Here`s - Hudson Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association

VOL. 49, NO. 2
PUBLICATION OF THE HVGCSA
February - March 2012
Hudson Hills Golf Course and Grover Alexander to Host the HVGCSA’s May Meeting This year’s first Hudson Valley meeting will be held at Hudson Hills
Golf Course on Tuesday, May 1st. The original date of April 24th was
changed to May 1st so it wouldn’t conflict with the April MetGCSA
meeting at the Apawamis Club. Our host Superintendent, Grover
Alexander, is excited to have the HVGCSA brotherhood play at his
course and promises a fun day.
The Golf Course
Hudson Hills is the flagship course of the Westchester County Parks Commission. It opened for
play in 2004. Billy Casper Golf was brought in to manage all club operations, which at the time
signaled a dramatic shift in how the county did business on their six courses. Caspar had
managed Maple Moor in White Plains and the pro shop at Saxon Woods in Scarsdale before the
county decided to take back control of those two courses. Nationally, Billy Casper Golf manages
133 courses and owns 10 of those courses outright.
Grover has been with Billy Casper for nine years and states that, “they treat me good!” Hudson
Hills averages around 34,000 rounds a year. Hudson Hills is typical of many Westchester
courses. It is tree lined and tight with little room for error. For those of you who played in the
last HVGCSA meeting at Hudson Hills in 2006, work has been completed to make the course a
little less difficult. The forced carry on the 15th hole has been eliminated by converting the
original hazard into a fairway. Grover also added an acre of fairway to the 7th hole. It’s a winwin as these changes have helped to speed up play on the course.
What a Long Strange Trip it’s Been
Like many young guys (well, maybe not so young anymore) in the profession, Grover has had to
pay some serious dues. His brother John, currently the superintendent at Cranbury GC in NJ,
was working as an intern for Joe Alonzi at Westchester CC 18 years ago and enticed Grover to
come up from Gainesville, Fl. to work on the crew that summer. Grover was hooked and
decided to attend Lake City College to get his Turfgrass degree. During the next two years he
worked first as an intern for Scott Niven at Stanwich followed by an internship with Gregg
Stanley at Hudson National.
Cont’d on Page 6
THE HUDSON VALLEY
FOREGROUND
Published six times a year by the Hudson Valley
Golf Course Superintendents Association.
Founded 1963
Editor
Ineke Pierpoint
914-347-4653
ipierpoint@mgagolf.org
Honorary Editor—Bill Smart
Editors Corner
Dear HVGCSA Members,
It seems the year is going
faster & faster. The weather is
cooperating and soon you and your
members will be playing golf. Our
first meeting will be held at the
Hudson Hills Golf Course. Grover Alexander will
have a great day planned. Come out and play with
your peers and share some ideas with them.
Ineke Pierpoint
Executive Secretary & Editor
Executive Committee
President
Steve Whipple
West Point GC
Vice President Matt Topazio
New York CC
Secretary
Guy Gurney
West Hills CC
Treasurer
Dan Wilber
Millbrook G&T Club
Directors
Grover Alexander
Hudson Hills GC
Kevin P. O’Brien
James Baird GC
Sean Taggart
Osiris CC
Assoc Rep.
Ernie Steinhofer CGCS
Metro Turf Specialists
Dear Advertisers,
The HVGCSA wants to thank you for
advertising with us last year. We hope that
you will advertise with us this 2012.
Information to advertise was sent out in
January. If you have not received it or would
like to receive it again, please call our HVGCSA
office. We hope you take advantage of this.
If you do not see your company on the
last page, & you would like to have it there,
please give us a call.
To our members, please patronize your
advertisers. They support us in many ways.
Past President Christopher Strehl
Links at Union Vale
Exec. Secretary Ineke Pierpoint
——————————————Association Motto
To promote interest and good will in the association, encourage good relations between members
and the clubs they represent…. And to keep up with
the current developments in turf and related
work…..
Bill Smart
HUDSON VALLEY NEWS
If you have any news at all about one of our
members,
please give Ineke a call and we can place it
in this newsletter.
Page 2
President’s Message
Dear Hudson Valley Members,
To say that the weather has been strange is an
understatement, but if we look back at all of the comments made in
HV newsletters over the years we will find overwhelmingly that the
weather has always been strange and abnormal and a topic of
conversation. Having unpredictable or strange weather conditions
looks to be "normal" to a large degree and experiencing normal
conditions through a season could be thought of as abnormal and rare,
if that makes any sense. It could make your head spin, but it is one
of the largest elements that makes the job interesting and
challenging. I also find it humorous how folks find any way to complain about the
weather, even if it's in my mind "perfect." With weather we are experiencing now,
sunshine and temps in the 70's and 80's, when it should be in the 40's and 50's, folks
complain that it's happening too early and the trees are blooming too soon or that we are
in for a bad summer, etc.... Funny, sometimes I am not sure what people would say if they
couldn't complain.
With the conditions we have experienced in March, our timing for many elements of
our spring program will be a little out of whack. As always, we have to adjust to the
conditions presented and remain flexible to manage the turf properly. A mentor of mine
had many pearls of wisdom that I took with me in my future endeavors, but one that I
think about constantly when having to make decisions on my turf program is to "not fight
the weather, work with it." That statement is a bit open ended and can be interpreted in
numerous ways, but for me it is one of comfort and allows me to relax a little, especially
when presented with challenging conditions. I can't do anything about the weather, just
what I do in reaction to it. Planning is key to remain flexible given the unpredictability of
weather. Prepare for the unexpected and embrace the inevitable change that will come.
And, if possible, try to enjoy those conditions that are good, such as the weather of
March 2012.
Respectfully,
Steve Whipple
HUDSON VALLEY NEWS
Congratulations to New York CC Superintendent Matt Topazio & his wife Alicia, on the birth
of their daughter, Ella.
A special thank you to Metro Turf Specialist, Scott Apgar & Ernie Steinhofer and Kevin
Collins of Aquatrols, for getting the Board together for a nice dinner at the Shadows on the
Hudson.
Page 3
The GCSAA has selected Kevin Doyle as the association’s field staff
representative for the Northeast region (New Jersey, New York,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Main, New Hampshire,
Vermont & Ontario) effective March 13. He will be based out of
Milford, NH.
MEETING SITES FOR 2012
March 29th -
NYSTA Storm Recovery Seminar at Union-Endicott Scholl, Union, NY
April 4th -
SUNY Cobleskill / NYSTA Turf & Ornamentals Spring Refresher at
SUNY Cobleskill, Cobleskill, NY
May 1st -
Hudson Hills Golf Course (joint meeting with Northeast GCSA)
Host - Grover Alexander (Met Team Qualifier)
May 31st. -
Millbrook Golf & Tennis Club
Host - Dan Wilber (Met Team Qualifier)
June 5th -
SUNY Delhi / NYSTA Seminar & Golf Outing at SUNY Delhi, Delhi, NY
June 18th -
Hudson Valley Cup at Brae Burn Country Club
Host - Blake Halderman
June 21st -
Central NYGCSA Annual “Go Over the Research” Meeting at
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
July TBA -
Summer Social at The Mohonk Mountain House
Hosts - Tom Wright and Adam Mahler
August 22nd -
Sullivan County Challenge - Steve Smith Memorial Tournament
at Grossingers Country Club, Liberty, NY - Host - Mike McNamara
September 20th -
Town of Wallkill Golf Club
Host - Rick Evans (Met Team Qualifier)
September 24th -
Northeastern GCSA POA annual tournament at Glens Falls Country Club
Queensbury, NY
October 1st -
Hahn Memorial Scholarship Tournament at Shadow Lake Golf Course
Penfield, NY
October 9th -
Tarry Brae Golf Club, “Worthington Cup”
Host - Clark Bartholomew
Page 4
Lobby Day Wrap-Up
“Attending Turfgrass Advocacy Day is industry’s opportunity to let our legislators know the
importance of the turfgrass industry. Everyone should be involved in communicating to legislators
that their decisions impact our industry.”
-Michael Maffei, CGCS
NYSTA Government Relations Committee Co-chair
NYSTA’s Turfgrass Advocacy Day was held on March 7 in Albany. Our lobby day included 44
attendees and 56 legislative visits
2012 Turfgrass Advocacy Issues (Click on the links below for more information.)
Pesticides – Using Less Than Label Rates (A450/S2887)
Pre-emption of Fertilizer (S848/A6908)
Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund
Adoption of a State Definition of IPM (S2775/A7129)
New York Farm Viability Institute
For additional information, please contact the New York State Turfgrass Association, PO Box 612,
Latham, New York 12110, (518) 783-1229, (518) 783-1258 (Fax), nysta@nysta.org,
www.nysta.org.
Las Vegas and The Big Show
In my opinion, Las Vegas did a great job hosting our annual GCSAA Conference
and Show. At the time I wrote this article, GCSAA had not come in with final numbers
yet, but educational event attendance was up slightly, the trade show floor was heavily
trafficked on Wednesday, and onsite registration lines were an hour and a half to two
hours long. David Feherty and Peter Jacobsen (speakers at the Show) have a great
attitude and passion for the game of golf, including the role of the superintendent.
GCSAA has been doing a fine job inviting most of the high profile PGA Tour television
analysts to speak at the GIS.
We are slowly but surely increasing our (the
superintendent’s) exposure to the general public.
I attended the annual meeting on Friday to cast our votes for the HVGCSA. It
was nice to reacquaint myself with the other delegates I met in October. We have a
new President in Sandy Queen, along with Patrick Finlen, our new Vice President who
is hosting the U.S Open this year at The Olympic Club. Keith Ihms was elected
Secretary/Treasurer. In 2013, our very own John O’Keefe from Preakness Hills
Country Club will be “in line” for that same seat. Bill Maynard and Rafael Barajas
were re-elected to fill two open spots on the director’s line to join Peter Grass who still
has one year left. Darren Davis was then appointed by the board to fill the one year
term left by Mr. Ihms. Darren had strong support in the election.
Cont’d on Page 7
Page 5
Cont’d from Page 1
Grover’s first stint as an assistant was at Wykagyl with Steve Renzetti. After Steve moved on to
Quaker Ridge, Grover worked for Chip Lafferty the following year. It was during that second
year at Wykagyl that Grover met his wife Jennifer. Jennifer, who hails from Manchester,
England, was interning at the clubhouse. They both lived at the clubhouse and one thing led to
another and well, the rest is history.
Jennifer accompanied Grover on his next career sojourn and assistants’ position at Desert
Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ. While working for Scott Emerson at the Lyle Anderson Resort,
Grover remembers, “It was way too hot out in Arizona, so I called Gregg Stanley to get back to
the Northeast.” After working again with Gregg for a few months, Grover took an assistant’s
position in Atlantic City at Twisted Dunes, working for Steve Lane. Hudson Hills beckoned the
following year. For the first time in a long time, Grover and Jennifer could afford to settle
down. Grover and Jennifer recently purchased a house in Briarcliff, NY. Jennifer works at
Scarsdale CC as the Membership Director.
Hudson Valley News of Interest
Here’s a big shout-out to longtime HVGCSA member Tim Garceau, my favorite right wing
conservative, for being hired at Hayworth CC in NJ as their new superintendent.
Congratulations to New York CC Superintendent, Matt “The Big Sexy” Topazio and his wife
Alicia, on the birth of their first child, daughter Ella.
Ernie Steinhofer’s fiancé, Carol Ray, recently released on bail from the Kingston City Jail for her
alleged role in Ernie’s assault case, has reportedly been lining up legal counsel for her upcoming
trial. There is also word on the street that Carol has signed a book deal with Penguin Press that
promises to shed light on this grizzly crime and prove her innocence. Ernie has been in hiding
since Carol’s Fall 2011 arrest and continues with his physical therapy regimen to regain strength
after the severe injuries he sustained while living with Carol.
Millbrook’s Dan Wilber and West Hill’s Guy Gurney had quite an adventure on the Freemont
Street zip-line at this year’s GIS in Las Vegas. Dan, going first, lost his grip and crashed through
the front window of Binions Horseshoe Casino, injuring a cocktail waitress. Guy held on a little
too long and slammed into a family from India, twelve of which had to be rushed to the hospital.
Fortunately, the other 23 members of the family were not harmed. Dan and Guy escaped with
minor injuries.
See y’all on May 1st at Hudson Hills
Kevin Collins
Page 6
Cont’d from page 5
While out in Las Vegas, the New York State superintendent chapters got together
for a couple of meetings. We were represented by Matt Topazio, Guy Gurney, and me
(Dan Wilber). The main topics of discussion were:
The possible consolidation of all New York state superintendent chapters (7 in all), to
form one strong unit/voice. While doing so, the idea was to still keep the local flavor
by holding monthly meetings in each respective region as we have continually done
in the past. Plenty more to discuss on this issue, but please let our board members
know what you think of this idea. There are many states that currently only have
one chapter and are doing very well.
We met with Frank Rossi (possible creator) and Peter McDonough (helped the Virginia
GCSA bring about their own set of BMP’s) to discuss creating a Best Management
Practices guideline for NYS. With all that we are being hit with these days; the water
withdrawal reporting, fertilizer laws, and pesticides coming off the market, etc., we
would like to create this set of guidelines to help preserve our working livelihoods. In
doing so, we’d like to involve the club managers, the PGA tour professionals, owners,
builders, and yes, even the NYS DEC. With all departments on board, we, as
stewards of the environment, can set our own standards rather than have someone
else dictate what we’re to do. If you’d like to get involved with this project, please
contact the board. We could use some help with a representative from our
association.
GCSAA has selected Kevin Doyle to be the Northeast Field representative. Kevin comes
from the Londonderry (N.H) Country Club. We hope to have Kevin attend a meeting
this year to help our association, along with all associations in the Northeast.
If you need any advice on which golf courses to play in Las Vegas, ask Matt. I
he played most of them. Mike M., I hope you and your family
had a great time out west. Guy, I’ll never forget the zip line
over Fremont St. Lippy, hope you enjoyed your cigar. Paul and
Steve, sorry we didn’t cross paths. See you all soon.
believe
Dan Wilber
Millbrook G & T Club
A couple of friends were playing golf together one afternoon when one noticed that the other had been
standing over his tee shot on the 450-yard 18th hole for what seemed like an eternity. The man adjusted
his position, looked up, looked down and then adjusted his position again. Finally his exasperated partner
asked, “What in the world is taking you so long?”
“My wife is watching me from the clubhouse balcony.” the man explained. “I want to make a perfect
shot.”
“You’re wasting your time,” his friend replied. “You don’t have a chance in hell of hitting her from here.”
Page 7
2/21/2012
GCSAA to conduct four new research projects in 2012
Projects made possible by EIFG support
Through support provided by the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
(GCSAA) has announced it will fund four new research projects in 2012.
“Research is vital for the golf industry and is a fundamental to the success of golf course superintendents.” GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Rhett Evans said. “The new projects were selected by the research committee and approved by the board of directors.
A survey of chapter leaders helped to prioritize areas for needed research. We are pleased to be funding new projects for the
benefits of our members, their facilities and the game.”
Three chapter cooperative grants, where GCSAA-affiliated chapters contribute to the funding, were awarded. A new funding category was introduced this year to encourage the implementation of best management practices or new technology.
The following chapter cooperative projects were funded:
Characterization and management of root-infecting Pythium species bentgrass putting greens in the Midwest. Gerald (Lee) Miller, Ph.D., University of Missouri. Completion date 2013. Co-funded by the Heart of America Golf Course
Superintendents Association, Ozark Turf Association, the Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents Association, and the
Mark Kizziar Research Grant administered by the EIFG.
Deficit irrigation programs for water conservation in the management of bermudagrass fairways in Texas. Benjamin
Wherley, Ph.D., Texas A&M University. Completion date 2013. Co-funded by the Lonestar Golf Course Superintendents
Association and the Aquatrols’ Robert A. Moore Endowment Fund administered by the EIFG.
Plant tolerance / resistance to annual bluegrass weevil among bentgrass: Which cultivars are at great risk and
which are the best for overseeding / replacement. Albrecht Koppenhofer, Ph.D., Rutgers University. Completion date
2013. Co-funded by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey, Hudson Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association, Keystone Golf Course Superintendents Association, Long Island Golf Course Superintendents
Association, Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association, New Jersey Turfgrass Association and the Pocono
Turfgrass Association.
The following BMP/Implementation project was funded:
Field implementation and educational events to support principles in the manual: Best Management Practices for
Protection of Environmental Quality on Virginia Golf Courses. Erik Ervin, Ph.D., Virginia Tech. Completion date:
2013. Co-funded by the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Dr. Michael J. Hurdzan Endowment
Fund administered by the EIFG.
“GCSAA’s research program is focused on supporting applied, problem-solving projects that not only help golf course superintendents provide solutions to pest problems, but also help to save money, provide more enjoyable conditions, minimize inputs and
protect the environment,” Evans said. “The economic challenges have limited us in the recent past, but through the support of
GCSAA members and others in the industry to the EIFG, we are optimistic we will be able to continuously fund research going
forward.”
The EIFG is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf
with the natural environment. The EIFG concentrates on delivering programs and services involving research, education, and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For more on the EIFG,
visit www.eifg.org.
Page 8
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in
Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to 19,000 members in more than 72 countries.
GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession, and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game
of golf. Find GCSAA on Facebook, follow GCSAA on Twitter, and visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
For additional information contact:
Greg Lyman, GCSAA Director of Environmental Programs, 800-472-7878
Mischia Wright, EIFG senior manager of development, 800-472-7878
Media contact
Jeff Bollig
Sr. Director, Marketing and Communications
800-472-7878
jbollig@gcsaa.org
Welcome New HVGCSA Members!
Peter Sermini, Class A, The Lazy Swan Golf & Country Club
Peter Waterous, Class A, Westchester Hills Golf Club
John Brosnan, Jr., Class C, Warwick Valley Country Club
Scott Estey, Class C, Garrison Golf Club
John Balducci, Class AF, Red Wing Sand & Gravel
Jason Mulcahy, Class AF, DuPont Professional Products
Chris Pogge, Class AF, Grassland Equipment & Irrigation Corp
Owen J. Regan, Class AF, OJR Enterprises LLC
Scott Tretera, Class AF, Harrells, LLC
Page 9
Meeting Notice
Joint Meeting with the Northeast GCSA
Date:
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
Location:
Hudson Hills Golf Course
400 Croton Dam Road
Ossining, NY 10562
Host Superintendent:
Grover Alexander
Dress Code:
Golf Attire
Registration:
11:00 am
Lunch:
11:30 am BBQ Lunch
Golf:
1:00 pm, Shotgun Start, (no driving range)
Social:
5:00 pm, Steak Dinner and Awards
CASH BAR
Golf Prizes and 50/50 Raffle
Fees:
$125.00/person, Member or Guest-all day.
$20.00/person for lunch.
$35.00/per person for dinner.
Format:
Two-person scramble
Spikeless shoes required. No on-site registration.
Deadline for registration is Wednesday, April 25th, 2012.
Please register via phone or email:
ipierpoint@mgagolf.org
You can pay on-site with check, cash or call Ineke with credit card
Please register with HVGCSA
Directions on reverse
Page 10
Directions to Hudson Hills Golf Course
From the North
Travel South on Taconic State Parkway
Take Ossining Exit, RT-134
Off ramp make right onto RT-134 West
Make Left into Hudson Hills Golf Course
From the South
From White Plains/ I-287 West
Take I-287 West/Cross Westchester Expressway toward Tappan Zee Bridge
Take Exit 3 for Sprain Brook Parkway: New York City and Taconic State Parkway
Merge onto Sprain Brook Parkway North
Sprain Brook Parkway North becomes Taconic State Parkway North
Take Ossining Exit, RT-134
Make left onto RT-134 West
1 mile past Taconic underpass, make left into Hudson Hills Golf Course
From Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 East
NY State Thruway/ I-87 South take Exit 8 onto I-287 East/Cross Westchester Expressway
Take Exit 1 onto Saw Mill River Parkway North towards Taconic
Take Exit 26 to Taconic State Parkway North
Take Ossining Exit, RT-134
Make left onto RT-134 West
1 mile past Taconic State Parkway underpass, make left into Hudson Hills Golf Course
From the East
From Mt. Kisco/ RT-133
Follow Main Street in Mount Kisco onto RT-133 West, up Captain Merritt’s Hill
Exactly 1.8 miles from Saw Mill River Parkway underpass, make right at light onto Seven Bridges Road
Make left onto RT-100 , Make right onto RT-134 West
1 mile past Taconic State Parkway underpass, make left into Hudson Hills Golf Course
From the West
From Bear Mountain Bridge/ US 9 South
Over bridge bear right and follow US 202/ US 6 East
At Rotary take first right onto US 9 South/ US 202 E/ US 6 East
Over causeway, make right at light to continue on US 9 South
Bear left onto 9A South/Briarcliff Peekskill Parkway
Turn left at light onto RT-134 North
Just past the Fire House, make right into Hudson Hills Golf Course
Page 11
THE FOREGROUND – PATRON DIRECTORY
A.G. Enterprises
Staff Uniforms
www.agenterprisesonline.com
Rick Gordon merrick160@aol.com
201-488-1276; Fax: 201-489-5830
Plant Food Company, Inc.
“Perfectionists Like You”
Dick Neufeld - 973-945-6318
Tom Weinert - 914-262-0111
www.plantfoodco.com 800-562-1291
Aquatrols Corp. of America
37 Oneonta Road
Carmel, NY 10512
Kevin P. Collins, Mid Atlantic/NE TM
609-841-2077 kevin.collins@aquatrols.com
Red Wing Sand & Gravel
675 Leetown Road
Stormville, NY 12582
John Balducci
Office: 845-221-2224; Cell: 914-475-7890
Bayer
91 Schofield Road
West Milford, NJ 07480
Jeff Weld - 914-419-9384
Dave Sylvester - 860-841-3173
Saratoga Sod
1670 Route 4
Stillwater, NY 12170
Laurie Griffen
518-664-5038
Blue Ridge Peat Farms
133 Peat Moss Road
White Haven, PA 18661
Gene Evans & Chuck Evans
570-443-9596 or 570-947-5888
Storr Tractor Company
3191 Highway 22
Branchburg, NJ 08876
Steve Bradley - 908-413-5640
Rick Krok - 908-413-3403
DryJect NE/Turf Pounders
37 Oneonta Road
Carmel, NY 10512
Kevin Collins - 914-525-3681
Steve Jordan - 914-602-2857
Syngenta L & G
Manufacture of Plant Protection Products
Daconil Action, Heritage, Renown,
Primo Maxx
Lee A. Kozsey - 215-796-0409
Fred Montgomery - 518-424-0760
Grass Roots, Inc.
www.GRIturf.com
Ryan Batz, Technical Sales Rep.
Ryan.Batz@GrassRootsTurfOnline.com
Ofc: 973-252-6634; Cell: 631-872-5357
James Carriere & Sons, Inc.
7 Cottage Street
Port Chester, NY 10573
Bill Carriere - 914-937-2136
Fax: 914-939-2766
Trap Sands, Partac Top Dressing
XGD & Const. Mixes
Matrix Turf Solutions
259 Lucas Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
Gregory R. Moran
845-849-8640
Metro Turf Specialists
“Customers, Our Top Priority”
Ernie Steinhofer, CGCS
Robert Steinman, CGCS
203-748-4653
www.metroturfspecialists.com
MONTCO PRODUCTS CORP.
SURFSIDE WETTING AGENTS
ZAP! Defoamer
Bob Oechsle
1-800-401-0411; Fax: 215-836-2418
Westchester Turf Supply, Inc.
“Serving the HVGCSA for 36 Years”
Bob Lippman - 914-447-6257
Dave Lippman - 914-447-5192
info@westchesterturf.com
Wilfred MacDonald Inc.
Turf Equipment Specialists
Bill Luthin Cell: 201-214-5901
Office: 888-831-0891 Fax: 201-931-1730
billy@wilfredmacdonald.com