Him (‘iiiliiT 2013
VOLUME 43

MIVIIEKIt (i

Board #f Directors
Met G CSA
est 1959
President
BLAKE HALDERMAN, CGCS

Brae Burn Country Club
Vice President
GLEN DUBE, CGCS

Centennial Golf Club
Treasurer
DAVID DUDONES

Cover:
Westchester
Country Club.

Westchester Country Club

Secretary
KENNETH BENOIT JR., CGCS

GlenArbor Golf Club

Past President
ROBERT NIELSEN JR., CGCS

Bedford Golf & Tennis Club
Directors
ROBERT B. ALONZI JR.

Fenway Golf Club
BRETT CHAPIN

Redding Country Club
DOUG DRUGO

Wee Burn Country Club
ANTHONY HOOKS

Due Process Stable

VINCENT PAVONETTI, CGCS

Fairview Country Club

ROBERT WOLVERTON

Edgewood Country Club
Class “ C” Rep
GEORGE CHAVEZ

Pelham Country Club
Class “AF” Rep
KEVIN COLLINS

Aquatrols

Executive Director
ED BROCKNER
Executive Secretary
SUSAN O ’DOWD

Tee to Green Staff

Editor
JIM PAVONETTI
203-531-8910
Managing Editor
PANDORA C.WOJICK
Editorial Committee
ADDISON BARDEN
SCOTT NIVEN 1
LARRY PAKKALA 1
| MATT CEPLO
MIKE REEB
KEVIN COLLINS
TODD SALAMONE
BILL CYGAN
CHIPLAFFERTY
RYANSEGRUE 1
GREG WOJICK !
EVEN MCGLONE
Designer
TERRI E YOUNG
Advertising Manager
BRETT CHAPIN, 203-938-9240
TEE TO GREEN is published bimonthly by the Metropolitan Golf
Course Superintendents Association
49 Knollwood Road, Elmsford, NY 10523-2819
914-347-4653, FAX: 914-347-3437, METGCSA.ORG
Copyright © 2013

^ B h i s Issue
Feature
Steve Mona Receives the MetGCSA’s Highest Honor:
The John Reid Lifetim e Achievem ent Award

U pcom ing E ven ts...............................................................................................7
Scorecard................................................................................................................ 8
M ember N ew s.....................................................................................................10

ith the 2013 season and holi­
days behind us, it’s a great time to
combine a little R&R with some of
the many educational opportunities
available during the off-season.
In addition to our recent Win­
ter Seminar at Westchester Coun­
try Club, where I’m sure you all
benefited from the impressive
lineup of informative talks, there
are numerous other industry
conferences and trade shows,
such as the fast-approaching
NYSTA Southeast Regional
Conference on January 28 and
29 and the GIS in Orlando, FL,
the first week in February Stay
| on the lookout for your invitation
to the all-new Nor’easter event
during the show Organized for the
First time by the MetGCSA, it is being held
at B.B. King’s Blues Club on February 5. We
hope you’ll join us!
In March, be sure not to miss the New
England Regional Turfgrass Conference and
Show in Providence, RI, or the 2014 MGA/
USGA Green Chairman Seminar at North
Hills Country Club in Manhasset, NY
Each of these events offers important op­
portunities to further your education,
while networking with fellow turf industry
professionals from across the region—and
country

Association Happenings

Blake Halderman, CGCS
MetGCSA President

Committee, has been working diligently
with committee members for the past two
years to bring this project to fruition. Also
involved in the process are six other golf
course superintendent associations from
New York State, a team from Cornell Uni­
versity, and several key contributors from
across the state.
Last, but not least, the board has decided
that it is time to once again survey our
membership to gain important insight into
how we might continue to enhance our as­
sociation and to share useful information
about our operations, budgets, and compen­
sation packages. We are planning to post the
survey on the web for ease of use, and we are
doing our best to keep it as brief as possible. I
hope everyone will take the time to com­
plete the survey. The more people who par­
ticipate, the more useful the information
will be to our operations and club manage­
ment. We look forward to your feedback.
On behalf of the board, I wish you all a
happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! It
was truly nice celebrating the start of the
holiday season with fellow Met members at
our Annual Christmas Party December 7.
The new venue—Avalon Hall in New
Rochelle, NY—offered beautiful nighttime
views of Manhattan and a festive atmos­
phere for our season-ending social event.
But I don’t have to tell you what a great
evening it was; the photos on pages 10 and
11 tell all!
Before we know it, the trees will be bud­
ding and the grass will be growing, so be
sure to use your downtime to catch up on
lost time with family and friends this off­
season.

Right here at home, within our own associ­
ation, were pleased to announce the launch
of the website that hosts the Best Manage­
ment Practices for New York State Golf
Courses project. For the uninitiated, this
project is designed to spell out best manage­
ment practices for every imaginable golf
course maintenance practice, ultimately
demonstrating superintendents’ environ­
mental awareness and responsibility and
continuing our relationships with New
York State governmental agencies and
lawmakers.
GlenArbor Superintendent Ken Benoit,
chair of the MetGCSAs Environmental Blake Halderman, CGCS
President

Tee to Green December 2013

Achievement Award
by Ttm O ’Neill, CGCS

Steve Mona plays about 25 rounds a
year because of his busy schedule, but
he still manages to maintain a 10
handicap. (Photo courtesy of the

' ter: Green December 2013

, •'* '•1

-Hj
...

he MetGCSA is pleased to
award Stephen F. Mona, former GCSAA
CEO and current CEO of the World Golf
Foundation, its coveted 2014 John Reid
Lifetime Achievement Award.
Presented this year at the MetGCS As Jan­
uary 15 Winter Seminar, this annual honor
is reserved for individuals who have demon­
strated a “knowledge of and commitment
to the game of golf and the science of golf
course management.” Steve, who has earned
the distinction of Certified Association
Executive (CAE), is the Met’s 24th Reid
Award recipient since its inception in 1986,
and in the words of MetGCSA Awards
Committee Chair Bob Nielsen, “he is a per­
fect choice given his long and distinguished
career in the golf industry. Steve should be
applauded,” says Bob, “not only for his many
contributions to the golf industry, but also
for the major role he has played in advancing
the professional status of the golf course su­
perintendent. I can’t think of a more deserv­
ing Reid Award recipient.”

Mona’s I!iso to Industry Loader

Steve Mona has worked long and hard to
achieve his present status in the golf indus­
try, which includes among many other dis­
tinctions being ranked as one of the in­
dustry’s “Most Powerful People in Golf,” an
accolade he has received every year since
1999.
Steve started on the road to success in
1980 at the Northern California Golf As­
sociation (NCGA), where he was hired as
tournament director. “I had just graduated
college, and this was a great opportunity for
me to work for the largest regional golf asso­
ciation in the country,” says Mona.
From there, he became assistant manager
of Media Relations for the USGA in January
1982. That meant saying goodbye to Pebble
Beach, CA, where the NCGA is headquar­
tered, and moving closer to his New York
roots—to Far Hills, NJ, where the USGA is
based.“I made this move primarily because I
was eager to work on the national level and
for the governing body of golf in the U.S.,”
explains Mona.
Remembering Steve then, and knowing
Steve now, Dave Oatis, director of the USGA
Green Section’s Northeast Region and prior

Reid Award recipient, describes him as “an
honest broker of information who has al­
ways boldly tackled difficult issues. Steve
has many skills,” continues Oatis,“but he is
especially adept at facilitating. He has a
unique ability to bring the right people to­
gether to address challenging issues and to
brainstorm and develop the best outcome
for golf and for the industry. Steve is honest,
hardworking, a supporter of golf, a supporter

of the USGA, and a supporter of golf course
superintendents everywhere.”
Eager, again, to expand his experience
in the industry, Steve left the USGA in
June 1983 for the position of executive di­
rector of the Georgia State Golf Associa­
tion (GSGA) in Atlanta. “I spent 10 1/2
years at the GSGA and worked very closely
with many golf course superintendents,
including Randy Nichols, who was presi-

“While the number of individuals who play golf sounds
impressive at more than 25 million, golf is still often
perceived as simply a recreational pursuit for a small
number of people. Our objective is to change that
perception and show people that the golf industry
is considerably sized and makes a substantial
contribution to our country’s economy.”

dent of the GCSAA in 1993,” notes Steve.
“This led to my becoming CEO of GCSAA
in November 1993, where I spent 14 won­
derful years.”
The sentiment is mutual for all who had
the fortunate opportunity to work with
Steve Mona during his tenure. Preakness
Hills’ John O ’Keefe, who is currently
GCSAA treasurer, was one of the many:
“Steve inspired me from the first time I met
him while serving on the GCSAA Certi­
fication Committee,” says John. “His enthu­
siasm for the industry was unlike any I had
ever seen. It was contagious. What’s more, he
is a true advocate of the game and an ardent
supporter of all who have made golf a pro­
fession in one way or another. To put it sim­
ply, he gets us. Associations speak of mis­
sion statements. Steve is a walking, talk­
ing mission statement for the golf course
superintendent.”
In March 2008, Steve assumed his current
role as CEO of the World Golf Foundation,
where he continues to do important work
on behalf of golf. In addition to being re­
sponsible for the foundation’s overall man­
agement, Steve oversees the organization’s
industry relationships and ongoing global
focus.
For Met members, Steve Mona didn’t be­
come a household name until he assumed
the role of GCSAAs CEO. It was then that I,
and many others who had the opportunity
to work with Steve, became his greatest
supporters.
Having served for seven years on the
GCSAA Board of Directors with Steve, I
saw just how spot-on he was in understand­
ing issues and creating action plans for suc­
cess. He has razor-sharp focus and thinks
well on his feet. He is highly organized,
always follows up as promised, and is clearly
driven to succeed. Yet, at the same time,
Steve’s a guy with no ego, respectful of oth­
ers, and exceedingly approachable. He’s a
guy you want to have on your team no mat­
ter what’s at stake. I’ve learned more from
my association with Steve than I can tell
you, and we remain close friends today.
Some of the most significant advances at
GCSAA occurred during Steve Mona’s 14year tenure as CEO. Membership increased
from 13,000 to 21,000, and revenues grew
from $12 to $20 million. As impressive as
these results are, Mona cites among his
proudest achievements the improved recog­
nition and stature of the golf course superin­
tendent. “Not surprisingly, the compen­
sation and job opportunities of the golf
course superintendent increased at that time
as well,” he notes.
Also high on Mona’s list of proud accomTee to Green December 2013

plishments is the Golf Industry Show (GIS).
Mona initiated the creation of the GIS,
bringing together numerous organizations in
golf for one show.
“I was particularly pleased,” says Mona,“to
be able to present an industry trade show
that represents the significant aspects of a
golf operation, from ownership and feasibil­
ity and design to construction and opera­
tions.” Joining GCSAA was the Club Man­
agers Association, the Architects, Builders,
Owners, and the USGA.
In speaking about GCSAAs key mile­
stones, Mona is quick to credit others for his
success. “I don’t look at any of the strides
made during my tenure as my achieve­
ments,” says Mona. “Rather, I look at them as
the work of many. Nothing of any signifi­
cance took place, after all, without the full
support and effort of the GCSAA board,
executive team, staff, and members.”
Among Mona’s other lasting initiatives:
• The formal affiliation o f chapters:
Mona was convinced that chapters would be
stronger with a formal relationship with
GCSAA, and, in turn, GCSAA would be
stronger with chapters. One of Mona’s favor-

ite sayings, “the rising tide raises all boats,”
was often used when describing how his
strategy to strengthen chapters would, at the
same time, raise the superintendents stand­
ing in the world of golf.
• The formation o f the Environmen­
tal Institute for G olf (EIFG): Mona
spearheaded the formation of the EIFG, for­
merly known as the GCSAA Scholarship
and Research Foundation. Convinced that
the entire golf community needed to be in­
volved in environmental issues to make golf
sustainable, he directed fundraising efforts
and worked to enlist the support of such
industry well-knowns as Greg Norman,
Herb Kohler, Jaime Patino, Jerry Pate, and
Mike Hurdzan.
• Restructuring o f the GCSAA gover­
nance system: Always a proponent of
measuring success, Mona, in 2004, oversaw
the total restructuring of the GCSAA gov­
ernance system. Expectations for GCSAA
staff were clearly documented and specific
indicators of success were identified. A
scorecard system of measurable goals was
created for Mona and the entire staff. A
yearly review identified where expectations

“Igot up every morning during my GCSAA tenure,”
recounts Mona, “thinking about three things:
First, how was I going to make the professional life of the
golf course superintendent better that day?
Second, how was I going to elevate the brand of the
GCSAA and the GCSAA member that day?
And third, how was I going to lead a staff of 120 people to
move us closer to accomplishing those two goals that day?
Vd like to think we made some progress in all these areas during that time.
were—and were not—met. In the end, it led
to open communications between the board
and staff and clear expectations for the
future.
• Encouraging a new focus on the fa­
cility: Mona was a proponent of superin­
tendents working to develop strong,
cooperative relationships with their general
managers and golf professionals. He would
say, “By helping GCSAA members con­
tribute substantially to their facility’s suc­
cess, we help them improve the oppor­
tunities for their own success—greater job
security and opportunity, higher potential
compensation and recognition for the job
they do.” To Mona, it was that simple.
• The development o f membership
standards and revamping o f the edu­
cation program: In an effort to bring
meaning and substance to the Class A mem­
ber, Mona spearheaded the creation of a pro­
gram that combined education and service “Collaboration in the golf industry is as great as
credits to validate Class A membership in it has been in the 34 years I’ve been in the golf
the marketplace. Mona was all about equip­ industry,” Mona says.
ping the superintendent with the tools and
the know-how to be successful.
new role as the head of the World Golf
Foundation, he has helped to elevate Na­
tional Golf Day to a level that is recognized
by almost every senator and congressman in
Washington, and he’s provided a model for
Although Mona’s official GCSAA role has our efforts on the local and state levels.
ended, he continues to support our associa­ Steve Mona has always been, and continues
tion through his leadership and involvement to be, a true friend of the superintendent.”
From his World Golf Foundation office at
in such industry organizations and initia­
tives as The First Tee, the World Golf Hall of St. Augustine’s World Golf Village in Flori­
Fame, Golf 20/20, We Are Golf, and Na­ da, Steve Mona oversees three industry
organizations that he strongly believes posi­
tional Golf Day.
This past April, when Mona and fellow tively impact lives through the game of golf.
They are:
leaders from around the country took part
in National Golf Day, Bob Nielsen was there • The First Tee: This program has grown
to see Mona and the We Are Golf coali­ from nothing in 1997 to arguably the
tion in action. As the MetGCSAs Govern­ world’s preeminent youth development pro­
ment Relations chair and advocate for New gram, using golf as a platform to teach life
York State golf course superintendents at skills. “We expect to reach 10 million young
the Turfgrass Advocacy Day held in Albany people between 2012 and 2017,” says Mona,
each year, Bob couldn’t say enough about noting the organization’s remarkable growth
given that it didn’t exist in the early part
Mona’s industry support.
“Steve Mona has always known the im­ of 1997.
portance of advocacy in our industry,” says • The World Golf Hall o f Fame: Mona
Bob, “and his allegiance to golf course su­ describes this as the centerpiece of the
perintendents has not waned since his World Golf Village, a 6,300-acre commu­
departure as CEO of the GCSAA. In his nity, including two golf courses, a hotel, con­

Working Wonders at the
World Golf Foundation

vention center, timeshares, residences, and
a retail center in St. Augustine, FL. Notes
Mona, “As Gary Player, our global ambassa­
dor, says,‘If you love golf,you have to go.’ ”
• Golf 20/20: This is an industry coalition
that unites the golf industry behind initia­
tives designed to grow interest and partici­
pation in the game of golf. Today, it helps to
oversee three important industry initiatives:
1. Get Golf Ready, the industry’s adult
player development program.
2. We Are Goethe industry’s government
relations initiative.
3. Image of the Game, the industry’s public
and media-relations effort.
“Our goal,” says Mona,“is to increase par­
ticipation in the game from 25.7 million to
30 million between 2013 and 2017 and to
increase rounds from 461 million to 550
million during that same period of time. If
we achieve those goals, the entire industry
will benefit.”
Knowing Steve Mona, there’s no doubt
the World Golf Foundation will achieve
those goals—and more.

Growing the Game: The Role oi the
Superintendent

Though Mona and the World Golf Foun­
dation are hard at work growing the game
of golf, he feels strongly that golf course
superintendents have a role to play, as
well, in the game’s ongoing growth and
prosperity.
In true Mona fashion, he offers three sug­
gestions (Mona is famous for three-item
lists) for ways superintendents can become
involved in promoting the game on a local
level: First, he recommends ensuring that
the facility at which you are employed is
either offering or has considered the key
growth of the game initiatives: Get Golf
Ready, Tee it Forward, PGA Junior League
Golf, and The First Tee.
Second, he suggests making sure that the
setup and maintenance standards (height of
rough, width of fairways, speed of greens,
etc.) are conducive to an enjoyable experi­
ence for all skill levels, particularly novice
and inexperienced players.
“I realize,” says Mona,“that facility ownTee to Green December 2013

“One of the things
that impressed me
most about Steve
Mona was his ability
to remember names.
When I first met
Steve at a meeting in
New York, he was
briefly introduced to
me and my wife,
along with about
other people. Six
months later, he
came up to us at the
show in Orlando as
though he had
known usforever.
Steve has a remark­
able ability— a gift,
really— to make
everyone feel wel­
come and at ease.”
-

6

Bob Nielsen, Bedford
Golf & Tennis

Tee to Green December 2013

His background includes relationships
with the turfgrass industry as well. He was a
director of the Georgia Turfgrass Associa­
tion from 1988 to 1993, a trustee of its
Foundation Trust from 1990 to 1993, and
also a member of the advisory committee
for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural Col­
lege’s Turfgrass Management Program
from 1989 to 1993.
Mona’s exploits have not gone without
notice. In 2008, he was inducted into the
Tri-Valley (San Francisco Bay area) Sports
Hall of Fame. The International Association
of Golf Administrators (IAGA) named him
their 2008 Distinguished Service Award
recipient. And in 1997, the Kansas City
Society of Association Executives named
Mona Association Executive of the Year.
Not surprisingly, Mona’s many talents and
Mona was not just recognized once as one
energies have been tapped over the course of of the “Most Powerful People in Golf.” The
his 30-plus-year career by an impressive fall 2013 issue of Golf Inc., marked his thir­
number of groups both in and out of the teenth consecutive year for this honor. And
golf industry Among his appointments or in 1999 when Golf Digest listed Mona as one
elections:
of the golf industry’s “Most Powerful People
• President of the International Association in Golf,” only one person younger than
of Golf Administrators (1990)
Mona, Tiger Woods at No. 2, was ranked
• President of the Georgia Society of
higher at the time.
Association Executives (1993)
Steve Mona can now add to his impres­
• President of the Kansas City Society of
sive list of awards, the MetGCSAs most cov­
Association Executives (2000)
eted honor, the 2014 John Reid Lifetime
• Chairman of the Lawrence (KS)
Achievement. Just as John Reid, the name­
Business/Education Partnership (1997 sake of our association’s distinguished ser­
1998)
vice award, played a significant role in
• World Golf Hall of Fame Advisory Board bringing golf to America more than a 125
(1998-2007)
years ago, Steve Mona has played—and con­
• Golf20/20 Executive Board (1999 tinues to play—a leading part in ensuring
2007)
the game and golf industry thrives well in­
• National Golf Foundation Board of
to the future. John Reid would have been
Directors (1999 - 2009), secretary/treasurer proud.
(2005-2009)
Outside of work, Mona, 56, is the con­
• National Minority Golf Foundation
summate family man. He lives in Ponte
Board of Directors (2000 —2001)
Vedra Beach, FL, with his wife, Cyndi. They
• Lawrence (KS) Chamber of Commerce
have three children— Kin, Stephen, and
Board of Directors (2002 - 2004)
Meredith—and five grandchildren—Lin­
• The Environmental Institute for Golf
coln, Mia, Cooper, Pace, and Micaela—with
Board of Trustees (2003 - 2008)
another on the way in February.
• American Society of Association
Executives Board of Directors (2004 Tim O'Neill, former president of GGSAA, is
2007)
superintendent of Country Club of Darien in
• United Missouri Bank Advisory Board
Darien, CT.
(2004-2007)
• LPGA Commissioner’s Advisory Council
(2006-2007)

ership ultimately sets these standards, but I
believe the golf course superintendent can
influence them more than anyone else at a
facility”
And third, Mona emphasizes that superin­
tendents view themselves as part of the
management team of their golf facility and,
as such, partly responsible for both the top
line and bottom line at that facility “In
doing this,” says Mona, “the golf course su­
perintendent will naturally become in­
volved in efforts to increase membership,
participation, etc. I can’t emphasize enough
how important this mindset is to the golf
course management profession.”

Accolades and Awards

Steve Mona
Otters Aspiring
Superintendents
His Three’ Cents

Educational Opportunities
Southeast Regional Conference

Tuesday - Wednesday,January 28 - 29
Ramada Inn, Fishkill, NY
Join fellow professionals for two days of
education and trade show shopping. For
further information, call 518-783-1229
or go to www.nysta.org.
17th Annual New England Regional
Turfgrass Conference and Show

^

) M—M ere, World Golf Foundation
M M / CEO Steve Mona offers
three pieces of advice (if you
haven’t noticed, he thinks in threes) for
aspiring golf course superintendents. His
words to the wise:
1. Develop what I call “towering compe­
tency.’’ Put another way, become the best
professional you possibly can be, both tech­
nically and from a communications and
management standpoint. Becoming a life­
long learner is an important part of this
mindset.
2. Find two mentors: one to advise you on
your career, the other to help you with your
personal life. While you can’t neatly separate
the two, they require different approaches at
different times, and in my view, one person
can’t serve in both roles. The role of the golf
course superintendent can be lonely at
times, and you need someone you can trust
as a confidant.
3. Join and become an active participant
in both your local chapter and in GCSAA.
You will have the opportunity to meet and
learn from the giants in your profession, to
serve in leadership roles you otherwise
wouldn’t, and later in your career, to give
back yourself. Golf course superintendents
are the most caring, genuine, helpful group
of people I know and are always willing to
share their knowledge and experience with
others. All you have to do is ask.

Monday - Thursday, March 3 —6
Rhode Island Convention Center
Providence, RI
For the 17th consecutive year, the con­
ference and show provides turfgrass pro­
fessionals from all areas of the industry
the opportunity to see the newest prod­
ucts, supplies, services, and equipment
available while joining turfgrass profes­
sionals for informative educational ses­
sions, pesticide recertification credits,
and endless networking opportunities.
Enjoy this year’s keynote speaker, David
Mellor, director of grounds for the
Boston Red Sox, as he shares his experi­
ence inside the ropes of this year’s World
Series victory and Red Sox season.
For further details, call 401-841-5490
or log on to TurfShow.com or www.NERTF.org.
NYSTA 2014 Turfgrass Advocacy Day

Wednesday, March 12
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY
NYSTA welcomes all green industry
professionals to attend this event. The

Turfgrass Advocacy Day offers the opportu­
nity to attend a priority issue briefing session
on current legislation that could affect the
turfgrass and green industry, as well as a
chance to meet with your local elected offi­
cials, and later discuss issues over lunch with
a government official.
Contact Jill Cyr for further details or
to register at jill@nysta.org or 518-7831229. You can also register online at
www.nysta.org.
2014 MGA/USGA Green Chairman
Education Series & Arthur P. Weber
MGA Club Environmental leaders in
Golf Award Luncheon

Thursday, March 20
North Hills Country Club
Manhasset, NY
The Metropolitan Golf Association Found­
ation, in conjunction with the United States
Golf Association Green Section, has put
together another informative program in its
ongoing Green Chairman Education Series.
An impressive roster of presenters from the
USGAs Green Section and the golf industry
will address a variety of turfgrass-related
issues. Each of the presentations will be fol­
lowed by a question-and-answer session.
The day will conclude with the seventh
annual Arthur P. Weber MGA Club Environ­
mental Leaders in Golf Award Luncheon.
For further information, please contact
Kevin Kline at kkline@mgagolf.org or
914-347-4653.

Tee to Green December 2013

Connecticut Takes Home the Met Area
Team Championship Trophy

by Andy Drohen, Met Area Team Championship Co-Chair
any thanks to everyone
who made it to this
year’s Met Area Team
Championship September 30 at Mountain
Ridge Country Club in New Jersey For the
past 33 years, this season-ending golf tour­
nament has brought together superintend­
ents from the upper Mid-Atlantic region to
Western Pennsylvania and throughout the
entire Northeast for a little camaraderie,
networking, and bragging rights for one
year. This year we had 13 associations com­
peting with a total field of 120 players.
We would like to thank the Mountain
Ridge clubhouse and golf shop staff, who
went above and beyond to make sure our
day was a success. We also would like to
extend an extra-special thank you to Cliff
Moore and his staff for having the course in
spectacular shape for the day. The players are
still talking about the picture-perfect condi­
tions and the exceptional layout.

On the Links

As always, we had some stiff competition
out there, but in the end, the team from
Connecticut took the lead, winning by a
margin of 13 strokes! Congratulations to the
CAGCS team of John Parmelee of Indian
Springs Golf Club, Les Kennedy of Blind
Brook Club, Mike Dukette of Harrell’s, Eric
DeStefano of Twin Hills Country Club,
Kevin Collins of The Tradition Golf Club at
Wallingford, Eric Euell of Steven Willand,
Jim Calladio of LaCorte Equipment, and
Greg Moore of Saturated Solutions.
The MetGCSA team, consisting of Pel­
ham’s Jeff Wentworth/Due Process Stable’s
Tony Hooks (79) and Quaker’s Tom Ashfield/Plant Food’s Tom Weinert (81) in the
Gross Division and North Jersey’s David
Dudones/Westchester’s Joe Alonzi (71) and
Mount Kisco’s Greg Gutter and Brae Burn’s
Blake Halderman (68) in the Net Division,
slipped from Second to Third Place this year
with a 299—just behind the Central New
York GCSA, which took Second Place with
a 296.

Tee to Green December 2013

Placing third out of 13 teams was still no
small feat. Great playing gentlemen!
We’d like to offer special thanks to our
seven national sponsors—Agrium Advanced
Technologies, Aquatrols, BASF, Bayer, The
Care of Trees, Syngenta, and Toro—for
their continuing support in making this a
truly wonderful event. We could not have
grown this event to the level it has reached
without them!

A Worthy Cause

8 t h / 315
8 t h / 315
1 0 th /316
1 1 th /320
12th / 325
13th / 331

Northeastern GCSA
Central Penn GCSA
Mid-Atlantic AGCS
Rhode Island GCSA
Long Island GCSA
Eastern Shore AGCS

Closest to the Pin

Bob Alonzi
MetGCSA
(Sponsored by BASF)
#7 / 3' 8" Blake Halderman
MetGCSA
(Sponsored by Aquatrols)
# 1 4 /2 ' 5" John Parmelee
Connecticut AGCS
(Sponsored by Toro)
#16 / 2' 5" Matt Topazio
Hudson Valley GCSA
(Sponsored by Syngenta)
#4 / 4’ 9"

As many of you may know, this event is
more than just about golf. Each year, funds
raised during the championship go to a
charity of the MetGCSA board’s choice.
This year we were able to raise more than
$1,400 from the 50/50 and have elected to
support Wendell Beakley, a golf course su­
perintendent from New Jersey whose wife
A.J. recently lost her battle with cancer. The Longest Drive
Beakley family has incurred some enor­ Net Div.
Mike Brunelle
mous medical costs, so the funds will go to a
GC&4 of New Jersey
very worthwhile cause. Please keep Wendell
(Sponsored by Bayer)
and his family in your prayers.
Gross Div. Mike Dukette
If you’ve never participated in this cham­
Connecticut AGCS
pionship, do yourself a favor and try to qual­
(Sponsored by Agrium Adv.
ify for the MetGCSA team. You’re guar­
Tech.)
anteed to have a great time playing golf Sponsors Div. Billy Ditchey
with your peers while experiencing one of
Philadelphia HGGS
the best courses in the country.
(Sponsored by The Care of
Next year, we’ll be competing at Phil­
Trees)
adelphia Country Club, another great classic
that you won’t want to miss! See you all in Low Gross Team Winners
2014!
72
Mike Dukette & Eric
DeStefano
Connecticut AGCS
What follows is a list of team and proximity Sponsorship Team Winners
winners. Congratulations everyone!
67
Cliff Moore & Lance
Rogers
Team Scores (Par 284)
1st / 283
Connecticut AGCS
Two-Man Team High Score
2nd / 296 Central New York GCSA
Gross / 90 Andy Sheehan & Ralph
3rd / 299 MetGCSA
Meola
4th / 300 Philadelphia AGCA
Mid-Atlantic AGCS
5th / 301
Pocono Turfgrass
Net
/
83
Chris Fronczek & Todd
Association
Cowing
6th / 308
GCSA of New Jersey
Eastern Shore AGCS
6th / 308
Hudson Valley GCSA

The Complriu Results

First-Time Winners Triumph in Dave
Mahoney Two-Ball Tourney
by Larry Pakkala, CGCS

he 2013 David Mahoney Twom
Ball came to an exciting close in
^ ^ both flights with two first-time
champions. Congratulations to First Flight
winners Tom Weinert of Plant Food Com­
pany and Ryan Oliver of Hudson National
Golf Club and to Second Flight winners
Kevin Collins of Aquatrols and Nick Lerner
of Bonnie Briar Country Club. Here’s a run­
down on how the two matches unfolded.
In the First F ligh t. •.

October 11 was the final match between
Blake Halderman (Brae Burn CC) and Glen
Dube (Centennial GC) against Tom Wein­
ert (Plant Food) and Ryan Oliver (Hudson
National GC). It was a beautiful fall day at
Wee Burn Country Club with the course in
perfect condition. The match never got too
far out of hand with both teams sharing the
lead at various points of the match.
It looked like Blake and Glen had the
match under control at the turn, leading 2
up. Weinert and Oliver, however, were able
to even it up by the 15th hole. On 16, which

is an island green surrounded on all sides by
a brook, Dube and Oliver had birdie putts.
Dube settled for par while Oliver holed a
10-footer to take a one-hole lead with two
to play. After halving the 17th, all four
boomed drives on the uphill par five 18th
hole. With the tension mounting, they laid
up and proceeded to chip it long to the back
of the green for a treacherous downhiller on
very fast greens. Halderman was the closest
with a 20-footer for birdie. Oliver’s putting
from 30 feet straight downhill rolled past by
10 feet. Halderman, with a chance to tie it
up and take it to sudden death, left it 3 feet
short. Oliver then sank the 10-foot uphill
putt for par to seal the championship in the
First Flight.
In the Second Flight. •.

The Second Flight Two-Ball final match
was contested on October 22, on the very
same course, Darien’s Wee Burn Country
Club. The match was a hard-fought epic
battle between the team of Kevin Collins
(Aquatrols) and Nick “The Hip” Lerner

Hudson Nationals Ryan Oliver sinks the
winning putt at Wee Burn Country Club.

(Bonnie Briar CC) and the Steve Loughran
(Rock Ridge CC) and Brian Bontemps
(Seeton Turf Warehouse) duo.
The course was, again, in perfect condition
and the greens were lightning fast. The
Collins/Lerner team was 2 up through the
first five holes, but Loughran and Bontemps
soon erased that lead with a slew of birdies,
and after the first nine, they were 1 up.
Lerner won the 10th hole to square the
match, but their opponents quickly re­
gained a 1-up lead on 11. The next three
holes were halved. On the 15th, Lerner tied
the match again with a 4 for 3 on the tough­
est par 3 on the course. It was do-or-die for
Collins and Lerner. Memories of two previ­
ous finals losses haunted them. On 16,
Collins parred and the team was now 1 up
with 2 to play. On the par four 17th hole,
Lerner was on in regulation and hit his putt
about 8 feet past the hole. Collins, who was
on in three, faced a tricky uphill 20-footer,
which he sank for the 2 & 1 victory.
The camaraderie and sportsmanship all
teams showed each other during and after
the match would have made Dave Mahoney
proud. It’s what the Two-Ball matches are all
about!
We’d like to thank all who participated, as
well as the superintendents who were kind
enough to host the matches at their clubs.
Don’t miss the opportunity this spring to
come out and qualify for the 2014 TwoBall.
Larry Pakkala, a member of the Tee to Green
Editorial Committee, is the golf course superin­
tendent at Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk,
CT.

First Flight finalists prepare to play theirfinal round in the Dave Mahoney Two-Ball
at Wee Burn Country Club. From left to right:Tom Weinert, Ryan Oliver, Glen Dube,
and Blake Halderman.

Tee to Green December 2013 K

(_J

he Annual Bill Caputi
Scholarship Raffle, held at
the December 7 MetGCSA
Christmas Party at Avalon Hall in
New Rochelle, NY, raised an ad­
mirable sum for the Met’s Scholar­
ship Fund and awarded $4,500 in
cash prizes to 18 lucky ticket holders.
The raffle is the prime source of
the scholarship awards we distribute
to deserving Met member depend­
ents each year.
Many thanks to all who contri­
buted and also to those who sold
tickets for this worthwhile fund­
raiser. Congratulations to our $1,000
grand prize winner, Steve Rabideau, from Winged Foot Golf Club.
The other prize winners were:

$250 Winners

Bill Cimochowski, Seeton Turf
Warehouse
Kevin Collins, Aquatrols, Inc.
Tom Weinert, Plant Food
Company
Rich Apgar, Metro Turf
Specialists
$100 Winners

Steve Rabideau, Winged Foot
Golf Club
Bill Cimochowski, Seeton Turf
Warehouse
Rich Apgar, Metro Turf
Specialists
John Sullivan, (ticket sold by
Scott Apgar of Metro Turf
Specialists)
Les Kennedy, Blind Brook Club
Tim O’Neill, Country Club of
Darien
Matt Nielsen, son of Bob Nielsen
of Bedford Golf& Tennis
John Ruzsbatzky, Country Club
of Farmington
Jim Biordi, Dogwood Knolls
Country Club
Neil Laufenberg, Innis Arden
Golf Club

$500 Winners

Tom Weinert, Plant Food
Company
Bobby Steinman, Pocono Turf
Bill Cimochowski, Seeton Turf
Warehouse

Dana Niven &
Blake Halderman
Jasmine

i

Rich Apgar, Shayna Nigro,
Todd Apgar, & Sophia Strand

Bob Nielsen <

MetGCSA wishes you
and yours health,
happiness, and

tiful weather
1
. in 2014!
1%

a

Eve Gentile &
Renee Pavonetti

Green December 2013

Photos courtesy of Megan Baggott.

Andy Drohen Qualifies for IJSliA Mid-Am
With Torn Ashfield Toting the Bag
by Larry Pakkala, CGCS

Members on the Move

• Andrew Agnew is the new superintend­
ent at Mount Kisco Country Club in Mount
Kisco, NY Previous position: Assistant super­
intendent at Sleepy Hollow Country Club
in Scarborough, NY
• Tyler Otero is the new superintendent at
North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, NJ.
Previous position: Superintendent at Trump
National Golf Club - Bedminster in Bedminster, NJ.
Births

Congratulations to:
• Ed Brockner, MetGCSA executive di­
rector, and his wife, Laura, on the birth
of their daughter, Charlotte Emma, on
November 12.
• Doug Drugo, superintendent of Wee
Burn Country Club, and his wife, Dana, on
the birth of their daughter, Abigail Rose, on
December 6. She was 7 lbs. 6 ozs.
• Dave Moffett, superintendent of Mosholu Golf Course and his wife, Valentina, on
the birth of their son, Samuel David, on
December 9. He was 9 lbs. 8 ozs.
• Matt Topazio, superintendent of New
York Country Club and his wife, Alicia, on
the birth of their daughter, Maya Christine,
on December 16. She was 7 lbs. 9 ozs.
New Members

M ’ll bet not many of you out there
W had any idea that we have a USGA
Mid-Am qualifier in our midst.
Agrium Advanced Technologies’ Andy
Drohen, who also is one of the key organiz­
ers of the annual Met Area Team Cham­
pionship, was one of a select few who
qualified to play in the national finals held
at The Country Club of Birmingham in
Alabama.
Andy played his qualifying round this
past August at Brooklawn Country Club in
Fairfield, CT. Quaker Superintendent and
Two-Ball partner Tom Ashfield caddied,
hoping to help Andy earn one of the seven
spots in a field of 144 players going to the
national Finals.
Brooklawn’s superintendent, Peter Bly,
had the course in tiptop shape for the quali­
fying match, which went pretty well out of
the gate with an easy par on #1. The round
quickly went south, however, on the 4th tee,
where Andy proceeded to hit tee-ball after
tee-ball, with the official giving the “Out of

Bounds” signal in the fairway—three tee
shots altogether!
That’s when Tom’s job got real tough, real
fast! At that point, he was as close as he was
going to get to the parking lot, where he
could have just dropped the bag, crossed the
street, and headed back to work, but he
chose, instead, to take the more difficult
route of talking Andy down from the ledge
as they walked together down the 4th fair­
way.
Ultimately, Andy made a double bogey 6
on the 4th hole after finding the first ball up
against the fence, but in-bounds. With Tom
clubbing and reading putts the rest of the
way in, the two partnered up to finish the
round at one under par 70—good enough
for a tie for third place and a ticket to the
nationals!
Way to go, Andy, and way to go Tom.
Now that’s what you call teamwork!
Larry Pakkala, a member of the Tee to Green
Editorial Committee, is the golf course superin­
tendent at Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk,
CT.

Please join us in welcoming the following
new MetGCSA members:
• Todd Apgar, Class AF, of Metro Turf
Specialists in Brookfield, CT
• Evan Bradstreet, Class C, of Redding
Country Club in Redding, CT
• Delmar Isreal III, Class C, of Fenway
Country Club in Scarsdale, NY
• Mackenzy Haller, Class C, of Waccabuc
Country Club in Waccabuc, NY
• Keith Kubik, Class AF, of Grass Roots,
Inc. in Randolph, NJ
• Anthony Minniti, Class C, of The
Creek Club in Locust Valley, NY
• Raymond Platt, Class C, of Hampshire
Country Club in Mamaroneck, NY
• Gregory Rotter, Class C, of Redding
Country Club in Redding, CT
• Ryan White, Class C, of Woodway
Country Club in Darien, CT
Congratulations

Kudos to Jackie Apgar, wife of Metro Turf
Specialists’ Scott Apgar, for completing
the November 3 New York Marathon in 4
hours, 29 minutes, and 40 seconds—20 sec­
onds less than her goal! Way to go Jackie!
Will Scott be next?

Well Wishes

Wishing N ic k L erner of Bonnie Briar
Country Club a speedy recovery after his
hip replacement surgery.
Tee to Green December 20!3

I

0 Ì{atron Directory

Patrons listed on this page are supporting our association.
You are encouraged to support them.
©

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360GOLF
“Rebuilding Golf Courses From All
the Right Angles”
Chad Lemere
914-625-0676
www.360golfonline.com
A.G. Enterprises
Rick Gordon ~ Staff Uniforms
201-488-1276
Fax:201-489-5830
merrickl 60@aol.com
www.AGEnterprisesonline.com
A. John Harvey Golf Course
Design
491 Naughright Road
Long Valley, NJ
201-280-8389
jharvey442@gmail.com
All Pro Horticulture
John Seib
54 Railroad Avenue
Copiague, NY 11726
631-789-6680 / Fax:631-789-5711
john@allporthort.com
Aqua-Aid, Inc.
Surfactants, Verde Cal, OARS, Root
Pruner, Drill & Fill
Bert Brace / Jim Miller /
Sam Green
252-937-4107
Fax:252-443-0320
info@aquaaid.com
Aquatrols Corp. o f America
Kevin P. Collins, Territory Mgr.
37 Oneonta Road
Carmel, NY 10512
609-841-2077
kevin.collins@Aquatrols.com
Atlantic Irrigation Specialists,
Inc.
Rain Bird & All Related Supplies
Ray Beaudry / Tim Marcoux
800-878-8873
BASF
John Bresnahan
www.BetterTurf.com
John.Bresnahan@basf.com
Bayer Environmental Science
Dave Sylvester
“Backed by Bayer”
860-841-3173
Davisson Golf, Inc. ~ est. 1991
Knox, Nitrozyme, Mikro-Pak,
& Sand
Tom Tuttle
Cell: 215-431-0393
800-613-6888
www. davissongolf. com
DeLea Sod Farms
Bentgrass, Fescue, & Bluegrass Sod
& U.S. Silica Topdressing
Mike Hollander / Scott Geiser
800-344-7637
Double ‘D’ Turf, LLC
Dennis DeSanctis Sr.
Drill & Fill Specialist
732-241-7378
DennisDTurf@aol.com

Wm V * 'éibÆNÆLi

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O Dryject N.E. / TurfPounders
“Your Aerification Solution”
Kevin Collins / Steve Jordan /
Bob Lippman
914-672-6029 / Fax:845-228-1728
mcc 10512@yahoo. com
© Giacini Corp. Golf Course
Materials
Custom Golf
Michael Giancini
631-433-4494
nmgiacini@verizon.net
© Grass Roots, Inc.
Ryan Batz, Tech. Sales Rep.
Cell: 631-872-5357
Ofc: 973-252-6634
Ryan.Batz@GRIturf.com
www.GBJturf.com
© Growth Products, LTD
Howie Gold
80 Lafayette Avenue
White Plains, NY 10603
800-648-7626 / Fax:914-428-2780
hgold@growthproducts.com
© Harrell’s
“Growing a Better World. Partners for
Success”
Joe Stahl: 203-209-6951
Scott Tretera: 914-262-8638
jstahl@harrells.com / www.harrells.com
LaBar Golf Renovations
Richard S. LaBar Jr., President, CEO
Cell: 973-600-9249
Ofc: 908-502-5253
labargolfreno@gmail.com
© LaCorte Equipment ~
John Deere Golf
“Your Trusted Northeast John Deere
Golf Dealer”
Gale Stenquist / Jim Calladio / Scott
Ferguson
800-560-3373 ext 4
Fax: 631-591-3447
golf@lacorteequipment.com
© Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc.
Rob Good
Hydrogeologie Consulting &
Environmental Engineering Services
860-678-0404
rgood@lbgct.com
O Matrix Turf Solutions, LLC
Gregory R. Moran
259 Lucas Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
Ofc: 845-338-3650
Cell: 845-849-8640
gmoran@matrixturf.com
© Metro Turf Specialists
“Customers, Our TOP Priority!”
Scott / Ernie / Rob / Tim / Todd
203-748-4653
www.metroturfspecialists.com
© Nutrite
Supplier of Turf and Specialty Fertilizers
Bob Griffin
Cell: 401-862-5873
bgriffm@nutrite.com

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Performance, Nutrition-Division
at Lido Chem, Inc.
Randy Rider
Regional Manager, Northeast &
Mid-Atlantic
302-319-1001
rrider@lidochem.com
Pinnacle Turf, Inc.
Steven Renzetti, CGCS
914-384-9227
www.Pinnacleturf.net
srenzetti@verizon.net
Plant Food Company, Inc.
“The Liquid Fertilizer Experts”
Tom Weinert: 914-262-0111
Dick Neufeld: 973-945-6318
Tom Pepe: 609-751-1372
David Conrad: 914-263-3244
PI aybooks for Golf
Mobile Coverage System, Golf Course
Field Guides, Aerial Photography, Soil
Analytics, Consulting, Career
Development, Professional Search
Services
Greg Wojick: 203-219-0254
Matt Leverich: 913-221-8052
www. gopl aybooks.com
Quali-Pro
Quality Turf and Ornamental Products
Phil O ’Brien
856-252-4725
PhilO@quali-pro.com
Seeton Turf Warehouse, LLC
Brian Bontemps
Cell: 845-239-7959
brianbontemps@seetonturf.com
Soil Solutions, LLC
Aerification Professionals
Anthony Decicco / John Decicco
7 Whittemore Place
Ryebrook, NY 10573
914-393-0659 / Fax:914-939-5010
Stein Golf Construction
JeffStein
17 Cedar Hill Road,
Bedford, NY 10506
917-273-4099
Jeffrey@steingolf.com
Steven Willand, Inc.
“Quality Turf Equipment”
George Corgan
4 Production Drive
Brookfield, CT 06804
Cell: 914-213-3622
georgecorgan@charter.net
www.StevenWillandInc.com
Subsurface Technologies
“Same Well ~ More Water ~
Better Quality”
Steven Catania
845-567-0695
www.subsurfacetech.com
Syngenta
Fred Montgomery, CGCS
23 Roslyn Drive
Ballston Lake, NY 12019
518-424-0760 / 518-399-6588
Fred.Montgomery@syngenta.com

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© Tanto Irrigation, LLC
William Bartels
914-347-5151 / Fax:914-347-6323 '
wbartels@tantoirrigation.com
© The Care of Trees
Mike Cook: 914-345-8733
Jeremiah Green: 914-241-8110
Ken Clear: 203-863-0900
© 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
Cell: 860-874-2812
Ofc: 800-243-4355
© UPI / Phoenix
Mike Donahue
1512 River Boulevard Ext.,
Suffield, CT 06078
860-490-1929
mike.donahue@uniphos.com
www.phoenixenvcare.com
© Valley View Wholesale
Greenhouses
229 Smith Ridge Road
South Salem, NY 10590
914-533-2526
Fax:914-533-3059
www.valleyviewgreenhouses.com
© Westchester Tractor, Inc.
60 International Boulevard
Brewster, NY 10509
845-278-7766
www.wtractor.com
© Westchester Turf Supply, Inc.
“Serving the MetGCSA for 37
Years”
Bob Lippman: 914-447-6257
bobwestturf@comcast.net
Dave Lippman: 914-447-5192,
westturf@comcast.net
© Westwood Organic
Recycling / New York
Stone Supply
James Scoli
Ofc: 914-949-3244
Cell: 914-490-1694
jscoli@westwoodorganic.com
© Wickes / Arborists
“Your Property Is Our Branch
Office”
11 McNamera Road
Spring Valley, NY 10977
845-354-3400
www.irawickes.com
© Denotes M etGCSA member

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