Turf Pirate

Me and Big Ben Anderson at the GIS in 2020

Pirates Journal and to celebrate the milestone we celebrate the colorful characters that make up a successful GCM crew and ask the question what are the best nicknames of crew members you have served with? Names are often linked to the lore and legends of the turf industry and especially Turf Pirates. The longer the turf career usually the more colorful and unique the names and adventures of those involved. Sometimes nicknames are obvious. I once had two assistants named Ben. Ben Anderson was 6’ 3” while Ben Ross was less than 6’3”, so they became Big Ben and Little Ben. Make no mistake that Ben Ross was not a small man but to the crew it was simpler to classify them in the most basic of terms. They both went on to be huge successes, Big Ben is a successful Superintendent and Little Ben runs his own successful Landscape Company, they are both stand out Turf Pirates of the highest regard. I have always maintained that any success that I have had was due in large part to the staff/crew and our adventures are the best part of the story. I write this knowing that each season brings new heroes and opportunities and while we who have labored long in this business know that you must enjoy today and celebrate with your crew mates because tomorrow is not promised. When we tell tales of past storms and perfect grass it is impossible to leave out the names and deeds of those most salty of Turf Pirates. Though some have passed on their memories live on with us in those stories that make them legends. So this month let’s celebrate all those folks that put the Jolly in the Jolly Roger (Pirate Flag flown since 1700). Here is my

list of standout crew nick names (there were so many to choose from) and the names have not been changed even in the slightest (you can always trust a pirate). These folks were characters in the truest and finest since of the word, and they are all legendary Turf Pirates.

#10 “Crash” – Everyone has earned this nick name at some point in their career, my first epic crash was on a Jacobsen three wheeled Turf Cat #9 “Rev” Graham – Solid man of faith and work ethic once led a prayer meeting for a co-workers pit bull who had swallowed a fish hook while they were “set hooking” on the river the previous day. Unofficial crew Chaplin. #8 “Spider” Wade – Excellent tree climber/feller #7 “Cotter Pin” Curry – Great mechanic with the best language skills in the business #6 “Viper” – one word says it all, the man hated snakes #5 “Digger” Meyers – Legendary Irrigation Tech and shovel master #4 “Honey Bun” Rodriquez – Great Worker who ate his weight in Honey Buns every day #3 “Uncle Money” Fann – Financial Genius who lived on a Toro 4500, told the best stories ever #2 “Clogger” Jones – Straight mowing lines and literally clogged at his interview (he was a national champion clogger, BTW clogging is a type of folk/ square dancing) #1 “Catfish” Jenkins – Did every tough job on the course with a smile and could spot a homeless Pro V from space whether it was on land or sea, it was his recovery of the wet ones that earned him the nick name “Catfish” The good book says that a good name is more valuable than silver or gold. Be kind to one another and be mindful that we have the ability to use words to build up or to tear down. Turf Pirates are always busy building a better world through words and deeds.

Our entire resort team sending out a positive message pre-Covid

My managers and I

Natural areas at Amelia Island Plantation

private community in Florida located on the western most barrier island on the Eastern Coast, has a long way since beginning its journey in Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program in 2018. This residential neighborhood encompasses maritime forests, expansive salt marshes, and extensive dune systems that stretch along 3.5 miles of pristine un-crowded beachfront along the Atlantic Ocean. Recognizing these unique features, Amelia Island residents and staff teamed up with Audubon International to protect the areas where they live, work, and play - and over the past two years have become the second community in the state of Florida to be certified in Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program. A framework for future growth

Sustainable Communities Certification serves as a framework to merge economic and social considerations with the protecting and enhancing a community’s environmental characteristics. Through the certification process the community uses guidelines developed by Audubon International to develop a Long-Term Sustainability Plan which outlines how their goals in 15 different focal areas will be met; some of which include resource use, public health, governance, and environmental issues. Positive environmental impacts Amelia Island is pursuing numerous environmental initiatives included in their Long-Term Sustainability Plan, including a multi-year vine mitigation program to remove invasive vines from the tree canopy along state highway A1A, which runs through the community. However, their efforts do not stop there – other projects include a Legacy Tree Program that will add trees for future forest growth as well as replace trees that have died or fallen due to a storm or other event. The Legacy Tree Program seeks to replant preferred species that will enhance and improve the quality of the existing maritime forest types, assuring their vitality for future generations to also enjoy. Additionally, the community is working with the South Amelia Island Shore Stabilization Association’s beach replenishment project to protect and preserve the sand that has been lost naturally or due to human impact over the years. “From its inception 50 years ago, Amelia Island Plantation has been a community designed for, and dedicated to sustainability and being in harmony with nature,” said Bob Schmonsees, President of The Amelia Island Plantation Foundation. “Our community wide sustainability initiative and partnership with Audubon International is our next step in preserving and strengthening