Tee to Green Jan 2019 cov.qxp_Tee to G dec 2010 cover 3/18/19 4:19 PM Page 3 January/February/March 2019 VOLUME 50 NUMBER 1 Published by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page ii Board of Directors President KEN BENOIT, CGCS Class A Vice President ROBERT B. ALONZI JR. Fenway Golf Club Treasurer BRETT CHAPIN Redding Country Club Secretary MICHAEL BRUNELLE, CGCS Upper Montclair Country Club Past President DAVID DUDONES Westchester Country Club Directors DANIEL COUGHLIN Trump National Golf Club-Westchester CHARLES LAFFERTY Rye Golf Club STEVEN LOUGHRAN Rock Ridge Country Club DANIEL ROGERS Wykagyl Country Club JESSE SHANNON, CGCS Manhattan Woods Golf Club STEPHEN WICKSTROM Burning Tree Country Club Class “C” Rep ANDREW BAXTER Fairview Country Club Class “AF” Rep TODD APGAR Metro Turf Specialists Executive Director MIKE McCALL, CGCS Executive Secretary SUSAN O’DOWD Tee to Green Staff Co-Editors CHIP LAFFERTY DAN ROGERS 914-760-3331 914-400-5918 Managing Editor PANDORA C. WOJICK Editorial Committee TODD APGAR ANTHONY MINNITI MATT CEPLO BOB NIELSEN KEVIN COLLINS SCOTT NIVEN ANDY DROHEN JIM PAVONETTI STEVEN McGLONE GREG WOJICK Designer TERRIE YOUNG Advertising Manager DAN ROGERS, 914-400-5918 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 © 2019 Cover: Trump National Golf Club ~ Westchester n this Issue I Feature Ken Benoit Assumes Reigns as MetGCSA’s 34th President ........2 Departments Member News ......................................................................5 Chapter News........................................................................6 National News ....................................................................10 National Scorecard ..............................................................10 Upcoming Events ................................................................11 Spotlight ............................................................................12 Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 1 P resident’s Message New President Ken Benoit Is on a Mission I am privileged and humbled to be your newly elected president. When I think of the remarkable strides made by the many great superintendents who have served before me as MetGCSA president, I am motivated to honor their contributions by holding myself to the standards they set. We are all fortunate to be part of a group of professionals who continually strives to be at the forefront of the industry. Your pro- fessionalism and dedication are second to none, and I am truly proud to represent such a progressive and hardworking group of individuals. In the months ahead, I look forward to working with the Board of Directors in con- tinuing to move our association forward. In this issue’s feature, I discuss the initiatives I feel most strongly about. Here’s a preview. 1. Opening the Lines of Communica- tion: One of my top missions is to continue to improve the channel of communication and strengthen the relationships among members of the MetGCSA, MetPGA, and MetCMA. We serve the same clientele so why not join forces in meeting their needs? Representatives from each group have met several times and are making headway in finding ways to work together to reach our full potential as an industry. These groups will meet again in the spring. 2. Supporting Environmental Initia- tives. I will also continue to put effort and resources into golf-related environmental initiatives, including programs and initia- tives like the MGA Arthur P. Weber En- vironmental Leaders in Golf Award, and the New York Golf Course Foundation (NYGCF), curators of our New York State BMPs. The BMPs have helped to communicate our industry’s environmental stewardship to legislators and regulators around the state, and I hope to leverage the confidence we’ve built among our policymakers to strengthen our voice in Albany when new legislation that will impact our industry is being proposed. Ken Benoit, CGCS MetGCSA President We need, now, to reach beyond our legisla- tors and seek an industrywide, proactive approach to communicating our environ- mental efforts to our friends and neighbors outside the industry who often are misin- formed or unaware of our serious efforts to protect our waterways and environment. Later this year, you will learn more about a new program being developed by the NYGCF that will allow individual facilities to develop their own set of BMPs. The pro- gram will enable superintendents to conduct a self-audit of their facilities to quantify their environmental efforts. Once this system is in place and we have concrete data to present, lawmakers, regulators, and the nongolfing public can’t help but recognize our commit- ment to protecting our resources and envi- ronment as legitimate. The MetGCSA will continue to donate funds for the further development of this ini- tiative through our golf auctions program. Please consider donating a round of golf to this program so we can continue to provide the resources necessary to further these criti- cal efforts. 3. Ensuring Every Member Has a Voice. I will ensure that the Met board strives to consider each member, regardless of class or designation, in every decision we make. It is important to our association that every member has a voice and that the Board of Directors operates in the best interest of the association as a whole. It is also important that individual members are pleased with how we are operating. If anyone has an issue or concern, I would encourage you to contact continued on page 4 Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 1 Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 2 eatureF Ken Benoit Assumes Reigns as MetGCSA’s 34th President by Bob Nielsen, CGCS C ulminating 12 years of serv- ice on the MetGCSA Board of Directors, Ken Benoit assumed the reigns as the Met’s 34th president at the November Annual Meeting. Ken has been a member of the MetGCSA since 2001, joining as an assistant at Quaker Ridge. Letting no grass grow under his feet, Ken was elected to the board in 2006 and has served on the executive board for the past six years. Well versed in the ins-and-outs of the association, Ken has chaired almost every one of the Met’s committees, noting a particular fondness for his time on the Scholarship & Research Committee. “The quality of some of the applications coming from the children of Met members is truly amazing,” he says. “The insight and ability many of them have to articulate ideas is well beyond their years. I truly enjoyed chairing that committee.” For the past eight years, one of Ken’s major commitments has been chairing the En- vironmental Committee, which is responsi- ble for helping to select the finalists for the MGA’s Arthur P. Weber Environmental Leaders in Golf Award. As the winner of the award in 2010, Ken couldn’t be more quali- fied for the task! Over the past several years, however, the committee’s responsibilities have expanded to include the weighty job of overseeing the development and promotion of the Best Management Practices for New York State Golf Courses. Ken has worked tirelessly with Cornell University’s Dr. Frank Rossi and Project Manager Stacey Kingsbury to bring the BMPs to fruition. With his significant involvement in man- aging and promoting various aspects of the industry, Ken is clearly prepared to assume the seat at the MetGCSA’s next president. Goals for the Association Ken holds great confidence in the future of the MetGCSA. “A lot of credit goes to the past presidents and boards who laid the groundwork for this great association,” says Ken, “but the accomplishments in recent years are just as amazing. I think the new board is excited and eager to continue the Met’s great traditions and work toward maintaining, even enhancing, its status in the industry.” 2 Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 3 As president, Ken’s goals are ambitious. He seeks to strengthen the relationships among superintendents, PGA professionals, and general managers. “We all serve the same clientele, but we seem to go at it from three different angles rather than as a unified front,” says Ken. Ken’s first step in initiating this goal was to get together with longtime friend and prior GlenArbor colleague, Brian Crowell, who serves as PGA pro of the prestigious Silo Ridge Country Club. They gathered a group of superintendents, PGA profession- als, and general managers, who all met to discuss how the associations might work together to achieve both individual associa- tion goals, as well as common goals. With plans set for future meetings, we know that this will be the start of a more cohesive working relationship among these groups of professionals. Ken also plans to further our environ- mental initiatives, focusing, in particular, on the BMPs. Ken’s involvement in this initia- tive is second to none. He is working on a new initiative that will enable the New York State BMPs to be adapted by individual golf courses to better ref lect the facility’s specific needs and operations. In addition, Ken is working to make sure that the MetGCSA represents every mem- ber of the association. The Battle of the Bridges Tournament and the Class C Pro- fessional Development Day are part of that initiative, and he plans to build on the suc- cess of those events. In fact, Ken has charged our Class AF Rep Todd Apgar with putting together a committee that can develop ways to ensure all AF members are represented and know that they are a vital part of our association. It is our AF members, after all, who represent the companies that advertise in our various publications and fund many of our programs. The Met’s Road Ahead While the MetGCSA continues to be one of the premier chapters in the country, Ken acknowledges that our association faces its share of challenges, just like other organiza- tions in the industry. “Member involvement at meetings,” he points out, “continues to be a challenge that has no easy answer. Of course, the weather we had last year put a damper on event participation. Getting away for even a day was challenging for many,” acknowledges Ken. Ken is looking at the fact that most of the northern New York State GCSA chapters— the Western, Finger Lakes, Central, and Northeastern associations—are currently discussing the possibility of becoming a uni- fied association. This could possibly leave the HVGCSA, MetGCSA, and LIGCSA as the only unaffiliated associations in New York State. Determining how the Met would fit into this equation could be a challenge. “There are certainly opportunities for a united state association, as seen in New Jer- sey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan,” says Ken. “But the concern would be to ensure that the Met retains its own identity going forward. We will be watching our neighbors to the north to see how they manage their unification.” Ken is also keeping his eye on the political climate in New York State, which has had a significant impact on the association. “With both houses and the executive branch con- trolled by Democrats, there have been a number of new laws proposed to ban various products and limit the amount of nitrogen contained in a bag of fertilizer on Long Island,” says Ken. “We will have to demon- strate the value of the BMPs we have put in place and educate the new lawmakers on what they are and how they are used to pro- tect the environment.” Making Tracks to the Met Ken was born and raised in Marysville, MI, located just north of Detroit. He graduated from the University of Detroit in 1990 with a degree in marketing. After working five years as a regional manager for an environ- mental services company and spending 75 percent of his time on the road, Ken decided it was time for a change. At the suggestion of a friend, he shifted his focus to turfgrass management and completed a two-year turf degree at Michigan State University while working on the crew at Walnut Creek Country Club outside of Detroit. In 1997, Ken interned at Congressional Country Club in D.C. during the Men’s U.S. Open with superintendent guru Paul Ken Benoit speeds past his competitors in the 2017 Tour de France amateur race in the French Alps. Latshaw. Then after graduating in the fall of 1997, when Latshaw was splitting his time between Congressional and Riviera Coun- try Club in Los Angeles, he offered Ken an assistant’s position at Riviera. After help- ing to groom the course for the 1998 Senior U.S. Open, Ken decided to broaden his ex- perience and accepted a construction super- intendent position with McDonald & Sons in Jessup, MD. “They were renovating Olympia Fields for the U.S. Open, and I signed on as a construction superintendent,” says Ken. A year-and-a-half later, after trav- eling the country building and renovating golf courses, Ken realized that he wanted to get back to turf. Ken’s next and final stop before Glen- Arbor was Quaker Ridge Country Club, where he worked as an assistant for then Superintendent Steve Renzetti, learning the subtleties of maintaining turf in West- chester County. After a year-and-a-half at Quaker, the posting for GlenArbor appeared and Ken seized the opportunity. He credits Steve for his encouragement and assistance in securing that position. “Steve played an integral part in my getting the job—at the beginning of July, no less,” says Ken. “For that, I will be forever grateful.” An through environmentalist and through, Ken not only managed the course transformation at GlenArbor, but also insti- tuted numerous environmental initiatives during his tenure there, including a pro- gram to help rebuild the Eastern bluebird population that garnered GlenArbor the “North American Bluebird Society Award.” It was his environmental efforts at Glen- Arbor that also earned the club the MGA’s prestigious 2010 Arthur P. Weber Environ- mental Leaders in Golf Award. More re- Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 3 Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 4 The two worked together at GlenArbor for nearly 18 years; Ken as superintendent, Melodee as administrative assistant, horti- culturalist, environmental liaison, and a host of other titles. Ken adds with a smile, “The owner of GlenArbor told me constantly how lucky I was to marry so far up the ladder.” A New Chapter Ken’s professional and personal success have been marked by his drive and willingness to seek new challenges: his career shift from marketing to turfgrass management, job shifts that took him from one coast to the other, and personal pursuits that have found him front and center as a lead guitarist in two rock bands (at the same time no less) and now a devoted cyclist and fierce com- petitor, who’s won several races. His cycling recently took him to France to race on one leg of the prestigious Tour de France. This past December, after 18 years as superintendent at GlenArbor Country Club, Ken and Melodee came to the realiza- tion that yet another professional change was in order. It took careful thought and consideration. “I didn’t want to destroy the partnership I had formed with the club’s owner over those 18 years,” says Ken. “Yet Melodee and I felt compelled to look for our next challenge. It was important to be out in front. Not everyone would make the same decision—not everyone is in the same posi- tion as we are to make that decision—but no matter what we pursue next, the rela- tionship with the owner of GlenArbor is paramount and will remain a big part of our life.” Onward and Upward While Ken isn’t afraid to initiate change, there’s one area where he is unwavering and that’s in his dedication to superintendents and their profession. His resolution to fur- ther the strides our association has made over the years couldn’t be more focused. The determination to further the BMPs, to en- sure all membership classes are represented, and to unite the professional associations in working toward common goals are ambi- tious and worthwhile pursuits. The MetGCSA will, no doubt, be in capa- ble hands for the next two years. We wish you every success, Ken, in your term as president! Bob Nielsen, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is superintendent at Bedford Golf & Tennis Club in Bedford, NY. Ken and Melodee Benoit strike a happy pose at the 2018 Michigan State/Penn State football game played at Beaver Stadium. (MSU won with a last-second touchdown!) cently, Ken was awarded the Friend of the Green Industry Award from NYSTA for his involvement in the BMP project. But just as much of an honor to Ken is his recent invitation from Penn State’s Turf- grass Management Class of 2019 to deliver the commencement address to this year’s graduating turf students. Ken is well known and admired by Penn State turf students, so it’s no surprise that he was their top choice. He has been an annual guest speaker at the turf school over the past 10 years, offering his expertise on topics ranging from turf management to professional development. Nathan Wattier, one of the Class of 2019 students who also had interned for Ken, had nothing but high praise for his skill as a superintendent and mentor: “He opened our class’s eyes to the different opportunities the turf industry has to offer,” says Wattier. “He was full of wisdom and practical advice, and he has a unique ability to inspire, which has had a significant impact on all of us here at the turf school. We all agreed that Ken would make a wonderful speaker at our commencement, and what better way for us to honor his dedication to the industry?” The Best Kind of Partnership Ken’s position at Riviera not only laid the groundwork for his future professionally, but also led to the formation of “the part- nership of a lifetime.” Ken met his wife, Melodee, at a Dodgers baseball game while working in LA. The couple was engaged in 1999 and married in 2000. “Melodee has been the single most important inf luence in my career,” says Ken. “We have a true part- nership. She has been every bit as responsible for our success.” 4 Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 4 President’s Message continued from page 1 me or any member of the board to discuss it. Our email addresses and cell phone numbers are listed in the directory, and we will respond to all messages in a timely manner. We are here to serve you. 4. Boosting Member Participation. Focusing on improving member partici- pation will be a high priority for the board. This has been a topic of discussion for a number of years. It’s important that our membership understands and em- braces the fact that our association’s suc- cess is dependent on the participation and dedication of its members. You get what you give. Though I recognize it might not be possible for you to come to every event, consider picking three events to attend from the nine offered, and you’ll be help- ing the association tremendously. If participating in our events seems like more trouble than it’s worth, just think for a moment how you would feel if there were no MetGCSA. No group of industry professionals to provide the support and camaraderie we all need in the thick of a tiring, if not challenging, season. I believe most of you would feel a bit like a ship without a sail, like something important was missing. So I urge you to participate, and help us keep the association vibrant now and into the future, for generations of MetGCSA members to come. All Within Reach I believe the goals we’ve established are attainable and provide a worthy focus for the future of the association. Let’s start with our goal of “Boosting Member Participation” by signing up as soon as possible for the Dave Mahoney Two- Ball Qualifier on April 29 at Trump National - Westchester. This event always promises a good time. I hope to see you at other future MetGCSA events, where we can discuss the ups-and-downs of the season, the lat- est and greatest technology, or just offer each other some much-needed support. And please remember, if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, the MetGCSA board is only an email or phone call away. Here’s to a great 2019 season—and to more active participation in the MetGCSA. Ken Benoit, CGCS MetGCSA President Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 5 from page 1 Member News Lucky Six Take Home Prizes in Annual Bill Caputi Scholarship Raffle T his year’s Annual Bill Caputi Scholarship Raff le, awarded at the January 16 Winter Seminar, raised an admirable sum for the Met’s Scholarship Fund and awarded $4,000 in cash prizes to six lucky ticket holders. The raff le is the prime source of the scholarship awards we distribute to deserv- ing Met member dependents each year. Many thanks to all who contributed and also to those who sold tickets for this worth- while fundraiser. Congratulations to our $2,000-grand- prize winner, Jamie Thomaselli of Beacon, NY. The ticket was sold by Dan Coughlin, superintendent at Trump National Golf Club ~ Westchester in Briarcliff, NY. The other lucky ticketholders were: $750 Second Prize Winner Todd Apgar, Metro Turf Specialists. Todd bought the winning ticket from himself! $500 Third Prize Winner Jim Pavonetti, Fairview Country Club. Jim bought the winning ticket from himself! $250 Prize Winners (cid:129) Michele Jakuba, Lagrangeville, NY. Her ticket was sold by Trump ~ Westchester Superintendent Dan Coughlin. (cid:129) Steve Loughran, Rock Ridge Country Club. Steve bought the winning ticket from himself! (cid:129) Joe Omboni, Putnam Valley, NY. His ticket was sold by The Care of Trees’ Mike Cook. Members on the Move (cid:129) Aaron Crouse is the new superintendent at Westchester Hills Golf Club in White Plains, NY. Previous position: West Course superintendent at Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY. (cid:129) Joe Gikis is the new superintendent at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills, NY. Previous position: Assistant director of golf and grounds at Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY. (cid:129) Vinny Barnaba is the new superintend- ent at the Powelton Club in Newburgh, NY. Previous position: Assistant superintendent at Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY. (cid:129) Jamie Kapes is a new consultative repre- sentative at Noble Turf in Chesapeake, VA. Previous position: Property manager at Woodway Country Club in Darien, CT. (cid:129) Wes Mackie is the new superintendent at Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club in Branford, CT. Previous position: Assistant superintendent at The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, CT. (cid:129) Scott Olson is the new superintendent at Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford, NY. Previous position: Superintendent at Hampshire Country Club in Mamaroneck, NY. (cid:129) Ken Welzien is a warehouse and logistics manager at Metro Turf Specialists in Brookfield, CT. Previous position: Assistant superintendent at Silver Spring Country Club in Ridgefield, CT. (cid:129) Evan Weymouth is the new superin- tendent at Patriot Hills Golf Club in Stony Point, NY. Previous position: Assistant su- perintendent at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, NY. (cid:129) Andrew White is the new superintend- ent at Riverton Country Club in Cin- naminson, NJ. Previous position: South Course superintendent at Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY. Birth Congratulations to Fisher & Son’s Mike Weber and his wife, Samantha, on the birth of their daughter, Michaela Rae Weber. She was born on February 25, 8 lbs. 6 ozs. Bob Nielsen Honored With GCSAA’s Excellence in Government Affairs L et’s hear a round of applause for Bedford Golf & Tennis Club’s Bob Nielsen. Bob was recognized February 5 at the 2019 Golf Industry Show in San Diego with the 2019 Excellence in Government Affairs Award from GCSAA for his passion and hard work in advocating for the golf course manage- ment profession. Anyone involved with the MetGCSA is well aware of Bob’s many contributions to our association and profession as a whole. A 28-year member of GCSAA, Bob was elected president of the Met in 2010, when one of his primary goals was to establish stronger relationships with the local West- chester County Board of Legislators, as well as the New York State Senate and Assembly. Regionally, Bob served as New York’s rep- resentative for the Chesapeake Bay water- shed committee. Through GCSAA’s Grass- roots Ambassador program, which pairs superintendents with members of Congress, Bob has had the opportunity to discuss issues pertaining to the golf industry with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Bob was a driving force behind the cre- ation of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for New York State Golf Courses, which were released in 2014. In 2017, Bob spearheaded the process of transitioning the New York BMP committee into the New York State Golf Course Foundation, and he serves as the group’s treasurer. In addition to serving as a grassroots ambassador, Nielsen has been involved with GCSAA on a national level as a chapter del- egate and as a member of the association’s Government Affairs Committee, Nomi- nating Committee, Research Proposal Re- view Committee, BMP Task Group, and Environmental Awards Task Group. Cur- rently, he serves on the inaugural board of the GCSAA Political Action Committee, which launched in 2017. “As an association, we are so fortunate to have an engaged member like Bob, who is a true servant to his superintendent peers and the industry,” says Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO. “I thank him for his efforts and con- gratulate him on this honor, which he has earned for his tireless dedication.” Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 5 Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 6 Seminar-goers enjoy the awards luncheon at Westchester Country Club.Chapter News Winter Seminar Touches on More Than Just Turf by Chip Lafferty O n January 16, Westchester Country Club was kind enough to, once again, host the MetGCSA’s annual Winter Seminar. This venue is a welcome tradition for our association and always instrumental in the success of this ever-pop- ular educational event. Hats off to MetGCSA Past President and Westchester Country Club Superintendent David Dudones and the entire club staff for rolling out the red carpet for our annual event. A full 262 fellow golf industry profession- als attended, eager to keep pace with the lat- est trends in turfgrass management. And 29 exhibitor booths provided that added value that makes this annual event worthwhile. We’d like to extend a special thank you to the commercial members who participated. You’ll find their names and numbers listed on page 8. We would also like to thank Education Committee Chair Mike Brunelle and his committee for their hard work in organiz- ing a superb educational session chock-full of information that was both interesting and highly pertinent to our profession. What follows is a quick recap of the speakers’ advice-to-remember, along with their contact information. All are ready and willing to help. Best Management Practices for Annual Bluegrass Weevil (ABW) Control Dr. Benjamin McGraw, a highly regarded professor and researcher at Penn State Uni- versity, offered insight into the varied and often inconsistent practices of ABW con- trol. He noted the importance of timing, as well as the choice of control products. He also discussed how to choose the proper product at the proper time to attain the most successful control. When targeting adults during peak adult activity, for in- stance, you would want to use Dursban or a pyrethroid. When going after larvae when larvae activity is at its peak, a better choice would be Ference or Match Point. 6 Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 The scene of the Winter Seminar Awards Luncheon at Westchester Country Club. The caveat here is the lack of residual con- trol from products that were believed to have a long residual effect that would allow the superintendent more f lexibility in tim- ing. It is suspected, however, that this issue is due to the excessive rainfall and record-high temperatures we had this past season. Dr. McGraw’s take home message: Because of the reported lack of residual control, scout- ing, gathering any and all information from outside sources like Syngenta’s WeevilTrak, and counting GDDs appears to be the best bet to attain control of this pesky turfgrass predator. For further information, Dr. McGraw can be reached at bam53@psu.edu or at 814 -865- 1138. The Trials of Turf Management in 2018 While ABW seems to be a problem that just doesn’t go away, Steve McDonald of Turf- grass Solutions shared the many other hard- to-combat turfgrass challenges superintend- ents faced in 2018. McDonald travels the U.S. getting a bird’s eye view of the turf wars superintendents are waging across the country. He presented a slide show of the various forms of damage we were faced with this past year—every- thing from mechanical damage to wet wilt, scald, and insect and fungal pests. Basically, his point was that no one escaped without some form of damage in 2018. Last year was peculiar. The spring started out cold, then rebounded only for superin- tendents to notice slow-growing turf that was most likely stunted by cold-temp injury in early January. Warmer temps eventually rolled in, allowing the turf to rebound nicely in early June, only to go into a short drought stress period that was followed by rain—and lots of it. Overall, this was not a good combi- nation for successful turf management. McDonald’s take-home message: Document Penn State's Dr. Benjamin McGraw discusses new insight into ABW control. Turfgrass Solutions' Steve McDonald shares his observations on last season's series of unfortunate turf challenges. Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 7 Awards Committee Chair David Dudones presents the John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award to Jimmy Roberts, renowned sportswriter and broadcaster on NBC Sports and the Golf Channel. this practice allows superintendents to apply enough sand during the season with regular light topdressings, additional benefits in- clude improved drainage, lower summer soil temperatures, and firmer/dryer surfaces, all of which can contribute to summer stress relief and disease resistance. For additional information, Dr. Murphy can be reached at murphy@aesop.rutgers.edu or at 848-932-6326. An Award-Winning Lunch After the morning sessions adjourned, the awards luncheon began, and the MetGCSA presented one of its most prestigious honors, the John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award, to Jimmy Roberts, famed sports- writer and longtime broadcaster on NBC Sports and the Golf Channel. Westchester Country Club Superinten- dent David Dudones introduced Roberts, who the MetGCSA’s Awards Committee selected for his contributions to the game of golf and his support and recognition of the people who make it happen. Few people know the game of golf and what goes into it as well as Jimmy Roberts, and the admira- tion is definitely mutual. “I think the golf course superintendent and golf pro are the most significant people at the club,” Roberts says, adding in classic Roberts-ese, “Without them, we are all just talentless fools wandering on ruined ground.” Delivering his acceptance speech, Roberts made mention of his appreciation for the hard work of golf course superintendents and their foresight to see the bigger picture through the work of the MetGCSA Found- ation and the Best Management Practices for New York State Golf Courses. “I have to say,” says Roberts, “to be here with all of you is a little bit like a boy scout who gets to go to lunch with some navy seals.” After joking about time he spent with a homeowner in Buffalo discussing the qual- ity of his lawn, Roberts shared several the areas that were most troublesome when conditions weren’t ideal, noting in particu- lar, what made matters worse during those challenging periods. Would those areas profit from added drainage, tree work, extra aeration to remove excess thatch? Whatever you discover, now is the time to come up with—and implement—a plan to avoid fu- ture problems the next time Mother Nature throws us a curveball. For additional information, contact Steve McDonald at info@turfgrassdiseasesolutions.com or at 610-633-1878. Does Your Topdressing Size Really Matter? Next up at the podium was Dr. James Murphy of Rutgers University. He described the challenges that superintendents face when attempting to apply the proper quan- tity of sand topdressing, especially during the season, without damaging cutting units and affecting putting quality from sand left on the surface. We all know the benefits of sand topdressing, i.e., smoother putting sur- faces, firmer surfaces, disease tolerance, thatch management, and traffic tolerance, but with modern greens management, fea- turing lower heights of cut and growth reg- ulators, it’s a challenge to work sand into the canopy, particularly in-season when there’s not much canopy to work with! In the last several years, some superin- tendents have resorted to applying finer topdressing (.5 mm with no coarse or very coarse particles) that does not necessarily meet USGA specifications. The question is, will using the finer topdressing have a detri- mental effect, long-term, on the green pro- files after years of practicing this trend? Research at Rutgers has indicated, so far, that the practice of using finer sands for in- season dustings and using traditional USGA spec sand for filling in aeration holes, has not shown any detrimental effects, but the research is still ongoing. Dr. Murphy’s take-home message: Because accounts of his past experience, concluding with high praise for the golf course superin- tendent and industry as a whole: “Golf courses are beautiful, powerful places. They’re transformative places, and all of that is because of people like you and the great work that you do. That’s especially understood by a man who has a beautiful lawn, and it’s particularly understood by a man who might not have one yet. But I’m still always going to try and get there. “Thank you for honoring me today,” Roberts continues. “Nobody appreciates the great work you do more than I do. You are really the reason that so many people are able to enjoy such a great game.” For more on Jimmy Roberts, please see the November/December 2018 issue of the Tee to Green. Rules of Golf Changes for 2019 The afternoon session opened with the USGA’s David Staebler, who was there to inform us on changes to the Rules of Golf that have taken effect as of January 1 of this year. Most of the changes are to make it sim- pler to follow the rules and speed up the amount of time it takes to complete a round of golf. His focus was on the rules that are expected to have the most significant impact on the game. He explained, for instance, the changes to lateral and regular water hazards that should help speed up play, and for many of us mark- ing the course for weekend warriors, it could make our lives a touch easier. The interesting change is how out-of- bounds (OB) is being handled. There are a couple of options besides the once manda- tory “stroke and distance.” You can now assume or guess where the ball came to rest in the OB area, not where it crossed the mar- gin. That means that once you determine where your ball came to rest, you can take it on a radius, no closer to the hole, and drop it in the fairway with a two-stroke penalty. Yes, this should speed up play, but trying to figure out where the ball came to rest without actually finding it leaves some room for interpretation. It seems the intent of this was to simplify certain rules to more closely resemble the relaxed rules we play in a friendly pickup match. I would urge everyone to learn as much as possible about the rule changes so we become a well-informed resource for club staff and golfers. For further information on modifications to the Rules of Golf, David Staebler can be reached at 908-326-1971 or at dstaebler@usga.org. Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 7 Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 8 Current Topics in Pesticide Regulation Affecting the Golf Industry The afternoon session wrapped up with three speakers: Patrick McCain from Syn- genta, Rick Fletcher from Nufarm, and Michael Lee from the GCSAA. They of- fered informative talks on changes in the pesticide market due to government, envi- ronmental, and market impacts. They cov- ered everything from how pesticides are approved to when and why they’re banned from the market. They ended with the controversial dis- cussion on the fate of Glyphosate, Chlor- phyrifos, and Neonicotinoids and how to manage without these products, as well as what will take their place. They discussed the highly publicized case where the San Francisco-Bay-area school groundskeeper sued Bayer and Monsanto, claiming he developed terminal Non-Hodgkin’s Lym- phoma after years of applying Roundup on the school’s grounds. The case ended with the groundskeeper being awarded $298 million in damages. Rick Fletcher spoke about the amount of testing that Roundup and Dursban have undergone over the years. Each and every time they come up for a review, both are rated as low-risk pesticides with a very legitimate use. The take-home message: Our industry will continue to be plagued by uninformed activists who will do whatever it takes to ban pesticide use, not based on scientific fact, but rather purely on emotion. I have to update my MSDS station this winter, and I am going to have to find the ones for coffee, pepper, salt, and sugar, and then list everything we have in that book on toxicity. The funny thing is, the four prod- ucts I just listed are more toxic to humans than any of the products we use. Perhaps it should be brought to the public’s attention that they may just be working to ban the wrong products! For additional information, feel free to contact Rick Fletcher at 856-296-0422 or at rick.f letcher@nufarm.com; Patrick McCain at Patrick.mccain@syngenta.com, or Michael Lee at mlee@gcsaa.org. A final thank you to all involved in mak- ing our Winter Seminar a success—from Westchester staff to our Education Com- mittee, speakers, and vendors. Thank you one and all! Chip Lafferty, co-chair of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is superintendent at Rye Golf Club in Rye, NY. 6 Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 8 Special Thanks to Our 2019 Winter Seminar Exhibitors We’d like to thank all the vendors who participated in this year’s Winter Seminar. As a show of appreciation, we’re listing the exhibitors here, along with their areas of specialty and contact information. When the opportunity arises, we hope you’ll show these vendors the same support they’ve shown us during our Winter Seminar—and throughout the year. A. Bulfamante Landscaping Frank Gagliardi 914-636-5000 Frank@bulfamantelandscaping.com Aquatrols, Inc. Tom Valentine Soil & Water Quality Management Solutions 609-841-2077 tvalentine@aquatrols.com Atlantic Golf & Turf John Garcia 203-996-6267 john@atlanticgolfandturf.com Cushman | E-Z-GO Reed Williams Golf Course Utility Vehicles 516-662-3554 rwilliams01@textron.com DeLea Sod Farms Scott Geiser High-Quality Sod & Root Zone Mixes for Golf Courses 800-344-7637 sgeiser@deleasod.com DryJect North East, LLC Steve Jordan DryJect & Aeration Specialists 914-602-2857 Jordan781@msn.com Executive Turf / Synergy Turf Supply Ken Gentile Golf Course Supplies 203-496-0891 executiveturf@aol.com Finch Services George Corgan John Deere Sales & Service 914-893-0868 gcorgan@finchinc.com Fisher & Son Mike Weber Lawn Care & Landscape 347-486-0480 mweber@fisherandson.com Grass Roots Turf Products, Inc. Ryan Avery Golf Course Supplies 973-252-6634 ryan.avery@GRIturf.com Harrell’s LLC Scott Tretera Golf Course Supplies 914-262-8638 stretera@harrells.com K & J Tree Service Edward Grant 203-248-8733 x108 edward@kjtreeservice.com Metro Turf Specialists Todd Apgar Golf Course Supplies 203-948-4941 todd.apgar@metroturfspecialists.com Noble Turf Brian Bontemps Plant Protection Products 845-239-7959 brianbontemps@seetonturf.com Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisors & Investment Solutions Joshua Weinerman 845-224-0027 joshua.weinerman@nm.com Nufarm Jim Santoro Crop Protection 508-207-2094 jim.santoro@nufarm.com Plant Food Company, Inc. Dave Conrad The Liquid Fertilizer Experts 800-562-1291 dconrad@plantfoodco.com Playbooks for Golf Golf Course Coverage System, Conditions Software Platform, Golf Course Field Guides, ezPins, Career Development Greg Wojick: 203-219-0254 gwojick@goplaybooks.com Matt Leverich: 913-221-8052 mleverich@goplaybooks.com Synergy Turf Supply Tim Joyce Agronomic Professionals 631-601-5294 Tim_joyce@aol.com Syngenta John Bresnahan Crop Protection Products 413-333-9914 john.bresnahan@syngenta.com Tanto Irrigation, LLC Bill Bartels Irrigation Installation Services 914-347-5151 wbartels@tantoirrigation.com The Care of Trees Michael Cook Entire Tree Care Company 914-345-8733 mcook@thecareoftrees.com The Terre Company Jim Calladio, CGCS Turf & Landscape Market 973-518-8834 jcalladio@terrecompany.com Tom Irwin, Inc Jeff Houde Turf Care Products 203-731-1776 jeff@tomirwin.com Turf Products Pat Cragin Toro Irrigation & Equipment 860-874-2812 pcragin@turfproductscorp.com Valley Green Greg Moran Landscape & Golf Supplies 203-831-9748 g.moran@valleygreenusa.com Westchester Tractor, Inc. John Apple Equipment Dealer 845-278-7766 www.tractor.com Westchester Turf Supply Dave Lippman Golf Course Supplies 914-447-5192 westturf@comcast.net Wilfred MacDonald Grounds Maintenance Equipment & Parts Glenn Gallion 201-954-5878 ggwilmac@aol.com Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 9 itors Meet Your 2019 MetGCSA Board From left to right: Dan Coughlin of Trump National GC-Westchester; Class C Rep Andrew Baxter of Fairview CC; Class AF Rep Todd Apgar of Metro Turf Specialists; Secretary Mike Brunelle of Upper Montclair CC; Vice President Rob Alonzi of Fenway GC; Past President David Dudones of Westchester CC; President Ken Benoit, CGCS; Treasurer Brett Chapin of Redding CC; Steve Wickstrom of Burning Tree CC; Mike McCall, Executive Director; Chip Lafferty of Rye GC; Jesse Shannon of Manhattan Woods GC; Dan Rogers of Wykagyl CC; Steve Loughran of Rock Ridge CC. MetGCSA Committee Chairs at Your Service We have provided a list of each of the MetGCSA’s 2019 committee chairs, includ- ing their phone numbers and emails. Please feel free to contact any of them with ques- tions, comments, or helpful suggestions. Awards Committee Dave Dudones Westchester CC ddudones@wccclub.org 914-798-5360 / Cell 973-417-0415 Bylaws Committee Rob Alonzi Fenway GC ralonzijr@hotmail.com 914-472-1467 / Cell 914-484-0373 Club Relations Committee Dave Dudones Westchester CC ddudones@wccclub.org 914-798-5360 / Cell 973-417-0415 Communications Committee Chip Lafferty (Tee to Green) Rye GC superintendent@ryegolfclub.com 914-835-3205 / Cell 914-760-3331 Dan Rogers Wykagyl CC drogers@wykagylcc.org Cell 914-400-5918 Education Committee Mike Brunelle, CGCS Upper Montclair CC mbrunelle@uppermontclaircc.com 973-777-6710 / Cell 973-417-8199 Steve Wickstrom Burning Tree CC stevewickstrom@hotmail.com Cell 586-945-5212 Environmental Committee Rob Alonzi Fenway GC ralonzijr@hotmail.com 914-472-1467 / Cell 914-484-0373 Jesse Shannon, CGCS Manhattan Woods GC j.shannon42@hotmail.com 845-627-2222 x137 / Cell 845-521-2668 Government Relations Committee Dave Dudones Westchester CC ddudones@wccclub.org 914-798-5360 / Cell 973-417-0415 Investment Committee Rob Alonzi Fenway GC ralonzijr@hotmail.com 914-472-1467 / Cell 914-484-0373 Long-Range Planning & Steering Committee Dave Dudones Westchester CC ddudones@wccclub.org 914-798-5360 / Cell 973-417-0415 Membership Committee Jesse Shannon, CGCS Manhattan Woods GC j.shannon42@hotmail.com 845-627-2222 x137 / Cell 845-521-2668 Dan Coughlin Trump National GC-Westchester dcoughlin@trumpnational.com Cell 845-764-0434 Scholarship & Research Committee Rob Alonzi Fenway GC ralonzijr@hotmail.com 914-472-1467 / Cell 914-484-0373 Social & Welfare Committee Brett Chapin Redding CC green@reddingcc.org 203-938-9640 / Cell 203-885-3109 Steve Loughran Rock Ridge CC sloughran17@yahoo.com 203-426-2106 / Cell 917-270-2925 Tournament Committee Steve Wickstrom Burning Tree CC stevewickstrom@hotmail.com Cell 586-945-5212 Dan Coughlin Trump National GC-Westchester dcoughlin@trumpnational.com Cell 845-764-0434 Tri-State Committee Ken Benoit, CGCS Class A kenbenoit1@gmail.com 914-760-3575 Website Steve Loughran Rock Ridge CC sloughran17@yahoo.com 203-426-2106 / Cell 917-270-2925 Class C Representative Andrew Baxter Fairview CC andrewjbaxter21@gmail.com 213-531-8910 / Cell 201-975-4200 Class AF Representative Todd Apgar Metro Turf Specialists todd.apgar@metroturfspecialists.com 203-748-GOLF / Cell 203-948-4941 Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 9 Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 10 National News Barajas Elected 83nd President of GCSAA National Scorecard Respectable Finishes for MetGCSA Members Elect New Board of Directors at 2019 Annual Meeting Rafael Barajas, CGCS Directors (cid:129) T.A. Barker, CGCS, superintendent at Fore Lakes Golf Course, Taylorsville, UT (cid:129) Kevin P. Breen, CGCS, superintendent at La Rinconada Country Club, Los Gatos, CA (cid:129) Paul L. Carter, CGCS, at Bear Trace at Harrison Bay in Harrison, TN. (cid:129) Kevin P. Sunderman, director of grounds at Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club, St. Petersburg, FL (cid:129) Jeff L. White, CGCS, superintendent at Indian Hills Country Club, Prairie Village, KS Immediate Past President Darren Davis, CGCS, golf course superin- tendent at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, FL Bill Maynard, CGCS, director of golf course maintenance operations at Country Club of St. Albans, MO retires from the board af- ter serving the past year as immediate past president. In addition, delegates approved a dues increase and three changes to the associa- tion’s bylaws. GCSAA Board of Directors at a Glance President Rafael Barajas, CGCS, superintendent at Boca Grove Golf & Tennis Club in Boca Raton, FL Vice President John R. Fulling Jr., CGCS, grounds and facilities manager at Kalamazoo (MI) Country Club Secretary/Treasurer Mark F. Jordan, CGCS, natural resources leader at Westfield Group Country Club, Westfield Center, OH 6 Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 10 R afael Barajas, CGCS, superintend- ent at Boca Grove Golf & Tennis Club in Boca Raton, FL, has been elected to a one-year term as presi- dent of the GCSAA at the association's Annual Meeting held February 7 in con- junction with the Golf Industry Show in San Diego. He is the first Hispanic president in the association’s history. Barajas served as vice president of the association in 2018 and has been a member of the association’s board of directors since 2011. A 33-year member of GCSAA, Barajas is also a member of the Florida GCSA, South Florida GCSA, Palm Beach GCSA, Central California GCSA, and California GCSA. Born in Mexico, Barajas’s family moved to the United States in 1978 when he was 14. Previously, he was the superintendent at Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, CA. In addition, he served as the superin- tendent at Palm Desert (CA) Country Club, the director of golf course maintenance at Desert Lakes Golf Club in Fort Mohave, AZ, and as a superintendent at various courses for American Golf Corp. He has a certificate in turfgrass manage- ment from the University of California, Riverside. “Words cannot adequately convey how honored and humbled I am to be elected the 83rd president of GCSAA,” Barajas said. “I will dedicate my full attention and my uncompromising commitment to the position.” by Bob NielsenA nd they say it never rains in Southern California! Well, this year’s GCSAA Golf Championships proved that wrong. Held in San Diego, CA, in conjunction with the 2019 Golf Industry Show, the tournament was played under rainy skies, forcing con- testants to stick to the cart paths during all of the tournament’s three days. Despite the less-than-desirable playing conditions, the annual golf competition drew nearly 300 players to four San Diego- area golf facilities: Torrey Pines ~ North Course—among the most challenging ven- ue in the country—the Aviara Golf Club, Encinitas Ranch, and the La Costa ~ Cham- pions and Legends Course. The golf events ran from February 2 – 4 and offered some- thing for everyone, from the casual golfer to the intense competitor. Speaking of intense competitors, the MetGCSA was represented by more than a dozen members and posted a few notable scores in this year’s National Championship and Golf Classic. Here are the highlights: In the National Championship Though none of our players took home the National Championship trophy, we did have several MetGCSA superintendents make respectable finishes on the Champions Course. Tom Ashfield tied for 11th in the Championship Flight, finishing just out of the money but well enough to bring home a plate. Way to go, Tom! Jason Meersman of the Patterson Club finished 20th, and Sean Cain of Sunningdale CC came in 33rd. Not bad for guys with a little bit of rust coming out of the Northeast in February! The national champ was Steve Gilley, superintendent from Panorama Golf Club in Conroe, TX. He made his first GCSAA National Championship one to remember. Firing a two-day total of 2-over-par 176, he went wire-to-wire on Monday to win the 2019 event. Gilley captured the title by four shots over a pair of multiple GCSAA National Championship winners: Michael Stieler and Seth Strickland. Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 11 Upcoming Events Upcoming MetGCSA and Industry Events Dave Mahoney Two-Ball Qualifier Monday, April 29 Trump National Golf Club-Westchester Briarcliff, NY Host: Dan Coughlin National Golf Day Tuesday, April 30 – Wednesday, May 1 Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. Join fellow golf industry professionals in our nation’s capitol to celebrate the game’s $84.1 billion economy, nearly $4 billion annual charitable impact, and many envi- ronmental and fitness benefits. In it’s 12th year, National Golf Day offers the important opportunity to meet with members of Congress, the Executive Branch, and federal agencies to discuss golf ’s 15,000 diverse businesses, two mil- lion jobs impacted, tax revenue creation, and tourism value. On April 30, the day before the main event, superintendents and other golf lead- ers are once again invited to participate in a community service initiative on the Na- tional Mall. The project will focus on beautification, preservation, and helping the National Park Service with turf de- ferred maintenance. Consider coming out to lend a helping hand and to advocate on behalf of golf ’s interests with our country’s lawmakers. 2019 Rutgers Turfgrass Research Golf Classic Monday, May 6 Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club Bedminster, NJ Plan now to join fellow industry profession- als for this annual fundraiser and a day of golf, education, networking, and fun. Your participation helps fund research grants, stu- dent scholarships, equipment, and special projects for the Turfgrass Research, Teach- ing, and Extension programs at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences/ Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Register no later than April 15 to be part of this day! For further information, call 973-812- 6467 or visit www.njturfgrass.org. Rutgers Turfgrass Research Field Day (Golf & Fine Turf) Tuesday, July 30 Horticultural Farm II New Brunswick, NJ Save the date, and watch for details. Call 973-812-6467 or visit www.njturfgrass.org for further information. Golf Industry Show Draws Healthy Crowd At this year’s GCSAA Education Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, a total of 5,479 seminar seats were filled and thousands attended complimentary forums, sessions, and panel discussions throughout the week. Events included a full-size replica of a maintenance facility on the trade show f loor, advocacy training, and free seminars on best management practices. A total of 11,900 attended the two-day trade show, which hosted 510 exhibitors covering more than 208,650 square feet of exhibit space at the San Diego Convention Center. The 2020 Golf Industry Show will head to Orlando, FL, January 25-30. In the Golf Classic More than a few Met supers made their mark on the Golf Classic. Steve Whipple of West Point GC placed 12th in the Classic I Flight, while Jeff Hemphill of Nissequogue GC and John Carlone of Meadow Brook Club finished 20th and 29th respectively in the Classic II Flight. In the Classic III Flight, Mike Brunelle of Upper Montclair CC was the highest place finisher in the Met. He placed 3rd in the Gross Division, taking home a plate. Though Jeff Wentworth of Pelham CC didn’t fin- ish quite that high, his claim to fame was the hole-in-one he shot at Torrey Pines! Woohoo! And we can say that Rob Alonzi of Fenway GC and Bob Nielsen of Bedford Golf & Tennis finished in the top 25 Net in the Classic III Division—but we won’t print the gross scores! In the Senior II Division, Tim O’Neill of CC of Darien finished 12th, while in the AF Flight Bob Lippman of Westchester Turf came in 5th and Tom Weinert of Plant Food came in 7th. Doug Middleton of Ocean Organics also played a noteworthy round. He came in just slightly behind at 14th but was able to knock a shot to within 4'4" on the 14th hole at Aviara Golf Club. You’ll have to ask him if he made the putt! Special Thanks We would like to send out a special thank you to the GCSAA staff for their efforts in putting this special event together and to all of the sponsors who make this event possi- ble, especially the Toro Company for their generous partnership in being the title spon- sor for the past 25 years. Congratulations to all who participated in this year’s golf championships. This an- nual preconference golf event offers a great opportunity to not only play some of the country’s best courses, but also to network with superintendents from across the U.S. and around the world. Next year, the GCSAA Golf Champion- ships will be held in Orlando, FL. I hope to see you all there! Bob Nielsen, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is superintendent at Bedford Golf & Tennis Club in Bedford, NY. Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 11 Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM Page 12 Spotlight Trump National-Westchester to Host the MetGCSA Dave Mahoney Two-Ball Qualifier by Kevin Collins D an Coughlin is looking forward to hosting the first golf meeting of 2019, especially since it’s the Two-Ball, one of the more popular meet- ings on the Met’s yearly calendar. This is Dan’s third season as superintend- ent at the club. The last time Trump National-Westchester hosted a Met meeting was back in 2005, and funny enough, it was the Two-Ball. I remember the meeting well because it was crazy cold and it actually snowed. Hopefully, that won’t be the case this year. Growing Up Dan grew up in Beacon, NY. His father, Dan, worked as a contractor and his mother, Lisa, worked as an accountant at Fishkill Correctional. (I think I met her while I was incarcerated there.) Dan loved golf and was talented enough to play on the Beacon High School varsity golf team beginning in the 7th grade! He learned a lot about golf etiquette from his high school golf coach. “In the 11th grade, my coach bitched me out for not raking a bunker,” Dan remem- bers, “and it was a defining moment for me. At that point, I realized that I wanted to make a career for myself working on a golf course.” A defining moment indeed! No stranger to the green industry, Dan and his good friend, Ron Martinson, had spent their high school years running a small landscaping business. This made Dan’s transition to the world of golf course man- agement that much easier. His senior year of high school Dan pursued a job with lo- cal legend Steve Humphreys at Dutchess Country Club where he worked one season on the crew. The Journey Begins With no doubt about what he wanted to do and who he wanted to be, Dan made the wise decision to pursue formal training in turfgrass management. After high school, he enrolled in the two-year turf program at SUNY Delhi and graduated with an Associate’s in Golf Course Management. 6 Tee to Green January/February/March 2019 12 Dan’s two internships while attending school were at Beekman Country Club and Rockaway River Country Club in New Jer- sey. The Rockaway gig morphed into a real job, and Dan worked his way up the food chain from intern to spray tech. In 2007, Dan went to work for Bob Wolverton at Bayonne Country Club as an assistant. His time at Bayonne turned out to be an indispensable part of Dan’s education: “Bob taught me how to push turf to the absolute limit without killing it to attain fast, hard conditions for the membership, which is how a links course should really play.” Bob left and was replaced by Vic Federico. “Vic preferred a much different greener and lusher approach. Much more watering, and surprisingly, the membership loved it,” says Dan. “It was a totally different approach than Bob’s. I knew in the future, when I got my chance, that I had to hone my approach and find a happy medium.” Dan’s next meaningful assistant’s job was working for Doug Hedderick at Trump- Hudson Valley. This turned out to be his longest tenure as an assistant and where Dan completed his education. “Doug’s approach was to keep the course lush green and also attain crazy fast greens. It was the happy medium I had envisioned,” says Dan. “Doug also taught me how to deal with people and what to say and not say. His advice was invaluable.” One of the great things about working in the Trump Organization is that you’re going to get your shot. They promote from within. When Kevin Kopay resigned his position at Trump National-Westchester, Eric Trump called Dan and offered him the chance to interview for the position of superintendent. “The Trump Organization gave me an amazing opportunity,” says Dan, “And they’ve given me the tools, support, and budget to be successful. That’s all you can ask for.” Family Dan married his high school sweetheart, Heather . . . eventually. After college, Dan moved to New Jersey and they broke up and Dan Coughlin went their separate ways. But you never for- get your first love. After four years apart, Heather relocated to New Jersey, and Dan and Heather rekindled their relationship. They’ve been married for three years. The happy couple resides in Newburgh, NY, and they have a 15-month-old daughter, Harper, and a baby boy due in June. I met Heather for the first time this year at a New York Jets tailgate. Dan has this Billy Gibbons/Grizzly Adams out-of-control type of beard. I asked Heather how she liked it. She looked me right in the eyes and said, “I love his beard. I never want him to shave it off. Fear the beard.” Chills ran down my spine! Last but not Least, the Course Trump National was the old Briar Hall Country Club in Briarcliff Manor. Briar Hall went belly-up in the late 1990s, and the Trump Organization purchased it with the intention of transforming the golf course into something special. Jim and Tommy Fazio designed the new layout, and the reno- vation began in 2000. The course opened for play in July of 2002. Grow-in Superintendent Blake Halder- man recalls, “It was no run-of-the-mill con- struction project. There were 3 million yards of earth moved to create waterfalls, winding streams, lakes, stone bridges, and ravines. One feature that’s particularly notable is the manmade 110-foot waterfall on the signa- ture par three 13th hole with a large holding pond.” Trump National is long, tight, and diffi- cult, and it boasts one of the highest slope ratings in Westchester County. It’s 7,291 yards from the tips with many forced carries over water and the ravines. Oy Vey! Get your game on for a challenging Two-Ball quali- fier. And we’ll see you all on April 29! Kevin Collins, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is NE/Mid-Atlantic Territory Manager for Ocean Organics. Tee to Green Jan-March 2019.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 3/21/19 7:17 AM 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 ✪ Denotes MetGCSA member Tee to Green Jan 2019 cov.qxp_Tee to G dec 2010 cover 3/18/19 4:19 PM Page 2