The Little Things

       I have coached football for 20 years. I have mostly coached the 7th & 8th grade youth level and spent a couple of years as the varsity offensive line coach for local high school. Why I mention this is I always preach that it is the little things that make the difference. I am constantly preaching it and really do believe it make the difference between being successful or not. So what does this have to do with the Turf industry? Well this past week, I had the chance to sit in on a training event that Jim Nedin presented about reels. He always brings up so many important things that I often think are not thought about enough. Just a small thing like the reel diameter and how it effects the cut, is not something that people often look at. With heights going lower and expectations going higher, do yourself a favor and take a look at your money makers (Greens Mowers!). Are your reels still within spec? Grounding down to the spiders, as it was done in the past, is probably not going to be your best option. And what is the most important thing is bed knife & reel sharpness! A sharp clean cut promotes a healthier plant and to steal a Jim Nedinism, you will have "Happy Grass"! And as Jim always says" When your grass is happy, your customers are happy and your boss is happy, which helps make you happy!".
      

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"Live Green" at The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia

         Yesterday at Walnut Lane Golf Club, home of the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, the last leg of the "Live Green" program took place. The program was a collaboration between The First Tee, Audubon International & The Toro Company to host educational events at First Tee facilities throughout the USA. The Walnut Lane program had about 70 students signed up and broken into 6 rotating groups. The students had the chance to do some service activities like planting some flower beds. They also had the chance to attend some Turf industry education stations that were taught by Rob Nolek, Superintendent of Cedarbrook CC & Chase Rogan, Regional Representative for the GCSAA. They spoke with the future of golf about cutting cups and repairing ball marks. Joe Agnew, Superintendent of the The Bucks Club, was also manning one of the flower bed stations. I had the pleasure of working with Judson McNeil, who is the president of The Toro Foundation. With each group Judson & I would talk about the technology behind the equipment needed to provide the golf courses the students play. What was really fun when we asked the kids about what they thought  the HOC greens are mowed or what a piece of equipment costs.

As always it is a great opportunity to work with The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia! Dave Smith, the Program Director,and his crew at Walnut Lane GC love what they do and make you feel like you are part of their team as soon as you walk through the door!  

 

http://pressroom.toro.com/golf_course/07102013_live_green.html     

 

Toro station at the "Live Green" event at Walnut Lane GC for The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia

 

 

 

Rob Nolek of Cedarbrook CC & Chase Rogan of the GCSAA address some of the students

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Motivation & Glen Mills Schools

       This past week we hosted a Sports Fields & Grounds Manager field day at Glen Mills Schools. While the draw of the beautiful 800+Acre campus and the chance for some golf on one of the top public golf courses in PA made it a great location choice , there was a much better reason which was the students. Glen Mills School is a reform school on the edge of Delaware Country, outside of Philadelphia. But it is not what you would expect.... When you drive up, it looks more like a small private college with no walls or fences!The current location became home in 1892. Everyone I have ever taken there is blown away by the facilities and the mission of the school. So why is it different? Glen Mills is not a government run facility. The program gives them the opportunity to learn life skills and  gives the student a chance to turn their life around when they leave. In the Turf Industry, they have the chance to work on the golf course. There is also a small engine section & a landscape group.
       What is also special about holding events at Glen Mills Schools is the motivation it always seems to give those who visit. After our event, I was contacted by one of the local townships that had attended. They wanted to get involved and are looking at creating an intern program for a student. One of my coworkers asked if he could do more. He really felt strongly about needing to get involved.
I would urge you to take a look at Glen Mills' website and learn more about their program!

Take a look at the article about Sean Kearney, who is now an Assistant Superintendent at Fishers Island GC in New York.
http://www.glenmillsschool.org/battling-bulletin/news/glen-mills-penn-state-grad-kearney-takes-knowledge-to-nassau-country-club

 

 

 

Some of the student attendees getting an equipment demonstration

 

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The Roof-The Roof-The Roof Is On Fire!

       With a memorable week behind me and some jet lag to make me soon not forget....It was another excellent visit across the pond with the folks at Bernhard & Company! We did have an event that I hope to never experience again, being evacuated from our hotel at 5:30AM with a room on fire!(See photo below)Everyone got out OK & no one was injured, which was most important.

       The chance to talk about the industry with all-star sales people from places throughout the USA and not all that sell Red Iron. The opportunity to see some new products that are in the works from Bernhard & Company and now a year into their new facility, how well it is doing. With incredible hosts and a few Guinness pints shared, traveling over to the UK with the great people from Bernhard is always a worth while trip!

 

 

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Golf Nirvana

       I have been to golf heaven and its name is Royal Porthcawl! I am in the UK with the Bernhard Company this week. While making the trip over the pond a few of us decided to head over a few days early and get in some golf in Wales. After a 36 hour marathon that would make the men on the Deadliest Catch proud, we had 15 holes of golf at Celtic Manor and a few pints as a warm up and finally some sleep. Saturday was to be the something special. As we headed to the town of Newport, will full rain gear in tow, we were all looking forward to a chance to play the home of the 2014 Senior Open Championship (by the way  here it is not the British Open as we call it in the states!)

       As we arrived we were met by the PGA Professional, who could not have been more welcoming. He told us to make ourselves at home and head to the clubhouse for a pint before our round. This is where it got good. The members after a kindly reminder of hats indoors equals to you buying a round of drinks, we were welcomed into their club. The golf talk began and it was became clear that playing golf was not what makes this incredible place so special. From the questions about the US Open at Merion to some home course knowledge tips, you could not have asked for anything more! As the round went on, my golf may have been bad and the 20+MPH winds not helping but it was a day I will never forget! From the incredible views to having one of the members from inside come over as we were on adjoining holes to see how we were doing, just really an incredible experience.

       As we finished up and headed into the clubhouse there were still two members finishing up their drinks. As we talked some more golf in a room filled with photos of past club Presidents and Captains dating back to 1891, I truly believe I have been to golf heaven and its name is Royal Porthcawl!

 

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That Is Pretty Cool

       This past week our sales group held a training event. While we covered many topics, one of the primary reasons we got together was to talk about our allied lines. While Toro products is what our distributor spends the majority of our time representing, there is still a boat load of other products out there that don't get the attention that the main product lines do but can be time and money savers.
       The hard part for allied products is to stay in the conversation but when you hit the trade show trail this fall think about spending a few more minutes walking down those side aisles. Some of the pieces that we rep for that are really worth a second look come from Seago International, True-Surface and Bernhard & Company. Scott Sweeney from Seago does a great job scouting the globe for products that fall into the "that is pretty cool" category. From the Atom Cart Path Edger to the Hover Trimmer, they have some things that might make you think about changing how you have always done your maintenance practices. True-Surface has the vibratory rollers and multi-option cassette heads. With some independent research on their side, the use of vibratory rollers to work in topdressing will be a process that should be more common in the future. And another product we represent is Bernhard Grinders. While your grinders seem to last forever the difference in a 10+ plus year unit grind and a new unit is worth thinking about. Even just adding the use of a rapid facer into your reel maintenance practices could help to improve your turf's health.
       While these are only three of many, it really is worth the investment of your off season time to do some research on the products from some of the smaller companies. You never know what you might find that just might make your job a little easier!

www.SeagoInternational.com
www.True-Surface.com
www.Bernhard.co.uk

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Moving On Up

       I recently spoke with a Superintendent who had been approached by his club to take on a larger roll. It is an interesting trend that seems to be happening more often. When making the move from Superintendent to General Manager/Superintendent there  are obviously many variables that need to be considered. While being an excellent manager of the most important and profitable asset for the club, in most cases, few Superintendents have the food and beverage background.
       From talking to those who had made this transition, the key seems to be to do your home work. With many Superintendents already putting in long hours, the thought of having to be required to be at the club at night too is not something they are looking for. So how do you do it without living there 24/7? The common thread seems to be the same thing that makes a very good Superintendent, the ability to surround yourself with good people and the ability to delegate.
       With one of the main suggestions in career advice articles being to make yourself the go to person at your facility, the transition to GM/Superintendent seems to be a logical move. It is an interesting trend to watch as clubs evolve.


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