Tee to Green Dec cover 2014_Tee to G dec 2010 cover 1/13/15 2:35 PM Page 3 December 2014 VOLUME 45 NUMBER 6 Published by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association Tee to Green Dec 2014_tee to green Dec 2010 1/13/15 2:58 PM Page ii Board of Directors President GLEN DUBE, CGCS Centennial Golf Club Vice President DAV I D DU DON E S Westchester Country Club Treasurer KENNETH BENOIT JR., CGCS GlenArbor Golf Club Westchester Country Club Secretary ROBERT B. ALONZI JR. Fenway Golf Club Past President BLAKE HALDERMAN, CGCS Brae Burn Country Club Directors MICHAEL BRUNELLE Upper Montclair Country Club BRETT CHAPIN Redding Country Club DOUG DRUGO Wee Burn Country Club STEVEN McGLONE Siwanoy Country Club VINCENT PAVONETTI, CGCS Fairview Country Club RO B E RT WOLV E RTON Century Country Club Class “C” Rep DAVID PARSON The Apawamis Club Class “AF” Rep n this Issue RO B E RT ST E I N M A N Pocono Tur f I Executive Director ED BROCKNER Feature Executive Secretary SUSAN O’DOWD A Portrait of Paul Dillon: ......................................................2 Tee to Green Staff Our 25th John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Editor JIM PAVONETTI 203-531-8910 Managing Editor Departments PAN DORA C. WOJICK Editorial Committee TODD APGAR CHIP LAFFERTY Upcoming Events ..................................................................5 ADDISON BARDEN STEVEN MCGLONE MATT CEPLO SCOTT NIVEN KEVIN COLLINS TODD SALAMONE National News ......................................................................6 BILL CYGAN RYAN SEGRUE GREG WOJICK Scorecard ..............................................................................8 Designer TERRI E YOU NG Chapter News........................................................................9 Advertising Manager BRETT CHAPIN, 203-938-9240 Member News......................................................................11 TEE TO GREEN is published bimonthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association 49 Knollwood Road, Elmsford, NY 10523-2819 914-347-4653, FAX: 914-347-3437, METGCSA.ORG Copyright © 2015 Tee to Green Dec 2014_tee to green Dec 2010 1/13/15 2:58 PM Page 1 President’s Message would like to begin my first president’s message by wishing you and your f a m i l ies a happy, healt hy, and pros - Setting Our Iperous 2015. Even though the holidays seemed to come and go quickly, I hope Glen Dube, CGCS everyone had the opportunity to relax and MetGCSA President spend quality time with friends and family. Weather-wise, the 2014 season was very Sights on good to us. But that certainly doesn’t mean self to me, and I’ll be sure to get the in- that the rigors and stresses of the job went troductions among fellow members going. away. As we start the new year, please find That’s how lasting industry relationships time to disengage, decompress, and get began for me—and will most certainly Greater ready for the upcoming season. begin for you. This year marks an exciting time for me. I remember years ago, when I first It is a huge honor to serve as your president, thought about coming to meetings, I was and I would like to thank you all for your hesitant. But after attending one or two Involvement vote of confidence. I certainly have some MetGCSA events, I got hooked. The net- big shoes to fill. Many great leaders have working possibilities and camaraderie that come before me and helped pave the way happen at Met outings and social events are for me to take the lead. A big thank you invaluable, both personally and profession- goes out to our past president, Blake ally. Take a look at our Upcoming Events on Halderman, for leaving me with nothing page 5, and plan now to join us in the com- short of a strong and healthy association. ing months! But I’m no different than any new presi- dent before me. I have my own hopes and Assistant Involvement dreams for our association. Another aspect of our association that I would like to strengthen is our assistant A Nudge to Participate superintendent involvement. Our Class C Like a number of my predecessors, I am representative, Dave Parson from The Apa- hoping to find that magic formula for im- wamis Club, is already moving things in proving membership participation. The as- a positive direction. He has formed a com- sociation strives to book golf, education, and mittee that includes assistants from area social events that provide opportunities for clubs. In addition to organizing the Class the membership to network with peers, C Championship, Dave and his committee gain insight into new turf industry trends, will come to the board with suggestions for and develop a sense of camaraderie and fun encouraging assistant participation and for among fellow members. I know everyone making them aware of all the MetGCSA has is busy, juggling work, kids, and family to of fer. obligations. Our time to attend events is Dave Parson’s committee has already frequently stretched thin, but I’ve always made the board aware of the fact that many found a way to carve out time for our asso- assistants don’t know anything about ciation’s gatherings. I look forward to them MetGCSA history or traditions. For in- as a way to catch up with colleagues, many stance, many have no idea who Sherwood of whom have become very good friends. Moore is and why our most highly coveted Participating in our events also offers the and prestigious award is named after him. perfect opportunity to meet new people. I They don’t know about Bill Caputi and why know there are many of you out there who I his name is associated with the scholarship haven’t met. I ask that you make time to get raff le. Nor do they know who the late Dave away from your course a few times this sea- Mahoney is and why the Two-Ball is named son and come to a meeting. Introduce your- continued on page 7 Tee to Green December 2014 1 Tee to Green Dec 2014_tee to green Dec 2010 1/13/15 2:58 PM Page 2 FFeatureeature AA Portrait of PaulPaul Dillon: OurOur 25th JohnJohn Reid LifetimeLifetime AchievementAchievement AwardAward RecipientRecipient by Scott Niven, CGCS 2 Tee to Green December 2014 Tee to Green Dec 2014_tee to green Dec 2010 1/13/15 2:58 PM Page 3 round at 23 that he was bitten by the golf bug. He has played at countless courses since, many in the Met area. When pressed to name his favorite tracks, he is quick to mention Pine Valley and Augusta National. Having always been a low single-digit handicapper with a great love for the game, Dillon was asked in 1995 to share his skill and enthusiasm as coach of the Fordham University golf team. Over the past 21 years, the team has done very well, often finishing high among the standings in the Atlantic 10 Conference golf matches. Dillon’s efforts he MetGCSA is pleased to pres- and dedication have not gone unnoticed: ent its 2015 John Reid Lifetime Achieve- In 2009, he was honored with both the “He is a true ment Award to Paul Dillon, a prominent Atlantic 10 Golf Coach of the Year award gentleman and Tfigure—and significant contributor—in the and Fordham Coach of the Year. T And no surprise: Team members have world of golf. A past USA Today article aptly someone who respects described the now 80-year-old Dillon as “a lauded his skill as a coach, describing him as master of many strokes,” referring to his tal- laidback and fun, while at the same time a and adores the game ents as a golf coach, formidable foe on the superb instructor and motivator. course, and an accomplished artist, who for “Paul is so positive and enthusiastic— so much. I consider it the past 30 years has painted oil portraits of especially about his team,” says Yale Golf countless Met-area tournament champions Coach Colin Sheehan, who has seen Dillon a privilege to spend and numerous golf greats. in action at intercollegiate golf games. “He In addition to adorning the walls of is a true gentleman and someone who time with him. such clubs as Winged Foot, Ridgewood, respects and adores the game so much. I Everyone enjoys his and Baltusrol, examples of Dillon’s work consider it a privilege to spend time with hang in the Metropolitan Golf Association him,” adds Sheehan. “Everyone enjoys his company.” (MGA) building, an organization he has compa ny.” served for nearly 25 years. Though guiding the team in perfecting – Colin Sheehan “The Reid Award is the MetGCSA’s most their swing is always top of his mind, distinguished service award, reserved for Dillon’s ultimate goal as Fordham’s golf someone who has made an indelible mark team coach is to see that they develop into on the game of golf,” says Awards Commit- responsible, respectable adults. And at the tee Chair Bob Nielsen. “Paul’s obvious pas- end, there’s a reward for staying the course: sion for the game, service to the industry as Dillon paints and presents a portrait to a leader of prominent area golf organiza- every graduating senior. tions, and his continual efforts to spread the traditions and values associated with the Making His Mark in the New York game of golf make him a natural for this Golf Community year’s award,” adds Bob. In addition to coaching, Dillon has held a longtime passion for public service, which For the Love of Golf he’s channeled largely into the New York Dillon was born in Manhattan and gradu- golf community. He has chaired most of the ated from Iona College in New Rochelle, governing bodies that promote and preserve NY, working as a sales manager at a forest the valued traditions of the game, serving as products company in Wayne, NJ, for 30 president of multiple organizations.