ISSUE 4: 2019 / VOLUME 52
Contents
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Cup Cutting Doug Vogel shares the history of cup cutting.
DEPARTMENTS 03
President's Message
06
Member News
15
Foundation News
22
15 Questions
26
GCSAA Update
29
Foundation News
30
Photo Pages
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ON THE COVER Springdale Golf Club Donovan Maguigan, Superintendent
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Awards Season Honoring our chapter awards recipients.
Connecting with Nature Leo Barber of Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club in New Zealand shares the importance of reconnecting with nature.
The Ask What is the #1 thing on your bucket list?
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Our Contributors Editor in Chief : Todd Raisch, CGCS Graphics Editor: Lance Rogers, CGCS Design & Layout Editor: Maureen Sharples Photography Editor: Shaun Barry Contributing Writers: Leo Barber, Shaun Barry, Doug Vogel, Maureen Sharples, Kevin Doyle Officers: Joe Kinlin, President Jeremy Hreben, CGCS, Vice President Michael Tardogno, Treasurer Todd Raisch, CGCS, Secretary Russ Harris, Past President Directors: District II- Jamie Devers District III- Tom Higgins District IV- Jennifer Torres At-Large: Ken Anson Jonathan Heywood Fred Parcells Lance Rogers, CGCS Commercial Representatives Rob Johnson & Tyler Otero Rutgers Liaisons Dr. Bruce Clarke & Dr. James Murphy Executive Director Maureen Sharples
GCSANJ Newsletter is published four times a year. © 2020 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.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Joe Kinlin Chapter President Bey Lea Golf Course
YOUR ASSOCATION I want to begin my first President’s message by thanking you for electing me to serve and lead your tremendous association. I have the great pleasure of knowing many of you quite well and look forward to getting to know those of you I don’t. I feel very fortunate to be a member of an association with such talented professionals working for arguably the best courses and companies in the country. In the past, I have heard GCSANJ called “the Association.” I want GCSANJ to be known as “Your Association.” It is truly yours; you just need to take advantage of all it has to offer. Whether its education or golf events or networking opportunities, your membership gets you access to these things and so much more. I can tell you that the more you participate, the more you will benefit from the variety of opportunities the Board works hard to provide. Attend events, serve on a committee, grow your network, grow Your Association. It will enrich both your life and work experience, that I can promise you. One of the lesser known benefits of membership is the GCSANJ Foundation. Under Executive Director Shaun Barry and President Tyler Otero’s direction, this group of your peers looks out for you and beyond. They raise money each year through events, voluntary contributions and Rounds 4 Research. All of which goes towards turf research, scholarships for member’s children, and for those who may have fallen on hard times. We are all proud individuals. None of us ever want to ask for help, but they will be there when you need them. When you are considering a charitable donation of any amount, consider the GCSANJ Foundation. It will continue to make the value of membership that much stronger. In closing, I want to make you aware of a new way the Board of Directors want to communicate with you. You are going to be receiving a monthly email from your District Director simply asking how you are doing and what may be going on at your club or in your life. Maybe you want to let everyone know you are doing a renovation or that a new baby is on the way. This is a new way for you to get to know who is representing you and that your voice is important to making your association the best in the country.
Sincerely, JOE KINLIN Chapter President
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FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Maureen Sharples
REWARDING EXCELLENCE This issue features our well-deserving 2019 awards recipients. Bill Murray of the Pine Brook Golf Course is the recipient of the Shaun M. Barry Distinguished Service Award, and Russ Harris of Galloping Hill Golf Course has earned the Member of the Year Award. These recipients have shown an unwavering commitment and devoted their time to serve our chapter. Please take a moment to read about their achievements and what makes them worthy of the honor.
The GCSANJ awards are a pillar of our chapter’s history and a symbol of one’s integrity and dedication to our industry. The most outstanding attribute of these awards is that recipients are nominated and voted on by their peers, our members. Any member can nominate someone for either award. Our past Presidents vote for the Distinguished Service Award recipient, and our Board of Directors vote for the Member of the Year recipient. As members of this great chapter, I encourage all of you to take note of your fellow members’ work and commitments to GCSANJ, and when it comes time for nominations, please take the time to nominate a deserving peer. Engaging and participating in the process only enriches the history and value of our awards and our chapter.
MAUREEN SHARPLES
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Let's Connect 48 973-812-0710
msharples@gcsanj.org
@GCSANJ1926
Executive Director, GCSANJ
facebook.com/gcsanj
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MEMBER NEWS
RETIRED MEMBERS BREAKFAST It is very common for retired people to lose contact with most of the people they worked with or interacted with. Think of your retired friends or coworkers and it is very likely that you agree with this statement. There are several retired superintendents, however, who have decided not to just fade away. They don’t attend our monthly meetings and that is because they just don’t know anybody at these meetings, but they gather on a regular basis to have breakfast with longtime fellow superintendents. They tell stories that go as far back as 40 years or recall incidents that take each one of them back in time. They are retired but not one of them isn’t still a superintendent. It is in their DNA and these breakfast meetings remind them of their love of the business. There are many long goodbyes because two hours is never long enough, but they all leave looking forward to their next meeting. Retirement will hopefully come to most of us and our friends or has come. Make the decision to find a way to enjoy those friendships. I guarantee that you will find yourself a “Happy Place.”
Jim Gilligan, Charlie Edgar, Dennis DeSanctis Sr. & Dennis Shea
Dennis Shea, Jim Gilligan, Bob Ribbans, Jeff Wetterling, Charlie Dey & Charlie Edgar
GROWING FAMILIES Jonathan Heywood of Morris County Golf Club and his wife Erika welcomed their second daughter, GreerMadeline Heywood on November 13th. She was 5 lbs 0 oz. and welcomed by big sister, Hunter-Cate. Brad Jones of Hamilton Farm Golf Club and Chelsea Asbury welcomed daughter, Brooklyn Riley Jones on June 17th. She was 6 lbs 8 oz. Greer-Madeline Heywood
Brooklyn Riley Jones
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SHAWN REYNOLDS (401) 486-9133
CHAD MATHIEU (914) 539-5675
FRED STAUFFER (317) 518-2841
FRANK JACHEO (732) 489-1442
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NEW MEMBERS Ryan Berger, Class C Raritan Valley Country Club
Tim Bruno, Class C Liberty National Golf Club
Jillian Desmarais, Class B Canoe Brook Country Club
Tim Gallagher, Class C Liberty National Golf Club
Conor Geisel, Class C Springdale Golf Club
Scott Tucci, Class A Pine Ridge Golf Course
Shawn Haverdink, Class B Baltusrol Golf Club
Joe Roth, Class C Baltusrol Golf Club
Rich Seib, Class C Shore Gate Golf Club
Chris Brewer, Class C Baltusrol Golf Club
Brian O'Malley, Class B River Vale Country Club
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STANLEY CUP & LESLIE CUP 2019 LESLIE CUP WINNERS Defending champions Gabe Wochley of Glen Ridge Country Club and Josh Kopera of Harrell's claimed the Leslie Cup in their final match against Rolf Strobel and Ken Mathis. The match was played at Due Process Stables.
2019 STANLEY CUP WINNERS Joe Kinlin of Bey Lea Golf Course and Jeff Haas of Golf Cart Services claimed the Stanley Cup in their final match against Chris Boyle and Ian Kunesch. The match was played at Due Process Stables.
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Cup Cutting-An Historical Treatise By Doug Vogel
For many years golf historians have openly debated the validity of The Three Truths of Golf—St. Andrews is the oldest golf course; Prestwick is the birthplace of The Open; and the Musselburgh Links is the first golf course to standardize their holes at 4 ¼” using a new implement called a hole-cutter. The St. Andrews debate continues to this day as other clubs lay claim (Musselburgh included) to being the oldest. And although Prestwick was certainly the first to hold The Open in 1860, Allan Robertson was known as the Best Golfer in the Land and had won previous open championships at other courses. But no one can boast to being the first to use a holecutter and standardizing their holes except Musselburgh, the tiny nine-hole links course located on the shoreline of the Firth of Forth in East Lothian, Scotland. In the early years of golf, the primitive technique used to change holes was with a knife and trowel. This common practice was performed for hundreds of years. Undesirable, non-uniform holes were the accepted norm until 1829 when the Musselburgh club commissioned a local blacksmith to fabricate a hole-cutter for their use. There is no explanation of why he chose 4 ¼” as the diameter but the “piece of scrap pipe lying around” theory is often invoked. Open for debate though is why? Was it a need for the ease of changing the hole or was it for the standardization of its size? Either way, Musselburgh benefited from both. In 1893, the Royal and Ancient amended the Rules of Golf to include the 4 ¼” hole diameter as the standard for all golf courses. Hand-in-hand with the development of hole cutting was the introduction of using a piece of metal to line the hole to help keep its integrity. Early liners used
were pieces of stove pipe, drainage pipe and a new waste product from an emerging food industry—the tin can. With the official standardization in 1893, advertisements starting appearing in golf magazines for professionally machined hole liners marketed as golf tins and iron hole-rims. By the turn of the century, a bottom was added to the hole liners and the terms cup and cup cutting joined the golf lexicon. Cup cutting soon became an art and science. By the early 1920s, American greenkeepers had developed several differing techniques and foremost among them was the Connellan and the Rockefeller methods. William Connellan and W. J. Rockefeller were well known by their peers as pioneers in the business of keeping a green. Their differences played out in a series of articles in the USGA Green Section Bulletins of September 18, 1922 and December 16, 1922. Both methods, in varying forms, are still used to this day. Articles about greenkeepers and superintendents hole cutting procedures have appeared in trade journals ever since. The most detailed and one worth reading, “Professional Cup-Hole Cutting,” was authored by Michael Hoffman of the Isleworth Golf and Country Club in the Fall 2005 edition of The Florida Green newsletter. This article and the USGA Green Section Bulletin can be found archived in the Turfgrass Information File (TGIF) hosted by Michigan State University library at http://tic.msu.edu/. Innovation of cup-cutters has been minimal for the past 200 years as current foot extraction models look and work exactly like the Musselburgh hole-cutter. Only recently has new technology been applied to building a better cup- cutter. New cup-cutter types include rubber mallet drive-in, eCutter battery operated and HiO hammer action styles.
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Greenkeepers of years past would be shocked by the amount of gear hauled from green to green needed to cut a hole. The cup cutting arsenal has seen the addition of a plethora of tools including cup pullers, cup setters, cup cleaners, depth gauges, hole-cutter guides, leveling gauges, hole painting gear and tool caddies to carry all the equipment. If a utility cart filled with a collection of specialized tools didn’t leave time-traveling greenkeepers scratching their heads, what then would they think of if they attended a professional golf tournament? Professional tournament golf has seen the cutting of cups rise to a whole new level. Tournament committees and officials now decide pin locations and provide oversight of modern-day cup cutters. In reality, they are cutting million dollar pin placements. The Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of New Jersey is proud to have among its membership one of the top tournament cup cutters in the country. Lance Rogers, CGCS, superintendent of the Colonia Country Club, and his celebrated skills has been utilized by fellow superintendents who have hosted highprofile professional golf tournaments.
Lance Rogers, CGCS cup-cutting at the 2017 U.S. Women's Open at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster
Rogers’ precision cuts have been touted by golfers and tournament officials alike during the Barclays/Fed Ex Cup, The Northern Trust and the US Women’s Open. His reputation is second to none. “You must be an artist” a USGA tournament official remarked as she admired the finished product of a Rogers cut, change and paint. The addition of microphones by Fox Sports to enhance viewer entertainment has complicated an already difficult, pressure- packed task. “You have to compensate for these electronic devices that sit below the cup,” Rogers revealed, “because perfect cup depth is of utmost importance.” Each microphone costs around $8,000 apiece nearly ten times the salary of a 1920 greenkeeper. One aspect of hole-changing history hasn’t changed. “It is of utmost importance to keep your hole-cutter sharp” a greenkeeper declared in 1860. Rogers wholeheartedly agrees. “Sharpness can make or break a pro’s payday or ruin a members round. You gotta have a sharp cupcutter.” Timeless advice no matter what century it comes from.
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2019 SHAUN M. BARRY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT
WILLIAM E. MURRAY By Maureen Sharples
The Shaun M. Barry Distinguished Service Award is one of the highest honors a GCSANJ member can receive. It’s no surprise that many of our past recipients have expressed sincere gratitude when presented with the award. Still, this year’s winner was profoundly affected on a much more personal level due to his long friendship with Shaun Barry. The 2019 recipient, Bill Murray of Pine Brook Golf Course, has been best friends with Shaun for 30 years and fondly refers to him as his “big brother.” Bill’s long list of achievements, commitments, and service to our chapter is a product of the friendships he has built over the years. When asked to speak about his accomplishments, the reoccurring theme of his passion for GCSANJ and his dedicated service is friendship. Bill grew up in Lee, Massachusetts, a small town nestled in the Berkshires. He began to love the game of golf as a boy when his father would let him tag along during his rounds. The quality time they spent
on the golf course eventually became the driving force to pursue a career as a golf course superintendent. He graduated from Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMASS in 1975. Early in his career, he worked at Shorehaven Golf Club in Connecticut, Trenton Country Club, and Ardsley Country Club in Westchester. Bill left the field to be a small engine mechanic but eventually found his way back when Dave Pease offered him a superintendent position with the Monmouth County Parks System. He has been with Monmouth County for 24 years.
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In 1997, Bill joined GCSANJ, and several years later, during a trip to Ireland, Shaun Barry encouraged him to run for a board position. He fell short in his first election, but was determined and ran the following year, earning the District 3 Director position. “During the early years of my board service, we were encouraged to get out and do things and be very involved. That attitude laid the groundwork for my service.” THE GREENERSIDE |
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Bill worked his way up through the ranks as a member of the Board of Directors culminating in being elected President in 2009. He served on multiple committees. During his tenure as President, he was an advocate for the industry, regularly speaking with legislators about pesticide regulations and fertilizers. Bill also worked to create a financial structure for the GCSANJ Foundation, so it would no longer be funded by the chapter but would stand on its own. Due to his enthusiasm and hard work, his fellow board members nominated and awarded him the Member of the Year Award in 2009. Bill has been a Trustee of the GCSANJ Foundation for 15 years and was President for five years. He quickly became a key figure in efforts to help members in need through benefits and fundraisers. He also reinvented the annual GCSANJ Foundation Christmas party as a celebration with a cause. All members are welcomed and encouraged to bring toys for the annual toy drive as admission. Shaun Barry rightfully describes Bill as “the heart and soul of the Foundation.” When Hurricane Matthew hit South Carolina in 2015, Bill quickly rallied the Foundation to send funds to the superintendents in need whose homes were destroyed and livelihoods at risk. The recipients were shocked that a group from New Jersey who they have never met would donate money. Bill championed this effort several more times when tragedy hit other chapters throughout the country. Beyond his work with GCSANJ, Bill served as our Chapter Delegate for eight years. He well represented our members at the national level. During his tenure, he forged strong friendships with his fellow delegates, becoming a respected figure within GCSAA. Bill also served on multiple national committees, including the National Standards & By-Laws Committee, National Advisory Committee, Melrose Leadership Committee, and National BMP Committee. During his downtime, he enjoys traveling, golfing, and volunteering at major golf events. As a skilled golfer with a love for Ireland, he became an overseas lifetime
member of Lahinch Golf Club and travels there often with Shaun Barry and Dave Mishkin. This past year, they volunteered at the Irish Open and The Open, proudly representing GCSANJ. When asked what the game of golf means to him, he simply replied, “everything”. The game has given him some of his most treasured family memories, long-lasting friendships, and a career filled with rewarding moments. On behalf of GCSANJ members, I would like to thank Bill Murray for his integrity, commitment, and unwavering dedication to our chapter. Bill is incredibly deserving of this honor, and we are grateful for your service. THE GREENERSIDE |
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2019 MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT
RUSSELL HARRIS By Maureen Sharples
The Member of the Year Award is given to an
devoted husband and father to his wife Laura and
individual who has shown great dedication and
sons Thomas, 20 and Russ Jr., 9. In his personal
service to the chapter throughout the year. This
time, he volunteers and coaches his son’s sports
year’s recipient, Russ Harris, is being honored for
teams.
his three-year term as our Chapter President. As the nominations were submitted, many mentioned the
His career in the turf industry began with a job at
incredible amount of time Russ committed, along
Ash Brook Golf Course, which eventually
with his keen abilities to lead during a period of
transitioned to an assistant superintendent position
change and transition.
upon graduating from the Rutgers Professional Golf
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Turf Management School. In 2011, he became the Not only has Russ served as Chapter President for
superintendent at Galloping Hill Golf Course and
the past three years, but he has been a board
worked with Rees Jones when the course was
member for ten years. He began his board service
redesigned in 2014 and revealed to the public in
in 2010 when he was appointed as the Class C
2016 at the NJSGA State Open. Presently, he is the
Representative and was later elected District 2
Director of Grounds for KemperSports
Director as a superintendent in 2011.
Management/Union County Golf Properties.
Russ wears many hats. He has been at Galloping
Russ led GCSANJ during the search for a new
Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth for 17 years. He is a
executive director and encouraged new members THE GREENERSIDE |
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to join the Board of Directors when there were multiple open seats. In the boardroom, he is known for promoting open and honest conversation and values the opinions and feedback of his fellow board members. Russ also strengthened our association’s relationship with the New Jersey State Golf Association by inviting them to speak at our education seminars and open the lines of communication. Thanks to Russ, GCSANJ is regularly featured in its publications, outreach efforts, and events. Certainly, Russ Harris is deserving of the Member of the Year award, and GCSANJ thanks you for your service and commitment.
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GETTING BACK TO NATURE BY LEO BARBER, GCS/GM PARAPARAUMU BEACH GOLF CLUB
By Doug Vogel Golf Course Superintendent, Preakness Valley Golf Course Working inside of the turf industry can be a notoriously demanding occupation with long hours, challenging budgets and resources that in many cases can often be inadequate when saddled alongside the expectations of those we work for. Throw in the growing demands of human resources, compliance and the physical challenges of maintaining healthy grass under extreme growing environments and you have yourself a cocktail that needs to be carefully managed. Often overlooked in all of this mix is our own selfmanagement which importantly includes our physical health and mental well-being. I often joke to those outside of the industry about grass not sleeping or tempering the excitement of others as they head off to enjoy a hot sunny day knowing that my enjoyment factor is being constricted while wondering if my turf is stressing out or similarly if it rains, whether disease is taking hold. I informed my wife many years ago not to try and understand my love/hate relationship with the weather when she quietly asked me if I was now happy it was raining having witnessed me for days lamenting a hot dry spell. She was somewhat taken back when I replied that the rain that I had spent days hoping for was probably now encouraging the spread of disease through my beloved surfaces - it was a no win!
The Waikanae Estuary is a neat walk close to home that threads literally right through the mouth of the Waikanae River that is teeming with bird life.
Fisher Ad Nothing beats the euphoria of conquering a peak and then sitting back with friends to soak in the sunset and a well-earned beverage.
So, if grass doesn’t sleep or take vacations or enjoy certain weather or recognize holiday weekends, what can we do as turf managers to switch off, preserve some sanity and allow our bodies to recharge? A few years back this was becoming a real problem for me. THE GREENERSIDE |
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My life was golf. Obviously, I worked in golf, but if I looked around, most of my immediate friends were from golf. Golf was my passion. In addition to working on the course, I also tried to get out there weekly and play it for recreation. A good portion of my social scene also revolved around golf and the various club events and whenever I jumped on an airplane, you guessed it, it was likely for something golf related. Now I guess as turf managers that’s kind of what we do, right? That’s what makes us tick, what drives our passion for the industry and our striving to achieve a decent career within it. However, this can create a fairly insular environment and, in those periods, where things are maybe not going so smoothly – and regardless of your ability or position, we all face that at stages, there are often not many places to turn for respite. As my grandma used to say, “don’t have all your eggs in one basket.” If we are going to survive in this industry and accepting that we will likely never be the kind of people that completely shut off for long periods, we need to find suitable shorter periods where we can do just that and perhaps discover some other interests to help trick the mind into relaxing. There is a host of things available – reading, travel, socializing, listening to podcasts, sport and gym to name a few, but for me it has been a case of, “getting back to nature” which in many aspects can actually encompass all of the above. Working in the beautiful environments most of us do, this isn’t a massive transition, but the positives of doing so in locations outside of the white out-of-bounds lines that border our golf courses are immense. Here are four documented benefits to consider and if you think
Another track close to home where a hike up through indigenous bush rewards you with beautiful views of the Kapiti Coast and my golf course in the distance near the ocean.
Getting back to nature can also be a great way to connect with others who might be enticed to come along for the walk. When away from modern day distractions, you can extract so much more from each conversation….which is particularly invaluable if that conversation is with one of your kids!!
about it, these are not only good for the soul, but they are great for when we drive back through the gates into work. • Reduced stress and elevated moods - The sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feels of nature can have a calming effect and help our minds unwind. • Improved quality of sleep - Natural sunlight helps set the body's internal clock that tells us when to eat and sleep. • Increased attentiveness and time for reflection – Being out in nature gives your mind time to rest and think, to work out problems. • Enhanced satisfaction - People with access to nearby natural settings have been found to be healthier overall than other individuals. Getting “back to nature” doesn’t have to involve strapping an 80 lb backpack on, lathering up with sunscreen and huffing it up a mountain (although, if that’s your thing, hike on!). It can be as simple as sitting under a tree at a nearby park, working in the garden or exploring a local trail (or track as we say in New Zealand). It is the exploration of local trails that I have found to be the most rewarding as some of the other options still feel a little too close to what we actually do for a job.
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New Zealand where I live is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, but it’s often the case that regardless of where you live, we are all guilty of ignoring what is lying right in front of us. Beauty is
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everywhere. Even in heavily urbanized environments there is a huge push by civic leaders to create trails and tracks down their slithers of greenbelt. One of my favorite urban walks in fact is right on your doorstep in one of the busiest cities in the world – Manhattan’s High Line which just so happens to be in the same city as another of the great urban escapes – Central Park. However, for me the real enjoyment and escape has occurred when I have managed to get a little further away from suburbia which granted in a country with the population of America might not be as easy but should still be possible. Nothing too serious, some manageable walks of an hour or so into the bush or along the coast which in turn has led to some day hikes and even an occasional overnighter with friends or family have proved to be incredibly uplifting. Not a hard-core hiker myself, I have enjoyed the escape and what occurs when the noise of our modern-day bustle is turned down as part and parcel of being off the grid and away from urban distractions. I have found that the time to reflect, to
enjoy the simple things in life and to take in the sights, smells and the sounds against the otherwise beautiful isolation of nature has been hugely beneficial. A relationship with nature by the very choice of our profession is intertwined into our DNA and as we look forward to heading back into the warmer seasons, maybe it’s time to begin now to plan and research for ways you can find opportunities to invest in your health and well-being by “getting back to nature”.
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SAVE THE DATE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OUR UPCOMING 2020 EVENTS!
GCSANJ EDUCATION DAY
March 12th Galloping Hill Golf Course Host: Russ Harris
WAR AT THE SHORE
April 20th Atlantic City Country Club Host: Mark Beaumont
NINE & DINE
May 28th Mountain Ridge Country Club Host: Cliff Moore
FOUNDATION SHOOTOUT
June 8th Essex County Country Club Host: Jason Thompson
REGISTER ON GCSANJ.ORG
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QUESTIONS WITH Donovan Maguigan
INTERVIEW
By Maureen Sharples
Donovan Maguigan recently sat down with The Greenerside to discuss his career, hobbies, and Springdale Golf Club. 1. Tell us a little about where you are from? I was born in Columbus, Ohio, and moved to Wilmington, Delaware, when I was two. I moved from Delaware to New Jersey in 2011. I went back to my birth state for my turf degree at The Ohio State University. 2. How long have you worked at Springdale Golf Club? I have been at Springdale Golf Club since December of 2018, and this will be the start of my second full season here in Princeton. 3. What change would you most like to see to your operation at Springdale GC? We are working hard at closing the “revolving door” of seasonal associates and establishing a strong returning crew every season. Like many courses in the area, we have struggled to find dependable labor and to be competitive. We are developing a plan to find, hire, and retain quality employees. Last season, we hired several associates that plan to return this season and I would like to grow that number and limit our turnover inseason. 4. What is your favorite aspect of working on a golf course? Everyone has a story about where they were on 9/11 and I was insulated from that traumatic day on a golf course and I credit it to the separation from the outside world that you experience on a golf course. I love that we work in beautiful spaces that are an escape from the outside world, even with all the challenges that our profession presents. I frequently tell people that any time I feel like work is overwhelming, I take in the scenery and realize that we are fortunate to call a golf course our office.
5. What are your interests outside of work? Anybody who follows my Instagram (@McBuckeyeAT) knows that my consistent interests fall into three categories: Photography, books, and craft beer. Photography is something that I have loved since a kid, and I have strictly kept it a hobby. I read every day and churn through 40-50 books a year, I’m always immersed in something. “My perfect day” is experiencing a new brewery then relaxing with a book and some vinyl, preferably classic rock. 6. Why did you become a superintendent? I love golf and my summers as a kid I enjoyed being on the golf course. Whether it was junior golf in the summer, playing weekend golf with my parents, or working on golf courses, golf has been a part of my life. My introduction to the industry was working summers at Dupont Country Club for John Gosselin, while I was studying landscape architecture at Ohio State. After two summers on the agronomy side, I switched my major to Turfgrass Science after finding I enjoyed this side of the industry.
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7. Tell us about your family. I’m the middle child with an older sister and younger brother. My family are spaced along I-95 between Baltimore and Trenton, and it’s easy for us to get together. I’ve been with my girlfriend, Jen for a year, we met on Bumble and hit it off from the start, she’s the perfect match for me. 8. What are the unique aspects of Springdale GC? We are located on the Princeton University campus and it’s very common to see college students strolling across the golf course, completely oblivious to golf. It is not as frustrating as it sounds but it is unique. 9. What are your biggest on course challenges at Sprindale GC? This season is the 125th Anniversary for the club and with that comes many of the challenges with a club of this vintage. The golf course is predominately untouched from its original design with a few new tees, bunker work, and a rerouting with a new clubhouse in 2008. With an older golf course comes that challenges of its short length, no cart paths, aging bunkers, push-up soil greens, and trees encroaching the golf course. 10. What does a typical summer day look like for you as a superintendent? I have an amazing staff including my Assistant Superintendent, Conor Geisel, and Jim Brennan, our 2nd Assistant Superintendent and we meet early before the staff arrive and finalize the day’s plan. I spend the morning riding the golf course, helping where I can, working with my assistants, and communicating with the clubhouse and membership. I value my relationship with the membership, and I try to be visible and accessible to them throughout the day. With poa and bentgrass greens, our summer afternoons are standard for the Mid-Atlantic, syringing and checking greens. 11. Who is your mentor in this industry and why? Having worked for Troon Golf for almost 15 years, I have had the fortune of working for several great Directors of Agronomy including Dan Weitzel and Michael Bair at Seaview Golf Club and James Ritorto at Lake of Isles. Each one of those directors has provided me with a piece of the management puzzle and training that has shaped who I am today.
12. What has been the most trying experience of your career? In 2017, I moved to Connecticut to work at Lake of Isles as their South Course Superintendent. I had been at Seaview for almost 6 years and needed a change to continue my development. The decision to move far from my family and out of a region that I was familiar with made for a challenging adjustment period learning a new property, staff, and big agronomic challenges. 13. What has been the biggest change you have made at Springdale GC? Consistency in our maintenance practices. The staff were focusing on completing tasks as quickly as possible to move on to the next task. I prefer to focus on the quality of the work ahead of the quantity of work. Getting finished is a priority but rushing never produces quality results. We established standards and that is the benchmark that we measure a job’s completion.
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14. You spent time at Seaview Hotel & Golf Club. What did you learn from your time there? Seaview has two distinct golf courses with two different growing environments paired with a very active tee sheet and an LPGA event every Spring. The biggest lesson I learned there was about prioritizing tasks and producing quality repeatable conditions ahead of the busy days that we would see during the summer.
15. List four things we don't know about you? 1. I lived in Singapore for two and a half years as a kid. My family moved there when my dad’s company offered him a chance to work on a joint project there. It’s an experience that I think about daily and it completely changed my life. 2. I’m an Eagle Scout. My mom used to say that my idea of “roughing it” was a black and white TV in a cheap motel, and the Scouts introduced me to the outdoors while teaching me the importance of service and community. 3. I’ve run three marathons and eleven half marathons. I joke that I run because I really like craft beer and it’s a delicate balance. I didn’t start running until 2013 and it’s a struggle every time I run, but I love the challenge. 4. I’d love to write a book one day. I have written two articles in Golf Course Industry and have written in private since I was in college. I’d love to write either a travel book or a novel.
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GCSAA
ORGANIZING FOR EFFICIENCY BY KEVIN DOYLE, GCSAA NORTHEAST FIELD REPRESENTATIVE Sometimes it is a struggle to develop a new topic to
placed the leftovers in. For some strange reason, it
include in association newsletters. Add to that, a highly
happens to me every time! My teammate (wife) sees no
fluctuating travel schedule, and there are issues where I
issues with the current setup. So, as a superintendent, I
unfortunately fail to deliver content. I really appreciate
stated my case regarding this perceived inefficiency in
all the regional newsletter editor’s patience with me, and
real-life research based scientific format. I dismantled
feedback I get from members regarding my content. The
the cabinet and counted everything to see if my
topic for this article was born on Thanksgiving Day. It
perception met reality. Here is what I found:
gives you a little look at how I tick, and the thoughts on
• 49 containers
overall team efficiency. It is a rant with a message that
• 54 lids
hopefully you will find useful.
Those numbers were closer than I expected, but I was undeterred. I then paired up the lids to match the
My wife and I make a good team. She is a middle school
containers:
special education teacher who relies heavily on structure
• 43 containers with matching lids
to function personally and professionally. She plans and
• 6 containers with no lid
makes lists. We work well together because I can read
• 11 lids that fit no container
and follow lists. We share most family duties including
• 1 cracked container that had a lid (a refrigerator
cooking. When it comes to large functions it is my
cleaning waiting to happen)
kitchen and her support role is critical to get things from
• 1 container with a broken lid
the oven to the table. It’s a good team approach. So even I would consider the numerical results a bit We hosted Thanksgiving which was planned for twelve.
disappointing. I had honestly figured there would have
Two backed out last minute, causing angst for the
been a much larger disparity. But as often happens with
planner. The missing mouths led to more uneaten food
good research, I wanted to add an additional layer of
than expected. That caused me strife because it exposed
inquiry. Of the 43 containers with matching lids, there
an inefficiency that flat drives me nuts!
were 17 different brands in the sample. That means there is a 40% chance the lid I would select would not
I fear the cabinet that holds our food storage containers.
match the container to begin with regardless of
In my humble opinion, nothing ruins a wonderful meal
similarities.
like struggling to find a lid to match the container I just
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Now picture the table covered with your irrigation parts, spare equipment items, or even the small tool area. Shop makeovers are not easy. Parting with pieces that may be useful can lead to future expense and increased downtime. Neither situation is desirable. However, ensuring the items are still viable, wellmarked, and in working order can increase the efficiency you and your team must rely on in the critical moment of need. If you aren’t specifically responsible for the inventory, be sure to engage your staff and ask how they would streamline their process.
36
My research led to a positive result in my household. I threw away what didn’t match while my wife was at work. I’ll pay for that later. If my employer finds out I cleaned out my container cabinet during work hours I might get in a little trouble for that too. While it was done in the name of pure scientific research in order to accomplish a business-related task, please don’t tell them just in case. Enacting small changes like these can take a prohibitively long time to achieve. However, if an equipment manager can immediately grab the exact belt he needs, or an irrigation technician easily communicating from the field the correct part needed for a repair to a fellow staff member leads to a faster more effective process, that would be a massive benefit every time. Engaging the staff for feedback could be a motivating factor, it might also remove some frustration from those responsible for their areas of expertise. More engagement, less stress, and more efficient sounds like a winning combination to me.
Kevin Doyle GCSAA Field Staff kdoyle@gcsaa.org
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UPCOMING GCSAA WEBINARS
RESOURCES AND DEADLINES SCHOLARSHIP SEASON IS FAST APPROACHING! Scholarships have been a part of the EIFG's focus since 1955 when the organization was first founded as the GCSAA Scholarship and Research Fund. Scholarships funded by the EIFG provide financial assistance to students who are pursuing a career in golf course management, future researchers and educators, as well as children and grandchildren of GCSAA members.
March 4th @ 10 a.m. Armed Intruders – What you need to know now! Rick Capozzi and Stephen Willeford March 19th @ 10 a.m. Analysis of Soil pH and How to Use it on Your Golf Course Lee Berndt, Ph.D. March 24th @ 10 a.m. Effective Control of Anthracnose in Turfgrass presented by PBI Gordon Brandon Horvath, Ph.D.
Visit www.EIFG.org/scholarships for more information.
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GCSANJ FOUNDATION CHRISTMAS PARTY By Shaun Barry
The GCSANJ Foundation continued its long tradition of gathering with members and friends at the Christmas Party hosted by Bill Murray ( 2019 GCSANJ DSA winner ) although he always denies having anything to do with running the event. He just secures the location, the date, the menu, and decides what charity we will support. He does get some help from Foundation members but because this party means so much to him, I am sure he would happily run it alone.
Lunch is covered by The Foundation every year because it is a way to give back to members. It is a time for giving because we all know how much we have received. There were 48 people in attendance, which is a record and several expected guests were too sick to attend. They plan on attending next year and I hope you will also join the fun.
Looking at the smiles on everyone’s faces you can tell everyone is happy to attend and bring toys that will brighten the day for many children on Christmas Day. I saw some attendees bring as many as 5 toys. Many of these toys are donated to children who are spending the holidays in local hospitals. There can’t be many better feelings than knowing you are helping children especially at this time of the year. Tara and Pam from The First Tee are now regulars and they called Maureen to make sure they would be able to donate the toys that they had gotten. We even had a “Secret Santa” who paid for two hours of open Bar. He has a beard and although it is still dark, he must be related to the Santa with the white beard.
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GCSANJ FOUNDATION CHRISTMAS PARTY
Nick Roberto, Tyler Otero, Fred Parcells
Dr. Murphy and Lee Koszey
Fred Parcells, Ken Anson, Nick Alley
Janet Kuhns, Ken Kubik, Mark Kuhns, Keith Kubik, Nick Alley
Laura & Joe Kinlin
Vince Giunco and Jim Cadott
Bill Murray, Joe Kinlin, Kevin Driscoll
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RECONNECTING WITH RETIRED FRIENDS By Shaun Barry Jack Montecalvo recently had a surprise visit from some of his industry friends. Jack celebrates his 93rd birthday on January 27th which means he was born in 1927. Since he retired many years ago, most GCSANJ members have never had the pleasure of meeting Jack and if you met Jack you most likely met his biggest fan. That is his wonderful and “sharp as a tack” wife, Rosie. This loving couple has been together longer than most of us have been alive. They have the kind of love and relationship that only very few couples ever get to experience. It is beautiful to see. Jack lived up to his name as he was a “jack of all trades.” He worked in the food industry and even had his own restaurant. Through the ups and downs of his working career he became a golf course superintendent and was a great one, working at several courses. He was even chosen to run a zoysia course in Maryland. He started an aeration company that became very successful with him spending most of his waking days on his tractor going from course to course. He eventually sold the business and he retired so he could spend more time with his family, play more golf, and never miss watching his beloved Philadelphia sports teams play. For many of his friends the one thing that Jack and Rosie did that everyone remembers the best is “The Spaghetti Open.” With Jack’s Italian heritage it is easy to understand that there is always a desire to join family and friends together for camaraderie and food. Jack invited several superintendents to play some golf which was then followed by a spaghetti and meatballs and sausage back at his house. It was an immediate success and soon it morphed into a competition between NJ teams from the north and south. Once that happened it became too big of a group for Jack and Rosie to have the dinner at his home. This became a not to be missed event. The competition was very serious, but it was more fun than anything else. The list of attendees was impressive because Jack knew everyone. At Frog Rock GC, Jack Martin holed out from the fairway for an eagle to make the northern team a winner one year but the south usually experienced victory. Dinner was now held at an Italian restaurant near the site of the competition. Jack would speak to the restaurant and they would prepare the spaghetti and Jack would bring the meatballs and sausages. There were a few years that
L-R. Tom Grimac, Rosie Montecalvo , Brian Minemier, Greg Armbruster, Jack Montecalvo, John Carpinelli
Jack wasn’t up for his event, but it did continue until it concluded at Lakewood CC with Fran Owsik hosting. Fran had the club prepare the spaghetti dinner and Jack once again brought the best parts of the meal. It was an event that all the participants remember fondly. In memory of the “Spaghetti Open” I invited Jack and Rosie to dinner. I knew he would choose an Italian restaurant and he did. They got to the restaurant early and were very pleased when his friends and fellow southern teammates walked in. The laughter and great stories lasted all evening. Jack ended the evening by quietly but firmly saying how important it is for younger friends to keep in touch with their retired friends. Evenings like this mean so much. We have all taken Jack’s statement to heart, but we were there because we understood what he was feeling. We will do this again. As Jack has done all his life, he had to give back, and he had Rosie wrote a check for Fran Owsik. Everyone there did the same thing and I left the restaurant with $350 for Fran. We are all part of a loving and amazing family. Note: John Hutchison has spoken to Fran and me about this event because he never experienced it. Who knows? Maybe Jack’s legacy will start again.
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CHAPTER CHAMPIONSHIP THE RIDGE AT BACK BROOK
Rob Johnson, Russ Harris, Dave Schell, Jack Higgins
Dan Livingston and Ken Mathis
Joel Jacquemot, Alan Bean, Mike Scott, Joel Moore
Tom Weinert, Tony Hooks, Alan Bean
Jim Swiatlowski, Mike Brunelle, Brian Gjelsvik
Jim Cadott and Keith Bennett
Phil Page and Joe Scioscia
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CHAPTER CHAMPIONSHIP THE RIDGE AT BACK BROOK
Tom Grimac Paul Sartoretto Cup Winner
Lance Rogers
Jeremy Hreben Dr. Henry Indyk Cup Winner
Rob Arnts Sherwood Moore Cup Winner
Ken Kubik and Keith Bennett
Andrew Shaul
The Ridge at Back Brook Grounds Team
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ANNUAL MEETING FOX HOLLOW GOLF CLUB
Andrew Shaul and Alex Kierstead Jennifer Torres, Jeff Weld, Joe Kinlin
Russ Harris and Bill Murray
David Stofanak and Mike Tardogno
John O'Keefe, Todd Raisch, Lance Rogers
Darrell Marcinek and Rick Krok
2019-2020 Board of Directors
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CLASS C BATTLE OF THE BRIDGES GCSANJ VS. METGCSA ARCOLA COUNTRY CLUB
Dick Neufeld and Paul Dotti
Josh De Salvia and Tim Pleskach
Lou Bosco and Justin Adams
Anthony Neumann, Alex DeHaven, Dennis Granahan, Dylan McManus
Amando Aparcio and Freddy Carmona
Liz Holmes, James Surico, Nick Alley, Brian Kahl
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2019 GREEN EXPO THE BORGATA
Justin Dorman & Lance Rogers
Bill Murray, Paul Dotti, Stephen Finamore, Bruce Peeples
Glenn Miller, Winner of the Yeti Cooler Raffle
Bill Murray and Mike Tardogno
Alan Bean, Joe Scioscia, Travis Pauley
The Grass Roots Crew
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2019 GREEN EXPO THE BORGATA
Paul Ramina
Craig Roncase,Doug Larson, Tom Grimac, John Carpinelli
Ken Anson
Todd Raisch, Travis Pauley, John O'Keefe, Lance Rogers, Maureen Sharples, Ken Kubik
Rolf & Lori Strobel
Jim Devaney and Dan Kilpatrick
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we asked, you answered
"What is the #1 thing on your bucket list?" "I would say top on my bucket list would be to visit all U.S. state capitals. Still a long ways to go!" -Andrew Mallick, Metedeconk National Golf Club
"I want to be a part of something impactful that has the power to change minds and thoughts. Something that requires going out of my comfort zone, that yields a positive result for someone else."
-Alex Mangini-Harold, Hollywood Golf Club
"Number one on my bucket list would be taking my dad and kids to the Masters." -Shaun Kennedy, Synatek "The #1 thing on my bucket list would be to travel Europe in an RV for a year. I know I will have to wait until I'm retired to get the opportunity, but you never know!" -Patrick O'Brien, Arcola Country Club
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"The #1 thing on my bucket list would be to spend a few months exploring Europe with my wife. There are so many countries, cultures, and foods that we hope to be able to experience." -Chris Marra, Essex Fells Country Club "Run with the bulls in Spain, while hitting them in the head with a rolled up newspaper. Seems like a real adrenaline rush." -Rich Sweeney, Plant Food Company
"I would like to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. I have completed approximately 9% of the 2,192 miles including the entire states of New Jersey and New York with pieces of Connecticut and Pennsylvania under my belt."
-Doug Vogel, Preakness Valley Golf Course
"It's hard to pick one, I have a always had a fascination with the unexplored ocean and aquatic life forms. A deep ocean expedition would top my bucket list." -Ken Anson, Fox Hollow Golf Club
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GCSANJ PATRON DIRECTORY A.G. ENTERPRISES Staff Uniforms Rick Gordon Ph: 201.488.1276 Fx: 201.575.4140 merrick160@aol.com agenterprisesonline.com BASF Plant Protection & Plant Health Products, Lexicon, Xzemplar, Honor, Insignia David Schell Ph: 410.800.8762 david.schell@basf.com Paul Ramina Ph: 908.413.2944 paul.ramina@basf.com BAYER Plant Health Products Jeffrey Weld Pesticides 2 T.W. Alexander Drive Research Triangle Park, NC Ph: 914.419.9384 Fx: 877.492.1897 jeff.weld@bayer.com BLACK LAGOON POND MANAGEMENT Pond/Lake Management Michael Blaner Algae/Invasive Plants Control, Fountain & Diffused Aeration Systems 56 US Highway 130 South Bordentown, NJ 08620 Ph: 1.888.243.0891 Fx: 609.585.0525 info@blacklagoon.us DOWNES TREE SERVICE CO. Tree Services, Mulch & Top Soil, Containers,Trimming & Removal Kevin Downes 65 Royal Avenue Hawthorne, NJ 07506 Ph: 973.238.9800 info@downes.pro
DOUBLE ‘D’ TURF, LLC Turfgrass Aeration Specialist Dennis DeSanctis, Sr. Dennis DeSanctis, Jr. Drill & Fill, TurfPride, JRM Tines 86 Bergen Mills Road Monroe Twp, NJ 08831 Ph: 732.241.7378 dennis@doubledturf.com dennisjr@doubledturf.com DRYJECT NEW JERSEY Dennis Granahan 7 Seagull Lane Lincroft, NJ 07738 Ph: 917.617.8827 dryjectnj@comcast.net EARTHWORKS Carbon based fertilizers Jack Higgins Ph: 484 894-0242 hwww.earthworksturf.com jack@soilfirst.com EAST COAST SOD & SEED Sod & Seed Supplier,Bent Grass, Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, and Fine Fescue Sod Kevin Driscoll Ph: 609.760.4099 kdriscoll@eastcoastsod.com EWING IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPE SUPPLY Irrigation & Turf Products Rain Bird Golf Distributor Fred Rapp frapp@ewingirrigation.com Ph: 848.225.4618 Jim Miner jminer@ewingirrigation.com Ph: 908.674.1145
E-Z-GO TEXTRON Nick Roberto E-Z-GO, Cushman, Jacobsen Ph: 845.637.7641 T 845.637.7641 FINCH SERVICES John Deere Authorized Dealer Phil Page ppage@finchinc.com Cell: 609.498.4031 Curt Moore cmoore@finchinc.com Cell:215.280.7367 419 Industrial Drive North Wales, PA FISHER & SON COMPANY Distributor of Golf & Turf Products,Fertilizer, Seed Rob Johnson 110 Summit Drive, Exton PA 19341 Ph: 800.262.2127 Cell: 215.475.7998 rjohnson@fisherandson.com FOLEY INC CAT Equipment Dealer Sales and Rentals Cindy Snow csnow@foleyinc.com Office: (732) 885-3154 855 Centennial Avenue Piscataway, NJ 08854 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
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GCSANJ PATRON DIRECTORY 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 Fx: 908.502.5296 rich@labargolf.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 www.plantfoodco.com SITEONE LANDSCAPE SUPPLY Providing the Products & Expertise That You Need & Trust Frank Jacheo: 732.489.1442 fjacheo@siteone.com Wayne P. Remo: 862.209.8243 wremo@siteone.com Shawn Reynolds: 401.486.9133 sreynolds@jsiteone.com SOIL & WATER CONSULTING Corey Angelo Consulting and Analysis for Your Turfgrass, Soils, and Water. Ph: 848.225.5115 corey@soilandwaterconsulting.com
NOBLE TURF Brian Gjelsvik 25 Roland Avenue Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Ph: 856.273.1402 briang@seetonturf.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
NUFARM Pesticides for the turf & ornamentals Michael Molchan 25 Roland Avenue Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Ph: 610-653-7983 michael.molchan@nufarm.com
STEPHEN KAY GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT Stephen Kay 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 Brian Goudey Cell: 518-764-2412 Brian.Goudey@Syngenta.com TOTAL TURF GOLF SERVICES Greg Hufner 1965 Byberry Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 Ph: 215.426.0554 gregh@totalturfservices.com VIC GERARD GOLF CARS CLUB CAR golf fleet and Carryall utility vehicles Vince Giunco 281 Squankum Rd Farmingdale, NJ 07727 Ph: 732-938-4464 vinceg@vggc.net
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