Paul Jamrog 2016 DSA Recipient By Michelle Maltais

Transcription

Paul Jamrog 2016 DSA Recipient By Michelle Maltais
March/April 2016 Print Edition
Paul Jamrog 2016 DSA Recipient By Michelle Maltais
T
his year’s DSA
recipient is Paul
Jamrog. Paul
grew up in Springfield,
Massachusetts with his
parents and three siblings; an older sister, and
younger brother and sister.
At the age of 12 he started
caddying and playing at
The Oxford Golf Club in
Chicopee, MA. As a member of the Chicopee High
School Golf Team, he was
able to develop his natural
ability into a magnificent
golf game. Eventually his
game would win various
golf events in his age category including the state junior finals.
His passion for golf didn’t end with the game. Paul found himself attracted to the beauty in golf course layouts and design.
After graduating from Chicopee High School he enrolled at
UMass hoping to pursue a degree in golf course architecture
but realized that his focus and enthusiasm was in caring for the
course rather than building and design. With a new pursuit to
follow, he packed up his 1971 blue Pontiac Firebird, and
enrolled in the Stockbridge Program at UMass. The rest as they
say, is history.
In his early years he found himself at a 1922 Donald Ross
course called Longmeadow CC in Longmeadow, MA. He went
on to become assistant at Bellevue Golf Club in Melrose, MA
and soon was asked to become superintendent of Mount Hood
Golf Club, a municipal course in Melrose, MA. Paul would
go on to become the superintendent at Unicorn Golf Corse in
Stoneham, MA before accepting a position with The Orchards
Golf Club, another Donald Ross course crafted in 1922, located
in South Hadley, MA.
to the USGA and hosted a National Tournament. I cherish
the relationships I developed during those years.” After The
Orchards, Paul went on to become Superintendent for 19 years
at Metacomet Country Club, another infamous course designed
by Donald Ross in East Providence, RI. Paul has served on
the RIGCSA board as Secretary, Vice President, President,
Chairman of the 75th Anniversary Committee, and has
endlessly donated his time to many other events throughout
the years.
The most memorable challenges he can recollect have been
in dealing with the aftermath of the many hurricanes that have
devastated New England over the years. Paul said, “Dealing
with the destruction of trees after hurricanes on the course, was
probably one of my biggest feats.” He told me that the other
challenge he has faced is the widespread decline of participation
in the game of golf. “The decline of participation and interest in
the game of golf over the past several years has been difficult to
watch, but I know it cycles and soon golf will be popular again.”
After leaving Metacomet, Paul worked for Central Irrigation
Supply and most recently, Paul has accepted a sales position covering the Boston area as a Technical Representative for Atlantic
Golf and Turf.
One of Paul’s favorite pastimes is studying wine. Along with
sampling, he has an immense appreciation for the art and craft
of making wine. He enjoys learning how the grapes are grown
as well as exploring old verses new crafting techniques. He has
sampled wine from all corners of the globe and has an extensive knowledge on the subject. A self-professed guru, he enjoys
taking local wine appreciation classes and touring local vineyards. One of his favorite wines that top the list is a 2009 Kosta
Browne Sonoma Coast, pinot noir.
Paul lives in Barrington, RI with his wife Tina. He has two
children, a son Gregory and daughter Justine, and shares his
home with a dog, cat, and bunny.
Paul admits he loved being Superintendent of The Orchards.
He said, “It was a great highlight in my career. I was exposed
Kevin’s Corner
NERT Conference & Show
Remembering Roy
Member News
Page 4
Page 6
Page 9
Page 11
RIGCSA
Board of
Directors
President
William Coulter, CGCS
Swansea Country Club
(508) 379-9741
Vice President
Andrew Cummins
Agawam Hunt
(401) 434-0980
Treasurer
Dean Chase
Carnegie Abbey Club
(401) 683-5148
Secretary
Christopher Coen
Newport Country Club
401-847-5903
Director
Patrick Hogan
SODCO
(800) 341-6900
Director
James Ritorto
Lake of Isles
(860) 312-2092
Past President
Michael Whitehead, CGCS
Pawtucket Country Club
(508) 761-7657
Newsletter Editor
Michelle Maltais
Atlantic Golf and Turf
(401) 835-0287
Chapter Executive
Julie Heston
phone: (401) 934-7660
fax: (401) 934-9901
[email protected]
www.rigcsa.org
2
President’s Message
March 22, 2016 Meeting - Hillside Country Club
A
s I write this, winter has refused to loosen its grip on the
Northeast. Any gains we may have made in the warmer
weather of February and early March were quickly
negated by some snow and cold weather that continue to make
course preparation a little more challenging. Like most New
Englanders, I will complain about the weather for a minute then
move on and tackle that spring “to do “list.
The New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show
rebounded well after last year’s major snowstorm wreaked havoc.
Attendance seemed great and the excitement on the trade show
floor was good to see. Congratulations to Gary and the NERTF Board for staying the
course and running a great show. A special thanks to the vendors for their willingness
to support a local trade show. With fewer members able to attend the GCSAA show,
we are fortunate to have such a fine event in our backyard.
Congratulations also to Paul Jamrog, the winner of this year’s RIGCSA
Distinguished Service Award. Although he has moved on to a career in sales, Paul
dedicated many years to being a respected Golf Course Superintendent in our area.
He also guided the RIGCSA for many years by serving on the Board of Directors and
acting as the 75th Anniversary Chairman.
I also want to thank Henry Olstynski for hosting the March meeting at Hillside
Country Club and for not following through on his original idea to make it a “work
day”. Thank you to David Henault for hosting our first golf meeting of the season at
Foster Country Club for our annual ABCD Scramble.
Family Day is fast approaching and is scheduled for June 12th at Mulligans Island.
Our Social Chairman, Jim Ritorto is looking for a few vendor sponsors to enhance this
already successful event. Again this year, we are offering a great day of fun, food and
family time for a reasonable price. Get your kids to invite their friends and let’s have
some fun with our families before the summer stress arrives.
April 19, 2016 Meeting - Foster Country Club
We have a full lineup of meetings and events scheduled for 2016. I hope you will join
us for several of these. It’s a great time to decompress and to network with your peers. I
know I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge over the years by just engaging other members
in casual conversations at RIGCSA meetings. I wish all of you the best in the 2016 golf
season and I hope that the RIGCSA can continue to be a part of that success.
ill Coulter, CGCS
B
RIGCSA President
CT License J-3
279958
IRRIGATION
Bayer Environmental Science
Building on an already solid foundation of
proven products to help you succeed.
Serving New England and the Tri-State Area
Irrigation and Pump Installation and Service
1-800-722-7348
Chris Daigle
Brian Giblin
(508) 439-9809
www.winterberryirrigation.com
[email protected]
CT License J-3 279958 | RI License M1000224 | NJ License 197246
Matt Faherty
March-April 2016
3
Kevin’s GCSAA Corner
Providing exceptional service in New England
and the tri-state area for 25 years.
By Kevin Doyle, GCSAA Northeast Field Rep.
This might be getting old,
these newsletter articles about
government relations items. I
reviewed my files and found
nine, yes, nine articles specific
to or relating to government
affairs issues in only four years.
So, is this going to be another
one? Yes, it is. It will not be
about motivating you to fight
back on legislation affecting
you, but about what there you
can learn from others. There is
a popular saying: If you don’t
have a seat at the table, then
you are probably on the menu.
I would like to introduce you
to the residents of South Portland, Maine (see entrée), and (a
side of) the Maine GCSA, found on page two of your menu.
Is this an isolated case? No. For those who have had their ear
on such measures, Montgomery County in Maryland — a state
without preemption — has been embroiled in a similar process.
South Portland will join Ogunquit with some level of restriction,
with the city of Portland, Maine soon to address a similar ban.
One of only seven states to not have preemption on these
matters, each city and town in Maine has the availability to
develop their own chemical or fertilizer ordinances. Welcome
to the battlefield of South Portland, Maine. The city of South
Portland has been developing a ban on synthetic pesticides since
June 2015, including both public and private property. Where
do these ordinances come from? Well, just down the street in
Ogunquit, Maine — where there are no golf courses — an ordinance has been passed. That’s right, in Ogunquit you can’t purchase or use synthetic pesticides on public or private land. How
does this happen? Not having a seat at the table and not pushing
back.
you Get Cool Stuff from your Association Already
The city of South Portland city council — six councilors
and one mayor — heard from the group that pushed through
the Ogunquit ban. The group who has taken a seat at the table
from the beginning consists of Protect South Portland, Beyond
Pesticides (Washington, D.C.), Friends of Casco Bay and
Osborne Organics. The city staff was then tasked to develop an
ordinance to ban synthetic pesticides and move the subject to
further workshops. That is when outside voices finally had the
ability to be heard. After the ball had started rolling.
I recently attended the council meeting where the first reading of the synthetic pesticide ban took place. As written, golf
is mostly exempt, for now. The mayor made it clear that he will
look to amend the ordinance to include golf courses. This may
not have wide support, but who knows? One councilor explained
her wavering opinion of the ban stating that her octogenarian
neighbor really enjoys his lawn, and she would hate to enact an
ordinance that would take that enjoyment away from him.
4
We have a strong message to send out to policymakers on
the value that the golf course management industry – and the
turf industry at large – provides to society. The environmental
stewardship of highly-educated superintendents helps. The economic impact of our industry as employers and tax payers, and
our means of charitable giving, also move the needle. But fear
and passion trump all of those, and those looking to advance
their anti-pesticide movement have and utilize those tools every
chance they get, so claim your seat at the table: Be proactive, be
vigilant, be willing to offer your expertise when it is needed or
you might be living in the next South Portland.
GCSAA Resources and Deadlines
Update your business card
If your patrons or members need to know who to thank after
viewing the “Thank a Golf Course Superintendent” commercial,
be sure to have an updated business card available! Find out how
on the GCSAA website!
Top celebrities support 2016 “Thank
a golf course superintendent”
campaign
Celebrities who enjoy playing golf, like Grammy award-winning
entertainer Justin Timberlake and NBA Hall-of-Famer Charles
Barkley, have joined the promotion to “thank a golf course
superintendent.” The tagline will be used in television and radio
commercials, as well as 2016 print and online advertising by
GCSAA. The 30-second commercials will again air on the Golf
Channel beginning in April. There will even be a sweepstakes
to offer golfers the opportunity to win a trip to the American
Century Celebrity Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe, Nev., in
July, by personally thanking a golf course superintendent. Visit
the following to watch the video and listen to the radio spot:
http://www.gcsaa.org/community/chapter-leaders/
managing-your-chapter/materials-for-chapter-outreach
Want to add this to your club media (newsletter, Facebook, Twitter)
please let me know. The GCSAA marketing department will format
this appropriately for you!
O'CONNOR PUMPS
& SERVICES
Help us gather key data:
Take the latest GCEP survey
The Property Profile and Environmental Stewardship Survey is now
open. This latest survey in the Golf Course Environmental Profile
focuses on collecting information regarding land use, turfgrass
species and other non-turfgrass landscapes to compile data on overall
property use on golf courses around the nation. Your participation
provides vital information needed to advocate for the golf industry
and superintendent profession. The GCEP is sponsored by the
USGA in conjunction with the EIFG.
GCSAA 2016 Member Engagement
Opportunities
Want to volunteer at the GCSAA level? It is not too late yet!
GCSAA is encouraging those interested in 2016 committee/task
group service to apply. Contact Kevin Doyle to find out how.
Golf / Commercial / Agricultural Pumps
We service, sell, and install well
pumps, submersible pumps, booster
pumps, jet pumps, irrigation pumps,
sump pumps, water softeners, iron
filters, sediment filters, reverse
osmosis, pressure tanks, water
holding tanks, and water lines.
www.oconnorpumps.com
Upcoming FREE webcasts:
860-967-3559
[email protected]
May 5: Waiting for the Other Limb to Fall - Minimizing Tree Liability
May 10: I Wanna Be More Social
May 11: Managing Bentgrass under Summer Stress Conditions
May 26: Empowering Your Career - Equipment Management Series
Again, if I can be of any assistance, please feel free to
contact me.
Kevin Doyle
GCSAA Field Staff
[email protected]
Ed Downing
Cell: 978-230-2300
Follow me on Twitter @GCSAA_NE
Email: [email protected]
Office: 978-466-1844 Fax: 978-466-1882
1 mm. & 2mm. Top Dressing Sand
Rootzone Mixes

HD & Buff Bunker Sand
Divot Blends

Tee Mixes
Bridging Stone Cart Path Mix

Soil Blend
We will customize blends to meet your spe435 Lancaster Street, Leominster, MA 01453
March-April 2016
5
New England Regional Turfgrass Conference & Show
Comeback Show of the Year?
Following our Snow Fest of 2015, we had many concerns
including weather as we prepared for our 19th annual show. We
have to admit we have had some great luck all around for the
first 17 years, and just the worst on the 18th. So, even with the
odds with us, why be nervous? Well as you know, even our best
plans can be spoiled by the weather which we don’t have any
control over. We can be prepared to the hilt, but things like that
are out of our hands. Our focus the last 12 months was to prepare what we can control. Like schedules and speakers. Then, be
as ready as we can for whatever the forecast was to be. What a
relief to approach our dates with as great as a forecast as we had!
Were there things that were different in 2016? I hope that
you did notice. The biggest change was that we compressed our
schedule. We started with seminars at 1pm on Monday and carried them over thru Tuesday morning. This delayed and shortened the USGA program. Sorry to those who didn’t catch that
in the program and showed up early Tuesday looking for education to begin at 9am. Creatures of habit we are! This helped
to eliminate Sunday overnights and early morning departures.
We also provided more 2 hour seminars that you could mix and
match and cover more topics. This added up to the largest crowd
we have had for seminars in our history. We think this was a
good choice and we will continue to make Monday and Tuesday
an even more attractive value and resource!
Another slight change we made is that we shortened Thursday
by starting earlier. This also felt like a good choice as education
rooms were well attended and the trade show had better feel to it
over other Thursdays. This benefitted the exhibitors with a head
start on the road as we closed at 12 noon. Many have asked if
Thursday is worth the time. As I scanned the show floor many
times Thursday I saw many exhibitors engaged in conversations
with attendees. We have invested in an event over the years with
two good overnights (Tuesday & Wednesday). Remember the
days when we were 4 shows and in 4 states and all the expense
and time commitment that went with it? Whatever you’re feeling about Thursday, it is the anchor that keeps Wednesday afternoon and night the peak of the show. We thank our exhibitors
and sponsors for your help and making the best of it you can. We
will continue to look at ways to make it even more worthwhile to
all in the future.
The other focus was on our education program. Hot topics and speakers are sometimes hard to come up with, but with
input from industry members and with Mary Owen’s leadership
we continue to have some of the best education in the industry.
This is our greatest priority and our pledge to always keep education first as we plan for the future. We thank all our speakers for
their quality presentations and the pertinent information they
shared. We look for input for our 2017 program too! If you have
recommendations, please let us know.
6
So, looking back at this year’s show, we must thank all our
exhibitors and attendees for returning after the disaster of 2015.
We are back on our favorite dates in the first week in March
for the foreseeable future. As we continue to look forward, we
appreciate your input on what we can do to continue to make our
show of even higher quality. With more than 1800 attendees and
a larger exhibitor space than we have had over the last couple of
years are measurements we are very happy with and it feels good
to be back on our feet again making progress! We are as large as
any regional show in the industry. We fund more than $130,000
in turfgrass research annually and show support to more schools
and programs in the industry than others do. Our attendance
has been solid in a stagnant industry, and we have not pulled
back in fear of the future. We thank each association board for
providing good people to represent them on the board of the
foundation. They continue to guide the foundation responsibly
on behalf of the industry. Results proves they must be doing a
few things right, but the biggest thing is that we are all doing
it together! Thank you for helping us be the Comeback Show of
the Year!
ary J. Sykes
G
Executive Director
New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation, Inc.
RIGSCA 2016 Newsletter Sponsors
ALLENS SEED
COUNTRY CLUB ENTERPRISES
SHAWNMARK INDUSTRIES, INC.
Celebrating over 60 years of servicing Golf
Course Superintendents with products for
managing quality turfgrass. When you need
fertilizer, control products, premium grass
seed, equipment repair and parts.
Club Car Utility Vehicles and Golf Cars
Sales–Service–Parts
For more information,
call Al LaPrise, Erik or Paul Hagenstein.
DGM SYSTEMS
“TOMORROWíS Chemical Needs TODAY”
A complete line of specialty turf products
as well as engine degreasers, equipment
maintenance products, aerosols, and ice
melt. Call Matt Howland at (401) 295-1673
for personalized service 24 hours a day or
visit our website at www.shawnmark.com.
(401) 294-2722 (800) 527-3898
Golf and Sports Turf
Specialty Products and Services
SODCO, INC.
A-OK TURF EQUIPMENT
Visit www.dgmsystems.com
Wiedenmann, Lastec, Graden, Agrimetal,
Baroness, Salsco, Sweep N Fill, Turf Pride,
Stec, Pronovst, Lely, Maredo, Classen, and
Used Equipment.
Office (401) 647-0550
Manny Mihailides (401) 524-8999
David Mihailides (401) 742-1177
All of your golf course grass needs grown on
our 500 acre Green Certified farm.
Bentgrass, Black Beauty, Bluegrass, Fine
Fescue, Short Cut Varieties, Contract Growing.
www.aokturf.com (401) 826-2584
ATLANTIC GOLF & TURF
Fairway Height Bentgrass
hGreens Height Bentgrass
hJonathan Green Black Beauty
hKentucky Bluegrass
Short Cut Black Beauty
hShort Cut Bluegrass
h90-10 Fine Fescue/Blue
hMicroclover Black Beauty
h
With over 500 acres of Green Certified* land,
Sodco offers customized contract growing opportunities.
Contact us for more information.
Slocum, RI | 800.341.6900 | www.sodco.net
*Green Certified by the Rhode Island DEM
SYNGENTA
www.AtlanticGolfandTurf.com
Greg Misodoulakis (508) 243-6166
BARENBRUG USA
HARRELL’S
Great in Grass
Bruce Chapman, Territory Manager
401-578-2300 [email protected]
Brian Giblin (508) 439-9809
[email protected]
h
Golf Course Design
Contact: Pat Hogan (401) 569-1105
Slocum, RI (800) 341-6900
www.sodco.net
Contact RIGCSA member
Tim Gerrish, RLA at (401) 263-3784
[email protected]
Michelle Maltais (401) 835-0287
[email protected]
Building on an already solid foundation of
proven products to help you succeed
Grown by Sodco.
GARDNER + GERRISH, LLC
Melissa Hyner Gugliotti (860) 221-5712
Email: [email protected]
www.greentrustonline.com
BAYER ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Quality. Varieties. Solutions.
Keith Tortorella 508-982-4820
Offering over 15 years of golf course design
experience including; feature renovation, tree
analysis, cart path layout, master planning,
construction observation, planting design
and landscape architecture.
Specializing in agronomy through the
distribution of fertilizer, seed and chemicals
throughout New England.
Producers of RTF, Turf Blue HGT,
Supercharged Bentgrasses & Regenerating
Perennial Rye
New England’s Finest Sod
www.ccegolfcars.com (800)-662-2585
Service–Knowledge–Experience
NEW ENGLAND GOLF CARS
Steve Donohue or Joe Farina
(800) 556-6985
Sales, Service, Rentals
Scott Cookson, Paul Amorin, Jon Cookson
(508) 336-4285 Fax: (508) 336-4762
TURF ENHANCEMENT
ENTERPRISES
www.NewEnglandGolfCars.com
Tom Fox (508) 450-9254
Yamaha Golf Cars / Yamaha Utility Cars
Featuring Floratine Products, Analync
Soil Testing and Analysis, JRM tines and
bedknives and Greenleaf TurboDrop spray
nozzles.
THE CARDINALS, INC.
1mm & 2mm. Top Dressing Sand
Rootzone Mixes, Buff & HD Bunker Sand
Divot Blends- Bulk/Bagged delivery
Ed Downing (978) 230-2300
[email protected]
RESIDEX
THE CHAS. C. HART SEED CO.
Fertilizer, Seed Chemicals
Chris Bengtson [email protected]
Cell: (401) 474-4110 (800)-326-4278
www.HARTSEED.com
Jim Pritchard (401) 862-1098
[email protected]
Independent distributor of quality turfgrass
seed, fertilizer and Turf care products.
Authorized distributor for Bayer, Syngenta,
Aquatrols, Griggs Bros.
TUCKAHOE TURF FARMS, INC.
Offering a selection of putting green quality
bentgrass varieties. Also, blends for tees,
fairways, bunkers and roughs.
Washing available.
NEW ENGLAND SPECIALTY SOILS
Complete distributor of golf course
accessories; seed, fertilizer, chemicals,
wetting agents, safety supplies and other
turf related specialty products.
With Tom Irwin, you’re not alone.
The superintendents source for high-tech
turf care products, contact Michael Kroian
at (401) 397-5500.
Baked by Bayer
John Callahan (800) 861-6256
TOM IRWIN, INC.
Mike Santos (401) 525-6782
[email protected]
TURF PRODUCTS
Tim Berge (800)-243-4355
Carrying the complete line of TORO
equipment. Call Dana Dubois for
demonstrations. For your TORO irrigation
needs–sprinklers, pipes, fittings, Otterbine
aerators and wire trackers.
WINTERBERRY IRRIGATION
Complete irrigation and pump installation
and service throughout New England.
Matt Faherty (860) 681-8982
[email protected]
www.WinterberryIrrigation.com
March-April 2016
7
LEGISLATIVE/GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPORT
It looks like the 2016 year will be a
busy legislatively.
As soon as we hear more of this alliance
we will let you know.
In January, RINLA and DEM hosted
a meeting at Newport Vineyards. They
invited various members of the green
industry of which RIGCSA was one. This
meeting was about the impaired waters of
Newport.
In Charlestown RI, the Town Council
President wanted a zero fertilizer applied
requirement implemented. He has settled
at 2lbs of nitrogen per year. There are no
fertilizer regulations in RI as of yet. With
Charlestown passing their own fertilizer
recommendations, look for DEM and
RINLA to get together on coming up
with some sort of regulations.
DEM gave an overview of what was
happening to the waters in Newport and
the timeline of these happenings. RINLA
was promoting a proactive approach to
this and the other issues coming up. Since
then, Joe Oliveira at Green Valley has
received a letter from DEM stating that
they would be stopping in for site visits.
Ken Paine from Ag Partners has put
together the “Aquidneck Island Working
Lands Alliance”. RINLA would serve as
the backbone organization for this alliance and coordinator of its activities.
The Alliance develops a work plan for
accomplishing its vision and submits the
workplan to DEM as a means to accomplish “watershed based management”.
Then there is the proposed neonic bill.
Members of the green industry were
invited to speak before Senator Sosnowski
and the Environmental and Agriculture
committee. This was an information gathering hearing for the Senators. I wouldn’t
be surprised to see one held by the House
committee fairly soon also. We are hoping that they will not ban the neonics but
rather leave them in the hands of licensed
applicators.
RI Sod Producers. The location of these
booths are between the governor’s office
and the state room where the Ag Day
ceremonies take place. We will be highlighting the impact of golf on the green
industry economy and the green golf certification program.
Commerce RI and RINLA would like
to know what the Top 5 Regulatory Issues
you face are. Julie sent out an email blast
survey. Hopefully you have responded so
we can tally these up and send to RINLA
and Commerce RI.
We need to be proactive and not reactive to the issues coming up. Be a grassroots ambassador and invite your local
rep for a tour of your course. Fill out
and complete the green golf certification
program.
Thanks
Pat Hogan,
RIGCSA Government
Relations Committee
RIGCSA will be participating in AG
Day again this year. This year Ag Day
will be celebrated on May 10th. We will
have a booth next to RINLA and the
Alan Vadala
(774) 766-2516
Mike Coty
(860) 617-3988
NORTHTURF.COM
We’re here to help with all of
your aeration needs.
We are equipped to do the
entire job or you can simply
choose from several tractors
and implements to
help you get it done!
8
In Memory Royal “Roy” D. Sibley Jr.
By Michelle Maltais
T
o say ‘they broke the mold’ when
they made Roy is an understatement. The rest of the world called
him Dana, but to most of us in the turf
industry he was known as Roy. Born in
Providence and raised in Pawtucket, he
obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from the
University of Rhode Island, and was
the owner of a nursery center in South
County before moving to Connecticut to
raise his family. It’s true what they say,
you can take the boy out of Rhode Island
but you can’t take Rhode Island out of the
boy. At 86 years young, Roy who lived
in Jewett City, CT read the Providence
Journal from cover to cover every day and
visited the same barber shop in Pawtucket
since grade school to get his hair cut regularly. His friends would joke that he really didn’t need to go to
the barber all that often any more, but he insisted on keeping his
appearance neat and tidy. A true patriot, Roy served in the US
Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Jewett
City VFW. He worked for many years in the turf industry and
most recently as a salesman for Charles Hart Seed.
Roy had an innate affinity for knowledge and even more so
for teaching. A handful of his friends are surprised that he didn’t
actually become a teacher, although according to his daughter in
elementary school when she got up to tell the class what her dad
did at work all day she said, “I’m not sure. He’s either a golfer or
a fisherman because he leaves the house with his golf clubs and
fishing pole almost everyday.” Roy loved sharing ‘things that he
knew’ with everyone. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of driving
around with Roy for the day he would tell you all about the local
folklore, the different species of trees in bloom on your route,
when they built the highways, the cheapest place to buy your
cigarettes, the best places for lunch (Newport Creamery was one
of his favorite stops) and a recap of all the previous night’s sports
highlights, especially basketball. He was as big as a fan as they
come when it came to basketball. He was an avid Celtics fan but
also liked cheering the home teams like the URI Rhody Rams.
Being from Pawtucket he loved the Paw Sox and as a matter of
fact, the last day that I saw Roy in December of 2015, he was
wearing a McCoy Stadium hat.
I remember that day in December well. I had joined Roy,
along with Roger Turcotte, and Howard ‘Gup’ Allen at
Crowther’s in Little Compton, RI for lunch. The three friends
would usually end up having lunch once a week after playing
golf together. It was a long-standing ritual they shared. Roy
was lively that day and was excited that Roger was buying him
lunch – he broke into a full verse of “For he’s a jolly good fellow”
when the waitress brought over the tab. I
have video of this linked to our web page
and it’s worth a view. He loved following
the political races and was spewing some
profanity with all the democratic and
republican banter that was on the lunch
hour news. He was looking forward to the
upcoming presidential election. Last week
I caught up with Roger Turcotte who said
that he missed his evening phone calls
with Roy. “We’d call each other about
three nights a week and talk about everything. I really miss him.”
Roy, whose nicknames included ‘Old
Blue Eyes’ and ‘Paul Newman’ was a
walking book of trivial facts and tidbits,
which is quite amazing because his internet was always down, or his computer was always broken. His
close friends knew he used neither but that’s what he usually
told you when he would need you to look something up. Mike
Whitehead CGCS from Pawtucket CC shared this with me
about Roy, “He would always tell me some interesting trivial
nugget he had gleaned from somewhere, or ask me to look up
something that he just had to know. Important things like how
many tons of concrete went into the Grand Coulee Dam? Who
was the third man to walk on the moon? What state grows the
most cranberries?” Mike went on to say that “Roy was somewhat
draconian when it came to technology. He never wanted a computer or smart-phone. I felt privileged to have been one of his ‘go
to’ guys when it came time to find answers to obscure and random questions and trivia that popped into his ever curious head.
I would always get on him about getting a computer so he could
have the instant gratification that came from Googling, but I
felt happy knowing he would never modernize himself that way,
because it meant he would keep calling me for the answers. And
I’m going to truly miss that.”
Tom Ohlson, CGCS from Fall River CC shared this with me
about his experience with Roy, “In 1979, as a 24 year old rookie
Salesman for Tom Irwin, I was sent to explore the wilds of
Western MA and Upstate NY. My first Superintendent Meeting
out there was in Albany, NY. I had to find Albany on the map,
never mind knowing anyone at the meeting. As I walked into
the room with that ‘deer in the headlights’ look in my eyes, a
middle-aged gentleman came over to me after recognizing my
distress. You bet, Roy Sibley! He invited me to sit with him to
get to know each other and after the dinner he introduced me
around. This simple act of kindness has stayed with me since and
I have tried to follow his lead. Roy Sibley, a great source of good
stories and turf knowledge. I will miss you.”
Continued on page 10
March-April 2016
9
RIGCSA Member News
Royal “Roy” D. Sibley Jr.
Continued from Page 9
Many of my fellow colleagues in the industry and several
golf course superintendents came forward with stories about
Roy for this article. As most of you can guess, I can’t publish
95% of the stories I heard. What I can tell you about is what
resonated with every single story and from every single person
that came forward, is how kind and humble Roy was. He was
admired and respected by his peers and it wouldn’t be a stretch
to say he was loved by just about everyone who knew him.
We will miss you Roy and will always remember to lead by
your example of true friendship. You will remain in our hearts
and your spirit will live on in the lives you’ve touched.
Godspeed.
Announcements:
Our condolences are extended to Dianne Sibley and
family on the passing of Roy Sibley on March 9, 2016.
Roy was a long time member of the RIGCSA and a friend
to all. He will be greatly missed.
Best wishes to Tim Berge on a speedy recovery
from a recent injury.
Congratulations to Nick and Katie Burchard on the birth
of their daughter Anna Louise born on March 30, 2016
Welcome New Members:
Mike Brito, Affiliate, Watson Materials
Aaron Maher, Affiliate, Agresource
Jeff Morris, Class C, Newport CC
Cody Woods, Class C, Shelter Harbor GC
Golf Results:
For more information, please visit
www.alumniturfgroup.com
UConn Turfgrass Field Day
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
For more information or to register, please visit:
www.regonline.com/turfgrassfieldday2016
Directory Updates:
North Turf is proud to announce the addition of
Mike Coty! Mike brings 27 years of experience as a
Golf Course Superintendent to the North Turf team.
He can be reached at (860) 617-3988.
Congratulations to Paul Jamrog on his new position
with Atlantic Golf and Turf. Paul will be covering the
Boston, North Shore, & Southern NH area.
He can be reached at (401) 524-3322.
Congratulations to Dan McDermott on his new
position as superintendent at Allendale Country Club
in Dartmouth, MA.
April 19, 2016–Foster Country Club
ABCD Scramble
1st Place- Dan St. Laurent, Tom Fox,
Ed Downing, Wayne Zoppo
2nd Place- Nick Burchard, Jason Dowgiewicz,
Dennis Bancroft, Brian Kuchta
3rd Place- Greg Misodoulakis, Kevin Doyle,
Mike Ferrara, Melissa Gugliotti
Save the date:
RIGCSA Scholarship and Research Tournament will be
held on October 4, 2016 at Wanumetonomy Golf &
Country Club with Ted Ellis, CGCS as our host for the day.
Industry Events:
Alumni Turf Group
May 16, 2016
The 12th Annual Dr. Joseph Troll Turf Classic
Pinehills Golf Club, Plymouth, MA
Joseph F. Felicetti, CGCS Hosting
Honoring Paul F. Miller, CGCS
10
“If you love
golf like I do
thank a
golf course
superintendent.”
Thank a golf course superintendent for a
chance to win a trip to the 2016 American
Century Celebrity Golf Championship at
beautiful Lake Tahoe. The superintendent
you thank will win a special prize too!
Two ways to enter:
• Visit gcsaa.org/thankasuper
• Tweet using #ThankASuper
and #ContestEntry
Complete rules available at gcsaa.org/thankasuper.
Sweepstakes period: May 1-31, 2016
March-April 2016
11
Please save the date for
RIGCSA Family Fun Day
Sunday, June 12, 2016
(Rain or Shine)
Golf & Entertainment Center
All are welcome–friends and family
from 2:00 pm–7:00 pm
Price is $10 per person
(children 17 & under are free)
More details to come.
*If anyone would like to assist or donate for this event, please contact
Jim Ritorto, RIGCSA Social Chairman at [email protected]
c/o Julie Heston
36 Elisha Mathewson Road
N. Scituate, RI 02857
RIGCSA