President’s Newsletter – December 2009
Cutter Creek Golf Club
P.O. Box 7
Hookerton, NC 28538 December 11, 2009
Dear ENCTA Members:
The Eastern Turfgrass Association is wrapping up a great 2009 season and is in the planning period for 2010. We had our year-end meeting at Northgreen Country Club in Rocky Mount, NC on Thursday, December 3, 2008. We discussed year-end business and planned ideas for the 2010 season. We had three Board members to leave their positions. These individuals were very dedicated and provided great ideas and support to the Association. James Duke, who is the Head Fertilizer Salesman in the Turf Division for Halifax Fertilizer, was a Director. Roger Olmstead, Golf Course Superintendent of The Cardinal Golf Club, was also a Director. Finally, Richard Williams, Superintendent at Fallen Creek Golf Club, was a Director. These men served two-year terms and their time and hard work were very much appreciated. There are three new members who will serve two-year terms as Directors. These men are: Josh Stutts, Superintendent of The River in Bunn N.C., Stanley Elliott, Superintendent of Cypress Landing, and Bill Jones, owner of Southern Seed. Cale Cooke, our President for the past two years, is now stepping down and Drew Ramsey is the new President. The ENCTA also has a new Vice President, Richard Williams. We are very excited about the 2010 year and would like to thank these individuals for wanting to give their time to the association.
The ENCTA was also able to hand out its sixth honorary member award at the year-end meeting. Obbie Godette was given this prestigious award for all the years he has been a part of this industry that ranges well over thirty years. Obbie accumulated most of his years working at Cherry Point Golf Club in Havelock, North Carolina where he was the Golf Course Superintendent for over twenty years. Obbie then decided it was time for him to relax and retired in 2007. Obbie is among a long line of honorary members: John Hinton, Joel Johnson, John Mills, Ed Snow, Bill Sutton, and Max Weeks. The ENCTA is happy to put Obbie Godette with this company.
After conducting the business meeting, there was an opportunity to play a golf tournament at Northgreen Country Club. Cale Cooke had the golf course in great shape, and we thank Cale and his crew for their hospitality. The winners in the Net category are: first place- Bill Jones (67), second place- Roger Olmstead (67), and third place- Ben Peters (75). The winners in the Gross category are: first place- Brad Brooks (78), second place- Al Hunter (80), and third place- Chris Pearson (84). The winners in the Closest to the Pin category are: hole #4- Rob Wood, hole #8- Brad Brooks, hole #13- Drew Ramsey, and hole #15- Brad Brooks. We would like to show appreciation to the vendors who sponsored these prizes: Halifax Fertilizer, Best Sand and Gravel, Southern Seed, and Green Resource. The Association appreciates all members who came out to participate in this meeting and tournament. It was a great way to end our 2009 year.
Looking forward to 2010,
Drew Ramsey
President