July August Tee Off Newsletter

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July/August 2020

Madera Golf & Country Club

Rancho Del Rey Golf Course October 12, 2020

Superintendent CandyEvent Ortega Annual Lowell Stone Charity & Al Glaze Memorial S & R Tournament Hosted by JJ Gonzales

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President’s Message Glenn Matthews, CGCS ly on a virtual platform. The past couple of months the board has been forced to make difficult decisions related to our meeting schedule. Notably we have had to cancel and postpone the annual Al Glaze Scholarship tournament, our annual Field Day event, and the Charities Tournament. At this moment we cannot officially confirm any events, but we are hopeful we may be able to gather for an official association event in October for a combination Scholarship/Charity event. Stay tuned and make sure to open your email from our association Executive Director, Irene Cline.

and have been a support system for me in good times and bad. Those who are members of our association and don’t regularly participate by attending meetings and events are failing to realize the advantages membership provides.

The game of golf has given so much to all of us. I feel a personal obligation to participate and do what I can to help maintain the vitality of the game of golf. Our local and national associations are there to support their members through service and advanceGlenn Matthews, CGCS ment of the profession of the golf course superintendent. I encourage all In order to conduct successful of you to get involved and at a miniParticipation – the act of taking part events it will be necessary to have your mum participate through attendance at in something. participation and attendance. The our local meetings, when we can hold It has been impossible for any health and sustainability of your asso- them, of course. of us to participate as a group or association depends on you getting inStay well and we hope to see ciation in recent months. We have volved and participating. I encourage you soon. been unable to gather since January, all members to take the time to come eight months into the year. I, personalto an event and expand your network ly, miss our meetings. And hopefully of friends and professional associates. I you, like me, are eagerly awaiting the have personally benefited from memnext opportunity to meet as an associabership in the Central California Chaption. ter since 2000 and my days at Cal Poly The business of the board of SLO. Many of the relationships I dedirectors continues as we meet month- veloped back then continue to this day

Glenn Matthews, CGCS

2020 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT GLENN MATTHEWS, CGCS VISALIA COUNTRY CLUB

VICE PRESIDENT PAUL BARR SAN LUIS OBISPO C.C. ALBERT NUNES MORRO BAY GOLF COURSE

JIM CULLEY SEED KING

PAST PRESIDENT ANDY CORDOVA CYPRESS RIDGE GOLF COURSE

CANDELERO ORTEGA RANCHO DEL REY G.C.

SECRETARY/TREASURER MARK WEITZ ALISAL GUEST RANCH ROB LOMELI RIDGECREEK G.C.

JOSE ALVAREZ FORT WASHINGTON CC

MATT GRAVES BELKORP

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 Michael Scott, CGCS Executive Directors Irene Cline & Kimberly Milne

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Save The Dates 2020 October 12, 2020

Lowell Stone Charity Event and Annual S& R Tournament combined Madera Country Club Hosted by JJ Gonzalez

November 5, 2020 Visalia Country Club BMP Implementation Mtg

December 5, 2020 Annual Holiday Event Windows on the Water Morro Bay

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Around the Green

By Matt Graves & Jim Culley

A few things are happening around the Central California are. Jon Paul Brinkman previously with Turf Star has been hired by Speedy Ent. Jon Paul will be working Mike & Mary Harmon. Phil Brown who relocated to the Morro Bay area last year has taken on a position with Harrells Inc. He will be covering the Central California, Central Coast, and Sierra Nevada area. The Toptracer facility at Diary Creek in SLO is scheduled for a September opening.

It appears to be ready for play. It looks like a great facility and we are looking forward to visiting in the near future.

The California GCSA is working BMP Implementation Project that will begin with a state wide web x offered in October. You should have received the initial invitation but if not be sure to contact the association office. This web x will provide you with all the details of how to start your BMP set up for your course. Following up with this initial introduction, the Central California GCSA and the California GCSA will begin offering assistance to you to complete your project. Look for more information on this project and don’t pass on the opportunity to develop a BMP for your facility.

October 12th is also the date for our annual Scholarship & Research Tournament that will be combined with the Charity Tournament at Madera Golf & C.C. It is an unusual time but we hope to keep moving forward on the event, even with all the challenges we have had this year.

As always remember that if you have information that you would like to share be sure to let us know. Take care and we will see you soon.

Web X Educational Opportunities SEPT. 9 Webinar: New Approaches to Fairy Ring & Mini Ring in Bermudagrass Putting Greens Presented by Syngenta SEPT. 16 Webinar: Benefits & Challenges of Sand Topdressing Programs Presented by Syngenta OCT. 14 Webinar BMP Implementation Training Presented by California GCSA

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Member Highlight Dario Olivares, San Joaquin C.C. We are happy to introduce you to Dario Olivares, Superintendent at San Joaquin C.C. in Fresno. Dario has over thirty years of Golf Course maintenance experience. He got his start in 1985 as an assistant superintendent at Friendly Hills Country Club in Whittier California. He has since been the superintendent at five previous facilities.

ence in directing all aspects of golf maintenance operations, administration, budgeting, renovation and construction has proven to be a great benefit to the club. His effective team building skills and leadership has helped created successful training, staff development and mentoring programs at the club The golf course at SJCC is both visually spectacular and highly competitive. In fact, San Joaquin's USGA Championship (Par 71) course includes natural elevation changes of up to 60 feet.

The SJCC course is known for being challenging yet impeccably groomed, renowned yet accessible. And it's Dario is a member of the home to golfers of all ages and skill levels. Plus, SJCC is Golf Course Superintendent Association of America and one of the few Valley clubs that allows private carts on the joined the Central California Golf Course Superintendent’s course. The course has hosted numerous tournaments Association in 2019. including NCAA National Championship, USGA MidAmateur, PGA Fresno Open, LPGA Trans West, Fresno Dario joined the team at San Joaquin C.C. in State Nick Watney Invitational, Fresno State Women’s March of 2018 and his impact on the golf course and sur- Invitational, NCGA Valley Amateur, as well as various rounding areas was immediate. The course conditions has USGA qualifiers and JGANC Junior events. improved tremendous from his knowledge, commitment, passion, and team building skills. His extensive experiDario Olivares

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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From the Field

Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Staff, Southwest Region

GCSAA President John Fulling recently announced that the annual Golf Industry Show scheduled for the last week of January 2021 in Las Vegas will now be conducted in a virtual format the first week of February.

With the ongoing health concerns caused by the coronavirus, travel restrictions, global economy, moniJeff Jensen toring of other national tradeshows and bans on large gatherings, it was decided by GCSAA and its presenting partners, The American Society of Golf Course Architects and Golf Course Builders Association of America that it was in the best interest and safety of all parties involved to move to a virtual format.

GIS 2021, “Your space. Your pace. All in one place.”, will take place the first week of February and will allow show participants the opportunity to attend from the safety of their homes or workplaces while still consuming all of the great content that GIS is known for.

Education, trade show and special events will take place live via the virtual platform and attendees will also have the opportunity to view or review the events/education/ materials for an extended period after the conclusion of

the live event.

Registration for GIS 2021 will open October 13 at https:// www.golfindustryshow.com/. At the time of this article, registration costs for the event are still being determined.

The event will now be held the first week of February. A short demo video of the virtual platform is available at https://player.vimeo.com/video/447145809.

While moving to a virtual format was a difficult decision, it will allow those who have attended GIS in the past to save on travel costs this year and will allow many others who have never had the opportunity to attend, a chance too see what great opportunities and education that GIS has to offer. The safety of our members, vendors, sponsors and other attendees always comes first.

In other related news, an upcoming announcement on the status of the GCSAA Golf Championships scheduled to be held in Palm Desert, CA. January 23-25 will be made shortly.

I hope that you and your families are safe during these unusual times and we appreciate your continued support of GCSAA and our affiliated chapters. If I can be of any assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and follow me on Twitter @GCSAA_SW for daily industry updates.

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Madera Golf & Country Club Hosts the 2020 Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship & Research Tournament & Charity Event Superintendent JJ Gonzales and the crew at Madera Golf and Country Club will be hosting the first ever combined event for our association. It will be a combination of the Annual Lowell Stone Charity Tournament and the Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship & Research Tournament. This is a very different situation for the association, but 2020 is the year of very unusual situations. We are just grateful that JJ and Head Pro Ryan McKinney at Madera Golf and C.C. are willing to work with us and allow for this tournament to happen for our members and guests.

We are still working out the details but you can be guaranteed that it will be held in the safest way possible for our attendees.

More information will be sent out very soon.

A little history on the Madera Golf & C.C.. It was founded in 1953. It was conceived and built by local business and community leaders who actually pushed most of the dirt themselves. The course architect was Bob E. Baldock. Baldock also designed many golf courses throughout California, most notably the Shore Course at Monterey Peninsula Country Club.

Madera Golf and Country Club shares the same laid-back vibe as that of their membership who have rightly been called “the most decent people you have ever met on a golf course”. It is also said that Madera Golf & C.C’s greens are legendary in the Central Valley and some of the most challenging. You’ll have to come see for yourself and put your short game to the test. This course is a hidden gem, the members are great, the staff is like family, and the food is incredible. So be sure to put this date, October 12, 2020 on your calendar and come out and enjoy the gorgeous mature landscaping throughout the entire course. Come experience what it looks like when you can say you have been in business for over 65 years.

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Duck Duck Turtle ——- Antibiotic Immunity Transmission to Algae

by Patrick Simmsgeiger, CLM During these uncertain times related to Covid-19, there are still things we can do to prepare our businesses and properties for the new-norm which is certainly around the corner. Although this piece may initially add to your list of concerns, hope springs eternal that knowledge can be acted upon, and good stewards can make difficult decisions to protect all stake holders.

I remember my mother refusing to get a turtle for me as a pet. She understood that turtles transmitted salmonella, but she probably had no idea baby turtles also transmitted hepatitis-B. She told me not to touch the ducks in the neighborhood lake. She probably heard they hosted alpha-herpes virus, which caused high mortality rates in ducks, geese and swans. This disease first appeared in Long Island in 1967, transmitted from European flocks. In the last 50 years, these health threats have spread worldwide and normalized in the public mind.

There is emerging evidence that turtles, ducks and geese, adapted to the diseases they carry, spread antibioticresistant bacteria. As an aquatic expert, what keeps me awake some nights is the possibility these bacterial

strains could transfer their resistance to water algae.

Ducks and turtles are as ubiquitous to water environments as shells on a beach. These water species excrete waste with bacterium, which settles into soil already laced with antibiotic run-off from human activity.

This long-term buildup becomes a habitat for new generations of bacteria. In a scientific study of a Meat Duck Farm conducted in 2017, the data indicated that the deeper the excrement layers, and the longer these layers went without removal, the more numerous the antibioticresistant bacterial species, plus the greater number of antibiotics to which these species showed resistance.

These bacteria also evolved resistance to Zinc, Copper and Cadmium. Copper is the primary element used to control algae and cyanobacteria in water. A Harmful Algal Bloom(HAB) is the result of runaway algae and cyanobacteria growth when heat and nutrient loading are abundant, and eco-diversity is low. HABs can be extremely toxic.

(Continued on page 9)

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Duck Duck Turtle Continued from Page 9 Could algae learn antibiotic and copper resistance from bacteria?

Algae are in every environment on the Earth, having emerged as a simpler species about 1.7 billion years ago.

Bacteria existed a couple billion years before that. Cyanobacteria preceded these by about 1 billion years, being the first life on this planet. Clearly these species learned or stole abilities from each other, then continued to evolve to the present day. It would be very unlikely that this adaptive behavior has suddenly come to a stop. More likely, these microorganisms are reacting to human activity, feeding on modern waste, adapting to our chemicals, while they continue to compete and learn from one another. Microorganisms comprise the vast majority of biomass, which has always been true and will probably always be true; humans are a recent experiment.

home pond? The same bird groups that excrete large amounts of waste also move from lake to lake. Birds visit all the water features in their territory but have a favorite spot; turtles have a capacity to travel as well. The wind plays a large role in transporting bacteria and other microorganisms over long distances. Empirically, the entire Earth is covered by microorganisms wellsuited to each set of conditions. ‘Survival of the Fittest’ is the rule, so there is every reason to believe that once a species can resist local defenses, it will find a way to spread to every nutrient source available.

Aquatic experts rely on a limited number of products to control algae, ultimately using copper as the active control ingredient, when more subtle treatments fail. Although antibiotic resistance is a problem all its own, it is algae’s resistance to copper that Many aquatic companies that presents global concerns. But what can treat algae promise to eradicate the be done; is this an inevitable response problem. The fact is, algae colonies of Nature to human activity? The most cannot be completely eliminated, only obvious step is to reduce human runoff limited in size and reproduction by into streams and lakes, which is a soluusing proper tools and procedures. Not tion beyond the scope of aquatic manonly are there immense varieties of agers. Next is the cleaning of muck algae and bacteria adapted to every layers from lakes and ponds, which is environment, but each cell of a species effective and doable, but not cheap. has the capability to create a daughter This step is commonly delayed for with new characteristics. If human years, even decades, for budget and teenage girls are tough, they have permit reasons. The last solution is the nothing on microorganisms. According control of bird and turtle populations, to a recent estimate, there are which is an easy action to consider, but about one trillion species of microbes socially and politically difficult to caron Earth, and 99.99 % of them have ry out. yet to be classified. Clearly, microorReducing bird and turtle popuganisms have no problem evolving lations first runs into regulatory issues. through adaption, with the newer spe- These restrictions have nothing to do cies adapted to consume the most with The Endangered Species Act of abundant form of nutrients, while re1973, but rather stem from public sisting threats that limited their mother opinion. A complicated permit process, cells. adding costs & delays, plus Public Re-

Once we accept the possibility of an inter-species exchange of resistance, what is the possibility this new algae strain would move out of its

lation issues are the bane of property managers and municipalities. Restrictions on turtle, bird and fish removal are commonly the final straw

that defeats even a permitted plan.

There is a San Francisco property that requires humane fish euthanizing, beginning with a gentle capture, then freezing, and finally a chemical softwash. After many years they are still looking for a contractor. Most water features in the United States are decades beyond their life-span for muck removal. This delay in cleaning exacerbates and encourages the biologic risks, while also limiting water health overall.

Being alarmist in no way benefits a professional discussion, or any form of governance. Water management experts think in terms of years at a property, drawing on decades of experience. Yet recent events have demonstrated how quickly the statusquo can change, how our assumptions about safety can become obsolete. In 1967, Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus was studied as a crossover vector for human bronchitis. Interestingly, this was the same year flocks were found dead in Long Island from a European infection. Today, we may be ignoring signs of a larger problem, where algae could incorporate antibiotic and copper resistance from bacteria, vectored through birds and turtles, which densely populate neighborhood water features. Even if we recognize the signs, our hands remain effectively tied by sentiment for these adorable creatures, many of which we encourage to live in our underserved lakes. ______________

Pat Simmsgeiger is the President of DWI, a Certified Lake Management company and manufacturer of aquatic products for 35 years and counting. Being a vital industry supplier, DWI is maintaining service to clients and consumers during the Covid-19 event with modified work practices and procedures.