TEE-OFF News
March/April 2011
Hunter Ranch Golf Course
Jason Pautsch Host Superintendent By Scott Furtak
Inside this issue:
President’s Message
2
Meeting Schedule
5
Around the Green
6
Highlights
10
Highlights
11
Official Publication of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Central California. The purpose of this publication is information and education for the membership. Published bi-monthly by GCSACC 5322 N. Leonard Clovis, CA 93619 Phone (559) 298-4853 Fax (559) 298-6957 Email gcsacc@aol.com Bob Schneiderhan, Newsletter Chairman Mike Scott, CGCS, Editor
Jason Pautsch will be celebrating his 10 year anniversary at Hunter Ranch Golf Course on April 1, 2011. What better way to celebrate this milestone than to host one of the chapter meetings. Jason Pautsch and the staff at Hunter Ranch Golf Course are pleased to host the April 2011 Chapter Meeting. Jason has been with Hunter Ranch for the past 10 years and the superintendent for the last 8 years. He also oversees the golf maintenance operations at La Purisima Golf Course. Jason, who resides
in San Luis Obispo, spends 2 days at Hunter G.C. and the other 3 days at La Purisima G.C. He has two supervisors that work closely with him, Tony Rudge, who oversees the maintenance staff at Hunter Ranch G.C. on a daily basis, and Brian Sanford at La Purisima G.C. Jason says there are a few new projects on the horizon at Hunter Ranch G.C. The possibilities of a resort is in the works, but a on the “front burner” are an 18 hole putting course and an events area, where activities such as concerts and other “non-golf” functions
will be made possible. They’re also looking at adding new tee boxes on all 18 holes to attract more women golfers, as well as the junior golf players. Hunter Ranch is an affordable, high-quality, daily fee layout. It was codesigned by Ken Hunter and Mike McGinnis, It has a Mackenzie influence with dozens of flash-faced bunkers and liberally contoured, hand-shaped bent grass greens, several of them sited well above fairway level, marking the design. Come share the experience and help Jason celebrate.
GCSAA’s Annual Meeting and Election Results By Michael Swing, CGCS For those who did not attend this year’s GCSAA Golf Industry Show, the Annual Meeting and Elections were absolutely electrifying. Well, maybe that was a bit of a strong statement, but this
year was important to Californians. We had 2 candidates running and I think all will agree that a West Coast influence is certainly beneficial. The reality is that each officer, director and successful candidate fully
understands the importance of our profession and GCSAA’s role in the future. As no surprise, Robert M Randquist, CGCS was elected President and he will serve our interest and
(Continued on page 4)
Page 2
TEE-OFF News
President’s Message by Kevin Friesen, CGCS worth of courses and education topics lined up. If you want to keep track of the events check out the Statewide calendar on our website. Californiagcsa.org.
Looks like March has blown in and backed out like a lion, what a wet and wild ride! Hopefully April will give us a little time to dry out. Our monthly meeting schedule has filled out quite well. With the help of Scott Furtak, Brian Daum, and Josh Heptig, we have a full years
If you missed the Tulare meeting, you missed seeing a lot of great equipment our affiliate members have to offer. Turf Star, (Toro), AB Turf, (Hustler), Bubco, (Aerway), Mid Cal Tractor, (John Deere), Golf Ventures West, (Jacobsen), and Best Turf West (Baroness), all shared their greens mowers, aerators, and fairways mowers, as well as a few special pieces. The demonstrations and head to head competition was fun for eve-
ryone to watch and compare. Look for us to do something like this again next year. You’ll not want to miss it! Thanks to Brett Miller and his staff at Tulare Golf Course for allowing us to hold this event at their course. We head to Hunter Ranch in April. I know Jason will have the course in great shape and we will be getting updates on pesticides and will get those always needed DPR hours. The Government Relations Committee of the California GCSA has diligently been watching quite a few bills in the legislature. All of (Continued on page 3)
TEE-OFF News
Page 3
President’s Message Continued from page 2 which will affect not only how we do business, but where and what pesticides we can apply to certain areas on our courses. In fact the GR Committee has sent out at least two eblasts notifying our members what actions can be taken to help keep some of the restrictions from happening. Guys, burying your heads in the sand will not keep these bills from passing, if we want to keep what we have we have to start letting those in the legislative know how we feel. So when you get the notices/eblasts take the time to read them and take the appropriate actions. If you haven’t been receiving the E-blasts please let Irene know, so we can make sure that we have your correct e-mail address.
Three locations to serve you Lancaster
Bakersfield
Fresno
I want to thank all of our members for their support and I look forward to moving ahead together. Most of you have paid your dues and I know time always seem to slip by way too fast, but we are coming up on the 90 days overdue period on membership dues. The Board has placed in policy into effect that if by the 90 days period a member who has not paid will be dropped from the chapter, and will have to re-apply for membership. If you haven’t had a chance to pay your dues and want to continue as a member please contact the association office as soon as possible to make payment arrangements.
Turf Pro 2011 Dairy Creek G.C. April 13, 2011 June 15, 2011 September 14, 2011 November 16, 2011
Copper River C.C. April 14, 2011 June 16, 2011 September 15, 2011 November 17, 2011 For Registration Information
Contact Mike Cline (559) 269-7342
Page 4
TEE-OFF News
GIS Election Results Continued from page 1 represent GCSAA very well. The same can be said of Sandford G. Queen, CGCS, who was elected to Vice President. Our very own Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS, of the Olympic Club in San Francisco, was successful in running for Secretary/Treasurer, and he too will represent us well as he works his way toward President. As for directors, all 3 incumbents, Peter J. Grass, CGCS, Keith A. Ihms, CGCS, and John J. O’Keefe, CGCS were re-elected. This resulted in one position to be filled when Patrick Finlen became Secretary/Treasurer by the Board of Directors. As it was, Rafael
Barajas, CGCS at Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, was appointed. I would like to point out that Rafael gathered a considerable amount of votes and really gave the incumbents a run for their money. Congratulations to our new Officers and Board of Directors, their sacrifices in spending time away from home and family to benefit us in so many ways will be greatly appreciated. The Annual Meeting included member dues increase of $20 annually for Class A members and $10 annually for Class C members. The vote passed by a wide margin and all
agreed that what we get as a member of GCSAA is substantially more than what the PGA and CMA offer to golf and its sustainability. Just a side note: Next year’s GIS 2012 is at Las Vegas and later than usual - February 27th to March 2nd Hope more of you will be able to join us!
TEE-OFF News
Page 5
Meeting Schedule April 27, 2011
August 22, 2011
Hunter Ranch Golf Course
Tri Chapter Meeting Stockton Golf & C.C.
Host Superintendent Jason Pautsch
Host Superintendent Jim Alwine
May 25, 2011
Stockdale Golf & Country Club Host Superintendent Michael Barber
September 2011
River Island Golf & C.C. Annual Election Meeting Host Superintendent Fuzzy Cochran
June 6, 2011
Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship Tournament Kings Country Club Host Superintendent Joe Elias
November 6, 7, 8th California GCSA Annual Conference & Golf Championship
Silverado Country Club
July No Meeting Scheduled
Napa, CA
Golf Course Materials Topdressing Sand - Bunker Sand Decomposed Granite - Drain Rock 1/8� Minus Turf & Tee Bulk Humus Brush Removal Call for competitive rates
David Knott, Inc. (559) 449-8935 or (559) 760-5387
Page 6
TEE-OFF News
Around The Green By Michael Cline With spring just around the corner, everyone seems to hitting the ground running. The wet winter has created lots of winter weeds to kill, crabgrass is just around the corner, and some people are still fighting snow mold in some areas. Here’s a quick look at what’s going on “Around the Green”. Frank Wong has announced that he will be closing down the pathology lab at UC Riverside. This was a simple business decision that Frank had to make with not enough samples and revenue to cover the costs of running the unit. Former Marshallia Ranch Superintendent, Albert Bancroft is now the Superintendent of Tama Hills Golf
Course in Tokyo, Japan. After the recent disasters in Japan, I tried to contact him to see how he was and how everyone was holding up. The following is an E-Mail that he sent me over the weekend. Mike Thanks for checking on me! Out here in Tokyo everything is actually very good. There is a little bit of a run on supplies – no actual shortages, just “Japanese” style panic where everyone is stockpiling food and fuel – but quietly waiting their turn in line. We are pretty far from the reactors and any of the devastation and did not receive any damage. There
are some rolling blackouts but they are scheduled and usually only last for a few hours. There is a voluntary evacuation for dependents and some civilian employees. Personally I will be staying; I doubt my wife would want to leave with her family here. Anyway at this point there is no danger, just have to take it day by day and see what happens. Quite a lot of people have been displaced and things don’t look good in that part of the country and especially with the reactors. However aid workers and rescuers are still landing at Yokota AB and then heading out towards that area, so I don’t believe there is
TEE-OFF News
Around The Green any need to worry until the rescuers start heading the other way. Thanks Mike and will keep in touch. Al Bancroft The other big news around the chapter was the crazy punch good old “Mother Nature” threw at us the week beginning March 19th with crazy storms coming in from Alaska and dropping what seems like a season’s worth of rain in 7 days. Dave Rosenstrauch reported over 8.5” of rain at the Alisal Guest Ranch. Dean Evangelista reported over 6” in Santa Maria as did Joe Tompkins at San Luis Obispo Country Club. I know that at my home in
Page 7
Continued from page 6 Clovis we had about 2” of rain in a 24 hour period. What next, record highs for California? 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Superintendent Bob Tillema Bob or Bobby Tillema as those who have known him for years often call him was born into the world of golf, and took to the work place at an early age. His father, Bob Tillema Sr. was the long time superintendent at Sherwood Forest Golf Course until his retirement and still works to this day at Ridge Creek Golf Course in Dinuba. (Continued on page 8)
Bob Tillema
Page 8
TEE-OFF News
Around The Green Continued from page 7 A story Bob told me was his recollections of sleeping in the back of a maintenance cart at about the age of 8, while Senior, as Bob often calls him, changed quick couplers at Sherwood Forest. Bob first became a golf course superintendent at Riverside Golf Course in Fresno. After several years there, Bob had a short stint with California State University Fresno before taking the reins of Madera County Club where he resides today. Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about Bob; First job in golf? My first job in golf was at the age of 14, at Sherwood Forest Golf Course working with my dad. I
learned how to do everything at a very early age. What was your first management job in golf? My first management job in golf was as the Assistant Superintendent at Riverside Golf Course under then Superintendent Gary Rodgers. Bob was at the course only a few months before Gary moved to Sacramento to take over another operation and Bob moved up the ladder. What do you like to do when you’re not at work? When I’m not at work I love to watch and coach my kids in whatever sport their doing at the time.
Soccer, T-Ball, and they just finished basketball. I love watching them and being involved. Who is your favorite sports team and why? My favorite sports team is the Pittsburg Steelers of the NFL. My only reason is that my first Pee Wee football team was called the Steelers and our uniforms were the same color and the same logos so they just became my team. If you could pick one meal, what would it be? My favorite meal is Sushi. Any kind, any time and I’m ready to go. (Continued on page 9)
TEE-OFF News
Page 9
Around The Green Continued from page 8 What’s your favorite part of being a golf course superintendent? My favorite part of the job is getting involved with all the different, interesting people that you get to meet in this job. What’s your least favorite part of being a golf course superintendent? My least favorite part of the job is the drama. Sometimes its members, sometimes its employees, but I hate just having to deal with someone’s drama. What’s your favorite band? My favorite band is Nickelback.
What’s your favorite song? My favorite song is Photograph by whom else, Nickelback. What’s your favorite movie? My favorite movie is The Hangover, now that’s a party. This has been 10 things you didn’t know about Superintendent Bob Tillema. Remember, if you have information that you think our membership might like to know about, drop me a line and we’ll be sure to get it in your newsletter. As always, be safe, have a great spring and we will see you “Around the Green”.
2011 Scholarship Applications are available on line at Californiagcsa.org/Central Chapter
2011 Legacy Scholarship Applications are also available.
Page 10
TEE-OFF News
Equipment Demonstration Day Tulare
Pictured above are on right host superintendent Brett Miller with Tulare G.C. owner Don Clark. We had equipment from Mid Cal Tractor, (John Deere), Golf Ventures West, (Jacobsen), Turf Star, (Toro), AB Turf (Hustler), Best Turf West (Baroness), and Bubco. It was a perfect opportunity to see all the equipment and compare. Thank you to all that participated.
For over 80 years the specialty seed source for: -Native Grasses and Wildflowers -Kikuyu, Paspalum, Hybrid Bermuda -Bentgrasses, Fine Fescues, Ryegrasses Golf Course Representatives: Jim Culley 213-268-3193 Don Lewis 213-247-3266 Home Office: 800-621-0315 www.stoverseed.com
TEE-OFF News
Equipment Demonstration Day Tulare Pictured at left is Andy Fernandez and his crew, at right Brett watches the John Deere demo.
At left Dave Buliavac and Brian Daum. Below are Bubba Simnacher and his salesman and at right are Kevin Eppich and Chuck Talley
DL SIEMENS INC. Golf Course Construction Consulting Project Bidding Assistance Project Management Cost Projections Plan Analysis
Dale Siemens 559.994.5883 Ca License 872425 dls@dlsiemensconsulting.com www.DLSiemensconsulting.com
Page 11