As we close the books on June 2013, here in Philadelphia we have been witness to the wettest June on record! With the daily cycle of showers continuing for a least another 5 plus days, I hate to think about the impact on the turf and the cash register at many clubs. Coming off a center of the golf universe high of the US Open at Merion, clubs are all wet.
Many Superintends are talking about opening up greens to get some air into the saturated surfaces. Others have talked of beginning to build an ark and start collecting two of every animal species on their property....The second half of the equation is when this weird Florida cycle of daily storms breaks, how high will the disease pressure be with the turf so wet and the normal hot and humid weather of July and August just around the corner. This will definitely be one of those years in the future you will be saying "Do you remember the summer of 2013?".
WJC
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
The First Tee & 43
Last Saturday evening I got the chance to attend a fundraiser for The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia at The Ace Club. I was the guest of Frank Shuman, who is a board member of TFTGP and the former owner of Philadelphia Turf. The featured speaker was President George W Bush, who is now the honorary chairman of The First Tee! Whether or not you agree with his politics, it was pretty cool to hear a former President speak. Mike Tirico of ESPN was the interviewer but really wasn't needed. President Bush was very energetic and you can tell he is passionate about golf. He kept referencing his day playing Pine Valley GC and giving grief to the rest of his foursome.
While his talk was focused on how golf is a great learning tool for children and how important mentoring is, it had a mix of his opinions and shots at himself (How some think English is his second language). For me it was something I will never forget.
Now for the fun part of the evening....As I approached the security entrance, I was greeted in my Ford F-150 pickup truck with a "May I help you?". As I said "I am here for The First Tee event!",
I got the response of "Are you a guest?". With the response of "Yes I am!", I proceeded off to valet parking. As I pulled up I told the Valet "Over/Under of 2 pickup trucks tonight", he laughed. So as the evening ended and I came out to get my truck, I asked the Valet "How many?". He laughed again and said" You were the only one!".
While his talk was focused on how golf is a great learning tool for children and how important mentoring is, it had a mix of his opinions and shots at himself (How some think English is his second language). For me it was something I will never forget.
Now for the fun part of the evening....As I approached the security entrance, I was greeted in my Ford F-150 pickup truck with a "May I help you?". As I said "I am here for The First Tee event!",
I got the response of "Are you a guest?". With the response of "Yes I am!", I proceeded off to valet parking. As I pulled up I told the Valet "Over/Under of 2 pickup trucks tonight", he laughed. So as the evening ended and I came out to get my truck, I asked the Valet "How many?". He laughed again and said" You were the only one!".
Saturday, June 15, 2013
The West Is The Best
As I return from my second to last shift as a volunnteer at Merion Golf Club this morning, I thought about how the US Open week had played out. At the Sunday night meeting my named got announced as part of the West Course crew. The West Course has been set up as the practice facility for the US Open. After some discussions of what happened to the plans for me to work with the Technicians on The East Course, I was set to head to the West. The reality of being a volunteer at a tournaments is you do what is needed to help. This past week I have raked mulch paths during the aftermath of the early week rain/mowed rough/mowed fairways/filled divots/raked/ran the back pack blower on the range tee and Squeegeed/squeegeed and squeegeed some more....
Did I want to be on the East, sure but the reality is for these events to be successful not everyone can do a glamorous job and it is about being part of a team. What was fun was listening to the young staff members from the West Course. I had some flash backs of my time at Merion. They really took pride in what they do!The other cool part was a couple days into it, guys knew what needed to be done and hustled and helped wherever needed to make sure things were ready to go before 5:45AM range opening.
Now I must admit that the 2:00AM wake up has not been a treat but the way the East is doing with all the rain and defending par is awesome to see (By the way read last weeks post and you can call me Nostradamus)!
So over the next two days I will be watching as much as I can. But the best part to me is the rest of the worlds seeing why Merion Golf Club is a Top 5 rated golf course in the USA & Top 10 in the world!
Congratulations to Matt Shaffer, Arron McCurdy and the Merion Staff on shocking the golf world!
WJC
Did I want to be on the East, sure but the reality is for these events to be successful not everyone can do a glamorous job and it is about being part of a team. What was fun was listening to the young staff members from the West Course. I had some flash backs of my time at Merion. They really took pride in what they do!The other cool part was a couple days into it, guys knew what needed to be done and hustled and helped wherever needed to make sure things were ready to go before 5:45AM range opening.
Now I must admit that the 2:00AM wake up has not been a treat but the way the East is doing with all the rain and defending par is awesome to see (By the way read last weeks post and you can call me Nostradamus)!
So over the next two days I will be watching as much as I can. But the best part to me is the rest of the worlds seeing why Merion Golf Club is a Top 5 rated golf course in the USA & Top 10 in the world!
Yeah that is the clock in my truck on Monday morning!
Congratulations to Matt Shaffer, Arron McCurdy and the Merion Staff on shocking the golf world!
WJC
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Rain Rain Go Away!
Well it is finally here! The US Open at Merion is next week and the circus has come to town. I grew up in the area and live only a few blocks over from the East Course (and no you can't park on my yard!). So the good part is I can walk back and forth. The bad part is I am not sure you will be able to get anywhere without it taking hours to drive until the Monday after. I have been able to drive
into the East Course the last two days to get to the Turf Grass Maintenance Facility. Yesterday was a "park anywhere in the shop yard" day and today was a" I can't get there from here and can you come meet me" day. The amount of people and tents and trucks and fencing is unreal.
It looks like I will be on the light tower crew each night/morning for the week of the US Open.
I am sure I will find out more at the volunteer meeting late tomorrow afternoon. It is going to be something very cool to be a part of! Yesterday afternoon I dropped off some right out of the oven Philly Soft Pretzels. I figured the guys who were stuck working could use some carbs. As I came in to drop them off Matt Shaffer, Director of Golf, walked in behind me and said " What do you think we have something going on here this week?" This is the cool part of my job....Matt sat down with Robert Smith, Merion's lead Technician, and I and just shot the bull. We talked a little equipment but mostly about things that were going on. For those of you who know Matt, he is as generous with his time as anyone I have ever worked with in the Turf industry. If he can, he will always make time for you. For a man who was hosting the US Open next week and in the middle of a tropical storm, you would have never known it. Sometimes nothing beats experience.
All everyone has said (me included) was the place will hold its own as long as it doesn't rain. Well depending on who you talk to 3.5" to 5" of rain later....Well I have changed my mind! I think the rough is going to be an all-timer and I think that the course is in great shape. I think they really have it dialed in and things will be perfect.
Yes, I am biased but I think the second half of the week will be something to see!
into the East Course the last two days to get to the Turf Grass Maintenance Facility. Yesterday was a "park anywhere in the shop yard" day and today was a" I can't get there from here and can you come meet me" day. The amount of people and tents and trucks and fencing is unreal.
It looks like I will be on the light tower crew each night/morning for the week of the US Open.
I am sure I will find out more at the volunteer meeting late tomorrow afternoon. It is going to be something very cool to be a part of! Yesterday afternoon I dropped off some right out of the oven Philly Soft Pretzels. I figured the guys who were stuck working could use some carbs. As I came in to drop them off Matt Shaffer, Director of Golf, walked in behind me and said " What do you think we have something going on here this week?" This is the cool part of my job....Matt sat down with Robert Smith, Merion's lead Technician, and I and just shot the bull. We talked a little equipment but mostly about things that were going on. For those of you who know Matt, he is as generous with his time as anyone I have ever worked with in the Turf industry. If he can, he will always make time for you. For a man who was hosting the US Open next week and in the middle of a tropical storm, you would have never known it. Sometimes nothing beats experience.
All everyone has said (me included) was the place will hold its own as long as it doesn't rain. Well depending on who you talk to 3.5" to 5" of rain later....Well I have changed my mind! I think the rough is going to be an all-timer and I think that the course is in great shape. I think they really have it dialed in and things will be perfect.
Yes, I am biased but I think the second half of the week will be something to see!
WJC
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Merion Man
The truth is like Flounder in Animal House, I was a legacy. My older brother was a greens mower for the 1981 US Open and as it is with most things in life...it is who you know. For me that is how my life/career in the Turf business started. The reality is that Merion Golf Club has been the launching pad for many in the Philly area and nationally is no coincidence. When you talk to people about their path it is always funny how many have spent time at Merion. Just the fact that the local Superintendents at Aronimink, Concord, Llanerch, Overbrook, Rolling Green and Saucon Valley all are Merion Alumni is not hard to read into. Whether you worked for Mr. Valentine, Dick Bator, Paul B Latshaw, Greg Armstrong or Matt Shaffer it has often been an advantage. For as many of us that have gone to the dark side (Sales...) or for those who have gone on to manage their own golf course, you always are proud that you had the chance to work at a Top 10 club with a history that matches up with any here in the USA. For me it was incredible to work for 2 of the true legends in the Turf business. Mr. Valentine, who was a true gentleman and just an incredible person. Then to work for Dick Bator who could not be out worked and pushed you to your limits and in the end was a driving force behind me getting my job selling Toro equipment. I consider myself lucky to have had my start at Merion and I really appreciate the opportunity to work one more tournament at what I consider my starting point.
The article below is one of the best insights into the history Merion and the Valentine family's influence. It really brought back some memories for me.
http://www.mainlinetoday.com/Main-Line-Today/June-2013/Merion-Golf-Clubs-Legacy-Among-Amateur-Golfers-and-US-Open-Professionals/index.php?cparticle=1&siarticle=0#artanc
WJC
The article below is one of the best insights into the history Merion and the Valentine family's influence. It really brought back some memories for me.
http://www.mainlinetoday.com/Main-Line-Today/June-2013/Merion-Golf-Clubs-Legacy-Among-Amateur-Golfers-and-US-Open-Professionals/index.php?cparticle=1&siarticle=0#artanc
WJC
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