September/October/November 2013 VOLUME 43 HIUMBER, 5 l’iihiishd In (he Metropolitan Golf l'oursc Superintendenls Assoiiation Cover: Quaker Ridge Golf Club. Photography by Evan Schiller. n this Issue Assistant Superintendents Take It to the Next Level .........................2 Today’s assistants rise to the challenge of an ever-changing industry How to Secure That ‘Super’ Job .................................................................6 Departments Scorecard................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter N ew s....................................................................................................... 8 Spotlight ............................................................................................................. 10 U pcom ing Events ............................................................................................12 Member N ew s.....................................................................................................12 's I sat down to write this message, I realized that one year of my pres­ idency has come and gone. When time passes quickly, that usually means that what­ ever you are doing doesn’t feel like a job. And that has certainly been the case for me. I truly enjoyed this past year and couldn’t be more pleased to have the opportunity to lead this great association into 2014. As I prepared for our Annual Meeting, I realized all the new initiatives the Board of Directors and I have embarked on and the many association programs and practices we continued to support. Here’s a brief run­ down on our initiatives over the past year and going forward, both inside and outside our association. Doings Inside the MetGCSA • The new fiscal year (November 1 to October 31) began with a new format for our Annual Christmas party. Rather than the customary sit-down dinner, we created more of a cocktail party atmosphere, with buffet dining and small tables that promoted more circulating and kept the party going. Everyone who attended seemed to have a great time. This year, the cocktail party theme won’t change, but the venue will. Our holiday affair, set for December 7, will be held at the Avalon Hall on the 40th floor, offering views of New Rochelle and, in the distance, New York City. It promises to be a wonder­ ful night, so I hope you all will plan on join­ ing us. • Our new executive secretary, Susan O ’Dowd, is in the process of changing the software programming over to QuickBooks to aid in the speed and accuracy of invoicing and receivables. The board has also re­ vamped the budget to make it even more transparent for the membership and is work­ ing to create a MetGCSA Foundation for greater tax incentives. • Another change is our “refreshed” web­ site, offering greater browsing capabilities and ease of use. We are also creating a com­ munication system in which emails can be sent directly from committee chairs or officers, rather than through our executive secretary. This will allow members to more easily determine whom they might con­ tact directly for further information or assistance. Blake Halderman, CGCS MetGCSA President MetGCSA logo has been updated, with a more contemporary look and prominent golf ball graphic that offers a more obvious link to the golf industry. • Another new development on the hori­ zon: We are considering creating a new award category to recognize and honor a member’s dedication to the association, in­ dustry, or charity. Watch for details! • Other ongoing initiatives we support throughout the year are the Annual Bill Caputi Scholarship Raffle, our scholar­ ship program, research, golf events, social events, meetings, and the Met Area Team Championship. As always, we appreciate your support and attendance at these events and would like to hear from you if you feel any of our associa­ tion activities or programs could be im­ proved in any way. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or the appropriate commit­ tee chair. Reaching Beyond the MetGCSA • Last year as the holiday season ap­ proached, Hurricane Sandy devastated many shoreline areas, not the least of which was Coney Island, NY On December 28, several MetGCSA members traveled to this section of Brooklyn, providing supplies to residents who were still suffering the effects of the superstorm. In addition to cooking up more than 1,400 hot dogs and chili and soup, Met volunteers dispersed supplies the • Along with the enhancements to our MGA had collected from a number of local website and email communications, the continued on page 9 Tee to Green September/October/November 2013 Today’s assistants rise to the challenge of an ever-changing industry by Todd Salamoile and Bill Cygan 2 ) Tee to Grèen September/Oetobér/Neveinbÿi expectations and standards. And that in­ volves far more than just managing a crew to get the job done. We have to have the knowledge to back up the superintendent in developing and executing complex agro­ nomic programs, from spraying and fertiliz­ ing to identifying insects and disease on the course before they become a serious prob­ lem. In addition, we have to stay equally in tune with all the day-to-day details of man­ aging a maintenance operation so nothing slips through the cracks. Confirming the need for a highly compe­ tent right-hand “man,” Stanwich Club Su­ perintendent Scott Niven, like many super­ intendents, puts a priority on hiring assis­ tants who have the skills needed to do an exceptional job with minimal—or pref­ erably no—mistakes. “I often remind our assistants,” he says, “that given today’s very high standards for course maintenance, if we keep the golf course perfect, we are just keeping up. “Some prospective assistants,” cautions Scott, “wrongly assume their role will be solely to manage staff along with some ad­ ministrative duties. The reality is that those jobs are far and few between at 18-hole clubs. So it’s imperative that, besides being able to manage people, they become tal­ ented in all aspects of course management, Gone are the days when assistants can expect from course setup and spraying to irrigation to do their job and then rise through the repairs and equipment maintenance. Then ranks to superintendent without a four-year they can more effectively teach those skills degree. to new crew members both in their current “In the past, a certificate or associate’s de­ gree was enough to land an assistant’s, and even a superintendent’s, position. No more,” says Brae Burn Country Club Superintend­ ent Blake Halderman. “The minimum requirement listed in most job postings to­ day is a bachelor’s degree. “A four-year degree is the steppingstone to not only a job interview but also a higher level of know-how—agronomic and inter­ personal—that will ultimately put assistants in the position to succeed.” With the growing pressures and responsi­ bilities being placed on superintendents TDR 300 moisture meter and infrared thermome­ today, we have become the watchdogs of the ter: two of the tools in today’s assistants’ arsenal. golf course. We work long hours to ensure Photo Credit: Carlos Sanes, turf student intern, golf course conditions meet today’s high Fairview Country Club here’s a new breed of assistant superintendent out there today. Were more highly educated, technologically savvy, and increasingly well versed in the management and communications skills required to as­ sume responsibility for a crew and to com­ municate with club members and officials. And we have to be. Remaining in our positions longer these days—often for five years or more—we, like the superintendents we work for, are under increasing pressure to meet members’ expec­ tations for extraordinary performance, both on the course and in the clubhouse. So what precisely is the skill set required of today’s assistant superintendent? We com­ pared notes with other Met area assistants and superintendents, as well as a few indus­ try professionals, and we all seemed to agree on one basic premise: Assistants today wear many more hats than they did in the past. Were much more than just hardworking crew members. Were an integral part of our course’s management team, and as the in­ dustry continues to grow and become in­ creasingly complex, so does our role as an assistant superintendent. The assistants of today aren’t what they used to be. We’re Agronomists positions and when they manage a course of their own one day. I find that assistants who possess practical skills along with excellent communication skills make the most suc­ cessful superintendents.” Pursuing continuing education is essen­ tial in staying on top of the latest and great­ est chemicals and maintenance technology and government regulations. One of the hot buttons in maintenance these days is pro­ tecting our natural resources, particularly our water, and this task has become one of our most important responsibilities as assistants. It is common to see an assistant superin­ tendent with an infrared thermometer or moisture meter in hand, allowing us to judge exactly when and how much to syringe greens. Continuously monitoring greens moisture is an incredibly important skill for managing turf. Now that we have so many powerful monitoring tools, we can develop moisture programs that will ensure high-quality putting surfaces. Keeping ade­ quate saturation at the root zone, while pre­ venting excess surface moisture, is a critical skill for greens health and playability. Introduction to this technology early in one’s career will give them an edge over those who still use the older, less accurate techniques. We’re Managers and Educators Beyond being skilled agronomists, a key part of our job has become managing and training crew members to get the job on the course done. Were expected to teach our crew members how to use the variety of complex machinery on the course, explain­ ing not just how they operate, but also how to use them safely. This requires us to be proficient in all aspects of golf course main­ tenance and then be able to not only share our knowledge with our staff, but also guide them in developing the skills needed to ensure the operation runs like a welloiled machine. “My background in hotel and resort management gave me a good foundation in some of the key skills necessary to effec­ tively train and manage staff members,” Tee to Green September/October/November 20 i 3 says Tom Reyes, senior assistant superintend­ ent at Century Country Club. “Once on the job here at Century, I could see just how important those managerial skills are in ensuring that the golf course is maintained at its best.” This is an area where a few continuing education courses come in handy, because people management can be tougher than turf management. As assistants, if we can learn to not only teach, but also motivate our crew to be the best they can be, we’ve developed a skill set that will undoubtedly give us a leg up in the job market. “One of the keys to motivating staff,” says Fairview Country Club Superintendent Jim Pavonetti, “is to gain the respect of the crew. And the best way for assistants to do that is to lead by example. They need to show that they, themselves, are proficient in complet­ ing routine maintenance tasks, and the trust and respect will come, especially if they show respect to the crew members first.” North Jersey Country Club Superintend­ ent David Dudones points to another A Cautionary Viewpoint Playbooks for Golf’s Greg Wojick, who has conducted numerous assistant and superintendent job searches for the golf course industry, offers a word to the wise to current and prospective assistants who may have an overly idealistic version of what an assistant’s role is or should be. He notes that while it’s true that many assis­ tants are being asked to assume more of a leadership role in their operations, there are still a good number of superintend­ ents out there who are just looking for the fundamentals. “First and foremost, the superintend­ ents I’ve worked with want to hire an assistant with a strong work ethic: one who is dependable, honest, and will do whatever it takes to get the job done,” says Greg. “One of the worst mistakes an assistant can make when interviewing or when newly hired for a job, is to try too hard to prove themselves. Offering sug­ gestions that imply you know more than the superintendent can be off-putting, and you may find yourself being kept at arm’s length. “You have to get your feet wet on the job first,” he continues. “Observe. Really understand the inner workings of the operation. Once you’ve proved yourself, earned the superintendent’s admiration and respect by doing the basics well, then — maybe then—your suggestions and attempts to assume a more active management role will be well received.” key management tool: “Good management comes down to good communication,” he says.“It’s important to tell crew members not just how to do something, but also why it’s important. Give them a performance stan­ dard they should meet, whether it’s a timeframe for completing an assignment or a specific approach to a task, and then if they’ve performed well, recognize their work with positive feedback. Recognition will go a long way in motivating staff to repeat the same high level of performance going forward.” We’re Communicators Communication is a fundamental part of being not only a superintendent, but also an assistant. From interviews and board meet­ ings to managing staff, supers have always been required to present themselves profes­ sionally. Today, it’s become equally important that assistants jump on board. Granted, for most of us, our interaction with club mem­ bers and officials is more limited, but when we have the occasion to speak to members ; about a concern on the course or in a comI mittee meeting, we are expected to be able to handle ourselves with poise and tact, acting as a representative of not only our course, but our profession as well. That means knowing why aeration is im­ portant or when pesticides should be sprayed is not enough. We must have the expertise necessary to explain these practices, and the variety of random concerns that invariably arise, to people who are unfamiliar with golf course maintenance practices. “What I learned in school, coupled with | the education I’ve gotten on the job, has I given me the confidence to respond directly to members’ concerns, rather than continu| ally deferring to my boss,” notes Scott Wiiki, senior assistant superintendent at Fairview I Country Club. “Whether it’s answering a i question about the mowing height of our greens or correcting a misperception about | our water or chemical use, I feel IVe handled those concerns with accuracy and tact. I probably even earned the trust and respect of | some of the members in the process.” A proponent of assistants assuming a lead role in the operation, North Jersey’s David Dudones believes today’s assistants are— and : should be— an extension of the superintend­ ent: “Provided with the proper direction and training, assistants should be able to not only run the facility while the superintendent is away from the course, but also handle basic communications with members, as well as | interactions with the GM, green chair, and golf staff,” says David. 5 “At the same time,” he cautions, “it’s very | important that they don’t overstep their bounds. As capable as long-term assistants I can be, they don’t have the insight that the 4 Tee to Green September/October/November 2013 Winged Foot Assistant Superintendent Bill Cygan using an iPad to access Playbooks for Golf irrigation maps. superintendent does about the inner work­ ings of the club. They have to be able to de­ cipher what information is for the members and what is for the staff.” We’re Technologically Savvy Part of the industry’s evolution has been the increased reliance on technology to get the job done. This is where assistants shine. Most of us were born with a keyboard and smart­ phone in our hands. Aside from being well versed in a variety of computer software programs, like Power­ Point and Excel, which superintendents use regularly to produce green committee pre­ sentations, assistants are at ease with the web. In fact, the Internet, and all the com­ munication devices the Internet has to offer, are an integral part of most assistants’ daily lives, both on and off the course. We rely on the Internet, for instance, to gather cur­ rent weather predictions and radar mapping that allow us to predict disease pressure with unprecedented accuracy. Websites that pro­ vide degree-day calculators and aggregate pest monitoring reduce error and increase the precision of our operation’s pesticide applications. In addition to making use of valuable websites, many of us contribute to the Inter­ net through blogs and forums, or through social networking. Social networking is an invaluable communication tool that brings people together like never before. Facebook, Linkedln, and Twitter do more than just preserve relationships, they deliver informa­ tion at a frequency that is unprecedented in history. Most assistants communicate with one another on a regular basis, helping each Scott Wiikiy Fairview Country Club senior assistant superintend­ ent, monitors data from the clubys irrigation system sensors. Photo Credit: Carlos Sanes, turf student intern, Fairview Country Club years, proves to be a strong asset to the club, why not offer that person the same type of recognition and financial reward as an assis­ tant GM and encourage them to stay on? Certainly, long-term assistants can be as valuable to a club as assistant clubhouse man­ agers, and if they’re offered a similar pay scale, I think we would see a lot more career assistants out there. It would be similar in theory to what we are already seeing at large-scale clubs where there are one or more ‘superintendents’working under a director of agronomy Same job, different title.” Final Note other daily with advice and encouragement. According to Fairview’s Jim Pavonetti, his assistants use text messaging to consult with their local counterparts on various courserelated issues. “There have been instances,” says Jim, “where we started looking for wilt­ ing greens because we learned that one of my assistant’s friends at a nearby club was hand-watering greens. Remaining in con­ stant contact with others in the industry can also be useful for receiving alerts for poten­ tial turf issues and for comparing rainfall/ weather data.” Social media is also useful for disseminat­ ing information to our club members about course conditions, tournament information, and so on. As our society becomes increasingly en­ veloped in technology, it’s important for golf course industry professionals to embrace technological advances to remain current and competitive. Assistants have a head start. As we become the superintendents of to­ morrow, technology will be the link that allows us to work together to enact growth in the industry in a meaningful way. It’s a future we eagerly look forward to. say there aren’t any younger assistants out there. It’s just that an increasing number are staying put for 5 to 10 years, not by choice but by virtue of the fact that superintendent opportunities are far and few between. “This is the biggest change I’ve seen in the assistant superintendent position,” says Spring Lake Golf Club Superintendent Joshua Reiger. “Looking back 10 years when the golf course industry was booming and new courses were popping up all over, the opportunities seemed endless. Now with a slow-to-recover economy and a number of golf clubs closing their doors there are in­ creasingly slim pickings in the job market.” With older and, as a result, wiser assistants more common in the industry, they are being entrusted with more responsibility. Pinnacle Turf’s Steven Renzetti, a former superintendent, notes: “Assistants are not only staying in their positions longer, but they’re also assuming more weighty respon­ sibilities. They’re far more involved in the important decision-making processes at their clubs than they ever would have been in the past,” he says. Though perhaps discouraging to assis­ tants eager to take the next step, David Dudones sees new opportunity for long­ term assistants.“I feel that there will soon be According to recent research data provided a strong case for career assistants,” he says.“If by GCSAA, the average age for an assistant an assistant, who has been on the job several superintendent these days is 35. That’s not to We’r« Older and Wiser Assistants who have been in the profession for any amount of time know we are part of a dynamic industry that, like life, doesn’t stand still. It’s continually changing and evolving to meet the challenges of new industry regu­ lations and golfer expectations. And those of us ready and willing to rise to these new challenges will undoubtedly excel . . . and perhaps even set ourselves apart in a field sat­ urated with competent, well-educated assis­ tants vying for that handful of super­ intendents jobs available each year. Then too, as David Dudones notes, maybe the job mar­ ket will expand to include a new tier of employment for assistant superintendents. And the assistant of the future will have the option of settling into a new, but comparable role in turfgrass management: the career assistant. For now, we will continue to develop the skills needed to climb the industry ladder in hope that one day we will attain those lofty goals we’ve set for ourselves. Todd Salamone and Bill Cygan are members of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee. Todd is an assistant superintendent at Sands Point Golf Club in Sands Point, NY, and Bill is an assistant superintendent at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY. Sands Point Assistant Superintendent Todd Salamone reminds his staff regularly of the importance of working together to accomplish How to Secure That ‘Super’Job V ooking to leap over the herds of W assistants vying for the same suI>^__^^^perintendent’s job? Were happy to say, there may be hope. Greg Wojick, whose company, Playbooks for Golf, provides job consulting services for professionals in the turfgrass management industry, offers a few pointers, here, for gain­ ing a leg up in an impossibly competitive job market. • Put your best foot forward. One of the best ways to increase the odds that your applica­ tion will rise to the top of the stack is to cre­ ate an eye-catching resume, portfolio, and personal website offering both a verbal and pictorial view of your skills and experience. • Note your accomplishments, not your job description. Everyone knows the fundamen­ tals of what an assistant does. Show how you’ve added value to the clubs you’ve worked for. • Keep it simple. Too much information can be confusing and off-putting. • Be certain all your materials are flawless, continually updated, and ready to go. If your portfolio is sloppy, how does an employer know your work isn’t too? (In case you didn’t know, GCSAA will review resumes free of charge.) • Don't get too personal. Information about your hobbies, family, likes and dislikes don’t have a place in your portfolio. • Be visible. Attend MetGCSA meetings and industry events. Participate in GCSAA webinars. Write an article for Tee to Green. Volunteer your time to help tournament clubs prep for their major events. Introduce yourself to superintendents and sales reps. Do whatever you can to gain greater visibil­ ity, professional recognition, and a wealth of networking contacts. • Use social media to make a namefor yourself Offer to set up and manage a blog promot­ ing your course—and ultimately, yourself. Tweet about what’s happening on your course. Follow and respond to other indus­ try professionals’ blogs and tweets. Get your name out there for members, club officials, and others in the industry to see. You never know how it may help you attract the attention of a prospective employer. One word of caution when it comes to blogs or tweets that can be read by the general public. Be sure not to mention things that might taint others’ views of your competency, like broadcasting that your course has had a damaging disease outbreak. That type of commentary should be reserved for private communications with staff and members. • Don't just make connections, nurture them. When you develop an industry connec­ tion, be sure to maintain contact. Touch base from time-to-time, even if it’s just through email or texts. You never know when you may need them. • Secure the support of your boss. There is lit­ tle better than having your boss make a call on your behalf—particularly if he or she has a connection to the prospective employer. Superintendents hold the key to many job opportunities. • If you don't have a connection at the club you're applying to, do the legwork tofind one. It could be a sales rep, contractor, golf course architect—anyone who knows someone who can put in a good word for you. More often than not, it’s who you know, not what you know that gets you the job. Tee to Green September/October/November 20 i 3 Only Pedigrees Need Apply “When members of country clubs are \ elected to become the Search Committee | chairs to fill a superintendent’s position, I many times their first reaction is to look j for a “pedigree” club on candidates’ resumes | versus the traditional experience and educai tion,” notes Fairview Country Club Super| intendent Jim Pavonetti.“Gone are the days l when assistants can expect to receive an invitation to interview for a great superin\ tendent’s position without an impressive I track record, formal education, and a pediI gree club or two on their resume. “Does it have to be a Top 100 club? Not i necessarily, but it should be a club that has achieved a notable reputation with good f conditioning, year in and year out. If you’re lacking any Top 100 experience, volunteer at I one of those clubs when they host a major £ professional tournament.” I Jim offers a few other “stand-out” tactics | for pedigrees and nonpedigrees alike: • When applying for a superintendent’s I position, it’s essential that you find out what the club is looking for. Are they about to emI bark on an irrigation upgrade or large reno? vation project? Have they had problems | | with a certain pest? Do they want faster r greens? Whatever it is, if you want to get | your foot in the door, your best shot is to l address these issues in your cover letter. , Show how your past experience can help | them meet their needs. • With your superintendent’s support, write I an informative article for your club’s website i or newsletter. Include a photo of yourself doing something on the course. If you want to get somewhere in this competitive mar­ ket, it helps to take measures like these to I make yourself known to your membership ; and general manager. They may have an “in” \ at a club you’re applying to. • Don’t overlook the inside knowledge that \ your golf pros or starter can offer. They tend | to know the other clubs that members fre1 quently play Finding out whether a member f has a “connection” to a club you’re applying to can be invaluable. • Always maintain a good relationship with t your pro. It’s not uncommon for golf pros to j; call each other to get the scoop on a superin- i Scorecard Wine and Dine: An Event Worth Waiting For by Ed Brockner, MetGCSA Executive Director he MetGCSAs Second Annual Nine and Dine: Superintendent/ Guest Tournament was held on Au­ gust 13 after a period of record-breaking heat and rain tied superintendents to their courses and delayed the event by nearly a month. Well worth waiting for, this years Nine and Dine at Pelham Country Club drew a healthy crowd for some great golf and fine dining. Superintendent Jeff Wentworth, Pelham Assistant and Met Class C Rep George Cha­ vez, and the entire maintenance staff had the course beautifully conditioned, and the Pelham clubhouse and pro shop staff w en* the extra mile to make this event a success. We’d also like to offer special thanks to Title Sponsor LaCorte Equipment for their great support of this event. And finally, congratulations to the Gross and Net team winners: First Gross 34 Gale Stenquist, Eric Berg,Jim Calladio, &Jeff Sutphen of LaCorte Equipment First Net 27 Glen Dube of Centennial GC}Blake Halderman, Wes Mackie, & Dave Peterson of Brae Burn CC Spook Rock Provides Challenging Playing Field by Tony HooksyTournament Committee Chair Winning Results at Sunningdale by Ed Brocknerf MetGCSA Executive Director C~y?unningdale Country Club hosted an outstanding Superintendent/Green Chair or Guest out­ ing on October 8. Superintendent Sean Cain had the course in excellent condition, and Met members and their guests had the fortunate opportunity to see, firsthand, the renovation work that has brought to life the course’s original Seth Raynor design. f In the Net Division .. • Glen Dube and David Leibowits of Cen­ tennial took home the low net with a 63, followed by Matt Ceplo and John McFadden of Rockland County with a 68. In the Gross Division .. . he Met Championship, Met Area Team Championship Quali­ fier, and the Poa Annual Tourn­ ament were contested at Spook Rock on September 17. For this year’s Poa, we joined forces with the Hudson Valley GCSA. Not only did we have a good turnout, but the weather was perfect. The golf course was in exceptional shape, and the greens were rol­ ling fast and true. The only problem was that Dan seemed to confuse the Met Championship with the PGA Champion­ ship, placing the pins in some difficult spots. Everyone managed to finish, though, having lots of fun and laughs along the way. The Championship Results Quaker’s Tom Ashfield won low gross, shooting a 79. He was the only player in the field to break 80. West Point Golf Course’s Steve Whipple and Hudson Hills’ Grover Alexander rounded out the top three with respectable scores in the 80s. In the Net Division, Mount Kisco’s Greg Gutter took the top honor with a net 67. Kevin Doyle, GCSAA field staff member for the Northeast Region, and Pelham’s Jeff Wentworth were second and third, scoring in the 70s. M B The Qualifiers Now for the results of the Met Area Team Championship Qualifier: On the Gross side, Tom Ashfield, Jeff Wentworth, Sunningdale’s Sean Cain, and Due Process Stable’s Tony Hooks were the top four, with Plant Food’s Tom Weinert being the first alternate. On the Net side, it was Greg Gutter, Centennial’s Glen Dube, Redding’s Brett Chapin, and North Jersey’s Dave Dudones as the top four, with Brae Burn’s Blake Halderman as the first alternate. The day was a success, and we hope to join the Hudson Valley group again in the future. Tony Hooks and Lou Buttermark of Due Process Stable won the top prize with an impressive 71, followed by Montammy’sJim Swiatlowski and Mark Shirvan with a 74. In the Open Division .. . In the Open Division for AF members and guests, Bob Steinman of Pocono Turf Supply and Jim Biordi of Robert Dogwood Knolls came out on top with a net 60. Keith Greenburg of Salem Golf Club and Quaker’s Tom Ashfield tied for Long Drive, while Mike Duncan of Siwanoy and Woody Garavente of Canoe Brook were Closest to the Pin on #8 and #12 respectively. Many thanks to Sean, his staff, and every­ one at Sunningdale for a great day! Tee to Green September/October/November 2013 Chapter lews GCSAA Chapter Delegates Look to the Future by Bob Nielseny CGCS W ( J ) nee again, I traveled to LawY y rence, KS, for the GCSAA Chap^---- ^ ter Delegates Meeting, which was held October 1—2. These meetings have drawn delegates from chapters across the country for the past 21 years. This is the ninth year I’ve gone to represent the MetGCSA. This year’s meeting, however, was different from any other. For the first time since 1999, the entire function was conducted in Lawrence, KS, with the major­ ity of the time spent at the association’s head­ quarters. In addition, the focus was not so much on the current state of affairs, but rather on the future of the association and our profession. The meeting did still involve updating us on GCSAA programs and initiatives, and as always, we were able to meet and greet the candidates for the 2014 board of directors. But the true focus of the event was on get­ ting feedback on what the profession would look like in the future, targeting the range of 2020 to 2025. As GCSAA President Patrick Finlen noted, it had become obvious to the board through discussions with those in the golf industry, including members, that the pro­ fession is experiencing rapid change. Super­ intendents are being asked to do more, and the tools and resources we use to do that job are changing. Just look at what is happening with technology. The game of golf may not be changing much, but how we manage it is, he told all the delegates. Building a Future To kick off the discussions, we were all shown a video of various GCSAA members sharing their thoughts on what the future would entail for members and how GCSAA might be of assistance. They represented dif­ ferent membership classes, years of service, ownership structure, and budget size. All the chapter delegates then spent time in breakout sessions to delve deeper into how membership classes and professional devel­ opment opportunities should look in the future. Tim O ’Neill, past president of both the MetGCSA and GCSAA, chaired a com­ Tee to Green September/October/November 2013 mittee that presented the following: • whether it would be advantageous for GCSAA to simplify or narrow membership classes • if it made sense for GCSAA to enhance Class A standards • what would motivate a member to achieve Class A status • a timeline for implementing any changes that might be made When all was said and done, the delegates were strongly in support of the need to more narrowly define membership classes and enhance standards. However, opinions varied as to what the standards would look like and the timeline for implementing them. Finlen told us that the next step would be for the board to engage GCSAA members and oth­ ers outside the membership in the coming months to get a greater diversity of input. On the State of the Association Finlen and GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Rhett Evans also devoted a portion of the meeting to briefing us on various programs and services, noting that the 2014 GCSAA business plan would continue to focus on the following priorities: • Enhance technology to allow GCSAA to better serve members and provide them with tools that provide on-course solutions • Complete the implementation of the field staff program and the extension of member services to regions/chapters • Dedicate additional resources to advocating on behalf of members to golfers, employers, and policymakers • Enhance educational programming and evaluate membership classifications to re­ main relevant in the marketplace • Explore ways to increase revenues through traditional and nontraditional sources • Continue to be prudent in exploring and implementing programs and services that expand GCSAAs contribution to growing the game worldwide Meet the Candidates Last but not least, we all had the opportunity to hear from those members running for national office and to participate in small breakout sessions to learn more about candi­ date platforms and philosophies. The slate of candidates includes: For President Keith A. Ihms, CGCS, Country Club of Little Rock, AR For Vice President John J. O ’Keefe, CGCS, Preakness Hills Country Club, Wayne, NJ For Secretary/Treasurer • Peter J. Grass, CGCS, Hilands Golf Club, Billings, MT • Bill H. Maynard, CGCS, Country Club of St. Albans, MO For Director (electing two) • Rafael Barajas, CGCS, Hacienda Golf Club, LaHabra Heights, CA • Mark F.Jordan, CGCS, Westfield Group Country Club, Westfield Center, OH • John Walker, Bentwater Country Club, Montgomery, TX There are three candidates running for two open director’s positions this year. Rafael Barajas has been a long-term delegate and very active in the environmental arena, and I have served with Mark Jordan on the Government Relations Committee. John Walker has been involved in many com­ mittees and served as president of the Texas chapter. All three of these gentlemen are well equipped to represent our industry at the national level. Peter Grass has one year remaining in his term, and Bill Maynard, the other candi­ date for secretary/treasurer, is at the end of his director term. Should Pete win, Bill Maynard will have to be nominated from the floor to run for director, and Keith Ihms will have to appoint a director to fill the vacancy created by Peter. If Bill wins, Pete will remain on the board to finish his two-year term. Darren Davis, of Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, FL, will remain on the board with one year left in his two-year director term. Patrick Finlen, CGCS, of The Olympic Club in San Francisco, CA, will serve on the board as immediate past president dur­ ing 2014, and Sandy Queen of the City of Overland Park, KS, will retire from the board. Hope for the Future At this year’s delegates meeting, more than just the content and format were different. I sensed, more than ever, optimism and a clear vision for the future. The work done in the past is having an impact. We just have to figure out how we can build on that momentum for the future. I think there was a time GCSAA and the members were on the defensive, just holding on to what we had. Now I feel we are on the offense. GCSAA and its members are doing good things, and our profession is being recog­ nized for it. Rhett Evans is motivating as CEO of the organization, and the staff seems to be energized by his leadership. The GCSAA board is focused on the future and their chapters, and this can only mean good things for all of us. President’s Message continuedfrom page t clubs, such as food, clothing, toiletries, and provides an opportunity for all of us to other needed supplies. More than five work through issues and concerns before truckloads of donated goods were distrib­ they become legislation. uted from the MGA, MetGCSA, and sev­ eral of our association members. The Coney • Beginning this year, the Nor easier Event Island residents’ show of appreciation made at the Golf Industry Show in Orlando, FL, is our trip seem more than worth the effort. being organized by the MetGCSA. It will take place on February 5 at B.B. King’s • We continue to drive home a positive Blues Club starting at 6:30 p.m. We hope to message about the game and role as stew­ see you there. ards of the environment throughout our communities and states by participating in • Last but not least, we continue to indi­ the development of a BMP initiative for rectly support a var iety of industry organi­ New York State Golf Courses. A website zations by attending such events as the launch is planned for early 2014, and with NYSTA Advocacy Day, turf school field the help of the MGA, we are advertising our days, seminars around the Northeast, and other great events throughout the season. efforts through The Met Golfer. We are also participating in writing brief articles in The Met Golfer EXTRA and in the MGAs E-Revision Newsletter, which in addition to publicizing the BMPs, features a Reflecting on this past year, I am pleased “Superintendent’s Spotlight.” This is an with all that we’ve accomplished as an article written by an area superintendent, organization and with the initiatives we’ve highlighting an aspect of golf course main­ planned going forward. Thanks to the hard tenance—anything from syringing and aer­ work and dedication of our Board of Direc­ ation to weather-related challenges—and is tors, these initiatives can only enhance our designed to elevate the general golfing chapter—and our image as environmen­ public’s understanding of and appreciation tally responsible professionals. Finally, as always, I urge all of you to for all that goes into our profession. become involved in our association and • To help offset the cost of this and other industry: Come to meetings and family endeavors, the Met joined forces with the social events, join a committee, and just as GCSAA to organize Rounds 4 Research, important, stay abreast of laws and regula­ which is a fundraising effort that is being tions that can affect your course—and ulti­ used to support the New York Best Man­ mately, your livelihood. At the chapter, agement Practices Initiative and other state, and national level, your involvement research-based programs. We appreciate all can make a difference. Please feel free to contact me or one of who have supported this effort. the board members with any thoughts you • While attending the Advocacy Day in might have for furthering any aspect of our Albany, NY, the Met was invited to be association. I look forward to the year ahead part of a Turf Advisory Council sponsored as your chapter president. by Senator Greg Ball. This council, which includes superintendents, professors from Blake Halderman, CGCS the state universities, and industry leaders, President A Promising Future In addition to being the MetGCSA’s Chapter Delegate, Bob Nielsen is our association’s past president and superintendent at Bedford Golf & Tennis Club in Bedford, NY. Tee to Green September/October/November 2013 Spotlight Wickstrom and Quaker Rolled Out the Red Carpet for Assistants Championship by S. Addison Barden / M ¡though the weather forecast / m / didn’t look too promising, it _/ turned out to be a beautiful fall day for the Assistants Championship, held this year on October 23 at Quaker Ridge Golf Club. Superintendent Tom Ashfield and Assist­ ant Super Stephen Wickstrom and their staff set up a challenging course for the sizable field of assistants who came out to enjoy day of camaraderie and friendly competition. (See results on page 11.) A classic A.W. Tillinghast course in Scarsdale, NY, Quaker is often referred to as “Tillies Treasure,” receiving numerous re­ cognitions over the years, including the Number One Course in Metropolitan New York in 1989 and a Top 100 Course ranking by Golf Digest in 2013. According to famed architect Pete Dye, “Quaker Ridge has some of the greatest golf holes ever seen,” while 31-time PGA Tour event winner Jimmy Demaret has touted Quaker Ridge as worthy of hosting any tournament, including a U.S. Open and PGA Championship. Quaker has, in fact, hosted its share of events, including the 1997 Walker Cup and a number of Met Opens, Met Amateurs, and, yes, Met PGA Championships. Opened in 1918, Quaker is renowned not only for its world-class golf conditions, but also a history that includes the American Cincinnatus himself, George Washington, who during his command as general in the Revolutionary War was rumored to have bedded down under an oak tree that still stands today on Quakers 10th hole. Coincidently, the Assistants Champion­ ship was held the very same week Washing­ ton spent that restless night at Quaker Rddge 237 years ago! Movin’ on Ip Our assistant host first joined Tom Ashfield at Quaker in 2007 as a summer intern. The two met when Steve attended a seminar at Michigan State University, where Tom was invited to speak to turf students. At that point, Tom was in the process of moving from Canoe Brook to Quaker and, after chatting with Steve, invited him to do his Our Assistants Championship hosts (from left to right): Steve Wickstrom, Dan Lusty, Tom Ashfield, and Aaron Archambault. internship with him. A year later, after com­ pleting a two-year degree in turfgrass man­ agement from Michigan State, Steve was invited back to Quaker—this time as one of Tom’s assistants. That was six seasons ago. Steve grew up in the Detroit suburb of Utica and enjoyed playing golf in and around the Detroit area. When he was out of high school, he took a summer job working for his uncle, Bruce Cline, who at the time was a superintendent at The Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, MI. There, Steve’s love for working on the links inspired him to pursue the degree that has launched him into a career in turfgrass management—and his position at Quaker, where he’s quick to tell you he’s gained invaluable experience. During his years at Tillies Treasure, Steve has been a part of numerous course en­ hancement projects, including a complete bunker renovation, full greens expansions, and the rebuilding of six greens to full USGA specifications using 3D-scan tech­ nology to perfectly match previous and cur­ rent greens undulations. “Whether it’s irri­ gation and drainage installs or full greens renovations, I enjoy every opportunity to expand my knowledge and expertise,” says Steve. “And I find it tremendously reward­ ing to see hard work pay off in a completed project.” Working alongside Steve are Quaker’s additional assistants, Aaron Archambault Tee to Green September/October/November 2 0 i 3 and Dan Lusty. Both have built impressive resumes early in their careers. Aaron earned his degree at Penn State and completed his internship across the street from Quaker Ridge at Winged Foot Golf Club before landing his current position. Dan is another Michigan State alum who started as an assistant at Quaker Ridge after two backto-back internships—one under Tom and the other at Shady Canyon Golf Club in Irvine, CA. While at Shady Canyon last winter/spring, Dan had the fortunate op­ portunity to be part of a multimillion-dollar renovation. Just for Fun A diehard Detroit sports fan, Steve enjoys spending his free time catching Lions and Tigers games. He was able to make a trip down to D.C. earlier this year to watch the Lions get their first win ever in Washing­ ton that proved to be a last-second nail biter. Steve and his wife of three years, Tina, reside in City Island, NY Great Day for All “Aaron, Dan, and I enjoyed spending a relax­ ing day away from work with fellow assis­ tants,” says Steve, who was also pleased to share the course’s many improvements with the tournament-goers. Quaker’s Super More Than Happy to Host ( J j Orchestrating the show at Quaker y Ridge Golf Club since 2007 is Superintendent Tom Ashfield. Tom began his career in turfgrass management at Oakland Hills Country Club in Birming­ ham, MI, where he worked on the grounds crew during the summer of 1987 after a three-year stint in the army Having had a longtime passion for law enforcement, Tom decided to take a brief hiatus from turf and joined the Bloomfield Hills Police Depart­ ment as a dispatcher. It didn’t take him long, however, to realize that turfgrass manage­ ment was his true calling. He enrolled in the two-year turf program at Michigan State University while working as an assistant at Franklin Hills Country Club, in Franklin, MI. After completing the program, Tom decided to further his educa­ tion, earning a B.S. in Crop and Soil Science. Degree in hand, Tom accepted an assis­ tant’s position at Oakland Hills Country Club, where he had the opportunity to host the 1996 U.S. Open. The following year, Tom was offered the superintendent’s posi­ tion at Edgewood Country Club in Com­ merce Township, MI, and then two years later, headed East to the New York Metro­ politan area’s Canoe Brook Country Club. He remained there for seven years before landing his current position at Quaker Ridge. Tom is grateful to have such a hardwork­ ing team of assistants. “They’re dedicated, knowledgeable, and extremely sharp,” he says, adding, “I trust them to run much of the day-to-day golf course operations.” Steve appreciates the vote of confidence. “I’m grateful for the responsibility Tom and our GM Bob Musich have been willing to give us,” says Steve.“It’s made my job here at Quaker all the more enjoyable.” Steve, Aaron, and Dan weren’t the only ones who enjoyed welcoming the Met’s f Class C members to Quaker. Tom was equally, if not more pleased to host this annual event. “The Assistants Championship is a great opportunity to give back,” says Tom. “Assistants are the backbone of the sys­ tem. This is my way of recognizing and say­ ing thank you for the job assistants do to make us all look good. It gave me great pleasure seeing everyone enjoying them­ selves out here on the links.” Addison Barden, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is an assistant superintend­ ent at NorthJersey Country Club in Wayne, NJ. Assistants Enjoy a Mighty-Fine Hay at Quaker by Ed Brockner, MetGCSA Executive Director f J hanks to Superintendent Tom Ashfield and Assistant Super 1 Stephen Wickstrom and their staff, the Assistants Championship went off without a hitch, offering the Met’s Class C members the perfect respite from the daily grind. Special thanks to George Chavez, our Class C board rep, for arranging this special event and to Quaker’s GM Bob Musich, Golf Shop Manager Mau­ reen Vershure for making this a day to remember! Last but not least, we’d also like to rec­ ognize Title Sponsor Westchester Turf for supporting this event and making the day possible. Here are the day’s results: Low Gross Team Winners 74 Ian Hamilton, The Patterson Club Kevin Haglund, Redding CC 78 Maxwell Lenz, Siwanoy CC Josh Haugh, Willow Ridge CC 80 Kyle Hillegass, Nassau CC Tyler Wesseldyk, Nassau CC Low Net Team Winners 63 Brian O ’Malley, Edgewood CC Jesse Bulaga, Edgewood CC 64 Keith Carper, Sterling Farms GC Tom Bakis, Sterling Farms GC 66 James Decarvallio, Siwanoy CC Greg James, Liberty National GC Individual Gross Winner 77 Ian Hamilton, The Patterson Club Individual Net Winner 68 Brian O ’Malley, Edgewood Country Club Closest to Hole #5 Todd Salamone, Sands Point GC #10 Corey Risedorf, GC at Mansion Ridge Longest Drive #16 Mike Guinan, Blind Brook Club Tee to Green September/October/November 2013 Member News Upcoming Events Don’t Miss the Event of the Year • • • The MetGCSA Christmas Party WHEN? Saturday, December 7, 7—11:30p.m. WHERE? Avalon Hall, 40 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle, NY Be sure to join fellow Met members for this festive annual event being held this year on the 40th floor of the Avalon Hall, offering picturesque views of New Rochelle and, in the distance, New York City! Enjoy dinner and dancing to the sounds of DJ Stütz, door prizes, and more! Educational and Social Events MetGCSA/CAGCS Fall Educational Seminar Wednesday, December 4 The Patterson Club Fairfield, CT Host: Jason Meersman Starting at 8:30 a.m., you will hear a series of informative talks from five industry experts. The speakers and their topics: • Mowing and Rolling: Beyond Green Speed Dr. Michael Richardson, University ofArkansas • Using Plant Growth Regulators for Golf Turf: Whats New? Dr. Cale Bigelow, Purdue University • False Green Kyllinga and Other Difficult Weeds of Turf and Non-Turf Areas Jim Skorulski, Senior Agronomist, USGA • Technology for Golf Course Manage­ ment Is Coming at You Fast Dr. Michael Richardson, University ofArkansas • Efficient Irrigation of Golf Turf in the Cool-Humid Region: Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficients Dr. Scott Ebdon, University of Massachusetts 38th Annual New Jersey Green Expo Turf and landscape Conference Tuesday - Thursday, December 10—12 Trump Taj Mahal Resort Casino Atlantic City, NY The New Jersey Green Expo offers a com­ prehensive educational program providing cutting-edge applications and tactics to guarantee green industry professionals’ suc­ cess on the job. Offering one of the largest trade shows in the tri-state area, the expo also provides attendees with the opportu­ nity to view the latest and greatest products and services on the market. For further information, call 973-8126467 or visit www.njturfgrass.org. MetGCSA Winter Seminar Wednesday,January 15,2014 Westchester Country Club Rye, NY Join industry professionals for a day of edu­ cation and the opportunity to peruse the products and services of our trade show vendors. Here is a preview of the speakers of the day: • Dr. Ben McGraw of SUNY Delhi • Herb Stevens of Grass Roots Weather • Chava McKeel, GCSAA associate director, government relations • Dr. Michelle DaCosta of UMass • Dr. John Kaminski of Penn State 2014 Nor'easter Ski Day Friday,January 17,2013 Killington Ski Resort Killington, VT Watch for details on this no-to-be-missed multi-association event that includes a day of fun—and a ski race competition—on the Killington slopes. For further information, contact Andy Drohen of Agrium Advanced Technologies at 413-531-6401 or adrohen@agriumat.com. Tee to Green September/October/November 2013 Members on the Move • David Dudones is the new superin­ tendent at Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY Previous position: Superin­ tendent at North Jersey Country Club, Wayne, NJ. • Mike Scott is the new superintendent at Edgewood Country Club in Riverdale, NJ. Previous position: MS Turf consulting business. Births Congratulations to: • Brian Chapin, superintendent of Para­ mount Country Club, and his wife, Zoya, on the birth of their daughter, Nika, who was born 8 lbs. on November 11. • Steven McGlone, superintendent of Siwanoy Country Club and his wife, Margie, on the birth of their daughter, Sydney Elizabeth, who was born 7 lbs. 3 ozs. on September 12. New Members Please join us in welcoming the following new MetGCSA members: • Kenneth Barber, Class AF, of Ken’s Tree Care in Northvale, NJ • Jesse Bulaga, Class C, of Edgewood Country Club in Riverdale, NJ • Brian Delsanter, Class C, of Woodway Country Club in Darien, CT • Jamie Devers, Class A, of Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, NJ • Brian Gjelsvik, Class AF, from Seeton Turf Warehouse in Mt. Laurel, NJ • Ian Hamilton, Class C, of The Patterson Club in Fairfield, CT • Kyle Johnson, Class C, of Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY • Lucas Knudson, Class SM, of Rockville Links Country in Rockville Centre, NY • Wes Mackie, Class C, of Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY • Charles Nowicki, Class A, of Golf Club at Mansion Pudge in Monroe, NY • Jeffrey Stein, Class AF, Stein Golf Construction in Bedford, NY • Kyle Zarnetski, Class C, of Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, NJ 0 aÌtron Directory Patrons listed on this page are supporting our association. You are encouraged to support them. 360GOLF “Rebuilding Golf Courses From All the Bight Angles” Chad Lemere 914-625-0676 www.360golfonline.com © A.G. Enterprises Rick Gordon ~ Staff Uniforms 201-488-1276 Fax:201-489-5830 merrickl60@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 C*'-■ **' Ray Beaudry / Tim Marcoux 800-878-8873 © BASF John Bresnahan www.BetterTurf.com John.Bresnahan@basf.com # Ip4, ,m*' © 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 r i 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 © 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@GBJturf.com www.GRIturf.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 © 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 © © © © © © © 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 Playbooks 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.goplaybooks.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 Jeff Stein 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 © Tanto Irrigation, LLC William Bartels 914-347-5151 / Fax:914-347-6323 wbartels@tantoirrigation.com © The Care o f 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 / JeffHoude 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 jé /A ' t _ ____________ fc _i______________ Ace Sponsors PLANT ¡ P FO O D ä fft COMPANY, INC. Ill 'IPMENT ^ a t i t y T u rf E qu ipm © ^ John Deere TORO Double Eagle Sponsors IRRIGATION Grow tn0 A (tetter WorkT* mfm I■ r; 9- Skf*l ÖLLF.CTIO!