Tee Off News March/April 2015
2015 Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship & Research Tournament Morro Bay Golf Course Josh Heptig Host Superintendent
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Save The Dates 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 Coyote Creek G.C. Morgan Hill
February 6—11, 2016 GIS San Diego February 10, 2016 California Room USS Midway Turf Pro 2015 Professional Update Series San Luis Obispo
September 2015 Annual Association Meeting Pheasant Run C.C. Date to be confirmed
Inside this issue:
December 5, 2015 Annual Holiday Event Windows on The Water Morro Bay
June 17, September 16, & November 18, 2015 Fresno June 18, September 17, & November 19, 2015 For Information Call 559-269-7342
2014/2015 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Presidents Message
4
Growing You People
6
Professional Certification Mike Kroeze
7
Golf Day at the Capital
8
From the Field
10
2015 Spring Seminar & GIS Highlights
12
PRESIDENT TENNESSEE MCBROOM SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB /RANCHO SAN MARCOS GOLF CLUB 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.
.JOSE ALVAREZ FORT WASHINGTON C.C.
TRINI HERNANDEZ RIO BRAVO C. C.
CRAIG JOHNSON BELMONT C.C.
JEFF KOLLENKARK WEED MAN
PETE BOWMAN JACOBSEN WEST PAST PRESIDENT
JOSH HEPTIG SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
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President’s Message “Keeping It Local” By Tennessee McBroom An ever emerging focus remains on large water users as the spotlight throughout California and our local communities. With a spoiled mild El-Nino and the fourth consecuTennessee McBroom tive year of drought continuing, “Keeping it local” is the game when it comes to managing your water resources. This year the significant impact on the Golf Industry will be ever more challenged with the in-
crease in cost of water, reduced deliveries, and restrictions. For some with failing wells that just don’t have enough of the wet stuff the challenge is even greater. With State legislatures turning over the Governance and relying on the 405 Local Water Districts to implement mandates to the end users, I highly suggest getting involved and engaged with your local representatives in order to have a seat at the table when the water rules and regulations are created. The Local Water Districts are not out to put us out of business, they’re simply working to cover fixed costs and increasing expenses during the drought while complying to the State Regulations, similar to the recent Emergency Regulations
Section 865. The Central California GCSA Board has been working on several different fronts in collaboration with all the California Superintendent Chapters, CAG (California Alliance for Golf), Southern California Golf Association, Regional Water Task Forces and many other Affiliate Representatives of the industry to give Golf a Voice while dealing with this drought crisis. Working with the State Water Resources Board and the Governors Cabinet is no easy task. Craig Kessler, SCGA Director of Governmental Affairs, recently assisted the Central California GCSA in developing language within a (Continued on page 5)
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President’s Message Continued from page 4 letter that was sent to the SWRB during the decision to mandate days of the week irrigation. The letter, along with countless meetings throughout the State has turned out to be a success with golf having a unified relationship with legislators this time around. The Board has also sent representatives to the Sacramento Water Task Force Meeting, and most recently the Ventura Water Task Force Meeting in Oxnard for recent discussions on local rulings and effects across the state. The question I posed on “How can golf be a part of the solution and not just react to the problem”. Craig Kessler stated that “golf has to show that we’re the best and most efficient irrigators in the industry” when it comes to utilizing water. He also reflected that the golf industry will always have a “political issue”, and we “should not compare ourselves to Ag as we need friends during this crisis”. The golf industry recently had its first seat at the table with the Governors Cabinet this month as Chris Thomas President of CAG received a few minutes during an hour discussion with Governor Brown to explain that the golf industry is “already taking measures to reduce water consumption”. The Golf Industry has to continue the political front to promote the how’s and why’s of irrigating and utilizing water efficiently, and how we will also continue to adapt to the challenges of the current drought and improve upon our water usage. That said, we need to take a real hard look at how and what we irrigate, continue to look
at innovative irrigation technologies such as subsurface irrigation, reducing acreage through turf reduction programs, selecting the most efficient crop i.e. Santa Anna Bermuda, and finding sources of reclaimed water that have a “Best Practice” approach. Not too long ago we had single row/double row irrigation, over the years we’ve expanded to park land style courses in some areas, I think the industry while delivering the best possible conditions demanded by guests/ members has to take a hard look at what we’re doing and adapt to the reality of the situation. Several in the Industry such as The Valley Club, Corral De Tierra C.C., Hunter Ranch GC, and North Ranch G.C. have made drastic changes to what and how they’re watering, Santa Anna Bermuda has shown great tolerance to cold weather while holding color while reducing water usage drastically. Reducing the water foot print efficiently is “real change” in my mind! Any way you look at it there will have to be water reductions now and in the future, getting ahead of it, keeping it local, and being a part of the solution is what we have to do! The Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship and Research Tournament is set for May 15th at Morro Bay G.C. in Morro Bay. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone on the course, sharing the comradery and enjoying some great golf!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Douglas Ayres Corral De Tierra C.C. Class A
Bob Zoller Monterey Penninsula C.C. Class A
Jeremy Clay Chalk Mountain G.C. Class SM
Paul Stone Fig Garden G.C. Class SM
Karen Pisani NuFarm Class Affiliate
Cheers, Tennessee
Save the Date Friday May 15, 2015 2015 Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship & Research Tournament
Morro Bay Golf Course
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Newsletter Title
Growing Your People By Jeff Kollenkark
Being a leader is not an easy task and like golf there is always room for improvement. I want to share some Jeff Kollenkark useful information that my company benefited from hiring a Sandler Management Solutions consultant. The topic I selected from the volumes of information revolves around 5 Performance Improvement Steps when dealing with those reporting to you.
The first step is providing them with clearly defined and communicated expectations with time lines and deadlines. Stating expectations does not mean vague things like you need to do better or we need to be more productive. Expectations must be SMART goals; specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and trackable.
have encountered.
Secondly you should have a feedback loop where you can confirm that they too understand the expectations and milestones along the way. Nodding heads is not sufficient. Ask questions that make them state their understanding of the expectations and timelines that are set in place.
The fifth step is the importance of having clearly defined consequences both good and bad for meeting or not meeting the expectations. This is just as important to celebrate the success as it is to address the failures. Regular meetings and feedback means the employee knows how they are doing and will have no surprises at the time of annual reviews.
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
Third, one must have accountability. Performance expectations should be monitored with a method to track their progress. Here is where you can both sit down and compare the agreed upon expectations to their performance. Get their thoughts on their progress and roadblocks they
The forth step is done through regular coaching conversations where you can modify the approach or provide further training to help them attain the goals. Ask yourself if they just need more time or need more training. Are they willing to learn?
We want our team to grow up or out. Preferably up, as they become an even more valuable asset to our business, but we sometimes have to let people find a better fit for their skill set and personality. These 5 steps are built on great communication and trackable expectations. Show your staff that you care enough for them to invest in them. Let them know what you expect with clarity and there will be fewer surprises and less uncertainty.
The 2015 Scholarship Applications for Turf Management Students and the 2015 Legacy Scholarship Applications are ready. Please contact the association office for details.
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Mike Kroeze, Kings River Country Club Earns Professional Certification Mike D. Kroeze, golf course superintendent at Kings River Golf and Country Club, Kingsburg, Calif., has earned the Mike Kroeze, CGCS title of Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), a top designation currently held by only about 1,500 golf course superintendents worldwide. Mike, a 17 -year GCSAA member and a member of the GCSACC since 2003, has been the superintendent at Kings River Golf
and Country Club since 2002. “This certification program requires the highest set of competencies in golf course management through testing and practical application, and we are proud of the Association’s Class A members who have advanced to earn this highest level of professional recognition as a certified golf course superintendent,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA chief executive officer. “We congratulate Mike on his accomplishment.” To qualify for GCSAA’s top certification, a candidate must have at least three years’ experience as a golf course superintendent, be currently employed in that capacity and meet post-secondary educational requirements and/or continuing education
points. A candidate’s knowledge, skills and abilities are validated through development of a portfolio consisting of case-study scenarios, skill statements and work samples; an on-site inspection of the golf facility; and a rigorous six-hour examination covering turfgrass cultural practices, golf course landscapes, pest management, equipment, Rules of Golf, business systems, regulator and programmatic systems, project management, human resources, environmental management and stewardship, natural systems and ethics and values. Congratulations to Mike on this accomplishment.
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Golf Day at the State Capital On Tuesday March 24th representatives from California’s allied golf associations convened at the State Capitol for the golf industry’s first “Day at The Capitol.” The day was an important step in creating a base of knowledge as to the involvement and efforts that our industry is participating in and working towards. CAG legislative advocate Tony Rice was instrumental in putting the event together. Tony arranged a total of eight meetings with legislators, legislative staff, key committee staff, as well as Executive branch staff, and kept our group on schedule and on point. In attendance were CAG President and Northern California PGA Executive Director Chris Thomas, CGCOA Past President Steve Plummer, NCGA Executive Director Vaughn Kezirian, California GCSA Board member Jim Ferrin, California Turfgrass and Landscape Foundation CEO Bruce Williams, CAG Board Member and Doctor’s Orders: Play Golf Founder Emmy MooreMinister, NCGA Board Member Tom Bone, and Marc Connerly GCOA and NCGCSA Director. SCGA Governmental Affairs Director Craig Kessler fell ill prior to the event and was sincerely missed, but
certainly deserves credit for his role in planning the event. The contingent met with Assembly members Ian Calderon and Phil Ting, as well as staff for Assembly members Marc Levine, Mike Gatto, and Jimmy Gomez; staff for the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance; a Senior Advisor on Energy and Environmental issues; and a Senior Advisor to Governor Brown. The majority of the discussion focused on water, with golf industry representatives taking turns focusing the discussion around several major points: · Golf courses, combined with parks and other large landscapes, use approximately 1% of the state’s water (in contrast to roughly 80% usage by ag.) · Approximately 1/3 of all courses in the state are on recycled water, and it is our industries goal for 100% to be on recycled eventually · The primary obstacle to increased use of recycled water is the lack of infrastructure · 70%-80% of courses are public play, not private · Golf contributes $13.3B to the
state’s economy · Golf employs more than 128,000 workers in California · The industry can point to examples of exceptional environmental stewardship, including 30% reduction in turf and installation of a highefficiency, computer-controlled irrigation systems such as that at Poppy Hills · Turf provides an excellent natural water filtration system · More Latinos and women are being introduced to golf · FootGolf is bringing soccer and golf together, increasing utilization of golf courses, and introducing new people to the courses The recurring theme of the responses received throughout the day was that there is no legislation pending or under discussion, or overall sentiment geared towards Draconian water policies that would hamstring golf courses. Quite frequently, there was surprise on the part of those with whom we met upon hearing that golf courses use less than 1% of the state’s water. That point seemed to resonate well. A few of the other comments and recommendations that came from the day’s meetings: · The industry needs to do a (Continued on page 9)
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Golf Day at the State Capital Continued from page 8 better job of publicizing our use of recycled water and “tell our story.” · It was recommended that we develop a one-page information piece educating elected officials and the public about golf’s efforts to conserve water, as well as the sport’s value as a source of recreation for children and communities. · It is important for golf stakeholders to form relationships with their legislators. · There is not a lot of desire by the Legislature to regulate water. They would prefer to leave that to the local districts and focus on getting bond money out the door to assist with water conservation. · There are no internal conversations at the Governor’s office about shutting off water at golf courses. · The Governor’s office understands that “one size fits all” doesn’t work for water policy, preferring a targeted savings percentage.
· It was recommended that the golf industry partner with the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). · “The first time I ever saw recycled water in use was at a golf course.” (Kip Lipper, Senior Advisor on Energy and Environmental issues) The lone negative on an otherwise entirely positive day was the news from Kip Lipper that red tape is preventing the distribution of bond money for recycling projects until late 2016 because the guidelines for said funding are encountering delays in publication by the regulatory entities. Finally, a couple of unexpected surprises were presented. First, during a discussion on the industry’s preliminary efforts to form a self-funded California Golf Commission, John Scribner, Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, offered to provide draft language for
the bill that would be necessary to authorize the Commission. While he could not commit the Assemblyman to authoring the bill, the gesture was a necessary and welcome step in the process. Second, Assemblyman Phil Ting indicated that he has authored AB 945, which will exempt from sales tax until 2020 all electric vehicle sales, including those golf carts that meet the definition. All in all, it was a very informative and uplifting day for golf in California, and hopefully the first of many. Thank you to Marc Connerly, Executive Director, Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California for supplying this overview of the day for our members
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From the Field Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Staff, Southwest Region The marketing department at GCSAA has been busy this spring creating the “Thank a Golf Course Superintendent” promotional campaign. Jeff Jensen The campaign is aimed at the country’s 25 million golfers and features a combination of television, radio, internet and print media’s. The television spots (15 and 30 seconds) are anchored by 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus and feature numerous PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and LPGA Tour professionals including Rory Mcllroy, Ricky Fowler, Jordan
Spieth, Matt Kuchar, Jay Haas, Fred Funk, Michelle Wie and CBS Sports Golf Analyst Nick Faldo. The spots can be viewed in their entirety at http://www.gcsaa.org/community/ chapter-leaders/managing-yourchapter/materials-for-chapterpublications and will run throughout 2015 on The Golf Channel. The radio spot (30 seconds) again features Nicklaus thanking golf course superintendents and is running on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (Sirius 208, XM 93) as well as golf radio shows throughout the country. Listen to the spot at http:// www.gcsaa.org/community/chapterleaders/managing-your-chapter/ materials-for-chapter-publications. The internet and print campaign features a giveaway for a trip
to the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. Golfers who submit an online thank you note to their local golf course superintendent are entered into the giveaway. The thank you notes will then be passed onto the mentioned golf course superintendent as well as the superintendent’s employer. The creative campaign is the brainchild of Russell Sypowicz, GCSAA associate director of marketing and Craig Smith, GCSAA director of communications and media. Both are new to the staff at GCSAA and are making great strides with our marketing and outreach efforts. In other news, Jenny PagelGuile is the new face of the GCSAA Certification Program replacing
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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Penny Mitchell who retired in February after 28 years with the organization. Jenny is working to help further develop and grow the CGCS program as well as maintain the certification status. 22 CGCS were newly certified in 2014 and eight applicants have started the process in 2015. Please feel free to reach out to her directly for questions regarding the application process or eligibility at JPagelGuile@gcsaa.org. She wants to hear member feedback in order to provide more directed services. Thank you for your support of GCSAA and I hope you all get the opportunity to enjoy some golf this spring. If I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me a jjensen@gcsaa.org and make sure to follow me on Twitter @GCSAA_SW for daily updates from the golf industry.
Auction Date: June 8-21, 2015 Get your rounds in today! Call Irene 559-298-4853
Spring Symposium Rio Bravo Country Club Thank you to Superintendent Trini Hernandez for hosting the Spring Symposium. Pictured below is Trini with the group from Rio Bravo. C.C.
At right is Michael Barber, CGCS, Scott Furtak, and Jeff Kollenkark
Pictured above from left is Trini Hernandez, Rafael Barajas, CGCS, Doug Ayers, Glenn Matthews, and Tennessee McBroom. At right are Kevin Qualey, Glenn Matthews, Pete Bowman, and JimCully
San Antonio GIS and 2015 California Room At left is Andy Cordova and Mike Kroeze during the California Room. Botton left is Albert Nunez, Mike Cline, and Josh Heptig. Bottom right Tennessee and Irene meet on the Trade Show floor
Joel Clay during the California Room
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