Cover: Rockland Country Club. Photo by L. C. Lambrecht. n this Issue Feature D ig g in g D eep er Into Soil N u trien t T esting Departments Chapter N e w s ........................................................................................................6 Spotlight .............................................................................................................. 11 U p c o m in g E v e n ts ............................................................................................. 12 M em ber N ew s ....................................................................................................13 Ipì Mr resident’s É E E .] ¥ E ' !— MAR | 18 2803 I _ NVi C H IG -N STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES you read through this issue of the Tee to Green, please take some time to familiarize yourself with the MetGCSA board of directors and com­ mittee chairmen (see page 9). O f course, perusing the list of our associ­ ation s contributors is nowhere near as bene­ ficial as getting involved yourself As you can see by the lineup of commitftees, there are opportunities to get involved— and so many components to a well-run association. Beyond our day-today operations, there’s planning and imple­ menting our educational seminars, monthly meetings, and social events; generating ideas for and producing our bimonthly—and we can’t forget, award-winning—newsletter; land finally planning for the future. The tasks are endless. We, as members, are very fortunate to have such a dedicated board of directors working on our behalf and with our best interests at heart. They work behind the scenes, with the help of their committees, making this one of the best organizations anyone could belong to. We are always looking for more able bodies to join our efforts. After all, “many hands make light work.” Getting involved does not, contrary to what some believe, require that you dedicate your life to the association. Just a few hours of your time each month will pay dividends to both you and your club many times over. Try it; I guarantee you’ll like it. lour Research Hollars at Work Just a brief update on the Tri-State Turf Research Foundation. At the last board meeting, we decided to support two research proposals that will have a major impact on our courses in the future. The first was to continue support for the anthracnose study being conducted at Rutgers under the guidance of Dr. Bruce Clarke. Dr Clarke started this project last year and is well on the way to understanding this devastating problem. The Tri-State will be contributing $25,000 over the next three years to this effort. Tim Moore M etG C SA President The second project is to support Cornell’s Dr. Frank Rossi in his upcoming research on the influence of microbial and organic-based products on putting green performance. The Tri-State has allocated $30,000 for Dr. Rossi’s work over the next three years. The Tri State is also looking to support research targeted at helping us understand and control the ever-increasing earthworm problem on golf courses. I will have more on this as details become available and a project is selected. The Tri-State has already begun its fund-raising efforts for the year 2003. You all should have received a copy of the newsletter, Foundation News, along with a request for donations. Please take the time to enlist the support of your club. With everyone contributing just $150, the foundation can continue to support worthy research projects like those I just mentioned. These are research projects critical to your success as a superintend­ ent—and to the future of the turfgrass industry in the tri-state area. If anyone needs information or did not receive the new Tri-State newsletter, which details precisely how your contributions are being put to use, please give me a call, and I will see that you get a copy. If you’d like a complete report on any Tee to Green January/February 2 0 0 3 Letter From the Co-Editor Tee to G reen Does It Again ! by Glenn Perry, CGCS Tee to Green Co-Editor Tri-State-funded research—past or pres­ ent—you’ll find it on the Met s website at Metgcsa.org. Environmental Educational Opportunity By now, you should have received the information packet sent out detailing the seminar the MetGCSA has put together in conjunction with Audubon Interna­ tional. This all-day educational session is scheduled for March 6 at Westchester Hills Country Club. It’s designed to assist all those who attend in developing an environmental plan for their golf course that will put them on the path to becom­ ing a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. We all know the positive benefits this program has in building the public’s con­ fidence in our ability to operate environ­ mentally responsible golf courses. Several courses in our area have been active in this program for years, and many have gone on to become certified. Others have put their efforts on the back burner. This interactive day will prod everyone to make some strides. I strongly urge one and all of you to attend—be sure to bring an assistant— and participate in this worthwhile program. (Jetting in («ear—Again! The winter season is moving along at a rapid pace. It seems like just yesterday that the holiday season was upon us. As we gear up for spring, I encourage all of you to attend our next membership meeting, scheduled for March 11 at Bedford Golf & Tennis Club. Maybe even sign up to volunteer for a committee or to host a meeting. Get involved in any way you feel comfortable. I think you’ll be glad you did. Tim Moore MetGCSA President Tee to Green January /February 2 0 0 3 hough it wasn’t a landslide vic­ tory, Tee to Green took the 2002 GCSAA Chapter Newsletter Editors Contest for the fourth consecutive year, winning in Category #4—publications produced primarily by professional editors/publishers or paid chapter executives. Close behind— one point behind, in fact— was the Iowa chapter’s publication, The IGCSA Reporter. Clearly, we’ll have to work harder next year to maintain our award-winning status! This year, we subjected our March/ April 2002 issue to the scrutiny of GCSAA’s panel of judges, who ranked our publication “Best Overall” across the country. Winners were selected for their originality, excellence in editorial con­ tent and design, and overall ability to communicate useful information to readers. Special thanks and congratula­ tions to the Tee to Green editorial staff (listed below), whose hard work and focused efforts this past year earned our publication its award-winning status. And a spe­ cial thank you to Greg Wojick for his special efforts over the past two years as co-editor. Sean Cain, who’s agreed to take on the co-editorship of Tee to Green, will have some big shoes to fill as Greg’s successor. I would also like to thank the superin­ tendents and green industry professionals who contributed this year— and Pandora Wojick, whose hard work and dedication truly make Tee to Green an award-winning publication. Also important to the health and welfare of our publication is our back page Patron Directory. We are currently bringing our directory advertising up to date for 2003. Affiliate members should have received the advertising package by now. If you have any questions, please call Sean Cain, 914-7233238, or MetGCSA Executive Secretary Ineke Pierpoint at 914-347-4653. Finally, as always, we welcome your con­ tributions: Your ideas, articles, information, and feedback are vital to our publication’s success. If you have a topic that you are interested in, a story or member news that you would like to share— even a shot of your golf course that would make good cover material for Tee to Green, please con­ tact me at 203-762-9484 or gperryrhcc3@aol.com. I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Tee to Green E d itorial C o m m itte e Paul Boyd, Greenwich Country Club Glen Dube, Oak Hills Park Golf Course Chip LafFerty, Rye Golf Club Scott Niven, The Stanwich Club Eric O ’Neill, Scarsdale Country Club Tim O ’Neill, Country Club of Darien Bill Perlee, The Apawamis Club Greg Wojick, Greenwich Country Club Digging Deeper Into Soil Nutrient Testing What You D on ’t Know May Hurt Your Turf by Jim Skorulski USGA Green Section Agronomist u r f m anagers aren’t unlike d o cto rs. B o th rely on d iagn ostic tests to d eterm in e the health and welfare o f — and cou rse o f treatm en t for— their “ patients.” T h ey differ, how ever, in o n e critical area: W hile m ed ica l testin g p rotoco ls are generally u n ifo rm , tu r f testin g frequ en tly isn ’t. Tee to Green January/February 2003 I t’s best to use a single lab to test your soils . The results and interpretations will be consistent time after time, and that will allow you to set up a more reliable— and ultimately effective— nutrition program for your turf * Take soil nutrient testing. It’s one of the basic tools we use to develop fertility pro­ grams. Soil nutrient test reports estimate available nutrients, as well as nutrients that will, in time, become available to plants. Sometimes results can vary from lab to lab depending on the type of technology or extracting agents used and the lab’s inter­ pretation of the results. There is the poten­ tial, therefore, to settle on a course of treatment that may not be optimal for your turf. To avoid this pitfall, it’s important to gain a thorough understanding of the vari­ ous testing methods, the strengths and weaknesses of each, and the means by which the results of the tests are interpreted into fertilizer recommendations. A better understanding of the process will lead to more astute decision-making when it comes to establishing an effective plant nutrition program for your golf course turf. Extracting Agents mm Various chemical reagents are used to extract the portion of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and micronutri­ ents that are attached to soil colloids and organic matter and are thought to be avail­ able to the plants. Different labs use different chemical reagents; they vary in strength and acidity and dissolve different concentrations of cations. University labs will often use extraction agents that have been developed and corre­ lated to local soil types and conditions. Many commercial labs have a variety of extraction agents on hand so they’re prepared to tailor their tests to the multitude of soils and conditions found across the country. More are moving to universal extracting agents, such as Mehlich 3, to speed the extrac­ tion process and reduce costs. So beware: These are more acidic reagents that may extract higher concentrations of phos­ phorous and some cations than more tradi­ tional reagents. Laboratories using the newer universal extracting agents, however, do try to take into account specific soil types and regional conditions when interpreting their results and providing recommendations. The takeaway here is that it’s best to use a single lab to test your soils. The results and interpretations will be consistent time after time, and that will allow you to set up a more reliable— and ultimately effective— nutrition program for your turf. Wondering which extraction agents are best suited for your soils? Unfortunately, that’s a topic still under much debate. A local university or reputable commercial laboratory familiar with your soil types should choose the most effective extract­ ing agents and be able to make sound interpretations and recommendations. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to ask the lab which type of extraction agents it’s using in your soil nutrient test; this information is especially useful if you have to use another laboratory in the future. The Current liuh on Paste Extracts Saturated paste extract is a somewhat newer technology being used to determine avail­ able nutrients in turfgrass systems. This method of extraction uses water to saturate a soil sample and create a paste. It’s been used successfully to determine sodium con­ centrations in soils. More recently, this method has been touted for extracting other cations from low CEC sand systems. The problem is that while water extrac­ tion accounts for soluble cations and nutri­ ents in solution, this form of extraction has the potential to underestimate the nutrient pool that will become available to the plant I f you’d like to dig deeper into soil nutrient testing and interpretations, you’ll find a wealth of information on both the University of Georgia (www.cropsoil.uga.edu/turf/) and M D S Harris (www.ag.mdsharris.com) websites. over time (i.e., cations bound to exchange sites or organic matter). This, in turn, can lead to excessive fertilizer recommenda­ tions. Work comparing saturated paste ex­ tracts to other extracting agents in turfgrass systems shows poor correlation— unless the extracts are being used to measure sodium levels. The rub: It’s best to con­ tinue using more traditional extracting agents for measuring cations and other nutrients in your soils. Interpreting Soil Nutrient Test Results: There’s More to It Than Meets the Eye Acquiring the soil nutrient test results is one thing. Determining what to do with them is another. In fact, it’s probably one of the most controversial aspects of soil nutrient testing today. There are two basic means of interpretation: • Sufficiency Level of Available Nutrients (SLAN) • Base Cation Saturation Ratio (BCSR), known also as the Maintenance Level Concept Which method is best? You be the judge. Sufficiency Level o f Available Nutri­ ents (SLAN): The SLAN concept is the more traditional mode of interpreting soil nutrient test results. It is based on the premise that as available soil nutrient levels decrease, the probability of a plant response to a nutrient application increases. For example, when a soil nutrient level is classified as “Low” by a laboratory, there is a high probability— 80 to 100 percent— that the plant will respond favorably to an application of the specific nutrient. Likewise, if a nutrient is classified as “High,” the plant is considered capable of obtaining sufficient nutrients from the soil and would not require— or respond posi­ tively to—a fertilizer application. This concept is well-founded and has been favored by most university soil testing laboratories. It’s based on data from corre­ lation research—i.e., test values correlated to plant color, growth rates, root mass, tissue content, etc.— in turfgrass. It is a concept based on feeding the plant and satisfying the minimum quantities of nutrients that are required to obtain optimal growth. Base Cation Saturation Ratio (BCSR): Also referred to as the Maintenance Level Concept, the BCSR was derived from a theory that there is “ideal cation saturation” for exchange sites found in the soil. Work done to maximize alfalfa produc­ tion at Rutgers University in 1945 deter­ mined the ideal soil to be one where exchange sites are 80 percent occupied by cations in the following percentages: 65 percent Ca, 10 percent Mg, and 5 percent K. The remainder of the sites would be pre­ dominately occupied with H. This pro­ duced ratios 6.5:1 for Ca and Mg; 13:1 for Ca and K; and 2:1 for Mg to K. Today, most laboratory interpretations use broader ranges: 65 to 85 percent Ca; 6 to 12 percent Mg; 2 to 5 percent K; and less than 4 percent Na. The idea behind the theory of base saturation is that fertility rec­ ommendations for Ca, Mg, and K are devel­ oped to maintain the ideal cation saturation or balance on exchange sites, and that will reflect cation availability to the plants in soil-water solutions. If the saturation ranges are met, the plant will be able to extract the cations it requires for effective growth. While this has proved a valuable inter­ pretation when managing cations in saltaffected soils, there is little research data to show that it is a stand-alone viable method for turfgrass— despite the fact that it is being promoted by some for that purpose. The ratios or saturations can and do vary widely and often do not correlate well to nutrient content in the tissue or plant growth in the field. Critics of the concept also argue that basing fertilizer applications on BCSR interpretations alone can lead to unnecessary fertilizer applications, nutrient imbalances and deficiencies or undesirable pH adjustments, especially in sand or sand/peat mixes where the CEC is low. When Push Conies to Shove In reality, both concepts have their own set of strengths and weaknesses. It’s important, therefore, that both the SLAN and BCSR interpretations be included in a soil nutri­ ent test report. Meeting basic sufficiency levels for cations and maintaining soil pH in optimal ranges will almost always satisfy the growth requirements of turfgrass in the Northeast and often result in a cation balance that is within or very close to the ideal ranges listed for the BCSR concept. The BCSR information will indicate if there are any severe cation imbalances that need to be addressed. Final Word to the Wise If you’d like to dig deeper into soil nutrient testing and interpretations, you’ll find a wealth of information on both the University of Georgia (www. cropsoil, uga.edu/turf/) and MDS Harris (www.ag.mdsharris.com) websites. Uni­ versity specialists can also provide materials that will help you better understand which testing methods are best suited for your site. Final word to the wise: Don’t lose sight of the big picture. We have yet to observe any fertilizer recommendation that will compensate for poor growing environ­ ments, ineffective drainage, a lack of culti­ vation, or suicidal management practices! M Jfc. M II \ Sherwood A . Moore Award winner Peter Rappoccio (left) strikes a pose with Awards Chairman John Carlone. ho says 13 s an unlucky num­ ber? This year’s annual Winter Seminar marked its 13th—and best—year ever, drawing record-breaking crowds. A notable 240 members traveled January 15 to what seems to be the seminar’s permanent home, Westchester Country Club. In addition to attending the day’s educa­ tional talks and visiting the more than 30 vendor booths (see list on page 8), seminargoers enjoyed award ceremonies for two great professionals: Rutgers’ Dr. Bruce Clarke and Silver Spring’s Peter Rappoccio. Dr. Clarke received our prestigious John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award for his research and contributions to the turfgrass industry, while Peter was honored with the M et’s coveted Sherwood A. Moore Award for his professional accomplishments, inspi­ ration to others, and especially, his years of service to the association and the Silver Spring community. Many of Peter’s family members, dear friends, and fellow cowork­ ers were also there to share in his joy and excitement. Snow Mold Strategies With snow flurries in the forecast, it was quite fitting that the educational portion of the program kicked off with Dr. Gail Schumann, professor of turf pathology at the University of Massachusetts, speaking about snow mold control strategies. Her research, over the past five years, provided some sim­ ple guidelines on how and when to apply fungicides to protect turf from the ravages of this winter fungus. Dr. Shumann recommends using a com­ bination of fungicides from different chemi­ cal groups, with at least one being a systemic. She also recommends that the application be made in enough water— 2 to 2.5 gal­ lons/1000 sq. ft.— after vegetative growth has ceased but while the leaf blades are still green. Dr. Schumann and her research team plan to further research some of the newer products on the market, as well as compare the effectiveness of liquid and granular fungicides in snow mold control. For an update on this and other research in progress, visit the UMass website at Umassturf.org. Awards Chairman John Carlone presents Rutgers’ Dr. Bruce Clarke with the John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award. the quality of our greens. Dr. Nelson expects the technology to be up and running by the fall of 2004. Taking Water Quality by Storm Lobbying for Our Rights The talks continued with Chris Revere, New York Greengrass Association Lobby­ ist, who discussed his role in representing our industry’s needs and goals in Albany. He is essentially our industry’s mouthpiece, relaying our concerns and protecting our interests at the governmental level. It’s no surprise that his latest lobbying efforts have been focused on preventing unnecessary pesticide regulations and restrictions. Revere looks to us to keep him posted on new issues and concerns as they arise, and he urges us to continue voicing our concerns at the local governmental level. You can reach Mr. Revere at 518-4633202 or at Reveregroup@netscape.net. Looking for Ylr./VIs. Right Our next speaker, Randall Martin, presi­ dent of Sibbald Associates Executive Search Firm in St. Louis, MO, gave us an inside look at the search process for a golf course superintendent. As you might expect, it’s the search firm’s job not only to meet with the hiring club’s officials to discuss the details of the position and the club’s objec­ tives, but also to review the often over­ whelming number of applications and nar­ row the field to six to eight candidates. Sibbald then summarizes the highlights of those candidates’ resumes and meets again with club officials to narrow the field fur­ ther—generally to a final three, who they will then contact for an interview. What are clubs today looking for in a superintendent? Right up there will a solid track record in turfgrass management, clubs are seeking superintendents with exemplary communications skills—and an eye for detail, Martin notes. The; Road to Round Up-Resistant Rentgrass Just before the break for lunch, Dr. Eric Nelson of The Scotts Company spoke on the future of Round Up-resistant bentgrass. He first refreshed our knowledge of biotechnology, and then explained how the R ound Up-Ready technology works. Basically, it means developing a breed of bentgrass that is impervious to the ill effects of Round Up so that we can knock out our annual bluegrass problems without harming Father and son: Joe Camberato, retired Sleepy Hollow super, with his son, Dr. James Camberato of Clemson University. After lunch, Sabrina Charney from the Westchester County Department of Planning discussed ways to preserve—and improve— storm water quality. In Westchester County, this apparently proves quite a challenge. More than 900,000 people live in the county’s six major drainage basin areas. Charney noted the various pollutants that plague many drainage basins, not the least of which are hydrocarbons and heavy metals, and she pointed to various things we might do during construction or in our day-to-day practices to reduce storm water pollution. Charney explained that golf courses’ attention to protecting water quality is partic­ ularly important due their intensive use of water and pesticides and fertilizers. Common sense and the use of smart site practices, such as aquatic buffers and various other flood control procedures, in conjunction with a sound integrated pest management program will reduce storm water pollution, she noted. In closing, she recommended visiting the water quality and planning sections at www.westchestergov.com for news updates. Putting Bentgrass to the Test Finally, Clemson University’s Dr. James Camberato (yes, he is the son of retired Sleepy Hollow superintendent Joe Camber­ ato) offered us an update on his research on nitrogen utilization and rooting of bentgrass during heat stress. Interestingly, his trials showed that heat stress has no effect on root­ ing and that nitrogen applied at a rate of between 1/8 and 1/4 of a pound/1000 sq. ft. has little effect on turf quality, no matter what the variety of bentgrass. Dr. Camberato’s studies did point to a clear winner in the bentgrass category: the A1, due to its overall density. John Mills is the assistant superintendent at Country Club of New Canaan in New Canaan, CT. Tee to Green January/February 2 0 0 3 Many Thanks to Our Winter Seminar Exhibitors We’d like to thank all the vendors who participated in this year’s Winter Seminar. As a show of appreciation, we’re listing the exhibitors here, along with their areas of specialty and phone numbers. When the opportunity arises, we hope you’ll show these contractors and suppliers the same support they’ve shown us during our Winter Seminar—and throughout the year. Aer-Core Dennis DeSanctis Specialized Turfgrass Aeration 610-367-6613 Grass Roots, Inc. Ken Kubik Golf Course Maintenance Supplies 973-361-5943 Syngenta Professional Products Lee Kozsey Plant Protectant Suppliers 610-861-8174 A1 Preston’s Garage Gary Shashinka Massey Ferguson Tractors 203-924-1747 Greenacres Company Dave Pijnenburg Irrigation Contractor 203-748-0558 Terre Company o f NJ, Inc. Byron Johnson All Your Turf Care Needs 973-473-3393 AlmsteadTree & Shrub Care Co. Ken Almstead Certified Arborists 914-576-0193 IVI-Golf John Brauer Sandtrapper 607-729-5111 The Care o f Trees Peter McFarland All Your Tree Care Needs 914-345-8733 AT Sales Associates, LTD Owen Regan Premium Sod for Golf Courses 401-465-8066 Koonz Sprinkler Supply William Koonz Irrigation Supplies 973-379-3914 Turf Products Corp./NJ Buddy Rizzio Turf& Irrigation Equipment 973-263-1234 Atlantic Irrigation Specialties, Inc. Ed Santalone Irrigation Supplies 800-878-887 Lesco, Inc. Greg Moran All Your Turf Care Needs 845-331-4869 Turf Products Corp. A1 Tretera Turf& Irrigation Equipment 800-243-4355 Bayer Environmental Science Dave Sylvester Turf & Plant Protectants 860-828-8905 Metro Turf Specialists Scott Apgar Servicing the Golf Course Industry 203-748-GOLF (4653) United Horticultural Supply Gerald Fountain Fertilizer, Grass Seed, & Chemicals 732-296-8448 Cutlip G olf Design Ronald Cutlip Golf Course Architect 212-249-2177 PDG Enterprises Michael Nissman Maintenance Building Construction 914-690-1000 U.S. Silica Jerry Austin Construction & Maintenance Products 800-345-6170 DeLea & Sons Sod Farms Rick DeLea Sod & Landscape Supplies 800-244-7637/631-368-8022 Plant Food Company, Inc. Tom Weinert Liquid Fertilizer Specialist 800-562-1291 Venture Vehicles George Corgan Golf & Utility Carts 860-306-6400 E /T Equipment Co. Dick Neufeld Equipment Sales & Service 914-271-6126 Sawtelle Brothers, Inc. George Gorton Turfgrass Equipment 800-999-TURF (8873) Westchester Tractor Inc. John Apple Tractors & Bucket Loaders 914-232-7746 Glenmore Landscape Service Glenn Moore Golf Course Construction 914-764-4348 Simplot Partners Joe Stahl Plant Protectant Suppliers 203-209-6951 Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. Robert Lippman Golf Supplies, Pesticides, Fertilizers, and Seed 845-621-5067 Tee to Green January/February 2 0 0 3 Steven Willand, Inc. John Ferrucio/Gary Mathis Turfgrass Equipment 203-775-5757 Wilfred MacDonald, Inc. Glenn Gallion Turf Equipment Sales 888-831-0891 Picture This Who ’sWho on the New M et Board The November 19 M etG C SA Annual Meeting ended with the following members elected to the board: Back row, left to right: Tom Leahy of Sleepy Hollow C C ; Tony Girardi, CG CS, of Rockrimmon CC; Glenn Perry, CGCS, of Rolling Hills CC; Jeff Wentworth, CGCS, of Pelham CC; Sean Cain of Sunningdale CC; Bob Nielsen, CGCS, of Bedford G olf & Tennis Club; Scott Apgar of Metro Turf Specialists; Past President John Carlone, CGCS, of The Meadow Brook Club. Front row, left to right: Eric O ’Neill of Scarsdale G C; Vice President Dave Mahoney of Siwanoy CC; President Tim Moore o f Knollwood CC; Treasurer W ill H eintz of Centennial GC; Secretary Matt Ceplo, CGCS, of Rockland CC. Chairmen of the Board We’ve provided a list— with phone num­ bers— of each of the committee chairs. Please feel to contact any of them with questions, comments, or helpful suggestions. Awards Com m ittee John Carlone, CGCS The Meadow Brook Club 516-935-6505 Bylaws Com m ittee Dave Mahoney, Siwanoy CC 914-961-8698 Club Relations Com m ittee Dave Mahoney, Siwanoy CC 914-961-8698 John Carlone, CGCS The Meadow Brook Club 516-935-6505 Tony Girardi, CGCS Rockrimmon CC 914-764-5010 Communications Comm ittee Glenn Perry, CGCS Rolling Hills CC 203-762-9484 Sean Cain, Sunningdale CC 914-723-3238 Education Comm ittee Jeff Wentworth, CGCS, Pelham CC 914-738-2752 Scott Apgar, Metro Turf Specialists 203-748-GOLF Government Relations Committee Will Heintz, Centennial GC 845-279-8960 Tony Girardi, CGCS Rockrimmon CC 914-764-5010 Long-Range Planning & Steering Comm ittee John Carlone, CGCS The Meadow Brook Club 516-935-6505 Membership Comm ittee Matt Ceplo, Rockland CC 845-359-5346 MetGCSA Merchandise Matt Ceplo, Rockland CC 845-359-5346 Scholarship & Research Committee Dave Mahoney, Siwanoy CC 914-961-8698 Social & Welfare Committee Jeff Wentworth, CGCS, Pelham CC 914-738-2752 Special Events Committee JefFWentworth, CGCS, Pelham CC 914-738-2752 Scott Apgar, Metro Turf Specialists 203-748-GOLF Tournament Committee Tom Leahy, Sleepy Hollow CC 914_941_8281 Bob Nielsen, CGCS Bedford Golf & Tennis Club 914-234-3779 Web Site Committee Tony Girardi, CGCS, Rockrimmon CC 914-764-5010 Tee to Green January/February 2 0 0 3 For Assistants Only .. Take the Writer’s Challenge or ^ ^ he MetGCSA board of directors, in ^^^conjunction with the Communications Committee, is pleased to announce the start of this years Writers Challenge. For the uninitiated this is a writing competi­ tion designed specifically for assistant superintendents. Now in its third year, the contest’s entry requirements are identical to last years. All you have to do is write an article for our association’s award-winning publication, the Tee to Green. To win the challenge, your article must hold up against other contest entrants’ sub­ missions and be deemed the year’s “best” by our panel of judges. The lucky winner will be awarded an all­ expense-paid round of golf for four at an exclusive country club—which may or may not be in the Met area. The grand finale is a fabulous dinner at a top-tier restaurant. The whole day is free— that’s right, the entire day is on us. Total value: about $700! Last year, Eric O ’Neill of Scarsdale Country Club and Paul Boyd of Greenwich Country Club tied for first place. Their arti­ cles appeared in the July/August issue ofTee to Green. Titled “Climbing the Ladder” and “Finding the Perfect Fit,” they approached the same topic—preparing for and finding a superintendent’sjob—from different angles. Speaking of finding a job, this contest offers a prime opportunity for setting your­ self apart from the pack when interviewing for a job. After all, how many assistants can include a published article in an award-win­ ning publication with their resumes and employment application packages? So, c’mon. Sharpen your pencil, and join your fellow assistants in this friendly compe­ tition. Here are the juicy details: Who is eligible to win? The winning arti­ cle must be written by a MetGCSA Class C member who is in good standing in our association. What should the article be about? The article can be about almost anything relating to our profession. You might write about a great golf experience or work experience. Tee to Green January /February 2 0 0 3 to a lesser extent, will be the mechanics of the piece, i.e., grammar and punctuation. The panel of judges will be composed of two board members— our president, Tim Moore and vice president, Dave Mahoney— and three from the Editorial Committee— Co-editors Glenn Perry and Sean Cain and Managing Editor Pandora Wojick. About a technical aspect of the profession or a human interest story. Whatever topic you choose, however, it must be one that will interest our members. Keep in mind that all submissions may not make it into print. Only the winning entry is guaranteed to run in the Tee to Green. If you’d like to bounce one of your ideas off someone, feel free to call Co-Editor Glenn Perry at 203-762-9484, or contact him through email at gperryrhcc3@aol.com. How long should the article be? Without writing a novel, use as many words as you need to express your thoughts. If the article needs to be shortened— or revised in some way—the Tee to Green staff will work with you to make it work just right. It’s your original, uncut version, how­ ever, that will be subjected to the scrutiny of the judges. When should I submit my article? The deadline for submission is July 1, 2003. You can mail your articles to Tee to Green CoEditor Glenn Perry at 333 Hurlbutt Street, Wilton, CT 06897. How will the article be judged? The winning entry will be selected for its origi­ nality and overall ability to communicate information that’s both interesting and useful to our membership. Also considered, though What’s in it for me? If you win the W riter’s Challenge, you’ll be entitled to gather a foursome for a round of golf— complete with caddie and carts— at an exclusive 18-hole course. After your game, you and your foursome are welcome to dine—on us—at a fine restaurant. In addition, you’ll be recognized in the pages of the Tee to Green and in a special presentation at our Annual Meeting in November. GOOD LUCK. We look forward to receiv­ ing your submission. Scholarship Applications Get ’Em W hile the Gettin !s Good Hurry, hurry! Step right up and get your scholarship applications! The deadline for 2003 MetGCSA Scholarship Award appli­ cations is fast approaching. All applications should he RECEIVED by April 30. To be eligible, a candidate must be a Class A,AL, B, C, AF, or AFL member of the MetGCSA or a dependent of a member. You can receive an application form by contacting S & R Chairman Dave Ma­ honey, Siwanoy Country Club, Bronxville, NY, 914-961-8698, or MetGCSA Execu­ tive Secretary Ineke Pierpoint at 914-3474653. The Scholarship & Research Com­ mittee will select recipients based oh lead­ ership, maturity, scholastic capabilities, activities, and commitment to a chosen career. Scholarships will be awarded at a Met meeting this summer. We’ll keep you posted on the time and place. at Rockland M att Ceplo to Host April Two-Ball Qualifier by Greg Wojick, CGCS M att Ceplo m /m / hen I spoke to Matt Ceplo about Rockland and the April 28 M et meeting he’s hosting at the club, he shared a little-known secret with me: “Rockland C ountry Club,” he said in a near-whisper, “has no rocks.” His virtually rock-free soil conditions are all the more dumbfounding when you consider that the course abuts Palisades Cliffs and is surrounded by neighbors with rocky soil profiles. “Most o f R ockland C ounty is rocky,” he says. Yet somehow, some way, the club man­ aged to roost in a rock-free pocket. Yup, there are no rocks at Rockland. Yet M att and club officials feel com­ pelled to live up to the club’s name and center their design m otif around . . .you guessed it. . .rocks! They’re creating rock landscaping and water features and using rock for signs and benches. They bring the rock in— while area clubs like Montammy, Alpine, and Dellwood would do anything to get the rock out! There’s More Than Rock to Rockland But rock is not what Matt wants Met members to remember about Rockland C ountry Club. Matt, for one, is quite proud of his environmental efforts on the course. “We vigorously subscribe to the Audubon approach to course manage­ ment,” he explains. “O ur members think our environmental successes are terrific, and they encourage all of our efforts.” U nder M att’s guidance, Rockland has become a fully certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Although proud of his Audubon achievements, M att’s environmental efforts pale in comparison to the neverending renovation work he began in 1995. “We rebuilt all of our bunkers and tee complexes and three of our greens,” he says. C oncurrent with this feature work, Matt supervised numerous enhancements to the course’s irrigation system. “The work never really ends,” says Matt, w ho’s been R ockland’s superintendent for the past eight years. “There have been lots of landscaping projects, and the clubhouse has just finished a complete rebuild.” In addition to noteworthy coursework, Rockland, according to Matt, has had some noteworthy personalities in its past. R ockland’s first pro/superintendent, R obert White, designed the course’s original 18-hole layout and was the orig­ inator of the PGA of America. Another of R ockland’s old-time golf professionals, Ray Jamieson, lent his driver to Pro Golfer Byron Nelson. After receiving the club, he went on to win a record 11 consecutive PGA events . . . using the borrowed driver! That was in 1945. Just recently, the club named the boardroom in the newly renovated club­ house The Ray Jamieson Room. of two girls: Allison, w ho’s 15, and Megan, who is 11 years old. M att’s first professional position after graduating from Suny at Delhi was as assistant superintendent at the R idge­ wood Country Club in New Jersey, where long-time veteran Ed Walsh was the superintendent. Matt grew up in the thick of golf. His parents owned a public, 18-hole golf course— the Afton Golf Club— near Binghamton, NY, where Matt got much of his early training and experience. M att’s strong work ethic is amply demonstrated not only by his dedication to his job, but also by his tireless work as a board member of the MetGCSA. He now serves our association as secretary. “I came onto the board when Larry Pakkala was president....W hen was that?? I think it was around 1991,” says Matt, who like many other long-term board members Another of Rockland’s old-time golf professionals, Ray Jamieson, lent his driver to Pro Golfer Byron Nelson. After receiving the club, he went on to win a record 11consecutive PG A events . . . using the borrowed driver! Far From a Rocky Start Before coming to Rockland, which was incorporated as a golf club in 1906, Matt was the Superintendent at Westchester Hills Country Club, where he admittedly played much more golf. It was a time in his career when he and his wife of 18 years, Jasmine, had no kids, and he could play until dark on most nights. “ I play nowhere near the amount I used to,” says Matt who, at one time, sported a four handicap. Now, Matt is the proud parent have little recollection when their volun­ teer service actually began. “I think all who play Rockland in April will notice the many improvements to the course,” says Matt. “It might not be a bad idea to borrow a new driver. It worked for Byron Nelson; why can’t it work for all of us?” Greg Wojick, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is superintendent at Greenwich Country Club in Greenwich, CT. Tee to Green January/February 2 0 0 3 NAUGHTY, Here is our preliminary 2003 Meeting/Social Calendar. As you can see, we’re still looking for two golf sites and an Annual Meeting site. If you’ve ever wondered how you might get involved with our association, here’s a relatively easy way to do it: Host one of our meetings! While you’re running through the available openings, think ahead also to 2004. We’ve already begun plotting and planning for the following year and have open slots for our March, July, August, and November meetings. 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 MetGCSA Summer Social Tuesday; March 11 Bedford Golf & Tennis Club, Bedford, NY Host: Bob Nielsen Date 8c Site TBA 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 Santa’s lap was hoppin’ at the M etG CSA 2002 Christmas Party! Poa Annual Tournament August, Date 8c SiteTBA Superintendent/Green Chairman Tournament Date TBA West Point Golf Course, West Point, NY Golf Meeting Monday, October 20 Greenwich Country Club, Greenwich, CT Host: Greg Wojick, CGCS Our party hosts, Cindy and Dennis Flynn Annual Assistants Championship Date 8c Site TBA Monday,June 16 Hampshire Country Club Mamaroneck, NY Host: Tony Campanella Date 8c Site TBA Golf Meeting November, Date 8c Site TBA Met Area Team Championship Annual Meeting July, Date 8c SiteTBA MetGCSA Christmas Party MetGCSA Family Picnic Date 8c Site TBA Date 8c Site TBA Educational Events Audubon Workshop Thursday, March 6 Westchester Hills Golf Club, White Plains, NY Cosponsored by the MetGCSA and Audubon International, this all-day seminar is designed to assist turfgrass managers in developing an environmental plan for their golf course that will set them on track for becoming a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. The environment is the most important public relations tool we have. Do yourself, your club, and our industry a favor by learning what it takes to become an official Audubon sanctu­ ary. It’s easier than you think! 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 turfgrass 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 opening session’s “A Day With the USGA.” In the morning, USGA Regional Affairs Director Jim Farrell will conduct a seminar on the rules of course marking and setup. The session will continue with a series of presentations that are designed to inform—and enhance the relationships among—superintendents and their golf pros and club officials. So be sure to bring them all along. Next, the general session will kick off with a keynote presentation from former NFL player and head coach and current CBS-TV commentator Mike Ditka. 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 January/February 2 0 0 3 Judy Alonzi • • • OR NICE? Scholarship Raffle Is a Win-Win he 2002 Annual Bill Caputi Scholarship Raffle, held at the December 14 Brae Burn Country Club Christmas party, not only raised a sizable sum for the MetGCSA’s Scholarship Fund, but also awarded $4,500 in cash prizes to 18 lucky ticket holders. Many thanks to all who contributed, and congratulations to our $ 1,000-grandprize winners who sat at Table #3 at the Christmas party. The other prize winners were: $500 Winners • Marc Ericson, Steven Willand, Inc. • Dennis Flynn, Brae Burn Country Club • Table #3—again! $250 Winners • Paul Mazzola, Turf Products Corp. • David Griffin, Down To Earth • John Apple, Westchester Tractor Inc. • Siwanoy Country Club staff $100 Winners • Joe Stahl, Simplot Partners • Joe Stahl, Simplot Partners • Jared Viarengo, Applebrook Golf Club • Nick’s Electric, Scarsdale, NY • Jeff Weld, Bayer Corporation • Larry Pakkala, Woodway Country Club • Larry Scagnelli, manager, Scarsdale Golf Club • Steve Sweet, Mill River Club • Patrick Sullivan, Turf Products Corp. • Frank Amodio, Valley View Greenhouses Mew Members Please join us in welcoming the following new members: • Lee Kozsey, Class AS, Syngenta Professional Products, Bethlehem, PA • Spencer Williams, Class C, Brae Burn Country Club, Purchase, NY Member on the Move Jimmy Pavonetti is the new superin­ tendent at The Edison Club in Rexford, NY. Previous position: West Point Golf Course, West Point, NY. In Sympathy Our deepest sympathy to E /T Equipment s Tom Fallacaro. Tom lost his daughter January 16 after a brief illness. Though Tom is not a member of the MetGCSA, several of his employees are, and he has always thought very highly of our group and our profession. Our condolences,Tom. We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Gerald Mahoney, former MGA Executive Direc­ tor, who passed away on January 30 after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. Gerald is survived by his wife, Peg; two children, Kevin and Janet; and seven grand­ children. The family has asked that donations be made to the MGA Foundation. Tee to Green January/February 2 0 0 3 o iron Directory Action Environmental Group Jack Paz/Frank DeGrazia Pesticides/Herbicides/Waste Oil Disposal 516-781-3000 WEBSITE www.actionhazmat.com A1 Preston’s Garage Gary Shashinka Massey Ferguson Tractors 203-924-1747, FAX 203-924-4594 Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Company Ken Almstead,VP & ISA Certified Arborist “Changing the Nature of Tree & Shrub Care” 1-800-427-1900 WEBSITE www.almstead.com © Alpine, the Care o f Trees Ken Clear, CT: 203-847-1855 Brian Nadriczny, NJ: 201-445-4949 Peter McFarland, NY: 914-345-8733 Andersons Golf Products Steve Hyde: 315-568-6177 Rick Forni: 413-534-8896 Argento & Sons, Inc. Louis Argento 1 Prospect Avenue White Plains, NY 10607 914_949_1152 , FAX 914-948-0255 © AT Sales Associates, LTD Owen J. 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, FAX 860-829-0761 © Bayer Corporation JeffWeld 91 Schofield Road W. Milford, NJ 07480 973-208-2418 EMAIL jeff.weld.b@bayer.com © Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 133 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” DAF Services, Inc. Wes Hall/DickYoung/ Scott Christensen Flowtronix PSI Sales & Service Center 860-528-7362, FAX 860-528-0051 © DAR PAR Sales John and Dominic Richichi 914-946-1743, FAX 914-946-0796 WEBSITE www.darpargolf.com DeBuck’s Sod Farm o f NY, Inc. Patrons listed on this page are supporting our association. You are encouraged to support them © Irra-Tech, Inc. Joseph D. Kennedy 18 Merritt Street Port Chester, NY 10573 914-937-7273, FAX 914-937-8995 Leonard/George/Valorie 120 DeBucks Drive Pine Island, NY 10969 845-258-4131 © James Carriere & Sons DeLea & Sons Sod Farms © Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. Vincent Sasso 444 Elwood Road, E. Northport, NY 11731 800-244-7637/631-368-8022 © Down To Earth David Griffin “All Phases of Golf Course Construction” 914-576-7693 Egypt Farms, Inc. Dean Snyder P.O. Box 223,White Marsh, MD 21162 800-899-7645/410-335-3700 © Emerald Isle, Ltd./Milliken Turf Products Doug Middleton 2153 Newport Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 800-628-4769 Bill Carriere Trap Sands Partac Top Dressing 914-937-2136 Rob Good 126 Monroe Turnpike Trumbull, C T 06611 203-452-3100, FAX 203-452-3111 EMAIL info@lbgweb.com © LESCO, Inc. Greg Moran: 845-331-4869 PAGER 914-449-6925 MOBILE 914-391-2216 Charlie Siemers: 914-232-5825 MOBILE 914-672-2087 © Metro Turf Specialists Scott A./Ernie/Scott T./Dennis/Gary “Customers, Our Top Priority” 203-748-4653, FAX 203-743-0458 O Partac Golf Course Top-Dressing Kelsey Park, Great Meadows, NJ 07838 800-247-2326/908-637-4191 Kevin Collins/Bruce Pye/Dick Neufeld Bill and Joe Carriere: 914-937-2136 425 S. Riverside Avenue, Croton, NY 10520 © Sawtelle Brothers, Inc. 914-271-6126, FAX 914-271-6146 George Gorton/Mark Grenert WEBSITE www.etsales@bestweb.net 68 So. Turnpike Road © Fleet Pump & Service Group, Inc. Wallingford, CT 06492 DonTiedemann 800-999-8873 914-835-3801 © Second Nature Tree and Lawn Care FAX 914-835-2946 Jeff Thrasher Forte Landscaping & Tree Service 54 Sunnyside Avenue Michael Forte/Ralph P. Cosentino Stamford, CT 06902 11 East Parkway, Scarsdale, NY 10583 203-327-9456/914-273-1040 914-723-6632 © E /T Equipment Co. © Glenmore Landscape Service Glenn S. Moore 98 Hack Green Road Pound Ridge, NY 10576 914-764-4348 © Golftec Int’l, LLC JeffMazzarelli Golf Course Construction 1058 Route 146A Ballston Lake, NY 12019 518-399-7388 © Greenacres Company Dave Pijnenburg Irrigation Contractor 75 Codfish Hill Road, Bethel, CT 06801 203-748-0558 © Hawthorne Bros. Tree Service, Inc. John R. Hawthorne 5 Center Street, Bedford Hills, NY 10507 800-235-7035 © Ira Wickes Arborists JohnW.Wickes 11 McNamara Road Spring Valley, NY 10977 “Tree & Lawn Care Since 1929” 845-354-3400, FAX 845-354-3475 © Simplot Partners Joe Stahl 795 Route 148, Killingworth, CT 06419 203-209-6951 © Sound Beach Services, Inc. White Contractors P.O. Box 484, Old Greenwich, CT 06870 James E. Morris Jr.: 203-869-8808 © Steven Willand, Inc. Gary Mathis 4 Production Drive Brookfield, CT 06804 203-775-5757 Surfside Wetting Agents Liquid ~ Granular ~ Pellets ZAP! Defoamer Robert Oechsle: 800-401-0411 FAX 215-836-2418 © Syngenta Professional Products Lee Kozsey Daconil, Banner, Heritage, Subdue, Primo, &Trimmit 610-861-8174, FAX 610-882-9358 © Tee and Green Sod, Inc. Dave Wallace Premium Quality Sod for Golf Course Use, Installation 401-789-8177 © Terre Company o f New Jersey Byron Johnson Jr. 206 Delawanna Avenue Clifton, NJ 07014 973-473-3393, FAX 973-473-4402 HOM E 203-748-5069 © The Cardinals, Inc. John Callahan Complete Distributor o f Course Accessories & Maintenance Supplies 860-673-3699, FAX 860-673-8443 © Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc. Skip Deubel 800-243-7582 WEBSITE www.tuckahoeturf.com © TurfNet Peter L. McCormick 21 Brandywine Road Skillman,NJ 08558 800-314-7929 © Turf Products Corp./TORO Paul Mazzola, Irrigation AlTretera, Equipment 800-243-4355/860-763-3581 The Sprinkler House/Amodios: 914-328-0190 © Turf Products Corporation Buddy Rizzio 3379 R oute 4 6 ,16-K Parsippany, NJ 07054 973-263-1234, FAX 973-335-2491 © Valley View Wholesale Greenhouses Frank Amodio 229 Smithridge Road So. Salem, NY 10590 914-533-2526, FAX 914-533-2050 Venture Vehicles, a division o f Turf Products Corp. Roger Cohen 205 Pine Street Contoocook, N H 03229 800-521-3703, CELL 914-805-3751 © Westchester Tractor Inc. John Apple Meadow Street Golden’s Bridge, NY 10526 914-232-7746, FAX 914-232-4129 WEBSITE www.wtractor.com © Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. Bob Lippman Sr./Bob Lippman Jr./ Dave Lippman “Serving the Fine Turf Profession” 845-621-5067, FAX 845-621-7180 © Wilfred MacDonald, Inc. Glenn Gallion 19 Central Boulevard S. Hackensack, NJ 07606 888-831-0891 Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc. Bill Seccareccia 240 Grigwold Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 800-243-0232