September/October 2013
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Presidents Message By Josh Heptig
Inside this issue:
Meeting Schedule
5
Around the Green
6
Ironman Brian Daum
8
A Good Group of People
9
Tri Chapter Event
10
Tri Chapter Highlights
11
Official Publication of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Central California. The purpose of this publication is information and education for the membership. Published bi-monthly by GCSACC 5322 N. Leonard Clovis, CA 93619 Phone (559) 298-4853 Fax (559) 298-6957 Email gcsacc@aol.com Bob Schneiderhan, Newsletter Chairman Mike Scott, CGCS, Editor
First, let me say, I am honored to have been elected as your chapter president for another year! Your Board and I will strive to provide our chapter members with educational opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge and to host meaningful events that bring us all together in the spirit of brotherhood as golf course superintendents and industry professionals. Football season is here at last! Autumn provides most of us the opportunity to relax a bit and provide our courses some CPR in the form of aerification
and shorter day lengths. This is a great time of year to unwind from all of the heat and other environmental stresses that you have experienced this summer. During your state of relaxation I would invite you to check out the new and improved website for your Central California Chapter of the GCSAA. The site just went live earlier in the month of September and can be found at http://centralcaliforniagcsa.com.
The old website was owned and partly managed by an outside entity and was consistent across all 6 California Chapters. The level of service we were receiving
was not found to be acceptable and the mechanisms were cumbersome for the various Executive Directors to import data and information. It was decided to seek other website opportunities. Our goal was to provide a fresh new look and a more easily navigated site. A number of various chapter websites across the country were reviewed to pick and choose the best ideas from each site to create our own. We would love to receive your feedback and ideas to continue to improve the site further to provide our members the information and tools that will make the site (Continued on page 2)
From The Field Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Staff Southwest Region Labor Day has come and gone and everyone is gearing up for the fall season. Where does the time go? I hope all of our Central Cal members had a great summer and were able to enjoy some quality time with friends and family.
As a superintendent in California, you are well aware of the ever increasing laws, rules and regulations that have a significant impact on the daily operations and maintenance of your facility. Whether its pesticides,
ADA regulations or water management issues, they continue to command a lot of your time and attention. Remember that GCSAA is there to help. GCSAA’s public policy and (Continued on page 4)
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President’s Message-Continued from page 1 Josh Heptig GCSACC President
useful for YOU! There are changes on the way as we tweak and enhance the site, so give it a whirl and please pass along your thoughts and critiques. This is one of the tools we hope to use to engage our membership in the coming years ahead. The Chapter Delegate’s meeting will be held at headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas in early October. Brian Daum will be going as a representative for our chapter as well as the State chapter. The focus of this year’s Chapter Delegate’s Meeting is the future. What will the golf industry and profession look like in the year 2020? What forces will be at play that affects our members and their ability to do their job? How will these things affect the GCSAA organization? And what will the association need to be providing to its members in order to prepare us to meet these challenges. The GCSAA Board of Directors held a Strategic Planning Session to work through these and other questions that pertain to the future. The board has asked industry leaders and golf course superintendents to answer these questions with a video compilation of their answers to be shared during the meeting. Now, the national board of directors requests our input. If you have thoughts or concerns, please send them to one of our chapter board members so that these issues can be brought to the attention of the association. Through our chapter survey this year (http:// www.surveymonkey.com/s/
V5JLRC8) it appears that many of our members belong to our chapter, “because I have to.” This, to me, refers to the dual membership requirement and is something that needs to be addressed through the entire association. I know our members are not the only superintendents that feel this way as many across the country have voiced the same concern. As superintendents we are all in this industry together and it is much easier to solve problems collectively rather than individually, but if your voice is not heard then the problems cannot be addressed. Our chapter Board is here to serve our members and I believe the national Board has the same intention. It is our goal to engage our membership by providing value that our members desire. Now is your opportunity to profess those desires. My ears are open and I want to hear what you have to say. Please contact me with any thoughts you may have that will improve our chapter or the national association by which we are all served. Thanks for being a member of this chapter. Election Meeting and “Seed Symposium on Affordable Golf” Our Annual Election Meeting was similar to many other years that I have experienced…we did not have a great turn out for the election. I forget what part of the national population actually votes, but it has to be higher than our turnout this year. The time of year may be difficult for people to get away as aerification is occurring across our region and the venue, River Oaks Golf Course in Paso Robles, may not have piqued the interest of our membership like that of SLO Country Club or the Valley Club in our chapter. That being said if you did not attend
this meeting you missed an opportunity to experience a first for our chapter. The event was the first joint meeting between our chapter and the California Golf Course Owners’ Association (CGCOA). Steve Plummer, golf course superintendent, and president of the CGCOA came to Paso Robles from Southern California along with some of his members of the CGCOA to be a part of a relationship that will hopefully continue and grow to include the PGA sections of our region. Attendees were treated to three different discussions as part of the “Seed Symposium on Affordable Golf.” The symposium was led by its creator from the Pinehurst area of North Carolina, golf architect, Richard Mandell. Richard’s firm has hosted the Symposium on Affordable Golf in North Carolina for the past three years and I had the pleasure of attending last year as a speaker and found the experience to be the best I have had since I have been in this industry. All parties involved in the golf industry were present to express their thoughts from course owners to superintendents to golf writers to the golfers themselves. If you have the opportunity to attend this FREE symposium I highly recommend it. Heck I suggest you do it! I will go back as many years as I can. The discussion topics included “What is Affordable Golf” presented by Richard Mandell. Richard wrapped the meeting up with his survey titled Golf Your Way, to share the data he has collected from over 800 golfers that pertains to what they want and expect when they come to a golf property. Sandwiched between Richard’s two discussions was the topic of “Pace of Play” presented by Bill Yates with Pace Manager. Bill discussed how
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President’s Message Continued from page 2 pace of play influences the golfers experience and thoughts that can be used to improve this process. The final topic included “The Follies of Replicating Tournament Conditions” as discussed by Ted Horton and Bruce Williams. Ted and Bruce both agreed to fill in for Tim Morgahan on short notice and they did a tremendous job talking about the subject of the reality of preparing tournament conditions on everyday golf courses. The day concluded with lunch and golf on the six-hole course at River Oaks which features five par 3’s and one par 4. The course was the perfect example of affordable golf to compliment the morning’s events. It is a great layout and idea to incorporate golf into a residential community that includes an elementary school. Dick Willhoit, developer, was kind enough to speak to the group and share his vision for
the property and things he would have changed now that he has the luxury of looking into the rearview mirror. We played in six-somes to continue the conversations and networking. Everyone stayed around for a beverage on the patio to share stories and tell lies when the day was over. All in all it was a great event to kick off the new fiscal year! Mark your calendars for April 2014 as our chapter will be hosting a West Coast Symposium on Affordable Golf at Dairy Creek Golf Course. We want to encourage and attract as many industry professionals as possible so bring the pros and managers from your clubs along with you for an invigorating open discussion and educational session. Check the website and newsletters as specific dates and times will be announced soon.
WELCOME NEW MEMBER Joel Brinkman Sunnyside Country Club Class A
Jesus Gonzalez Madera Golf & C.C. Class C
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From The Field
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government relations program is recognized as the entity of influence in the golf industry. Issues are tracked at the federal government and all 50 Jeff Jensen states: 535 members of Congress, 7,500 state legislators, more than 80,000 municipalities, and enumerable regulators at the local, state and federal levels. The work of the program is carried out by GCSAA government relations director Chava McKeel and staff who are guided in their work by a Board-approved annual Priority Issues Agenda which outlines the
association’s priority issues, along with GCSAA’s official position on each issue. The current issues are the ADA, fertilizers, labor and immigration, pesticides, the value of golf and water management. The program has two main functions, compliance and advocacy. GCSAA’s compliance efforts are focused on assisting members, chapters and facilities in complying with all applicable laws and regulations that impact the golf facility. This is accomplished largely through one-on -one compliance counseling by staff. Compliance tools and resources are also developed in conjunction with government agencies. The second function is advocacy efforts on behalf of members,
the industry and the game of golf. These efforts are wide-ranging and include coordination of grassroots lobbying (members and chapters), direct lobbying by GCSAA staff, lobbying by Reed Smith (GCSAA’s Washington, DC based law firm), working within industry coalitions, communicating directly with regulators, educating lawmakers and providing comments to regulatory dockets. If you are experiencing any legislative or regulatory issues with the potential to harm or help your facility or the golf industry, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org to see if I can assist you or certainly point you in the right direction.
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Meeting Schedule October 14, 2013
January 2014
Annual Charities Tournament Madera Country Club Host Superintendent Lowell Stone
Winter Educational Symposium And Golf Tournament Location and Date to be Confirmed
February 2014 December 7, 2013 Annual Holiday Party Window’s On The Water Morro Bay, CA This is also the Annual Morro Bay Boat Parade Weekend
California Room February 5, 2013 Location to be confirmed
TURF PRO 2013 Dairy Creek Golf Course 2990 Dairy Creek Rd. San Luis Obispo, CA November 13, 2013 Copper River Country Club 11500 N. Friant Rd. Fresno, CA November 14, 2013 For Additional Information Contact Mike Cline (559) 269-7342
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Around The Green by Mike Cline
It is officially fall and you can hear everyone, especially the valley breathe a little sigh of relief. It’s been a long hot summer but it seems everyone came through it pretty well and with minimal turf loss. Not a whole lot going on at this time of year, aeration, overseeding, fall fertilizers and winter weed control are tops among the current activities at this time of year. I’m happy to report that Glenn Matthews has taken over the Superintendents position at Visalia Country Club. Many of you will remember Glenn as a Cal Poly graduate who was also an Al Glaze Scholarship winner and who for about the last ten years has been the Superintendent at the Course at Wente Vineyards in Livermore. Water seems to becoming a much bigger issue for many of the courses throughout the chapter reports Jon Christiansen of Sierra Golf Management, and Jason Pautch of Hunter Ranch. Both of these Superintendents are becoming very proactive with regards to water conservation. Our featured Superintendent this issue is Brett Billeadeau of Eagle Springs Country Club. Brett had come to Eagle Springs while it was still called Brighton Crest Country Club after a short stint at Lemoore Golf Course. In total years, Brett tells me he’s been in the valley for almost 20 years.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Superintendent Brett Billeadeau First job in golf? My first job in golf was at Pokegama Golf Course in Grand Rapids Minnesota. The year was about 1974 and I was 16, working summers mowing greens, and tees. I did this for about 4-5 years while I was in high school and college. What was your first management job in golf? My first management job in golf was shortly after I graduated from the University of Minnesota at Duluth, I became the assistant superintendent at Pole Creek Golf Course in Winter Park Colorado, and the year was 1980. What do you like to do when you’re not at work? When I’m not at work I use to love to ski, but it seems now all I do is chauffeur my two girls around to all the things they have going on in their lives. My me time now is centered on Salt Water Aquariums. Who is your favorite sports team and why? My favorite sports team is the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Ice Hockey team. Growing up an ice
hockey player in Minnesota, I had a lot of friends who played for that team and the current coach is an old line mate of mine from high school. If you could pick one meal, what would it be? My favorite meal is a New York Steak at Cool Hand Luke’s; I just love the spice rub they use. What’s your favorite part of being a golf course superintendent? My favorite part of the job is construction. When I was younger, and not married, I was nomadic, I would travel to construction jobs all over the west but now that I have a family, I have to hold out for little projects around the course. What’s your least favorite part of being a golf course superintendent? My least favorite part of the job is members who blame the course for their poor shots. What’s your favorite band? My favorite band is Steely Dan. I got to see them live when they recently performed at Table Mountain Casino.
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Around The Green
Continued from page 6
little town he grew up in to make something of himself.
Brett Billeadeau Eagle Springs Golf Course
What’s your favorite song? My favorite song is by Steely Dan called Kid Charalemagne.
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That’s all for this issue but as always, if you know of anything that might interest our members, let me know and I’ll see you Around the Green.
What’s your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Good Will Hunting. I love the premise of a young guy getting out of the
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
The GCSA of Central California is now on Facebook and Twitter. Check it out!
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TEE-OFF News Brian Daum, GCSACC Board Member and 2013 Ironman Competitor at Lake Tahoe
On September 22 Lake Tahoe was a destination for IRONMAN athletes which included our very own Brian Daum. Brian is no stranger to Tri Athelons and biking competitions but this was his first attempt at an IRONMAN. Race morning started at the Kings Beach State Recreation Area, where Brian was submerged into the cool waters of North Lake Tahoe for the 2.4 mile swim. He completed this in 1:03:08. He then did a lakeside transition and the start of the 112 mile bike course which he took along the shore down the length of the Lake and as he entered Tahoe City he raced through the Truckee River corridor, following the Truckee River past Squaw Valley and into the town of Truckee. Here the course
turned south back toward the lake, rolling past Northstar and the start of the climb to Brockway Summit at a 7,200 foot elevation. Back at Kings Beach Brian repeated another loop before finishing at Squaw Valley. Brian completed the bike competion in 6:26:20. He then transitioned to the running aspect of the competition to proceed back up the Truckee River corridor along the Truckee River bike path. He had a relatively flat course for the 26.2, a full marathon race, through one of the most scenic stretches in the world before returning back to Squaw Valley and the finish of IRONMAN . He
Brian at the finish line with his parents
completed his run in 4:16:44. Overall competition time was 12:00:48 which placed him in the top 10% competitors. Brian had a personal goal to finish in 12 hrs and he did it! WAY TO GO BRIAN, you are a true IRONMAN!
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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TEE-OFF News A Good Group of People
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by Andy Cordova Over the past couple of weeks I've been brainstorming topics to write about for this months newsletter and thinking back on the Al Glaze Memorial golf tournament in July, one came to mind. At the conclusion of the tournament there was somewhat of an “Ode to Joe� where a couple of close friends of Joe Tompkins CGCS stood up and let us all in on some of their greatest memories with him from over the years. While listening to this I realized what being a part of the Central California chapter of GCSAA means to me. Camaraderie and networking are the basics but most importantly building friendships that will last a life-time. Being a part of the GCSAA national brings benefits from many different aspects. Not only will it help promote you professionally with the educational conference, webinars, and forums but also to keep up to date with the changing laws, regulations and overall issues facing the golf maintenance industry in its entirety. There are also results of research done on new products that may or may not pertain to your situation and if you are looking, the available jobs board always has a few postings. All in all, being a part of
the GCSAA is extremely beneficial to anyone in the golf maintenance industry. Being a part of the Central California chapter of the GSCAA brings the added benefit of seeing colleagues on a more regular basis. This could potentially lead to knowing them on a more personal level and it is at that personal level that these life-time friendships form. Friendships with the type of people that at the drop of a hat would do anything to help you. It is these people that you have no problem inviting into your house for a night or two when traveling to meetings and golf tournaments or just happen to be in the area. People that you travel with to the industry show, enjoy a few beers with, or play golf on a regular basis with (while enjoying a few beers). It is these people that you consider friends and as far as I'm concerned, you can never have too many. Over the past 10 years of being a part of this association, as a student, assistant, and now as a superintendent, I have met quite a few people that I consider friends. People that took me (the college kid) in and for starters, gave me a job, then
taught me about the delectable morning beverage of choice, the 'beermosa'. People that I have traveled with to various events, had more than a few beers with, and even roomed with at the national conference. People who showed up to my redneck water-slide party without knowing what the heck they were getting themselves into (some even traveled three hours to get there). It is them that I consider more than just colleagues within the industry, they are people that I consider my friends. In watching everyone in our association interact with one another at tournaments, meetings and at the national conference all of us have made a few friends. I know we all have someone on speed dial that we can call with either some sort of emergency, shoot the bull with, or just to ask how the 100+ degree weather is in the valley, while its a nice 65 degrees here on the coast. It is these friends that make it more than worth-while to be a part of this chapter. I can only hope that when I'm set to retire (if that will even be possible when the time comes) that I will have good friends from within this industry that can share plenty of stories about our times together.
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2013/2014 Board of Directors Tennessee McBroom, VP Sandpiper G.C.
Andy Cordova , Director Cypress Ridge G.C. Bill Herbert, Director Montecito Country Club
Josh Heptig, President County of SLO
Brian Daum, Secretary/Treasurer Palo Alto G.C.
Trini Hernandez, Director Rio Bravo Country Club
Steven Showers, Director Airways Golf Course
Mike Cline Affiliate Representative Wilbur Ellis Co.
Jeff Kollenkark, Affiliate Representative Turf Doctor dba Weedman
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River Oaks Golf Course And Symposium on Affordable Golf Attendees of the September Symposium for Affordable Golf were treated to an excellent informational and educational opportunity. Our event was shared with members of the Golf Course Owners Association. Pictured at rignt are several of the attendees of the event
Pictured at left is our event featured speaker Richard Mandell. President, Richard Mandell Golf Architecture Richard spoke on CostConscious Lessons to Learn from the Golden Age
Dick Willhoit, owner of the River Oaks G.C. gives our attendees a history of the course and a look into the future efforts that he is taking on.
Josh Heptig, President of the GCSACC introduced the owners of River Oaks G.C. Dick Willhoit and his son.
Pictured at right is Bill Yates. Foun-
der, Pace Manager Systems. As Founder of Pace Manager Systems®, Bill is widely regarded as the “Guru” of pace of play. He addressed issues of customer service, revenue and the flow of play. Pictured at left is Josh Heptig with the Golf Course Owners Association Manager Marc Connorly
5322. N. Leonard Ave. Clovis, CA 93619
2013/2014 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT JOSH HEPTIG SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SECRETARY/TREASURER BRIAN DAUM VALLEY CREST/PALO ALTO G.C.
VICE PRESIDENT TENNESSEE MCBROOM SANDPIPER GOLF COURSE
PAST PRESIDENT MICHAEL SWING, CGCS VALLEY OAKS GOLF COURSE
BOARD MEMBERS STEVEN SHOWERS AIRWAYS G. C. JEFF KOLLENKARK TURF DOCTOR
TRINI HERNANDEZ RIO BRAVO C. C.
ANDY CORDOVA CYPRESS RIDGE G.C..
BILL HERBERT MONTECITO C C EXECUTIVE STAFF IRENE CLINE/KIMBERLY MILNE PHONE (559) 298-4853 FAX (559) 298-6957 EMAIL gcsacc@aol.com
MICHAEL CLINE WILBUR ELLIS COMPANY