Welcome New Members

Ryan Thornberry- Affiliate, California Landscape Supply

Heidi Burgess- Affiliate, Corteva

Andy Lopez– Oakdale Golf & CC

Thomas Karrer- The Dragon

Ryan MacNair– El Macero CC

Daniel Vandecoevering- Envu

In Memory of Mike Basile

We are saddened to inform you that Mike Basile, longtime GCSA member and friend to many, passed away on Friday, February 10, after a long battle with cancer. Mike passed peacefully with family by his side in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Mike’s many friends, family members and colleagues in the golf community.

Rick White, Haggin Oaks Golf Course

Rick began his career at Gold Hills CC in Redding, CA., working with Mike Smyth. He credits these first years of setting the bar for his work ethic and professionalism as a Golf Course Superintendent. After four years of working with Mike Smyth at Gold Hills, Rick relocated to Forrest Meadows Golf Course. He spent seven years at Forrest Meadows, but the goal was always to get home to Redding. So in 1990, when an opportunity with River Bend Golf Course opened up, Rick didn’t hesitate to accept the job. A couple years later a position with Riverview Country Club became available and Rick spent the next 19 years there,

In 2019 Rick accepted the job at Haggin Oaks Golf Course. The move to the Sacramento area was a bit hard at first. You see Rick loves to fish and the World Class fishing the Redding area lakes and rivers provide were hard to leave behind. The win was, both of Ricks daughters had relocated to the Sacramento area. A Family first guy, Rick and wife of 39 years Glenda, made the move.

Rick has a positive outlook for the future of golf and believes rounds played will continue to be strong. Cost of goods, changing Government regulations, supply chain issues (ouch!) and lack of a workforce are some of the daily issues you can all relate with.

Rick also spoke about water we all kind of forgot about water the last several weeks. When water is back in the headlines Rick has genuine concerns about what will be available, who will get it and what will it cost? Ricks point being: let’s not forget, plan accordingly and get involved locally!

Rick is currently working with The Management Team on a Master Plan for Haggin Oaks. 2023 sees some improvements to the driving range, including new netting. 2024 things really get going with a couple of new greens on the course. An updated practice facility, including practice greens and covered tees on the range. Rick really is family oriented. He spends most of his time away from work with his family. They have completed a few big home improvement projects at their various homes and he’s become quite the wood worker; building cabinets, shelves and the like.

You can still see the effects of Mike Smyth and that work ethic when you visit or speak with Rick. He doesn’t sit still for long. Always working, planning the next project, or an afternoon on the Lake.

Thank you, Rick White, for hosting the 2023 Grass Roots Golf Event!!!

-Tim McCoy