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SPOTLIGHTBob Bittner, CGCS A Man of Many TalentsBy Mark Black, CGCSSome time ago I was askedto write a short bio for Robert R. (Bob)Bittner, superintendent at The ClubPelican Bay here in Naples and recentFGCSA President’s Award winner forthe Everglades Chapter. I was asked todo this since Bob and I both hit townabout the same time way back around1980. At the time we were both straightout of college, both assistants, bothgreen and both in our first positions ofsupervisory responsibility. Bob workedfor Roger Whitford at The Club PelicanBay. I worked for Dan Hall at ImperialGolf Club. At the time, Roger and Danwere “seasoned” veterans in the turfgrass industry. As I write this, I realizeBob and I are now the “seasoned” veterans. Ouch! We are now referred to as“The Sod Fathers!” Ouch again!Bob was born in Elyria,Ohio. He moved to Ft. Myers Beach in1970 where he played football and finished up his last years of high school atCypress Lakes. For those of you thatdon’t know Bob, I can tell you he’s apretty big boy. If he weren’t, we wouldstill be stuck on that sand bar down inthe 10,000 Islands. From high school,Bob went to McNeese State Universityin Lake Charles, La. where he receivedhis bachelor of science degree in horticulture. While there, he met his futurewife MaryJo Foreman. Following college Bob returned to Florida, marriedMaryJo and began his family of threechildren. They have two daughtersAshley 18, Lauren 17, and a son,Pierce, who is 10.Bob began his professionalcareer at The Club Pelican Bay inAugust of 1979. Pelican Bay was anew Westinghouse Communitiesdevelopment project in Naples. TheClub was designed by Arthur Hills.There was no doubt Pelican Bay set anew standard of excellence for golfmaintenance in this area. In 1985,Roger decided to move on, and Bobwas appointed the golf course superintendent.In 1988, Bob was promoted to Westinghouse director of golfcourse operations for SouthwestFlorida. During this time he managedThe Club while simultaneously growing in numerous courses throughout thearea, including Pelican Nest Golf Club,Gateway Golf Club, Bay Colony andPelican Marsh. While in this position,Bob Bittner with his 2003 Presidents Award for Lifetime Service.Bob relocated his office to PelicansNest in Bonita Springs, where he stayedand grew in 27 holes designed by TomFazio. During this time he also designedand oversaw the construction of numerous maintenance facilities, set up shopand hired all required staff. To say hewas busy was an understatement.Obviously, Bob has also been associated with two of the most famous golfcourse architects of our time, numeroushigh end golf courses and the demandsof producing quality golf conditions ona regular basis.In 1991, Pelican Bay waspurchased by the members and Bobwas asked to remain as the director ofgolf course operations. As we all knowin this business, the period of transitionfrom developer ownership to memberownership can, at best, be tricky andoften dangerous for our occupation.That was almost 13 years ago and Bobis still there. Not only that, he is working with the same golf professional,John Carroll, who has been there fromthe beginning as well. I would have tosay they have had as fine a superintendent/golf professional relationship asthere is in the industry, which is veryadmirable.Over the years, Bob hasbeen involved professionally within hisoccupation. This includes being aGCSAA Member and certified golfcourse superintendent since 1992; amember of the Florida Golf CourseSuperintendents Association and theEverglades Chapter of the FGCSA as aboard member (1986-87),secretary/treasurer (1987-88) and vicepresident (1988-89). He servd on theFTGA Special Events Committee 199598 and 2002 to present. He is alsoBob’s MentorsRichard Bittner, my father, wasvery detail oriented and demandingperson. He was a perfectionist.Robert Ternes, my grandfather A hard-working farmer who taught4me and my brother the meaning ofa hard day’s work.Roger Whitford, CGCS - The manwho taught me how to grow turfgrass and how to maintain anupscale golf course.resources to do the job.Ross Obley - Former president ofWestinghouse Communities Inc. Hedemanded The Club Pelican Bay bethe best and gave us the support andDr. Max Brown and WayneWiemkin - Both spent many hourshelping to determine The Club’s soiland fertility requirements.THE FLORIDA GREEN
SPOTLIGHTBob’s Mentors, cont’dWayne Ragsdale - Wadsworth GolfConstruction, taught me more aboutgolf construction then I needed toknow.Mark Black and Bob Shevlin fellow rookie assistant superintendents and later superintendents. Wegrew up together. (Thanks Bob!)Accomplishments and Goals: Managing several golf coursessimultaneously for WestinghouseCommunities, Inc. Hosting PGA Tour golf events.Bob hosted three concurrent televised Senior PGA EtnaChallenge Tournaments from1988 to 1990. “My present goal is to keep agood job until I choose to retire.”Greatest Satisfactions in thisBusiness Knowing we are providing asuperbly maintained golf courseeach and every day. Those rare “special” days whenthe golf course is absolutely perfect. Seeing ex-employees who havebecome outstanding individualsin the turfgrass industry and stillbeing friends with most of them.Greatest ChallengesWorking with such adiverse maintenance team and trying to get employees to take pridein their work. Trying to get golfersto understand how much influencethe weather has on the ability tomanage fine turfgrass.AdviceBe patient: Try to learnfrom everyone you work with.Everyone has something positiveabout them.Fall Focus:Education,CharitiesCalusaMost Memorable Moments During the first year of the AetnaChallenge, Brian Henning of theSenior Tour asked me aboutemployees in Naples. He knewNaples was high end but heasked, “How much do you payyour employees? Your cup cutteris wearing a Rolex watch, a Poloshirt and expensive boots.” Hedid not know that fellow superintendents were helping out duringthe event. Many years ago I got a call oneevening regarding an irrigationbreak on the course. It was darkand Roger and I went out toinvestigate. We found the leakand while I was closing the isolation valves I forgot one thing. toput the truck in park. Luckily thedoors were left open and I wasable to hop in before it got toofar away. At Christmas each year Santaand his two elves (I’ll give youone guess as to Santa is) visit themaintenance complex and passout gifts and encourage a goodtime. It’s a fun time for us all.Hobbies and Interest:Fishing boating, rodbuilding, fly tying, cooking, golf,pro football and spending as muchtime in the keys as possible. (I willtell you that Bob has more fishingtackle than Bass Pro Shops!)Work Philosophy6Chapter Round UpWork hard and be efficient each day but, don’t take workhome with you.Community Involvementinvolved with the CoastalConservation Association - NaplesChapter board of directors 1996 topresent, and he was namedOutstanding Volunteer for 2001 and2003. He is also a U.S. Coast Guardlicensed boat captain.Bob Bittner has a lotgoing on. He is busy in his occupationand his family responsibilities. On apersonal note I will tell you BobBittner is many things. He is a professional and a credit to our occupation.He is honest and trustworthy. He iskindhearted and supportive. He is aknowledgeable golf course superintendent and respected as such. He isusually one of the first people I callon when I have a turf problem that hasme stumped. He has never turned hisback on me. I can count on him. Ihonestly don’t know what better friendor support system I could have in thisindustry and I know I speak for manywhen I say this.Congratulations Bob, youdeserve to be recognized by yourfriends and peers with this award.Coaches Optimist SoccerCoastal Conservation, Naples ChapterOur November meetingwas rained out, but we bounced backwith our first annual ChristmasCharity Tournament at the KellyGreens G&CC Proceeds from theevent went to the Lee County AbuseCounseling Center. We instituted atraveling trophy for the event and CliffAnderson was the first winner.We also got together inDecember for a Christmas Cruise onthe Caloosahatchee River. TheHeron’s Glen team of Jerry Belyea,Charlie Betters and Brian Lee wonour 2003 Superintendent-ProfessionalSupplier event at Heritage Palms G.C.superintendent. The chapter hosted aone-day GCSAA Seminar on waterquality assessment and managementfacilitated by Dr. Ronnie Duncan andMike Huck at the Naples Beach &Golf Club. Sixty attendees, superintendents and vendors, were presentfrom throughout Central and SouthFlorida. Education on water quality,water treatment options, cultural practices, and correctly reading water-sample information were presented. It wasthe first of many GCSAA seminarsthat the EGCSA hopes to hold in theNaples area.We had great turnouts forCentral FloridaCongratulations to theAt the FGCSA Fall Board Meeting, theEverglades GCSA answered the call forturf research donations when MattTaylor, left, presented a check for 5,000to FGCSA President Greg PhenegerNBC’s Scoring Line Producer TammyProctor poses with members of theCentral Florida GCSA at the PGAFather/Son Challenge.team of Joey Brownsberger, ChrisCartin, Jimmy Lawrence, Joe Ondoand Robert Parmar for winning theFGCSA Championship Team Trophyat Southern Dunes GC. The chapterhosted a GCSAA Regional Seminaron employee safety, the secondregional we hosted this year.Chapter members put ontheir long johns and jackets to helpNBC Sports televise the PGAFather/Son Challenge by acting as TVspotters and scorers at the chilly butperfect Champions Gate resort. Thechapter will be holding its annualFTGA Research Fundraiser at theInterlachen CC in January.EvergladesCongratulations to RudyGeiger, Hole-in-the Wall GC, forbecoming a certified golf courseour Pro-Superintendent tournament(90) at Palmira GC in Naples, and ourfirst-ever meeting at the NaplesNational Golf Club. The Children’sHome Society will be the recipient of 4,000 raised at our December golfouting at the LaPlaya GC. OdellSpainhour won the raffle grand prizeof a classic 1969 Cadillac convertible.(See sidebar elsewhere in Spotlight)North FloridaWe had one of our bestmeetings ever this November with apresentation by Dr. Michael Healy anda panel discussion with Greg Tharp,Fred Klauk, Daron Murrell and RonHill entitled “Ultradwarfs vs. Tifdwarf:Has the jury reached a verdict?” Thegoal was to discuss common denominators and differences in managingboth grass types. We will finish outthe year with a December golf tournament at the San Jose CC and are looking forward to kicking off the NewYear with an FTGA Regional Seminarin January for our chapter educationsession.Paul Hamrick, a longtimemember of the NFGCSA was honoredfor his military service during theTHE FLORIDA GREEN
S PS OT LT ILGI GHHTTPOKorean War on the recent 50thanniversary of the end of that conflict.Our annual ChristmasTournament took place at the San JoseCC. This year the money raised wasdonated to an educational trust fundfor the son of Scott Strickland, SanJose’s chemical technician who wastragically killed in an auto accident.This tournament will now be an annual fundraiser for a charity of choice bythe club that hosts the tournament.April at World Woods.South FloridaThe South FloridaChapter held its annual fundraiser forthe Florida chapter of the Missing &Exploited Children’s Foundation at theup to give a talk on Paspalum growin and management. In January, thechapter will celebrate its annualVendor Appreciation Day with anequipment exposition, golf outingand barbeque. There will be nomeeting in February either due toPalm BeachSteve Bernard won theindividual title at the FGCSA GolfChampionship and earned a berthon the Florida team competing inthe GCSAA golf championship inSan Diego next February. TheUSGA Green Section RegionalSeminar at Palm Beach Gardenswas a success with more than 150in attendance. We had a great timewatching the Miami Dolphinsdefeat the Washington Redskins onour 15th Annual Dolphins Gametrip. Next we will be anticipatingour Christmas golf outing at JupiterDunes to check out Travis Lincoln’snew paspalum greens.RidgeThe chapter put away thegolf clubs for a couple of meetings,but the education was great as wetoured the E.R. Jahna sand mine inNovember, and enjoyed a cateredlunch from Sonny’s Bar-B-Q. InDecember we toured the Harrell’sFertilizer plant in Lakeland and haddinner at the Red Barn, and we willhave a Christmas Party at theBartow Municipal G.C. In January,Jeff Brown will host the annualMember/Vendor golf outing at hisLake Region Yacht & Golf Club.The annual Ridge Invitational to beheld on Monday, March 1, 2004 atthe Grasslands C.C. will berenamed the Jack Harrell, Sr.Memorial Ridge Invitational.Seven RiversSoil analysis, equipmentleasing and Todd Lowe’s USGAFlorida Green Section update werethe topics of our fall chapter meetings. We have donated funds to helpsponsor two FTGA RegionalSeminars in January, and our boardis discussing several new researchprojects that we might help to fundusing reserves in our EnvirotronResearch account. Planning hasalready begun on the 2004Envirotron Classic to be held in8Florida Green Editor Joel Jacksonpresented Coastal Plains GCSAExternal Vice President Jeff Heggenwith a framed copy of the cover of theWinter 2003 issue at the Fall BoardMeeting in Orlando.Nancy McBride (center) holds a check for 18,000 from the South FloridaGCSA for the Florida Chapter of the National Foundation for Missing andExploited Children.Colony West CC. As emcee BobKlitz, CGCS presented NancyMcBride, Director of the FloridaChapter, with a check for 18,000 thisyear, he pledged the event has set agoal of 20,000 next year for the 20thanniversary of the fundraiser.McBride thanked the audience fortheir donations over the years that arenearing the 250,000 mark.In January, the CrandonPark GC will host the annual BringYour Pro Day meeting and golf outing.There will be a panel discussion on prosuperintendent relations. Mark your calendars now - SFGCSA/IFAS TurfExpo, March 18, 2004 at the Ft.Lauderdale Research & EducationCenter.SuncoastChapter co-founder andlong time chapter newsletter editor,Jim Svabek, was presented with theFGCSA President’s Award forLifetime service upon his recentretirement from the Bradenton CC.Retirement doesn’t mean a rockingchair: Jim is now giving BobGwodz a hand over at Sara Bay. Youcan’t just quit cold turkey whenyou’ve been doing this job as longas he has.The chapter did not havea meeting in October due to thedemands of overseeding, but inNovember, Dr. Lee Berndt ofEdison Community College camemany members attending theGCSAA Conference and Show inSan Diego.Treasure CoastCongratulations to BobMarkut, PGA GC, on attaining hiscertified golf course superintendentclassification. Our 2004 Blue Pearltournament which supports environmental projects at schools and in thecommunity raised 20,000 this year.The event was highlighted by anappearance by Greg Norman who hadsome very nice things to say about theGCSAA and superintendents in general and the work that we do. We really appreciated him taking time out ofhis busy schedule to spend some timewith us and for the use of the MedalistClub for our event.Our board has approved amotion to make all superintendentsresponsible for maintaining a legalUSGA handicap. We will have a sixmonth grace period and then all members will be required to show proof ofa valid handicap to play with strokesin chapter events.Our annual ChristmasParty and a joint meeting and golfouting with the Palm Beach GCSA atthe Jupiter Island Club will wrap up2003 for us.West CoastWe had another successfulBud Quandt Tournament in October ata new venue this year at Tampa PalmsGC, raising about 9,000 for turfresearch and scholarships. Some of theproceeds will also go to local charities.Frank Hardy of FloridaPotting Soils presented a program at ourNovember meeting at BloomingdaleGC on topdressing mixes and theimportance of particle size in maintaining good greens percolation. We willhold our Vendor Appreciation Day andCook Out in December with an equipment demonstration at the University ofSouth Florida baseball fields.Florida GCSAControversy over reportsof total arsenic levels found in somewater and soil samples on golf courses sparked four or five newspaperarticles and one TV report in southeast and southwest Florida. TheFGCSA has been working with stateagencies and other stakeholders toscientifically identify the sources ofthe arsenic to determine if there areany links to normal, legal turf maintenance practices.The FGCSA ExecutiveCouncil and Government RelationsCommittee are working with our lobbyist Mike Goldie to set up meetingswith Florida legislators during committee work days in Tallahassee.Topics to be discussed: water issues,pesticide use and regulations, urbangreen space, economic impact, andresearch funding in the budget.The FGCSA Reception atthe GCSAA Conference and Showwill be on Thursday, Feb. 12 at theWyndham Hotel at Emerald Plaza.THE FLORIDA GREEN
S PS OT LT ILGI GHHTTPORaptor Bay GCHosts LCCCAlumni EventBy moving the LCCCEndowment Tournament fromJanuary to November two years ago,the committee avoided the frost delaysthat plagued the event several years ina row. In fact it was a downright warmNovember day at the Raptor Bay GolfCourse for this year’s event. With hostSuperintendent Jason Brod and hisstaff grooming the golf course to perfection and General Manager EdWeber taking care of the hospitality, itwas a great day of golf and networking for everyone. Next year the eventwill move to Marco Island to showcase WCI’s new Hammock Bay Golf& Country Club. In fact, WCI courseshave played host to most of the tour-Jay Smith and Mike “The Hammer”Hamilton won the Low Net division.Photo by Joel Jackson.Tom Caliguire and Jim Glasecaptured top Low Gross honors.Photo by Joel Jackson.naments over the 12-year history ofthe fundraiser.This event, originated bythe LCCC Alumni Association isdesigned to provide supplementalfunding for the Lake City CommunityCollege Golf Operations program tooffset budget cuts made by the state.Accommodations for the event were provided by Hyatt Regency Hotel seen hereoverlooking Raptor Bay’s 6th hole. Photo by Joel Jackson.The hard-working 2004 LCCC Committee: (from left) Ed Weber, Scott Hamm, Jason Brod, Roy Bates, Glen Zakany, JohnPeirsol, David Fry, John Johnson,Odell Spainhour, Jim Lones and Mike Smith. Photo by Joel Jackson.10Thanks to the hard work of the volunteers, the generosity of the sponsorsand participation of the players thistournament has donated more than 110,000 including this year’s event.Even if your golf gamelets you down on tournament day, theprize-packed raffle offers plenty ofincentive to show up and buy tickets.Highlighted by resort weekend stays atsuch places as The Broadmoor inColorado, The Greenbrier in WestVirginia and the Sheraton atFisherman’s Wharf in San Franciscothere were numerous Florida resortsdonating weekends from AmeliaIsland to Marco Island and points inbetween. The total raffle package wasvalued at more than 16,000.Raptor Bay’s GeneralManager Ed Weber andSuperintendent Jason Brod teamed upto provide superb hospitality and fantastic playing conditions to help makethe tournament a smashing success.THE FLORIDA GREEN
SPOTLIGHTThe Everglades GCSA got into the Christmas spirit early this year when they donated 4,000 to the Children’s Home Society attheir annual chapter Christmas tournament. From left Mark Shoemake, assistant superintendent, LaPlaya Golf Club; Greg Maze,CGCS, Twin Eagles Golf & CC; Odell Spainhour, Energized Water Solutions, “Cadillac Winner;” Kyle D. Sweet, EGCSApresident, The Sanctuary Golf Club; Roseann Albertario, Children’s Home Society of Florida, executive director; Wayne Kappauf,CGCS, EGCSA golf committee chairman, Island CC; Brian Beckner, superintendent, LaPlaya Golf Club.It Was a Good FridayOn Friday, Dec. 12, theEverglades Golf CourseSuperintendents Association hostedits third annual Members-OnlyChristmas Tournament and Gift12Drive to benefit the Children’sHome Society of Southwest Florida.Brian Beckner, golf course superintendent and his staff hosted theevent at the newly completedLaPlaya Golf Club in Naples.A full field of 124golfers provided gift donations at theregistration table filling two SUVsdriven away by Children’s HomeSociety volunteers. The golfers alsoparticipated in purchasing raffle tickets for a 1969 Cadillac Coupe deVille. Throughout November andDecember a total of 800 Cadillac raffle tickets were sold raising 4,000 indonation money; all proceeds goingto benefit the Children’s HomeSociety of Florida, Southwest FloridaDivision. Odell Spainhour ofEnergized Water Solutions was thelucky winner of the 1969 Cadillac.Southwest Florida’s localNBC affiliate, WBBH Channel 2,covered the event on the 6 p.m.news, highlighting the association’sinvolvement with the Children’sHome Society and showing off somegolf play. The news was just in timeto be seen by all golfing participantsat dinner in the LaPlaya clubhouse.With over 4,000 ingolfer awards and raffle prizes givenout after golf, it was a great time foreveryone. The event’s great prizeswere possible due to an outpouringof generous sponsorships form areasales associates.To close the night,EGCSA presented a 4,000 check toRoseann Albertario, executive director of the Children’s Home Societyof Florida.Kyle SweetTHE FLORIDA GREEN
Bob worked for Roger Whitford at The Club Pelican Bay. I worked for Dan Hall at Imperial Golf Club. At the time, Roger and Dan were "seasoned" veterans in the turf-grass industry. As I write this, I realize Bob and I are now the "seasoned" vet-erans. Ouch! We are now referred to as "The Sod Fathers!" Ouch again! Bob was born in .
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