Tee Off News January/February 2017
2017 Spring Meeting Dairy Creek Golf Course Host by Josh Heptig
Josh Heptig
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TEE-OFF News
Executive Directors Report By Irene Cline & Kimberly Milne Our GIS experience began on Tuesday February 7th. We were excited to be part of the more than 50 chapter executives, board members and editors gathered at the Chapter Management Session held during the 2017 Golf Industry Show. The session combined two events, the Chapter Executive and Newsletter Editor Sessions, into a one-day educational program. We received updates on key GCSAA programs and services, we also heard a few chapter success stories as well as having the opportunity to network with other chapter execs and senior key people from GCSAA. We first heard GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans, who talked about the GCSAA Member Needs Survey. Rhett reported that the GCSAA and chapter approval ratings continue to increase. These results reinforced Evans' overall message that GCSAA and chapter success are connected to each other. He stated that GCSAA’s priority areas are field staff, advocacy and outreach, research and environmental programs. These areas continue to receive the bulk of GCSAA spending and directly tie back to the mission and vision of GCSAA. Rhett also reported on GCSAA’s membership growth initiative of 20,000 members by the year 2020. This has three key areas:
Strong Brand Consistency – A brand needs to be consistent to gain traction in the marketplace. This consistency will lead to brand identity, brand recognition and finally connection.
Member Experience – Create experiences for members to engage with and participate in GCSAA. When people feel wanted and needed they renew their memberships and promote the experience to their friends.
There is no doubt that it will require hard work getting to 20,000 members by 2020 and that it will take hard work on everyone’s part. GCSAA board, staff and chapters. On Wednesday we helped with the California Room. There were over 220 attendees. The location was well received and everyone looked like they were having a great time. We enjoyed meeting new people and seeing friends that we only have the opportunity to see once a year. This is a great networking experience and Tommy Bahamas did not disappoint. On Thursday morning we were invited to attend GCSAA’s BMP meeting. This event was set up to introduce the Planning Guide and Template for State BMP’s. GCSAA unveiled the goal for all 50 states to have a golf course best management program (BMP) in place by the year 2020. To help states, and the chapters within them, GCSAA created an online BMP Planning Guide and Template. We heard about the initiative and were shown the template. They encouraged us to check out the new tool and get started creating our BMP’s for California. This is something that we are privileged to be a part of with the California GCSA chapter and you will hear more as we progress through the process.
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Save The Dates Spring Educational Meeting & Tournament Dairy Creek G.C. March 27, 2017 Hosted by Josh Heptig
Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship & Research Tournament June 26, 2017 Santa Maria Country Club Host Superintendent Mark Weitz Tri Chapter Event August 21, 2017 Del Paso Country Club Hosted by the Sierra Nevada GCSA Host Superintendent Mark McKinney, CGCS
October 23, 2017 Annual Lowell Stone Charity Tournament Sunnyside Country Club Hosted by Jon Christensen December 2, 2017 Annual Holiday Event Windows on the Water Morro Bay, CA
January 2018 Annual Election Meeting Location to be determined
2017 Turf Pro Professional Update Series Seminars San Luis Obispo
Fresno
Morro Bay Golf Course
Copper River Country Club
201 State Park Rd. 93442
2140 E. Clubhouse Dr.
April 12, 2017 June 7, 2017 September 6, 2017 November 8, 2017
Morro Bay, CA
Fresno, XA
93710
April 13, 2017 June 8, 2017 September 7, 2017 November 9, 2017
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Dairy Creek Golf Course
Staples to lead Master Plan of water-stricken Dairy Creek Golf Course in San Luis Obispo County
Andy Staples, of Staples Golf Design, a Scottsdalebased golf course design firm, is set to begin work on an ambitious plan to address the diminishing water availability of an existing 18-hole, County-owned golf course located on the central coast of California, adjacent to the famous highway 1. The plan will provide solutions to address the future sustainability of the course given the recent 60% loss of irrigation water for the golf course. “This project should further spotlight just how serious the drought is in California,” says Andy Staples, owner of Staples Golf Design and lead golf architect for the project. “Our intention however is to turn this negative into a positive by looking for innovative approaches in continuing to provide a quality golf product, but with a much smaller overall footprint.” Dairy Creek, an 18-hole public golf course originally designed by John Harbottle in 1995, is set inside El Chorro Regional Park, and is adjacent to other community uses such as a botanical garden, ball fields, dog park, playground, and campgrounds. Based on current drought conditions and the reduced availability of reclaimed water, the golf course is set to receive only 35 acres worth of irrigation. The planning process will
revolve around ideas to reinvent and evolve the golf course towards a unique, fun experience; one that will attract beginner golfers, serious golfers looking to play in less time, as well as non-golfers. The integration of the golf course into a comprehensive community plan is also being discussed. “As an avid user of the park myself, I know firsthand what this place means to our community; we all have a vested interest in making sure this plan turns out to be a success,” states Nick Franco Director of Parks and Recreation for the County. “I’d love to see how Dairy Creek can evolve to create a new experience for our current golfers while also attracting non-golfers within our community.” The Master Planning process began in December of 2016, and a proposed plan is estimated to be finalized in time for a Board of Supervisors presentation in June of 2017. Staples has already begun talking to the community through workshops and town hall meetings in order to gather feedback from residents on what they ultimately want to see included into the plan. Staples is relying on his recent experience working with municipal facilities across the country, including integration of his Community Links vision, to look for ways Dairy Creek can work to continue to attract golfers, but also look for ways to expand its reach into the
non-golfing community. Creating a plan that reaches 100% of the community is critical to its success. “We have an outstanding team, and I’m looking forward to coming up with a plan that really pushes the envelope,” says Staples. “We’re looking to address the current issues, but we’re also looking towards Dairy Creek’s sustainable future. We’re really in unchartered waters, but we’re excited for all the possibilities.” About Staples Golf: Staples Golf is an international golf course design firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA with a satellite office in Roseville, California. Formed in 2002, our planning process has been built through 23 years of experience that spans over 125 projects over multiple countries ranging from new builds, Master Plans, renovations and water and energy efficiency audits. In 2016, Staples Golf released the industry’s first white paper on the value of municipal golf in America. The paper sets the tone for Municipal golf’s comeback story, and lays the foundation for a game changing solution that keeps their doors open; a solution that promotes innovation to an industry segment stuck in an outdated business model.
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From the Field Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Staff, Southwest Region Thank you to all of our members who made the long trip to Orlando for the Golf Industry Show. We appreciate your Jeff Jensen support at our showcase event. The Golf Industry Show represents 46 percent of GCSAA revenue and allows us to offer education and many additional services to our members throughout the rest of the year. Without the support of our sponsors, vendors and your participation, we couldn’t make it all happen. Speaking of support, as we move into the busy spring season, please consider making it a point to get to your chapter’s next meeting or golf tournament. Your elected board of directors and chapter executives Irene Cline and Kim Milne do an amazing job of putting together events that offer quality education, great golf and networking opportunities. Additionally, your board
members spend countless hours of volunteer time to assure that the chapter runs smoothly while representing the industries best interests both locally and at the state level. Pay it back by going to the next chapter function, it’s a great chance to learn and have some fun with your fellow members and peers.
will be once again held on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
As a reminder, GCSAA’s Legacy Scholarship applications are due on April 15. The Environmental Institute for Golf developed this program (funded by Syngenta) to provide scholarship assistance to the children and grandchildren of GCSAA members who have been active Class A, Class B, Class C, Class A-Retired, or Class AA members for five or more consecutive years. Honorees receive a $1,500 award. For more information, complete eligibility requirements and the application, visit http:// www.gcsaa.org/education/ scholarships/gcsaa-legacy-awards. And last, but not least, National Golf Day has been set for April 26. The 10th anniversary of the event
S*E*E*D
National Golf Day celebrates the game’s nearly $70 billion economy, $4 billion annual charitable impact and many environmental and fitness benefits. Industry leaders will meet with Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and federal agencies to discuss golf’s 15,200plus diverse businesses, two million jobs impacted, tax revenue creation and tourism value. GCSAA members represent the golf industries largest contingent of National Golf Day representatives. Follow the event on Twitter @wearegolf and support the event through #NGD17. Thank you again for your support and if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and make sure to follow me on Twitter @GCSAA_SW for daily industry updates.
C*O*M*P*A*N*Y
9180 San Fernando Rd. P. O. Box 1579 Sun Valley, California 91353 Office (800) 621-0315
www.stoverseed.com
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Newsletter Title
Josh Heptig 2017 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship our Chapter’s Symposium on Affordable Golf in 2014. This event invited our industry partners, players, and media to Dairy Creek.
working on a master plan that will be introduced this coming summer. They are looking at different ways to attract users and are committed to Golf being Josh continues his public the core function of the facility. He awareness in regards to the future also is looking at ways to include Cal of Diary Creek. He highlights that Poly’s Turf Department and continues his work with the school to continue the county, and the golf course architect do in fact plan on the golf and grow the Turf program. course being a part of El Chorro To get the full story of this Regional Park for years to come. “Force of Nature” be sure to read Josh’s Josh Heptig receives his award from GCSAA story in the February issue of GCM Though the course revePresident Peter Grass and Rhett Evans GCSAA, Magazine. You can also find the link to nues dropped in 2016 as rounds CEO. decreased, the reason was different this article on our website at CentralOur chapter has known for quite a while that former association President Josh Heptig was a superstar. As the recipient of the 2017 GCSAA President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship, Josh is now recognized nationally for his hard work and efforts which we have benefited from since he joined our chapter in 2008.
CaliforniaGCSA.com. than most California courses. Dairy Creek irrigates with wastewater from the Thank you, Josh, for your efnearby prison, California Men’s Colony, forts on behalf of the golf community just North of the course. A California and the industry. State Assembly bill led to a decline in the prison population which resulted in a reduction in wastewater. This left the course with enough water to irrigate about only a third of the turf on the course.
Josh’s work on the Zero Waste Park initiative at Dairy Creek G.C. is what has attracted attention from not only the local media but from state and Josh and the national sources. We were able to share the story of the park when Josh hosted staff of the SLO County Parks & Recreation are
Volume 1, TEE-OFF N ews
Issue 1
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MIKE STIELER WINS HIS SECOND GCSAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Welcome New Members Anthony Gutierrez Equipment Manager Cypress Ridge G.C. Brad Cash Equipment Manager Morro Bay Golf Course Congratulation to Michael Stieler, CGCS at Spring Creek G&CC in Ripon, and Central California GCSA member on winning his second GCSAA National Championship with a second-round 1-over-par 73, which wrapped up a two-day total of 2-over-par 146 in Orlando. Mike’s previous title win was in 2012. In the 4-Ball Competition Glenn Matthews, CGCS and Mike Stieler, CGCS took First Place in the Low Gross Championship Flight. In addition Mike Prouty, Visalia C.C. Assistant and Dave Bermudez, Del Rio C.C. in Modesto took 2nd Place in the First Flight. Congratulation to all our players from the Central Valley.
Vlahdemir Cruz Equipment Mechanic Laguna Lake G.C. Nick Niles Student CalPoly SLO
2017 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT STEVEN SHOWERS
VICE PRESIDENT ANDY CORDOVA CYPRESS RIDGE G.C.
MATT NOWLEN LAGUNA LAKES G. C. ERIK SMITH TARGET CHEMICAL
PAST PRESIDENT TENNESSEE MCBROOM SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB /RANCHO SAN MARCOS GOLF CLUB
SECRETARY/TREASURER GLENN MATTHEWS, CGCS VISALIA COUNTRY CLUB
ALBERT NUNES MORRO BAY GOLF COURSE
PAUL BARR SAN LUIS OBISPO C.C.
ZACK MORAN WATER QUALITY CONSULTANTS
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 Zachary Moran Executive Directors Irene Cline & Kimberly Milne
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Newsletter Title
2017 GCSACC Spring Educational Meeting "Our Spring Educational meeting will be held at Dairy Creek on March 27, 2017 and hosted by Josh Heptig. The group of speakers will be focusing on University Turf Programs with an emphasis on the future of Cal Poly's program in particular. Speakers include Craig Kessler (SCGA), Jeff Jensen (GCSAA), Chair of Cal Poly Hort and Crops, Scott Steinmaus, Maggie Reiter (UC Extensions), and Josh Heptig will provide info regarding the Master Plan for Dairy Creek. The day will start at 7 am with registration, networking, and a light continental breakfast followed by educational sessions beginning at 7:30. Boxed lunches and range balls will be available at 10:30 and a shotgun golf tournament will commence at 11 am. A no host bar celebration will round out a fun filled day with our peers. Please go to centralcaliforniagcsa.com for more details and to register for the event. We look forward to seeing you in San Luis Obispo.".
Register on line at CentralCaliforniagcsa.com
Golf Course Materials Topdressing Sand - Bunker Sand Decomposed Granite - Drain Rock 1/8� Minus Turf & Tee Bulk Humus Brush Removal Call for competitive rates
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Introducing Maggie Reiter, UC Cooperative Extension Advisor degree in Horticulture and a Master’s degree in Applied Plant Science, both from the University of Minnesota. Maggie’s studies were focused on turfgrass science and her thesis evaluated low-input fine fescue species for golf course fairways. Her relationships with extension agents and turf managers in the Midwest were tremendously influential and encouraged her to pursue this role in California.
Maggie Reiter, UC Cooperative Ext. Adv.
Maggie Reiter is the new UC Cooperative Extension Advisor for Environmental Horticulture. She covers Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings Counties. She has an undergraduate
She looks forward to building a research and extension program that will meet local and statewide needs. Although horticultural industries in the Valley are extremely diverse, her focus will be turfgrass and turf alternatives, to provide information on plant selection, water use, and integrated pest management. Her research goals will build on the work of her
predecessors and continue to explore alternative grasses and groundcovers, lower-input systems, degraded water applications, weed management practices, and multifunctional landscapes. She is thrilled to join the Central California GCSA, meet diverse stakeholders, and prioritize the needs of our members. Maggie can be reached at mkreiter@ucanr.edu or (559) 2417504.
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Newsletter Title
Volume 1, Issue 1
Highlights from the Winter Meeting at Blacklake Golf Course It was a very rainy day but the education was excellent. This event focused on our newest membership category, equipment managers/mechanics. Irene Cline shared an overview of the GCSAA’s opportunities and information for Equipment Managers/Mechanics that was provided to us by Jeff Jensen. For all equipment managers/mechanics attending the meeting they were given a one year membership in the GCSACC and also GCSAA membership. We gained several new members that day. In addition we had the opportunity to listen to Rick Danielson, Jacobsen Textron District Manager who spoke on changes in golf equipment, new information, and he also provided a safety talk for the attending mechanics which they will receive certificates for attending. We want to thank Mike Scott, CGCS for hosting this event and we look forward to working more with our equipment managers/mechanics in the future.
Rick Danielson, Jacobsen Textron
Newsletter Title
Volume 1, Issue 1
Highlights from the California Room in Orlando
Congratulations to Rafael Barajas, CGCS Central California Member on his election to the GCSAA Secretary Treasurer Position.
Highlights from the GIS Trade Show in Orlando
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