Super Notes

GCSAA superintendent Scott M. Bowman is hosting the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

GCSAA Class A superintendent Dennis L. Bowsher, CGCS, is hosting the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational at The Ohio State University Golf Club (Scarlet Course) in Columbus, Ohio.

GCSAA Class A superintendent Jonathon Burke is hosting the U.S. Girls' Junior Amateur  at The Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, Conn.

GCSAA superintendent James K. Simmons is hosting the U.S. Junior Amateur at Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club in Shoal Creek, Ala.

Dickman, Napora on XM Radio

Follow the preparations for the U.S. Senior Open with Fred Dickman, CGCS, director of golf course maintenance at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo. He joins "Making the Turn with Peter Kessler" on XM Satellite Radio's PGA Tour Channel (146) at 7:20 a.m. (Central), Wednesday, July 30. GCSAA Class A member Larry Napora, director of golf course operations at Firestone Country Club, hosts the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational. He will record an interview with "PGA Tour Live" on the PGA Tour Channel which will broadcast during the event and be posted online at PGATour.com.

Robinson qualifies for U.S. Senior Open

Tom Robinson, a GCSAA Class A golf course superintendent, has qualified for the U.S. Senior Open, July 31-Aug. 3 by winning a sectional qualifier at The Club at Strawberry Creek in Kenosha, Wis. with a five-under-par 67.

Robinson a 31-year GCSAA member has been the superintendent at Ravinia Green Country Club in Riverwoods, Ill., since 1991.

"I made seven birdies, two bogies and just played a very good round," said Robinson about his two-shot victory. "It was set up very difficult, but I was pretty familiar with the course, having been there once before as a rater for Golf Digest. I was going to try to qualify a littler closer to home, but that field was already closed by the time I went to sign up. I entered about four hours before the deadline. Then on the way there, I ran into some traffic problems and arrived 10 minutes before my tee time. I hit some five irons, five putts and then finished five under, so I guess it was a good omen."
 
The USGA received 2,810 entries for the 2008 U.S. Senior Open with sectional qualifying at 43 sites. There are 156 players in the field, including 84 from sectional qualifying and 74 with exemptions.

"It really hasn't hit me yet," said Robinson about qualifying for the Senior Open. "It will probably hit me when I get on the plane. Everyone here is excited and I have received lots of support from the club and our membership. My assistant superintendent, Tino Villagomez, is going to get his feet wet while I'm gone because I've never been gone for a week in the middle of the summer before."

Robinson won the 2004 GCSAA National Championship in San Diego. Fred Dickman, CGCS, director of golf course maintenance at The Broadmoor Resort, and East Course superintendent Mike Sartori, will welcome Robinson and rest of the field to the longest course in U.S. Senior Open history at 7,254 yards.

"I look forward to seeing Fred Jr. again when I get out there," Robinson said. "We're both from Deerfield (Ill.) and I've known his father, Fred Sr., for 40 years. He was a teacher and coach at Deerfield High and still teaches at the Park District right across the street from here."

Superintendents in the news

Hamptons Online, "Bodington’s vision at Sebonack to be put to test at U.S. Women’s Open," feature on Garrett Bodington, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., which was recently awarded the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open.

Toronto Star, "Glen Abbey crews ready course for Canadian Open," story and accompanying video about GCSAA member Scott Bowman, superintendent at Glen Abbey Golf Course in Oakville, Ontario, his staff and their preparations for the PGA Tour’s RBC Canadian Open.

Boston Globe, "Is alcohol par for the course?," article about a push to lift an obscure alcohol ban on Massachusetts golf courses, featuring GCSAA Class A member Kevin Osgood, superintendent and owner of Sterling Golf Management Inc. in Newton, Mass., and past president of the New England GCSA.

Beaver Dam (Wis.) Daily Citizen, "Old Hickory weathers elements," preview of the Wisconsin State Amateur, featuring Mike Lyons, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Old Hickory Golf Club in Beaver Dam, Wis.

New York Newsday, "A golf superintendent’s job is never done," Mark Herrmann column about the turf challenges area superintendents face during the summer, featuring Steve Matuza, CGCS at Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course in Woodbury, N.Y.; Steve Rabideau, CGCS at Wheatley Hills Golf Club in East Williston, N.Y.

Wall Street Journal, "Value job experience," career section article about starting out and the value of experience, featuring GCSAA member Matt Gaudet, superintendent at the Polo Club of Boca Raton (Fla.).

Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star, "Seeing a soft and supple city qualifier," Greg Stewart column about Marty O’Brien, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Newman Golf Course in Peoria, Ill., and his preparations for the Peoria Men’s City tournament.

London (Ontario) Free Press, "Gypsy moth blues," article about gypsy moth damage at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ontario, featuring GCSAA members Bob Pattinson, Class A superintendent, and Deb Dale, assistant superintendent.

News York Newsday, "Black has ‘Open’ feel for New York Open," preview of the New York State Open at Bethpage State Park Golf Course’s Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., which hosts the 2009 U.S. Open, featuring Craig Currier, GCSAA Class A superintendent.

KGO News 7 (San Francisco), "Golf course philosophy: Brown is better," story and accompanying video on San Francisco ABC affiliate about Tim Powers, CGCS at Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame, Calif., and his environmental stewardship efforts.

Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times Free Press, "Honors celebration," story about the 25th anniversary of The Honors Course in Chattanooga, Tenn., and its founder Jack Lupton, featuring David Stone, GCSAA Class A superintendent, and its architect Pete Dye, GCSAA member and 2003 Old Tom Morris Award winner. "That guy loves that place and he is that golf course,’ said Dye, who chose Stone to care for his creation. "Jack is a one-of-a-kind. But David Stone is that golf course."

Club & Resort Business, "Letting water run the course," article in the Course & Grounds section about how new irrigation systems can not only help clubs be more efficient in their water use, but also maintain golf courses and other parts of the property more effectively, featuring Kevin Pryseski, CGCS at Marin Country Club in Novato, Calif.; Brian Powell, CGCS, director of golf course management at Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, N.C.; GCSAA member Jeff Hugaboom, superintendent at The Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa.; and Chris Haunty, CGCS at The Lakes Golf & Country Club in Westerville, Ohio.

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