TEE-OFF News
March/April 2013
Presidents Message By Josh Heptig
Inside this issue:
Attention Assistant Superintendents
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Permits, Inspections & More
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Meeting Schedules
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Around the Green
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From the Field
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Highlights from GIS
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Association Activities
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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 5322 N. Leonard Clovis, CA 93619 Phone (559) 298-4853 Fax (559) 298-6957 Email gcsacc@aol.com Bob Schneiderhan, Newsletter Chairman Mike Scott, CGCS, Editor
I was recently asked, “What is a golf superintendent?” Images started flashing through my brain much like the Chevy Silverado television commercial when a man asks his neighbor, “What do you do?” In short I told my enquirer that a golf superintendent is the person that provides people the ability to play golf.
cry from agronomy and plant health, in which most of us are educated. At times I feel the position of golf course superintendent is more of a calling than an actual profession because we all share a passion for what we do and not many individuals would be willing to do what we do with so little recognition. But those of us who have anOver the years this swered “the call” do not profession has evolved into require recognition, although it is appreciated a position of management that includes financial, per- when it is offered. Many of us would prefer to stay out sonnel, Human Resources, of the spotlight and remain natural resources, safety, and public relations to name behind the scenes like “The a few. These areas are a far Wizard of Oz” (pay no at-
tention to the man behind the screen). The sheer fact is that we are problem solvers, period. Seriously, think of your typical day…irrigation systems malfunctioning, crew members not showing up on time, mechanical failure on the 4th green during aerification, or its 107 degrees, your greens have not been watered for 3 days, your pumps just stopped, and your Club’s member-guest tournament is tomorrow morning (Don’t ask). Our days are filled with figuring out how to get things done, how to do things better, or (Continued on page 2)
Attention Assistant Superintendents by Troy Thompson
In this article I am going to discuss three important items any Assistant Golf Course Superintendent needs to know and understand. Of course I will preface this by saying that these are my top three. In upcoming articles this list will grow. If anyone
would like to comment about the subjects that I discuss below please feel free to call me, Troy Thompson, at 559-3126270. 1) After talking to my General Managers, Foremen, and Mechanics, the
one skill they wish Assistants would have a better understanding about is how to efficiently manage a crew. Efficiently means making sure jobs get done correctly in an allotted amount of time, that jobs are performed during a part of the day that (Continued on page 3)