Golfdom, June 2014

Continued from page 26 Trapper Burgess Van Dunk IV generally used fungicides like Honor Intrinsic one week prior to as well as one week after the aerification of tees and greens with well evidenced benefits In following this routine over a couple of seasons I saw an increase in the fibrous roots leading to deeper root structures Van Dunk says The stronger root structure actually strengthened the plant in the midst of the extreme summer conditions we had last year and I am confident the greens and tees will remain healthy Van Dunk a second generation superintendent transferred to Spring Valley N Y s New York CC in February see sidebar but will continue to utilize fungicides in the future I expect New York CC will experience the same results that Leewood did In fact I have been working with management personally to ensure fungicides will be available on the property Van Dunk says Kaufman agrees that Prestwick CC will also need to continue utilizing fungicides especially to defend the courses ultradwarf bermudagrass from extreme weather conditions During periods of stress and various weather conditions I know the course is holding up well when it is not only surviving but thriving says Kaufman Prestwick thrives with assistance from fungicides which control and prevent common diseases To me the decision to purchase fungicides has been easy to justify and will continue to be G Michigan based writer Chris Lewis has written for The Golf Channel Colorado Golf Magazine and Desert Golf Magazine among many others Lewis is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and this is his fourth article to appear in Golfdom 28 Golfdom June 2014 Golfdom com photo credit courtesy paul Kaufman hermen van dunK TransiTioning The easy Way Van Dunks slam dunk tips on a successful career transition T he fear of change is simply not an option for Hermen B Van Dunk IV It never has been Since working under veteran superintendent Ed Walsh CGCS as a college intern at Monroe N Y s Mansion Ridge GC he has transitioned to a variety of new career opportunities throughout the last 16 years After graduating from college he worked as an assistant at Denville N J s Rockaway CC and then accepted a new offer a couple years later as an assistant at West Nyack N Y s Manhattan Woods GC Two years later he was hired as an assistant superintendent at Eastchester N Y s Leewood GC where he served for another two years before he was hired as the head superintendent when he was just 29 So Van Dunks friends and family were not entirely surprised when he announced he was transitioning to yet another job earlier this year after working at Leewood for nine years It was time for a new challenge and for a change Van Dunk says I simply needed to move in a different direction To continue to grow as a person and as a professional Van Dunk began working at Spring Valley N Y s New York CC as its superintendent back in February Since the transition occurred he believes he has already grown on multiple levels personally socially and professionally I have grown personally because the change in location and job has allowed me to look only to myself fully trusting in my abilities to succeed at a new course Van Dunk says I have also grown socially as I have been forced to open up to new people and to set up a new dynamic with new personalities with hopes of forging new bonds He adds And professionally I have grown knowing my successes at Leewood were recognized by my peers in the area which ultimately led to my new job Considering his past successes with career transitions Van Dunk offers the following tips to superintendents who may also be contemplating a transition in the near future Take full advantage of technology Try to stay in touch with past and new contacts as often as possible through text messages phone calls Facebook e mail and Twitter says Van Dunk Remember if you do transition never shut any doors I have continued my relationships with many Leewood members and employees by using every technological application I possibly can Network at neutral courses Attend local networking meetings and invite fellow superintendents to play golf at neutral golf courses where you can learn about new career opportunities and potentially meet other contacts who can introduce you to golf course owners and managers he says No fear Never be afraid of change as fear is often peoples worst enemy he says Consider your options when deciding on which transition is best for you and your family plant health Part 2 of 3 The effect of the Honor Intrinsic has been so pronounced that it has become standard operating prodedure to apply the fungicide prior to core aerification says Kaufman Prestwick CC Hermen Van Dunk IV