EARTH SHAPING NEWS www.gcbaa.org
Published Quarterly by the Golf Course Builders Association of America
3rd Quarter 2015
A Look Back at the 2015 GCBAA Summer Meeting In the fall of 2013, GCBAA narrowed down a few select cities to host the 2015 Summer Meeting knowing it was a breakaway year from the PGA Championship. In comparing both the appeal and challenges of each potential location, Colorado Springs had an overwhelming number of opportunities that the Meetings Committee felt would complement the GCBAA very well. One particular attraction was the charm of The Mining Exchange Hotel, and more importantly the staff. When the Meetings Committee was prospecting (no pun intended) hotels, not only was their staff very capable, but they made an exceptional effort to understand our group and provided a welcoming that was second to none. When you fast forward to July 2015, we hope you felt the same with regards to their staff and the effort they put forth to show their appreciation for our group. Post-event, our office fielded countless member requests asking for emails and phone numbers for their General Manager and staff to commend them for a job well done. In turn, we were asked by the Hotel to give all attendees a big pat on the back and THANK YOU for being so cordial and kind to their staff throughout the week. To have the entire hotel booked by GCBAA and our special guests was a real treat for both ends!
GUESTS FROM GCSAA In getting to the meat and bones of the 2015 Summer Meeting, we would be remiss to not start by thanking our friends at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) for joining us that week. GCSAA concurrently held their quarterly board meeting on site and were able to join GCBAA members for receptions and other events. The GCBAA & GCSAA GCSAA Director Rafael Barajas, CGCS & GCBAA Treasurer Pat Karnick at the Sticks for Kids Golf Boards had a working lunch Tuesday with Tournament many new initiatives underway as a result! Without question, hosting GCSAA under the same roof was a benefit not only to our association members, but to the growing partnership we hope to continue with their organization.
IRRIGATION SYMPOSIUM This year’s Irrigation Symposium paved the way for a great start to the Summer Meeting. Close to 60 members gathered for classroom education on Tuesday morning at the Hotel. We’d like to thank GCBAA members Boyd Rose (Watertronics) and John Inman (Inman Interwest) for their presentations to the group, along with Camille Rubeiz, PE (Plastic Pipe
Camille Rubeiz, PE – Director of Engineering with the Plastics Pipe Institute
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Hotel staff giving Justin Apel a hand with the last of the Summer Meeting packing
INSIDE 2 President’s Perspective 3 Executive Director Notes 4 Foundation Update 12 Auction/Raffle 16 Human Resources 18 Developer’s Guide 21 New Members 26 Allied Associations 33 Movers & Shapers 38 Advertisers