Ridge Top Golf Course

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
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

The Family Picnic at Clays Park was a great success once

again. Everyone had a great time and the weather was
beautiful, at least until late on Sunday afternoon. We
had a few newcomers to the event who stated that they
would be regulars from now on. All the kids had a great
time together, kayaking, swimming, and playing PuttPutt golf. A special thanks to Frank Cisterino from Lake
Erie Golf Cars for helping out with the gifts for the
children. Please plan on attending next year. You will

be glad you did.

The 2nd Annual Vendor Appreciation
Day was held on August 12th, 2015 at
Bob-O-Link Golf Course, in Avon. This
years event was even better attended
than last year. Dr. Gardner spoke about
the latest in growth regulators before
the vendor presentations. There were 26 vendors that took part this year,
up several from last year. Most everyone took the opportunity to play 9
holes of golf. I had countless Superintendents as well as vendors tell me
how much they enjoyed the event and the hospitality that was provided by
the whole Fitch Family. Everyone had a chance to demo new equipment
and hear about what is new in the industry. Thanks again to the Fitchs for
allowing us to invade their course.
continued on page 4

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

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10
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August 12, 2015

Industry Day
Place: Bob-O-Link G.C.
Host: Fitch Family
Cost:$20/Facility
Time: 9:00 AM
September 17 2015
Non-Clambake Bake
Scholarship & Research Tournament
Place: Ridge Top Golf Course
Host: Gregg Bobbs
Cost: $70
Time: 10:00 AM Shotgun
Points: 0.1 Service Points

November 12, 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

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, was held on Thursday, September 3rd at the NOGA Headquarters in North
Olmsted. This years inductees are Louis Greco and Frank Ermer.
Our next meeting will be held at Ridgetop Golf Course on Thursday, September 17. This is the Annual
Scholarship and Research Tournament, where we will be having a Non-Clambake. Pig Roast & chicken will be
the entrees for dinner instead of clams. Our last few attempts at caterers for clams have been less than par, so
we will change things up a little bit this year. It might turn out like having the OTF conference at Kalahari and be
a one-time thing, but it is worth a try. We will be polling attendees after the meeting to get their opinions for
next year.
Hope to see you at an event soon! As always, your comments and opinions can be sent to me at:
mfigurella421@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Mark Figurella
NOGCSA President
mfigurella421@gmail.com

2015 ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

OTF is pleased to announce a partnership with VGM

Club and VGMs John Deere partners (Reynolds Turf
and Tractor, Shearer Equipment and JW Turf) offering
scholarships to honor the work that your assistant
superintendents put in throughout the season. We are
now accepting nominations for a scholarship to the
2015 OTF Conference & Show.

the 5 local superintendent chapters (pending number

of nominations) in criteria above and your answers
given with the questionnaire. Nominations are due by
Monday, October 12th. Winners will be announced
Monday, October 19th.
For questions, please contact OTF offices at 614-2854683 or visit www.ohioturfgrass.org

The Assistant Scholarship is to reward the dedication,

effort, commitment and hard work to his/her course
throughout the year. If you would like to nominate
someone for this award, please see criteria below and
complete the online form below.
Nominate Here
Scholarship package includes:
Full conference package (not including workshops)
Hotel room for Tuesday and Wednesday nights for
each winner
$50 gift card to Hyde Park restaurant for each winner
Head Superintendents, General Managers, Owners
are encouraged to nominate under the following
criteria:
Candidates must have outstanding character,
integrity, and leadership
Employed at current golf course for at least 1 full
year/season
Dedication to pursuing a career as a golf course
superintendent
Selection process:
OTF Committee will select (5) nominations based off

Westfield Country Club

June 15, 2015

President Figurella called the Board of Trustees of the

Northern Ohio Chapter of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America regular meeting
to order at 9:37 AM.

Feher will send an updated list for 2015.

ROLL CALL: Bates, Brickley, Feher, Figurella,

Robinson, Vecchio, and Willmott present. Marino Late.
Bennett, Fitch, Leatherberry and Kolcun, Absent

Strategic Planning No Report

Social Next event is the Friends and Family Picnic

at Clays Park.

GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans & GCSAA Field

Representative Shane Conroy joined us for the meeting.

Historical & Benevolent Hall of Fame Ceremony

is September 3, 2015. Deadline date to register is
August 28.

Secretary/Treasurer Hayes moved to accept the minutes

from the May 11, 2015, regular meeting. Past President
Fitch seconded. Motion passed

Public Relations Industrial Representative Bates

will work on scheduling Camp Cheerful. It will be
the end of August or the beginning of September.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget & Finance - Chapter Administrator Feher
reported that there was currently $5,502.98 in the
checking account, $39,822.87 in the scholarship &
research account, $25,790.94 in the money market
account, $3,873.48 in the 100th Anniversary account
and $3,697.79 in the Pay Pal Account. The Profit &
Loss for 2015 through June 14 shows Net
Income/Loss of $15,449.27. The Profit & Loss
Previous Year comparison currently shows the
association being ahead of plan by 35%.

Industrial Relations- Industrial Representative

Marino reported that they are working on the
vendors. They are expecting 20-25 vendors
participating. Feher will resend letter. Trustee
Willmott will check with Dr. Gardner to make sure
everything is all set for the educational part of the
day.

Program & Education Trustee Willmott reported

he would talk Tom Vogel about a date for the annual
meeting at Portage C.C. HE will try for November
11.
Editorial Chapter Administrator Feher reported
the June issue is. The Board will work on getting
Feher more information and articles for the
newsletter.

Assistant Relations No Report

Employment Relations Aaron Webb is now a
Blackbrook in Mentor. Legends Hired the Assistant
from Tam O Shanter.
Mal McLaren Award No Report
Scholarship & Research Chapter Administrator
reported that we received 5-6 Legacy Scholarship
Applications. The Board had a brief discussion on
the Reverse Raffle.
continued on page 9

Golf & Tournament Feher reported for Fitch that

the Pro-V 1s for the club officials meeting are be
delivered today. Westfield is on the lookout for
them.
Membership & Welcoming Trustee Vecchio
reported that the packets are done. He will meet
with Feher to confirm addresses before sending them
out. We will work on static clings for vehicles and

Government & Environmental Relations

Past President Brickley reported on that
WOTUS is in the federal registry. GCSAA CEO
Evans reported to go to the GCSAA website for
updates on the new law. They will put up as
much information as possible as they arrive.
Website Secretary/Treasurer Hayes reported
that the website is almost ready to go. Feher &
Hayes had training last week. The Board
discussed the possibility of going live June 30.
Bylaws & Ethics No Report
Advertising No Report.
OLD BUSINESS

BOSS Event The board will do one in

July.

applications for membership:

Al Kidder
Froggys Ball Service
AFF
Sam Page
Leppo Rents
AFF
Eric Hanisko Mill Creek Metro Parks G.C. C
Chapter Administrator Feher presented the
following members for reinstatement:
None
Chapter Administrator Feher presented the
following members for reclassification:
None
Secretary/Treasurer Hayes motioned to approve the
above members for membership. Past President
Brickley seconded. Motion passed.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for July 14,
2015 at 1:00 PM at Barrington C.C.
The Board Meeting was adjourned at 10:29 AM..

New BUSINESS
Administrator Feher presented the following

Final Waters of the United States Rule:

Implications and Implementation
Deidre G. Duncan, JD
On June 29, 2015, the Federal Register published the Final
Clean Water Rule: Definition of "Waters of the United
States" (WOTUS). The rule will become effective on
August 28, 2015. To learn what these changes may mean
to you, Diedre Duncan, partner at Hunton & Williams and
the legal counsel to the Waters Advocacy Coalition,
presents a 90-minute webcast that will help you be ready.
On the Agenda:
Brief History of the Rule
Final Definition Whats changed
Implementation The next six months
What will agencies do?
What should you do?
Jurisdictional Determinations
Ongoing Opposition Litigation & Legislative Efforts
Become informed about the changes and learn how the
WOTUS rule will impact golf course design, construction

and management in the future.

Original presentation date: July 28, 2015
About the instructor
Deidre Duncan JDDeidre G. Duncan is a Partner at Hunton
& Williams, LLC, in Washington, DC. She represents clients
exclusively on environmental, energy and administrative
law, with an emphasis on the Clean Water Act. Duncan is
counsel to the Waters Advocacy Coalition, a coalition of
over 40 national trade associations focused on the issue of
CWA jurisdiction. Prior to entering private practice,
Duncan served as Assistant General Counsel of the Army
at the Pentagon, advising the Secretary of the Army on
environmental and land use issues involving the Corps of
Engineers Civil Works and Section 404 Regulatory
Program.
Details
Member price: Free
Nonmember price: Free
Education points: 0.2

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Barrington Country Club

President Figurella called the Board of Trustees of the
Northern Ohio Chapter of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America regular
meeting to order at 1:14 PM.
ROLL CALL: Bennett, Feher, Figurella, Fitch,
Leatherberry, Marino, Vecchio, and Willmott present.
Bates, Brickley, Hayes, Robinson, and Kolcun, Absent
Vice President Fitch moved to accept the minutes
from the June 15, 2015, regular meeting. Industrial
Representative Marino seconded. Motion passed
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget & Finance - Chapter Administrator Feher
reported that there was currently $8,014.91 in the
checking account, $38,323.82 in the scholarship &
research account, $27,791.57 in the money market
account, $3,873.64 in the 100th Anniversary account
and $255.59 in the Pay Pal Account. The Profit & Loss
for 2015 through July 13 shows Net Income/Loss of
$14,701.70. The Profit & Loss Previous Year
comparison currently shows the association being
ahead of plan by 28%.
Program & Education Trustee Leatherberry
reported that Dr. Gardner is good for Vendor Day.
Tom Vogel has committed to November 11 & he will
speak about the renovation project at Portage C.C.
Leatherberry is working on dates for 2016. Feher
reported that Turkey foot would like to host a
meeting in 2016. The Board discussed the food for
the Non-Clambake Bake. The food this year will be a
pig roast with chicken, 4 sides for dinner and hotd0g
& sausage for lunch. It will be a 10 AM shotgun this
year.

July 15, 2015

attended the meeting. The date for the Ohio Cup is
September 23 at Westfield C.C.
Membership & Welcoming Trustee Vecchio
reported that the packets are done. Feher will mail
them out.
Social The Friends and Family Picnic at Clays Park
we dont have very many signed up.
Strategic Planning No Report
Historical & Benevolent Trustee Willmott reported
the Hall of Fame Ceremony is September 3, 2015.
Deadline date to register is August 28. Chapter
Administrator Feher reported that Dick Nelson Passed
away.
Public Relations No Report
Industrial Relations- Industrial Representative
Marino reported that they are working on the
vendors. The Board discussed Vendors paying and it
was decided that the vendors can bring up to 5
people without paying.
Assistant Relations No Report
Employment Relations No Report.
Mal McLaren Award No Report
continued on page 15

Editorial Chapter Administrator Feher reported the

July issue is out. President Figurella gave Feher a
Back in the Day article about the Kids Picnic. The
Board will continue working on getting Feher more
information and articles for the newsletter.
Golf & Tournament Vice President Fitch reported
he has ordered the Pro-V 1s for the club officials
meeting which we will pass out to those who
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NEW BUSINESS

President Fitch seconded. Motion passed.

Chapter Administrator Feher presented the

following applications for membership:
None

Chapter Administrator Feher read a thank you note

from Jeff Austin.

Chapter Administrator Feher presented the

following members for reinstatement:
None

The next Board meeting is scheduled for August 4,

2015 at 1:00 PM at Barrington C.C.
The Board Meeting was adjourned at 2:42 PM.

Chapter Administrator Feher presented the

following members for reclassification:
Trevor Ryan
Ventrac
AFF
The Board discussed our Honorary Members and the
following were added to the list: Brian Laurent, OTF;
Pat Roberts, Golfdom; Pat Jones, Golf Industry; Shane
Conley, GCSA; John Miller, LPGA; Dr. Gardner, Dr.
Kaminsky.
Industrial Representative Marino motioned to
approve the above members for membership. Vice

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A huge THANK YOU to everyone who made this years

Family & Friends Picnic success. This year we had 35
attendees and 3 families camp over night. Thank you
Lake Erie Golf Cars for donating the gifts for the
children, The Figurella family for picking out all the
great gifts, the Feher family for picking up the food, all
of our great cooks over the weekend and the Lyons
family for the offer of golf!

If you havent attended this event you are missing out

on a great weekend! Young or Old everyone has a
great time!!
Mark you calendars for 2016, the Family & Friends
Picnic will be July 23 & 24 at Clays Park.

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This months Back in the Day is brought to

you by one our newest Hall of Fame inductees,
Lou Greco. I can remember being at Mr.
Grecos house somewhere in the early
seventies and playing with his kids, who were
similar in age. We played with the newest toy
of the time, which squirted paint onto a
rotating piece of cardboard and made a
psychedelic design. What fun!
Lou was the editor of the Northern Ohio
Chapters newsletter, where he wrote many
articles covering the topics of the day. Here is a
re-print of one of those articles from the June,
1979 edition. It is clearly written with passion,
as he expressed his concern about the lack of
participation from fellow members of the
association. I think the feelings still ring true
today, for myself, and the current Board of
Directors. Luckily, we have the internet to post
the newsletter on, which is significantly
cheaper.
continued on page 21
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This is reprinted from the June 1971 issue

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(Jerry) Gerald E Husemann

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

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2015 Advertiser Directory

Arms Trucking
Brian Bates
800.362.1343

Harrells Turf Specialty

Glenn Omori
440.439.1393

Baker Vehicle Systems

Harland Baker, Rick Baker,
Kevin Kroll, Lenny Marino
330.467.2250

H & S Stump Removal

Jack Hopkins
330.654.2347
Lake Erie Golf Cars*
Tony Cisterino
216.763.2090

BAYER *
Rob Pyler
248.300.2638

Perk Air
Bob Doty
330.296.7307

BASF Corporation
Gerald Husemann
937.604.5617
Century Equipment
John Mowat - Ron Smolik
Matt Weber Matt Welch
800.522.8676

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

Mike ODonnell
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
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