Everybody knows that movie stars have fan clubs. But Matt Ceplo, CGCS, has a fan club of his own that includes at least one star of film, television and stage: Aidan Quinn. The actor, who is currently featured as NYPD Capt. Gregson in the CBS drama "Elementary," was thrilled to learn that Ceplo, the superintendent at Quinn's home course in Sparkill, N.Y., had won GCSAA's highest environmental honor for 2013, the President's Award for Environmental Stewardship. A member at Rockland Country Club for 15 years, Quinn phoned GCM yesterday to brag about his golf course superintendent.
"We're very lucky to have him," Quinn said.
This wasn't the first time that Quinn had gotten loud and proud about Rockland CC's environmental efforts. After Ceplo completed the course's certification in Audubon International's cooperative sanctuary program for golf courses in 2000, Quinn joined AI's "Green Golfer" program and helped spread the good word during an appearance on Martha Stewart's television show. While Ceplo was working hard to communicate the benefits of naturalized areas to members, Quinn said he was already completely sold on the idea.
"Not only do they (naturalized areas) not bother me, I think they're beautiful," he said. He enjoys seeing the wildlife the areas attract and is well aware that the native species require fewer inputs than the maintained turf on his course. "It saves us quite a bit of money. Also, we've been through several periods of drought here but we've been able to stay below our quota for water."
A full-length article in the February issue of GCM will feature Ceplo and his award-winning career.
congrats Matt ! wonderful story
Posted by: dan dinelli | January 29, 2013 at 04:11 PM