Our friend Paul Ramina has worn several different hats over his agronomic career but he always seems to be around for the biggest events in the industry. In a few weeks, he’ll be part of the BASF team supporting Jon Jennings and company at Shinnecock Hills GC. I caught up with him for a few minutes earlier this week.
How long have you known Jon?
Jon and I go back to the 2001 Walker Cup at Sea Island. He was still at Chicago Golf Club and we did the course setup together. Even before I started with BASF I was planning to come to the Open and help out and Jon said he’d put me on course setup. So I’m in a new job, but the same role at the Open.
Well you have a different role with BASF now too. Tell us about that.
I’m working with superintendents in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to support their agronomic programs. I’m super excited because I love our product portfolio and I know it’s perfect for this area.
Jon and his team have been working closely with BASF for a while. How’s that going?
The program is fantastic. Just being there recently and walking the grounds with him is proof that our Intrinsic® brand fungicides offer both plant protection and plant health benefits. You want your plant to be ready for the stresses the event is going to put on it and you have to build it up over time. The turfgrass at Shinnecock looks phenomenal. I was there when they pulled the (greens) covers. The color was fantastic considering the cold spring.
Shinnecock is a unique place. What are some of your observations about how the agronomy team is relying on BASF products?
The microclimate is totally different there than almost any place in the U.S. BASF’s Intrinsic® brand fungicides help at the cellular level within the plant, aiding in respiration and enabling the plant to be more efficient and improve its tolerance to stresses. Given the cold and the wind that’s always present on Long Island, the plant health aspect puts you ahead of the game. Honor® Intrinsic brand fungicide and Insignia® SC Intrinsic brand fungicide have been really good there. Jon’s been working with these products for several years and they’ve consistently performed well against the stresses he faces.
You sound pretty jazzed about this new gig!
I’m 100 percent committed to this. I’m so proud to be with BASF and what we get to do on a daily basis is amazing. But at the end of the day it’s about the superintendent sleeping at night. Sure we have great products, but it’s the trust – and the people – behind these products that matters most. I’m so impressed with what I’ve learned about this team so far and so proud to be a part of it.
Pat Jones is GCI's Publisher and editorial director.
