Eastern North Carolina Turfgrass Association

As President of ENCTA I found myself wondering how did the Association first being, what was the main purpose of the association, who was involved with the creation, and what was a meeting like during the beginning.  So I starting asking people that been involved with the Association and I was lead to three people (Joel Johnson, Leon Lucas, John Mills) whom could recall the history of the Associations creation.

Here are some highlighted points of what it was like to be member during its first years of existence.

• The Eastern North Carolina Turfgrass Association was started in 1973
• President- Jake Pennel, Superintendent of Jacksonville Country Club
• Board Members:

Joel Johnson Porter Brothers (Jacobsen Dealer)
Ed O’Donnell, Superintendent Brook Valley Country Club
John Hilton, Superintendent Cape Fear Country Club
Bill Sutton, Superintendent Walnut Creek Country Club
Dr. Gilbert, Professor North Carolina State University
Dr. Blake, Professor North Carolina State University

• This group of individuals are responsible for the Creation and incorporation of the By-Laws and the over all foundation of the ENCTA today.
• Mission Statement for the ENCTA in 1973 and today;

“To educate the Golf Course Superintendent on golf Course Maintenance, and to improve the level of knowledge and image towards the profession. Dues were $25.00 a year, which covered educational meetings for the year.  If you stayed for the meal (which was usually a steak dinner) a $5.00 additional cost was required. There were six ENCTA meetings per year.  They all concentrated on education.  The meetings would start at 12:00 p.m. with a round of golf, cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m., and concluded with an educational speaker for the last hour.  It’s important to note that Golf Course Superintendents at the time where not allowed in the clubhouse, so having a ENCTA meeting inside a Country Club was considered a big accomplishment.  Each member attending the meeting was expected to wear a coat and tie, and if not, that person was not allowed to attend the function. The Eastern North Carolina Turfgrass Association was important to a turf grass professional because many Golf Course Superintendents did not receive any turf growing education before being a Golf Course Superintendent.  So the most convenient, affordable way to receive education, ideas, and relationships in the turf grass field was through the ENCTA. The average attendance for an ENCTA meeting was around twenty members. Members had to pay their own way to the meeting, where the club did not see fit to offer the expense. Turf grass vendors in the area played a big part in spreading the word about the ENCTA to turf grass professionals across the area.  They were also big at the recruiting new potential members.

I hope this article educates and reminds some of our members of what it was like to be a member of the ENCTA in the beginning, and shows just how far the image and education of a Golf Course Superintendent and Turf Professional has come in 37 years which is the ENCTA mission statement.

Sincerely,

Drew Ramsey
President ENCTA

The ENCTA had its Fifth Annual Pesticide meeting on February 18th, 2010. The meeting included four hours of pesticide points and GCSAA credits. Rick Brandenburg, professor from North Carolina State University, started the morning off with educational updates on controlling certain pests in the Eastern part of North Carolina. Then, Lee Butler of the NC State Turf Diagnostics Lab came to talk to us on current diseases and new fungicides for Bentgrass and Ultradraft Bermuda grass. The ENCTA supplied the attendees with a great lunch and dessert to help get everyone through the day. Cindy Lauderdale, extension agent from Wilson County, came to talk about controlling weeds in landscapes and ornamental beds. Cindy was a new speaker for us and did a great job answering questions throughout her presentation. Then, we finished up the afternoon with Dennis Sheppard (representative from Syngenta) to talk about growth regulators and how they can help professionals in the industry grow better turf.

The Eastern North Carolina Turfgrass Association is very excited about the upcoming year with hopes of continuing to bring in speakers that will educate our membership and make them a better professional.

If you’re a Golf Course Superintendent in North or South Carolina, please remember to fill out your form Rounds 4 Research that will help our local research facilities. You can go to the Carolinas web site and download a Donation Form. There’s only a few weeks left.

I would like to say “Thank You” to all the vendors who have supported our association for many years and continue to support us in the difficult times.

Please remember the vendors who support our Association.

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