Turf Tech News

Turf Tech News
2014
Tu r f E q u i p m e n t T e c h n i c i a n s A s s o c i a t i o n o f t h e C a r o l i n a s
w w w . TE T A C . o r g
800-476-4272
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Preston Burl –
MacGregor Downs Country
Club
Vice President
Bryan Dishmon –
Greensboro National Golf
Club
Secretary/Treasurer
Clayton Ennis –
Devils Ridge Golf Club
Past President
Gene Westbrook Sedgefield Country Club
Executive Director
David PrekopSecession Golf Club
Directors
Eric Duncanson
Allen Reece
Greg Womble
Bill Ledford
Burke Anders
Michael Hileman
●
P.O. Box 210
●
Li b e r t y, S C 2 9 6 5 7
Presidents Message
by Preston Burl
Greetings,
And we’re off! The growing season is now upon us. It’s time to get
the grinders running full force. I am sure that by the time you read
this the sand is flying fast and furious and the mowers are eating it
up. In my early years, I was one that would raise a stink about the
amount of sand the super would put out. I have learned over the
many years that all that griping just made it harder on me. Today I
look at the sand as job security. So, I say bring on the sand. I know
some will not agree with me, but it makes me feel better as I watch
it hit the greens.
I would like to thank JRM for all their hard work with the golf
tournament fundraiser for TETAC. We played a captains choice at
Bermuda Run and had a great time of networking and fellowship.
They served us a rack of ribs with sides for lunch which was much
appreciated. I would also like to thank the superintendent, Mr.
Scott Fallon, for hosting such a great event and providing a really
nice fast course. Many thanks also to GM, Doug Hoffman for
allowing us the use of the course for the day.
Greg Barnes
Donald Gunther
Mac Canon
Wes Oliver
Your TETAC board has been hard at work getting things all lined up
for another great TETAC Conference at the beach. We look forward
to seeing you all there. It is our pleasure to be working for you. If
anyone would like to attend the conference but are having trouble
finding a way to do it, please let us know and we will see if we can
help. Please, always remember SAFETY FIRST.
Blessings,
Preston Burl
TETAC
TETAC
JRM Tine Open Raises $2,800 for TETAC Benevolence Fund
The weather was picture perfect for the 3rd Annual JRM Tine Open at Bermuda Run
Country Club in Clemmons, N.C. on Monday, May 12. The event raised $2,800 for the Turf
Equipment Technicians Association of the Carolinas (TETAC). The money will be used as an
emergency fund for members in need.
Seventy-six players hit the links at Bermuda Run and a myriad of prizes were doled
out to the lucky winners. The first place team was comprised of Michael Hileman, Pete
Speziale, Bruce Martin and Shane Staples. Second place went to Jonathan Jenkins, Mike
Wager, Steve Katsamas and Kevin Harris. The tail of the donkey (last place) prize was
earned by Preston Burl, Al Sine, William Westmoreland and Michael Davis.
The putting contest proved a difficult task on the slick fast greens of Bermuda Run,
but Mark Rogers made quick work of the contest by draining a long putt to win a 39” flatscreen television. The winner of the Closest to the Pin contest was Scotty Wands; Charlie
Boykin won the longest drive and Wesley Carter won the longest putt contest.
The JRM team and TETAC would like to take time to thank all the sponsors of this
successful event.
Hole sponsors included: Village Inn (Dana Bryson), Smiley’s Golf (Brad Litimer),
Eastern Turf (Ed Harris), Speedy Lohr’s BBQ (Roger Lohr), Chromate Industrial (Lee
Haywood), Texas Refinery (Bill Wallin), River Ridge Taphouse (Kadie Edwards), Little Italy
Restaurant (Joe Looz), Armory Golf Center (Keith Hunter), Webb Heating & Air (George
Webb), SWEPCO (Al Sine), High Rock Outfitters (Randy Grimes), Capital Bank (David
Welch), DRS Discount Auction (Jim Mitchell), Rafferty’s Automotive (Todd Rafferty), The
Tire Shop (Todd Bailey), Hanes Girl Holdings (Cathy Stroud), Essick Auto Sales (Ron Essick),
Woodmen of the World (Jeff Pardue), and Foot Centers of NC (Karen DeJesus).
Our corporate sponsors included, EnP Foliar Fertilizers, Select Source, SWEPCO,
Texas Refinery, Special Event Productions, Fed Ex, Precision USA, GIE Media and LASTEC.
Sponsors that donated prizes were: Oregon, Stihl, MacGregor Downs, Pioneer Athletics,
Walmart, Primo Water, Fed Ex, Winston-Salem Dash, Play It Again Sports, Dick’s Sporting
Goods, Golf Galaxy, Oak Valley Golf Club, Pudding Ridge Golf Course, Tri-State Pumps and
Smith Turf & Irrigation.
All in all, it was a well-organized and successful event, and JRM is determined to go
even bigger and better next year.
TETAC
Kevin Tharpe
By Greg Barnes
The technician spotlight this go round will shine upon an east coast turf technician named
Kevin Tharpe. Kevin is a USMC veteran that has served our country both stateside and abroad.
After his first 4 year enlistment with the Marine Corps he joined the Marine reserves and served as
a track vehicle technician and served in Desert Storm. While in the reserves he worked on tanks
and other armored personnel transport vehicles.
Kevin’s golf course career started in 1990 working on the crew at TPC at Piper Glen located
in Charlotte, NC. This was interrupted by Desert Storm where he served, and upon his return
started back to work as the assistant mechanic. He worked in this position for three years and
moved up from there to be the Equipment Manager for four more years.
His next move was in 1998 which landed him in Wilmington, NC, where his wife enrolled
and attended UNCW in the marine science program. Kevin started work at Beau Rivage Golf
Course at that time as the equipment technician. While he has been at Beau Rivage he has also
served as the assistant superintendent for a few years and helped in the shop during that time. After
about three years he then moved back into the shop as the Equipment Manager where he currently
performs his job. Kevin has attended several different schools from John Deere and Toro, and has
been to many classes provided by TETAC at the yearly conference that is held in Myrtle Beach,
SC. Kevin is one of, but steadily growing, number of technicians that fill many shoes at golf
courses worldwide that have found themselves out mowing greens, working on irrigation, spraying
and fertilizing all while still repairing equipment and performing maintenance as our job title
requires. This is a true testament to the business that should be recognized and applauded for the
work ethic and can do attitude that most all technicians I know have, and try to instill in the people
coming up in the business.
Kevin is married and when not at work he enjoys a variety of outdoor activities that include
hiking, canoeing, and camping. He has been a member of both the state TETAC chapter and his
local Cape Fear chapter for as long as we have been together. One thing that he notes is he can’t
understand why people do not join TETAC, the knowledge base is huge. One day there will be a
time when you don’t know it all and the answer is only a phone call away.
In conclusion it is an honor to be a part of this association and to be acquaintances with the
members and the board of TETAC of the Carolinas. I would also like to take this opportunity to
THANK all of the veterans for their service to the United States of America, and for sacrificing
themselves and their time to keep us safe and retain the freedom we have today.
TETAC
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Tripp Cobb, Sales Manager
800.868.4631
Tri-State Pump & Control
Liberty, SC
www.tsppumps.com
©2013 Jacobsen, A Textron Company/Textron Innovations Inc. All rights reserved.
1.888.922.TURF | www.jacobsen.com
TETAC
Turf Tech of the Year
Is your tech the best of the best?
Will your technician be added to the growing list of legendary professionals?
2003 Clayton Ennis, Devils Ridge GC, Holly Spring, NC
2008 Jerry Blackwelder, Quail Hollow CC, Charlotte, NC
2004 Melvin Cheatham, Forest Creek, Pinehurst, NC
2009 Gene Westbrook, Red Tail Mountain Club, Mountain City, TN
2005 Butch Trogdon, Starmount Forest CC, Greensboro, NC
2010 David Johnson, Arcadian Shores GC, Myrtle Beach, SC
2006 John Axtell, Charleston Municipal GC, Charleston, SC
2011 Mike Neely, Country Club of Salisbury, Salisbury, NC
2007 Gerry Rickard, St. James Plantation, Southport, NC
2012 Paul Dalton, Highlands Country Club, Highlands, NC
2013 Danny Epps, Furman University Golf Course, Greenville, SC
Superintendents and businesses with technicians are invited to nominate
candidates for the award by completing this nomination form (additional pages can
be attached). Please detail why you think your technician should receive this
prestigious award. This person must be a TETAC member.
We are looking for people who have demonstrated leadership in:
*Work Ethic
*Equipment Maintenance
*Cost Control-Budgeting
*Professionalism
The TETAC Board of Directors will review the entries and determine the final vote. Annual award
is presented at the Carolinas GCSA Conference in Myrtle Beach.
Nomination Fact Sheet
Superintendent’s Name
Phone
Company
Title
Email
Address_________________________City
Name of Technician being Nominated
______
State
Title
Zip
The reason why my technician should be considered for this award is:
____________
Superintendent’s Signature:
Date:
_______
Must be received by October 1st!
Mail to: TETAC, PO Box 210, Liberty, SC 29657 or Fax to 864-843-1149.
TETAC
The Importance of Troubleshooting and Fabrication
by Bryan Dishmon, Head Equipment Technician, Greensboro National Golf Club, Summerfield, NC
Since starting as an assistant turf equipment technician in 2011 and moving on to
become a lead technician in 2012, I have seen the need for troubleshooting and fabrication
skills. I have encountered countless times where I've needed to fabricate a part or a tool to
save time and money. These skills along with the ability to troubleshoot have greatly
increased my ability to maintain a tight budget, and help when the time crunch of growing
season sets in. Every penny and every minute matter in this industry these days. From
simply making a custom wrench for a particularly tight space could potentially save fiftydollars or more, all-the-while saving time by not having to wait on a tool being shipped or
having to go and pick one up, or welding an aluminum golf cart frame back together.
Therefore, saving the hassle of having the manufacturer come out and make the repair
that can sometimes take weeks. Finding innovative ways to fix problems during your
workday, shows that not only do you take pride in being able to think outside of the box,
but that you are dedicated to saving your course money. Anyone of us can take new parts
and put them on a broken machine. This sometimes cannot be avoided, but it cannot be a
go to method. Replacing a part with a new one in most cases only covers the actual
problem that is causing it. It can also become very expensive if it is not diagnosed properly.
Troubleshooting here, is key. The ability to troubleshoot a problem thoroughly can end up
saving you a bundle and maybe a week’s worth of work. For instance, I had a topdressing
machine that had problems starting. I would jump off the battery and it would run fine,
and even crank several times afterwards. After sitting until the next topdressing program,
the mower wouldn’t start again. This happened several times. I thought it was just the
battery. But, after I checked my voltages at my stator and battery, I thought I had a bigger
problem. The stator was putting out 38 volts ac, which is about right. The battery (after
being jumped off but not charged) was running at 26 volts dc. After seeing this I thought it
was definitely the regulator/rectifier failing. As it turns out, the battery was the culprit.
Apparently the rectifier had no limit on the voltage if it sensed a dead battery. I scrambled
to get a new battery (because of course this happens the day of topdressing greens). The
battery was back at receiving 14.5 volts dc. I almost ordered a regulator/rectifier of an
unknown amount, and would have had to wait several days to receive the part. Needless
to say, I would have had a problem. Being able to trace it to the battery got the machine
back up and running just as the superintendent pulled into the shop to pick it up for use.
Overall, being able to troubleshoot and utilize fabrication skills can save money, time, and
show that you can take the initiative to improve the work environment.
TETAC
TETAC
NOW
&
Then
Now and then you come across companies that are built to
stand the test of time. They have what it takes to not only
survive but thrive. So what separates those companies
from the ones that don’t? Studies have shown it takes a
laser sharp focus, a willingness to chart new territory, a
passion for the industry, a continuous investment in R & D
and most importantly a culture committed to developing
innovative products that are well-suited to how humans
work, engage, and collaborate on the tasks at hand.
The Toro Company celebrates their 100th anniversary
year and we couldn’t be more proud to have been one
STI ADthis
HERE
Toro Greensmower, circa 1920
of their earliest and now longest operating distributors,
beginning back in 1925. Our alliance is built on the
foundation of those attributes and brings the strength
of two of the oldest and most respected names in golf
maintenance and irrigation equipment together to help
you achieve your own long term success.
Together, we look forward to the next century of our
great partnership with our mutual customers!
Office 1.800.932.8676 • Orders 1.800.232.8676
www.smithturf.com
TETAC
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JOHN DEERE AD
The NEW 180 E-Cut Hybrid with an
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REVELS TURF & TRACTOR, LLC
FUQUAY-VARINA, NC
MYRTLE BEACH, SC
800-849-5469
www.RevelsTractor.com
B0R020OCU1C51771-GTT8X110301CG-4C-00400270
Limit chains on cutting unit adjust range
of motion to fit the contours of any green.
GREENVILLE TURF & TRACTOR
PIEDMONT, SC
866-485-8873
www.GreenvilleTurf.com
SHOWTURF
HILTON HEAD, SC
888-746-8873
www.ShowTurf.com
TETAC
JRM Open Tine Golf Tournament
Bermuda Run Country Club
TETAC
Bill Ledford Receives EETC Service Manager of the Year
During the EETC Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC, Bill Ledford with TSP was awarded the Service
Manager of the Year. This award goes to a service manager for a distributor/dealer/or golf/landscaper
shop who models the EETC ideal – service excellence through education. Bill holds several EETC
certifications and is a strong advocate for staff technicians to become EETC certified. Bill works very hard
supporting technicians by teaching and proctoring classes throughout the year.
TETAC
PO Box 210
Liberty, SC 29657

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