Inside Induction for Mangum Classic Bulldog Success

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GEORGIA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

Wade is at Home With The Heat

[ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] 2 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] Cover: Wade Thomas manages some of the best bentgrass surfaces in the state at Idle Hour Contents Club in Macon.

News & Features 7 Ultradwarf Takeover Begins to Slow

11 Bulldog Classic Full to Brim

15 Legacy Scholars Announced

18 Club Honors Esoda’s Service OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GEORGIA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

21 Mangum to Walk State Hall

23 Wade Thomas Defies Heat Publisher: Georgia GCSA Tenia Workman Headquarters Editor: PO Box 310 29 Assistants Gather in South Trent Bouts 25 S. Carolina Street Graphic Designer: Hartwell, GA 30643 Julie Vincent OFFICE: (706) 376-3585 31 Pate Staff Ready to Celebrate OFFICE FAX: (706) 376-7573 Through The Green is www.ggcsa.com published six times a year by the Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Editorial/Advertising 33 Challenge Cup Association (Georgia PO Box 310 GCSA). Copyright © 2011 Georgia Golf 25 S. Carolina Street Venue Announced Course Superintendents Association, Inc. Hartwell, GA 30643 All rights reserved. OFFICE: (706) 376-3585 33 Foundation The Georgia GCSA appreciates the support Approves SDS of the following companies through the Advertiser Index association’s patrons and sponsors program: Project Ameriturf...... 31 A.M. Buckler...... 36 Diamond Patrons Bayer...... 6 Greenville Turf and Tractor Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation Bio Dirt...... 14 Bulk Aggregate...... 39 Platinum Partners Corbin Turf and Ornamental Supply Chattahoochee Turf Products...... 39 Direct Solutions/AAT Corbin Turf and Ornamental...... 4 Golf Ventures Direct Solutions...... 20 Gold Partners Golf Argonomics Sand and Hauling...... 22 AmeriTurf Columns & Reports Golf Ventures...... 19 Bayer Environmental Science Greenville Turf and Tractor...... 40 ShowTurf Howard Fertilizer...... 34 Syngenta President’s Message Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation...... 2 Silver Partners 5 NG Turf...... 22 NG Turf Phillips Turf and Ornamental...... 10 Sound Agronomy 35 News Shorts Pike Creek...... 36 Turfnology River Sand...... 26 Bronze Partners Rowland Chemical Company...... 27 BASF 38 New Members Bulk Aggregate Golf ShowTurf...... 38 Bulloch Fertilizer 38 Tee Shots Sound Agronomy...... 30 Chattahoochee Turf Products Specialty Car Company...... 28 Dow AgroSciences Stovall...... 32 Golf Agronomics Sand and Hauling Syngenta...... 27 Harrell’s Fertilizer and Chemical Company The Andersons...... 26 Helena Chemical Company Tifton Soil Labs...... 9 Howard Fertilizer and Chemical Company John Deere Landscapes Turfnology...... 30 Phillips Turf and Ornamental

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4 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President’s Message PRESIDENT Mike Brown The Standard Club, Johns Creek, GA (770) 497-1736 [email protected] Summer vacation VICE-PRESIDENT Greg Burleson, CGCS Augusta Country Club, Augusta, GA anyone? (706) 737-5515 [email protected] I just took one back in June and it was good to get away to the beach with my family for a few days and relax prior to the summer grind that we go through in this industry. You may SECRETARY-TREASURER Scott Griffith be saying to yourself, “Right, a summer vacation in this business?” University of Georgia Golf Course, Athens, GA (706) 425-3246 It can be done with the help of our outstanding assistant superintendents. I really want to give [email protected] thanks to them for all of their hard work. We are lucky to have some of the best assistants in the country right here in this state. I can vouch for my assistant, Luke Ralston, as well as oth- PAST-PRESIDENT ers I have met at our education events. I think, maybe, the best compliment an assistant can Anthony L. Williams, CGCS receive is to show them we trust them enough to Stone Mountain Golf Club, Stone Mountain, GA (770) 413-5241 go on a family vacation during the summer and [email protected] not check in while we’re gone.

Tim Busek While on the topic of the beach, there is an im- portant event coming up at Jekyll Island that sev- The Manor Golf and Country Club, Alpharetta, GA (404) 787-6165 eral of our members will participate in. On Au- [email protected] gust 21, the 9th Annual Georgia Environmental Conference will take place and we are thankful Nelson Caron to have a seat at the table through the efforts The Ford Plantation, Richmond Hill, GA of many Georgia superintendents and especially (912) 547-4072 our executive director, Tenia Workman. We all [email protected] know water has been an issue in this state and will continue to be an issue in the future. Georgia Tommy Hewitt superintendents have proven we are willing to do Windermere Golf Club, Cumming, GA our part as environmental stewards, but we still (770) 205-5878 have a ways to go to continue educating others [email protected] and to continue telling our story. Mike Brown

Kyle Macdonald I am proud to announce that we have a team presenting critical information at the confer- St. Ives Country Club, Johns Creek, GA ence. Tenia Workman; Chris Steigelman, CGCS from The Landings Club; Buck Workman, (770) 623-8213 CGCS from Cateechee Golf Club; John McCarthy, CGCS from Crystal Falls Golf Club; and [email protected] Mark Hoban, CGCS from Rivermont Golf and Country Club, will speak on the topic of Geor- gia golf course water and energy conservation challenges. This will be a panel discussion Mike Martin coordinated by Cliff Lewis, of Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division, and will focus on Hampton Golf Village, Cumming, GA the differences in challenges and methods used by golf courses that have varying ranges of (770) 640-2170 budgets and resources to achieve conservation. [email protected] Not that these outstanding representatives will need it but I wish them the best of luck, and John McCarthy, CGCS on behalf of all of our members, I say thank you for your tremendous efforts. Also, during Crystal Falls Golf Club, Dawsonville, GA the Georgia golf course segment, our newest video will debut. The theme of the video is the (770) 894-4099 environment and that is why it will be shown at this conference. Our members will be able [email protected] to view it on our association web page during this time as well.

Lane Singleton Did you know that GCSAA was a big part of the 7th Annual Golf Day held on Capitol Hill back Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, GA in May? Golf industry leaders discussed the game’s economic, environmental, charitable (706) 467-1563 and fitness benefits with congressional, executive and agency leaders. The mention of the [email protected] tax benefits golf brings to local communities alone should be enough to get their attention.

Chris Steigelman, CGCS And, oh yeah, it’s another great year for golf in Georgia! By the end of this year we will have The Landings Club, Savannah, GA hosted The Masters, the Greater Gwinnett Championship, the U.S. Amateur Championship, (912) 598-3547 the Tour Championship and The McGladrey Classic. Congratulations to Brad Owen, Mike [email protected] Crawford, CGCS, Ken Mangum, CGCS, Ralph Kepple, CGCS, and Berry Collett, CGCS for their outstanding efforts with those events. Special Sam Welch thanks also to all the volunteers who help to make Horseshoe Bend Country Club, Roswell, GA these tournaments a success. (770) 992-2310 Ext. 130 [email protected] I wish everyone the best for the rest of the summer. July-August 2014 Through the green 5 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] Take a good look. You may never see them again.

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Bayer CropScience LP, Environmental Science Division, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. 1-800-331-2867. www.BackedbyBayer.com. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, and Specticle are registered trademarks of Bayer. Not 6 Throughall products the greenare registered July-August in all states. 2014 Always read and follow label directions carefully. ©2014 Bayer CropScience LP. [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS March of the Ultradwarfs Slowing to a Crawl he ultradwarf bermudagrass stampede might finally have having bentgrass despite all the trends towards the ultradwarfs.” slowed to a crawl. A show of hands at the Georgia GCSA’s T By the same token, Esoda says there was a pervasive sense among simultaneous bentgrass and bermudagrass forums at Atlanta superintendents that finances dictated their greens management Country Club in Marietta this spring indicated only one facility more than pursuit of optimal turf conditions. Some superinten- was actively preparing to make the switch. That is hardly exhaus- dents felt they weren’t able to do all they could to get the best out tive research but it is a definite slowing from recent history when of their greens because of limited resources. courses gave up their bentgrass in double-digit numbers some years. Esoda suggests that in some cases that scenario reflects a “double standard” in relation to conversions to ultradwarfs. “I do think About 140 people attended the forums which were offered si- there has been a double standard when you see courses spend multaneously for the first time. Traditionally, the association money cutting down trees, buying new equipment and covers stages separate forums for each grass with the bermudgrass meet- and so on for their new ultradwarf greens yet they wouldn’t take ing traditionally held closer to the southern border of the state. out trees or buy new fans when they had bentgrass,” he says. But with more northern courses now maintaining bermudagrass greens, the association decided to piggy-back a bermudagrass of- Discussions in the bermudagrass forum covered a range of topics fering onto the bentgrass event to reduce travel for those super- including what was a slow transition thanks to a cooler, cloudier intendents. spring on top of the harsh winter. A number of courses found cold-injured turf slower than normal to recover on tees, fairways An all-bermudagrass forum will still be offered at The King and and greens surrounds. But a vast majority of superintendents Prince Golf Course on St. Simons Island on September 15. were satisfied with how their ultradwarf greens came out thanks Mark Esoda, CGCS host superintendent for the education and in large part to use of covers against the worst of the cold. the golf outing that followed, also moderated the bentgrass forum Those that did need sod found it harder than normal to get hold and was encouraged by the energy in the room. “There was a of. “It really has been a perfect storm,” says Ken Mangum, certi- high level of enthusiasm among the guys growing bentgrass,” he fied golf course superintendent at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns says. “I didn’t find that people were depressed or down about Creek, who moderated the bermudagrass forum.

Michael Hurd, of Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation; Devin June, from TPC Sugarloaf; Mike Studier, CGCS from Capital City Club at Crabapple; Tee Stribling, of Bulk Aggregate Golf.

July-August 2014 Through the green 7 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS

A number of sod farms in the Southeast closed during the reces- sion and some others reduced their acreage. For those survivors, golf is generally a sideline behind demand from the commercial and residential sectors. As the economy recovered and construction resumed, golf’s supply was already being squeezed. “But we also had cool and cloudy conditions going into fall,” Mangum adds. “So a lot of farms weren’t able to establish new sod after their harvest last year. Now we have all these golf courses that suffered badly because of the winter. And even if you do find some sod, good luck trying to secure a truck to deliver it.” Mangum, who has prepared the golf course for two PGA Cham- pionships and a U.S. Women’s Open at Atlanta Athletic Club, will host the U.S. Amateur in August and be inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in January. He says the past winter was Cody Aaron, from Cartersville Country Club; Stephen Mitchell, from the worst he could recall since 1977 when “we stayed frozen for Atlanta Athletic Club; and Adam Wilhite, of Harrell’s. six weeks straight and it killed a lot of grass everywhere.” Earlier in the day, Dr. Mike Richardson, of the University of Ar- kansas, delivered a presentation titled “Dollars and Sense of a Foliar Fertilization Program.” n

GOLF Results

First - 126: Cody Aaron, Cartersville Country Club Adam Wilhite, Harrell’s Wes Denmon, Brookstone Golf and Country Club Stephen Mitchell, Atlanta Athletic Club

Second - 131: Mark Hayes, Marietta Country Club Doug Smith, CGCS from Maple Ridge Golf Club; and Randy Mangum, Josh Cooper, Currahee Club of Corbin Turf and Ornamental Supply Jeremy Wade, Traditions of Braselton Greg Hill, John Deere Landscapes

Third - 133: Darren Davenport, Forest Hills Golf Club Brandon Hayes, Reynolds Plantation – Great Waters Walt Strickland, Bulloch Fertilizer Joey Franco, Brookstone Golf and Country Club

Closest to the Pin : No. 3: John Lavelle, Diamond Creek Golf Cub No. 13: Blake Patrick, Ansley Golf Club

Longest Drive : No. 4: Aaron Michaels, The Manor Golf and Country Club No. 11: Mark Hayes, Marietta Country Club Kyle Benton, The River Club, and Tim Boles, Greenville Turf and Tractor.

8 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS

Host superintendent, Scott McCrary, of Holganix, takes notes. Jeremy Wade, from Mark Esoda, CGCS. Traditions of Braselton.

Frank Siple, CGCS of Dr. Mike Richardson, from the University of Arkansas. Andy Scott, from Corbin Turf and Newnan Country Club. Ornamental Supply.

David Elder, from Atlanta Athletic Club, clears his slate before play.

July-August 2014 Through the green 9 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] 10 Through the green July-August 2014 Distributed by Phillips Turf and Ornamental Company • 770-784-6587 • www.phillipsturfandornametal.com [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS Another Classic Bulldog Story he Bulldog Classic was established to raise Tmoney in support of the Georgia GCSA Legacy Scholarships, which provide financial assistance for children and grandchildren of association Class A, SM, C, Retired A, Retired SM and AA Life members. It is an exercise in taking care of people, a mission that was underlined before play in the sixth annual tournament in June. Georgia GCSA past-president Buck Workman, CGCS from Cateechee Golf Club, led a full field of 124 golfers in a special prayer for colleague Joe Dur- den who was to undergo surgery the following day. Durden, formerly superintendent at West Lake Country Club in Augusta, has been battling cancer. “That’s why I love this association and this profession,” host superintendent, Scott Griffith, said when Workman was done. “It’s a lot like the Marines. We all look out for each other.” It was a poignant mo- ment as the field prepared to head on the University of Georgia Golf Course in Athens. Just days before, Durden’s daughter, Karli, was announced as the major winner of the 2014 Legacy Scholarships. Georgia GCSA officials were still tabulating ac- Scott Palmer, from Houston Lake Country Club. counts at press time but at $60 per player, the field of 124 put golf revenues alone at close to $7,500. “It is wonderful to continue to receive the level of support that we do for this event,” says Georgia GCSA executive director, Tenia Workman. “We are so grateful to Scott Griffith and Dave Cousart (UGA Golf Course director of golf and a Georgia GCSA member) for their energy and support in making this event happen each year. We’re also very grateful to Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation for their supporting partnership with this event.” Earlier in the day, nearly three hours of education included presentations from Rick Smith of The Prun- ing Guru on tree damage and recovery and pruning techniques and Dr. Kim Coder from UGA on community forestry and tree health. Griffith and Syngen- ta’s Jason Whitecliffe and Walt Osborne also spoke about Operation Pollinator, an international biodi- versity program to boost the number of pollinating Net division winners Jason Whitecliffe, of Syngenta; Kent Cantrell, from Innsbruck Golf Club; and Adam Wilhite, of Harrell’s. insects on commercial farms. UGA Golf Course par- Absent Walt Osborne, Syngenta. ticipates in the program by creating specific habitats, tailored to local conditions and native insects. n

July-August 2014 Through the green 11 Distributed by Phillips Turf and Ornamental Company • 770-784-6587 • www.phillipsturfandornametal.com [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS

GOLF Results

Gross Division 1 – 130 Darren Davenport, Forest Hills Golf Club Wally Gresham, Sunset Hills Country Club Will Osteen, Reynolds Plantation Lane Singleton, Reynolds Plantation

2 – 131 Ben Brooks, Canongate at Planterra Ridge Joey Brown, Canongate at Georgia National Tim Butler, Canongate at Braelinn Jonathan Gillespie, The Club at River Forest

Wally Gresham, from Sunset Hills Country Club; Lane Singleton, from 3 – 133 Reynolds Plantation; Darren Davenport, from Forest Hills Golf Club; and Kevin Blanton, E-Z-Go Will Osteen, from Reynolds Plantation; won the gross division. Robert Dugger, E-Z-Go Ryan Keylon, Legacy on Lanier

Net Division 1 – 118 Kent Cantrell, Innsbruck Golf Club Walt Osborne, Syngenta Jason Whitecliffe, Syngenta Adam Wilhite, Harrell’s

2 – 119 Travis Cantrell, Idle Hour Club Bayne Mallary, Idle Hour Club Jamie Pate, Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation Jim Thompson, Reynolds Plantation

Host Scott Griffith, from UGA Golf Course; Steven Ranew, of Jerry Pate Turf 3 – 119 and Irrigation; Merett Alexander, of NG Turf; and Frank Lopes, of Turfnology. Derek Floyd, The Reserve Club at Woodside Jeff Floyd, Bartram Trail Golf Club Derek Oglesby, Corbin Turf and Ornamental Supply Chris Young, Pointe South Golf Club

Closest to the pin No. 8 – Harold Franklin, Fields Ferry Golf Club No. 13 – Derek Oglesby, Corbin Turf and Ornamental Supply No. 16 – Keith Williams, Chattahoochee Turf Products

Long drive No. 10 – Kent Cantrell, Innsbruck Golf Club No. 12 – Will Osteen, Reynolds Plantation No. 18 – Ben Anderson, Cherokee Town and Country Club

John Henderson, of Golf Ventures; Doug Fisher, from Jennings Mill Country Club; Dave Fleming, of Golf Ventures; and John Fields, from Ashton Hills Golf Club.

12 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS

Bayne Mallary, from Idle Hour Club, and Jamie Pate, of Jerry Pate Jim Thompson, from Reynolds Plantation. Turf and Irrigation.

Bobby Gipson, from UGA Golf Course. Jamie Pate, of Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation, Ben Anderson, from Cherokee Town and congratulates Harold Franklin, from Fields Ferry Country Club, records his long drive. Golf Club, on winning a Toro lawnmower.

Mike Brumby, from Whitepath Travis Cantrell, from Idle Hour Club, beats the heat. Jason Whitecliffe, of Syngenta, Golf Club. checks scores at the end of play. July-August 2014 Through the green 13 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] The best defense for your turf

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Cost effective All liquid nutrients Creates healthy soil profile Biodegradable polymers Decreases nitrogen leaching Improves turf's response and recovery Fertility with natural protection Rate of 10 gallons per acre monthly Scholarship committee members Richard Staughton, CGCS from Towne Lake Hills Golf Club; Jamie Pate, of Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation; Mike Crawford, CGCS from TPC Sugarloaf; John McCarthy, CGCS, from Crystal Falls Golf Club; Chuck Underwood, CGCS from Northwood Country Club; and Kyle Macdonald, from St. Ives Country Club.

arli Durden, daughter of Joe Durden, is the major winner of Here are the 2014 Georgia GCSA Kthis year’s Georgia GCSA Legacy Scholarships. Durden will attend the University of Georgia in the fall majoring in biology. A Legacy Scholarship winners: four-year A honor roll student at Lakeside High School in Augusta, Joseph Barton Created by she has worked to raise money for the school’s athletic department, Son of Bret Barton, CGCS American Cancer Society and Wounded Warrior Foundation. She Pinetree Country Club, has been involved in numerous extra-curricular activities and is Kennesaw also a dance teacher. “Six years ago my father worked Her father, Joe Durden, a Georgia GCSA member since 1990, was for Chase Lake Country Club in one of the first in the wave to adopt the new ultradwarf bermudag- Hoover, AL. The golf course was rasses when he was at West Lake Country Club in Augusta. He nice, however, the club itself was recently underwent cancer surgery as a part of a battle Karli refer- plagued with financial issues. Even- enced in her scholarship essay. An excerpt of her essay and those tually the club was forced to sell of the other successful applicants, appears below. out to a company intending to put Courtney Cunningham and Ben Ketelsen were winners in the next a supermarket and, sadly, the golf course my father had worked hard to maintain, was paved over. tier of scholarships with six other winners in the following tier. n It’s time you expected more from your fertilizer. My father was without a job. He went to work for $10 an hour at another country club. Within the year, my father, starting from To learn more about what others are saying and to ﬁnd a distributor in your area, visit us at the bottom, took any job that was better than his last until he www.biodirtinc.com or call 770-530-7573. finally found his place in Kennesaw … The past two summers I have worked for my father … and gained valuable experience …” We have distribution opportunities available in several areas of the US. Distributor inquiries very welcome. Always read and follow label directions. Biodirt ® and Fortress® are registered trademarks of BioDirt, Inc. July-August 2014 Through the green 15 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS

Courtney Cunningham Karli Durden Daughter of Tim Cunningham, CGCS Daughter of Joe Durden Coosa Country Club, Rome Augusta, GA “My family is full of talented, influential, “My father, Joe Durden, is one of the ambitious and dedicated people that sac- most respectable, honest, decent men to rifice their time for the greater good, that ever live. He is hard working and his de- strive to reach their fullest potentials, and pendent on no one for will power. Last that succeed in overcoming life’s obsta- fall, my father was diagnosed with stage cles. My parents, as well as my two broth- four colon cancer. Most people that heard ers, have provided me with unlimited this news would have accepted their fate support, understanding and love through and given up long ago. But not my father the most peaceful and the most challeng- … I genuinely hope that as I grow and ex- ing times. These past few months – which have certainly been tough plore in this world, I will come to find myself holding attributes similar on my family - … exemplify the courage that exists within my family. to my father. I can think of no greater legacy than the one he will hold While life has managed to throw us curve balls, as a family we have in the heart of all those who know him. To love and be loved in the stood united and stronger than ever before.” way my father does is the most precious of all things.”

Ryan Cunningham Ben Ketelsen Son of Tim Cunningham, CGCS Son of Craig Ketelsen, CGCS Coosa Country Club, Rome Class AA, Newnan “I’m proud of you. This simplistic phrase “My dad, Craig Ketelsen, has been a was something I heard often from my par- member of the Georgia GCSA for 26 ents, yet I never understood the weight years. He has been very active in the as- this phrase carried until recently. Wheth- sociation the entire time he has been a er receiving an A, winning a golf tourna- member. My dad actually became a mem- ment, or learning an instrument, my par- ber of the board of directors on two sepa- ents constantly told me how proud they rate occasions and was the past-president were … I’m truly blessed to be the son of when he resigned from Orchard Hills Tim and Cindy Cunningham. They have Golf Club because of a bankruptcy at the provided me with opportunities to be successful and support to ac- facility. I’m sure he would still be involved with the association if the complish my goals … So when they repeat the phrase ‘I’m proud of events at the club were different …My dad has been a member of the you,’ I think to myself just how proud I am to be their son.” Georgia GCSA ever since I was born … It would be an honor not only for me, but also for my dad, if I am awarded this scholarship.” Ann Drinkard Daughter of James Drinkard Morgan Kepple Athens Country Club, Athens Daughter of Ralph Kepple, CGCS “From the time I could walk I have grown East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta up around a golf course. Both my dad “Each member of my family possesses and my granddad have dedicated many certain qualities that I aspire to obtain. years to the Athens Country Club. When My younger sister’s sociability is some- I was younger I always appreciated their thing I envy … I also respect my older job and the time that they put in, but now brother’s tenacity … One characteristic it is even more so. My family has taught I appreciate about my mom is her abil- me how to love the game of golf and how ity to always make things run smoothly … to be appreciative of the time and effort Furthermore, I am always amazed at my that goes into making something beautiful … Being a legacy scholar dad’s unwavering respect and helpful- has meant a lot to my family in past years … I know how much my ness. When he isn’t helping a member of the family with something, dad loves golf and seeing an organization such as this one give back to he is doing all of the other things that need to get done that we take for him means a lot.” granted … I am not at the point of being the person with all of these qualities – nowhere close. However, I am working on it each day …”

16 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS

Ben Murray Haley Womac Grandson of Buzz Howell Granddaughter of Bill Womac, CGCS Bishop Alpharetta “My grandfather was the superintendent “I have been blessed with my endeavors of Athens Country Club for several de- and that is mainly because of my fam- cades and now my uncle holds that posi- ily. My family is extremely supportive tion … I worked with Waynesboro Coun- and encouraging of me. My parents go try Club during the summer of 2011 … to great lengths to provide for me and and because of my grandfather’s exper- my sister, and all of their efforts and love tise, he offered advice and guidance. He have shaped me into the person I am to- taught me the importance of being neat day. In addition to the rest of my family, and organized in everything I do. This my father and grandfather, ‘Papaw,’ have job gave me a different perspective of the course than the one I gained largely impacted my life. Both of these great men are associated with as a player. It made me appreciate how hard the men work and how the golf industry … Papaw is in the Georgia GCSA Hall of Fame and difficult it is to maintain presentable course conditions. I attribute my dad is a certified golf course superintendent.” my love for the game of golf to my grandfather, Buzz Howell, and the legacy he established.”

Cunningham Wins Franklin Award Courtney Cunningham, daughter of Georgia GCSA member, Tim average and is a UGA Presidential Scholar. She is working towards a Cunningham, CGCS from Coosa Country Club in Rome, is a winner degree in early childhood education and volunteers with the Ameri- of the eighth annual Dick Franklin Performance Award. Winners were can Heart Association, the Colon Cancer Alliance, the Hospitality announced at the 2014 Georgia State Golf Association Foundation’s House of Rome, the Oasis Catolico Santa Rafaela Tutoring Program annual scholars lunch at Cherokee Town Club in Atlanta in June. and the Boys and Girls Club. Franklin, a passionate and dedicated volunteer, passed away suddenly This past year, Cunningham attended a UGA IMPACT service trip in 2005 while he was president of the GSGA Foundation and on the over spring break, volunteering at food banks and homeless shelters in GSGA executive committee. The awards honor Franklin’s legacy while Chicago. In addition to her studies, she works part-time at The Pre- recognizing current GSGA Foundation Yates Scholars with outstand- school Academy in Athens. She formerly worked as a banquet server ing performance both in and out of the classroom. Two awards are pre- at Coosa Country Club. sented each year: one for the most outstanding rising junior and another The most outstanding rising junior was Pooya Hoseinzadeh, a Yates for the most outstanding rising senior. Winners are awarded additional Scholar at the University of Georgia. He is a Capital City Club en- scholarship funds above and beyond their Yates Scholarship. dowed scholar. His father, Mahmoud Hoseinzadeh, has worked at Cunningham was recognized as the most outstanding rising senior. A Capital City Club since 1996. n Yates Scholar at the University of Georgia, she holds a 3.99 cumulative

Hoban Wins Stanley Zontek Award

Memorial Scholarship presented by Golf Course Industry magazine. Hoban started working alongside his father at age 7 and received his The $,2500 scholarship supports a turf student with a passion for the first formal golf course position on the crew at Rivermont in 2007. In game. Selection criteria include academic performance, advisor and addition to Rivermont, Hoban has interned at Peachtree Golf Club superintendent recommendations and an essay about why the student and Atlanta Athletic Club. is passionate about a career as a superintendent. The Zontek scholarship honors Stanley J. Zontek, former director of His interest in golf course maintenance stems from his father, Mark the USGA Green Section’s Mid-Atlantic Region. See story on page 18 Hoban, superintendent at Rivermont Country Club in Johns Creek. for news on another significant award for Hoban.n

July-August 2014 Through the green 17 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS Country Club Funds Esoda Scholarship

s president of the Georgia State Golf Association Founda- Ation, Mark Esoda, CGCS was supposed to have his finger on the pulse. But something got past him in June. Something pretty big. He was honored with a scholarship in his name thanks to a $50,000 endowment from his employer, Atlanta Country Club in Marietta. The scholarship was announced at the foundation annual scholarship luncheon at Cherokee Town Club in Atlanta. “It’s really awesome,” Esoda says. “But I had no idea. Zero. And they had been working on it for a year apparently. It’s such a generous and thoughtful gesture. I was dumbfounded and speechless.” Esoda is not “going down” without a fight though. He is adamant that the scholarship also carry the name of Atlanta Country Club. The club appears steadfast that it honor Esoda alone. Foundation officials are still working on that debate. David Olyer, Atlanta Country Club vice-president; with Esoda’s contribution of course has gone far beyond his role at Mark Esoda, CGCS, Trey Sanders, Atlanta Country Club president; the golf course where he has worked for 25 years. He has been and Grover Maxwell, who takes over from Esoda as GSGA Foundation president in July. a dynamic voice for the superintendent profession and Georgia golf as a whole. As the plaque commemorat- ing the Mark Esoda Endowed Scholarship indicates, the award permanently links the honoree “with golf, youth and education,” three of Esoda’s major passions. He led the Georgia GCSA as president, in 1995-’96 and was Superintendent of the Year in 2001. He won the association’s Dis- tinguished Service Award in 2008 on the back of a landmark campaign to maintain golf’s access to water during drought. GCSAA honored Esoda with its Distin- guished Service Award in 2009. In 2004 he received an Excellence in Government Relations Award and Presidential Com- Brendan Hoban (University of Georgia), the first recipient of the Mark Esoda Endowed mendation from GCSAA. A year later he Scholarship is second from left with Jonathon Fox (new Moncrief Scholar at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College), Mrs. Joy Moncrief, Erick Begitschke (UGA) and occupied rare territory as a superintendent Patrick Douglas (ABAC). receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the PGA Georgia Section. In 2011, he became only the second superintendent inducted to the Georgia GCSA past-president and Superintendent of the Year. Brendan Golf Hall of Fame. Hoban is a Moncrief Scholar awarded to students in the turfgrass or agronomy programs at the University of Georgia and Abraham The first Mark Esoda Endowed Scholar for the 2014-15 school Baldwin Agricultural College. For 38 years, the GSGA Founda- year is Brendan Hoban, son of Mark Hoban, from Rivermont Golf tion has granted scholarships to more than 260 scholars.n and Country Club in Johns Creek, who like Esoda is Georgia

18 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] July-August 2014 Through the green 19 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] July-August 2014 Through the green 20 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS Mangum to Enter State Hall of Fame en Mangum, certified golf course superintendent at historic From 1981 to 1988, Mang- KAtlanta Athletic Club, will add another chapter to an al- um was golf course superin- ready storied career when he is inducted into the Georgia Golf tendent at Idle Hour Club Hall of Fame in January. Mangum will be one of four inductees in Macon, GA where he in the class of 2015 and become only the third superintendent installed the first computer- member of the Hall of Fame established in 1989. He will join one ized irrigation system east of his early mentors, Palmer Maples, Jr., CGCS now retired, and of the Mississippi River. Mark Esoda, CGCS from Atlanta Country Club. There he managed a greens conversion to bentgrass and “Ken is one of the most respected golf course superintendents hosted seven Peach Blos- in the industry, not just in our state but across the country and, som Invitational tourna- I would have to say, internationally,” says Georgia GCSA presi- ments. He also managed dent, Mike Brown, from The Standard Club in Johns Creek. construction of a golf course “This honor is a testament to all that he has brought to his profes- operations center, which he sion and also the great contribution he has made to the industry.” designed, and implemented In August, Mangum will serve as host superintendent for the U.S. a master landscape program Amateur Championship. He hosted successful PGA Champion- for the course. Ken Mangum, CGCS speaks ships in 2001 and 2011 and the U.S. Women’s Open Champion- during this year’s bentgrass and north At Atlanta Athletic Club, GA bermudagrass forum at Atlanta ship in 1990. He also prepared the golf course for the U.S. Junior he has served as project Country Club in April. Championship in 2002. manager for six major golf course renovations and designed and Brown says those showpiece events only tell a small part of the built the Par 3 course in 1993. He also developed a management story of Mangum’s contribution to the game. “Ken has been a program that has produced many successful superintendents tremendous mentor to so many people in the industry who have around the country. gone on to be very successful in their own right,” he says. “I An active member of the Golf Course Superintendents Asso- know he has traveled extensively in the U.S. and overseas sharing ciation of America, Mangum served on its board of directors his knowledge. The conditioning level he achieves with his golf from 1996 to 2001 and received the association’s Colonel John courses has helped raise the standard across the board. And the Morley Distinguished Service Award in 2013. He also received research plot he maintains there at the Athletic Club has helped USGA’s Ike Grainger Award that same year for 25 years of vol- provide many a superintendent with answers.” unteer service to the USGA Green Section committee which he Brown speaks from personal as well as professional experience. continues to serve today. “When I first came to The Standard Club in 2004 it was only He was Georgia GCSA president in 1987-88 and was inducted a week or two before I got a phone call from Ken introducing into the Georgia GCSA Hall of Fame in 2013. He was named himself, welcoming me to the neighborhood and inviting me to Georgia Superintendent of the Year in 2002 and Georgia Turf lunch,” he says. “He came and visited me at the golf course. For Professional of the Year in 1996. In 2004, Mangum was appoint- someone of his stature and as busy as he is to reach out to me in ed by Georgia Governor Perdue to the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame that way meant an awful lot to me and I know he has done the board of directors where he served until 2009. same for many others. He is an extremely personable guy.” He is a current member of the Rain Bird Irrigation Select Su- Ken Mangum is director of golf courses and grounds at Atlanta perintendent Advisory Board and has served as an instructor at Athletic Club which he joined in 1988. He was born in Annis- the John Deere/Bayer Green Start Academy since its inception in ton, AL and attended Alexandria High School and later Lake 2006. Mangum and his wife, Pam, are parents of two daughters, City Community College in Lake City, FL graduating in 1975 one son and three grandchildren and live in Cumming, GA. from the School of Golf Course Operations. He moved to Geor- gia and served as assistant superintendent at Mystery Valley Golf Mangum joins 15 other greats from Atlanta Athletic Club in the Course in Atlanta from 1976 to 1978. He returned to Alabama Georgia Golf Hall of Fame with Bobby Jones the best known in 1978, as golf course superintendent at Lagoon Park in Mont- among them. Fittingly, the 2015 induction banquet and ceremo- gomery. ny will be at the club on January 17. n

July-August 2014 Through the green 21 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] 22 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] FEATURE

Idle Hour Club first hosted the State Amateur in 1923. Inset: Wade Thomas.

Written by TRENT BOUTS Cool Customer: Thomas Keeps Bentgrass Straight Despite the Heat

lot of people learn their profession at school. Wade Thomas A gained his on the way to and from. The 30-mile trip from the family’s lakeside home to the classroom in Chattanooga, TN necessitated an early start each day. Over time, Thomas found his eyes opening wid- est as he passed, first, Creeks Bend Golf Club then, closer to the big smoke, Valley Brook Golf and Country Club.

July-August 2014 Through the green 23 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] FEATURE

Idle Hour’s Crenshaw bentgrass greens are about to turn 20 but have “only gotten better,” Wade Thomas says.

There was something “intriguing” about the machinations he Golf Environmental Foundation. saw play out day after day in the set up under the soft light of Even though he eventually developed a decent golf game, he dawn. He really knew nothing of golf. The one set of clubs in hasn’t given up the tennis either. This spring, he was assistant the family belonged to his grandfather who broke them out just coach of the Stratford Academy High School team that won the twice a year for business. Recreation centered more on the waters varsity state championship. His oldest son Jake, 16, played on of Lake Chickamauga, which lapped against the Thomas family that team. Logan, 13, is a member of the JV team. It has been a property. If there was a dry-land sport it was tennis. Thomas was long time, however, since Thomas washed someone else’s car. No. 4 on the singles roster in high school and No. 2 in doubles. What he does instead is care for what is sometimes referred to as Yet by the age of 15 he was earning a few dollars behind a weed- the Cadillac of putting surfaces, bentgrass, at one of the Mercedes eater at Creeks Bend and hitting a few balls now and then. Still, facilities in the state, Idle Hour Club in Macon. At first blush, that there wasn’t a lot of time for a full-blown love affair with the game. sounds a little like preparing ice-cream in an oven with gourmet That would come later. Back then the teenage Thomas was too tastes at the table. Bentgrass begins to wheeze when temperatures busy with his own lawn care and car-washing business in the get into the 90s. The record high in Macon, about 90 miles south neighborhood. Crafting the landscape was an early passion. And of Atlanta, is 104. when he wasn’t working, there was always “the dock in the back- yard.” A lake to ski. Fish to catch. There might not be a superintendent in the country maintaining 18 holes of the stuff further south. Thomas actually maintains 30, Leap forward a few decades and while Thomas has crossed the but more on that later. What’s more the greens are small. Averag- border into Georgia, scaled some significant heights in his profes- ing 3,500 sq. ft. doesn’t leave a lot of room to spread the wear sion and, with wife, Emily, raised a family of his own, you could and tear. say the character of the kid remains alive and well. The curios- ity inspired by those early morning golf course drive-bys and the Yet Thomas remains unfazed by the stampede to convert to the love of working the soil merged into a career as a golf course su- ultradwarfs. “We want to provide the best putting surface for our perintendent. And the industry the teenager displayed working members,” he says, simply. “The Crenshaw does that for us the his own business and a side job has carried on to the benefit of most days of the year. When something appears that can do a bet- the Georgia GCSA, which Thomas has served as a board mem- ter job we’ll certainly look at it.” ber and president. He was also the first chairman of the Georgia

24 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] FEATURE

This July, Thomas will present those greens for the Georgia State share “a thousand slides” and other background. Thomas and Amateur Championship. It will be the eighth time the club has Shirley talk regularly. staged the State Amateur in a string stretching back to 1923. No There are many others in Thomas’s contact list. Randy Nichols, club has hosted more. The most recent winner, in 2008, was CGCS – “a fantastic mentor” - is another among them. Thomas University of Georgia graduate and Idle Hour member, Russell worked for Nichols at Cherokee Town and Country Club in the Henley, who has two PGA Tour wins including one this year. ‘80s. Others include neighbors like Scott Palmer at Houston It says something about the Georgia State Golf Association’s Lake Country Club, Nathan Caffarelli at Bowden Golf Course, faith, not just in the club, but certainly in Thomas’s ability that it Lee Fillingim at Canongate at Healy Point and Briane Faletto at is prepared to schedule its showcase championship on his bent- The Brickyard at Riverside. grass greens at the height of summer. It’s not guesswork on their “We’re a support system for each other,” Thomas says. “We go to part. This is will be Thomas’s third State Am. since arriving at lunch together and trade notes. We trade equipment when some- the club in 1994. one has a need and even help out with labor now and then. It’s Part of his success in avoiding currents towards a warm-season like that with anyone in the association. Call anyone and they will grass is in the nature of the club membership. “Most of our play come running.” is during winter,” he says. “After the Fourth of July til August a lot Thomas has known the value of collaboration from an early age. of our members go to the beach. Virtually no one plays. We just His parents built their dream house on the lake from scratch. His pick up the height of cut a little.” mother, Bettye, a renowned southeastern portrait artist, drew the Of course it’s not that simple. plans and his father, Phil, and three of his best friends traded out It also helps that while 730 of the club’s 1,200 members are on building each other’s homes. the handicap system, they played only 19,000 rounds last year, He has 12 fans on 11 holes that also play a big role in keeping his which is about the annual average. For a club with such a long greens healthy. Another big factor is the help of assistant superin- and proud golfing history – including Georgia Golf Hall of Fam- tendent Nash Rolfes. “He grew up in the club as a member and ers like Arnold Blum, Peter Persons and A. J. “Duck” Swan - that loves this place,” Thomas says. “He knows what the members is a surprisingly low number. expect. He does a fine job. We’ve got our systems and cultural “I don’t know why that is,” Thomas says. “I can’t explain it but practices down. And yes, we also have a few secrets and tricks.” it’s a beautiful thing. I have been asked how many rounds I think Some of those Thomas has divined from “constant experimenta- we could handle and I think we could do 30,000 and deliver the tion” on a 4,000 sq. ft. nursery green and from the six greens he same conditions. We did do 26,000 one year.” maintains on a par three course built in 1998. For the record, Thomas has overseen one conversion on the greens though. that course is no hit and giggle affair. The greens receive the same The year after he arrived, the club switched from Penncross to Crenshaw. So the current surfaces are In July, Idle Hour will host its eighth State Amateur about to turn 20 yet “they’ve only gotten better.” Championship, more than any other facility “Sure we have had our bad days,” he admits. “But as the old saying goes, there are two kinds of superintendents – those who kill grass and those who will. We’ve had three challenging summers in my time here and I would say those situations were all self- inflicted. The secret is to recover quickly.” Thomas goes to whatever length is necessary to get past an issue. “If I have to go and get a fan and a generator from the camper at my house that’s what I will do,” he says. “Don’t talk about what you are going to do. Don’t get hung up on the problem. Just make it right.” Thomas is grateful for the experience of “many great superintendents who have worked out what works and what doesn’t.” Three of them, Frank Siple CGCS, Ken Mangum CGCS and William Shirley, CGCS all Superintendents of the Year, worked at Idle Hour before him. Mangum had been gone for years but drove to Macon after Thomas arrived to

July-August 2014 Through the green 25 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] 26 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] FEATURE

care and attention as the main Rowland course. Henley still plays it to hone his short game touch. He also has three practice greens, Chemical Co. a short range green and a chipping green. For all the agronomic skills • Chemicals Thomas brings to the table – he was Superintendent of • FMC Sprayers the Year in 2007 - he is just as dedicated to the image he • Hypro projects and the relationships he maintains with those who That’s Wade Thomas, assistant coach of the state • TeeJet champions, on the left, and his son, Jake, fourth play the golf course. “I dress as player from the left. a professional every day, long slacks, a golf shirt, nice shoes,” he says. “It’s always an Idle Hour Club shirt when I am on property. I attend all the 706-548-9399 parties and functions. I have lunch with the members and I make sure I am on the practice green before every big tournament.” 800-352-6974 There is something else in Thomas’s armory that he says has been as critical to any success he has enjoyed and it’s as old as the greens themselves. Thomas married his 379 Oak St. wife the same year that the Crenshaw became part of the “family.” “Emily has been Athens, GA 30601 a great supporting wife,” he says. “She has done a great job raising our children and putting up with me after another nice, cool day in Macon. This is the place to be.” n

July-August 2014 Through the green 27 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] 28 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS Southern Assistants Ready to Step Up

Attendees at the meeting of southern area assistant superintendents.

ssistant golf course superintendents in the ties include Sanctuary Cove, Jekyll Island Golf Asouthern part of the state are getting to- Resort and Coastal Pines Golf Club. About 90 gether to network and are already in talks about children aged 7 to 11 will participate. supporting community projects. A group of 15 assistants and others met at The Landings Courtney Stiles, from The First Tee in Bruns- Club in Savannah in May to begin the job of wick, cited a number of potential avenues for formalizing a southern area assistants commit- assistant superintendents to offer their support tee. Some played golf after the meeting. including: Among those at the meeting were Joe Hollis, • Recruiting volunteers from Atlanta Country Club, who is the as- • Fundraising sistant superintendent liaison to the Georgia Jake Colvin, from Brunswick Country • Be involved as participants or sponsors of the GCSA board. Georgia GCSA board member, Club, with Joe Hollis, from Atlanta annual fundraiser Country Club. Chris Steigelman, CGCS from The Landings Club, and executive director, Tenia Workman, • Offer instruction in golf course maintenance also attended. and preparation “It’s great to see the amount of energy and The idea behind the new assistants group is interest there is from assistants in our area to to allow assistants in the southern half of the put something together like this and get behind state the opportunity to network and perform community projects,” Steigelman says. “I’m outreach closer to home. This committee will also proud that so many of our assistants from not be a separate committee but a branch of here at The Landings want to be involved too.” the current Assistant Superintendent Com- mittee in order to get more assistants involved Discussions at the meeting included the pros- throughout the state. Patrick Reinhardt from pect of assisting The First Tee chapter in Bruns- Georgia Southern University Golf Course will wick. The chapter has a busy summer ahead Chris Steigelman, CGCS and Greg serve as chairman of this group. n Knight, both from The Landings Club. offering six nine-week classes. Host golf facili-

July-August 2014 Through the green 29 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] 30 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS on two vacant lots next to his house. “I used to drag hoses over there from my Pate Staff Head to house and from the neighbors then I’d mow that thing down almost to the dirt to get it to behave like a green,” he says. Toro Centenary “I had centipede on it and I wear those mower blades out.” wo dozen “To be manufacturing anything for 100 TJerry Pate years is quite an achievement,” says owner Since buying the distributorship, Jerry Turf and Ir- Jerry Pate. “To be doing it as a leader in Pate Turf and Irrigation has grown sales rigation staff the industry as Toro continues to be – in “about 600 percent” and staffing has members will technology, design and service – is some- grown from 40 to about 150. travel to The thing else again.” Pate says he is grateful for his company’s Toro Company Pate, winner of the 1976 U.S. Open, relationship with the Georgia GCSA but headquarters bought his company in 1998 but his re- that he is just as grateful for the work in Minnesota lationship with Toro pre-dated that pur- the association does for the game as a to help mark chase. “I had a Toro Series 4 lawnmower whole and the families of its members. the company’s that I used on the putting green I built He singled out the association’s work on 100th anniver- at home in 1978 with the help of Jack water issues and the support it provides sary on July 10. Nicklaus, Jay Morrish and Bob Cupp. I’ve for the next generation through scholar- A Georgia GCSA Diamond Patron, Jerry always had an interest in the agronomic ships. Pate has served on the North West Pate Turf and Irrigation operates one of part of the game having worked on golf Florida Water Management District for the largest Toro distributorships in the courses as a kid.” 10 years. “I think those things really say a country with a presence in Arkansas, lot about the Georgia GCSA that it does Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennes- When Pate first moved to Pensacola, FL so much more than just administering the see and Florida as well as Georgia. in 1967 he built a practice chipping green operational side of things,” he says. n

July-August 2014 Through the green 31 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] 32 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS Challenge Cup Heads Back to Peachtree his year’s Challenge Cup returns to at Highlands Falls Country Club in High- Competition for the Highlands Cup will be Tvenerable Peachtree Golf Club in lands, NC from September 7 to 9. The handicap-based and include head-to-head, Atlanta for the first time since the event’s new showpiece event, presented in part- four-ball and Texas scramble matches. inception in 2008. Georgia GCSA past- nership with Hunter Industries and Ew- Each state team will consist of four qualifi- president William Shirley, CGCS will host ing Irrigation Products, grows the strong ers with the addition of two captain’s picks the annual showdown on November 10. collaborative relationship between the two and two sponsor’s picks. associations. The South remains unbeaten in the history “It’s going to be a really fun event and we’re of the event despite a close call last year. “This will be a fun event and a great very excited to be involved,” says Kevin Wally Gresham, from Sunset Hills Coun- chance to help build on the great relation- Johnson, of Hunter Industries. “We are re- try Club, takes on the role as captain of the ship we have with the folks in the Caroli- ally looking forward to raising our level of South this year and Rob Roy from The nas GCSA,” says Georgia GCSA executive engagement in the region and supporting River Club, will lead the north. director, Tenia Workman. “Our members events like this is a great way to do that.” share many similar challenges agronomi- Those sentiments were echoed by Mike The final qualifying opportunity is the ber- cally and anything that helps them expand Cambron, of Ewing Irrigation. “Getting mudagrass forum at King and Prince Golf their networks is a positive thing for all more involved and supporting the great Course on St. Simons Island on September involved. We have worked closely with work both associations do is something we 15. The week before, the Georgia GCSA the Carolinas GCSA getting Rounds4Re- are all looking forward to,” he says. will launch another cup event, the High- search established and promoting junior lands Cup versus a team from the Carolinas Steve Mason, will host practice rounds at golf through the Georgia vs. South Caro- GCSA. Sky Valley Country Club in Sky Valley and lina team matches.” Carolinas GCSA member Fred Gehrisch, Teams of eight will compete over 54 holes CGCS will be host at Highlands Falls. n

Environmental Foundation Approves SDS Research The Georgia Golf Environmental Founda- The two-year project encompasses and • Evaluate the effect of soil fertility-with tion has approved a $17,050 grant to the combines a variety of cultural practices, new emphasis of nitrogen source and fungi- University of Georgia for a research project fungal chemistries as well as the evaluation cide alternatives for the control of spring to improve spring dead spot control on the of environmentally friendly control strate- dead spot. state’s golf courses. Drs. Alfredo Martinez gies of SDS. Objectives are to: Researchers say the results of this project and Gerald Henry will lead the project • Evaluate the combination of cultural will provide golf course superintendents examining temporal, cultural, biological and chemical practices for the control of with SDS control strategies that are con- and chemical practices in SDS control in spring dead spot, sistent, promote long-term control, reduce bermudagrass. SDS can be devastating on fungicide applications and improve turfgrass bermudagrass greens, tees and fairways. • Examine the efficacy of labeled fungi- health and quality. The disease is particularly prevalent and cides and several new fungicide chemis- damaging in the northern part of Georgia, tries for the control of spring dead spot, For a complete view of the research propos- especially in the Piedmont. al, visit ggefound.org. n • Determine optimal fungicide application timing for the control of spring dead spot,

July-August 2014 Through the green 33 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] 34 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS SHORTS Roy Records Stunning 65 Business Institute Deadline Nears Golf course superintendents have until August 19 to apply for this year’s Syn- genta Business Institute. Syngenta partners with nationally-ranked Wake Forest University School of Business to provide superintendents with heightened business and managerial skills. The sixth annual SBI will take place December 8-11 in Winston-Salem, NC. Buck Workman, CGCS from Cateechee Golf Club; Dr. Mike Richardson, of the University of Arkansas; Rob Roy, from The River Club; and Jamie Pate, Syngenta receives more than 80 applica- of Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation. tions annually and about 25 superintendents are chosen to attend. Successful Rob Roy was hoping for “one more” company I was with,” he laughs. “I had applicants will learn business manage- when he left his birdie putt short on the the husband of the executive director of ment practices presented by Wake For- 18th hole at Atlanta Country Club dur- the association, the son of a U.S. Open est University faculty including: financial ing the Georgia GCSA’s simultaneous champion and the professor who deliv- management, human resources manage- bentgrass and northern bermudagrass fo- ered the education on the day!” ment, delegation skills, effective commu- rums this spring. That “one more” would Indeed, his group on the day did include nication, negotiation tactics and more. To have given him a round of 64, the lowest Buck Workman, CGCS who is also a be considered, candidates must complete of his career. Instead, Roy carded a seven- Georgia GCSA past-president, Jamie an application, which includes an essay under par 65 matching his previous best Pate, of Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation and on why they should be selected, relevant at Maple Leaf Golf Club in Kernersville, Dr. Mike Richardson, of the University of professional experience and educational NC back in his college days. Arkansas. background. “It was a special day,” Roy, from The While he did appreciate his company, To learn more about the institute and how River Club in Suwanee, says of his latest Roy says the condition of the greens gave 65. “It was a great ball striking day. I hit to apply, visit GreenCastonline.com/SBI or him the best possible chance of making contact your local Syngenta territory man- 17 greens in regulation and made a lot of the most of his play. “They were so good, putts. I missed a few close ones but made ager. Participants will be notified of their so good,” he says. “Honestly, I think they acceptance into the class in October. n some longer ones for birdie.” were the best bentgrass greens I have ever In all, Roy made eight birdies offset by played on. My hat is off to Mark (Esoda, just a single bogey. “Maybe it was the CGCS) and his staff.” n

Photographers Have One More Month One month remains for Georgia GCSA We are looking for images of your golf Photos that are digitally altered beyond members to offer their best on-the-job course, including scenes similar to our standard optimization (e.g., removal of images in the 2014 photography con- cover and center spread photos, wild- dust, cropping) will be disqualified. test. Entries in the annual contest must life on the course, maintenance opera- For more details and entry guidelines be received no later than July 31. The tions and or construction. Images will visit www.ggcsa.com and click on the best images will be recognized at the as- be judged on composition, originality, Through The Green tab. n sociation’s annual awards banquet and be technical excellence and artistic merit. All published in the November-December of photos should accurately reflect the sub- Through The Green. ject matter and the scene as it appeared.

July-August 2014 Through the green 35 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] ABAC Student Among Future Turf Managers

Patrick Douglas, recent graduate of Abra- ham Baldwin Agricultural College, was among nearly 30 college seniors from top turfgrass programs around the world to converge on Charlotte, NC recently for Ja- cobsen’s annual Future Turf Managers event. The annual event gives students a unique opportunity to network with turfgrass indus- Producers & Installers of try professionals at the highest level. During the three-day event, students visit with top Fumigated Georgia Certified superintendents and sports field managers, hear cutting-edge presentations from top Quality Turfgrasses industry experts and get an insider’s look at Jacobsen’s turf maintenance equipment. for Golf Courses and Athletic Fields The group travelled to Charlotte Country Club and Sage Valley Golf Club, two top golf courses in the Southeast. The students also visited the University of South Carolina, where the group toured the Gamecocks’ baseball and football facilities. The week also included a discussion on leadership and communication by Steve Randall, senior manager of chapter outreach for GCSAA. Each student received a full year’s membership to the GCSAA, sponsored by Jacobsen, and credit towards the pursuit of their Class A GCSAA certification. “Our annual Future Turf Managers event is really a win-win for attendees and Jacobsen,” Pike Creek Turf, Inc. said David Withers, Jacobsen president. “We 427 Pike Creek Turf Circle, Adel, GA get to hear the needs of the next generation of turf managers, who in turn get an insider’s look at what their day-to-day jobs will be 1.800.232.7453 like. It was great to hear so much optimism www.pikecreekturf.com from the future leaders of our industry.” n

36 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] NEWS SHORTS Schwartz Weir Scholarship to Esoda A child of a Georgia GCSA member has Furman University in May. Earns won the coveted Shirley and Billy Weir The scholarship honors the memory of Scholarship for a second year in a row. two well-known and highly respected UGA Honor Parker Esoda, daughter of Georgia GCSA members of the Georgia golf community. Brian Schwartz has won the Gary A. past-president, Mark Esoda, CGCS from Billy Weir was one of the very first sales Herzog Award of Excellence - Junior Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, will representatives hired by Karstein Solheim Research Scientist on the University of study international business. The full to represent Ping in the late 1960’s. He Georgia’s Tifton Campus. Schwartz, an scholarship covers the cost of tuition, was a long-time sponsor of events in the assistant professor was recognized for room and board, books, supplies, lab fees Georgia PGA, and was the first Lifetime “superior achievement in research with and other course-related fees and expens- Honorary Member of the Georgia Sec- less than 10 years of service” since receives. The scholarship is open to employees tion PGA. Shirley was a fixture at the ing his Ph.D. in 2008. He received his or dependent children of employees of scoreboard for many of the state and re- award at a ceremony in May. n any golf course in Georgia that employs a gional competitions for years. PGA professional. “The Weir Scholarship is a wonderful Parker Esoda was one of 24 applicants thing and I knew Shirley well from her days this year, none of whom made it to the working the scoreboards,” Mark Esoda interview process. Madison Anderson, says. “Mike McCollum is doing a great job daughter of PGA professional Mark An- administering the scholarship and there is a derson, from Brunswick, was the only real family atmosphere among the winners. other scholarship winner. I got phone calls the very next day from Last year, Kristin Fillingim, the daugh- both superintendents whose daughters ter of Lee Fillingim, golf course super- were previous winners.” intendent at Canongate at Healy Point *In June, GCSAA also announced Parker in Macon, became the second child of a Esoda as one of five winners of the 2014 Georgia GCSA member to win the schol- Joseph S. Garske Collegiate Grants. She Dr. Scott Angle, Dean of the College of arship since its inception in 2006. The Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at received a $2,000 scholarship under the first, Mary Catherine Wilder, daughter UGA, congratulates Brian Schwartz on his Garske grants established in honor of Par award, along with Dr. Joe West, of Gary Wilder, senior agronomist with Aide company founder Joseph S. Garske. n Assistant Dean of the UGA-Tifton Campus. Canongate in Atlanta, graduated from Jacobsen Talking Turfgrass at UGA Buys Dixie The Georgia GCSA has reached out to the University of Georgia Chopper turfgrass department and Dr. Gerald Henry to help tackle a range of is- Jacobsen has acquired the assets of Dixie sues. “Working so closely with some Chopper, a Coatesville, Indiana-based of the professors, I saw some of the manufacturer of zero-turn radius mow- challenges they were dealing with. I ers for the commercial and residential wanted to see how we could help,” markets. Golf Ventures will be the dis- says Scott Griffith, superintendent tributor for the newly acquired product at UGA Golf Course and a Georgia range in Georgia. Dixie Chopper mowers GCSA director. “The number of are capable of mowing up to 6.6 acres per students in the program are down hour. With the addition of Dixie Chop- drastically which is happening at al- Lon Buckler, of A. M. Buckler and Associates; per, Jacobsen now offers a complete prod- most all programs across the U.S. which re- Brandon Hayes, from Reynolds Plantation – Great uct line of turf maintenance equipment, sults in a very small pool of qualified assis- Waters; Scott Griffith, from University of Geor- including zero-turn mowers, small and gia Golf Course; Chase Newman, from Marietta tants for us. We discovered that Dr. Henry Country Club; and UGA graduate students Chase large area reel mowers, trim mowers, large needed help acquiring some greens mix for Straw and Rebecca Grubbs; and undergraduate area and contour rotary mowers, aerators, his NTEP trial plot. We also heard from the students Josh Andrews and Eric Begitschke were sprayers, utility vehicles and renovation all part of an informal meeting to further promote Dean of the school. We plan on making this relations between the Georgia GCSA and the UGA equipment. n an annual event.” n turfgrass department.

July-August 2014 Through the green 37 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] New Members Tee Shots Georgia GCSA Welcomes Movers & Shakers › Spencer Braley, Class S. › Paul Britt is now golf course superintendent at Coweta Club Student, Georgia Southern University Golf Course, Statesboro in Newnan. (478) 957-1859. › Grant Cole is now golf course superintendent at The Frog Golf › Paul Meridith, Class SM. Club in Villa Rica. Golf course superintendent, Jekyll Island Golf Club, Jekyll Island › Brant Fletcher, formerly assistant golf course superintendent (912) 223-0501. at Glen Arven Country Club in Thomasville, is now golf course › Michael McCulloch, Class A. superintendent at Griffin Bell Golf Links in Americus. Golf course superintendent, Southland Golf Club, Stone Mountain › Cody Silvers, formerly assistant golf course superintendent at (770) 879-0104. Landings Golf Club in Warner Robins, has been promoted to golf › Chip Rainey, Class AS. course superintendent. President, Heritage Golf Management, LLC, Tifton (229) 386-4653. › Scott Tullis, formerly golf course superintendent at Landings › William Rogers, Class C. Golf Club in Warner Robins, is now golf course superintendent Assistant golf course superintendent, Sea Palms Resort, Jacaranda West Country Club in Venice, FL. St. Simons Island (912) 638-3351. › William Rogers, formerly assistant golf course superintendent at Haig Point Club in SC, is now assistant golf course superintendent at Sea Palms Resort on St. Simons Island. Congratulations › Greg Knight, formerly second assistant golf course › Congratulations to Andy Scott from Newnan Country Club in superintendent at Indian Hills Country Club in Marietta, is now Newnan on recently attaining his Class A status with the Georgia assistant golf course superintendent at The Landings Club - GCSA and GCSAA. Oakridge in Savannah. › Jason Tharp, formerly assistant golf course superintendent at Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta, is now assistant golf course superintendent at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

38 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] Georgia GCSA Events mark your calendar

August 6, 2014 Turfgrass Field Day UGA Griffin Campus Griffin, GA September 15, 2014 Bermudagrass Forum and Golf Outing King and Prince Golf Course St. Simons Island, GA Host superintendent: Chuck Moore October 14, 2014 Assistant Superintendent Seminar and Golf Championship St. Ives Country Club Johns Creek, GA Host superintendent: Kyle Macdonald November 10, 2014 Challenge Cup/ North and South Peachtree Golf Club Host superintendent: William Shirley, CGCS December 7-9, 2014 Georgia GCSA Annual Meeting and Golf Championship The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort St. Simons Island, GA

July-August 2014 Through the green 39 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ] 40 Through the green July-August 2014 [ search engine powered by magazooms.com ]