EARTH SHAPING NEWS www.gcbaa.org
Published Quarterly by the Golf Course Builders Association of America
2nd Quarter 2014
2014 GCBAA Meeting Coming to Louisville Members and industry leaders will gather this August for the Associations’ Annual Summer Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. With the PGA Championship in town, there’s plenty of excitement for this year’s Summer Meeting. Scheduled for August 5-7, the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) Summer Meeting will be held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Louisville. The Education and Meetings Committees have worked to create an event that will deliver an array of both educational offerings and networking opportunities throughout the week. FOURTH STREET DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE - ONE BLOCK
A new addition this year will be Tuesday’s Irrigation FROM GCBAA HEADQUARTER HOTEL - HYATT REGENCY Symposium. Join industry experts for classroom and hands-on sessions featuring irrigation technologies and installation techniques. From joint restraints and proper thrust blocking to proper wiring, grounding, and fault finding on various systems, this all-day education will help you and your crew perform better on projects. Don’t forget, CEU’s apply! Wednesday’s format will begin with breakfast, followed by a number of breakout sessions designed to teach you the latest in golf course construction trends, technology must-haves, and efficiency builders. A reception and silent auction will be held atop the Hotel’s private revolving rooftop, followed by dinner, awards and a live auction. Keep in mind that all proceeds generated go towards the GCBAA Foundation and its supporting programs. Last but not least is the celebrated Sticks for Kids Golf Outing Thursday morning at Quail Chase Golf Club in Louisville. Your entry fee includes transportation to and from the course, breakfast, golf, cart, awards luncheon, beverages, tee gifts, and a golf shirt. The scramble format can accommodate 144 players on a first-come, first-served basis so get your spot secured as soon as possible.
PGA Championship Admission The PGA Championship will take place August 7-10 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. Please note that your 2014 GCBAA membership card, when accompanied by a photo ID, offers you complimentary grounds admission into the tournament. Check out www.pga.com/pgachampionship for additional information on the event. Please contact the office with any questions regarding next month’s Summer Meeting. We are here to help you register, book your hotel rooms, assist with sponsorship opportunities, and everything in between.
INSIDE 2 President’s Perspective 3 Executive Director Notes 4 Foundation Update 6 Human Resources 8 Developer’s Guide 12 Allied Associations 18 New Members 19 Movers & Shapers 22 Advertisers
President’s Perspective
Rick Boylan GCBAA PRESIDENT
CHARTER MEMBERS ACC GOLF CONSTRUCTION ASPEN CORPORATION BOYD IRRIGATION, INC. BRYANT TAYLOR GORDON GOLF CAL OLSON GOLF ARCHITECTURE CATERPILLAR, INC. COLORADO LINING INTERNATIONAL, INC. DUININCK GOLF DYE DESIGNS INTERNATIONAL
The calendar pages are turning quickly, which means we will be gathering together in Louisville for our Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) Summer Meeting just a few short weeks from now. Heading to the Summer Meeting is important for a few different reasons—the opportunity to network within the industry and with our Allied friends, the education program and seminars, and the opportunity to learn from each other and continue advancing our profession and our livelihood in the golf construction field. The Executive Office and committees have been hard at work making sure this year’s event is bigger and better than ever, and I am looking forward to seeing many of you there. This is an exciting time for all of us, both as an association, and as individuals. The industry is starting to see some growth, and we hope that this positive trend will continue. I believe we can all help it continue by strengthening our bond as an association, by doing quality work on our projects, and by continuing to cultivate strong relationships with our allied associations. I recently had the opportunity to represent the GCBAA on a few different trips. In early May, the Executive Board met in Louisville to review the hotel and meeting accommodations with our Meetings Committee, and to discuss the business of GCBAA. We also attended the annual meeting of the American Society of Irrigation Consultants in Portland, Oregon. Justin Apel, GCBAA Executive Director delivered a great message to our allied Irrigation Consultant friends about the GCBAA and our new irrigation initiatives and Certified Golf Course Irrigation Contractor process.
EAGLE GOLF & LANDSCAPE PRODUCTS EWING IRRIGATION FLOWTRONEX FORWARD MANAGEMENT GROUP GREENMAN MACHINERY COMPANY HARCO FITTINGS HUNTER INDUSTRIES ISCO INDUSTRIES J L PIERMAN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATES, INC. JACKLINGOLF JOHN DEERE GOLF LANDSCAPES UNLIMITED, LLC LANDIRR, INC. LASCO FITTINGS INC. LEEMCO INC. MACCURRACH GOLF MCDONALD & SONS, INC. MEDALIST GOLF MID-AMERICA GOLF & LANDSCAPE, INC. NMP GOLF CONSTRUCTION, CORP. PROFILE PRODUCTS LLC QGS DEVELOPMENT, INC. RAIN BIRD CORPORATION – GOLF DIVISION RYAN INC. CENTRAL RYANGOLF CORPORATION SHAPEMASTERS, INC. SOUTHEASTERN GOLF, INC. SUNBELT RENTALS TDI INTERNATIONAL, INC. TEE-2-GREEN THE TORO COMPANY WADSWORTH GOLF CONSTRUCTION COMPANY WEST COAST TURF
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Next, it was on to Tulsa, Oklahoma to attend the American Society of Golf Course Architects annual meeting and to Monterey, California to attend the National Golf Course Owners Association meeting. The goodwill and fellowship that we receive representing the GCBAA is simply OUTSTANDING! I encourage you to spread the association’s message as you seek out opportunities to forge new or strengthen existing relationships. The positive impact is a benefit to all of us. In addition to our efforts to build relationships outside our association, let’s not forget about the relationships inside our group. We have all come to the GCBAA with one ultimate goal—to continually improve, enhance, and support the growth of the golf course industry. The strength of our group comes from the fact that we can all work together toward that common goal, in spite of the fact that many of us compete against each other on a daily basis. Please consider utilizing our industry partners, associates, and sponsors as you make plans for your project needs. At the end of the day, our strength lies in our numbers, and the strength of our association is a direct result of what each of us is willing to put into it. Speak up. Join committees. Get involved. Please join me in spreading the word and opening our arms to all of our partners in golf. We are all in this for same reason and common goal, and together we can continue the positive growth in our association and in the golf industry. In closing I would like to commend our Executive Staff for their hard work and continued efforts of keeping our association prepared and headed in the right direction. Under Justin’s leadership, I have witnessed our staff represent themselves and the GCBAA with integrity and professionalism. As an organization, we are poised for growth and new initiatives that benefit each and every member. Thank you all for your hard work and continued dedication. As always, if I can be of any help to you, please let me know. Rick Boylan
Executive Director Notes This spring has been a busy time for all of us. Case in point—I’m sitting here in another airport, writing this article as I wait for my flight to board. But busy is good. We are very happy to hear many of you are keeping busy with projects that have been approved and projects where the weather is finally cooperating. So let’s hope the trend continues. In Lincoln, we have been extremely busy moving forward on a number of new programs and initiatives to increase your member value. We are excited to have Lori Romano on the team and she has been a valuable asset in helping us achieve the Association and Foundation goals. First and most importantly is the growth in our educational offerings. Many of you are experts in your field and have knowledge that can be shared with the entire golf industry. Whether working with other allied associations on specific issues like the proposed rule changes under the Environmental Protection Agency Clean Water Act or sitting on a panel with national tourism boards discussing golf development sustainable practices along coastal waters, we have the diversity and expertise to speak to a number of important subjects. We are always looking for content and presenters, so please let us know if you are ever interested. We hope to see many of you in Louisville this August for the Summer Meeting. This year we are back with The PGA of America Championship week and have added some local flavor into our meeting format along with a specific day devoted to irrigation. Watch the website as the meeting agenda is finalized. We cannot thank you enough for responding to our recent survey and membership requests. Your feedback and ideas is what helps the association grow in membership benefits and offerings. We are currently exploring offering different insurance options for our membership. The information you submitted in the Insurance Survey helps us and underwriters understand coverage needs. By offering group plans, we should be able to pass along savings directly to the membership while offering coverages unique to your business. As always we are looking for volunteers with all of our activities. You can either visit the website for a listing of committees or let us know if you would like to participate but are unsure of what might be available. We are constantly working with volunteers on different types of projects and can always use another set of hands. We hope you enjoy this issue and see all of the allied progress we are making and the new groups we are working with to promote your businesses. We are pleased with the progress we have made with We Are Golf and will continue to work on improving the image of the game that is an ongoing issue. We are also dedicated to increasing players to the sport and working with the different initiatives to change the perception and invite more players into the game of golf to grow our business. See you in Louisville! Justin Apel
Justin Apel GCBAA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EARTH SHAPING NEWS © GOLF COURSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
727 ‘O’ Street Lincoln, NE 68508 TEL (402) 476-4444 FAX (402) 476-4489 information@gcbaa.org www.gcbaa.org
Justin Apel EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
justin_apel@gcbaa.org
Samantha Porter PROGRAM & PLANNING MANAGER
samantha_porter@gcbaa.org
Lori Romano INFORMATION & EDUCATION COORDINATOR
lori_romano@gcbaa.org
Amy Hromiak COPY EDITOR
avhromiak@aol.com
Nebraska Printing Center DESIGN & LAYOUT
www.npcenter.com Information in this publication may be reproduced for non-profit education purposes. Please include source credit if reproducing. Contact the Executive Director if material is used for any other purpose to obtain written permission. News releases via email or fax are welcomed and encouraged.
Archived issues available at www.gcbaa.org.
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GCBAA FOUNDATION
Foundation Update
Rick Lohman GCBAA FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
BOARD MEMBERS MARK ARRIMOUR TOTAL TURF SERVICES JOE DIRIENZO PAIGE ELECTRIC CO., LLP CHRISTINE FAULKS FAULKS BROS. CONSTRUCTION BILL KUBLY LANDSCAPES UNLIMITED, LLC KUN LI FORWARD MANAGEMENT GROUP RON STEPANEK TOM SHAPLAND SHAPLAND GOLF CONSULTANTS, LLC DENNIS WAGNER EWING IRRIGATION
This year is shaping up to be a big one for the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) Foundation. As many of you already know, Lori Romano joined the GCBAA staff in April as our new Information & Education Coordinator. Since then, Lori has been very busy. At the top of her priority list was determining which Sticks for Kids programs were active and effective. After a significant amount of time spent reaching out to and surveying our existing programs, we now have a clearer picture of the programs that are fulfilling our Sticks for Kids vision and purpose, and what additional resources we can continue to provide to help those programs remain viable. We will continue to monitor all of our programs to ensure our initial investments are protected and that program participants have access to updated equipment. In addition to maintaining and strengthening our existing programs, we are also looking for ways to broaden our reach to other deserving youth. New program grants were recently approved for the Michigan Women’s Golf Association, which serves girls and young women in the city of Detroit, and Lakeside Memorial Golf Course, where General Manager Michael Henderson is pioneering an approach to break down the barriers of golf by allowing children under 16 to play for free throughout the summer. The Foundation is also partnering with two organizations—the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Links Across America—to make the game of golf accessible to underprivileged youth, families, adult beginners, and people with disabilities at nine locations across the U.S. Going forward, there are plans in place and work already being done to launch a new GCBAA Foundation and Sticks for Kids newsletter, to gather and share success stories and profiles from our programs around the country, and to analyze how we can continue to grow the Sticks for Kids Program and provide a vital link to help grow the game of golf. With so many successful programs already running, and so many new opportunities beginning to take shape, it is a very exciting time for our Foundation. To add to the excitement, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ron Stepanek as the newest member of the GCBAA Foundation Board of Directors. Ron brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. In addition to serving as sectional Executive Director for the PGA of America in Central New York and Southern Ohio, Ron served most recently as Director of Player Development. Ron is passionate about the game of golf, particularly introducing and developing young players to grow the game. Ron’s background in golf and his broad contacts make him a great addition. Please join me in welcoming Ron to the Foundation Board. Soon, we will be meeting in Louisville for the Summer Meeting, which includes the Sticks for Kids golf outing. This year’s tournament is scheduled for Thursday, August 7 at Quail Chase Golf Club. The tournament will once again help raise awareness and contribute the vital resources we need to strengthen and grow the Sticks for Kids Program. I am hopeful you will all consider an item for the auction and/or participate in the golf outing. This is our opportunity to raise vital Sticks for Kids resources which will help us to continue impacting the lives of children and their families. We are in the best position ever to make our existing Sticks for Kids Programs stronger, to expand our reach, and support other deserving facilities. Your support is vital to the success of Sticks for Kids, and I ask that you give careful consideration to how you can help support this worthy cause. Many of you have given considerable time and provided much needed resources, and for that we are grateful. If you are looking for a way to get involved or want more information on how you can support the Foundation, please don’t hesitate to contact me or the GCBAA office. Rick Lohman
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GCBAA FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION
Foundation Newsletter Preview As the new Information & Education Coordinator for the GCBAA, my goal is to continue the success of the Sticks for Kids Program and help bring the game of golf to a new generation. Since I joined the GCBAA Executive Office in April, I have been busy collecting information and data from our existing programs in order to get an accurate picture of where the programs are heading in 2014 and beyond, and to figure out what we can do to support and sustain them. What became immediately apparent is the need for connection—between the Executive Office and the grant recipients, between the program sites spread across the United States, and between the individual programs and the generous donors who make it all possible. There is so much wonderful work being done, and so much we can still do. As part of this ongoing effort, I would like to introduce the new GCBAA Foundation Sticks for Kids News. This quarterly newsletter will be available on the Foundation website and will contain all the information you need about the GCBAA Foundation and Sticks for Kids Program. In each issue, you will find: · Survey details and status reports
Platinum Level (OVER $100,000) GOLF COURSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (GCBAA)
Gold Level ($50,000 - $99,999) THE TORO COMPANY AND FOUNDATION UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION (USGA) WADSWORTH GOLF CHARITIES FOUNDATION/ WADSWORTH GOLF CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Silver Level ($10,000 - $49,999) CATERPILLAR, INC. D.H.R. CONSTRUCTION HERITAGE LINKS HYDREMA U.S. INC. ISCO INDUSTRIES, LLC JIM KIRCHDORFER MEMORIAL JOHN DEERE LANDSCAPES LANDSCAPES UNLIMITED, LLC
Bronze Level ($1,000 - $9,999) AUDUBON INTERNATIONAL COURSE CRAFTERS, LLC DUININCK GOLF DYE DESIGN INTERNATIONAL EAGLE GOLF & LANDSCAPE PRODUCTS FAIRMOUNT MINERALS FOUNDATION FEDEX SERVICES FINISH LINE YOUTH FOUNDATION
· Opportunities for future programs and partnerships
FORWARD MANAGEMENT GROUP
· Foundation scholarship recipient profiles
GENESIS GOLF BUILDERS, INC.
· Sticks for Kids success stories and program features · Sticks for Kids new program profiles
FRONTIER GOLF GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION, INC. GOLF COURSE INDUSTRY MAGAZINE GOLF CREATIONS GOLF WORKS, INC.
· Donor profiles and memorials
KEEPERS OF THE GREEN
· Sticks for Kids and Foundation news and info (grant deadlines, upcoming events, etc.)
LASCO FITTINGS
KINDER PORTER SCOTT FAMILY FOUNDATION LEPANTO GOLF CONSTRUCITON, INC. LIQUID FENCE COMPANY
· Links to our website, social media pages, and individual programs The goal? To raise awareness about the GCBAA Foundation and Sticks for Kids Program, and to create that vital connection between the donors, the programs, and the children and families they serve. The best way to continue to grow and support the Sticks for Kids Programs is to spread the word and to share the success stories of the people and the programs that are impacting children’s lives every day. So enjoy, and be sure to pass it along. You can find the first issue of the GCBAA Foundation Sticks for Kids News at http://www.gcbaafoundation.org/sticks-for-kids/newsletter Lori Romano
MCDONALD & SONS, INC. MID-AMERICA GOLF AND LANDSCAPE, INC. POINTENORTH INSURANCE PRINCE PROJECT EVERGREEN RAINMAKER GOLF DEVELOPMENT, INC. RYANGOLF CORPORATION SAM FERRO SEASIDE GOLF DEVELOPMENT SMITH TURF & IRRIGATION SUNBELT RENTALS TERRY & KAREN GWINN THE TURF COMPANY THOMAS TURF SERVICES, INC. TOMMY SASSER TOTAL GOLF CONSTRUCTION, INC. TOTAL TURF SERVICES, INC. UNITED GOLF, LLC
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HUMAN RESOURCES
I Believe Your Complaint, But… BY JACK L. SHULTZ AND ROBERT B. TRUHE HARDING & SHULTZ, P.C., L.L.O.
On May 23, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued a ruling in a Title VII discrimination case. The decision involves sexual harassment allegations, but the more important issue is that the decision is a “game changer” with respect to employer liability. The important change concerns harassment by co-workers rather than supervisors. THE SITUATION The male employee in question was initially hired as an Operations Manager and later promoted to Regional General Manager. He reported directly to another male supervisor and indirectly to another male supervisor. The employee also interacted with a female HR representative. The male employee reported that during the first 10 months he worked with the female HR representative, the two enjoyed a good working relationship and would sometimes flirt with each other. However, whenever the HR representative expressed a romantic interest in him, he gently rebuffed her. THE THREAT At a later date, the male employee and the HR representative were traveling together on business. The male employee threatened to call hotel security after the HR representative tried to force her way into his hotel room and later stood outside the door to his room. This confrontation led to a series of angry e-mails between the two with the HR representative telling the male employee that if anybody knows of his “professional weaknesses” it would be her and that “I will manage to undercut you at work and get you fired.” THE COMPLAINT The male employee complained to his immediate supervisor but told him he should just send the HR representative a conciliatory e-mail because otherwise she would get him terminated. The supervisor allegedly joked that the male employee should just have sex with the HR representative as a way to solve the problem. The male employee later complained to both of his male supervisors but never filed a written complaint because the company did not have a formal complaint procedure dealing with sexual harassment or any other type of harassment. THE TERMINATION In addition to her e-mails, the HR representative began
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discussing the male employee’s job performance with his two supervisors. One supervisor stated that the male employee needed to be disciplined and the other supervisor stated that the male employee should receive a formal warning and be placed on a performance improvement plan. However, the HR representative responded that she was “obligated to refer this” matter to senior company officials at the company headquarters in another state. Before doing so, the HR representative made another sexual advance toward the male employee. The advance was again at a hotel while on a business trip. After the HR representative told the male employee that she wanted to have a romantic relationship with him, he replied that he wasn’t interested and that she should stop pursuing him. That night, the HR representative sent an e-mail to senior officials at the company headquarters. Four days later, his supervisor told the male employee that he was fired. THE DECISION The federal district court granted summary judgment to the employer on the grounds that the harassment had come from a co-worker who did not have the authority to reprimand or terminate the male employee. In partially reversing that decision, the circuit court concluded that the male employee should be allowed to proceed to trial with his discriminatory discharge claim based on his rejection of the HR representative’s sexual advances. The circuit court noted that the HR representative was not the supervisor of the male employee but stated that “the distinction between supervisors and co-workers” did not matter in the context of quid pro quo harassment. The court specifically noted that whether a co-worker is harassing another employee instead of a supervisor does not matter because “the same elements are present: an act of discrimination is allowed to cause harm by an employer that knows or reasonably should know of the discrimination.” CONCLUSION In this case, the recommendation for termination and the “investigation” into the alleged job performance deficiencies of the male employee were based at least in part on the biased actions of the HR representative. On the TV series “Dragnet,” Sergeant Joe Friday frequently reminded everyone of the need to get “the facts.” The same thing may be said of decisions to reprimand or terminate employees. Allegations of employee misconduct or lack of performance should be carefully investigated in order to
obtain “the facts.” Senior management is now on notice that it should not take every reported “investigation” at face value. If the investigation is “tainted” by bias, the employer may face liability even if the bias comes from a co-worker who does not have the authority to directly terminate the employee in question. This decision underscores how important it is for employers to have an unbiased performance appraisal system as well as an unbiased investigation procedure for allegations of employee misconduct or under performance. Failure to have such safeguards could lead to a trip to federal court. Editor’s Note: This article is not intended to provide legal advice to our readers. Rather, this article is intended to alert our readers to new and developing issues and to provide some common sense answers to complex legal questions. Readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel or the author of this article if the reader wishes to obtain a specific legal opinion regarding how these legal standards may apply to their particular circumstances. The authors of this article, Jack L. Shultz and Robert B. Truhe, can be contacted at 402/4343000, or at Harding & Shultz, P.C., L.L.O., P.O. Box 82028, Lincoln, NE 68501-2028, jshultz@hslegalfirm.com or btruhe@hslegalfirm.com..
GCBAA Presents Certification Program to ASIC The GCBAA was asked to present during the American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) Annual Spring Meeting in Portland, Oregon April 26 – 28. With over 130 registrants, 15 speakers, and 35 exhibitors, the theme of the meeting “Taking Charge of Change” could not have been more appropriate.
GCBAA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRESENTING DURING ASIC ANNUAL SPRING MEETING
With sessions featuring professional development techniques, pumping efficiencies along, field trial results, and new irrigation technologies, guests were able to understand the water issues facing the industry and were provided the tools and technologies available to address those issues.
The GCBAA session, “About GCBAA”, highlighted details about our membership categories with focus on the newly created Certified Golf Course Irrigation Contractor Category and our Professional Category. There were a number of questions from audience members and we were able to share the education programming we have adopted for our membership. GCBAA was very pleased to join ASIC and the nearly 20 duplicate members we share.
GCBAA Hosts Regional Meet and Greet With the number of companies spread around the country, the GCBAA is using a workshop model while traveling internationally to share what the association can do for those involved in the golf industry. Piggybacking on the events of National Golf Day, GCBAA Charter and Certified Builder McDonald & Sons along with Justin Apel with the Executive office of GCBAA hosted a small reception the evening of Wednesday, May 21 near Baltimore. Local contractors and suppliers were invited to attend the informal reception, where they visited with association members and non-members about issues affecting the golf industry and activities of the association. The small gathering provided an opportunity for the GCBAA to hear about more regional issues facing the industry and recruit new members to join the association and help promote the growth of the game. Sharing the collaboration from National Golf Day through We Are Golf helped showcase the mission of GCBAA and illustrate to the participants why being a part of the association is beneficial, even if your company is a regional group. Going forward, we would like to see more members hosting these types of events. Please let us know if you are interested in assisting the office with setting up a reception in your area.
Multiple Course Owners Learn About GCBAA Certification Program GCBAA presented association activities and the new certification programs to the agronomic officers and multiple course owners group at the National Golf Course Owners Annual Multiple Course Owners (MCO) Retreat at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, June 17 – 18. The retreat featured the latest updates from Washington, D.C. Topics included a review of the MCO Pulse of the Industry Survey showing some positive results towards increased spending on capital for courses, and non-traditional approaches to golf such as FootGolf, Hack Golf, and other player development initiatives. GCBAA President Rick Boylan and GCBAA Executive Director Justin Apel participated in the events and networked with attendees.
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DEVELOPER’S GUIDE
Survivor’s Guide to Next BY HENRY DELOZIER, GLOBAL GOLF ADVISORS
The recession has run its course and economic recovery is underway in many sectors. Golf is recovering more slowly than the homebuilding segment and golf course builders can feel the rising tide. There are many good and capable builders among the ranks of the survivors. So, what’s next?
capital and improved land-yield. Golf course builders have long discussed the inefficiencies of most developers and the inclination to “throw money at problems” rather than to execute thorough planning and estimating (of money and time). Provide solutions.
First, survey the market to decide what is next. Developers have found that golf remains an attractive amenity for Baby Boomers and avid golfers. The catch is that most developers want someone else to develop, own and operate golf courses within master planned communities. This accelerates the search for and choice of the exit strategy for the golf course.
Golf course builders who help developers to be more innovative and to properly align golf course construction – features and length, for example – to market demand and conditions – add great value. Doing so requires that builders understand and can help to align developers’ expectations, local market conditions and pricing dynamics to golf course planning.
The target audience segments for most developers fall between the age cohorts of 45 and 60 years of age. There are more sub-segments within the age range than before. Those who populate this age range are buying homes. Builders must focus on the use needs, demands and expectations of the Boomer segments because most homes that are being developed near golf courses and clubs are a part of a golf-centric master plan. Many developers observed that the mandatory membership or bundled communities seem to have suffered the downturn better than opt-in membership communities. As such, most new communities will feature mandatory membership programs that assign ownership to the members. In many residential communities, the long-term golf course owner will be the homeowner or property association. Golf course builders – and designers – should be alert to the eventual owner as that entity is likely to have different priorities than the developer, whose wants and needs are apparent. Second, the market will require golf courses that are more sustainable – meaning easily playable for a broad range of golfers and cost-effective to maintain and operate. This provides great value for the golf course builder which can instruct and advise developers to build smarter, faster and more cost effectively. Here are five characteristics that will serve golf course builders now in their dealings with developers:
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Innovate – Find new and better solutions for developers who want to reduce risk, front-end
In many cases golf course builders know the pulse of the market and understand what courses prosper and why. Make your company a source of new and better ideas.
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Educate – Just knowing best practice is not enough. Builders must now be educators. Teach your developer clients in aspects that drive a higher probability of success. Show how different features are more cost-effective to build and to maintain. Provide the calculations that will prove the accuracy of your recommendations. Understand that the golf course builder is a treasure-trove of hands-on knowledge and experience. Show how to build better golf courses that require less water, maintenance costs and future repairs or post-construction changes.
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Recalibrate – Teach developers how to build better courses. Become the source of knowledge for your developer clients. The value proposition here is in becoming a trusted information resource. Most developers drastically reduced manpower and, with it, institutional knowledge. Many project managers have never built a golf course; so teach them! Make it easy for your customers to rely on you for estimating, supply-chain management or guidance and project management. Provide calculations and take-offs for everything.
FUTURE MAJOR GOLF EVENTS
Masters Show how much more efficiently the methods that you recommend can be applied than are outdated practices.
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Administrate – Take on the administrative needs for planning and building a golf course. Make project management a part of your contract and look after the details for the developer. It is one less moving-part in the developer’s machine and improved efficiency in building a golf course. Monitor all costs and contracts on behalf of the developer. Make your firm indispensable and a goto resource. Report timely and thoroughly. Since the golf course builder is on the frontline of the project this structure adds immediacy and insight that are highly advantageous to the developer. Keep a thorough record of the project on behalf of the developer. Make a running record of the project and deliver everything in digital format. (Note: be sure you have adequate bandwidth to provide that service.)
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Regenerate – Develop a method and process that can be reused from project to project. Learn from mistakes and improve your own methods and capabilities. Developers – like golf course builders – are forced to do more with less. See that you and your company are positioned for the next cycle of golf course development.
Henry DeLozier is a partner at Global Golf Advisors, the largest firm in the world specializing in consulting services for golf-related businesses. Contact Henry at hdelozier@ globalgolfadvisors.com.
National Golf Club, Augusta 2015 – April 9-12 2016 – April 7-10
U.S. Open
2015 Chambers Bay University Place, WA – June 18-21 2016 Oakmont Country Club Oakmont, PA – June 13-19 2017 Erin Hills Erin, WI – June 12-18 2018 Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Southampton, NY – June 14-17
British Open
2014 Royal Liverpool Hoylake July 17-20 2015 St. Andrews July 16-19
PGA Championship 2014 Valhalla Golf Club Louisville, KY – August 7-10 2015 Whistling Straits Kohler, WI – August 10-16 2016 Baltustrol Golf Club Springfield, NJ – August – TBA 2017 Quail Hollow Charlotte, NC – August – TBA
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What They Said on Social Media!
2014 National Golf Day For the seventh annual National Golf Day, industry leaders from all allied associations including GCBAA converged on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, May 21. The day featured an exhibit in the House of Representatives Cannon Caucus Room, lessons for members of Congress and their staff, as well as exhibits and activities such as putting contests, swing analysis, Birdie Ball, and turfgrass studies conducted through members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSAA). With nearly 90 scheduled meetings throughout the day, members of We Are Golf shared stories about BILL BROWN & RICK the game’s approximately 15,000 LOHMAN, THE TORO diverse small businesses that COMPANY, JUDD employ more than two million DUININCK, DUININCK GOLF, AND JUSTIN APEL people and provide $55.6 billion in STANDING ON THE STEPS annual wage income. Specifically OF THE US CAPITOL the group’s conversations focused BUILDING on allowing golf to be treated as a business and to not be unfairly and arbitrarily exempted from disaster relief packages in the future. We also asked for support for the physical benefits golf provides by asking members to support the Personal Health Investment Today Act that allows personal health tax incentives and allows golf to be included in healthy lifestyle choices. Conservation easements, wetlands, and other environmental regulations including the EPA rules change regarding Waters of the United States were also discussed. GCBAA Members Rick Lohman and Bill Brown with The Toro Company, Judd Duininck with Duininck Golf, and GCBAA Executive Director Justin Apel began their day with the 71st Annual Nebraska Breakfast, where members of the Nebraska delegation met with Nebraskans visiting Washington D.C. to discuss current issues. After the group photo, the group joined GCSAA Certified Superintendent Scott Hines from Windsong Farm Golf Course in Minnesota to visit delegates from Minnesota, wrapping up a full and productive day.
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JUDD DUININCK, RICK LOHMAN, CONGRESSMAN COLLIN PETERSON MN, BILL BROWN, AND SCOTT HINES, CGCS WINDSONG FARM GC
GCBAA President, Rick Boylan, Participates in ASGCA Panel The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) hosted their 68th Annual Meeting May 3-7 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. GCBAA President Rick Boylan and GCBAA Executive Director Justin Apel joined nearly 80 members of the Society and 25 industry guests in educational sessions, golf outings, and the annual Donald Ross Award Dinner. Education presentations featured allied updates from the United States Golf Association (USGA) and a member panel discussing the future of golf course architecture. ASGCA members STEVE SMYERS, GREG MARTIN, Tripp Davis and JUSTIN APEL, RICK BOYLAN, RICK Chris Clouser ROBBINS, LEE SCHMIDT gave a local history of Perry Maxwell’s work in Oklahoma and his unique design techniques that are still used today. The discussion then turned to bunkers, and whether their design should be aesthetic or penal or a combination of both. The discussion was conducted by The Patriot Golf Club superintendent Jeremy Dobson, USGA Green Section Jim Moore, GCBAA President Rick Boylan, and moderator and ASGCA Member Ian Andrew. Dr. Matt Pringle with the USGA discussed Pace of Play, the effects it IAN ANDREW, JIM MOORE, RICK has on the game, BOYLAN, AND JEREMY DOBSON and perception on the golfer’s experience on the course. Major Dan Rooney, founder of the Folds of Honor Foundation and Patriot Golf Day, was selected by the ASGCA as the 2014 Donald Ross Award recipient and honored Monday, May 5 at Southern Hills Country Club. A native of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Major Rooney was an Air Force pilot, serving three combat tours in Iraq. Rooney is also a Class A PGA Professional golfer and has devoted his post-military career to assisting the families of those killed or disabled in service to the
US. Funds raised during Patriot Golf Day support the scholarships awarded to military families through the Folds of Honor Foundation. Since 2007, the Folds of Honor has raised more than $38 million and awarded nearly 5,500 scholarships.
MAJOR DAN ROONEY RECEIVES ASGCA DONALD ROSS AWARD FROM ASGCA PRESIDENT RICK ROBBINS
USGA Hosts Golf Industry Leaders Meeting For a second straight year, Mike Davis, Executive Director of the USGA, has invited American Golf Industry Leaders to the U.S. Open venue for an industry leaders meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to share the various allied initiatives and find new collaborative efforts to address issues affecting the game. With issues like water, image of the game, perception by regulators, and declining rounds; this meeting allows the industry leaders to openly discuss possible programs to align efforts. GCBAA joined allied associations the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), Augusta National, Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Golf Canada, International Association of Golf Administrators, Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), National Golf Foundation (NGF), PGA of America, PGA of Canada, PGA TOUR, U.S. Golf Manufacturers Council, United States Golf Association (USGA), and World Golf Foundation (WGF). The event was held just before practice rounds began at the 2014 U.S. Open in Pinehurst on Tuesday, June 10. We look forward to the efforts of this group and the association’s contribution to supporting initiatives to support the game.
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ALLIED ASSOCIATIONS
Rounds 4 Research Hitting Its Stride Just two years after expanding the turfgrass fundraising effort known as Rounds 4 Research to a national audience, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and its philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), have gone beyond their initial goal of filling a void after many research funding sources – both private and public – had been eliminated. In addition to building a network of fundraising partners and having golf luminaries such as Peter Jacobsen and Annika Sorenstam tweet R4R information to their legions of fans, Rounds 4 Research has raised $175,000 so far, not including two 2014 auctions. Rounds 4 Research, presented in partnership with The Toro Co., uses a simple formula where golf facilities can support the effort by donating rounds of golf and other items that will be auctioned off online on www.biddingforgood.com to generate funds. Rounds 4 Research allows GCSAA chapters and turfgrass foundations to participate as fundraising partners with the vast majority of proceeds going back to those organizations. In this way, these organizations can direct the proceeds to specific projects that will have the most significant impact in their local areas. Currently Rounds 4 Research has 48 fundraising partners. After launching a series of four smaller auctions in 2012, 2013’s efforts included two summer auctions that raised nearly $150,000 that year alone. For 2014, R4R is building on the previous year’s success with similar schedule to the previous year. The first auction was held June 9-22 featuring more than 750 items, and a second is scheduled for Aug. 1-10 to coincide with the PGA Championship.
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“The response to Rounds 4 Research exceeded our expectations last year, and we are excited to keep the momentum going in 2014,” said GCSAA President Keith A. Ihms, CGCS, golf course maintenance manager at Bella Vista (Ark.) Village. “Rounds 4 Research benefits research and the bidder alike. Golfers can gain entrance to some of the nation’s top facilities, but they can also find great deals on other highquality facilities that might not have national name recognition but still offer an enjoyable experience.” Some of the high-profile facilities that have donated rounds for the June auction included 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open host Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, N.C.; East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, host of the PGA Tour Championships; Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, S.C.; and Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, S.C. The total amount raised from the first auction was not available at press time. Ihms also noted that golfers are not only getting great deals on their favorite pastime, but they are helping to secure the game’s future as their purchases are directly benefitting them and the game they love. Funds will be used by GCSAA and regional superintendents/ turfgrass organizations to fund activities that lead to better course conditions. “Survey after survey shows that golfers base their satisfaction with a facility on course conditioning,” Ihms said. “The work funded by R4R helps develop new grasses, and that can enhance conditions, while at the same time improving sustainable management practices to ensure the long-term health of the environment and the game.” For more information, visit www.rounds4research.com.
NGCOA
The Thrill of Victory Golf Business, June 2014
During a period when very little positive action is taking place on Capitol Hill, the We Are Golf (WAG) coalition, of which the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) is a founding member, scored a significant victory recently when it successfully reversed an effort within the Senate Finance Committee to specifically exclude golf courses from eligibility for conservation easement tax incentives. For its part, the NGCOA encouraged members in key states to act on behalf of this change. Forbes-Tate, We Are Golf ’s Washington, D.C.-based advocacy firm, led an effort that was supported by several WAG member organizations, including the NGCOA, to convince key members of the Senate Finance Committee to include golf courses among land uses eligible for conservation easement tax incentives during the mark up of the Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act. On April 3, the Senate Finance Committee voted to extend a package of key expired or expiring tax provisions, including the conservation easement for golf courses, through December 2015.
Club Managers Most Challenged by Facility Issues, HR, and Insurance Alexandria, VA - According to a survey of members of the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), 41 percent of club managers cited their most pressing management concern as facility issues, such as the age of the clubhouse and equipment, asset protection, renovations, and maintenance. Twenty-five percent of managers were concerned about human resources issues, including recruiting and staff turnover.
Under the current committee version, golf course owners could continue to donate land and claim the deduction. “I’m thinking logic prevailed,” says Mike Hughes, CEO of the NGCOA. “Golf has just as much right to be included as any other business. It’s an important economic driver for many areas. It accounts for 2 million jobs. They are stable businesses. They are good land uses.” Conservation easements allow a property owner to deduct the value (a partial interest) that is donated to a qualified charitable organization exclusively for conservation purposes. The proposal would amend the charitable contribution deduction provision to prohibit a deduction for any contribution of property that is in use as a golf course. First created in 2006 and extended multiple times, the conservation provision expired at the end of 2013. We Are Golf and its member organizations will continue to remain vigilant with both the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee to ensure that golf courses remain eligible for conservation easement tax incentives. While WAG was successful in this instance, much work remains to ensure that golf courses retain their conservation easement tax incentive eligibility and receive equitable treatment with other small businesses.
Other concerns included insurance (14 percent), banking (nine percent), safety and training (six percent), membership growth (four percent) and legal issues (one percent). “The results of the survey validate many of the anecdotal stories we are hearing from our members,” said Jim Singerling, chief executive CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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ALLIED ASSOCIATIONS
Jeff Price Named Chief Commercial Officer at the PGA of America Former Sporting News, SI and MasterCard Executive to join world’s largest sports organization officer of CMAA. “Their club members expect topnotch, well run facilities – and rightfully so – but for the managers, it is a daily challenge requiring constant education, research and vigilance.” Clubs across the nation—sports, country and golf clubs among them—are part of a $19 billion industry that employs more than 326,000 workers and has a significant economic impact on local communities. Behind the scenes, club managers are responsible for everything from facility maintenance to selecting healthcare and retirement plans for their employees. “Clearly club managers have many responsibilities other than overseeing the amenities offered to members. Our goal is to help them be successful by providing the education and comprehensive solutions they need in order to solve these pressing problems,” said Jeff Magoon, senior vice president of ClubSolutions for CMAA. CMAA ClubSolutions’ wide-ranging offerings are designed for the unique needs of club managers. For example, through the association’s partnerships, CMAA offers solutions that can help managers with 401(k) plans, property and casualty insurance and facility management systems, to name a few. About CMAA and ClubSolutions The Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) is the largest professional association for managers of membership clubs with 6,500 members throughout the US and internationally. Our managers operate more than 2,500 country, golf, athletic, city, faculty, military, town and yacht clubs. The objectives of the association are to promote relationships between club management professionals and other similar professions; to encourage the education and advancement of members; and to provide the resources needed for club managers to operate efficiently and successfully. CMAA is headquartered in Alexandria, VA, with 45 professional chapters and more than 45 student chapters and colonies. CMAA ClubSolutions is the most comprehensive source of facility management solutions for the club industry.
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Palm Beach Gardens, FL— Jeff Price, former president and publisher of Sporting News, who also served as president of SI Digital and head of sponsorships for MasterCard, has been named the Chief Commercial Officer of the PGA of America. Price, who will officially begin on Aug. 1, will be based at PGA headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and will report directly to PGA CEO Pete Bevacqua. Price will oversee the primary commercial areas of the organization, including media, sponsorship, merchandising, marketing/communications and international. While at the helm of Sporting News from 2010 to 2013, Price drove the digital transformation of the iconic brand. His efforts culminated in Sporting News’ joint venture with London’ Perform PLC, to form Sporting News Media, the largest digital sports video company in the United States last year. Additionally, this will not be Price’s first term in the golf industry, having relaunched Golf.com during his time at Sports Illustrated and overseeing golf sponsorships while at MasterCard. Along with Price joining the PGA, Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Ring will broaden the scope of his responsibilities, adding the areas of sponsorships, sales and partnership management. “Jeff is an incredible talent with a level of proven experience that will enable the PGA of America to effectively integrate all aspects of our business, to drive greater value to our members and grow the game,” said Bevacqua. “Jeff is a visionary whose collaborative approach across a wide range of multi-media platforms will enable the PGA to maximize our many business opportunities. We are thrilled that he is joining the PGA team and excited that Kevin Ring will take on new ventures that will further strengthen the PGA.”
WGHF World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Announces Changes to Process for Enshrinement Price, who serves on the National Executive Board of the National Sports Marketing Network, said: “It is a tremendous honor to join the PGA of America as its Chief Commercial Officer. The opportunity to help lead the commercial enterprise serving 27,000 dedicated PGA professionals and to help grow a game I love is truly a dream come true. “The role and responsibilities as designed by Pete Bevacqua and the Board will allow me to leverage more than two decades of experience driving top-line and bottom-line sports marketing results while simultaneously tapping into my passion as a forward-leaning sports media leader. I’m truly excited to join a team focused on building continued growth and innovation.” An avid golfer, Price received his M.S. from the Mark H. McCormack Department of Sports Management at the University of Massachusetts and earned his B.A. at Bates College. For more information about the PGA of America, visit pgamediacenter.com.
The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum will introduce a new process for individuals to be inducted beginning with the Class of 2015, in an announcement made Sunday, March 23 by PGA TOUR Commissioner and chairman of the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors Tim Finchem. The changes are the result of an extensive review of the Ballot and Nomination process announced last fall. The review included an evaluation of the ballot system and voting body, along with criteria such as tournament victories and age, and the changing dynamics of the game and its constituents. The Induction process will now be governed by a Selection Commission made up of 16 individuals who will be responsible for electing candidates into the Hall of Fame, with each Inductee needing at least 75 percent of the vote to gain entry. The Selection Commission will be Co-Chaired by Hall of Fame members Nancy Lopez, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Annika Sorenstam and will include the members of the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors and a mix of institutional and at-large seats. Lopez, Palmer and Player were on hand for the announcement, while Sorenstam participated via teleconference. “The Hall of Fame has established itself as the place to celebrate golf‟s greatest players and contributors, and this process will ensure it maintains that place as the game continues to grow and evolve,” said Finchem. “The World Golf Foundation Board of Directors unanimously approved the changes to the process and we applaud the Hall of Fame team for working diligently to make this happen, along with all of the Hall of Fame members who have agreed to participate.” “This is a great step for the Hall of Fame,” said Palmer. “I was honored to be a part of the first Hall of Fame class 40 years ago in 1974, and it will be a privilege to serve on the Selection Commission with Nancy, Annika and Gary for the Class of 2015.” “Golf is a global sport with a rich heritage that’s centuries old,” said Sorenstam. “I am honored to have been asked to play a role in determining which men and women have made the greatest impact and deserve the ultimate honor of enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.” For more information, including listings of the people serving on the Selection Commission and Selection Sub-Committee, and the full criteria for individuals to be considered for Induction, visit http://www. worldgolfhalloffame.org/news/world-golf-hall-of-fame-museum-announceschanges-to-process-for-enshrinement/.
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ALLIED ASSOCIATIONS
ASGCA
Spanish Oaks Golf Club: Restoring a Historical Landscape Spanish Oaks Golf Club is located within a 1,200 acre mixed-use development in Bee Cave, Texas, south of Austin. The Hill Country was once rolling grassland, with a fragile layer of topsoil that allowed native grasses to take root. When extensive livestock grazing early last century kept the grasses from regenerating, the exposed topsoil eroded off the hillsides. In the rocky conditions that resulted, the invasive cedar tree took over, robbing the region of ecological diversity. The Spanish Oaks team sought a myriad of regulatory approvals from local, regional and federal agencies. Environmental issues that required attention included: endangered species habitats; effluent usage; site disturbance thresholds; floodplain encroachment and wetland or riparian impacts. With the design of Booby Weed, ASGCA, the designer of Spanish Oaks Golf Club, planners and developers created a landscape restoration project of regional significance. Weed and the design team specified site disturbance protocols, the seed blends that would be planted, their relative densities, and what other vegetation should return to be featured. The creation of each golf hole began with hand-flagging the limits of clearance. Most of the dense cedar trees were felled by hand to avoid mechanical damage of preferred species. Non-cedar specimens in the clearing corridor were flagged for transplant. Over 100 large caliper live oaks, cedar elms and Spanish oaks were moved to the perimeter of the layout, re-establishing the appropriate mix of Hill Country tree species. Following clearing, the rocky ground was prepared for the grasses. Typically, Austin-area courses import off-site sandy soils for capping. At Spanish Oaks, over 125 acres of the golf parcel was plated with native topsoils excavated from on-site fields in the lower portions of the site. These were the same soils that eroded off the hillsides a generation ago. Apart from the obvious compatibility to the proposed seed blend, this soil contained a dormant “seed bank” that would enhance the restorative design intent. The golf course builder then installed a complex irrigation system that provided detailed control to the native areas using multiple head types. The principle grass reintroduced was Buchloe dactyloides – Prairie buffalograss. Outside the buffalograss, two distinct hydroseed blends were sown. In full sun, the mix included Side Oats grama, Little Bluestem, Blue grama, Common Curleymesquite, Hairy grama, Seep muhly and Big muhly. In shade, the dominant types were Inland sea oats, Texas wintergrass and Green sprangletop. Following planting, the team observed the reemergence of three additional Hill Country grasses not included in the blends: Big bluestem, Broomsedge bluestem and Yellow indiangrass, each a testament to the success of the restorative efforts. By focusing the project’s resources in an innovative way, the Spanish Oaks design team was able to build consensus and navigate a difficult approval process with a “white hat” reputation. By returning a slice of Texas’ legendary landscape to its intended ecology, a memorable and sustainable golf course community resulted.
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JOIN US THIS AUGUST AT THE
2014 GCBAA SUMMER MEETING LOUISVILLE, KY • AUGUST 5-7
• NETWORKING • FAMILY & FUN • EDUCATION AUGUST 5 - OPENING RECEPTION AUGUST 6 - FULL DAY EDUCATION PROGRAM & AWARDS DINNER/AUCTION AUGUST 7 - ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT VALHALLA GOLF CLUB
HOST TO THE 2014 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
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HOME OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY
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REGISTER AT WWW.GCBAA.ORG or CALL (402) 476-4444 17
new members ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Better Billy Bunker
325 Hurst Dr. Old Hickory, TN 37138 Phone: (615) 847-8877 Contact: Todd Jenkins, Vice President Email: bbb.todd@live.com Website: www.betterbillybunker.com
The Better Billy Bunker Method is the best bunker construction method in the world. This method improves the original Billy Bunker spec by eliminating geotextile liners. A two-inch layer of your local pea gravel is treated without polymer designed specifically for use in bunkers. This layer of gravel provides maximum drainage and allows water to flow to the drain tile faster than any other construction method.
CLC Lodging
8111 E 32nd St. N. Wichita, KS 67226 Phone: (316) 771-7030 Contact: David Martin, Sales Manager Email: dmartin@clclodging.com Website: www.clclodging.com
CLC Lodging has provided hotel savings and management services for over 80,000 businesses in North America since 1978. A division of FLEETCOR (FLT) CLC purchased nearly 13 million rooms in 2013.
Genesis Turfgrass Inc.
824 Mill Creek Rd. Arnold, MD 21012 Phone: (717) 759-8151 Contact: Todd Cowing, Director of Specialty Sales Email: todd@genesisturfgrassinc.com Website: www.genesisturfgrassinc.com Supplier of soft good products to golf courses, sports turf and landscape customers. Sand, gravel, seed, fertilizer and erosion control materials are our specialty.
H. Barber & Sons, Inc.
15 Raytkwich Dr. Naugatuck, CT 06770 Phone: (203) 729-9000 Contact: Veronica Iseppi, Sales & Marketing Coordinator Email: hbarber@hbarber.com Website: www.hbarber.com
Wesco Turf, Inc.
2101 Cantu Court Sarasota, FL 34232 Phone: (941) 377-6777 Contact: Pat Duggins, Vice President – Golf Email: pat.duggins@wescoturf.com Website: www.wescoturf.com Wesco Turf is a Toro distributor
BUILDER/IRRIGATION CONTRACTOR APPLICANT
E&M Golf Construction & Landscaping LLC
64155 Van Dyke Road, Suite 141 Washington, MI 48095 Phone: (586) 651-6768 Contact: Esteban Gamez, Owner Email: eandmgolf@gmail.com
Complete rebuild work on tees, greens and bunker complexes. Complete drainage, irrigation and seeding.
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS
Division of Guangdong Province Construction Company Fm 704, No. 11 Xianlie Dongheng Road GuangZhou, China 510500 Phone: 822031056386 Contact: Zhao Qi (Sunny) Zhan, Executive Deputy General Manager Email: gdjsgolf@vip.163.com Website: www.gdmgolf.com Golf course construction contractor
LAN TAI Golf Construction Co LTD 66-B-12 F12 Anritsu Garden No. 66 Beijing, China 100010 Phone: 8601064907627 Contact: Qin Geng, General Manager Email: sunyingolf@126.com Website: www.landtopgolf.com Golf course construction management
Zhejiang Greentown Zhigao Construction Management Co LTD No. 5 Canal Square Lishui Road Gongshu District, Hanzhou City Zhejiang Province, China 310015 Phone: 00865725308111 Contact: Miss Jiangjing Email: greentowngolf@gmail.com Website: www.greentowngolf.com
Construction management, consulting, design, development, golf course management
MOVERS & SHAPERS National Alliance for Accessible Golf Announces New President, Steve Jubb Alexandria, VA – The National Alliance for Accessible Golf (Alliance) is pleased to announce its new President, Steve Jubb. Jubb officially accepted the position at the Alliance’s spring board meeting on April 24. Jubb succeeds President Betsy Clark, Ph.D., President, dbc Consulting of Port Orange, FL, who served in this capacity for the last five years. Steve Jubb is the Director, PGA Charities and Military Liaison for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America and the PGA Foundation. Steve is a PGA Professional and during his career has briefly (very briefly) tried the PGA Tour, has served as Golf Operations Manager at Walt Disney World, Head Golf Professional at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton, FL, and Executive Director of the New Jersey Section PGA prior to coming to the PGA of America in 1989. Through his work at the PGA, Jubb is dedicated to the development, marketing and implementation of programs that enhance and make a difference in the lives of individuals around the world, including Special Olympics Golf and PGA H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere – The PGA’s Wounded Warrior and Disabled Veterans program). “I look forward to serving as President of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf and being an advocate for making sure that golf is inclusive and accessible for everyone, including individuals with disabilities, ” shared Jubb. The National Alliance for Accessible Golf provides both expertise and guidance in all aspects of the Alliance’s business and strategic priorities, while focusing on its mission to increase participation of people with disabilities in the game of golf through awareness, education, training initiatives and program funding. The National Alliance for Accessible Golf is a charitable organization working to ensure the opportunity for all individuals to play the game of golf. The Alliance is represented by major golf organizations in the United States, organizations that provide services for people with disabilities and other advocates. Through GAIN™ (Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks) and other
programs, the Alliance promotes inclusion and awareness to the golf industry, golf instructors, and the public. For more information about Alliance programs, please visit www.accessgolf.org.
Hunter Industries’ Lynda Wightman Honored with ASIC’s Lifetime Achievement Award LANSING, MI – Irrigation and Green Industry champion Lynda Wightman, director of Industry Relations for Hunter Industries, was awarded the American Society of Irrigation Consultants 2014 Sam Tobey Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s annual conference in Portland, OR. Wightman, who has worked for Hunter Industries since 1984, has held positions in sales, education and training. In her current position, Wightman assists with Hunter’s efforts worldwide in specification, education and allied association representation. She is involved in numerous industry associations including ASIC, STMA, PLANET, ASLA, Irrigation Foundation, IA, CLCA, NIAAA, NRPA, ASBA, EEBA and more. Wightman’s leadership in advocating for professional, responsible resource management has included volunteer and board positions with green industry organizations, including ASLA, the Irrigation Foundation, the Landscape Architect Foundation, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the National Recreation and Parks Association. Wightman also was instrumental in developing and leading the STMA student challenge, and has been involved in PLANET Student Career Days for more than 25 years. “Over the last 20 years, Lynda has been so generous with her unlimited energy and expertise – not only to ASIC, but the irrigation and green industries in general,” notes ASIC Executive Director Carol Colein. “Her commitment to educating irrigation and green industry practitioners at every level is why she is this year’s recipient of ASIC’s Sam Tobey Lifetime Achievement Award.” The Sam Tobey Lifetime Achievement Award is given to CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
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an individual or individuals whose long-term support of the Society’s principles and whose efforts to promote the goals of the Society are deserving of special recognition by his or her peers. Recent past winners of the Sam Tobey Lifetime Achievement Award include:
Jim Barrett David Pagano Russell D. Mitchell Doug and Karen Moore The American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) was formed in 1970. Its members are committed to representing the client in providing independent irrigation consulting services for the effective use and management of water and other natural resources. For more information on the American Society of Irrigation Consultants or this year’s award recipients/projects, please call 508/763-8140 or visit www.asic.org.
In Remembrance Elise Plaisted (wife of GCBAA Member Todd Plaisted, Peat Inc.) Loving wife, mother, daughter and friend Elise Marie Plaisted (nee Kopp), age 49 of Elk River, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by her loving family, in LaCrosse, WI. Elise was a loving wife, mother, daughter and friend. She always cared about others before herself. A memorial service was held Friday, May 16th at Gateway Church in Elk River. In lieu of flowers, donations were made to the Lupus Foundation or Humane Society.
Chrissi Sakurai (wife of GCBAA Member Steve Sakurai, Ewing Irrigation) Christine “Chrissi” Sakurai, wife of longtime GCBAA Member Steve Sakurai, passed away on Tuesday, April 22. Funeral services for Chrissi were held Saturday, May 10 in Hacienda Heights, CA.
GCBAA MEETINGS CALENDAR 2014 SUMMER MEETING August 5-7, 2014 The Hyatt Regency, Louisville, KY
2015 SUMMER MEETING July, 2015 Colorado (Hotel TBD)
FUTURE GOLF INDUSTRY SHOW SITES FEBRUARY 25-26, 2015
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX FEBRUARY 10-11, 2016 San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA FEBRUARY 8-9, 2017 Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL FEBRUARY 7-8, 2018 Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX
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Happy 100th Anniversary Toro! Congratulations from your friends at GCBAA!
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