Higgins to Harrell's

News from Harrell's today, regarding Jeff Higgins, Ph.D., joining the company as VP of business development. 

I saw Dr. Higgins do a presentation years ago when he was with Pursell Technologies. His demonstration was energetic as well as entertaining... the guy has a gift for speaking.

Here's the press release: 

Harrell’s, manufacturer and supplier of performance-based turf and ornamental products is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Jeff Higgins to the Executive Team as Vice President of Business Development. He will lead Harrell’s efforts in customer education and manage national accounts for golf, turf and landscape markets. Higgins will report to Harrell’s President Dave Schermerhorn. He is joining Harrell’s from ValleyCrest Golf Course Maintenance where he served as the Director of Agronomy and was responsible for agronomics and maintenance of over 70 golf courses throughout the United States as well as all vendor relationships.

“ I have worked with Jeff over the years and am delighted to welcome him to Harrell’s,” said Schermerhorn. “This is an exciting time at Harrell’s as we develop innovative ways to better serve our customers. Jeff’s unique and extensive background, coupled with his deep understanding and knowledge of the turfgrass industry, will be an invaluable asset in our long-term efforts."

Hendo in Orlando....Take Three!

Getting ready to tee off at Hawk's Landing in Orlando. It is a beautiful course with some pretty sweet Bermuda greens that were mowed by a robot this morning!

My only complaint is the wind is blowing like I'm back in Kansas! Oh well, here goes nothing!

-- Matt Hendren

Sent from my Samsung Epic™ 4G

Hendo In Orlando Take Two!

Matt Hendren here again live from Orlando!

Just finished having dinner with Jason Zielke, President and COO of Precise Path Robotics.

Precise Path is the inovator of the RG3 robitic greens mower. The RG3 is the industry's only autonomous robotic greens mower.

Tomorrow I will get a full demonstration of the RG3 in action along with the privlege of playing Hawk's Landing Golf Club, who has been using the RG3 for the past nine months.

Stay tuned for additional post about the RG3 and Hawk's Landing Golf Club!

--Matt Hendren
Sent from my Samsung Epic™ 4G

Hendo in Orlando!

Greetings Hyperbole fans! It is me, Matt Hendren of Hendren's Hyperbole coming to you live from Orlando! I am here covering a story for Seth since he just added baby number two to the Jones family.

So far everything is going great. I got to make a new friend on the flight. I met Doug the salesman. So I got that going for me anyways. I also got to big time it when I got to Orlando, just like Vince Vaughn did in MADE! The picture is of my driver Steve! How do you like me now?

Stay tuned all week for updates from Orlando.

Sent from my Samsung Epic™ 4G

Get ready for a big week!

This is the calm before the storm...

This week Golfdom will be bringing you tons of great content. We'll have contributing editors on the ground at both the C-5 turf science meetings in San Antonio as well as at a robotic greensmower demo in Orlando... we've got two e-newsletters ready to go out... and we've got the new issue right here for your reading pleasure!

Check out that cover and try to tell me that's not the best cover in the industry this month, maybe even THIS YEAR!

Hendren's Hyperbole! Episode 39 -- A little help in the office

What if I told you I had a way to reduce the amount of time you have to spend in your office completing the dreaded -- I mean, required -- paperwork that comes with managing a top notch golf course? Would you be interested? I think I have found a tool that might just do that! It’s called a secretary!

All joking aside, there is a software program called ManagerPlus that can limit the amount of time spent in the office and make managing your maintenance division a breeze. ManagerPlus claims to "…effortlessly and rapidly handle an unlimited number of preventive maintenance schedules for all of your grounds management activities.”

ManagerPlus can track the following aspects of any golf course maintenance facility; scheduling, fuel/oil, work orders, sub assets, depreciation, purchase orders, repair histories, tools, tires, parts inventory, warranty tracking and fuel tracking.

What really caught my eye about this program is the Chemical Applications Manager. It allows you to fill out required chemical tracking reports electronically! Required chemical application information can be complied by chemical or area within application dates. You will have to agree this tool would be a great asset to any chemical application program. Wouldn’t it be great to have chemical application history at your fingertips?

Check out the program at www.managerplus.com.

Shoot me a comment and let me know if you use ManagerPlus or a similar program. Does the use of the program really save you time?

-- Matt Hendren

BackedByBayer.com re-launches

Bayer announced the re-launch of its professional products website, BackedByBayer.com. The newly designed site, which focuses on pest management, turf and ornamental, golf course and vector control professional products, will incorporate new user-friendly features.

Highlighted features include an interactive Resource Library of video and audio from industry professionals and customers. The library will also include downloadable resources such as product guides, labels, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and white papers. Webinars from the Bayer Beyond the Basics series will also be added to the website as an ongoing resource for golf course superintendents.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve the user experience for Bayer customers,” said Camille Gipson, Marketing Communications Manager for Bayer. “Exciting new features and enhanced tools make BackedByBayer.com not only an exceptional resource for information but one that is easy to use. We have made improvements such as mobile optimization and sortable search results to make sure our site is accessible and relevant.”

Golf Digest's shout-out to supers

Nice bit in the new issue (Nov. 2011, Bubba Watson on the cover) of Golf Digest.

In the Editor's Letter, Golf Digest Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde gave his 'birdie of the month' to superintendents. He wrote:


"As natural disasters ravaged the country this summer -- from Hurricane Irene and flooding in the East to fires in Texas and extreme heat all over -- maintenance crews labored countless hours to get our courses back to playable. And most (superintendents) have done it with the tighter budgets brought on by a slumping economy. They deserve patience, time and our appreciation."

Hear, hear, Jerry!

Some pics from Green Start Academy

The grounds of Bayer Environmental Sciences Research Center in Clayton, N.C.

Assistant superintendents get ready to tour Bayer's research center grounds, comprising 281 acres.

GCSAA's Greg Lyman speaks about sustainability.

We're baa-aaaaack!

Hello loyal Golfdom readers. Sorry for the unannounced silence last week.

We have a good excuse, though.

Senior editor Beth Geraci was out in the field covering the GreenStart Academy, hosted by John Deere and Bayer, in North Carolina. The event hosts assistant superintendents from around the country for three days of education, networking and brain storming. Speakers included such industry figures as Bob Farren, CGCS, Henry DeLozier, Greg Lyman, Stan Zontek and Lane Tredway. Beth has a notebook full of stories from the event, and we'll be sharing them soon.

Where was I? I was firmly planted at Lawrence (Kan.) Memorial Hospital awaiting the arrival of my second child. I'm happy and proud to report that my son, Boyd Atticus Jones, arrived Wednesday at 6:24 p.m. He weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

I meant to get back to work on Friday, but we were so busy checking out of the hospital, getting the car loaded, getting mom her first decent meal in three days... and overall just remembering what it's like to have a newborn... that I let that idea sail.

But I'm back in the office now!

American Vanguard talks PCNB

Last week I left off with a short story on PCNB and what the lifting of the stop-sale meant for the industry.

This week I caught up with Bill Kuser, director of investor relations for American Vanguard Corp., manufacturer of PCNB. Here's what insight he gave me on where PCNB is currently:

"The court ruled that the stop-sale order by the EPA against that product was inappropriate, it was basically overturned, legally.

That being said, the roughly 12 or 13 months PCNB was off-line, it was due for re-registration and relabeling. The EPA put that on hold while the product was on hold. It has now been necessary, even though we have a legal right to market PCNB, the reality is we have to have these registrations and the proper labels on the containers before that can go out (with the product). We've been working with the EPA diligently to make up for lost time with regard to amending and reissuing the new labels, so the product can go out into the field.

Bottom line: the stop-sale has been legally overturned, we are simply now waiting for the EPA to issue our new amended labels. That process is virtually complete, we're just waiting for them to finalize it. PCNB will be back in the marketplace very shortly for all its major applications. It's a safe and effective product -- always has been -- and it is unfortunate that it wasn't available to users over the last 12 or 13 months."

PCNB's Return

Last month American Vanguard Corp. announced that the stop-sale placed on PCNB fungicide had been lifted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. But superintendents already were forced to work without the product last winter, and availibility of the product this year is unclear.

“This has been a long and trying process which appears to be coming to a conclusion. We are now focused on working with the U.S. EPA to get our amended end-use labels for PCNB products issued as quickly as possible, so that we can return to the market,” Eric Wintemute, chairman and CEO of American Vanguard, said in a statement released by the company. “We are also grateful to our customers for their continued support and patience throughout this ordeal and hope to be in a position to meet their needs in the very near future.”

Rob Golembiewski, Oregon State University turfgrass specialist, said he was at an assistant superintendent’s workshop recently, and news of the lifting of the PCNB stop-sale had not spread yet.

“I think (PCNB) is pretty darn popular. I think there are a lot of good products to control pink and gray snow mold, but for the cost – and in this economy – it’s one of the most effective,” Golembiewski said. “Last year when we lost PCNB, a lot of superintendents had to look for alternatives, and they also had to worry about balancing their budgets. Is it the only product? No. But I guarantee people will integrate it right back into their programs once it becomes available.”

Bruce Cline, superintendent at Gladstone (Mich.) Golf Club said he did pretty well for himself last year without the use of PCNB, and will probably continue the same program this year.

Dow AgroSciences announce new personnel

Dow AgroSciences recently named Andy Kaler to the position of product manager for the U.S. Turf & Ornamental (T&O) business division.

In his new role, Kaler will execute the portfolio marketing strategy and implement product launches, marketing research and communication plans. In 2008, Kaler was hired as a T&O sales representative covering Ohio, Michigan and western Pennsylvania.

He is replacing Patrick Bell, who was recently named product manager for the U.S. Fungicides and Specialty Crop herbicides business. Bell has been with Dow AgroSciences since 2005.

Brett Garrard, product manager for chlorpyrifos insecticides, has accepted the position of T&O sales representative in the eastern district, replacing Kaler. Garrard began his career in 2005 as a sales representative in the T&O business, covering New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. He also has served as communications manager for the Coastal Crops business and U.S. Launch Specialist for rice, tree nut and vine herbicides.

Gil del Rosario has been named T&O sales representative for southern California. Previously, del Rosario served as a sales representative covering central Kansas and northern Illinois with experience in the corn, soybean, alfalfa and Range & Pasture markets. He also served as a market developer in Central Illinois and a sales specialist in the western district.

In the Northwest, Greg Webster has been named sales representative serving the T&O market in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Webster replaces Bill Miller, who is retiring after 43 years with Dow AgroSciences.

Hendren's Hyperbole! Episode 38 -- the future of weed control?

Check this out! The WeedSeeker Sprayer manufactured by Rittenhouse. The WeedSeeker uses optics to sense if a weed is present and only sprays the weed! No more driving all over the course hunting down those pesky broadleaf weeds. That is some crazy stuff! The Weedseeker will detect weeds over gravel, grass, pavement, and cart paths.

I am sure you are asking yourself “Yeah right, how does it work.” Here is the skinny, when a weed enters the WeedSeeker’s sensor field of view and detects a different color pattern it signals a spray nozzle to deliver a precise amount of herbicide to the weed.

That is awesome! Where was this futuristic, Sci-Fi beast back in the day when I was working my way up the ladder as a spray jockey?

The only negative aspect I can see is the cost. The 80-inch model runs $9,900 and the 120-inch model costs $13,755. Don’t worry; I'm sure the cost will come down in the future just like flat screen televisions did.

Check it out for yourself…http://www.rittenhouse.ca/asp/Product.asp?PG=9001187

What do you think of this idea?

-- Matt Hendren

New logo for National Alliance for Accessible Golf

The National Alliance for Accessible Golf (Alliance) today introduced the next generation of its branding with the unveiling of a new logo. The new logo more accurately reflects the current focus of the Alliance, specifically on education, training and funding to benefit the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the game of golf.

The origins of the Alliance itself dates back to the early 1990s and emerged from a series of six annual meetings, the Forums on Accessible Golf. Officially formed in the summer of 2001, the Alliance is represented by major golf organizations in the United States, organizations that provide services for people with disabilities and others who advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities into society. The mission of the Alliance is to increase participation of people with disabilities in the game of golf. Individuals with disabilities will enhance their quality of life as they become actively engaged in the social fabric of their community through participation in the game of golf.

2011 Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition in photos

The 2011 Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition is over, and everything I've heard about the event was that it was a wild success. Looking at these photos, I'd have to agree! Looks like a blast. I'm putting this event on my calendar for next year in Sharpie marker. (The only reason I didn't go this year is because we're expecting the arrival of our second child any day now!)

Thanks to everyone who voted in the Green Industry Award competition... the film "Water Ways" took the gold and the $6,000 prize in that category. Great film, it was well deserving of the honor. Below that's a photo of (left to right) Dave Johnson, Rain Bird's director of corporation marketing, "Water Ways" creator Jall Cowasji, Kevin Stoltman, vice president, Questex Media (AKA my boss) and Jack Hanna, renown environmentalist and animal expert.

Click after the jump to see the complete release and a BUNCH of photos (thank you Dan Jacobs) from the evening as well as the full rundown of who won what.

Rain Bird's fourth 2011 Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition honored three short films as the winners of the competition at a screening event on September 20. Held at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, California, the event was presented by Rain Bird and event partners The Chronicles Group, Film L.A., Denver Botanic Gardens, Southern Nevada Water Authority and Questex Media Group.

Chris Erickson talks Kansas State turf school

Here's a new Golfdom TV video that went out with yesterday's Golfdom Insider e-newsletter. It's me and Chris Erickson, superintendent at the Crosby at Rancho Santa Fe, talking about turf school (in this case, Kansas State). This month's Golfdom has a turf school theme, so we were playing off that theme.

This video might not solve all your turf problems, but it's a good chance to catch up with Chris and see what's going on out in San Diego! And the course sure is gorgeous.

Breaking news: Withers named president of Jacobsen, Wilkinson to retire

David Withers has been promoted to the position of president of Jacobsen, effective October 1, 2011. Withers has been serving as managing director of the Ransomes division of Jacobsen, located in the United Kingdom, since January 2005, overseeing international operations for all Jacobsen brands as well as the E-Z-GO brand in Europe.

“I’m very excited about this opportunity. Having worked in the golf and turf maintenance industry for over 25 years, 19 of those with the Jacobsen team, this appointment is what I have always aspired to do. I look forward to working with the team to grow our market share around the world and continuing to establish Jacobsen as a leader in turf maintenance products,” Withers says.

Withers joined Textron in 1992 as a regional sales manager for Jacobsen in the UK. In 1996, he was promoted to the position of national accounts manager, where he focused on developing business with key customers across Europe. In 2002, he was promoted to the position of sales and marketing director before his appointment in 2005 as managing director of Ransomes Jacobsen.

Deere to sell Honda lawn mowers, blowers

Deere & Company announced today a new sales and marketing agreement with Honda Power Equipment to sell Honda premium power products at participating John Deere dealerships in the United States. Shipments of Honda inventory to John Deere dealerships will be phased in, beginning in 2012.

Under the terms of the agreement, participating John Deere dealers will offer Honda’s walk-behind lawn mowers, generators, tillers, water pumps and snow blowers. In addition, Deere said, it will no longer market John Deere-branded walk-behind mowers or walk-behind snow blowers in the U.S., in any sales channel, after 2012.

Hendren's Hyperbole! Episode 37 -- Free Walker Cup preview

Hendren here with some exciting news! I have some free stuff for the taking!

Well, technically it’s not my stuff and I’m not the one giving it away but it is FREE! As usual I’m a day late and a dollar short but this offer still stands because I just checked to make sure.

Golfweek published a series of free digital editions covering the Walker Cup. The free digital editions include:

• Thursday Preview – A complete overview of the players, the atmosphere and how the teams stack up
• Friday Preview – An inside look at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, the backdrop for this year’s tournament
• Gameday Editions (Saturday and Sunday) – A full rundown of the day’s matches, including exclusive commentary, striking photos and Golfweek’s popular Forecaddie section