Thanksgiving

Hi Guys.

Trust all is well. Good Turkey day here to cap a long, but productive "season".

Did not here from anybody new since last post. That is not unexpected, because guys up north are winding down, guys down south are cranking up.

Kenny sent a notice that he had gotten a new email (not sure of that means he has changed jobs or technologies). Corresponded a bit with Darren about trying to orchestrate a tech presentation/workshop at "the show" some year. I haven't been in a few years and am thinking about going down for year (2011) of our 20th "anniversary" of our graduation. Might see some of you guys, also a way to judge tech status of the industry.

Been busy on a number of fronts recently. Have continued my work with a variety of not-for-profits, helping them use Google Earth for awareness and education about their various messages. Getting a lot of regional notice for work I am doing with the Center for Justice on our local Spokane River - check out the video they just posted on me. Also working with our regional tech support group for public school districts in eastern Washington. Will be doing webinars, trying to set up some pilot teaching programs for kids using SketchUp - Googles free 3D modeling software. In addition to learning more about the use of technology in education, I hope to expand my repertoire of web related skills.

Still doing 3D models that can be viewed in Google Earth. Also producing custom pieces of content that can be viewed in Google Earth - would love to do one on the some aspect of the golf industry (if any of you have any ideas - let me know).

Hope to get a bit more active tracking down some of the guys in our class that are not in the loop yet. Make it a good day.

Fall Back

Hi Guys.

Sorry I missed the post last month - guessing you were all just as busy.

Heard from Sam:

August 27, 2009

I am out of the turf industry and really enjoying what I am doing now, I am however somewhat bitter and angry at my former employers, I got the shaft from them and treated poorly, long story short... the private club I was working at for 8 years was sold, as it was doing poorly financially, I was led on for a few months as to the situation about my job security by both the seller and the buyer, after all said and done it just made me say WTF just happened to me...bad people...un-professional.,  I really did love the golf course and miss it, I do not miss some aspects of it though (the ignorance of what it takes to present a course in the condition the golfers desire). I am now working for http://www.rampart-hydro.com/ I absolutely love it, I go to work, do what I am responsible for myself and get paid well. I am a field tech for them. My current boss worked on a golf course for a number of years and told me that any of my golf course superintendent friends that know "how to work" are welcome to come work at Rampart.

 

I am going to be out your way next week, I will be flying into Medford, OR and working somewhere for a week or so. If by any chance I may be close to you or have time or you do, maybe we could cross paths, I will shoot you another email when I have more details.

 

Very cool your work with google, I do log onto Google Earth prior to all my deployments with Rampart and check out the lay of the land, it is a neat tool.

 

Again I hope this email finds you well, feel free to edit/share any of this email on your blog.

 

Sam D.

Since Medford is on the coast (about 7 hours by car) did not hook up, but I greatly appreciated Sam's suggestion.

Also had an email exchange with Darren on a couple items - one was trying to track down Dennis.

On August 27, 2009 - Darren made history by putting up the first new post (other than by me ) on the Google Group account. he wrote

"I have been conversing with Dennis Coplen a bit via email. He is
working in Corpus Christi, TX at Texas A&M University. His wife keeps
me up to date with them through Facebook.



I hope that everyone is doing well"


I then asked Darren if Dennis was married to Lisa (another Penn Stater) he said


"Not sure if he married Lisa or not. They did stay together for a while. His current wife is Merrideth. You have s good memory! "


Tried to plant a seed with Darren about doing a seminar/forum at national down the road on "technology in turf" with regards to things like networking, correspondence, etc. Old fashion reasons why GCSAA and PSU Alumni association were founded, and how we can use new internet tools to help.


More on that in future posts (be forewarned). Still trying to track down everybody. 


Trust all is well. 

Dog Days

Hi everybody.

Sorry I did not post in July. Was hoping to run down Jack, or hear from somebody else, but no luck. Still slow this month, so I thought I would share a bit of news/brag.

In July I got an email from Google. They invited me and 19 other people from around the world to their Denver office for a 2 day conference in early August. This because of all the work I have been doing with SketchUp and Google Earth software (both free).

Just got back. It was a blast.



That's me in the second row. No comments on hairline. There were people from Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Argentina , Brazil, Canada. The purpose was to give Google's SketchUp/Google Earth software people feedback on their product and test drive some new things. Note: I have several "collections" of buildings , but they chose to show case Cheney.

FYI - Have done a number of other things with Google Earth - sample/article of something I am doing on the Spokane River . Google Earth and other Google products) is being used by quite a number of communities/municipal entities/not-for-profits/schools in their internal operations, communications, and educational missions.

One of the reasons for this blog/virtual reunion is that I think a number of Google offerings could be useful in the golf/turf sector.

Doug - sorry I did not drop in at Denver Country Club - just not enough time.

Make it a good day.

Boys of Summer...

Getting close to the end of the month so I thought I better get going on an entry.

Classmate News - Made contact with Rodney Noel this month. Never guess where I found him - West Virginia. Had nice chat with Rodney. His email is " rod67@citynet.net ". They do have internet in West VA, he is waiting for hi speed at his place.

Rodney writes:

June 6,

Ron ,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Great to hear from you too. Tell Lisa I said Hi and glad to hear you guys are still together , ... so many are not after a few years of marriage. I'll try to get you up to date on me.

After PSU I went back to being the super at Glade Springs Resort in Daniels , WV. Later in the year ( 1991) I took the GCSAA Certication test and passed it. Was a Certified GC Supt. for 10 yrs. After a total of 26 yrs. at Glade , the company decided i didn't know how to do my job and in 2001 I was replaced by a GC Mgt. company out of Houston. I was divorced in 1997 after 25 yrs. of marriage. The good thing that came out of 2001 was that I found my current ( and last) wife Paula. We really enjoy each other and have a lot of things in common.

In 2003 I started work as branch mgr. and sales rep. for Lesco . Store was located in Charleston, WV and I was there until 2007 when Lesco was sold to John Deere Landscapes. I worked as a sales rep. for them until Nov. 2008. Brings me to my current job status which is still unemployed and looking. My wife has a part-time job and with unemployment benefits we are getting by.

I did mention to you I has a bout with adrenal cancer in 2006 and have been in remission since. It is a really rare cancer ,.... 1 in a million on average get it. I was lucky and blessed to have a good surgeon and a merciful God who took care of me. I say my thanks everyday and no matter what happens to me otherwise , as long as I'm healthy it's a great day!

Don't have a lot to say , ... not as interesting as life as some of our classmates I'm sure. But you know , I have to say I'm enjoying my life now as much as at any other time in my life. I want to say I have always been grateful that I met you and Jack at PSU. Don't know if I could have made it through without you guys. The time I spent there was very enjoyable because of you and Jack. Thanks for being such a good friend!

I wish you and yours the best in life ,.... and it's great to hear you are a daddy! Sounds like a great kid. Both of my boys are grown and gone. One is in California and the other in DC. Since the divorce I don't see them anymore. So please make the best of the time you have with your daughter when she is young. Things go by so fast and they don't always stay the same as we would like.

Take care ,

your hillbilly buddy, Rod.


Rodney also said Jack Holmes is still in Washingtonville, PA by Pittsburg - will see if I can track him down next.

Rodney will be our first classmate to turn 60 - this year.

Tech Update:

In my effort to learn new tricks - have added a Google "Social Bar" at very bottom of Blog window (do not have to scroll down, just make sure entire window is visible. Try it out - more on this concept later.

Stay cool.

Memorial Day

Hope you all had a good Memorial Day weekend, holiday weekends always seem too short.

Can't let Memorial Day go by without a recollection of our classmate Steve Collins.

Almost exactly 15 years ago, Lisa and I went to Europe - she wanted to visit a grad school classmate from France - I tagged along and we visited Stevie.

Picture is from that trip - he was taking care of a new Gary Player course in Belgium. Built on grand old estate, and he was living in the penthouse of the castle. Life was good.

We spent several memorable days touring the area. Then all 3 of us borrowed the course car and took the ferry to Great Britain - to visit Ken and Gaye. Checked out East Sussex and Ken's 300 year old cottage. Picture below was taken as we toured the course (note that Ken and I still had some top hair blowing in the wind.

The second was snapped while we inspected Ken's lawn. Quite a trip. Even went to Ken's pub for darts. When we left Ken's, we recrossed the English Channel on the exact 50th anniversary of "D Day" - a thought provoking event.

Stevie has been gone since May 26, 2003. He was 46.

Update

Seems fitting on Memorial Day that one of our classmates is hosting the Memorial Tournament. Tracked down Paul B. Latshaw, Jr - handling things at Muirfield Village.

May 2, 2009

Ron,

Great to hear from you. Never thought I would end up in Ohio, but Columbus is a pretty cool place. We are in full swing getting ready for the Memorial. I have two boys and my oldest just left work to go and take his temps for driving. Where has life gone. The link looks cool. Keep me posted and take care.

Paul B. Latshaw, MSM, CGCS

Director of Grounds Operations

Muirfield Village Golf Club


Hope this latest post finds you (and your turf) well.

Ron Hall

Tidbits

Hi guys.

Little self-promotion first. Just posted this model of Old Main at PSU to Google Earth's 3D Warehouse. Have been doing this type of thing for a few years now.

There s a detail page with info about the building, a download file, and links to more info about Old Main at this link . The model can be downloaded and viewed in Google Earth, or Google's free 3D software - SketchUp. If I get lucky, it will be included in Google Earth's default database "layer" 3D Buildings. Dedicated this one to our class.

This post is late this month because I just got back from my annual golf trip to Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast. Called ahead and did a "meet and greet" with the head super, Ken Nice (Oregon State), who gave me a tour of the growin going on at their new course "Old MacDonald" - 100 % fescue. Turns out one of the assistants (Pacific Dunes course) is a Penn Stater. The growin assitant is considering Penn State's online program. Place is run by Kemper Sports - Vinnie's outfit. We play Ryder Cup type format - good time (translates to our team won this year).

Update on a couple fronts. Google Group/mailing list totals 14 at this point. Brian Rosenberg, Darren Davis, Jim Roland, John Hoyle, Ken Barber, Mike Miller, Ron Hall, Ron Mahaffey, Sam Dickson, Todd Voss, Tony Czarnecki, Vince Dodge, Doug Brooks, Bob Distel.

On March 21,

Ron,

Got the g-mail, now I need to download the google earth. When I recieved Vinces e-mail in January was about the time that our members bought us from Eagle Golf. Eventually we will have new e-mail addressess with the new owners, but they are allowing us to continue to use the eagle golf address until all our systems are in place.

Everything is good here, I talk to Hutch some and my wife and I went out to visit him a few years ago. I also see Todd some, due to we are both in the Columbus area.

Talk to you later!

John (Hoyle)

Have heard from a few more that have not set up gmail yet. Jake Lehman, Brian Culver, John Kulka, Fred Dinger.

Need to run down/contact: Doug Adams, Dennis Coplen, Jack Holmes, John "Hutch" Hutchison, Chuck Irvin, Pat Knouse, Lenny Marino, Mat Miller, Rob Mlynarski, Rodney Noel, Jeff Sutrick, Dave Weger, Jeff Wolfe, Matt Yount, and Paul Latshaw.

Darren sent me a link to a group called "Coursevision" that uses Google Earth to help with course management. Chatted them up, interesting group. Would be curious to know if anyone is using them. They are interested in this project.

Been in contact with the new head of the short course program, Dr. John E. Kaminski. He asked me to post the link to the new info/blog on the program http://psuturfgrass.blogspot.com/
He posted an entry on our effort a bit back.

Got to run.

Hope to run down a few more guys by my next post. Pass the word.

Classmate Updates

Vinnie sent this picture to show how he stays busy up north in the winters.

Quote: "I bet I went to the coldest place...this crap is getting old."

Tip: Darren asked about if it is possible to set up Gmail so it forwards to your existing email - yes. After you set up account, go to main page - Look for "Settings" (upper right of screen - near your email/gmail address, in area that also has tabs for "Older Version" "Help" and "Sign Out" - click on "Settings", when it opens look for tab at top that says "Forwarding ...." click on and you will see dialog for forwarding gmails.

Just checking in to try posting a few of the emails I received from various classmates since we started in January. Would be curious to see if anybody can sign in an post/reply to this blog - give 'er a rip when you get the chance/inclination.

Here' some of what I 've got so far via email

Jan 16, 2009

Still in the turf business here in sunny Florida. It’s 42 right now and I am freezing. I feel sorry for ole Vinny though!

Jake Lehman

Director of Golf Course Maintenance
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy
West Sandestin, FL. 32550
850.267.8286 phone
850.267.6232 fax

Jan 19

Keep me in the loop with your project and the electronic reunion. I moved over to DCC in December of 06 and some progress was made this year, but much work is ahead. It is an old wonderful property that is in need of serious shade reduction and some consistent sound agronomics. Life is good with Linda and two great kids, Lily 9, and Eliot 6. It is always great to hear about you and the other group of turfers from 91 class. Did make national show and PSU breakfast last year; saw Todd Voss, Bob Distel and a few other random folk. Keep in touch, db

Doug Brooks

Golf Course Superintendent 303.862.3460 Direct

dbrooks@denvercc.net 303.733.9611 Fax

Jan 27

I am currently the superintendent at The Club at Morningside in Rancho Mirage, CA. We are a private 18 hole complex in the Palm Springs area. Please feel free to share contact information.

Contact info

Ron Mahaffey

44375 Villeta Dr.
La Quinta CA 92253
Home 760.610.1944
Cell 760.636.8496
Office 760.324.4681
email rmahaffey@dc.rr.com
rjmahaffey59@gmail.com

Jan 29

Hey Ron

Good to hear from you. I am still here at Double Eagle Club. Still married to Heidi and still have Bunker and Nittany, the dogs. I am going to the show next week. I also just set up my gmail acct. TVosspsu91@gmail.com It would be great to catch up. Thanks for putting together the web site.

All the best

Todd

Feb 4

Hi Ron,

Good to hear from you! (via Vince) I can't believe we are coming up on 20 years since we slugged it out in Duich's Friday night tests! Glad to see you and Lisa are doing well and that you have added to your family.

I'm working for Bayer Environmental Science and have been Director of the Canadian Professional Business for four years now.(www.bayeres.ca) We are based in Guelph Ontario (5, 160 Research Lane Guelph Ontario N1G 5B2) and provide pest control products for the golf course, lawn care, greenhouse vegetable and ornamental nursery growers as well as the professional pest control markets.

I completed my MBA out of Athabasca University in Alberta last year and am enjoying the time that seems to have freed up once I put the books down! I did take up the guitar to fill the void and am planning on touring soon! I live in a little place called Ayr Ontario (no stop lights!) 204 Mitchell Street, Ayr Ontario N0B 1E0.

It will be nice to see where everyone is located and what they are doing these days. Thanks for taking this on.

I look forward to hearing from you and others. Hopefully this works and you get this....

Regards,

Brian

Feb 16

Hey Ron,

It's been a long time. Glad to hear all is going well for you and Lisa. Congrats with regards to your Daughter! Project sounds interesting.

Here is my info : Class A Golf Course Superintendent @ Harbourtowne Golf Resort and Conference Center in Historic St. Michaels Md. for 16 yrs.

My parents still live in State College. I get back every now and then... catch a football game or two in the fall. Can you fix the info that comes up in Harbourtowne bubble on google earth. Has website listed but also shows priceline/ travel post comments... one of which is negative. don't want everyone from class reading. Watched you and Lisa on youtube, thats one hell of a run. Looked like alot of fun!!! Maureen and I busy with 3 kids all excell academically and involved in sports. Kaylee 16 yrs. old plays HS and travel Lax and Cheerleads, Ryan 14 yrs. old is 6' 5", size 15 shoe playing HS and travel basketball, Stephanie 10 yrs. old on club gymnastic team. I'm busy now coaching JV high school basketball the last two season. I really enjoy it. We're 16 - 0. last game of the season on thrus. need a big win to finish undefeated. Take care.

Mike Miller

Home address: 12615 Peach Lane, Cordova Md. 21625

www.harbourtowne.com

Feb 25

I am at Wanango Country Club I think. The club is in the middle of a sale to a private owner. I do not know where I stand with the new owner, hopefully I will find out here in days. Wanango is your typical old club in depressed NW Pennsylvania, loss of members, shrinking budget, increasingly better course conditions, yeah that's right I'm a magician on the golf course. I wish I would win the powerball and not have to work, and want to go to a golf course for fun instead of work.

I am teatering on the brink of needing a break from the hospitality industry, I am tired, I wish I still had the body of a 19 year old, my knees and ankles are sore. Where's the bar I need a beer?

Hope everyone is doing well.

Sam

Feb 25

Well I think I can top the list. Lets see I am recently divorced dragging my ex back to court to get back some of the money she is using to support her boyfriend , charging her with theft after she stole money from me, my new girlfriend and her 3 kids just moved in
with twins I can tell apart, she also has a beagle that needs his anal glands expressed regularly, 6 kids in the house total. And 18 year old boy in college I am trying to keep grounded. I don't remember being that much of an ass but I am sure I was. Another 18 year old boy in his senior year, 3 13 year old boys on hormones and a 12 year old girl about to be 23. 2 dogs a cat and a guinea pig. Hell the growing grass is the easy part.


And by the way Dodge it is cold up hear, where the hell did you think you were moving Florida???

No all kidding aside life is going great I look forward to chatting with you all later.

Bob Distel

March 12

Ron,

Great to hear from you and to read all the stories on the website. Leave it to you to come up with an idea such as this (great idea). Still living in Ann Arbor with a son who is a Freshman in high school and a wife who has put up with me for 18 years. We also have a beagle that has to have it's anal glands expressed often (it must be a roommate thing from PSU - Bob Distel).

Owning a golf course has not been all fun & games. You definitely pay more attention to things like Pfizer moving out of town (2200 employees & a golf league), Ford, GM & Chrysler - need I say more. The up side to it is we have remained profitable while others are folding. In fact, with the bad economy in this area, it has allowed me to get into golf course consulting. It is amazing to hear some of the horror stories out there.

Enough on the Michigan economy. Look forward to being involved with the project. Hope all is well with everyone. If anyone makes it to Ann Arbor, please make sure you stop in and check out the Turf. Thanks.

Jim Roland

Stonebridge Golf Club

1825 Clubhouse Dr.

Ann Arbor, MI 48108

734.429.8383 - Clubhouse

734.323.8790 - Cell

jimroland91@gmail.com

Talked to a few guys by phone, will try and add that later.

Still need to run down over half the class - best to all.

Make it a good day

Ron Hall

PSU Visit and More

Hi everybody.

Just back from an east coast visit to check on Lisa's parents. While there we headed up to Penn State for a day. Checked out changes on campus (many) and I met with the new head of the program, John Kreminski.

Unbelieveable number of changes to the campus since we have been there. Parking lot behind the Ag Sci building where we took class picture is all filled in with new buildings, including one holding the new Creamery. They filled in both ends of the stadium, built a new basketball arena next door, a new law school out by the turf center, bunch of new dorms, a building that spans the highway over by the golf course, and much, much more.

Spent about an hour with John. Told him what I/we had going on with this project. He got me an up-to-date listing of our class locations (will post somehow, or send out via Google Group when I get a chance). He is a busy guy, but said he had just got back from the national show. At Penn State breakfast the talk was about how to do something like this. He is also trying to assemble a Google Map of the location of all PSU alumni (to use at the short course website). He said this work was very timely.

I added a link to the Google Earth software download and a download file of our project to view in Google Earth at the "Project Info" page at our site. Will try and set up more info and instructions, eventually a "tips" list.

Have heard from about 25% 0f the class so far, most have signed up on Google's gmail (come on Doug and Jake). Will see if I can "cut and paste" info/updates people sent me to this blog or Google Group.

More later

Ron Hall

Getting Started

If any of the class of 1991 gets this far - thanks for taking the time.

This blog is a work in progress. I set it up on Jan 30, 2009, and made a link to it from the class website I made for this project.

PSU91TURF

also set up a Google Group today with the same panhandle

PSU91TURF it also is linked to the website.

Trust all is well with you all.

Doing this for a variety of reasons, but partly in memory of Steve Collins.

Ron Hall PSU '91