2015

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Mal McLaren Award
Strategic Planning
Mark Figurella
mfigurella421@gmail.com
330.562.1691
VICE PRESIDENT
Golf & Tournament
Bryan Fitch
bry_fitch@hotmail.com
440.934.6217
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Government Relations
Scott Brickley
scottb@bunkerhillgc.com
330.725.2829
CHAPTER ADMINISTRATOR
Finance/Communication/Benevolent
Michelle L. Frazier-Feher, CGCS
mlfrazier@aol.com
216.469.9287
TRUSTEES
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Website
Charles (Chuck) Hayes
chuckshcc@gmail.com
330.933.4673
Program & Education
Sam Leatherberry
sam.leatherberry@ourclub.com
678.414.7714

Our monthly meeting was held on Monday, June 15th, at

Westfield Group Country Club. The education portion of
the meeting was an update from Rhett Evans, CEO of the
GCSAA. He had some very interesting insight as to the
future of golf and the GCSAA. The day was beautiful, the
course was in perfect shape, and the steaks were superb.
Special thanks to Mark Jordan and Kyle Smith for their
efforts to make the day such a great success.

attended one yet, you are missing out on a great time with fellow
superintendents and their families and friends. This tradition started in
1951 and is gaining popularity once again. There is fantastic picnic food, a
waterpark, fishing, swimming, putt-putt golf, corn hole games, prizes for the
kids, and our recent tradition of showing the movie Caddyshack on the big
screen after dark. Look for additional information on the website, or in the
newest mailing from NOGCSA. We hope to see you there for some much
needed relaxation with your colleagues, friends and families.
I hope everyone is faring well with the very rainy weather we had in June.
It surely has been a record breaker at my course.
continued on page 4

Social
Jim Robinson
Robinson.e.james@gmail.com
330.328.3142
Membership
Brad Vecchio
bsv@clevelandmetroparks.com
330.801.5365
Historical / Assistant Relations
David Willmott
dwillmott@sharongc.com
330.618.8101
ASSISTANT GCS LIAISON
Matt Kolcun
kolcun4@gmail.com
440.213.6677
INDUTRIAL RELATIONS
Scholarship & Research
Brian Bates
brian@armstrucking.com
440.834.9315
Jason Bennett
330.416.0908
osu23jb@hotmail.com
Lenny Marino
l.marino@bakervehicle.com
216.401.1152
Mission Statement
Promoting the profession of the golf course superintendent
through education, camaraderie and cooperation among
fellow members in Northern Ohio since 1923

Schedule of Events
OTF News
By The Board - April
Family Picnic Notice
Park
On The Road with the USGA
By The Board May
August Meeting Notice Bob-O-Link G.C.
Hall Of Fame Notice
Meeting Highlights - June
Back in the Day
Government Relations
GCSAA NEWS
OSHA News
Advertiser Directory

3
6
7
10
11
13
15
16
17
18
24
24
25
27

July 25-26, 2015

Family Picnic Clays Park
Cost: $30/person for camping
$20/person for the day only
August 12, 2015
Industry Day
Place: Bob-O-Link G.C.
Host: Fitch Family
Cost:$20/Facility
Time: 9:00 AM

November 2015
Annual Meeting
Place: Portage C. C.
Host: Tom Vogel, CGCS
Cost: TBD
Time: TBD
Points: TBD
December 7 10, 2015
OTF Conference & Show
Greater Columbus Convention Center

September 17 2015
Non-Clambake Bake
Scholarship & Research Tournament
Place: Ridge Top Golf Course
Host: Gregg Bobbs
Cost: TBD
Time: 10:00 AM Shotgun
Points: 0.1 Service Points

mfigurella421@gmail.com. I would like to get back to including more information about what is going
on in your world in the newsletter. It makes for interesting reading, and think it helps to know that
other supers are experiencing some of the same struggles and successes in their lives.

This is a picture of the 10th hole at my course last week. Looks like I should be growing rice instead of
turf!
Sincerely,
Mark Figurella
NOGCSA President
mfigurella421@gmail.com

TURFGRASS LEADERS RETIRING

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Today, June 30, 2015 marks the last official day of

service for three of Ohio's leaders in the turfgrass
community. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Keith
Smith, Dr. John Street and Mr. David Willoughby on
their retirement by leaving your comments below.
Thank you all for your years of dedicated service to
your profession and our industry.

As Associate Professor and Coordinator of the

turfgrass program at Ohio State ATI, David Willoughby
has prepared countless individuals with the knowledge
and tools to pursue careers as turfgrass professionals.

Keith Smith, Director of Extension was one of our

industry's biggest supporters. Through Extension
programming and staff, Dr. Smith helped provide us
with the resources to train and educate turfgrass
professionals throughout the state.

John Street, Associate Professor and Turfgrass

Specialist dedicated his life to researching and
teaching turfgrass science. If you've read an OTF
article or attended an OTF event in the last 35 years,
you've been impacted by Dr. Street.

Barrington Country Club

President Figurella called the Board of Trustees of the
Northern Ohio Chapter of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America strategic
planning meeting to order at 1:13 PM.
ROLL CALL: Bennett, Feher, Figurella, Fitch, Hayes,
Leatherberry, Vecchio, and Willmott present. Bates,
Brickley, Kolcun, Marino, and Robinson Absent

April 14, 2015

recommended Lou Greco & Frank Ermer for induction
into the Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be September
3 at the NOGA facility. $20 per person. 4-4:30
registration, 4:30- 6:30 presentations, 6:30 reception.
Secretary/Treasurer Hayes moved to induct Greco &
Ermer. Trustee Willmott seconded. Motion passed.
Public Relations No Reports

Vice President Fitch moved to accept the minutes from

the March 25, 2015, regular meeting. Industrial
Representative Bennett seconded. Motion passed

Industrial Relations- No Report

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget & Finance - Chapter Administrator Feher
reported that there was currently $11,169.85 in the
checking account, $39,820.86 in the scholarship &
research account, $27,789.54 in the money market
account, $3,873.16 in the 100th Anniversary account
and $477.65 in the Pay Pal Account. The Profit & Loss
for 2015 through April 13 shows Net Income/Loss of
$18,498.05.

Employment Relations No report

Program & Education Trustee Leatherberry reported

that the electronic notice for Avon Oaks Meeting has
gone out. Feher is still waiting on the information and
clarification for the June Meeting. Leatherberry still
needs to contact Tom Vogel for the November Annual
Meeting.
Editorial Chapter Administrator Feher reported the
March/April is went out and that the May issue is being
worked on. The Board will work on getting Feher more
information and articles for the newsletter.
Golf & Tournament Vice President Fitch reported that
the date for the Ohio Cup is September 23. The Board
discussed how whether we should do 1 or 2
tournament rounds this year. It was decided to do 1.

Assistant Relations No Report

Mal McLaren Award No Report

Scholarship & Research Chapter Feher reported that
the Legacy Scholarship which is due in June 1. We will
send out some more eblasts.
Government & Environmental Relations Past
President Brickley is currently in Washington D.C. with
the GCSAA.
Website Secretary/Treasurer Hayes reported that the
discuss.
Bylaws & Ethics No Report
Advertising No Report. Feher to email current affiliate
package to the Board.
OLD BUSINESS
Reverse Raffle Update Tickets Sold, Silent Auction
Items - Feher will give a full reports at the next meeting
BOSS Event Fitch will host one April 23 at the Hooley
House
continued on page 10

Membership & Welcoming Trustee Vecchio reported

that he is working on the packets and should have them
al caught up shortly. Vecchio thought it would be nice
to get static clings for vehicles.
Social No Reports
Strategic Planning No Report
Historical & Benevolent Trustee Willmott presented
the information from the Hall of Fame committee. They

Chapter Administrator Feher presented the

following applications for membership:
Todd McMunn
The Country Club
C
Korey Waseman Brookside Country Club C
James Pfaff
Floratine
AFF
Chapter Administrator Feher presented the
following members for reinstatement:
None
Chapter Administrator Feher presented the
following members for reclassification:
Norton Brick from AFF to AFF RET
Secretary/Treasurer Hayes motioned to approve the
above members for membership. Trustee
Leatherberry seconded. Motion passed.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for May 11,
2015 at 8:00 AM at Avon Oaks.
The Board Meeting was adjourned at 2:05 PM.

10

11

12

Avon Oaks Country Club

President Figurella called the Board of Trustees of the
Northern Ohio Chapter of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America strategic
planning meeting to order at 8:26 AM.
ROLL CALL: Bennett, Brickley, Feher, Figurella, Fitch,
Leatherberry, Marino, Vecchio, and Willmott present.
Bates, Hayes, Kolcun, and Robinson Absent

May 11, 2015

Public Relations No Report
Industrial Relations- The committee met last week
on Industry Day. President Figurella will write the
letter to the vendors to send out. They will have the
the end of the event, and the Fitch family will donate
the golf. There will be a punch card that will need to

Past President Brickley moved to accept the minutes

from the April 14, 2015, regular meeting. Vice
President Fitch seconded. Motion passed

and the charge this year will be $20 per facility.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget & Finance - Chapter Administrator Feher
reported that there was currently $5,219.85 in the
checking account, $39,821.89 in the scholarship &
research account, $27,790.25 in the money market
account, $3,873.32 in the 100th Anniversary account
and $1,340.58 in the Pay Pal Account. The Profit &
Loss for 2015 through May 10 shows Net
Income/Loss of $15,740.02.

Employment Relations No Report

Program & Education Trustee Leatherberry

reported that Brandon was unable to make it today
do to an emergency at the field. Tom Vogel has
agreed to host the annual meeting again.
Editorial Chapter Administrator Feher reported the
May issue is out and she has started the June issue.
The Board will work on getting Feher more
information and articles for the newsletter.

Assistant Relations No Report

Mal McLaren Award No Report

Scholarship & Research No reports.
Government & Environmental Relations Past
President Brickley reported on his trip to Washington
D.C. with the GCSAA. He met with Rob Portman, Jim
Renacci, and Sherrod Brown.
Website Secretary/Treasurer Hayes reported that
discuss.
Bylaws & Ethics No Report
Advertising No Report. Feher to email current
affiliate package to the Board.
continued on page 15

Golf & Tournament The board discussed the gift for

the Club Officials meeting and decided to do PRO V

Membership & Welcoming Trustee Vecchio

reported that the packets are almost done.
Social No Reports
Strategic Planning No Report
Historical & Benevolent No Report
13

OLD BUSINESS
Reverse Raffle Update Feher reported that we
made $6,043 this year. Figurella would like us to
look into a computer program for the number next
year. The board is in agreement to leave it at
Raintree CC for 2015, but offer a dinner ticket.
BOSS Event Fitch hosted one April 23 at the
Hooley House. 6 people showed up 3 of them
supers.

Trustee Leatherberry motioned to approve the above

members for membership. Past President Brickley
seconded. Motion passed.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for June 15,
2015 at 9:30 AM at Westfield C.C.
The Board Meeting was adjourned at 9:21 AM.

Chapter Administrator Feher presented the following

applications for membership:
Ron Guenther Chemtron Corp
Nicholas Roth Elyria Country Club

AFF
C

Chapter Administrator Feher presented the following

members for reinstatement:
None
Chapter Administrator Feher presented the following
members for reclassification:
Harland Baker from AFF to AFF RET

14

15

16

90+ members and guests attended the June meeting

at Westfield Country Club.
The course was in great shape and we had a beautiful
day to play golf! They rain held off until after everyone
made it in from golf and was able to cook their dinners
in the fashion that only Westfield knows how to put
on!
After dinner Rhett Evans CEO of the GCSAA gave a very
informative talk about what the GCSAA is doing to
encourage golf and improve awareness of what our
members do not only for the game but for the
environment.

Winners for the day were as follows:

Closest to the Pin - Hole 4 Ron Miller
Closest to the Pin Hole 8 Jack Polding
Long Putt Hole 9 George Noll
Closest to the Pin Hole 11 Mickey McCord
Closest to the Pin Hole 16 George Noll
Longest Putt Hole 18 Justin Eckman
Flight A Low Gross Ben Imhoff - 73
Flight A Low Net Mark Pena 68
Flight B Low Gross Lenny Marino 83
Flight B Low Net Bill Thomas - 67

17

Earlier this year I promised to write an editorial section where I would publish parts of old Northern Ohio
th

hole at Brookside C. C., where my father was

superintendent. I used to hang out at the maintenance building all summer long, watching what was going
on. Now that I have been a superintendent myself for a while, it is fun to go back and look at some of the
things that were new and groundbreaking at the time.
Since we just finished one of the wettest Junes on record, and everyone has had bunker wash-outs, I
thought I would reRemember that before this time, all raking, and pushing up of sand was done by hand.

continued on page 21

18

This is reprinted from the June 1971 issue

19

Smithco joined the revolution in 1972

20

You might want to share these photos with your staff

if they are complaining about bunker repairs!

21

(Jerry) Gerald E Husemann

Senior Sales Specialist
Phone: 937-492-8597
Mobile: 937-604-5617
gerald.huseman@basf.com

22

23

I just wanted to give you all an update regarding the

GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador program. Earlier this
year I met with U.S. Congressman David Joyce's staff to
discuss a wide range of legislation that may affect us on
the golf course, we spoke about pesticide regulations,
environmental stewardship, but most importantly the
Waters of the U.S., (WOTUS). After a productive
meeting, I was able to schedule a sit down this past
week with the congressman himself. He was
understanding and interested in our stance and was
engaged during the meeting asking pertinent questions
to gain an understanding on practices that we
implement on the golf course. I left with him the
literature that I received from the GCSAA regarding
WOTUS and the other pressing issues facing our
industry. I feel confident that we are making progress
with this issue and with this GCSAA program. I will
continue to follow up with both he and his staff and
will keep both our local association and the national
association updated on future discussions.
Thank you and please feel free to contact me with any
questions, comments or concerns.
Best wishes,
Jeff Austin

Welcome Shane Conroy

With experience working both on and off the course in
the golf course management industry, Shane Conroy
brings a breadth of professional knowledge to the
Great Lakes region.
Conroy was previously a turfgrass accounts manager
for Illinois-based Spectrum Technologies Inc., a firm
that manufactures and distributes leading-edge
measurement equipment to the agricultural market.
Prior to working for Spectrum, Conroy was the
assistant superintendent at Park Ridge (Ill.) Country
Club; a professional intern at the Carolina Country Club
in Raleigh, N.C.; and a grounds crew associate at
Kalamazoo (Mich.) Country Club. He graduated from

Conroy is a member of board of directors of the Illinois

Turfgrass Foundation and also served as a Class C
(Assistant) member of the board of directors of the
Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents
(MAGS) from 2012-2013.

Tel. 800-472-7878, ext. 3635

sconroy@gcsaa.org

degree in business administration and in 2009 earned

North Carolina State University.

24

25

26

2015 Advertiser Directory

Arms Trucking
Brian Bates
800.362.1343

Glenn Omori
440.439.1393

Baker Vehicle Systems

Harland Baker, Rick Baker,
Kevin Kroll, Lenny Marino
330.467.2250
BAYER *
Rob Pyler
248.300.2638
BASF Corporation
Gerald Husemann
937.604.5617
Century Equipment
John Mowat - Ron Smolik
Matt Weber Matt Welch
800.522.8676

H & S Stump Removal

Jack Hopkins
330.654.2347
Lake Erie Golf Cars*
Tony Cisterino
216.763.2090
Perk Air
Bob Doty
330.296.7307

Shearer Golf
805-GOLF-909
South East Golf Car Co.
888.684.4653
Walker Supply
Mike Sekula - Bill Walker
800.792.5537

* denotes new advertiser

Remember to thank our
advertisers for supporting
you!

Precision Golf Construction

440.285.2117

NOGCSA
CONTACT INFORMATION
E-Mail: info@nogcsa.com
Website: www.nogcsa.com
1106 Royce St. NW
Uniontown, OH 44685
(216)469-9287
27