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Board of Directors M etG C SA est 1959 President GLEN DUBE, CGCS Centennial Golf Club Vice President DAVID DUDONES Westchester Country Club Treasurer KENNETH BENOIT JR., CGCS Cover: Siwanoy GlenArbor Golf Club Country Club Secretary ROBERT B. ALONZI JR. Fenway Golf Club Past President BLAKE HALDERMAN, CGCS Brae Burn Country Club Directors MICHAEL BRUNELLE, CGCS Upper Montclair Country Club BRETT CHAPIN Redding Country Club BRIAN CHAPIN Paramount Country Club DOUG DRUGO Wee Burn Country Club STEVEN McGLONE Siwanoy Country Club VINCENT PAVONETTI, CGCS Fairview Country Club Class “C” Rep DAVID PARSON The Apawamis Club Class ‘ AF” Rep n this Issue ROBERT STEINMAN, CGCS Pocono Turf Executive Secretary SUSAN O’DOWD Tee to Green Staff A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Course Ranking System ...... 2 Editor JIM PAVONETTI A Year in the Life of a Golfweek Rater ...... 8 203-531-8910 Managing Editor PANDORA C. WOJICK Editorial Committee TODD APGAR STEVEN MCGLONE 1 Departments MATT CEPLO BOB NIELSEN LEVIN COLLI NS SCOTT NIVEN ANDY DROHEN TOM REYES Member News ...... 9 CHIP LAFFERTY GREG WOJICK Designer Chapter News...... 10 TERRI E YOUNG Advertising Manager Spotlight ...... 14 MIKE BRUNELLE, 973-777-6710 Upcoming Events ...... 15 TEE TO GREEN is published bimonthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association Meet Your 2016 MetGCSA Board...... 16 49 Knollwaod RoadElmsford, NY 10523-2819 914-347-4653; FAX: 914-347-3437, METGCSA.ORG Copyright ©2016 started writing this President’s Message just before heading out to San Diego for the GIS. Going to the GIS is one of the highlights of my year. It allows me to go somewhere warm, take in some great educa tional offerings, kick the tires of hundreds of industry products at the trade show, meet new friends, and connect with old ones. Making this years conference all the more Glen Dube, CGCS exciting was the one-and-half-day fishing MetGCSA President trip I took to Mexico with fellow board member Ken Benoit and his father-in-law. And our Awards Luncheon recognized two This trip was on my bucket list for a long worthy recipients of our highly regarded time, and it lived up to every expectation! Sherwood A. Moore Award and John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratula tions, again, to Rockland’s Matt Ceplo, our MetGCSA Brings on Board New deserving SAM Award winner, and to Reid Executive Director Award recipient Rees Jones, renowned archi While the frenetic pace of work at our clubs tect and proponent of our industry has slowed during this much-needed off A special thank you to Education Chair season, MetGCSA happenings are still in Brett Chapin and his entire committee for ~ full swing. I am happy to report that the putting together another stellar program. MetGCSA Board of Directors has hired New to our Educational lineup this year ^ Mike McCall, CGCS, as our new executive was a career development seminar for as j director. Mike has an extensive golf course sistant superintendents, held at Siwanoy management background, having served not Country Club on January 22. The Met’s only as a golf course superintendent, but also Class C Rep, David Parson, and his commit as a general manager. In addition, Mike tee put together a superb lineup of speakers brings a wealth of experience in dealing who offered great career insight for today’s with the regulatory agencies in Westchester assistant superintendents. (See page 12.) I’d and Putnam counties. Watch for more on like to thank Assistant Superintendent host Mike McCall in our next issue of Tee to Josh Haugh and the rest of the Siwanoy staff Green! for creating a special day for our inaugural We look forward to working with Mike Assistant Superintendent Career Develop to continually enhance our association as a ment Seminar. professional resource to our membership. Please hurry and sign up, if you haven’t A special thank you to Search Committee already, for our fast-approaching Dave Ma Chair Blake Halderman and his entire com honey Two-Ball Championship Qualifier, mittee for all of their hard work and dedica which will be held on April 19 at Siwanoy tion in conducting the search for our as Country Club and hosted by Steven Mc- sociation’s executive director. Glone (profile, page 14). Grab your partner and join us for what is sure to be an enjoy able day of golf. Events Worthy of Mention Enjoy what is left of the remaining off I’d like to thank David Dudones and all of season. Springtime will be here before you the Westchester Country Club staff for know it. In the meantime, my “Gone hosting our annual Winter Seminar, held Fishin’” sign has been prominently posted this year on January 13, and for providing a on my office door! terrific venue for the day. Attendees listened to some great presenta Glen Dube, CGCS tions on a multitude of topics. (See page 10.) President

Tee to Green January /February 2016 How does a course achieve that Top 100 ranking? The answer may surprise you. by Greg Wojick SERIALS APR 1 3 2016

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great par 5s in golf? Would it be an even better Europe, and North America. The panel enlightening endeavors Ive entered into par 5 if the bunkers in the driving zone had been boasts pro golfers Jim Furyk, Amy Alcott, after shifting from superintendent to indus left intact? Did Pete Dye err by taking out the and Justin Rose, as well as a host of renowned try consultant/business owner is course rat fairway bunkers in the driving zone? Is that two- architects such as Rees Jones, Tom Doak, and ing. Signing on as a Golfweek rater (one of tiered green one of the best par 5 greens in golf? Tom Weiskopf, and golf industry insiders, the three most recognized course rater Golfclubatlas.com is an online forum that including the USGA’s Mike Davis and Herb groups), I have played some of the area’s— does not formally rank courses, but it does Kohler. and country’s—finest courses, traveling host lively discussions surrounding golf Explaining Golf Magazine’s special breed of with various groups of raters who have only course architecture and other related golf rating,Joe Passov notes, “We have no specific played golf, never worked it. They’re the course topics. Occasionally, participants do criteria that our raters must follow; they tell norm. I’m more the aberration. delve into course conditioning. us what constitutes ‘greatness’ in a course. Does my experience and knowledge of This kind of focus is quite typical of the Still, among the architectural elements they golf courses influence how I rate a course golfing public—raters included. Even the consider are design rhythm, variety of terrain versus how my non-turf professional part raters groups I mentioned weigh course and holes, setting and conditioning, and how ners rate courses? Frequently. design and architecture far more heavily well the course tests a player’s full arsenal of I know that rankings matter to many than conditioning in their rankings. skills. Our panelists determine how much clubs and superintendents. If you ask David There are three “gatekeepers” who man value to assign to each characteristic.” Dudones (Westchester CC), Steve Rabideau age each of the ranking lists. Brad Klein of (Winged Foot GC), and Scott Niven (The Golfweek magazine, Joe Passov of Golf Mag Golf Magazine’s ‘Top 100 Stanwich Club), they will acknowledge that azine, and Ron Whitten of Golf Digest each in the World’ their clubs are keenly aware of the rankings have the ultimate say in how the lists are and how it affects their memberships. All created, and each group has a set of criteria At year’s end, with all the raters’ ballots in,Joe three are regularly alerted when raters make for not only ranking courses, but also for Passov has the difficult job of tallying all the their way to their respective first tees, and selecting their raters. Here’s what I’ve ratings and formulating a list of the Top 100 they make sure to be available to discuss the learned about each rater group and the stan in the World. Here, in short, is how the Golf day’s course conditions with each rater dards your course may be measured by. Magazine system works: group. For Steve, communicating with ra Each course that places in the top three ters is one of his yearly management goals on a panelist’s ballot earns 100 points; spots and objectives. 4 to 10 earn 85 points, followed by 11 to Knowing that many clubs and their su 25, which earn 70 points, 26 to 50 earn 60 perintendents strive for that Top 100 rank points, and so on down the list up to those ing, I thought I would shed some light on ranked 251+, which are given 0 points. Any not just the ranking process, but also the course that receives a “remove from ballot” people and organizations behind the ratings. vote has 10 points deducted. Are clubs focusing their efforts in the right Architects on the panel are not permitted place to boost their rankings? Read on. Then to rate their own original designs, and course you be the judge. owners cannot rate their own properties. Tripp Davis’s Sentiments on Rating The Makings of a Course Rater Golf Magazine panelist and Architect Tripp One thing superintendents should know is Davis, well known to Met area superintend that golf raters, even those on the top three ents, takes a concerned approach to the rat rating panels— Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, ing of golf courses. and Golfweek—never have to take a turf “Too often the rating comes down simply exam and, in fact, generally know very little to beauty contests,” says Tripp, also an ac about turf conditioning. Their primary Joe Passov, Golf Magazine complished amateur player, who feels that no focus when ranking a course? Its design and one can sufficiently rate a course from just architecture. one round of golf. Tripp would ultimately Here’s a bit of proof of this notion—an Golf Magazine’s Rater Program like the rating event to include, at the very excerpt I drew from a discussion posted on The Golf Magazine group handpicks it’s least, a round of golf followed up the next day golfclubatlas.com: course raters. There are only 100 panelists with another visit to the course to more “Is the 6th hole at Piping Rock one of the across five continents: Asia, Australia, Africa, closely evaluate the architecture of each

Tee to Green January /February 2016 hole. He clearly knows that many raters, and average golfers alike, cant help but base their opinion of the course on their own personal “If I had my way experience of the day. “If the sun is shining,” says Tripp,“and the a troupe of cavalry course is firm and fast and the rater plays well, it’s likely that that course will receive a through every trap better ranking than if the same individual played on a rainy, soggy, cold day and played the course before poorly.” started, where o Tripp was clear that the strategy of each hole, and the overall course, should be the could get the ball basis for rating a course. From a conditioning standpoint, Tripp only a few ya admits that focus and importance on condi - C.B. Macdonald, tioning can vary from club to club. Often golf course architect times, members who frequently travel from course to course will create relative rankings for conditioning. Bunkers, in particular, have been a real concern for Tripp. He notes that the current trend for bunker construction and mainte nance assures a more perfect and consistent lie than the surrounding grass can offer. In a recent televised golf tournament, Jordan Spieth was actually caught on camera urging his ball to get in the bunker! “Bunkers are supposed to be hazards,” says Tripp, “and many architects will deepen bunkers to create the feeling of a hazard while striving to design the structure for perfect sand conditioning. Liners, capillary concrete, and Billy Bunker-type construction have definitely made their way into course construction and renovation.” This perfec tion has unfortunately become perceived as what constitutes good conditioning. In Tripp’s observations, he’s noted that playing host to important tournament events gets more serious golfers talking about those courses and can ultimately help the course’s chance of receiving a high ranking. He also knows that having a public relations person on staff helps spread the good word about a course. Tripp’s ideal rating system: Put aside the course’s beauty and conditioning and your overall golf experience, and acknowledge the best through analysis of the course’s strategic interest. Golfweek’s Hater Program As director of Golfweek’s Best Course Program, Brad Klein knows that course ratings can be debated almost endlessly. In his book, A Walk in the Park: Golfweek’s Guide to America’s Best Classic and Modern Golf Courses, Brad de Tripp Davis and Associates scribes the difficult job of a rater and what he Completes Phase Two believes constitutes a great course: Restoration of Spring Lake “The amazing thing about golf holes is Golf Club in New Jersey. how little they have in common,” writes Brad. “The rulebook specifies only a single regulation—that the little cup we play for on each putting surface be four-and-a-quarter

Tee to Green January/February 2016. “The ideal hole (or golf course) is surely one that affords the greatest pleasure to the greatest number, gives the fullest advantage for accurate play, stimulates players to improve their game, and never becomes — Alister MacKenzie, golf course architect

every state and half-a-dozen countries. Ranking‘America’s Best’ In recruiting raters, Golfweek looks for Golfweek refers to its top-ranking courses as people who: “America’s Best.” Those rankings are based • Love golf and are seriously enthusiastic on 10 criteria, including strategic considera about looking at different golf courses tions of shot-making and design balance, as • Handle themselves well and represent well as the aesthetics of conditioning and Golfweek with the utmost professionalism golf course setting. Golfweek’s patented • Play quickly and without emotional out “walk in the park test” is another crucial burst variable. It refers to the extent that the four • Are able to rise above their own golf score or so hours spent at a course are worthwhile in examining a course and be objective as an overall outdoor engagement. about a series of detailed architectural What distinguishes the Golfweek Ameri criteria ca’s Best Courses from the course ratings • Have the time and willingness to get done by other publications is a division of around and see courses they have never the golf course universe into two categories: played before Classic (up to 1959) and Modern (1960 and • Are willing to study, read, and look behind after). Roughly half of the existing stock the scenes, as well as ask good questions of predate 1960 and half postdate that year. established professionals in the field More important are the era-specific differ • Are willing to turn in their ballots on a ences in design, construction, and grassing. Brad Klein, director of Golfweek’s rolling basis throughout the year Andy Staples, an up-and-coming archi Best Course Program • Have the ability to cast their ballots tect who has presented educational sessions online at Golfweek rater events, feels that a great inches in diameter. All else is up for grabs: • Are willing to attend and participate in course requires more than a good feel or terrain, elevation, soil, grasses, and setting, as Golfweek rater educational events “walk in the park” appeal. It needs to have a well as yardage and par. When these ele • Are not members of any other national soul. It needs to reek of golf throughout the ments are combined in an aesthetically publications course rating staff entire property experience. pleasing way, we have the makings of great (On several occasions, raters have resigned ness. Mere beauty, though, isn’t enough. The from other panels to join the Golfweek rater course must be intriguing, strategically program.) Golf Digest’s Rater Program challenging, and perhaps even a bit whimsi Once prospective raters are accepted into Golf Digest is viewed by many as the best of cal to be recognized as great.” the program, they are sent a brief orienta the three magazine rating systems. Debut Continuing on the “business” of rating, tion that helps educate them on the many ing in 1966, it is the nation’s oldest course Brad adds, “All golfers have their likes and elements that go into rating a course. ranking system and easily the most recog dislikes when it comes to course design. The Golfweek raters are a diverse group with a nizable. Though the group started with a trick in golf, as in any endeavor, is to move variety of playing abilities, careers, and so rating system known as the “200 Toughest,” beyond the realm of individual opinion and cioeconomic backgrounds. More than half they altered their system in 1969, changing arrive at a more systematic method of evalu of Golfweek’s raters are single-digit handi- their focus to today’s “100 Greatest.” ation. The process might not be an exact sci cappers. Nine percent are women—the Recently, Golf Digest added a second level to ence, but it certainly can be more than highest percentage of female raters of any their 100 Greatest, now putting the 200 personal preference. Along the way, golfers national publication panel. Many raters are Greatest courses on their list. might learn some things that will help them couples who travel and play golf together. Though held in high esteem, not every appreciate their own courses and play better Golfweek raters range from the former one sings this group’s praises. Criticism as well. What good is the business of rating head of the American Medical Association seems to stem from the time when Golf unless it helps us enjoy the game more?” to a truck driver. There are golf writers, Digest based its course rankings on “tough course designers, superintendents, and golf ness,” while requiring all their raters to The Profile of a Golfweek Rater course management executives, as well as maintain at least a 5.0 USGA index. The In 2004, Golfweek had a team of 285 volun pharmacists, attorneys, schoolteachers, den implication was—and still is—that only the teer raters (representing 49 states) who per tists, psychotherapists, and even a brain sur best players know how to rate courses, and as ennially scoured the countryside in search geon. There are a handful of raters who own high-level players, they tend to be more of the best of the best. The number of raters their own airplanes and some who travel the has now swelled to nearly 700, drawn from country in their KVs.

Tee to Green January/February 2016 “Ifa course needs to be in great condition to be played effectively, then the design strategy is flawed.” — Tom Watson, pro golfer

program, Golf Digest’s list is the most re etation, and terrain) provide individuality to spected because they offer the most trans each hole, yet a collective continuity to the parency. “We publish category-by-category entire 18? scores of all winning courses, and we base 5. Aesthetics. How well do the scenic values our results solely on those scores,” says of the course (including landscaping, vege Whitten. “We don’t cook the books.” tation, water features, and backdrops) add to Below are the criteria that go into creat the pleasure of a round? ing Golf Digest’s rankings: 6. Conditioning. How firm, fast, and rolling 1. Shot Values. How well does the course were the fairways, and how firm yet recep pose risks and rewards and equally test tive were the greens on the day you played length, accuracy, and finesse? the course? 2. Resistance to Scoring. How difficult, 7. Ambience. How well does the overall feel while still being fair, is the course for a and atmosphere of the course reflect or scratch player from the back tees? uphold the traditional values of the game? 3. Design Variety. How varied are the golf To arrive at a course’s final score, Ron course’s holes in differing lengths, configu Whitten explains that they first discard rations, hazard placements, green shapes, and “outlier” evaluations at the high and low green contours? end. (Statistician Dean Knuth, creator of the 4. Memorability. How well do the design United States Golf Association’s Slope and Ron Whitten, Golf Digest features (tees, fairways, greens, hazards, veg Course Rating System, does the math for keenly focused on identifying hole and course difficulty and ranking courses accordingly. How Much Things Change but Really Remain the Same Seemingly taking a contrary stance to Look closely at this chart created in 1907 by C.B. Macdonald, who is considered the father of Golf Digest’s ranking priorities, Architect American golf course architecture. Note the similarities between today’s ranking systems Donald Ross describes his more low-key and his vision of the ideal course layout. approach to course design in his book, Golf Has Never Failed Me. Essential Characteristics Merit I “Most of the golf courses I’ve built are hardly championship courses,” writes Ross, I. Course 45% “but rather intended to be a delight to play. a. Nature of soil 23% Outside of Pine Valley, the National Golf b. Perfection in undulation and hillocks 22% Links, and Lido, none I would call real championship tests. A championship course I. Putting Greens 18% today,” he continues,“would mean a distance a. Quality of Turf 1 0 % of between 6,500 and 7,000 yards, and not b. Nature of undulation 5 % five golfers in a thousand want that kind of c. Variety 3 % course for everyday play.” III. Bunkers and other hazards 13% Ranking the ‘100 Greatest’ a. Nature, size, and variety 4 % Controversy aside, many clubs and courses b. Proper placing 9 % recognize only Golf Digest as the irrefutable IV. Length of hole 13% “top gun” in the world of course rating. a. Best length of holes 8 % Winged Foot Superintendent Steve Rabi- deau is quick to admit that his club doesn’t b. Variety and arrangement of length 5 % recognize any other rater group. “We focus V. Quality of turf of fair green 6% solely on Golf Digest,” he says. VI. Width of fair green of the course 45-60 yards 3% According to Ron Whitten, who is re VII. Nature of teeing ground and proximity to green 2% sponsible for overseeing the Golf Digest 100% 1

Tee to Green January /February 2016 While superb architecture and design are important, they’re not the be-all and end-all of getting your course ranked among the Top 100. There are at least several courses throughout the country that have com pleted massive renovations only to have their courses’ rankings fall. Conditioning can’t be your sole focus either. What is considered the ultimate to one rater, may mean little to another. As you can see in comments made throughout this article, even famed golf course architects and other industry professionals have oppos ing views of what makes golf courses great. That said, I do believe you can’t ignore the benefit of putting effort into creating an overall good playing experience for golfers, one that leaves them with a favorable im pression of your course. Despite the sup Greg Wojick (second from left) and his Golfweek raters group posed downplay of conditioning in course head out to play Fishers Island Club in Fishers Island, NY. rankings, I’ve found conditions do, if only the group. He tosses out any evaluation Here’s another tidbit worthy of note: subliminally, affect most raters’ percep that’s more than two standard deviations Seven courses joined the top 100 this year, tions—and potentially ratings—of a course. from a courses mean score.) but only two of those were built in the past Good press about your course, even if it’s “We then total the course’s average scores 30 years: Wisconsin’s No. 42 Erin Hills, just by word of mouth, is another factor that in the seven categories, double-weighting which opened in 2006, and Florida’s No. can influence raters’ opinions. Hosting a the Shot Values category,” says Whitten. “A 100 Streamsong Red, which opened in notable tournament—though not practical course needs 45 evaluations over the past 2012. What took the other five so long to be for everyone—can be a great way to attract eight years to be eligible for America’s 100 recognized? the kind of attention that might actually up Greatest. The minimum ballots for 100 Though Whitten doesn’t offer any in your course’s chances of receiving a high Greatest Public is 25, for Best in State, 10. sight into these specific courses, we can sur ranking. Everyone, after all, likes a winner. mise that it’s due to a combination of ma Debates about rankings invariably enter turity and improvements; slippage among into grillroom discussions so at the very PGA.com Sums lip Golf Digest’s some of the courses that fell down, or off, least it’s wise to become conversant with the Latest‘Greatest’ List the list; changes to the raters’ tastes and cri pros and cons of various architectural and This year, with the “Golden Anniversary” of teria; and changes to the roster of raters. design features that your club may one day Golf Digest’s biennial course rankings, it has Whitten notes that there were 125 raters feel obligated to consider. revealed its newest edition of what is now when the list began and 10 times that many I’ve tried, here, to open everyone’s eyes to called “America’s Greatest 100 Courses.” now. the fact that finding a precise formula for As a PGA.com writer recently noted, Another interesting fact: Course architect earning a high course ranking can be a bit there are a number of changes to the 2015- Seth Raynor had three courses join the new like shooting in the dark—unless, perhaps, 2016 ranking, which no doubt, will prompt top 100 list, and he’s been dead for 89 years. you’re an Augusta National or Pine Valley, much debate in clubhouses and grillrooms How’d that happen? All three—No. 53 which has near-endless resources and all nationwide over the next few months. Camargo Club, No. 64 Yeamans Hall, and the right things in place from the very He points to the biggest change right at No. 99 Shoreacres—have been recently ren beginning. the top, where Augusta National reclaimed ovated by Tom Doak. As Whitten says, It’s up to each individual to acquire the the No. 1 spot from longtime top choice they’re all classic designs that have been knowledge needed to communicate to club Pine Valley, which now slots in as No. 2. fully retrofitted for the modern game. boards and committees the potential pit- Another change in the top 10 sees the East falls of making significant changes to their Course at Merion move up from sixth to course with the sole mission of bumping up fifth, switching places with Oakmont. So What Is a Superintendent to Do? their course ratings. There are many more moves up and Now that you’ve read the ins and outs of But as I said in the beginning of this arti down, and off and on, the top 100—and what’s involved in course rankings, you’re cle, my mission here was to present a look at even more throughout the second 100. Ac probably sitting there scratching your head. the world of course rating—not a definitive cording to Ron Whitten, this is due, in part, What I’ve realized in my personal experi prescription for boosting your ranking. to the fact that 51 of the current top 100 ences as a rater, and now in my research for After working on this piece, I feel only one courses weren’t even around when the inau this article, is that, first and foremost, you thing in the world of golf rating is for cer gural list was issued. shouldn’t disqualify any one rater group tain, and that is that nothing is for certain. In fact, Whitten reveals, only 24 courses from coming to rate your course. As I hope So is your club focusing its efforts in the have appeared on every one of the lists— you can see from this article, each group has right place to boost its rankings? I’ll have to and, he notes, several well-known courses its own merits. let you be the judge. haven’t always been ranked. Among them Beyond that, quite honestly, I would be are Shinnecock Hills, which is now all the hard-pressed to recommend that you do any Greg Wojick is a member of the Tee to Green way up to No. 4; National Golf Links of one thing over another to win the hearts Editorial Committee and co-owner of Playbooks America, now No. 8; and Chicago Golf and ratings of the golf course rating groups. for Golf Club, now No. 14. Tee to Green January/February 2016 A Year in the Life of a Golfweek Rater by Greg Wojick

f J his past year, I played some required to attend a minimum of one retreat ^ F great courses with great condi- every two years. Lessons Learned on the Links in 2015 tions. I golfed with fellow Golfweek A retreat typically offers space for as few Here are a few things I picked up in my raters who are Wall Street professionals, as a dozen to as many as 50 or more players. travels. businessmen, doctors, lawyers, green com Some are mini-retreats that might include mittee members, club board members, real two or three courses played over a couple of Lesson #i: Raters aren’t always welcome. A estate pros, and CPAs, many of whom are days. rater can simply contact a club and ask per private club members. Other retreats offer the opportunity to mission to play and rate the course. Most What you’ll read here are a few of the facts play four or five courses over four or five always the Golfweek membership card must and figures surrounding my travels as a days, with dinners, breakfasts, and educa be sent to the club. Raters can play and rank Golfweek rater, as well as a number of inter tional sessions thrown in. As part of the edu a course alone, but more often than not, a esting, even valuable, lessons learned along cational sessions, Brad Klein frequently is group of fellow raters will come to rate a the way. there to offer insightful observations and course together. To put things in perspective, here are a comments about the courses were about to Generally, clubs are pleased to have their few statistics from my 2015 golfing year: play. Other times architects like Gil Hanse, courses rated, but every once in a while, I’ll George Bahto, Andy Staples, Pete Dye, and get a less-than-receptive initial response to • Rounds played: 20 as a rater; visited ano Tom Fazio will present their thoughts. And my request to rate a course. ther 100 or so on work-related trips often, the courses’ superintendents will be One of the “best” of these responses came (My experience is that a typical rater plays on hand to present an overview of the days’ from a superintendent I know. When I told between 50 and 150 courses per year.) conditions, upcoming or completed project him I would like to have a group of card- • Met-area courses played: 12 work, or recent golf course renovations. carrying raters join me to rank his course, he • Raters retreats attended: 1 (Utah/Nevada) In 2016, Golfweek is offering 20 rater responded: “Card-carrying? Meaning washed- • Years as a Golfweek Rater: 4+ retreats throughout the U.S., Spain, Portugal, up middle-handicappers who are looking for free South Africa, and Nova Scotia. The retreats golf on courses they can’t afford to play, and then offered every year include Bandon Dunes, rate those courses based on how they set up to their Rater Retreats: They ARE a Treat the Kohler courses, several Casino-related game?” The year started with me and three other courses, Pinehurst, and Kiawah Island. In Ok. I had to acknowledge a tincture of local raters traveling to Utah and Nevada to addition, Golfweek sets up retreats sur truth in this super’s “joking” response, but attend a Golfweek Raters retreat. Raters are rounding the Masters and the Ryder Cup. f v wmm M si great course requires more than a good feel or in the park’ appeal. It needs to have a soul. It needs to reek of golf throughout the entire property experience.” - Andy Staples, golf course architect and designer of Sand Hollow Golf Course in Hurricane, Utah h jnnthiry/February 2Q16 nonetheless, he did connect my group of height. Though my golf partners had trouble Educating the golfing public about what it Golfweek raters with the proper channels to conversing about golf course maintenance, takes to cultivate and maintain these beauti play and rank the course. The club? It was and would often make light of it, they could ful golf courses to their standards is a job that Siwanoy and the super, none other than speak quite authoritatively about green still needs to be done—each and every time Steven McGlone. It was a pleasant day and speed and smoothness. the opportunity presents itself. opportunity to see the newly renovated When I would press them to describe course, a Mike DeVries design. what they feel makes for excellent course Lesson #4: Raters are only human. On a glo Meadow Brook’s John Carlone was conditions, they more often than not rious weather day, three fellow Golfweek another area super who graciously paved the couldn’t list any specifics, just that they raters and I made the fun trip to play Fishers way for our group of raters and gave us a would “know it” when they “experienced it.” Island Club, ranked by all three magazine sneak peek into the specifics of their up Keep in mind, that this kind of subjective systems as among the top in the world. Each coming renovation work set to start in assessment isn’t likely unique to this group. I hole offers wonderful views, as well as golf August. John and his committee have hired suspect that it happens more often than you challenge, strategy, and interest. As circum both Brian Silva and Brad Klein to design might expect among other groups of course stances would have it, on this day, one mem and oversee the work. raters. ber of our foursome was struggling with his This chance to play Meadow Brook be game. He hit a number of shots offline, fore and, hopefully, again after his signifi Lesson #J: The Information gap hasn’t sometimes way right or way left. cant renovation is a great opportunity for the closed. This past year, I would play with rater After a dozen holes or so, I politely asked non-turf professionals in my raters group to groups of non-turf professionals, and we him if he agreed that this course is worthy of better understand the dynamic nature of would often be joined by golf pros and one of the world’s top 10 bests. The obviously courses and ultimately improve their ability members from the clubs we were rating. dejected rater responded, “Not one of my to rate them. With each experience, I was made painfully favorites at all.” The 11.0 index golfer ended aware that the information gap between turf with a very high score for the day scoring Lesson #2: Raters’ perceptions aren’t always professionals and golfers is as wide as ever. just shy of 100. Human nature can clearly reality. No matter where we play, I always Little progress has been made in the public’s obscure a rater’s perception of the course. ask my partners questions about their per perception and knowledge of the turfgrass Most don’t succumb to this type of rating, ceptions of the golf course presentation. management profession. but some do. I can attest to the fact that most Invariably, I would be taunted about my ob Golfers do generally believe, however, that raters are golf nuts who do take their role servations, which of course included com they have a grasp on what seems to be “easy seriously, usually in spite of their personal mentary on disease, mowing patterns, work” maintaining a golf course. If only golfing experience on a particular day. watering techniques, trimming, and rough they understood the myriad challenges su perintendents and their crews face each day.

New Members • Hunter Keech, Class C, Round Hill In Sympathy Please join us in welcoming the following Club, Greenwich, CT It is with great sorrow that we announce the new members: • Scott Lund, Class SM, Tashua Knolls passing of A1 Dolge of Alfred K. Dolge • Rafael Bances, Class C, Sunningdale Golf Course, Trumbull, CT Company in Westport, CT. A1 passed away CC, Scarsdale, NY • Carlos Martinez, Class C, Upper August 23 in his sleep at the age of 88. • Kelly Barrell, Class C, Quaker Ridge Montclair CC, Clifton, NJ A member of the MetGCSA since 1991, GC, Scarsdale, NY • Noah McCahill, Class C, Trump Golf A1 called on many Met area superintendents • Steven Bigelow, Class C, Winged Foot Links at Ferry Point, Bronx, NY throughout the years. After earning a bach GC, Mamaroneck, NY • Patrick McGinn, Class C, Waccabuc elor’s from Harvard University and attend • Sean Blatz, Class C, Upper Montclair CC, Waccabuc, NY ing UPenn’s Wharton School of Business, A1 CC, Clifton, NJ • Ron McNaughton, Class C, Apawamis enlisted in the air force where he achieved • Joshua Callan, Class C, Trump Golf Club, Rye, CT the rank of captain. Links at Ferry Point, Bronx, NY • David Miller, Class C, Sunningdale After his military service, A1 joined the • Nicholas DeBellis, Class C, Bonnie CC, Scarsdale, NY C.B. Dolge Company of Westport, CT, a Briar CC, Larchmont, NY • Thomas Panton-Lula, Class C, family industrial chemical manufacturing • Timothy Doherty, Class C, Fenway Wykagyl CC, New Rochelle, NY business founded in 1889. He later became GC, Scarsdale, NY • Nicholas Pflster, Class C, Waccabuc president of the C.B. Dolge Company, • Wesley Foster, Class C, GlenArbor GC, CC, Waccabuc, NY which merged with Rochester Midland Bedford Hills, NY • Nicholas Roberto, Class AF, Cushman/ Corporation of Rochester, NY Throughout • Richard Gold, Class C, Winged Foot E -Z- GO, Augusta, GA the years, ATs interaction with his customers GC, Mamaroneck, NY • Mike Scheyd, Class C, National Golf was his greatest enjoyment. • Shawn Haverdink, Class C, Quaker Links of America, Southampton, NY A1 is survived by his wife, Susan Ridge GC, Scarsdale, NY • Daniel Stover, Class C, Innis Arden Grondona Dolge; his daughter, Elizabeth • Anthony Heath, Class C, Paramount GC, Old Greenwich, CT Christina Dolge of San Rafael, CA; his son, CC, New City, NY Alfred Karl Dolge Jr. of Chapel Hill, NC, and many friends. Tee to Green January/February 2016 MetGCSA Winter Seminar Offers Superb Day of Education by Jim Pavonetti, CGCS

Æ he 2016 MetGCSA Winter Sem- making this a thoroughly enjoyable experi gain further insight into reliable methods inar was, once again, a huge suc- ence for all who attended. for controlling summer patch. cess, drawing nearly 300 industry What follows is a quick-take on the talks, If you would like further information, professionals to the Westchester Country along with the speakers’ contact informa you can reach Dr. Inguagiato at 860-486- Club on January 13. tion so you could easily pursue any of the 0162 or [email protected]. Education Chair Brett Chapin and his topics that interest you. committee put together a great lineup of speakers who offered cutting-edge infor Update on Turf Insecticides mation and research that will help superin Optimizing Cultural and Chemical Longtime friend of the MetGCSA, Dr. Pat tendents achieve success at their own fa Management for Summer Patch Vittum from the University of Massa cilities in the coming season. Control chusetts, talked to us about one of the In addition to the presenters, a lobby full biggest problems that Met supers face each of vendors offered a wealth of knowledge The day began with Dr. John Inguagiato season: the annual bluegrass weevil (ABW). and information about the latest products from the University of Connecticut offer Dr. Vittum reviewed the short list of chemi and services available in our area. We would ing valuable insight into methods for con cals that we have available to control this like to express our gratitude for our vendors’ trolling, or at least minimizing, summer pest, and sadly, many of these chemicals do continued support at this event, as well as patch without the use of or heavy reliance not always give complete control. throughout the growing season. You’ll find on chemicals. Dr. Vittum reviewed the timing for ap their names and numbers listed on page 12. His work has shown that both acidifying plying these products and also gave a We would also like to extend a sincere fertilizers and manganese applications can demonstration on how to use the EIQ calcu thank you to host Superintendent David pretty much control this turf disease with lator. Developed by Cornell University, the Dudones and the entire Westchester Coun out the help of chemicals. He plans to con calculator is used to determine the impact try Club staff for doing such a superb job in tinue his work with manganese products to being made on the environment based on the particular chemical being applied and how large an area its applied to. The EIQ calculator, and plenty of infor mation on how to use it, can be found at http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/publications/eiq/. For more information on the ABW, Dr. Vittum can be reached at 413-545-0268 or at [email protected]. Wetting Agents and Their Effects on the Putting Green Surface Dr. Douglas Karcher from the University of Arkansas was up next to speak to us about the effects of different wetting agents on putting green surface quality. Contrary to what most superintendents believe, his university trials have shown that wetting agents of all kinds do not soften the putting surface. Dr. Karcher is continuing his trials, con ducting them, this time, in the field, where many superintendents have observed softer surfaces after a wetting agent application. He will be looking at dilution rates and the rate at which these products are being MetGCSA President Glen Dube (right) is pleased to present the association's coveted washed in. In addition, he plans to examine Sherwood A. Moore Award to Rockland Country Club Superintendent Matt Ceplo. what products superintendents may be tank-mixing with wetting agents and how 3 Tee to Green January /February 2016 Atlantic Golf Club Superintendent Bob Ranum (left) and MetGCSA President Glen Dube (right) strike a pose with the association's 26th John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award winner, renowned Golf Course Architect Rees Jones. For more information, Dr. G il can be reached at [email protected] or at 541-602-3077. New York State BMPs for Golf Courses: Implementation Ken Benoit of GlenArbor Golf Club and Dr. Frank Rossi from Cornell University came to speak about Phase II of the New York State Best Management Practices for Golf Courses. With Phase II of the BMP project, superintendents are able to take a quiz and fill out a survey to determine where they stand from an environmental standpoint. As the superintendent fills out the quiz, any “wrong” answers display a link to the section of the BMP website that addresses that particular subject. This is the imple mentation of the project that started in that may affect their performance on put many years on the MetGCSA board and on February of 2012. ting surfaces. numerous committees and projects, becom Ken and Dr. Rossi also spoke about gener For further information on this topic, Dr. ing great friends with him in the process. ating participation in case studies that will Karcher can be reached at 479-575-5723 or Matt’s many contributions to the industry be added to the website. These case studies at [email protected]. are hard to match, and his acceptance speech will include anything that a superintendent was heartfelt, touching everyone in the audi has done to enhance the environment or ence, as he talked about his many affiliations preserve our natural resources. Ken, for in Awards Luncheon and experiences through his service to the stance, presented a case study that he com As always, there was a break in the action as industry. You can read more about Matt and pleted describing the installation of quick seminar-goers convened for the Awards his accomplishments and dedication to the coupling valves for hand-watering particu Luncheon, which in addition to a delicious golf industry in the September/October/ lar areas on his course, which resulted in meal included the presentation of the November 2015 issue of Tee to Green, which water conservation. His case study took him MetGCSAs coveted John Reid Lifetime can also be found on the Mets website. only 45 minutes to complete. Achievement Award and Sherwood A. For more information on the BMP Pro Moore Award. ject, Phase II, and how to create a case study Presenting our 26th John Reid Lifetime Rollin’ in the Green: Impact of for the BMPs, contact Ken Benoit at Achievement Award to Golf Course Archi Today’s Maintenance Practices on [email protected] or at 914- tect Rees Jones was Bob Ranum from 241-0700. Dr. Rossi can be reached at 607- Atlantic Golf Club. Bob worked with Rees Green Speed and Plant Health 255-1629 or at [email protected]. while growing in Atlantic, and the two have After lunch, Dr. Rob Golembiewski from become close friends over the years. Bayer Environmental Science (better known Rees Jones gave a great acceptance speech as Dr. Gil) spoke about the various methods Join Us Next Year that included interesting stories about his that golf course superintendents have de Special thanks, again, to Brett and the father, renowned Golf Course Architect vised to achieve daily green speeds that, not Education Committee for their efforts in Robert Trent Jones, and how both he and his long ago, were considered unattainable. planning this ever-popular event, to David father got their start in the business. Rees Lower mowing heights, rolling, water and Westchester Country Club for being also had great things to say about superin management, and plant growth regulators such gracious hosts, and to our vendors for tendents and their importance to the success are some of the turf management practices their continued participation and support. of the countless projects Rees has managed that have changed the game of golf for the It’s all this that makes our Winter Sem over the course of his career. You can read everyday golfer. Dr. G11 showed us data that inar one of the most valuable educational more about Rees Jones in the December proves that you can maintain decent daily opportunities we have available to us all 2015 issue of Tee to Green, on the Mets web green speeds while preserving plant health year. Be sure not to miss this information- site, www.metgcsa.org. by alternating rolling and mowing days. If packed event in 2017! Bob Nielsen of Bedford Golf & Tennis faster speeds are desired for a particular tour Club took the podium next to present the nament, you can both roll and mow on the Jim Pavonetti, Tee to Green editor and chair of MetGCSAs Sherwood A. Moore Award to same day, rather than lowering the height of the Editorial Committee, is superintendent at Matt Ceplo. Bob has worked with Matt for cut, which could affect the health of the turf. Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, CT.

Tee to Green January/February 2016 Special Thanks to Our 2016 Winter Seminar Exhibitors We’d like to thank all the vendors who participated in this year’s Winter Seminar. As a Assistant Supers Gathei show of appreciation, were listing the exhibitors here, along with their areas of specialty and contact information. Premier Career-Buildin When the opportunity arises, we hope you’ll show these contractors and suppliers the by Raymond Platt same support they’ve shown us during our Winter Seminar—and throughout the year.

A. G. Enterprises Growth Products, Ltd. Syngenta Rick Gordon Howie Gold Brian Goudey Staff Uniforms Liquid Fertilizers Chemical Company 201-488-1276 800-648-7626 518-764-2412 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Aquatrols, Inc. Harrell's LLC Synergy/Pocono Turf MetGCSA’s first-ever As Kevin Collins Scott Tretera Bobby bteinman, CGCS sistant Superintendent Career- Soil & Water Quality Management Golf Course Supplies Agronomic Professionals Building Seminar was a huge suc Solutions 914-262-8638 860-488-2822 cess, drawing 60 career-focused assistant 609-841-2077 [email protected] [email protected] superintendents to Siwanoy Country Club [email protected] on January 22. LaCorte Equipment Tanto Irrigation, LLC Class C Representative David Parson and Atlantic Golf & Turf Jim Calladio Bill Bartels John Garcia John Deere Golf Dealer Irrigation Installation Services his committee put together a superb lineup Fertilizers & Premium Grass Seed 631-891-2425 914-347-5151 of speakers who offered valuable career 203-996-6267 [email protected] [email protected] insights for today’s assistant superintendent. [email protected] Typical of most MetGCSA events, there Metro Turf Specialists The Care of Trees was a great sense of comradery among BASF Scott Apgar Michael Cook seminar attendees. We would like to extend Pete Jacobson Golf Course Supplies Entire Tree Care Company a sincere thank you to our assistant super Chemical Company 203-748-4653 914-345-8733 919-530-9062 [email protected] [email protected] intendent host and forum moderator, [email protected] Josh Haugh, and to Superintendent Steven Plant Food Company, Inc. Tom Irwin, Inc. McGlone and the rest of the Siwanoy Bayer Environmental Science Dick Neufeld Jeff Houde Country Club staff for their part in making Dave Sylvester The Liquid Fertilizer Experts 203-731-1776 our inaugural assistant superintendent event Plant Protectants 973-945-6318 [email protected] one to remember. 860-841-3173 [email protected] Here are the highlights of this career [email protected] Turf Products LLC Playbooks for Golf Pat Cragin building event. Cushman/E-Z-GO Golf Course Coverage System, Toro Irrigation & Equipment Nick Roberto Irrigation Mapping, 860-874-2812 845-637-7641 Aerials, Consulting, Career [email protected] Making the Most of Your [email protected] Development Professional Career Greg Wojick: 2 0 3-219-02 54 r Green, Inc. Greg Wojick from Playbooks for Golf of DeLea Sod Farms [email protected] Greq Moran fered some interesting information on how Steve Geiser Matt Leverich: 91 3-2 2 1 -8 0 5 2 Landscape & Golf Supplies High-Quality Sod & Root Zone Mixes for [email protected] 203-831-9748 new superintendents, and assistants alike, Golf Courses [email protected] can utilize a variety of mobile platforms to 800-344-7637 Saturated Solutions, LLC help develop their professional careers. 'com Paul Boyd Jr. Valley View Greenhouses Through utilizing services like the Cov 203-980-1301 Frank Amodio erage System, ezPins hole location mobile DryJect NE / TurfPounders [email protected] 914-553-2526 software, and GPS Mapping, new superin Steve Jordan [email protected] DryJect & Aeration Specialists Seeton Turf Warehouse tendents now have the opportunity to elim 914-602-2857 Brian Bontemps Westchester Tractor, Inc. inate some of the guesswork and trial-and- [email protected] Golf Course Supplies John Apple error that goes into the job. 845-239-7959 Equipment Dealer During the presentation, Greg also high Evergreen Organics [email protected] 845-278-7766 lighted a number of industry trends that he Ray Colasacco www.tractor.com Organic Recycling Steven Willand Inc. has noticed through his career placement 914-949-9030 George Corgan Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. services. Among them was that an increasing [email protected] A Jacobsen Golf & Turf Equipment Dave Lippman number of clubs are hiring superintendents Dealer Golf Course Supplies based on the status or notoriety of the clubs Executive Turf Products 914-213-3622 914-447-5192 they’ve worked for. For those who don’t have Ken Gentile [email protected] a Top 100 club in their work history, he sug Golf Course Supplies 203-496-0891 Storr Tractor Company Wilfred MacDonald, Inc. gests bolstering your resume by continually [email protected] Rick Krok Glenn Gallion working toward achievements and mile 908-722-9830 Golf Course Equipment stones both on the job and within your Grass Roots, Inc. [email protected] 201-954-5878 chapter organization. Ryan Batz [email protected] For more information on career services, Golf Course Supplies contact Greg Wojick at 203-219-0254 or by 973-252-6634 [email protected] email at [email protected]. Tee to Green January/February 2016 • for MetGCSA’s I Seminar

concerns that have plagued the industry for Ideas for Success as a First-Time years. The group of assistants gave feedback Superintendent on the day and what they would like to see Bill Bartels, CEO of Tanto Irrigation, pro in next years seminar. Most all ideas steered vided interesting insight into how to suc away from agronomics and more toward ceed as a first-time superintendent. A firm career advancement and ways to become a believer in becoming self-aware and con irreplaceable as possible and, when the time better manager. stantly pushing to make the most out of comes to present budgets, be the most pre Other discussions during the open forum your career as a golf course superintendent, pared department head within your club. He included tactics for staying fresh and cur Bill also stresses the importance of expand emphasized the importance of treating the rent with the increasing demands of the ing your knowledge beyond the turf indus clubs money with the same respect and care assistant superintendent role, along with a try. He recommends that golf course pro as you would your own hard-earned money discussion on education and the role of an fessionals work to speak the same language He also reminded eager assistants that one of MBA within the industry. For more infor as club members and understand their per the keys to career success is to always respect mation on the discussion, Josh Haugh can spective. To do that, he suggests becoming the other department heads at your club be reached at 914-961-8698 or by email at well read in the world of business and noted throughout the budget process. For more in [email protected]. a few of his favorite reads. He also urges formation, Brett Chapin can be reached by becoming involved in organizations outside email at [email protected] or at 203- of the industry to broaden your knowledge 885-3109. base and hone your communication skills. Dan Meersman spoke next, explaining the Before finishing, Bill reminded the room capital planning side of the superintendent’s full of aspiring superintendents to be hum job. The driving force behind capital proj ble and open to change along their journey. ects are, of course, the needs of the club. He For more information, Bill Bartels can be explained that in all projects, achieving good reached at 914-347-05151 or by email at results takes sacrifice. Dan suggested involv [email protected]. ing your membership in any decision-mak ing to mitigate risk. Member committee meetings are a great way to get the members Budgeting and Financing involved and to discuss budgets while re In a joint presentation, MetGCSA Education viewing the work completed in person. Chair Brett Chapin of Redding Country Dan was also a strong proponent of pro Club and Philadelphia Cricket Club Su moting yourself and your work throughout perintendent Dan Meersman shared the the club. One way to do that is to make basics of creating and maintaining an an yourself available to help other club depart nual budget and the ins and outs of capital ments involved in special projects. He sug Special thanks, again, to Class C Rep projects and the expenditures involved. gested making yourself the go-to guy in the David Parson and the Class C Committee During his portion of the presentation, club. When another department wants a for their efforts in planning this highly edu Brett urged assistants to make themselves as project completed it speaks highly of you to cational event. If you have any suggestions or be their first call. comments you would like to share on this He also urged assistants to document pro and future seminars, feel free to contact jects using before-and-after pictures. He David at 914-441-1958, or you can reach explained the importance of having exam him by email at [email protected]. ples of the product you produce when pur We would also like to share our apprecia suing job opportunities. For more infor tion for the great group of assistants who mation on this topic, Dan Meersman can be participated in this cornerstone event. We reached at 215-290-0268 or by email at hope to see even more of you next year at [email protected]. this valuable educational session! Open Forum Raymond Platt is an assistant superintendent at In a lively discussion moderated by Josh Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, CT. Haugh, assistants shared ideas and expressed

Tee to Green January/February 2016 Dave Mahoney Two-Ball at Siwanoy Country Club by Chip Lafferty t J M hope everyone is enjoying this and fall alternately. Amazingly, throughout W slow time of year and looking for- the entire process, the course never closed. _-^^ward to knocking the rust off your golf There was always a portion open to play, games on April 19, when Steven McGlone which offered members the added benefit hosts the annual Dave Mahoney Two-Ball of being able to view aspects of each phase Qualifier at Siwanoy Country Club. Those of the construction. of us who have been around the Met area for Few features remain untouched: Bunkers, a while remember Siwanoy as the late Dave green surfaces, and aprons were restored; tee Steven McGlone Mahoney’s place. But now, after overseeing length was added; cart paths rerouted; and seven years of course renovations, Steven a new irrigation system was installed. committee responsible for hiring Mike McGlone and his staff have made their own Though only two greens were completely McCall, our new executive director. indelible mark. rebuilt to USGA specs, DeVries nearly dou Steven finds his volunteer service noth The work that Dave and the club started bled the size of every green throughout the ing short of rewarding. “It’s a lot of work,” in 2007, and spent a year getting underway course. It is safe to say he didn’t just recap says Steven. “There are some true work with Architect Mike DeVries, was com ture lost pins and strategy, but also created horses on the current board who are mak pleted in the spring of 2015 under Stevens some nuances that will keep golfers inter ing sure our association is headed in the watchful eye. Steven, his team, and the club ested for years to come. right direction. I learn a great deal being should be applauded for their efforts. A particularly challenging aspect of the surrounded by so many smart guys who If you haven’t played Siwanoy in a while, I project was altering some of the property’s truly love our profession.” urge you to come out for the season-open ponds and a few of the streams’ natural ing Two-Ball Qualifer. The course may be pathways. The club had to seek the approval in the same location, but it has an all-new not only of the town, county, and state, but The Road to Siwanoy look and appeal. also the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Get Steven, like many superintendents, didn’t ting approval for these modifications was no begin his college career with a degree in small task, but the end result is a marvel in turfgrass management in mind. In fact, he Siwanoy Transformed course restoration. completed a B.S. in Geography from Ohio First a nine-hole course along White Plains “Dave is looking down from above and University with his sights set on becoming Road, Siwanoy built an 18-hole course in going, ‘Oh yeah, man, they got it!”’ says an urban planner. His career path took a 1913 at its current site in Bronxville, NY, Mike DeVries, referring to the pond/stream turn, however, with the encouragement under the guidance of Architect Donald work on the 5th, 6th, and 7th holes. of Jim Noel, superintendent of Lakewood Ross. Over the years, numerous architects Country Club in Steven’s hometown of added their personal touch to the greens, Westlake, OH. Steven had worked summers tees, and bunkers. Among them were Robert Career Beyond Course Construction at Lakewood through high school and then Trent Jones Sr. and Arthur Hills. Now that the construction is complete, college, and seeing his potential, Jim en Nearly a century later, on a mission to Steven and his team are working on lower couraged him to pursue a degree in turf recapture the course’s original Donald Ross ing their inputs, while still maintaining grass management. design intent, the club began its transforma stellar playing conditions. “We are focused Following Noel’s advice, Steven com tion with an extensive tree removal pro on stretching our application intervals and pleted a turf degree from Penn State in gram that cleared more than 700 trees. With are committed to doing more with less,” 2004, interning at The Country Club in a clean slate, Architect Mike DeVries was says Steven. “It’s not a budget issue as much Pepper Pike, OH. He then moved to the able to work his magic. as a conscious shift to a more IPM/BMP West Coast to become an assistant at The property is now a more open land focus. We want to be ahead of the curve Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, CA, scape that can be appreciated from all when—not if—stricter legislation is put in where he stayed for three years. angles. Stevens maintenance facility sits place that limits the products we’ve been In March of 2007, he returned East, ac at the far end of the property with the club accustomed to using in maintaining the cepting an assistant’s position with Quaker entrance located on the opposite side. By course at Siwanoy.” Ridge Golf Club Superintendent Tom opening up of the property, you can actually Steven is also focused on doing his part to Ashfield, who Steven credits for the guid see from the maintenance facility clear to sustain the profession. An active member of ance and impeccable training he provided. the 18th hole and entrance some three- the MetGCSA, Steven is currently serving By September of 2008, Steven was well quarters of a mile away. as a director on the board and has been on equipped to assume his current position as The $6M project was completed in six the Tee to Green Editorial Committee for Siwanoy s golf course superintendent. phases, with work being done in the spring the past four years. He also served on the In the midst of Steven’s transition from

Tee to Green January/February 2016 Mark Your Calendar With These Upcoming MetGCSA and Industry Events urban planning studies to Siwanoy super Dave Mahoney Two-Ball Met Area Team Championship intendent, he met and then married his Championship Qualifier Monday, September 26 wife of seven years, Margie. Margie and Tuesday, April 19 The CC of Scranton, Clarks Summit, PA Steven live in a recently renovated 1800s Siwanoy CC, Bronxville, NY Host: Greg Boring farmhouse on the western side of Siwanoy Host: Steven McGlone with their 5-year-old son, Finley, and 2- The Poa/MetGCSA Tournament year-old daughter, Sydney Superintendent/Guest Tournament Monday, October 3 Thursday, May 12 Metropolis CC, White Plains, NY Paramount CC, New City, NY Host: Dave McCaffrey Beyond Turf Host: Brian Chapin Outside of this very busy life, Steven and Nine and Dine Event Margie love to experiment with cooking a MetGCSA Invitational Tournament Date TBA variety of cuisines. “We enjoy preparing Monday, June 6 Silvermine Golf Club, Norwalk, CT all types of food, with the prime focus CC of Darien, Darien, CT Host: Larry Pakkala, CGCS being providing our kids with balanced Host: Tim O’Neill, CGCS nutrition and adding a little variety to MetGCSA/CAGCS Fall Seminar keep it interesting and fun for all of us,” Thursday, November 10 says Steven. “The kids are great and keep The Patterson Club, Fairfield, CT us grounded. What we do is for them now Host: Jason Meersman and we are enjoying every minute.” Steven also enjoys repurposing old wood into practical, period-type furni Regional Events ture.“! have a workshop in the basement,” says Steven, “and recently made Finley a The 12th Annual Joseph Troll 2016 University of Connecticut chest for his toys out of old pallet wood. I Turf Classic Turfgrass Field Day also created a wine rack for us.” Monday, May 16 Tuesday,July 19 That only follows since Steven and his Pine Hills Golf Club UConn Plant Science Research and wife also love wine but, admittedly, are Plymouth, MA Education Facility not connoisseurs by any stretch. Perhaps Superintendent Joseph Felicetti will host Storrs, CT attending a few wine tastings and gather this year’s UMass Alumni Turf Group The field day will offer guided tours of a ing input from the likes of Bob Nielsen fundraiser in support of turf education and variety of research projects underway at and Bill Perlee will put them well on their research at the University of Massachusetts. the university followed by a delicious and way to wine aficionadodom! Please plan to attend this worthy fund lunch and an opportunity to connect with raiser, and watch for details. Entry forms and fellow turf professionals. Exhibitors from Don’t Miss the Fun! additional information will be available on across the region will also be present with I hope all of you will mark your calendars line at www.alumniturfgroup.com. product and service information for the and come out to participate in what, I feel, turfgrass industry. is one of our most important golf events of 21st Annual Rutgers Turf grass Watch the website for further details as the year. Dave loved the camaraderie with Research Golf Classic the date approaches: www.turf.uconn.edu. all the guys and was really the person Monday, May 2 responsible for making this event a truly Fiddlers Elbow Country Club Rutgers Turfgrass Research Field Day enjoyable experience. Steven now holds Bedminster, NJ (Golf & Fine Turf) the baton, and we know Dave couldn’t Plan now to join fellow industry profession Tuesday, August 2 have selected a better successor! als for this annual fundraiser and a day of Horticultural Farm II Grab a partner, and we’ll see you all on golf, education, and fun. Your partici-pation New Brunswick, NJ April 19! helps fund research grants, student scholar Save the date, and watch for details. Visit ships, equipment, and special projects for the www.njturfgrass.org or call 973-812-6467 Chip Lafferty, a member of the Tee to Green Turfgrass Research, Teaching, and for further information. Editorial Committee, is superintendent at Rye Extension programs at the School of Golf Club in Rye, NY. Environmental and Biological Sciences/ Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. For further information, call 973-812- 6467 or log on to www.njturfgrass.org. Tee to Green January/February 2016 Meet Your 2016 MetGCSA Board

From left to right: Secretary RohAlonzi of Fenway GC;Vice President David Dudones of Westchester CC; Steven McGlone of Siwanoy CC;Past President Blake Halderman, CGCS, of Brae Burn CC;Treasurer Ken Benoit, CGCS, of GlenArbor GC;Doug Drugo of Wee Burn CC; Brett Chapin of Redding CC; Brian Chapin, Paramount CC;Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, ofFairview CC; Class C Rep Dave Parson ofTheApawamis Club; President Glen Dube, CGCS, of Centennial GC;Mike Brunelle, CGCS, of Upper Monclair CC; Class AF Rep Bobby Steinman, CGCS, ofPocono Turf At-a-Glance Guide to Your MetGCSA Committee Chairs Here is a list of each of the MetGCSA’s 2016 Steven McGlone (Website) Long-Range Planning & Steering committee chairs, including their phone Siwanoy CC Committee numbers and emails. Please feel free to con [email protected] Blake Halderman, CGCS, Brae Burn CC tact any of them with questions, comments, 914-961-8698 / Cell 914-841-1000 [email protected] 914-946-1074 / Cell 914-469-1987 or helpful suggestions. Education Committee Brett Chapin, Redding CC Membership Committee Awards Committee [email protected] Brian Chapin, Paramount CC Blake Halderman, CGCS, Brae Burn CC 203-938-9640 / Cell 203-885-3109 [email protected] [email protected] 845-634-4626 / Cell 201-247-3637 914-946-1074 / Cell 914-469-1987 Environmental Committee Ken Benoit, CGCS, GlenArbor GC Scholarship & Research Committee Bylaws Committee kbenoit@glenarborclub. com David Dudones, Westchester CC David Dudones, Westchester CC 914-241-0700 / Cell 914-760-3575 [email protected] [email protected] Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, Fairview CC 914-967-6000 / Cell 973-417-0415 914-967-6000 / Cell 973-417-0415 [email protected] Blake Halderman, CGCS (Tri-State) 203-531-8910 / Cell 203-223-5403 Brae Burn CC Club Relations Committee [email protected] Blake Halderman, CGCS, Brae Bum CC Government Relations Committee [email protected] Brett Chapin, (CT), Redding CC 914-946-1074 / Cell 914-469-1987 914-946-1074 / Cell 914-469-1987 [email protected] Social & Welfare Committee 203-938-9640 / Cell 203-885-3109 Brett Chapin, (CT), Redding CC Communications Committee Blake Halderman, CGCS, Brae Burn CC [email protected] Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, (Tee to Green) [email protected] 203-938-9640 / Cell 203-885-3109 Fairview CC 914-946-1074 / Cell 914-469-1987 pavonet tij @y ahoo. com Tournament Committee 203-531-8910 / Cell 203-223-5403 Investment Committee Doug Drugo, Wee Burn Country Club Mike Brunelle, CGCS (Advertising) David Dudones, Westchester CC [email protected] Upper Montclair CC [email protected] 203-656-3843 / Cell 203-339-1493 [email protected] 914-967-6000 / Cell 973-417-0415 973-777-6710 / Cell 973-417-8199 Tee to Green January/February 2016 I ^ atron Directory Patrons listed on this page are supporting our association. You are encouraged to support them. O A.G. Enterprises Dryject North East LLC O Pinnacle Turf, Inc. © The Terre Company of Rick Gordon ~ Staff Uniforms “Your Aerification Solution” 40 Skyview Lane New Jersey, Inc. 201-488-1276 / Fax:201-489-5830 Steve Jordan New Rochelle, NY 10804 Seed, Pesticides, Nursery Stock, merrickl [email protected] 570-421-8800 / Fax: 570-421-8083 Steven Renzetti, CGCS & Fertilizer www.AGEnterprisesonline.com [email protected] 914-384-9227 Byron Johnson: 973-473-3393 O All Pro Horticulture, Inc. O Emerald Tree Care, Inc. [email protected] Scott Ferguson: 201-956-4511 54 Railroad Avenue 26 Fox Meadow Road www.Pinnacleturf.net [email protected] Copiague, NY 11726 Scarsdale, NY 10583 © Plant Food Company, Inc. O Tom Irwin Inc. John Seib Steve Farrelly: 914-725-0441 “The Liquid Fertilizer Experts” “With Tom Irwin, You Are Not 631-789-6680 / Fax: 631-789-5711 Kevin Wyatt: 203-422-2441 Tom Weinert: 914-262-0111 Alone” [email protected] O Evergreen Organic Recycling Dick Neufeld: 973-945-6318 13 A Street, Burlington, MA 01803 Aqua-Aid, Inc. 1160 Mamaroneck Avenue Tom Pepe: 609-751-1372 Jeff Houde: 203-731-1776 Surfactants, Verde Cal, OARS, White Plains, NY 10605 David Conrad: 914-263-3244 800-582-5959 Root Pruner, & Drill & Fill James Amodio / Raymond Colasacco © Playbooks for Golf [email protected] Bert Brace: 570-510-4996 914-949-9030 Mobile Coverage System, Golf Course © Turf Products LLC / TORO [email protected] [email protected] Field Guides, Soil Analytics, Aerial Toro Irrigation & Equipment [email protected] Photography, Consulting, Career Pat Cragin © Executive Turf Products Development, Professional Search Services Cell: 860-874-2812 Aquatrols Corp. of America 92 Vine Road, Stamford, CT 06905 Greg Wojick: 203-219-0254 Ofc: 800-243-4355 1273 Imperial Way Ken Gentile: 203-496-0891 Matt Leverich: 913-221-8052 Paulsboro NJ 08066 [email protected] www.goplaybooks.com © Valley Green, Inc. Kevin P. Collins, NE & © Grass Roots Turf Products, Inc. 205 Wilson Avenue Mid-Atlantic Territory Mgr. “Serving Turfgrass Professionals © Seeton Turf Warehouse, LLC Norwalk, CT 06854 609-841-2077 Since 1978” Brian Bontemps: 845-239-7959 Greg Moran [email protected] Ryan Batz / Keith Kubik Brian Gjelsvik: 973-670-7139 Cell: 845-901-1358 Argento & Sons, Inc. Ofc: 973-252-6634 [email protected] Ofc: 203-831-9748 1 Prospect Avenue www.GRIturf.com / [email protected] Soil Solutions, LLC [email protected] White Plains, NY 10607 © Growth Products, LTD Aerification Professionals © Valley View Wholesale Louis Argento Fertilizers, Organics, & 7 Whittemore Place Greenhouses 914-949-1152 / Fax:914-948-0255 Fungicide Products Ryebrook, NY 10573 229 Smith Ridge Road [email protected] 80 Lafayette Avenue Anthony Decicco / John Decicco South Salem, NY 10590 Atlantic Golf & Turf White Plains, NY 10603 914-393-0659 / Fax:914-939-5010 Frank Amodio 9 Industrial Boulevard Howie Gold: 917-559-4425 © Steven Willand, Inc. [email protected] Turner Falls, MA 01376 Kevin Amodio [email protected] “Quality Turf Equipment” [email protected] John Garcia: 203-996-6267 © Harrell’s 4 Production Drive 914-533-2526 [email protected] “Growing a Better World. Partners Brookfield, CT 06804 p i o Atlantic Irrigation for Success” George Corgan: 914-213-3622 © Westchester Tractor, Inc. Specialists, Inc. Scott Tretera: 914-262-8638 [email protected] 60 International Boulevard Rain Bird & All Related Supplies [email protected] www.StevenWillandInc.com Brewster, NY 10509 Ray Beaudry / Tim Marcoux Fred Montgomery: 518-813-7814 © Synergy Turf / Pocono John Apple / Charlie Siemers 800-878-8873 [email protected] Turf Supply 845-278-7766 o BASF www.harrells.com “Agronomic Professionals” www.wtractor.com “Intrinsic Brand Fungicides” LaBar Golf Renovations Bobby Steinman, CGCS: 860-488-2822 © Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. Peter Jacobson: 919-530-9062 6 Claremont Road, Suite D1 [email protected] “Serving the MetGCSA for * [email protected] Ernie Steinhofer, CGCS: 860-488-0533 39 Years” Bernardsville, NJ 07924 [email protected] Bob Lippman: 914-447-6257 © Bayer Environmental Science Rich LaBar: 908-502-5253 Tim Joyce: 631-601-5294 [email protected] “Backed by Bayer” [email protected] [email protected] Dave Lippman: 914-447-5192 Dave Sylvester: 860-841-3173 [email protected] © LaCorte Equipment ~ © Syngenta [email protected] o Blue Ridge Peat Farms John Deere Golf Brian Goudey: 518-764-2412 [email protected] 133 Peat Moss Road “Premier John Deere Golf Distributor 23 Roslyn Drive, Ballston Lake, NY 12019 © Westwood Organic White Haven, PA 18661 in the Northeast” Ofc: 518-424-0760 / Fax: 518-399-6588 Recycling Gene Evans / Chuck Evans Eric Berg / Jeff Sutphen / Jim Calladio br ian. goudey@sy ngent a. com PO. Box 139, Purchase, NY 10577 570-443-9596 / 570-947-5888 800-560-3373 / Fax: 631-591-3447 © Tanto Irrigation, LLC James Scoli: 914-949-3244 o Cushman / E-Z-GO [email protected] “Serving the MetGCSA for 40+ Years 914-946-WOOD Nick Roberto: 845-637-7641 www.LaCorteEquipment.com William Bartels: 914-347-5151 [email protected] nroberto@t ext ron .com ® Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. Fax:914-347-6323 © Wilfred MacDonald, Inc. Marc Santospirito: 516-662-3554 Hydrogeologic Consulting & [email protected] South Hackensack, NJ 07606 o Custom Golf Environmental Engineering Services © The Cardinals, Inc. Glenn Gallion: 201-954-5878 Golf Course Materials Rob Good:860-678-0404 Complete Distributor of Golf Course [email protected] Michael Giacini: 631-433-4494 [email protected] Accessories & Turf Maintenance Supplies Winfield Solutions, Inc. [email protected] © Metro Turf Specialists John Callahan: 800-861-6256 “Service, Solutions, Insight” DeLea Sod Farms “Customers, Our TOP Priority” Fax:860-673-8443 Mike DiLorenzo, CGCS: Bentgrass, Fescue, Bluegrass Sod, & Scott / Todd / Rich / Jake / Matt © The Care of Trees 518-428-8625 U.S. Silica Topdressing 203-748-GOLF (4653) Mike Cook: 914-345-8733 [email protected] Scott Geiser: 800-344-7637 www.metroturfspecialists.com Jeremiah Green: 914-241-8110 www.winfieldpro.com [email protected] Ken Clear: 203-863-0900 o Double ‘D’ Turf, LLC Greg Gutter: 914-241-8110 Drill & Fill Specialist Dennis DeSanctis Sr.: 732-241-7378 [email protected] © Denotes MetGCSA member Ace Sponsors PO&TE

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