Tee To Green
September/October 2021
Tee To Green The Official Publication of the South Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association
2021 Meeting Schedule (Dates & Locations Subject to Change)
October 19, 2021 Meeting/Education The Clubs of Kingwood - Marsh Course November 16, 2021 Past Presidents Meeting/Annual Meeting The Club at Carlton Woods December 4, 2021 Scholarship Banquet/Christmas Party Wildcat Golf Club
STGCSA Past President’s Meeting & Annual Meeting The Club at Carlton Woods November 16, 2021 South Texas GCSA, Inc. is proud to present a check to the Astros Golf Foundation from a portion of the proceeds raised at our Member/Guest/Guest/Guest Tournament at Memorial Park! Thank you to Jason Harsh & Brookside for sponsoring this event!
MISSION
Giles Kibbe (President Astros Golf Foundation)
Enriching the lives of Houstonians and empowering the community through the game of golf. VALUES
Our values reflect our core ideologies and drive the decisions we make. Our values are: Integrity. Collaboration. Passion. Authenticity. 1
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September/October 2021
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Jason Barrington - President STGCSA
It is hard to believe that my time as president is almost over. It has been a crazy year to say the least. I am very thankful for the experience and opportunity to be President. Now that we are in the fourth quarter of the year we have to start preparing for the 2022 budget. This is going to be a very difficult year to budget with the increase in everything. Unfortunately prices are likely to continue to increase and our same budget numbers will not be enough to continue the same programs. We are going to have to get even more creative and make some hard decisions. If there is ever a group that can and will make the necessary adjustments and still produce, it is our industry.
Thank you to everyone for a great year and I look forward to seeing everyone soon! Sincerely,
Jason Barrington Running for Executive Board 2022 There are TWO Board of Director Seats Open for 2022. If you are interested in running, please contact the office or a current Board Member. We would love to have you! Running for President:
Sitting in the Past President’s chair: Jason Barrington
Chris Ortmeier I am running for the position of President for the STGCSA Board of Directors and am very excited for this opportunity to give back to the association. I look forward to this great opportunity to serve.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President in 2021. It was my pleasure.
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Candidates for STGCSA Board of Directors - 2022 2019 Running for Vice President: Allen Plagens
SECRETARY TREASURER
I am running for the position of Vice President for the STGCSA Board of Directors and am very excited for this opportunity to give back to the association. I look forward to this great opportunity to serve.
(Must be Class A) If you are interested in running, please contact the office or a current Board Member. We would love to have you!
Returning Board of Director: Jeremy Lewis
BOARD OF DIRECTOR If you are interested in running, please contact the office or a current Board Member. We would love to have you!
I would like to serve on the Board of Directors to support and represent our association, as well as promote the growth of South Texas GCSA.
Returning Board of Director: Kyle Brown
Running for Board of Director: Chris Teafatiller
I look forward to working with all members of the association in providing camaraderie and education for STGCSA.
I sincerely enjoy giving back to an organization that has done so much for me and my career.
Returning Affiliate Board Member:
Returning Board of Director: Tim Huber, CGCS
Brandon Cole 2022 marks my 23rd year with STGCSA and 13 years on the Board of Directors. I'm so proud to serve this great organization and represent our affiliate members! Thank you for your support and I look forward to continuing to serve STGCSA.
I am happy to serve on the STGCSA Board of Directors. I look forward to getting to know more of the South Texas chapter members and helping represent our profession to those outside of it.
Returning Affiliate Board Member:
Running for Affiliate Board Member: Mark Baughman
Dale Bowman
I would love to serve on the board to give me time and a way to work with our customers and business friends.
It's truly been a pleasure being an affiliate representative on the STGCSA Board. Would be glad to continue on the board of STGCSA and continue to be a part of this fine organization.
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Candidates for STGCSA Board of Directors - 2022 Returning Assistant Superintendent Board of Director: Kevin Bednarik The opportunity of being on the board would allow me to further my knowledge in this profession, as well as give me a better understanding of how chapters are managed. I feel that Assistant Superintendents make up a portion of the South Texas GCSAA, and being on the board would help me represent them in this chapter.
We’re looking for an Assistant Superintendent to serve on our Board of Directors in 2023! If you are a Superintendent and would like to nominate your assistant, please email Carrie Cole at stgcsa@stgcsa.org
Welcome New/Returning Members!!!! Richard Pavlasek, CGCS - Superintendent @ Chambers Creek
Andra Ellis - Outside Sales @ Riley Fuzzel Farm Jay Haffner - Sales Manager @ Brookside USA
We welcome you to the Association!!!! 4
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Member News Do you have any news to share such as: A Job Promotion? Hosting a Major Tournament? Moving Jobs? Getting Married? Birth Announcements? Etc.?
Please email Carrie Cole at stgcsa@stgcsa.org so we can share the latest news and get to know our fellow members!
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Description: Dr. Bowling will share an overview of select data and updates from the Resist Poa project to date including new maps of populations with suspected herbicide resistance, an update on Texas herbicide screens, important information on poa emergence patterns that may impact preemergence herbicide recommendations, and some additional summaries of published integrated weed management work led by multiple institutions. Superintendents will have a better sense of the extent of herbicide resistance in Poa annua populations, and tips for how they can modify their program in real time based on the latest research being published from this project. GCSAA Education Points will be available! Format: TBA - STGCSA will select the teams SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Registration 9:00am - 10:00am Meeting 10:00am - 11:30am Lunch 11:30am - 12:30pm Golf 12:30pm Shotgun Start Scoring & Awards 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Donate a NEW Toy and Receive 2 Mulligans!! -orBring $20 and Receive 2 Mulligans
Click Here to Register 7
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The Trends Shaping The Golf Industry Outlook For 2022 by: Team Linchpin 1. The Impact of COVID-19 on Golf Even with a range of safety precautions, no ball washer, closed clubhouse, rakes in sand traps, golf is one of the sports best positioned to weather the COVID-19 pandemic through social distancing norms. With less competition for outdoor activities, the pandemic has provided golf with an opportunity to attract new participants. The golf industry cannot say whether the increased demand during the pandemic will continue due to other factors such as the recession and the costs of installing safety procedures on revenue. However, the golf industry may be able to capitalize on the increasing interest from new golfers once a vaccine is developed, safety protocol is lifted, and economic conditions improve. This may also translate to increased television audiences. Golf has experienced increased viewership during the pandemic, and many new players may be looking to events to better understand the game. Along with a greater social media presence, this provides golf with an opportunity to expand its base. 2. Changing Membership Fees As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying recession, the disposable income of many everyday golfers has gone down. This has caused many clubs to rethink their membership fees and lower their prices for playing around. While demand has experienced a sharp increase, for now, there is no way to predict how demand will look months from now. If the recession is prolonged, some country clubs may see a substantial decrease in revenue, forcing them to consider shutting down. 3. Quicker Events and Courses One of the more noticeable trends in golf is that there is a bigger push to move to short events, playing only 9 holes instead of a full round. More people are being drawn to shorter courses and the opportunity to play fewer holes because of work and family requirements. This allows golfers to get onto the course quicker, and shorter courses are increasing in popularity. Golfers can expect more 6 and 9 hole courses to complement the traditional golf courses. Golfing legend, Gary Player, said in an HSBC report that golfing community would have to come up with ways to play that do not take as long as a complete round for golf to grow. He thinks this will make it more accessible to the everyday golfer and will give a chance for designers to build courses that appeal to broader segments of the population. 4. Younger and Female Golfers Around a third of all golfers in the U.S. are now millennials, which could be a shock to the golfing community given its clear appeal for the middle-aged and older crowds. Younger golfers like Rory Mcllroy are proving the stereotype that golf is a sport for the older segments of the population wrong. In 2019, over 14 million millennials indicated that they would be interested in playing a game of golf this year. However, this noteworthy trend will impact other aspects of golf and trends around eating and the use of technology in the game. As will be discussed in further detail in this article, millennials and generation z are starting to influence the food and beverages offered at the local course and have been the biggest fans of the use of technology to improve the golfing experience. (continued on next page) 8
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Additionally, the younger population’s increased presence has influenced the menus of local clubs, guiding them towards healthier alternatives. In combination with the fact that the older population has also grown more healthconscious, clubs can expect higher demand for healthier options. Another noteworthy demographic shift is the increasing interest in golf from women. In 2019, women were about a quarter of all golfers, and surveys found that their presence in the key beginners and juniors segments of golfers has grown as well. They are especially interested in off-course golf experiences, including golfing ranges, comprising up to 40% of all off-course golfers. This bodes well for the future of golf and the vision to become a more inclusive sport enjoyed by all. It will also provide more business opportunities as chances to appeal to the female demographics in golfing equipment and fashion can be expected to increase in 2022. 5. More Technology in Golf Like many other sports, technology is reshaping the sport of golf and offering opportunities for golfers to improve their game. The effects of technology on golf can be seen in the design of the golf clubs, the use of global positioning system devices for measuring the distance to the hole, and swing analysis which can correct errors in the swing. Robogolfpro is a training system that allows golfers to correct their swing and work on their ideal swing. This appeals especially to younger segments of the population who are more acquainted with data analytics and swing technology. It records measurements such as impact, distance, direction, curvature, and clubhead speed.
Depending on the golfer’s flexibility, it will direct them on how to achieve the perfect swing and allows the user to compare it to their current swing. Every subsequent swing will be analyzed against the perfect swing so that the golfer’s muscle memory is built towards achieving the best possible swing. Self-driving push carts carrying bags and clubs have become more popular, which has improved the social aspect of the experience. Club Car’s Tempo Walk is becoming more widely popular since its release in 2019, and golfers can expect to see more of them in 2022. It has a sensor that attaches to the golfer’s belt buckle allowing the bag to track their movements and follow them. While it has only been leased to clubs more recently, we can expect more individuals to possess them in the coming year. 6. Healthier Food Options at Resorts and Clubs Society has experienced changes in food preferences towards healthier choices and away from traditional options. Clubs and resorts have adapted vegan options, along with cocktail options and craft beers, to adapt to changing tastes. Considering these changes has helped to attract younger millennials, generation z, and others seeking to adopt healthier diets. 7. Changes in Fashion Trends New fashion trends will provide both aesthetic and functional appeal for golfers in 2022. Because stance and alignment are critical elements of golf, clothing is being developed that is specialized to help improve the alignment of the spine and neck to maximize their game.
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8. More Media Coverage and Social Media Outreach Social media and media coverage are essential parts of golf’s strategy to reach out to more segments of the population, especially the younger crowd. Given that over 60% of millennials are active Instagram users, the sport of golf will be looking to reach this crowd by providing more coverage of tournaments and more highlights of amazing shots. In 2019, PGA Tour Golf covered about 900 hours of live PGA tour golf, and while the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on 2022 expectations, golfers can expect the overall trend of increased coverage of tournaments and an increased social media presence to continue in the coming years. Whether it is Instagram, Tik Tok, or Facebook, the PGA is seeking to cultivate the younger members of the population into the next generation of golfers.
9. Growing Golf Markets in India and China India and China are two of the world’s largest emerging golf markets. The golf industry in Asia has taken off with rising income and more visitors. India and China, which already attract large numbers of tourists seen the need to serve increasing numbers of members in their countries. While COVID-19 has negatively impacted visitors to these countries in 2022, it is likely that more tournaments and events will be held in Asian countries as interest in the sport grows. This means that golfers can expect more Asian golf brands to expand into the world golf equipment and fashion market. Additionally, it is possible that the next upcoming golf star will be a young Asian golfer. 10. Increasing Attention to Environmental Impact HSBC’s report has highlighted that the golfing community is looking to become a model in areas such as water management, conservation, and biodiversity. Additionally, the concept of carbon positive courses is expected to gain more traction. Given that the younger population is more conscious of the dangers of climate change and many are already starting to see its impacts, there will be pressure on clubs and the PGA to manage their properties in ways that minimize environmental impact. Golf Industry Stats and Growth Projections in 2022 - Here are ten statistics that are relevant to golf’s future trajectory:
- 441 million rounds of golf were played in 2019 - 24.3 million people played on-course golf in 2019 - 41 percent of Americans supported their states allowing the reopening of golf courses during the COVID-19 pandemic - Between April 23 and May 5, 2021, the number of rounds sold online at public courses that were open was up 60% from the previous year - 14 million millennials are interested in playing a game of on-course golf - Women are 40% of off-course golfers - In 2019, 900 hours of PGA Tour golf were covered by media. - The average price of a round of golf costs $35 - Juniors (6-17) and young adults (18-34) make up about 35% of all on-course golfers - 75% of U.S. golf facilities are open to all players
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Congratulations to our members who represented South Texas GCSA at the Texas Trophy and brought home the WIN for the 6th year in a row! 12
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GCSAA Field Staff Representative John Walker - South Central Region Before joining the GCSAA staff, John Walker was a superintendent, 30-year GCSAA member and past GCSAA board director. JWalker@gcsaa.org 713-557-0279 13
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The Sonny Dubose Memorial Distinguished Service Award South Texas GCSA, Inc. is seeking deserving nominations for The Sonny Dubose Memorial Distinguished Service award. Nominations will be reviewed by the South Texas GCSA, Inc. Board of Directors and the winner will be selected by a vote of the South Texas GCSA, Inc. Members who attend the Annual Meeting and Past Presidents Meeting on November 16, 2021 at The Club at Carlton Woods. Members who are unable to attend the meeting in-person will be able to vote online after the recipients are announced. Nominations can be made by any member, golf course official, or company representative. Nominations should be made in writing, including a list of reasons for the nomination, and must be submitted to the South Texas GCSA, Inc. office no later November 10, 2021. ONE nomination per member/per award. If you are nominating someone for these awards, then it should be the ONE person you believe is the MOST deserving. The winner will be presented this award at the Christmas Banquet on December 4, 2021 at Wildcat Golf Club. The Sonny Dubose Memorial Distinguished Service Award is an annual award presented to a member who has shown outstanding service and prolonged dedication to the success of the South Texas GCSA, Inc. It is named after one of the Association’s founding fathers and 3-time President. South Texas GCSA, Inc. members are encouraged to nominate their deserving peers for this award. These types of nominations are very meaningful ways for members to honor their professional colleagues. All nominees will be specially recognized by the association at the Annual Meeting and Past Presidents Meeting on November 16, 2021 at The Club at Carlton Woods. We strongly encourage all members to share this message to the appropriate personnel at their course and/or company for their consideration.
The deadline for nominations is November 10, 2021. Nominations letters may be emailed to stgcsa@stgcsa.org or mailed to the STGCSA office at P.O. Box 2443, Cypress, TX 77410-2443.
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South Texas GCSA is once again offering the: 2021 STGCSA Marian Takushi Memorial GIS Scholarship The STGCSA is sending two deserving Superintendent Members to the February 5-10, 2022 Golf Industry Show in San Diego, California. The scholarship will cover the cost of registration, round trip airfare between Houston and San Diego, 4 nights hotel stay, a $50/day stipend and registration for one ½-day seminar. The scholarship is intended to assist STGCSA Superintendent Members whose club does not normally pay for them to attend the conference, though all are welcome to apply. The applicants selected will be asked to write a short article for the March/April 2022 Tee to Green issue recapping your experience and how you benefitted from attending the conference. If you are interested in applying, please fill out the application and return to Carrie Cole at stgcsa@stgcsa.org by November 1, 2021.
Click Here to Apply
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SAVE THE DATE!!! STGCSA Christmas Party/ Scholarship Banquet Wildcat Golf Club 12000 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77045 Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 6-11pm
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Syngenta enhances GreenTrust® 365 mole cricket assurance Program now guarantees control on golf course turf through Dec. 31, 2022 GREENSBORO, NC, USA, Sept. 28, 2021 – Syngenta has extended its GreenTrust® 365 mole cricket assurance program to now guarantee control from the time of application through Dec. 31, 2022. Based on the trusted control provided by Provaunt® WDG insecticide, golf course superintendents can expect added protection on more areas of their courses when applied. If at least 80% control of mole crickets is not achieved, Syngenta will provide the appropriate products needed for retreatment. “We firmly stand behind the performance of our products. The mole cricket assurance is one of many GreenTrust 365 assurance programs from Syngenta that supports that commitment, and ensures the highest level of customer satisfaction,” explained Stephanie Schwenke, turf market manager for Syngenta. “By extending the mole cricket guarantee through the end of the year, following the second application, superintendents can be confident in the performance of Provaunt WDG.”
Mole crickets are largely present in the southeastern U.S. and affect the appearance and playability of golf courses by burrowing under the turf and feeding on roots. The best way to prevent damage is by treating fairways, tees, and roughs with Provaunt WDG in the early stages of egg hatch in May or June, then making a second application two to four weeks later. “We are now able to assure mole cricket control through the end of the year after two Provaunt WDG applications to tees, fairways and roughs,” said Lane Tredway, Ph.D., technical services manager for turf at Syngenta. “Treating the entire population across the golf course helps prevent mole crickets from re-infesting high value areas like tees and fairways later in the year. The best results are achieved with early morning applications when leaf surfaces are wet and by watering-in with ⅛ inch of water for thorough, uniform coverage.” Provaunt WDG is fast acting, can be easily sprayed on the course and does not require intrusive slit applications like other products. To qualify for the mole cricket assurance, all tees, fairways and roughs must be treated and Provaunt WDG must be purchased from a Syngenta Authorized Distributor/Retailer. To learn more, superintendents can visit GreenCastOnline.com/Assurance or contact their local territory manager. About Syngenta Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources.
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GOLF FUN FACT Florida is the state with the most golf courses with over 1,000.
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***Don’t forget to pay your Membership Dues!*** 2022 STGCSA MEMBER APPLICATION
Equipment
Looking to Buy or Sell used equipment?
2022 SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE!
Email Carrie Cole at stgcsa@stgcsa.org and include a picture, short description, asking price, & your contact information. Please let us know once it is sold!
Thank you to our 2021 Sponsors! We sincerely appreciate you supporting our Association!
CLICK HERE FOR 2022 SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
Click Here to see What’s for Sale 21
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Click Here for All Job Postings
Did you move jobs recently? If so, please contact Carrie Cole @ stgcsa@stgcsa.org so we can update your new contact information!
Get the latest information about upcoming events here!
Click Here for GCSAA Job Postings (Superintendent
Positions, Asst. Positions, Technician Positions, Affiliate/Sales Positions, Special Supt Positions, like ranches and sports fields are also listed on the website!) Please email stgcsa@stgcsa.org when positions have been filled
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THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 silver SPONSORS!!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 bronze SPONSORS!!
Thank you to our 2021 hole sponsorS!
Thank you to our 2021 DRINK sponsor! 23