2011 VGCSA Board of Directors: Front Row (L-R): Jeff Holliday, Matt Boyce, Jeff Berg, Eric Spurlock, David Callahan

Winter 2011

Commonwealth Crier News from the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association President’s Message I hope this message finds everyone and At this writing, I’m headed down to the your families in good health. We recently GCSAA Conference and our 4th Annual held our VGCSA Annual Meeting at the GCSAA Social Event with the MAAGCS 2011 VTC Conference and Show at the and Eastern Shore GCSA (February 9, Fredericksburg Expo. I would like to thank 2011 in Orlando, FL at the GIS). The the VTC Board and Tom Tracy for another presentation on our Commonwealth’s event is always a great time to catch up with outstanding show this year. Many of you environmental stewardship and an longtime friends, network with industry utilize this season to take in the GCSAA orientation regarding our BMP Project. peers, and share some great food and drink. Conference and GIS, and I know it is time The outcome of the meeting is posted on During our November Board Meeting, we well spent. our website (www.vgcsa.org) and the accomplished several things. The primary I would also like to congratulate Lee GCSAA website. goal was to set the 2011 Budget. Again, a Dieter for recently being awarded the 2011 During the Chapter Delegates Meeting, conservative budget was voted on and President’s Award, Eric Spurlock for being the delegates were given the opportunity to approved by the Board. Financially the awarded the 2011 Distinguished Service meet and speak with the 2011 Slate of VGCSA is in good shape as we had a great Award, and Josh Focht for being our 2011 Nominees. All candidates are highly 2010 campaign. Our VGCSA Board Scholarship recipient. Thanks again, qualified and very professional. Other issues Officers will not change and at this time I gentlemen, for all you do, have done, and discussed were a proposed dues increase, would like to thank Mr. Matt Boyce, our will do to promote the superintendent new programming initiatives, and new Vice President, Mr. Jeff Holliday, our profession and our great industry. conference and show features were outlined Secretary/Treasurer, and Mr. Eric Spurlock The VGCSA Board has been busy the as well. Congratulations goes out to our Past President for serving again with past couple of months. Our BMP Committee Mr. J. Rhett Evans for recently being named me on the 2011 Board. There will be four has been meeting regularly and has been the new GCSAA Chief Executive Officer. new faces that comprise the Board of communicating with the Virginia Tech staff All the best in your new position Rhett! Directors for 2011, of which I am honored on our BMP (Best Management Practices) The Second Annual Assistants Forum to serve with. We welcome Dan Taylor, Project. We look forward to our first draft, was a huge success! I would like to thank External VP from the ODGCSA, David of this important document, in late Mr. Josh Saunders, Assistant at Kinloch Lewallen, External VP from the SVTA, February 2011. Peter McDonough, our Golf Club, for organizing this wonderful Charlie Fultz our Partner Position on the chairman, has also been busy on the hill in event. We had a great speaker, Mark Board, and David Callahan our Assistant Richmond meeting with law makers to Kuhns, CGCS, of Bultusrol Golf Club, who Position on the Board. Welcome discuss issues associated with our industry. led the meeting and discussed the future of gentleman! Thanks to Mark Price ODGCSA, Thanks, Peter, and to everyone that joined our industry and why we do what we do. Ed Eagle SVTA, Dan McGrory–Partner him in Richmond for all your hard work! Mark also gave our group some great tips Position, and Josh Saunders–Assistant The Joe Saylor event held on October for a successful career in golf course Position for your willingness to serve and 25th was, again, a huge success. I would management. I think it is safe to say that your commitment to our great organization. like to offer my sincere gratitude and thanks our assistants that did attend are looking I would like to take this time and to the entire Farmington Country Club forward to next year’s event, and those who challenge each and every one of you in Staff and in particular Scott Kinnan and did not I would highly recommend that you 2011. We belong to one of the most his staff for a fabulous golf course to play be there in 2011. engaged Golf Course Superintendent that day. The Joe Saylor was again our I would be remiss if I did not thank the organizations in the country and I am charity event as we donated, what seemed entire staff at Country Club of Virginia for extremely proud of where we have come like, a record amount of toys this year. hosting us, and in particular Christian Sain from, where we are, and where we are Following the Joe Saylor, in November, and his staff for having the golf course in going. There is a need for volunteers and Eric Spurlock, our Past President, attended fantastic shape for us. I would also like to always will be when it comes to volunteer the GCSAA Chapter Delegates meeting in thank Griggs Brothers and our other Kansas City. Eric was asked to give a partners that helped sponsor the event. continued on page 3 2011 VGCSA Board of Directors: Front Row (L-R): Jeff Holliday, Matt Boyce, Jeff Berg, Eric Spurlock, David Callahan. Back Row (L-R): Charlie Fultz, Dan Taylor, Dave Lewallen, Chris Petrelli, Jeff Van Fleet. Not pictured: Mark Cote.

VGCSA External Vice-Presidents At-Large Board Members

Old Dominion Golf Course Assistant Superintendent Superintendents Association David Callahan Dan Taylor, CGCS Hidden Valley Country Club Independence Golf Club 2500 Romar Road • Salem, VA 24153 2011 VGCSA 600 Founders Bridge Blvd. • Midlothian, VA 23113 Ph: 540-789-6222 / Cell: 540-588-2305 Ph: 804-594-2750 x116 / Fax: 804-594-0291 E-Mail: [email protected] Board of Directors Cell: 804-640-9467 E-Mail: [email protected] VGCSA Officers Associate Tidewater Turfgrass Association Charlie Fultz President Chris Petrelli 137 Tyler Drive • New Market, VA 22844 Jeff Berg Cedar Point Country Club Cell: 540-333-7920 Goose Creek Golf Club P.O. Box 6138 • Suffolk, VA 23433 E-Mail: [email protected] 43001 Golf Club Road • Leesburg, VA 20175 Ph: 757-238-2629 / Fax: 757-238-2629 Ph: 703-729-2500 / Fax: 703-729-9364 Cell: 757-641-6222 Cell: 571-233-0993 E-Mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Virginia Turfgrass Association Staff Vice President Mark Cote Matt Boyce Pete Dye River Course at Virginia Tech Executive Director Princess Anne Country Club 8400 River Course Drive • Radford, VA 24141 David Norman 3800 Pacific Avenue • Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Ph: 540-633-0248 VGCSA Ph: 757-428-0346 / Fax: 757-425-6976 Cell: 540-679-9002 10231 Telegraph Road, Suite A Cell: 757-971-7222 E-Mail: [email protected] Glen Allen, VA 23059 E-mail: [email protected] Ph. 804-747-4971 x113 /Fax: 804-747-5022 Greater Washington Golf Course Cell: 804-399-7802 Secretary/ Treasurer Superintendents Association E-Mail: [email protected] Jeff Holliday, CGCS Jeff Van Fleet Salisbury Country Club Forest Greens Golf Club 13620 Salisbury Road • Midlothian, VA 23113 4500 Poa Annua Lane • Triangle, VA 22172 Ph: 804-794-8389 / Fax: 804-794-0389 Ph: 703-221-2207 / Fax: 703-221-2401 Cell: 804-640-0748 Cell: 571-238-0098 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] General Counsel

Past President Shenandoah Valley Turfgrass Association M.E. “Dick” Gibson, Jr. Eric Spurlock David Lewallen Tremblay & Smith, LLP Hermitage Country Club Bowling Green Country Club P.O. Box 1585 1248 Hermitage Road • Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103 53 Southern Drive • Strasburg, VA 22657 Charlottesville, VA 22902 Ph: 804-784-3298 / Fax 804-578-0017 Ph: 540-636-9728 / Fax: 540-635-1151 Ph. 434-977-4455 / Fax: 434-979-1221 Cell: 804-400-7636 Cell: 540-974-2889 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected]

2 The Commonwealth Crier Rounds4Reasearch 2011– Benefitting the BMP Project WeThe Need Wee One Everyone’s Foundation event Support! took place July 19 at Cypress Creek Golfers Club.Very The soon event you will raises receive money a formalto support appeal than half the facilities in the state donated tosuperintendents support this year’s who Rounds4Research.com have financial a tee-time in 2010. Please do your best to auctionhardship in due the to mail. illness As of you themselves know, we orraised a ensure your facility’s participation by morefamily than member. $8,000 Phil to further Bailey, turfgrass CGCS research hosted completing and returning the donation which will greatly benefit our industry. If effortsthe event in our at hisfirst club, year. which This year’sdonated auction all form or go to www.Rounds4Research.com anyone would like to make a cash donation, runsgreen April fees 10-17,and cart and fees we tohope maximize do do better. the and take care of business right now. a check may be made to “Virginia Turfgrass benefitWe certainly to the haveFoundation. the room Aroundfor 80 This year all funds will support our Best Foundation” and sent to VGCSA office— improvement,players participated. given that Below significantly is a letter lessfrom Management Practices (BMP) Project, donations are tax-deductible. Phil, highlighting toung Hunter and his family now have a long and tough road to follow. My thoughts go out to the Grove family and my prayers are for great results. NominationsOnce again I cannot thank Sought all of for Most Valuable Technician Award you enough for your strong support Does your turf equipment technician this program, designed to honor the best and finalists and vote online for their favorite. The for our friends and colleagues when deserve a day in the sun, a tip-of-the-cap brightest golf course equipment technicians winner of the MVT competition will then be they are in need. for all the hard work and the vital behind- in the industry, the men and women who announced in the June issue of the magazine. the-scenesSincerely, role they play in the success of play such a key role in keeping the tools of To nominate a turf equipment technician, yourPhil golf Bailey, facility? CGCS If so, then nominate golf course maintenance up and running. submit your nomination by February 18 at themCypress for GCM’s Creek Most Golfers’ Valuable Club, Technician The nominations will be narrowed to a http://www.gcsaa.org/gcm/technician.aspx. (MVT)Smithfield, awards Virginia program, presented in field of three finalists by a team of industry Be sure to check back in March to vote partnership with Foley United. judges. GCM readers will then be able to for the finalists! Nominations are now being accepted for review the resumes and qualifications of the

President's Message (cont.) industry organizations. The VGCSA is no I would like to call on all our members in opportunity and thank all of our partners different. support of our 2011 Rounds4Research for their support they have given us over I am challenging you to ask yourself a few campaign which will run April 10th-17th. the past year. I hope, for our industry as a questions, “Can I do more?”, “Am I really This great initiative is in cooperation with whole, that the recent economic that busy that I can’t give back?”, and “Is it other Superintendent organizations across turnaround continues and that really about me or the greater good of our the country and raised over $8,000 last year discretionary spending increases as well. industry?”. If you are having problems for our BMP Project. It was a wonderful Our Association relies heavily on this answering those questions then get event that pulled all our colleagues support from our partners and us, as involved and welcome aboard. I can together for a great cause. I would like to industry peers, need to support those who honestly tell you that it has been fun and thank our Head Golf Professionals, General support our Association. 2010 Partner an honor to serve the VGCSA members. It Managers, and other club officials for Program Participants, on behalf of the has also been a source of pride for me in my supporting this important campaign. I VGCSA Board of Directors, we THANK career as my father, Len Berg, was also a would also like to thank David Norman YOU and look forward to another President of a Superintendent organization. and Matt Boyce for helping put this successful season in 2011. He served as President, in the early 80’s, of initiative together and collect all the I wish all of you a great start to the 2011 the Midwest Association of Golf Course donations and keeping us organized golf season! Superintendents. throughout this frenzied process. Fairways and Greens — It has been a wonderful learning and Thanks to those that supported this growing experience and has afforded me effort last year and to those that have the opportunity to develop long lasting already sent in their rounds this year. At relationships within the golf industry. Our this time, you should have already received 2011 Board is comprised of great people a letter from me concerning this year’s and leaders who will lead this organization event, please get your rounds donations in with you, the member, in mind during each ASAP! You can check to see if your course and every decision we make. As usual, if has donated by going to www. you have any questions or concerns please Rounds4Research.com. Jeffrey L. Berg do not hesitate to get a hold of any of us. In closing, I would like to take this VGCSA President

Winter 2011 3 VGCSA Announces 2010 Award Winners it an easy choice for the committee to system and the re-grassing of all playing bestow this great honor this year. (Please surfaces. In 2006, the Manakin Course was see the article “Reflections…” on page 5 rated #5 in the US for “Best Renovation” for more on Lee’s passion and commitment by Golf Digest. to the profession) Eric has a stellar record of serving fellow superintendents through his involvement in various organizations. He is a Class A GCSAA member, where he has served on numerous national committees. He was a Charter Member of VGCSA. He was a Past President of ODGCSA, then he moved to the VGCSA’s board. He served the VGCSA as Vice President in 2007. When then-President Jeff Yarborough left the industry, Eric moved up to President. He was the elected President and served for Lee Dieter,CGCS, 2011 President’s Award Recipient two more years. One of Eric’s fond memories was serving on the grounds crew for the 2009 2010 VGCSA President’s Award US Open at Bethpage Black Course. He for Lifetime Achievement remembers how nice Phil Mickelson was, In the nomination for Lee Dieter, when he spoke with him while prepping CGCS for the VGCSA’s highest honor, the course following a severe rainstorm. the President’s Award for Lifetime Of course, his best memories are with his Achievement, one member wrote: Eric Spurlock, 2011 Distinguished Service Award wife Brooke and their two lovely daughters. “Lee was a long time superintendent at Recipient Washington Golf and Country Club. He was involved in the GWGCSA and was 2010 VGCSA Distinguished past president of the Virginia Turfgrass Service Award Council. Lee dedicated his life to the golf Eric Spurlock is this year’s Distinguished course industry and was well respected.” Service Award winner, and VGCSA Lee is admittedly a member of the “old President Jeff Berg wanted to make sure guard” of golf course superintendents, it was a surprise to Eric. This was and has witnessed major transformations particularly difficult, as Eric currently in the industry from his arrival in serves as VGCSA Past President. It was Virginia in 1960, until his retirement evident that Jeff succeeded, as Eric was some fourteen years ago. And in addition floored when he was announced to the to industry metamorphosis, he was a crowd during the VGCSA Annual catalyst for change in developing the Meeting. associations that now serve the industry. Eric is the superintendent of the Lee may be the only individual to serve Manakin Course at Hermitage Country as President of four major regional Club in the Richmond area. He organizations: GWGCSA, MAAGCS, graduated with a Turf Management VTC and VTF. He was a charter member degree from Virginia Tech in 1995, and of SVTA and ODGCSA, and he served was immediately hired by Hermitage to on the USGA Green Section Committee be the Second Assistant Superintendent. for 15 years. Lee was also a pioneer with Two years later he moved up to First Josh Focht, 2011 Scholarship Recipient the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Assistant Superintendent, and just a year Program, initiating that program at later he became Superintendent of the 2010 VGCSA Scholarship Winner Washington G&CC early on. Manakin Course. Jason Focht’s passion for the game of So why didn’t Lee get this award In 2004, Eric worked with top-rated golf started at an early age. He attended sooner, you may ask. Well he was actually architect Keith Foster on the renovation Fluvanna County High School in retired when VGCSA was formed in of the Manakin Course, which included Palmyra, Virginia where he was the 1999. But his career contributions made extensive drainage work, a new irrigation continued on page 5

4 The Commonwealth Crier Reflections on 50 Years of Serving the Golfing Public and Our Professsion – Lee Dieter It’s the morning after and I’m sitting here not moving on to new jobs and The maintenance buildings were small; trying to realize what happened yesterday responsibilities as stagnation in an much equipment was kept out in the in Fredericksburg. Although I had a couple employee. weather. The main room (office, shop, of days notice, I really didn’t reflect on the How about the golf course maintenance lunch room, paint shop, was all in one enormity of the honor I was receiving— practices of today? The developments in room) was heated by a pot belly stove fueled The Lifetime Achievement Award from my this area over the last 50 years are by wood from the golf course. We recycled fellow Virginia Superintendents. unbelievable. The development of chemical then, too! All the mowing, tees, aprons and It certainly ranks at the top of my list of control for weeds, insects and diseases, the fairways were done with the newest things of which I am proud. Receiving it breeding of new grasses for better quality equipment, five gang Worthington Chief from an organization that didn’t exist when and more closely mowed turf, the use of fairway units. I retired 14 years ago is more amazing. Most more and more improved power equipment Enough of these references to maintenance of the board members were not even born to apply fertilizer and chemicals, and to practices back then, I had almost forgotten when I came to Virginia 51 years ago. It groom and mow these turfs. The automatic how bad it was. Thank God we had the made me reflect that I guess I did have a bit irrigation systems (I could write a book devotion to our careers and profession to of an impact on golf course maintenance about night watermen and manual systems), push for change in all these areas. We all practices, the growth of the industry, and our maintenance buildings, crews, and worked together to influence legislation, the betterment of our profession. budgets have grown to enable us to provide and get more accomplished in all areas of Thank you all for stirring up this old the kind of conditions that our golfers see on turfgrass research. We interacted with the memory of mine. I loved everything about TV and at the resorts they visit in their leisure. equipment manufacturers hoping they my years of involvement with the VTC; Let me reflect back on what it was like in would build what we needed and had The Virginia Turfgrass Foundation; The those post WWII war years. People would invented on our own. We educated the Greater Washington, Mid-Atlantic, The ask about the turf on my course, and I golfers to understand that it would take all Old Dominion, The Shenandoah, and the would tell them what I was trying to grow these efforts, as well as funding, to give them National Golf Course Superintendents in the Mid-Atlantic. My answer was that the golf facilities that they had learned to Associations. It truly was a labor of love! the little tees were mostly bare ground expect. What we see today on the golf When my bride and I moved to our new (unless the crabgrass came in early and courses in Virginia and the rest of the golfing home and new careers in Virginia in 1960 heavy). I tried to hold the Poa in the world is really the result of these interactions. many things were so different. Integration fairways until the soft crabgrass came in. I Each year at the club brought course was a dream; women worked in their felt that was a better alternative than the improvements, new and more innovative homes and were there for the kids. Men goosegrass that came in later and was so equipment, a fleet of golf carts (10) in 1961 devoted their lives to employers who were hard to get a good clean cut. and a continuous cart path (one of the first expected to reward them with employment The turf areas all reseeded themselves, in 1965), and the bridges, walls, and and a full and rewarding career, including didn’t they? Then what about the greens? buildings to support them. We renovated retirement. Have things changed much? Fertilizer and chemicals were applied with the maintenance building with a heated They certainly have. a proportioner and drop-type spreaders. addition, and an office for the golf course The dream is now close to reality Topdressing was with done with shovels superintendent. (I moved the phone from (Integration); it takes two people working and wheelbarrows. Weeding on greens was the end of the work bench.) outside the home and working together to by hand with crews of school kids and Among the innovations I used to raise their children. bamboo poles (the only time when the achieve the improvements were: the Today’s employers, I believe, now look at crews exceeded 10). continued on page 15

Award Winnners (cont.) caption of the golf team his senior year. rising senior at Virginia Tech double Gordonsville, under the supervision of After high school he attended Ferrum majoring in Horticulture, Landscape Brian Vincel. Currently Jason is working College for a year majoring in Contracting and Crop Soil with David McCall, the turfgrass horticulture. In 2008, he transferred to Environmental Science, Turfgrass pathologist at Virginia Tech, assisting Virginia Tech as a horticulture major Management option. him in field and lab research. focusing in landscape contracting. After Over the last four years of his college After graduation Jason plans to pursue a semester at Virginia Tech he discovered career, he has completed summer a career in turfgrass management as a the turfgrass management degree and internships at Farmington Country Club superintendent at a golf course in decided to add the too! Now, he is a in Charlottesville and at Spring Creek in Virginia.

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6 The Commonwealth Crier EPA Accepts Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has and sewage treatment plant operators. Key realistic, balanced and cost effective. It is received word that the U.S. Environmental provisions of the plan include: significant that EPA accepted Virginia’s Protection Agency (EPA) has approved • An additional 2.6 million pounds plan without imposing any Clean Water Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed reduction of nitrogen in the James River Act backstops or consequences. A lot of the Implementation Plan submitted by the basin from wastewater treatment plants. credit goes to the leaders and professionals Administration in November. The plan • High expectations for the adoption of at the Virginia Department of Environmental was developed as part of EPA’s establishment resource management plans on Quality and Virginia Department of of a total maximum daily load (TMDL) or agricultural operations that will feature Conservation and Recreation working under “pollution diet” for the Chesapeake Bay. water quality best management practices, the Governor’s direction to get this plan Virginia is one of seven Bay jurisdictions with consequences if goals are not done right.” which develop such plans. The TMDL sets achieved. “I appreciate both Governor McDonnell’s goals for all the Bay states and the District • Actions that will lead to nitrogen- leadership during the development of the of Columbia to reduce the levels of nitrogen, reducing septic systems. Watershed Improvement Plan and the phosphorus and sediment entering the • High standards for limiting runoff from new EPA’s acceptance of it,” said Todd P. Chesapeake Bay from its rivers and streams. development and for the control of storm Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and “We are pleased that EPA has accepted water in existing storm drainage systems. Forestry. “I am also grateful for the assistance the Virginia Watershed Implementation • Use of new and emerging technology to that the administration received from our Plan as a part of their Chesapeake Bay achieve nutrient and sediment reductions. key agricultural stakeholders. Although TMDL,” said Governor McDonnell. “Our • The expansion of the existing nutrient farmers are the country's original plan reflects recommendations made by credit exchange program, which will be a environmentalists and chief stewards of the public and Virginia stakeholder groups tool for greater flexibility and cost effective- our precious natural resources, Virginia's and proposes specific actions in appropriate ness in pollution reduction actions. agricultural community expressed to timeframes to achieve significant cost Governor McDonnell, Secretary Domenech, The plan also includes specificity regarding effective reductions in pollution to the Bay. and this secretariat its continued the timing, oversight and enforcement of We feel it is a stringent but workable plan willingness to enhance Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction actions. that demonstrates Virginia’s commitment water quality now and in the future. We “As we stated when we submitted this to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay while worked with them to develop a plan that plan, we continue to believe this is the most providing for continued economic growth is reasonable and equitable.” far-reaching and ambitious plan ever in the Commonwealth. After much discussion devised to clean up Virginia’s rivers and the with the EPA, the approved plan balances For more information or to comment, Chesapeake Bay,” said Secretary of Natural the important environmental protection phone Taylor Thornley at (804) 225-4262 Resources Doug Domenech. “And we have concerns with the need to protect jobs in or email Taylor.Thornley@governor. devised a plan that while ambitious is also agriculture and farming. While we maintain virginia.gov. our concern about aspects of the EPA watershed model and enforcement authority, VGCSA Webcast Education Event • ON DEMAND • Available at Your Convenience as well as the significant additional public and private sector costs associated with How to Read Your Soils Report plan implementation, we believe Virginia’s VGCSA has purchased access from GCSAA to a 90-minute educational webcast. There is NO COST to plan will make a significant contribution you! You can download the file to your computer and listen at your convenience anytime through the to improving water quality in the Bay.” end of March. The ”live” version attracted 65 participants, so you won't want to miss it! Email Lisa Wick The plan identifies actions to reduce the at GCSAA and register now: [email protected] amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and The Course Knowing more about the soil on your golf course may help you manage your turf and sediment entering the Bay from all major ornamentals more effectively. Understanding the details on the soils report you’ve received back from sources, including sewage treatment plants, the lab may not be as simple as it sounds. Learn more about how to correctly read your soils report industrial facilities, urban areas, agriculture, during this 90-minute webcast with Beth Guertal, Ph.D., who will show examples of various documents forestry and septic systems. It also establishes and provide key details on how to use that information on your golf course. a special process for evaluating the James The Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Guertal is an Associate Professor of Turfgrass Management and River based on its unique characteristics Soil Fertility at Auburn University. She conducts research in the area of turfgrass soil fertility and is and on water quality standards that apply responsible for teaching Introductory Turfgrass Management and is also the advisor for the undergraduate only to that river. students enrolled in Turfgrass Management in the Department of Agronomy & Soils. She is a graduate of The plan approved today by EPA includes The Ohio State University and Oklahoma State University. revisions made to an earlier draft submitted To get your 0.2 education points, you will be asked to complete a short survey after the program. in September based on discussions with If you have any questions or need help, please contact Lisa Wick, senior manager of e-Learning programs the federal environmental agency and at GCSAA at 800-472-7878, ext. 3649, or David Norman, VGCSA Executive Director at 804-747-4971 x113. stakeholders. These stakeholders included representatives from local governments, Take advantage of this unique opportunity brought to you by the VGCSA! the agricultural and development communities

Winter 2011 7 Evans Named GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Golf Course Superintendents Association oversaw a budget of $32.5 million and a $28 of America (GCSAA) President James R. million capital budget. Fitzroy, CGCS, announced today that J. In his tenure at GCSAA, he exhibited Rhett Evans has been selected as the solid leadership in implementing cost saving organization's chief executive officer. measures through more advantageous Evans, who has served as interim CEO contracts in the areas of technology and since late June of 2010, came to GCSAA in convention and travel services; July 2009 as chief operating officer. Prior to implementing headquarters building joining GCSAA, he was the director of the operational efficiencies; and staff parks, recreation and commercial facilities reorganization. At the same time, GCSAA division for the Phoenix suburb of Mesa, has improved member service through the Ariz., (population 490,000). He was creation of a member savings program; elevated to that position in 2005, after automated membership, registration and serving as that city's convention center and donation processes; new communications Rhett Evans amphitheatre director beginning in 2001. vehicles; an improved online job board; and "We are excited to have Rhett Evans as members and in the increasingly the expansion of the field staff program. our CEO," Fitzroy said. "He has a track collaborative golf industry." As GCSAA CEO, Evans also assumes the record of success everywhere he has been. While in Mesa, Evans managed all duties of chief executive officer for its He has experience in the golf industry, both program areas including the convention philanthropic organization, The on the facility level and from an center and amphitheatre; spring training Environmental Institute for Golf. organizational perspective. He has baseball complex (Chicago Cubs); Fitzroy indicated GCSAA will conduct a experience in managing a large staff and cemetery; recreation and aquatic complexes; search to fill the chief operating officer being accountable to a variety of and 2,600 acres of park space. Also under position created by Evans' promotion, constituents. And, he is a consensus builder. his watch were the operations of Dobson although no timetable or job description has That will serve him well with GCSAA Ranch and Riverview golf courses. He been established.

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moc.frutslever.www moc.cnihcnif.www 30851300-C4-SCGV10404x7TG-N53OOFFUC1SP 30851300-C4-SCGV10404x7TG-N53OOFFUC1SP 8 The Commonwealth Crier Member Profile: Ray Nash, Superintendent Dominion Valley Country Club • Haymarket, VA

Golf holes at your facility: 36 How did you get your start in the golf maintenance

profession? Playing junior golf at a modest 9-hole Years at your current golf club: 10 course and assisting with its maintenance.

Years as a golf course superintendent: 12 What has been, to date, the most rewarding part of being a golf course superintendent? Having a Favorite hobbies: Fishing, woodworking positive impact in the lives of co-workers— and golf. mentoring others and helping them to realize Favorite professional golfer: Arnold Palmer their full potential.

Favorite sports team(s): Baltimore Orioles What would be one thing, if you could, change

about the golf course superintendent profession? Biggest role model as a professional: My Convincing the public in general that Golf Father… The simple lessons learned courses have a positive effect on the from him have resurfaced many times. environment; and that Superintendents are, in Among them, the importance of putting fact, stewards of the environment. in an honest days’ work; also, never to put off until tomorrow what could be In the next five to ten years, what are the biggest accomplished today; and, in any challenges we face as golf course situation, to always treat others the way I superintendents? Doing all that is possible to would want to be treated. control costs and keep golf affordable, while maintaining courses at a very high standard.

Thank You 2011 Partner Program Participants!

Diamond Graden USA Inc. East Coast Sod WinField Solutions Ditch Witch of Virginia Herod Seeds Egypt Farms Yamaha Golf Cars of the Virginias Finch Services (John Deere) PBI Gordon Fisher & Son Golf Harmon Turf Services, Inc. Phoenix Environmental Care Growth Enhancer Turf Cleary Chemical Landscape Supply Plant Food Company Consultants E & S Soil Meadowspring Turf & Homefield Fertilizer Precision Laboratories Helena Chemical FMC Professional Solutions Quali-Pro Scott Turf Equipment Innovative Turf Services Hydro Solutions, Inc. Revels Tractor (John Deere) Southern States ITT Flowtronex IGM Smith Turf & Irrigation The Care of Trees John Deere Golf Knox Fertilizer Syngenta Trinity Turf, Inc. Lawn & Landscaping Turf & Garden Training & Consultants M&M Consulting Sports Aggregates Gold Woodbay Turf Technologies Lebanon Turf Williamsburg Environmental Group BASF Turf Woodward Turf Farms Lohmann Golf Designs, Inc Grigg Brothers Fertilizer Mini Verde Modern Turf Research Harrell's Bronze R&R Products Chantilly Turf Farms Peebles Golf Cars Agrium Advanced Technologies Synatek Turf Equipment & Supply Aquatrols Tom Rash Company Nonprofit Bryner & Associates Turf Works, LLC MAAGCS Silver Coggin Agronomic Solutions Valent Professional USGA Green Section Arysta Life Sciences Dow Agrosciences Products Virginia Turfgrass Council Aspen Corporation Dupont Professional Products Virginia Lake Management Aspire Golf Consulting Bayer Environmental Science VGCSA would also like to thank the sponsors of the 2011 GCSAA Social Event Buffalo Turbine LLC with our partners MAAGCS and ESAGCS: Buy Sod Presenting Sponsors - BASF, Finch Services (John Deere), Nutramax, Quali-Pro, G.L. Cornell, Syngenta Cannon's Service Supporting Sponsors - Bayer, Landscape Supply, McDonald & Sons, McDonald Design Group, Mid-Atlantic Davisson Golf Dry-Ject, Turf Equipment and Supply Co. E-Z-Go Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. Friends - Coggin Agronomic Solutions, Davisson Golf, Herod Seeds, Hydro Designs, Tom Rash Co., Plant Food G.L. Cornell Company, Winfield Solutions

Winter 2011 9 FS10209 QP Kallam 7.5 x 5 Half Page VGCSA

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10 The Commonwealth Crier Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Driving Actions to Clean Local Waters and the Chesapeake Bay

On Dec. 29, 2010, the U.S. Environmental overweight with nitrogen, phosphorus and Protection Agency established the sediment from agricultural operations, Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily urban and suburban runoff, wastewater, Load (TMDL), a historic and comprehensive airborne contaminants and other sources. “pollution diet” with rigorous accountability The excess nutrients and sediment lead to measures to initiate sweeping actions to murky water and algae blooms, which block restore clean water in the Chesapeake Bay sunlight from reaching and sustaining and the region’s streams, creeks and rivers. underwater Bay grasses, and create low Despite extensive restoration efforts levels of oxygen for aquatic life, such as during the past 25 years, the TMDL was fish, crabs and oysters. prompted by insufficient progress and The Bay TMDL—actually a continued poor water quality in the combination of 92 smaller TMDLs for Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. individual Chesapeake Bay tidal The TMDL is required under the federal segments—-includes pollution limits Clean Water Act and responds to consent sufficient to meet state water quality decrees in Virginia and the District of standards for dissolved oxygen, water Columbia from the late 1990s. It is also a clarity, underwater Bay grasses, and keystone commitment of a federal strategy chlorophyll a, an indicator of algae levels. to meet President Barack Obama’s Executive Actions under the TMDL will also have Order to restore and protect the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed shown in green. significant benefits far beyond the The TMDL—the largest ever developed Chesapeake itself, helping to clean rivers by EPA, encompassing a 64,000-square-mile “backstop allocations” for the few areas and other waterways that support local watershed—identifies the necessary where the WIPs did not meet the allocations economies and recreational pursuits like pollution reductions from major sources of or EPA’s expectations of reasonable fishing and swimming, and serve as nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment across the assurance that those allocations would be drinking water sources. District of Columbia and large sections of met, and a plan for enhanced oversight In 2011, while the jurisdictions Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and contingency actions to ensure progress. continue to implement their WIPs, they Virginia and West Virginia, and sets pollution Also, EPA has committed to reducing will begin development of Phase II limits necessary to meet water quality air deposition of nitrogen to the tidal Watershed Implementation Plans, standards in the Bay and its tidal rivers. waters of the Bay from 17.9 to 15.7 designed to more closely engage local Specifically, the TMDL sets Bay watershed million pounds per year through federal air governments, watershed organizations, limits of 185.9 million pounds of nitrogen, regulations during the coming years. conservation districts, citizens and other 12.5 million pounds of phosphorus and The Chesapeake Bay TMDL is unique key stakeholders in reducing water 6.45 billion pounds of sediment per year because of the extensive measures EPA pollution. The Phase II WIPs are expected – a 25 percent reduction in nitrogen, 24 and the jurisdictions have adopted to to provide local area targets for percent reduction in phosphorus and 20 ensure accountability for reducing pollution implementation on a smaller scale. Phase percent reduction in sediment. and meeting deadlines for progress. The III WIPs in 2017 are expected to be The pollution limits are further divided accountability framework includes the designed to provide additional detail of by jurisdiction and major river basin based WIPs, two-year milestones, EPA’s tracking restoration actions beyond 2017 and to on state-of-the-art modeling tools, extensive and assessment of restoration progress and, ensure that the 2025 goals are met. monitoring data, peer-reviewed science and as necessary, specific federal actions if the close interaction with jurisdiction partners. jurisdictions do not meet their commitments. For further information,visit The TMDL is designed to ensure that all http://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl pollution control measures needed to fully restore the Bay and its tidal rivers are in Addressing the Challenges place by 2025, with at least 60 percent of A TMDL is the calculation of the the actions completed by 2017. maximum amount of pollution a body of The final TMDL is shaped by an extensive water can receive and still meet state two-year public involvement effort and, in water quality standards designed to ensure large part, by final Phase I Watershed waterways meet a national primary goal of Implementation Plans (WIPs) developed being swimmable and fishable. Monitoring by the six Bay states and the District of data continues to show that the Bay has Columbia, which detail how and when the poor water quality, degraded habitats and jurisdictions will meet pollution allocations. low populations of many species of fish In addition, the TMDL includes targeted and shellfish. The Bay and its rivers are

Winter 2011 11 “I recently switched to red because I believe STI and Toro provide me with the best equipment and support for my maintenance operation, and that made my decision an easy one.” Kevin McIntire, Lexington Country Club

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Supported in part by a grant from The Toro Foundation. The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of GCSAA

12 The Commonwealth Crier News from Affiliated Chapters

News from the GWGCSA VTA News By me sitting down and composing this and Chris Hall for their continued support Greetings from Southwest Virginia, we newsletter, I realize that the season has of our chapter and this yearly event. are having another cold and snowy finally come to a close. In my 25 years in Additionally, special recognition and winter with no break in sight. the industry, I can’t recall a worst sustained thanks goes out to our speaker, Dr. Erik The board of the VTA has met and the weather pattern than last summer. We are Ervin from Virginia Tech, for his update on plans for this year are exciting and the cautioned not to write off last year and to the BMP project. The team of John meeting schedule is shaping up to be actually take something from our experiences. Dunker, Bert Schoenadael, Tim Weiss and another filled with educational I choose to take this, I don’t like summer Sean Owens won the scramble event. opportunities. As an incentive to attend anymore. That just about sums it up. Of note, the 2011 event schedule is and in recognizing the continuing We did manage to play some golf late in starting to fill up. We currently have dwindling budgets we are trying to make the season. The annual Superintendent- confirmations at several venues. If you each meeting as affordable as we can, this Assistant championship was held in would like to host a meeting, please may include price reduction and or October at Bristow Manor Golf Club. contact any of the GWGCSA board subsidizing the costs as an association. Congratulations to the team of Dave members for information. The full schedule In order to reach as many members as Horton and Shane Sullivan from Old will come out in March. possible we will holding meetings in all Hickory Golf Club who won the trophy As a reminder, VGCSA membership parts of our membership area, we hope with a better ball score of 67. The team of dues are due at the end of February. If you that all these efforts encourage more Bo Jumbercotta and Rob Hessler won the have not done so already, please submit members to attend what looks to be a open division with a score of 68. Kudos your payment as soon as possible. Thanks, promising educational line up. The goes out to Stephen Barrett, Benny and enjoy the break while you can. finished schedule should be available by Benton, Dave Ahart and the entire staff at the end of February at the latest. Bristow Manor for a fine event. In order to improve our communication We finished off the season in November with our members we will be sending an with our Annual Meeting at Evergreen electronic newsletter on a monthly basis. Country Club. As usual, Dave Anderson, I would encourage any one to provide us CGCS, Mike Brennan and the entire staff Jeff Van Fleet with news or information to be included. must be thanked for another great event. I GWGCSA At this time I would like to extend would also like to recognize Bryan Dolleslager External Vice President congratulations to David Callahan, Assistant Superintendent at Hidden Valley CC, for being selected to serve as USGA Green Section Regional Conference Set for March 8 the Assistant’s representative to the A regional green seminar conducted by the United States Golf Association in cooperation with Virginia VGCSA board. I hope that all in our Golf Council. This seminar is for golf club green committee members, golf course superintendents, area should extend a helping hand assistant superintendents, club managers, golf course owners and operators, golf professionals, golf should he ask in his planning of this association officials and interested golfers. year’s Assistants Forum, Tuesday, March 8, 2011 • Country Club of Virginia ( Westhampton) • Richmond We look forward to an exciting year Hosted by Virginia Golf Council here in southwest Virginia and hope to Continental Breakfast Tools of the Trade Brought to You by the see as many people as can make it to our USGA • Dr. Kimberly Erusha, Managing Director meetings. Links to the Bay Initiative • Darin Bevard, of Education, USGA Green Section, Far Hills, Senior Agronomist New Jersey Bacterial Wilt of Creeping Bent-grasses: Looking Back at The US Open at Pebble A New Disease of Golf Course Putting Greens Beach While Looking Ahead to Congressional Nathaniel Mitkowski, Ph.D., Associate Professor (Plus a Few Extra Words of Wisdom for 2011) of Plant Pathology, University of Rhode Island Stanley J. Zontek, Director, Mid-Atlantic Region, Mark Cote Firm and Fast. What Is It and How Do You Get USGA Green Section, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania There? • Keith Happ, Senior Agronomist VTA President Questions and Answers How Fast Are Your Greens...Really? • Darin Bevard, Senior Agronomist Luncheon Deli Buffet

Jacket & Tie Please • $45 Pre-registration (by March 4) • $55 at the door Register online: https://www.usga.org/register • Event Code 30811 For Additional Information please contact Laura Niehaus at 412-341-5922 ([email protected] ) or Marti Zontek at 610-558-9066 ([email protected]

Winter 2011 13 News from Affiliated Chapters

TTA News SVTA Update Happy belated holidays to everyone and, event will be February 18th, a gathering to The Shenandoah Valley has experienced thankfully, goodbye to 2010. We survived watch our local minor league hockey team a rather dry winter. I think we are all happy everything that Mother Nature threw at the Norfolk Admirals. This is our first not to see the large amounts of snow we us last year, it’s good to turn the page and time for this and we want it to become a received last year, but nobody wants to go face 2011 with renewed energy and focus. regular event. into the spring and summer in drought First, I want to welcome the newest This year, we will emphasize having at conditions. members of the TTA board for 2011 and least three meetings with education being This past fall, the SVTA donated $5,000 those that have moved on. We have added offered. Tentatively, we are shooting for towards the state’s BMP program. The two new directors, Ted Smith from these to be our March, April and May SVTA is currently exploring ways to Kingsmill and Chris Brnich from the meetings because meeting attendance increase member participation by making Hamptons GC, and all of our officers seems to be the greatest in the spring. We our meetings more interactive. positions have changed. It is good to see will also continue our 9-hole socials with Our new board members are: Vince some new faces and some new ideas on an attempt to increase participation. We DiStefano, President; Kurt Hellenga, Vice how to keep the association relevant and are going with a 3:30 starting time this President; Kip Fitzgerald, Secretary; serving our members needs. year, to appeal to some of our superintendents Bobby Jenkins, Treasurer; David Lewallen, Special thanks to Travis Creech and that are unable to leave work early. I External Vice President; and Kurt Rob Wilmans for their many years of encourage all of our members to join us for Fellenstein, Past President. service and I know they will be involved another great slate of events in 2011. We are looking forward to more with the TTA in many different ways in the precipitation and hope for great growing future. The complete list of our new board conditions in the spring. We would like to is available on the website at vgcsa.org. thank everyone for their support of the turf The TTA has been busy planning our Chris Petrelli industry as more and more regulations upcoming schedule and we should have a TTA External VP come out of Richmond. Please continue to complete list of events out soon. Our first Cedar Point Country Club stay up to date with the BMPs and nutrient management changes. News from the ODGCSA Life is too short to wish time away, but on Friday, March 18th at Champs Bar 2010 made most of us wish for 2011 to get and Grill in Stony Point, Richmond. This David Lewallen here quickly. It’s here now and we will soon was a hit last year and with more details to SVTA be facing new challenges that have yet to follow we expect this year to be even better. External Vice President be identified. People are what make the industry and One challenge that the ODGCSA faces our association great and I think you’ll find each year is how to increase attendance at a benefit in joining us. our regular events. Last year we made some adjustments to our routine and saw improvement that we will continue to build upon. The full schedule of events will be out soon and we hope you will make time to join us often. Dan Taylor, CGCS For now we have firm plans to hold External President another March Madness social gathering ODGCSA

Bidding is open and closes on Feb. 21. Go to the Silent Auction website, http://www.golfindustryshow.com/showinfo/silentauction.asp, to bid now! The Golf Industry Show Silent Auction is presented by the Environmental Institute for Golf, the National Golf Course Owners Association Foundation, the American Society of Golf Course Architects, and the Golf Course Builders Association of America Foundation. Proceeds support environmental stewardship programs, including research and education to strengthen the compatibility of the game of golf with our natural environment, player development programs, and providing young people the opportunity to learn golf and the life values the game of golf represents.

14 The Commonwealth Crier EPA Unveils Its Plan to Restore the Chesapeake Bay The 15-year plan aims to reduce pollution including new pollution cuts for sewage from sewage plants, farms and storm water plants in the James River region. runoff. McDonnell said Wednesday that Virginia’s The U.S. Environmental Protection plan “balances the important environmental SVTA Update Agency on Wednesday released a protection concerns with the need to Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan that relies protect jobs in agriculture and farming.” primarily on actions pledged by bay states, The EPA praised Virginia officials for including Virginia. saying they would consider new pollution- “This is a very historic moment in the cutting requirements for farmers by 2013 if history and the future of the Chesapeake the cleanup, but in Virginia the price is incentives don’t do enough. Bay,” said Shawn Garvin, administrator of estimated at $7 billion or more in state But EPA officials said they would subject the EPA’s mid-Atlantic region. money alone. Virginia to “enhanced oversight” to make Garvin called the plan “the largest Experts have placed the value of the sure urban areas sufficiently address water-pollution strategy” in the nation bay, even in its degraded state, at more pollution from storm water that runs off and one of the largest in the world. than $1 trillion to fishing, tourism, streets and yards. Bay states largely would carry out the property values and shipping. The EPA plan is designed to cut nitrogen cleanup, but the EPA could enforce Howard R. Ernst, a U.S. Naval pollution 25 percent, phosphorus 24 percent compliance through punishments such as Academy political scientist, has been and waterborne dirt 20 percent. The cracking down harder on sewage- critical of past cleanup efforts. Ernst said pollutants cloud bay waters and fuel the treatment plants or withholding grants. Wednesday that the latest effort—which growth of algae. The plan is indeed historic, but the hard the EPA calls a “pollution diet”—amounts The plan aims to put enough pollution work lies ahead, said William C. Baker, to putting goals on paper. controls in place by 2025 to clean the bay— president of the Chesapeake Bay “As many overweight people will with most of the controls in place by 2017. Foundation, an environmental group. remind you, starting a diet is far easier The plan affects Virginia, Maryland, “It is essential that EPA stand firm and than shedding pounds,” Ernst said. Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, West impose consequences” if state cleanups Efforts to restore the bay have fallen Virginia and the District of Columbia. lag, Baker said. short since the 1980s. President Barack The EPA's Garvin said the cleanup will The 15-year plan aims to reduce Obama’s administration has given the evolve as experts see what works and what pollution from sewage plants, farms and cleanup a new emphasis. doesn’t. storm water runoff. It seeks to clean not For Virginia, the EPA plan relies largely “It’s going to be somewhat fluid,” he said. just the bay but also waters leading to it. on measures Gov. Bob McDonnell’s No one has calculated the total cost of administration outlined in November, Reprinted from the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Reflections(cont.) planting of hybrid bermuda grasses on the I continue to work for the industry and Associations: tees then the fairways (1961), the overseeding the environment in every way I can. I have Mid-Atlantic Association of G.C.S. – Newsletter of tees then fairways to perennial ryegrasses been water testing and groundwater well editor 6 years; Treasurer 1991-72; President (1966), creeping bentgrass tees (Penncross depth testing for the Friends of the North 1973 & 1987; Board member 18 years of Course 1968), removal of clippings from Fork of the Shenandoah River for the last Virginia Turfgrass Council – President 1971 & 1972; Board Member 12 years tees then fairways (1976), automated water eight years. These efforts have been my system (1976), and the use of a computer in primary focus in my retirement. Virginia Turfgrass Foundation – President 2 years the office (1980). Thanks again for the honor of being United States Golf Association Greens Section I implemented and carried out a regular named the recipient of the President’s Committee – Member1974-1978 yearly tree planting, trimming, and removal lifetime achievement award for 2011. Greater Washington G.C.S.A. – President 1964 program. I always tried to stay on the cutting God Bless you all. May He keep you and Golf Course Superintendents Association of edge of developments that could improve your families healthy, and your grass greener America – Member of Certification Committee when Education and Certification were the quality and condition of the turf on the than ever. implemented. Member of the Historical course. I strived for 36 years for the best Lee C. Dieter, C.G.C.S., retired Preservation Committee for 9 years and that could be achieved in all areas of golf during the 75th Anniversary Celebration. course maintenance at the Washington Member of the Conference and Show Committee, Member of the Election Golf & CC. Before retiring, I implemented Committee, the first phases of the Audubon Cooperative Shenandoah Turfgrass Association – Charter Sanctuary Program. Jim Weaver who Member followed me at the club finished implementing Old Dominion G.C.S.A. – Charter Member the plan.

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