Published by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association October/November 2017VOLUME 48 NUMBER 5Tee to Green Oct 2017 cov_Tee to G dec 2010 cover 11/4/17 5:38 PM Page 3TEE TO GREEN is published bimonthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association49 Knollwood Road, Elmsford, NY 10523-2819 914-347-4653, FAX: 914-347-3437, METGCSA.ORG Copyright © 2017n this IssueCover: Sunningdale Country Club. FeatureBob Nielsen Honored With Met™s Coveted Sherwood A. Moore Award......................................................2 Work Smarts........................................................................6 Upcoming Events..................................................................9 Member News......................................................................9 Scorecard............................................................................10 IDepartmentsTee to Green StaffEditor JIM PAVONETTI 203-531-8910 Managing Editor PANDORA C. WOJICK Editorial Committee TODD APGARSTEVEN McGLONE MATT CEPLOANTHONY MINNITI KEVIN COLLINS BOB NIELSEN ANDY DROHEN SCOTT NIVEN CHIP LAFFERTYTOM REYES GREG WOJICK Designer TERRIE YOUNG Advertising Manager MIKE BRUNELLE, 973-777-6710 Board of DirectorsPresident DAVID DUDONES Westchester Country Club Vice President KENNETH BENOIT JR., CGCS GlenArbor Golf Club Treasurer ROBERT B. ALONZI JR. Fenway Golf Club Secretary BRETT CHAPIN Redding Country Club Past President GLEN DUBE, CGCS Centennial Golf Club Directors MICHAEL BRUNELLE, CGCS Upper Montclair Country Club BRIAN CHAPIN Paramount Country Club STEVEN LOUGHRAN Rock Ridge Country Club STEVEN McGLONE Siwanoy Country Club VINCENT PAVONETTI, CGCS Fairview Country Club DANIEL ROGERS Wykagyl Country Club Class fiCfl Rep DAVE PETERSON Brae Burn Country Club Class fiAFfl Rep SCOTT TRETERA Harrel™s LLC Executive Director MIKE McCALL, CGCS Executive Secretary SUSAN O™DOWD Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page ii1Tee to Green October/November 2017 continued on page 8 resident™sMessagePhen mums are planted, bulbs ordered, and our club entrances are adorned with pumpkins and cornstalks, we know budget season has begun. Clubs large and small, vendors, professors and researchers . . . we all have to deliver on a budget. Sure, the specifics of the budget plans at our clubs vary depending on the size of the club and its individual needs and expectations. But no matter what the profession or department within a facility, the process is very much the same: a kind of balancing act between needs and upcoming expenses. When Budget Planning Goes Well Our favorite part of the budget discussion is, of course, when our COO, GM, or Green Committee asks, fiDo you have all the tools you need to get the job done?fl Agronomic plans, club committee expec- tations and goals will ultimately drive the budget, but it™s always a good feeling when the club values your department enough to consult with you on what you may need now and in the futureŠwhether it™s staffing or resourcesŠto aptly tend to their number one asset: the golf course. While seasoned superintendents, equip- ment managers, and assistants, when pressed, are capable of delivering a good product with only a little fibubble gum and duct tape,fl knowing a club feels your efforts are worth fully supportingŠand then actually allocating the funds to do itŠgoes a long way in boosting department morale and in providing a motivating and employee- friendly environment. Constant reinvestment, big or small, in area golf courses has not been seen to my knowledge since the late 1990s. Yes, over- spent capital, dwindling membership enroll- ment, and the overall downturn in golf has had a significant impact on the financial health of local clubs, which has been terrible to see in our once-bulletproof market. But fortunately, right now it seems, as Bob Dylan sang, fiThe times they are a changin™.fl This is evident in the number of renovations that are planned, have occurred recently, or are currently taking place at clubs in our area. The Times They Are aChangin’David Dudones MetGCSA President We only hope that this upturn won™t be adversely affected by the ever-increasing cost oflabor and employee benefits. Budget Challenges LoomingKeeping our budgets at a 2- to 3-percent increase has admittedly been challenging with the perpetually rising cost of expenses such as workman™s comp and health insur- ance, union-mandated benefits, pension or 401k contributions, and payroll and property taxes. Now, next year it seems we™ll be faced with yet another budget challenge: Mini- mum wage is scheduled to increase to $11/ hour in 2018 and progress to $15/hour by 2022. Along with stretching our labor budgets, this wage increase could ruffle the feathers of the nonunion and union workers whose mandated cost-of-living increases have been at a modest 3 percent. That means employees who started in 2010 at $.25 above the state minimum wage of $7.25 would, under nor- mal circumstances, be making only $10.69 in 2022. Instead, these veteran employees will be receiving the minimum wage increase of $15/hour in 2022. While, at first, this might WTee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 1Tee to Green October/November 2017 2eatureFBob Nielsen HonoredWith Met™s Coveted Sherwood A. Moore Award by Scott Apgar Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 23Tee to Green October/November 2017 Congratulations to Robert J. Nielsen, CGCS, of Bedford Golf & Tennis Club for being selected as this year™s recipi- ent of the Sherwood A. Moore (SAM) Award. The SAM Award is the most presti- gious honor presented to a superintendent of the MetGCSA. The honor began with the award™s namesake, Sherwood A. Moore, in 1987 and has carried on, recognizing those who have fiadvanced the image, status, and reputation of the golf course superintend- ent.fl Bob is only the 18th superintendent to receive such accolades. Fittingly, he was nominated by our last winner, 2015 recipient Matt Ceplo of Rockland Country Club. fiBob™s commit- ment to the industry on behalf of all of us makes him exceedingly qualified for the Sherwood A. Moore Award,fl says Matt, who has had the fortunate opportunity to see, firsthand, Bob™s many contributions to the board and numerous committee initiatives. fiWhether it was the time he committed to board services, finances, environmental issues, government relations, or even family picnics, Bob has given 110 percent to every endeavor. It has truly been a privilege working with such a superior golf course superintendent.fl When notified of his selection for the award, Bob couldn™t have been more honored to become a part of the fine group of past SAM Award recipients and to have his name associated in any way with the late Sherwood Moore. fiThe SAM Award is the most prestigious award I will ever receive,fl says Bob with his typical humility. fiNo one can truly appreci- ate just how special an honor this is for meŠ to receive an award named after a man I™ve long held in the highest regard.fl Sherwood first made an impression on Bob back in the early ™80s when he was just a 20-something-year-old assistant superin- tendent at Bedford Golf & Tennis. fiOne summer morning,fl recalls Bob, fiSherwood and Metro Milorganite cofounder, John Wistrand, asked my boss, Terry Boles, if they could take me up to the University of Rhode Island for the Turfgrass Field Day. Though I knew John and his then business partner, Tony Grasso Sr., somewhat well, all I knew of Sherwood was that he was the head of grounds maintenance at the highly ac- claimed Winged Foot Golf Club. fiSo, here I am,fl continues Bob, fia virtual unknown in the golf industry, spending quality time with perhaps the most influen- tial and powerful man in our profession. He didn™t know me from Adam, but he treated me like an equal, not the underling that I was. That™s the kind of guy he was.fl Bob™s day with Sherwood didn™t end with the field day. Once they returned (back then field days were really field half-days), Sherwood asked Bob if he would like to spend the afternoon touring the golf courses at Winged Foot. And of course Bob did. fiSherwood and I spent from 3 in the afternoon until dark driving around the property in his station wagonŠno one had SUVs back thenŠloaded with all sorts of turf tools and soil sample implements. This man was the exponential leader of the turf- grass profession, and I was profoundly impressed,fl remembers Bob. Where It All BeganNot turf-minded to start, Bob™s interest in the industry was piqued after working on the Bedford Golf & Tennis crew while pur- suing an accounting degree. fiI didn™t have any intention of getting into the golf busi- ness,fl says Bob. fiWhile still working at Bedford Golf & Tennis, I took a part-time job with a tax accountant, fully expecting to make that my career. Then one warm, sunny March day, after sneaking outside for numerous breaks, it hit me that I wasn™t cut out for an office job,fl says Bob. Bob continued his work at Bedford Golf & Tennis, was promoted to assistant super- intendent, and abandoned the idea of be- coming a full-time accountant. Instead, he went on to complete yet another degree: his certificate in turfgrass management from the UMass Winter School. At that point, though fully committed to the daily routine of the job, Bob had a young family and little interest in doing more. fiI was an assistant superintendent who did not play golf or attend many MetGCSA events,fl admits Bob. At age 32, after paying his dues for eight years as an assistant, Terry retired and Bob was promoted to golf course superintend- ent. fiI still didn™t play much golf,fl says Bob, fibut I did make sure to attend many of the Met™s social events: the family picnic with my first wife, Jane, and sons Bobby and Matt; the summer social aboard the Klondike out of New Rochelle harbor; and Christmas parties at area clubs. I also made sure to attend the Winter Seminar and Summer Field Day, which were both held at Westchester Country Club,fl he recalls. Still wholly job-focused, something hap- pened that inspired a significant change in Bob™s professional journey. The Game ChangerIt was 15 years ago when, one summer day in 2002, Bob was approached by Westchester Country Club™s then head of grounds maintenance, Joe Alonzi. A highly regarded SAM Award winner himself, Joe was in the prime of a very illustrious career and had targeted Bob as a great candidate for the Met Board of Directors. fiI had just come off a three-year con- struction project at Bedford Golf & Tennis, and I was also going through a divorce. With such a full plate, the last thing on my mind was getting involved with the MetGCSA,fl remembers Bob. fiBut I felt if Joe Alonzi had asked me to join the board, then I couldn™t refuse. And in the end, be- coming a board member turned out to be one of the best moves of my professional career.fl Once elected, Bob hit the ground run- ning, starting as Tournament Committee Chair and eventually navigating his way through the board chairs as treasurer, vice president, and then president from 2011 to 2012. His 12-year term on the board culmi- nated in 2014 after two final years as past president. Still actively contributing to the Met as a member of numerous committees, Bob holds the distinction of having served on or chaired every one of the MetGCSA com- mittees with the exception of Advertising and everyone™s favorite, the Communica- Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 34Tee to Green October/November 2017 4tions Committee, better known as the Tee To Green. fiAs my penance, for not serving on the Tee To Green Committee, I am now one of six Pandora Wojick has enlisted to proof the newsletter for proper grammar, errors, and accuracy before it goes to print,fl laments Bob with a smile. When reflecting on his start on the board as Tournament Committee Chair, Bob couldn™t help but mention his predecessor, the late Dave Mahoney. fiDave was not only one of the most witty, engaging speakers I™d ever heard, he also ran the committee like a true professional. I had some tough shoes to fill, which forced me to work that much harder,fl admits Bob. And hard he has worked. Three years after Bob™s entrée onto the MetGCSA board, he became a chapter delegate, serving as the mouthpiece for the Met at the Chapter Del- egates meetings taking place annually at GCSAA headquarters. Bob assumed this role for eight years, from 2005 to 2013. fiWhen I was chapter delegate,fl he says, fiI always told the individuals running for na- tional office that I controlled only 106 of the 7,000 total national votes. But then nu- merous high-profile superintendents from around the country explained to me that the votes I controlled were sought out by every one of the candidates because of the Met™s stature and influence in the industry. fiTo have the opportunity to serve an organization that™s held in such high regard is a humbling experience but, at the same time, exhilarating. It was a statement maker in my career,fl adds Bob. During his lengthy term as delegate, Bob was recognized by more than one of his peers for going above and beyond his duty of representing the Met™s vote in the national elections. Somers Pointe Superintendent Steve Tur- chick was one who noted Bob™s willingness to extend himself for others. fiIt was my first trip out to Kansas as a chapter delegate,fl recounts Steve. fiI was there representing the Hudson Valley, and serving at the national level was a very new experience for me. Clearly sensing that I could use someone to show me the ropes, Bob took me under his wing. That went a long way in helping me to feel at ease focusing on the task at hand. fiI had the pleasure of meeting Sherwood Moore early in my career,fl adds Steve, fiand I can tell you, Bob Nielsen is the modern-day Sherwood. I™m not the only one he™s reached out to. He™s helped many of his peers become better professionals and better people!fl An Industry Advocate and Leader Bob™s encounter with GCSAA did not end with his lengthy stretch as chapter delegate. While serving as a delegate, in fact, he was also instrumental in selecting candidates for our national association™s Board of Directors as a member of the GCSAA Nominating Committee. From there he sought appoint- ments to the Superintendent Research Panel, Government Affairs Committee, Research Proposal Committee, BMP Grants Task Group, and the Grassroots Ambassadors and Environmental Awards Committees. A true advocate for the industry among the country™s legislators and those close to home in New York State, Bob has commit- ted a significant portion of his free time working to promote our industry™s environ- mental efforts and responsibility among leg- islators, keeping his ear to the ground for any proposed legislation that might unjustly restrict our ability to do our jobs. As chair and now member of the Met™s Government Relations Committee, he™s rep- resented our industry™s positive initiatives at the annual Turfgrass Advocacy Day held every March in Albany, NY, and most notably was instrumental in the initiation of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for New York State Golf Courses, bringing the BMP project to the attention of New York State superintendents at the 2012 Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas, NV . fiAs greater scrutiny was being paid to how golf courses are managed, I could see that it was in our best interest to take this proactive approach to educating those out- side our industry,fl explains Bob. Once the idea gained momentum among New York State turf professionals, the MetGCSA™s Environmental Committee Chair Ken Benoit stepped forward to take fiIn my opinion it is the true fraternity that separates the MetGCSA from many other associations.fl Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 45Tee to Green October/November 2017 the lead in bringing the project to frui- tion, forming the New York State BMP Committee. fiWhile Ken led the charge, Blake Hal- derman forwarded its progress, making for a huge success,fl says Bob, who not only serves on the BMP Committee, but also is a member of NYSTA™s Board of Directors. Recognizing the BMP Committee™s ini- tiative and foresight in developing this comprehensive resource, NYSTA presented Bob, Ken, and Blake, as well as BMP Execu- tive Committee members Dr. Frank Rossi and project manager Stacy Kingsbury with the organization™s prestigious Friend of the Green Industry Award. In further recognition of the Met™s efforts in initiating the BMPs, Bob notes, fiFlorida was required to do them, Virginia was forced to do them, but we took it on with- out political pressures forcing it on us. I was honored to work with Ken, Blake, and the other committee members in forging this critical initiative.fl Apparently, Ken is equally honored to have Bob in his professional circle. fiI first met Bob in 2001 after being hired as the superintendent at GlenArbor Golf Club,fl recalls Ken. fiI don™t remember the details of our meeting, I was probably asking to borrow something, but I do remember how welcome he made me feel, not only as a new neighbor, but as a newly minted superintendent. fiFlash forward some 16-plus years and Bob remains the same generous and wel- coming person I met so many years ago. Observing Bob work so tirelessly, both locally and nationally, to advance the image of the golf course superintendent has been truly inspirational, both personally and pro- fessionally. I can think of no person more deserving of our most prestigious superin- tendent award,fl Ken notes. Involvement Breeds Success The old saying, fiIf you need something done, give it to a busy person,fl undoubtedly applies to Bob Nielsen. He has managed to balance a full personal life with a demand- ing career and a long list of industry endeavors. fiLooking back, particularly to when my first two kids were young, I™m not sure how I juggled my time, but when Bobby played football, I made it to every game, and when Matt wrestled, I made it to every match,fl says Bob. Even today, when Bob™s youngest sons, John and Sam, perform in a play, Bob™s there for every production. fiSome people feel it™s not possible, but never in my life have I felt so energized,fl admits Bob. fiAnd my most productive and satisfying years were during my board involvement with the MetGCSA. Never in my career had I felt such a con- nection to not only my fellow superintend- ents, but also my family and friends.fl Behind the scenes, in his Bedford, NY, home, Bob receives tremendous support from his wonderful wife, Carolyn. Together, with their two aspiring actor sons, John and Sam, they share their energy and enthusiasm with the many industry friends they entertain on a regular basis. Oldest son, Bobby, resides in California where he owns and runs a successful restau- rant. Matthew is a construction manager for a high-end commercial real estate and con- struction company. All in all, everyone in the Nielsen clan is doing well, proof that involvement breeds success. Bob™s only regret is not becoming in- volved with the MetGCSA board earlier in his career. In his words, it is not just about the professionalism, but more importantly the close-knit association with our peers. fiIn my opinion it is the true fraternity that separates the MetGCSA from many other associations,fl says Bob. fiIf I were in jeopardy of losing my job tomorrow, I could call at least 30 superintendents in the MetGCSA who would come to my aid. Fifteen of them might apply for the job if I were to lose it, but all 30 would be giving it their all to help me,fl chuckles Bob. The fraternity Bob refers to stems back to the namesake of the award, Sherwood A. Moore, and continues with our newest re- cipient, Robert J. Nielsen. fiFrom my early contact with Sherwood, I could see why he became the namesake of this outstanding award,fl says Bob. fiThis man made a huge impact on me as a person and a professional. His love of the industry and willingness to teach and spend time with those coming up through the ranks behind him is what made him such a great mentor, wonderful human being, and instrumental influence for many of us. fiI accept this award with the utmost modesty,fl says Bob, fifor there will never be another Sherwood A. Moore.fl Scott Apgar, former member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is owner of Metro Turf Specialists in Brookfield, CT. fiBob Nielsen is the modern-day Sherwood... he™s helped many of his peers become better professionals and better people!fl ŒSteve Turchick Bob Nielsen outside the Goodspeed Opera House with his bud- ding actor sons, (left to right) Sam and John, and his wife, Carolyn. Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 5Tee to Green October/November 2017 6Work Smarts Keeping New Turf Talent Happily Engaged his time of year, you™re hopefully seeing the end of the summer stress line and looking forward to a stretch where you can enjoy a lighter work- load. The nature of this profession requires that we build a seasonal quality of life that often leads to an imbalance: peaks and val- leys; long, exhausting work hours followed by lulls in the action that allow us to resume some semblance of a normal schedule. How did we, as new superintendents, ac- climate to the demands of the profession? If you were like me when I was new to the in- dustry, you worked hard for a very long time to adjust, and those closest to you, friends and family, needed to adjust with you to strike that balance. It was far from easy. The only saving grace, then and now, is that superintendents and other industry workers do eventually develop a support network and a system of routines to cope with the nature of the job. But what about your new employees? Who is assisting them in finding a balance? While training and proper compensation are tools commonly used to attractŠand help acclimateŠnew employees, the steps Tby Kevin Doyle How Soft Skills Can Improve Grounds Team Efficiency and Motivation taken to ensure a work-life balance are proving far more important in ensuring a successful work experience for today™s in- coming turf professionals. Determining your best course of action, may well lie in your ability and willingness to understand how these younger employ- ees view the world and then using that knowledge to motivate them in ways that work. What follows are a few thoughts to get you started in creating the kind of environ- ment where promising young turf talent will not only thrive, but also develop that passion that drives us all. Putting a Premium on Time andFlexibilityI continue to hear of younger, talented pro- fessionals moving out of the industry to dif- ferent careers. While lack of upward job mobility may well be a factor, given what we know, it™s hard to overlook the difficulty of work-life balance. Those entering the workforce today generally have signifi- cantly different expectations for their job and career than we did as eager, young pro- fessionals who were willing to work 24/7 to prove our mettle. Time and flexibility are now the priority for those entering our industry. Sure, they are still interested in performing the job well; they™re just not interested in taking all day, everyday to do it. As much as we value our personal time, the younger generations entering the workforce feel they have tohave it. So what do you do? In short, think outside the box. And why not start with scheduling. Given the value younger employees seem to place on personal time, you could assume, for instance, that they would be likely to respond to such offers as paid time off. There™s a leading retail organization that has recognized this new way of thinking with its Working Hard Card: When man- agers catch an employee rising to a chal- lenge or giving the job 110 percent, they can hand the employee a Working Hard Card on the spot. Each card is worth a set amount of paid time off. It™s a simple strategy that re- wards employees in the currency they value most: their time. While this precise method may not be suitable for your operation, you get the idea. Time is money to our new generation of employee. GlenArbor Superintendent Ken Benoit is one who respects his employees™ need for personal time. fiI™m sensitive to my employ- ees™ family obligations. I allow them to take time off for sick children, the first day of school, parent-teacher meetings. . . but sche- duling significant time off otherwise dur- ing the season, I™ll admit, is difficult,fl he says. To help his assistants maintain some sem- blance of balance, Ken makes sure they have every other weekend free during the season. fiThe time they do get off, I know, is minis- cule compared to the amount of hours they™re expected to put in,fl says Ken. fiSo I try to make up for it during the off-season by rewarding them with three-day week- ends that don™t count toward their vacation or sick time.fl Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 67Tee to Green October/November 2017 Fairview Superintendent Jim Pavonetti is another one who recognizes the need for time away from work. He too gives his assis- tants every other weekend off throughout the season. fiGiving them time to enjoy the summer and family and friends, allows them to recharge and approach the job with renewed energy,fl says Jim. Sharing the same philosophy, Stanwich Club Property Manager Scott Niven, goes out of his way to ensure a reasonable work schedule for his assistants. fiI never thought it made sense to work my assistants beyond the normal eight-hour day unless it was absolutely necessary,fl says Scott, who™s a pro- ponent of hiring additional staff rather than spreading his employees too thin. Scott also gives his assistants every third weekend off in the summer, and when they are on weekend duty, he encourages them to work only the early morning shift when syringing isn™t necessary. fiBeing a person who always had plenty of things I liked to do after work,fl says Scott, fiI™m sensitive to employees™ need for work- life balance. I also like to give my assistants the option of saving two vacation days and then using them to take a couple of long weekends during the busy season. fiThere™s no doubt in my mind,fl adds Scott, that leisure time during high-stress periods is essential to preserving mental healthŠand satisfaction with the job.fl A Little Respect Goes a Long Way Newcomers to the industry are looking for not only time away from work, but also more face time with the boss. They want a leader who is approachable, caring, and aware. A boss who will advocate for them. A boss they can respect. There™s no doubt that employees, new and veteran alike, are more apt to stick it out in a job they™re not in love with, if they filovefl and respect their boss. We all know superintendents who have earned the loyalty of their employees, even well beyond the time they still worked together. So how did they do it? For starters, these superintendents have taken a different approach to leadership. They don™t just hire the right people, give them cursory training, and then send them off with a to-do list. They take a sincere interest in what makes these people tick, what motivates them. They encourage their employees to be creative, empowering them to utilize their talents and respecting them as important members of the team. Jim Pavonetti has done just that, by taking a creative approach to managing his staff that has not only alleviated stress among his assistants, but also enhanced the morale and motivation of his crew members. How did he do it? For starters, he shifted some of the workload from his assistants to his grounds staff by training several crew members to hand-water greens and fair- ways. fiThough my assistants were always pre- pared to jump in and help when things got too crazy, with the shift in duties, they were able to assume more of a supervisory role during long afternoons of wilt-watching,fl says Jim. This proved to be a win-win. According to Jim, the labor shift has not only made it possible for his assistants to get through the summer more happily, but it has also been motivating to his grounds crew, who are pleased to make the extra money. fiWhat™s more,fl says Jim, fiit™s resulted in an improve- ment in course conditioningŠanother win!fl There are a million different ways to operate, lead, and interact with those around us, but my guess is that the managers who had the most positive impact on their em- ployees were the ones who created the most positive work environmentŠthe type of environment that inspires employees to go above-and-beyond to help out the fiteamfl and, more important, the boss. Three Power-packed Words One supervisor who made a tremendous impression on me during my (many) college years used a simple, but powerful tool to make a not-so-great job almost worth doing. His secret? He made it a priority to use three simple words: fipleasefl and fithank youflŠand so much so that you had to notice. Working third shift cleaning univer- sity buildings was nearly as thankless as it got, except the supervisor made it a point to fiThere™s no doubt in my mind that leisure time during high-stress periods is essential to preserving mental healthŠand satisfaction with the job.fl ŒScott Niven, CGCS Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 76Tee to Green October/November 2017 8recognize the efforts of the staff at every turn. Recognizing your staff with the simple, respectful use of fipleasefl and fithank youfl can go a long way. We are always striving to improve our facilities, and our staff plays a significant part in achieving those improvements. Asking staff to be mindful of trash, use caution while turning equipment due to environmental conditions, and requesting they stay longer to complete tasks that will enhance an aspect of the course are often inherent requests in our daily duties. They may even know the communication is com- ing. If it comes following the word fipleasefl and, then when the task is completed, it™s recognized with a fithank you,fl then you™ve created a win-win with one simple verbal effort. Did you appreciate that your staff mem- ber completed the task? Will that employee be glad that the job he or she did was recog- nized? If the answer is yes, then your words made a significant difference. Ken Benoit makes it a point to show just how much he appreciates employees™ contri- butions after a long stretch out on the course. fiI try to make a point of meeting my team members outside the shop as they roll in from a more-than-full day with a stand- ing ovation and a handshake,fl says Ken. fiSeeing me there clapping hard and saying thank you has never failed to bring a smile to their faces.fl While pizza, swag, and time off are often viewed as thoughtful recognition of a job well done, don™t lose sight of the power of those three simple words of genuine recog- nition and appreciation. In the EndIt is no secret that the role of superintend- ents has changed over time. Gone are the days spent simply maintaining turf; now the priority is maintaining people. KnowingŠ and addressingŠwhat your team members value most could be the one thing that cre- ates success for a new hire, as well as a long- time staff member. While personal time might be the hardest item to provide, it may just end up being the most critical to your people. In addition, being polite builds respect, and recognition is a driver of employee motivation. The grounds team is the key to your success. Help them to be content and successful and the whole facility, members included, will be rewarded. Kevin Doyle is a GCSAA field staff representa- tive for the Northeast Region. seem like a good thing, the $15/hour they receive will be the very same rate of pay that someone coming in off the street, with no training or experience, will be entitled to. General managers and club committees will, no doubt, be discussing how to deal with the rising minimum wage, while ensuring that our long-term staff mem- bers feel valued beyond those incoming figreenhorns,fl as new crewmates are re- ferred to in the show Deadliest Catch. For superintendents, finding additional funds will take some creativity. It™s not a bad idea to start brainstorming ways to accommodate the added labor expense starting in 2018. There are always ways to firob Peter to pay Paulfl so added expenses in one area won™t deprive your entire department of what it needs to continue operating in top form. On a High NoteI am very pleased to announce that my good friend and colleague, Bob Nielsen, will be accepting the Sherwood A. Moore Award this January at our Winter Semi- nar here at Westchester. Bob has always given back far more than he has taken from our association, industry, and com- munity. He has worked his way through the chairs to president of the MetGCSA, continued to serve on numerous commit- tees, served as our chapter delegate at the national, and actively worked to protect our industry™s interests in government legislation. In addition, Bob has been a wonderful resource to fellow turf profes- sionals, old and new, always willing to lend a helping hand. If you see Bob at our Christmas gather- ing on December 15, please be sure to congratulate him on this well-deserved high honor and career achievement. David Dudones MetGCSA President President™s Message continued from page 1 fiI try to make a point of meeting my teammembers outside the shop as they roll in from a more- than-full day with a standing ovation and a handshake.fl ŒKen Benoit, CGCS Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 89Tee to Green October/November 2017 Upcoming EventsMember NewsWHEN? Friday, December 15, 3 Œ6 p.m WHERE? Bull and Barrel Brew Pub Brewster, NY Come one, come all to our annual Christmas celebration. Employees, friends, and family are welcome to join the festivi- ties and cocktail party atmosphere that will include great appetizers, an open bar, and the opportunity to ring in the holiday season with fellow members old and new. Mark your calendars and gather your guest list. The more the merrier! 2017 GREEN EXPO Turf & Landscape Conference Tuesday Œ Thursday, December 5 Œ 7 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 opportu- nity to view the latest and greatest products and services on the market. For further information, call 973-812- 6467 or visit www.njturfgrass.org. Post-Season Educational Opportunities MetGCSA™s Annual Christmas GatheringLong Island Regional Conference Thursday, December 7 Radisson Hotel Hauppauge-Long Island Hauppauge, NY The Long Island Regional Conference offers a variety of educational sessions with leading turfgrass educators and industry professionals. Visit www.nysta.org for further informa- tion, or contact the NYSTA office at 800- 873-8873 or 518-783-1229. CAGCS January Seminar Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Mystic Marriott, Groton, CT MetGCSA Winter Seminar Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Westchester Country Club, Rye, NY Host: David Dudones New Members Please join us in welcoming the follow- ing new MetGCSA members: Ryan Avery, Class AF, Grass Roots Turf Products, Randolph, NJ Brian Conlon, Class C, Burning Tree Country Club, Greenwich, CT John Gallagher, Class C, Metropolis Country Club, White Plains, NY John Hagen, Class C, Round Hill Club, Greenwich, CT Kyle Ott, Class C, Wee Burn Country Club, Darien, CT John P. Schroeder, Class C, Pelham Bay/Split Rock Golf Course, Bronx, NY Steve Whipple, Class A, West Point Golf Course, West Point, NY BirthsCongratulations and best wishes to two MetGCSA members who have just had twins! Upper Montclair Country Club Su- perintendent Mike Brunelle and his wife, Jennifer, had twin daughters, Emmalyn Rae and Norah Margaret, born 6 lbs. 9 ozs. and 6 lbs. 1 oz. on October 19. Westchester Country Club Assistant Director of Golf and Grounds Joe Gikis and his wife, Amber, had twin sons, Lincoln and Griffin, born 4 lbs. 1 oz. and 4 lbs. 2 ozs. on October 30. from page 1 Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 96Tee to Green October/November 2017 10 ScorecardNine and Diners Enjoy Beautiful Dayat Birchwood his year™s Nine and Dine event was held September 21, ushering in the first day of fall at an all-new venue, Birchwood Country Club in Westport, CT. With temps still warm, there couldn™t have been a better day to come out for nine and then dine on Birchwood™s picturesque outdoor patio over- looking the challenging ninth hole. Our host superintendent, Justin Gabrenas, had the course in tip-top condition for the full field of 48 golfers who came out to compete in the Two-Man Best Ball format. Here™s who came out on top at the end of their nine-hole round: Gross Winners 1stIan Blackmar, The Stanwich Club Brandon Okurowski, The Stanwich Club 2ndPeter Grace, H. Smith Richardson GC John Callahan, The Cardinals by Steve Loughran Sunningdale Shinesat Season-Ending Eventby Steve Loughran Net Winners 1stLes Kennedy, Blind Brook Club Tim O™Neill, CC of Darien 2ndJustin Gabrenas, Birchwood CC Jeff Houde, Tom Irwin Closest to Pin #4Peter Grace, H. Smith Richardson GC #7Chris Body, The Stanwich Club Longest Drive Steve Loughran, Rock Ridge CC Steve Loughran, chair of the Tournament Committee, is superintendent at Rock Ridge Country Club in Newtown, CT. Tn October 3, Sunningdale Coun- try Club drew 96 golfers to our triple-header event: the Poa Annual Tournament and fundraiser, the Met Team Championship Qualifier, and the MetGCSA Championship. Showcasing the club™s recent course renovation and reconstruction proj- ect, host Superintendent Sean Cain and his staff provided superb conditions, fitting for our association™s championship event. Through the sale of 32 tee signs and golfer contributions, the Poa Annual Event was able to contribute $6,200 this year to help support the New York State Turfgrass Foundation. We thank you all for your generosity. Special thanks, also, to the entire Sun- ningdale staff for their contributions in mak- ing this and our other golf events of the day possible. Now, the highlights of the day™s three events. . . . The Met ChampionshipSean Cain was able to defend his turf and earn, for the third time, the Met Champion- ship with a smooth 76, which included a 1- under back nine. A close second was the always steady Quaker super, Tom Ashfield, with a 79. In the Net Division, Brae Burn™s Blake Halderman edged out Leewood™s Tim Walker by one shot to win First Net for a sec- ond time with a 72, adding to his previous three Gross championships. The Poa AnnualGross Winners 71Sean Cain, Sunningdale CC Chip Lafferty, Rye GC 72Dave Lippman, Westchester Turf Supply Steve Whipple, West Point GC Net Winners 61Bill Cygan, Silver Spring CC Jon Heywood, Morris County GC 62Steve Loughran, Rock Ridge CC Kevin Doyle, GCSAA Field Staff, NE Region OTee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 1011Tee to Green October/November 2017 Closest to the Pin #8Dick Neufeld, Plant Food Co. #17Bruce Peterson, JP McHale Longest Drive Dave Peterson, Brae Burn CC Met Area Team ChampionshipQualifierRepresenting the MetGCSA at the October 16 championship were: Gross Team Sean Cain, Sunningdale CC Tom Ashfield, Quaker Ridge GC Steve Loughran, Rock Ridge CC Chip Lafferty, Rye GC Net Team Blake Halderman, Brae Burn CC Ryan Batz, Nutrite Doug Drugo, Wee Burn CC Jim Swiatlowski, Montammy CC As One Season Ends, Another Begins With this event marking the end of the MetGCSA™stournament season, I would like to thank our sponsors for their valuable sup- port and our meeting hosts and their clubs for opening their doors to our events this year. I would also like to extend a special thank you to our Tournament Committee for their help in making this a great golfing and tournament season. To keep the momentum going, we have already begun looking into host sites for next year. If you are interested in hosting an event, please feel free to email me at sloughran17@yahoo.com or call me on my cell at 917-270-2925. Steve Loughran, chair of the Tournament Committee, is superintendent at Rock Ridge Country Club in Newtown, CT. Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:41 AM Page 116Tee to Green October/November 2017 12 GCSANJ Assistants Take First Place in Battle of the Bridges Tournament by Dave Peterson he second annual Battle of the Bridges Assistants Championship, played at Paramount Country Club on October 23, proved that it™s not quantity but rather quality that prevails. Last year™s tournament at Upper Montclair con- cluded with a decisive win by MetGCSA assistants, so of course, confidence was high that they™d have a repeat performance at Paramount this year. But in a strange twist of fate, the heavily outnumbered New Jersey squad had three members tie for low gross, claiming the tournament win. Freddy Carmona of Stanton Ridge Golf & Country Club, Josh DeSalvia of Glen Ridge Country Club, and Charles Day of Edge- wood Country Club all posted impressive scores of 78, catapulting the GCSANJ to their first Battle of the Bridges win. John Hagen of the Round Hill Club shot a Met best 79. Here™s a look at the final scores, along with the top wins of the day: Battle of the Bridges Final Score (Top 5 Net and Gross scores combined) GCSANJ ~ 765 MetGCSA ~ 786 Contest Winners Longest Drive Kelly Barrell, Quaker Ridge GC Closest to the Pin #9Charles Day, Edgewood CC 7' 1"#18Patrick O™Brien, Arcola CC 12' 7"Low Net 67Kyle Ott, Wee Burn CC Low Gross 78Josh DeSalvia, Glen Ridge CC THigh Praise for Paramount Conditions at Paramount couldn™t have been better. Assistants Matt Kerens and Anthony Heath had the greens rolling pure and lightning fast. Trouble was easy to find as firm and fast conditions coupled with subtle undulations sent many competitors™ balls rolling into collection areas. Spectacular views of South Mountain and bright fall colors highlighted the course™s fantastic A.W. Tillinghast layout. Great food and drink before, during, and after golf helped ease the pain for those who haven™t played enough golf this season. Clearly, a good time was had by all. Many thanks to host Brian Chapin, Golf Pro Steve Scott, GM Doug Graubard, and all of the Paramount staff who helped pro- vide a great day of golf and camaraderie for Met and New Jersey assistants. We hope to see friends, old and new, at next year™s event! Dave Peterson is an assistant superintendent at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY. New Jersey Assistants claim first place in the Battle of the Bridges at Paramount. From left to right: Joe Scioscia of Somerset Hills CC, Mike Grillo of Mendham Golf & Tennis Club, Freddy Carmona of Stanton Ridge Golf & CC, Josh DeSalvia of Glen Ridge CC, Tim Pleskach of Wild Turkey CC, Amando Aparicio of Stanton Ridge Golf & CC, Patrick O™Brien and Adam Nunez of Arcola CC. Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:42 AM Page 12A.G. Enterprises Rick Gordon ~ Staff Uniforms 201-488-1276 / Fax: 201-489-5830 merrick160@gmail.com www.AGEnterprisesonline.com All Pro Horticulture, Inc. 80 East Gates Avenue Lindenhurst, NY 11757 John Seib 631-789-6680 / Fax: 631-789-5711 john@allprohort.com Aquatrols Corp. of America fiThe World Leader in Soil Surfactants & Wetting Agentsfl 1273 Imperial Way Paulsboro, NJ 08066 800-257-7797 info@aquatrols.com Atlantic Golf & Turf 9 Industrial Boulevard Turner Falls, MA 01376 John Garcia: 203-996-6267 john@atlanticgolfturf.com BASF fiMeans Better Results . . . Which Means Better Turffl Peter Jacobson: 919-530-9062 peter.jacobson@basf.com Bayer U.S. fiBacked by Bayerfl Dave Sylvester: 860-841-3173 Blue Ridge Peat Farms 133 Peat Moss Road White Haven, PA 18661 Gene Evans / Chuck Evans 570-443-9596 / 570-947-5888 Carriere Materials, LLC U.S. Silica Topdressing & Bunker Sand, VFB Bunker Sand & Partac Topdressing Bill Carriere: 914-939-4884 bc1000@verizon.net Club Car CT / Metropolitan NY 72 Grays Bridge Road Brook˜eld, CT 06804 Paul Schwab: 203-943-6898 Ofc: 203-740-1458 Fax: 203-740-2311 Paul_Schwab@clubcar.com Cushman ~ E-Z-GO Nick Roberto: 845-637-7641 Reed Williams: 516-662-3554 Chris Larizza: 203-605-0554 DeLea Sod Farms Turf, Topdressing & Root Zone Scott Geiser: 631-484-1211 sgeiser@deleasod.com Dylan Wyatt: 631-796-6757 dwatt@deleasod.com Double ‚D™ Turf, LLC Drill & Fill Specialist 86 Bergen Mills Road Monroe Township, NJ 08831 Dennis DeSanctis Sr. / Dennis DeSanctis Jr.: 732-241-7378 dennisjr@doubleDturf.com 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 Evergreen Organic Recycling 1160 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 James Amodio / Raymond Colasacco 914-949-9030 Ray@EvergreenOrganicRecycling.com Executive Turf / Synergy Turf & Pocono Turf Supply fiMicro Carbon Technologyfl Ken Gentile: 203-496-0891 executiveturfproducts@gmail.com humagroturf.com Fisher and Son Company fiGreen Industry Professionals Since 1928fl Mike Weber: 347-486-0480 mweber@˜sherandson.com Golf Preservations, Inc. 504 Gloucester Avenue Middlesboro, KY 40965 Samson Bailey, CEO Jessica Teaney, Business Admin 609-248-7453 / Fax: 606-896-8006 golfpreservations@yahoo.com Grass Roots Turf Products, Inc. fiServing Turfgrass Professionals Since 1978fl Ryan AveryZZZZZzxx / Keith Kubik Ofc: 973-252-6634 www.GRIturf.com / sales@GRIturf.com Growth Products, LTD Fertilizers, Organics, & Fungicide Products 80 Lafayette Avenue White Plains, NY 10603 Howie Gold: 917-559-4425 Ofc: 800-648-7626 hgold@growthproducts.com Harrell™s fiGrowing a Better World. Partners for Successfl Scott Tretera: 914-262-8638 stretera@harrells.com / www.harrells.com KATEN CONSULTING Professionalism & Communication Training Programs Laura Katen / Ron Katen 914-468-0892 / 914-468-0801 instructions@katenconsulting.com www.katenconsulting.com LGR, LLC ~ 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 fiYour Trusted Northeast John Deere Golf Dealerfl Eric Berg / Jeff Sutphen / Jim Calladio / Kevin Reinke 800-560-3373 / Fax: 631-591-3447 golfparts@LaCorteEquipment.com www.LaCorteEquipment.com Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. Hydrogeologic Consulting & Environmental Engineering Services Rob Good: 860-678-0404 rgood@lbgct.com Metro Turf Specialists Proudly Celebrating 50 Years in Business fiCustomers, Our TOP Priorityfl Scott / Todd / Rich / Matt / Jake 203-748-GOLF (4653) www.metroturfspecialists.com NuFarm Americas, Inc. fiHelping the World to Grow a Better Tomorrowfl Bryan Bolehala: 570-686-1845 Jim Santoro: 518-207-2094 Pinnacle Turf, Inc. 40 Skyview Lane New Rochelle, NY 10804 Steven Renzetti, CGCS 914-384-9227 srenzetti@verizon.net www.Pinnacleturf.net Plant Food Company, Inc. fiThe Liquid Fertilizer Expertsfl 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, Conditions App, Golf Course Field Guides, ezPins, Consulting, Career Development, Professional Search Services Greg Wojick: 203-219-0254 Matt Leverich: 913-221-8052 www.goplaybooks.com Seeton Turf Warehouse, LLC Brian Bontemps: 845-239-7959 Brian Gjelsvik: 973-670-7139 Zach Brooks: 914-309-2373 Bill Cimochowski: 609-923-4045 SiteOne Landscape Supply fiStronger Togetherfl Chad Mathieu: 914-539-5675 cmathieu@siteone.com Soil Solutions, LLC ~ Aeri˜cation Professionals Anthony Decicco / John Decicco 7 Whittemore Place Ryebrook, NY 10573 914-393-0659 / Fax: 914-939-5010 Steven Willand, Inc. fiQuality Turf Equipmentfl 4 Production Drive Brook˜eld, CT 06804 George Corgan: 914-213-3622 georgecorgan@stevenwillandinc.com www.switurf.com Synergy Turf Supply / Pocono Turf Supply fiAgronomic Professionalsfl Bobby Steinman, CGCS: 860-488-2822 bobby7777@aol.com Ken Gentile: 203-496-0891 Syngenta fiManufacturer of Plant Protection Productsfl John Bresnahan: 413-333-9914 john.bresnahan@syngenta.com Tanto Irrigation, LLC fiGolf Course Irrigation Specialistsfl Steve Kubicki / Jeff Gennerelli info@tantoirrigation.com The Cardinals, Inc. Complete Distributor of Golf Course Accessories & Turf Maintenance Supplies John Callahan: 800-861-6256 Fax: 860-673-8443 The Care of Trees Mike Cook: 914-345-8733 Jeremiah Green: 914-241-8110 Ken Clear: 203-863-0900 Greg Gutter: 914-241-8110 Tom Irwin Inc. fiWith Tom Irwin, You™re Not Alonefl 13 A Street, Burlington, MA 01803 Jeff Houde: 203-731-1776 800-582-5959 jeff@tomirwin.com Turf Products LLC ~ TORO Irrigation & Equipment fiServicing Our Customers Since 1970fl Pat Cragin: 860-874-2812 Bill Conley: 860-360-0503 Dave Dynowski: 860-490-9396 Shawn Donovan: 203-910-9114 Peter Hull: 860-305-2525 Valley Green, Inc. 205 Wilson Avenue Norwalk, CT 06854 Greg Moran: 845-901-1358 Ofc: 203-831-9748 g.moran@valleygreenusa.com Westchester Tractor, Inc. 60 International Boulevard Brewster, NY 10509 John Apple / Charlie Siemers 845-278-7766 www.wtractor.com Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. fiProudly Serving the MetGCSA Since 1976fl 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. fiTurf Equipment Specialistsfl Glenn Gallion Ofc: 888-831-0891 Fax: 973-487-1333 Sales@wilfredmacdonald.com William A. Kelly and Company fiLooking to Expand? Call Kelly!fl 87 Bedford Road Katonah, NY 10536 Charity Kelly: 914-232-3191 charity@wakellyco.com www.wakellyco.com Win˜eld Solutions, Inc. fiService, Solutions, Insightfl Rob Saunders: 203-249-5059 Jim Masone: 516-818-9852 www.win˜eldpro.com atron Directory PPatrons listed on this page are supporting our association. You are encouraged to support them. Denotes MetGCSA member Tee to Green Oct 2017_tee to green Dec 2010 11/13/17 9:42 AM Page 13Tee to Green Oct 2017 cov_Tee to G dec 2010 cover 11/4/17 5:38 PM Page 2