THE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION Issue 2: 2022/ Volume 62
CONTENTS 6 Chapter News 10 GCSANJ Foundation Feature 18 Value to Volunteering 26 Book Review 30 Tech Tips Creative Communication Using Canva 32 GCSAA Feature The Etiquette That Makes Golf Special 36 Photo Pages 42 We Asked, You Answered Share Your Favorite Experience Volunteering for a Golf Tournament 44 Patron Directory 28 QUICK NINE: Learn about this year's tournament hosts. 23 TIMELINE: The History of the U.S. Amateur in NJ. 13 Women in Turf Team at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open. THE GREENERSIDE | 1 On The Cover The Ridgewood Country Club Todd Raisch, CGCS, Golf Course Superintendent Photo Credit: Evan Schiller Photography Correction: Jack Martin's name was mistakenly omitted from the last issue's feature acknowledging New Jersey's long time GCSAA members Jack has been a member of GCSAA since 1965.
OurContributors Editor in Chief: Donovan Maguigan Design & Layout Editor: Maureen Sharples Photography Editor: Shaun Barry Contributing Writers: Shaun Barry, Kevin Doyle, Donovan Maguigan, Bill Murray, Jill Seymour, Maureen Sharples, Jennifer Torres, and Doug Vogel. © 2022 THE GREENERSIDE Opinions expressed in this Newsletter are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily express the opinions or policies of the GCSANJ Board and its membership No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission Officers: Jeremy Hreben, CGCS, President Michael Tardogno, Vice President Ken Anson, Treasurer Donovan Maguigan, Secretary Joe Kinlin, Past President Directors: District I Mark Miedler & Patrick Quinlan District II Rob Wagner District III Jennifer Torres & Drew White Commercial Representatives Rob Johnson & Paul Ramina Class C Liaison James Surico Rutgers Liaisons Dr. Bruce Clarke & Dr. James Murphy Executive Director Maureen Sharples GCSANJ Newsletter is published four times a year THE GREENERSIDE | 2
JEREMY HREBEN, CGCS
Speaking of resourceful, in my years as a golf course superintendent, I have learned that we all have to deal with situations unrelated to turf, events, or duties that are not typically taught in our classrooms or books We become the key masters and keepers of our properties regardless of what is given to us I have seen superintendents become experts in roofing general contracting concrete bricklaying etc In that respect, you may have heard that I have decided to take on a new role after 24 years in the golf industry. As of June, I am the Superintendent of Parks for Burlington County. It's a significant change for me There is no golf course involved There are no athletic fields to maintain I will maintain over 1,000 acres of passive recreation, i e , nature parks, hiking trails, kayaking rivers, and amphitheaters By learning and watching my peers, I have realized that our positions and experiences have taught us to handle many unfamiliar situations Today I am prepping our fairgrounds for the Burlington County Farm Fair Yesterday I began the process of renovating a national historic registered building on our property I am excited about what the future has in store for me I have been asked to stay on the board and finish my term as your President, and I have accepted with pride and admiration To be asked to do that has meant a lot to me I started this term with hopes and goals and am now beginning to see those come to fruition. We had our first family night at the Somerset Patriots game. Attendance was good, considering it was the first event and most kids were still in school Hopefully, we can build on that in the future We look forward to more meetings and our second annual Turf Fest in the fall I want to thank all of you for this opportunity As the summer continues, know that my heart is with you all as you battle the weather and environment to continue to do what you all love And although I will not be encountering the same issues, I am currently trying to house six cows in a historic 200 year old building I look forward to seeing you once we all can take a breath
PRESIDENT'S LETTER THE GREENERSIDE | 3
Chapter President Well, summer is here in full force Mother Nature took no time at all returning to her old self However, superintendents are a resourceful group We are all highly trained and experienced in handling these situations Here in New Jersey, we have gone through more challenging times than some heat
SINCERELY, JEREMY HREBEN, CGCS
Sincerely, MaureenSharples GCSANJ Executive Director @GCSANJ1926
MAUREEN SHARPLES E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R New Jersey is proudly home to some of the best golf courses in the world, so it is no surprise that our region hosts many golf tournaments. This year has been quite busy for our small state and neighboring area, so we decided to pay homage to the host superintendents, the spirit of volunteering, and the history of the U S Amateur in New Jersey in this “Championship Edition” of The Greenerside While most eyes are on the professional golfers, we know how much work, talent, time, and effort goes on behind the scenes in preparing the golf courses for these events. Year after year, GCSANJ members step up as tournament volunteers to help their fellow members It is remarkable to see friends help friends even when they are from competing courses or at the height of the golf season These volunteer experiences would not be what they are without the support of our industry partners Our commercial representatives’ donations provide meals and uniforms for the volunteers. Finding another industry as tight knit and supportive as ours would certainly be a challenge. Volunteerism is also the backbone of our operation as an association and the key to our success The oppressive heat, lack of rain, and increase in rounds played have not stopped our volunteers Members have written articles for The Greenerside, graded scholarship applications, hosted events, and attended committee meetings. It doesn’t surprise me. You, our members, are some of the most dedicated professionals I know, and I thank you for your commitment to the betterment of our association.
msharples@gcsanj.org facebook.com/gcsanj @GCSANJ1926 L E T ' S C O N N E C T THE GREENERSIDE | 4
FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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GCSANJAWARDS C H A P T E R N E W S Congratulations to our members who have hosted national and regional golf tournaments. Our Awards Committee has recognized the hosts and their teams. THE GREENERSIDE | 6 The ShopRite LPGA Classic At Seaview Golf Club Pictured are District 3 Director Jennifer Torres and Mike Bair. LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup at Upper Montclair Country Club Pictured are Mike Brunelle and his team 67th Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club Pictured are Greg Boring and Awards Chairman Pat Quinlan
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NEWMEMBERS GROWINGFAMILIES M E M B E R N E W S Joshua Dennis Class C, Springdale GC Garret Birchenough Class C, Essex Fells CC Brad Novotny Class AF, Davisson Golf Jesse Betts Class AF, Mitchell Products Aldo Linares Ramos Class C, Linwood CC Keith Bennett of Grass Roots and his wife Lauren, welcomed their third child, Giorgia Bennett She is pictured with her older siblings Briana and Beau THE GREENERSIDE | 8 Kevin Logan Class C, Morris County GC Jeff England Class A, Scotland Run GC David Fierro Class C, Essex Fells CC Danielle Schlein Class AF, SavATree
GCSANJFOUNDATION SUPPORTSTHENJFFA C H A P T E R N E
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W S
On June 29th, the staff at the Department of Plant Biology and Center for Turfgrass Science at Rutgers hosted a retirement party on campus for Dr Bruce Clarke and Dr. Bill Meyer. Representatives from our allied associations, staff, and friends celebrated their accomplishments and impact on our industry Congratulations to Dr. Clarke and Dr. Meyer. The GCSANJ Foundation team continued its support of the NJFFA (Future Farmers of America) by participating in their annual Golf Fundraiser. The team was led by non playing captain Dave Mishkin along with Tim Mariner, Dan Cathcart, Keith Bennett, and Les Carpenter They won the Gross Tournament. It was our first victory at this event, and hopefully, these gentlemen can return in 2023 to defend their title
CLARKE&MEYER'S RETIREMENTPARTY
Unfortunately, a much larger outing that day on their other course required lots of attention, so the extra foursome had to cancel. We all know how that works. The course was in impeccable shape, and people soon learned to avoid the rough, but if you did get into it, most players decided not to try and be a hero Take a wedge and move it forward back into the fairway. Another lesson the group quickly learned was to avoid getting above the hole on greens. Both of these were worthy goals but too often not achieved Fortunately, everyone had a partner, but I am sure every team would have been happy to use some “Mulligans ” Our Low Gross winning team, however, did fine without Mulligans Les Carpenter and Joe Kinlin shot a 70 Les shot 74 on his own ball but on the hole, he made double, Joe was there to make par. I think Joe shot 77. Great playing by both gentlemen. Brian Bontemps and Rob Schipper shot a 65 to win Low Net, while Ken Anson and Sean Charles shot a 66 to win Second Low Net on a match of cards Our Skills Contest winners were Paul Blodorn, Dennis Granahan, and Aden Kraft. Tyler Otero and Keith Bennett decided to run a skins game for the first time because it was something most players expected would be offered at registration They enjoy competing for something extra There were many birdies made, but at the end of the day, only two held up as skins. The teams of Alan Bean & Josh Kopera and Joe Scioscia & Andy Bulizak had one skin each.
GCSANJ Foundation hosts the 2022 Foundation Shootout at Trump National Bedminster
By Shaun Barry, GCSANJ Foundation Executive Director The 2022 GCSANJ Foundation Shootout was on May 23rd, hosted by Rob Wagner at Trump National Bedminster. Rob is the District 2 Director, but he readily offered up the use of his course long before he joined the GCSANJ board Once a date was identified, he approached his club He was able to explain our needs, and I believe, due to him getting involved, the club agreed to add us to their calendar of events at a reduced price from their usual outings. Keith Bennett led the Foundation’s efforts, and Maureen Sharples worked her understanding of the Sponsor’s Program to populate the field and secure sponsors Our self imposed limit of 100 players was reached and moved up to 104 to accommodate a foursome composed of Rob’s superintendents and assistants. SHOOTOUT
THE GREENERSIDE | 10 FEATUREFOUNDATION 2022 FOUNDATION
Title Sponsors Plant Food E Z Go Dinner Sponsor LaBar Golf Renovations Cocktail Sponsors Nufarm Syngenta Lunch Sponsors Pun’kin Hollow Farms/ Energy Smarts Bayer Beverage Sponsors Harrington Construction Middletown Sprinkler Mitchell Products Hole Contests BASF, Coombs Sod Farm, Double “D” Turf, and NJ Soil Blending Hole Sponsors Aquatrols, Brandt, Collins Vella & Casello, Corteva, Ewing Irrigation, FMC, Helena, NJGIC, Ocean Organics, PBI Gordon, Solu Cal, Westchester Turf Our sincere thanks go to Rob and his staff for all of their efforts in making our day so special We also thank everyone at the club for their professionalism and attention to detail. Keith Bennett sent a thank you e mail to all our attendees and sponsors because this event would not exist without you, and the Foundation would struggle to be relevant Thanks for your support, and I hope to see you at the 2023 Foundation Shootout THE GREENERSIDE | 11 FEATUREGCSAA Foundation Shootout Sponsors
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The most exceptional experience of my professional career to date is being a pioneering member of the Women In Turf Team. This monumental movement began in 2021 when Troy Flanagan, Director of Golf at the Olympic Club, and Kimberly Gard, Territory Manager for Syngenta, created an amazing experience They recruited 30 female volunteers to assist the Olympic Club maintenance crew for the 76th U.S. Women's Open. What better platform to showcase the Women In Turf Team than the biggest event of women's golf? IN TURF TEAM AT U.S.
Who are Women In Turf? We are students, mothers, sales reps, architects, wives, and golf course superintendents, to name a few. But who we are first and foremost are women, and we are women within the turf industry recognizing a shift This shift is the recognition of women in this industry and the mission not only to earn the respect of our peers but to open up this profession to all young women and girls with the interest in playing in the dirt! I am one of these women. I have been in the turf industry for the past 20 years and have been a golf course superintendent for the last six I get up before sunrise, work out in the elements year round, am usually pretty filthy at work, come home exhausted, and would not change any of it. I absolutely love what I do! I only wish I had known about this profession when I was younger and started thinking about my future GCSANJ members Jill Seymour and Jennifer Torres share their experiences volunteering on the Women In Turf Team at the U S Women's Open at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
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Changing the Turf Industry One Cup at a Time By Jill Seymour, Golf Course Superintendent at Charleston Spring South Course
2022
FEATUREGCSANJ THE WOMEN
Fortunately, for 15 year old Kelce, she already knows about golf course maintenance, a credit to her parents and father, who is in the turf industry himself. Because of this, she sees no limitations or obstacles to growing up and becoming a golf course superintendent I met Kelce at the 77th Women's U S Open at Pine Needles I was on back nine set up, and I just finished cutting the cup. Unbeknownst to me, I had a spectator who was not only interested in but fascinated by what I was doing. As I walked off the green, Kelce and her father approached me Kelce asked me to autograph her Pine Needles Women's US Open flag I am forever moved by this significant moment in my life and aware that Kelce has no idea what an impact she had on me just by asking for my autograph. Kelce is the epitome of what we are trying to accomplish with our newfound platform She is our mission, goal, and future
WOMEN’S OPEN
It all started with these amazing women in 2019 when Bayer hosted their Women In Golf event in North Carolina. It was the first time I was not the only girl in the room at a turf event This event was not only packed with education but also brimming with shared stories, experiences, and the challenges we face in this male dominated profession. Women make up less than 2% of the GCSAA, so it was unrivaled to have more than a couple of women in a room together as turf professionals During this event, we became a support system for each other We continue to reach out and communicate regularly over personal matters, agronomy issues, or anything else. Then in February 2021, Kimberly Gard started reaching out looking for women in the turf industry to fulfill Troy Flanagan's vision to join his maintenance crew in preparing the Olympic Club I do not think Troy or Kimberly thought they would find many women, let alone 29 of us. We could not have been more excited to not only be invited but to be given a chance to show up and display our intellect, capabilities, and passion for the turf industry We were all paired up with Troy's crew on different jobs I was fortunate to be on the Back Nine Set Up Crew for my morning job We were responsible for putting out tee markers and cutting the cups following the USGA's direction. That week at the Olympic Club was the start of something big We all knew it had never been done before, that it was super cool, but not one of us realized at the time just what was set in motion Fast forward to Pine Needles 2022. The plan was to take 15 women from the Olympic Club and recruit some newbies. Amazingly enough, between all of us reaching out, 16 more women were tracked down and invited to join. I was fortunate to be one of the returning "OGs " (Original Girls)! David Fruchte, Pine Needle's Director of Golf, and his crew could not have been more welcoming His small but mighty team of only nine had done an astronomical job preparing the course Once again, I was fortunate to be assigned Back Nine Set Up (holes 9 17). I could not have been more excited to get this assignment for the second year in a row. Cutting cups is quite different for a major tournament, especially under the direction of the USGA Again, this year I had the benefit of working with USGA's Senior Director Shannon Rouillard When you get to the green, you spend a lot of time waiting for the USGA to finalize the pin placement before you are given the go ahead to cut. Then the stress of no mistakes. This exact pin placement was selected months ago, so there is no margin for error, not with the cut or the paint. Adding to the tension, the green is exceptionally busy with 4 8 other people at any given time, primarily USGA tournament directors and support staff who are stimping, testing firmness, and putting lots of putting and golf balls under your feet Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning jobs remained the same. My start time continued to get later each morning at the USGA's direction I was to be on my first green at 7:00 on Friday, 7:30 on Saturday, and 8:00 on Sunday to begin cutting cups The Front Nine Set Up Crew still began at 6:30, so I had the chance to go with them and see a few of their greens prepared those mornings. The only other difference for those last three mornings was spectators. Especially so much later on the back nine, the spectators were arriving and would be sitting in the grandstands at the greens watching me cut the cups Sometimes the spectators would even give me a round of applause once I finished! The process of 9 hole setups usually took 3 4 hours depending on how quickly the USGA approved each green's pin location I always missed breakfast, most importantly, really good bacon! But to my surprise, after missing breakfast the first day, some other women started bringing bacon out to me on the greens, so I could enjoy some before it was all gone. This small act speaks volumes to these women's camaraderie, respect, and thoughtfulness My evening job for the week consisted of bringing in the flags and tee markers after play was finished. As you can imagine, these would make great souvenirs if left out all night. I would also fill tee divots and make any needed
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My Week at the U.S. Women’s Open By Jennifer Torres, Golf Course Superintendent, Westlake Golf & Country Club of us had never met We have followed the paths we forged, often being the only woman in the room. Although the turf industry has welcomed us, we have still had moments we felt alone. It's not easy to go to events and have people think you're the wife of a superintendent and not "The Superintendent " The week at Pine Needles was so empowering. We were all women from different locations across the country with a passion for turf and sharing it with the world. This event gave us a platform to be visible; #SEEITBEIT We want to help our profession grow by introducing others like us to the industry Diversity and inclusion are a way to bring others that never thought about a career in turf to the greener side of life. What was the experience like? Well, sleep was not part of our schedule, but that didn't matter The energy the women brought to David Fruchte, Pine Needles' director of agronomy, and his staff was like a jolt of electricity used to bring someone back to life, something David and his team needed drastically after their equipment manager, Raymond Smith, was in a horrific car accident just a week before the championship We gathered for dinner and orientation on Sunday afternoon and were given uniforms and credentials. Then we toured the course and demoed the
FEATUREGCSANJ
On Friday, I had the incredible experience of being interviewed by Cara Banks on the Golf Channel. I was taken to the live production tent, invited in, directed where to sit, introduced to Cara, mic'd up, and 3, 2, 1! We spent about 10 minutes talking about the experience of assisting David's crew in preparing the course, the course layout & conditions, and the experience of working at the Women's US Open. It was an amazing experience, and I feel so fortunate to represent women in turf on such a grand scale. Year after year, this event is the most amazing kind of hell week We exhaust ourselves completely and persevere through utter fatigue to show just how capable and passionate we are. We could get some sleep during our breaks, but we forego rest. We choose to continue our bonding experience that some people are only fortunate enough to get maybe once in a lifetime Still, this event gives us this amazing opportunity every year This experience over the past two years has changed me so much, both personally and professionally. Being exposed to these women from all over the United States, with diverse backgrounds and expertise on turf, has become my instant family A family that I had no idea even existed until now. We have so many common plans and ideologies, more so than any other group of people in my life. It is extraordinary, and these are the women who I will cherish, admire, THE GREENERSIDE | 15 learn from, and continue to grow with for the rest of my life. Our whole purpose as Women In Turf is not only to find and connect with women in the turf industry but, most importantly, to create and foster experiences and opportunities for all young women and girls, like Kelce, interested in the turf profession For Women In Turf, this is just the beginning of something spectacular.
repairs to the greens. I would continue to replace any scalped plugs, adjust any high or low plugs, and repair and fill ball marks with "Camo Sand," special tricolored sand that helps any imperfections disappear on TV
Momentous, life changing, and revitalizing are just some words I would use to describe the experience of the 32 women who volunteered at the 77th U.S. Women's Open Championship. Thanks to the help of Syngenta's Kimberly Gard and Pure Seeds' Kelly Lynch the, "Grass Ceiling Society" was born Only 398 of the GCSAA's members are women Forty of those are Class A members, and 29 are CGCS. While roughly half the group at Pine Needles was also at the Olympic Club last year, some
The third day began like all the days prior, except it was the beginning of Pride Month and a celebration for many women to be who they are After the morning shift, we returned to the villas to get skin cancer screenings if desired, recharge, and watch some of the final practice round. Many of us also sat with the guys from Pullin' Weeds, Carolina GCSA's podcast during our downtime to share our stories and have some laughs with Allen and Tim At 4 p m , we returned to the Then Brandon Bell from Syngenta addressed the women with a presentation on fostering inclusive communities We need to foster diversity and inclusion to grow Then, discussion on where we go from here? On Day 6, USGA let us take pictures with the trophy and present David with a medal. This was his fourth major event during his time at Pine Needles. Seeing his reaction and the love he has for his wife and children, as well as his staff, brought tears to many in the room
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On the last day, we could sleep in as go time was 5:30 a.m. It felt a little odd not getting up so early. The Fairway crew was now on autopilot and all cylinders were firing. We even videoed the last mow as a memory that will last forever This was not just an opportunity to volunteer; it was a life changing week in our careers we will never forget. We met as friends and left as a lifelong family. The bonds created at this event are more significant than any of us would have dreamed, and seeing the industry changing before our eyes and being a part of history is something we never believed would happen in our time I want to thank Syngenta and Rainbird for their support. Without your sponsorship, we would not have gotten there or had a place to call home for the week. Kimberly Gard, Kelly Lynch, and Cori Rodriguez, your leadership has started this new journey, and this is just the beginning maintenance facility and waited for the ladies to finish the play before evening setup. It was a late night due to the large field and proximity of holes that required us to wait for play to clear before working. We still made time to gather at the Fairways Villa with our sisters in turf, and the boys from Pullin' Weeds showed up with their wives to assist in the pyramid build. If you know, you know. Again, retiring by midnight Day 4 marked the official start of the championship. This morning we found a head that would not recess back down on the 15th fairway Within minutes Assistant Superintendent Tom Stier was on the scene, and disaster was averted GCSAA President Kevin Breen, CGCS, and Vice President Kevin Sunderman, CGCS spoke with the volunteers about what we want from our association Breen stated, "We would love to have women on the board someday."
equipment in preparation for the practice rounds. We returned to the villas at Mid Pines, where we stayed for the week. Stories were shared, tears fell, and the bond between turf sisters was born It was like we had always known each other Day one of the practice rounds started for us around 3:30 a.m. The crew met in the tent, which was as cold as a meat freezer that first day, at 4:30 a.m. All members knew their jobs, and by 4:45 a.m., we were headed out I was fortunate to be mowing the back nine fairways, which included holes 9 17 They were mowed from tee to green, all in one direction. Our crew consisted of GCSAA Director of Member Services Shelia Finney, Sun Roesslein from the Jeffco County Sports Complex in Colorado, Tanner and John from David's staff, and myself We had a surprise visit from LPGA player Gaby Lopez She wanted to thank the entire maintenance crew and us. "Thank you so much for your endless hours, energy, being here so early and leaving so late." Then it was on to Pinehurst #2 for a tour Superintendent John Jeffries took time out of his day to tour us and brought his daughter, Riley, to meet all of the Women in Turf Team. That night Annika Sorenstam stopped by to thank us as well and sign hats. Following our meeting with Annika, we headed to the evening course setup For me, that meant divots until 9 p m The next day we stopped by the merchandise tent after our shift to get souvenirs; everyone needed a flag signed by the all women maintenance crew. We visited Sandhills Community College for an educational presentation from Kari Haug Golf Course Design and the USGA
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By Bill Murray Contributing nationally, regionally, or locally can be the most memorable and rewarding part of your career in this profession. A common question frequently asked by members of GCSAA and the GCSA of New Jersey is, "what do they do for me?" The better question is, "what can I do to improve the association " When I first came to New Jersey, I was one of the people who would complain about the association until my good friend (someone I call my big brother) Shaun Barry said, "Put up or shut up!" I heeded Shaun's words and ran for a director position on the GCSANJ Board of Directors in the next election cycle I did not earn enough votes the first time and was defeated by a good man, Roger Stewart, CGCS. With a little more know how and help from my friends the following year, I was lucky enough to win a director position on our board. From that moment forward, I was encouraged by some older and wiser directors to join committees so I could make a real impact. I took their words seriously and spent 15 years serving on the board, starting as a director, moving through the chairs to President, and finally ending up as Chapter Delegate, which was my favorite position. While serving on the board, I was involved in just about all committees, meeting most of the superintendents, many of whom are still dear friends During a committee meeting, I met another board member who took me under his wing and showed me there was more to this business than just local business. That man, Jim McNally, taught me about the associations and how to get involved in making a difference for all members. At the time, Jim was our Chapter Delegate to the National Association, and for some reason, he wanted me to take over for him when his time was up. Without his passion for the job, I would have never found out about the daily procedures of GCSAA I attended two Golf Industry Shows (now the Conference and Trade Show) with Jim. He showed me how to vote, mingle with the other delegates, and meet the people a delegate should know. After being the chapter delegate for ten years, I believed it was time to step down and let a younger member experience what I have in this position. I think no one should hold that position longer than five years so more members can experience what the national
THE GREENERSIDE | 18 FEATURE GET INVOLVED YOU MIGHT LIKE IT
THE GREENERSIDE | 19 FEATUREGCSANJ program takes children from a local school to a golf course and teaches them what we do every day. The students get to see firsthand that our job involves math, biology, chemistry, and the part they love the possibility of seeing some of our area's native habitats and wild life The programs taught to the younger children instill the values of maintaining the environment while respecting others and the golf course. You can also reach out to your local veteran's office, your municipality, or The First Tee program, which introduces and teaches children golf Another way is through your local charities These outings can be an auction, golf outing, BBQ, or even a walk/run to help raise funds to support those experiencing challenges in life. You can also make an impact by getting involved with your town's politics or being a coach or umpire for the local town's youth sports If any of these opportunities involve one of your members, jump in and help because they can probably use all the help you can bring to the table. VOLUNTEER VALUE One of the most fun ways to get involved is to volunteer your services at a golf tournament, either locally or traveling to an event I have been fortunate enough to do both. If possible, I like to head south of where I live and help our fellow member, Mike Bair, superintendent of Seaview Golf Club, when he hosts the LPGA ShopRite Classic. He is one of the nicest people I have met and is always thankful for the help This tournament is not one of those glamorous tournaments that all volunteers flock to, as it is not a major nor a big stop on the LPGA Tour. Volunteering your time at these professional events that don't get a lot of interest can make the most significant impact. The hours association offers. The people you meet are some of the best from the other associations across the country, and many will be your friends for many years to come. I recommend that all chapters let as many members go to Lawrence, Kansas, and see our home, GCSAA Headquarters BEHIND THE SCENES BENEFITS Every year the GCSAA asks the members if they would like to join a committee. I believe all members should jump at this opportunity and get involved Through the years, I have served on almost all the committees and have been involved in making and enforcing policies for GCSAA Our CEO Rhett Evans and the entire staff in Lawrence, KS, are undoubtedly the hardest working and friendliest people you would like to meet. Everyone should try to get there and see how it all goes down You won't be disappointed There are many ways to get involved and make a difference, but you need to find them yourself or ask your Board of Directors for direction. For me, it was getting involved in our association's Foundation. It gave me a purpose to help others in our association and beyond I felt I was making a real difference in our chapter and community Our projects include; awarding scholarships to our members' children, helping a member in need, donating to the local food bank, gathering toys for children at Christmas, and partnering with Rutgers University to help fund research that is vital to our industry. Also, on the local level, you can do many things to help yourself and others in your profession and community A few things that come to mind are helping students in local schools through the First Green program and supporting your local community charities to get to their end goal. The First Green are not the greatest but helping a super in need eases the burden. My desire to volunteer led me to travel to Ireland in 2019. It led to some of my most significant moments in our business and life I was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer for both the Irish Open and The Open Championship in the same year. The Irish Open was held at Lahinch Golf Club, where I am an overseas member. Having known the superintendents, Brian McDonagh and Paudie Grealish, for many years, Dave Mishkin and I were tasked with stimping and clegging impact soil testers, while Shaun Barry served as the official photographer for the maintenance team. Being on the greens allowed us to meet the agronomic and course setup consultant, Eugene Hennessy, of the European tour and discuss the speed and firmness of the greens and what would be done to make all greens uniformed each day of the tournament Interacting with volunteers from all corners of Ireland and Great Britain was priceless. At first, the local superintendents were a little standoffish because they were not used to seeing Lahinch members work on the course as part of the maintenance staff But soon enough, the ice was broken, and we talked, ate, and worked alongside them I keep in touch with many of them and look forward to future adventures with them. Getting to know these fine lads, whether working or socializing in the pubs or just going back to the house for a little "craic" and sleep, made the event something I will never forget It was up to Northern Ireland and The Open Championship at one of my favorite golf courses, Royal Portrush Golf Club. Upon entering the course for the first time that week, I was over whelmed by the massive undertaking Graeme
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Beatt, the Director of Grounds Maintenance, let Dave and I repair all ball marks and blemishes on and around all greens during the week. One day we had an interesting conversation with Grant Moir, the head rules official for the R&A, about some unusual out of bounds stakes on the property that were white with black tops. He explained the reasoning that covered two potential situations and what ruling each situation would invoke. It was great that he took the time to chat in the middle of the ninth fairway We also ran into the Golf Channel crew filming each hole and even talked with Frank Nobilo while walking the course. Because this venue was so massive, getting to know all the employees and volunteers was impossible. But that doesn't mean we didn't connect with a few local superintendents brave enough to go to the local pubs at night and have a pint or two with us. Heading home from these two events, I realized I had gathered enough memories to last a life time and keep me dreaming of returning When volunteering at any event, just remember to keep your ears, eyes, and mind open to meet and enjoy the people and sights you will encounter. There is no better feeling in the world than living in the moment and seeing the people you are with happy I hope this little article will open some minds and inspire some of you to get out there and help your fellow members or help someone in need. Someday that person might be you.
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THE GREENERSIDE | 23 Photos2,3,4,courtesyofBaltusrolGolfClub
THE UNITED STATES AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP A New Jersey Greenkeeping History
The U S Amateur is the oldest United States Golf Association championship first held in 1895 at the Newport Country Club in Rhode Island Beginning in 1898, the prestigious tournament commenced its storied history with the State of New Jersey The tournament has been contested in the Garden State 10 times over nine different layouts at seven different golf clubs The championship comes back to New Jersey after a 21 year hiatus with a unique twist The Ridgewood Country Club and the Arcola Country Club will co host the stroke play qualifying rounds with the championship being held over the composite Championship Course of the Ridgewood Country Club the week of August 15 21, 2022 by Doug Vogel
1901
Pro Greenkeeper John Reid laid out and maintained the popular bayside resort course for four years prior to hosting the 7th US Amateur “After having postponed for a week, owing to the death of President McKinley, the golf match began on the links of the Atlantic City Golf Club The links are in fabulous condition A fog hung over the field during the early morning and the heavy dew made the links a trifle wet ” The Lewiston Teller September 26, 1901
The Englewood Golf Club b Pro Greenkeeper William Weir prepared the Morris County Golf Club for the 4th US Amateur the first to be held on New Jersey soil “An enormous amount of work has been expended over the Morris County course since last Summer Three new holes have been laid out, others extended in length and the greens enlarged and perfected The links are now in splendid condition ”
1946 Golf Course Superintendent Ed Casey showcased his nationally known turfgrass talent in preparation for the 46th US Amateur on the Lower Course. Ed Casey has been more than busy with preparations for the USGA Amateur to be held at Baltusrol between September 9 and 14
THE GREENERSIDE | 24 1898 The
The Country Club of Atlantic City
The 30th US Amateur returned to the Baltusrol Golf Club on the recently opened (1922) A W Tillinghast designed Lower Course Greenkeeper Major R Avery Jones, newly appointed as General Manager, continued oversight of the championship preparations “The Lower Course has been considerably lengthened by Greenkeeper Jones for the National Amateur Championship.”
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle September 4, 1898 Morris County
Greenkeepers’ Reporter September/October 1946
1926
1906
PhotocourtesyofBaltusrolGolfClub
Golf Club
Greenkeeper Henry Stark oversaw the maintenance at the Englewood Golf Club for the 12th US Amateur “A large gang of workmen at are work at Englewood links getting out the stones cutting the grass and rolling the turf in order to have it in the very pink of condition The greens are sloping and undulating and very fast ”
The 10th US Amateur was played over the Old Course where Pro Greenkeeper George Low struggled with drought during the weeks leading up to the contest “Many complaints were made against the course The soil became too hard for proper golf, and no doubt the cloud of dust that followed an iron shot on the fair green gave some support to this contention ” Golf Magazine October 1904 The Baltusrol Golf Club 1904
The Washington Times September 13, 1926
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle August 30, 1906
The Baltusrol Golf Club
PhotocourtesyofBaltusrolGolfClub
November/December 2000
The Plainfield Country Club Golf Course Superintendent Chester “Red” Wender prepared Plainfield for the 78th US Amateur. Red carried a huge reputation around the industry, and he didn’t fail to present a golf course at peak championship level. “The superintendent of Plainfield Red Wender, has this old Donald Ross course in fantastic shape The golfers are in for a real treat this week “ The Westfield Ledger September 1, 1978 After nursing back his course from the devastating 1984/85 drought, Golf Course Superintendent Ed Nickelsen CGCS prepared the 4th and 2nd Nines (co host to stroke play) and the 1st and 3rd nines (medal play) for the 85th US Amateur. “For Ed Nickelsen of the Montclair Golf Club, the drought has not come into play at all this season and was not expected to affect the U S Amateur Championship We're lucky enough to be in one of the unrestricted municipalities ” said Nickelsen "But I must say the weather has cooperated so far this year " Golf Course Management September 1985
The 100th US Amateur returned to Baltusrol for the fourth time with Director of Grounds Mark Kuhns, CGCS overseeing the championship maintenance of both the Lower Course (co host to stroke play Golf Course Superintendent Scott Hines) and the Upper Course (medal championship play Golf Course Superintendent Mark Hughes). "The Baltusrol staff had the Upper Course in excellent championship shape but not without challenges The previous summer New Jersey was drought stricken and due to limited watering restrictions, many courses suffered extensive turf loss and Baltusrol was no
THE GREENERSIDE | 25
The Ridgewood Country Club The championship maintenance performed for the 44th US Amateur was supervised by Golf Course Superintendent Robert Kapherr "Head greenkeeper Bob Kapherr and his 16 man crew is putting the course into top shape for the US Amateur The greens will be clipped twice daily during the tournament to produce a table top three sixteenths of an inch fast " The NY Times August 17,1974 “The biggest challenge of Kapherr’s veteran greenkeeping career was the highly successful preparation for the 1974 U S Amateur Kapherr had worked on the grow in of the three Tillinghast nines in 1928 and knew every inch of the golf course ” Maintaining Ridgewood A History of Excellence 2008 1978
The Montclair Golf Club 1985 2022
The Ridgewood Country Club
The Baltusrol Golf Club 1974
Golf Course Superintendent Todd Raisch, CGCS of Ridgewood and Golf Course Superintendent Paul Dotti of Arcola will professionally prepare their courses with their highly trained crews and volunteers from the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of New Jersey
" The
different Kuhns' staff was thrown one more curveball when the tournament ended with a tie and the sudden death playoff was suspended due to thunderstorms The crew handled the Monday morning finish without a hitch Greenerside
The USGA has chosen the Ridgewood Country Club to host the 122nd United States Amateur Championship with the Arcola Country Club co hosting the stroke play qualifying rounds
2000
THE GREENERSIDE | 26 FEATURE WISDOM IN UNCOMMON BOOKS
By Donovan Maguigan With the U S Amateur Championship returning to New Jersey, it is fitting that this month’s book will be a collection of my favorite golf books The Greatest Game Ever Played By Mark Frost (Cue the Rocky Theme, because this is an underdog story) In what may be the greatest upset in the history of sport, Francis Ouimet’s stunning victory over Harry Vardon and Ted Ray at Brookline in 1913 is outlined dramatically in this book. Through very descriptive prose and detail, this book follows many of the players on and off the course, culminating in what is an incomparable upset by an unknown local topping the best players of the day In a related note, the U S Open in 2022 returned to Brookline one hundred and nine years after Ouimet’s win.
Caddy For Life By John Feinstein John Feinstein is a go to author for great golf books on topics including the US Open at Bethpage Black, Tiger and Rocco’s matchup at Torrey Pines, and Q School. A story that will pull at your heartstrings and share with you the story of a long friendship between Tom Watson and his caddie, Bruce Edwards. The book follows Edwards through his early days as a looper to the magical final season on the bag as he battled ALS. In 2003 at the US Open at Olympia Fields, Watson
tapped into the magic of his early playing days to card a 65, with Edwards on the bag for what would be his last U S Open A Course Called America By Tom Coyne This book is a “follow up” to this author’s other two books, A Course Called Ireland and A Course Called Scotland, following the same formula of traversing a country in search of the golf identity of a place. Blended with his description of playing golf in every state, Coyne also shares his experiences at each course as well as the challenge of an ambitious playing schedule. He visits courses small and large with known and unknown, weaving a tale of what makes golf in America One last suggestion, outside the topic of golf Sidecountry By John Branch In a summer highlighted by handwatering, I continue to listen to audiobooks between breaks from listening to Phish or classic rock. After repetitive advertising in the Sunday Book Review, I listened to this audiobook and was immediately blown away by the wide range of sports topics that were covered in this book. From rock climbing, bowling, wingsuits, and high school basketball, Branch shares a career’s worth of writing about the people and stories that make up those sports The story that struck a chord with me features an academy of students who despite facing challenges from drugs and broken families, find a way to elevate themselves through basketball, win or lose
FEATUREGCSANJ
A QUICK NINE
For us, our biggest challenge has been managing water through this summer We like to keep things lean and mean and that was almost impossible for a week or two there with the et rates etc. Favorite snack is chocolate chip cookies my biggest downfall There will be plenty of Jack Daniels and Diet Cokes after the final round, probably a few during as well! It will pour during the event and it has not disappointed for almost every one of them.
Mike Brunelle, Paul Dotti, and Todd Raisch answered our NINE quick questions sharing their experiences prepping and hosting major tournaments this year.
It would be easy to say the drought or the oppressive heat leading up to the championship, but it has to be the record setting and, at times, excessive amounts of play this season. It's not uncommon for us to send someone out for team Frosty's during the long days prior to a championship.
A bottle of John Walker & Sons King George V blended Scotch Whiskey was shared by our management team We don’t discuss weather good or bad until it occurs
Mike Brunelle, CGCS Director of Grounds Upper Montclair Country Club 2022 LPGA FoundersCognizantCup
Paul Dotti Golf Course Superintendent Arcola Country Club 122nd U.S. Amateur
Todd Raisch, CGCS Golf Course Superintendent The Ridgewood Country Club 122nd U.S. Amateur
Biggest challenge you faced in preparation? Favorite snack during tournament preparation? First drink after the final round? What is a tournament preparation superstition that you have? Oak Catkins Celsius (energy drink)
Frozen transfusion, a RCC favorite Despite continued grief and ridicule from my assistants over the years, I'm always checking the monthly forecast on Accuweather for the week of the championship, months ahead of time There is no way they know five to six weeks out what the weather is going to be But, it's all about confirmation bias for me. Their predictions are always for highs in the 70's to low 80's Haha
Favorite spot to watch golf during your event? Favorite snack or food in the volunteer tent? What are your plans to relax after the tournaments are over? Nap during the day or power through? Favorite merchandise or souvenir from your tournament?
Back behind the Par 5 2nd green You can see approach shots to 2, the tee shots on 3, the approach shots into 5 and the Par 3 6th hole all from the same location. Breakfast pig in a blanket (breakfast sausage wrapped with a pancake and a drizzle of syrup) The event is really the kick start to our season so hold on for dear life and hope to get away with the family in August to Rhode Island Power through (thanks to Celsius) Minjee Lee signed flag
Behind my 3rd green, we can see a few greens and tees from there and a few 3 putts! For each event, we usually cater Mexican style food for the staff, but for the Am we are bringing in different food trucks each night and having our favorite local restaurant cater the final night. Once fall comes, I will definitely be taking some time with my wife Late August we move my son into Tampa U, but that doesn't count! Power through, adrenaline keeps me going. Hoping a signed flag from the eventual winner at RCC! #12 green, drivable par 4. You can watch the excitement there and see seven other holes Historically, most people's favorite, including mine, would be the cheesy potatoes for breakfast, but sadly we won't be having those this year as we've changed caterers Take my youngest back to University of Maryland for her sophomore year and then a long weekend on Nantucket to golf with the boys I'm lucky to have a sofa in my office, but I struggle to sleep on it. I've tried many times I do typically have one sleep meltdown each championship and need to disappear one day for 3 4 hours sometime in the middle of the week. The golf shop has produced a killer neon light for the U.S. Amateur Have to have it It's a 6 month wait to get one though.
TIPS
For staff management, Canva can also be used to create visual aids to help your staff At Springdale, our older greens are small and undulating, resulting in challenging pin placements for our daily setup crew. To help my
THE GREENERSIDE | 30 Creative Communication Using Canva
TECH by Donovan Maguigan and Maureen Sharples
In this edition of "Tech Tips," we are sharing the benefits of using Canva, a web based graphic design platform that is simple to use and is an effective communication and marketing tool The beauty of Canva is it was created for beginners who do not have time to master the Adobe Creative Suite, which is complicated and the industry standard Canva's mission was to help small business owners, professionals, and students create dynamic artwork without hiring a graphic designer for $150 an hour. A mission succeeded, considering the company is now worth 40 billion dollars and has 55 million active users. Whether you are a superintendent, assistant, or commercial rep, there are various ways to use Canva to market your work and communicate with your audience The platform is filled with hundreds of professionally designed templates already sized for social media, emails, newsletters, business cards, posters, flyers, and the list goes on. Even The Greenerside is created using Canva As a superintendent, communication is paramount in explaining the intricate details of our work to our players, members, or guests Text on a page can be dull and challenging to interpret, but utilizing an app like Canva can provide a visual medium that is easy to create and share with golfers. At Springdale, I make an effort to communicate to our membership at least once a week on various topics, including summer heat, aerification, decease tree removal, and course care. Combined with text and photos from the golf course, our email communications have gone beyond a simple text email These emails are also formatted to print easily and posted in the locker room or near the grille room tables
THE GREENERSIDE | 31
Tips On Getting Started Prep Your Images Before you start a design or choose a template, upload your images and logo to Canva. This helps you from stopping and starting once you choose a template. Use a Template Don't run before you can walk. Choose a template over starting a design from scratch. There are hundreds of professional templates that are completely customizable. Templates will save you time and will deliver a dynamic final product. Keep It Simple Don't overcomplicate or crowd your design. Keep the font and color scheme simple. The templates provide font suggestions. Design School Canva offers an array of tutorials, classes, and support called the Design School There are free videos or step by step instructions on any design or topic Click on "Learn" or "Help," and you will be directed to the Design School Market Yourself You can also market yourself on Canva by updating your resume and cover letter or creating a professional portfolio. Many creative designs are available to help you stand out from the crowd. staff understand locations that are not ideal for hole locations due to greens speed and slope severity, I created this visual guide to the course setup from images drawn from a yardage book. I included their job responsibilities and a daily checklist for course setup equipment as a helpful reminder for course setup To take this to another level, I printed the documents on waterproof paper to survive the daily grind I also sent the staff a PDF or JPG of the image so they could have the pictures on their phones Canva is free and is as easy to use as Facebook or Instagram If you want to amp up your designs and expand the features, you can upgrade to a Pro account for $120 a year, but the free version is packed with plenty of templates
By Kevin Doyle, GCSAA Field Staff
proven to me that this much needed increased engagement has come with a notably increased lack of etiquette It doesn’t matter what type of facility, there are more balls in the air There are more swings being taken More carts are finding their way on the property. Not all of these are beneficial. What can be done? Increased rounds don’t necessarily equate to more stories of staff under siege by flying golf balls Simple math would prove that having more golfers and tighter tee times does increase the number of opportunities for issues. Do the new and returning golfers deserve the blame for seeming additional instances of staff being hit or nearly hit by golf balls? There is no way to know, after all, it’s a problem that existed when the game was struggling for players too. Again, increased rounds mean more swings, more divots, and more ball marks Some repaired by respectful golfers, many not Tee markers, divot boxes, golf carts seem to have fallen target to more than their fair share of
THE GREENERSIDE | 32 FEATUREGCSAA
EMBRACING THE ETIQUETTE THAT MAKES OUR GAME SPECIAL
A lot has happened in the golf industry during and since the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic While it would be easy to go off on a diatribe about the many altered aspects, one difference stands out among the rest: Increased rounds have pumped life into many facilities. With full memberships and even waiting lists at some private clubs, to full tee sheets, reduced outings, and increased revenue at daily fee facilities, golf is revitalized Conversations with many GCSAA members have
THE GREENERSIDE | 33 FEATUREGCSAA
wayward golf club attacks. Unfortunately, the proper turf isn’t always the target of these swings these days Add to that list, the occurrence of divots taken out of greens and collars seem to be on the rise too Learning of this unnecessary and unwanted damage through conversations has increased, and the prevalence of such despair on social media mirrors that up tick too. None of this is new to our industry professionals, but the seeming growth of these occurrences have become alarming Golf cart traffic created an agronomic situation in recent years that has been difficult to address, most notably when they all were driven where they belonged. Wayward carts aren’t anything new, yet more vehicles making their way on to the course seems to have increased the number of carts in undesirable situations Harming turf, ropes, and carts does more than add work to superintendents, it damages the bottom line of the facility Is the lack of etiquette part of the new golf culture? I sure hope not. It seemed to me that during the lean golf years, facilities were so thrilled to have players that many overlooked indiscretions in favor of revenue I have heard about facilities now getting more aggressive in tracking down perpetrators of damage and holding them accountable. One facility has begun communications at every interaction point of the golf course. All staff are given scripts to tell every member/customer the expectations and etiquette required during their round, no matter how many times they may have heard them Is a full blown communication program going to fill every divot, fix every ball mark and keep every cart where it belongs? I highly doubt it, yet if it keeps your staff safer, it’s a positive result. If the message delivered enlightens even just a few unaware golfers to embrace the etiquette that makes our game special, then it will have made a difference for the better
UPCOMING WEBINARS THE GREENERSIDE | 34 GCSAA RESOURCES Times listed are for the U S Central time zone WWW.GCSAA.ORG/EDUCATION/MY LEARNING HUB I RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT AND HERE'S WHY COURSE MARKING LOCAL RULES & BEST MARKING PRACTICES FOR YOUR GOLF COURSE Todd Stice Aug. 23 @ 2:00 p.m. POA ANNUA DEEP DIVE Paul Koch, Ph.D. Sept. 13 @ 10:00 a.m. Jim Brosnan, Ph.D. Sept. 21 @ 12:00 p.m.
MELROSE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY COMPLETE YOUR FACILITY BMP WITH EASE! The New Jersey BMP manual is available through GCSAA’s BMP Planning Guide and Template, which you can use to create your facility BMP easily. Access is easy with your GCSAA website member log in. Select the facility BMP icon and go. Webinars are available to assist you with this easy to use tool. GCSAA is now accepting applications for the 2023 Melrose Leadership Academy. The program supports the professional development of superintendents and, if selected, offers a free trip to the 2023 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando. Applications due Sept. 15th. Go to gcsaa.org for more information. THE GREENERSIDE | 35 GCSAA RESOURCES
FOUNDATION SHOOTOUT TRUMP NATIONAL BEDMINSTER Hosted by Rob Wagner
THE GREENERSIDE | 36
Jason Osterhoudt and Brian Kahl Mike Campbell and Jim Devaney Joe Scioscia and Andy Bulizak Ken Anson and Sean JCharles eremy Hreben and Mike Tardogno Scott Rose, Jesse Betts, Kevin Mitchell, Brandon Perrine
Mike Weber and Frank Tichenor Rob Wagner, Tom Pepe, Victor Frederico, Rich Sweeney Keith Bennett, Scott Scherer, James Sweeney
Steve Chirip and Lee Kozsey Grant Platz and Tom Pepe
Mike Tardogno and Lance Ernst
Andy Bulizak, Joe Scioscia, Mark Miedler, Peter Daley
Tom Weinert, Pat Husby, Paul Ramina Tyler Otero, Jen Schneider, Josh Kopera
THE GREENERSIDE | 37
Hosted by Rob Wagner
Shaun Kennedy, Aden Kraft, and Craig Kraft
FOUNDATION SHOOTOUT TRUMP NATIONAL BEDMINSTER
Shaun Barry and Keith Bennett
Dennis Granahan
Phil Page, Joe Kinlin, Rich Sweeney, Jeff Haas
Hosted by Rich Lane, CGCS
Jeff Weld, Rob Johnson, Mike Weber, Rob Arnst
THE GREENERSIDE | 38
Kelly Barrell, Pat Quinlan, Fred Stauffer, and Doug Johnstone
Chad Broderick and Jim Swiatlowski
RYDER CUP GOLF MEETING HACKENSACK GOLF CLUB
Pat Dolan, Ken Anson, Mike Linkewich, Victor Frederico
Brian Kahl, Jim Devaney, Jason Osterhoudt, Keith Bennett
Tony Raczynski & Shaun Barry
Lance Rogers, Rich Lane, Paul Dotti, and Keith Kubik
Rich Lane and Ian Kunesch
Logan, Nick Alley, Sean Konsavich
Chip and
Kinlin, Joe Kinlin Sr , Andrew Scioscia, Joe Scioscia
Hosted
Joel Jacquemot THE GREENERSIDE | 39
Higgins, Rob Johnson, Rob Arnts, Freddy Carmona
Tom
by Joel Jacquemot, CGCS
JULY GOLF MEETING OAK HILL GOLF CLUB
Joe
Sam
Dave McGhee
Neufeld, Jim Rusnic, Jim Devaney, Dan Andrus Joel and Jake Jacquemot
Kern
Kevin
Lou and
Senn, Matt Glenn, Mike Handley, Dan Clark
Leon, Tom Leon, Eddie Diaz, Amando Aparicio
Dick
Tom
Bosco
Wagner, Donovan Maguigan, Jeremy Hreben, Pat Quinlan, Jen Torres The Torres Family The Kelly Family Jen and Donovan Maguigan The Kubik Family Brian Kubik and the foul ball he caught! Dennis and Dylan DeSanctis Sparky and Luke Sharples THE GREENERSIDE | 40 Jim Robertson, Ray DiMaggio, Fred Parcells Sr. and Fred Parcells Jr.
Rob
GCSANJ FAMILY NIGHT SOMERSET PATRIOTS GAME
2022 SPONSOR PARTNERS PLATINUM SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS
WE ASKED YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE VOLUNTEERING FOR A GOLF TOURNAMENT.
"My favorite experience volunteering was at Erin Hills for the U.S. Open. Getting to meet new people, even from around the world, that have the same dedication and commitment for turfgrass management."
"I always enjoy mowing greens, so whenever I get that job at a volunteer event, it brings me back to my first couple years in the industry, which were awesome. The overall team aspect of volunteering is probably my favorite. Witnessing our industry come together and contribute to the success of a golf event is a truly amazing experience. "
-Mike Weber, Fisher & Son
SHARE
THE GREENERSIDE | 42
-Kelly Barrell, Canoe Brook Country Club
"Volunteering for the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines was a great opportunity to meet and work with a ton of talented turf folk for a week. Sharing and stories from people across the country is an experience I’ll never forget!
"
YOU ANSWERED
THE GREENERSIDE | 43 "Networking! The best jobs I have had at tournaments are raking bunkers and filling divots. Those are the jobs where you can make long-lasting connections and learn about other clubs' operations. Everyone wants those glamour jobs of mowing fairways or greens, I personally enjoy the
of those jobs where you’re out working with your
and alongside your peers."
"Volunteering for the Irish Open and “The Open” in 2019 was my favorite experience of all time. The opportunity to meet, socialize and work together with so many other volunteers was simply amazing." Bill Murray, Pine Brook Golf Course comradery hands
hearing
-James Surico, North Jersey Country Club
- Stephen Stewart, Somerset Hills Country Club
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GCSANJ PATRON DIRECTORY NOBLE TURF Brian Gjelsvik 25 Roland Avenue Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Ph: 856.273.1402 briang@seetonturf.com NUFARM Pesticides for the turf & ornamentals Michael Molchan 25 Roland Avenue Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Ph: 610 653 7983 michael.molchan@nufarm.com PLANT FOOD COMPANY “The Liquid Fertilizer Experts” Dick Neufeld: 973.945.6318 Tom Weinert: 914.262.0111 Tom Pepe: 609.751.1372 Biostimulants & Other Products for Premium Turfgrass SITEONE LANDSCAPE SUPPLY Providing the Products & Expertise That You Need & Trust Frank Jacheo: 732.489.1442 fjacheo@siteone.com Fred Stauffer: 317.518.2841 fstauffer@siteone.com Shawn Reynolds: 401.486.9133 sreynolds@siteone.com SOIL & WATER CONSULTING Corey Angelo Consulting and Analysis for Your Turfgrass, Soils, and Water. Ph: 848.225.5115 corey@soilandwaterconsulting.com STORR TRACTOR COMPANY Commercial Toro Turf & Irrigation Equipment Steve Bradley, Jim Devaney Rick Krok 3191 Highway 22, Branchburg NJ Ph: 908.722.9830 sbradley@storrtractor.com GRASS ROOTS, INC. Golf Course Maintenance Supplies Ken Kubik: 973.418.7035 Keith Kubik: 973.418.7034 Jay McKenna: 973.418.7036 Office: 973.252.6634 GENESIS TURFGRASS Mark Merrick 717 759 8151 info@genesisturfgrassinc.com 137 Commerce Drive Glen Rock, PA 17327 genesisturfgrass.com HARRELL’S LLC Josh Kopera Cell:201.213.8693 jkopera@harrells.com Jen Schneider Cell:732.828.0895 jschneider@harrells.com harrells.com Ph: 800.282.8007 HELENA People…Products…Knowledge Tim Gerzabek Cell: 609.221.9240 GerzabekT@helenaagri.com www.helenaagri.com LABAR GOLF RENOVATIONS Golf Course Construction & Renovations Richard S. LaBar Jr. 170 Mount Airy Road, Suite A1 Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 Ph: 908.502.5353 rich@labargolf.com STEPHEN KAY GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT Master Planning, Drainage Design & Restoration 665 Saint Andrews Drive Egg Harbor City NJ 08215 Ph: 609.703.3300 stephenkgolf@aol.com SYNATEK Shaun Kennedy 737 Hagey Center Drive, Unit A Souderton, PA 18964 Ph: 8662.266.9288 Fx: (267) 203 1613 skennedy@synateksolutions.com SYNGENTA Manufacturer, Plant Protectants Lee Kozsey Cell: 215.796.0409 Lee.kozsey@syngenta.com TOTAL TURF GOLF SERVICES Greg Hufner 1965 Byberry Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 Ph: 215.426.0554 gregh@totalturfservices.com WILLOW'S BEND Specializes in golf course pump stations. Service and installation. Scott Scherer P.O. Box 1344 Belle Mead, NJ 08502 Ph: 908.837.9102 scott@willowsbend.com THE GREENERSIDE | 45
