F ORE Y OUR INFORMATION 4th Quar ter 2024
Empire Ranch Golf Club– Folsom, CA.
Cameron Park Country Club 2022 Scholarship & Research Tournament
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P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S AG E B Y J UA N G O N Z A L E Z Happy Holidays Sierra Nevada GCSA, First and foremost, I would like to thank my good friend and past president Muhammad Ali for his invaluable service and contributions for our association. Your hard work and dedication are admirable my friend! To our past and present board of directors, vendors, affiliates and association manager Kimberly Milne, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your constant support and tireless devotion. I hope this message finds everyone in good health and high spirits heading through the holidays and the new year! I am humbled by the overwhelming support of our association and the opportunity to serve as your chapter President. I would also like to say what an honor it is for me to be in this position, and I am fully dedicated to contributing my utmost effort for our chapter. As 2024 comes to an end, it amazes me how fast time flies. It seems like just yesterday we were battling the summer stress that our courses deal with year after year and now we’re all bundled up trying to stay warm with a hot cup of coffee, waiting for the course to thaw out. I don’t know about you guys, but there’s no place I’d rather be than out on the golf course, summer stress and all. Teal Bend Golf Course has been our annual holiday event for years (we’ll still see you in March, John), but this year we decided to try something different and it was moved to the Dust Bowl Brewery in Elk Grove, so that members could take their spouses and have a chance to mingle with friends. It turned out to be a really nice evening. As busy as we are throughout the year, I can’t tell you how great it is for me to take the opportunity to attend these events and meetings that we have as an association. It can be a way to reset, at least for a day, and attend an education meeting, holiday event or play some golf. It’s a chance to catch up with friends that we barely get to see or talk to due to our busy schedule, and enjoy the camaraderie within our association. I believe members should look at these events as career building opportunities and a chance to build relationships with some very talented people. We have some very knowledgeable members in our association which will be more than happy to share their experience and expertise with you, all you have to do is ask (and attend lol). With that being said, we would love to see you at some of our upcoming association events. Scott McCullough will be kicking off the year with the Turf Tech Workshop at the Ridge Jan 14, 2025, which is always a great educational experience. The Golf Industry Show which will be held in San Diego, the first week of February, and if you haven’t attended it yet, I strongly urge you to go. You will enjoy all the education that the GCSAA has to offer and benefit from all the networking you will be doing. Last but not least, you don’t want to miss the BBQ at the grassroots tournament on my old stomping grounds at Teal Bend Golf Course in March, with my dear friend and mentor John Farley, who I also owe a lot to, for supporting my career and allowing me to learn a lot from his vast experience, thank you John! Thank you once again SNGCSA, I’m looking forward to a great year ahead with all of you!
Juan J. Gonzalez
Visit us online at SierraNevadaGCSA.com or Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
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E V E N T C A L E N DA R M E E T I N G DA T E S
2025
June 2025 Possible Field Day TBD
January 14, 2025 Turf Tech The Ridge
July 7, 2025 (DATE CHANGE) S&R Tournament Stockton CC
February 5, 2025 California Room San Diego
August 2025 Tri Chapter Hosted by NorCal
March 24, 2025 GrassRoots Tournament Teal Bend GC
Sept 2025 Presidents Cup Grizzly Ranch
April 14, 2025 Canyon Oaks CC
November 2025 Annual Meeting Whitney Oaks
May 2025 Turkey Creek Details To Be Confirmed
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2025 SNGCSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Juan Gonzalez Empire Ranch G.C. SECRETARY/TREASURER Lonnie Dunn Wildhorse G.C.
Dave Bermudez Del Rio G. & C.C.
VICE PRESIDENT Billy Witt Hidden Valley Lake Assoc.
Logan Bloom Mather G.C.
Dean Kinney, Sierra Pacific Turf
DIRECTORS Scott McCullough The Ridge
PAST PRESIDENT Muhammad Ali
Guillermo Reyes Rio Vista GC
Brian Kerr– Assistant Turkey Creek GC
Affiliate Representatives Ryan Thornberry, California Landscape Supply
FORE YOUR INFORMATION 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
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F o r e Y o u r I n f o r m a ti o n
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SPEAK MICHELLE, SPEAK Well, another year is coming to an end and 2024 did not disappoint. It was full of fun and surprises. We had a mild winter and a brutal record setting summer. Many an afternoon found me swimming in lake #17 to escape the summer heat. I had a great time traveling around to local golf courses and interviewing the other working dogs out there. Golf course dogs are unique in that they get to live any dogs dream of being allowed to run free and chase woodland creatures at will. It doesn’t require a special breed or type of dog, if they are willing to put in the long hours that this job demands. But like our loving masters, we too like to enjoy some “down time” when the days get shorter, colder and wetter. It's important to rest the body when time and season allows. Looking back on this year I was reminded of how many special fellow canines I had the pleasure of interviewing. There was Harper, the mini-Aussie Sheppard who works at Turkey Creek and Sky and Elly who are hard at it at Empire ranch up in Folsom. I also had the opportunity to speak with Dixie, the chocolate lab working with Kurtis Wolford at Ancil Hoffman. Dixie was a joy to speak to and her level of energy was infectious. I thought I was an active golf course dog until I met her. Then I went to Grass Valley to the Alta Sierra golf course and met Sammy and Chance. These two represented the old and new guard. Sammy is slowing down and has passed the torch to Chance. It was great to see how the old salty dog taught Chance the tricks of the trade. Overall, it was a great year filled with wonderful interactions with my fellow pups. On a personal level, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the passing of time and its effects on a dog’s body. I am a little greyer in the chops and a halo of grey hair adorns my eyes now. I may have lost a step when it comes to chasing deer but I’m still a puppy at heart. The mind is willing, but the body is less able. I tend to nap a little more than I did when I was younger, and I might need a little help jumping up into my owner’s truck these days. But none of that will detour me from my daily duties at Teal Bend Golf Club. To wrap up this year I would like to share one of my favorite jokes; A three legged dog walks into a bar and says” I’m looking for the man who shot my paw”.
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P age 6
SUPERINTENDENT PROFILE B I LLY WI TT Two weeks after graduating High School, I took a summer job at Tates Creek GC in Lexington, KY, working for a subcontractor installing drainage and reshaping bunkers. He had just finished reshaping bunkers and building a new tee at Crooked Stick CC in Indiana, two years later, his work was showcased to the world when John Daly won his first major. My first summer was spent laying sod and spot-watering the bunker edges, leveling drainage ditches, and at the end of the summer, I got the chance to mow rough as the entire crew was pulled to work on the PGA Champions tour event across town. Little did I know this was the start of a 36-year career. I remained on staff at that course for several summers until moving west to CA and year-round golf. I had learned some irrigation skills and all the daily prep and became a decent operator. I spent two summers in the North Bay on the grounds crew at Monarch Bay in San Leandro (formerly known as Tony Lema GC) I got used to the early morning and the long days, but my exposure to bigger projects and more crucial duties did not begin until I started working at Hidden Valley Lake golf course April of 2000. HVL’s superintendent at the time was Brandon Coulter, and he allowed me to run modern equipment, learn pesticides, the timing of the applications, and all the cultural procedures. I have always taken pride in asking good questions, and he allowed me to be promoted to assistant after only a few years. I obtained my QAC and quickly began mixing and loading by myself. Two summers as an assistant and new owners of a local course had their eye on me. I was asked to consult for an afternoon; and was ambushed with the offer to become the Superintendent! Rob Roy Golf Course made me their Superintendent in September of 2005; I would still be working there if the economy had not crashed in 2008. This little slice of heaven was not without its challenges. The equipment we began with was worn, and some critical pieces were missing. The greens had some broadleaf, tees were crowned, traps overgrown, and the irrigation system, well, that’s an entire story on its own. The concrete pipe that served as a mainline was 40 years old when installed and the course was 50 years old! The system was a gravity-fed impact sprinkler system that required a night water person to record the time and move the sprinklers by hand. We had coverage issues and pressure issues and occasionally, we had no water at all as the system was fed by a spring and the residents shared our water storage. Two growing seasons and greens had a healthy stand of grass and no weeds, so we purchased a new greens mower, a top dresser, and a spray unit. We stripped and leveled many tee boxes, cut new edges of the traps, and got the proper amount of sand in each. I had full support from the owners and a membership that was understanding and encouraging. They were willing to accept a day of inconsistent conditions as they trusted my process and knew the course was going to continue to improve. It was not uncommon for myself and my crew to receive a standing ovation if we were introduced at the many functions the course/Restaurant hosted. After Rob Roy bounced back from a few jobs, back as an assistant at HVL. I worked at Langtry GC for only one summer, the next summer the Valley Fire destroyed it. I then took a sales job that required traveling and was just about to leave California when the Superintendent position at Hidden Valley Lake suddenly became available. I have been the Super here at HVL since February of 2016, and what a roller coaster this has been. I have had seven General managers in 8 years, multiple massive wildfires, evacuated from my home three times, floods, rolling blackouts, COVID-19, and construction of a new restaurant/ clubhouse that almost sent me into another profession. I have been granted the tools to overcome all those challenges. My staff is seasoned, a veteran mechanic of 30 years keeps our equipment in great working order. Versatile equipment operators have us ready for play daily, and I have been blessed with two very qualified assistants, I could not have gotten through without the efforts of my crew. Although off the beaten trail, many who have visited HVL since I started rave about the putting surfaces. We take great pride in having great greens here. I have gotten a chance to serve my chapter and the GCSAA as a Grass Roots Ambassador, and I’ve gained so many friends in the industry, whether a vendor or fellow superintendent. This industry is ripe with brilliant people and wonderful humans, and there are too many to name, but I remain grateful daily they are there to bounce ideas off or just share the struggles.
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CAG NEWSLETTERS
PLEASE CHECK OUT THI S ATTACHED LINK TO THE MONTHLY CAG NEWSLETTERS. THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION ABOUT OUR WATER I SSUES IN THIS MONTHS FLYER.
CAG– November Newsletter CAG– December Newsletter
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Annual Election Meeting Empire Ranch Golf Club
New President , Juan Gonzalez hosted the Annual Election meeting at his course in November. It brought to us the current Board of Directors. Pictured from left is new Director Guillermo Reyes, Assistant Superintendent Brian Kerr, Sec/Treasurer Lonnie Dunn, President Juan Gonzalez, Affiliate Rep Ryan Thornberry, and VP Billy Witt.
Juan Gonzalez was happy to Thank Past President Muhammad Ali for his service to the association.
Ryan Thornberry addressed the meeting to discuss upcoming issues within the chapter.
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F RO M T H E F I E L D J e f f J e n s e n , GCSAA Field Staff,
Southwest Region
I hope this finds all of our Sierra Nevada members doing well. It was great to see many of you at the Annual Meeting at Empire Ranch. Fun day and congratulations to incoming President Juan Gonzalez and the new Board of Directors. I recently returned from the annual GCSAA Chapter Delegates Meeting held in Lawrence, KS. 90 GCSAA affiliated chapters were represented at the two-day meeting. The main topic of discussion was a proposed dues increase that will be voted on at the GCSAA Annual Meeting in San Diego this February.
Jeff Jensen
The increase would move the dues from the current $465 per year for Class A/B to $530, Class C dues from $240 to $275 and EM dues from $115 to $150. The increase was based on a two-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase of 8.1 percent ($40 Class A/B, $20 Class C, $10 EM) plus an additional increase above CPI ($25 Class A/B, $15 Class C, $25 EM).
The proposed dues increase will ensure that GCSAA can continue to meet the needs of our members. While CPI increases over the past years have allowed GCSAA to keep up with inflation and costs of doing business, we have added numerous programs and services that need additional funding to provide greater impact on a quicker timeline. The increase in dues is not earmarked for any particular project or service but will assist with our continued efforts in the areas of workforce development, advocacy and government relations, environmental efforts and increasing the professional recognition of GCSAA members. Other topics discussed at the meeting included updates on various GCSAA programs including Rounds 4 Research, Government Affairs, Conference and Show, First Green, Workforce Development, the Golf Course Environmental Profile Series and GCSAA’s upcoming 100-year Centennial Celebration. Delegates also had the opportunity to meet and interview candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors election that will be held in February. A list of candidates and credentials can be viewed at https://www.gcsaa.org/about-gcsaa/annual-meeting/2025/2025-annualmeeting-preview. If you have any questions concerning the dues increase or any other discussions at the delegates meeting, please do not hesitate to contact me or your Chapter Delegate Juan Gonzalez and we will be glad to discuss this in detail. As we enjoy the holiday season, I hope you have the chance to spend some quality time with family and friends and enjoy the festivities. If you have any questions, please contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and follow me on X @GCSAA_SW for industry updates.
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Safety Moment Chainsaw safety basics 1. THE THUMB GRIP Keep a steady grip on both handles on the saw. Thumbs and fingers must be completely wrapped around the handles. It is very important to hold the thumb of your left hand under the front handle to reduce the force of a possible kickback. 2. CLOSE CONTACT Do not be afraid of the saw. Hold it close to your body for better balance and to make the saw feel less heavy. 3. BALANCE Stand with your feet apart. To achieve the best possible balance, put your left foot slightly in front of your right. 4. BEND YOUR KNEES Spare your back. Do not work with a curved spine, bend your knees instead when working in low positions. 5. MOVING / TRANSPORT The chain must not be rotating when you are moving to another spot. When moving in several steps, you should activate the chain brake or turn off the engine. When you move a longer distance or when transporting, you should fit the guide bar guard. 6. SAFETY DISTANCE Make sure that no one is closer to you than 3 – 5 meters when working with a chainsaw. During tree felling, a greater safety distance is required. Avoid working alone: If there are two or more of you, you can help each other if something happens. If you must work alone, you should always: designated person) your route and your location, e.g. with GPS coordinates with your contact person at least every three hours you can quickly leave the area Beware of kickbacks: The kickback zone is the upper part of the nose of the guide bar. Sawing with this part of the guide bar poses a significant risk for a kickback, in which the chain will grip the timber, and the saw and blade are thrown backward and upwards by the force of the rotating chain. A kickback can be very dangerous and you need to understand: carefully. This is why it is essential for you to learn and use correct saw
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Delegates Meeting Overview Member Dues Strategy Kevin Sunderman, CGCS, chief operating officer, emphasized the importance of continuous pursuit of excellence in golf course management. The discussion then covered the proposed dues increase to fund various initiatives, with a focus on maintaining high member satisfaction and addressing the growing needs of the industry. Sunderman highlighted the importance of communication within chapters and the need for input from all members. He placed emphasis on being good stewards of the environment while managing business operations and ensuring financial efficiency. Sunderman talked about the amplified efforts in communication, including GCM Online, GCSAA TV, social media, and podcasts. He discussed workforce development, focusing on attracting, training, and retaining staff, with a mention of the First Green initiative. He emphasized the importance of keeping valuable staff through training and retention programs. Sunderman discussed GCSAA advocacy and environmental programs. He talked about the challenges faced in advocacy, including the impact of regulations and the importance of grassroots ambassadors. He mentioned the reduction in water usage achieved through best management practices (BMPs). He highlighted the importance of collecting data for advocacy efforts and the role of BMPs in maintaining golf's environmental impact. He stated the need for continuous updates to Golf Course Environmental Profile data and the importance of member participation in surveys. Sunderman recognized the contributions of field staff and stressed the importance of having staff in local areas to support chapters. He mentioned the Rounds 4 Research program and its impact on local chapters and the need to grow the program to meet future needs. Sunderman emphasized the importance of professional recognition campaigns, such as Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day in building awareness and respect for the profession. Sunderman listed the programs that have been added since 2006. Education: • Melrose Leadership Academy Advocacy and Environmental • Melrose Equipment Management Experience • Best Management Practices • Women’s Leadership Academy • Political Action Committee • Excel • Grassroots Ambassadors • Links to Success Service to Chapters Communication • Field Staff • GCM Online • Rounds 4 Research • GCSAATV Professional Recognition • GCSAA Podcast • Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day Workforce Development • First Green • Certified Turf Equipment Manager • ASCS • EMCP • JAG • FFA Sunderman shared his experience with running lean operations and the impact on quality and time management. He described the need for more resources to accelerate the development of training videos, BMPs, and career pathways. He stressed the importance of leveraging members’ dues to provide valuable programs and services. Sunderman said that delegates will discuss the proposed dues increase in small breakout sessions and provide feedback. There will be a vote at the Annual Meeting on the proposed dues increase for Class A/B and Class C members. Sunderman said that GCSAA must continue to grow. Since 2006, GCSAA has gone from 120 to 85 staff members. If we had more resources, you would have training videos last year, not next year. We think about the educational and career pathways, Greenkeeper Certificate and other programs we could implement with more resources. At the end of the day, we want to raise the bar. We want to have a greater impact. Paul L. Carter, CGCS, secretary treasurer, discussed the importance of the dues strategy in ensuring a sustainable association and funding programs and services. He mentioned the current dues structure and the proposed increases to fill the current funding gap. Dues account for about 26% of the revenue that GGCSAA brings in. In 2025, Carter stated that the CPI increase is $40 for Class A and B and C. But, to fill the funding gap an additional increase above the CPI is needed. The proposed increase is $65 for Class A and B and $35 for class C. Our current dues are $465 for Class A/B and $240 for Class C. The proposed increase would make Class A/B $530 and Class C $275. Equipment Manager dues are not voted on but approved by the board. Their proposed increase is $35. The EM dues would be $150. Carter stressed the need for member input and feedback on the proposed dues increases and the importance of engaging with the association and providing input on the proposed changes. He said that during the breakout sessions delegates will discuss the proposed dues increases and gather input. He stressed the importance of engagement and discussion to ensure the proposed changes meet the needs of the members and reiterates the need for member input and the importance of the discussion in making informed decisions. Carter reminded delegates that CPI dues increases are voted on every two years. This process was started because of the 2006 Chapter Delegates Meeting. It helps GCSAA keep pace with the increasing costs. Over the years, we've seen membership rating approval between 87 and 97%. The increase is not automatic. He said they want to know what you’re thinking for yourself, your facility, for your members in your chapter. After all the discussions, I am in full support of the proposed dues increase. It will help GCSAA continue to grow and offer us more services and opportunities for professional development as well as crew development.
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Welcome New Members Nick Reyes Santa Rosa G& CC Class B Mark Hodkin Commercial Pump Class AF Kannon Campbell Duncan Golf Mngmt Class C
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GAVIN DICKSON
BILLY HAUSCH GRASS VALLEY, CA 831-333-6412 Billy@grassrootsturfsupply.com SERVING: SACRAMENTO, RENO, LAKE TAHOE, CARSON CITY, MONO COUNTY AND GOLD COUNTRY
MARINA, CA 831-333-6839 Gavin@grassrootsturfsupply.com SERVING: SAN FRANCISCO, STOCKTON, CENTRAL VALLEY, BAKERSFIELD, SANTA BARBARA AND SLO
THOR LARSON SALINAS, CA 831-277-4356 Thor@grassrootsturfsupply.com SERVING: MONTEREY PENINSULA, SANTA CRUZ, SAN JOSE AND SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PETER J GALEA CGCS FAIRFIELD, CA 831-234-3218 Peterjg@pacbell.net SERVING: EAST BAY, WINE COUNTRY, NORTH COAST AND NORTHERN SIERRA
2045 Franciscan Way, Salinas CA 93908 Grassrootsturfsupply.com
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VENDOR PROFILE J O E K U RU N G – G 3 E N T E R P R I S E S I grew up back east, Northwestern PA, on Lake Erie. Went to High School and College in the region. I majored in Basketball in College. Upon graduation, I was packed and headed to a much better climate. Good bye shoveling snow, hello sunny Ca. I accepted a Grad Assistant job coaching Basketball at Chico St. Bartending became my source of income as I coached. Tough life in your early 20’s. I really enjoyed coaching at the College level as that was my goal to be a D-1 Head Coach. After two years, my patience level was not what was necessary, so I moved to Officiating Basketball at the High School and College levels for the next 30 years. It taught me an enormous amount about dealing with frustrated coaches, players and fans! The Restaurant business got old, so I made a bold move to mowing fairways at Bidwell GC in Chico. After 6 months and seeing how hard Tom Jefferson (Sup) worked and got paid, I moved on to being a Sod Farmer with Zamora Sod Farm. 16 years of walking the fields, with no golfers…. “HEAVEN”! Then the sand business came calling. The next chapter was a great learning experience with West Coast Sand and Gravel. I started out calling on golf courses. If you ever get hired doing something that you know nothing about, good news, you can learn. The team at West Coast was very patient. I thought the only sand made was on the beach! The road was bumpy to start, but very rewarding as time went on. Then I started to learn about the Aggregate world. The next chapter of learning and growing came with a phone call from G3 Enterprises. The perfect opportunity, as now I had some experience and G3 had their own sand plant with a great location to move materials. Another great family owned company that is poised for growth. I’ve been very fortunate to have been able to work with some very professional people and associated with 3 great family owned companies. I currently live in Modesto with my wife Carin of 30 years. We have two boys, Joseph and Christopher, 26 and 24 years old…boy does time fly! We enjoy traveling to the beach, playing tennis and just hanging out in the back yard with the dogs.
Top Dressing • Fertilizer • Gypsum
Peter Reece Jr. (209) 602-8475
preecejr@gmail.com
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2 0 2 4 H O L I DAY E V E N T DUST BOWL BREWING
Justin Becker and Wife
Don Van Vliet and his team from West Coast Sand and Gravel
Dave Bermudez and guest
It was a fun night of comradery shared by all who attended. Dinner, drinks, and Holiday Cheer!
President Juan Gonzalez and his wife Priscilla.
Juan Gonzalez and past president Muhammad Ali.
Lonnie Dunn and his wife Terri.