Tee to Green Dec 2018 cov.qxp_Tee to G dec 2010 cover 1/6/19 3:52 PM Page 3 November/December 2018 VOLUME 49 NUMBER 6 Published by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page ii Board of Directors President 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 STEVEN LOUGHRAN Rock Ridge Country Club VINCENT PAVONETTI, CGCS Fairview Country Club DANIEL ROGERS Wykagyl Country Club JESSE SHANNON, CGCS Manhattan Woods Golf Club STEPHEN WICKSTROM Burning Tree Country Club Class “C” Rep DAVE PETERSON Brae Burn Country Club Class “AF” Rep SCOTT TRETERA Harrell’s LLC Executive Director MIKE McCALL, CGCS Executive Secretary SUSAN O’DOWD Tee to Green Staff Editor JIM PAVONETTI 203-531-8910 Cover: The Patterson Club n this Issue I Feature Renowned Broadcaster Jimmy Roberts to Receive ....................2 the Met’s John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award Departments Managing Editor PANDORA C. WOJICK Upcoming Events ..................................................................5 Scorecard..............................................................................6 National News ......................................................................8 Chapter News ......................................................................10 Member News......................................................................12 Editorial Committee TODD APGAR STEVEN McGLONE MATT CEPLO ANTHONY MINNITI KEVIN COLLINS BOB NIELSEN ANDY DROHEN SCOTT NIVEN CHIP LAFFERTY TOM REYES GREG WOJICK Designer TERRIE YOUNG Advertising Manager MIKE BRUNELLE, 973-777-6710 TEE TO GREEN is published bimonthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association 49 Knollwood Road, Elmsford, NY 10523-2819 914-347-4653, FAX: 914-347-3437, METGCSA.ORG Copyright © 2018 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 1 P resident’s Message Reflecting on a Term Well Spent W ow! Two years as the Met’s pres- ident have f lown by, and now I am being put out to pasture with the rest of the past lead- ers of our great association. That means I can start using phrases like, “I remember when . . . ,” “In my day . . . ,” “These young guys just don’t . . . .” All told, I’ve served the MetGCSA for 13 years, and the crazy thing is that those years have sped by almost as fast as my last two! But then when I realize that I’ve dedi- cated more than a quarter of my life to the association, it suddenly hits me just how much time has really passed. I have been honored to continue the fam- ily tradition of serving the turfgrass man- agement industry. My great, great grand- father, Charles Campbell Worthington, my great grandfather Ed Worthington Sr., my grandfather Ed Worthington Jr., and finally, my mother Janet, all made noteworthy con- tributions to the industry. Perhaps most closely tied to the Met was my grandfather who had founded the Ed Worthington Corp., a turfgrass supply business headquar- tered in Saranac Lake, NY. He had begun calling on area superintendents more than 60 years ago and touted the Met as “the most professional association in the country.” In his later, more forgetful years, I was always pleased to remind him that I was in turf school and about to start an internship at Westchester Country Club. Man, I wish he could see me now. I think he would ap- prove of the path I’ve taken in giving back to the industry that had been so loyal to him. Taking It to the Next Level My tenure on the Board of Directors has been nothing short of rewarding, both per- sonally and professionally. I have benefited from the numerous lifelong friendships I have made, and just as important, I have had the fortunate opportunity to work with and learn from some of the most dedicated and capable members of our association. During my time on the board, I’ve observed the likes of Tim Moore and Dave Mahoney, who both left us too soon, right on through to our most recent past presidents, Bob Nielsen, Blake Halderman, and Glen Dube. These men all made the decision to give more to David Dudones MetGCSA President the association than they ever expected to receive in return, and I have seen the impact their thoughtful contributions and dedica- tion have had on our association. Working alongside most of the current board members, it’s clear that they will con- tinue to follow suit, giving 100 percent toward building an organization that re- mains at the forefront of our industry. And with Ken Benoit and Rob Alonzi now at the helm, the association couldn’t be in more capable hands going forward. Also helping to bring our association to the next level was the addition, four years ago, of Mike McCall as our executive direc- tor. Mike has become what we originally imagined for the position. He is front and center at every event and now the face of our organization. I can’t thank him enough for his leadership and commitment to pro- gress day in and day out. Two years ago, we outlined our upcoming goals for the association: (cid:129) Increase Meeting Attendance (cid:129) Increase Public Relations (cid:129) Grow Our Restricted Accounts and Membership (cid:129) Actively Promote Jobs Staying in Our Area (cid:129) Actively Recruit New Board of Director Candidates Mike and the board have made excellent headway in many of these areas and are always looking for ways to improve. They all deserve a round of applause. Look at What We’ve Done! Working to accomplish the goals set at the start of my presidency, we have seen several initiatives f lourish under the umbrella of the newly created Met Foundation. For the uninitiated, the foundation is a char- itable organization established by the MetGCSA to support research, scholarships, continued on page 11 Tee to Green November/December 2018 1 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 2 Renowned Broadcaster Jimmy Roberts to Receive the Met’s John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award by Mike McCall, MetGCSA Executive Director eatureF 2 Tee to Green November/December 2018 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 3 WWhen MetGCSA Immediate- Past President and Westchester Country Club Director of Grounds, David Dudones, called the 2018 winner of the prestigious John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award, he probably didn’t expect the recipient to talk about his lawn. “Anyone who knows me knows I am crazy about the appearance of my lawn,” said Jimmy Roberts, the famed broadcaster, sportswriter, and now 28th recipient of the John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award. “Thanks to my long association with golf and the MetGSCA, I have a better under- standing than most of what goes into grow- ing and maintaining turfgrass at the highest standards.” On a more serious note, Roberts expressed sincere delight at being recognized by the MetGSCA for his contributions to main- taining the integrity and popularity of the game of golf. He joins such other legendary Reid recipients as Bruce Beck, Guido Cribari, Ken Venturi, Dave Anderson, and Jim Nantz. “It was a thrill to get that call from Dave Dudones,” he said. “It’s an honor to receive this award for my involvement in the game that has always been such an important part of my life and career.” And what a career it’s been. Over the past four decades, this White Plains native has risen through the ranks to become one of the most inf luential and respected sports reporters in the industry. A long-time broadcaster on NBC Sports and the Golf Channel, Roberts brings his reporting to millions of golf lovers across the United States. Anyone who watches televised golf, especially the Masters or the Olympics, knows the voice and face of Jimmy Roberts. His heart-warming approach transcends the sport through his inspirational stories of the individuals who compete. You don’t need to be interested in sports to fall under the spell of Roberts’ master storytelling. Despite his celebrity, this long-time member of Westchester Country Club remains as friendly and approachable as ever. “Jimmy is one of those members who always says hello, even from a distance,” says Arthur Ashe presents Jimmy Roberts with an Emmy well deserved. retired Director of Grounds of Westchester Country Club Joe Alonzi. “He would go out of his way to let you know how good the course conditions were.” A Scorecard of Success for a “914 Guy” Growing up in Westchester County, Ro- berts developed a love of golf starting at the age of 7, when he began playing at the local public courses of Maple Moor and Saxon Woods. Later, as a caddie, Roberts had access to play at the private clubs of Fenway Golf Club, Westchester Hills, and Ridgeway Country Club. After graduating from White Plains High School, Roberts attended the University of Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and, afterwards, worked as a staff reporter for the Westchester/Rockland newspapers. In 2016, he received the Metropolitan Golf Association Disting- uished Service Award. The following year, he was inducted into the Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame. Upon receiv- ing the awards, Roberts gave a shout-out to his home turf. “I’m a 914 guy,” he said, referring to his Westchester County area code. “I can’t imagine myself living anywhere else.” Roberts began his career in sports as a writer and producer for ABC Sports. After eight years at ABC, working behind the scenes with the likes of iconic broadcaster Howard Cosell, he parlayed that experience into more visible roles, starting in 1988 at ESPN. His assignments as a SportsCenter correspondent included the World Series, NBA Finals, heavyweight championship bouts, Super Bowl, and the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics. He was a regular con- tributor and co-originator of ESPN’s Outside the Lines series. As Tiger Woods entered the arena and changed the game of golf, Roberts earned a coveted spot as ESPN’s Golf Correspondent. An exclusive interview after Tiger’s 1997 Masters win propelled Roberts onto the main stage. He’s never looked back. Roberts joined NBC Sports in May 2000, quickly gaining even more recognition and fame as an essayist and reporter on NBC and the Golf Channel’s coverage of the PGA Tour and other high-profile golf events, including the Ryder Cup. He’s a veteran of 17 Olympic games and has racked up, to date, a total of 13 Emmys for his work. A Bet With President Bush Covering professional golfers for more than 30 years can lead to quite a few good stories, and few people can tell as many as Jimmy Roberts can—true stories, anyway. One of his favorites involves the late President George H.W. Bush. The story goes that in response to a request for a few minutes of the president’s time to discuss the history of presidential golf, then President Bush— famous for his fast-paced game—suggested that Roberts join him in Kennebunkport, ME, to play a round. Tee to Green November/December 2018 3 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 4 “I think the golf course superintendent and golf pro are the most significant people at the club . . . . Without them, we are all just talentless fools wandering on ruined ground.” highlights some of the greatest golfers of our time and the struggles and frustrations they conquered to get to the top. “When I started this book, I thought it was going to be about golf, but it turned out to be a book about how successful people deal with adversity,” he says. “I learned a great deal by talking with people like Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, Presi- dent Bush, Dottie Pepper, and all the others I interviewed. What I learned is that we are all going to struggle, including me. The trick is how we deal with it.” How has Roberts dealt with the ups and downs that anyone in his field experiences? He credits several mentors he has worked with over the years, most notably Howard Cosell. But when pressed to name someone slightly less well-known, Roberts didn’t hes- itate: the late Judd Rose of ABC News. Roberts says Rose was a brilliant and tal- ented storyteller. “He was really something special and had a great inf luence on my life.” Unfortunately, Rose passed away far too early from a brain tumor. Fortunately for us, though, the gift of storytelling lives on in the words of Jimmy Roberts. Proudest Work You might think that in a career as storied as Ro berts’, he might cite his best work as hav- ing something to do with the Masters or the Olympics. This is not the case. The work he says he is most proud of is a show he created five years ago for the Golf Channel’s, In Play with Jimmy Roberts. In an episode of Golf Vistas From Behind Bars, Roberts docu- mented the story of Valentino Dixon, a con- victed murderer serving a 30-year sentence at the notorious Attica prison in upstate New York. According to the story, Dixon had been an aspiring artist before getting caught up in the drug-dealing scene. One day, the prison’s warden showed Dixon a picture of Augusta National’s 12th hole and asked him to sketch it. Dixon did so, and then began to pass his time drawing imaginary and famous golf holes from around the world. Eventually, despite never having held a golf club or even walked on a real golf course, Dixon became Jimmy Roberts broadcasting the stories of golf. an exceptional golf course artist. However, the real story is that Dixon claimed he was innocent from Day 1, and the episode made a case that he very well might be. After a new Buffalo, New York District Attorney came into office, Dixon’s case was thoroughly revisited, including Dixon’s in- terview with Roberts. Eventually, Dixon’s conviction was vacated and on September 19, 2018, after 27 years of wrongful incar- ceration, Valentino Dixon walked out of pri- son a free man. “Of all of the things I have done in my life, that was far and away the most mean- ingful,” Roberts says. Dixon’s story—“27 Years: The Exoner- ation of Valentino Dixon”—aired on De- cember 11, 2018 on the Golf Channel. Not About to Slow Down At 61, Roberts is at the height of his career and shows no signs of slowing down. He serves as the voice of Masters.com, works as a part-time studio host and golf correspon- dent for NBC Sports, covers telecasts for the Golf Channel, and stars in In Play with Jimmy Roberts, where he shares incredible stories from inside the game. He is also the featured back-page columnist for The Met Golfer magazine. How does he find the time to do all this? “I’m still trying,” he says. “It’s the biggest challenge I have. But I have been incredibly fortunate that I can do what I really like to do. When you love what you do, you tend to do more.” A day to remember at Kennebunkport: Jimmy Roberts plays a round with President Bush. Flabbergasted, Roberts nervously ac- cepted. Just prior to the start of the round, President Bush insisted that they play for a $1. Roberts agreed and, to his amazement, played the round of his life, shooting his lowest score ever to that point. The president made good on his bet by giving Roberts a dollar. Roberts really wanted to get the dollar bill signed but couldn’t bring himself to make the request. Shortly afterward, the president got word of Roberts’ wish, so the commander-in-chief ordered Roberts to mail him the dollar, which the president signed and returned to Roberts. “I don’t have many mementos around my house, but I do have hanging proudly in my home a collage that includes the photograph with President Bush, the signed dollar bill, the scorecard from that day, and a handwrit- ten note about the day from the president on his personal stationary. I will always treasure them,” Roberts said. “He was such an amaz- ing man and extremely gracious. It was the most memorable experience of my life.” Slumps and Mentors Roberts’ love of golf has no doubt been fueled by the inspirational people and stories he has encountered over the years. He decided to write these stories down for prosperity and as inspiration for others. In 2009, his book, Breaking the Slump: How Great Players Survived Their Darkest Moments in Golf—and What You Can Learn From Them, was published by HarperCollins. The book 4 Tee to Green November/December 2018 4 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 5 In the midst of building a notable career, Roberts also carved out time to build a family. He lives in the New York area with his wife, Sandra, and their three sons. A Friend and Advocate for the Game…and the Superintendent Few people know the game of golf—and what goes into it—as well as Jimmy Roberts does. Fewer still are as eager to support and recognize the people who make it happen. “I think the golf course superintendent and golf pro are the most significant peo- ple at the club,” he says. And then he adds, in classic Roberts-ese, “Without them, we are all just talentless fools wandering on ruined ground.” Roberts’ appreciation of the hard work involved no doubt stems from his hands- on experience since he was a “914 kid” playing all those courses in Westchester. “Golf course superintendents enhance the enjoyment of playing golf,” he says. “I don’t want to mention any names, but when you play a course managed by a rock-star superintendent, you can’t help but notice the difference they make.” The admiration is definitely mutual. “As a talented journalist and story teller, Roberts has done an incredible job of bringing golf to viewers around the world,” says Rhett Evans, CEO of the GCSAA. “He is a friend of the sport, the industry, and all those who work in golf, including superintendents who do so much for the game. His love for the game is obvious, and he is a wonderful ambassa- dor for everyone involved in it.” “Jimmy Roberts truly cares about the game and has invested uncounted hours and his voice to promote all that is good about golf. He continues to take a personal interest, particularly in the role golf courses play in the community—as green spaces, recreational assets, employers, and as leaders in environmental sustainability,” says Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “The USGA has appreciated his advo- cacy, and for championing the many peo- ple who work on golf courses every day through his decades of storytelling. He has a gift for creating a unique sense of place on every golf course he sees and a unique connection with every person in golf he meets—and the game is better for it.” Congratulations to the 2018 winner of the John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Jimmy Roberts—golfer, wri- ter, reporter, broadcaster, friend. Mike McCall, CGCS, is the executive director of the MetGCSA and managing member of the McCall Management Group, LLC. Upcoming Events Educational and Social Events NYSTA Southeast Regional Conference Tuesday – Wednesday, January 29 – 30 Resorts World Catskills, Monticello, NY For the information, contact NYSTA office at 518-783-1229 or visit www.nysta.org. further GCSAA Golf Championships Saturday – Monday, February 2 – 4 San Diego, CA The GCSAA Golf Championships offer the opportunity to play San Diego-area golf courses while competing in four different tournaments over three days: the National Championship, Golf Classic, Four-Ball, and Scramble, as well as a chapter competition and fun contests. GCSAA Education Conference & Golf Course Industry Show Monday – Thursday, February 4 – 7 San Diego Conference Center San Diego, CA Don’t miss this year’s GCSAA Golf Indus- try Show and Education Conference with an incomparable lineup of seminars and educational sessions, as well as one the industry’s most comprehensive trade shows. For details on the conference’s educa- tional offerings and trade show, log onto www.golfindustryshow.com. Nor’easter Event Wednesday, February 6 Florent Restaurant and Lounge San Diego, CA 6:30 to 9:00 Hosted again this year by the MetGCSA and eight other associations, the event will include an open bar, appetizers, and food stations. Stop by and enjoy an evening of comaraderie. 2019 Turfgrass Advocacy Day – NYSTA’S Lobby Day Tuesday, February 12 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY The Turfgrass Advocacy Day offers the opportunity to attend a priority issue brief- ing session on current legislation that could affect the turfgrass and green industry, as well as a chance to meet with your local elected officials and later discuss issues over lunch with a government official. For further information, contact the NYSTA office at 518-783-1229 or visit www.nysta.org. Class C Professional Development Seminar Wednesday, February 20 Sleepy Hollow Country Club Scarborough, NY Join fellow Class C members for this out- standing educational event offering highly informative talks and a panel discussion with seasoned superintendents that promises to make for a career-enhancing day. 2018 Nor’easter Ski Day Thursday, February 28 Killington Ski Resort, Killington, VT Don’t miss this multi-association, family fun event on the Killington slopes. Information about lodging and registration can be found on the Vermont superintendent’s website at vtgcsa.com. Lodging is likely to fill up fast, so please be sure to call in for housing as soon as possible. For further information, contact Andy Drohen at andy.drohen@kochind.com. 2019 New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation Conference & Show Tuesday – Thursday, March 5 – 7 Providence Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI For the 22nd consecutive year, the confer- ence and show will provide turfgrass profes- sionals from all areas of the industry the opportunity to see the newest products, sup- plies, services, and equipment available while offering a host of informative educa- tional sessions, pesticide recertification cred- its, and endless networking opportunities. Watch for details on www.NERTF.org, or call 401-848-0004 for further information. 2019 MGA Green Chairman Seminar & Arthur P. Weber MGA Club Environ- mental Leaders in Golf Award Luncheon Tuesday, March 12 Willow Ridge Country Club, Harrison, NY The annual Green Chairman Education series is tailored for club superintendents, professionals, green chairmen, and club offi- cials, and discusses current issues and trends that are emerging for courses in the Met Area. A highlight of the meeting is the pres- entation of the Arthur P. Weber MGA Club Environmental Leaders in Golf Award. Tee to Green November/December 2018 55 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 6 Scorecard GCSANJ Assistants Claim First Place in Battle of the Bridges Tourney MetGCSA Triumphs at Hamilton Farm by Dave Peterson by Andy Drohen I n what could possibly be the first time in the history of the cham- pionship, the MetGCSA claimed first place in the Met Area Team Championship at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, NJ. The championships continue to be highly competitive, and this year was no different. The MetGCSA, led by the low gross team of Steve Rabideau and Sean Cain, narrowly defeated the defending champions from Connecticut by two strokes! Hamilton Farm’s director of golf and grounds, Jason Harrison, hosted this year’s championship, and despite the nonstop rain all season long, he and his team had the golf course in fantastic shape. The greens were smooth and slick, which proved to be chal- lenging to many competitors this year. Located just 50 miles outside of New York City, Hamilton Farm is one of the premier courses in New Jersey. It was designed by famed environmental architects Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry and was sculpted into the rolling terrain of central New Jersey. Hamilton Farm has some beautiful vistas and architecturally stunning looks shaped by the bunkering of Fry. The 6th hole was recently selected by Golf Digest as part of the best 18 holes around the New York area! Rabideau and Cain teamed with Steve Loughran and Tom Ashfield on the Gross side and Steve McGlone, Dave Conrad, Josh Haugh, and Blake Halderman joined forces on the Net side. All four groups provided solid performances for the MetGCSA, break- ing 80 in every pairing with McGlone and Conrad shooting 2 under on the Net side. The Complete Results What follows is a list of the team and proxim- ity winners. Congratulations to one and all! Team Scores (Par 288) 1st / 296 MetGCSA 2nd / 298 Connecticut AGCS 3rd / 301 GCSA of New Jersey 4th / 303 5th / 304 6th / 308 7th / 316 Central New York GCSA 8th / 317 Long Island GCSA Philadelphia AGCS GCSA of Cape Cod Pocono Turfgrass Association Closest to the Pin #8 Wes D’Angelo 10' 1" #18 Greg Coughlin 2' 10" CC of New Canaan Sleepy Hollow CC Low Gross ~ GCSANJ 76 RJ Blanchard, TPC Jasna Low Gross ~ MetGCSA 80 Craig Halma, Silver Spring CC Low Net ~ GCSANJ 72 Freddy Carmona, Stanton Ridge (won in a match of cards) Josh DeSalvia, Glen Ridge CC 72 Low Net ~ MetGCSA 65 Brad Brown, Stanwich Club Kudos to Preakness Hills Despite a historically tough year, conditions at Preakness Hills couldn’t have been bet- ter—a testament to the hard work of assis- tants Tony Espe, Miguel Ortega, and Kyle Cross. A big thank you to John O’Keefe and the entire Preakness Hills staff for providing such a great day for the assistants. A great time was had by all! Dave Peterson is the superintendent at Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk, CT. Congratulations to the winning team from the GCSA of New Jersey! I n its third year, the 2018 Battle of the Bridges Assistants Champion- ship was a rubber match of sorts. Year one of the tournament saw MetGCSA assis- tants claim an easy victory at Upper Mont- clair. In year two, New Jersey assistants brought a small, but powerful team to Para- mount Country Club and left with the cup. Who would prevail in year three? The day started as so many late October days do, with a chill in the air and a notice- able breeze. Extra jackets were pulled out of cars and golf bags. Luckily, the winds stayed light, the sun came out, and Preakness Hills Country Club provided enough food and drink to keep everyone warm and limber. The golf started heating up as well with New Jersey assistants managing, in the end, to pull out a repeat performance and assume first place in the Assistants Championship once again! What follows is a recap of the final scores, as well as the top wins of the day: Battle of the Bridges Final Score (Top 5 Net and Gross Scores Combined) GCSANJ ~ 539 MetGCSA ~ 566 Contest Winners Longest Drive #5 Mike Drowne, Wee Burn CC #10 Craig Halma, Silver Spring CC 6 Tee to Green November/December 2018 6 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 7 umphs at m 9th / 319 Hudson Valley GCSA 10th / 321 Northeastern GCSA 11th / 324 GCSA of New England 12th / 329 Eastern Shore AGCS 13th / 376 Mid-Atlantic AGCS Closest to the Pin #3 / 4' 10" Tom Height Pocono TA (Sponsored by Toro) #7 / 1' 0" Ryan Howard #12 / 3' 7" Tom Height Eastern Shore AGCS (Sponsored by Syngenta) Pocono TA Sponsored by Koch Turf & Orn.) #17 / 7' 6" Tom Kaplun Long Island GCSA (Sponsored by Bayer) Longest Drive # 9 / Gross Div. #14 / Net Div. #18 / Sponsors Div. Luke Knutson Long Island GCSA (Sponsored by The Care of Trees) Nick Waldner Hamilton Farm GC (Sponsored by Ocean Organics) Tom Currie Bayer (Sponsored by BASF) Congratulations to the winning Met Area Team Championship team from the MetGCSA (left to right): Ken Benoit, Glen Dube, David Dudones, Steve Loughran, Sean Cain, Steve Rabideau, Josh Haugh, David Conrad, Tom Ashfield, Steven McGlone. Low Gross Team Winners 73 Steve Rabideau & Sean Cain MetGCSA Sponsorship Team Winners 70 Scott Anderson & Joe Scioscia Hamilton Farm Golf Course Two-Man Team High Score Net / 83 Net / 83 Mike O’Neil & Joe Lucas Northeastern GCSA Todd Cowning & Chris Fronczek Eastern Shore AGCS Gross / 123 Ryan Kraushofer & Josh Furhman Mid-Atlantic AGCS A Thank You to Our Sponsors Year after year, the Met Area Team Cham- pionship is made possible by our seven major sponsors who continue to lend a hand in making this one of the best events across North America! Please join me in thanking BASF, Bayer, The Care of Trees, Koch Turf & Orna- mental, Ocean Organics, Syn- genta, and Toro as they continue to support this wonderful event. Andy Drohen, event co-chair. Competing for a Cause The Met Area Team Championship contin- ues to raise money each year to help those in our industry going through difficult times. Over the past eight years, we have raised more than $10,000 and have supported su- perintendents and industry representatives and their families in times of need. Last year, we donated $1,500 to the South Texas GCSA to help families affected by Hur- ricane Harvey. Thank you to all who sup- port these efforts with the 50/50 raff les! If you know of anyone in need, please let us know. Final Note Thanks again to all our sponsors, Jason Harrison and his entire staff, and all the folks at Hamilton Farm Golf Club for another successful championship. A special thank you to our local GCSAA representa- tive, Kevin Doyle, for help with registration and GCSA of New Jersey member Shaun Barry for the great photos as usual! We look forward to seeing everyone next year, so stay tuned for announcements over the winter! Andy Drohen, Met Area Team Championship Co-Chair and a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is a senior regional sales manager with Koch Agronomic Services in Granville, MA. Tee to Green November/December 2018 7 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 8 National News Chapter Delegates Brought Up-to-Speed on GCSAA’s Plans for the Future by Brett Chapin Delegates From Across the Country Convene at GCSAA Headquarters for 2018 Chapter Delegates Meeting I n November, I represented our association at the GCSAA Chapter Delegates Meeting in Kansas City, MO, and at GCSAA Headquarters in Lawrence, KS. It was a pleasure to join 89 fellow delegates from 91 chapters across the country in sharing both the successes and trials we’ve experienced within our local associations. In addition, GCSAA staff and Board of Directors brought us up-to-speed on the organization’s current initiatives and proposed changes that we will be voting on at the GCSAA Annual Meeting in San Diego in February. This year’s group of delegates was actively involved in discussions that took place on the dues increase, membership retention and growth, and the requirements to become a GCSAA board member. The meeting opened with welcoming re- marks from GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. Evans briefed delegates—30 of them new to the meeting this year—on the state of GCSAA. The organization currently has more than 18,000 members, 97 affiliated chapters, and two affiliated international chapters. Membership, Evans emphasized, is para- mount to the advancement of the profession and vitality of the game. He reviewed GCSAA’s total and professional membership trends from 2008 through the present day. 8 Tee to Green November/December 2018 The good news, he noted, is that total and professional membership is trending up- wards. When there are more members to collectively participate in programs and initiatives, it helps the profession and indus- try succeed. Having a louder voice is vital with our advocacy efforts and having more hands to assist with key initiatives or board service provides benefits at all levels: na- tional, local, and individual. There is strength in numbers. Last but not least Evans discussed how GCSAA is working to develop programs and services for equipment managers and assistant superintendents. These programs and services, he told us, are aimed at strengthening the golf course management team. GCSAA is increasing its efforts with students as well, all with the intention of building for the future. Other presentations on key initiatives included: Rounds 4 Research Auction The delegates celebrated the success of the top five-chapter fundraisers in the 2018 Rounds 4 Research Auction. Overall, the auction brought in $312,239 and saw a 24- percent increase in rounds donated and a 21-percent increase in the number of rounds sold. We heard from several delegates who outlined what made their chapter success- ful. Organization and having a Rounds 4 Research Committee to spearhead the initiative in their chapter were cited as important. The 2019 auction will be held from April 29 through May 5. Chapters just need to recruit the rounds to donate; EIFG will han- dle the rest of the program. Call or email Mischia Wright, EIFG associate director, at 800-472-7878 or mwright@gcsaa.org for assistance. in The MetGCSA participates the Rounds 4 Research Auction, as well as host- ing the “Foursomes for Foundation” Initia- tive. Please speak with Mike McCall for additional information or to donate a round for 2019. State BMP Implementation Delegates were updated on GCSAA’s mis- sion to have all 50 states with a BMP in place by 2020. Mark Johnson, associate director of environmental programs thanked all the chapters that have been working diligently on making this goal a reality. There are currently: (cid:129) 10 states with a BMP in place (cid:129) 10 states that will finish up in 2018 (cid:129) 20 states that have told GCSAA they will finish up in 2019 (cid:129) 10 states that anticipate being on board by 2020 Johnson advised that the second phase of the BMP project is facility adoption. Re- gional and state workshops will start in 2019 to assist chapters in training superintendents on how to write their facility BMP plan. GCSAA asked all of us to encourage our chapter leaders to complete BMP programs this winter. The MetGCSA has been recognized as one of the founding BMP members, even creating our own plan before the GCSAA created their BMP initiative. Chapter Outreach/Field Staff Initiatives GCSAA strives to support its affiliated chapters and assist in their success through the personalized support provided by field staff. Steve Randall, director of chapter out- reach, gave a brief overview of the Field Staff program and highlighted several new initia- tives. Field Staff live and work in one of the nine regions that cover the United States and Ontario, Canada. Kevin Doyle, our field staff rep who cov- ers the Northeast, was introduced to the del- egates and thanked for his hard work on our behalf. Kevin is a regular at our events; if you have not spoken with Kevin, take a minute to introduce yourself. Equipment Manager Task Group Update Kevin Sunderman, vice chair of the Equip- ment Manager Task Group, briefed us on current and future initiatives. GCSAA offers education specifically for equipment managers at the Golf Industry Show. There are EM live and on-demand webinars, as well as the popular Five-Minute Fix videos. GCSAA has tools and templates on the web- site for equipment managers. The Turf Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 9 Equipment Technician Certificate Program (TETCP) has two levels. Future initiatives include EM First Green curriculum, EM self-assessment tool, and an EM certification program. Candidate Road Map to Board Service The Nominating Committee recently com- pleted work on a Candidate Road Map to Board Service. The road map, will be avail- able on GCSAA’s website and will provide information for anyone interested in run- ning for the GCSAA Board of Directors. Suggested experience for candidates in- cludes chapter board of director service and GCSAA committee involvement. Board Policy Oversight Task Group (BPOTG) The BPOTG was created to act as an inde- pendent task group that meets every three years to address various issues related to GCSAA support of board service. The stan- dard operating procedures document that outlines all the support received by the Board of Directors was shared with the del- egates via their GCSAA Delegates Meeting notebook. It is also on the GCSAA website. The 2018 BPOTG offered several recom- mendations that were shared with the dele- gates. The GCSAA Board of Directors will consider these recommendations at their next meeting. CPI Dues Process The GCSAA board makes a recommenda- tion to the membership on changes to A, B, or C membership dues every two years based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI increased by 4.5 percent over the past two years. This translates into a pro- posed $20 dues increase for Class A/B and a $10 increase for Class C, bringing the new dues amounts to $400 for Class A/B and $205 for Class C. This proposed increase will be voted on at the Annual Meeting. Government Affairs Update We all were made aware of the myriad leg- islative, regulatory, and political issues facing the industry, as well as what GCSAA is doing to make sure golf ’s voice is heard at all levels of government, including its direct lobbying efforts on the Farm Bill, WOTUS, and H-2B. Delegates also listened to recent efforts the GCSAAPAC, Grassroots Ambassadors, and National Golf Day, which are all initiatives designed to gain an audience with our legislators and congressman. surrounding Membership Retention and Growth Strategy GCSAA’s strength in numbers would be enhanced by improving membership reten- tion and increasing new member growth. There are approximately 7,500 (out of 15,000) golf courses without a GCSAA member. The delegates listened to several growth strategies to lure new members and a rewards program to help retain existing members. These strategies were: (cid:129) Friends of the Golf Course Superinten- dent. The Friends classification would target golfers and potential advocates. These indi- viduals would receive limited benefits and content. Suggested dues would be $50 to $75. Delegates will vote on this proposed bylaws addition in February. (cid:129) Facility Classification. This classifica- tion is aimed at smaller-budget facilities. Suggested dues would be $200, but this class of member would not be able to vote or hold office. Delegates will vote on this proposed bylaws addition at the Annual Meeting. (cid:129) Rewards or Loyalty Program for Existing Members. Incentives within this program could be crew development plans; savings on CGCS, TETCP, and ASCS; extra perks at the Golf Tournament and GIS. This program does not require a vote or change to the bylaws. (cid:129) Incentivizing Members to Add Additional Members. GCSAA is proposing a strategy to incentivize existing members/golf facilities to add new GCSAA members at their facil- ity. Incentives would depend on the number of new members that were added. Delegates would be asked to vote on a proposed bylaw change that would allow the Board of Di- rectors f lexibility in creating these incen- tives. Class A, B, and C dues would not exceed the amount that is set by the mem- bers at the Annual Meeting. The delegates discussed these retention and growth strategies in the large assembly and in small-group breakouts. A straw poll showed support for all four strategies. How- ever, the Board of Directors would like to host follow-up conference calls with the delegates prior to the Annual Meeting to answer any questions and to provide addi- tional details. Meet the Candidates Once the business portion of the meeting concluded, we had the opportunity to listen to presentations from candidates running for national office. After the presentations, we were able to meet and greet the candi- dates in small breakout sessions to learn more about their platforms and philosophies. The 2019 GCSAA slate of board candi- dates are: For President Rafael Barajas, CGCS, Boca Grove Planta- tion, Boca Raton, FL For Vice President John R. Fulling, CGCS, Kalamazoo Coun- try Club, Kalamazoo, MI For Secretary/Treasurer (cid:129) Kevin P. Breen, CGCS, La Rinconada Country Club, Monte Sereno, CA (cid:129) Mark F. Jordan, CGCS, Westfield Group Country Club, Westfield Center, OH For Director (electing 3 directors) (cid:129) T.A. Barker, CGCS, Fore Lakes Golf Course, Taylorsville, UT (cid:129) Paul L. Carter, CGCS, Bear Trace at Har- rison Bay, Harrison, TN (cid:129) Doug D. Dykstra, CGCS, White Moun- tain Country Club, Pinetop, AZ (cid:129) Jeff L. White, CGCS, Indian Hills Country Club, Prairie Village, KS Board Appointments (cid:129) If Mark Jordan is not voted in as the sec- retary/treasurer, he may be nominated as a candidate for director from the f loor. (cid:129) Kevin Breen is in the middle of his two- year term as director. If unsuccessful in his bid for secretary/treasurer, Breen will remain as director to finish his term. (cid:129) There are three open positions for direc- tor, with T. A. Barker, Jeff White, and Mark Jordan at the end of their terms. All three open director terms will be for two-year terms. If Kevin Breen is elected sec- retary/treasurer, the remaining year of his director term will be filled through the vot- ing process. Reminder: The process for electing directors changed at last year’s Annual Meeting. Each director position will be voted on one at a time. Therefore, there will be separate ballots cast to fill each open director position. Open for Questions or Comment With several of the topics prompting a lively debate, the Board of Directors will take the information gathered to their next board meeting for further discussion. I look for- ward to representing our association at the 2019 Golf Industry Show and welcome any questions you might have on any of the top- ics covered at this year’s Delegates Meeting. You can reach me at green@reddingcc.org or at 203-885-3109. In addition to serving as the MetGCSA’s chapter delegate, Brett Chapin is the newly elected MetGCSA treasurer and the golf course superintendent at Redding Country Club in Redding, CT. Tee to Green November/December 2018 9 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 10 Chapter News Fall Seminar Revisited . . . Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Native Areas and More Oby Todd Apgar n Thursday, November 8, MetGCSA and CAGCS members were, once again, treated to the great hospitality of The Patterson Club in Fair- field, CT, for their Fall Education event. The Education Committees from both associa- tions joined forces again this year to put together another great roster of speakers that drew superintendents and assistants from throughout Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Patterson Club Superintendent Jason Meersman for his team’s hospitality throughout the day. We would also like to thank MetGCSA Education Chairman and, now, MetGCSA Secretary Mike Brunelle and his committee for working with the Connecticut chapter to put together a fan- tastic lineup of speakers. With the surge in popularity of naturalized areas, the Edu- cation Committee decided to focus the sem- inar on a single theme: managing the chal- lenges of developing and maintaining native areas on our golf courses. What follows are the highlights of each presentation, which approach the topic of naturalization from related but different perspectives, adding interest for even the veteran native-area grower. If you find you’d like to delve deeper into any one of these subjects, you’ll find the speaker’s contact information at the end of each summary. The USGA's Jim Skorulski discusses strategies for reducing inputs with native grasses. 6 Tee to Green November/December 2018 10 Weed Control Strategies in Native Turfgrass Areas In recent years, the use of native grass areas on golf courses has grown, in part because of the aesthetics these areas can bring to a golf course, but also because of their sustainabil- ity over more highly managed golf course turf. A 2017 USGA survey found that 46 percent of golf courses are increasing their native area coverage. What many superin- tendents are discovering, however, is that developing and managing these native or naturalized areas is both challenging and labor-intensive. Dr. Jason Fausey, NuFarm Americas’ di- rector of technical services, kicked off the day’s educational sessions with a discussion of the key components of building and maintaining sustainable native areas on your course. Before launching into planting a native area, Dr. Fausey emphasized the importance of carefully evaluating the area’s soil type and typography and then selecting plants that will thrive in that specific area. It helps, he said, to look at what plants are cur- rently living, and f lourishing, in the sur- rounding area. Also important before settling on a native area is to determine your goal for that area. For instance, do you want to establish it as a penalty area where golfers will lose a stroke? Or do you want it to be an area that they should be able to play out of? Dr. Fausey noted that GPS technology can be helpful in answering these types of questions by aiding the superintendent in pinpointing the “hot spots” where golfers are hitting their balls. Once you’ve estab- lished how playable the area needs to be, you are better equipped to determine the proper layout of that area and the appropriate plantings to use. Last but not least, Dr. Fausey discussed the importance of weed control both when es- tablishing naturalized areas and as part of their ongoing maintenance in order to maximize their potential. Though there are plenty of new-and-improved products on the market to choose from, Dr. Fausey em- phasized a complete program approach that considers the proper use of selective herbi- cides along with application rates and tim- ings. In the end, Dr. Fausey’s goal was to help seminar participants maximize naturalized areas with an Integrated Pest Management approach in mind. For further information, Dr. Fausey can be reached at jason.fausey@nufarm.com or at 419-307-7666. Thin Wispy Fescue Areas: A Pipe Dream or a Possibility? Hudson National Golf Club Superintendent Ryan Oliver discussed his personal journey in managing aesthetically pleasing and resilient native areas on his course. First and foremost, preparation is key, said Ryan, who’s been managing native areas at Hudson Na- tional for the past 12 years. He started by spending a good deal of time determining the best blend of seed, along with the proper fertilization program, to set himself up for success. “You need to get the ground prepped and the seed down by August 1 and then deter- mine your herbicide program,” Ryan noted. Ryan is a strong proponent of using a granu- lar product over a liquid application once the turf has matured enough. He feels this is a better option for getting the product where it needs to be: on the ground. In addi- tion to selecting the proper seed and fertil- ization program, Ryan focuses on defining the irrigation techniques that will ensure the turf thrives. With fescue being ex- tremely drought tolerant, he noted, you want to take care not to overwater those areas. And Ryan did go to great pains to modify his irrigation system to accommo- date the needs of his native areas. Though to the golfers who enjoy these areas, they appear relatively maintenance-free, anyone who maintains them knows the labor in- volved—for the crew, who must pay close attention to detail, and to the superintend- ent, who must ensure that the maintenance of these areas is carried out according to a very specific plan. Nufarm Americas' Director of Weed Control Strategies Dr. Jason Fausey discusses weed control strategies in native turfgrass areas. Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 11 For further information on Ryan’s pro- gram, you can reach him at 914 -325-5033 or at ryanboliver@ymail.com. Reducing Inputs With Native Roughs There is great interest in golf today in de- veloping natural roughs to reduce mowing, conserve water, reduce pesticide use, create a habitat and food for insects and wildlife, and provide a better experience for golfers. Joining forces, the USGA’s Dr. Jim Skorulski and Eco-Management’s Dave Kaplow offered an overview of planting options using native grasses and other plants according to site characteristics and playability. Both Skorulski and Kaplow emphasized looking at an area’s soil type before deter- mining any planting options. They noted that in the Met area, there are many differ- ent soil types, including everything from meadow areas, woodlands, pollinator areas, and scrubland. These areas bring with them their own challenges and demands. Kaplow has been spending time walking the woods and wood lines, taking seed sam- ples to see what is prospering in these areas. He is a strong advocate of allowing what is already growing to continue to grow. “These already established grasses have outcom- peted the weeds,” he said, “so we need to look at what they are doing to succeed and move from there.” President’s Message continued from page 1 education, and advocacy for the benefit of Met members and their clubs. The foundation manages the scholarships we award to members’ children, and it has supported research projects at seven area universities and industry organizations. In addition, the foundation has played a signifi- cant role in funding the New York State Best Management Practices Program. Working in partnership with Cornell Uni- versity and superintendent associations throughout the state, this ongoing effort has produced an important resource for indus- try professionals and regulators, and with the foundation’s continued support, the BMP program will have the opportunity to grow further. Another initiative that has taken off under Mike’s leadership is the Foursomes 4 the Foundation program. This initiative currently represents approximately 30 per- cent of the annual revenue received by the MetGCSA Foundation, and it is all through the generosity of area clubs who donate a round of golf for a foursome and then do- nate the proceeds to the foundation. Last, but certainly not least, with the help of Playbooks for Golf, we have launched a While continuing to support the use of natural selection of grasses, Kaplow and Skorulski also presented ideas for putting into practice more natural approaches to turf and weed management. For instance, they presented the idea of using goats to eat the undesirable weeds that crop up in native areas, noting that a few clubs in the region have already used this practice successfully. Though a relatively new idea, goats seem to distinguish the good from the bad, leaving grasses alone while eradicating the tough- to-kill weeds. For further information on this topic, Jim Skorulski can be reached at 413-283- 2237 or at jskorulski@usga.com, and Dave Kaplow can be reached at 707-769-1213 or at dave@eco-management.com. Demystifying Grass Seed Production & Native Areas Last but not least was Adam Russell of Mountain View Seeds in Willamette, OR. Russell discussed seed production areas of the United States and how seed companies and universities work together to bring new products to market. His objective was to in- form seminar goers on how to promote bio- diversity while selecting the correct species needed to reduce inputs and achieve areas that are truly native. Interestingly, Mountain View Seeds (MVS), a major grower of turf seed, focuses on Peak Plant Genetics (PPGs). In other Members App, which can be accessed for download on our website. Put simply, this app contains everything you need to keep up-to-date with our association’s business. You can view the latest news, jobs, events, the Tee to Green and Member Directory, and much more from any device. What’s more, you can chat with other members right in the app and even post pictures to our PhotoFeed. Like texting, your chats will remain completely private. If you haven’t explored this cutting-edge tool, go to the Met website to download the app and get started. Working Behind the Scenes Behind the scenes, at the heart of the associ- ation, are now-seasoned veterans Susan O’Dowd, the MetGCSA’s executive secre- tary, and Pandora Wojick, our Tee to Green managing editor. Susan has been a tremen- dous asset to our group and one of the best things to happen to the association in my 13 years on the board. Pandora is the rock that keeps our communications efforts moving forward, prodding all of us to contribute “timely” content for our communications words, through years of studying and ex- perimenting, MVS hopes to develop the type of qualities in seeds that will create a strong and successful stand of turf in all areas of a golf course. “We want to promote the strongest seed that will have the best chance of outcompeting weeds,” Russell told the group. Along with their own studies, MVS pro- motes the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP), which is designed to de- velop and coordinate uniform evaluation trials of turfgrass varieties and promising selections in the U.S. and Canada. Being un- biased, these trials help to determine the highest quality seed without one specific company being favored. With the numerous seed manufacturers around the country and world, it is important to determine which cultivar is well adapted to a specific location or even a level of turf maintenance. With this research available, Russell urges those hoping to create a native area to deter- mine what they are looking for in a specific seed type—disease resistance, drought toler- ance, and traffic tolerance—to make the best selection for their areas and needs. For further information on this topic, Adam Russell can be reached at 971-718- 4525 or at arussell@mtviewseeds.com. Todd Apgar, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is a sales representative with Metro Turf Specialists. outlets. Thank you both for your excellent work over the years. And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank all the companies that support the MetGCSA. Your friendship and support is unwavering and adds greatly to our organization. I would like to remind our membership to please support those who support us! So as I turn into the Archie Bunker of the group or as someone said to me the other day, “like one the guys in the balcony from the Muppets” (I thought that one was pretty good), I will always hold the highest regard for past, present, and future boards for their commitment to our association. And as with any volunteer position that takes you away from your family, I am grateful for the never-ending—and often much-needed— support from my wife, Dana, and daughters Kylie, Taylor, and Avery. Thank you for a great ride, and I’ll look forward to seeing you all at Westchester Country Club on January 16 for our Winter Seminar. David Dudones President Tee to Green November/December 2018 11 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 12 Member News Bucking Out the Season! good company, party-goers were entertained by the numerous mem- bers who braved the mechanical bull. Assistant superintendents did their best to endure the bull’s twists and turns, but only one emerged as winner of the Assistant Superintendent Ride- the-Mechanical Bull Contest, hanging on to the bucking beast for a full 29.57 seconds. Congratulations to Westches- ter Country Club Assistant Super Tyler Sandefur, who was the contest’s lucky $250 prize winner. (Tyler is pic- tured below with Brett Chapin, Social & Welfare Committee co-chair.) If you weren’t able to make our holi- day celebration this year, please join us next year for a wonderful time with fellow members and their significant others. December 14, a sizable crowd of MetGCSA members and spouses ga- thered at the Bull and Barrel Brew Pub in Brewster, NY, for our associa- tion’s annual holiday festivities. Aside from the plentiful food, drink, and New Members Please join us in welcoming the following new MetGCSA members: (cid:129) Brad Brown, Class C, The Stanwich Club, Greenwich, CT (cid:129) Justin Carlson, Class C, Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, NY (cid:129) Todd Salamone, Class B, Long Shore Golf Course, Westport, CT Members on the Move (cid:129) Bobby Jewett is the new superintend- ent at Wildhorse Golf Club in Davis, CA. Previous position: Assistant superintendent at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY. (cid:129) Dave Peterson is the new superintend- ent at Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk, CT. Previous position: Assistant superin- tendent at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY. (cid:129) Tom Reyes is the new superintendent at Salem Golf Club in North Salem, NY. Previous position: Assistant superintendent at Century Country Club in Purchase, NY. (cid:129) Doug Snyder is the new superintend- ent at Tashua Knolls Golf Course in Trumbull, CT. Previous position: Su- perintendent at the Milbrook Club in Greenwich, CT. Birth Congratulations and best wishes to Tashua Knolls Golf Course Superintendent Doug Snyder and his wife, Erin, on the birth of their daughter, Deirdre McKenna, born 6 lbs., 13 ozs. on October 11. In Sympathy It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Steven Wright, who was the superintendent at Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton, FL, and passed away suddenly at the age of 61. Working at the national level, Steve became a mentor to many, in- cluding a number of our MetGCSA mem- bers. Rye Golf Club Superintendent and Met board member Chip Lafferty remem- bers Steve as “one of the good ones,” not- ing, “Playing one round of golf with him would make you instantly lifelong friends.” Our deepest sympathy to his wife, Sheree, and three children. Donations may be made in Steve’s memory to First Tee of the Palm Beaches or the National Cen- ter for Missing or Exploited Children, NCMEC Benefit Tournament by calling 561-848-1900. 6 Tee to Green November/December 2018 12 Tee to Green Dec 2018 for web.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 1/9/19 6:12 PM Page 13 P 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 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 “The World Leader in Soil Surfactants & Wetting Agents” 1273 Imperial Way Paulsboro, NJ 08066 Tom Valentine: 610-299-4470 tvalentine@aquatrols.com ✪ Atlantic Golf & Turf 9 Industrial Boulevard Turner Falls, MA 01376 John Garcia: 203-996-6267 john@atlanticgolfturf.com ✪ BASF Corporation “Professional & Specialty Solutions” Paul Ramina: 908-413-2944 paul.ramina@basf.com ✪ Bayer U.S. “Backed by Bayer” 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 Brookfield, CT 06804 Paul Schwab: 203-943-6898 Ofc: 203-740-1458 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 ✪ Emerald Tree & Shrub Care Co. 146 Summerfield Street 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 “Micro Carbon Technology” Ken Gentile: 203-496-0891 executiveturfproducts@gmail.com humagroturf.com ✪ Finch Services Inc. 522 Edwards Avenue Calverton, NY 11933 George Corgan: 914-893-0868 Ofc: 631-727-8700 gcorgan@finchinc.com / www.Finchinc.com ✪ Fisher and Son Company “Green Industry Professionals Since 1928” Mike Weber: 347-486-0480 mweber@fisherandson.com ✪ Grass Roots Turf Products, Inc. “Serving Turfgrass Professionals Since 1978” Ryan Avery / Keith Kubik / Nick Alley Ofc: 973-252-6634 www.GRIturf.com / sales@GRIturf.com ✪ Greenacres Company “Irrigation Contractor” Dave Pijnenburg: 203-948-5103 Dave@greenacrescompany.com GreenSight Agronomics “Automated Daily Drone Mapping of Stress & Moisture” Justin McClellan sale@greensightag.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 “Growing a Better World. Partners for Success” Scott Tretera: 914-262-8638 stretera@harrells.com Fred Montgomery: 518-813-7814 fmontgomery@harrells.com Helena Chemical “People, Products, Knowledge” Tim Gerzabek: 609-221-9240 Sean Kennedy: 802-558-4009 LaBar Golf Renovations 170 Mount Airy Road, Suite A1 Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 Rich LaBar: 908-502-5253 rich@labargolf.com Mark E. Sosnowitz, ASLA, MG Golf Course & Landscape Design & Renovations “You Have the Project, We Have the Solution” P.O. Box 185, Pawling, NY 12564 914 318-4476 ✪ Metro Turf Specialists “Customers, Our TOP Priority” Scott / Matt / Jake / Rich / Todd 203-748-GOLF (4653) www.metroturfspecialists.com MTE Turf Equipment Solutions, Inc. 115 Franklin Street Ext., Derry, NH 03038 Ben Mancuso Ofc: 585-356-2770 bmancuso@mte.us.com ✪ Noble Turf Brian Bontemps: 845-239-7959 Brian Gjelsvik: 973-670-7139 Zach Brooks: 914-309-2373 Bill Cimochowski: 609-923-4045 Northwestern Mutual Joseph A. Small: 845-224-0015 Joshua Weinerman: 845-224-0027 Justin Copeland: 845-224-0017 Kristine K Bargo: 845-224-0004 Stephen Henry Lynch: 845-224-0005 Ashley Smith: 845-224-0002 joe.small@nm.com ✪ NuFarm Americas, Inc. “Helping the World to Grow a Better Tomorrow” Jim Santoro: 518-207-2094 jim.santoro@nufarm.com ✪ Palisades Fuel, Inc. “Gasoline ~ Diesel ~ Heating Oil” Frank Muggeo: 914-945-0645 fmuggeo@palisadesfuel.com ✪ 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. “The Liquid Fertilizer Experts” Tom Weinert: 914-262-0111 Dick Neufeld: 973-945-6318 Tom Pepe: 609-751-1372 David Conrad: 914-263-3244 ✪ Playbooks for Golf Mobile Coverage System, 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 SiteOne Landscape Supply “Stronger Together” Chad Mathieu: 914-539-5675 cmathieu@siteone.com Soil Solutions, LLC Drill & Fill / Aerification Professionals Anthony Decicco / John Decicco 7 Whittemore Place, Ryebrook, NY 10573 914-393-0659 soilsolutionsllc369@gmail.com ✪ Sygenta “Manufacturer of Plant Protection Products” John Bresnahan: 413-333-9914 John.bresnahan@syngenta.com ✪ Tanto Irrigation, LLC “Golf Course Irrigation Specialists” Steve Kubicki / Paul Guillaro info@tantoirrigation.com ✪ The Cardinals, Inc. Complete Distributor of Golf Course Accessories & Turf Maintenance Supplies John Callahan: 860-673-3699 Fax: 860-673-8443 jcalcardinal@aol.com ✪ 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. “With Tom Irwin, You’re Not Alone” 13 A Street, Burlington, MA 01803 Jeff Houde: 203-731-1776 800-582-5959 jeff@tomirwin.com ✪ Turf Products LLC ~ TORO Irrigation & Equipment “Servicing Our Customers Since 1970” Pat Cragin: 860-874-2812 Bill Conley: 860-360-0503 Shawn Donovan: 203-910-9114 Peter Hull: 860-305-2525 Jim Staszowski: 413-237-1467 ✪ Valley Green, Inc. “Serving the Industry since 1990” 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: 845-278-7766 www.wtractor.com ✪ Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. “Proudly Serving the MetGCSA Since 1976” 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 Fax: 845-254-3475 john@irawickes.com ✪ Wilfred MacDonald, Inc. “Turf Equipment Specialists” Glenn Gallion Ofc: 888-831-0891 Fax: 973-487-1333 Sales@wilfredmacdonald.com ✪ Winfield Solutions, Inc. “Service, Solutions, Insight” Rob Saunders: 203-249-5059 Jim Masone: 516-818-9852 www.winfieldpro.com W & B Golf Carts / Yamaha 3391 Route 9, Hudson, NY 12534 Jason Hommel / Michael Behan Ofc: 518-851-2266 pgagolfcar@gmail.com ✪ Denotes MetGCSA member BACK PAGE_Tee to G dec 2010 cover 1/9/19 6:17 PM Page 2