Tee Off News January/February 2015
Spring Conference Rio Bravo Country Club Trini Hernandez Host Superintendent
Trini Hernandez
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Save The Dates February 21-26, 2015 GCSAA Golf Industry Show San Antonio February 25, 2016 California Room 6:00 to 9:00 Sunset Station San Antonio
May 15, 2015 Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship & Research Tournament Morro Bay Golf Course Host Superintendent Josh Heptig August 10, 2015 Tri Chapter Event Hosted by the Nor Cal Chapter Coyoto Creek G.C. Morgan Hill
March 20, 2015 Spring Symposium Rio Bravo Country Club Host Superintendent Trini Hernandez
Inside this issue:
September 2015 Annual Association Meeting Location to be confirmed
2014/2015 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT TENNESSEE MCBROOM SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB /RANCHO SAN MARCOS GOLF CLUB
Presidents Message
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Are You Inovative
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More or Less
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Around the Green
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From the Field
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2015 Spring Seminar
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.JOSE ALVAREZ FORT WASHINGTON C.C.
Winter Symposium Highlights
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JEFF KOLLENKARK WEED MAN
SECRETARY/TREASURER STEVEN SHOWERS AIRWAYS G. C.
VICE PRESIDENT . BRIAN DAUM VALLEY CREST/PALO ALTO G.C
BOARD MEMBERS ANDY CORDOVA CYPRESS RIDGE G.C.
.GLENN MATTHEWS VISALIA C.C.
TRINI HERNANDEZ RIO BRAVO C. C.
CRAIG JOHNSON BELMONT C.C. PETE BOWMAN JACOBSEN WEST
PAST PRESIDENT JOSH HEPTIG SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
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President’s Message “Health, Family and Friends-Leadership Opportunities” By Tennessee McBroom The recent Winter Leadership Conference at Rancho San Marcos Golf Club was an outstanding success with over 55 attendees (45% Superintendent Members, 5% Guests, and Tennessee McBroom 50% Affiliate Members). The speakers were excellent with Leadership Perspectives and Personal Stories from Coach Gary Colson, Leading the Masses
and Career Experiences by Pat Finlen, Community and Family Leadership Roles with Mike McCullough and summing all the industry related discussions into an engaging Leadership Workshop by Rick Vandermyden. Thank you again to our Sponsors for helping put this event together and the Staff at Rancho San Marcos GC for making it a memorable experience! We’ve set the bar high to start off the year within our goal to provide you, the member, with a quality and valued meeting experience, providing services and tools to utilize at your own business. Our focus continues to be based on increasing membership
participation and hopefully will continue at events across the Central Region, please share your experiences and encourage your Assistant Superintendents, Equipment Managers, and Affiliate Members to partake in upcoming events. The Board has been at work with event planning for 2015 and started planning future events and locations for 2016 as we set our sights down the road. The upcoming Golf Industry Show is in San Antonio, Texas this year and I hope to see many of you there, please join our fellow colleagues at the California Room on February 25th (Continued on page 5)
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President’s Message Continued from page 4
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
for a great networking opportunity. thoughts of “the people” but it was Also at the GIS this year is the Annual Rhett that quickly pointed out that it Meeting 2015, several items are on the was the “The Potential of the People” docket for a vote; Dues increase of that was the most critical to any and all 3.3% CPI, Equipment Manager Classiof our operations, including the fication, Officer Positions for PresiGCSAA staff. Ever since I heard his Ethan Wolach dent, Vice President, Secretaryanswer it has stuck in my mind that, Treasurer and the truly the potential is the measSan Luis Obispo C. C. Board of Directors ured success of the operation Class C Positions. It’s going that we’re all working to “Work Hard and to be an exciting event achieve whether it be revenues, Take Care of in the State of Texas the guest experience or memBusiness!” with great news that bership numbers, and espeEddie Wahlborg the early registration is cially the driving force behind Dan McBroom up 10% over last all of our success is the The River Club “People”. Since then I have year’s numbers! Class A focused on team building at my We’re happy own operations, creating tools to deto announce that Dr. Cole Thompson is velop and increase the potential of all the new Assistant Professor of of our staff members, not only will this Turfgrass and Landscape Physiology at Salvador Avila affect our opportunities to improve the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the Hortioperational success, but also result in culture and Crop Science Department. Rancho San Marcos G.C. an overall positive work experience Dr. Thompson received his B.S. in Class C from a team that continues to push Horticulture with Specialization in their potential to succeed. Golf Course Management, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Horticulture and As we look towards our next Turfgrass Science from Kansas State event with “The Potential of the PeoLalo Gutierez University. It’s exciting to have a repple” in mind, please join us for the resentative of the industry back at Cal 2015 Spring Conference “Future LeadSandpiper G.C. Poly after a short vacancy, as well as ers, Growing Your Team” at Rio Class C the opportunity to continue the Student Bravo Country Club in Bakersfield, Ca Chapter and Program. The Board is for a real look into Team Building disanticipating a visit from Dr. Thompson cussions and exercises that will better at a scheduled event this season to prepare Superintendents and Assistant Ted Olson share information about his role and Superintendents for the Future. the future of the department. You can I’m really looking forward and hope to Arro Autogas also follow Dr. Thompson on engage you, the member, to set your Class E www.twitter.com/colesthompson for calendars for a great event March 20th, the latest. 2015. “The Potential of the People”, Cheers, Tennessee that’s how Rhett Evans answered his question at the last Leadership Symposium at the Headquarters in Lawrence, The 2015 Scholarship Applications for Turf Kansas. Rhett spoke briefly on the industry, the role of today’s SuperinManagement Students and the 2015 Legacy tendents, and posed a question early to Scholarship Applications are ready. Please the audience “What is the most imporcontact the association office for details. tant asset to your operation?” Well of course everyone, hopefully everyone in the room was thinking along my
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Newsletter Title
Are You Innovative? By Steven Showers
I think at one time or another we have all been posed with the question, are you innovative? As members of the golf course industry, most of us have had to create a fast fix for a problem or make a tool that is not necessarily right for the job work. A few years back I spent an afternoon educational session regarding this topic which was presented by a Regional Agronomist who works for ClubCorp, the management company where I am employed. When I was posed the question I could not think of anything that we did or used at the course that was necessarily innovative. However over the past few years I have
come to realize that we did in fact create some innovative solutions to problems that we face. The online MerriamWebster Dictionary defines innovative as: in·no·va·tive adjective \ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tiv\ : introducing or using new ideas or methods: having new ideas about how something can be done Using the above definition I came to realize that being innovative didn’t mean that you had to create a new invention or develop an entirely new process that has never been done before to be considered innovative. One example that I came up with involved using an old Sand Pro 14 that the former superintendent at
the course where I work, Airways Golf Course in Fresno, used to roll the greens. He had attached a large steal roller approximately six inches in diameter to the rear hydraulic lift mechanism of the machine and attached smooth tires so that driving on the green would not damage the turf, which in itself I would consider an innovative idea to use as a greens roller at a low budget golf course. The maintenance staff was hand raking bunkers twice a week since the sand pro was not used as a bunker rake. I felt that labor cost savings would be more than offset if we removed the roller and utilized the machine for its intended purpose. The (Continued on page 7)
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Are You Innovative? Continued from Page 6 spot welds to the surface of the plate. This allows for the worker changing the cup to provide more pressure to the top of the cup cutter with his foot while rotating the cup changer, providing a perfectly cut cup regardless of the firmness or sub base of the green. downside of this idea is that we did not have the original rake attachment for the machine. We were able to obtain a rake attachment from a John Deere bunker rake and with some modifications, our mechanic and I were able to create a marriage out of the two drastically different operating systems. Now we have a functioning Toro/John Deere bunker rake that has indeed allowed us to see dramatic cost savings on labor costs associated raking the bunkers on the golf course. Another innovative improvement that we have utilized at the golf course involves our cup cutter. The greens at Airways consist of sixteen pushup native soil greens and three re-
built greens with a pure sand base. The pushup greens can at times become a bit firm about four to six inches below the turf. When certain members of the staff were cutting the cup they were having trouble with their foot slipping off the top of the Par Aid cup cutter that we utilize. The mechanic at the course developed a small plate about three inches square that he welded to the top of the cup changer and placed small nonslip
Fellow GCSACC Board member and golf course superintendent at Cypress Ridge Golf Course, Andy Cordova, recently told me of an innovative creation used at his course to remove aeration plugs from the greens. The crew uses a special made tool to push the plugs to the side of the greens and shovel the plugs into a cart. The innovative part of this special tool involves its creation. Andy began by cutting a four-inch pvc pipe in half lengthwise and attaching a handle to the rounded side of the pipe, creating an inexpensive yet very productive piece of equipment to help speed up the cleanup process
when aerating greens. Another innovative use of pvc pipe was used at Airways to create cup holders for some of our older equipment that did not have a holder originally. We cut a two inch ninety coupler in half creating two round wedge shaped pieces that we then drill a hole through both sides of the fitting and screw the cup holder to the machine. These are just a few examples of how we in the golf industry create innovative ideas or improvements to existing products to make our jobs easier. If you have any innovative ideas you would like to share with your fellow members, don’t hesitate to contact Irene or I and we would can pass along the information through this publication.
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
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More or Less
by Craig Johnson requires creative thinking and more importantly creative budgeting. With the cost of most turf products continuing to increase, budgetary reductions can make the battle feel more like a war some days.
Craig Johnson
In the current economy, many people are just simply thankful for having a job. Those of us who work in the golf industry know far too well how the economic decline has affected our industry. How many of us have been sold the notion that challenging economic times demand that we do “more with less” in order to survive? The reality is that we can all find ways to become more efficient, but there comes a point at which further reductions affect the value of the service we provide. Many of us have been instructed to trim the proverbial fat from our budgets and are expected to do more with less. Being a superintendent in these lean economic times
On average, a golf course maintenance budget contributes to over sixty percent of the clubs overall budget. While at first glance it is justifiably the easiest place to initiate cuts, I argue that it is our ability to maintain a golf course at a high level that creates the interest in attracting those new golfers that we covet. It’s a contradiction from within itself. The bottom line is that if you spend less, you should expect less. Doing more with less may not be the answer at all; maybe the right approach is to focus on “doing less with less”. Most of us are in this profession because we absolutely love what we do. We work seven days a week, ten hours a day, attend countless meetings, we endure the heat, the cold, and an occasional complaint from golfers. If it wasn’t for the passion we all share, being a golf course superintendent would rate
somewhere in the likes of going to the dentist. It’s the pride above all that will drive us to keep these declining budgets inconspicuous. We aren’t the first generation to have struggled through tough economic times, and for some of the younger guys it won’t be the last. I realize that the economy of our industry is not a new topic of conversation and in many ways most of us have already implemented programs that streamline or focus on what’s important to our piece of property. I just thought it might help if I said it out loud. For me personally, I’ve been told more times than I can remember that once things get better financially, course maintenance would be the first department to reap the rewards. Well, seven years later and I’m still waiting. It’s unfortunate, but for some of us that light at the end of the tunnel flickers and until we find a way to keep it lit long enough to reach the tunnels end, I’ll stay optimistic and make the most of each day moving forward.
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Around the Green by Mike Cline
Around the Green is back and we are loaded with news from around our chapter. Santa Maria Country Club has hired a new superintendent. Mark Weitz took the position. I am sure that you either know Mark or at least recognize the name. Mark was a member back in his Cal Poly day. He was an Al Glaze Scholarship recipient in 2002 and 2003. Since that time Mark has spent most of career in the Pacific, working on courses from Hawaii to Figi. He most recently was in Northern Idaho We want to welcome Mark back to the Central Chapter and look forward to seeing him at future meetings. Over at the Links in Paso Robles plans are coming to fruition according to Terry Wisler, superintendent. The new owners are moving ahead with plans to remodel the course for future growth. They will be planting approximately 50 acres of wine grapes around the property
and adjusting the fairways to allow for the planting, and are considering an RV park on the property. Big changes for this little course and we look forward to watching the process. We will keep you up to date as things start happening. Over in the valley side of the chapter we have a new superintendent at Kern River G.C. Robert Reece has been has been promoted from assistant to superintendent. Paul Stone is the new superintendent at Fig Garden G.C. in Fresno. Paul takes over from his father David Stone. Keeping in the Stone family, we have Derrick Stone acting as the interim superintendent at San Joaquin C.C. Derrick, a past Al Glaze Scholarship winner as well is the son of former superintendent Rick Stone and has been the long time assistant at San Joaquin.
Fly G.C. formerly known at Riverbend in Madera, CA. There are new owners that have great plans for this beautiful valley course. The city of Lemoore has recently taken a course back from an outside vendor and has hired Jeb Noonkester as the superintendent. Jeb was formerly the superintendent at Napa G.C. as well as Fig Garden and Sierra Meadows. Most recently he was the grounds manager at Chukchansi Resort. Jon Christensen reported that Sierra Golf Management has acquired the managing rights to Balado Park G.C., a 9 hole course in Tres Pinos, CA. According to Jon they may rename the course “The Pinnacles” Golf Course. This is it for now but we will try to keep you up to date with news from “Around The Green”.
Speaking of San Joaquin C.C., former superintendent Kevin Wiles is now the superintendent at Dragon
Save the Date 2015 Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship & Research Tournament Friday May 15, 2015 Morro Bay Golf Course, Morro Bay, CA
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From the Field My 2015 is off to a fast and furious start! I have hit numerous GCSAA chapter events throughout California and it’s been great to catch up with all Jeff Jensen of our valued members. As we rapidly approach the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio, I want to take time and make sure that you are aware of some of the events going on throughout what is sure to be an exciting, fun-filled and educational week: The Opening Night Celebration presented by Syngenta will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 5:30
Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Staff, Southwest Region
– 7 pm at The Towers of the Americas located next to the convention center. The event features appetizers, cocktails and a great opportunity to network with superintendents and industry professionals from all over the U.S. The Opening Session presented by Syngenta will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 8 – 9:30 am at the Lila Cockrell Theatre in the convention center. GCSAA will recognize the best in our profession with awards for environmental leadership and stewardship, advocacy for the golf industry, the best superintendent-written article in Golf Course Management magazine and individuals who have made an outstanding, substantive and enduring contribution to the game of golf. Ad-
ditionally, the 2015 Old Tom Morris Award will be presented to Dan Jenkins, golf writer and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Golf Industry Show General Session featuring the USGA will take place on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 8 – 10 am at the Lila Cockrell Theatre. The USGA session is focused on managing the game and the course, highlighted by recognition of the USGA Green Section Award winner. The USGA West Region Green Section team of Pat Gross and Brian Whitlark will be featured speakers along with Henry Delozier from Global Golf Advisors. The Closing Celebration presented by John Deere Golf will take place on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 5 – 7 pm at the Lila Cockrell
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From the Field
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Theatre. The event will include entertainment from golf’s funnyman, David Feherty of The Golf Channel and CBS Sports. Additionally, don’t forget to visit the Association Clubhouse located in Ballroom B. Stop by for a chance to network and meet staff who can help answer questions about association programs and services, and provide guidance for navigating the Golf Industry Show. Our GCSAA board of directors will be available on Wed. Feb. 25 from 10:30 – noon and 2:30 – 5 p.m. to answer questions concerning member standards and our government relations staff will be providing regulatory updates on Wed. Feb. 25 from 9 – 11 a.m. and Thurs. Feb. 26 from 9 – noon and 3 – 5 p.m. I will be in San Antonio from Feb. 19-27 working both the GCSAA Golf Championship and the Golf Industry Show. If I can be of any assistance to you, please call or text me at 785-840-7879. I look forward to seeing all of you in Texas.
The second phase of the 2014 Rounds 4 Research fundraising program for turfgrass studies, run by the EIFG, sold more than 200 rounds of golf and yielded $30,891 in the seven-day online auction that closed Aug. 10. The total for the June and August auctions was $145,339. The Central California GCSA would like your assistance in helping us become a bigger part of this worthwhile program. It isn’t too late to start thinking about 2015. Contact the association office if you want to become a part of this program.
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2015 Spring Seminar Rio Bravo Country Club Hosted by Trini Hernandez “Future Leaders, Growing Your Team “ “Future Leaders, Growing Your Team, Is the topic for the Spring Seminar at Rio Bravo Country Club on March 20th, 2015. We hope that our superintendent members will bring their assistants to this special event as our speakers will share their insight as superintendents on how we can improve our “Team”. The meeting will begin with registration and a continental breakfast . Our President, Tennessee McBroom, will provide a Welcome Message and then introduce our speakers. First in the lineup is Rafael Barajas, CGCG. Rafael is not only a superintendent at Hacienda C.C., but also one of the GCSAA Board of Directors. Rafael’s topic will be “Team Building”. We will then welcome, Doug Ayres Superintendent, Corral De Tierra CC, who will speak on , “Tools to Engage the Team”. Doug has spoken to many superintendents groups on innovative ideas and ways he manages his course and team. We are sure you will enjoy his talk. After a short break we will have Glenn Matthews, CGCS, Superintendent of Visalia Country Club and one of our own board members. Glenn will hold a “Break Out Session on Leadership Techniques and Styles”. After the event we will host a two man team (Best Ball) golf tournament . The format will help promote our “Team” theme. We know that you will enjoy this fantastic line up of speakers, beautiful golf course. We hope that you will get your reservations in early. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to improve your “Team” leadership abilities.
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Rounds 4 Research Auction Date: June 8-21, 2015
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2015 Winter Symposium Highlights
The “ Winter Educational Conference 2015 was held at Rancho San Marcos Golf Club, Santa Barbara, CA on Monday, January 26th 2015. The topic of choice was “Leadership Perspectives in Today’s World” Our line up of speakers included Coach Gary Colson (Retired NCAA/NBA Coach), pictured above at left, speaking on “As a Leader Everything You Do Counts”. The group of 60 plus members and guests were entertained by his examples of leadership. We then had , Mike McCullough (Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency) who spoke on “Life’s Leadership Role at Home/Work/Community”. Mike brought his perspectives and enlightened us on our roles as leaders at home as well as the community we live in. Pat Finlen CGCS picture at right above, (General Manger, The Olympic Club, San Francisco, Ca) was next in line as a speaker and shared his view on Leadership of The Masses, “Superintendent to General Manager”. Pat’s insight and speaking abilities are always a tremendous opportunity for everyone to learn how to communicate and improve their image in the work place. Our key note speaker for the day was Mr. Rick VanDermyden (John Maxwell Company Affiliate and Facilitator, Sacramento, Ca), pictured center above. His topic of “5 Levels of Leadership” . Rick brought over a decade of coaching, speaking, and mostimportantly, real-world business experience, to the group. He teaches and applies the mindset, principles, and strategies that will take your life and business to the next level. He believes that which is possible for others and himself has no boundaries. Rick is a Regional Affiliate and Facilitator with the John Maxwell Company and a speaker, trainer and coach on The John Maxwell Team. Rick is convinced that why and how you do what you do trumps everything else,
The speakers were just one important aspect of our meeting. The ability to share with others and to be a part of an industry of partners was the key. Pictured sharing that are Bill Galli and Greg Fukumitsu. Speedy Lipari is an icon of our industry and we appreciated his attendance.
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2015 Winter Symposium Highlights
Sharing the day are host superintendent Tennessee McBroom and Board of Director Member Jose Alvares Pictured above are Salvador Avila, Lalo Gutierrez, , Tennessee McBroom, along with Coach Gary Colson.
Mike Cline, Mike Scott, Andy Cordova, and Steve Showers enjoy the days golf outing.
Bill Galli, Paul Barr, Glenn Matthews, and Cameron Smith got to spend quality time on this beautiful day. Below Pete Bowman, Scott Furtak, and Trini Hernandez, Shared in the golf outing
Bob Schneiderhan, Kevin Qualey, Morgan Brockman and Randy Haines take time out for a fun photo.
Thank You Symposium Sponsors
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 Newsletter Chairman & Newsletter Editor Jeff Kollenkark Executive Directors Irene Cline & Kimberly Milne