Board of Birectors
President
ROBERT NIELSEN JR., CGCS
Bedford Golf & Tennis Club
Vice President
BLAKE HALDERMAN, CGCS
Brae Burn Country Club
Secretary
GLEN DUBE, CGCS
Centennial Golf Club
Treasurer
DAVID DUDONES
North Jersey Country Club
Past President
ANTHONY M. GIRARDI, CGCS
Rockrimmon Country Club
Directors
ROBERT B. ALONZI, JR.
Fenway Golf Club
KENNETH BENOIT JR., CGCS
GlenArbor Club
SEAN CAIN, CGCS
Sunningdale Country Club
BRETT CHAPIN
Redding Country Club
PAUL GONZALEZ, CGCS
The Whippoorwill Club
VINCENT PAVONETTI, CGCS
Fairview Country Club
Class AF Rep
MICHAEL COOK
The Care of Trees
Class C Rep
DOUG VANDERLEE
Westchester Country Club
Executive Director
ED BRO CK NER
Executive Secretary
INEKE PIERPO IN T

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Cover: The
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Feature

Issue

Where Did the Day Go? ................................................................. .
Hidden Time Robbers That Could Be Stymieing Your Productivity
on the Job
How Local Superintendents Becom e Masters o f Their Tim e ....... 4

Departments
R egional N ew s.................................................................................................... 6
U pcom ing E ven ts...............................................................................................7
National News .................................................................................................... 8
National Scorecard ............................................................................................8
M ember N ew s.................................................................................................... 10
Spotlights

Protecting Our Rights

In addition to being busy with an early start
to the golf season, it’s also been busy in the
government relations arena—on both the
local and national levels. Several MetGCSA
members went to Albany in March to lobby
for issues important to the turfgrass and golf
course industries. Two issues that were par­
ticularly pertinent to our industry were the
debate over using less-than-label rates of
pesticides and including the Turfgrass En­
vironmental Stewardship Fund in this year’s
state budget. (Be sure to read the complete
article on page 6 on Advocacy Day issues.)
We, of course, support using less-thanlabel rates of pesticides on our courses. Re­
search at many universities has shown that
effective control can be attained by combin­
ing pesticides at reduced rates with biologicals or even nutrients. In my mind, there is
no downside to being able to reduce our
overall pesticide use and further any IPM
programs we might want to adopt on our
courses. The Senate did pass this bill; were
now hoping it will pass in the Assembly.
The second issue, which has became more
pressing than ever, is the inclusion of the
Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund
in the New York State budget. This item is
all the more important to the golf course
industry this year because a portion of these
dollars may be dedicated toward funding
the necessary Best Management Practices
for New York State.
As a member of the GCS AA Government
terns continue! Can you believe how early Relations Committee, I was also able to go
in the season temperatures have become to Washington to lobby for issues affecting
summerlike—and that were already experi­ golf courses nationwide. The first issue we
encing drought conditions reminiscent of addressed had to do with golf courses’ eligi­
July or August? Everything seems to have bility to receive federal disaster aid or stimu­
jumpstarted a little earlier this year—in­ lus money. Right now, were lumped in with
cluding golfer expectations!
tattoo parlors, massage parlors, and liquor
stores as industries not entitled to federal
aid. Hmmm. Needless to say, we are working
to change this policy in the future.
Another issue that GCSAA is working on:
doing away with the NPDES (National Pol­
lutant Discharge Elimination System) per­
mit some golf courses are now required to
have in order make chemical applications to
turf areas in close proximity to certain bod­
ies of water. In the past, FIFRA (Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act)
had authority over all pesticide applications.
Now, the Clean Water Act is being used to
require NPDES permits for applications
over or near waters of the United States.
Complicating matters: 43 states have their
own version of the bill, which many have
changed to require NPDES permits for
applications over or near the waters in their
particular state. Some of these states have
expanded the definition of “state waters” to
include the puddle you drive through on
your way to work! Controls are truly getting
out of control!

Bob Nielsen, CGCS
MetGCSA President
Special Thanks to M S T A and GCSAA

Tackling these issues is difficult at best.
Thankfully, both NYSTA and GCSAA have
people who focus a great deal of time and
energy on our behalf and should be recog­
nized for their efforts. Chava McKeel from
GCSAA works tirelessly on supporting us
on Capitol Hill. Beth Seme, Jill Cyr, and
Heather Otis from NYSTA organize and set
up appointments for superintendents and
legislative leaders at Lobby Day each year.
We are also fortunate to have wellrespected lobbyists on both the state and
national fronts. Wayne Lair from The Vandervort Group represents our issues in Al­
bany, while Bob Helland from Reed Smith
represents our issues on Capitol Hill. I can­
not say enough about all the work these peo­
ple do.
An Effort Closer to Home

Last, I’d like to give you an update on our
own efforts to manage rules and regulations
affecting our golf courses through our new
Environmental Committee. Chair Ken Be­
noit has put together a talented group to
take on a variety of environmental issues,
but one of their primary areas of focus will
be to establish Best Management Practices
(BMPs) for the State of New York. Frank
Rossi has been contacted, as well as the rest
of the chapters in New York, to develop
these BMPs. We are also hoping to have in­
put from several government agencies, as
well as Cornell.
Florida and Virginia have established
BMPs for their respective states, and the
results have been well received in the politi­
cal and regulatory arenas. We can only hope
to be as fortunate.
Happy Spring! (Or is it summer?)
Bob Nielsen, CGCS
President
Tee to Green April 2012

cl

Hidden Time Robbers That
Could Be Stymieing Your
Productivity on the Job
by Scott Niven, CGCS

*ask yourself why there seems to
be more to do than there are hours in the
day? The answer may not be as simple as
you think. Sure we have far more to manage
than superintendents of yesteryear: larger
budgets and staffs, more projects, agronomic
inputs, and equipment, and an increasing
number of regulations and rounds of golf to
navigate. But today, the greatest time rob­
bers seem to be ... Are You Ready? .. tech­
nological advances. That’s right. The very
things that were designed to make our lives
more efficient have, in many ways, had a
negative impact on both our productivity
and the quality of our lives.
In her book called the Time Crunch
Convergence, Dr. Madelyn Hochstein dis­
cusses this new, and troubling, phenomenon,
sharing seven ways technological advances
are consuming—rather than adding—valu­
able time to our days.
With our most challenging time of year
bearing down on us, we thought it might be
helpful to look at Hochtein’s seven time
robbers, with the hope that once aware of
where your time might be slipping away,
you’ll find it easier to plot a strategy for lim­
iting those inevitable interruptions and
spending more time on activities that will
lead to your success.
Be sure to see the accompanying time
management tips from several fellow super­
intendents who found time in their busy
schedules to tell us how they manage their
days.

The Seven Time Sappers

1. The Technology Trap of Endless Improve­
ments. As Hochstein points out, the more
technology empowers us, the more were
expected to do. Consider the regular stream
of new-and-improved computer systems,
PDAs (iPads), and smart phones. While these
advancements have aided communication
and workflow, the expectation is that every­
one should get more done—and get it done
faster. Add to this what Hochstein calls the
“update mandate.” Blessed with innova­
tion, we are compelled to constantly update
our devices, spending precious hours re­
searching and purchasing the latest and
greatest phones, cameras, computers, and
other electronics. It only follows then that
we also feel obligated to stay hyper-updated
on job skills and education. Good to a point,
these new self-imposed “obligations” take
hours and weeks away from our regular todo lists and personal time.

In short, technology is advancing at a rate
that outpaces our ability to grasp it, provok­
ing, in many, a sense of guilt that we aren’t
doing more, better and faster. Satisfying that
guilt can then consume a part of the time
we have available for work—and restorative
R&R.
2. The Media Trap of Endless Updates.
Hochstein’s studies have shown clearly how
technology and media availability have cre­
ated a new addiction—and time detractor—
for many of us: constant updates. How many
times have you lost personal and work time
to surfing the net for information or other
items that can wait—sports scores, stock
reports, items to purchase, or Linkedln or
Facebook inboxes—or allowed yourself to
interrupt what you were doing to respond
to that “ding” that indicates “You’ve Got
Mail”?
Beyond the internet, there’s cable televi­
sion and now Apple TV pulling at viewers
with worldwide sports events, news, home
shopping and home improvement channels,
the latest movies and even music—all just a
remote click away.
Electronic devices don’t just allow us to
stay connected 24/7—they require it. Coworkers and friends and family expect in­
stant responses—as well as a certain level of
technological sophistication. Again, guilt or
a sense of inadequacy sets in if we do not
stay on the cutting edge of technology—in
our work and personal dealings.
3. The Marketplace of Endless Choices.
Again, thanks to new technology, we have
an abundance—actually overabundance—of
product choices. Take cars. Not long ago,
purchasing a car meant choosing among
Ford, Chrysler, GMC, and less than a hand­
ful of others. Today, consumers can purchase
an auto from 47 manufactures, featuring
hundreds of models, with thousands of
options. This same scenario applies to the
multitude of products and services that are
available to golf course superintendents
today. Anyone who’s been to the Golf In­
dustry Show, knows what I mean. This giant
selection makes today’s purchase process
take more time, energy, and thought. The
variety of choices actually hinders produc­
tivity, taking away from the time we have to
dedicate to work or other more gratifying
activities, like a good round of golf.
4. The Experience Economy. With all the
marketing avenues available, many compa­
nies are enticing buyers with more than just
a simple product or service, but rather an
entire “experience.” Harley Davidson is a
good example of a company that promises

consumers not just a motorcycle, but also
clothing, reunions, accessories, clubs, etc.—a
full experience. Pepsi sought to differenti­
ate itself from its competitors by marketing
to the “Pepsi Generation.” Drinkers of the
brand were young, free-spirited, happy, and
laid back. People purchased soda and style.
The reality is that as more products and
services are pushed out to the marketplace
so are more “experiences.” Distributors of
golf course maintenance products also want
to satisfy your every need by providing a
wide variety of materials along with semi­
nars, golf trips, and tours of their manufac­
turing facilities.
What does all this mean? There is yet
another source of competition for your time
that eats away at the hours available for
work, family, and R&R.

dren, spouses, work, friends, etc. The unfor­
tunate result: We feel guilt if we devote time
to ourselves, causing us to miss out on im­
portant opportunities to rest and recharge.

7. Conspicuous Activation. As noted earlier,
we have become an activity- and experiencebased society. In fact, the more activity, the
better. What is driving this frenzy? Were
being programmed to believe that showing
how busy we are signals that we are young
(or at least young at heart), healthy, and inter­
esting. The marketplace is flooded with
messages that speak to this. A life insurance
commercial features two 60-somethingyear-olds on mountain bikes; an arthritis
pain reliever commercial shows a mature
couple square dancing; an automobile manu­
facturer shows a family on a camping excur­
sion. This, again, shows that status is based as
5. Lifestyle Integration. In her research, much on activity as it is on money.
Hochstein also saw clearly that the lines
between work, play, and sleep have become In the End
blurred. The day is still 24 hours, but the
activities are now integrated. This has been As Dr. Hochstein’s research points out, the
made possible, again, by today’s technology. distractions created by technological ad­
Consider that a person can be driving a vances make time management more chal­
child to soccer practice, stop by a fast food lenging than ever—particularly for super­
restaurant for a meal, and conduct business intendents at this time of year, when were
on a cell phone at the same time. Business full-on 24/7.
But, in the end, how we use our time is
can take place outside the walls of our of­
largely
in our control. We can start by adher­
fice—and frequently does with the advent
of the portable, wireless devices we’ve all ing to a few simple practices that time man­
grown accustomed to. We can actually leave agement experts would recommend:
work for two hours in the middle of the day • Don’t answer the phone just because it's
for a family event without shirking work ringing and emails just because they show
up. Disconnect instant messaging. Instead,
responsibilities.
Although integrating our lives may be schedule a time to answer emails and return
convenient, fluidity and portability robs us phone calls.
of an important aspect of our lives: the abil­ • Don't instantly give people your atten­
ity to enjoy downtime. Our experiences get tion unless it's absolutely crucial to what
chopped into smaller bits. This makes it you’re doing to offer an immediate human
harder to stay focused on a large project for response.
an extended period of time or to spend the • Block out other distractions like Facebook
time it takes to enjoy an 18-hole round of and other forms of social media unless you
use these tools in your work.
golf.
And last but not least, cut yourself some
6. Child Centeredness. With lifestyle inte­ slack if you don’t get everything on your
gration comes what Hochstein has termed daily to-do list done. A statistic I read
child centeredness. In other words, adults recently purported that odds are good that
are focusing now more than ever on the 20 percent of your thoughts, conversations,
wants, needs, and desires of their children. and activities produce 80 percent of your
Why the shift? Quite simply, because people results.
Whew! Now I feel better!
can now dedicate time to family activities
without sacrificing work duties.
In addition, these family-centered activi­ Watch for Time Management: Part Two in
ties have become status symbols of sorts. an upcoming issue. Learn how managing
Where status used to be limited to financial your energy will help you manage your
or physical assets, now weekends chockfull time!
of children’s activities—sports commit­
ments, a trip to Yankee stadium or the Scott Niven, a member of the Tee to Green
IMAX theater—have also become symbols Editorial Committee, is property manager at The
of status. The implication is that parents are Stanwich Club in Greenwich, CT
serving more masters than ever before: chil­

Superintendents
¡eróme Masters o
Their Time
by Scott Niven, CGCS

s a golf course superintendent, you may be frequently inter­
rupted or pulled in different directions.
While you cant eliminate interruptions,
you do get a say on how much time you will
spend on them and how much time you will
spend on the activities that will lead you to
success. Here’s how several area superintend­
ents make the most of their days.
Capitalize on Your Most Productive
Time of Hay

DELEG,
PLAN N JI

¡GOAL SI
SCH ED U I

Mike Reeb of the Country Club of New
Canaan makes the most of his mornings.
“I’m most productive early in the morning,
when the day is dawning and there seems to
be endless time available with no pressure.
With fresh thoughts and a clear head, I find
that various types of communication, prob­
lem solving, planning, and other important
tasks all flow smoothly. It ends up taking
less time and effort to gain better results.
When the day’s activities ramp up, I can
then focus my time on things that need
prompt action. At the end of the day, I
review our progress and prepare for the next
morning. Someone else might work this
cycle in reverse or prefer another variation
of this idea, but what’s important is deter­
mining how and when you function best,
and let that be your guide to getting the
most out of every day!”
Schedule Time fur Interruptions

M OTIVATI
PRIORITi;

Jim Pavonetti of Fairview Country Club
plans time to be pulled away from his daily
responsibilities.“! have recently started a ‘by
appointment only’ policy,” says Jim,“when it
comes to dealing with salespeople and other
representatives or contractors who want to
talk to me about something. Since Mondays
and Fridays seem to be my busiest days, I try
to limit appointments to Tuesday, Wednes­
day, or Thursday and only between the
hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Before the meet­
ings, I prepare one or two questions of my

own to ensure they go quickly and are pro­
ductive for both parties. This has helped me
to manage time-consuming interruptions
and take better control of my time during
the week.”
Start flu* Hay Willi a Plan

Some time management experts will tell
you the most important time of your day is
the time you schedule to schedule time. Jim
Pavonetti is one of those who always goes in
to each morning with a basic plan of what
he wants accomplished for the day. “I make
a plan the night before and then check the
course 45 minutes before the crew is sched­
uled to start in the morning. This allows me
to take into account anything that might
have happened overnight—disease, irriga­
tion, or weather issues—and then make any
adjustments to the job assignments so the
crew can get started as soon as they arrive.
If I spent the first 10 or 15 minutes of the
morning trying to decide what to do with
the crew while 20 employees waited for di­
rections, the operation would lose 3.3 to 5
work hours every morning! Multiply that
times seven days a week and you lose 23.1
to 35 hours of maintenance. For the same
reason, I post “second jobs” on the board
sometime before the crew comes in for cof­
fee break. That way, they know precisely
what to do right after break.”
Another superintendent who profits
from a daily plan is The Meadow Brook
Clubs John Carlone: “I make a to-do list
each evening before leaving work for the
next day. The list may be long or short, it
may even have a personal item on it like,
‘pick up dry cleaning,’ but it mainly has golf
course jobs on it. I have even joined the 21st
Century and started to put these lists on
the Evernote app. in my cell phone! I also
amend the list during the day if I have to
but try never to carry over an item to the
next day. Completing the list is a very satis­
fying moment of each day!”
John Genovesi of the Maidstone Club
echoed John’s sentiments and practices,
adding, “Time spent identifying the right
goals is more important than a day of ac­
complishing the wrong ones.”
I se Delegation to Add More Hours to
Your Day

There’s no need for you to be a one-person
show. For effective time management, you
need to let other people carry some of the
load. In other words, delegate! I always ask
myself,“Is what I’m doing something that is
absolutely important for me to do, or should

someone else be doing it?” If I decide
another member of my staff would be just as
capable—or better—at handling a particu­
lar task, I delegate that activity.
Brett Chapin of The Redding Country
Club has used the concept of delegation
to great effect. He hired a part-time office
assistant who works 15 to 20 hours per
week and handles a good portion of the op­
eration’s time-consuming office work, in­
cluding recordkeeping, invoices, and mem­
ber communication. “This has freed up at
least 10 hours of both my office time and
my assistants’, allowing us to turn more of
our attention to the golf course,” says Brett.
It has also freed up a good five hours a week
of our golf course mechanic’s time since
he no longer has to enter his work logs
and other pertinent information into the
computer.
“We hired a college student at $10 per
hour who was more proficient at data en­
try and computer design than anyone on
my current staff. It’s been a small price to
pay for the tremendous help we receive in
return.”
Dave Kerr of Ridgewood Golf Club has
also found it useful to delegate duties to
others on his staff. His delegation focus is, as
he terms it,“techno-wiz duties.”
“I am not enamored with the new wave
of techno-communication gadgets and so­
cial networking opportunities that have
flooded our industry,” explains Dave. “I
learn enough to take advantage of the truly
useful innovations but have changed my
hiring practices to allow me to spend time
on activities better suited to my skill sets and
interests. I will always hire one ‘techno wiz’
on the summer staff, and divide his or her
time between course duties and office du­
ties that require a fairly high level of techni­
cal competence and familiarity. An assistant
with both agronomic and technology skill
sets is a real bonus, but I would still look for
the seasonal staffer with a real bent for the
techno-communication world to free up
my assistant for duties specific to the golf
course.”
Dave has a long list of tasks that he dele­
gates to the technologically savvy on staff.
Among them are managing the water-use
log and updating annual reporting for the
water diversion permit; collecting and
reporting weather station data to university
researchers working on the golf course; con­
ducting online research as needed (Federal
Archive fly-over photos of golf course,
greens fans, wire size pricing, BT mosquito
control sources, etc.); updating irrigation
changes to central computer (coordinate
with NSN); setting up distance communi­

cation to irrigation system through home
computer/iPad; drafting hiring brochures
with course photos or course update flyers
with photos at pro shop; organizing course
pictures into appropriate filing system;
streamlining pesticide-use database and
inventory database for equipment, pesti­
cides, and fertilizers; updating database for
flower planting beds. And the list continues
to expand, says Dave, with the ever-increas­
ing demands of the modern golf course
superintendent.
Technology (an (Men Work lo Your
Advantage

There are times that technology can truly
help productivity, despite what Dr. Madelyn
Hochstein’s studies have revealed (see page
2). One of Jim Pavonetti’s first priorities
each day is to use his smart phone to com­
municate with the other department heads
at his club. “Every morning,” says Jim, “I
send out two group texts: one to the pro
shop and caddy staff and one to the entire
tennis staff. I copy the general manager on
each. In the texts, I include weather condi­
tions, course or court conditions, cart rules,
project news, and whatever else these de­
partments need to know for the day. This
lets them know what to expect and tell
members before they even arrive for work.
This simple step has freed up my morning
time by sparing me from getting caught up
in phone calls and having to track down
each one of these individuals every day.”
Instill» Sens*» of Urgency

i j.

One way to save significant amounts of
time and increase productivity is,to encour­
age everyone on your staff to work with a
“sense of urgency.” If you’m lucky, that type
of attitude is inherent in your staff’s nature,
but it never hurts to give a clear picture of
what you exf9SP in terms of cask comple­
tion. To encourage staff to work efficiently,
I post in the staff lounge the time it takes to
complete the various assigned jobs. With
that information readily available, all
grounds crew members can be held ac­
countable for completing each task within
the allotted amount of time.
No matter how organized we are, there are
always only 24 hours in a day. Time doesn’t
change. All we can actually manage is our­
selves and what we do with the time we
have. Hopefully, you’ll find these superin­
tendents’ time-saving tips and techniques
helpful in improving both your productiv­
ity and the productivity of your staff.

Regional News

Optimism High Among Turfgrass Advocacy Day Attendees

by Michael Maffei, CGCS

ager to support NYSTA in its
effort to protect our industry from
misinformed legislation, 41 superin­
tendents and industry professionals gath­
ered at the Empire State Plaza in Albany,
NY, on March 7 for the 13th Annual New
York State Turfgrass Advocacy Day
Among the attendees were MetGCSA
representatives Bob Nielsen, John Carlone,
Blake Halderman, Ed Brockner, and me—
who, like the others, were there to discuss
the year’s most pressing issues: Using LessThan-Label Rates of Pesticides, the Pre­
emption of Fertilizer, support for the Turf­
grass Environmental Stewardship Fund,
Adoption of a State Definition of IPM, and
support for the New York Farm Viability
Institute. In the process, a total of 56 legisla­
tive visits were made, driving home the
potential impact of these legislative issues
on industry professionals’ ability to perform
their jobs.
Participants were encouraged to learn
that just the day before the event, two of our
bills—the State Definition of IPM and the
use of less-than-label rates, were voted out
of the Senate Environmental Conservation
Committee, preparing the way for full de­
bate and vote on the Senate floor.
The day kicked off with an association
breakfast and welcoming remarks by
NYSTA Past President Steve Griffen. The
program continued with Wayne Lair Jr.,
legislative associate with The Vandervort
Group and lobbyist for the New York Al­
liance for Environmental Concerns, who
covered budget issues and the legislative cli­
mate in Albany.
Prior to the legislative visits, participants
had the opportunity to review issues and
advocacy strategy, as well as the legislative
challenges facing the state. Fiere is what
industry experts had to say on the issues
being advocated for.

From left to right: Met Executive Director Ed
Brockner; Met President and Bedford Golf &
Tennis Superintendent Bob Nielsen, CGCS;
Brae Burn Country Club Superintendent Blake
Halderman, CGCS; and NYSTA Director and
Meadow Brook Club Superintendent John
Carlone, CGCS, review green industry topics
prior to appointments with their local legislators.

W

Promoting Less-Than-LaM -Kate Use

Joseph Potrikus, Certified Sports Field Manager
and Vice President of Greener World Landscape
Maintenance, LLC
Potrikus explained that it is important that
turfgrass managers who are trained, liTee to Green April 2012

censed commercial pesticide applicators
have the flexibility to apply less-than-label
rates to aid their ability to reduce overall
pesticide use in New York; increase adop­
tion of reduced-risk, biological and organic
pest controls; and enhance adoption of a
progressive turfgrass IPM program.
According to Dr. Jeffrey Scott, professor
and chair of the Department of Entomol­
ogy at Cornell, there’s a long list of problems
associated with regulations that do not
allow less-than-label rates, especially those
associated with pesticide loads on the envi­
ronment and nontarget effects. “In many
cases,” notes Dr. Scott,“less-than-label rates
will reduce the risk of resistance and have no
effect on the speed-of-resistance evolution.
In only a very few cases will using lessthan-label rates increase the risk of resist­
ance. The benefit of allowing less-thanlabel rates clearly outweighs any potential
problems,” he says.

Many Thanks to Our
Sponsors

We would like to acknowledge the fol­
lowing sponsors who helped make this
successful event possible: RISE - Re­
sponsible Industry for a Sound Environ­
ment, the Sullivan County Challenge,
New York State Lawn Care Association,
Helena Chemical Company, and Dow
AgroSciences.

NYSTA recommends that legislators
support bills A450A (introduced by
Assemblyman Magee) and S2887A
(introduced by Senator Marcellino),
which create a new section in the Environ­
mental Conservation Law that states that
unless the labeling specifically prohibits such
use, a pesticide registered for use in New
York State may be used by commercial ap­
plicators in a dosage, concentration, or fre­
quency less than that specified on the
labeling. This amendment is similar to a law
that allows less-than-label rates to be used
for agricultural purposes.
Senator Marcellino’s bill has recently
passed the Senate, and we are awaiting action
in the Assembly where this bill, unfortu­
nately, is not being looked on favorably by
the Chairman of the Assembly Environ­
mental Conservation Committee.
Pulling for Preemption of Fertilizer

Jeff Williams, Regulatory Issues Coordinator
with the New York Farm Bureau
Williams explained NYSTA’s support for
legislation that would prohibit county and
local governments from adopting fertili­
zer regulations. Local regulations create a
patchwork of differing fertilizer require­
ments from municipality to municipality
that makes it very difficult for applicators to
achieve compliance. What’s more, local gov­
ernments often do not have the scientific or
environmental expertise to create and en­
force these local regulations. Bills S848
(introduced by Senator Young) and
A6908 (introduced by Assemblyman
Magee), provide preemptive responsibility
for fertilizer applicator regulations to the
one state agency with the expertise required
to do so: the New York State Department of
Agriculture and Markets.
continued on page 9

Every Course is Different...

t
yo(

We know every golf course in our region has differences and what is ideal at one course on one soil type may
not work at another. We provide options, different techniques and tools, so you can be prepared whether
are Establishing or Maintaining Quality Greens, Tees or Fairways.

Having options for solving and maintaining your turf's needs is no different when it comes to soil surfactants.
At Metro Turf Specialists our customers are our top priority. We are pleased to offer you a complete line of
quality Aquatrols Soil Surfactants to meet the needs of your turf and budget.

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• Use PrimerSelect throughout the season to maintain
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Call Your Metro Turf Specialist
Ernie Steinhofer, CGCS
91 4-760-6112

Tim Joyce
516-3 69-674 7

Scott Apgar

Rob Steinman, CGCS

914-8 79-935 7

91 4-5 88-659 3

M etro

Dave Conrad
914-4 90-369 8

Turf Specialists

Main Office (Gary and Tom): 203-748-GOLF (4653)

Custom ers, Our Top Priority

Upcoming Events Update!
Nine and Dine: Superintendent/Guest
Tournament

Monday,June 4
Country Club of Darien, Darien, CT
Host: Tim O ’Neill, CGCS

MetGCSA Invitational Tournament

Monday,June 25
Tamarack Country Club, Greenwich, CT
Host: Jeff Scott, CGCS
Summer Social

Tuesday,July 17
Old Oaks Country Club
Purchase, NY
Host: Mark Millett

Met Championship and Met Area Team
Championship Qualifier PLUS The Poa
Annual Tournament

Monday, August 27
Century Country Club, Purchase, NY
Host: Kevin Seibel

Superintendent/Green Chairperson
Tournament

Tuesday, October 9
Golf Club of Purchase, Purchase, NY
Host: Bob Miller

Annual Assistants Championship

Wednesday, October 10
Old Oaks Country Club
Purchase, NY
Assistant Host: Jason Anderson
Superintendent Host: Mark Millett

Educational Events
2012 University of Connecticut
Turfgrass Field Day

Tuesday,July 17
UConn Research and Education Facility
Storrs, CT
The field day will offer guided tours of a
variety of research projects underway at the
university followed by a delicious lunch and
an opportunity to connect with fellow turf
professionals. The afternoon program will
include two breakout sessions highlighting
current organic management demonstra­
tions for athletic field turf and a turfgrass
disease walking tour focused on identifica­
tion and cultural and chemical control
options. Exhibitors from across the region
will also be present with product and service
information for the turfgrass industry.
Watch the website for further details as
the date approaches: www.turf.uconn.edu.
Rutgers Turfgrass Research Field Day
(Golf & Fine Turf)

Tuesday,July 31
Horticultural Farm II, New Brunswick, NJ
Save the date, and watch for details. For fur­
ther information call 973-812-6467 or visit
www.njturfgrass.org.

mF

UMass Turf Research Field Day

Wednesday, August 1 (8:00 a.m.— lp.m.)
UMass Joseph Troll Turf Research Center
South Deerfield, MA
The field day will focus on the wide range of
research projects that university faculty,
staff, and graduate students currently have
underway at the research center and at other
locations.
Among the studies you’ll see: the biolo­
gy and integrated management of turf­
damaging insects, short- and long-term
weed management, pesticide exposure, fer­
tility, drought management, as well as a
range of National Turfgrass Evaluation Pro­
gram fine turf trials. The field day will also
feature displays and demonstrations from
turf industry vendors. A barbecue lunch is
included with registration.
For further information, contact the
UMass Extension Turf Program office at
508-892-0382 or by email at fieldday@
umassturf.org.

Tee to Green Goes
Electronic!
Did you know that at the start of 2012,
Tee to Green was available to you both in
print and online? Now you can easily
forward friends and family—okay, more
likely your green committee and club
members—pertinent articles from the
pages of Tee to Green. And just as im­
portant, you can access and read the pub­
lication on the go ... anywhere, anytime.
Now, it’s just a click—or two—away,
along with up-to-the-minute reports on
association business and events. Log on to
www.metgcsa.org, and be sure to let us
know what you think!

Tee to Green April 2012

National News

National Scorecard

New Board Elected at GCSAA Annual
Meeting in Las Vegas

Palm Springs Makes for
Golf Tourney

this years Annual Meeting—
held March 2 in conjunction
with the GCSAA Education
Conference and Golf Industry Show in Las
Vegas, NV—delegates elected a new board
of directors, with Sandy Queen, CGCS,
emerging as GCSAA’s new president. A 34year member of GCSAA, Queen is also
chairman of the board of trustees for The
Environmental Institute for Golf (the phil­
anthropic organization of the GCSAA).
Queen assumed the position of manager
of golf operations for the City of Overland
Park, KS, in 1984, also supervising a soccer
complex and the Deanna Rose Children's
Farmstead. In addition, Queen is a past pres­
ident and member of the Heart of America
GCSA, as well as a member of the Kansas
Turfgrass Association and The First Tee of
Greater Kansas City.
A native of Miami, FL, Queen and his
wife, Laura, currently reside in Overland
Park, KS. They have two married children,
Sandy and Heather, and two grandchildren.
We welcome Sandy Queen as our new
president.
Also elected to the board:

he 62nd GCSAA National Cham­
pionship and Golf Classic was con­
tested this year from February 24
through 26 at PGA West and the two La
Quinta Resort courses in Palm Springs: the
Mountain Course and the Dunes Course.
The golf courses—no surprise—were all in
tournament shape, and the weather was to
die for, averaging in the low 80s and sunny
every day. GCSAA should be commended
for the hard work and planning it put into
making this year’s event another great suc­
cess—and worth every penny! Though few
Met members joined in this year’s competi­
tion, those who did fared well. Here are the
tournament’s notable outcomes

Numbers in
from this yearys Education
Conference: Attendance is up 1.4 *
percent over last year in Orlando,
and 14.6 percent greater than 2010
in San Diego. This is the forgest
number of seminaf^eats
sold since 2008
in Orlando.
Darren J. Davis, of Olde Florida Golf
Club in Naples, FL, was appointed to the
GCSAA Board of Directors, filling the
remaining year of Ihms’ term, created by
his election to secretary/treasurer.
John J. O ’Keefe, CGCS, of Preakness Hills
Country Club in Wayne, NJ, and past pres­
ident of the MetGCSA remains on the
board to fulfill the second year of his twoyear director term.
Peter J. Grass, CGCS, of Hi lands Golf
Club in Billings, MT, remains on the board
to fulfill the second year of his term.

Vice President
Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS', of The Olympic
Club in San Francisco, CA
James R. Fitzroy, CGCS, of Wollaston
Recreational Facility/ Presidents Golf Club
Secretary/Treasurer
in North Quincy, MA, retires from the
Keith A. Ihms, CGCS, of Country Club of board after serving the past year as imme­
Little Rock in Little Rock, AK
diate past president.
Immediate Past President
Robert Randquist, CGCS, of Boca Rio Golf Next Year at The National'
Plan now to join fellow professionals at
Club in Boca Raton, FL
the 2013 GCSAA Education Conference
and Golf Industry Show in San Diego,
Directors
Rafael Barajas, CGCS, of Hacienda Golf CA. The Education Conference is sched­
Club in La Habra Heights, CA, was elected uled for February 4-8, along with the
Golf Industry Show, which will run
to fulfill a two-year term as director.
William H. Maynard, CGCS, of Milburn February 6—7. For further information,
Golf and Country Club in Overland Park, visit www.gcsaa.org.
KS, was elected to fulfill a two-year term as
director.

Tee to Green April 2012

Tht* National Championship

Michael Stieler from Riverbend Golf Club
in Madera, CA, won his first National
Championship, posting a 143 (-1) for the
two-round event. Hotly contested on th<
Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA
West, Stieler held off three-time champion
Seth Strickland from Miami (FL) Shores
Country Club, who posted an even par
144.
Met-area competitors Sean Cain and
Thomas Ashfield both showed up for half
the tourney but couldn’t put two solid
rounds together. Cain finished tied for
27th, shooting a 77 the first round and
posting an 81 on the second day. Ashfield
had a disappointing 82 the first round and
finished strong on Sunday with a 77 to end
up tied for 30th. One of these years, Ash­
field and Cain will put two good rounds
together to finish in the money!
The Golf Classic

The Golf Classic, which featured two
rounds of play using the point quota sys­
tem, was played on the Dunes and Moun­
tain courses at the La Quinta Resort.

Turfgrass Advocacy Day continuedfrom page 6
Restoring Support for Turfgrass
Environmental Stewardship Fund

Stephen Rabideau finished tied for 10th
place to earn himself another plaque at the
national level. Scott Niven played well
enough to post tied for 19th, and Les Ken­
nedy and Blake Halderman finished 24th
and 26th respectively.

Greg Chorvas, NYSTA Past President and
Grounds Superintendent at Cantine Veterans
Sports Complex
Chorvas spoke about the status of the Turf­
grass Environmental Stewardship Fund.
The 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 20082009 New York State budgets included a
$175,000 appropriation to support research
that provides improved turf management
solutions. Budget cuts in 2010 terminated
Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund
appropriations. Continuing research is es­
sential in providing turf management solu­
tions that are key in preserving and pro­
tecting environmental quality. As a result,
NYSTA is recommending that legislators
restore the $175,000 line item in the
2012-2013 budget.

In the Gross II division. . .

Adopting a State Definition of I H I

Here are the Met supers who took home
a prize:
In the Gross I division • ..

Ryan Oliver took home our only champi­
onship trophy by placing first in the divi­
sion. Jim Swiatlowski finished tied for
In the Gross III division. . .

David Dudones had a respectable show­
ing, tying for 15th.
The Team Events

The Four-Ball Mixer, held on the Friday
before the Golf Classic, was the informal
kick-off to the national golf competitions.
The fields were broken up into flights
based on handicap, and despite the small
showing of Met players, we managed to
make our mark.
The team of David Dudones/Jim Swiat­
lowski tied for 6th in the Second Flight
while Bob Nielsen/Jeff Wetterling tied
for 15th in the Third Flight.
Our Met I Chapter Team of Sean Cain,
Tom Ashfield, Scott Niven, and Les Ken­
nedy came in 5th place with 216. Florida
won the Chapter Team Competition with
a combined score of 271.
Aside from offering a great opportunity
to play some of the best courses in the
country, the preconference golf event is
one of the most enjoyable ways to network
with fellow professionals from across the
country . . . and around the world. Don’t
miss the 2013 National Championship
and Golf Classic in San Diego, CA.

Michael
Maffei,CGCS, NYSTA Board
Member and Golf Course Superintendent at
Back O’Beyond
I reviewed the adoption of a State Defi­
nition of IPM stating that NYSTA believes
New York State would be best served by
adopting the IPM terminology recognized
by the Food Quality Protection Act, the
National Integrated Pest Management Net­
work, and the Empire State Council of
Agricultural Organizations. Several legisla­
tive proposals define IPM as using pesticides
as a last resort. As we all know, pesticides are
used as a tool in an IPM program.
NYSTA supports bills S2775 (spon­
sored by Senator Young) and A7129
(sponsored by Assemblywoman Gun­
ther), that define Integrated Pest Manage­
ment as a “systematic approach to managing
pests that utilizes a diversity of management
options to minimize health, environmental,
and economic risks and impacts. These
options may include biological, cultural,
physical, and chemical tools to prevent pest
infestations or reduce them to acceptable
levels.”
Senator Young’s bill recently passed the
Senate and is awaiting action in the
Assembly.

institute is an independent, nonprofit organ­
ization that is dedicated to serving agricul­
tural and horticultural producers regardless
of enterprise, size of business, or location in
New York. NYSTA recommends allocat­
ing $2 m illion in funding for the insti­
tute to expand and enhance New York’s
agricultural and horticultural economies.
Legislative Visits Top Off the Day

When the issue presentations were com­
plete, participants had the opportunity to
meet with legislators and share their views
on the issues of the day.
Reflecting on the events of the day, The
Vandervort Group’s Wayne Lair was clearly
pleased with the outcome:“Turfgrass Advo­
cacy Day this year provided golf course
superintendents, lawn care professionals,
nurserymen, and others in the green indus­
try an opportunity to voice their opinions
on legislation crucial to their industries. The
success of our outreach was evidenced by
the rapid response of legislators, particularly
in the Senate, who moved quickly following
our Advocacy Day to act on those measures
most important to us. I think that alone
speaks to the success we had.”
Echoing his sentiments, NYSTA’s Steve
Griffen noted, “More than ever, we are
recognized by legislators while making
our visits. Legislators have more of an
understanding of our industry and can
easily recognize how overly burdensome
certain proposed legislation can be to our
livelihood.”
You ( an Make a Difference!

More information on NYSTA’s Turfgrass
Advocacy Day is available on the NYSTA
website: http://www.nysta.org. Though you
may not have been able to attend, consider
visiting your Assembly member or Senator
in their district offices or writing them to
discuss these issues. Either way, your in­
volvement will go a long way toward help­
ing to protect our industry—and your
livelihood!
Please give serious consideration to at­
tending Advocacy Day in 2013. Laws and
regulations affect everyone, and your input
is important.

Michael Maffei, golf course superintendent at
Back O’Beyond in Brewster, NY, is a past presi­
Institute Well Funded
of NYSTA and co-chair of the NYSTA
Steve Griffen, NYSTA Past President and Co­ dent
Government
Relations Committee.
owner of Saratoga Sod Farm, Inc.
Griffen reviewed the final issue relating to
the New York Farm Viability Institute. This
Keeping the IVew York Farm Viability

Tee to Green April 2012

Member News
Fairview and Round Hill Supers Honored
With Environmental Leaders in Golf Award
t this years GCSAA Edu­
cation Conference, two
MetGCSA members were
recognized for their commitment to envi­
ronmental stewardship on the golf course.
Fairview Superintendent and Tee to Green
Editor Jim Pavonetti and Round Hill Club
Superintendent Sean Foley were honored
by GCSAA and Golf Digest with an En­
vironmental Leaders in Golf Award
(ELGA).
Awarded annually, the ELGA recog­
nizes golf course superintendents and their
courses for overall course management
excellence in the areas of resource conserva­
tion, water quality management, integrated

pest management, wildlife/habitat man­
agement, and education/outreach.
An independent panel of judges selected
national and also chapter and merit win­
ners in three categories: public, private, and
resort courses. Selected from GCSAA’s 100
affliated chapters, Jim was one of five 2011
ELGA Chapter Winners for Private Facili­
ties, marking his second consecutive year
as a chapter winner, and Sean was one of
three ELGA Merit Winners for Private
Facilities.
Congratulations Jim and Sean for your
noteworthy efforts in environmental
stewardship!

Members on the Move

• Andrew Hannah is the new superin­
tendent at Shuttle Meadow Country Club
in Kensington, CT. Previous position: As­
sistant superintendent at Century Coun­
try Club in Purchase, NY.
• Jonathan Knol is the new superintend­
ent at Beaver Brook Country Club in Annandale, NJ. Previous position: Assistant
superintendent at Quaker Ridge Golf Club
in Scarsdale, NY.
• Ryan Segrue is the new superintendent
at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester,
NY Previous position: Assistant superin­
tendent at The Stanwich Club in Green­
wich, CT.
• Jim Weiland, formerly of Shorehaven
Golf Club in Norwalk, CT, is now at Con­
necticut Golf Club in Easton, CT.
Kudos

Dave Pijnenburg of Greenacres Company
in Bethel, CT, was elected president of
the Connecticut Irrigation Contractors As­
sociation (CICA), the leading membership
organization for irrigation professionals,
contractors, and suppliers. Founded in 1988,
CICA promotes excellence in the field of
turf irrigation installation.
In Sympathy

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Tee to Green April 2012

rf ^ event.

to win.

based on lead

We would like to offer our sincere condo­
lences to:
• Country Club of Darien Superintendent
Tim O’Neill, whose father, Vincent
O ’Neill, passed away on March 2. He was
83 years old.
• Sodcos Sean Moran, whose father, Peter
Moran, passed away on March 3 at his
home in Farmington, CT. He was 68 years
old. A lawyer and businessman, Peter was
passionate about the turf industry, develop­
ing many friendships during his years as a
VP of sales and marketing with the Mc­
Govern Co. and then as a sales rep with
Sawtelle Brothers, both Jacobsen distribu­
tors. Having called on superintendents
throughout New York, Connecticut, and
Massachusetts, Peter will be missed by the
many industry professionals who had the
fortunate opportunity to know and work
with him.
Memorial contributions may be made
to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,
321 Research Parkway, Suite 212, Meriden,
CT 06450.

Don’t Miss the All-New Nine and Dine’
at Country Club of Darien
by Ed Brockner, MetGCSA Executive Director

f ( J J n June 4, County Club of Darien
f
/w ill host the Met s inaugural “Nine
^— ^ a n d Dine” version of our Superintendent/Guest Tournament. Implemented with
great success by our friends on Long Island,
the Nine and Dine format takes the huge
time commitment out of attending a
meeting.
You tee off late in the day after your work
is done; play nine holes; then join fellow Met
members for a bite to eat. And what’s more,
you can bring a guest of your choice. If not
your manager, bring along an assistant, club
member, or friend.
It seems only fitting that our long-tenured
member, Sherwood A. Moore Award winner,
and past president Tim O ’Neill be the one to
host this new endeavor. A strong advocate of
becoming an active participant in our associ­
ation and its meetings, Tim O ’Neill has been
a highly committed member of the Met for
33 years, leading not just our association in
that time, but also the GCSAA and the TriState Turf Research Foundation.
T h e ‘Rhode’ to Success

Tim’s road to success, started in his Paw­
tucket, RI, hometown, where he began
working, at the age of 12, as a caddie at the
Pawtucket Country Club. At the advice of
Les Kennedy Sr., Pawtucket’s golf pro and
superintendent at that time, Tim left the Pro
Shop to give golf course maintenance a try.
Too young, at that point, to operate the
equipment, Tim spent many hours that sum­
mer raking bunkers and performing other
grounds crew tasks. He knew then, he’d
make turfgrass management his career.
It was at Pawtucket that Tim also began
what has become a lifelong friendship with
Les Kennedy Jr., now superintendent at The
Blind Brook Club in Purchase, NY. When
they met, Les Jr. was working as his father’s
assistant. Tim continued to work on the
grounds crew summers while earning his
B.S. in Turf Management at the University
of Rhode Island.
After completing his B.S. in 1979, Tim ac­
cepted his first assistant’s position at Green­
wich Country Club. Then three seasons
later, he landed the superintendent’s position
at the Country Club of Darien, where he has
been ever since.

Long List of Leadership

In 1981, Tim began his involvement on the
Met board, serving on nearly every one of
the association’s committees as he rose
through the chairs to MetGCSA president in
1992 and 1993. Still a strong proponent of
the Met, Tim regularly nudges his assistants
to participate in functions and meetings.
“The networking and education that
comes from being involved in the MetGCSA
has been an important aspect of my career,”
says Tim, acknowledging just how much the
association has done for him both personally
and professionally.
“I am a more capable superintendent in
many ways because of my involvement, and
the experience I gained working with associ­
ation committees and boards has enhanced
my communications with committees and
boards at the Country Club of Darien. Ex­
periences and interactions with other super­
intendents have also helped me stay current
in an ever-changing industry.”
While still active in the Met, Tim assumed
a leadership role in the Tri-State Turf Re­
search Foundation, working with the group
since its inception in 1990. He served as
publications editor and progressed through
the board’s ranks to president in 1999.
So thoroughly committed to promoting
the profession, Tim took his aspirations na­
tional, campaigning for a seat on the
GCSAA Board of Directors. “I felt serving
on the board of our national organization
would allow me to have a more far-reaching
impact on our industry and the individual
superintendent,” says Tim. Joining the
GCSAA Board of Directors in 2000, Tim
assumed the post of president in 2005.
While at the helm of our national organi­
zation, Tim never lost sight of his commit­
ment to bolster the superintendent’s role and
image in the golf industry. Sitting on the
Board of Trustees for the Environmental
Institute for Golf, Tim worked long and hard
to enhance the industry’s image in the envi­
ronmental community. Locally, Tim worked
in 2001 with the Connecticut Department
of Environmental Protection Task Group to
establish the essential Best Management
Practices for water use on golf courses and
has gained recognition for his active involve­
ment in the environmentally responsive

Tim O ’Neill, CGCS

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.
Last year, Country Club of Darien became
the 15th club in Connecticut to earn its
certification as an Audubon Cooperative
Sanctuary.
What’s Doing at Darien

Tim’s accolades at the CC of Darien extend
beyond his environmental efforts. From
2008 to 2010, Tim worked tirelessly with
Architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan to rebuild
and reinvigorate the 55-year-old golf course,
which was built in 1957 on the 140-acre
estate of Edgar Auchincloss, the club’s sole
proprietor for 29 years.
The most major undertaking since the
club’s inception, the recent $4 million reno­
vation project, touched nearly every aspect
of the golf course. Several holes were re­
routed, all tees and bunkers were rebuilt, a
new range and practice tees were con­
structed, along with new ponds. To help
keep all of these upgrades in top condition,
Tim also led the effort to create a new main­
tenance building.
On a Personal Note

Though it hardly seems possible, Tim man­
ages to carve out time for a personal life. He
and his wife of 24 years, Jennifer, live in
Fairfield, CT, and have two children. Their
son, Justin, 22, is a recent Brown graduate,
and is currently working as a junior editor
with Scholastic Magazine. Their daughter,
Kristen, 20, is a junior at Connecticut Col­
lege, pursuing a degree in American studies.
A sports enthusiast, Tim also finds time to
follow his favorite teams—basketball, base­
ball, football—from Boston, and, of course,
enjoys a good round of golf with friends.
When you all join Tim on June 4, you’ll
enjoy not only a good round of golf, but also
a beautifully renovated course. “I’m looking
forward to having people back,” says Tim,
“and to the new Nine and Dine meeting for­
mat. In my mind, it’s a win-win: Everyone
can get in a full day’s work and then enjoy
nine holes with friends and colleagues.”
So no excuses! See you all on the links!
Tee to Green April 2012

Tamarack Welcomes the Return of
the Invitational
by Chip Lafferty

J n June 24, MetGCSA members
W
/w ill have the pleasure of contesting
V----—this year’s Invitational Tournament at
Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, CT.
This is the third MetGCSA event and second
Invitational that Tamarack and superintend­
ent Jeff Scott have been good enough to host
since 2000.
Anyone who played in the last tourney
was able to see, firsthand, the many enhance­
ments to not only the course, but also the
overall facility.
“The membership set out to ensure the
club’s success for years to come with a master
plan that swept through nearly every aspect
of the facility,” says Jeff.
The plan included the construction of a
new septic system, installation of under­
ground utilities, and the complete demoli­
tion and reconstruction of the pool and
clubhouse facilities. On the golf course, a
new irrigation system was installed, 30 new
fairway bunkers were constructed, tee sur­
faces were expanded, and greens were
enlarged to reclaim key pin locations.
“The average green size is now 7,500
square feet,” says Jeff, explaining that the
intent of the plan was to preserve the
course’s original Charles Banks design
while, at the same time, modernizing various
aspects of the course to accommodate today’s
longer hitters and faster green speeds.
The past few years have been devoted to a
tree removal program aimed at improving
the course’s overall agronomic conditions
and restoring many of the beautiful vistas
that had been lost over the years.
Tamarack in the Making

Originally organized as the Port Chester
Country Club in 1909, Tamarack was then a
nine-hole course, and in 1925 became an
18-hole course, located on the present site of
the Port Chester, New York High School.
Sheep, rather than equipment groomed fair­
ways, and membership dues were just $25
per year. That soon changed.
In 1928, when the town wanted to pur­
chase the club’s land for a new-and-improved high school, the club picked up and
moved to its current site, opening in 1929
as the 18-hole Tamarack Country Club,
Tee to Green April 2012

named after the many Tamarack trees
indigenous to the area.
Golf Course Architect Charles “Steam
Shovel” Banks—the first to use machinery
(the steam shovel, of course) to construct
golf courses—designed the 6,800-yard golf
course in 1929, incorporating some of the
game’s finer strategic-quality holes, such as
Biarritz, Redan, and Plateau. The club’s reno­
vations didn’t stray far from Banks’ charac­
teristic design features, making the course
one of the finest to play in the country.

The Trek to Tamarack

When Jeff entered college in the mid-’70s, a
career in turfgrass management wasn’t first
and foremost on his mind. “I started out at
South Hampton College on Long Island as a
Marine Biology major,” he explains, “but
after a few semesters, I decided to make a
change that I’ll never regret.”
Jeff took a hiatus from college, spending a
few winters on the slopes in Vermont and
Colorado. Returning a year later to his Paw­
ling, NY, hometown, he accepted a job with a
local landscaper. Soon after, a close friend in­
troduced Jeff to Bob Alonzi, the superin­
tendent at Fairview at the time.
Jeff worked from 1978 to 1981 for Bob,
and then headed off to the UMass Turf
School. While completing his degree, he
interned at Baltimore Country Club, return­
ing in 1984 to Fairview. After a year there, he
furthered his experience under Joe Alonzi,
Fenway Golf Club’s superintendent.
In November of ’85, Jeff secured his
first superintendent’s job at Knickerbocker
Country Club in Tenafly, NJ. Then he re­
turned to New York in 1988 as superintend­
ent at The Apawamis Club, where Jeff was
known for causing more than a few yips in
fellow superintendents’ putting strokes with
the crazy speeds he produced on those undu­
lating greens. In February o f’97, he accepted
his current position at Tamarack.
“My work at Tamarack has been both
interesting and challenging,” says Jeff, ad­
ding, “And I can’t say enough about the club’s
support of my family. All my kids have
worked at the club at one time or another; it’s
a nice feeling of belonging.”

All About Family

Jeff’s a family man, through and through.
He and his wife of 26 years, Kathy, have
raised three children: Annie, Cali, and Jeff Jr.
Annie is out of grad school, teaching Special
Education in Manhattan; Cali is about to
enter grad school for Speech Pathology; and
Jeff Jr. is a sophomore in college.
Jeff is a firm believer in carving out time
away from work for family. “I feel fortunate
the golf course business has enabled me to
build a solid family life away from work.”
Once a family of passionate ski racers, Jeff
said they’ve toned it down in recent years.
“Most of the serious racing is behind us,” he
says, “but skiing is something we’ll always
enjoy together as a family.”
Another pastime Jeff’s family shares is
road cycling. “We formed a team of family
and friends that rides for MS,” he says. “We
do rides throughout the Northeast and get a
lot of satisfaction from raising money for a
good cause. It’s our way of giving back.”
The Merits of Membership

Jeff, a certified superintendent for the past
20 years, spent six years on the MetGCSA
board, chairing the Social & Welfare Com­
mittee and running the Turfgrass Field Day.
“The Met, as well as GCSAA, are dedicated
to promoting education and fostering pro­
fessionalism,” says Jeff. “I’m proud to be af­
filiated with both organizations.”
What to know Before You (io

“Players new to Tamarack are generally sur­
prised by the deep bunkering surrounding
most green complexes and, of course, by the
large-sized greens,” says Jeff, cautioning,
“Certain sand shots require a lift of over 20
feet to the putting surface. Best not miss
your approach shots! And I strongly suggest
practicing your putting skills: 50- to 60-foot
putts aren’t uncommon at Tamarack! I look
forward to seeing everyone on the 24th.”
Chip Lafferty, a member of the Tee to Green
Editorial Committee, is superintendent at Rye
Golf Club in Rye, NY.

¿C itron Directory

Patrons listed on this page are supporting our association.
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*û

© 360 GOLF
Chad Lemere
Golf Course Construction
914-625-0676
9.14-630-4230
contact@360golfonline.com
© A.G. Enterprises
Staff Uniforms
Rick Gordon
201-488-1276
Fax:201-489-5830
merrickl60@aol.com
www.AGEnterprisesonline.com
Argento & Sons, Inc.
Louis Argento
1 Prospect Avenue
White Plains, NY 10607
914-949-1152
Fax:914-948-0255
louis@argentoandsons.com
O BASF
John Bresnahan
www.BetterTurf.com
John.Bresnahan@basf.com
© Bayer Environmental Science
“Backed by Bayer”
Dave Sylvester
860-841-3173
DeLea Sod Farms
Bentgrass, Fescue, & Bluegrass Sod
& U.S. Silica Topdressing
Mike Flollander / Scott Geiser
800-344-7637
www.deleasodfarms.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
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Acelpryn & Provaunt Insecticides
Jason Mulcahy
603-340-4970
www.proproducts.dupont.com
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Howie Gold
80 Lafayette Avenue
White Plains, NY 10603
800-648-7626
Fax:914-428-2780
hgold@growthproducts.com
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“Growing a Better World. Partners
for Success”
Joe Stahl: 203-209-6951
Scott Tretera: 914-262-8638
jstahl@harrells.com
www.harrells.com

!f*ti

© LaCorte Equipment ~ John Deere
Golf
“Fastest Growing Golf & Turf
Distributor in the Northeast”
Gale Stenquist / Jim Calladio /
Scott Ferguson
800-560-3373 ext 4
Fax:631-591-3447
golf@lacorteequipment.com
Lebanon Turf
“Best of All Worlds”
1600 E. Cumberland Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
800-233-0628
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Inc.
Flydrogeologic Consulting &
Environmental Engineering Services
Rob Good
860-678-0404
rgood@lbgct.com
© Matrix Turf Solutions, LLC
Gregory R. Moran
259 Lucas Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
845-338-3650
Cell: 845-849-8640
gmoran@matrixturf.com
© Metro Turf Specialists
“Customers, Our Top Priority”
Scott / Ernie / Rob / Tim J. / Dave /
Tim G.
203-748-4653
www.metroturfspecialists.com
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Rich LaBar / Mike Morris
48 Red Gate Road
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-600-9249
Fax: 908-766-7747
richl@morrisgolf.com
National Lawn Sprinklers, Inc.
John Luciano
645 N. Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
914-946-6666
Fax:914-949-6453
john@natlawn.com
www.natlawn.com
© Nutrite
Supplier of Turf & Specialty
Fertilizers
Bob Griffin
Cell: 401-862-5873
Fax:401-849-0888
bgriffm@nutrite.com

O Ocean Organics Corp.
Science-based, Sustainable, HighPerformance Turf Products
Doug Middleton / Bill Middleton
800-628 - GROW (4769)
Cell: 734-846-4167
doug@oceanorganics.com
© Pinnacle Turf, Inc.
Steven Renzetti, CGCS
914-384-9227
www.pinnacleturf.net
srenzetti@verizon.net
© Plant Food Company, Inc.
“The Liquid Fertilizer Experts”
Larry Pakkala, CGCS: 203-505-3750
Tom Weinert: 914-262-0111
Dick Neufeld: 973-945-6318
Playbooks for Golf
Golf Course Field Guides, Aerials,
Consulting, Career Development
Greg Wojick, CGCS: 201-219-0254
Matt Leverich: 913-221-8052
www. gopl aybooks.com
203-210-5623
© Quali-Pro
Quality Turf and Ornamental Products
Phil O ’Brien
856-252-4725
PhilO@quali-pro.com
Soil Solutions, LLC
Aerification Professionals
Anthony Decicco / John Decicco
7 Whittemore Place
Ryebrook, NY 10573
914-393-0659 / Fax:914-939-5010
© Steven Willand, Inc.
George Corgan
4 Production Drive
Brookfield, CT 06804
203-775-5757
www.StevenWillandInc.com
© Syngenta
Fred Montgomery, CGCS
23 Roslyn Drive
Ballston Lake, NY 12019
518-424-0760 / Fax:518-399-6588
Fred.Montgomery@syngenta.com
© Tanto Irrigation, LLC
William Bartels
914-347-5151 / Fax:914-347-6323
wbartels@tantoirrigation.com
© The Cardinals, Inc.
Complete Distributor of Golf Course
Accessories
& Turf Maintenance Supplies
John Callahan
800-861-6256
Fax: 860-673-8443

© The Care o f Trees
Mike Cook, NY: 914-345-8733
Ken Clear, CT: 203-847-1855
www.thecareoftrees.com
© The Terre Company o f New
Jersey, Inc.
Seed, Pesticides, Nursery Stock, &
Fertilizer
Byron Johnson
973-473-3393
Fax: 973-473-4402
bfleury@terrecompany.com
Tom Irwin Inc.
“With Tom Irwin, You Are Not
Alone”
Rob Larson / Jeff Houde
800-582-5959
Fax:781-273-4804
Turf Products LLC / TORO
Toro Irrigation & Equipment
Pat Cragin: 860-874-2812
Main Office: 800-243-4355
U.S. Silica
All Sands Meet USGA
Requirements
Mike Barnet
P.O.Box 254
Mauricetown, NJ 08329
856-785-0720
© 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 35
Years”
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
Cell: 201-954-5878

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