Covia to begin sand production on East Coast
Golf course superintendents and sports field managers in the eastern U.S. market soon will have an additional source for two leading sand products.
By mid-2027, Covia Corp. will begin producing and shipping BESTSAND Pro/Angle and Signature 900 sand lines from its facility in Dividing Creek, New Jersey.
Covia is an Independence, Ohio-based manufacturer of building and construction materials for a variety of markets, including BESTSAND products for the golf, sports and equestrian markets.
Covia was formed in 2018 when Fairmont Santrol, the former owner of BESTSAND, merged Unimin Corp. Covia assumed complete ownership of Fairmount’s entire asset portfolio, including the BESTSAND line.
Melrose foundation makes historic donation
The Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation has donated $2 million to the GCSAA Foundation in recognition of the GCSAA’s 100th anniversary. It is the largest single gift in GCSAA Foundation history.
The gift continues a relationship that began in 2012, when Ken Melrose made a $1 million contribution to establish the Melrose Leadership Academy. His subsequent generosity created the Melrose Equipment Management Experience, supported GCSAA’s First Green STEAM-education program and expanded additional educational and professional-development opportunities. With this latest gift, the Melrose Foundation’s total support of GCSAA and its philanthropic organization has reached $5.5 million.
The Melrose foundation was formed by its namesake who was a former CEO and chairman of The Toro Co. Melrose joined Toro in 1970 and rose through the organization before being named CEO in 1983 and chairman of the board in 1987. He retired as CEO in 2005 and as chairman in 2006.
Through the Melrose Leadership Academy, superintendents have the opportunity to attend the annual GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. The Melrose Equipment Management Experience provides equipment managers with similar opportunities to learn together.
Aquatrols names new territory manager
The Aquatrols Co. has named Matt Mamone as territory manager for Western Canada. Mamone has more than a decade of hands-on turf management experience and a strong background in plant nutrition, fertility program development and sales and business development.
Most recently, Mamone served as a plant nutrition specialist with Shuttle14 in Western Canada, where he utilized his skills to impact the golf and turf industries.
Prior to that, Mamone spent nearly seven years at Bear Mountain Golf & Tennis Resort in Victoria, British Columbia, including nearly five years as superintendent
In his new role, Mamone will work with customers and partners throughout Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, providing agronomic support and helping turf professionals find practical solutions to their water, soil and plant management challenges.
Mamone has also been active in the turf industry, serving as president of the Vancouver Island Golf Course Superintendent Association from 2021 to 2023. He holds a Certificate III in turf horticulture and completed the Syngenta Super University Program through Ivey Academy at Western University.
