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California Capital News President’s Message Kurtis Wolford
Good day members of the California Golf Course Superintendents Association. My name is Kurtis Wolford, and I am the superintendent at Woodbridge Golf and Country Club in Lodi, California. I am serving as your second term President of the California GCSA. I wanted to take the time to write everyone a message about what has been going on with the state association, where we are going, and where we ultimately want to be. I would also like to address numerous topics that are crucial to our success as an industry. Let us start off with our mission statement: “The purpose of this organization is to further promote and develop the interests of the memberassociations of this association through the gathering and dissemination of information and through the development of ethical standards for the profession. Our purpose is to support the purposes of the individual chapters.” I am old enough to have seen the state associations different iterations. From holding state meetings at various locations, holding education
events, and near bankruptcy of the association. The state chapter has had to morph with the changing times of the golf industry. Each of the past Board of Directors and officers of the state have done an excellent job of being flexible and looking into the future needs of the association and adapting it to fit our members and golf industry’s needs. The past leaders addressed the future needs of all the local chapters. From communication and the creation of the state industry calendar available on the website, development of resources like the Best Management Practices Guide, water conservation guides, research and government relations, the state association has a vital role in the support of the six regional chapters. The State association represents all of the chapters as a whole when addressing government relations matters. California is a big state with lots of needs. Over the past few years the state association’s role has begun to evolve. We created the California Golf Industry Best Management Practices Guide in 2019, giving superintendents an informational guide to help them manage their courses that could be crafted to their respective region. This was an arduous task that required significant work from the BMP committee, who’s representatives were from every chapter in the state. This industry BMP guide has two particularly essential functions: • It gives the user a guide to manage their course to regional industry standards. Continued on Page
In This Issue •
President Message
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From the Field
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California Legislative Update
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Board of Directors Introduction
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Thank you to our 2022 Sponsors
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President’s Message Continued from Page 1 Thank You to our 2022 Gold Sponsors
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It gives the user credibility in the eyes of government regulators. This credibility is massively important. The regulators now view us, the superintendent, as the experts in the field.
IT IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE THAT EVERY COURSE COMPLETES AND ADOPTS THE STATE BMP’S. This gives the industry power and a seat at the table with local and state policy makers. Currently we have 921 courses in California. The more courses that adopt the BMP guide, the more powerful our message to lawmakers is. We get a seat at the table as opposed to being on the menu. California Golf generates $13.1 billion in overall economic activity and 128,000 jobs supporting over $4 billion in wage income. We have some muscle and need to use it. Where is the California Association going? Realizing that the association needs to be fluid in its role to best serve the golf industry, our position is morphing again. Due to constant attacks on the golf industry, our efforts are now moving into government relations and public policy. Combined with allied golf organizations like the California Alliance for Golf (CAG), California Golf Course Owners Association (CGCOA), GCSAA, Northern California Golf Association (NCGA), Northern California PGA, Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) and Southern California PGA, we have a combined voice in advocacy efforts. These affiliated efforts have been highlighted recently with the defeat of AB 672 last January. It is also on display with refiling of AB 1910 – which is now in the process of being heard by various legislative committees. As a group we have the ability to respond to these attacks on golf and our interests. However, these efforts continue to be badly underfunded. Let’s talk finances. Currently, $10 of your chapter dues goes to the operation of the state association. This covers the day-to-day operations, website, and necessary business expenses. Our main fundraising event is the California Room, which is held during the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show each year. Through our vendor sponsorship and attendance, we fund our advocacy and research efforts directly and indirectly. Since 2013 our efforts have generated $77K. These funds have been distributed for the development of the BMP Guide, donations to California Alliance for Golf, and payments to Capital Partners for lobbying services (which have since been discontinued in favor of using CAG’s lobbying group). The association Board of Directors has established a committee to develop an SOP for future leadership as a template to utilize generated funds. These funds will continue to be used to update and maintain the BMP template as necessary, support the efforts of The California Alliance for Golf and establish a reserve of funds as a contingency if the association needs to respond a future need. In a nutshell, this is what we have accomplished, where we are going and where we need to be as an association. I would like to thank all the volunteers who fill the role as officers and board director members. I would also like to thank the continued support of our vendors whose support is critical to our association’s success. Lastly, I would like to thank all the members and chapter managers who continue to attend the California Room. Without your attendance none of these programs would be attainable. Please let me or any of the board members know if we can be of assistance to you.
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From the Field
Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Staff, Southwest Region
I hope this finds all of our California GCSA members doing well and staying busy during the summer golf season. I know it’s a stressful time for many, especially those in areas that are facing restrictions on their water use. As the California Legislative Session heads to a close at the end of August, there is still one bill worth watching that affects the golf industry. AB 2146 currently sits in the Senate Suspense File awaiting hearing in early August (date TBD). The bill seeks to ban the application of insecticides containing neonic active ingredients (such as imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, and thiamethoxam) on turf, specifically. These products are commonly used on golf courses for grub control and other applications. Jeff Jensen A number of applicator groups, including agriculture and structural pest control, have been exempted and will retain full access to neonic products, but turf applications are being directly targeted. Neonicotinoids provide a high degree of worker and player safety (low toxicity, Category III), and flexibility in application. They are selective and often require low use rates to achieve sufficient pest control, which reduces both environmental and human exposure and are also used to help grow healthy plants that make a positive contribution to pollinator forage and habitat. Turf applications present the lowest risk of both runoff and impact to pollinators of any outdoor usage of neonicotinoids. The effectiveness of Neonicotinoids, its breadth of activity and utility in controlling difficult pests would be hard to replace, and some of the alternatives have significant economic and environmental disadvantages. I have met with numerous staff members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, submitted 13 varying sets of comments to House and Senate committees, attended House and Senate hearings and have had members throughout the state submit letters through our GCSAA Action Alert as well as make calls to their respective members of legislature. Any California members wishing to oppose the bill may still do so using GCSAA’s Action Alert at https://www.votervoice.net/GCSAA/campaigns/93588/respond. The alert information is already composed, all you need to do is enter your contact information and click on Send Message. We appreciate your support as we try to defend golf’s use of products beneficial to the industry. We will keep you updated on the progress of the bill as the legislature reconvenes on August 1. In the meantime, please follow me on T witter @GCSAA_SW for industry updates and visit my blog at https://www.gcsaa.org/resources/regional-resources/southwest. I hope you have a great remainder of Summer and get a chance to spend some quality time with family and friends.
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California GCSAA Legislative Update by Jim Ferrin, CGCS, Chair
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Under the leadership of the Southern California Golf Association, and allied golf associations including the GCSAA, both AB 672, and AB 1910 (an amended version of AB 672), "The Public Golf Endanger ment Acts," were both defeated in the California Leg islature. This was a concerted grassroots effort on CAG's behalf and its Legislative Committee headed by Craig Kessler, Director of Public Affairs for the SCGA. Golfers responded in the thousands contacting their legislative representatives, which was a key reason the bills were defeated in the Appropriations Committee. But by no means is such legislation dead, and CAG is looking into the future of ways to combat similar legislation. We have hired two prominent law firms with expertise in both the California Park's Preservation Act, as well as California's Open Space law to assist us in looking at how both laws as they stand, protect golf in California. If AB 672 and AB 1910 taught us a lesson it is that the CAG legal war chest is underfunded, and CAG must do a better job in outreach, and communicating its monetary needs with golf's stakeholders in the future. With an election upcoming in November, and possible changes in Sacramento's legislative leadership, golf will again be in the cross hairs of legislators and anti-golf organizations who are far better funded than CAG is to fight the fight to maintain golf's property and resources rights, and ability to properly maintain their businesses. CAG's legislative Committee will be addressing these potential future threats with its lobbyist, Tony Rice in upcoming strategy meetings.
Other legislation still pending is AB 2146, a bill that will regulate neonicotinoid insecticide applications in California. GCSAA's Jeff Jensen has been involved in this bill and addresses the current state of AB 2146 in his article in this newsletter.
SAVE THE DATE!! July 28 -Field Day at Cal Poly Pamona August 18– Southern California Gold and Water Summit– Los Serrano Golf Club– FREE (Continued on page 5)
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California GCSAA Legislative Update Continued The drought and the restriction on water resources throughout California is now the major topic impacting golf courses throughout the state. Since the last major drought we know each region in the state has different mandates when it comes to water restrictions and conservation. Many golf courses have saved water by reducing turf, eliminating overseeding, converting cool season grasses to warm season turf, and installing new irrigation systems and conservation water technologies. These efforts have conserved water and many golf courses have achieved dramatic water savings. Many golf courses have implemented in their districts the "Alternative Means of Compliance," which is based on their allowable water allocation per California's model "Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance," enabling courses to water in the manner they see fit with their allocations, rather than on permissible days and times, which might mean turf loss especially on putting green surfaces. Recycled water is still exempt from restrictions and efforts continue to develop new recycled water plants throughout the state. But now it is as important as ever to work within your jurisdictions and communicate your conservation efforts and follow the mandates set in place.
The Southern California Water Summit on August 18th at Los Serranos Golf Club will be the place to learn about water mandates, and best practices in using less water and getting to know people who are associated with implementing district water policies. Efforts are now underway in having a similar summit soon in Northern California.
As Craig Kessler has said, "difficult subjects don't go away." We shall see more and the same so be prepared and stay involved. We need to continue to work on golf's perception and its value within a community. Jim Ferrin
President, California Alliance for Golf
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Introducing California GCSA Board of Directors & Chapter Representatives The Board of Directors for the California GCSA is a group comprised of representatives of each of the six California Chapters. Each chapter has at least two representatives. We would like to introduce this years representatives: 2022 President - Kurtis Wolford Kurtis is the Superintendent at Woodbridge Golf & C.C. in Lodi. He has been a member of the California GCSA board since 2016. He started work as a member on the Government Relations Committee. The next year he volunteered for a board position and has been a representative for the Sierra Nevada GCSA chapter since that time. 2022 Vice President -Brian Boyer 2 Brian is the Superintendent at Cinnabar Hills G.C. in San Jose, and the Northern California Representative.
2022 Secretary/ Treasurer-Cody Layton. Cody is the Superintendent at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club , in Rancho Santa Fe near San Diego. He is a San Diego Representative.
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Past President- Jim Ferrin, CGCS Jim is the President, California Alliance for Golf, Chair of the Legislative Committee California Chapter GCSAA, Chair of the Legislative Committee, Sierra Nevada Chapter GCSAA, Member, BMP Committee for California Chapter GCSAA, GCSAA Ambassador, and Member of the BOD for GCSAA PAC. He is retired after working as a Golf Course Superintendent for 38 years. He spent 16 years as the Superintendent and Director of Landscapes for the Sun City Roseville Community Association (Timber Creek and Sierra Pines Golf Courses) He is a Past President of the California Chapter GCSAA and Past President of the Sierra Nevada Chapter GCSAA. Brandon Williams,- St. Mark Golf Club | Lakehouse Hotel & Resort in San Marcos Brandon is the San Diego Representative. He is also the Chapter
President for San Diego GCSA and former Vice President for Cactus & Pines .
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Peter Bachman-The Links at Spanish Bay (Pebble Beach) Peter is the Northern California Representative.
Pete Bowman—Northern California Affiliate Representative. Pete is the owner, BoTerra LLC . He has spent 45 years in the golf business. He is the STS Turf Distributor Northern, Central California, Northern Nevada Rep Golf Safety, a Risk Compliance Company Northern, Central California, Northern Nevada Rep Seaborn Canvas Rep Par West Turf Services Distributor of all sizes golf course tires 1997 – 2015 Distributor Sales Representative 1986 – 1997 Previously Pete was the Golf Course Superintendent Heartwell Park GC, David L. Baker GC, Micke Grove GC, Merced Hills GC, Diablo Grande Golf Resort 1995 President, California Golf Course Superintendents Association President, Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association Certified Golf Course Superintendent 1993 – Present Member Sierra Nevada GCSA, GCSA Northern California, GCSA Central California. Pete and his wife, Nina have been married 41 years. They have three children, Dr. Peter Bowman, DDS age 41 Daughter Sarah Holden age 38, and son Michael Bowman age 32. They have four Grandchildren, two dogs, and one RV trailer. When not working Pete likes to ski, golf, camp, walk the dogs. He likes Irish whiskey better than bourbon. Scotch is not good. Beer is ok
Tracy Shanahan- Peach Tree Country Club in Marysville Tracy is a Sierra Nevada Representative. He is also the current President of the Sierra Nevada GCSA Chapter.
Scott McCullough– The Ridge Golf Course Scott is a Sierra Nevada Representative, As well as the 3 term Past President of the Sierra Nevada GCSA.
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Jim Culley, Affiliate Representative Jim is 25 year member in GCSAA as an Affiliate. He is a member in all 6 of the California chapters. He has served as Southern California Affiliate Director, California GCSA Affiliate representative since 2011, Affiliate director for Central CA GCSA, GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador to Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) , and has served on 3 GCSAA committees (Environmental Policy, BMP Resource Task Group, and Environmental Awards and Education Task Group) Jim started his own Golf Course consulting and seed brokerage company in 2019 after working for 26 years in the seed industry. Jim is also a Golf Tournament Volunteer. Tournaments work he has been involved with include US Amateur marshal, Shotlink for PGA Tour and marshal for LPGA Tour. Jeff Jensen—GCSAA Field Staff Southwest Region Jeff started working in the golf industry in 1994 with Golf Enterprises and then proceeded to work for American Golf, KSL, Black Mountain Golf & Country Club and OB Sports before leaving the golf business for 6 years to run the day-to-day operations of a marketing and public relations firm. When GCSAA advertised the position, they were looking for someone with golf experience and public policy experience, so the fit was pretty natural, and he was looking to get back into the golf industry. Jeff has have been with the GCSAA for nearly 10 years and his primary role is to serve as a liaison between the 10 GCSAA affiliated chapters in the Southwest Region and our corporate headquarters. His responsibilities include working with the chapter executives and boards to assist them in the operation of their chapters, provide government advocacy and public policy services, work with allied golf associations to address challenges and grow the game, provide education via speaking engagements and assist members with various aspects of their membership experience.
Be sure to watch for future updates from the California GCSA Government Relations Committee Chairmen
Michael Prouty- Valley Oaks G.C. Michael is the Central California Representative and serves on the GCSACC Board of Directors
Steven Showers– Brookside Country Club Steven is a Central California Representative. Steve has served on the Board of the Central California GCSA since 2012.
John Nachreiner– Shady Canyon Golf Club John is a Southern California Representative. He has been in his present position as Director of Agronomy at Shady Canyon since 2012. He previously worked as superintendent for The Cliffs in Keowee Springs from 2008—2012 and with The Vintage Club in 2007.
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Jim Schmid– The Lakes Country Club Jim is a HiLo Desert Representative. Jim is the Director of Operations at The Lakes C.C. since 2011.
Dan Cruse– Santa Ana Country Club Dan is the Southern California GCSA Representative. He serves as the VP of the SoCal GCSA. He has over eighteen years of demonstrated success in golf course maintenance operations.
Mark Connerly, Executive Director, Northern California GCSA Chapter, Southern California GCSA, and Golf Course Owners Association. Mark is also the owner of Connerly & Associates.
Sandy Cooper,- Executive Director, San Diego GCSA. Sandy worked in the private club sector in the desert and San Diego for 16 years as a Director of Membership and is currently a Realtor with Willis Allen Luxury Real Estate
Kimberly Milne, Executive Director, California GCSA Chapter, Central California GCSA Chapter, Sierra Nevada GCSA Chapter. Kim is also the owner of MilneCline Financial Services, Inc. She graduated Cal State University Fresno with a Bachelors Degree in Finance. Kim has been the Executive Director for the State Association for over 10 years.
Molly Duvall, Executive Director, HiLo Desert GCSA
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We’re on the Web Californiagcsa.org
California GCSA
2022 Board of Directors OFFICERS
Kimberly Milne, Executive Director California GCSA, GCSA of Central California, & Sierra Nevada GCSA Phone: 559-298-6262 Fax: 559-298-6957 Email: Californiagcsa@aol.com
President, - Kurtis Wolford Woodbridge Country Club Vice President—Brian Boyer Cinnabar Hills Golf Club Secretary Treasurer—Cody Layton Fairbank Ranch G.C. Past President Jim Ferrin, CGCS
DIRECTORS Steve Showers Brookside C.C.
Tracy Shanahan Peach Tree CountryClub
Jim Schmid The Lakes Country Club
Brandon Williams St Marks Golf Club
Michael Prouty Valley Oaks Golf Course
Dan Cruse Santa Ana Country Club
Pete Bachman Pebble Beach Co
Scott McCullough The Ridge C.C.
John Nachreiner Shady Canyon Golf Club
AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVES Jim Culley Seed King
Executive Directors
Pete Bowman BoTerra
GCSAA Field Staff Representative Jeff Jensen GCSAA Field Staff-Southwest
Marc Connerly Executive Director GCSA Northern California, SoCal GCSA Phone: 916- 456-1320 Cell: (916) 214-6495 Fax: 916-456-7672 Email: info@golfcalifornia.org Sandy Cooper, Executive Director San Diego GCSA Phone: (760) 845-7045 Email: info@sdgcsa.com Molly Duvall, Executive Director HiLo, GCSA Phone: 760-397-7944 Email: Molly@duvallmanagement.com
California Capital News CCN Published by the California Golf Course Superintendents Association EDITOR Kurtis Wolford OFFICE CGCSA 3273 Richert Ave., Clovis, CA 93619 559-298-6262
Affiliated Associations California Alliance for Golf California Turfgrass & Landscape Foundation Jim Ferrin, CGCS President California Alliance for Golf Bruce Williams, CGCS California Turfgrass & Landscape Foundation