From the desk of GCM

GCSAA's pen pal day

It's an annual tradition here at GCSAA -- PEN PAL DAY!

On Wednesday we welcomed about 30 6th graders from Wakarusa Valley Elementary school. Staff here have been trading letters with these kids all year. I had a pen pal, Chase, who I'm sure is going to go on to great things. Just a bunch of great kids over there. And we get to learn about them while they learn about us and our industry. Pretty cool.

So, thanks to the Waki kids for coming over and having a pizza lunch with us, and for just being great kids in general.

Innovation in mowing

Another note from Toro's media day: There was a new Groundsmaster mower there with an interesting feature that will debut this year, although the feature isn't related to its sound output.

Like many mowers of the type, the radiator is at the rear end of the mower where it will sometimes collect enough mowing debris to reduce the cooling power — possibly causing the mower to overheat.

On most mowers, the operator has to stop and clean the radiator screen off. With this one, however, when it senses a rise in coolant or oil temperature, it reverses the fan and blows off the debris. A neat feature that addresses a real problem, and one the engineers at Toro are justifiably proud of.

When a simple test drive isn't good enough

Last week, Scott Hollister and I were part of a group of writers and editors invited to a media day at The Toro Co.'s headquarters in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington, Minn.

Although the event included some interesting presentations about the company's products, the highlight of the day for the tech-head in me was the tour of Toro's testing facility. For the first time, I was going to get an inside look at how the company makes sure its products live up to the expectations of the users.

Toro makes everything from multi-gang fairway mowers that cost tens of thousands of dollars, to electric leaf blowers for the homeowner, and it all has to be tested. For that, the center employs almost 50 technicians.

That happens in one of the 54 cells in Toro's test center, which range in size from a massive hemi-anechoic chamber (pictured here — the blurry photo is Hollister's fault) to a small room with about a dozen electric leaf blowers being run to failure. The leaf blowers, by the way, are being monitored by a technician, and each of them has its own fire extinguisher ready in case failure includes smoke and fire.

It's not all politics

Just as it did two years ago, BASF is holding its media day (which happens to be today) in Washington, D.C. At lunch this afternoon, Bruce Knight, the undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at USDA, addressed our group, discussing, among other things, the torturous path the Farm Bill has taken this year. However, that's just about the only piece of political discourse I've heard since I got here yesterday.

The title for the media day is "Innovate 08: Research to reality." The folks at BASF are excited about innovation and how scientific research can improve the insulation in your house (which can reduce your carbon footprint), the car you drive (it should be electric), the food you eat (you need those omega-3 fatty acids), and yes, the health of your turf and ornamentals.

Today BASF announced the release of Drive XLR8, a liquid formulation of Drive 75 DF herbicide. Grassy and broadleaf weeds absorb the liquid formulation faster, so that the product is rainfast within 30 minutes. The new formulation should allow superintendents more flexibility in their pest management programs.

The company is looking toward the future and foresees several new products on the turf and ornamental side. The biggest news is the herbicide Kixor, which is designed to pick up where glyphosate leaves off, that is, control glyphosate-resistant broadleaf and grassy weeds. Kixor was developed for agricultural use, but products for use in turf are expected to follow the release of the ag products.

Phil’s early scouting report on Torrey Pines

One last post from me from The Players ... even though I'm already back home ... and even though this isn't about The Players.

This is from Phil Mickelson’s pre-tournament news conference on Tuesday, when asked about his recognizance trip to Torrey Pines a couple weeks ago to scout the South Course for the upcoming U.S. Open. He references the U.S. Open Challenge Golf Digest organized where amateur John Atkinson, an 8-handicapper from Omaha, was selected from 56,374 entries to play a round at Torrey Pines a few days before the U.S. Open with celebrity golfers Matt Lauer, Justin Timberlake and Tony Romo, from the tips, under the same conditions that the USGA Championship will play. Mickelson echoed many of the sentiments our soon-to-be new boss Mark Woodward, CGCS, director of golf operations for the city of San Diego, shared with the GCSAA staff last week about how gnarly the kikuya rough is there.

“It’s very tough,” Mickelson said. “It is a very tough golf course. Primarily the biggest difference is off the fairways and around the greens, it’s thicker rough and as that kikuya grows, it’s very challenging to get the club through it. It was grabbing a lot of shots.

It was funny watching some of the amateurs play. I was getting ready to tee off and this group in front of us, probably an 8-handicap player, hit a nice drive out there, 230, he hits it in the first cut of rough, not even the thick stuff, but the first cut. They could not find it and he takes a hack at it with an iron and it dribbles a foot. He headaches a hack and it dribbles a foot. He finally picks up and puts it in the fairway.

Law and Order: GCM

I just knew my penchant for watching nighttime television dramas would pay off at work someday!

Imagine my surprise when last night's episode of "Law and Order" brought New York City homicide detectives Lupo and Bernard to "Suffolk County Golf Course" to speak to the grounds crew — one of whom (spoiler alert!) turned out to be a very bad guy. You'll be glad to know the bad guy described his golf course gig as "the best job I ever had!" I was even more amused to note that, in discussing the extra-sharp golf course-quality sand found in the wounds of the hit-and-run victim, Det. Bernard, obviously a Tiger wannabe, sternly rebuked Det. Lupo for calling a bunker a "sand trap." He then proceeded to inform Lupo that golf course crew members preferred to be called "greens men." I half-expected him to launch into a lecture on "grain" on the putting greens.

What do YOU think? Does NBC get points for trying, or not? You can watch a little summary here: http://www.nbc.com/Law_&_Order/video/#mea=248872

C-ya Players

Wrapping things up from The Players and getting ready to head to the airport. I know the tournament just started, but my work here is done. Fred Klauk, GCSAA Class A superintendent at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., got some good publicity, which in turn is good publicity for all GCSAA members. Jerry Potter wrote a nice story in USA Today’s Players coverage today about Klauk’s preparations and the course setup. He performed very well in a live interview from the Golf Channel’s set overlooking No. 18 this morning.

I don’t know the guy all that well, but he seems to be very happy. He loves this golf course and loves this tournament, but he seems genuinely excited about beginning the next chapter of his life as he steps into a project manager role with the Tour. Going out on a high note of a 35-year career that includes the last 25 with the TPC Network and the last 23 here at Sawgrass, his work couldn’t look and play much better than it does this week. He has prepped for 28 Tour events over the years, which has me wondering if that could be a record amongst our members? He was laughing when he told me he’d be sitting in the shotgun seat I was occupying of the official golf course superintendent cart next year, as he turns the keys over to the very capable successor Tom Vlach, CGCS.

On our way to the Golf Channel’s set we saw Kevin Stadler’s group tee off on 18. Stadler was two under at the time and Klauk was impressed as he reminisced about caddying for his son, John, at the 2002 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills, who beat Stadler, 1 Up, in the third round. The proud papa is looking forward to looping for another son, Jeff, who plays on the Nationwide Tour, anytime his caddy wants a break in the future.

After the interview Klauk turned over his seat to the next guest, legendary golfer Calvin Peete, who of course Klauk knows well and meerily greeted with a hug. I was thinking to myself that he looked like he could still hold his own out there today, and he even had his fingers all taped up, when Klauk asked him if he was playing in any Champions Tour events this year. Peete said he’s working himself back into shape and plans to play in a few next season.

Watching Golf Channel, reading quote sheets

Adam Barr's feature on the Golf Channel tonight about Fred Klauk was real nice. He set it up by comparing golf course superintendents to referees in that people only notice them when they screw up, but that it's time to highlight the successful career of TPC Sawgrass superintendent Fred Klauk. Tune in Thursday morning around 10:20 a.m. (Central) to catch it again. Klauk will be on live, joining the set at The Players at 10:30.

His successor, Tom Vlach, CGCS, mentioned the player quotes we’ve posted here about the course conditions at the Players Stadium Course at the staff meeting this afternoon, so like GCM NewsWeekly Editor Ken Moum once told me, you get extra motivated to search for things like that when you know that people will use (or read) them. So here’s another good one from this afternoon’s news conferences …

“I’d agree with that (some of the golfers are saying that this course is in the best condition they’ve seen here and maybe all year on tour). The greens are spectacular. They’re rolling beautifully. It’s almost like those fake greens that are just like a carpet. It’s in brilliant condition. It stacks up with anything we’ve played this year.” – Adam Scott

Dave Pelz, who was just on the Golf Channel, said something similar about how the greens are so firm, fast and smooth, that it’s “almost like a synthetic material.” He said they are the best bermuda greens he’s ever seen and then he gave credit exactly where it’s due … Fred Klauk.

Carolinas GCSA ribbon cutting ceremony

OK, I'm back with a ew more photos from the Carolinas ribbon-cutting ceremony. As you probably know by now, the CGCSA purchased their own headquarters building, a 2,200-square-foot office in Liberty, S.C. For more, check out the Front 9 section of the May issue of GCM, or just click here.

The first photo is of Palmer Maples Jr., CGCS, past president of the CGCSA, Paul M. Alexander, past executive secretary of the CGCSA and Landon C. Miller, also a past executive secretary of the CGCSA, doing the honor of the ribbon cutting.

The next few pictures are of some of the views you have inside the new HQ... including an office and the boardroom.

A few sound bites from the ceremony:

"This didn't happen in one day. This started in 1954. Back when we were in our early 30s, did we ever imagine this? We thought it was pretty cool when we rented the old headquarters up the street!" David S. Downing II, CGCS, past president of the CGCSA and current president of the GCSAA

TV time for Klauk and more player quotes from The Players

Fred Klauk’s successor, Tom Vlach, CGCS, and GCSAA member Jim Abate, superintendent of the Stadium Course, just addressed the staff of 50-60 and gave them their marching orders for the evening work session. The last tee time of this final day of practice rounds was 3:00 and they are rolling out with a police escort about two holes behind the last group. Vlach accompanied Klauk to the TV production meeting earlier this afternoon and he relayed some compliments from Dan Hicks, Johnny Miller and NBC producer Tom Roy about the course conditions to the eager staff. Abate reminded everyone the importance of their jobs, the perfection that is expected and the millions of people who will be watching from all over the world on TV.

Meanwhile, Brandt Snedeker and Sean O’Hair were holding news conferences in the media center.

“The course is looking phenomenal,” said O’Hair. “The greens are the best I’ve ever seen, period, health-wise and speed-wise and firmness. I mean, they’re absolutely perfect. I’m really looking forward to a good week.”

“It’s fantastic,” said Snedeker. “It’s everything that everybody in this field wants to see a course playing extremely firm and fast. The greens are almost too firm for a Wednesday right now, so I’m kind of hoping they soften up for us tomorrow. It’s in great shape. They’ve done a  fantastic job the past couple years of redefining the golf course a little bit and putting a little more emphasis on short game around the greens. It’s just a great test. I think everybody is excited about teeing it up tomorrow, and I’m just like everyone else, I want to go out there and shoot a good one and try to win this thing.”

“They are very fast this week,” continued Snedeker about the greens. “I don’t know what they’re rolling here, probably 11 to 12, they’re in perfect shape, but they’re not out of control. You’ve got nobody to complain to this week if you play bad. It’s you and only you. That’s what we look for.”

“It’s exciting for me and for players because you very rarely have a short par-3 that plays that difficult,” said Snedeker about the famous island green on No. 17. “You very rarely have a shot where you can’t miss it. Most times we play a golf course, there’s a place you can miss it. There, you can’t. There’s just no getting around it. And it’s fun.”

Klauk did another radio interview with XM Satellite Radio’s PGA Tour Channel this morning, which will air during its live coverage of The Players and posted online by the end of the week. He also met with Bob Verdi from GolfWorld for a lengthy interview.

A camera crew from the Golf Channel is scheduled to accompany Klauk out tomorrow morning at 5:30 to film a piece with a guy suffering from an eye disease that has left him nearly blind. I know that sounds vague, but I really don't have all the details on that. The PGA Tour has arranged for Klauk to give him a behind the scenes tour of the Players Stadium Course and the Golf Channel is planning to air the segment on Sunday. Adam Barr, who hosted the Golf Industry Show general session, as well as several of the What’s in the Bag shows about GCSAA and its members, is doing a piece recognizing Klauk’s years of service which will air tonight and again tomorrow during the Sprint Pre Game show … preceding a live interview with Klauk from the Golf Channel’s set overlooking No. 18 at 10:30 a.m. (Central).

Tour players weigh in on Sawgrass conditions

"It’s in fabulous shape. I don’t know what specific bermudagrass that is, but they are the best bermuda greens I’ve ever seen. They are very firm and fast. Balls are not stopping at all and I think we’re going to have a very difficult test on 17 getting balls to stay on that green, which is fine. It’s just tough for everybody. It’s going to be how I think it was envisioned when the redesign was done, where the course was designed to play hard and fast. Greens will be tough to hit; they’re so small, and it will be a challenge. I like it because the short game will be an integral part of this year’s test." - Phil Mickelson, Tuesday

"The golf course is immaculate out there. It’s as good as a golf course as you can play in terms of its condition." - Padraig Harrington, Tuesday

"I think it’s a better challenge, playing bermudagrass greens without overseeding. It’s going to be firmer and faster. With the bermuda, once we got this warm weather here in the last few weeks the grass starts popping and you can keep it really dry and play it firmer and faster. It’s a better test that way. The golf course may play a little bit shorter, but it plays more difficult. It’s harder to get the ball in the fairways, it’s harder to control it into the greens and I think the greens are a much better test with bermudagrass." - Jim Furyk, Monday

"I mean, bermuda makes it easier for me because that’s what I grew up on. But you know, these greens here are a little faster than the bermuda I grew up on. It makes it easier to read for me because of the grain and stuff." - Boo Weekley, Tuesday

Just because he's so funny, this is Weekley on the difficulty of playing the No. 17 island green:

"You can take a good breath before you tee off because when you get there, you start taking them little short breaths, you know?"

Some Old Tom winners sing Klauk's praises

Caught the last half of PGA Tour Commissioner and 2001 Old Tom Morris Award winner Tim Finchem’s news conference. He had the following to say about Fred Klauk, GCSAA Class A superintendent at TPC Sawgrass, who is retiring after hosting his 23rd Players Championship this week.

"Let me comment about Fred Klauk who is with us today. Fred has been here 23 years. I think all of you know that it was announced earlier that he will be retiring from full-time work after this years Players. I think during my years, the thing that resonates with me the most about Fred is that he has delivered the golf course in spectacular condition for the Championship year-in and year-out for those 23 years. There were those that said when we moved to May, a little different pattern and Fred had it on remote control in March, early; and well, if there were any questions, they have been answered. The golf course is even better than it was in March.

The second thing is the work that Fred has done the rest of the year to prepare the golf course over these 23 years for our guests and customers that have come from around the world to play. He’s done it with energy and commitment and he’s done the job extremely well.

And then thirdly, and I’m not so sure the people on the outside of the organization recognize this as well as those of us who work here; Fred is a great role model. He brings a great attitude to his work. He has great integrity. He exudes that integrity with his fellow employees and the way he’s raised his family. He has been a great addition to the broader Tour family and Fred on behalf of all of us, I want to thank you for those 23 years.

Tom Vlach, his replacement is seated next to Fred. Those of you who not met Tom yet this week, please take an opportunity to do so."

Jack Peter, World Golf Hall of Fame COO and senior vice president, announced that TPC Sawgrass architect Pete Dye, considered in many circles to be the most influential golf course architect of the last five decades with more than 120 courses to his credit, will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Nov. 10 as part of the Class of 2008. Dye, the 2003 Old Tom Morris Award winner and a member of The Environmental Institute for Golf’s Advisory Council, is going into the Hall in the Lifetime Achievement Category.

"I never considered myself a Hall of Famer, and to be taken in, all the great players and people who are in there, it’s kind of funny to be sticking a dirt digger in there along with them. It’s really an honor to be taken into the Hall of Fame. You look who’s there, Mr. McDonald and Mr. Jones and Mr. Ross, as far as the golf industry and design business, that’s a pretty elite group."

He then cracked on Klauk in good fun.

"Fred says he’s retiring after this year. I said what are you going to do now? He said he’s going to caddy for his son (Jeff, professional golfer on the Nationwide Tour) and I said well don’t do that ... You’re just gonna screw him up."

I got the Tour’s staff photographer to snap a pic of Mr. Dye, Fred and Tom, which I’ll attempt to add to this post if the image is emailed to me as promised.

Welcome to Sawgrass

Just arrived at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., which hosts The Players Championship for the PGA Tour at the Players Stadium Course and thought I’d make my blog debut ... and see if I could break the hyperlink button.

We put out a news release last week about this being Sawgrass GCSAA Class A superintendent Fred Klauk's last dance, since he's retiring after this. It includes links to the Tour’s release about his retirement, Terry Ostmeyer’s Inside Your Game feature about Klauk in this month’s GCM, and Garry Smits’ column from the Florida Times-Union about Klauk. It was picked up by World Golf News, Golf Business Wire, Cybergolf, Bunkershot, GCM NewsWeekly and GCSAA’s member-only newsletter This Week. Maggie Fitzroy from the Florida Times-Union wrote about Klauk’s preparations for the event and about his retirement plans. Smits wrote a follow-up column over the weekend on Klauk’s career and featured him again in yesterday’s tournament notes. PGATour.com posted a Q&A with Klauk and mentioned him in tournament preview stories “The Players from A-to-Z” and Dave Shedloski’s weekly “Insider” column as well.

He did a live interview Monday night with Ian Davies of “The Leaderboard” on ESPN Radio 1080 Orlando and 1060 The Space Coast, and he did another live one with Peter Kessler of “Making the Turn” on XM Satellite Radio’s PGA Tour Channel this morning. Klauk will tape an interview with XM Radio’s on-site crew that will air during “PGA Tour Live” on the PGA Tour Channel. We’ll also get him scheduled to appear on the Golf Channel at some point this week.

Weekend with the Carolinas

It was a working weekend for this GCM staffer... but hanging out with the great folks from the Carolinas GCSA can hardly be considered "work."

I've got a ton of photos from the grand opening of the new Carolinas HQ in Liberty, S.C. I'm going to have to keep my post brief though, as I have all my notes packed away in my luggage (seemed like a good idea at the time).

Here is one news item from the meeting I will quickly share: Bill Anderson, CGCS of Carmel CC, Charlotte, N.C., will be honored with the 2008 CGCSA Distinguished Service Award at the 08 Carolinas Conference and Show. Anderson (pictured) is a past president of the CGCSA, and he's been the superintendent of Carmel for 33 years. This announcement was made at dinner on Saturday night, and Bill was caught quite off guard by the news. He was honored, to say the least.

Golf in the Wall Street Journal

After a quiet week or so on the blog, things are about to get busy around here. Seth Jones is out in North Carolina for the grand opening of the Carolinas GCSA's new headquarters building, I'm leaving for the airport in a few minutes for a trip to the Twin Cities for a media open house at The Toro Co.'s headquarters and the annual meeting of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association, while Bill Newton takes his first dip in the blogging pool later this week when he leaves for The Players at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

While you wait for all that action, a little something to tide you over from the Wall Street Journal — a story on the water issues facing the game of golf. The author, John Paul Newport, regularly writes his "Golf Journal" column for the publication, and I thought he did a particularly nice job here bringing this complex issue to the general public (if you can call the readers of the WSJ the "general public").

Next stop: Minneapolis.