Team TurfNet skated to a 1-1-2 record in its 14th appearance at the Golf Course Hockey Challenge event held Jan 15/16 at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The Golf Course Hockey Challenge, now in its 19th year, is the brainchild of TurfNet member Scott Dodson, CGCS (Park Country Club of Buffalo) and should-be-a-TurfNet-member John Taylor of the Grand Niagara Resort, Port Robinson, Ontario. Each of the twelve teams of hockey playing golf course superintendents, assistants and suppliers plays four games over the two days.
TurfNet started off with a 3-3 tie against a strong Ontario team before losing to an even stronger team from Southwest Ontario, 5-3. Sore muscles were treated with plenty of beer later that afternoon at a hospitality suite sponsored by Turf Care Products, the local Toro distributor.
Team TurfNet faces off against Plant Science.
Day Two saw Team TurfNet charge out of the gate with a 5-4 victory over Plant Science, and then face off against Ontario again in the final game. That ended in another tie, this time 2-2.
In addition to the usual smattering of Americans (including the perennial contenders, Team Michigan) among the Canadians in the series, a contingent of seven players flew in from Colorado for this years event. They were organized by Mark Krick, CGCS of The Homestead, Lakewood, CO, and included Michael Miner of Red Sky Ranch, Wolcott, CO. Both are TurfNet members.
Scott Dodson, CGCS and Dave Gourlay, CGCS.
Making their first appearance at the tourney were David Gourlay, CGCS and Matt Gourlay, CGCS, of Colbert Hills Golf Club, Manhattan, Kansas. Dave played in the over-40 division while son Matt played for Team Ontario.
Also moving up to the "senior" division this year was TurfNet member Jim Flett of Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club, Port Carling, Ontario. Jim had played for the ultra-competitive Northern Ontario team for years, but time marches on.
Playing on Team TurfNet this year were Ken Lallier, CGCS (The Quechee Club, Vermont), Tom Morris, CGCS-retired (Vermont), Steve Rudich (Seeton Turf Warehouse, Pennsylvania), Joe Kinlin (Bay Lea Golf Course, New Jersey), Joe Scioscia (Somerset Hills Golf Club, New Jersey), Jim and Jerry Gernander (Kwiniaska Golf Club, Vermont), Jim Pollio (retired supt, Arizona), Adam Engle (Lake Shore Yacht and Country Club, New York) and Trevor Clark and Bobby Sloan of Cardinal Golf Club, Kettleby, Ontario.
Both Lallier and Morris have played all fourteen years for Team TurfNet. Peter McCormick is the coach.
Team TurfNet 2013. From left front, Steve Rudich, Joe Kinlin, Joe Scioscia, Ken Lallier and Jerry Gernander.
Rear left, Trevor Clark, Bobby Sloan, Tom Morris, Adam Engle, Jim Pollio and Jim Gernander.