Tee to G Jul Aug 2008 3
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Board of Directors President MATTHEW CEPLO,CGCS Rockland Country Club Vice President ANTHONY GIRARDI, CGCS Rockrimmon Country Club Treasurer Cover:Trump ROBERT NIELSEN JR.,CGCS National Golf Club, Bedford Golf & Tennis Club Bedminster,NJ. Secretary GLENN PERRY,CGCS Rolling Hills Country Club Past President WILLIAM HEINTZ Pound Ridge Golf Club ROBERT ALONZI JR. St.Andrew’s Golf Club KENNETH BENOIT JR., CGCS GlenArbor Golf Club GEORGE CORGAN Steven Willand Inc. DAVID DUDONES North Jersey Country Club GLEN DUBE, CGCS Centennial Golf Club BLAKE HALDERMAN, CGCS Brae Burn Country Club THOMAS LEAHY,CGCS Sleepy Hollow Country Club n this Issue SCOTT OLSON Scarsdale Golf Club I Executive Secretary INEKE PIERPOINT Feature Tee to Green Staff A No-nonsense Approach to Keeping the ................................2 Editors ROB ALONZI DAVE DUDONES Locks Off Your Course’s Water Rights 914-478-5713 973-942-0566 Managing Editor Don’t Wait Till the Well Runs Dry............................................5 PANDORA C.WOJICK SUNY-Delhi Takes Proactive Approach to Water Conservation Editorial Committee KEVIN COLLINS SCOTT NIVEN PAUL GRABBE ERIC O’NEILL DENNIS GRANAHAN BILL PERLEE CHIP LAFFERTY GLENN PERRY NICK LERNER MIKE REEB Departments DAVE MOFFETT MIKE TOLLNER GREG WOJICK Government Relations Update ................................................7 Designer TERRIE DUNKELBERGER Photographer Scorecard..............................................................................8 BILL PERLEE Advertising Manager Upcoming Events ................................................................12 ROB ALONZI, 914-478-5713 TEE TO GREEN is published bimonthly by the Metropolitan Golf Member News......................................................................13 Course Superintendents Association 49 Knollwood Road, Elmsford, NY 10523-2819 Spotlights ..................................................................10, 11, 14 914-347-4653, FAX: 914-347-3437, METGCSA.ORG Copyright © 2008 President’s A Lesson in Communication Message The day’s actually started off on a good note. My Sunday staff raked the bunkers, mowed greens, changed tee markers and cups. The irrigation system cycled through, with only one stuck head. (Don’t try to roll the ball up on Number 5 today. It’s soft after ’m here on my back deck several hours of watering.) with my laptop sipping a cup of coffee. The rain-delayed third round of the A Pointed Conversation PGAI is scheduled to start in a little This Sunday,like most Sundays, I spent time Matt Ceplo, CGCS while. The storms that delayed the around the clubhouse and locker rooms MetGCSA President championship are scheduled to hit us catching up with members. This is also the this afternoon. I don’t know about you day I usually meet with Tom, my green we’re caught in a kind of limbo. While some but we have gotten our share of thunder chairman, over a cup of coffee. On this par- bunkers are worse than others, they don’t all boomers this year. On one hand, our ticular Sunday,we started talking about cur- need to be rebuilt. irrigation pond is full. On the other rent course conditions: the good, the bad, hand, we don’t need it. The other prob- and the ugly. lem: Our bunkers are taking a beating. The Pluses of Impromptu The good is that the greens are rolling fine We’ve been fixing washouts every week. and starting to dry out from Wednesday’s Communications Makes me wonder, is it really that bad rain. Also positive is that last week’s anthrac- or is it just those midsummer “Poor So here’s where communication comes into nose seems to be in check. me’s” at work? Well I, for one, am hop- play all the more. I decided it would be a Topping the bad list are the bunkers. The ing the storms miss us today. good idea to determine what members con- edges have gotten soft from pushing sand sidered to be the five worst bunkers. I put back up the slopes after all the washouts. I together a simple one-page survey and can hear it now . the dreaded “plugged started handing them out. Next time we get ball” complaint. together, my green chairman and I will As for the ugly,it’s all the weeds . every- review the results to determine which where you look. Brings back memories of bunkers need to be worked on most. the weed course I took in college. On the When we talk about the importance of first day,the professor told us we were going communicating with our memberships, we on a field trip to search out weeds. I was often think of written communcations: ready to put on my hiking boots and go on a newsletter articles and email blasts. While scouting mission, but all we had to do was those are essential, we can’t overlook the hang our heads out the door and there they importance of informal meetings with our were—weeds of every variety. The same green chairman or with members and seems to be the case on the course this year. guests. Informal conversations allow you to We have weeds everywhere—or at least it solicit feedback on the course and, just as seems that way. We took down a bunch of important, correct any misinformation or trees over the winter and filled the stump misperceptions that inevitably surface from holes with weeds. We’ve gone from clover, time to time. to prostrate spurge to crabgrass to nutsedge. Well, I wonder how the PGA is doing. “This may not It’s been a never-ending cycle of weeds. Speaking of communication, they’re getting be my favorite The next point of discussion: how most some pretty harsh comments on the way that bunker!” members want to spend the capital we have course is set up. Remember, it’s their tour- available for improvement projects. In our nament, not the USGA’s, Augusta’s, or the case, it was . you guessed it . on sprucing British’s. Are they listening to their mem- up the bunkers. Now 12 years old, our bers? Interesting, isn’t it? bunkers are definitely starting to show their By the way,the storms missed us. There is age. Drainage has become compromised; a god. edges, as I mentioned, have deteriorated; and washouts have contaminated the sand in Matt Ceplo, CGCS many of the bunkers. As bad as they are, President Tee to Green July/August 2008 1 Feature A No- nonsense Approach to Keeping the Locks Off Your ant to make a golf course water management strategy. Equally impor- Course’s superintendent’s blood run cold in the heat tant is that you: Wof summer? Utter the words “water restric- • Understand and adhere to our state’s poli- tions.” Water use is one of the most serious cies and requirements. issues facing the game of golf today.As envi- • Establish yourself as a steward of the envi- Water ronmental groups, the general public, and the ronment, in word and deed. regulatory community become increasingly • Support the work of local task forces and concerned and vocal about water use and government relations groups. quality, golf course superintendents must • Influence and educate community mem- make a grander play to protect their courses’ bers with influence over regulators. Rights water rights—ensuring that water regulators Here’s a sensible plan of attack: give their needs equal representation and consideration before any restrictions or con- Know–and Abide by–the Law by Kathy Conard & Kelly servation measures are mandated. Durfee Cardoza The best route to making your needs Before you can even begin to defend your heard is to establish yourself in your commu- course’s water rights, you should be well nity and among state legislators as a leader in versed in current rules and regulations gov- water resource management. This involves erning water use on your course. Kelly much more than just establishing a strong Cardoza, owner of Avalon Consulting, a per- 2 Tee to Green July/August 2008 mitting and regulatory compliance company, more over any 24-hour period. To obtain a estimation, there are two key points in build- offers a quick take on state policies and permit for irrigation in Connecticut, golf ing successful relationships: Be proactive and requirements. courses must evaluate alternatives and submit establish credibility.This helps to build trust a drought emergency contingency plan. and, in some cases, even empathy. New Jersey For more detailed information on regula- “Officials and regulators need to know Water use in New Jersey is regulated by the tions in your area, feel free to contact Kelly that you’re doing everything in your power Department of Environmental Protection. Cardoza at 508-880-2905. to meet their standards,” Will continues. Water Supply Allocation Permits are required “After all, their standards are set forth to pro- for facilities having the capacity to divert Keep in Mind: Actions Speak Louder tect our wetlands, our groundwater, and our more than 100,000 gallons of water over any watershed. a common goal for all of us!” 24-hour period. To obtain a permit for irri- Than Words gation, a golf course must submit an emer- Prove your commitment to water and envi- Support Those Who Support You gency response plan, which outlines drought ronmental stewardship by voluntarily imple- Backing you in your efforts to make your management strategies. menting water conservation practices and water needs—and best management prac- The New Jersey DEP recommends that all integrating them into your daily mainte- tices—known among legislators are our local golf courses consider efficient water use nance regime. In addition to displaying your water task forces and government relations practices as part of their daily maintenance commitment to efficient water use, you’re groups. In addition, GCSAA offers resources regime and keep accurate records. The DEP sending a positive message to state regulatory to local chapters to guide them in working emphasizes that all this goes a long way agencies and the general public.