Border collie “Fairway” chosen cover dog of 2016 LebanonTurf calendar
Lawrence, Kan. (Oct. 13, 2015) – She can’t wait to get out on the golf course every morning, and she looks forward to a good game of catch with a Frisbee.
She is a 3-year-old border collie named Fairway, who has become a fixture among the golf course management staff at Toledo (Ohio) Country Club (TCC) since being “hired” two years ago to keep the on-course geese population under control.
The playful black-and-white spotted dog is enjoying celebrity status theses days after being chosen for the cover of the 2016 Dog Days of Golf calendar, sponsored by LebanonTurf and distributed without cost to nearly 18,000 members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. She is also in the running for Dog of the Year through a vote of the 13,000-plus expected attendees at the February 2016 Golf Industry Show in San Diego.
Fairway is the second dog for Tim Glorioso, the director of golf course operations at TCC for the last 15 years, but the first he has photographed and nominated for consideration for the calendar.
“I had always meant to nominate my first dog, Divot, for the calendar, but I never got around to it,” said Glorioso, who lost Divot in 2012. “I regret not doing it before, but I made myself a promise to nominate Fairway. She is a talented and beautiful dog. I was ecstatic when they told me Fairway was picked for the cover dog. She is going to be a celebrity!”
The cover photo, taken by family friend Jeff Harris, shows Fairway jumping high to snag a Frisbee, a favorite pastime for the dog after the work is done. It’s a joy Fairway picked up from the grounds staff and Glorioso, who holds the distinction of being a certified golf course superintendent.
Glorioso was told the dog was well-trained for her primary role as a geese chaser, but he had his doubts in the beginning, after paying $3,500 to a Canadian company that recommended Fairway for the job. At first she didn’t listen, and she was more interested in chasing deer and squirrels. But Fairway is now the best part of the superintendent’s early day, along with the morning sunrise over the historic Willie Park Jr. design that opened in 1897.
“I knew I had to get a geese dog and get our problem under control,” remembers Glorioso of his early days at TCC. “When I first came here, it was insane. We have three holes on the Maumee River, and there must have been a thousand geese down there at times. Fairway has since taken over and keeps that part of the course in shape.”
“Fairway is one of the adopted members of our club,” said Tony Searl, head golf professional at TCC. “Most of our golf members know Fairway by name and appreciate the job that she does to help Tim and the excellent work he and his staff do here. The geese have learned that Fairway is in charge, and she chases them to let them know they are not welcome at Toledo Country Club. Fairway gets my vote for dog of the year within the golf course community, and I’m sure the members at Toledo Country Club would agree.”
About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
Contact:
Craig Smith, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 4431 or 785-691-9197 (cell)
csmith@gcsaa.org
