Superintendent earns PvP trip

Research Triangle Park, N.C. – Russ Heller, superintendent of William J. Devine Golf Course, Dorchester, Mass., will represent the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England in the 2005 People vs. the Pros tournament presented by BASF. He will have a chance to compete head-to-head against professional Justin Leonard at Barton Creek Resort and Spa Sept. 12 in Austin, Texas, and win $100,000.

From left, BASF marketing associate Bob York, winner Russ Heller, superintendent at William J. Devine Golf Course, and Mike Hermanson, president of the GCSA of New England, pose after Heller earned a trip to play in People vs. the Pros.

Playing with his 17.1 USGA handicap index, Heller’s net score of 70 beat out participating superintendents from across New England during the Aug. 23 regional qualifier at the Marlborough Country Club, Marlborough, Mass. He will now compete against 288 other amateurs for a chance to play with his handicap against a pro.

“I was stunned,” says Heller. “I play in a lot of superintendent-sponsored tournaments, but I’m really excited to be participating at Barton Creek – this one certainly has more on the line than pro shop credits.” 

The regional qualifier was the last of 17 tournaments played nationwide on the road to the People vs. the Pros third annual tournament.

“Sponsoring these events locally and being a presenting sponsor at the national tournament provides BASF a national platform to recognize the professional dedication of golf course superintendents,” Toni Bucci, business manager for BASF Professional Turf and Ornamentals says. “It’s our way of saluting the crucial work that superintendents around the country are doing to provide quality turf for their home courses and especially for the golfers who play on them.”

Additionally, at every regional tournament, BASF donated $2,000 to the hosting GCSA chapter to help support their superintendent’s educational fund.

The Massachusetts event was played in conjunction with the association’s August meeting, which included an educational session conducted by University of Massachusetts professor Patricia Vittum, Ph.D., on regional insect problems and solutions to help reduce pests and related turf destruction.

The People vs. the Pros tournament allows two amateurs – one in a 50-and-over division and one in a 49-and-under division – to compete head-to-head against PGA pros Ben Crenshaw and Justin Leonard, respectively, in an 18-hole stroke-play match. The winner in each division, be it pro or be it amateur, will win $100,000. The runner-up will receive $50,000.

BASF marketing associate Bob York, right, presents a check for the superintendents education fund to GCSA of New England president Mike Hermanson, center. Jim Fitzroy, GCSAA director, attended the tournament.

Last year, professional golfers John Daly and Gary McCord were defeated by amateurs John Sniegowski of Cadillac, Mich., and Phil Johnson of McKinney, Texas.

In addition to the grand prize tournament, BASF Professional Turf and Ornamentals will host the second annual BASF Superintendent’s Cup on Barton Creek’s Fazio Foothills course where the two golf course superintendents with the lowest net scores from the three-day, 54-hole handicapped stroke-play event, will compete in head-to-head match play for $10,000 cash and BASF products for their home course. The runner-up will receive $5,000 cash.

Last year, Kip Wilson, superintendent at the American Legion Golf Course in Kokomo, Ind., defeated Matthew Fitzpatrick of Dublin Country Club, Dublin, Ga., at the inaugural event played on the famed Pinehurst No. 2 course. 

The final match-up between pro and amateur will be broadcast on ESPN on Sept. 19 and will feature highlights from the Superintendent’s Cup event.

For more information on People vs. the Pros, visit www.peoplevsthepros.com. For more information on BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals, visit www.turffacts.com.