TeeOff News March/April 2014
Madera Golf & Country Club 2014 Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship & Research Tournament
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Save The Dates September 2014
June 2, 2014
Date to be Confirmed
Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship Tournament Madera Golf & C.C. Host Superintendent Lowell Stone
Annual Election Meeting Monarch Dunes Golf Course Host Superintendent Tom Elliott, CGCS
October 2, 2014 August 11, 2014 Tri Chapter Meeting Del Rio Country Club Hosted by David Bermudez
Annual Charity Event Sierra Meadows Country Club Host Superintendent Mike Best
December 6, 2014 Holiday Event “Window on the Water” Morro Bay
Inside this issue:
2013/2014 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Presidents Message
4
Around the Green
6
From the Field
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Lessons Learned
10
Zero Waster Golf
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Black Layer Mystery Solved at Airways 12 Golf Course Meeting recaps
14
PRESIDENT JOSH HEPTIG SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
SECRETARY/TREASURER BRIAN DAUM VALLEY CREST/PALO ALTO G.C.
VICE PRESIDENT TENNESSEE MCBROOM SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB
BOARD MEMBERS STEVEN SHOWERS AIRWAYS G. C.
TRINI HERNANDEZ RIO BRAVO C. C. ANDY CORDOVA CYPRESS RIDGE G.C..
JEFF KOLLENKARK WEEDMAN
MICHAEL CLINE WILBUR ELLIS COMPANY
PAST PRESIDENT MICHAEL SWING, CGCS VALLEY OAKS GOLF COURSE
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President’s Message Another Masters is in the books and now the golf season can officially start. During the beginning of my career in the Mid-West, as Master Week began, golfers got excited about getting out to play. Often times Mother Nature was not helpful toward their endeavors. I can Josh Heptig remember sitting in my office grinding reels with my mechanic and working on budgets while the snow was falling in March and my Greens Committee chairman and his two playing partners knocked on my office door wearing shorts and asking when I would be closing down the temporary greens and allowing play on the real greens. Jokingly, I asked him, “Isn’t it a bit cold for shorts?” He was not amused and I explained we would open the greens for play after the freeze thaw periods were not so prevalent and we have had a chance to walk mow them a couple of times. Not satisfied with this answer, he asked for a date and I told
him to inquire with a higher power. I assured him that I want the golfers on the course as much as the golfers want to be on the course, but we cannot rush to do so without fear that we will put the course in jeopardy during the summer months. After our discussion he seemed to calm down and he was back in a week with the same questions and we got to do this all over again. Golf Superintendents have the best jobs in the world! We really do have great jobs and sometimes we have to remind ourselves of that fact, but we also need to continue educating the golfers about what we do and why. Next month provides the perfect opportunity to do just that. May 21 is National Golf Day. This day will mark the seventh year that golf industry leaders have gathered together in Washington D.C. to discuss golf’s economic, environmental, charitable, and fitness benefits to Congressional, executive branch and agency leaders. – Click Here to see more at: We Are Golf. This is a day that all of our facilities should celebrate the industry and get people to take notice of what
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President’s Continued from page 1 the golf industry does within our communities. Historically, the golf professional has always been tasked with this role and it is obvious why. At most facilities these individuals are the face of the club as they interact with customers each day at the pro shop or practice facilities, while superintendents act more behind the scenes. This is by design so that golfers are not disrupted during their experience on the course, but sometimes it is due to our, “leave me alone� nature. The fact is that we are problem solvers, innovators, and leaders at our facilities and within our industry. This summer is bound to be a tough one as we struggle with increased labor costs and the lack of water. We need to do our part to make sure that our golfers, and more
importantly the non-golfers, understand the benefits that our facilities provide to the overall health and economics of our communities. I wish you all the best as we kick off this golfing season and do not hesitate to contact me, any other board member, or Jeff Jensen if we can be of assistance. We are here to serve you, the members.
The GCSA of Central California is now on Facebook and Twitter. Check it out!
At left, Josh is interviewed by the local television station during last months Symposium on Affordable Golf. He represented our association well and appeared on the 6:00 and 10:00 news.
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Around The Green by Mike Cline
Spring came early this year with daytime temperatures in February hitting as high as the 80 degree level in some locations. We did get a few rains in late March and April but for the most part it has been pretty dry with several courses preparing very extensive water management plans for their courses. Here are a few things going on around the Central Chapter; Glenn Matthews, Visalia Country Club has passed his GCSAA certification test and now just has a little paper work and his course review to be conducted before becoming a Certified Golf Course Superintendent. Congratulations Glenn. Former Riverbend Superintendent Mike Stieler is now the Superintendent at Spring Creek Country Club in Ripon. Mike takes over for long time superintendent Phil Brown who has taken a sales position with John Deere. Riverbend Golf Course, new Superintendent Adric Ryan is getting settled in at the course and bringing some of the programs and technologies that have served him well over the last years at his previous courses. Prior to the Riverbend positions, Adric was first assistant at Castle Pines Golf Club in the greater Denver area, and before that, he worked on the remodel of the Bayonet and Black Horse Courses at Fort Ord. Speaking of Superintendents, this year’s Al Glaze Scholarship tournament will be held at Madera Country Club. This will
Didn’t Know About your Association Manager Irene Cline
Lowell Stone
mark the 50th anniversary for Lowell Stone as a golf course superintendent, It was through Lowell’s’ efforts along with so many others that we have the GCSACC chapter and this wonderful golf tournament that have helped with scholarships for so many of the fine superintendents we have in the industry today. If you get a minute, give Lowell a call and congratulate him on this monumental event, and for everything he has given the industry and this association. Almost everyone knows Irene as your association manager for almost 20 years. There are things about Irene that you probably don’t know. Prior to coming to the association, Irene had been a commercial loan officer and branch manager for a community bank in the greater Fresno area. Married to her husband Mike for 44 years, she has two children, Chris and Kimberly and two grandchildren. In addition to running the office for the Central Chapter, she also manages the Sierra Nevada Chapter, and helps with the GCSA California Chapter as well. Here are 10 Things You
First job in golf? My first job in golf was when I became the association manager for the Central Chapter in April of 1995. The board of directors handled the operation of the association prior to me being hired. As the chapter grew it became more difficult for them.
What was your first management job in golf? My first management job in golf was the very day I signed on as the association manager. I am a contract employee for the association so in essence, I manage myself. In 2001 I also took over the management of the Sierra Nevada Chapter. At that time I had to hire an employee, and my daughter Kimberly joined my operation part time while she finished school.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work? When I’m not at work I love to spend time with my grandkids, Alexis who is 2 years old and her brother Liam who just turned 6 months.
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Around The Green Continued from Page 6 port one another everyday.
Irene Cline Executive Director
Irene has a sign in her office that reads, “If I’d known grandkids were this much fun, I would have had them first”
Who is your favorite sports team and why? I don’t have a favorite sports team but I do like baseball. Not on television but I love going to live games and seeing everything in person. If I have to choose then I guess I would say 49ers Football and Giants baseball are my favorite. I used to be a Boston fan but I’m back to the west coast now.
If you could pick one meal, what would it be? My favorite meal is the Chicken Picatta with Angel Hair Pasta that my husband Mike makes. A little white wine, some fresh basil, Amazing!
What’s your favorite part of your job? My favorite part of the job is working with the members that we have within the chapters. They are a wonderful group of dedicated individuals that sup-
What’s your least favorite part of your job? Is trying to set up the tournaments at our meetings. I try to get teams together but it’s a constant challenge. I like to communicate to the clubs early but that isn’t always possible. It really isn’t a big deal though.
What’s your favorite band? My favorite band is Rascal Flats
What’s your favorite song? My favorite song is My Wish by
Rascal Flats. That was the song my husband dedicated to our daughter at her wedding.
What’s your favorite movie? My favorite movie is “Love Actually” Silly love stories but it makes me smile.
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From the Field Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Staff, Southwest Region
Jeff Jensen
Much of my last six months has been spent dealing with water issues that have become so prevalent throughout the Southwest United States.
As you are well aware, California has been the hardest hit, experiencing its driest year on record since 1895. While the golf industry can’t control what Mother Nature throws or doesn’t throw at us, we do have the ability to better our situation. Golf industry water conservation task forces have popped up throughout the state and work proactively with water agencies and municipalities to address restrictions, develop conservation plans and assist in building long-term water policies that are effective for the golf industry, water
agencies and California communities. Task forces exist in the Coachella Valley, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Luis Obispo and have accomplished some great things in a short amount of time. While these task forces, along with assistance from the CGCOA, GCSAA, SCGA and the USGA can provide much needed help to the industry, the bottom-line is that over 3,000 water agencies exist in California and restrictions/policy varies from agency to agency. As former Speaker of the U.S. House Tip O'Neill once said, “All politics is local”, the same can be said for water policy. With that being said, the onus needs to go on golf facilities to be keenly aware of their current situation in regards to water. Below are some tips to assist your facility:
Find out how your facility is classified by your water agency/ municipality. Is the facility classified as a commercial user? Is it lumped in with agriculture? Is there a golf course only classification? Courses have been reclassified without their knowledge. Check your respective classification for restrictive language or ordinances that may pertain to the golf industry. Set a meeting with your individual agency/municipality to proactively discuss any issues or concerns you may have about water allocations, conservation, pricing, restrictions, etc. With ongoing and proactive dialog, you can affect long-term strategies that can only be achieved through
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
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From the Field Continued from page 8 deliberation and the freedom from crisis, giving you the ability to deal with current or future circumstances however and whenever they arise. Attend City Council and water agency meetings when time permits. If you can’t attend, read over the minutes posted to the respective websites. Search for any information that could have a negative effect on the golf industry and your facility. Strive to make your water management plan and conservation goals transparent. Create a culture of openness and free flowing information with government regulators, employees, golfers, media and the general public. I hope you find the above information helpful 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.
Tips to maximize your donation To Rounds 4 Research Donation description To make your donation as complete and appealing as possible, please include the following in your description: Type of golf facility & number of holes. The use of caddies or golf carts. Inclusion of any food & beverage. Overnight hotel accommodations. Access to club amenities, such as the pool, spa or tennis courts. For multi-course facilities, not which course the round will be played on Blackout or restriction dates for redemption of the round. Redemption certificates Please provide us an official redemption certificate for the winning bidder to present at the course. If you do not have one, the EIFG would be happy to provide our official Rounds 4 Research redemption certificate, complete with the specific information you have provided. Facility logo and images Send electronic photos and logo of your facility to rounds4research@gcsaa.org. These images must be in JPG, GIF or PNG format and in any size as long as they are 72 pixels per inch in resolution. Multiple donations Multiple donations that have the same value may be submitted on a single form. You can indicate the number of donations per year, and the years in which you wish to donate. If you are submitting multiple donations of varying value, please use a separate form for the each package.
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Lessons Learned By Andy Cordova
Andy Cordova Cypress Ridge G.C.
Three years have passed since the superintendent job here at Cypress Ridge was awkwardly handed over to me. It has been an interesting yet enjoyable and exciting experience to say the least. Trying to keep this course's maintenance to the impeccable standards that were set by my predecessor while dropping a good portion of the budget has been quite a task. I have learned a great deal over this period about the golf course, the employees, the business, and so much more. The majority of what I have learned are things that just come with being around the golf course, whether a Superintendent or just an assistant. However, there are some lessons that come to mind that I have learned so far that only come from being a Superintendent. Thankfully, there has been a few people around me that have helped me out along the way. One of the realizations that came to me within a week of taking over was “oh crap, what did I get myself into”. Even though it is exactly what I wanted to get myself into, the understanding that you are the one that everyone looks to for
answers on every little detail that goes on within the maintenance of the golf course, becomes overwhelming. Sometimes you just bite off a little more than you can chew and get to the point where you are running around in circles feeling like your head is going to explode. It takes a little time to understand that you can't do everything yourself and that delegation is a wonderful tool. The less you have to worry about the more time you have to play golf...I mean check the golf course. Delegating is very important as long as you find the right people to delegate too. Every assistant coming up through the ranks will always have ideas in their mind on how they would change the course to make it “better”. Maybe its changing heights of cuts, making fairways wider or narrower, moving some irrigation around, or changing certain cultural practices. Sometimes you can get caught up in what people are saying about the course and how it should change rather than doing what you know is best for the overall health of the golf course. There is an incredible amount of pride that goes into what we do, you just try not to take every negative comment (there will always be some) to heart. No matter how hard you try to make everything perfect, there is always going to be someone who doesn't like it and can do it better themselves. You can just hope that the golf course gremlins don't turn the sprinklers on while those people are playing the middle of the 3rd fairway at 9:00 in the morning on a Tuesday (I promise it was an accident and that it was just karma that it happened to be one of those complainers). You learn quickly that there is only so much you can do.
Probably one of the most important lessons I have learned to date, is to not be afraid to ask for help from the resources available to you. This one is still a bit of work in progress because of my personality. I am one of those (I'm sure I'm not the only one) who likes and wants to figure everything out on my own even if I don't quite know what the hell I'm doing. Most of the time it works out alright, but every once in a while it comes up to bite me on the butt. I've learned that sometimes its in the best interest of the course (and my sanity) to put the stubbornness aside and call the old superintendent down the street and ask for advice. He, as well as most people in this business, knows more about certain things than I do, it becomes a matter of picking up the phone and calling them when I know I have no clue. I have learned so much already, from little things that I beat myself up over, because I should have known, to much bigger things that can only come with time. I know that my career as a Golf Course Superintendent has really just begun and I have honestly enjoyed every minute of it (even the tough ones). From the work itself to the people associated with the industry it has been a lot of fun and I can't imagine myself doing anything else.
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Zero Waste Golf At Dairy Creek Gets Lots of Attention
Attendees of the Symposium on Affordable Golf were treated to a guided tour of the Zero Waste Golf Facility that Josh Heptig has established at Dairy Creek Golf Course . There was a tremendous interest in this project and even the rain couldn’t stop those on the tour.
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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Black Layer Mystery Solved at Airways Golf Course
Steve Showers Airways Golf Course
At Airways Golf Course in Fresno there has been a mysterious black layer problem on the 18th green for at least a couple of decades. After becoming superintendent here at Airways in October of 2012 I was able to explore the problem in a much more detailed fashion. The black layer consisted of an approximately twenty foot section on the left side of the 18th green, roughly two thirds of the area was on the putting green surface, but the area also extended into the green surround. The layer was unusually thick compared to other instances of black layer I was familiar with.
Some of the more dramatic attempts at solving the issue in the past included digging down to a depth of two to three feet, removing the soil and installing sand in the hole, then laying new sod in the area. From what I have been able to ascertain from long time workers at the course, over time the black layer reformed in the very same spot as before. Another potential solution involved the use of a four by six-foot piece of plywood with one-inch holes drilled on six-inch centers throughout the board. A ž -inch by 14-inch long drill bit was used to drill out the soil in each hole and sand was then introduced into the holes. Again the black layer reformed a short time later. Before I discuss what was causing the black layer, let me give you a little history regarding the site where Airways Golf Course is located. The course was built on land that was formally utilized as Hammer Field. The Air Force Base opened in January 1944 and was home to the 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group. With the end of the
by Steve Showers
war in September 1945 the base was closed and the land inactivated as Hammer Field. By 1949 the land was utilized entirely for non-military use, including 805 acres leased to the City of Fresno. Part of these 805 acres now include the Fresno Air Terminal (known to airport officials as the Fresno Yosemite Airport, so don’t call them FAT) and is also home to Airways Golf Course. Burt Stamps designed the course and construction was completed in 1952 on a 90-acre site directly north of the airport. The existing infrastructure for the air base was left untouched under the native soil, so all sewer, water and natural gas lines were left in place and the course was built over the top of what
TEE-OFF News Black Layer Mystery Continued from page 12 was Hammer Field. This has posed some interesting situations with regard to regular scheduled maintenance by the City of Fresno. Each year I lead sewer clean out trucks around the golf course so city workers can clean the sewer system and keep things flowing. Another annual sight is the city water division exercising the multiple gate valves located on the fresh water pipes that run in a variety of directions throughout the course. On average four times per year a water leak is discovered that is not associated with the irrigation system and the city sends out workers to repair the water pipes. So it was no surprise when a small water leak was discovered next to the 18th green on Wednesday, December 18, 2013. On Thursday golf course staff began trying to locate the source of the leak, as is our normal practice even though we felt it was not one of our pipes. After excavating approximately five feet below the surface of the existing soil level just next to the green, we came upon an old natural gas valve with a slow gas leak rising to the surface of the standing water. Because the leaking pipe was not directly connected to our irrigation system, the City of Fresno Water Division was contacted to help us
repair the leak, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was also contacted to repair the gas valve. Now, the issue regarding these repairs was who would repair which leak first. The City water crew wanted no part of working in a hole filled with natural gas, and the PG&E crew does not normally work on gas leaks underwater. As nightfall approached and since the gas leak was in an open area, it was the consensus of the group that we wait for daylight on Friday morning and work together to solve the problem. Friday morning brought together representatives from the golf course, PG&E and the City of Fresno Water Division, along with four large work trucks, a backhoe, vacuum truck and a number of us equipped with shovels. We were able to enlarge the hole with the use of the backhoe and vacuum truck and locate the one and one-half inch galvanized pipe that was leaking, located apparently in the same trench as the gas line. The irrigation system was completely closed down and the water remained leaking. With no confirmed plans of the water system left from the air base, the city would need to shut down a large service area of their water system including a number of businesses located
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near the golf course in order to isolate the pipe. With the hole enlarged enough for the gas to dissipate we were able to install a clamp over the leak and stop the water flow. The PG&E crew was then able to locate the source of the leak as coming directly from the valve that shuts off service for the clubhouse. The crew repaired the valve and installed a standpipe over the valve that will allow access to it for service in the future. The hole was backfilled with sand and ryegrass seed was broadcast over the area and is now growing nicely. No one could say when the valve began leaking, but I would imagine that it has been the cause of the black layer problem from the beginning. The black layer is much improved in the area and I am confidant that we can establish a nice stand of grass this summer where past superintendents and I have struggled. Sometimes as hard as we work on creating a solution to problems we face; it is important to remember that you really need to get to the cause of problems, rather than simply working on the symptoms caused by that problem.
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2014 Symposium On Affordable Golf
The Symposium on Affordable Golf which was hosted by the GCSA of Central California on March 31—April 1 was the first time this program has been offered on the west coast. Over 100 attendees were treated to a two day seminar with an exceptional line up of speakers and captured national attention for our chapter
Pictured above is Rhett Evans, CEO for GCSAA. He attended the event and served on one of the panels of speakers. Pictured at right are some of the superintendents and GCSACC members that attended the event. We hosted several members from the Northern California, Sierra Nevada GCSA, and San Diego Chapters as well.
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2014 Symposium On Affordable Golf Pictured at left at Steve Showers, Andy Cordova, Tom Elliott, CGCS, and Jason Pautsch.
At lefy Josh Heptig, host of the event get everyone filled in on the events of the day. At right Bruce Williams, CGCS, and Mike McCullough catch up.
This symposium brought together several facets of the golf industry. PGA members, pictured at left, California Alliance for Golf, Golf Course Owners Association, members, and the Pictured below is Bill Griffith, CGCS, and Jeff Kollenkark.
Pictured below is Craig Kessler, California Alliance for Golf and California GCSA Member Jim Ferrin, CGCS
2014 Annual Sponsor
2014 Annual Sponsor
2014 Annual Sponsor
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 Tennessee McBroom Executive Directors Irene Cline & Kimberly Milne