceptually, the mall will work much like
our trade show: GCSAA will lease store­
front space online, and then all transactions
will be strictly between the superintendent
and the supplier.
For superintendents, it’s an opportunity
to research and purchase products 24 hours
a day. For suppliers, it’s an opportunity to
set up shop in the turfgrass management
industry’s most trafficked website for only a
fraction of the cost of creating and main­
taining their own E-Commerce site.
GCSAA will continue to work with
Nterline (a division of XS Inc.) in develop­
ing the online mall.
Now that things in our country seem to
be getting back to normal—at least as nor­
mal as they will ever be from here on in—I,
along with the other association board
members are looking forward to getting
back to business as usual as soon as possible.
The impact of our national tragedy on the
association will be a topic of discussion at
our upcoming fall board meeting.

On other fronts, it’s pretty much business as
usual. Working with the other directors and
GCSAA staff as the membership chairman,
I’ve become immersed in the planning and
implementation of the PDI. In particular,
the Membership Committee’s focus this
past season has been to perfect the long- Other noteworthy discussions at the
talked-about Code of Standards that will meeting included:
Tim O ’Neill is a member of the GCSAA
define and regulate qualifications for Class A • The pricing of educational programs. The Board of Directors and superintendent at the
association is continuing to explore and Country Club of Darien in Darien, CT.

3 Tee to Green

September/October 2001

Many Thanks to Our Poa Annual Host, Minisceongo

MetGCSA Meeting

This year’s Poa Annual Tournament was held August 13 at Minisceongo Golf Club in
Pomona, NY. With August’s uncompromising weather, this annual fundraiser drew
only 36 people. Too bad for those who missed this great opportunity to play a very
challenging and well-manicured golf course. Many thanks to Superintendent Jason
Ziesmer and his staff for their efforts in preparing the course for this special event.
Here’s the outcome:

Annual Meeting

Low Gross Winners

MetGCSA Christmas Party

71 Earl Millet, Ridgeway Country Club
Tony Grasso, Metropolis Country Club

Closest to the Pin

Brad Sparta, E /T Equipment
Longest Drive

Low Net Winners

58 PatVittum, University of Massachusetts
Michael Nissman, PDG Enterprises

Charlie Siemers, Lesco, Inc.

Centennial Country Club was the site of both the final round of the 2001 MetGCSA
Class A Championship and the final qualifying round for the Met Area Team
Championship.
In the MetGCSA Class A Championship, Bob Zaletsky, from New York Country
Club, fired a final round 84 to hold off Ridgeway Country Club’s Earl Millet and Blind
Brook’s Les Kennedy, who both posted 162.
Many thanks to Will Heintz and his staff for a job well done—and congratulations to
the following high-scoring contestants for the day’s events:
Centennial Tournament
Results

Met Area Team Championship
Qualifier

Low Gross Winner

Gross Team Qualifiers

67 Kevin Quist, Lake Isle Country Club
Longest Drive

Scott Niven, The Stanwich Club

Closest to the Pin

John Majchrza, Pine Hollow Country Club

Saturday, December 8
Brae Burn CC, Purchase, NY
Host: Dennis Flynn, CGCS

NYSTA Turf and Grounds Exposition

Zaletsky Takes First Place in MetGCSA
Championship

Low Net Winners

Social Event

Educational Events

59 Jason Ziesmer, Minisceongo Golf Club
John Wiekes, Ira Wiekes /Arborists

77 Charlie Siemers, Lesco, Inc.

Wednesday, November 7
St. Andrew’s GC,
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
Host: Rob Alonzi

159 Bob Zaletsky, New York Country
Club
162 Earl Millett, Ridgeway Country Club
162 Les Kennedy, Blind Brook Club
164 Jim Fulwider, Century Country Club

Net Team Qualifiers

142 Mark Fuller, Connecticut Golf Club
148 Kevin Quist, Lake Isle Golf Club
152 Sean Cain, Sunningdale Country
Club
155 David Mahoney, Siwanoy Country
Club

Tuesday - Thursday, November 13—15
Convention Ctr. at Oncenter, Syracuse, NY
Cosponsored by the Cornell University, the
expo is in its 26th year, featuring more than
60 business and technical sessions and an
expansive trade show with 350 exhibitor
booths. CaH 800-873-8873 or 518-7831229 for more information.
GCSAA Seminar: Wildlife and Habitat
Management

Thursday, November 15
Tarry town Marriott, Tarrytown, NY
Cosponsored by the GCSAA and
MetGCSA, this seminar will offer new
ideas about managing existing wildlife on
the golf course. Call 800-472-7878 for
more information.
33rd Annual Professional Turf & Landscape
Conference and Trade Show

Wednesday, January 9, 2002
Westchester County Center,
White Plains, NY
For information on exhibiting at the trade
show or attending the conference, call
914-946-3005.

Second Annual Maxwell Turf & Landscape
Conference and Trade Show

Wednesday,January 9, 2002
Melville Marriott Hotel, Melville, NY
For information on exhibiting at the trade
show or attending the conference, call 631643-8873.
MetGCSA Winter Seminar

Wednesday,January 16,2002
Westchester CC, Rye, NY
Save the date, and watch for details on this
annual educational event.
Tee to Green September/October 2001 o

Giving Your Old
Greens ¡1 \\N\ Look
by Dr. James H. Baird
USGA Green Section

If whatlies
beneath is
working fine,
then regrassing
the surface may be
just what the turf
doctor ordered

ed up with the grass on your greens?
You’re not alone. Whether your greens are
primarily Poa or include several bentgrass
genotypes, their growth rates, color, and
texture are bound to vary—often times to
the point where your club members, and
even you, may become dissatisfied with the
playability of these all-important putting
surfaces.
Fortunately, in most cases, you needn’t
bulldoze your greens to correct the prob­
lem. A less drastic alternative may be to
regrass them.
But this procedure, like many others on
the golf course, isn’t appropriate for every
situation. To help you decide whether it’s
right for you, USGA Green Section
Agronomist Dr. Jim Baird will take you
through the pluses, minuses, and many mis­
conceptions of establishing new turfgrass on
putting greens. For those who decide to
move ahead with this procedure, Dr. Baird
p offers tried-and-true tips for a successful
renovation from Oak Hill Superintendent
Paul Latshaw, who regrassed all of his greens
in 1995, when he was at Merion Golf Club
in Ardmore, PA.

a- The lips and Downs of Regrassing

Regrassing your greens has its pros and
cons. On the upside:
rik ‘ • You create a Poa-free environment— at
least for a while.
• You have the opportunity to introduce
some of the latest and greatest bentgrass
VT' cultivars, which are finer textured, tolerate
lower heights of cut, and are more resistant
to wear, environmental stresses, and pests.
• You can restore uniformity and smooth­
ness to the playing surface.
• Newly regrassed greens will play and
feel more like the original greens in less
time than reconstructed greens in terms of
firmness, resiliency, surface contouring, and
putting quality.
Unfortunately, having the latest and
greatest turfgrass cultivar on your greens is
no guarantee for success without proper
management, cultivation practices, and rea­
sonable golfer expectations. There are other
%* 4 /
* * reasons regrassing could flop:
I g t Ir a
Soil problems. If the green’s internal
Tee to Green September/October 2001

drainage is poor, regrassing will not solve the
problem. In this case, reconstruction may be
the only alternative.
• Greens located in difficult growing envi­
ronments. If the green you’re looking to
improve is in a shady or pocketed area and
there is no way to improve the grass-grow­
ing environment, then there is no point in
regrassing. Even the best new bentgrass cul­
tivars will not perform well under these
circumstances.
• Poa control. Keep in mind that just
because you regrass your greens, it doesn’t
mean they’ll be Poij-free forever. Chances
are if you have annual bluegrass on your
greens now, you’ll have it again. When it will
actually creep back into your greens depends
on several factors: the method and success of
the soil fumigant you use, the annual bluegrass population in areas surrounding the
green, and the labor and chemical resources
you have available to help keep it out.
Also realize that barring Poa from your
greens requires tremendous commitment
and a golfing clientele that is tolerant of
some disruption. The first Poas to invade are
usually the least desirable ones. They seed
prolifically and are very susceptible to stress
and disease. Few courses have been success­
ful in keeping annual bluegrass out of
regrassed greens for more than just a few
years.
If you can wait five to ten years to
regrass, it may be worth your while.
Researchers are on the heels of developing
creeping bentgrass that is resistant to nonselective herbicides, such as Roundup. This
would allow you to selectively control Poa
annua and other weed species on your
greens.
On the other hand, many biotypes of
annual bluegrass possess excellent character­
istics for putting greens, and their release is
pending further breeding and development
by Dr. David Huff at the Pennsylvania State
University. So keep your eye out.

Making a Plan

Successful regrassing takes careful planning
and forethought, which you’d be wise to
begin right now for the following season.
Once you’ve gotten the go-ahead, here are

some of the things you need to consider
before launching in to the process:
• Establish a timeline. The best time to
regrass your greens is mid-August, when soil
temperatures are optimal for fumigation and
turf establishment. Growing conditions are
good during both the fall and following
spring, so it’s reasonable to expect that the
new greens will be ready for play sometime
during the months of May or June.
• Maintain surface contouring. Be sure to
survey each green to obtain an accurate
topographic map of the surface contours.
Contours that become lost or changed dur­
ing the regrassing procedure could then be
reestablished prior to seeding.
• Decide whether to keep or remove exist­
ing sod. This will depend on the thickness
of the underlying thatch layer. If you have
more than one inch of thatch, you’ll need to
remove at least one-half to three-quarters of
the layer. Excessive thatch impedes gas
exchange and water infiltration into the
root zone. It will also result in a softer,
bumpier playing surface.
On the other hand, it does help to leave
the turf with 1/4- to 1/2-inch of thatch.
This helps to maintain surface contour
characteristics, provide a seedbed for
seedling establishment, and provide a play­
ing surface that is more resilient to golf shots
and traffic.
• Recapture lost green space. Now’s the
time to consider recapturing original areas
of the greens that have shrunk over time.
These areas, along with approaches to
greens and one to two feet beyond the col­
lar, should be subjected to fumigation. Use
the same rule of thumb just described to
determine if sod should be removed.
• Beware of Poa annua in the rough.
Annual bluegrass in the rough surrounding
the green will likely end up on the newly
grassed greens. Therefore, it may be best to
strip the sod from these areas and replace it
with new sod that is free of annual bluegrass. Another way to eradicate annual
bluegrass from the rough is to use the herbi­
cide ethofumesate (Prograss). Please consult
the label for specific use information.
• Choose your fumigation method.
Successful regrassing means eradicating not
only annual bluegrass plants, but also their
seed banks in the soil. Methyl bromide has
been the fumigation method of choice, but
recent health and environmental concerns
with this highly effective fumigant will
likely result in it being taken off the market
in the U.S. by 2005.
Another soil fumigant that is gaining
widespread use for turf renovation projects
is dazomet, better known as Basamid. This
product has demonstrated annual bluegrass
eradication second only to methyl bromide.
• Select the bentgrass that’s best for you.
One of the biggest challenges may well be
deciding on which bentgrass cultivars to

If you can wait five to
ten years to regrass, it
may be worth your
while. Researchers are
on the heels of develop­
ing creeping bentgrass
that is resistant to
nonselective herbicides,
such as Roundup. This
would allow you to
selectively control Poa
annua and other weed
species on your greens.

to seven times is recommended to help pro­
mote turf establishment.
5 . To expedite the establishment process
during late fall or early spring, it helps to use
pregerminated seed. Paul determined that
the amount of bentgrass seed required to
cover each green complex was about 1.5 lbs.
pure live seed per 1000 sq. ft.
Before spreading the seed, he primed it
by placing each lot into pantyhose and soak­
ing it repeatedly in 55-gallon drums of
water. If you seed in late summer, there
should not be much difference in the rate of
turf establishment between primed and
unprimed seed.
6. When applying bentgrass seed, it’s rec­
ommended that you use a carrier, such as a
natural organic fertilizer like Milorganite or
Cornmeal, which reportedly works just as
well. Also recommended: using covers, e.g.,
Evergreen, to expedite the grow-in process.
7 . Fertilization with 1 to 2 lbs. actual N per
1000 sq. ft., using a slow-release, nonburning
source, such as a natural organic, is recom­
mended once germination has occurred.
Thereafter, applications of 0.1 actual N
every three to five days is recommended
until sufficient turf cover is achieved.

plant on your greens. If you can’t attend a
Research Field Day at a nearby university to
observe the National Turfgrass Evaluation
Program (NTEP) Bentgrass Putting Green
Test, then you can go online. A summary of
the NTEP Tests can be accessed at
www.ntep.org. The newer cultivars, A-4
and L-93, continue to be among the most Regrassing your greens is a viable option to
widely used cultivars in the Northeast.
consider as long as soil conditions are able to
support turf health and compaction. If
you’re thinking of regrassing, think fast.
Remember, the most effective of the soil
With all the prepwork and planning behind fumigants, methyl bromide, may no longer
you, you’re ready to regrass. Here’s the pro­ be available for use by the middle of this
cedure that Superintendent Paul B. Latshaw decade!
implemented with great success when he
Once you’ve decided to go the extra
regrassed his greens at Merion Golf Club in mile to improve your putting surfaces, be
1995.
sure to provide a Poa annua-free environ­
1. If the existing sod is kept in place, ment surrounding the green to give yourself
remove or scalp the majority of shoot tissue the longest window of enjoying a bentgrass
from the area to be fumigated.
monostand. And remember this: POA
2. Now is a good time to modify native soil ANNUA WILL BE BACK. The question is
areas as much as possible without significant how much time and money are you willing
disruption to surface contouring. Consider to spend to keep it at bay.
using the drill and fill, deep tine, and/or
Finally, don’t let anyone convince you
conventional core aeration in two or more that your newly fumigated soil is depleted of
directions followed by core or soil removal microorganisms and in need of some “bug in
and filling holes with sand topdressing. a jug” product. Recent university research
Further loosening of the soil using a has demonstrated that fumigation does not
machine like the Shatter Master vibratory kill all of the beneficial microorganisms in
plow is recommended in order to improve the soil. In fact, the populations of bacteria
penetration of the fumigant.
are largely unaffected by fumigation, and
3. Merion Golf Club hired Hendrix & populations of other microbes build up very
Dail Inc. to perform the fumigation. rapidly once turf is reestablished.
Fumigation is done under tarps, which are
normally left on the greens for two days. Acknowledgments to Superintendent Paul B.
The greens can then be seeded two days Latshaw of Oak Hill Country Club in
after the tarps are removed.
Rochester, NY, for his insightful contributions to
4 . Paul Latshaw found it best to prepare the this article.
seedbed using a machine like the Job Saver Dr. Jim Baird is an agronomist in the Northeast
or Proseeder, which will create numerous Region of the US GA Green Section.
shallow imprints in the green. In addition,
Tee to Green September/October 2 0 0 Í ©
spiking or lightly verticutting the green five

Final Analysis

Working the Plan

am Directory
© Alpine, the Care ofTrees

Mike Cook, NY: 914-345-TREE
Ken Clear, CT: 203-847-1855
Peter McFarland, NJ: 201-445-4949
A1 Preston’s Garage

Gary Shashinka
Massey Ferguson Tractors
203-924-1747
Anderson Golf Products

“The ground works for excellence”
Steve Hyde: 315-568-6177
Brad Herman: 800-543-0006 ext. 5322

O Aqua Thrf ~ G olf Course
Irrigation

5 North Payne Street
Elmsford, NY 10523
914-347-5151
© AT Sales Associates, LTD

OwenJ. Regan
1787 Louisquisset Pike
Lincoln, RI 02865
401-465-8066

© Atlantic Irrigation Specialties,
Inc.

Tim Marcoux/Ed Santalone
111 Lafayette Avenue
N. White Plains, NY 10603
800-878-8873

Aventis Environmental Science

Dave Sylvester
311 Carriage Drive
Kensington, CT 06037
860-828-8905
© Bayer Corporation

JeffWeld
91 Schofield Road
W Milford, NJ 07480
973-208-2418

© Blue Ridge Peat Farms

Gene Evans
2337 Peat Moss Road
White Haven, PA 18661
570-443-9596

© Central Irrigation Supply, Inc.

Bernardo Luciano: 914-347-5656
Gordon Holmes: 860-296-4804
EMAIL: CentralHartford@aol.com
5 Locations to Serve You in the
Tri-State Area

© Cutlip Golf Design

Ron Cutlip, Golf Course Architect
1404 3rd Avenue, Suite 4N
New York, NY 10021
212-249-2177, FAX 212-249-2177
DAF Services, Inc.

David A. Frechette/Bob Houle
Flowtronix PSI Sales & Service Center
860-528-7362, FAX 860-528-0051
o DAR PAR Sales

John and Dominic Richichi
“Your One-Stop Shop”
914-946-1743, FAX 914-946-0796

DeBuck’s Sod Farm o f NY, Inc.

Leonard/George/Valorie
120 DeBucks Drive, Pine Island, NY
845-258-4131
DeLea & Sons Sod Farms

Vincent Sasso
444 Elwood Road
E. Northport, NY 11731
800-244-7637/516-368-8022
© Down To Earth

David Griffin
All Phases of Golf Course Construction
914-576-7693

Egypt Farms

Dean Snyder
P.O. Box 223,White Marsh, MD 21162
800-899-7645/410-335-3700

Patrons listed on this page are supporting our
association. You are encouraged to support them.
© Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc.

Rob Good
126 Monroe Turnpike
Trumbull, CT 06611
203-452-3100

O LESCO, Inc.

Greg Moran/Charlie Siemers
845-331-4869, PAGER 914-449-6925

© Metro Milorganite Inc.

Scott A./Ernie/ScottT./Gary
Pride * Professionalism * Prompt Service
203-748-4653, FAX 203-743-0458

© Partac G olf Course Top-Dressing

Kelsey Park, Great Meadows, NJ 07838
800-247-2326/908-637-4191
Bill and Joe Carriere: 914-937-2136

© Plant Food Company, Inc.

© Emerald Isle, Ltd./Milliken Thrf
Products

TomWeinert/Ted Platz
800-562-1291/914-262-0111
WEBSITE www.plantfoodco.com

© E/T Equipment Co.

Louis Argento
1 Prospect Avenue
White Plains, NY 10607
914-949-1152

© Fleet Pump & Service Group, Inc.

Thomas Marino, NY: 914-244-1700
Mike Schoeni, CT: 203-853-9526
Paul Carbone, NJ: 201-891-5379

Doug Middleton
2153 Newport Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-662-2727
Kevin Collins/Bruce Pye/Dick Neufeld
425 S. Riverside Avenue
Croton, NY 10520
914-271-6126
DonTiedemann
100 Calvert Street, Harrison, NY 10528
914-835-3801

R. Argento & Sons, Inc.

SavATree

Syngenta Professional Products

Lee Kozsey
Daconil, Banner, Heritage, Subdue,
Primo &Trimmit
610-861-8174, FAX 610-882-9358
© Tee and Green Sod, Lac.

Dave Wallace
Premium Quality Sod for Golf Course
Use, Installation
401-789-8177

© The Cardinals, Inc.

John Callahan
Complete Distributor of Course
Accessories & Maintenance Supplies
860-673-3699

© The Terre Company o f New Jersey,
Inc.

Byron Johnson Jr.
206 Delawanna Avenue
Chiton, NJ 07014
973-473-3393, FAX 973-473-4402

© TUckahoelbrf Farms, Inc.

Skip Deubel
Golf Course Turfgrass Sod
800-243-7582

© ThrfNet

Peter L. McCormick
21 Brandywine Road
Skillman, NJ 07014
800-314-7929

© S.B.I. Connecticut (A Division o f
Sawtelle Brothers, Inc.)

© Thrf Products Corp./TORO

© Grass Roots Inc.

© Second Nature Tree and Lawn Care

© Thrf Products Corporation

© Greenacres Company

© Simplot Partners

© Valley View Wholesale Greenhouses

© Sound Beach Services, Inc.

© Westchester Tractor Inc.

© Glenmore Landscape Service

Glenn S. Moore
98 Hack Green Road
Pound Ridge, NY 10576
914-764-4348

Ken Kubik/Keith Kubik/Jay McKenna
Service ~ Technical Support ~ Quality
Products
973-361-5943, FAX 973-895-1388

Dave Pijnenburg: 203-748-0558
Irrigation Contractor
75 Codfish Hill Road, Bethel, CT 06801

© Hawthorne Bros. Tree Service

John Hawthorne
5 Center Street, Bedford Hills, NY 10507
800-235-7035
Hunter Golf Rotors, Valves, Central
Control Systems

Available at BISCO
110 Raton Drive, Milford, CT 06460
Toll-Free TEL 877-878-0658
Toll-Free FAX 877-876-9950
© Irra-Tech, Inc.

Joseph D. Kennedy
18 Merritt Street, Port Chester, NY 10573
914-937-7273
James Barrett Associates, Inc.

Jim Barrett
Irrigation Consulting & Design
973-364-9701
© James Carriere & Sons

Bill Carriere
Trap Sands, PartacTop Dressing
914-937-2136

Brett Armstrong/George Gorton/
Mark Grenert
68 So. Turnpike Road
Wallingford, CT 06492
203-265-2872

JeffThrasher
54 Sunnyside Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
203-327-9456/914-273-1040

Joe Stahl: 203-209-6951
John Rizza: 518-369-7406
Main Office: 800-228-6656
Danbury Warehouse: 800-889-8215

White Contractors
P.O. Box 484, Old Greenwich, CT 06870
James E. Morris Jr.: 203-869-8808

© Stephen Kay, G olf Course Architects

Stephen Kay/Doug Smith
499 New Rochelle Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-699-4437, FAX 914-699-4479

© Steven Willand, Inc.

Scott Willand/Mark Ericson/
John Ferrucio/Gary Mathis
4 Production Drive
Brookfield, CT 06811
203-775-5757

Paul Mazzola, Irrigation
A1 Tretera, Equipment
800-243-4355/860-763-3581
The Sprinkler House/Amodios:
914-328-0190

Buddy Rizzio
3379 Route 46,16-K
Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-263-1234, FAX 973-335-2491
Frank Amodio
229 Smithridge Road
So. Salem, NY 10590
914-533-2526, FAX 914-533-2050

John Apple/Ray Beaudry
Meadow Street
Golden s Bridge, NY 10526
914-232-7746

© Westchester Thrf Supply, Inc.

Bob Lippman Sr./Bob Lippman Jr.
“25 Years of Service”
845-621-5067, FAX 845-621-7180

© Wilfred MacDonald, Inc.

Glenn Gallion
19 Central Boulevard
S. Hackensack, NJ 07606
888-831-0891

SurfSide Wetting Agents

Liquid ~ Granular ~ Pellets
27thYear ~ Still the Best!
Bob Oechsle: 800-401-0411
FAX 215-836-2418

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