The GCSANJ

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey is devoted to the the furthering of the golf course industry through a, “Cooperative effort by the members of a group or team to achieve a common goal”, as said by president Bill Murray. The GCSAJN promotes studies done on issues and topics that plague fellow superintendents throughout NJ. Networking and communication are key aspects to allow this strategy to be successfully carried out to its fullest potential. Joining the GCSANJ ranks as a member helps not only you, but also your fellow GCSANJ members in performing to the highest of standards through your professional input, experience, and concerns.

The president of the GCSANJ also feels strongly that those in this industry aught to remember those back home and the loved ones in our lives. Our professional perspective of achievement through unity and team work should be displayed through our daily lives as well. We hold unique positions, ones that are demanding on both parties of a family. It’s the GCSANJ’s wishes to send their thanks to the families which have supported superintendents over the years.

Supporters of the Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science, the GCSANJ encourages all to continue furthering their education and knowledge of turfgrass management. Research articles are listed and linked online for chronic diseases and other pertinent information. Not only does the GCSANJ help with keeping you up to date, but makes you aware of current employment opportunities. These are announced via the GCSANJ’s web site, providing all information necessary for you to begin communications with the course in question.

Hosting a number of events each year, this organization provides great educational opportunities for you the superintendent, and encourages networking between the turfgrass managers of New Jersey. Over all, this foundation is a benefit to the golf course superintendents of america and will help broaden your knowledge and deepen your connections with your fellow turfers. This organization was designed to help ensure that our industry continues to make leaps and bounds towards a bright future and successful present.

Sean McCue Turf Blog.

Having found Sean McCue’s blog very interactive, informative, unique, and visually striking I wish to share my findings. A multitude of information and personal experiences are to be found on his constantly growing web page.

Vivid pictures reveal the picturesque views of his Colorado home course, but also depict the challenges faced in such climates. With great attention to detail, Sean covers topics such as annual flower beds, aeration, construction projects, to winter survival. This last topic is perhaps the most interesting I have read since stumbling upon his web page.

There aren’t many places that have to deal with climatic conditions as extreme as Colorado. The winters experienced are harsh, long, and unpredictable. The many unique techniques implemented on his course are interesting to observe and have given me food for thought back in my home state of Connecticut where snow and ice is a yearly occurrence. Although Connecticut is nowhere near the extreme of Colorado, many strategies still apply. If nothing else, its a reminder of how our personal battles on the course differ from state to state. It’s as Sean said, “Over the years I have always said that in Colorado I think it is harder to keep the turf alive in the winter versus the summer.” Its a unique spin on the difficult industry we exist in today. For many, it’s summer stress, but for Sean, freeze/thaw cycles can cause havoc.

Also available are numerous related sites which also prove very insightful. Clearly taking advantage of the times, Sean is using technology and employing it to his advantage, as well as those around him. Well organized, his blog has a list of “topics” on the sidebar a mile long. Under each are a number of corresponding articles sure to satisfy your curiosity. This simplifies the search considerably for the post you are looking for. I am amazed by the quantity, and quality Mr. McCue has accumulated on his web page since its beginnings in 2007.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for good photography, especially when it is on my most passionate subject, golf course management. Visually an inspired person, Mr. McCue’s photography draws me into his articles. For instance, Sean’s article titled, “Coming Back Together” shows a complete picture recap of a complicated greens sodding instillation. Fascinating! I have even found myself wandering through the course photography section, he has a unique gift for capturing beauty on the golf course and its surroundings. I believe many of us can take an example from Sean’s photography.

Web pages like Mr. McCue’s are inspiring, and challenge the rest of us to properly record and convey our yearly experiences on the golf course. Keep up the good work Mr. McCue!

To investigate it for yourself follow this link:

http://cccpgcm.blogspot.com/

Make it or Break it

Many today greatly overlook the importance of communication. The art of conveying ones thoughts and wishes to another in a legible form is crucial for anyone in any position of authority. One superintendent whom has been in his current position of employment for 25 years once said, “ I attribute my long employment wholly to my ability to communicate. First you must learn to master this art within and outside of your departments, and especially with your membership and board of committee before you learn how to grow grass. Make sure its in that order! More jobs are lost because of the inability to communicate than the lack of skill to provide tournament type conditions and the quality of the grass.” I believe this view is widely carried by many employers today, golf course related or not. When you look communication up in the dictionary you are given a number of definitions:

• the imparting or exchanging of information or news
• the successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings

I would like to put emphasis on the second definition, especially one word in particular,“Successful”. Communication is worthless unless it accomplishes a goal, namely the successful transfer of information, ideas, and feelings from one individual to another.

I believe many think there is a law of conduct for all communication, one specific mode of action. False. One of the challenges of being a good communicator is being able to adjust and adapt to each individual. Everyone behaves, receives, and understands things in their own specific way. Some times the differences can be subtle, but being able to learn these differences can greatly turn the tables in your favor for your commands to be understood and carried out. A simple search on google will quickly reveal this to be one of the “secrets” of communication. Secret? Please, this is, or at least should be obvious. An article on mastering communication displayed on ezinearticles.com said, “We must understand that different people perceive the world differently. Everybody has different internal filters. When you tell a joke, a group of people may laugh while another group does not think of it being funny. This does not mean the second group does not have a sense of humor. It is just that they perceive humor differently. As a great communicator, we must take responsibility changing our communication (joke) until we make our audience laugh.” I believe this example of humor is perfect. We are all individuals with widely differing tastes and we must take that into account.

The question that remains is how do we learn of each individuals preferred method of information

acquisition? It’s a scary concept for many employers and is not always completely attainable due to the size of the crews managed, but a personal interest in each individual on your staff must be taken. Only through getting to know these individuals personally will you ever find that one specific communication approach best suited for the individual/situation.

I am aware that this is just a small step towards becoming a proficient communicator, but if you make it a point to attempt to add this strategy to your arsenal I believe your success as a communicator will increase noticeably. Remember, know how to make the “audience laugh”. Through practice you will find which “jokes” are effective for each. It’s worth investing time into since the importance of mastering communication can be the deciding factor of whether you make it or break it as an employer.

Pine Valley Golf Club

During the 2010 summer I will conduct my internship at a course tucked behind an old set of train tracks and meshed in with the fauna and flora found in the pine forests of Clementon, NJ. Famous all around the world for being one of the elite, Pine Valley Country Club should prove to be an experience like no other.

A remarkable opportunity, being mentored by Richard Christian, superintendent of Pine Valley, and his five assistants is something I truly look forward to. A huge pool of turfgrass related knowledge is present there and I am excited to tap into this extensive library. I expect much of my summer will be spent walking behind a spray hawk or dragging a hose across summer stressed fairways. My goal is to come out of Pine Valley with a greater knowledge and understanding of diseases and the spray programs used to control them. Poa annua is also a large component of Pine Valley's greens, and extensive spray programs are devoted to its survival. On the flip side, since I foresee myself attempting to continue my career in the North East I hope to come to a greater understanding of how to maintain this turf under extreme stress periods such as the one that will likely be presented this summer in NJ. Incomparable to the courses I have previously worked at this should be an experience unlike any other I have had before.

Rich in history, Pine Valley remarkably was once known as “Crump’s Folly” by some. Little did these individuals know that this club would turn into a legacy. Interestingly enough, this virgin territory was originally pick by George Arthur Crump due to his extensive hunting knowledge of the area. Truly “one with the land” the course was founded in 1913 and George Arthur Crump began work on his one and only golf course design. By 1913 eleven of the course's holes were opened, covered with house-sized bunkers, immense carries, and exaggerated green undulations. The course was daunting to look at, never mind play. Dipping up and down, fairways meet water, and greens are perched on the banks of crystal clear ponds fed by gentle brooks. Tragically, Crump never saw his masterpiece to completion. Passing away in 1918, construction and further design was taken on by a number of other well known architects. Pine Valley is now spread over 623 acres, remarkably 416 of these are untouched pine forests and hard wood swamps. Complete with more than 20 acres of practice facilities and an additional 10 hole short course designed by Tom Fazio and Ernest Ransome III, Pine Valley also boasts 50 greens!

In Golf Digest's rankings over the past twenty years Pine Valley has failed only once to finish as the number one golf course in the world. Acclaimed as something remarkable by all that have played it, Pine Valley is touted as the greatest course in the world by most all golf enthusiasts. While striding down the eighth hole, Gary Player looked back over his shoulder and told his caddie to give him a second so he could “soak it all in”. Picturesque at every turn, the course practically blends into the landscape. Barrens and pines combine with pure designer's genius to present a course which will forever be seared into your memory. It is said the legendary Babe Ruth played a coveted round here once. After finishing with a score card-destroying 12 on the fifteenth hole, Babe entertained those nearby with a hollered remark to his caddie, “Hell I don’t need to know where the green is. Where’s the golf course?”

A male only course, Jack Nicklaus had to leave his newlywed wife, Barbara, during their honeymoon in the parking lot outside of Pine Valley's gates while he indulged in his first round on the pristine grounds. Clearly taking the word exclusive to the next level guests are only able to set foot on the grounds if they are invited and accompanied by members. An electric fence and guardhouse ensures that no unwelcome guest can set foot on the holy ground found just on the other side. The draw to play Pine Valley is so great that Pine Valley has had to suspend two individuals for charging guests $10,000 a round; money they were willing to pay for such an opportunity. Members are a well kept secret, the thousand plus memberships' identities are hardly known outside of themselves.

There has only been one time, to my knowledge, that Pine Valley changed its policies, and that was only for two days. One month after the 9/11 incident the course was opened for a two day fundraiser where the first 100 people per day willing to pay 1,000 dollars per round, were allowed to tee it up. Imagine receiving four thousands dollars per foursome. All the earnings were devoted to the Twin Towers Fund. As a result in a short two days $500,000 was raised and donated. A testament to our golfing enthusiasts and their willingness to help our country in time of need.

When I had the opportunity to visit the course and get a tour during my interview Pine Valley didn’t fail to provide that shock and awe I had been warned of. As I left that day I could only reflect on the words once spoken by Ben Crenshaw when referring to Pine Valley, “The place just endures. Its a true piece of art.” Pine Valley is truly that very thing, a work of living art.

Curtis Tyrrell Superintendent at Medinah Country Club

Former Pennsylvania State University Graduate, Mr. Tyrrell, graced the Penn State Turf Club as a guest speaker on Jan. 26, 2010. Hints of nostalgia rang in his voice as he spoke of his classroom days. Since his graduation, Curtis has gone on to be a very successful superintendent and is currently at the pinnacle of his career as the Director of Golf Course Operations at Medinah Country Club. There have been many hurdles that Curtis has had to clear in order to gain this prestigious position; several of which he was kind to share.

Originally graduating with a degree in history, Mr. Tyrrell got his first taste of golf course management after completing college. During his exposure at Woodmore Country Club located in Maryland, Curtis fell in love with the industry. Both the superintendent and assistant were Penn State graduates. Encouraging him to follow his new passion, they recommended he enroll at PSU to further his knowledge in turfgrass management. One year into his stint into Penn States two year Turfgrass Management Program would find him conducting his internship at Cherry Hills Country Club. Followed by another whirlwind of classes, graduation came quickly, and he was out in the real world. Straight out of school he acquired a spray tech position in Palm Springs, CA., where he was mentored for just under a year. Moving on Curtis then became an irrigation professional struggling to keep a stand of rye grass alive while serving as an assistant superintendent in Scottsdale, Arizona. Courses in Arizona can have on average 2,500 to 3,000 irrigation heads. You can imagine how proficient he had to become, knowing each and every one intimately. Continuing to pay in his dues, Mr. Tyrrell finally gained the opportunity to secure a superintendent's position in Conn. at a course which was beginning to under go construction. Located on an Indian reserve, and closely situated next to Foxwoods as an accompaniment, there were no lack of funds. The Lake of Isles was finished in a single year, complete with 36 holes, club house and more, all for the price tag of 85 Million!

A short time later, Curtis was asked to applied for the superintendent's position at Medinah. After a meticulous and stingy application process Curtis was offered the position. Before he knew it he was overseeing one of the most well respected courses in the world. Never mind the fact that Medinah's #3 course, will be holding the 2012 Ryder Cup. The #3 course has undergone numerous reconstructions, the most resent by Reece Jones. In resent years the course has seen complete greens and bunker reconstruction. Although a lot of earth has been moved, the original design has been altered a very small amount; undulations have been intensified but she still closely resembles her previous form. Having a good deal of tournament experience under his belt, Mr. tyrrell hopes to have as little mention as possible of the turf during the event. The less talk about the turf the better the tournament. Mr. Tyrrell stated, “It is taken for granted that the turf is supposed to perform to certain levels. If we perform well we might be lucky and get a mention, but if we don’t perform, they won't stop talking about turf for a full week.” It appears that this upcoming Ryder Cup will be one to remember as Mr. Tyrrell and all those involved are going above and beyond the call of duty, micromanaging to the nth level.

Curtis left us with some pointers and advice; information he firmly believes is responsible for helping him to lead the successful career he has:

• You must set specific goals, challenge yourself to succeed.
• Be aware. Be ready and observant to see how those goals are altering and what doors are opening.
• Don’t enter into a single day believing you know it all, it's the one day the unexpected will happen. There is always something new to learn every day, don’t let your guard down, not even for a second.
• Control the controllable. Manage what is in your power, the little things often leave the greatest impressions.
• Follow up. As a supervisor never lead yourself to believe that once you’ve said it once you won't have to say it again. A constant eye must be kept on those around you and baby sitting is often in order to ensure that what needs to be done is accomplished.
• Recap. List your days objectives and what was actually accomplished.
• Manage up. This rule applies to all, everyone has a boss, it is our job to anticipate before we are told. If we can learn to do this our status with our employers will dramatically increase.
• Use your resources. those individuals you have networked with and have gotten to know will always be out there experiencing just as many unique situations as you. Don’t fail to tap into those knowledge pools while in trouble.

A bright, energetic, and successful person, Mr. Tyrrell provided plenty of helpful information. Before leaving he quoted, “There are two types of superintendents, those who have lost turf, and those who will.” Don’t let this daunt you, realize we are human and that we will all make mistakes, the key is to learn from them and avoid replication.

Hunting Hyperodes

Hyperodes Weevils have become a huge problem on golf courses all over the North Eastern United States. Extremely damaging, their presence can't be masked easily through basic cultural practices. Different methods have been used to attempt to remove the insects but few of them show promise. The increased resistance of hyperodes populations to pyrethroids on specific courses is the most concerning. In the past, spray programs with the most consistent control have heavily relied upon the use of such pyrethroids. The consistent use of these chemicals have helped lead to the immunities we are seeing today. For superintendents unfortunate enough to manage such a course tactics have changed. The use of different chemicals and application timing has become a way of life. Unfortunately most superintendents have to learn through trial and error to find the perfect weevil decimating concoction. Surprisingly there does exist a basic practice that can prove infinitely valuable to see chemical applications affects on the hyperodes populations on your course. During a study done at the Ridgewood Country Club with Dr. Patt Vittum a professor at Umass I learned to count hyperodee adults. Although it may sound a ridiculously tedious task, counting the hypes before an application and those remaining alive after an application can provide the information needed to know whether or not a chemical worked. You are most likely asking yourself how on earth I can expect you to tear apart and peal through the thatch layer that hyperodes call home. Luckily such drastic steps are not called for. In fact if you use the techniques soon to be mentioned they will rise up to the surface in moments and parade around on the tips of the leaf blades. How can such a thing be accomplished? It just so happens lemon concentrate mixed with water is extremely irritating to hyperodes. If you soak a desired area, (typically 2x2ft) with a watering can filled with a ratio of one gal. water/two ounces of Lemon Joy soap within 60 seconds the critters will begin to rise to the surface. They do so in order to sit on the leaf blades and allow the sun to dry off the irritable concoction. This is when you make your count. It is easy to log a hypee twice so killing and removing the insects from the 2x2 area is advisable. I did this practically every other day during our summer long testing. It requires minimal amounts of time to accomplish and delivers accurate data as long as your employee keeps a wary eye. Obviously the location of the test should be in an area historically prone to sever hyperodee damage. These areas are always found in locations with high concentrations of poa annua, find the poa and you find the hypees. Hyperodee Numbers exceeding 20/2x2ft are dangerous, but I have logged numbers as high as 130/2x2ft! If your hyperodee numbers cross the twenty count it is imperative you make an application, otherwise you stand a good chance of losing that turf.

When making the actual application of "lemon water" use the ratio stated above, mix thoroughly to evenly dilute the soap. Apply the mixture till there is an appropriate amount to fully saturate the thatch layer. This area is the main residence of hyperodee adults. Be aware on extremely hot sunny days there is the possibility to singe turf due to the soap that lingers on the turf blades. On such days don't be as liberal with the liquid used to saturate the area. Within a minute or less of drenching time hyperodee will begin to search for comfort. They can continue to emerge for as long as 10 minutes depending on your populations. Log the numbers from the different locations clearly marking what the area had been previously treated with. When it comes time to compare results you will have a complete history to review.

If you follow these simple steps you will find this process is not only helpful but addicting!

Cody Manquso PSU Graduate

When I first met Cody Mancuso for an interview about his time at Penn State, I knew right away that he was an easy-going, and fun-loving guy. Although a little timid at first, he soon opened up and a lively conversation unraveled. A short time later I had learned of his background and his internship experiences.

When I asked Cody how he first got into the turfgrass industry, he promptly replied that Jim Bellows, a former employer, had encouraged him to gain a degree before continuing his career. I inquired if he had any advice for a person like myself who was attempting to get into the industry. To this he replied with a slight chuckle and grin aimed towards Dr. Kaminski, “Gaining a Penn State diploma would be my first step.” He was genuine, and his reasoning was sound, because Penn state currently holds the number one turfgrass program in the world. When I asked him to look back over his years spent in Penn State classrooms and to pick out his favorite course, he remarked that it had to be the class he spent under the tutelage of Jeffery Berger. On the other hand, he felt that the class most applicable towards his career had to have been his entomology class. In addition to his many classroom memories, the women's volleyball games stood out as his most memorable times. Once he leaves the PSU campus he will no longer be able to enjoy watching the girls play competitively, but he will be able to return to and enjoy the warm climate in Phoenix, Arizona. Following his graduation, Cody is planing to put his education to work back in Arizona for SBS while managing their new outdoor maintenance department. He also hopes to incorporate the lessons he learned over his internship, mainly the “Bobby Knight style of leadership”. We hope he refrains from strangling any of his players as Bobby did during his coaching career. No, I don’t think we have to worry about Cody, all he wishes to accomplish is to encourage his “players” to become well rounded and serious; Cody plans to do this by calling them to the next level, challenging them to push themselves to their limit.

With a concerned eye for the environment around him, Cody is lucky, he will have little disease to manage in Phoenix, so he can refrain from the use of chemicals. Knowing he was from Arizona, a state’s turf I am unfamiliar with, I asked him what grass type he would prefer to manage. Admittedly, having had little turf type experience, Cody is more than happy to stick to his all time favorite, Bermudagrass. His exposure to the species has been a positive one, and he believes it is a rather easy turf to manage which performs well for his applications.

Nearing the end of our interview, Cody concluded with his thoughts on the two year program. He firmly believed this academic program had prepared him for the real world better than he had previously thought possible. The pool of information he was taking away with him would help propel him to success in the industry. With our time up, Cody left with a warm smile and a firm handshake, I truly believe Mr. Mancuso is someone with a bright future ahead of him.