Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2012 - 10

(member links
Hey Ace!
Hey Albatross!
The MGA just launched its newest online
tool for members who score the most
thrilling shots in golf-a hole-in-one, or
the even more rare double eagle, also
known as an albatross. Members can go
to mngolf.org and download a personalized
Certifi cate of Achievement suitable
for framing.
When proudly displayed, the MGA Certifi
cate of Achievement will attest to the
facts of the shot-of-a-lifetime, including
the player's name, date, course and hole
number, par, yardage and club used. Certifi
cates may be conveniently downloaded
or printed by the MGA upon request.
The MGA recognizes hundreds of aces,
and a few albatrosses, every
year. Below are the
shortest and longest
aces and double eagles
from 2011. Congratulations
to them all.
Dan Moe
Double Eagle,
August 11, 2011
Ferndale Country Club
No. 7 (530 yards, par 5), 3 wood
Raymond " Pay Day Ray " Schiel
Double Eagle, September 24, 2011
Hardwood Hills Golf Course
No. 6 (237 yards, par 4), driver
Roger Whitmore
Ace, September 25, 2011
Sanbrook Golf Course
No. 4 (340 yards, par 4), driver
Jane Zirul
Ace, September 24, 2011
New Prague Golf Club
No. 17 (60 yards, par 3), pitching wedge
TRIVIA ?
When is an ace
also an albatross?
8
MINNESOTAGOLFER Summer 2012
)
Turf Experience
( Featured Member
Minnesota's golf courses came through
the winter in excellent shape this season,
thanks in part to an early spring and warm
temperatures. Some years, conditions can
be highly challenging for local golf course
turf specialists,
leaving superintendents
looking for ways to improve their growing
conditions. That's when a timely USGA
Turf Visit helps them gain perspective on
their courses.
In 2010, White Bear Yacht Club superintendent
John Steiner had a turf visit
from USGA Senior Agronomist Bob Vavrek.
Steiner's course, which was home to the
2011 MGA Amateur Championship, was
in good shape when Vavrek stopped by,
but that doesn't mean he couldn't offer
some insight.
" Bob and I always have a good conversation, "
says Steiner, who has been
at the club since 1970 and
the superintendent since 1979.
" He thought our greens were
good, our (soil) profi le was good
and that we were doing the right
things-and, of course, that's always
nice to hear. "
During a turf visit, Vavrek
looks at the club's entire maintenance
operation-everything
from the overgrowth of
trees and condition of greens
and bunkers to the maintenance shed and
whether or not pesticide storage is in compliance
with regulations.
" Bob travels so much, you can pick his
" Sometimes, a USGA Turf
Visit can promote things we,
as superintendents, may
have trouble
getting across. "
Steiner File
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brain and fi nd out things that other supers
are having luck with, " Steiner says. " He is very
valuable, say if someone has something like
a weak irrigation system or (substandard)
maintenance facility or equipment that requires
spending a little capital to replace. "
In 2002, the MGA started providing turf
visits to member clubs. The organization
has provided more than 130 visits, thanks
to the support of the MGA's 75,000 associate
members. Throughout the region,
124 member golf courses have been visited;
nine clubs
received a repeat
visit later on. Some
of the visits have seen multiple golf course
superintendents attend.
Following each visit, Vavrek delivers a
post-mortem report that the club can use
as a blueprint for future plans. Steiner says
that report comes in handy.
" When something comes in his report,
and the board or the golf committee see
that coming from a USGA agronomist-
it can always help the superintendent, " he
says. " Sometimes he can promote things
we, as superintendents, may have trouble
getting across. "
www.mngolf.org
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Answer: When it's done on a par 4.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN STEINER
http://www.mngolf.org http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2012

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