GCBAA Earthshaping News 2019 Q1

EARTH SHAPING NEWS Published Quarterly by the Golf Course Builders Association of America

1Q | 2019

2019 Golf Industry Show Opening Reception

Inside Issue the

4

President’s Perspective

5

Executive Director Notes

6

Foundation Update

11

Human Resources

12 Developer’s Guide 15 Allied Updates 20 New Members 21 Movers & Shapers 24 GCBAA Meetings Calendar

GCBAA MAKES A Splash IN SAN DIEGO At this year’s show, the weather was the one literally doing the splashing with unseasonal rain and cooler temperatures for what usually is a sunny and 65 degree Golf Industry Show. Association meeting planners are trained to look for the silver lining and when the weather isn’t cooperating, that tends to keep people on the show floor networking and learning about the latest products and services available to the golf industry. Post show reports show optimism about the 2019 golf market, specifically on the renovation and irrigation side of the construction industry.

For the Golf Course Builders Association of America to summarize the week we must dissect each day with all that is going on with our membership and involvement with the show. Our first day kicked off with the traditional GCBAA Board Dinner where the group of current, past, and incoming Board Members join past-presidents, Foundation Board members, and Board of Governors. This has proven to be a great way to celebrate the prior year achievements and discuss future plans with volunteers who continue to shape our association with their passion for the industry and its members.

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While many attendees were in education seminars or setting up their trade show booth Tuesday, the GCBAA Board of Directors held their annual winter board meeting. New to the group were board members Jon O’Donnell (Heritage Links), Manny Pina (Ewing Irrigation), and Blake Thomas (Regency Wire). The first order of business was to fill the Secretary vacancy which Chris Caccavale (Caterpillar, Inc.) stepped into. The group had a diverse agenda that covered the prior year activities and set the stage for 2019 programming and ideas.

A big focus of the board is to continue to develop and support member benefits along with ways to engage the membership. As a member driven organization, the board understands the importance of listening and oftentimes implementing member ideas.

In conjunction with the Board of Directors meeting, the annual review for recertification of GCBAA Certified Members was held by the Board of Governors. Various committee meetings were also held before convening for the General Membership Meeting. There is no better way to witness the support of our membership than watching the countless presentations to companies, volunteers, and board members who were honored at this event. We welcomed new Charter Members Clarke Construction Group, VM Golf Services, Greenscapes Six, and Mountain View Seeds and gave our appreciation and thanks to outgoing board members Mike Harrington (Board of Governors), Mark Creighton and Joy Ramos (GCBAA Board of Directors). We gratefully accepted contributions from the Wadsworth Golf Charities

2 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

Foundation and the Cat Rental National Accounts Program. We then applauded the announcement of GCBAA Charter Member Sunbelt Rentals agreement to make a donation to the Foundation based on the rental volume of GCBAA members for 2019. GCBAA Executive Director Justin Apel provided a different state of the association report than what our group was used to from prior years. Looking at the industry through the eyes of a millennial and some of the challenges and opportunities facing a “traditional” sport were at the center of his address. Many in the audience agreed that the industry needs to keep an open mind to what the consumer base might look like in the future as spending, recreation, and travel habits change.

Members welcomed nearly 500 guests to the traditional GCBAA Opening Reception later that evening. Considered by many as the featured event for the GIS, we were honored for the first time to recognize two individuals who have made significant contributions to the game of golf; Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. These two gentlemen spent a great deal of time visiting with guests and provided tremendous insight and comments during their acceptance speeches.

Guests noticed a change from past years as the association has moved away from open bars to a controlled event by way of drink tokens. The goal of the GCBAA is to provide as much value at our networking events for attendees while maintaining a balance of keeping events affordable without sacrificing experience. Token drinks allowed the

GCBAA to control spending as we are watching our bottom line to remain sustainable.

The week is a marathon as Wednesday kicked off Day 1 of the trade show. You could not miss the GCBAA booth under the Sunbelt and CAT equipment arch! This entry unit showed all attendees that you were entering the GCBAA Builder Pavilion where you can find anything and everything related to golf construction. With over 20 GCBAA members exhibiting the in the area, attendees and exhibitors were able to keep golf construction the roar of the conversation in the middle of the show floor.

Members needing to have business discussions in privacy had access to three private meeting spaces located in the Builder Pavilion. And if you wanted to visit with friends you could kick your feet up in the GCBAA and Foundation booth on one of the couches or meeting tables. The booth was busy with members helping recruit new members, answering questions, and helping staff sell Harley-Davidson Raffle tickets.

Read more about the Chuck Cloud Memorial Raffle on page 10.

Pay close attention to the Inside the Shop article in this issue. You will see GCBAA members offering even more opportunities to show attendees with our involvement. Finally, be sure to read the Executive Director report for a sneak peak of some exciting news coming in 2020. The teaser is GCBAA Members will see significant benefits by either attending or exhibiting at future Golf Industry Shows. Thank you for helping make the 2019 Golf Industry Show another success.

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 3

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

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Patrick Karnick

GCBAA PRESIDENT

BOARD MEMBERS Ronnie Adkins Aspen Corporation Chris Caccavale Caterpillar Inc. (Secretary) Ellen Davis SportZmix Solutions (Vice President) Judd Duininck Duininck Golf (President Elect) Greg Hufner Total Turf Services John McDonald II McDonald & Sons, Inc. (Treasurer) Jon O’Donnell Heritage Links Mike Perez VM Golf Services Manny Pina Ewing Irrigation Bob Sylvester The Toro Company Blake Thomas Regency Wire Jon Truttmann Hunter Industries Scott Veazey Southeastern Golf, Inc. (Past President) Rick Williamson LASCO Fittings, Inc. Tom Works Landscapes Unlimited, LLC

t’s hard to believe how quickly my first year as President has gone past. Another Winter Meeting is behind us and Spring is right around the corner – for most of us anyway. Here’s a brief update from the many events at the Golf Industry Show (GIS) and several upcoming Association happenings.

This year’s GIS gave the GCBAA an opportunity to continue our high level of participation with the GCSAA through the preparation and build of the “Inside the Shop” area of the show floor. While past “Inside the Ropes” features were very successful, this year’s build was more focused on maintenance superintendent’s interest as they relate to maintenance shop options. By all accounts, the participation from our members was outstanding and the display was very well received at the show.

Prior to the show, we held our annual winter Board of Directors meeting and welcomed new board members Jon O’Donnell (Heritage Links), Manny Pina (Ewing Irrigation) and Blake Thomas (Regency Wire). The primary focus of this Board meeting was the continued oversight of the Association’s financial position and planning financially for the future. We also continue our efforts toward finding avenues to improve Member Benefits for all members, improving relationships with our Allied Associations, ensuring our Association has a succession of leadership from throughout our ranks and generally improving the recognition of our brand, the GCBAA. We have a solid group of board members from diverse backgrounds with each looking to better our Association through their participation.

The highlight of this year’s GIS was again the GCBAA Cocktail Reception. The venue and attendance at this year’s event were excellent and nothing about the award reception disappointed. I was personally honored to make the Don Rossi award presentation to two very well deserving individuals. Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore couldn’t have been humbler and more appreciative in their dual receipt and acceptance of the Rossi Award. Their significant contributions to the game of golf and our industry put them well seated among the long list of prominent previous Rossi Award recipients.

This year’s Harley raffle was taken by one of the Association’s best supporters and Foundation Board Member Doug York from Ewing Irrigation. While not a complete sell out as in past years, the raffle garnered nearly $15,000 for the GCBAA Foundation.

Congratulations to Doug and thank you for all your support and participation in the past. We’ll look forward to the next raffle in Orlando.

Our newly appointed Meetings and Education Committees have already been getting together for the planning and coordination of the Summer Meeting and concurrent education sessions which will be held in Colorado Springs August 6-8 at the Mining Exchange Hotel. It may seem to be way off in the future, but it will be here sooner than we all expect. We’re looking forward to another great turn out for Colorado Springs and the great weather that accompanied our last meeting there in 2015. Make your plans early since this will most likely be a sell out event again.

The Executive Board held our Spring meeting at the Midwest Golf House outside of Chicago in early April.

Justin and I will also be representing the GCBAA at several other planned events over the next few months including National Golf Day in Washington, DC, the ASGCA Annual Meeting in Phoenix and the National Golf Course Owners Association annual meeting in Monterey in late July.

A great deal of thanks goes out to Justin and Samantha and the entire crew they were able to put together to ensure all the events surrounding this year’s GIS went off without a hitch. There is so much planning that goes into these events that it would be challenging to accomplish without the hard work and dedication of our staff. Thank you to all!

On a closing note, I would like to recognize one of our most prominent Don Rossi award recipients, Alice Holliday O’Neil Dye, who we recently lost. Alice was the “First Lady” of Golf Course Architecture and truly represented many of the great elements of the golf industry. Her accomplishments are too extensive to be listed here. Suffice it to say that we have lost one of the great representatives of golf and a true leader and inspiration to so many in our industry. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pete Dye and the entire Dye family.

As always, please feel free to reach out directly to me or any other board member if there is ever anything we can do to assist you in any way. We are all here to help better serve the goals of the Association and all our members. Have a great start to a new year ahead!

Sincerely, Patrick Karnick

EARTH SHAPING NEWS

©GOLF COURSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

6040 S. 58th St., Suite D Lincoln, NE 68516 TEL (402) 476-4444 FAX (402) 476-4489

information@gcbaa.org www.gcbaa.org

JUSTIN APEL

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

justin_apel@gcbaa.org

SAMANTHA HUFF

PROGRAM & PLANNING MANAGER

samantha_huff@gcbaa.org

LUNDMARK ADVERTISING & DESIGN DESIGN & LAYOUT

www.lundmarkadv.com 4 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

Information in this publication may be reproduced for nonprofit education purposes.

Please include source credit if reproducing. Contact the Executive Director if material is used for any other purpose to obtain written permission. News releases via email or fax are welcomed and encouraged.

Archived issues available at www.gcbaa.org.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NOTES

I

t’s never good to be asked, “Do you want the good news first or the bad?” You hope that one balances out the other or at the very least the good tips the scale slightly better, making the bad news easier to bear. In this case it will all be dependent on attitude to how much hearing the news tilts your scale.

By the editorial deadline we don’t have the details ready for a formal release to share details of the good news, but I can tell you that the GCBAA has increased its presence and partnership at future Golf Industry Shows. That should come to no surprise to many of you who have helped us get there, whether volunteering on planning calls, helping with the Inside the Ropes or Inside the Shop builds, exhibited in the builder pavilion, or other countless ways to be more involved in the show. News will be coming out soon on how this change affects you directly. The exciting part is that the change will be positive.

Positive for you as an attendee or exhibitor.

If you are an exhibitor, whether existing or new; attendee, whether veteran or first time; everyone will see the benefit. Yes, you will feel the benefit in your wallet.

More importantly our side of the industry; the design, construction, and maintenance are working together to recognize the benefits in collaboration and sharing resources.

Your membership with the GCBAA will help elevate you and your business in this network. There will be more value for you participating in future shows through education and networking as well as ways to incentivize you for participating. We are beyond excited to share this great news in detail and to work together with our membership and show partners to keep this event the Super Bowl of this side of the Golf Industry!

This issue is full of great articles that summarize the Golf Industry Show and our plans for the year.

Rather than being repetitive we will cut to the chase and get to what many might think is bad news out there.

As you probably know by now Samantha Huff, our GCBAA Program and Planning Manager, is moving onto a new opportunity. Sam was starting her 7th year with GCBAA in early April. From day one she changed the culture of our small office making it a team; removing any thought that any one person can go at it alone, rather we all work together. A fresh perspective, creative mind, passion for the sport, and overall positive attitude

walked into every task in our four walls; whether in the Lincoln office or while on the road at events. In that time, she was part of countless programs for membership, office initiatives, and event planning.

She coded the GCBAA database and website and even got pretty good on a mini-excavator. Future meetings and events will be conducted with ideas she helped implement that will give us all a lasting impression of the time and dedication she brought to the GCBAA and Foundation.

It will be difficult to walk into the office the first day that she isn’t here waiting with her list of things she needs from me or the first early morning meeting up at the airport to head across the country. She knows we don’t see this as bad news – yes, we are extremely sad to see her go but we could not be more grateful for what she has done for the GCBAA and are so extremely proud of her as she and Spencer start the next chapter in their lives. For me, it isn’t good-bye in any way as we will have built a friendship beyond work, and our families will remain close without a doubt in our minds.

That is the greatest thing about the GCBAA that cannot be explained, only experienced…the family connection and friendships that are built in this industry! We have had some sad news with some of our colleagues battling tough health issues, losing a spouse, and other tragedies that life throws at us, but this extended family that is GCBAA and the golf construction industry helps one another enjoy the good times and share in the bad…together.

Thank you, Sam, for all the adventures and for being such a great teammate!

GCBAA HAS INCREASED ITS PRESENCE AND PARTNERSHIP AT FUTURE GOLF INDUSTRY SHOWS

Justin Apel

Justin Apel

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CHARTER MEMBERS

ACC Golf Construction ADS/Hancor, Inc. Aspen Corporation Boyd Irrigation, Inc. Bryant Taylor Gordon Golf Cal Olson Golf Architecture Caterpillar, Inc. Clarke Construction Group Duininck Golf Dye Designs International Eagle Golf and Landscapes Products Ewing Irrigation Fleetwood Services LLC Forward Group Glase Golf, Inc. Greenscapes Six HARCO Fittings Hartman Companies, Inc. Henderson & Company, Inc. Heritage Links Hunter Industries ISCO Industries Jacklin Golf Landirr, Inc. Landscapes Unlimited, LLC LASCO Fittings Inc. Leemco Inc. MacCurrach Golf McDonald & Sons, Inc. MCI Flowtronex Medalist Golf Mid-America Golf & Landscape, Inc. Mountain View Seeds NMP Golf Construction Corp.

Profile Products LLC QGS Development, Inc. Rain Bird Corporation - Golf Division Raven CLI Ryangolf Corporation Shapemasters, Inc. Southeastern Golf SportZmix - Waupaca Sand & Solutions Sunbelt Rentals Tee-2-Green The Cart Path Company The Toro Company United Golf, LLC VM Golf Services Wadsworth Golf Construction Company West Coast Turf XGD Systems, LLC DBA TDI Golf

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 5

GCBAA FOUNDATION UPDATE

R

ather than having you wade through my standard commentary on Foundation activity, I asked our primary Foundation partners to contribute to this edition of Earth Shaping News.

Reagan Read is our high school superintendent in southwest Texas and supervises a very active Sticks for Kids Program for the younger crowd.

Tom Shapland

GCBAA FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

BOARD MEMBERS Mark Arrimour Total Turf Services Ellen Davis (Board Liaison) SportZmix Solutions John Holmes Atlas Turf International Limited Jimmy Kirchdorfer ISCO Industries Bill Kubly Landscapes Unlimited, LLC Rick Lohman The Toro Company Allan MacCurrach III MacCurrach Golf Chris Seiberling LMC Insurance & Risk Management Doug York Ewing Irrigation

Allie Bodemann, who was instrumental in getting our partnership with the LPGA off the ground and the program’s new coordinator Fernando Carrasquillo contributed the following summary of our Girls Golf Program.

1) 56 sites use clubs provided by Sticks for Kids.

2) 75 Girls Golf Programs utilize co-branded materials provided by Sticks for Kids and the LPGA. 3) More than 2,800 girls were impacted in year one as a result of our partnership with LPGA Girls Golf.

The Foundation continues the exploratory process of expanding our high school program into schools in Omaha, NE with Justin working on developing a partner who may provide matching funds. We will keep you posted.

Finally, Foundation Board member Doug York, who is a regular multiple raffle ticket purchaser, won this year’s Harley. But don’t look for dead bugs on his teeth (a sure sign of a happy motorcyclist) – he is displaying the bike in the corporate lobby of Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply in Phoenix, Arizona. Congratulations, Doug!

Tom Shapland

COMMENTS FROM THE DIRECTORS OF GIRLS GOLF SITES INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: Chicago, IL: “Kids that are brand new to the game are getting a wonderful start thanks to the great equipment provided by the GCBAA.” Anacosta, WA: “Every year we seem to attract more and more kids without clubs. The assistance we receive from the GCBAA is a huge help.”

Orlando, FL: “Many of our participants come from underprivileged backgrounds. They would have no means of getting involved in our game without the Girls Golf Program and

the equipment provided by your Foundation.”

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WHAT WE SAID ON Social Media Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 7

INSIDE THE Ropes Shop HIGHLIGHTS THE GOLF INDUSTRY SHOW

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or those of you that are curious how the Golf Course Builders Association of America got involved in constructing a maintenance building, the answer is very simple. It’s easy. Easy being relative to only having half the time to move in and move out a large-scale project for the window of time the Show had access to the San Diego Convention Center. Even before the 2018 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio, show partners knew that any project for 2019 would have some significant logistical challenges.

Specifically, with a prior show moving out the day we would normally move in. On a San Diego site visit, we conceptualized ideas of how to best utilize the space that would be available for something other than a trade show booth. Having that in the back of our minds along with our desire to diversify and attract new exhibitors into the area, the idea of taking people off the golf course and into a maintenance building began to snowball. In addition to the countless products and services within a maintenance building you also find several educational opportunities when you find a group that is just as important in the golf design, construction and maintenance industry – and that is the equipment managers.

As show partners discussed the idea with exhibitors and all our members, we quickly formed a committee to help us pull this feature together. A name you will keep hearing really helped get this project completed, and that is Hector Velazquez, owner of Hector’s Shop.

Hector’s Shop is a social media platform that helps golf course maintenance technicians learn creative ways to organize and manage their day-to-day operations. We visited some maintenance shops, jotted down some ideas, ran a couple sets of plans by the fire marshal, and ultimately created panels that could be easily assembled and disassembled providing a realistic shop for your average golf course. Tools and equipment used both inside and outside of these areas were displayed and Hector provided hands-on education seminars to show attendees that cruise through a simulated superintendent’s office, staff break room, or out into the equipment and storage bays.

Show surveys proved this to be successful and if you happened to of missed it, you’ll have a chance to see it grow next year in Orlando and hopefully Las Vegas in 2021.

GCBAA AND INDUSTRY LEADERS HEADED TO CAPITOL HILL FOR NATIONAL GOLF DAY

M

ay 1, 2019 will mark the 12th annual National Golf Day on Capitol Hill. National Golf Day celebrates the game’s $84.1 billion economy, nearly $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 15,000 diverse businesses, two million jobs impacted, tax revenue and tourism value. Representing GCBAA will be president Pat Karnick and Doug Myslinski (Wadsworth Golf Construction), along with executive director Justin Apel.

A community service project on the National Mall will again take place the day prior to National Golf Day for all attendees. This year, the day will include turf restoration projects between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. We’ll be laying irrigation pipe along the Reflecting Pool, mowing near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and laying sod near the Washington Monument.

If you’ve never attended a National Golf Day before, we encourage you to consider it for next year! Contact the GCBAA office for more information, (402) 476-4444.

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Golf Industry Leaders pose on US Capitol Steps

GCBAA TO RETURN TO COLORADO SPRINGS FOR 2019 Summer Meeting

I

t’s hard to believe four years have passed since we were last in Colorado Springs! We remember it like it was yesterday…phenomenal weather, great views, exceptional hotel staff, and a beautiful boutique hotel built in 1902 as a stock exchange for local mining companies. If you joined us in 2015, you’d remember every passing person was a fellow GCBAA member, almost resembling the feel of a

family reunion. Survey results after the 2015 Summer Meeting showed an overwhelming response to return to Colorado Springs for a future meeting. And the time is now!

While Jersey City (2016), Charlotte (2017) and Nashville (2018) were unique in their own rights, we couldn’t be more excited to return to Colorado Springs.

The Meetings and Education Committees have been

hard at work planning a format that offers exclusive networking opportunities, expanded education, family activities and some great golf. We hope you’re able to join us this August for what will be another tremendous Summer Meeting! Look for registration material in May.

Survey Responses from the 2015 Summer Meeting in Colorado Springs

GCBAA MARCH MADNESS Results

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ith our most entries to date at 33, this year’s GCBAA March Madness tourney challenge wasn’t decided until the Championship game. Virginia’s overtime thriller put Ron Lapikas (Total Golf Construction) just ahead of Justin Stewart (Travelers Haven) for 1st place. Both Ron and Justin will be sporting some new GCBAA swag because of their impeccable, highly calculated bracket picks!

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 9

Registration Materials Coming Soon

10 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

HUMAN RESOURCES

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION – Service Animals IN THE WORKPLACE

BY JACK L. SHULTZ AND KRAMER L. LYONS

O’NEILL, HEINRICH, DAMKROGER, BERGMEYER & SHULTZ, P.C., L.L.O.

T

itle I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), which governs employment, requires employers to make “reasonable accommodations” for employees with disabilities. While under Title II and III of the ADA only dogs are considered service animals, there is no definition or limitation to service animals under Title I. Because Title I does not specifically address service animals, a request from an employee to bring a service animal to work should be processed like any other request for reasonable accommodation.

This means that employers must consider the request, but do not have to automatically allow employees to bring their service animals to work.

When an employee requests to bring their service animal to the workplace, there are several questions that an employer may ask before allowing the service animal as a “reasonable accommodation.” If it is not clear that an animal is a service animal, an employer may inquire whether the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. However, employers should not go so far as to require the animal to demonstrate any task, request verifying documentation on the animal or inquire about the nature of the employee’s disability.

After verifying that the animal is a service animal, the employer should grant the accommodation request if: (1) the employee’s disability and the service animal’s function are related; (2) the service animal will improve the employee’s ability to perform their employment duties; (3) the animal has sufficient training to not be disruptive in the workplace; and (4) the accommodation does not present an undue hardship to the employer.

It is tempting for employers to dismiss requests for accommodation and state that allowing the service animal would not be a “reasonable accommodation” because it would cause an undue hardship on the employer. However, the employer must go through a process to determine whether the request for a service animal is appropriate or whether the request would cause an undue hardship. Employers are often surprised to find out what efforts courts view as reasonable accommodation.

For example, in Clark v. Sch. Dist Five of Lexington & Richland Ctys., 247 F. Supp. 3d 734 (D.S.C. 2017), the court denied the employer’s motion for summary judgment where a teacher had requested accommodation to bring a Chihuahua to the school.

The teacher’s doctor had provided an opinion that the teacher had PTSD and “forcing [the employee] to teach without the assistance of her service dog will be profoundly detrimental to her well-being.” The employer attempted to argue that accommodating her service animal request will cause undue hardship due to student allergies, students’ fear of dogs, and the potential for distraction among students and other employees. While this was only a summary judgment motion, it indicates that the school’s concerns were not enough to summarily dismiss the request.

A major concern for employers when receiving service animal requests are allergies of other employees. There are several actions that employers can take that would most likely not be viewed as undue hardship. Some of these actions include: allowing the employee with a service animal and an employee with an allergy to work in different

parts of the building; establish a schedule where the subject employees are not working at the same time; develop and allow for a different travel path to important parts of the building; install portable air purifiers in strategic locations in the building; allow the employees to develop a plan so the subject employees are not using common areas at the same time; and have the work areas cleaned, dusted and vacuumed regularly.

Once a decision is made that allowing the service animal is a “reasonable accommodation” the employer and employee should determine how to best integrate the service animal into the workplace.

Issues like where and when the animal will be taken outside and how the animal’s needs correspond to the employee’s break times need to be considered by both employer and employee. While the employee is responsible for taking care of the animal, the employer must allow the employee the ability to do so to do so. This may require greater flexibility than the employee previously had. If the service animal is only required for the employee’s travel to and from work, an employer should designate an area that the service animal can occupy during the shift.

Accommodation requests involving service animals are becoming more popular, and employers need to be prepared for when they occur. This process should be treated like any other accommodation request for reasonable accommodation. While there are situations when allowing a service animal would not be a “reasonable request” employers must go through the process of determining whether the service animal would cause an undue hardship.

Editor’s Note: This article is not intended to provide legal advice to our readers. Rather, this article is intended to alert our readers to new and developing issues and to provide some common sense answers to complex legal questions. Readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel or the authors of this article if the reader wishes to obtain a specific legal opinion regarding how these legal standards may apply to their particular circumstances. The authors of this article, Jack L. Shultz and Kramer L. Lyons can be contacted at (402) 434-3000, or at O’Neill, Heinrich, Damkroger, Bergmeyer & Shultz, P.C., L.L.O., P.O. Box 82028, Lincoln, NE 68501-2028, jshultz@ohdbslaw.com and klyons@ohdbslaw.com.

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 11

DEVELOPER’S GUIDE

INNOVATION IN GOLF COURSE

Construction

BY HENRY DELOZIER

W

GLOBAL GOLF ADVISORS

here are the next generation of innovative ideas for golf course construction?

Innovation that attracts and engages golfers is important on many levels. The answer, perhaps, is a matter of whom you ask.

Ron Whitten, the Senior Editor for Architecture at Golf Digest, answers, “If you mean in terms of adapting modern technology to construction, yes, they’re innovating. If you mean coming up with new ideas about golf courses, no they are not innovating.

Most architects feel the future of golf lies in the past, wider fairways, few trees, square greens, everything that caters to the nostalgia craze. I’ve seen contractors embrace this on projects because that’s their job, to build what the architect prescribes.

But innovation? Ain’t seeing it. Especially in course remodeling. I famously wrote a few years back that “restoration is the narrow-minded substitute for imagination.” If all one plans to do is slavishly follow an original architect’s blueprint, the owner doesn’t need an architect. He can turn it over to a contractor and get the same result.”

The alliance between the golf course designer and the builder is a powerful one, as Whitten notes. For the designer, the work is one of passion and creativity while the job of the builder is to build efficiently what the designer has imagined. Undermining the efficiency of that dynamic is the owner-imposed pressure on costs. Too often, golf course design and construction become a commoditized process.

Usually, such circumstances sacrifice innovation for the low bid.

Tommy Sasser, a former GCBAA President and veteran builder, sees it slightly differently, “I think cost of construction and the amount of available work has impacted programming and construction of both renovation and new construction. Owners tend to be much more involved in defining what they want as a golf course rather than direction or budgeting they did in the past. Developing the proforma to determine whether the work is justified is a leading element of work today. Designers and builders have become an integral part in developing plans, methodology, and construction schedules that will meet the financial requirements of owners.”

John Strawn, currently a Director at GGA and previously CEO at Robert Trent Jones II and Hills & Forrest Design, notes an example of innovation in golf course construction, “Bunkers have always posed a challenge to designers, builders and superintendents. From the designer’s point of view, as Forrest Richardson discussed at length in Bunkers, Pits & Other Hazards, bunkers have strategic, aesthetic, and psychological functions. Time-consuming to maintain, bunkers are also among the most expensive elements of a golf course. They degrade, change their shapes, and blow and wash out. “ “More than twenty years ago,” Strawn adds, “then Augusta National superintendent Billy Fuller devised a new approach to bunker building to address these

chronic issues. Fuller’s innovation was adapted, modified and then commercialized under the name Better Billy Bunker, led by golf course architect Jerry Lemons. A competitive product called Capillary Concrete also came to market. Between them, these two innovative companies have given owners, designers and builders a new approach to building and maintaining bunkers. They provide a solid, permeable bunker base, so they reduce maintenance costs over the long term.”

The challenge appears to be the convergence of creativity (from the course designer), practicality and cost management (the builder), and the source of funds (the owner). With only a few exceptions, the owner lacks expertise and needs gentle-yet-purposeful guidance. As a result, the tandem of the designer and builder must be aligned in vision for the course, congruent in methods to be used, and organized to educate the owner concerning the features, benefits, and costs to be gained from a collaborative approach.

Innovation in golf course construction must be purposeful collaboration. Following the example of a three-legged stool, the builder – it seems – is the pragmatic teammate who must balance the budget for the owner and preserve the creative efforts of the designer.

What steps do you take to stabilize the threelegged stool vital to your success?

Henry DeLozier is a principal at Global Golf Advisors, the largest international consulting firm that specializes in golf-related businesses. Henry is a friend to GCBAA members and the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Audubon International. Contact Henry at hdelozier@globalgolfadvisors.com.

12 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

JOIN ASGCA AND GCBAA MEMBERS IN Dublin, Ohio THIS JUNE

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he GCBAA along with our friends David Whelchel and Dr. Mike Hurdzan would like to invite you to a planning meeting. From the invitation sent to the GCBAA and ASGCA Membership we need your wisdom, intellect, and insights. We would like to develop a portfolio of ideas, topics, resources, and presentations that will benefit our industry and fellow members into the future. You can help us in one of two ways; by both joining us for a planning session, dinner, golf and socializing on June 4-5 in Columbus, or by sending us your ideas in advance so we can discuss them at that meeting. If you have not been to the Hurdzan Golf Collection and offices, you are missing a very special golf experience that exists nowhere else in the world.

The cost for all this merriment is $125 per person plus your travel expenses. The remaining costs will be

covered by sponsors, GCBAA, Whelchel and Hurdzan.

Your entry fee covers the golf plus what we can put into the Jack Kidwell Scholarship, Chapter 45 Special Forces Family Support Program and Sticks for Kids.

Everyone is a winner at this event.

Please RSVP by contacting the GCBAA Office: (402) 476-4444 justin_apel@gcbaa.org.

Thank you in advance for your willingness to share your ideas to make golf course design and building even more relevant to the game, and all of us who work in these industries.

Sincerely, Justin, David, and Mike

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Tuesday, June 4 1pm – Gather at the Hurdzan office, meet and greet 3pm – Begin discussions of future topics and programs 5pm – Cocktails and continued discussions 6pm – BBQ dinner and socialization Wednesday, June 5 Breakfast on your own 9am – Meet at Golf Club of Dublin for Keepers of the Green Tournament 10am – Presentation of checks to charities – Pledge of Allegiance 10:30am – Shotgun start 4-7pm – Gather at Hurdzan offices for drinks, prizes, party food, and fun

GCBAA RECOGNIZES 2019

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Certified Members

he GCBAA Board of Governors recently completed their review of GCBAA applications for recertification including Certified Builder, Certified Renovation Builder and Certified Golf Course Irrigation Contractor status. Special thanks to Chairman Tommy Sasser along with members Rick Boylan, Bob Bryant, Fidel Garcia and newly appointed John Marman for their tireless efforts.

Congratulations to our 2019 GCBAA Certified Members!

Certified Builders & Certified Renovation Builders.

• ACC Golf Construction • Aspen Corporation * • Course Crafters, LLC • Duininck Golf * • Frontier Golf • Glase Golf • Golf Creations • Heritage Links *

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Landirr, Inc. * Landscapes Unlimited LLC * MacCurrach Golf * McDonald & Sons, Inc. Medalist Golf Mid-America Golf & Landscape * NMP Golf Construction * QGS Development, Inc. Ryangolf Corporation Shapemasters Southeastern Golf, Inc. Total Golf Construction Total Turf Golf Services * United Golf Wadsworth Golf Construction * XGD Systems, LLC dba TDI Golf

* Indicates company maintains Certified Golf Course Irrigation Contractor status

Certified Renovation Builders • Benson Construction • George E. Ley Company * • Hartman Companies * Indicates company maintains Certified Golf Course Irrigation Contractor status Certified Golf Course Irrigation Contractors • Formost Construction • Tanto Irrigation The purpose of the Certification Program is to identify competent and experienced golf course builders and ensure uniform quality standards in the industry. To be eligible for certification, a company must apply and secure the necessary letter of reference and supporting documentation. A company representative will be required to pass the written certification exam.

Please contact the GCBAA office to learn more about the Certification process.

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 13

LONGTIME SUPPORTER Doug York, WINS 2019 CHUCK CLOUD MEMORIAL RAFFLE

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t is with great excitement we announce Doug York of GCBAA Charter Member Company Ewing Irrigation won this year’s Chuck Cloud Memorial Raffle, taking home a 2019 Heritage Softail Classic. For more years than we can count, Doug has generously supported the Foundation by purchasing 20, and sometimes more, tickets year after year at the Golf Industry Show. He has been a tremendous advocate for the Foundation and Sticks for Kids programs, and currently serves on the GCBAA Foundation Board of Directors. If you’re ever in the Phoenix area, stop by Ewing’s headquarters and you’ll see the bike on display! Congratulations Doug, well deserved!

In keeping with tradition, an additional 50 tickets for a $100 cash prize were drawn. The participants listed below chose to donate their winnings back to the Foundation, and we are so grateful for your generosity!

• Doris Baker, The First Tee of Omaha • Jim Beaves, Midwest Irrigation • David Beyer, David Beyer • Carey Bickler, Bickler Golf Design • John Bolasky, Heritage Links • Dale Bowman, PMC, Inc. • Mel Boylan, Mid-America Golf & Landscape

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

KP Cloud, Formost Construction John Dixon, Virginia Sand & Stone Tim Ford, Earth Science Labs Mike Garbs, ADS/Hancor Kevin Grieder *, Sunbelt Rentals Larry Herman, Formost Construction Karl Interrante, GT Irrigation Bryan Juwig, LASCO Fittings Pat Karnick *, Wadsworth Golf Construction Alan Keenan, Alan Wire Curt Knapp, The First Tee of Omaha Ed Kruse, John Deere Jerry Lemons, Better Billy Bunker Jack McDonald, MATCO-NORCA Todd Quitno, Lohmann-Quitno Golf Course Architects Danny Ramos *, D.H.R. Construction Tom Rose, Creative Blending Tommy Sasser, Recreational Community Consultants Heather Swanberg, Double Eagle Golf Works David Taylor, Bryant Taylor Gordon Golf Scott Veazey, Southeastern Golf, Inc. Eric Wadsworth, Wadsworth Golf Construction Lisa Works, Landscapes Unlimited LLC Doug York, Ewing Irrigation

WORKPLACE SAFETY: DON’T IGNORE THE SMALL STUFF

BY LMC INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT, GCBAA MEMBER

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espite a downward trend in workplace mishaps resulting in injuries, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports that workplace fatalities are on the rise. The means employers are doing a good job of reducing non-injury incidents, but they are not tracking the near misses, which are early indicators of more serious safety problems.

OSHA and the National Safety Council define a near miss as an “unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage – but had the potential to do so.” While a near miss causes no immediate harm, it can precede an event in which a loss or injury could occur.

The key to preventing a catastrophic incident is to look at the potential rather than the actual outcome.

All incidents, including those where no one was injured, should be inspected and tracked, including precursors to accidents, recordable injuries, lost-time injuries, and fatalities to help identify hazards that could be mitigated or eliminated.

By collecting reports on near misses, employers create a culture that seeks to identify and control hazards; therefore, learning valuable lessons at a near miss level so that appropriate controls can be implemented and shared for the prevention of future accidents!

For any safety initiative to be successful, employee participation is vital. Employers should train workers 14 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

on how to properly identify and recognize potential hazards. Further, it should be easy for workers to report near misses. Allowing reports to be filed anonymously can help encourage a reporting culture.

Lastly, employees want to know their employer is serious about workplace safety. Management needs to demonstrate their commitment through persistent promotion.

A safe environment starts with awareness. Contact Chip Bryant (402-870-0603; chip.bryant@lmcins. com) for more information and to learn how LMC Insurance & Risk Management can help.

GCBAA FOUNDATION RECEIVES

Generous

DONATION

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enerosity comes in all shapes and sizes and the GCBAA Foundation was on the receiving end of it this time. The Foundation offers on its website a way to contribute and Kenneth King, Jr. from Philadelphia, PA wanted to give to golf, specifically programs that support future players. He quickly discovered that our Sticks for Kids program does just that, and we gratefully accepted his $500 contribution.

Thank you, Mr. King, for your love of the game!

ALLIED UPDATES

CMAA ANNOUNCES TEN CLUB INDUSTRY LEADERS TO INAUGURAL CLASS OF FELLOWS

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lexandria, VA — February 25, 2019 — Ten club industry leaders have been selected for CMAA’s inaugural class of 2019 Fellows. The CMAA Fellows Program is an honorary recognition program distinguishing those living CMAA members who epitomize the leadership, integrity, involvement, and contributions of club management professionals.

Each of these individuals has made a significant impact toward the betterment of the profession and CMAA throughout his/her active career.

The Class of 2019 inductees are: • Joseph F. Basso, MCM, CCE, Birmingham

Country Club, West Bloomfield, MI • Kevin E. Carroll, CCM, CCE, Bath & Tennis Club,

Palm Beach, FL • Jay DiPietro, CCM, Delray Beach, FL

• J.G. Ted Gillary, CCM, CCE, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit, MI • Philip R. Kiester, Country Club of Virginia,

Richmond, VA • Pasquale J. LaRocca, CCM, CCE, Lake Merced

Golf Club, Daly City, CA • Michael G. Leemhuis, CCM, CCE, PGA, Palm

Beach Gardens, FL • Donna Otis, CCM, CCE, The Bridges at Rancho

Santa Fe, San Diego, CA • Terra S.H. Waldron, CCM, CCE, Greensboro

Country Club, Greensboro, NC • Burton Ward, CCM, CCE, Century Country Club,

Purchase, NY The 2019 Fellows class will be the foundation for an emerging group of thought leaders, mentors, and

champions of the Association and the club industry at large. Once honored, the distinction of CMAA Fellow is a lifetime recognition.

The Fellows selection process includes: nomination by a club management peer; an in-depth application describing the individual’s innovation, leadership, and commitment to the profession; interviews with the peer-comprised selection committee; and selection from among a group of highly-qualified candidates.

The inaugural class was announced and recognized at the Opening Business Session of the 2019 World Conference and Club Business Expo in Nashville, TN. For more information about CMAA’s Fellows program, visit cmaa.org/fellows.

ABOUT CMAA

Founded in 1927, the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) is the largest professional association for managers of membership clubs with 6,800 members throughout the US and internationally. Our members contribute to the success of more than 2,500 country, golf, athletic, city, faculty, military, town, and yacht clubs. The objectives of the Association are to promote relationships between club management professionals and other similar professions; to encourage the education and advancement of members; and to provide the resources needed for efficient and successful club operations. Under the covenants of professionalism, education, leadership, and community, CMAA continues to extend its reach as the leader in the club management practice. CMAA is headquartered in Alexandria, VA, with 42 professional chapters and more than 40 student chapters and colonies. Learn more at cmaa.org.

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 15

ALLIED UPDATES

EXCELLENT EXPANSIONS

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utting green expansions are an important part of many golf course renovation projects. In some cases, the goal is restoring putting green perimeters back to their original size. Other times, the goal may be to enlarge greens beyond their original dimensions to add architectural interest or simply to spread traffic over a wider area. Whatever the motivation may be, expanding putting greens can be a very complex endeavor.

Early in the planning, it is important to gather soil samples from the proposed expansion areas and the existing putting greens to develop a complete understanding of the appropriate construction process and materials that will be required.

Depending on how the existing putting greens were built, and the nature of the surrounding soils, the construction method can vary significantly from project to project – and even from green to green on a given course.

When expanding a sand-based putting green, the entire expansion area should be excavated and built to the same specifications as the existing putting green. The expansion cavity should have the same depth as the original, and additional drainage should be installed and connected to the existing putting green drainage system. Perimeter drains should also be added in any expansion areas that may accumulate water along their edges. If there is a vapor barrier around the existing green, it must be cut to accommodate the expansion. Extending the barrier around the new putting green perimeter may be optional depending on site conditions. It is important to ensure that both the gravel and rootzone mixture match as closely as possible with the materials in the existing green. Otherwise, the expansion areas could perform differently than the majority of the putting surface. This complicates future management and may lead to playability issues and turf failure down the road.

16 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

When expanding a soil-based putting green, the process is less straightforward. Ideally, soil in the expansion areas matches closely with the soil under the putting surface. If the soils are in fact similar, it may be possible to simply remove the turf and any undesirable organic matter and prepare the existing soil for planting. However, it is important to maintain the same depth of rootzone material in the expansion areas as is found under the green. If recontouring in the expansion areas is desired, or if the topsoil depth is not consistent, it may be necessary to remove the existing sandy rootzone material and shape the expansions in a cavity. Then topsoil would then be replaced at a consistent depth.

If the soils are very different in the expansion areas, they must be cored, shaped and filled with a purchased rootzone material that matches the characteristics of the putting green soils. The depth of this mixture should match the depth of

the topdressing layer on the existing green. A soil testing laboratory should be involved in selecting an appropriate material and in quality control throughout the project. Unless the native soil is extremely sandy, it is not recommended to install sand-based rootzone material in the expansion areas of a native soil green. This can lead to disastrous outcomes.

Many golfers and decision-makers at golf facilities mistakenly believe that expanding putting greens will be a relatively simple process. The reality is that expansion projects require the same amount of care as a full putting green construction. In fact, extra care is warranted because expansion areas have a strong tendency to fail during stressful conditions. Thin or dead expansion areas next to healthy putting green turf is not something any golfer, superintendent or builder wants to see.

Putting green expansions require thorough planning and careful execution to deliver long-term success. (Image Courtesy of Brett Nagy)

ALLIED UPDATES

2019 ASGCA STUDY PROVIDES NEW/ADDITIONAL INSIGHT ON BUSINESS ISSUES AT GOLF FACILITIES

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he facility enhancement most desired by golfers at both public and private courses is a course renovation, so say golf course superintendents and general managers. That is just one result of the “Golf Facility Market Trend Watch” report, commissioned by the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and conducted by Sports & Leisure Research Group (SLRG). Results were publicly released at the 2019 PGA Show in Orlando, and Golf Industry Show in San Diego.

The online study, conducted and analyzed in fall 2018, was distributed to more than 40,000 people, including ASGCA members, and subscribers of By Design and Golf Course Industry magazines.

Respondents included golf course architects, superintendents, general managers, facility owners/ operators, golf professionals and industry leaders.

“There is more investment being made in golf facilities each year, and those facilities are seeing a return on that investment,” ASGCA President Jeff Blume said. “It is interesting to see that now 70 percent of general managers think their golfers would welcome the addition of forward tees; that’s a 30-point increase in just one year.”

“The golf business continues to evolve,” said Jon Last, SLRG founder and president. “This year’s data

shows consistent responses in several key areas, but some views are changing, which is also worth noting.”

The study illustrates what ASGCA members are experiencing in the field, that the growth in master planning projects, bunker renovations and turf reduction is quite real.

In a series of questions covering everything from golf course length to the impact of American with Disabilities Act laws, superintendents were most in agreement that allocating 10-12 acres of land for a practice range is a worthwhile investment.

Club operators at both public and private facilities

agree their biggest challenges are competition for customers’ leisure time, as well as maintenance costs. When those costs are broken down, labor costs are shown to have the most significant impact on a facility’s financial health.

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN HDPE IRRIGATION EXPERTISE

GO PR ISCO installed the first complete HDPE golf irrigation system on any golf course in 1987, and we’re still the industry experts. Our staff isn’t just certified on McElroy fusion equipment - we’re qualified to train your staff on how to use it. ISCO has over 40 locations with HDPE in stock and nationwide local support for fusion expertise and the fastest response in the golf industry.

Call 800-345-ISCO or visit ISCO-PIPE.com to learn more.

THE HDPE EXPERTS EXPERTS THE HDPE

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 17

ALLIED UPDATES

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR ISSUES REMAIN ON THE FRONT BURNER Recent Developments Warrant Clubs’ Attention

BY THOMAS LENZ

T

he battle rages at both state and federal levels over worker misclassification and what some call “wage theft.” The issue of misclassification crosses into many different workplace issues for clubs and other employers.

The issues affect whether an individual is entitled to the rights of an employee to minimum wage and other standards of wage and hour law. Also affected is whether payroll taxes must be paid. Additionally, whether a worker is entitled to the benefits provided to individuals considered employees in the workplace depends upon the details of classification.

In the event of a workplace injury, misclassification can impact whether one should use workers’ compensation proceedings or, instead, state tort law.

Misclassification can also deprive a worker of the rights of an employee under labor law. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has challenged employers on the basis that the mere act of misclassification is itself an unlawful deprivation of workplace rights to discuss and take action on wages, hours, terms and conditions of employment, and membership in a labor union.

The Dynamex Case and the ABC Test As many know, the Supreme Court of California adopted what is known as the ABC test in Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court, commonly known as Dynamex. The ABC

factors have heightened the bar to prove someone is an independent contractor (IC) rather than an employee. The particular detail that an individual is engaged in the same type of work as the club or business providing work is itself fatal to an IC finding. Thus caddies, golf and tennis pros on a club’s golf course, massage therapists in a club’s spa, trainers in a club’s gym, and more may be easily found to be misclassified under the ABC test.

Legislative efforts to modify or remove the ABC test in California remain in play.

The ABC test was adopted by California after origination in Massachusetts. Now, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has proposed labor legislation that would incorporate the ABC test as a matter of federal law. The bill also contains other elements that have been on labor’s wish list for years, such as card check processes rather than secret ballot elections to determine union representation. Clubs will want to monitor this legislation.

NLRB Restores IC Standard The NLRB recently decided the SuperShuttle DFW, Inc. case, which modified how the NLRB will define ICs for purposes of federal labor law. The NLRB in SuperShuttle focused on traditional factors rather than the ABC test. The NLRB highlighted the importance of whether alleged ICs has entrepreneurial opportunity, such as to do business

for multiple customers. In the case of clubs, it may matter whether an alleged IC is allowed to provide services for multiple clubs and, in fact, whether that occurs.

IC Arbitration vs. Litigation Meanwhile, at the United States Supreme Court, rulings on arbitration created another new wrinkle.

In the case of New Prime Inc. v. Oliveira, the issue was whether a trucking company could force a driver to arbitrate a dispute where the driver sought to litigate a lawsuit in court. The trucking company took the position that the driver was an IC and raised an arbitration agreement the driver signed in the company’s defense. The Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Arbitration Act exempts “contracts of employment” from mandatory arbitration and, though the driver might be an IC in fact, he would not be forced to arbitrate. Thus, in a wave of case rulings supporting arbitration as a way to resolve workplace disputes, the Supreme Court left open the ability of ICs to sue.

The rules on independent contractor status will continue to develop. Because these rules are fact driven and develop separately at state and federal levels, politics and elections impact outcomes.

Clubs should stay tuned to the development of rules where they operate and seek advice and training to address the potential risk areas unique to each club and individual.

Thomas Lenz is a partner at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo in Pasadena, Calif. He also is a member of the NCA board and chairs the Government Relations Committee. He can be reached at tlenz@aalrr.com or 626-583-8600.

18 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

ALLIED UPDATES

GCSAA PROGRAMS AIDED BY INDUSTRY SUPPORT

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ith a wide array of programs and ambitious goals to serve its members and enhance the game, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America is fortunate to have friends in the industry who value and support its path.

During the 2019 Golf Industry Show in February, several GCSAA friends made generous donations to GCSAA’s philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf, to help further GCSAA’s mission and vision.

“With the financial support of our industry partners and friends, GCSAA is able to do more for our members and the game of golf,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “We are not only incredibly grateful for their generosity, but also take pride in the fact they trust in us to deliver programs and services that will make a difference to the whole industry.”

The Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation donated $1 million to support the professional

development of golf course equipment managers.

The $1-million gift will create the Melrose Equipment Management Endowment. The endowment will have four focus areas: continuing education, a certificate program, growing membership in GCSAA and the Melrose Equipment Management Experience, that will bring GCSAA-member equipment managers to the GIS for leadership and education sessions.

The Melrose Family Foundation is supported

by Ken Melrose, former CEO and chairman of the Toro Co. This is the second such gift to GCSAA and the EIFG from the Melrose Foundation. In 2012, the original $1-million gift endowed the Melrose Leadership Academy.

The Toro Co. showed their continued committed to GCSAA’s Rounds 4 Research Program with another $50,000 grant to support the program, which raises money for turfgrass research funding by auctioning donated rounds of golf online. With this contribution, Toro has donated $350,000 to

R4R over the past seven years. Since its launch in 2012, Rounds 4 Research has raised more than $1 million. The 2019 auction will be held April 29-May 5 and is available to preview at www.biddingforgood.com/rounds4research.

Also supporting turfgrass research was Turfco, which donated $25,000 to the EIFG for research in celebration of its founding family’s 100th anniversary in the golf industry. The donation was a way to thank superintendents for their role in the company’s success for the last century.

GCSAA’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill will be aided by a gift from AMVAC Chemical Corp. For the second year in a row, AMVAC donated $25,000 to support the GCSAA Grassroots Ambassadors Academy events that take place during the GIS. The GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador Program matches a member of GCSAA with each member of Congress to build strong relationships between them.

To learn more about GCSAA’s programs, visit gcsaa.org.

WEST COAST TURF TEAMED UP WITH Kanye West THIS YEAR FOR HIS “SUNDAY SERVICE” AT COACHELLA.

• We sent 250,000 sq. ft of sod prior to the festival-- an acre of that went to construct a grass “stage.”

• It was 13 ft. high, 15 ft across and the base was 186 ft wide.

• They built 8 x 8 x 8 “cages” buried into the mound for speakers • We used beautiful overseeded Tifgreen 328!

• We took our install machines to the top of the “stage” and just let them roll down.

• Worked with the construction company 2.5 days around the clock to get it done.

• WEST “KOAST” TURF KEEPING UP WITH KANYE!

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 19

NEW MEMBERS ASSOCIATE MEMBERS TIFEAGLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION 427 Pike Creek Turf Circle Adel, GA 31620 Phone: (229) 896-7581 Contact: Jamie Allen, Secretary Email: jallen@pikecreekturf.com Website: www.tifeagle.com

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS

JOHN FOUGHT DESIGN

8040 E. Morgan Trail #18 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Phone: (480) 991-9858 Contact: John Fought, Principal Email: john@foughtdesign.net Website: www.foughtdesign.net

GREEN IRRIGATION SOLUTIONS LLC 517 August Street Easton, MD 21601 Phone: (410) 517-4758 Contact: Ian Williams, Partner Email: ian@greenirrsolutions.com

OHIO CAT

3993 E. Royalton Road Broadview Hts., OH 44147 Phone: (513) 616-2561 Contact: Glen Olson, Rental Strategic Account Manager Email: golson@ohiocat.com Website: www.ohiocat.com

ROTOLO CONSULTANTS INC.

38001 Brownsvillage Road Slidell, LA 70460 Phone: (985) 643-2427 Contact: Kasey Dorr, VP of Business Development Email: kdorr@rotoloconsultants.com Website: www.rotoloconsultants.com

INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS

DESERT LANDSCAPES

PO Box 37579 Dubai Phone: 971 4 590 4237 Contact: John May, Contracts Manager Email: john.may@desertgroup.ae Website: www.desertlandscape.ae

BUILDER/IRRIGATION CONTRACTOR APPLICANT MEMBERS

U.S. PITCHCARE

18 Evergreen Road Northford, CT 06472 Phone: (203) 219-7459 Contact: Paul Boyd, Co-Owner Email: paul@uspitchcare.com Website: www.uspitchcare.com

WESTSCAPES GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION

1451 83rd Avenue N. St. Petersburg, FL 33702 Phone: (727) 430-2298 Contact: E. Scott McBroom, Member Email: westscapesfl@gmail.com Website: www.westscapesgolf.com

ONE GOLF INC.

3035 SE Maricamp Road #104-200 Ocala, FL 34471 Phone: (352) 854-6393 Contact: Chuck Baker, President Email: chuck@onegolfinc.com Website: www.onegolfinc.com

Welcome TO THE GCBAA! 20 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

MOVERS & SHAPERS

IAN WILLIAMS Partners WITH GREEN IRRIGATION SOLUTIONS, LLC

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anuary 31, 2019 – Green Irrigation Solutions, LLC has announced a partnership with golf irrigation veteran Ian Williams. The agreement will expand Green Irrigation Solutions’ ability to service client’s needs and expectations by increasing available services and professional knowledge in all aspects of environmentally conscious water and resource management.

With more than 27 years of green industry experience and a bachelor’s degree in plant and soil science from the University of Delaware, Williams has a solid foundation in the golf and landscape industry. His vast industry experience includes golf course irrigation design, installation, contracting and service, golf course maintenance, manufacturer and distribution representation, and landscape installation and design. Williams is actively involved in multiple industry associations and the past secretary of the Golf Course Builders Association of America. His Irrigation Association certifications include: Irrigation Designer-Golf (CID), Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC) and Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA). Williams has authored several published industry papers, and presented at Irrigation Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and university educational seminars. Williams’ unique and diverse background

in golf course irrigation design and installation as well as his agronomic foundation make him an asset to servicing Green Irrigation Solutions’ client’s needs for years to come.

Green Irrigation Solutions, LLC is a full-service irrigation design and consulting firm established in 2010 by Don Mahaffey. Mahaffey added, “I was always impressed with Ian’s knowledge of golf irrigation. But even more so with his pursuit of doing it better, of improving how we apply water to a golf course in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

When the opportunity came to partner with Ian, it was an easy decision. I believe the addition of Ian positions our firm as a leader in the field of golf irrigation.” The company’s primary focus is exceeding the expectations of its clients by putting their client’s priorities and challenges at the forefront of any decision process. Green Irrigation Solutions provides budget conscious and sustainable solutions to its client’s water management challenges. The current client list includes golf course irrigation design and consulting projects around the world.

GCBAA is pleased to announce Green Irrigation Solutions, LLC joined the association earlier this year.

Ian Williams ian@greenirrsolutions.com (410) 517-4758 Don Mahaffey donmahaff@msn.com (361) 920-1439

PAT JONES HANDS EDITORIAL REINS TO GUY CIPRIANO JONES WILL CONTINUE AS EDITOR-AT-LARGE AS HE MOVES TO A ROLE WITH HARRELL’S

GCI STAFF

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ebruary 27, 2019 – Pat Jones, the longtime editorial director of Golf Course Industry, is leaving GIE Media to the join the Harrell’s LLC team as customer experience director..

The great news? Pat will still be writing his monthly back-page column and will continue as editor-at-large for GCI. “After more than a decade with GIE Media, I started thinking about what I would do in the final chapter of my crazy career,” Jones said. “I’ve always admired and respected the Harrell’s family and the culture they’ve created so the opportunity to be part of their company and continue to write for GCI is absolutely perfect.”

In his new role with Harrell’s, Pat will help lead the company’s branding and customer outreach programs. “My business card might be different, but I will still be focused on helping turf pros achieve their goals and I will always be a passionate advocate for

superintendents,” Jones said.

GIE Media is pleased to announce that Guy Cipriano has been promoted to editor of GCI. “This is long overdue,” Jones said. “Guy is a far better journalist than I ever was, a brilliant feature writer, and a master of social and digital media. He is the future of GCI.” Cipriano is a graduate of Indiana University, and a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association. He has been honored by Folio, GWAA, American Society of Business Publication Editors, Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association, Ohio Associated Press Media Editors, Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors and Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.

“Getting a chance to move Golf Course Industry’s editorial efforts forward is a once-in-a-career opportunity,” Cipriano said. “Our team of columnists

and contributors isn’t just the best in our industry – it’s one of the best you will find at any publication.

Having Pat still heavily involved in the print, digital and social media sides of the publication will further strengthen our positive relationships throughout the industry. We’re going to continue to inform, engage and surprise our readers while cultivating a strong network of contributors within the industry looking to share ideas and thoughts with a mass audience.”

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 21

MOVERS & SHAPERS

PRO TURF INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES COMPANY Re-Branding

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AS VEGAS, NV (OCT. 16 2018) – For nearly three decades the principals of Key Golf Management, Pro Turf International and BunkersPlus have served satisfied golf course owners in the southwest in various capacities of course maintenance, construction, landscaping and renovation.

And for decades to come they will continue to do so, but under one umbrella company. CEO Mickey Brown is announcing the re-branding of this respected, multi-faceted and successful company under the single name of Pro Turf International.

“We are proud of our commitment to quality work and superior customer service, and that will continue into the future,” said Brown. “This re-branding simply brings our vast array of services together under one name, making it easier for prospective customers to understand all that we have to offer them.”

The menu of services offered by Pro Turf is impressive: • Golf Course Maintenance • Construction • Bunker Restoration • Landscaping

22 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

• Outsourced Course Maintenance • Temporary Course and Event Labor ABOUT PRO TURF INTERNATIONAL - With offices in Las Vegas, NV, Phoenix AZ and La Quinta, CA, Pro Turf International, Inc. is an innovative golf course maintenance, construction and renovation company that offers solutions to protect and improve the appearance, functionality, playability and value of our clients’ golf courses. From complete turnkey daily golf course maintenance programs to bunker refurbishing to full-scale construction and renovation projects, Pro Turf International has the expertise to deliver on time and under budget. PTI has been improving golf courses, resort landscaping, park districts and sports facilities for over 25 years, with a team of industry professionals with over 75 years of collective industry experience to handle the most complex maintenance, construction and renovation projects - whatever the project scope.

CHRIS CACCAVALE Elected SECRETARY OF GCBAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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t the association’s annual winter board meeting, the Board of Directors elected Chris Caccavale to serve as GCBAA’s secretary. Chris is with GCBAA Charter Member Caterpillar, Inc. and has served on the Board of Directors since 2017.

He has already proven to be a great addition to the Executive Board and we look forward to his continued service.

MOVERS & SHAPERS

BEST SAND™ AND UNIPAR® FILL BUNKERS AT 44 Top-Ranked Courses Nearly half of top 100 US golf courses using company’s bunker sand

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AN DIEGO, February 6, 2019 – Covia announced today that with the joining of Fairmount Santrol and Unimin last June to form Covia, Best Sand and UNIPAR bunker sand and topdressing can be sourced from the same company. Nearly half of top 100 golf courses in the U.S. are using Best Sand and UNIPAR bunker sand – making Covia products the clear choice of America’s best facilities.

Whether on the tees, the greens, or the hazards, consistency and playability set Covia’s golf sand apart.

The cleaner, pure white sand that is always playable— with championship-level performance and enduring aesthetics—is an important reason why country clubs and courses can attract new members.

Superintendents and course maintenance directors, thinking about spring restoration projects, can count on Covia’s coast-to-coast supply capabilities to ensure fast, door-to-door solutions with a comprehensive

distribution network. Nearly 50 plants with more than 50 million tons of annual production capacity are strategically located, defining Covia as the dependable supplier. One course maintenance director said, “The Company has a great product, regardless of the course location. You know what you’re going to get; you know the product that’s coming to you.”

“We’re a new company with the same enduring commitment to our customers, which was the promise of Fairmount Santrol and Unimin,” said Terry Gwinn, regional sales manager for golf and turf products. “Our name has changed, but our desire to see golf courses impress their players is permanent.”

ABOUT COVIA – Covia is a leading provider of minerals and material solutions for the Industrial and Energy markets, representing the legacy and combined strengths from the June 2018 joining of Unimin and Fairmount Santrol. The Company is a leading provider

of diversified mineral solutions to the glass, ceramics, coatings, polymers, construction, water filtration, sports and recreation markets. The Company offers a broad array of high-quality products, including high-purity silica sand, nepheline syenite, feldspar, clay, kaolin, lime, resin systems and coated materials, delivered through its comprehensive distribution network.

Covia offers its Energy customers an unparalleled selection of proppant solutions, additives, and coated products to enhance well productivity and to address both surface and down-hole challenges in all well environments. Covia has built long-standing relationships with a broad customer base consisting of blue-chip customers. Underpinning these strengths is an unwavering commitment to safety and to sustainable development further enhancing the value that Covia delivers to all of its stakeholders.

For more information, visit CoviaCorp.com.

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 23

MOVERS & SHAPERS

JOHN MARMAN JOINS GCBAA BOARD OF GOVERNORS

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ongratulations to John Marman of West Coast Turf for being appointed to the GCBAA Board of Governors. We look forward to John’s contributions to Board! The Board of Governors is chaired by Tommy Sasser of Recreational Community Consultants. Other members include Rick Boylan (Mid-America Golf & Landscape), Bob Bryant (Bryant Taylor Gordon Golf), and Fidel Garcia (Ryangolf Inc.)

Congrats JOHN!

GCBAA MEETINGS CALENDAR May 1, 2019

National Golf Day Washington D.C. June 4-5, 2019

Keepers of the Green/Joint Education Dublin, OH

August 6-8, 2019

GCBAA Summer Meeting Colorado Springs, CO

Visit the Events page at gcbaa.org to stay up to date!

FUTURE GOLF INDUSTRY SHOW SITES January 28-30, 2020

2020 Golf Industry Show Orlando, FL

24 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

HERITAGE LINKS CALIFORNIA OFFICE MOVES Please make a note of their new address: 27450 Ynez Road, Suite 124 Temecula, CA 92591

IN REMEMBRANCE

ALICE DYE

SCOTT CLOUD

Former GCBAA Don Rossi recipient, Alice Dye, passed away Friday, February 1 at the age of 91. Alice was a tremendous ambassador for the game of golf, and notably the first female golf architect. Our thoughts continue to be with Pete Dye and the entire Dye family.

It is with heavy hearts we share that Scott Cloud passed away from cancer on Thursday, April 11. Scott’s company, Formost Construction, is a GCBAA Certified Golf Course Irrigation Contractor. Memory of life services will be held in May, with details to follow. Our deepest condolences to the Cloud Family.

NICK SIEMENS Nick Siemens, a three-time past president of the Golf Course Builders Association of America passed away at the age of 95 near Fresno, CA. Nick was instrumental in the early foundation of the organization and always considered being president as one of his most revered achievements. He championed the cause of a trade organization specific to the Golf Construction Industry when no other existed. During his tenure in 1977 he first brought together prominent golf course architects to enjoin in a panel discussion on “Specifications” with Golf Builders at a meeting hosted by the GCBAA in Portland, OR. His son Dale is an active member of the Golf Course Builders Association of America. Our condolences to Dale and Daisy Siemens for your loss.

GLENDA “SISSIE” CHERYL COPE

The wife of GCBAA Member Paul Cope (QGS Development), passed from this life on Thursday, April 4 with her loving family by her side. A funeral service occurred Saturday, April 13 in Katy, Texas. Our thoughts and prayers are with Paul, Shannon, Jake, and the entire family.

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 25

EARTH SHAPING NEWS EARTH SHAPING NEWS Distribution of 1500 to All GCBAA Members, Architects, Allied Associations, Media, Key Superintendents, & Key Golf Industry Executives Electronic copy, which includes a hot link to advertisers website or product page, is included.

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26 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

EARTH SHAPING NEWS EARTH SHAPING NEWS Distribution of 1500 to All GCBAA Members, Architects, Allied Associations, Media, Key Superintendents, & Key Golf Industry Executives Electronic copy, which includes a hot link to advertisers website or product page, is included.

Advertising Art & Text Submission Guidelines ART GUIDELINES

TEXT GUIDELINES

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2019 COPY GUIDELINES 1st Quarter: 3/1

2nd Quarter: 5/31

3rd Quarter: 8/30

4th Quarter: 11/29

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Form: Email, Mail or Fax to GCBAA Materials: Email to GCBAA 6040 S. 58th Street, Ste D, Lincoln, NE 68516 Tel 402.476.4444 Fax 402.476.4489 Email information@gcbaa.org

GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019 27

GOLF COURSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 6040 S 58TH STREET, SUITE D LINCOLN, NE 68516

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

28 GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 1st Quarter 2019

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LINCOLN, NE PERMIT #40