Life Moves Pretty Fast!

        With the end of 2013 just hours away and my self imposed hibernation, using up some remaining vacation days, here are some of the highlights of the year. For me there were some events that I will never forget, namely the US Open in my backyard at the course I worked at growing up and the chance to play (if you can call it that) at the number one course in Wales, Royal Porthcawl!
       The US Open was lots of early mornings or maybe what is really a late night when I was younger and lots of coordination with our shop to have all the loaner equipment there on time and set up as requested. In the end, being able to be a small part of something that was historic in Philly golf, the ridiculous amounts of rain and the final result being the course won, was pretty cool.
        In the late fall, I had a chance to go over to the United Kingdom to attend a factory visit with Bernhard & Company. A few of us were able to flyover a few days early and had the chance to play the home of the 2014 Senior British Open. It is something that I consider truly an incredible memory of a lifetime.
        The year was full of cool events such as our customer visit to the NFC East Champion Philadelphia Eagles training camp, Field day at Glen Mills Schools, Sprayer schools with Jim Nedin and some special golf events (PAGCS Meetings at Whitemarsh Valley & Huntingdon Valley CC and the Delaware Valley College outing at Saucon Valley CC to name a few...). Attending my first Penn State Turf Conference was a great experience and something I look forward to continuing. Working the "Live Green" event at Walnut Lane GC, home of  the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia was truly awesome!

     All in all when you take a look back it was a full year and to quote Ferris Bueller....
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once and a while you could miss it."

        
Looking forward a memorable 2014!

Wishing you and your family a Healthy & Happy New Year!

WJC

      

December To Remember!

       For Tony Leonard, Field Manager for the Philadelphia Eagles, and John Torres, Field Manager for the Philadelphia Union, I would guess it is not a stretch to say this will be a December to remember!
       It all started when the Eagles vs. the Detroit Lions game became a piece of Philadelphia sports history. With near white out conditions' just before kickoff, and the accumulation of about 8" of snow throughout the game, it was something people here will never forget! Shockingly, the weather forecasters had not seen this one coming. So with backpack blowers and shovels, Tony and his staff did all they could. To me, the funniest part of the whole thing, is the questions about field conditions  when the teams combine for 54 points.
       To add just a little more to the challenge, there was a second snow storm during the week and then that small event known as the Army Navy Game, when another storm hit! Being there for my first Army Navy Game, it was something to see and the field looked great!

 

Lincoln Financial Field-2013 Army Navy Game

       Then just down the road is PP&L Park, home of the Philadelphia Union. John Torres was preparing to host the NCAA College Cup finals. Using all options available, including a Toro Sand Pro 5040 with a plow with PVC pipe on the bottom, they were able to get the field up and ready!

                             PP&L Park-2013 College Cup

 

 

      To me a sports field manager has a similar outlook as an umpire or referee, the less people notice them and just appreciate an excellent playing field or a well officiated game, the better. But for these two gentlemen and their staff' it has been a long week, but hopefully rewarding, for the incredible jobs they did!

 

Congratulations to Tony & John and their staff's for a job well done!!!

 

 

WJC 

Tom Hurst Wins The Edwin Budding Award

       Recently the International Golf Course Equipment Manger's Association announced the 2013 winner of the Edwin Budding Award and the winner is Tom Hurst!

Per the IGCEMA website:
The Edwin Budding Award is a significant award that is given by the International Golf Course Equipment Manager's Association (IGCEMA) in partnership with sponsor Ransomes/Jacobsen. This award is given to innovators, technicians, educators, engineers, etc. that have gone above and beyond their normal day to day jobs and made a significant impact in the golf and turf business. An individual that qualifies for this award would be someone who has had a significant impact in our business.

       Tom Hurst is a true living legend! Here in the Philadelphia area, Tom has been helping people for over 40 years. First as the Service Manager for the local Jacobsen distributor, Lawn & Golf Supply Company and then transitioning into their grinder specialist. Then after a short lived retirement, Tom became a factory  representative for Bernhard & Company, with lots time spent in a tournament support roll. The impact that Tom has had on people is immeasurable. When we attempted to have a training seminar a few years ago, the hope was to have about 25 people attend. I have to admit, I would enjoy each call to Tom telling him how high the sign up number had gotten every few days. When we ended up over 60, it was mainly because of one reason and that was Tom was our presenter. So many guys came up and said "do you know that Tom taught me how to grind?".
       While Tom's history of training and helping people is obviously a big part of why he is so beloved but the true reason is Tom is a great person. Think about someone who has touched so many people and I am sure you would find a few who might not be a fan but if you can find someone with nothing but good to say about Tom, I would like to meet him. Tom's love of the turf business and the relationships that he has fostered over the years is what keeps him going. His positive outlook and never a bad word to say make him someone you want to be around. It is really great to see him get the recognition he so deserves. Congratulations Tom!

WJC