líimrd ni Directors M e tG C S A est 1959 President GLEN DUBE, CGCS Centennial Golf Club Vice President DAVID D U D O N ES Westchester Country Club Treasurer Cover: Upper Montclair Country Club. K E N N E T H B EN O IT JR ., CGCS GlenArbor Golf Club Secretary R O BERT B. ALONZI JR . Fenway Golf Club Past President BLAKE HALDERM AN, CGCS Brae Burn Country Club Directors M ICH AEL BRUNELLE, CGCS Upper Montclair Country Club BRETT C H A PIN Redding Country Club BRIAN C H A PIN Paramount Country Club D O U G DRU GO Wee Burn Country Club STEVEN McGLONE Siwanoy Country Club V IN C E N T PAVONETTI, CGCS Fairview Country Club Class “ C” Rep DAVID PARSON The Apawamis Club Class “AF” Rep n this Issue R O BERT STEINM AN, CGCS Pocono Turf Executive Director M IKE McCALL, CGCS Executive Secretary SUSAN O ’DOW D Tec to tlreen Staff The N ew York State BMP Program Continues to Engage Industry in Safeguarding Water Q uality. Editor JIM PAVONETTI 203-531-8910 Managing Editor Departments PANDORA C. WOJICK Editorial Committee TODD APGAR MATT CEPLO KEVIN COLLINS ANDY DROHEN CHIP LAFFERTY STEVEN McGLONE BOB NIELSEN SCOTT NIVEN TOM REYES GREG WOJICK Designer TER R I E YOUNG Advertising Manager MIKE BRUNELLE, 973-777-6710 M em ber News ............................................................................................... 4 R egional N e w s ............................................................................................... 5 Scorecard.......................................................................................................... 6 Spotlight .............................................. 8 U pcom in g Events ....................................................................................... 11 TEETOGREEN is published bimonthly by the Metropolitan G olf Course Superintendents Association 49 Knollwood Road, Elmsford, NY 10523-2819 914-347-4653 ; FAX: 914-347-3437, METGCSA.ORG Copyright © 2 0 1 6 MetGCSA Summer Social ....................................................................... 12 DEC 0 7 2016 öiAl t uiwvcnos1Y LIBRARIES ou know the season is coming to an end each year when our schedule of events picks up. Starting with the Nine and Dine at Silvermine on September 14, we have had several notable golf outings: the Poa Annual Tournament at Metropolis I Country Club on September 26, which raised more than $5,000 for NYSTA, and then the Assistants Championship on Nov­ ember 1 at Upper Montclair Country Club. Dubbed the Battle of the Bridges, this joint meeting pitted the MetGCSA against GCSA of New Jersey for what was, no sur­ prise, a great event. Our assistants certainly deserved a nice day out on a course other than their own. We can’t thank our meeting hosts—Larry Pakkala, Dave McCaffrey, and Mike Brunelle and assistant hosts Kyle Zarnetski, Sean Blatz, and Steve Benally—enough for proi viding us with pristine conditions and chal• lenging setups. Check out this issues - Scorecards for the results of these events. Ami the Events to (In J fe MetGCSA est 1959 tm E The golf may be over for the season, but the schedule of events goes on starting with our November 2 Annual Meeting. In addition to board elections, the meeting included a talk on the new salaried employee overtime laws that will be implemented in the near future. Be sure to read my next—and last— President’s Message for the details! In the meantime, please mark your calen­ dars with the season’s final two upcoming events: the Fall Seminar and our Annual Christmas Party. ’ The Patterson Club and Superintendent Jason Meersman will host our Fall Seminar again this year on November 17. Education Chair Brett Chapin and his committee have a great roster of speakers for this perennially well-attended event. (See Upcoming Events on page 11 for topics.) Last but not least is our Christmas Party. Be sure to join us December 8 at Bonnie Briar Country Club. We’ve altered our party format, making our holiday gathering a day­ time, weekday event, with hors d’oeuvres and open bar. This will be the perfect oppor- Glen Dube, C G C S M etGCSA President tunity to kick back and celebrate the end of an extremely challenging season! Speaking of a Challenging Season... I can’t end my message without acknowledg­ ing just how incredibly challenging—no, BRUTAL—this summer has been for many of us. The season started out relatively un­ eventful and then by July, all hell broke loose. High temps and low rainfall yielded to a period of heavy rains combined with high humidity, high temps, and wet compacted soils. T urf developed shallow root systems and disease, and then it became hot and dry again. You know the rest of the story. Anyone with Poa annua faced the greatest challenges. If there’s one thing I learn time and time again, it’s that this business can be absolutely unforgiving. Worn out from doing battle against failing tu rf and struggling to moti­ vate staff to keep moving, it’s often difficult to see any positives. I guess sometimes the only bright spot is that we, along with the tremendous support of our crews, make it through and hopefully learn something in the process. (living Credit Where Credit Is Hue While mentioning all of our season-ending events, I thought it was the perfect time to give credit where credit is due: to our Class AF members. We want to make sure you know just how much we appreciate your generous and continued support of the MetGCSA year in and year out. So please accept my thanks, on behalf of the entire Met board, for all you do! Glen Dube, CGCS M etGCSA President Tee to Green October 2 0 1 6 by KenBenoit, CGCS "YSQolfbmp., ■cornea t?rria ifi C5 Çon*uct. ’"“ “■y. he New York State Best Management Practices (BMPs) Committee has been hard at work over the past year developing and implementing a self-assess­ ment program intended to encourage New York State superintendents’ use of the stan­ dards set forth in the BMP manual for pro­ tecting water quality. How It All Began: BMPs in the Milking As stewards of the environment and the golf courses they manage, superintendents are dedicated to protecting our natural re­ sources and maintaining our facilities in harmony with the environment. But with growing concern over protecting our water systems, it became apparent that it was in our best interest to take a proactive ap­ proach to ensuring that superintendents were doing their part in protecting water quality, on and around our golf courses. As most MetGCSA members are aware, in 2012 golf course superintendents from New York State GCSA chapters formed a committee that became the driving force in the creation of a comprehensive document and website detailing BMPs for New York State golf courses. Joining forces with a team of turfgrass researchers from Cornell University, the New York State DEC, and a number of government officials, the committee, which now includes all nine of the state’s golf course superintendent associations, devel­ oped a standard set of practices, essentially guiding principles, that demonstrate our commitment to protecting—even enhanc­ ing—the environment. More specifically, the BMPs provide guidelines for protecting water quality, re­ ducing pesticide use and storm water vol­ ume, peak flow, and nonpoint source pol­ lution through evapotranspiration, infiltra­ tion, detention, and filtering, as well as bio­ logical and chemical actions. They are detailed in the New York State BMP web­ site (nysgolfbmp.cals.cornell.edu), which has been up-and-running since 2014 and is eas­ ily accessible on multiple platforms: desktop, laptop, or mobile device. For those who might not have logged on, the site is impressive, starting with an open­ ing message on the home page from re­ nowned golf course designer and pro­ fessional golfer Gary Player. Maneuvering the site is made simple with a pull-down menu of BMP categories and sublinks that will bring you to just about any BMPrelated information you’re looking for. Also handy are links to fact sheets on spe­ cific BMPs, which can be printed or easily emailed to staff, Green Committee mem­ bers, or regulators who may need clarifica­ tion on a specific practice. For those who would rather view the BMP manual in print than online, all 185 pages of the BMP man­ ual are available for printing directly from the site. Creating the BMP manual has made sci­ ence-based information and guidance avail­ able in one easily accessible and compre­ hensive resource and has helped the golf industry to work in concert with policy­ makers and regulators in our shared com­ mitment to environmental stewardship. Validating BMP Use Over the past year, the committee developed a BMP knowledge quiz and self-assessment survey that was taken by more than 100 representatives from New York State golf courses, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, and club owners across the state. The self-assessment was useful in deter­ mining superintendents’ current level of knowledge about BMP concepts, while the survey focused on understanding how many of the BMPs are actually being put into practice in superintendents’ daily operations. Among the findings: • 96 percent of those surveyed use a variety of methods to successfully manage organic matter, reducing the potential for runoff from compacted soils. • 92 percent use multiple factors to deter­ mine appropriate nutrient applications, which can help to reduce the potential for nitrogen and phosphorus runoff and leaching. • 67 percent utilize the infiltration rate to schedule irrigation cycles, which can save water and reduce the potential for runoff. • Nearly 50 percent monitor water quality. Tee to Green October 2 0 1 6 With the results from the quiz and survey, the committee has begun work on designing an educational program that will provide verifiable evidence to regulatory agencies that superintendents are, in fact, utilizing the New York State BMPs. The BMP Commit­ tee will convene at the November NYSTA Conference in Rochester, NY, to fine-tune the program and discuss future opportuni­ ties for additional education and outreach. Case studies that illustrate BMPs at work in the state are also being continually devel­ oped. Available on the website (see the pull­ down menu on the home page), these case studies can provide regulatory agencies with real-life examples of how superintendents are putting into practice the New York State BMPs and having a positive and demon­ strable impact on the environment. The case studies are also useful in assisting super­ intendents in identifying areas for poten­ tial improvement in their own golf course operations. In addition to the currently available case studies, the BMP Committee has recently been awarded funds by the New York State Integrated Pest Management Community IPM Projects Committee to develop a video case study on BMPs for pollinators. The video is expected to be completed and avail­ able on the website in early 2017. Signs of Succ ess Our effort to voluntarily implement BMPs is paying off. In Suffolk County Long Island this year, superintendents were facing possi­ ble nitrogen regulations related to IR1309Bill. They used the BMPs to help demon­ strate their active commitment to protect­ ing water quality. Member News Nationally, our BMP program is being recognized as well. Other states are develop­ ing BMPs, using our web-based approach as a reference. In addition, the GCSAA has sought our input in their effort to provide formal assistance to other states interested in developing BMPs. GCSAA is planning to unveil its BMP program in Orlando at next years GIS. Looking Ahead Taking steps to integrate BMPs into your daily golf course management practices may, at first, seem like more trouble than it’s worth, but there is no doubt that adhering to these environmentally responsible practices will spare us from unwarranted criticism in the community and from government regu­ lations that are unjustly restrictive. As environmental stewards, protecting the environment is one of our primary re­ sponsibilities. And well implemented, the BMPs will go a long way toward supporting our environmental initiatives and efforts. New Members Please join us in welcoming the following new MetGCSA members: • Ian Blackmar, Class C,The Stanwich Club, Greenwich, CT • Jamison Lapan, Class C, Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, NY • Weston Neff, Class C, Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, NY • Carlos Sanes, Class C, Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, CT • Robert Saunders, Class AF, Winfield Solutions, LLC, Trumbull, CT Ken Benoit, superintendent of GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills, NY, is chairman of the Member on the Move Bill Cygan is the new superintendent at Silver Spring Country Club in Ridge­ field, CT. Previous position: Assistant superintendent at Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, NY Birth Congratulations to Hudson Hills Golf Course Superintendent Grover Alexan­ der and his wife, Jennifer, on the birth of their son, Walker Alexander, born 8 lbs. 8 ozs. on September 28. Regional Slews What’s the Tri-State Turf Research Foundation Funding, Slow? by Scott Niven C G C S ince 1990, the Tri-State T urf W Research Foundation has been con—^ cerned with finding environmentally safe controls for turfgrass pests and prob­ lems pertinent to tri-state area golf courses. This year is no different: The Tri-State is supporting four research projects that are taking place at three different universities in the Northeast. These studies are made possible through donations from our association and five others— GCSA of New Jersey, Connecticut AGCS, Long Island GCSA, Hudson Valley GCSA, and the MGA— as well as through the support of vendors and area clubs, like yours. We sincerely thank those of you who have donated to this worthwhile cause and urge those who haven’t yet joined our list of contributors to respond to our annual re­ quest for a $225 donation. What follows is a quick look at the re­ search the Tri-State is currently supporting. You’ll Find a full report on these projects and their outcomes in the Tri-State’s annual publication, Foundation News, at the stajt of the new year. • Putting Surfactants and Synergists to Work in Controlling ABW on G olf Course Turf. University of Rhode Island’s Dr. Steven Aim is looking to identify sur­ factants effective in controlling ABW. At the same time, Dr. Aim will focus his efforts on developing new methods for applying many of the currently available insecticides to minimize resistance development and improve efficacy. • Examining the Role o f Bentgrass Tolerance, Disease Predictive Models, and Fungicide T im ing in Controlling Dollar Spot on Fairway Turf. More fun­ gicides are used on fairway tu rf to control dollar spot disease than any other pathogen in golf course turf. With this in mind, Rutgers’ Drs. Bruce Clarke and James M ur­ phy and graduate student James Hempfling have embarked on research designed to pin­ point best management practices that will provide superintendents with the tools to obtain optimum control of this persistent disease with minimal fungicide inputs. By establishing BMPs that reduce fungicide use on fairways, the largest area of short-cut tu rf on golf courses, the researchers also foresee significant benefits to the environment, as well as clubs’ chemical budgets. Final i\oie • Exam ining the Role o f Syringing Practices in Preventing Summer D e­ cline o f Creeping Bentgrass. Dr. Bingru Huang and her research team from Rutgers University are working to determine the optimum timing of syringing for maxi­ mum effect in alleviating heat stress, i.e., summer bentgrass decline, on bentgrass put­ ting greens. • Analyzing the Impact o f Manage­ ment Practices on Putting Green Play­ ability and Plant Health During Tour­ nament Prep. Penn State’s Dr. John Ka­ minski is seeking ways to maximize tourna­ ment conditions without adding stress to bentgrass and Poa putting greens, particu­ larly from practices that are not resulting in playability improvements. He has focused his efforts on the two most commonly used practices to achieve faster green speeds: height of cut and mowing frequency, which are generally intensified leading up to the start of a tournament. With turfgrass issues never-ending and en­ vironmental concerns and controls continu­ ing to escalate, we can’t afford not to support new research. Your annual donation to the Tri-Sate Turf Research Foundation is an investment well made—in your ability to preserve quality conditions on your course, as well as the vitality and integrity of the game of golf. Scott Niven, property manager of The Stanwich Club and member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is a past president and current board member of the Tri-State Turf Research Foundation. Tee to Green October 2 0 1 6 Scorecard Nine and Dine Cut Philadelphia Takes Home 2016 Met Area Short by Cloudburst Team Championship Trophy by Andy Drohen, Met Area Team Championship Co-Chair his years annual Nine and Dine event was held September 14 at Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk, CT. Our host superintendent, Larry Pakkala, had the course in top condition for the 48 players who came out to compete in the four-person scramble and enjoy the post­ golf pig roast. Though it started out as a nice afternoon, players were chased off the course after the 7th hole by a large cloudburst and thunder­ storm, turning the nine-hole event into a seven-hole tournament. Here are the two groups who came out on top: he 36th Annual Met Area Team Championship was held on Sep­ tember 26 at The Country Club of Scranton in Clarks Summit, PA. Host Greg Boring, who recently added the role of gen­ eral manager to his duties as superintendent, had the golf course in absolutely spectacular shape after one of the driest and hottest seasons on record in the Northeast. Players from up and down the East Coast were equally impressed with how fast and smooth the greens were at Scranton! First Flight Winners The 1927 Walter Travis original has under­ gone a massive tree management program, opening up sight lines and restoring views on the golf course, as well as opening up golf holes, which, according to Greg, has allowed the course to be played the way Travis intended it. In 2010, the club hired Tom Marzolf of Fazio Design to complete a mas­ ter plan, restoring bunkers and bringing greens back to their original shapes and sizes. Scranton is a perennial Top 100 classical golf course and has hosted several major events, including both men’s and women’s State Amateur Championships over the years. Scranton is a true gem of a course and, by all accounts, another great venue on the Met Area Team Championship rotation! Glenn Perry, Rolling Hills Country Club Tony GrassoJacobsen/Textron Bill Perlee, The Apawamis Club Scott Tretera, Harrell's LLC Second Flight Winners Brett Chapin, Redding Country Club Member, Redding Country Club Member, Redding Country Club Scott Apgar, Metro Turf Specialists Special Thanks We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported the day, with special thanks to our Ace sponsors, Golf Professional Stuart Waack and his staff for running the event, the members of Silvermine for hosting our group, and of course, Larry Pakkala, and his staff for providing us with a superb play­ ing field. As we move toward wrapping up another season, the MetGCSA Board and Tourna­ ment Committee would like to thank every­ one for supporting this year’s events. M Tee to Green October 2 0 1 6 About the Course Mighty (Hose Match This year’s championship was truly one of the closest battles ever contested, with just six shots separating the top five teams! (See full results on the following page.) Repre­ senting the MetGCSA were Gross team players Tom Ashfield, Jim Swiatlowski, Steve Loughran, and Mike Weber. Net play­ ers were Scott Niven, Brett Chapin, Tim Walker, and Mike McCall, (filling in for us last minute.) Though the Met team wasn’t among the top 5, it did place in the middle of the pack with a score o f307. The Philadelphia AGCS came away vic­ torious for the fourth time in the past 12 years, this time narrowly defeating Con­ necticut with just one stroke and a score of 292! Congratulations to one and all of the players from Philly, who included John Gosselin, Andy Drohen, Joe Owsik, and Chet Walsh on the Gross side and Rich Sweeney, Jon Urbanski, Sumner Cross, and Rob Nolek on the Net side. Taking Care of Our Own As many of you may know, this event is more than just about golf. Each year, funds raised during the championship go to a cause of the MetGCSA board’s choice. Over the past six years, we have raised more than $7,500 and have supported superintend­ ents, industry representatives, and their families in times of need. This past year, we donated $2,000 to the superintendents at The Greenbrier in West Virginia after the devastating flooding that took place there this summer. Special Thanks Once again, the Met Area Team Cham­ pionship was made possible by our seven major sponsors who have stepped up year after year to make this one of the best events across North America! Please join me in thanking Aquatrols, BASF, Bayer, The Care of Trees, Koch T urf & Ornamental, Syngenta, and Toro for their ongoing support. A special thank you also goes to Shaun Barry, our perennial photographer! We have uploaded all of Shaun’s photos here: h ttp s:/ / w w w .flick r.co m /p h o to s/ 118804232@N02/albums/721576735182 02591. And thank you, again, to Greg Boring and his entire staff and all the folks at The Country Club of Scranton for another suc­ cessful championship! We look forward to seeing everyone next year, and stay tuned for announcements over the winter and look for information about the Nor’easter Ski Day, which will be here before you know it! The Complete Kesnlt s What follows is a list of team and proximity winners. Congratulations everyone! Team Scores (Par 288) 1st / 292 2nd / 293 3rd / 295 4th / 297 5th / 298 6th / 303 7th / 305 8th / 307 9th / 309 T 1 0 th /3 1 3 T 1 0 th /3 1 3 1 2 t h / 315 1 3 t h / 316 1 4 t h / 318 Philadelphia AGCS Connecticut AGCS GCSA of New Jersey Eastern Shore AGCS Long Island GCSA Pocono Turfgrass Association GCSA of New England MetGCSA GCSA of Cape Cod Northeastern GCSA Central New York GCSA Mid-Atlantic AGCS Hudson Valley GCSA Rhode Island GCSA Josh Yerdon Northeastern GCSA (Sponsored by BASF) # 1 1 / 6 ' 10" Ryan Howard Eastern Shores AGCS (Sponsored by Toro) #17 / 4' 10" Ryan Howard Eastern Shores AGCS (Sponsored by Syngenta) #5 / T 6” Longest Drive Net Div. Jerry Decker Pocono Turfgrass Association (Sponsored by The Care of Trees) Gross Div. Tom Ashfield MetGCSA (Sponsored by Aquatrols) Sponsors Div. Kevin Seibel Century Country Club (Sponsored by Bayer) Closest to the Pin Low Gross Team Winners #3 / 3’ 9” 72 Chet Walsh Philadelphia AGCS (Sponsored by Koch Turf & Ornamental) Rob Johnson & Jeff Haas GCSA of New Jersey Sponsored Team Winners We Want Your Feedback! We would like to make sure that the Met Area Team Championship is the best that it can be. We have put together a brief survey for those of you who have had the opportunity to play in the championship over the past several years, and we would appreciate your input. It’s completely anonymous, so speak your mind! The survey link is https://w w w .surveym onkey.com /r/ 5DPRZJM. Andy Drohen Co-Chair Met Area Team Championship Two-Man High Score Gross / 85 Net / 80 Kevin Smith & Steve McDonald Eastern Shore AGCS Drew Cummins & Nick Burchard Rhode Island GCSA Metropolis Hosts a Day of Fundraising and Fun on the Links , Spotlight Annual Assistants Championship Hotly Contested at Upper Montclair by Tom Reyes by Mike McCall MetGCSA Executive Director n October 3, MetGCSA mem­ bers convened for a day of golf and giving at Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, NY. The Poa An­ nual Tournament raises funds to help support the New York State Turfgrass Foundation. This year, 31 tee signs were sold, which combined with golfer contri­ butions raised $5,375 for NYSTA. Our host, Superintendent David Mc­ Caffrey, treated us to a spectacular day of golf, while General Manager Tracy Fraus laid out the red carpet of cuisine. The day offered the perfect balance of burning calories while playing this meticulously manicured and challenging Tillinghast gem and then replacing them (and then some) with a culinary variety that left no one wanting. Despite threatening weather leading up to the event, more than 60 golfers played in the tournament. Here’s how they fared: Gross Winners 73 Pete Jacobsen, BASF Corporation Dan Rogers, Wykagyl Country Club 75 Tom Weinert, Plant Food Company David McCaffrey, Metropolis Country Club 76 Dick Neufeld, Plant Food Company Guy Gurney, Hollow Brook Golf Club Net Winners 66 Charlie Seimers, Westchester Tractor Lou Rinaldi, Westchester Tractor 67 Bob Nielsen, Bedford Golf & Tennis Club Bill Perlee, The Apawamis Club 68 Jarad Luknicki, Metropolis Country Club Ryan St. Pierre, Metropolis Country Club Closest to the Pin John DePaul, Westchester Tractor Billy Pray, Dogwood Knolls Longest Drive Justin Miller, Wee Burn Country Club Tee to Green October 2 0 1 6 f M m eavy rains pushed the Annual /Assistants Championship from ^ it’s original October 27 date to November 1, when MetGCSA assistants were able to enjoy a beautiful day of friendly competition at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, NJ. (See results on page 10.) Our assistant hosts, Kyle Zarnetski, Sean Blatz, Steve Benally, and Superintendent Mike Brunelle served up some great condi­ tions for a superb round of golf. The Course: Fast and Present The course you see today is quite different than the Upper Montclair of yesteryear, which began with a small group of golfers playing on a rudimentary five-hole golf course in a Montclair meadow. In 1901, this group merged with a social organization called the “Upper Ten Club,” and the Upper Montclair Country Club was born. By 1903, the club had expanded to nine holes and continued to evolve over the years, with new nines opening in 1909/ 1910, and 1930, the last an A.W. Tillinghast design. This gave the club 27 holes, which re­ mained largely untouched until the 1950s, when the construction of the Garden State Parkway claimed six of Upper Montclair’s holes. Between 1954 and 1958, Robert Trent Jones Sr. directed a major golf course reno­ vation, which transformed the Upper Montclair Country Club into its present 27-hole championship design. Starting with the Thunderbird Classic in 1962, Upper Montclair hosted numerous professional tours through 2009. The club is one of only a few country clubs worldwide known to have hosted tournaments for all three Professional Golf Associations. Most recently, in 2011, the club com­ pleted a Master Plan golf course renovation project that included installing a new stateof-the-art drainage and irrigation system, while reshaping and restoring all of the bunkers throughout the 27-hole facility. “I enjoyed having the Assistants Champ­ ionship at Upper Montclair and showcasing our efforts and the conditions we provide for our membership on a daily basis,” says Senior Assistant Kyle Zarnetski. “Hosting this year’s tournament in New Jersey was huge in my opinion,” adds Kyle, “because it allowed us to bring the event to some of the people who don’t always get to travel to other areas.” About Kyle Zarnetski Senior Assistant Superintendent Kyle Zarnetski has been a part of the Upper Montclair Country Club management team for seven years. Kyle got his feet wet in golf course maintenance working sum­ mers at the New Haven Country Club in his New Haven, CT, hometown. “After four seasons on the crew,” says Kyle, “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.” He pursed formal training at Rutgers, and after completing his certification from the Professional Golf T urf Management School and an internship at Trump Na­ tional Bedminster, Kyle signed on in 2010 as a second assistant with Upper Montclair Country Club. Two seasons later, he was promoted to his current role as senior assistant. “Dedication and sacrifice lead to the greatest rewards,” says Kyle, attributing his rise in command to his strong work ethic. With an eye toward becoming a golf course superintendent one day soon, Kyle fur­ thered his schooling and is close to com­ pleting his bachelor’s in Turf Management from Penn State. He has also bolstered his experience and resume by volunteering at The Barclay’s at its various locations for the past eight years, the KPMG Women’s Open at Westchester Country Club, and the Sybase Match Play Championship at Hamilton Farm Golf Club. Joining the MetGCSA in 2012, Kyle has been actively involved in the association’s Class C Committee, which assists the board’s Class C rep in organizing the Assis­ tants Championship and the Assistants Left to right: Steve Benally, Mike Brunelle, Kyle Zarnetski, and Sean Blatz, pleased to host the 20Î6 Assistants Championship. Educational Seminar, as well as assisting the Tournament Committee in a variety of capacities. When he’s not enmeshed in an industry commitment, Kyle enjoys spending some of his free time at the gym, and the rest trying to find time to relax. He jokes that he is an “avid napper,” which is, no doubt, soon to change, as he is expecting his first child in mid-September with his wife-to-be, Lindsay. About Scan lllatz Assistant Superintendent Sean Blatz isn’t shy about telling you that he’s still getting his feet wet in an industry that has a significant learning curve. Working at Upper Montclair for his second season, Sean is clearly coming to the other side of the curve. He started in December 2015 as an assistant-in-training and, after just nine months, was promoted to assistant superintendent. “I’ve learned more from working under Mike (Brunelle, the superintendent) and Kyle than at school,” says Sean, as if to explain his early success. Residing in nearby Oakland, NJ, Sean completed an associate’s degree from the County College of Morris and then a bache­ lor’s in T urf Management from Delaware Valley. Even with little exposure to tu rf care prior to an internship at Manasquan River Golf Club, Sean said he knew that he wanted to work outdoors and found golf course work the most appealing alternative. Now, with close to a year working in the trenches, and having experienced the inner workings of The Barclay’s as a volunteer, Sean says his job is nothing short of a pleasure. “I couldn’t be happier with my career choice,” he says. For Sean, the outdoors is more than just a place to work, it’s a way of life. When away from the course, Sean enjoys riding ATVs and dirt bikes, hunting and fishing, or play­ ing ice hockey, where he competes in local leagues. Enjoying time with family, friends, and his girlfriend of two years, helps Sean reset after a day on the course, but then he admits, “There’s nothing better than that early time in the morning, the quiet before the storm, getting ready for a busy day.” The golf bug has bitten him. and strong sense of accomplishment, Steve, not surprisingly, selected a trade that gives him not only a tremendous sense of accom­ plishment, but also great pride and pleasure. “My vocation is my vacation,” says Steve, “and I’m happy to have the opportunity to live life enjoying my work.” When not on the course, Steve happily spends time with his family and girlfriend. Right there behind his passion for golf are traveling and skiing at various slopes across the country. Ahiml S im Benally The Super Behind the Assistants Championship Steve Benally is the newest assistant at Upper Montclair Country Club, but he brings with him a healthy list of prior expe­ rience. A 2013 Rutgers graduate, Steve has traveled from coast to coast, working at multiple courses in Utah, California, and Philadelphia while volunteering at events on the Nike Tour, Web.com tour, and The Barclay’s on the PGA Tour. Four months ago, he accepted his current position at Upper Montclair. “I wanted to learn from one of the best in the business, in an area that has the best golf courses in the world,” says Steve about his move to Upper Montclair. Steve is an avid golfer and has been from an early age. “I golf, therefore I am,” he says with a smile. So it’s no surprise that he turned his passion for the game into his profession. Though he didn’t grow up managing golf course turf, he did work in his family’s garden as a youngster.“I watched as my grandfather was able to feed my family with a farm he managed,” says Steve, with great admiration. Inheriting his grandfather’s work ethic Upper Montclair Country Club Super­ intendent Mike Brunelle couldn’t have been more pleased to host this year’s Assis­ tants Championship. “It’s important to sup­ port the people who support you,” says Mike, now in his eighth season at Upper Montclair. Mike started his journey into the turfgrass business at 13, when he began working on the crew at a small course just outside his hometown of Southampton, MA. After watching his cousin play in the 1993 U.S. Amateur at Champions Golf Club in Houston, TX, Mike was so impressed by the course conditions that he could see, for the first time, the golf course maintenance industry as a potential career instead of just a summer job. His cousin was working mornings at The Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, MA and helped Mike secure a position on the grounds crew. Though Mike will tell you that at that point he was “hooked” on the game and the industry, another sport was calling to him: baseball. Tee to Green October 2 0 1 6 K After graduating high school, Mike opted to attend St. Michaels College just outside Burlington, VT, to play baseball while pur­ suing a degree in business management. After his first year of college, however, he realized his chances of playing professional ball were slim. So Mike, once again, set his sights on golf course management and transferred to UMass where he entered into the turfgrass management program. While completing his studies, he interned at Elmwood Country Club, Wykagyl Coun­ try Club, and Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan. Following his graduation from UMass in 2001, Mike spent eight months in Florida growing in the Old Collier Golf Club, an all-paspalum course in Naples. His return to the Met area started as a second assistant to then Superintendent Steve Renzetti at Quaker Ridge, followed by four years under Bedford Golf & Tennis Super Bob Nielsen. Mikes desire to take a lead role brought him to Trump National Bedminster, where he accepted the position of Old Course superintendent under then director of grounds Greg Nicoll. “Greg threw me the keys to the operation,” says Mike, “while he focused on dealing with the administration of the business, the construction of the ‘New Course,’ and the membership.” After Mike had been at Trump Bedmin­ ster for six months, Greg decided to leave the industry, which gave Mike a chance to advance. “I knew they were lining up other candidates,” says Mike, “but with the support of Greg, the general manager, and the direc­ tor of golf, I spoke with Mr. Trump. He out­ lined what he expected of me and of the golf course, and offered me the position of direc­ tor of grounds.” Over the next two years, while expanding the 18-hole facility to 36, Mike learned the ins and outs of the business and working within an organization. So it’s no surprise that when the superintendent’s position be­ came available in 2009 at Upper Montclair, Mike was hired for the job. “This was the best move I could have made,” says Mike. “The membership is very supportive, both on and off the course.” In his eight seasons with the club, they have completed a master plan restoration, the installation of a new irrigation system, constructed a new maintenance facility, and have ongoing drainage projects to keep moving in the right direction. Mike has the trust of the membership, and has built a strong team around him, which enables him to enjoy time with wife Jenni, 3 -year-old daughter, Grade, and 11-month-old son, Tedy. “I focus on managing my three assistants, and they manage the crew,” says Mike, a strong proponent of enabling his assistants to learn by doing.“I’ve worked with my sen­ ior assistant, Kyle Zarnetski, long enough, that I’ll often throw him the keys, as was once done for me,” adds Mike. “Steve and Sean are great and are quickly learning the system, but Kyle often knows what I’m thinking and addresses problems on the course before I even mention them. “Having kids has changed the game; it’s not just about me anymore,” adds Mike. “And having Kyle on board allows me to have a family life.” Mike enjoys touring the course with his kids and enjoying the work that his team has accomplished. “Members will often come over to say hello and ask, ‘Why don’t you get out of here and take the day to spend time with your family? Don’t you have guys to cover this?’ And I’m fortunate enough to be able to say,‘Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.’ ” Tom Reyes, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is an assistant superin­ tendent at Century Country Club in Purchase, NY. MetGCSA Triumphs in Battle of the Bridges by Dave Parson he Annual Assistants Championship was held on November 1 at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, NJ. Dubbed the Battle of the Bridges, this year’s competition attracted 102 assistants, who enjoyed a much-needed break from the daily grind. The clubhouse staff provided a perfect start to the day with a delicious, first-class breakfast, and Superintendent Mike Brunelle and Assistant Superintendents Kyle Zarnetski, Sean Blatz, and Steve Benally set the' stage for a great day of golf with a meticulously groomed course and fast and true greens. Congratulations to the MetGCSA team, who triumphed in the “battle” and took the cup home to New York. Many thanks, again, to the entire Upper Montclair staff for their contributions in making this an event to remember. Here are the day’s results: MetGCSA Team Net ~ 366 Team Gross ~ 414 Team Total ~ 780 GCSA New Jersey Team Net ~ 402 Team Gross —411 Team Total —813 Low Gross Winners 77 Freddy Carmona, Stanton Ridge Golf & CC 79 Mike Guinan, Blind Brook Club 81 Justin Adams, Ridgewood CC 81 Kelly Barrell, Quaker Ridge GC Low Net Winners 70 Chris Steffen, Tamarack CC 71 Justin Adams, Ridgewood CC 71 Tom Reyes, Century CC Dave Parson is the MetGCSA’s Class C rep and assistant superintendent at The Apawamis Club in Rye, NY. The MetGCSA team takes home the trophy in the Ba ttle of the Bridges. a Tee to Green October 2 0 1 6 MetGCSA’s Annual Christmas Party Adds a New Twist WHEN? Thursday, December 8, 1-4p.m. WHERE? Bonnie Briar Country Club Larchmont, NY Host: Nick Lerner Come party this year in the daylight hours with fellow members and guests at our annual Christmas Party. This year’s holiday celebration will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at Bonnie Briar Country Club in Larchmont, NY Feel free to invite employees, family, and friends to join the festivities and cock­ tail party atmosphere that will include great food, an open bar, and the opportunity to ring in the holiday season with friends old and new. Mark your calen­ dars and gather your guest list. The more the merrier! Get Your Tickets Now for the Bill Caputi Scholarship Raffle Now’s the time to get your tickets for the Annual Bill Caputi Scholarship Raffle! Established in memory of Hampshire Country Club Superintendent Bill Caputi, this raffle raises money for our education scholarships, awarded every year to deserving students of MetGCSA mem­ bers or family members. Tickets are $25, and raffle prizes will be awarded December 8 at the Met Christmas Party at Bonnie Briar. We thank everyone for your support! Educational Events MetGCSA/CAGCS Fall Seminar Thursday, November 17 The Patterson Club Fairfield, CT Host: Jason Meersman Join fellow golf industry professionals at this informative educational session cosponsored by the MetGCSA and Connecticut AGCS. Here’s a look at the Fall Seminar speakers and their topics: • Weed Control in Low Maintenance Roughs and Natural Areas on G olf Courses Dr.Jared Hoyle, Kansas State University • The Stress o f 2016: How to Prevent Future Turf Loss Dr. Nathaniel Mitkoski, University of Rhode Island • The Science Behind Turf Growth Regulation and GDD Modeling Richard Fletcher, Technical Service Manager, Nufarm T urf and Ornamentals • D on’t Get Them Angry: Avoiding and M anaging Insecticide Resis­ tance in ABW Dr. Albrecht Koppenhofer, Rutgers University • Newer Strategies to Combat N e­ matodes and Root Rot Dr. Derek Settle, Bayer For further information, contact our Education Chair, Brett Chapin, at 203938-9640. Turf & Grounds Exposition Wednesday - Thursday, November 1 6 - 1 7 Rochester Riverside Convention Center Rochester, NY The Turf & Grounds Exposition offers an excellent opportunity to network while remaining current on the latest research and trends in turfgrass management. As always, the expo will feature key speakers from all segments of the green industry, as well as a comprehensive trade show with more than 100 exhibitors. For further information, call the show office at 800-873-8873 or 518-783-1229, or visit the website at www.nysta.org. Long Island Regional Conference Thursday, December 1 Upsky Long Island Hotel Hauppauge, NY The Long Island Regional Conference of­ fers a variety of educational sessions with leading turfgrass educators and industry professionals. For further information, visit www.nysta.org or contact the NYSTA office at 800-873-8873 or 518-783-1229. 2016 GREEN EXPO Turf & Landscape Conference Tuesday —Thursday, December 6 - 8 The Borgata Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, NJ 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 opportunity 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 18,2017 Westchester Country Club Rye, NY Host: David Dudones For further information, contact our Education Chair, Brett Chapin, at 203-938-9640. Tee to Green October 2 0 1 6 2016 MetGCSA Summer Social ood Food, Good Fun a t Orienta ßeach Club Brett Chapin & D avid Dudones p m' Mike McCall, Bob Nielsen Karen Bontemps, Alicia Shannon Bob A lonzi, Jesse Shannon Birdie & Peter Rappoccio, Kim A lonzi Mike & Anne Ma ffei, Judy A lonzi Josh & Stacey Haugh, Steven & Margie McGlone, Meighan & Dave Parson, D avid Hardin Lorah Perlee, Glenn Perry & Heidi Ryan Aaron Crouse, Mike Imoberstag, Chase LaCourse, Ben Ledgard, Cait & Vinny Barnaba,JR LaPan, Steven Bigelow Kim Kadi, Ken & Yve Gentile, Sam Kadi atron Directory Patrons listed on this page are supporting our association. You are encouraged to support them. © A.G. Enterprises Rick Gordon ~ Staff Uniforms 201-488-1276 / Fax: 201-489-5830 merrickl60@gmail.com www.AGEnterprisesonline.com O All Pro Horticulture, Inc. John Seib 80 East Gates Avenue Lindenhurst, NY 11757 631-789-6680 / Fax:631-789-5711 john@allprohort.com O Aquatrols Corp. o f America 1273 Imperial Way Paulsboro, NJ 08066 Kevin Collins, NE & Mid-Atlantic Territory Mgr. 609-841-2077 kcollins@Aquatrols.com Argento & Sons, Inc. Louis Argento 1 Prospect Avenue White Plains, NY 10607 914-949-1152 / Fax:914-948-0255 louis@argentoandsons.com O Atlantic Golf & Turf 9 Industrial Boulevard Turner Falls, MA 01376 John Garcia: 203-996-6267 jngarc@gmail.com O BASF “We Create Chemistry” Peter Jacobson: 919-530-9062 peter.jacobson@basf.com O Bayer Environmental Science “Backed by Bayer” Dave Sylvester: 860-841-3173 O Blue Ridge Peat Farms 133 Peat Moss Road White Haven, PA 18661 Gene Evans / Chuck Evans 570-443-9596 / 570-947-5888 O Cushman / E-Z-GO Nick Roberto: 845-637-7641 nroberto@textron.com Marc Santospirito: 516-662-3554 O Custom Golf Golf Course Materials Michael Giacini: 631-433-4494 nmgiacini@verizon.net DeLea Sod Farms Bentgrass, Fescue, Bluegrass Sod, & U.S. Silica Topdressing Scott Geiser: 800-344-7637 sgeiser@deleasod.com Double ‘D’ Turf, LLC Drill & Fill Specialist Dennis DeSanctis Sr.: 732-241-7378 dennis@doubleDturf.com F O Emerald Tree & Shrub Care Company 26 Fox Meadow Road Scarsdale, NY 10583 Steve Farrelly: 914-725-0441 Kevin Wyatt: 203-422-2441 William Demarest: 914-725-0441 o Evergreen Organic Recycling Pinnacle Turf, Inc. 1160 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 James Amodio / Raymond Colasacco 914_949_9030 Ray@EvergreenOrganicRecycling.com 40 Skyview Lane New Rochelle, NY 10804 Steven Renzetti, CGCS 914-384-9227 srenzetti@verizon.net www.Pinnacleturf.net Executive Turf Products 92 Vine Road, Stamford, CT 06905 Ken Gentile: 203-496-0891 executiveturfproducts@gmail.com humagroturf.com Fisher and Son Company “Green Industry Supplier Since 1928” Mike Weber: 347-486-0480 mweber@fisherandson.com o 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 © The Care o f Trees Mike Cook: 914-345-8733 Jeremiah Green: 914-241-8110 Ken Clear: 203-863-0900 Greg Gutter: 914-241-8110 © The Terre Company o f New Jersey, Inc. Seed, Pesticides, Nursery Stock, & Fertilizer Byron Johnson: 973-473-3393 jmitovski@terrecompany.com O Tom Irwin Inc. “With Tom Irwin, You Are Not Alone” 13 A Street, Burlington, MA 01803 Jeff Houde: 203-731-1776 800-582-5959 jeff@tomirwin.com Mobile Coverage System, Golf Course Field Guides, ezPins, Consulting, Career Development, Professional Search Services 504 Gloucester Avenue Greg Wojick: 203-219-0254 Middlesboro,KY 40965 Matt Leverich: 913-221-8052 © Turf Products LLC ~ TORO Samson Bailey, CEO www.goplaybooks.com Irrigation & Equipment Jessica Teaney, Business Admin “Servicing Our Customers 609-248-7453 / Fax:606-896-8006 Saturated Solutions ~ US Pitchcare golfpreser vat ions@yahoo. com Since 1970” “Simplifying Cultural” Pat Cragin: 860-874-2812 18 Evergreen Road Grass Roots Turf Products, Inc. Bill Conley: 860-360-0503 Northford, CT 06472 “Serving Turfgrass Professionals Dave Dynowski: 860-490-9396 Paul Boyd Jr.: 203-219-7459 Since 1978” Shawn Donovan: 203-910-9114 saturatedservices@gmail.com Ryan Batz / Keith Kubik Peter Hull: 860-305-2525 Ofc: 973-252-6634 O Seeton Turf Warehouse, LLC www.GPJturf.com / sales@GRIturf.com © Valley Green, Inc. Brian Bontemps: 845-239-7959 205 Wilson Avenue Brian Gjelsvik: 973-670-7139 Growth Products, LTD Norwalk, CT 06854 Zach Brooks: 914-309-2373 Fertilizers, Organics, & Fungicide Products Greg Moran Bill Cimochowski: 609-923-4045 80 Lafayette Avenue Cell: 845-901-1358 White Plains, NY 10603 SiteOne Landscape Supply Ofc: 203-831-9748 Howie Gold: 917-559-4425 5 Leo Lane, New Windsor, NY 12553 g.moran@valleygreenusa.com Chad Mathieu: 914-539-5675 Ofc: 800-648-7626 © Valley View Wholesale hgold@g rowt hproduc ts.com cmathieu@siteone.com Golf Preservations, Inc. O Harrell’s “Growing a Better World. Partners for Success” Scott Tretera: 914-262-8638 stretera@harrells.com / www.harrells.com LaBar Golf Renovations 170 Mount Airy Road, Suite A1 Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 Rich LaBar: 908-502-5253 rich@labargolf.com ® LaCorte Equipment ~ John Deere Golf Soil Solutions, LLC ~ Aerification Professionals 7 Whittemore Place Ryebrook, NY 10573 914-393-0659 / Fax:914-939-5010 © Steven Willand, Inc. “Quality Turf Equipment” 4 Production Drive Brookfield, CT 06804 George Corgan: 914-213-3622 georgecorgan@stevenwillandinc.com www.StevenWillandInc.com “Premier John Deere Golf Distributor in the Northeast” Eric Berg / Jeff Sutphen / Jim Calladio 800-560-3373 / Fax: 631-591-3447 golfparts@LaCorteEquipment.com www.LaCorteEquipment.com © Synergy Turf Supply Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. © Syngenta Hydrogeologie Consulting & Environmental Engineering Services Rob Good:860-678-0404 rgood@lbgct.com Mark Eliot Design, LLC Mark Sosnowitz, ASLA, MG 914-318-4476 msosnowitz@aol.com O Metro Turf Specialists Proudly Celebrating 50 Years in Business “Customers, Our TOP Priority” Scott / Todd / Rich / Matt / Jake 203-748-GOLF (4653) www.metroturfspecialists.com “Agronomic Professionals” Bobby Steinman, CGCS: 860-488-2822 bobby7777@aol.com Ernie Steinhofer, CGCS: 860-488-0533 ejsturfinc@gmail.com Manufacturer of Plant Protection Products 24 Forest Street, Burnt Hills, NY 12077 Brian Goudey: 518-764-2412 brian.goudey@syngenta.com © Tanto Irrigation, LLC “Golf Course Irrigation Specialists” Steve Kubicki / Jeff Gennerelli info@tantoirrigation.com © The Cardinals, Inc. Complete Distributor of Golf Course Accessories & T urf Maintenance Supplies John Callahan: 800-861-6256 Fax: 860-673-8443 Greenhouses 229 Smith Ridge Road South Salem, NY 10590 Frank Amodio: wgh@aol.com Kevin Amodio kevin.wgh@yahoo.com 914-533-2526 © Westchester Tractor, Inc. 60 International Boulevard Brewster, NY 10509 John Apple / Charlie Siemers 845-278-7766 www.wtractor.com © Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. “Serving the MetGCSA for 40 Years” Bob Lippman: 914-447-6257 Dave Lippman: 914-447-5192 info@westchesterturf.com © Wickes Arborists 11 McNamara Road Spring Valley, NY 10977 John Wickes: 914-906-3264 Ofc: 845-354-3400 © Wilfred MacDonald, Inc. “Turf Equipment Specialists” South Hackensack, NJ 07606 Glenn Gallion: 201-954-5878 888-831-0891 / Fax:201-931-1730 ggwilmac@aol.com © Winfield Solutions, Inc. “Service, Solutions, Insight” Rob Saunders: 203-249-5059 rssauders@landolakes.com www.winfieldpro.com Thank You to Our Major Sponsors for Their Support Ace Sponsors ^ * a llt y T u r f E q u i p m © ^ COMPANY, INC TORO M etro Turf Specialists Double Eagle Sponsors OAquatrols Growing A Better Worki'v J ohn Deere k S eeto n T •Warehouse, GOLF urf • A