Fore Your Information- 3rd Qtr. 2022

I am hopeful this message finds all of you well and very proud to have endured another tough summer! The “Covid” rejuvenation of golf certainly shined through at my course with a busier golf schedule and more play than I can remember for a long time. Although wonderful to see, a whole new set of challenges remain for our industry to adjust to, whether it be the impact of higher play or to receiving materials in a timely manner or struggling with drought, it remains a different golf world. One of the aspects I love about our industry is the variability in challenges we face on a continual basis. Or, “never a dull moment” as they say!

We are very excited to announce that our chapter, in conjunction with the Cameron Champ Foundation, will be conducting a maintenance day at Foothill Golf Complex. The small property will enjoy some wonderful love from volunteers from our chapter, and play a huge role in helping the Foundation and people from all walks of life see some needed maintenance to the golf course. Please look for some further information on this and come participate that day as we jump into helping our golf community at a facility that normally might not afford such special maintenance. Many thanks to Jim Ferrin who has been instrumental in making this happen for our golf community!

BY T RACY S HANAHAN

Our annual election is rapidly approaching. You should be very proud of the outstanding slate of members to fill our Board positions. I can not say enough about our incredible member contributors to not only the Sierra Nevada chapter, but to our industry in general. Please make an effort to have your voice heard and participate in the annual election. Even better, please plan on attending our annual meeting to be held at the beautiful Empire Ranch Golf Club in Folsom in early November and cast your ballot in person!

Looking ahead, we will be having our Christmas Party at Bartley Cavanaugh this year in early December. I hope to see many of you there to relax, reflect and enjoy entering the 2022 Holiday Season. There will be a Golf, Turf and Water Summit meeting in Walnut Creek on December 7 if there is any way you can get over to the East Bay area. The Southern California version of this affair was met with great fanfare and support. Also, please block off Tuesday, January 3 for the Turf Tech to be held at The Ridge Golf Club in Auburn. Once again, Scott McCullough has put together an outstanding list of speakers that will welcome not only turf heads, but irrigation techs, spray techs, and equipment managers and mechanics. Bring the entire crew, it is always worth while for the information, food and camaraderie!

Tracy Shanahan Peach Tree Golf and Country Club

Tracy Shanahan

M EETING DATES

EVENT CALENDAR 2022 2023

October 3, 2022

President’s Cup Tournament

Bailey Creek Golf Course

Hosted by Craig McDonald

November 2, 2022

Annual Election Meeting & Tournament

Empire Ranch Golf Club

Hosted by Juan Gonzales

December 1, 2022

Annual Holiday Dinner & Tournament Bartley Cavanaugh, Sacramento

Hosted By Muhamed Ali

January 3, 2023

Turf Tech Workshop

The Ridge Golf Course

Hosted By Scott McCullough

February 6 9,2023

GCSAA Conference & Trade Show Orlando, FL

CALIFORNIA ROOM 2 5 2023

Maggiano’s Italian Restaurant

March 2023

Grass Roots Tournament Location TBD

SECRETARY/TREASURER

PRESIDENT Tracy Shanahan Peach Tree Country Club

PAST PRESIDENT Jeremy Payne Scott McCullough Cameron Park C.C The Ridge Golf Course

DIRECTORS

Dave Bermudez Sam Samuelson, CGCS Muhammad Ali Doug Heinrichs, CGCS Juan Gonzales Scott Hall Del Rio G. & C.C. Wildhawk G.C. Bing Maloney G.C. Montreux G. C. Empire Ranch G.C. Lincoln Hills G.C.

Affiliate Representatives

Ryan Nichols, Sierra Pacific Turf

2022 SNGCSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS FORE YOUR INFORMATION

Tim McCoy, Turf Star Association Manager Kimberly Milne 3273 Richert Ave. Clovis, CA 559 298 6262

Published by the Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association EDITOR Jeremy Payne OFFICE SNGCSA 3273 Richert Ave., Clovis, CA 93619 559 298 6262 Fax# 559 298 6957 sngcsaa@aol.com

Hank Milne

Please state you

Name: Skye

Breed: Border Collie

Age, Breed,

Cameron Park Country Club

Goose Dog

Mom:

and Occupation

with Dad after work,

a scale of 1 10, how lucky are you? Please elaborate. Probably a 10…people love me and I get to run wild every day all day. Some members give me treats. I only get bummed out when people decide they don’t want to throw something for me anymore.

After a bad day at work, what makes you feel better? I always get super excited to go run wild on the trails after work. I don’t have to chase any darn geese and there are no sprinklers I have to attack. Swimming in the river to cool off is an extra special treat.

5. Whats your favorite treat or cheat meal? I get the occasional dog biscuit from my Dad, but the best are the bacon and dried meat treats some of our members have hidden in their carts for me.

6. What are some of your nicknames? I pretty much go by Skye. Some of our crew members call me Pinche Cabrona but then they give me hugs so I think that means they love me

7. What is your biggest vice? Squirrels.

8. What 3 words would someone use to describe you? Energetic, happy, fit!

9. At what age did you start working? After getting trained by Jane at Dog & Whistle Goose Control in Auburn, I started working at CPCC when I was 3 (I’m now 7).

10. If you had a favorite quote, or one to describe you, what would it be.? Every day is a good day to chase a tennis ball

11. What’s your most embarrassing moment? When my Dad gets me my summer haircut. I have so little hair left some people mistake me for a totally different dog.

SAVE THE DATE! JANUARY 3, 2023 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

A guide for environmental stewardship

We will be hosting a BMP push at this years Turf Tech Event on January 3 at The Ridge. Take advantage of the resources we are here to offer.

Golf Course best management practices (BMPs) offer guidelines for superintendents to manage their facilities in an efficient and environmentally sustainable manner. BMP manuals document all of the science based practices and professional course management that many people need to see. While superintendents spearhead BMP efforts, the use of BMPs benefit everyone in the community that a golf course serves.

GCSAA has granted the Sierra Nevada GCSA funds to help facilitate the development of BMP’s for our members. You can reach out to the association office for information and details and we will put a representative in touch with you to help you with the process.

Don’t wait. Do it now. There is a limited amount of funds available for this program so get your request in early .

OF JOHN MARMAN

W RITTEN BY J IM CULLEY

I want to talk about a loss we’ve had to our industry. For those of us that have been around for 25 years and more, we will be dealing with more and more of those we’ve lost than any other topic. I wanted to talk about John Marman, VP of West Coast Turf.

John was more than just an affiliate member to the chapters in Southern California, he was an integral part of the whole industry. I’ve known John for more than 25 years. I met him while I was covering the Las Vegas golf market, but it wasn’t until he moved to Southern California that we become more than fellow affiliates, we became friends. John was just that way. He would gladly talk sod with you all day, but he also wanted to know about the other parts to your life. He enjoyed playing golf at chapter meetings and many times we were paired together. Of course, we cared how we played but it was more about the connection.

We should all take that to heart and reach out to others more as friends than just people in the industry. Next to our immediate families, we see and talk with each other more than you think.

John will be missed by many of us. I couldn’t attend his funeral because of a family vacation, but I thought of him during the service time. I heard there were many people in attendance. That speaks volumes about the person he was.

I know that many in this chapter may only have seen him at tradeshows or heard his name mentioned when discussing sod and that’s ok too.

We have so many come in and out of our lives over our lifetime, it’s hard to remember them all. For those of us lucky enough to know John, I would like to bestow upon him the greatest honor one individual can have for another. He was a good man, and he will be missed.

I N M EMORIUM OF J OHN M ARMAN

The following is sent on behalf of West Coast Turf

The West Coast Turf Family has suffered a tragic loss. On Sunday, August 14th, 2022, John Marman, our VP of Sale and Marketing, passed away.

John started with West Coast Turf at age 24, and for the last 27 years rose to be our Vice President of Sales and a leader in our industry.

He leaves behind his sister, Danielle Scardino, sister, Sue Hanks, and his 11 year old son, Knox, the light of his life.

He was a friend to all. There are no words that can describe the terrible grief and pain his loss brings to all of us in the West Coast Turf Family.

The SNGCSA Board of Directors and staff extend heartfelt condolences to John’s family, friends, co workers, and all whom he touched.

The End of an Era

As Willie Nelson said “Turn out the lights” “The party’s over” Or maybe it’s just beginning, as it’s time for Diane and I to change directions and start enjoying the next phase of our lives. Everyone sees ups and downs but we can truly say living Farmload for the last 33 years has been exciting and fulfilling. We have had the opportunity to meet many good, energetic salt of the earth people, have been able to watch man cope with mother nature and always ultimately conquer what has been thrown at him. Watching that success and being part of it will truly be missed. We feel we have surrounded ourselves with good people and we are leaving you in good hands.

Thank you for accepting us into your lives, time for retirement!

Farmload

Mike and Diane Farmen

FROM THE FIELD Jeff Jensen,

As we approach the fall golf season, its time to start thinking about making travel plans to attend the 2023 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and GCSAA Golf Championships. Next year’s show will be held Feb. 6 9 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. with the GCSAA Golf Championships being contested Feb. 4 6.

Registration is now open with advance pricing available through November 15. Package options that are available include:

All Access Package ($1,245 through November 15)

• Access to as many seminars as you want

• Unlimited access to Power Hours

• Trade Show access, including education on Trade Show Floor stages

• Networking events

• Award presentations

• Welcome Reception with free food and drink at Aquatica Beach Post show virtual education event with access for your entire crew

Full Pack Registration ($600 through November 15)

• Can register for seminars ala carte for additional fee per seminar

• Unlimited access to Power Hours

• Trade Show access, including education on Trade Show Floor stages

• Networking events

• Award presentations

Welcome Reception with free food and drink at Aquatica Beach

Trade Show Only ($450 through November 15)

Trade Show access, including education on Trade Show Floor stages

Members purchasing the All Access package will receive 2.5 education points with Full Pack packages receiving 1.5 education points. As a reminder, all current GCSAA members are entitled to a one time complimentary full pack registration as part of their member benefits. Member dues must be paid in full at the time of registration, and GCSAA will confirm eligibility.

The GCSAA Golf Championships will take place Feb. 4 6 at ChampionsGate Golf Resort and Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge. ChampionsGate features two championship 18 hole golf courses designed by Greg Norman and Orange County National played host to the 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2010 PGA TOUR Qualifying School Finals.

The Four Ball event will take place on Feb. 4 with the GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic taking place Feb. 5 6 and the always fun and relaxed Scramble competition taking place on Feb 5. Competitors in the National Championship must have a handicap of 5.0 or under.

Cost for the Four Ball and Scramble are $250 with the National Championship and Golf Classic at $500. Affiliates are also able to compete in the Four Ball and Scramble for $275 and $575 for the Golf Classic.

Registration and additional information for both Conference and Trade Show and the GCSAA Golf Championships is available at https://www.gcsaaconference.com/home.

I hope to see many of you in Orlando next year and if I can be of any assistance to you in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and please make sure to follow me on Twitter @GCSAA_SW for industry updates. Thank you for your continued support of GCSAA!

Jeff Jensen

2022SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Turf Scholarship Winners:

Andrew Heinrichs: Andrew is the son of Doug Heinrichs CGCS, of Montreux Golf & Country Club in Reno Andrew is attending Colorado State University majoring in Environmental Horticulture w/ a concentration in Turfgrass Management. He has been working in golf maintenance since 2018 while attending school. He is currently holding the Asst. Superintendent position at Edgewood Tahoe which is fueling his passion for turfgrass management. Andrew’s goals are to “succeed as a leader, a superintendent, and as a knowledgeable and helpful individual.”

Noah Sena: Noah is the son of Ram Sena, Tahoe Donner Golf Course. Noah graduated from El Dorado High School in 2021. He is now attending the University of Nevada, Reno majoring in Civil Engineering with a Minor in Construction Management. He continues to maintain a 3.8 GPA and remains on the Dean’s list in his college classes. Noah has a love for the game of golf and his goal is to continue working while attending school, with the golf courses on small construction projects. His 5 yr plan is to obtain his degree and enter the world of golf course construction.

Macy Sansing: Macy is attending Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. She is scheduled to graduate in May 2024 with a Agronomy Degree focusing on Golf & Sports Management. She has been an active member of the turf club at the University. She worked this summer at Martis Camp assisting every day with course operations. Her father was a superintendent which lead her to gain interest in the golf industry. She feels that with her strong background in golf course maintenance and her degree she will have an opportunity to pursue her dreams of becoming a golf course superintendent and goals of encouraging other women to think of this as a career.

Legacy Award Winners:

William Samuelson, Is the son of Sam Samuelson, CGCS of Wildhawk G.C. William graduated from Rio Americano High School in 2019. He is attending Sonoma State University as a English Major with a focus on creative writing.

James Shanahan

James is the son of Tracy Shanahan, President of the SNGCSA, superintendent of Peach Tree G. & CC. James graduated from Colfax High School in May of this year with 4.31 GPA. He will be attending University of Arizona majoring in Biomedical Engineering. James has received honors from California Scholarship Federation which recognizes and encourages academic achievement and community service among high school students. He also received the Alpha Omega award for maintaining a 3.75 accumulative GPA during high school. In addition, James was awarded The State of California Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. It is a representation of all the hard work this young man has put in.

Natalie Gonzalez:

Natalie is the daughter of Juan Gonzales, Empire Ranch Golf Course. Natalie graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 2021 and is attending Cal State University, Sacramento majoring in Health Science. During her college career she has been on the Dean’s Honor Roll most semesters. She is hoping to become a Radiologic Technologist upon graduation.

2022Research&SCHOLARSHIPRESULTS

Our first place team at the 2022 Scholarship and Research Tournament: Andrew Boner, Mike Stieler, CJ Boone, Dave Bermudez .

Welcome New Members

Cole Early Serrano CC. Assistant

Tom Landwehr Apex Envirotech Gina Rizzi Radius Sports Group

Run for the Board

Our Annual meeting is coming up on November 2, 2022 at Empire Ranch Golf Course. We will be looking for 2 Superintendent members to run for our Board of Directors., and 1 Affiliate member to be our Affiliate Representative. These are 2 year terms, with the option to continue on to the Executive Board.

This position comes with service points towards your GCSAA membership class upon completion of your term.

SuperintendentProfile

JuanGonzalez Empireranchgolfcourse

“Results happen over time, not overnight. Work hard, stay consistent and be patient.” Cristiano Ronaldo

Juan is an avid soccer player and fan. A self-proclaimed “Ronaldo guy”! He believes in leading by example. When I caught up with Juan he was on the business end of a top dresser covering some newly seeded areas around the fairways at Empire Ranch GC. With a staff of six, “Everyone is hands on at all times.”

A Sacramento native, Juan rose thru the ranks of Golf Course Maintenance. He was quick to mention Sam Samuelson and John Farley as local mentors having worked with both. Following a brief hiatus to craft, establish, then market a family restaurant he has returned to golf. “I love my job, the people, the challenges, and the environment.”

“Small details make the difference. Its not about the money, it’s about the passion.” -Cristiano Ronaldo

We also discussed an upcoming pump station renovation including dredging the irrigation pond and resetting the intakes. The significant amount of detail work required at Empire Ranch, Juan desires to stay active with the Chapter Board and help grow membership and participation. Juan’s “team” also consists of wife Priscilla and daughters Michelle (Sac State), Natalie (Sac State) and Celeste (High School Senior). He plays in two different soccer leagues, he’s very competitive!! Dedicated to family and friends, passionate about his teams, and always looking to learn and improve. Time spent with Juan, is time well spent. I will close with Juan is most definitely walking the talk!!!

Thank you and your team Juan, for again hosting the Sierra Nevada Chapter at your facility.

Tim McCoy

Cameron Champ Field Day

Jim Ferrin is asking for help

Assisting the Cameron Champ Foundation at Foothill Golf Course 7000 Verner Ave. Citrus Heights, CA 95621.

The Cameron Champ Foundation is committed to unlocking the potential in and transforming the lives of youth from underserved and underrepresented communities

Foothill Golf Course is a 9 hole pitch and putt golf course off of Greenback Ln. on Verner Ave. It is comprised of 30 acres ( 30,000 sf green and 30,000 sf tees)

We are looking to do the following cultural maintenance:

Solid tine aerify greens with topdressing and drag in Spoon aerify tees and fairways

Grind tee plugs

Overseed tees

Topdress tees

Spray tee and fairway weeds Spray tree basins

Fertilize greens and tees Possibly fertilize fairways

We will need the following equipment: Greens aerifier with 5/8" solid tines and operator Greens topdresser and operator Spoon aerifier, tractor, and operator Plug grinder

Spray rig and QAL operator

A commercial fertilizer spreader

Assisting the Cameron Champ Foundation and Foothill Golf Course will show that our Association supports greater accessibility and inclusion in the game of golf, and supporting kids in the game of golf.

Assembly Bills

TAKE ACTION STOP AB 2146

Assembly Bill 2146 will ban the application of insecticide products containing neonicotinoids on all turf, trees, and ornamental plants. Having passed the California Assembly and Senate, the bill has been sent to the Governor for signature, and we need your help to persuade the Governor to veto the bill.

voice your opposition as soon as

at the following link:

Thank you for helping in this legislative effort!