S-NO-W

       Here in the Mid-Atlantic,we are just about to get another few inches of snow this morning,after a week where some areas got over 20 inches! To say people have had enough is an understatement. While we are all focused on snow clean up and school closings, I can't help but start to worry about how this is going to effect the golf industry. It seemed the second half of 2013 was better for some of the clubs that had been on the financial bubble. Over the past bunch of winters, while play is minimal, there is still income to help pay the bills. Occassionally, there is a super warm weekend, where clubs have had packed courses. This winter, you have no golf, no people coming in to eat and bills to pay, so things might get interesting. I know I have written about it before, that the golf industry in this area was once considered an 8 month season, but that slowly changed. The weather has been milder over the winters for the most part. Sadly, I think this is something to keep and eye on as this winter plays out.
       One other side effect, of this winter of discontent, is how it will impact all the new bermuda grass. More and more facilities have been using bermuda grass,in many areas here in the Mid-Atlantic,including driving range tees, and some fairway applications. Hopefully, as spring finally arrives and temperatures start to rise, we will not see any effect from such a brutal winter!

                                       

WJC

 

GIS 2014

       The Golf Industry Show 2014 is now in the record books. While some guys had to return to Philadelphia earlier than planned to try and do some emergency cleanup from the ice storm, the majority of attendees I spoke with were really enjoying Orlando. Now to put it in perspective, we have had an AWFUL winter here in the Mid-Atlantic and to be in Florida for a record high temp for February is something that we might not want to gloat to our wives at home about!
       Arriving on Tuesday for the annual Toro business meeting, the week began on a high note. Much of the meeting was discussions about Toro's 100th anniversary. Starting with a video of customers and their feelings and experiences with Toro that was really well done. The high light for me being Matt Shaffer of Merion Golf Club saying 'I have the best Toro Salesman in the world". With lots of grief to come from other Reps, it is really tough to put into words how much Matt's words were appreciated!
       The trade show on Tuesday was really busy. I would say there was a lot of buzz in our booth regarding the new automatic transmission Workman HDX and the new Toro Infinity irrigation head.
To me you know a new product has a bright future when the comments are "it makes so much sense, why hasn't someone done this yet?".
       The Pennsylvania Allied room on Wednesday night was a great time as always! It was really good to see some people that I have not caught up with in a while. Add in few other receptions and it was a full week of  great events.
       Now on the social media angle, I was really impressed with Aquatrols use of hosting Golf Course Industry Magazine & Turf Republic's Tweet Up event on Wednesday. Many people commented on the traffic by their booth. It is still in it infancy but the use of social media is absolutely going to play a bigger and bigger roll in the Turf business in the future.

Hope everyone had a safe trip home!




The Toro Company 100th Anniversary hat that was being given away in the booth

WJC
      

You are So Lucky!

        For most of us heading to the Golf Industry Show here in the North Eastern US, and for the most part, anywhere but the deep south, you get the same reaction when people hear you are going to Florida, "You are so Lucky!". When you can get to 80 degree weather and morning temps have been in the single digits here in Philly, I am up for going anywhere warm! The sad part is the majority of your time, this upcoming week, is spent inside a convention center or a hotel, unless you are one of the smart ones and have a golf event set up.
     So what is the National all about (Yes, that what it will always be to me...)? I know for me, it is a chance to see some of Toro's new equipment and an opportunity to pick the brains of some of the Marketing Managers and Engineers. It is a chance to see what my competition has new and to see if someone has come up with a game changer. Really, the highlight of the week, is probably the Pennsylvania Allied room. It is where you get to see a lot of people you might not have seen for a while and end up usually with some good laughs.
       The thing that most interests me this year is to see the impact of social media. More and more people in the golf industry are starting to get involved.It will be cool to see how it keeps growing, especially the events that are tied specifically to social media at this GIS.

Hope to see you in Orlando!



WJC

 

Passion

      Years ago I was at a dinner where the discussion was about passion and how to be successful in any career it is so important. A few weeks ago at the Eastern PA Turf Conference during one of the speakers presentations that discussion came to mind. Tim Moraghan owner of Aspire Consulting gave a talk about unintended consequences and he was on fire! Tim is someone who loves the game of golf and has the ability to speak from a view of common sense like not many others in the industry. With 20 years as the USGA Championship Agronomist, Tim has so many incredible stories about his experiences.
    
        I was lucky enough to meet Tim when I was a kid working the 1989 US Amateur at Merion Golf Club. Recently I have asked Tim to come in and speak at some of our training events. If you have an opportunity to hear Tim talk, I would urge you to do so. Obviously, like any presenter, you will not agree with everything he says but I can guarantee that he will make you think about how you come at your job.


WJC 

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