November / December 2014 Newsletter (here)

November/December 2014
Web Edition
Getting to Know Al LaPrise
By: Michelle Maltais
I recently was able to catch up with Al LaPrise for a
profile interview. Al has been a member of the RIGCSA
since 1958 and has many great stories to tell about what
he’s experienced over the past 57 years in the industry.
One of the things I enjoy most while conducting these
interviews is the opportunity I get to sit down and listen to
those stories. It’s enlightening to sit down and talk to the
previous generation and find out why they did certain
things, what specific challenges they faced, and how they
got the job done. Even though the long list of daily duties
hasn’t changed much over the past five decades, the
tools we use to tackle those tasks certainly have.
An avid golfer, Al grew up in Exeter, RI (the heartland
of South County) with his parents and brother. Golfing
since his early teens he’s continued to play the sport his
entire life and has enjoyed playing on different leagues
and on different courses throughout the years. “I remember becoming a regular at Meadow Brook Golf Course in
Richmond RI when I was about 13, that’s where I really
learned to play.” he said. “I spent many days there and
just worked on my game.” Al attended nearby North Kingston High School and after graduating high school he enrolled at URI. “The school was much smaller when I
attended, they’ve expanded quite a bit over the years.”
Being from the Ocean State it’s not surprising this native
Rhode Islander joined the sailing team during his sophomore, junior, and senior years at URI. He was also an
active member of the URI R.O.T.C Program. After graduating URI he enlisted in the US ARMY and served for two
years of active duty including 13 months in Germany with
the US ARMY 506th Quartermaster Corps. I asked Al
what is was like over in Germany. He told me that he was
fortunate to serve during peacetime and that the Germans
treated the US soldiers really well.
After the Army, Al returned to RI where he landed a
job with Old Fox Fertilizer in East Providence. He would
continue his tenure with them for the next 34 years. Eventually Old Fox closed and Al found himself covering the
states of New York and Connecticut for Lofts Seed out of
their Pennsylvania office. Just three short years later,
Lofts Seed’s Pennsylvania office
closed and Al found himself back
in Exeter RI, where he has been
working for Allens Seed for over
twenty years. I asked Al what was
the biggest change he has seen
in the industry and undoubtedly
his answer was the invention of
the cell phone. “I remember making calls at a pay phone” he said.
“You always made sure you had a
Al LaPrise
lot of coins in your pocket.”
In 1960 Al married his wife Jane and they will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary this year. Al and
Jane reside in East Greenwich where they settled in and
raised their three children, two daughters and a son. Al is
a very active member of his church and enjoys going out
to dinner with Jane. In fact one of his favorite places to
eat is Gregg’s Restaurant. “They have the best desserts
there,” he told me. His first car was a gray 1957 Chevy,
he couldn’t recall the model but told me it was a beautiful
car. His favorite color is blue and his idea of the perfect
meal would be, “chicken parmesan with a big plate of pasta and for dessert, a chocolate éclair.”
Inside this Issue:
President’s Message ..…………….….……....…... 2
Joe Farina Profile ……………………….…….…… 4
Kevin Doyle’s GCSAA Corner ..………...…...….. 5
October Meeting Photos …………….……………. 7
November Meeting Photos ……………….………. 9
December Meeting Photos ………………………. 10
Holiday Celebration Photos ………………………12
Member News ………...……..............….……….... 15
Page 2
Surf ‘n’ Turf
RIGCSA
Board of Directors
President
Michael Whitehead, CGCS
Pawtucket Country Club
(508) 761-7657
Vice President (Interim)
William Coulter, CGCS
Swansea Country Club
(508) 379-9741
Treasurer
Andrew Cummins
Agawam Hunt
(401) 434-0980
Secretary
William Coulter, CGCS
Swansea Country Club
(508) 379-9741
Director
Patrick Hogan
SODCO
(800) 341-6900
Director
Christopher Coen
Newport Country Club
401-847-5903
Director
Dean Chase
Carnegie Abbey Club
(401) 683-5148
Past President
Jerry Noons
The Back Nine Club
(508) 947-9991
Newsletter Editor
Michael Varkonyi
Reservation Golf Club
(508) 758-9723
Chapter Executive
Julie Heston
phone: (401) 934-7660
fax: (401) 934-9901
[email protected]
www.rigcsa.org
President’s Message
Now that the time
has come for me to
write my last President’s Message I
would like to take
this moment to thank
the members of the
RIGCSA for the honor and privilege of
serving. I can honestly say that I never really aspired to
become the president of this fine association, but I am forever grateful that I was
given the opportunity.
When Paul Jamrog first approached
me about coming on as a Director, I was
a bit reluctant to sign on, but I knew it
was the right thing to do. Thank you to
Jim Medeiros, CGCS for taking me to the
meetings when I was his assistant, exposing me to what the RIGCSA was all
about. Thank you Jammer, Paul Barratt,
CGCS, John LeClair, CGCS and everyone else who was on the board when I
started, for showing me the ropes.
Many thanks to all of the current
Board and Committee members, as well
as Nick Burchard, for making such a
strong commitment to the RIGCSA: we
got a lot done and still had some fun!
Thank you to Michelle Maltais for all of
your help with the Newsletter. And last
but not least, thank you Julie Heston, for
all that you do to help keep everything
running smoothly. You have all made
my job easier than I could have
imagined.
I am looking forward to handing over
the gavel to Bill Coulter, CGCS, who I
have known since college and I have the
utmost respect for. He knows the ins
and outs of our association as well as
anyone. The helm will be in very good
hands.
Before I step aside we have one very
important piece of business to attend to.
At the Annual Meeting, several Bylaw
Amendments will be voted on. I ask you
to closely review the proposals that Julie
has sent out, and, if you have any questions, please contact me. I hope all of
you can attend the Annual Meeting at
Warwick CC on January 15th for this
important vote.
Michael Whitehead, CGCS
RIGCSA President
Page 4
Surf ‘n’ Turf
Getting to Know Joe Farina
By: Michelle Maltais
This month’s profile is about a guy that was destined
to be in the industry. It’s only natural that Joe Farina was
raking bunkers and playing golf before he could even ride
a two wheeler. His father Phil Farina who grew up caddying at Albemarle GC in Newton MA, would eventually go
on to become part owner of two different golf courses,
Wayland CC and South Shore CC. Joe, along with his
four brothers and one sister, grew up living at South
Shore Country Club in Hingham MA. “Growing up on the
golf course everyone learned to play golf and take care of
the course,” he said.” His family was deeply rooted in the
industry and to this day his oldest brother Mike is in golf
course construction, and his brother Dave is President of
Country Club Enterprises.
Like his father and brothers, Joe has always wanted
to be a part of the golf industry. He graduated in 1977
from UMASS (Stockbridge School of Agriculture) and became the Superintendent at South Shore CC. After his
dad passed away he wanted to venture out and do some
traveling and found himself working with warm season
grasses at golf courses in Palm Beach Florida and Southern California. Eventually Joe decided to return to New
England and started working for a
golf development company where
he gained some golf course construction experience. With his construction experience in hand Joe
started working for Read Sand &
Gravel, known in the industry today
as Read Custom Soils. “I worked
with that company for 10 years, developing and selling mixes for golf
construction and maintenance”. Joe
currently works for Tuckahoe Turf
Farms and has been with them for
Joe Farina
the past seven years covering
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. “I love to
push myself to learn new things” he said. He considers
himself a life-long learner and attends and participates in
as many educational and certificate seminars as he possibly can. “I love learning about golf design, golf course
construction techniques and management, and environmental topics.”
continued on page 6
November/December 2014
Page 5
Kevin’s GCSAA Corner
By Kevin Doyle, GCSAA Northeast Field Rep.
What is all the buzz about? From
Europe to Washington, D.C., State to
Washington State and nearly every
place between, the plight of honey bees
has been on the main stage. After attending the Pollinator Summit
(presented by the New Jersey Green
Industry Council) and Dr. Daniel Potter’s
keynote address at the New York State
Turfgrass Association Turf and Grounds Exposition, I
have come to learn a lot about the critical role pollinators
play in our world. Like turf, there are internal and external
stresses that can upset the balance of the hive and industry. Oh and there are politics, lots of politics. There is also
science, emotion and a host of other factors involved in
the discussion. While the issues continue to swarm, let’s
take a quick peek at golf’s footprint in this issue.
What role does turf play in the pollinator discussion?
Neonicotinoid class insecticides (neonics), often used as
a preventative for white grubs, have been shown to have
adverse effect on pollinators. The degree to which they
affect the beneficial insects often has more to do with
which side of the political issue you wish to argue. While
this situation is unfortunate it definitely can create disruption in turf right here in the Northeast region. Just this past
year alone, legislative measures took place in New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and Maine to ban the use of
neonics. Beekeepers in Vermont joined one superintendent at the committee hearing to assist in educating the
legislators as to the minimal role neonics play in pollinator
issues. Stephanie Darnell, technical development manager, Bayer CropScience, cited a survey of beekeepers that
placed pesticides as the seventh most important stress
factor to those in the bee industry, with varroa mite at the
top of the list.
While none of the above mentioned legislation efforts
were successful, it opens up the “what if” discussion.
Without this useful tool, turf managers could be pushed to
use more volatile chemicals, such as organophosphate
and carbamate insecticides, to control the same pests.
These options are much less environmentally friendly,
more costly and potentially more harmful to non-target
pests. What can turf managers do with regards to our
friendly pollinators?
Develop stewardship practices: Learn about our role as
land managers and the stresses regarding honey bees.
Develop spray programs with the sensitivities of pollinators in mind.
Support research: Emotion and regulation can often outpace research needed to answer vital questions, and this
issue is no exception. Remain vigilant regarding the latest
research, and adjust your practices as needed.
Be part of the solution: It is so often overlooked that the
golf industry undertakes environmental initiatives simply
because it is the right thing to do. The changing landscape is often a negative impact on pollinators, leaving
open green space that includes pollinator friendly vegetation as a critical part of the solution. Whether you choose
to work with industry partners on specifically developed
pollinator friendly programs, or become conscious of areas and plantings that you could incorporate on your property, avenues are available for our industry to be part of
the solution.
I encourage GCSAA chapters to reach out to your
state apiarists as a resource for information. Invite that
individual to a meeting or education day to spread the
word about pollinators in your area. The more you learn
about the role your facilities play in the issue, the better
chance you have at being part of the solution.
GCSAA Resources and Deadlines
you Get Cool Stuff from your Association Already:
Compliance counseling
Are you in compliance with the laws and regulations that
affect your job and the golf course? GCSAA members
can contact the public policy staff for free compliance
counseling, information and resources on the following
laws and regulations that affect your job and the golf
course:

•
•
•
•
•


•
•
•
•

Employee training
Hazard communication
Chemical use and storage
Environmental protection
Workplace safety
Wetlands protection and conservation
OSHA recordkeeping
Child labor laws
Americans with Disabilities Act
Material safety data sheets
Personal protective equipment
Fuel storage tanks
And many more
New Compliance Deadline: Use of Nemacur
(fenamiphos) products extended until Oct. 6, 2017
The EPA has granted GCSAA's request for an extension
on the use of fenamiphos (Nemacur nematicide) existing
stocks labeled for use on golf courses until Oct. 6, 2017.
Nemacur is used to control the major genera of nematodes attacking turfgrass including root knot, root lesion,
sting, lane and rink nematodes. Contact Chava McKeel,
associate director, government relations, for more information.
continued on page 6
Page 6
Surf ‘n’ Turf
GCSAA - continued from page 5
Joe Farina - continued from page 4
About the Plant Health Academy
The objective of the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow Plant Health Academy is to provide golf course superintendents with opportunities to learn more about innovative plant health research and practices for the benefit
of their facilities, individual careers and the industry. Learn
more about Plant Health Academy and view photos from
the 2013 and 2014 events.
The Plant Health Academy offers two two-and-a-halfday education and training sessions for golf course superintendents. The sessions will be held at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., on April 20-22, 2015 and at
the Bayer Training and Development Center in Clayton,
N.C., from Sept. 16-18, 2015.
Twelve superintendents will be selected for this
unique opportunity to collaborate with industry experts
and expand their knowledge on key industry plant health
issues and trends.
To be considered, superintendents must complete the
application and respond to two essay questions.
Applicants must be employed as a golf course superintendent within the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, a
Class A or Superintendent member (SM) of the GCSAA
and be enrolled In Bayer’s MyBayerRewards customer
loyalty program.
Even though his love of all things golf runs deep, the
one thing that really lights up Joe’s eyes is the way he
talks about his family. When I approached Joe about
being interviewed for the newsletter this month he was
thrilled and couldn’t wait to tell me all about his three children and wife. I think we talked about his children for
most of the interview. Finally I reminded Joe that we had
to put some info about him in here.
Joe and his wife Donna of 34 years live in Plymouth,
MA and have three children together. Two sons named
Nick and Joe, and a daughter Kristin. Nick who is in the
US Army served in Kandahar Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. “He’s my hero”, said Joe. His
daughter Kristin is a student at Quincy College and his
other son Joe is a paralegal. He is extremely proud of all
three children and prides himself on the fact that he
taught all three of his kids to play golf. He says that to
this day they like to place bets and try to beat him at a
round of golf. “They end up always taking my money at
the end of the round,” he said. I asked him if that was
because they were better golfers than he was, and he
said chuckling, “Nah, I just let them win.”
Do you have any hobbies or play other sports I asked
him. Joe went on to tell me that he enjoys snowboarding
and that he was fearless when he was younger and
learned to fly single engine airplanes. “I also liked to go
scuba diving and even coached hockey when my kids
were involved” he said. His favorite color is blue and
when I got around to asking Joe about his first car he let
out the biggest smile. “Ahhh my first car….it was a red,
1965 Mustang” he said. For the next 10 minutes he proceeded to tell me about life with the ’65 Mustang but…. I
can’t publish any of that here. He prefers Coke over
Pepsi and his favorite meal would be stuffed chicken with
potatoes, gravy, and a slice of key lime pie for dessert.
He has a cat named Layla and enjoys dog sitting for his
son’s dog named Buddy. Joe enjoyed spending time
with his family over the holidays. “This year everyone
was home for Christmas and that made me very, very,
happy!”
Golf Industry Show general registration open
Be sure to spread the word that general registration is
now open for the 2015 Golf Industry Show, Feb. 21-26 in
San Antonio. Visit the new website for details on education opportunities, the trade show, events and attendee
resources.
New Golf Industry Show website launched
Again, if I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact
me.
Kevin Doyle
GCSAA Field Staff
[email protected] Follow me on Twitter @GCSAA_NE
Bayer Environmental Science
Building on an already solid foundation of
proven products to help you succeed.
Brian Giblin
(508) 439-9809
[email protected]
November/December 2014
October Meeting - Newport Country Club
Photo Credit - Michelle Maltais
Page 7
Page 8
Surf ‘n’ Turf
Newport Country Club
RIGCSA 2014 NEWSLETTER
SPONSORS
ALLENS SEED
(401) 294-2722
(800) 527-3898
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 call
Adam Allen, Al LaPrise,
Erik or Paul Hagenstein, or Peter Lund for
more information.
A-OK TURF EQUIPMENT
Wiedenmann, Lastec, Graden, Agrimetal,
Baroness, Salsco, Sweep N Fill, Turf Pride,
Stec, Pronovst, Lely, Maredo, Classen, and
Used Equipment.
www.aokturf.com 401-826-2584
ATLANTIC GOLF & TURF
Michelle Maltais
(401) 835-0287
[email protected]
www.AtlanticGolfandTurf.com
BARENBRUG USA
Producers of RTF, Turf Blue HGT,
Supercharged Bentgrasses and
Regenerating Perennial Rye
Great in Grass
Bruce Chapman, Territory Manager
401-578-2300
[email protected]
BAYER ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Building on an already solid foundation of
proven products to help you succeed
Brian Giblin (508) 439-9809
[email protected]
Baked by Bayer
THE CARDINALS, INC.
John Callahan (800) 861-6256
Complete distributor of golf course
accessories; seed, fertilizer, chemicals, wetting agents, safety supplies and other turf
related specialty products.
THE CHAS. C. HART SEED CO.
(800)-326-4278 www.HARTSEED.com
Mike Carignan
Cell: 603-540-2562
[email protected]
Independent distributor of quality turfgrass
seed, fertilizer and Turf care products.
Authorized distributor for Bayer, Syngenta,
Aquatrols, Griggs Bros.
Photo Credit - Michelle Maltais
November/December 2014
November Meeting - Button Hole
Page 9
RIGCSA 2014 NEWSLETTER
SPONSORS
COUNTRY CLUB ENTERPRISES
Club Car Utility Vehicles and Golf Cars
Sales - Service - Parts
www.ccegolfcars.com (800)-662-2585
Keith Tortorella 508-982-4820
Mike Turner 508-245-1268
CROP PRODUCTION SERVICES
Fertilizer, Seed, Chemicals
Jim Pritchard (401) 258-5472
[email protected]
Mike Santos (401) 793-1639
[email protected]
DGM SYSTEMS
Golf and Sports Turf
Specialty Products and Services
Visit www.dgmsystems.com
Office (401) 647-0550
Manny Mihailides (401) 524-8999
David Mihailides: (401) 742-1177
GARDNER + GERRISH, LLC
Golf Course Design
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.
Contact RIGCSA member Tim Gerrish, RLA
at 401-263-3784 [email protected]
HARRELL’S
(401) 397-5500
Service - Knowledge - Experience
The superintendents’ source for high-tech turf
care products, contact Michael Kroian.
NEW ENGLAND GOLF CARS
Sales, Service, Rentals
Scott Cookson, Paul Amorin, Jon Cookson
(508) 336-4285 Fax: (508) 336-4762
www.NewEnglandGolfCars.com
Yamaha Golf Cars / Yamaha Utility Cars
NEW ENGLAND SPECIALTY SOILS
1mm & 2mm. Top Dressing Sand
Rootzone Mixes, Buff & HD Bunker Sand
Divot Blends- Bulk/Bagged delivery
Ed Downing 978-230-2300
[email protected]
Dave Harding 978-230-2244
[email protected]
Photo Credit - Michelle Maltais
Page 10
December Meeting - Agawam Hunt
Surf ‘n’ Turf
RIGCSA 2014 NEWSLETTER
SPONSORS
SHAWNMARK INDUSTRIES, INC.
“TOMORROW’S 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.
STEVEN WILLAND INC.
Eric Euell - 401-640-5031
Parts and Service - 866-435-1380
www.stevenwillandinc.com
SYNGENTA PROFESSIONAL
PRODUCTS
Melissa Gugliotti 860-221-5712
Email: [email protected]
www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com
TOM IRWIN, INC.
Greg Misodoulakis • 508-243-6166
With Tom Irwin, you’re not alone.
TUCKAHOE TURF FARMS, INC.
(800)-556-6985
Offering a selection of putting green quality
bentgrass varieties. Also, blends for tees,
fairways, bunkers and roughs.
Washing available.
Contact Steve Donohue or Joe Farina.
TURF ENHANCEMENT ENTERPRISES
Tom Fox
508-450-9254
Featuring Floratine Products,
Analync Soil Testing and Analysis,
JRM tines and bedknives and
Greenleaf TurboDrop spray nozzles.
TURF PRODUCTS CORPORATION
(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,
contact Tim Berge.
Photo Credit - Michelle Maltais
November/December 2014
December Meeting - Agawam Hunt
Photo Credit - Michelle Maltais
Page 11
Page 12
Surf ‘n’ Turf
RIGCSA Holiday Celebration
Photo Credit - Michelle Maltais
November/December 2014
Page 13
RIGCSA Holiday Celebration
Photo Credit - Michelle Maltais
November/December 2014
Page 15
MEMBER NEWS
Announcements:

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
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Our condolences are extended to Wayne Zoppo and
family on the passing of Wayne’s sister, Elaine
Swenson, on January 7, 2015.
Congratulations to Nick and Katie Burchard on the
birth of their daughter Ellie Rose born on December
11, 2014.
Congratulations to Joe Felicetti GCSAA certified golf
course superintendent at Pinehills Golf Club and
James Small III GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Olde Scotland Links who both have recently completed the renewal process for maintaining their
status as a Certified Golf Course Superintendent
(CGCS) with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
Congratulations to Mike Whitehead, CGCS and
Andrew Maziarz who were the team champions for
the RIGCSA Inaugural Centennial Fourball Championship. Fifty percent of the entry fee was allocated
for our centennial anniversary celebration, while allowing our members to enjoy a fun new tournament.
Congratulations to Penny Mitchell, GCSAA’s Senior
Manager of Certification, who will be retiring on February 5, 2015. Penny has worked for GCSAA for 28
years and she helped many superintendents with the
GCSAA certification program.
Welcome New Member:

Jeffrey Closson, Assistant Superintendent, Melody
Hill Country Club
Save the date:
April 20th, 2015
The 11th Annual Joseph Troll Turf
Classic at TPC River Highlands Golf
Club, Cromwell, CT with Tom DeGrandi
Hosting and Honoring Dr. William Dest,
Professor Emeritus University of Connecticut
Save the date for the 33rd RIGCSA
Scholarship and Research Tournament
on October 6, 2015 at Sakonnet Golf
Club with Kirk A. Whiting, CGCS as our
host for the day.
RIGCSA 2015 Slate of Officers
As proposed by the RIGCSA Nominating Committee
PRESIDENT: William J. Coulter, CGCS
VICE PRESIDENT: Andrew Cummins
TREASURER: Dean Chase
SECRETARY: Christopher Coen
PAST PRESIDENT: Michael Whitehead, CGCS
DIRECTORS:
Patrick Hogan
Henry Olstynski
James Ritorto
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: To be appointed by
the President
Nor’Easter Ski Day 2015
The Nor’easter Ski Committee has things up and ready to go for the
2015 Nor’easter Ski Day on March 5th at Killington Ski Resort. All
the information and registrations links can be found on the front
page of the VTGCSA’s webpage at http://www.vtgcsa.com/ . Registration is now open. There are rooms available at several locations at Killington, so make sure you lock in a room before they’re
all taken. Space is on a first come basis and certain room blocks
will be released after February 6th.
METGCSA Tournament News:
On behalf of the METGCSA, the board met this past week and
would like to let all those that participated in this year’s event that
the funds raised this year will go to support the families of Rick
Nack, most recently with Valley Green and Dave Heroian who was
the superintendent of Myopia Hunt Club. Rick has served in every
capacity imaginable in our industry, from golf course superintendent
to sales representative and was well liked by all that met him. Rick
is survived by his wife Cindy and son Mason. Rick was 57 years
old. Dave was the superintendent at Myopia Hunt Club for the past
27 years, starting in 1987 and was universally admired and respected by members and employees alike. Dave is survived by his wife
Gail of 22 years and their two sons, Adam and Alexander. Dave
was 56 years old. Sadly, both Dave and Rick lost battles to cancer
this fall at young ages.
Outgoing METGCSA president Blake Halderman and incoming
president Glen Dube, along with the entire golf industry community
would like to express our condolences to Rick’s and Dave’s families. The METGCSA will be sending their families checks in the
amount of $1,100 each, which was raised from this year’s MET
Team Championship at Philadelphia CC. We would like to thank all
those that donated, sponsored and continue to support those in our
close knit industry.