Tee Off News January/February 2018
San Luis Obispo Country Club 2018 Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship & Research Tournament July 16, 2018 Hosted by Paul Barr
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President’s Message Andy Cordova I have spent much time pondering what I want to write for my first president's message. How do I follow a guy like Steve Showers with his thoughtful and exceptional writing skills? I Andy Cordova know that I have some big shoes to fill not only in the writing department but also as president. Steve did an exceptional job keeping our association headed in the right direction during a time that was difficult to do so. I am confident that we, as a board, will continue this trend.
his fresh set of eyes and new perspective will be extremely valuable. While we welcome both of them, we are still in need of two more board members. Whether you have been on the board before or not, anyone who is eligible and interested will be welcomed.
me in the best possible position to take over as president. Thank you Steve.
Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank you, the members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Central California. Without you our association would not exist. As the new term brings us two The geographic territory of our associanew members, it also brings the end of tion makes it difficult for everyone to be Zach Moran's term. I would like to involved with meetings and tournathank Zach who is stepping down this ments. However, I recognize and apyear as one of our affiliate board mem- preciate that most members have been bers. His participation and commitment able to attend at least one event reto the association, not only as a board cently, whether it was close to you or it member but also as general member, required some travel. No matter how continues to be greatly appreciated. many events you have attended in the past, your support of our chapter is what Thank you Zach. A very special thanks goes out keeps us going. to Steve Showers. His hard work and We have an excellent choice of leadership as president these past two venues for our upcoming events this To start things off, I would like years has been greatly appreciated. year and I encourage each of you to atto welcome two new members to the Even though he is stepping down as tend at least one event this year, espeboard of directors this year. Mike Cline president he will still be involved with cially if it is close to you. As always, is a returning member who has been on the board as a past president. Serving we have a variety of locations to choose the board many times during his career as his vice president during this time, I from. If you have never been to a meetas the affiliate representative. His had the great experience of getting to ing or tournament I hope to see you at knowledge about the inter-workings of learn how the association functions one of this year's events because the the association and overall wisdom will from someone who has been involved GCSACC is a great group of people to be a huge asset to the board. Our secwith the board for a long time. His sage be associated with. Thank you all and I ond new member is Kevin Wiles. Even advice and profound wisdom have put look forward to seeing you this year. though this is his first year on the board,
2017 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT ANDY CORDOVA CYPRESS RIDGE GOLD COURSE
VICE PRESIDENT GLENN MATTHEWS, CGCS VISALIA COUNTRY CLUB ALBERT NUNES MORRO BAY GOLF COURSE MIKE CLINE WILBUR ELLIS CO.
PAST PRESIDENT STEVEN SHOWERS BROOKSIDE GOLF & C.C.
SECRETARY/TREASURER PAUL BARR SAN LUIS OBISPO C.C. KEVIN WILES RIVERSIDE GOLF COURSE
MATT NOWLEN LAGUNA LAKES G. C.
ERIK SMITH TARGET CHEMICAL
Official Publication of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Central California. The purpose of this publication is information and education for the membership. Published bi-monthly by GCSACC, 3273 Richert, Clovis, CA 93619 Phone (559) 298-6262 Fax (559) 298-6957 Email gcsacc@aol.com Newsletter Chairman & Newsletter Editor Mike Cline Executive Directors Irene Cline & Kimberly Milne
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Save The Dates 2018
October 2018
July 16, 2018 Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship & Research Tournament San Luis Obispo Country Club Hosted by Paul Barr
August 21, 2018 Tri Chapter Tournament Cinnabar Golf Club Hosted by the NorCal Chapter
September 17, 2018 Morro Bay Golf Course Hosted by Albert Nunes
Lowell Stone Charity Tournament Location to be determined
December 1, 2018 Annual Holiday Event Windows on the Water Morro Bay, CA
2019 Winter Conference & Annual Election Meeting Location to be determined
2018 Turf Pro Professional Update Series Seminars San Luis Obispo
Fresno
Morro Bay Golf Course
Copper River Country Club
201 State Park Rd.
2140 E. Clubhouse Dr.
Morro Bay, CA
93442
Fresno, CA
93710
April 11, 2018
April 12, 2018
June 13, 2018
June 14, 2018
September 5, 2018
September 6, 2018
November 7, 2018
November 8, 2018
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New Members The California GCSA BMP committee has hired a third party consultant and is in the midst of setting up the foundation for the BMP project. The committee which is being headed up by Josh Heptig Golf Superintendent for SLO County., have now finalizing the contract with this company and it is expected that we will have an outline of how and when the BMP’s will be implemented and then available for our California GCSA members and clubs. The hope still is to have the BMP Template available to all California Chapter Members in late 2018. This process is being funded
by the California GCSA which has been doing fund raising efforts for the last 4 years. All net proceeds of the California Room have been set aside to put toward the BMP Program along with a grant from the GCSAA. These fund raising efforts will continue into 2019 and beyond if necessary to enable the process to be completed. In addition to our efforts we have received two grants from the GCSAA to help with out efforts. If you have questions please feel free to contact any of the California GCSA officers or our chapter representatives to the CGCSA Board Glenn Matthews, CGCS or Tennessee McBroom.
Evan Moffet Class Affiliate Site One Landscaping Tom Karrar, Class A Turlock Golf & C.C. Joe Ballmer, Class Affiliate Syngenta Adam Lind Class Affiliate PW Gillibrand
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From the Field Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Staff, Southwest Region GCSAA has established a Political Action Committee (PAC) to support members of Congress who support GCSAA’s Priority Issues Jeff Jensen Agenda. The PAC will give GCSAA the opportunity to gain greater access to members of Congress, provide a direct means to petition the government for the long-term viability of golf facilities and establish new relationships while fully integrating our direct and grassroots lobbying efforts.. The PAC will be governed by a five-member board
comprised of the chair and vicechair of the GCSAA Government Affairs Committee and three atlarge members. By law, contributions to the GCSAA PAC are limited to a restricted class of donors, including: rank and file GCSAA members in the United States, GCSAA executive and administrative personnel and their families, GCSAA non-executive and non-administrative personnel and their families with limitations, GCSAA corporate members and United States citizens who have an interest in supporting GCSAA’s priority issues agenda providing they are not solicited by GCSAA. Funds or donations from individual GCSAA chapters cannot be accepted. Funds will be distributed starting with the 2018 midterm elections. For more information on the PAC, visit the website at
https://www.gcsaa.org/advocacy/ge t-involved/gcsaapac. GCSAA has been working with the EPA on the review of propamocarb use on turf. Propamocarb is the active ingredient in Banol and Stellar, two products that provide preventative and curative protection from Pythium Blight and Pythium Root Rot. While we don’t believe there will be any issues with propamocarb, we are diligently working with the EPA to make sure that these products remain available to golf course superintendents. These reviews will remain on the forefront of GCSAA advocacy efforts moving forward. I thank the superintendents and researchers that provided feedback on Banol and Stellar use. Your assistance in these matters is greatly appreciated. Last, but not least, the California Alliance for Golf (CAG) has scheduled a Legislative Day for April 18 at the State Capital in Sacramento. The day is open to all members of the golf industry who wish to attend and speak to state legislators on issues facing the golf industry throughout the state. More information including a time and agenda will be available in the coming weeks. Thank you for your support of my position and if I can be of any assistance to you or your facility/company, don’t hesitate to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and make sure to visit the Southwest Region website at https://www.gcsaa.org/resources/re gional-resources/secure/southwest for regional updates including a calendar of chapter events.
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Newsletter Title
Around The Green By Mike Cline
2018 got off to a very somber start with the devastating mud slides in Santa Barbara. In an area so dry for much of the year, it’s unimaginable as to how a sudden downpour can destroy communities in a sea of mud, water and debris. After this beautiful area was hit with the largest wildfire on record in California that burned right to the edge of Montecito, then an intense downpour turned the burned areas to mud that went downhill, destroying everything in its path. Our association meeting scheduled at Sandpiper Golf Course and hosted by Tennessee McBroom was cancelled and all efforts were put forth to help members and their families affected by this disaster. Some of those families are still unable to re-
turn to their homes and some have just returned including Tennessee’s family. Other news in our association over the past couple of months have Steve Showers accepting a position at Brookside Country Club in Stockton, CA. Though this is in the Sierra Nevada Chapter we have been promised that he will remain a Central California member. Best of Luck to Steve in this new endeavor. Additional changes for our association include Scott Walwyn taking over the superintendent position at Santa Maria Country. Scott is replacing Mark Weitz who is now the superintendent at Alisal Ranch and River Course. In the valley Kevin Wiles has accepted the position of Superintendent at Riverside
G.C. in Fresno which leaves a vacancy at Dragon Fly G.C. in Madera. Former San Joaquin C.C. Superintendent Lonnie Stevens has joined the Wilbur Ellis Company as sales representative. In the Bakersfield area Trini Hernandez is now working for Stay Green Inc., a commercial landscape company in Southern California. Andy Heintz has taken over the Superintendent position at Rio Bravo C.C. As always if you have news around our area please share it with us and we will be happy to report it. We look forward to seeing you “Around the Green”
Golf Course Materials Topdressing Sand - Bunker Sand Decomposed Granite - Drain Rock 1/8” Minus Turf & Tee Bulk Humus Brush Removal Call for competitive rates
David Knott, Inc. (559) 449-8935 or (559) 760-5387
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In Memory John Schrack John Schrack passed away on Monday February 5, 2018 at the age of 97. John was a founding member of the Central California GCSA and worked along side of Al Glaze and Lowell Stone to establish our association. He served on the board as an affiliate representative in 1978. John served in the US Army Air Corp in 1942 and served his country with distinction for the duration of World War II. After his mili-
tary service John’s careers included working for C.O. Brose Well Drilling until he became a partner in a Richfield Station with his brother in law. He worked as the sales manager for Don Buick in Selma and for the H.V. Carter Co. as well as farm, garden and golf equipment sales. In 1967 he had the opportunity to buy into the well drilling business. The former C.O. Brose Co. John always enjoyed the quote. “Well drilling is the only job where you start at the top!” In 1974 his youngest son Jim, bought into the business and by 1981 John and Jim became partners, thus, making the business completely family owned.
John retired in 1990 although everyone knew he could be found at the shop nearly every day. John was very active in the well drilling community and served as the President of both the California and National Water Well Associations. He was inducted into the California Groundwater Association Hall of Fame in 2010. In October of 2014 he was among the Veterans who attended the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. accompanied by his son Don. John and his wife Leapha enjoyed traveling with family and friend and could be found playing golf most days.
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Newsletter Title
2018 GCSACC Board of Directors In a very unprecedented election we have finally confirmed our new Board of Directors for the GCSA of Central California Chapter. With the election meeting being cancelled we had to make some changes to our election procedures and have confirmation of our new board for 2018 handled by the online process. This was a first for our association but was necessitated because of the disaster that hit Santa Barbara on January 10th. Elected as President for 2018 is Andy Cordova, Cypress Ridge Golf Course. Andy has been a member of the Board since 2014 and has been as active member of our association since 2003. Glenn Matthews, CGCS, Visalia Country Club is now the Vice President for
the chapter. Glenn has also been a member of the board since 2014. Paul Barr, San Luis Obispo Country Club has accepted the Secretary/Treasurer position. Paul joined the board in 2015. In a little side note all the officers of this association are past Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship recipients. Glenn Matthews received the award in 2001 while at Cal Poly SLO, and Andy and Paul received the awards in 2003 and 2004 also while attending Cal Poly SLO. Continuing on with the 2018 board. We have Matt Nowlen, Laguna Lakes G.C. continuing on in his position as a director. In addition Albert Nunes, Morro Bay G.C. will serve again in
2018. New to the director slot is Kevin Wiles, Riverside G.C. representing the valley. Kevin has been a member of the association since 2009 and we are fortunate to have him on the board. As affiliate representatives to the board be have Eric Smith, Target returning for another year and back on the board we welcome Mike Cline, Wilbur Ellis Co. Mike has served in this position on several occasions and brings back some great input in this position. We are still in search of two board members so if you are at all interested in giving back to your association we could use your talent and ideas on the board. So if you are interested just give Irene or Kim a call at the Association Office, 559-298-6262
We are reaching out to you today on behalf of the Central California Board of Directors concerning the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) Rounds 4 Research program. Rounds 4 Research was started in 2012 to address funding shortages in the areas of turfgrass research, education and advocacy. To date, the auction has raised more than $782,000 nationally. The premise of the program is simple: Golf facilities can support the effort by donating rounds of golf for two or four or "stay and play" packages and other items that will be auctioned online through a nationwide auction from April 30 - May 6, 2018. The proceeds from the online auction are designated by the participating facilities to their local GCSA chapter (in this case, Central California). 80 percent goes to the chapter with the remaining 20 percent going to EIFG to assist with marketing and technical costs of running the national auction. The auction is conducted through the bidding platform biddingforgood.com. Donated items can be viewed at https:// www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?vhost=eifg. Central California can then decide how to best spend the funds in the areas of research, education or advocacy efforts. I'm asking all of you today to consider donating a twosome or foursome from your facility to the auction. In times of declining membership, participation and sponsorship, these additional funds can be critical to our chapter to continue providing the member services you have become accustomed to. The donation process can be completed online and takes approximately 10 minutes. Please visit http://www.eifg.org/research/rounds-4research/donate-a-round/online-form and complete the form. The participating facility has the ability to restrict rounds to certain days and times as well as the option of setting your opening bid. You can send in your own certificate for the donation or the EIFG will create a certificate for you. If you have any questions concerning Rounds 4 Research, please don't hesitate to contact me and I appreciate your time and consideration. You will be assisting your local chapter as well as raising funds for the future of the game
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2018 GIS & California Room Highlights
Yolanda Barajas, wife of Rafael Barajas, CGCS and Maria Martinez, wife of Rafael Martinez
Tom Elliott pictured at left and below. At left with Mike Cline and below with Steve Showers and Andy Cordova
Bayer was the Diamond Sponsor for the 2018 California Room, THANKS GORDON! Joe Ballmer & Mark Mahady pictured below
The Homemade Tapas were a huge success.
Mike & Heather Stieler with good friend Kevin Wiles
At Right, BelKorp’s Matt Graves, with coworkers and friends. Pictured with Josh Martin and Joel Brinkman.