Tee to Green May 2024 cover.qxp_Tee to G dec 2010 cover 6/7/24 10:26 AM Page 3 March - June 2024 VOLUME 55 NUMBER 2 Published by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page ii Board of Directors President MICHAEL BRUNELLE, CGCS Upper Montclair Country Club Vice President WILLIAM CYGAN Silver Spring Country Club Treasurer STEPHEN WICKSTROM Burning Tree Country Club Secretary DAVE PETERSON Silvermine Golf Club Past President BRETT CHAPIN Redding Country Club Directors AARON CROUSE The Golf Club of Purchase JOSEPH GIKIS GlenArbor Golf Club CASEY KLOSSNER The Tuxedo Club CHARLES LAFFERTY Rye Golf Club STEPHEN RABIDEAU, CGCS Winged Foot Golf Club KEVIN SEIBEL, CGCS Century Country Club Class “C” Rep LUKE PITTMAN GlenArbor Golf Club Class “AF” Rep BRIAN CHAPIN LaBar Golf Course Renovations Executive Director MIKE McCALL, CGCS Executive Secretary SUSAN O’DOWD Tee to Green Staff Editors CHIP LAFFERTY CASEY KLOSSNER Managing Editor PANDORA C. WOJICK Editorial Committee TODD APGAR MATT CEPLO KEVIN COLLINS ANDY DROHEN STEVEN McGLONE BOB NIELSEN SCOTT NIVEN JIM PAVONETTI LUKE PITTMAN JAMES WHITE Designer TERRIE YOUNG 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 © 2024 Cover: The Connecticut Golf Club n this Issue I Feature Mike Brunelle Elected 37th MetGCSA President ......................2 Departments Upcoming Events ..................................................................5 National News ......................................................................6 National Scorecard ................................................................7 Regional News ......................................................................8 Chapter News ......................................................................10 Scorecard ............................................................................12 Spotlight ............................................................................14 Scorecard ............................................................................15 Spotlight ............................................................................16 Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 1 P resident’s Message And We’re Off and Running! W ith a mild and the wet winter, spring followed suit: Water tables were elevated, and the entire Metropolitan area felt like a natural spring with water seeping from areas never seen before. This made the completion of winter projects a challenge and additional drainage work a focal point. A Great Lineup of Events Fortunately, things balanced out just as our golf calendar got into full swing. The Dave Mahoney Two-Ball Qualifier was just what the doctor ordered to bring guys together to enjoy another great day at Rye Golf Club courtesy of Chip Lafferty. (See the day’s results on page 12). We also had an incredible showing for the Nine & Dine at Connecticut Golf Club. I’m not sure if it was a record turnout, but it was certainly nice to see over 80 players enjoy the great work being done by Vinny Taylor and his staff in Vinny’s very first year at the club. (See pages 14 -15 for more on the Nine & Dine host and results.) We have plenty of great golf to look for- ward to for the remainder of the year. On July 15, Tom Ashfield will be hosting this year’s Member/Guest at Quaker Ridge Golf Club. Thinking outside the box, Tourn- ament Committee Chair Steve Rabideau and the rest of the committee, joined forces to create a new twist on this annual event, setting us up for an excellent day of golf at an iconic venue. This will be followed next by the always- fun Parent/Child Tournament and Scho- larship Awards at a new venue this year: We can look forward to playing Burning Tree Country Club on August 5. On August 26, Dave McCaffery will host the Poa/Met Championship/Met Team Qualifier at Metropolis Country Club. This year’s Met Team Championship will be played in the Philadelphia area at White- marsh Valley Country Club. Mike Brunelle, CGCS MetGCSA President With thanks to Joe Gikis and GlenArbor Golf Club, we will be rounding out our golf season with the always-popular Invitational Tournament on October 7. Word to the Wise: As summer temper- atures rise, just a reminder that we should be mindful of heat stress, which is more likely to occur as our staff spends more time on the course prepping for club or association events. This is not something that needs to be legislated. This is something we, as man- agers, should do automatically to take care of our staff and ourselves each and every day. Speaking of taking care of ourselves and our staff, we all should be sure to carve out time to attend our Summer Social, which will return to the Orienta Beach Club on July 22. Bring spouses, assistants, and other turfies to experience a great night of con- versation, good eats, and lots of laughter. We all work too hard not to take the time to enjoy ourselves every now and then. I look forward to seeing everyone there. continued on page 5 Tee to Green March - June 2024 1 Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 2 eatureF Mike Brunelle Elected 37th MetGCSA President by Kevin Collins 2 Tee to Green March - June 2024 Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 3 A Together, we can work to meet the needs of our Met area members. The success of our clubs relies on this.” fter 12 years of service on the MetGCSA board, Upper Montclair Country Club’s director of grounds, Mike Brunelle, assumed the reins as the Met’s 37th president. Having served on seven board committees and then five years on the Executive Board as secretary, treasurer, vice president, and now president, Mike is clearly well-prepared lead our association. to Further boosting his know-how, Mike says, was observing and working with his six predecessors—Blake Halderman, Glen Dube, Dave Dudones, Ken Benoit, Rob Alonzi, and Brett Chapin. And like his pred- ecessors, Mike has begun his tenure with a clear vision of where he wants to take the association. Pointing in the Right Direction “Moving forward,” says Mike, “I would like to work toward rekindling the old-fash- ioned camaraderie our association once had. When I started my first internship in the late 1990s, working for Scott Tretera at Elmwood, there was more of a brotherhood among the superintendents. I remember lunch with Tony Grasso, cookouts at Sean Cain’s house, and rainy days at the local pub hanging out with local supers and assistants. I’d like us to revisit those days, to generate that same “we’re all in this together” spirit. “I’d also like to establish closer bonds with our neighboring associations: Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Connecticut, and New Jersey. If we are able to join forces on issues facing our industry,” continues Mike, “we will present a much more formidable defense. “Speaking of joining forces, another of my goals is to continue to foster open com- munication among the different allied asso- ciations: club managers, head pros, and the clubs’ comptroller associations. It is vitally important that all club management staff be on the same page, keeping an open line of communication, while building and main- taining productive working relationships. When It All Began Mike got his first taste of the turfgrass industry when he was just 13, working sum- mers on the crew at Pine Grove Golf Course, a small operation near his South- ampton, MA, hometown. But it wasn’t until Mike saw the superb course conditions at Champions Golf Club in Houston, TX, where his cousin, Jeff, competed in the 1993 U.S. Amateur, that he began to view turf- grass management as a potential career. Jeff worked mornings at The Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, MA, and helped Mike secure a summer job on the grounds crew there. Though Mike will tell you at that point that he became hooked on the game and the industry, another sport was still calling to him: baseball. “In high school,” says Mike, “I played var- sity soccer, basketball, and baseball. But base- ball was my number one sport. I played the hot corner, third base. I was a line drive hit- ter and I had a gun for an arm. When I grad- uated, I went to St. Michael’s College just outside Burlington, VT, to play baseball while pursuing a degree in business man- agement. But at the end of my freshman year, I did some soul searching. Is this what I really want to do for the rest of my life? Mike decided to leave St. Michael’s, his baseball career, and his business degree behind. The next year, Mike continued his education at Holyoke Community College and the following year enrolled in the turf- grass management program at UMass. “I had some great internships while at UMass,” remembers Mike. “The first two were in the Met section. In 1998, I interned with Scott Tretera at Elmwood Country Club. In 1999, I was with Steve Renzetti at Wykagyl. And in 2000, I was with Steve Cook at the iconic Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan. All three experiences served me well.” Following his graduation from UMass in 2001, Mike spent eight months in Florida at the Old Collier Golf Club in Naples. He returned to New York area to accept a sec- ond assistant’s position with Steve Renzetti, who was then superintendent at Quaker Ridge. “I ended up in the shop at Quaker as we were in the process of replacing our mechanic,” says Mike, “so after one year, I moved on to Bedford Golf & Tennis, work- ing for Bob Nielsen. It was a great experi- ence. Even though the club is in one of the more aff luent areas of Westchester County, the budget didn’t ref lect it. Bob always had to do more with less but took the challenge in stride. “We did everything in-house, and the maintenance crew was responsible for not only maintaining the golf course, but also the tennis courts and pool. Bob taught me how to grow Poa and how to deliver consis- tently excellent course conditions to the membership. Working with Bob, I gained an incredible work ethic.” When Mike left Bedford Golf & Tennis in 2007, it was to become the superintend- ent of the Old Course at Trump National Golf Club ~ Bedminster, working under then Director of Grounds Greg Nicoll. “At that point, the New Course was still being grown in,” Mike recalls. “Greg was involved mostly with the construction and a variety of club matters. He basically threw me the keys.” Within six months, Greg left to work for Harrell’s, which gave Mike a chance to advance. “I knew they were lining up other candidates to replace him, but with the sup- port of Greg, the general manager, and the director of golf, I spoke with Mr. Trump. He outlined what was expected of me and of the golf course and offered me the position of director of grounds.” Over the next two years, while expanding the 18-hole facility to 36, Mike learned the ins and outs of the business and how to work within an organization. Tee to Green March - June 2024 3 Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 4 In 2009, with sizable experience under his belt, Mike applied and was hired for his cur- rent superintendent’s position at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, NJ. In his 15-year tenure at this 27-hole Robert Trent Jones / A.W. Tillinghast course, Mike has implemented a master plan that in- cluded the installation of a new irrigation system, the construction of a new mainte- nance facility, a clubhouse renovation, the repositioning of bunkers, and the lengthen- ing of some holes. A new bunker restoration is coming up. “They’re a little deep and hard to get in and out of,” Mike laughs. Striking the Perfect Balance Though juggling his on-the-job challenges and association commitments can be a tall order, Mike is still able to carve out time for his family and not miss a beat. Mike has four children: Gracie (10), Tedy (8), and twin daughters Emmy and Norah (6). And Jenni, Mike’s wife of twelve years, is, as Mike puts it, “the glue that holds it all together.” “In addition to Jenni’s support,” says Mike, “I’m fortunate to work with a solid group of people, both on the board and at Upper Montclair. It’s their dedication and support that enables me to keep all the balls in the air. Mike, we wish you every success in your new role as MetGCSA president. Kevin Collins, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is NE/Mid-Atlantic Territory Manager for Ocean Organics. 4 Tee to Green March - June 2024 4 The Brunelle family decked out for a special event (left to right): Norah, Tedy, Grace, Emmy and Mike and wife Jenni. Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 5 Upcoming Events More Events to Come! Met Events Summer Social/Clambake Monday, July 22 7 to 10 p.m. Orienta Beach Club Mamaroneck, NY Be sure to join us for our annual Summer Social at the Orienta Beach Club overlook- ing Long Island Sound. Family, friends, and coworkers are welcome to come enjoy a delicious lobster clambake dinner, open bar, and entertainment. Parent/Child Tournament & Scholarship Awards Monday, August 5 Burning Tree Country Club Greenwich, CT Host: Stephen Wickstrom Join fellow members and their children for the Met’s annual Parent/Child Tournament Industry Events UConn Turfgrass Field Day Thursday, July 25 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT For more information, visit s.uconn.edu/ Turf Field Day 2024 Rutgers Turfgrass Research Field Day: Golf & Fine Turf Tuesday, July 30 Rutgers 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. Cornell Turfgrass Field Day Wednesday, September 25 Cornell University Ithaca, NY Watch for details as the event grows closer. President’s Message continued from page 1 Industry Support The Environmental Impact Study, spear- headed by the New York Golf Course Foundation, is in its infancy but will benefit our association, as well as the game of golf, by joining forces with our partners in golf to protect and support this great industry and explain the beneficial impact it has on the community around us. Watch for an update as more progress is made. Also offering a great deal of support to our industry are our sponsors. This year, they have gone above-and-beyond in their show of support. The relationships members have established with our sponsors are, no doubt, what make this the best association in the country. Our vendors are, essentially, part of our agronomic team. The knowl- edge they share day-to-day, whether it’s related to equipment, fertility, chemicals, or new technology, is invaluable to helping us maintain some of the best-manicured prop- erties golf has to offer. We thank you for your support. I wish everyone timely rains and cooler- than-normal nighttime temperatures this golf season. Mike Brunelle MetGCSA President and Scholarship Awards Dinner, where this year’s well-deserved scholarship winners are being honored. The Poa/Met Championship/Met Team Qualifier Monday, August 26 Metropolis Country Club White Plains, NY Host: Dave McCaffrey MetGCSA Invitational Tournament Monday, October 7 GlenArbor Golf Club Bedford, NY Host: Joe Gikis The 18th Annual Dr. Joseph Troll Turf Classic Thursday, October 10 Fenway Golf Club Scarsdale, NY Host: Rob Alonzi This year’s UMass Alumni Turf Group fundraiser will be hosted by Pelham Country Club in support of turf education and research at the University of Mass- achusetts. Please plan to attend this worthy fundraiser. Entry forms and additional information at www.alumniturfgroup.com. available online are The Met Area Team Championship Monday, October 21 Whitemarsh Valley Country Club Lafayette Hill, PA Host: Darren Farrar Tee to Green March - June 2024 5 Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 6 National News Jeff White Assumes the Reigns as 87th President of GCSAA J eff White, CGCS, superintend- ent at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, KS, was elected to a one-year term as 87th president of the GCSAA at the association’s Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix, AZ. White served as vice president of the asso- ciation in 2023 and has been a member of the association’s board of directors since 2018. A 33-year member of GCSAA, White is also a past president of the Heart of America GCSA. White is the director of agronomy at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, KS, where he has worked since 2013. He pre- viously held superintendent positions at Lake Quivira (Kansas) Country Club and Falcon Ridge Golf Course in Lenexa, KS. He also worked as an assistant superintendent at Lake Quivira Country Club and Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence, KS. White holds a bachelor’s degree in horti- culture/turf management from Iowa State University. GCSAA Board of Directors at a Glance President Jeff L. White, CGCS, superintendent at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, KS Vice President T.A. Barker, CGCS, superintendent at Fore Lakes Golf Course in Taylorsville, UT Secretary/Treasurer Paul L. Carter, CGCS, superintendent at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay in Harrison, TN Directors (cid:129) Douglas D. Dykstra, CGCS, golf course superintendent at White Mountain Country Club in Pinetop, AZ (cid:129) H. Scott Griffith, CGCS, director of agronomy at the University of Georgia Golf Course in Athens, GA 6 Tee to Green March - June 2024 (cid:129) Steven J. Hammon, superintendent at Traverse City Country Club in Traverse City, MI (cid:129) Gregory B. Jones, CGCS, MG, director of agronomy at Champions Run in Omaha, NE (cid:129) Marc E. Weston, CGCS, superintendent at Indian Hill Country Club in Newington, CT Immediate Past President Kevin P. Breen, CGCS, superintendent at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos, CA Mark F. Jordan, CGCS, natural resource leader at Westfield Country Club in West- field Center, Ohio, retires from the board after serving the past year as president. Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 7 National Scorecard MetGCSA Makes Its Mark in GCSAA National Championship by Scott Niven, CGCS P hoenix, AZ, known for its superb weather and pristine golf courses, played host to this year’s GCSAA National Championship event that saw 650 players from all over the coun- try converge for some serious competition. The event was played over three days at six golf courses, including Camelback, Whirl- wind Golf Club, and Talking Stick Golf Club, and it featured f lighted play in the National Championship, Golf Classic, and Four-Ball. The courses’ lush landscapes and challeng- ing layouts provided the perfect setting for unforgettable moments and memorable shots. The MetGCSA was well represented by roughly 20 participants. Here’s how they fared in the three main events: In the National Championship Though none of our players took home the National Championship trophy, two mem- bers made their mark. The Patterson Club’s Jason Meersman finished 54th and Quaker Ridge’s Tom Ashfield came in 55th. This year’s champion was none other than Seth Strickland, the GCSAA Class A direc- tor of agronomy at Miami Beach Golf Club in Florida. Seth shot six under par besting Tyler Gabriel from Wildhorse Resort in Pendleton, OR, by 3 shots. He was awarded his 6th championship trophy—the most of anyone in the history of this event. In the Four-Ball We had a number of noteworthy scores posted by Met members. In Flight I, Allied Nutrients’ Andy Drohen and Quaker Ridge’s Tom Ashfield finished 7th Place Gross, while Sunningdale’s Sean Cain and Century’s Kevin Seibel came in 23rd Place Gross. In Flight II, Patterson’s Jason Meersman and Cerbat Cliffs Mike Meersman finished 2nd Place Gross. The other nice finishes in Flight II: 8th Place Net winners Tom Weinert of Plant Food Company and Upper Montclair’s Mike Brunelle. Finishing 21st Place Net were Westchester’s David Dudones and Class LA member Jim Swaitlowski, and last but not least, coming in 22nd Place Net, were Meadow Brook Super John Carlone and Maxwell Turf ’s Doug Heron. In Flight III, the Met had two winning teams. Redding Country Club’s Brett Chapin and Indian Hill’s Marc Weston fin- ished 16th Place Gross, while Fenway’s Rob Alonzi and Bedford Golf & Tennis’s Bob Nielsen came in 29th Place Net. In the Golf Classic Met members made some noteworthy fin- ishes in the Golf Classic. Tom Weinert of Plant Food Company placed an impressive 4th in the Class AF Flight, while Tony Hooks of Due Process Golf & Stable fin- ished 34th Place Gross in the Classic I Flight. In Flight II, four players made their mark. Brae Burn’s Blake Halderman finished 19th Place Gross, while Winged Foot’s Stephen Rabideau and Meadow Brook’s John Carlone came in 22nd and 29th Gross, respectively. Finishing out Flight II was 38th Gross winner Century Country Club’s Kevin Seibel. There were also four winners in Flight III. GlenArbor’s Joe Gikis finished 26th Place Net, while another Net win was Upper Montclair’s Mike Brunelle, finishing in 40th place. The two Gross wins were Pelham’s Jeff Wentworth at 31st Place Gross and Westchester’s David Dudones at 38th. Flight IV Net wins were Bedford Golf & Tennis’s Bob Nielsen, who finished with a notable score of 3rd Place Net, and Fenway’s Rob Alonzi, ranking 20th Place Net. Perhaps the most noteworthy finishes were among the Super Seniors. Stanwich’s Scott Niven finished 5th Place Gross, while Class LA contestant Jim Swiatlowski came in 5th Place Net. In the Team Competition The following three Met teams fared well in the Team Competition: 10th Place Gross / Met #1 Jason Meersman, The Patterson Club; Tom Ashfield, Quaker Ridge GC; Stephen Rabideau, Winged Foot GC; Kevin Seibel, Century CC 13th Place Net / Met #3 Tony Hooks, Due Process Golf & Stable; Steven Whipple, West Point GC; Rob Alonzi, Fenway GC; Bob Nielsen, Bedford Golf & Tennis 24th Place Net / Met #2 Joe Gikis, GlenArbor GC; Jeff Wentworth, Pelham CC; David Dudones, Westchester CC; Mike Brunelle, Upper Montclair CC Special Thanks We would like to offer a special thank you to the GCSAA staff for their efforts in put- ting this special event together and to all of the sponsors who make this event possible, especially the Toro Company for their gen- erous support as the title sponsor for the past 30 years. As the tournament concluded, and winners claimed their prizes, there was a sense of fulfillment and achievement that perme- ated the air. But beyond the trophies and accolades, what truly stood out was the sense of community and passion for the game that brought everyone together. Congratulations to all who anticipated in this year’s golf championships! Next year, the GCSAA Golf Cham- pionships will be held in San Diego, CA. Hope you all will take advantage of this opportunity to network with superintend- ents from across the U.S. and around the world. Scott Niven, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is property manager at The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, CT. Tee to Green March - June 2024 7 Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 8 Regional News MGA Green Chair Education Series Brings Golf Course Environmental Efforts to Light T he MGA’s annual Green Chair Education Series took place on March 29 at Alpine Country Club in Demarest, NJ. Designed to educate club leaders and the golfing public about issues affecting the golf course industry, the pro- gram offered highly informative talks from industry experts. As always, the highlight of the day was the presentation of the Arthur P. Weber En- vironmental Leaders in Golf Award. Now in its 18th year, this high honor was awarded to the Noyac Golf Club in Sag Harbor, NY, joining the lineup of MetGCSA member supers and clubs who were recognized for their environmental efforts the past several years. Environmental Stewardship at Work Among Noyac’s award-worthy environmen- tal efforts are converting two acres of unused land to a native area beneficial to the Peconic Land Trust and the formation of wildlife habitat. Deer and eagles are often seen around the club grounds, while such habitats also help pollinators like bees to thrive. The club has also improved its water efficiency and done its part in helping improve the quality of the waters in the nearby Peconic Bay. The club also emphasizes environmen- tal education for its interns and assistants, ensuring they continue important steward- ship practices in the future. Insights From Industry Experts Presentations began with Brian Gietka, a Mid-Atlantic agronomist with the USGA Green Section. Gietka discussed the impor- tance of making time for and prioritizing cultural practices that are integral to pro- ducing good turf. While these types of pro- grams may inhibit play at times, they are crucial for the long-term health of golf courses and the goal to provide players with top-notch conditions. Gietka shared insight on operations, such as aeration, topdressing, and more, while also discussing the im- portance of communication with golfers through the processes. 8 Tee to Green March - June 2024 Noyac superintendent Brian Goleski and assistant Ryan Bain (center, L-R) accept the Arthur P. Weber Environmental Leaders in Golf Award, pictured with MetGCSA executive director Mike McCall (L) and MGA director, member services Kevin Kline (R). MetGCSA member Bob Nielsen, a long- time superintendent at Bedford Golf & Tennis Club and last year’s Weber Award recipient, followed by sharing newly imple- mented regulations and what they could mean for local golf courses. He also discussed bills that are currently working their way through the regulatory process and their potential impacts. Garrett Bastardi, president of T3 (Turf Threat Tracker) and co-founder of Um- brellaWx, closed the opening session of pre- sentations, discussing how weather impacts course conditions, as well as superintendents’ jobs. He shared how different weather condi- tions and patterns impact conditions in both short- and long-term periods and how it impacts daily and long-term decision-mak- ing for superintendents. After breaking for the presentation of the Weber Award, golf course architect Jim Nagle spoke to the crowd about renovations and restorations. Nagle, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects who recently launched Nagle Design Works after 25 years with Forse Design, shared a timeline of trends in golf architecture, including the rise in restorations in recent decades. He also shared valuable informa- tion for those embarking on such a project, from how to select an architect and setting a priority list for the project to how to edu- cate members on the importance of the plan and its implementation. The day’s programming concluded with a lightning round by Elliott Dowling, re- gional director of the East region for the USGA’s Green Section. Dowling covered a variety of his most-frequently discussed topics from course consulting visits and interactions with superintendents over the past year. Dowling shared insight on many topics, including aeration timing and meth- ods, native grass selection and placement, tree management, and construction and renovation trends. Watch for next year’s education series, and be sure to encourage “the powers that be” at your club to attend this highly informative event! Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 9 Advocacy Day Returns to In-Person Sessions in Albany by Michael Maffei, CGCS W ith the pandemic and then an ill-timed snow storm at play, this year’s Advocacy Day was the first in three years to be held in per- son. Twenty-two attendees convened in Albany on March 4, making 36 legislator visits. Many also met with the New York State Deputy Secretary for Food and Agriculture, Kevin King, and Senior Policy Advisor for Food and Agriculture Lindsey McMahon. I joined Bob Nielsen, Kevin Doyle, and Mike McCall, in representing the MetGCSA. Tom Kaplun, NYSTA Government Re- lations Co-Chair, welcomed everyone to Advocacy Day 2024 and went on to commu- nicate our top two issues and concerns to legislators: (cid:129) Funding for the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund (TESF) (cid:129) The challenges facing the green industry in navigating the change to battery-powered equipment Speakers Todd Vandervort of the Vander- vort Group and Renee St. Jacques of the New York Farm Bureau gave a brief overview of the legislative climate in Albany and the overall agricultural budget requests for the 2024 -2025 fiscal year. Guest speaker Senator Bill Weber wel- comed everyone to Albany and, in a nutshell, said that as a person involved in the golf busi- ness, he could relate to the challenges faced by the green industry daily. Here are NYSTA’s positions on the two core issues: Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund Founded in 2006, the Turfgrass Environ- mental Stewardship Fund has successfully funded over $2 million in turf research, edu- cation, best management practices, and pro- fessional outreach in New York State. Last year, NYSTA received $175,000 in funding and, in 2024 -2025, is requesting that a line item of $200,000 be appropriated for the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund. This funding will continue to help support: (cid:129) New York Greengrass Association Outreach (cid:129) Green Industry Educational Webinars (cid:129) Professional Promotion Through Research and Education (cid:129) Environmental Stewardship Education (cid:129) Best Management Practices (BMPs) for New York State Golf Courses, which includes continued updating and enhance- ment of BMPs and support in implementing Facility BMPs (cid:129) Workforce Development through the New York State Apprenticeship Program Update: As of 4/23/24, the $200,000 alloca- tion was approved in the State Budget New York State Renewable- Energy-Powered Equipment for Landscape Use We support efforts being made in the Climate Leadership and Community Pro- tection Act. There is increasing pressure to reduce green- house gas emissions through the adoption of equipment that can be powered by renew- able energy: (cid:129) We support these efforts, and there are numerous examples throughout the green industry in New York State where this equipment is slowly being incorporated. There are still many obstacles to over- come, however, before a large-scale transi- tion takes place: (cid:129) The technology and infrastructure to support large-scale, commercial use of bat- tery-powered lawn and landscape equip- ment are currently inadequate. (cid:129) Facilities need significant resources to upgrade their electrical infrastructure to support safe battery storage and charging. (cid:129) The cost difference between gas and bat- tery-powered equipment is a major obstacle for commercial users as it is two to four times more expensive for battery power. (cid:129) We support federal and state funding for the research and development of battery and electric equipment. (cid:129) We support working with legislators on building a roadmap for transitioning to battery-powered more equipment. (cid:129) We oppose S02132/A02133 (Liu/Din- owitz) prohibiting the use of gas-powered lawn and leaf blowers from May 1 to September 30. (cid:129) We oppose A705 (Carroll) proposing to ban the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers by 2025. cost-effective Thank you to all who attended, and a spe- cial thank you to NYSTA’s Government Relations Co-chairs Tom Kaplun and Bob Nielsen for the time and effort they put into organizing this important event. Michael Maffei, a Life A member, is a past presi- dent of NYSTA and a member of the NYSTA Government Relations Committee. Special Thanks to Our Sponsors BASF, Capital Region Golf Course Owners Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of New York, Hudson Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association, Landscape Contractors Association of Long Island, Long Island Golf Course Superintendents Association, Metropolitan Golf Association, Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association, Michael Bellantoni LLC, National Association of Landscape Professionals, New York Green Industry Council, Northeast Chapter Golf Course Superintendents Association, Ocean Organics, RISE, Syngenta, Target Specialty Products. Tee to Green March - June 2024 9 Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 10 Chapter News Winter Seminar Takes Data Analysis to a New Level by Steven McGlone and Chip Lafferty T hough taking place months ago, the principles and tactics learned at the Winter Seminar and Trade Show held at Westchester Country Club have helped those superintendents who attended (me for one!) to reevaluate, and perhaps reset, some of their management practices from the prior season. In addition to the presenters, a lobby full of vendors offered a wealth of knowledge and information about new and proven products. We would like to express our grat- itude for our vendors’ continued support at this event, as well as throughout the growing season. You’ll find their names and numbers listed on page 11. from being The Speakers Met president Mike Brunelle kicked off the day with a reminder that we need to con- tinue our fight in Albany to protect our pes- ticide arsenal restricted. Neonicotinoids will be off the market very soon followed by Chlorothalonil, much to the dismay of many who manage their properties by regularly spraying this prod- uct. I think many understand that we will have to begin finding ways to reduce or eliminate our use of this chemical now before we are required to and are caught without another control method. The first speaker was Dr. Bill Kreuser of the Greenskeepers App. Bill’s topic was Targeted Apps: Take Control of your GPS Sprayer. He highlighted the many types of GPS sprayer technologies and noted that each manufacturer carries different meth- ods of receiving and directing the applica- tions. The talk focused on the accumulation and implementation of data, which was the common theme among many of the talks of the day. The next speaker was Dr. Richard Buckley of Rutgers University. Buck- ley’s focus was on his pathology lab and the reduction of annual samples he is receiving. Buckley noted that the advancements in 4 Tee to Green March - June 2024 10 chemistries of the products we use have reduced the amount of damaged turf that is in need of diagnosis, an interesting step forward. A very technical presentation on drainage was given by Dennis Hurley, President of Turf Drainage Company of America. Hurley has become the drainage guru, and his work includes some of the most presti- gious clubs in the country. Hurley’s company examines a course’s current drainage system and works with superintendents to build a comprehensive plan to effectively drain a property while remaining sensitive to bud- get. His drainage plans address the four pillars of a drainage: surface, seepage, collection, and transportation. He noted that taking as much drainage water back to the irrigation pond as possible is his primary goal. His company has pat- ented collection systems utilizing the energy from pressurized irrigation laterals to draw or pump drainage water uphill and off the property or back to the irrigation pond. Some of his systems perform as deep as 12 feet! Awards Luncheon The Awards Luncheon portion of the semi- nar was a real treat, with great food, great conversation, and the customary awards pre- sentations. Each year, the MetGCSA Board honors the notable achievements and support of two individuals: A MetGCSA member with its Distinguished Member Award and a public figure deemed worthy of its presti- gious John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award. Receiving this year’s Distinguished Mem- ber Award was LAF member Anthony Grasso Sr., who joined the Met 59 years ago and exemplified the award’s criteria by displaying exceptional participation in association events and activities. Unanimously selected to receive the John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award was long- time NBC sportscaster and Winged Foot member Dan Hicks, who has shown great support of not only the golf industry, but moreover, the crucial role of the golf course superintendent. Unable to accept the award in person, seminar goers were able to watch a prerecorded video interview skillfully con- ducted by our executive director, Mike McCall. Another of the Met’s prestigious awards, the Sherwood A. Moore Award, is presented only on occasions when members identif y a recipient who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing the image, status, and reputation of golf course superintend- ents. This year, Brae Burn Superintendent Blake Halderman was the obvious choice for his ongoing service to the association and industry. With the awards presented, attendees turned their attention to presentations from the final two speakers. Turfgrass Consultant Adam Moeller presented Aeration & Topdressing: Using Data to Determine if We’re Doing too Much. There is that word data again. Moeller introduced us to OM246, a standardized method of sam- pling and identif ying organic matter per- centage in our rootzones. Basically, it involves measuring first down to 2 cm, then from 2 cm to 4 cm, and finally from 4 cm to 6 cm. He notes that organic matter percentage in the past is a number that varies drastically from course to course and even within the same course. Moeller posted a chart showing various scholars and their analyses of accept- able target organic matter percentages in the top 3 inches of a rootzone. They varied from .5 percent to nearly 8 percent, but the mean was about 3 percent. Stay tuned for more information about OM246. Moeller also discussed aeration philoso- phies and technologies and relayed that whatever aeration plan you, as a course man- ager, are selling to your membership, remind them that it’s always in f lux. Communica- tion is key with any aeration and topdressing program. He presented his thoughts on infil- tration and porosity, emphasizing that trying to get the Ksat to 15-20″/hour is too high. Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 11 Dr. Frank Rossi from Cornell closed out the day with an electric talk titled More for Less: Maximizing Course Playability, Mini- mizing Environmental Impact. Frank, like the other presenters, is all about data and apply- ing data to the advantage of both playability and the environment. From golf cleat issues and using the stimpmeter, to nutrient man- agement programs focusing on targeted application for all our different growing needs, Frank hits the nail on the head when he says we need to “wake up and be more aware of our environment as course managers.” Be There Next Year! Once again, our preseason seminar delivered topnotch presentations from some of the golf industry’s best specialists. Thanks to Education Chair Dave Peterson and his committee for arranging another successful day. We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to host Superintendent David Dudones and the entire Westchester Country Club staff for doing such a superb job—once again—in making this a thor- oughly enjoyable experience for all who attended. Last but not least, we would like to thank our vendors for their continued par- ticipation and support. All this is what makes our Winter Seminar one of the most valuable educa- tional opportunities we have available to us all year. Be sure not to miss this career- building event in 2025. Steven McGlone, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is superintendent at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, NY. Chip Lafferty, co-chair of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is superintendent at Rye Golf Club in Rye, NY. Special Thanks to Our 2024 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 contractors and suppliers the same support they’ve shown us during our Winter Seminar—and throughout the year. Aqua-Turf Irrigation Marc D’Andrea 203-410-1608 aquaturf96@aol.com BASF Corporation Jarad Luknicki Golf Course Fungicides 914-334-2412 Jarad.luknicki@basf.com Club Car Paul Schwab Golf Course Utility Vehicles 203-943-6898 Paul_Schwab@clubcar.com E-Z-GO ~ Cushman Mike Marvin & Nick Roberto Golf Course Utility Vehicles 845-637-7641 Finch Turf George Corgan John Deere Sales & Service 914-893-0868 gcorgan@finchturf.com Fisher and Son Mike Weber Golf Course Supplies 374-486-0480 mweber@fisherandson.com Davey Tree Expert Company John Wickes 914-906-3264 john@irawickes.com DeLea Sod Farms Scott Geiser High-Quality Sod & Root Zone Mixes for Golf Courses 631-796-6757 sgeiser@deleasod.com Dunning Industries Golf Course Supplies Gil Perez 860-670-3222 gperez@dunningindustries.com ENVU Dave Sylvester Golf Course Supplies 860-841-3173 david.sylvester@envu.com George E. Ley Golf Renovations Brian Ley Golf Course Construction, Renovation, Irrigation 484-942-9639 bley@gelgolf.com Grass Roots Turf Products Keith Kubik Golf Course Supplies 973-418-7034 keith.kubik@GRIturf.com Harrell’s Scott Tretera Golf Course Supplies 914-262-8638 stretera@harrells.com K & J Tree Service Ed Grant 203-298-8074 edward@kjtreeservice.com Ewing Irrigation Fred Rapp Irrigation & Landscape Supplies 848-225-4618 frapp@ewingirrigation.com LaBar Golf Renovations Brian Chapin Golf Course Construction & Irrigation 201-247-3637 bchapin02@gmail.com Executive & Synergy Turf Supply Ken Gentile Golf Course Supplies 203-496-0891 executiveturfproducts@gmail.com Metro Turf Specialists Scott Apgar Golf Course Supplies 914-879-9357 scott.apgar@metroturfspecialists.com MTE Equipment Solutions Dan Clarke Golf Course Equipment & Supplies 203-918-5062 dclarke@mte.us.com Noble Turf Brian Bontemps Plant Protection Products 845-239-7959 brianbontemps@nobleturf.com Plant Food Company Dave Conrad The Liquid Fertilizer Experts 914-263-3244 dconrad@plantfoodco.com Syngenta John Bresnahan Plant Protection Products 413-333-9914 john.bresnahan@syngenta.com Tanto Irrigation Tim Clarke Irrigation Installation Services Phone: 914-347-5151 info@tantoirrigation.com Tom Irwin Jeff Houde Turf Care Products 203-731-1776 jeff@tomirwin.com Turf Products Keith Kohlasch Toro Irrigation & Equipment 860-874-2812 kkohlasch@turfproductscorp.com Valley Green Greg Moran Landscape & Golf Supplies 844-901-1358 g.moran@valleygreenusa.com Westchester Turf Supply Dave Lippman Golf Course Supplies 914-447-5192 westturf@comcast.net Tee to Green March - June 2024 11 Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 12 Scorecard Competition Fierce in Two-Ball Qualifier by Blake Halderman, CGCS T hanks to Chip Lafferty and his team at Rye Golf Club, we had a wonderful day on April 29 for the 2024 Dave Mahoney Two-Ball Qualifier. The golf course was in fabulous shape, and it made for a great day of competition fol- lowed by an upbeat vibe for dinner on the Whitby Castle clubhouse patio. I also want to thank the rest of the team at Rye who went above and beyond to take care of us: Golf Pro Kyle Baehler, General Manager Chris Correale, and Chef JB. We had approximately 40 two-man teams vying for 30 spots, so the competition was fierce. Clearly, Chip had some home course advantage as he and his partner, Century’s Kevin Seibel, shot a 2 under par 69 to take home the Low Gross prize. They came in three shots better than the next team of Westchester Turf ’s Dave Lippman and West Point Superintendent Steve Whipple, who shot 72 gross. On the Net side, Bedford’s Bob Nielsen (Mr. “I get two shots per hole”) and Biltmore Rep Joe Alonzi shot an amazing 8 under par followed by Tony “Captain” Hooks from Due Process Golf & Stables with partner Jeff Wentworth from Pelham Country Club, who were 6 under par. With that great play, Chip and Kevin secured the Second Seed on the gross side only behind last year’s champions Jason Meersman from The Patterson Club and Mike Dachowski from Shelter Harbor Golf Club who automatically gets the First Seed. Nielsen and Alonzi will hold down the Second Seed in the Net Division as Metro’s Todd Apgar and Patriot Hills Superin- tendent Evan Weymouth have the auto- matic bid as last year’s Net Champion. Event of the Day Results Gross Team Winners 69 Chip Lafferty, Rye Golf Club Kevin Seibel, Century Country Club 72 Dave Lippman, Westchester Turf Steve Whipple, West Point Golf Course Net Team Winners 63 Bob Nielsen, Bedford Golf & Tennis Joe Alonzi, Biltmore Turf 65 Tony Hooks, Due Process Golf & Stables Jeff Wentworth, Pelham Country Club 612 Tee to Green March - June 2024 Beyond Team Prizes Longest Drive Jason Meersman, The Patterson Club Closest to the Pin #3 Steve Whipple 2′ West Point Golf Course #10 Tony Hooks 9′4″ Due Process Golf & Stables #14 Grover Alexander 2′2″ Hudson Hills Golf Club (No he didn’t make a birdie!) #17 Jeff Wentworth 7′ Pelham Country Club Congratulations to all who qualified for this season-long event. For those who missed the cut this year, we hope you’ll try again next April. Match Deadlines and Updates Please be sure to complete your matches by the deadlines below so that the event f lows smoothly all summer: First Round Completed ~ June 30 Quarter Finals ~ August 11 Semi-Finals ~ September 15 Finals ~ October 20 The matches in both the First and Second Flights are underway, so please be sure to contact Tournament Co-Chair Stephen Rabideau with the results of your match along with any interesting shots, matches, or scores so we can highlight them in the next Tee to Green. Blake Halderman, a member of the Tournament Committee, is superintendent at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY. Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 13 Tee to Green March - June 2024 13 Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 14 Spotlight Nine & Dine Hotly Contested at Connecticut Golf Club by Jim Pavonetti, CGCS O n Monday, June 3, Director of Grounds Vincent Taylor hosted the MetGCSA’s popular Nine & Dine event at the newly renovated Con- necticut Golf Club in Easton, CT. A half-day event, the Nine & Dine allowed even the busiest of supers time to kick back and enjoy playing this superb venue. Not-to-Be-Missed Golf Course The brainchild of Lawrence A. Wein, a lawyer and real estate investor, the course was designed by renowned golf course architect Geoffrey Cornish and built in 1966 with the sole mission of providing “a golf retreat in the middle of a stunning New England landscape, far removed from the busyness of daily life.” As Nine & Dine contestants could see, the course boasts multiple doglegs, elevation changes, and water hazards in a serene country setting. Three of the club’s four par threes can be set up to exceed 200 yards, and all four require golfers to play their tee shots over water. Another unique feature is the course’s longest, at a 575-yard par five. How was that for a greeting! first hole: It’s their In addition to the rugged New England terrain accented with rock outcroppings, the real “teeth” of the course lies within The Connecticut Golf Club’s greens. Through- out your round, you were treated to greens with a variety of contours, shapes, sizes, and multiple tiers. A notable example of this was on the sixteenth hole, a par four that boasts a green with a depth of 68 yards and four tiers, offering a heck of a journey if you were putting from the front portion of the green to a back-hole location! Vinny entered the club at the tail end of their major renovation project working with Golf Course Architect Joel Weiman to fin- ish up the several-year-long construction project. “The outcome is great,” says Vinny, explaining, “All the bunkers have been done using the Better Billy construction method and the installation of new bunker sand. “Lots of new tees have been constructed along with approach and fairway expansions 614 Tee to Green March - June 2024 on many holes.” Vinny continues, “Many trees have been taken out to give greater views of the course and to make the rock outcroppings, which are a staple of the land- scape at the club, more visible. Born to Be a Turfgrass Manager Vinny is in his rookie year at The Connecticut Golf Club, but is hardly a new- comer to the business. He grew up in Bloomington, IN, working at his parents’ nine-hole, par three golf course. “This was truly a family affair,” says Vinny. “My par- ents and I would get the golf course ready in the morning, and then they would retreat to the back of the clubhouse where they ran their law practice. “It was here that I fell in love with playing golf and became fascinated with turf man- agement.” Growing up on the golf course, Vinny not only helped manage the agro- nomics of growing grass, he was also the mechanic and chemical applicator. “On weekends,” he says, “I would run the club- house in the afternoons by checking in customers.” After 15 years at his parents’ facility, Vinny knew he wanted to continue his turf career. He earned a science degree from his local community college and then enrolled in the Rutgers Two-Year Turf Management Pro- gram. Vinny interned at Eagle Point for one season in Wilmington, NC, and after gradu- ating from the Rutgers program in 2015, he secured a second assistant’s position with Stephen Rabideau at Winged Foot Golf Club. “I worked at Winged Foot for eight sea- sons, working with Gil Hanse on the restora- tion of the West course,” explains Vinny. “We hosted the 2020 U.S. Open during the pandemic. It was a challenge.” But his hard work apparently paid off: Vincent was pro- moted to superintendent of golf courses for the past three seasons before landing his cur- rent position at The Connecticut Golf Club. In the midst of his transition to Connecticut, Vinny married his wife of three years, Kim, and they now live happily-ever-after in Stamford, CT, with their one-year-old son, Jackson. Vincent Taylor Now and Into the Future When asked how his first season is going, Vinny had high praise for the club and his working relationships: “My experience so far at The Connecticut Golf Club has been amazing,” says Vinny. “The membership is filled with very down-to-earth, good peo- ple. The pro, John DiPilato Jr., and I have a great working relationship, and he is one of my biggest supporters. Also, the grounds crew has stepped up and really transitioned well to the new maintenance program we are establishing.” Vinny’s maintenance plans now and down the road will include, first, producing firmer and faster conditions by managing thatch through intensive core aerification and cultural practices. “We will also be implementing a more complete fescue management program to control weeds in the natives,” says Vinny. During the renovation, strategic groups of trees were removed, and some areas were converted to native fescue. This, according to Vinny, has become one focal point for the membership. “Now that the renovation process is complete,” adds Vinny, “the club and I would like to host more minor tourna- ments in the next few years with the MetPGA, MGA, and our own association, the MetGCSA.” See page 15 for the outcome of this event. Jim Pavonetti, a member of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is golf course superintend- ent at Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, CT. Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 15 Scorecard Nine & Dine’s Big Wins by JR LaPan Front Nine Winners (left to right): Dan Schena of Siwanoy, Josh Haugh of Whippoorwill, and Rich Apgar of Metro Turf Specialists. N ine & Diners played an enjoyable and challenging round, thanks to Connecticut Golf Club’s Director of Grounds Vincent Taylor and his team led by Shawn Andreason, Alex Burr, and Mike Morataya. With 87 MetGCSA members registered, both the front and back nines were occupied. We would like to offer our gratitude to PGA Professionals John Dipilato and Pete Ballo for their organization, along with Director of Operations Debbie Wallenta, whose support was invaluable. Congratulations to those who won the Nine & Dine scramble along with the proxy winners. Front Nine Winners 1st Rich Apgar, Metro Turf Specialists, Josh Haugh, Whippoorwill Club, Dan Schena, Siwanoy Country Club (Won by match of cards) Back Nine Winners 1st Michael Drowne, Wee Burn Country Club, Ken Dicillo, Wee Burn Country Club, Riley Tewksbury, Wee Burn Country Club, Tom Smith III, Wee Burn Country Club Closest to the Pin #5 Bill Perlee at 22′5″ Class LA #8 Brian Bontemps at 10′8″ Noble Turf #10 Chris Steffen at 13′ Candlewood Lake Club #13 Riley Tewksbury at 8′3″ Wee Burn Country Club Longest Drive #1 Seamus O’Neill, Metropolis Country Club #14 Michael Drowne, Wee Burn Country Club JR LaPan, a member of the Tournament Committee, is superintendent at Country Club of Darien in Darien, CT. Back Nine Winners from Wee Burn Country Club (left to right): Mike Drowne, Ken DiCillo, Riley Tewksbury, and Tom Smith. Tee to Green March - June 2024 15 Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 16 Spotlight A Member/Guest of a Different Kind Tom Ashfield and Quaker Ridge Welcome Their Third MetGCSA Event by Chip Lafferty O nce again, Tom Ashfield and Quaker Ridge Golf Club have agreed to host a MetGCSA event, this time, our annual Member/Guest. Unlike past events, however, you won’t be greeted and catered to by clubhouse staff. And there will be no golf pros or caddies on hand. You see, that day, the club’s doors will be closed to business. The MetGCSA, however, will have the run of this top-rated Tillinghast course, as well as the use of the golf carts. Then, post- golf, contestants will be able to belly up to one of several local food trucks and dine on the lovely clubhouse patio. It’s sure to be a memorable event! Quaker’s Beginning A classic Tillinghast design, Quaker Ridge opened in 1916 as a par 70, with a current playing yardage of 7,005 yards. Quaker Ridge is renowned for its world-class golf conditions. It has received numerous acco- lades over the years, not the least of which was its #71 ranking in Golf Digest’s 2019 list of “Top 100 courses in the United States.” Quaker has hosted many prestigious events over the years, including the 1936 Met Open, where Byron Nelson won his first professional event. In 1997, there was the Walker Cup, then three Met Opens, three Met Amateurs, and, yes, three Met PGA Championships. In 2018, the club hosted the Curtis Cup becoming one of a select few clubs to host both a Walker Cup and Curtis Cup. On an annual basis, Quaker Ridge hosts the Hochster Tournament, which is an amateur event attracting some of the best golfers in the Metropolitan Area, as well as from around the country. Now, on July 15, MetGCSA members will have the opportunity to experience this Tillinghast gem. Quaker’s Enhancements In its nearly 100 years of existence, Quaker has undergone relatively few changes but has made some notable refinements to the course. The first big step was bringing Tillinghast back in 1925 to utilize a newly 616 Tee to Green March - June 2024 purchased tract of land. In 1965, Robert Trent Jones added some tees and removed some outdated bunkers, and from 1991 to 1993, Rees Jones completed some bunker work and added a few new tees. Over the past 20 years, Architect Gil Hanse has been the catalyst for bringing Quaker Ridge back to its original glory. Tom’s assistant, Connor Meth, a computer whiz, was able to create overlays of the aeri- als from 1925 and 1940, which allowed Gil and his team to recreate the original shape and size of the greens and surrounding fea- tures before rebuilding to USGA specs. Tom and his staff have been accomplish- ing this arduous task by rebuilding three greens each year. Once this is complete, the club is shooting to install new irrigation over the course of 2026 and 2027. Tom’s Trek to Quaker Tom’s love for the game dates back to his first regular job as a caddie at Orchard Lake Country Club in Michigan. He was 15 and would spend all of his summer days “loop- ing” where he quickly became one of the top caddie-jocks at the club. After finishing high school in 1983, Tom didn’t immediately opt for a career in turf. Instead, he entered the army on the G.I. Bill to earn money for college. He originally thought about pursuing a career as an FBI agent, but Tom still had a hankering for a good game of golf and would play on what- ever golf course he could find. While stationed in Germany, Tom was selected for special duty in Belgium guard- ing the residence of a high-ranking officer. He worked the nightshift which left him time to team up with guys from other branches and golf. One favorite spot was a course in Belgium where all they had was a drop box for the greens fees and a staff of two or three to take care of the links. After three years in the service, Tom took a job working on the grounds crew at Oakland Hills Country Club in Birming- ham, MI. But having had a longtime passion for law enforcement, Tom decided to take a brief hiatus from turf and joined the Bloomfield Hills Police Department as a dispatcher. It didn’t take him long, however, to realize that turfgrass management was his true calling. Tom Ashfield He enrolled in the two-year turf program at Michigan State University while working as a crew member and then an assistant at Franklin Hills Country Club in Franklin, MI. After completing the program, Tom decided to further his education, earning a B.S. in Crop and Soil Science. While finishing his four-year degree, Tom returned to Oakland Hills Country Club as an assistant where he had the opportunity to experience all that went into prepping the course for the 1996 U.S. Open. The follow- ing year, Tom was offered the superinten- dent’s position at Edgewood Country Club in Commerce Township, MI. He worked at the 60-acre, 36,000-round course two years before heading East to the Metropolitan area’s Canoe Brook Country Club. He remained there as superintendent for eight years before landing his current position in 2007 at Quaker Ridge. Family and Fun Tom and his wife, Karla, will be celebrating 28 years of marriage on October 12. Their love story began in Michigan when he, by chance, met Karla at a birthday party he reluctantly agreed to attend. Tom and Karla have two children: Kylie, 18, and Andrew, 23. Andrew just completed his MBA in account- ing at Tom’s alma mater, Michigan State University, and is currently preparing to take his CPA exam with a job lined up at KPMG in Detroit. Kylie graduated from Somers High in mid-June and is planning to attend Grand Valley State University of Michigan to study Graphic Design. Nearly empty nesters, Tom and Karla are looking forward to traveling the world together and are hoping to visit England. Be sure to line up a guest and join fellow members for a great round at this Tillinghast gem! Chip Lafferty, co-chair of the Tee to Green Editorial Committee, is superintendent at Rye Golf Club in Rye, NY. Tee to Green June 2024.qxp_tee to green Dec 2010 7/8/24 6:50 AM Page 17 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 201-741-4500 / Fax: 201-575-4140 merrick160@gmail.com www.AGEnterprisesonline.com ✪ Aquatrols Corp. of America 1273 Imperial Way, Paulsboro, NJ 08066 Kevin Rundstrom: 856-287-9258 krundstrom@aquatrols.com Twitter: @Aquatrols | @Precision_Labs ✪ ENVU 311 Carriage Drive Kensington, CT 06037 Dave Sylvester: 860-841-3173 david.sylester@envu.com ✪ Ewing Outdoor Supply 70 Saw Mill River Road Hastings on Hudson, NY 10706 Fred Rapp: 848-225-4618 frapp@ewingos.com ✪ LaBar Golf Irrigation 150 Morristown Road, Suite 208 Bernardsville, NJ 07924 Richard LaBar: 908-502-5253 rich@labargolf.com ✪ LaBar Golf Renovations 150 Morristown Road, Suite 208 Bernardsville, NJ 07924 Richard LaBar: 908-502-5253 rich@labargolf.com Maxwell Turf & Supply Co. Inc. “We Know Turf ” Douglas Heron: dghturf@aol.com John Boukas: johnb@maxwellturf.com 631-643-8873 Twitter: @maxwellturf ✪ Metro Turf Specialists “Customers, Our TOP Priority” Scott / Matt / Rich / Todd 203-748-4653 (GOLF) Twitter: @metroturfinc ✪ Executive & Synergy Turf Supply “Aquaritin Nano Technology” Ken Gentile: 203-496-0891 executiveturfproducts@gmail.com Twitter: @Aquaritin_Turf ✪ E-Z-GO ~ Cushman 2921 US-6, State Hill, NY 10973 Nick Roberto / Mike Marvin / Andy Bulizak 845-637-7641 nroberto@textron.com Twitter: @EZGO_NJ ✪ Finch Turf ✪ MTE Equipment Solutions, Inc. John Deere Golf & Sports Turf Equipment George Corgan: gcorgan@finchturf.com Ariana Pesce: apesce@finchturf.com Ofc: 800-78-Deere / www.finchturf.com ✪ Fisher and Son Company “Servicing the Green Industry Professionals in Golf, Lawn, & Landscape & Sports Turf Since 1928” Mike Weber: 347-486-0480 mweber@fisherandson.com George E. Ley Company “Golf Course Construction, Renovation, & Irrigation” 130 Devereux Road, Glenmoore, PA 19343 Brian Ley: 484-942-9639 bley@gelgolf.com Twitter: @LeyCompany ✪ 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 Twitter: @GrassRootsTurf ✪ Harrell’s LLC “Growing a Better World. Partners for Success” Scott Tretera: 914-262-8638 stretera@harrells.com Hart’s Turf Pro “Serving the New England Golf Industry for over 125 Years! #HereToHelp” Keith Angilly: 203-901-7257 Twitter: @HartsTurfPro ✪ Helena Agri Enterprises, LLC “People . . . Products . . . Knowledge” Tim Gerzabek: 609-221-9240 gerzabekt@helenaagri.com Twitter: @TimG_Helena ✪ Heritage Professional Products Group Rob Saunders: 203-249-5059 Jim Masone: 516-818-9852 Pat Cash: 516-639-7784 rob.saunders@heritageppg.com www.heritageppg.com ✪ K & J Tree Service Removal, Pruning, Planting, Stump Removal, & Plant Healthcare Edward Grant: 203-298-8074 Ofc: 203-722-7316 / Fax: 203-909-6506 edward@kjtreeservice.com 17 Pickett District Road New Milford, CT 06776 Daniel Clarke Ofc: 860-799-7555 dclarke@mte.us.com mteequipmentsolutions.com ✪ Noble Turf “Helping You Grow” Brian Bontemps: 845-239-7959 Brian Gjelsvik: 973-670-7139 Zach Brooks: 914-309-2373 Matt Lapinski: 978-551-0093 Bill Cimochowski: 609-923-4045 ✪ NuFarm Americas, Inc. “Helping the World to Grow a Better Tomorrow” Jim Santoro: 508-207-2094 jim.santoro@nufarm.com Twitter: @nufarmusturf ✪ Nutrien Solutions Chad Mathieu: 845-329-7822 Chad.mathieu@nutrien.com www.nutrien.corerewards.com ✪ Ocean Organics Biostimulants ~ Fertility ~ Surfactants “All Made With Love in Maine” Kevin P. Collins: 914-621-1151 kevin@oceanorganics.com Twitter: @kcseweed ✪ 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 Twitter & Instagram: @PlantFoodCo Roger McCagg Architects & Interior Designers 44 N. Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06854 Tony Panza, AIA / Christopher McCagg, AIA 203-354-5210 ✪ SiteOne Landscape Supply Kevin Balocca: 203-815-9762 kbalocca@siteone.com www.siteone.com/golfsales Small World Wealth Management Northwestern Mutual Joshua Weinerman: 845-224-0027 Joshua.weinerman@nm.com Soil Solutions, LLC Fairway Aerification & Deep-Tining Greens Anthony Decicco / John Decicco 7 Whittemore Place Ryebrook, NY 10573 914-393-0659 / Fax: 914-939-5010 soilsolutionsllc369@gmail.com ✪ Synatek Solutions Vincent Barnaba: 516-743-2525 Shawn Kennedy: 862-266-9288 www.synateksolutions.com ✪ Sygenta “Manufacturer of Plant Protection Products” John Bresnahan: 413-333-9914 john.bresnahan@syngenta.com ✪ Tanto Irrigation, LLC “Golf Course Irrigation Specialists” Tim Clarke / Chase Cameron / Bill Bartels info@tantoirrigation.com Twitter: @Tantoirrigation ✪ Target Specialty Products “We Are Here to Help You Succeed” Chris Ledford: 631-840-7804 chris.ledford@target-specialty.com www.target-specialty.com ✪ Tom Irwin Inc. 12 Progress Ave, Tyngsborough MA 01879 Jeff Houde: 203-731-1776 jeff@tomirwin.com ✪ Turf Products LLC TORO Irrigation & Equipment “Servicing Our Customers Since 1970” Keith Kohlasch / Chris Francis 860-763-3581 ✪ 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 sales@wtractor.com 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 Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc. Water Supply Consulting Michael Kapareiko Ofc: 800-SAMPSON www.westonandsampson.com ✪ Denotes MetGCSA member ✪ Denotes MetGCSA member ✪ Atlantic Golf & Turf “Our Roots Run Deep” John Garcia: 203-996-6267 john@atlanticgolfturf.com Twitter: @AtlanticGandT ✪ BASF Corporation “We Create Chemistry” Jarad Luknicki: 914-806-4823 Jarad.luknicki@basf.com ✪ Blue Ridge Peat Farms 133 Peat Moss Road White Haven, PA 18661 Gene Evans / Chuck Evans 570-443-9596 / 570-947-5888 ✪ Cardinals Inc. “Complete Distributor of Golf Course Accessories, Seed, Fertilizer, & Other Related Turf Maintenance Supplies” John Callahan: 800-861-6256 jcalcardinal@aol.com ✪ Carriere Materials, LLC U.S. Silica Topdressing & Bunker Sand VFB Bunker Sand & Partac Pro Angle Bunker Sand 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 Paul_Schwab@clubcar.com ✪ Davey Tree Expert Company John Wickes: 914-906-3264 (Rockland & Orange Counties) Frank Molina: 516-587-9239 (Westchester County) www.davey.com DeLea Sod Farms Turf, Topdressing, & Root Zone Scott Geiser: 631-484-1211 sgeiser@deleasod.com Dylan Wyatt: 631-796-6757 dwatt@deleasod.com ✪ Double ‘D’ Turf, LLC Drill & Fill Specialists P. O. Box 1090 Hightstown, NJ 08520 Dennis DeSanctis Jr. Dennis DeSanctis Sr. Ofc: 732-580-5516 Dennisjr@doubledturf.com Dunning Custom Soils “Call the Sandman” Gilberto Perez: 860-670-3222 gperez@dunningindustries.com Twitter: @DunningSandman ✪ Emerald Tree and Shrub Care “Master Arborists & Golf Course Specialists” Steve Farrelly / Bill Demarest / Kevin Wyatt Ofc: 914-725-0441 info@emeraldtreecare.com Tee to Green May 2024 cover.qxp_Tee to G dec 2010 cover 6/7/24 10:26 AM Page 2