May/June/July 2010 VOLUME40 NUMBER3 WÊBBÊSÈÊÊSSBÊBSSÊÊÊÊS&BÊÊËÊË8SÊÊËÊ Board of Directors President A N T H O N Y GIRARDI, CGCS Rockrimmon Country Club V ice President RO B ERT NIELSEN JR ., CGCS Bedford Golf & Tennis Club Cover: Wheatley Hills Golf Club Treasurer BLAKE HALDERM AN, CGCS Brae Burn Country Club Secretary GLEN DUBE, CGCS Centennial Golf Club Past President M A TTH EW CEPLO, CGCS Rockland Country Club R O B ERT A LO NZI JR . Fenway Golf Club K E N N E T H B EN O IT JR ., CGCS GlenArbor Golf Club MARK CHANT Colonial Springs Golf Club DAVID D U D O N ES North Jersey Country Club PAUL G ON ZA LEZ, CGCS The Whippoorwill Club M A R K M ILLETT Old Oaks Country Club STEVEN R E N Z E T T I, CGCS Pinnacle Turf Inc. SC O TT OLSON Scarsdale Golf Club E xecutive Secretary IN EK E P IE R P O IN T Tee to Green Staff DAVE DUDONES 973-942-0566 Editors PAUL GONZALEZ 914-273-3755 I Managing Editor PANDORA C.WOJICK Editorial Committee | KEVIN COLLINS SCOTT NIVEN PAULGRABBE ERIC O ’NEILL 1 i DENNIS GRANAHAN BILL PERLEE I CHIP LAFFERTY MIKE REEB | DAVE MOFFETT MIKE TOLLNER i GREG WOJICK il this Issue Feature ■ T h e D ead liest Sum m er: ......................................................................... H o w to Avoid a R ep eat P erfo rm a n ce o f th e S u m m er o f 2009 m epartme S corecard .................................................................................................................6 N a tio n a l N ew s ..................................................................................................... 7 R eg io n a l N e w s ..................................................................................................... 8 Designer TERRIE DUNKELBERGER M em b er N ew s ..................................................................................................... 9 Photographer BILL PERLEE U p c o m in g E vents .............................................................................................10 Advertising Manager MARK MILLETT, 914-949-4203 Spotlight ..............................................................................................................11 TEE TO GREEN is published bimonthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association 4 9 Knollwood Road, Elmsford, NY 1 052 3-2819 914-347-465 3, FAX: 914-347-343 7, METGCSA.ORG Copyright © 2 0 1 0 Current Periodicals SERIALS30 N0TC,RCULATE AUG 1 2 2010 MIQHIQAN6WE UNIV5HS1TY UBRAHIW n June 15, Met members gathered at Centennial Golf Club to participate in the Paul Dube Open. Paul, the brother of Met Secretary and Centennial Super Glen Dube, passed away June 26, 2009, leaving behind a wife and three children: Maya, Cole, and Anna. Organized by close friends of Glen and Paul, the event raised funds for the Dube childrens college education. I want to personally thank everyone who came out in support of Glen and his family during this difficult time. Last year, members joined together in a similar show of support for our beloved friend and colleague Dave Mahoney and his family. These acts of kind­ ness are a testament to the compassionate spirit and generosity of so many members of our association. THANK YOU ONE AND ALL! Another Way to Give We recently held a Tri-State Turf Research Foundation meeting, and among the topics of discussion were our annual contribution numbers, which are down from previous years. Though supporting research endeavors may not feel as imperative— or certainly as personally gratifying—as supporting a fellow member, it is another worthy and ongoing cause we should all be sure to contribute to annually. The foundation is aware that our decline in contributions is due, in part, to the economy, but we also recognize that some of it has to do with “getting the word out.” To that end, wed like to start, now, by asking for every­ one’s support. The $200 annual contribution is a small price to pay when you consider what you receive in return. Funds go toward university research targeted at resolving turfgrass ills and maintenance challenges pertinent to golf courses in the tri-state area. To date, we’ve funded research that has spared us costly trialand-error attempts to control such devastat­ ing pathogens as anthracnose and summer patch and such insects as white grubs and the annual bluegrass weevil. But this is just a small sampling of the Tri-State-funded re­ search projects that have helped us in protect­ ing and enhancing our golf courses. To ensure better contribution rates, we Tony Girardi, CGCS MetGCSA President plan to expand our efforts through the sum­ mer months with a call to donate. In addi­ tion to a phone campaign, we’ll make an­ nouncements at our annual meetings and send email blasts to members. We’d also like to make it easier to con­ tribute through the use of invoicing. When you volunteer to contribute, rather than hav­ ing to manually fill out the tri-fold brochure you receive in the mail, we’ll send you an official invoice you can submit to your club. Were working to have this system in place soon. So PLEASE help us meet our goals within the Tri-State so we can continue to support our local universities and researchers in helping us do our jobs better! Come One, Come All Please keep a lookout for announcements pertaining to our upcoming summer events. We’ll be hosting our annual Summer Social and Family Picnic, as well as our popular Education Meeting. Our goal is and always will be to strength­ en our member services and our association; your thoughts and feedback on our events and any other aspect of the association are always welcome and appreciated. See you all at the next meeting and up­ coming social functions! Tony Girardi, CGCS President Tee to Green May/June/July 2010 T) M > í ï-j 1C' i, í r t 71 How to Avoid a Repeat Performance of the Sommer of 2009 Inf Adam Mo el lei', USGA Agronomist, Northeast Region .fVr Visible decline in putting green stand density in a low, wet area of a green. Damage not the result of core aeration. Tee to Green May /June /July 2010 Core aeration along with heavy top­ dressing and aggressive brushing can be disastrous if turf health is poor, especially under stressful weather conditions. ooking back, 2009 was a chalW ith the golf seasoin fu ll Renging season, with turf decline quite comswing, we thought it might Imon. It all started with one of the wettest ¡¡May, June, and Julys on record. In general, be worth revisiting the I single rain events weren’t too severe, but the of rainy days was more typical of series of unfortunate events ¡frequency fSeattle than the Metropolitan New York that took a toll on many of [area. In fact, a number of golf courses Ireported more than 25 consecutive days in our golf courses last sum­ June with measurable rainfall. Air temperatures were cooler than normer. Though clearly a sum­ jjmal, allowing turf—though compromised by prolonged saturation—to keep up appearmer most would rather not {iances until mid- to late August when a Iperiod of unusually high temperatures, couremember, reflecting on . pled with coring and ongoing maintenance what occurred can help us I practices, pushed tu rf on many golf courses lover the edge. not only identify the [ It was a perfect storm of events that chalilenged even the most experienced superinstrengths and weaknesses of tendents. With problems brewing well our maintenance programs, 5beneath the soil’s surface, many tu rf man­ agers were fooled into thinking things but also consider measures f weren’t as precarious as they were, and they | forged ahead in an attempt to satisfy golfers’ we might take to keep a high expectations and clubs’ golf calendars. | With that said, here’s a full account of the sim ilar tragedy from hap­ {events leading up to one of the deadliest pening again. I summers on record ... along with measures you might take to guard against a similar set We are pleased to have 1of unfortunate circumstances in the future. U SGA Agronomist Adam fGettb «5 tA t (of P i i A t t n Moeller share his observa­ ■Problem #1 was too much rain. When it tions on the set of unusual {comes to water, you can get too much of la good thing—particularly on turf. It’s circumstances that p u t golf to* no secret that under prolonged saturation, tu rf problems from mechanical injury, course greens in jeopardy pathogen activity, and root death are difficult to prevent. throughout the Northeast. The excessive rain last spring and summer I f nothing else, it w ill serve fe made course maintenance a challenge, par* ticularly when it came to mowing. Two sce­ as reminder that, some­ narios existed. One: Mow too often and risk mechanical injury. Two: Reduce times, no matter how astute widespread mowing frequency and battle clipping issues, poor mowing quality, and golfer complaints. our agronomic practices, A good option really didn’t exist. Even with Mother Nature gets the ^reduced mowing frequency, superintendents were left with mower damage on at least a best of us. f fairway or two. Most problems observed on 11 fairways, however, seemed minor compared to damage experienced on putting greens. Putting greens can survive under some very intense and stressful conditions, but turf challenges will eventually surface if soil oxy­ gen is deficient, sunlight is poor, or too little or too much water is supplied. Ever drive past a cornfield and notice an obvious decline of corn height and quality when a crop is growing in a low, wet area of a farm? It seems fairly obvious, even to non­ farmers, that waterlogged soils are to blame. The same lack of vigor and stunted growth or damage observed in low-lying, water­ logged cornfields were replicated last summer on low, wet portions of putting greens across the Northeast region. Most golfers, however, were hard-pressed to correlate this damage to saturated soils. If tu rf growing on poorly drained greens survived through the first half of August, core cultivation in mid- to late August proved to be more than the tu rf could handle. Co>i C t ilt iw t b h : ¿%99À P w e tie e ¿¡»he & a 4 Core cultivation—like fertilization, mowing, and topdressing—is one of the cultural prac­ tices essential to producing high-quality put­ ting green turf. As superintendents know, it’s a great way to rejuvenate putting greens and improve long-term tu rf performance by maintaining adequate drainage and soil oxy­ gen levels. Despite its well-documented benefits— root zone modification, thatch removal/man­ agement, improved gas exchange, increased drainage and rooting, compaction relief, and alleviation of root zone layering—most golfers are less than fond of the process. Knowing this, superintendents try to sched­ ule core aerification to accommodate the golf calendar and disrupt play as little as possible. Traditional coring times used to be late April and early September. Mid- to late August is now the most common time to perform core cultivation. Seasonal workers are generally still available to help and, more important, there are fewer golfers since peo­ ple typically take their family vacations dur­ ing that time. But coring in mid- to late August also Tee to Green May /June /July 2010 Rainfall Data-Westchester County Average and actual rainfall in 2010 in Westchester County, NY. 10 ■ Actual Rainfall y fnopoife fuM M eyn/e>e ho fteyff{nl if soil oxygen is deficient, water/nutrient uptake is decreased and carbon dioxide accu­ mulates to potentially damaging levels. • Putting greens with poor sun exposure and/or air circulation were also injured more severely • Plant carbohydrate status tends to be low­ est in July and August, which also may have led to some of the decline. • Damage was most severe on Poa annua turf due to its shallow rooting nature and intoler­ ance to weather extremes. Some creeping bentgrass was injured as well. • Finally, tu rf on putting greens may have been weaker than normal due to the wet spring, which compromised root health and development, increasing the likelihood for mechanical injury from coring, as well as the threat of summer patch and anthracnose. The bottom line: With root health far from optimal, and intolerable heat stress along with core cultivation and abrasive topdress­ ing to backfill cultivation channels, the wide­ spread damage makes perfect sense. futureFiAfCM T urf loss, especially on putting greens, can evoke a firestorm of questions from golfers and course officials determined to place blame on a particular aspect of the mainte­ nance regime, golf course, or superintendent. tA*t tAe m o ft*ei/e>e(y tAe yefklto( ewe cultiva m^tAey In most instances, however, the cause is multi-faceted. Identifying all of the potential causes is necessary to prevent similar prob­ lems in the future. First, the agronomic considerations. In­ crease your turfs chances of survival by: • Improving putting green microenviron­ ments by removing trees or installing fans to promote sun and air circulation • Installing adequate drainage to improve root health and vigor The importance of adequate drainage and good putting green microenvironments far outweighs just about everything else at the golf facility. After all, the golf course is the primary asset at every facility, and protecting it through various improvements is necessary if turf loss is to be avoided. Another wise move: Agree on an alternate date for coring. Though, admittedly, the pres­ sure not to disrupt the golf calendar has never been higher, there are times, like last year, when changing a golf outing to accommo­ date a necessary shift in the coring schedule is well worth any inconvenience. The reality is that the golf calendar is likely to suffer more disruption if superintendents proceed with coring despite unfavorable weather, tu rf health, or equipment problems that, in turn, result in greens that are unplayable. in tfé c o n d o( Setting an alternate date at the start of the season will enable superintendents to allow for the unexpected and ensure that coring is performed during the most appropriate time with the least risk for turf problems. When setting dates, keep in mind that the likelihood for hot, humid weather gradually diminishes as mid-August transitions into late-August and the First week of September. Much beyond that time, turf recovery can be prolonged and other agronomic issues can develop. In tAe.£h4 Losing turf always prompts closer scrutiny of maintenance programs and imperfections in course construction. In some instances, pro­ viding a backup coring date may be the only adjustment needed, while other courses may need large-scale drainage projects, tree re­ moval, or other measures taken to improve putting green microenvironments. Either way, problems experienced last year exposed weaknesses in both golf courses and mainte­ nance programs that no one can afford to ignore. Literature Cited: Jackson, M.B. and M. C. Drew. 1984. Effects o f flooding on grow th and metabolisms o f herbaceous plants. In Kozlowszi T.T. (eds.): Flooding and Plant Growth, p. 49. Core aeration is a highly valuable cultural practice for putting greens. ■' ■_ „ 1 *v. : L - ~ k*w - - - 7' '-F t - tea tô ** - "2Q1ÛU Scorecard North Jersey Shines for Dave Mahoney Two-Ball Championship Qualifier Supers and Managers Contest Best-Ball Event n Wednesday, May 19, Met mem­ bers enjoyed a great day of golf and camaraderie with their managers and friends at the Connecticut Golf Club, where a full field of 34 players hotly contested the Superintendent/M anager/Superintendent Member or Guest Tournament. The Connecticut Club was very gracious in hosting our event and made everyone feel welcome. Mark Fuller and his assistant, Bob Welch, had the course in fantastic condition. Bobby tested our golfing abilities with chal­ lenging pin placements and slippery greens. The field was divided into two divisions: superintendent/manager and superintendent/member or guest. Here’s a look at the winning results: Superintendiint/Manager Team Results Gross Team Winners 82 83 Scott Niven/Peter Tunley The Stanwich Club Anthony Hooks/Carl Collins Pelham/Split Rock Golf Club Net Team Winners 67 68 Matt Ceplo/Ed Noroian Rockland Country Club Joe Alonzi/Bob James Westchester Country Club Supcrintcndent/Mcmhcr or Guest Results Gross Team Winner 80 Mark Chant/Larry Pakkala Colonial Springs Golf Club/Plant Food Co. (won in a match of cards) Net Team Winner 69 Bobby Welch/Dennis DeSanctis Connecticut Golf Club/Syngei Professional Products e had great weather— de­ spite the wind—and a great turnout for the second annual Dave Mahoney Two-Ball Championship Qualifier held May 10 at North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, NJ. Golf Course Superintendent David Dudones and his staff had the course in tremendous shape. North Jersey Country Club is one of the true hidden gems in the Metropolitan New York area. The greens were a particularly hot topic after the event, with many commenting that North Jersey’s greens were among the finest they’d ever seen. Well done, Dave! Many thanks to General Manager John Stanley and the entire NJCC staff for pro­ viding such wonderful service. We’d also like to offer special thanks to North Jersey’s membership for hosting our event. Without their generosity, we never would have had the opportunity to play such a wonderful course. For those who qualified to play in the Two-Ball, please remember to complete your matches by the following deadlines: Round 1 ~June 25 Quarter-Finals ~ July 30 Semi-Finals ~ September 3 Finals ~ October 1 Also note that the winning team from each match is required to report its score to Ken Benoit. Check the website for deadline reminders, updated match results, and Ken’s contact information. In the meantime, here’s a look at the day’s golf results. Two-Ball Qualifier Results Here’s the lineup of Two-Ball Qualifiers, along with their first-round match assign­ ments, which are underway: First Flight 1) 16) Closest to the Pin 8) #8 Doug McHale, Guest #10 Mark Chant Colonial Springs Golj 9) longest Drive #6 George Corgan, Steven Willand, Inc. #18 Dennis DeSanctis Syngenta Professional Products Tee to Green May/June/July 2010 Mike Benz/Mark Chant Middle Bay CC/Colonial Springs GC vs. Bye Grover Alexander/David Dudones Hudson Hills GC/North Jersey CC vs. Scott Niven/Larry Pakkala The Stanwich Club/Plant Food Company 5) Brian Benedict/Bob Lippman Jr. The Seawane Club/Westchester Turf Supply vs. Dennis DeSanctis/Guy Gurney Syngenta/Orange County GC 12) 4) Glen Dube/Blake Halderman Centennial GC/Brae Burn CC vs. Tony Hooks/Jeff Wentworth Pelham / Split Rock GC/Pelham CC 13) 6) Tony Grasso/Scott Tretera Metropolis CC/Metro Turf Specialists vs. 11) Ryan Batz/Scott Blough John Deere Golf/Trump National G C /N Y 3) Bob DeMarco/Earl Millett The Powelton Club/Ridgeway CC vs. Matt Ceplo/Jim Swiatlowski Rockland CC/Montammy GC 14) 7) Sean Cain/Stephen Rabideau Sunningdale CC/Wheatley Hills GC vs. Paul Dotti/D ick Neufeld Edgewood CC/Plant Food Company 10) 2) Dave Lippman/Matt Topazio Westchester Turf Supply/New York CC vs. George Corgan/Matt Severino Steven Willand, Inc. /Scarsdale GC 15) Second Flight 1) Dennis Granahan/Jim Schell Navesink CC/The Stanwich Club vs. Bye 16) 8) Jeff Scott/Bobby Steinman Tamarack CC /Metro Turf Specialists vs. Mark Fuller/Jim Calladio Connecticut GC/LaCorte Equipments Co. 9) £ 5) Ken Benoit/Greg Gutter GlenArbor GC/Mount Kisco CC vs. Tony Girardi/Jeff Thrasher Rockrimmon CC/Second Nature Tree & Landscape Co. 12) ; 4) Tim Garceau/Ernie Steinhofer Tuxedo Club/Metro Turf Specialists vs. 13) Joe Gardner/Tom Weinert Fresh Meadow CC/Plant Food Co. 6) 11) Kevin Collins/Nick Lerner Aquatrols, Inc. /Bonnie Briar CC vs. Paul Gonzalez/Lou Quick Whippoorwill Club/Angleb rook GC Bob Neilsen/Bill Perlee Bedford Golf & Tennis /Apawamis Club vs. 14) Brett Chapin/Greg Wojick Redding CC/Playbooksfor Golf National News Woodward Steps Down as GCSAA CEO 3) 7) 10) 2) 15) Rob Alonzi/Mike Cook Fenway GC/The Care of Trees vs. Joe Alonzi/Bob Alonzi Westchester CC/Life A Eddie Binsse/Dan Cancelled Life A / Life AF vs. Paul Boyd/Matt Leverich Greenwich CC/Playbooksfor Golf Two-Ball Event Results Low Gross Winners 72 Ken Kubik/Tim McAvoy Grass Roots/Fox Hollow GC 76 Bob DeMarco/Earl Millett The Powelton Club/Ridgeway CC 78 Glen Dube/Blake Halderman Centennial GC/Brae Burn CC Low Net Winners 68 Glenn Gallion/Bruce Pye Wilfred MacDonald/LaCorte Equipment 70 David Lippman/Matt Topazio Westchester Turf Supply/New York CC 71 John Bresnahan/Charlie Siemers BASF Chemical/Emerald Tree Care Co. Closest to the Pin #2 Glenn Gallion Wilfred MacDonald #7 Dennis DeSanctis, Syngenta #13 Sean Cain, Sunningdale CC #15 Tim McAvoy Fox Hollow GC 14’ 5" T 6” 9’ 6” 28’ 5” was director of the parks, recreation, and commercial facilities division for the City of Mesa, AZ, where he managed a staff of more than 700. The search process to fill the CEO posi­ tion will involve the services of an executive search firm with the ultimate selection by the GCSAA Board of Directors. The process will begin immediately, although no tim e­ table has been established to identify a replacement. IRRIGATIOIll'LLC. William Bartels President Corporate Office 5 North Payne Street Elmsiord, NY 10523 www.tantoirfigation.com Longest Drive Charlie Siemers Emerald Tree Care Co. Mike Scott, Wykagyl CC ark Woodward, GCSAAs chief executive officer since July 2008, has resigned to pursue other career interests. He came to GCSAA after serving as operations manager for the City of San Diego, hosting the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. He also served as GCSAA president in 2004. “Mark is a talented individual who has made solid contributions to GCSAA,” says GCSAA President James Fitzroy, not­ ing, in particular, Woodward’s role in guiding GCSAA through one of the na­ tion’s most severe economic downturns in years. “He has been a fine representa­ tive and a strong steward for the organiza­ tion,” says Fitzroy, who credits Woodward with gaining recognition for GCSAAs research, programs, and education regard­ ing golf’s relationship with the environ­ ment. “We wish him well,” says Fitzroy, “in his future endeavors.” R hett Evans, GCSAA chief operating officer, has been named interim CEO while the organization’s board of direc­ tors conducts a nationwide search to determine Woodward’s successor. Prior to arriving at GCSAA in July 2009, Evans Office (914) 347-5151 ext. 15 Fax (914) 3 4 7-6323 Cell (914) 447-8872 Dir. Connect 1 7 2 *5 5 0 7 1 *5 2 Email: wbartels@tantoirrigation.com 268 yds. 287 yds. Tee to Green May /June/July 2010 MetGCSA Members Roll Out the Red Carpet for UK Counterparts by M att Ceplo, CG CS arly May, nine Met-area superin^ tendents and other industry profes, sionals played host to two environ­ mental award winners from the United Kingdom. After reviewing more than 100 applicants, the UK’s Sports T urf Research Institute (STRI) awarded its prestigious Golf Environment Awards to Graeme Taylor of St. Andrew’s Links Trust and Matt Worster of Minchinhampton Golf Club. The two were treated to a five-day, all-expense-paid trip to some of the finest golf courses in the U.S. St. Andrew’s and Graeme Taylor earned the STRI’s Overall Achievement Award for their work in eliminating gorse across the dunes on Jubilee Course and restoring a diverse and ecologically rich grassland. Minchinhampton and Matt Worster won the Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year Award. The club has fully embraced such positive initiatives as green waste compost­ ing, recycling, and energy efficiency, which have enabled the club to operate in har­ mony with the environment. Joining Graeme and Matt on the trip was STRI’s Ecology & Environment Senior Consultant Lee Penrose. The first stop on their tour was Pine Valley Golf Club with Rick Christian. From there, they went on to the USGA Golf House, Rutgers University with Dr. Jim Murphy, Rockland Country Club with me, Westchester Country Club with Joe Alonzi, Sebonack Golf Club with Garret Bodington, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club with Mark Michaud, National Golf Links with William Salinetti, and Bethpage with Andy Wilson. It was interesting talking to Graeme and Matt. Never having been “across the pond,” it didn’t occur to me that they had to put a substantial amount of time and energy into attaining that wispy links look. Right now, in fact, they’re working on a new method for achieving that look we’ve all been striv­ ing for. It involves scarification of the turf, then mowing at different heights, followed by seeding with their trademark fescue. I’ll be keeping in touch with them to see how they make out. I also thought it was interesting that, like us, Graeme and Matt find bunker consis­ tency among the most common complaints and challenges. During their visit to Rockland, it was fun to see their reaction to some of the course’s “wildlife”: Catching their attention were a chipmunk that dashed across the cart path and a bullfrog that was sunning itself. Struck by the size of the frog, Graeme and Matt actually hopped off the cart to touch it. Only when it leapt into the water were they convinced that it was real. “They don’t grow that big over there,” Graeme explained. Rockland Country Club's M att Ceplo hosts U K Environmental Award Winners. From left to right: Jo eilen Lampman, program managerfor Audubon International; M att Ceplo; Graeme Taylor of St. Andrew's Links Trust; M att Worster of Minchinhampton G olf Club; and Lee Penrose, the UK's Sports Turf Research Institute's Ecology & Environment Senior Consultant. Tee to Green May/June/July 2010 For more information on the U K ’s envi­ ronmental awards, please visit www.golfenvironmentawards.com Speaking of Environmental Stewardship... While were on the subject of environmen­ tal initiatives, I want to let you know about a website that is invaluable to anyone looking to draft an environmental plan. W hat’s that you say? ... You don’t need a plan? Hmmm. I’ll bet you have a plan for your family, career, and retirement, so why not your environmental efforts? Carefully grooming and maintaining your golf course isn’t enough—when it comes to serving the environment. You need a plan, and fortunately, there’s a website that will make getting one up-and-running on your course quick and easy. Just log onto greengolfusa.com; do the quick sign-in; and after a short time, you’ll get approval to start the process. The GCSA of Oregon and Western Washington— along with Mr. Thomas Calabrese and Envirologic Resources, and many others— have done a great job using point-and-click, with dropdown menus to facilitate the process. It didn’t take me long to complete, and when I finished, I was able to print an impressive 38-page IPM plan— for free. Mapping the property at Rockland has enabled us to define areas that can be taken out of play, while allowing more habitats for animals. We have a much more diverse pop­ ulation of birds then ever before, and the occasional fox and coyote sighting always gives members something to talk about in the grillroom. So I urge you to join the many who have taken the plunge, and start managing your property in a more environ­ mentally friendly way. Matt Ceplo is MetGCSA past president and superintendent of Rockland Country Club in Sparkill, NY. Member News GlenArbor Recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Scott Olson \ ^ s ^ F he March 24 MGA Green Chair^ F man Education Series and Awards Luncheon was a winning day for all who attended, with a roster of informative talks designed to educate club leaders and the golfing public on a variety of topics ranging from the “why” behind various turfgrass management practices to strategies for fostering strong superintendent/green chairman relationships. Held at Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison, NY, the event was all the more meaningful for GlenArbor Superinten­ dent Ken Benoit and President Morgan Gregory, who were there to accept the prestigious Arthur P. Weber MGA Club Environmental Award on behalf of Glen­ Arbor Golf Club. Created to recognize an MGA member club that has demonstrated environmental stewardship through golf course mainte­ nance, construction, education, and re­ search, the award was named in honor of Arthur P. Weber, whose most lasting impact in golf was his passion for the environment and his tireless efforts to focus the attention of the golf community on ways that courses could enhance their surroundings. He wrote an Environmental Code of Conduct for golf course maintenance near­ ly 20 years ago, was a past president of the MGA, a longtime member of the USGA Green section, and a cofounder and board member of the MGA Green Com­ mittee and the Tri-State T urf Research Foundation. GlenArbor is perhaps one of the most environmentally astute clubs in the Met area, with environmental policies and pro­ grams in place since the clubs inception in 2001. Ken and his staff at GlenArbor clearly take their environmental initiative seriously, considering it part of their larger social responsibility. Through their efforts, the club has put a highly successful wildlife and habitat preservation program into action, planting, over the years, 3,000 trees and shrubs, five acres of wildflowers, and 20,000 daffodils have been established. The club has also fledged 730 bluebirds through an award-winning bluebird program. “We are always striving to improve and expand our Environmental Excellence Pro­ gram,” says Ken.“It goes without saying our commitment doesn’t end with this award. When it comes to environmental steward­ ship, we can never do too much. We plan to expand our program each year, the scope of which is limited only by our imagination.” Congratulations, Ken, and GlenArbor! A t the M G A Green Chairman Series, M G A President Allan Small (left) joins Arthur P. Weber M G A Club Environmental Award recip­ ients for a photo opportunity. From left to right: GlenArbor Superintendent Ken Benoit, his wife Melodee, and President Morgan Gregory. Scott Olson, our Class C representative on the board, is assistant superintendent at Scarsdale Golf Club in Hartsdale, NY. Members on the Move • Ryan Batz is now with John Deere Golf in New Fairfield, CT. Previous position: Superintendent at Trump National Golf Club, Briarcliff Manor, NY • Ed Kaufmann is the new superintendent at Pleasantville Country Club in Pleasantville, NY Previous position: Assistant super­ intendent at Scarsdale Golf Club in Harts­ dale, NY • Matthew Mol is a new assistant superin­ tendent at the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, NY Previous position: Assistant superintendent at Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, NY New Members Please join us in welcoming the following new MetGCSA members: • Scott M. Blough, Class SM, Trump National Golf Club, Briarcliff Manor, NY • John Garcia, Class A, The Patterson Club, Fairfield, CT • Daniel Kampa, Class C, Silver Spring Country Club, Ridgefield, CT • Scott Wiiki, Class C, Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, CT Well Wishes Please join us in wishing Jasmine Ceplo, wife of Rockland Country Club Superin­ tendent and MetGCSA Past President Matt Ceplo, well after her recent surgery. Recertified Congratulations to Ernie Steinhofer, vice president of sales at Metro Turf Specialists in Danbury, CT, for completing the renewal process for maintaining his CGCS status with the GCSAA. Tee to Green May/June/July 2010 Dates to Remember f lease be sure to mark your calendars with these upcoming ^ events. For further information on any of our golf meetings, please contact either of our Tournament Committee co-chairs: Ken Benoit at 914-241-0700 or Mark Chant at 631-643-0047. To discuss any upcoming social events, please contact either of our Social & Welfare Committee co-chairs: Mark Millett at 914-949-4203 or Paul Gonzalez at 914-273-3755. MetGCSA Invitational Tournament Tuesday, August 3 Wykagyl Country Club New Rochelle, NY Host: Mike Scott New Date! Met Championship and Met Area Team Championship Qualifier AND Poa Annual Tournament Monday, September 20 Wheatley Hills Golf Club East Williston, NY Host: Stephen Rabideau, CGCS Met Area Team Championship Thursday, October 7 The Bridge Sag Harbor, NY Host: Gregg Stanley Superintendent/Green Chairperson Tournament Monday, October 18 Wee Burn Country Club Darien, CT Host: Doug Drugo Annual Assistants Tournament Industry Events Second Biennial University of Connecticut Turfgrass Field Day The 7th Annual Dr. Joseph Troll Turf Classic Tuesday,July 20 UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facility Storrs, CT The field day will offer guided tours of a variety of research projects underway at the university. In addition, turfgrass managers will have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction, visit with a variety of exhibi­ tors, and from 1 to 3 p.m., participate in roundtable discussions with such industry experts and organizations as: • the USGA’sJim Skorulski, who will speak about current conditions on golf courses • Oregon State University Agronomist Mike Flowers, who will discuss athletic field conditions and grooming • the CT DEP, which will offer an update on pesticide legislation For further information, check the website at www.turf.uconn.edu. Monday, September 21 Fenway Golf Club Scarsdale, NY Superintendent Rob Alonzi will host this year’s UMass Alumni Turf Group fundraiser in support of tu rf education and research at the University of Massachusetts. The program kicks off with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun followed by a cocktail reception, dinner, and awards ceremony, which, this year, will honor Donald Hearn, CGCS. Hearn is a UMass grad and longtime super­ intendent who has served the industry as a USGA Green Section committee mem­ ber and a member of the Massachusetts Golf Association Executive Committee. In addi­ tion, he’s served as president of the New England GCSA and, in 1987, president of the GCSAA, chairing our national organi­ zation's Certification Committee and num­ erous others. The latter two organizations have recognized his service and leader­ ship excellence with distinguished service awards. Please plan to attend this worthy fund­ raiser, and join us in honoring a deserving fellow superintendent. Entry forms and ad­ ditional information will be available online at www.alumniturfgroup.com. Rutgers Turfgrass Field Day (Golf & Fine Turf) Tuesday,July 27 Horticultural Farm II New Brunswick, NJ This year’s turfgrass research field day will cover advances in disease, insect, and weed control; the latest anthracnose management strategies; traffic trials on cool-season grasses; and the evaluation of newly released prod­ ucts for golf courses. Call 973-812-6467 or visit www.njturfgrass.org for further information. Tuesday, October 19 Pelham Country Club Pelham Manor, NY Superintendent Host: Jeff Wentworth, CGCS Assistant Host: George Chavez GROWTH PRODUCTS The Liquid Solutions Company Liquid Fertilizers, Micronutrients & Natural Organics Howie Gold Nutrition Specialist Office: (800) Tee to Green May/June/July 2010 Cell: (917) 559-4425 648-7626/Fax:914-428-2780 hgold@growthproducts. com www. GrowthProducts. com KeepiiT Cool When the Heat’s On. .. Steve Rabideau Invites MetGCSA to Wheatley Hills by Greg Wojick, C G C S his is no fun,” says an embattled but confident Stephen Rabideau, *— superintendent of Wheatley Hills Golf Club. Steve was referring to the “fire” raging on his course during one of the hottest and driest stretches of weather this area has seen in a long time. “I love the pro­ fession and I truly love golf, but this heat makes it hard on everyone in the golf busi­ ness,” he says, pleased that he’ll have time to recover before the dual event he’s hosting on September 20: the Met Championship and Met Area Team Championship Qualifier and Poa Annual Tournament. Wheatley Course and Character As shepherd of Wheatley Hills for the past eight seasons, Steve has been in charge of a transformation to consistent championship conditions that has earned him high regard in the profession. “Wheatley has more than 90 single-digithandicap members, and most are active and passionate golfers,” says Steve. “We have no pool or tennis, just a golf course and a bar. The bar is where trouble lurks,” says Steve, admitting to steering clear of the bar conver­ sations as much as possible. His energies are devoted, instead, to producing stellar course conditions, oftentimes pushing the grass to the brink with low heights of cut and fre­ quent mowings (daily fairway mowing) to get the course to where his membership likes it. “From April 18 until the first week of November,” says Steve, “there’s a very full golf calendar. Frequent Member/Guest and Member/Member tourneys jam up the season’s schedule. I am fortunate to have a fantastic green chairman who understands many of the subtle nuances needed to pro­ vide great conditions,” continues Steve, adding,“I’d be more than happy to have him become the permanent chairman of the Green Committee. He’s that good!” Steve was also proud to mention that many of Wheatley’s members are accom­ plished amateurs. One of them, the late Gene Francis, actually led the Master’s tour­ nament one year after the first round. “Over the years, a number of our members have been in the U.S. Amateur, the Ike, Anderson, and Mid-Amateur tournaments,” says Steve. Steve says the 97-year-old Devereux Emmet layout is always fun to play but also provides a significant golfer challenge. “Wheatley has five par 5s and five par 3s, and the rough is thick and tough to get out of.” Steve has helped provide that challenge by removing, in his words, literally thousands of trees. “All the pines and spruce trees are gone,” he says, noting that, with the rogue tornado that hit Wheatley several weeks ago, the course lost another 70 trees! “It’s always interesting on a golf course,” Steve muses. Another enhancement that was two years in the works when Steve signed on at Wheatley in 2002 was a complete bunker renovation project. “I worked closely with Hurdzan/Fry to finish the bunker renova­ tion,” says Steve. “And I’m still working closely with them today on a master plan to remove trees and incorporate native fescue areas around the bunkers and throughout the course.” A IMimtinl Professional Apawamis Club in Rye, NY After graduat­ ing in 1995, he accepted a position as assis­ tant superintendent at Seawane Club and then, three years later, landed his first job as superintendent at The Hamlet. After five years in a lead role, he became the new super at Wheatley Hills. No rest for the weary, Steve serves as treas­ urer of the Long Island GCSA and is a board member of the UMass Alumni Association. Steve’s favorite leisure pastime is—you guessed it—golf. “I feel that being a golfer provides a strong link to the job I do day in and day out,” says Steve. “I love to play with some buddies and enjoy playing different courses and experiencing different condi­ tions. My way of paying attention to the detail required by golf club memberships is to make golf and golf course maintenance not just a hobby, but a way of life. “You have to be passionate about what you’re doing,” he says. “The product that golfers see each day is a direct result of what you do each day on the course. I try hard to instill in my staff the importance of paying attention to the little things because it’s those little things that make a big difference.” Steve hopes you’ll all come out on Sep­ tember 20 ... when the heat’s off. Earning CGCS status in 2002, Steve’s been in the “biz” 19 years. But like many superin­ tendents, golf course management wasn’t first and foremost on his mind. After high school, he had his sights set on a business degree, and while attending Westfield State College, Steve worked two seasons on a four-person crew at Petersham Country Club in Western Mas­ sachusetts. It gave him such a good feel about golf course maintenance that he decided to swap his future in a business suit for a degree in turfgrass management. He enrolled, first, in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. After completing a two-year tu rf degree, he pursued a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science at the University of Greg Wojick, a member of the Tee to Green Massachusetts. While hitting the books, Steve completed Editorial Committee, is the principal in two internships, the first at Farm Neck Golf Communitool, LLC, andfounder of Playbooks™ Club on the Vineyard and the second at The for Golf Tee to Green May/June/July 20Î0 Ernie Steinhofer, CGCS - 914-760-6112 Tim Joyce M etro Dave Conrad Danbury Office : Gary and Tom 203-748-4653 Scott Apgar, President 914-879-9357 Aerification Professional -914-490-3698 Turf Specialists Customers, Our Top Priority Soil Solutions LLC - 516-369-6747 Robert Steinman, CGCS -914-588-0731 www.metroturfspecialists.com 7 Whittemore Place Rye Brook, NY 10573 (914) 393-0659/Fax: (914) 939-5010 Anthony Decicco & John Decicco Bayer - Quali Pro - Aquatrols - Cleary - BASF - Lebanon - Emerald Isle - Egypt Farms turf products fllf 1C7 kirvrvriw OTk .• Crrfud/4 r OftAfn 157 Moody Road .• DO P .0. Dnv Box lO 1200 Enfield, rCT 06083 " Pat Cragin sreven 4 Production Drive Brookfield, CT 06804 Commercial Equipment Golf Irrigation Sales C E L L : 860-874-2812 • FAX: 860-749-1100 pcragin@turfproductscorp.com Parts: 800-297-7442 • Service: 888-442-9910 www.turfproductscorp.com Providing water and resource saving technologies for over 50 years UATROLS Q u a lit y T u r f E q u ip m e n t G e orge W . C o rg a n T erritory Sales M anager Jacobsen - Club Car - Turfco - Smithco - Steiner D & D T urfworks , I n c . 28 Moseman Ave Katonah, NY 10536 • GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION • DRAINAGE • FIELDSTONE WALLS Kevin R Collins Mid-Atlantic & N E Territory M anager • TURF RENOVATION • ATHLETIC FIELD MAINTENANCE 37 Oneonta Road • Carmel, NY 10512 845-228-1728 Fax 609-841-2077 Mobile 845-225-1761 Home Office kevin.collins@aquatrols.com MliÉkinÉÉÍ in c Cell: 914.213.3622 Parts/ Service: 866.435.1380 Fax: 203.775.6435 Em ail : geor gecorgan@char t er.net www.st ev enwill andinc. com __________ D ennis Flynn_________ Phone: 914-962-1871 Fax 914-962-1871 DNDTurfworks@optonline.net 800-257-7797 www.aquatrols.com U H a r r e ll's Professional Fertilizer Solutions Joe Stahl Turf Sales Manager 795 Route #148 Killingworth, CT 06419 860-663-8048 mobile: 203-209-6951 fax: 860-663-3564 jstahl@harrells.com www.harrells.com Growing a Better World7’ Patrons listed on this page are supporting our association. You are encouraged to support them. © A.G. Enterprises Staff Uniforms Rick Gordon 201-488-1276 / Fax: 201-489-5830 merrickl60@ aol.com www.AGEnterprisesonline.com A1 Preston’s Gary Shashinka Massey Ferguson Tractors Takeuchi Track Excavators Shelton, CT 203-924-1747 © All Pro Horticulture John Seib 721 Main Street Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-789-6680 O Aquatrols Corp. o f America © © rx O r r '1 © O © Down To Earth Golf Course Construction, Inc. David Griffin / Chad LeMere P.O.Box 719 Harrison, NY 10528 914-576-7693 / Fax:914-273-3571 david@dtegolf. com © Dryject N.E. / TurfPounders “Your Aerification Solution” Kevin Collins / Steve Jordan / Bob Lippman 914-672-6029 / Fax:845-228-1728 mcc 10512@yahoo.com O Matrix Turf Solutions, LLC © The Care o f Trees Gregory R . 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Office: 914-725-0441 / Fax:914-725-0672 “The Liquid Fertilizer Experts” charles@emeraldtreecare. com Larry Pakkala, CGCS: 203-505-3750 Tom Weinert: 914-262-0111 o Growth Products, LTD Dick Neufeld: 973-945-6318 Argento & Sons, Inc. Howie Gold Louis Argento P.O.Box 1252 © Playbooks for Golf 1 Prospect Avenue White Plains, NY 10602 Golf Course Field Guides, Aerials, White Plains, NY 10607 800-648-7626 / Fax:914-428-2780 Consulting, Career Development 914-949-1152 / 914-948-0255 hgold@growthproducts.com GregWojick: 203-219-0254 louis@argentoandsons .com Matt Leverich: 913-221-8052 goplaybooks.com / 203-210-5623 O Harrell’s Atlantic Irrigation Specialties, Inc. “Grow a Better World” Ray Beaudry / Tim Marcoux Soil Solutions, LLC Joe Stahl: 203-209-6951 111 Lafayette Avenue Scott Tretera: 914-262-8638 Aerification Professionals N. 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Collins Cell: 609-841-2077 Fax:845-228-1728 kevin.collins@aquatrols .com © DeLea Sod Farms Mike Hollander / Scott Geiser Bentgrass, Fescues, Shortcut Blue, & U.S. Silica Sand Dealer 631-368-8022 © Valley View Greenhouses “The Biggest,The Freshest,The Best in Plants” Frank Amodio 914-533-2526 wgh@ aol.com © Westchester Tractor, Inc. John Apple 60 International Boulevard Brewster, NY 10509 845-278-7766 www. wtractor. com © Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. “Serving the MetGCSA for 34Years” Bob Lippman: 914-447-6257 Dave Lippman: 914-447-5192 © Wilfred MacDonald, Inc. Glenn Gallion 19 Central Boulevard S. Hackensack, NJ 07606 888-831-0891 / Fax:201-931-1730 William A. Kelly and Company General Contractor ~ Maintenance Buildings Eric Kelly / Ed Kelly 914-232-3191 / Fax:914-232-3812 eric@wakellyco.com O Denotes M e tG C S A member