Published by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Assoeintion

B
_ ^NÊm

Cover: Silver Spring Country
Club.

n this Issue
Sherwood A. Moore Award Goes to Peter R ap p occio.......................2
Rutgers’ Dr. Bruce Clarke Receives the
2002 John Reid Lifetime Achievem ent Award ...................................... 5

Departments
Scorecard.................................................................................................................8
U pcom ing E ven ts............................................................................................... 9
Inside the N ational...........................................................................................10
M ember News ....................................................................................................12

to wish all of you and your families a joy­
ous and successful New Year. Time passes
too quickly It seems like just yesterday
that we were all putting up with one of
the most stressful seasons I can remember.
This time of year, there’s generally a little
less stress on everyone. So take advantage
of it, and carve some time out to recharge
your batteries and to enjoy your friends
and family.

Al.iiiiiil Iteyond Compare

The membership of the MetGCSA is very
fortunate to have such a devoted board of
directors and group of committee mem­
bers, who over this past year, have worked
extremely hard on your behalf.
The list of board and committee activi­
ties is impressive. They work behind the
scenes to maintain our day-to-day associa­
tion operations, including securing meeting
sites and planning golf events and educa­
tional programs; keeping members abreast
of association and industry events through
our website and our award-winning publi­
cation, Tee to Green; managing and distrib­
uting funds for member scholarships; and
maintaining favorable relations with state
and federal governmental agencies.
Clearly, your board of directors is a ded­
icated group of people always striving to
improve our association, profession, and
overall image.

New Blood on the Board

At the end of this year, two of our board
members, Greg Wojick and Jeff Weld,
stepped down. I would like to personally
thank them both for all the help and direc­
tion they provided while serving the associ­
ation. Both have been valuable assets to the
board and will be greatly missed.
At our Annual Meeting and elections
held November 19 at Silver Spring, Bob
Neilsen of Bedford Golf & Tennis was
elected to the board to fill Greg’s position.

Tim Moore
MetGCSA President

We are fortunate to have him aboard; I’m
sure we’ll all benefit from his experience and
enthusiasm.
At our last board meeting, I reappointed
Eric O ’Neill, assistant superintendent at
Scarsdale Golf Club, as our Class C represen­
tative. Eric has served in this position for the
past three years. I also appointed Scott Apgar
from Metro Turf Specialists to serve as our
Class AF representative to the board. I have
always respected Scott’s opinion and look
forward to his participation and many ideas.
I also look forward to the continued support
from the remaining board.

Christmas Bash Was a Gas

On December 14, those who attended our
annual Christmas Party at Brae Burn
Country Club were treated to a special
night. Social & Welfare Committee Chair
Jeff Wentworth and his trusted advisor and
confidant, Mimi, put together a night to
remember.
In addition to a great band, we had a firstrate comedian, and even a visit from Santa,
who provided some great photo opportuni­
ties. Add to all of that the atmosphere, servcontinued on page i 3
Tee to Green November/December 2 0 0 2

MetGCSA will award one of its most presti­
gious honors to a deserving superintendent.
That honor, the Sherwood A. Moore Award,
will be presented at the January 15 Winter
Seminar to Silver Spring superinten­
dent and MetGCSA past president, Peter
Rappoccio.
Did Peter have any inkling? As a longtenured Awards Committee member,
maybe. Hard to know. But if he did, that
didn’t mar his enthusiasm for this upcoming
recognition.
When he got the good word, the first
words out of his mouth were, “I am so
thrilled and honored to receive the award,”
knowing full well that it is an honor reserved
for superintendents who have “advanced the
professional image, status, and reputation of
the golf course superintendent.”
Peter is the 10th superintendent to
receive this honor since 1987, the award’s
inaugural year. That’s when Sherwood, the
award’s namesake, was the recipient, soon to
be followed by Ted Horton, the late Bruno
Vadala, James R. Fulwider Sr., Bob Alonzi,
the late Ted Jozwick, Mike Maffei, Pat Lucas
and Joe Alonzi . .. . every one of them rec­
ognized for their dutiful and tireless contri­
butions to the MetGCSA.

The Making of an Award Winner...
Personally Speaking

When I first met Peter—probably late ’70s,
early ’80s— he hadn’t been a superintend­
ent— or at Silver Spring—very long. The
first thing that comes to mind when I think
of him back then was his hairdo—an “afro.”
Yup, it’s true! But that was a long time ago.
Not so long ago—two years ago, actu­
ally— I roomed with Peter (now, with his
more familiar “conservative” hairstyle) at
the GCSAA Golf Championship. I found
out, firsthand, what I thought I always knew
about Peter....

He packs his bags meticulously. All his
clothes are carefully laid out and pressed
neatly. He thinks ahead and has a contin­
gency plan for any situation that may come
his way. Peter had turtlenecks and Gore-Tex
for any potential weather and an opinion on
and good answer for any turf question I
posed. He had a schedule for each day—a
detailed schedule. He thought through and
read carefully all the championship instruc­
tions and materials. (Thanks to Peter I
didn’t get too lost that year).
I could have bet that Peter had that
schedule and an organized way about him.
Why? It’s simple: Just take one tour of his
golf course and you’ll know why too. “I had
one bad year in the last 25,” Peter told me.
He wasn’t bragging—he simply told it like
it was. Any time you visit Silver Spring, the
experience is the same: Perfect!
I’ve walked Silver Spring’s 18 holes many
times since Peter has been in charge, and
each time, I’ve said the same thing: “The
place is perfect.” Not just the fairways or the
smooth-as-silk greens, but everything. And
he accomplishes all this while being a regu­
lar guy: easy to get along-with, approach­
able, and fun-loving.
I’ve roomed with him, played his course,
and watched him throughout his career, and
I have my lofty opinion of Peter R.—but
don’t believe just me__
“I think the Awards Committee could
not have picked a better recipient for the
SAM Award,” claims Westchester Country
Club Super Joe Alonzi, a former SAM
Award winner himself and Peter’s longtime
friend. “Peter has served on practically all
the committees, was a board member for
more than 10 years, and served as president
for another two years.”
Meadow Brook Club Superintendent
John Carlone, who’s the chairman of the
Awards Committee, adds: “Peter’s service
and dedication to the MetGCSA through
his professional conduct, his dedication to
serving on the board of directors, chairing

“I think the Awards
Committee could not
have picked a better
recipientfor the SAM
Award. Peter has
served on practically
all the
comm
was a board member
for more than 10
years, and served as
presidentfor another
two years. ”
— Joe Alonzi, CGCS

committees, hosting meetings, and mentor­
ing young assistants is legendary. Peter is
very deserving of this award.”
At the annual meeting, held at Silver
Spring this fall, I cornered Bob Sommer, the
club’s general manager, and he echoed the
same sentiment about Peter. “Yes, he’s
respected, by his fellow workers and the
Tee to Green November/December 2 0 0 2

members here at the club. He always has
the course in great condition, and he’s a
gem to work with. No one here is surprised
that Peter’s been selected for the SAM
Award.”
Peter was nominated by Oak Hills Park
Superintendent Glen Dube, who served as
Peter’s assistant from ’95 to ’98. “I saw how
well respected Peter was within the Silver
Spring community by other staff and the
members,” says Glen. “He was a great inspi­
ration for me. He’s a solid guy who instilled
within me the incentive to pursue a career
as a superintendent.”

Peter Almost (Jot Away

Peter’s entrée into the world of golf began
early—first, as a caddie at The Apawamis
Club in Rye, NY, and then, as a crew mem­
ber at Fairview Country Club in Green­
wich, CT. Peter joined Fairview’s crew
when he was only 15, working through the
course’s construction phase and every sum­
mer during high school and college.
Peter attended St. Francis College in
Maine, but instead of pursuing a degree in
turfgrass management, he earned a B.A. in
sociology with a minor in business and edu­
cation. After being offered a position as a
rehabilitation counselor, Peter realized he
was better suited for a career in golf course
management and returned to Fairview.
While working with then superintend­
ent Ted Jozwick, Peter received a two-year
degree in Turf Management from Rutgers
and was elevated to assistant superintendent.
That was in 1975. Three years later, Peter
accepted the superintendent’s position at
Silver Spring.
Though managing the course clearly
keeps Peter busy, he still finds time to serve
the association he once led. MetGCSA
president in 1985 and 1986, Peter has always
juggled numerous committee responsibili­
ties and actively participated in association
events.
Tee to Green November /December 2 0 0 2

Right now, Peter is serving on four Met
committees; he’s also actively involved in
the Nominating Committee—and has been
since 1987.

lie’s About More Than Just Turf

“Peter’s service
dedication to the
MetGCSA through
his professional con­
duct, his dedication to
serving on the board
of directors, chairing
committees, hosting
meetings, and
mentoring young
assistants is
legendary. Peter is
very deserving of this
award.
— John Carlone, CGCS

When Peter reflects on his career, he has
many good things to say. “It’s been reward­
ing,” he says, “both professionally and per­
sonally. It’s allowed me to get close to my
two boys, Pete and Tim, and be a large part
of their life growing up.”
Peter’s eldest son, Pete, recently gradu­
ated from Virginia Tech with a degree in
turfgrass management. He’s now the assis­
tant super at Oakland Hills Country Club
in Michigan. His other son, Tim, is a junior
at the University of Delaware majoring in
criminal justice.
Through the years, Peter’s enjoyed
coaching his sons’ various team sports. He
coached both Pete and Tim through the
Pop Warner football program and rooted
both of them on while they wrestled and
played football at Fairfield Prep. Peter still
coaches freshman football at Fairfield Prep.
Another of Peter’s contributions to the
community is his service on the board of
directors of the Ridgefield Scholarship
Group, which administers $30,000 a year to
worthy students.
Peter and his wife of 26 years, Birdie, live
on the club grounds in Ridgefield, where
Birdie is active in the community and serves
as a registered nurse for the school system.
“I know that Peter is so thrilled about
receiving this award,” she says. “He gets all
choked up each time it’s brought up.”
Congratulations, Peter!
Greg Wojick, co-editor of the Tee to Green, is
superintendent at Greenwich Country Club in
Greenwich, CT.

“It’s researchers like Dr. Clarke who have
helped superintendents advance into the
21st century with a new confidence in
finding solutions to disease problems.
— Larry Pakkala, CGCS

professor of turfgrass pathology and director
of the Center for Turfgrass Science at
Rutgers University’s Cook College, has
been unanimously selected by the
MetGCSA Awards Committee to receive
one of the association’s highest honors: the
2002 John Reid Lifetime Achievement
Award.
Though Dr. Clarke is no stranger to
success—having won several honors in the
past—when told of his selection, he
responded with sincere appreciation and
humility: “It’s so nice to receive recognition
from the very people I have tried to help
over the past 22 years. I thoroughly enjoy
working with the golf course industry and,
in particular, the superintendents in the
metropolitan area.”

Award-Worthy Accomplishments

As director of the Rutgers Center for
Turfgrass Science, Dr. Clarke is responsible
for providing leadership to foster interna­
tionally recognized research; undergradu­
ate, graduate, and continuing education; and
service programs in support of the turfgrass
industry.
He’s an authority on root-infecting
fungi associated with patch diseases of turf
and is also well known for his work on the
development of integrated disease control
strategies to reduce pesticide use.
Fine examples of Dr. Clarke’s expertise
and knowledge can be found in the pages
of two books he’s published on turfgrass
pathology and in the many articles he’s
authored for professional journals and trade
publications, not the least of which has
been the Tri-State’s Foundation News and
our very own Tee to Green.
Dr. Clarke is probably best known
nationwide for his coauthorship of the
Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases, which,
now in its second edition, is the American
Phytopathological Society’s best-selling
textbook.
Tee to Green November/December 2 0 0 2

Dr. Clarke is also committed to sharing
his hard-won triumphs over—and solutions
to—turfgrass ills, speaking at educational
conferences throughout the United States
and presenting his research to turf managers
in Australia, China, Europe, and Japan.
Few superintendents are more familiar
with Dr. Clarke’s work than Woodway
Country Club Superintendent Larry
Pakkala, who as the first president of the
Tri-State Turf Research Foundation, was
instrumental in seeing that Dr. Clarke
received Tri-State funding for what has
turned out to be one of his most highly
regarded works: his summer patch research.
“It’s researchers like Dr. Clarke who
have helped superintendents advance into
the 21st century with a new confidence in
finding solutions to disease problems,” says
Larry. “I am proud that Bruce Clarke has
been selected as this year’s John Reid Award
recipient for a lifetime of dedication to the
industry.”
Dr. Clarke will receive the Met’s high
honor—one our association reserves for
individuals who have “demonstrated a
knowledge of, and commitment to, the
game of golf and the science of golf course
management”—at our January 15 Winter
Seminar at Westchester Country Club.

The Road to the Turfgrass Industry

Dr. Clarke will tell you he’s always been
interested in plants and the environment.
When he graduated from high school, in his
Cressaill, NJ hometown, he chose Cook
College at Rutgers University because it
had an excellent reputation as an environmental/agricultural school. Once enrolled,
however, his interests quickly shifted to
plant pathology.
“One of my professors, Dr. Eileen
Brennan, encouraged me to go on to grad­
uate school,” explains Dr. Clarke. “There, I
combined my interest in trees and plant
pathology.”
He completed his Ph.D. in 1982, at a

time when the job market was good. The
world was his oyster: He had a choice of a
pathology job in Bermuda, a diagnostician’s
job at Texas A&M, and a faculty position in
ornamental and turf pathology in the Plant
Pathology Department at Rutgers.
“I decided to take the job at Rutgers,”
says Dr. Clarke, adding, “and I’m glad I did.
It was at that time that I met Drs. C. Reed
Funk, the late Ralph Engel, and Henry
Indyk. They introduced me to the various
facets of the turfgrass industry, and I quickly
learned about the exciting field of turfgrass
pathology.”
It didn’t take Dr. Clarke long to realize,
however, that although the pathogens on
trees and turf were essentially the same, the
management regimes were incredibly dif­
ferent. “It took me at least three years of
working nights and weekends before I felt
comfortable handling golf course samples,”
he says. “It soon became apparent to me
that turf was where the action was.”
In 1990, Dr. Clarke had an opportunity
to focus entirely on turf pathology when
Dr. Ann Gould was hired as the new orna­
mental pathologist at Rutgers.
“I jumped at the chance and never
looked back,” says Dr. Clarke, who three
years later, in 1993, became director of the
Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science. Over
the next few years, he worked closely with
the center’s faculty, the college administra­
tion, and the turfgrass industry to expand
the turfgrass program at Cook College,
raising more than $1.6 million for numer­
ous improvement projects and scholarships.
“From 1993 to 2002,” explains Dr.
Clarke, “we hired five new faculty and con­
structed the C. R. Funk Equipment Storage
Facility and the Geiger Turfgrass Education
Building with generous donations from
turf organizations throughout the
Northeast. We also raised more than
$500,000 for student scholarships.”
This was a period of rapid growth of the
center’s research, teaching, and outreach
efforts. “I am proud of these accomplish-

“I
am grateful to have had a chance to work
with Bruce, and it’s reassuring to know that he
is nearby to tackle the next challenge. Our
area is fortunate in that regard. ”
— Tim O ’Neill, CG CS

ments,” says Dr. Clarke, “and I’d venture to
say that the program is currently recognized
as one of the top turfgrass programs in the
country.”

ALabor of Love

In addition to directing the Rutgers Center
for Turfgrass Science, he is a top-notch pro­
fessor, currently teaching a graduate course
in Plant Disease Diagnostics and an under­
graduate course in Pest Management at
Cook College.
“The most enjoyable part of my job is
working with students and turfgrass man­
agers,” says Dr. Clarke. “The partnership
between the Rutgers faculty and the turf­
grass industry is outstanding, and I’ve
enjoyed working with turfgrass managers on
special projects like the Geiger Building
Campaign, as well as representing Rutgers
on the executive board of regional turfgrass
associations.”
Helping turfgrass managers troubleshoot
problems is not work for Dr. Clarke; it’s fun.
“I hate to admit it,” he says, “but there is
nothing like visiting a course with a serious
disease outbreak. It puts my diagnostic skills
to the test, and I am always looking for new
pictures of turfgrass diseases”—not to men­
tion a new cause for research.
Though passionate about teaching, Dr.
Clarke is also dedicated to finding ways to
control new turfgrass ills. His renowned
summer patch research is cited by superin­
tendents across the U.S. as an example of a
highly successful research program.
“The timing for that research effort was
perfect,” explains Dr. Clarke. “The disease
was poorly understood, many courses had
experienced severe outbreaks for several
years, and I was looking for a unifying proj­
ect to involve researchers at Rutgers from
multiple disciplines. Summer patch defi­
nitely fit the bill.”
Anyone and everyone was involved in
finding a cure for the deadly disease:
Agronomists, pathologists, breeders, biotech­

nologists, physiologists, county agents, and
superintendents were called on to develop
an integrated disease control program in­
volving chemical, cultural, genetic, and bio­
logical components.
The GCSANJ, the MetGCSA, the TriState Turf Research Foundation, and other
local organizations contributed more than
$150,000 over a five-year period to conduct
the research.
“I feel that the same scenario is playing
out now for anthracnose,” notes Dr. Clarke,
who along with Dr. Jim Murphy co­
authored a piece on this truly devastating
disease for the March/April 2002 issue of
Tee to Green. “I hope that Dr. Murphy and I
have the same level of success with anthrac­
nose as we did with summer patch.”

Beyond Rutgers

In addition to his many “on staff” duties,
Dr. Clarke has served as associate editor of
the Journal of Plant Disease. He is on the
board of directors of the International
Turfgrass Society and is one of only two
delegates from the U.S. on this 22-member
international board. He also served as pres­
ident of the Northeast Division of the
American Phytopathological Society from
1998 to 2001.
His work has been recognized by other
organizations as well. He was the 2001
recipient of the Weisblat Award for
Excellence in Research, Teaching, and
Outreach presented by Cook College. And
he was honored with New Jersey Turfgrass
Association’s 1996 Turfgrass Hall of Fame
Award.
Commenting on Dr. Clarke’s numerous
accolades, Country Club of Darien
Superintendent Tim O ’Neill says, “It’s no
surprise that Dr. Clarke has been recog­
nized by other groups before us.
Throughout my involvement with the TriState Turf Research Foundation,” adds Tim,
who lead the group in 1999, “Bruce was a
guiding force for developing relevant infor­

mation regarding many of the top concerns
and challenges of area superintendents. His
work has benefited most every club in the
region. When it came time for the Tri-State
to fund new research, it was never a ques­
tion of ‘should we support Rutgers’
research,”’ but rather ‘which project from
Rutgers should we support?’ You can thank
Bruce for that.”
Tim adds, “I am grateful to have had a
chance to work with Bruce, and it’s reassur­
ing to know that he is nearby to tackle the
next challenge. Our area is fortunate in that
regard. I couldn’t be happier that Bruce
Clarke has been selected for the John Reid
Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor is
well-deserved.”

Industry Reflections

Dr. Clarke has equally good things to say
about the superintendents he’s worked
with. “It’s a lot of fun and tremendously
rewarding to work with such a fine group of
turf professionals who care greatly about the
game of golf and advancing turfgrass sci­
ence,” says Dr. Clarke. “I love my job, enjoy
my colleagues and the students, and am
thrilled to be a part of the Rutgers Turfgrass
Legacy that started back in the ’20s.”
In reflecting on his nearly a quarter of a
century of service to the turfgrass industry,
he says, “I’d like to be remembered as some­
one who has made a difference in other
people’s lives. I also hope that I am remem­
bered as a professional who helped turf
managers, as a mentor for incoming faculty,
and as a good advisor for students in our
two-year, undergraduate, and graduate pro­
gram. Above all, I’d like to be remembered
as someone who cared and who left things
better than he found them.”
John Carlone, the Met’s Awards Committee
chairman, is superintendent at The Meadow
Brook Club inJericho, NY.
Tee to Green November/December 2 0 0 2

Action on the Links

There was a lot of action on the links this past October. Here’s a look at the numerous
events and their winning results.

Top Plays at the Poa Annual Tournament

Two-Ball Championship
Has Surprise Ending

First in line was the Poa Annual Tournament held at Sands Point Golf Club in Sands Point,
NY. Thanks to Rich Raymond and his staff, we were able to reschedule the meeting for
October 21, when we were treated to a great golf course. Special thanks to both Rich and Well, we thought we would save the best
Mike Maffei for a successful fundraiser and tournament.
for last! Bob “Woody” DeMarco and his
Here’s how the golf panned out:
partner, Gary “T. Soprano” Arlio from
Jersey, gave a spanking to the favorites Earl
Low Net Winners
Longest Drive
Millett and John O ’Keefe 6 and 5. Earl was
61 Tim Kelly/John Olszewski
Charlie Siemers
quoted as saying, “When Scout Arlio parred
Cherry Valley Club
Lesco, Inc.
the first hole, I knew we were in trouble.”
63 Jeff Long/Greg Sharp
Woody DeMarco, playing some great golf
Closest to the Pin
Landtek Group Inc.
this fall, led his team to victory, finishing off
Pat Cothren
the Millett/O’Keefe duo on the 12th hole.
Garrison Golf Club 19'6"
Low Gross Winners
Congratulations to Bob and Gary, this
72 Doug Heron/Mike G.
year’s Two-Ball Champions.
Maxwell Turf & Supply Company Inc.
73 Rich Browne/Pat Cothren
Garrison Golf Club

Blake Halderman Takes Met Bolt Championship at Westchester
The MetGCSA Superintendent Championship was held at Westchester
Country Club and contested on the South Course on October 29. Not
much you can say about Joe Alonzi except, “He the man!!” Thanks to Joe
and his staff, we had a great championship day. (By the way, Joe, Jeff
Wentworth wanted me to thank you for picking up all the tee signs for him.
Like you didn’t have enough to do__ )
Congratulations to Blake Halderman from Trump National on winning his first
MetGCSA Golf Championship. Blake shot a 74 to edge out perennial challenger Earl
Millett, who fired a 76.
For our Net championship, Peter “Pops” Rappoccio Jr. beat the rest of the hacks with
a ... I think ... 62. (I don’t know who is worse, Pops or Bob “The Legend” Alonzi.
Here are the other noteworthy results:
AF Net Winner

70 Greg Moran, Lesco, Inc.

Closest to the Pin

Charlie Siemers, Lesco, Inc,

Longest Drive

John “Boom Boom” Carlone
The Meadow Brook Club

Tee to Green November /December 2 0 0 2

— Sean Cain

Upcoming Events

2003 Meeting and Social Calendar in the Making

Here’s a look at our preliminary 2003 Meeting/Social Calendar. Several sites are still yours
for the taking, so please think about hosting an event! To secure a golf meeting, don’t delay
in calling either of our Tournament Committee co-chairs—Tom Leahy, 914-941-8281, or
Bob Nielsen, 914-234-3779. To host a social event, contact Social & Welfare Committee
Chairman JeffWentworth at 914-738-2752.
Business Meeting (Tentative)

Tuesday, March 11
Bedford Golf & Tennis Club, Bedford, NY
Host: Bob Nielsen
Two-Ball Qualifier

Monday, April 28
Rockland Country Club, Sparkhill, NY
Host: Matt Ceplo, CGCS
Superintendent/Manager Tournament

Thursday, May 15
Silver Spring Country Club
Ridgefield, CT
Host: Peter Rappoccio, CGCS
Invitational Tournament

MetGCSA Summer Social

Date & Site TBA

Poa Annual Tournament

August
Date & Site TBA

Superintendent/Green Chairman
Tournament

Date TBA
West Point Golf Course, West Point, NY
Host: Jimmy Pavonetti
Golf Meeting

Monday, October 20
Greenwich Country Club, Greenwich, CT
Host: Greg Wojick, CGCS

Monday,June 16
Hampshire Country Club
Mamaroneck, NY
Host: Tony Campanella

Date & Site TBA

Golf Meeting

Date & Site TBA

July
Date & SiteTBA
MetGCSA Family Picnic

Date & Site TBA

Annual Assistants Championship
Met Area Team Championship

Annual Meeting

November
Date & Site TBA
MetGCSA Christmas Party

Date & SiteTBA
Educational Events
MetGCSA Winter Seminar

Wednesday,January 15
Westchester Country Club, Rye, NY
Host: Joe Alonzi, CGCS
Don’t miss this year’s round of exciting speakers and topics. Among them: The Benefits of
Roundup-Ready Bentgrass; Executive Search Firms: How They Work; Insights From a New
York State Environmental Lobbyist; Dr. James Camberato talks about Nitrogen Response of
New, Improved Bentgrasses and the Impact of Soil Temperature onTurfgrass Rooting.
The 6th Annual New England Regional Turfgrass Conference & Show

Tuesday - Thursday, March 1 8 -2 0
Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI
This annual conference and show’s educational sessions will bring you cutting edge turf­
grass management tactics and techniques, as well as the latest in equipment, products, and
supplies at more than 400 exhibitor booths. Be sure to catch the general session with
keynote speaker Mike Ditka, one of the most recognized and successful NFL personalities
as a player, coach, and television commentator on CBS.
Also available on March 17 are preconference and GCSAA seminars on bunker design,
placement, and construction; annual bluegrass management; Heart Saver and AED
Training.
For further information, call 401-841-5490.

Tee to Green November/December 2002

he three-day Chapter Delegates
Meeting November 1 —3 drew nearly a full
house: 100 of GCSAA’s 102 affiliated chap­
ter representatives convened, first at GCSAA
Headquarters in Lawrence, KS, and then
Sin Kansas City, for one of the most
eventful meetings in their 10 years of
existence.
Representing the MetGCSA this year
| was John Carlone, and I, of course, was pres­
ent as a candidate for secretary/treasurer on
the GCSAA board.
Aside from listening to the annual
addresses by each of the candidates, delegates
were made privy to several changes afoot for
GCSAA members.
This meeting began with CEO Steve
Mona’s customary state-of-the-association
address to delegates, in which he explained
the goals of the organization and what is
being done to help achieve GCSAA’s mis­
sion. (See chart on the bottom of page 11 for
r facts and figures.)
Following Mona’s presentation, dele­
gates—half of whom had never before been
to headquarters—toured the facility and
attended a reception and dinner before
heading on to Kansas City.

It All Comes Down to Money

1 0 ) Tee to Green November/December 2 0 0 2

Here’s where the real meat of the meeting
unfolded. It began with a report from
Secretary/Treasurer Mark Woodward and
j CFO Julian Arredondo, on GCSAA’s current financial status.
Arredondo noted that, this past year,
| GCSAA suffered a bottom line net loss of
$802,000, including a $1 million net invest­
ment loss. To blame, he feels, is the poor
economy, which took a downhill slide after
the events surrounding September 11 and
has resulted in diminished revenues in spon­
sorships, advertising, and investment returns.
“GCSAA has operated below the breakeven point for the past two years,”
Arredondo told the delegates. “However,
the association is committed to living within
its means in the future.”

To ease the budget crunch—and ensure
member services and association programs
don’t suffer—Mark Woodward revealed a
proposal to increase dues from $250 to $300
for Class A and superintendent members
and from $125 to $150 for Assistant
Superintendent members. Affiliate dues
would rise $50, student/educator dues $10,
and associate dues $25. Retired and inactive
classes would remain the same.
The proposed amount represents a com­
pounded 3-percent hike from the last
increase in 1997—a relatively small increase
that would go a long way toward securing
the health and welfare of the association.

Is a líig Move in Store?

Steve Mona and I were in charge of present­
ing the details of another potential enhance­
ment for GCSAA operations and,
ultimately, members: A change in GCSAA’s
headquarters location.
The question of GCSAA’s location is
not a new one. It has come up numerous
times since the association settled in
Lawrence in 1973, and GCSAA feels the
time is right now to consider other options
for its headquarters locale.
Over the past 18 months, the GCSAA
board, executive staff, and an ad hoc group
of GCSAA members (John Carlone, among
them) have been working with a consultant
to explore areas that might provide GCSAA
with not only a desirable, more accessible
location, but also one with a favorable cli­
mate, comparable labor rates, and the poten­
tial for enhancing our organization’s image,
visibility, and exposure to other leading
organizations within the golf community.
Also high on the list of criteria is that the
move bring long-term financial and growth
benefits to the association and its members.
Several cities that seem to fit the bill are
Atlanta, GA; Dallas-FT Worth and Houston,
TX; Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami, FL;
Phoenix, AZ; and Charlotte, SC.
Steve Mona and I stressed to delegates
that the association currently has no offers

To review any o f the
presentations from the
meeting or to view the
candidate profiles, you
can tap into the GCSAA
website at

www.gcsaa.org.

to move to another city and may even
decide that our organizational goals can be
equally well met if GCSAA were to remain
headquartered in Lawrence.
Delegates approved the next step in the
process, which is to bring a proposal to
amend GCSAA’s Articles of Incorporation
to vote at the Annual Meeting in Atlanta.
The intent is to eliminate the reference to
the principal location of GCSAA headquar­
ters. This would provide directors with the
ability to act on behalf of its members in
determining a headquarters location. This
would also provide the flexibility and lever­
age to negotiate and secure the best
arrangement for the association.
A date for the second phase of the feasi­
bility study is yet to be determined.

Contenders for the Board

Following the relocation discussion, candi­
dates for election to the 2003 GCSAA
board of directors made 5-minute presenta­
tions to the delegates. The lineup is:
• Jon Maddern, CGCS, from Atlanta, MI,
for president
• Mark Woodward, CGCS, from Mesa,
AZ, for vice president
• Tim O ’Neill, CGCS, from Darien, CT,
for secretary/treasurer
• Robert Maibusch, CGCS, MG, from
Clarendon Hills, IL, for secretary/treasurer
• Gary Carls, CGCS, from Sunnyvale, CA,
for director
• Ricky Heine, CGCS, from Austin, TX,
for director
• Mark Kuhns, CGCS, from Springfield,
NJ, for director

Survey on the Way

In other discussions, delegates were
informed about a Compensation and
Benefits Survey that will be distributed in
January (available online right now). This
biannual survey will query superintendents
on such things as their benefits package,
employment contract, performance reviews,

length of golf season, number of hours
worked, bonus criteria, management and
reporting structure of their club, staffing
numbers, and assistant and crew salaries and
benefits.
Responses will be categorized by chap­
ter, state, facility type, number of holes,
maintenance budget, years as superintend­
ent, and other criteria.
Those who respond will be entitled to a
free copy of the report.

In Other Discussions...

• There’s serious thought being given to
holding a Joint Trade Show with the
National Golf Course Owners Association
(NGCOA). The NGCOA is quite excited
about this prospect, and GCSAA feels it will
increase the value of the conference for our
exhibitors and for all who attend, since we
will have the opportunity to become
acquainted with a far greater range of prod­
ucts and services and, just as important,
people.

• Delegates received an update on the
progress being made in the implementation
of the Professional Development Initiative.
The implementation process will begin
July 1,2003.
• Delegates also hashed out GCSAA’s
internet strategy, ways to improve commu­
nication within the organization, board
service policies, government relations activ­
ities, and the goals and strategies of the
GCSAA Foundation.

Finally

To review any of the presentations from the
meeting or to view the candidate profiles,
you can tap into GCSAA’s website at
www.gcsaa.org.
Be sure to attend the Annual Meeting in
Atlanta on Friday, February 14 at 8 a.m.
Your support is always appreciated.
Tim O’Neill, superintendent at Country Club
of Darien in Darien, CT, and a director on the
GCSAA board.

GCSAAFacts and Figures

The association has ...
• an $ 18-million operating budget
• 10,000 registrants in education programs annually
• 20,000 attendees at its international conference and show, with 730 exhibitors
and 270,000 square feet of exhibitor space
• 55 student chapters
• 1,800 certified members
• 22 committees and 250 committee members
• 10,000 registrants on the website
Tee to Green November/December 2 0 0 2

The Story of the Met’s Two Marathon Men
by Jon Jennings, CGCS

;t up in the morning before
V_^^sunlight, work all day keeping
grass alive, and get home in time to
go to bed. What else does a golf course
superintendent have time for during the
heat of summer?
Stanwich Club Superintendent Scott
Niven and I thought we would add training
for a marathon to our already jam-packed
schedules—just to make sure we’d used up
every ounce of spare time. Running
upward of 50 miles a week to train, Scott
and I ran the 33rd New York City Marathon
November 3.
We spoke to each other a few weeks
before to discuss the race and determine a
meeting place before the marathon’s start.
The New York City Marathon is a 26.2mile, point-to-point race beginning on
Staten Island and ending in Central Park. In
order to get all of the race participants to the
starting line in time, they must either get
dropped off or take the bus by 7:30 a.m. for
an 11:10 a.m. race. Needless to say, Scott
and I had plenty of time to sit and chat that
morning.

of people walked by in preparation for the
race. We discussed our training program
and the challenges of fitting it in.
Remember, on top of everything, Scott
hosted the USGA Mid-Amateur Tourna­
ment September 21 through 26.

Memorable Meeting Spot

What a Day for a Race

We decided to meet 8:30 sharp at a spot you
can’t mistake:“The World’s Longest Urinal.”
For those of you who’ve never run in New
York and had the pleasure of experiencing
The World’s Longest Urinal, I will describe
it for you: Consisting of a one-foot-wide
plastic trough extending approximately 300
feet in length, the urinal runs downward,
east to west, for flow purposes.
In earlier marathons, Playboy pictures
were taped under plastic covering the
trough, and eager photographers would fre­
quently take pictures of the scene from the
bridge above.
Scott arrived a few minutes prior to the
meeting time, and we looked around for a
place to set up camp. We leaned against a
section of snow fence near the morning
entertainment and watched as the throngs
Tee to Green November/December 2 0 0 2

Jon Jennings, CGCS

November 3 was a beautiful morning with
the sun shining and the temperature in the
mid-30s. Everyone dressed warmly before
the race but always in something that’s dis­
cardable, since you have to abandon your
heavier garments at the starting line.
I was donning an old sweatshirt and a
jacket from work. Scott won the award for
the best dressed of the two of us. Under a
sweatshirt was a lovely pink running jacket
he had swiped from his wife. On top of
that, he was wrapped in a dinosaur blanket
that he assured me his children no longer
needed.
We stayed at that spot until 10 a.m.
when we headed to our appropriate starting
sections. Scott was in the green area; I was
in the blue. That was the last I saw of Scott
that day, as he walked away, blanket in hand.
The conditions for running where

Scott Niven, CGCS

absolutely perfect: nice and cool with an
occasional light gust of wind. We spoke on
the phone a couple of days later. Neither
one of us had the race we had hoped. Scott
said that he was slowed somewhat early in
the race by a bruised Achilles tendon and
muscle tear in his left calf. I was exhausted
by mile 20, and the miles kept getting longer
while my time got slower.
Scott finished in 3:17:19 placing him
1581. I finished behind Scott at 3:36:05 in
the 3900 position. The total number of peo­
ple who finished the race was 31,834.

Time Heals All

Both of us had run marathons before. Scott
and I discussed New York a few times as we
entered the lottery each year with the antici­
pation of being selected. We’ll probably
enter and run future marathons, starting the
grueling training process all over again. Like
a stressful summer on the golf course, by the
time you have to do it all over again, you’ve
forgotten about the pain from the last one.
Jon Jennings, a former Tee to Green editor; is
superintendent at Chicago Golf Club in
Wheaton, IL.

New Members

• Neil Laufenberg is the new superin­
tendent
at Innis Arden Golf Club in Old
Please join us in welcoming the following Greenwich,
CT. Former position: Assistant
new members:
superintendent
at Westchester Country
• David Dudones, Class C
• Oak Hills Park Golf Course Superinten­
Club
in
Rye,
NY.
Westchester Country Club, Rye, NY.
dent
Glen Dube and his wife, Erica, on the
• Derek Grendowicz, Class C
birth
of their daughter, Madison, on
Westchester Country Club, Rye, NY.
November
20.
• Jennifer Mongeluzo, Class C
Congratulations to Pelham Country Club
Sunningdale Country Club, Scarsdale, NY. Superintendent and MetGCSA Board
• Robert Ranum, Class AS
Member Jeff Wentworth. Jeff recently
Atlantic Golf Club, Bridgehampton, NY.
completed the coursework required to Continued well wishes to MetGCSA friend
• David Wilson, Class C
become a certified golf course superinten­ Gerald Mahoney, MGA Director of Golf
Rockland Country Club, Sparkill, NY.
dent (CGCS) with GCSAA.
Programs.

Newly Certified

Members on the Move

Births

• Chip LafFerty is the new superinten­
dent at Rye Golf Club in Rye, NY. Former
position: Superintendent at Wykagyl
Country Club in New Rochelle, NY.

Congratulations to:
• Shorehaven Golf Club Superintendent
Jim Weiland and his wife, Shannon
Mulligan, on the birth of their daughter,
Julia, on November 15.

Our deepest sympathy to Mike MafFei,
who recently lost his father. Mike, a past
president of the Met, is superintendent at
Back O ’Beyond in Brewster, NY.

President’s Message continuedfrom page 1
ice, and food that Brae Burn staff provided,
and you can only imagine what a great night
it was.
The only regret I have is that the atten­
dance was somewhat disappointing. I’m
hoping word gets around on what a success­
ful party the Met put on, and we’ll see more
familiar faces at this fun event next year.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions
about how we might improve participation
in our social events, as always, we’re eager to
hear them. A lot of hard work went into the
planning and decorating for our Christmas
Party. Hats off to all of those involved in the
planning.

one’s interest. This year, both the John Reid
Lifetime Achievement Award and the
Sherwood A. Moore Award will be presented
at the seminar. Read all about the winners in
this issue of Tee to Green.
The Tri-State Turf Research Foundation
has sent out their first letter of solicitation for
funds to support ongoing research projects.
Please, please, please contribute at least the
minimum amount of $150 to this worthy
cause—more if you can manage. It is impor­
tant to know that all of these funds and the
selection of the research projects to be funded
are controlled locally by representatives of
our association and surrounding associations.
This year so far, the Tri-State plans to sup­
port two research projects. The first project
the Tri-State is funding is the anthracnose
research Rutgers University’s Drs. Bruce
Clarke and James Murphy have been
immersed in. Their goal, of course, is to find a
solution to this truly devastating disease.
The second study the Tri-State is funding
is being conducted by Cornell’s Dr. Frank

Rossi. It will delve into how putting green
performance is influenced by microbial and
organic-based products.
The Tri-State has committed several years
to each of these research projects. The foun­
dation is also looking into join forces with a
university equipped to study the everincreasing problem of earthworm activity on
golf courses. I will have more on this as
things develop. The bottom line is that in
order for the Tri-State to fund research that
will help us resolve problems we all face, we
need your support.
Please send in your contribution today.
It’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind
and helpful management measures you stand
to receive in return.
As a member of the Tri-State board
of directors, I’ll look forward to your
participation.

Reading, Writing, and Research

Coming up next month is our ever-popular
Winter Seminar being held again at
Westchester Country Club on January 15. A
varied and well-thought-out program has
been put together that should peak every­

Tim Moore

M etGCSA President

Tee to Green November/December 2002

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