North Texas GCSA Chapter Connect March 2018

Spring 2018

Volume 26 Issue 1

President’s Message As we enter into the 1st quarter of 2018 and look back on the year, it has been great so far!

We had a wonderful Annual Banquet at Bent Tree Country Club, with great food and entertainment. A big thank you goes out to NTGCSA member and Bent Tree GM Dan Burkett for making that possible. The highlights of the evening were for recognizing our award recipients, Scott Miller being named the 2017 Superintendent of the Year, and for Keith Ihms receiving the Distinguished Service Award, and Cody Crowther was the Assistant Superintendent of the Year. Kevin Carpenter once again made this evening special with his first class videos and we greatly appreciate all his work since he started making these for the banquet. It was also a great honor for the NTGCSA to award over $20,000 toward our Legacy Scholarship recipients!

On the sponsorship front, the year has started off great, with the excellent support from all levels: Platinum, Gold and Silver! We have gained a few new sponsors in most levels and our Platinum Sponsors all renewed for 2018.

The 2018 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio was once again successful and enjoyable, I personally like Texas hosting the show every three years and it was good to see a lot of our membership in attendance. The Lone Star Reception was a very fun event and a great place to catch up with our peers from all over the state. Just a reminder that if you haven’t used your free GIS pass with your membership, take advantage of this benefit in the future. The show will be in San Diego in 2019, Orlando in 2020 and back in San Antonio in 2021!

I want to promote our next few upcoming events to kickoff our golfing this spring. We actually have two April events this year, starting with Helena’s sponsored golf and meeting at Mira Vista Country Club on April 2nd. Instead of having the Bully Cup in late March, we moved it to April 23rd at Hurricane Creek this year sponsored by Harrells. Hopefully this change provides better weather and better fits our busy schedules in the spring. On May 14th, we once again will return to Sky Creek Ranch for the Stephen Best Memorial Pro/ Superintendent tournament sponsored by Professional Turf Products.

In closing, I’d like to thank Past President Mike Epps for his service and leadership in 2017. We appreciate the time and dedication to the betterment of the NTGCSA. I’d also like to thank the outgoing board members Kyle Embry, Kevin Redburn and Stan Reyford for your service. Let’s all make this another banner year for the NTGCSA. I encourage everyone to get involved with the chapter by volunteering for a committee, or writing a newsletter, and attending events and providing feedback. Thank you all for allowing me to serve this great association and chapter.

Thank you, Kirt Phillips Golf Course Superintendent

About Us North Texas Golf Course Superintendents

Network with your peers!

Join us at: Ntgcsa.org and:

Association

Board of Directors President: Kirt Philips kirt@dallascountryclub.org Vice President: Bryan Brown bryan.brown@lkpoa.org Secretary / Treasurer: Jorge Croda jorgec@southernoaksgolf.com Past President: Mike Epps mepps@miravistacountryclub.com Superintendent Directors Willie Wallace CGCS-wwallace@dentoncc.org

Balancing Innovation and Sound Agronomics

Michael Underwood CGCS-michaelu@ppoaweb.com

Sales, Contract Service, and Rental options available

Jason Wiedeman-jwiedeman@crosstimersgc.com

Call Today to See The Equipment

KD Davis CGCS-kdavid@roccdallas.com Anthony Williams CGCS

Turf Professionals Trust

anthony.williams@fourseasons.com Affiliate Directors Aaron Fox

afox@textron.com

Curt Franklin curt@gitexas.com Chapter Executive Carol Cloud ntgcsa@gmail.com 817-368-3002 5552 Plata Ln., Benbrook, TX 76126

Jeff Kadlec (210) 413-3045 Rick Kadlec (314) 744-0379

The 2018 Annual Awards Banquet was held at the beautiful Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas. Attendees were first treated to a cocktail hour hosted by 2017 NTGCSA President Mike Epps followed by a gourmet meal prepared by the excellent Bent Tree culinary staff. General Manager Dan Burkett rolled out the red carpet for his fellow NTGCSA members and the club staff provided flawless service throughout the evening.

The Awards Banquet is held each year to honor achievements by North Texas GCSA members and this evening was very special. Our 2017 Golf Champions were recognized including the Assistant Champion Cody Janssen, Match Play Champions Neil Packard and James Johnson, Vendor Champion Chuck McCaskill, and Ace January Superintendent Champion Sean Westacott.

Newsletter Article of the Year Winners were Jorge Croda for Superintendent Article and Curt Franklin for Affiliate Article of the Year. These awards came with a very nice $250 prize! So sharpen those pencils and send us your article for 2018 and you might be enjoying some nice cashola!

A.C. and Garry Bearden Superintendent of the Year Winner Scott Miller CGCS Left - Scott and Fiancé Jamie celebrating a big night Right - Scott and his family

2018 Distinguished Service Award Honoree Keith Ihms CGCS Left - Keith and his family Right - L to R Brian Cloud Keith Ihms CGCS and NTGCSA President Mike Epps Aaron Fox presented the chapter with a $1,550 donation courtesy of Cushman’s Growing Green Campaign. This program gives back to chapters based on member’s purchases. Cody Crowther of Dallas National Golf Club was awarded the first Assistant Superintendent of the Year Award for his hard work and dedicated.

Scott Miller CGCS of Gleneagles Country Club was awarded the A. C. and Garry Bearden Superintendent of the Year. Scott managed a renovation project at Gleneagles to rave reviews from his members.

Assistant Superintendent of the Year Cody Crowther of Dallas National (Center)

Keith Ihms CGCS of Bella Vista in Arkansas was awarded the 2018 Distinguished Service Award. Keith was a very active member of the NTGCSA in the 1990s and helped create many initiatives and programs that exist today. Keith has also served on the board and as President of the GCSAA.

Marian Fluhr Takushi June 1, 1963 – February 9, 2018 The North Texas GCSA shares in the mourning for the passing of the longtime Executive Director of the South Texas GCSA and Lone Star GCSA, Marian Takushi. Marian passed

away peacefully on February 9 and our prayers go out to her husband Jerry and son Blake. She will be missed by many throughout the golf industry in Texas.

Below is a very thoughtful tribute written by South Texas GCSA President Kyle Brown: Marian Takushi began her career with STGCSA about 15 years ago. Married to Jerry Takushi, a Superintendent, she had a good understanding of the needs of our association and the “Mothering” it sometimes takes to keep us going in the right direction.

Under Marian’s direction several new advertising programs were put into place allowing vendors and affiliates to have a bigger part in the association while putting STGCSA in a healthy place financially. She was great at coordinating events and was usually the first smiling face at the registration table and truly was the heartbeat who kept our events and association running smoothly.

After taking over the Executive Director position for Lone Star GCSA, similar results were obtained. These positive financial results allowed STGCSA and LSGCSA to donate more money to research at major Texas universities that ultimately will benefit our profession. Let’s not forget the famous Lone Star Reception at GIS that she organized each year. What a party that always was, with the biggest and best happening a few weeks ago in San Antonio.

Above and beyond STGCSA, Marian’s true passion was her and Jerry’s son Blake who is now attending her alma matter, The University of Texas. Blake grew up in front of many members eyes through the pictures Marian loved showing off and the many stories of his baseball exploits. Being the good Aggie that I am I remember throwing a ut barb out to Blake at the scholarship banquet last year and quickly getting chided by her. She was not taking any of that nonsense, especially when it came to her son.

She had the uncanny ability to be loving and tell it like it is all at the same time. Marian was a pleasure to know and work with and as Blake said, we may be able to fill the Executive Director position, but we will never be able to replace Marian. From all of us who had the joy of knowing you, Good-bye Marian and may your soul rest in peace.

Kyle Brown - STGCSA President

Legacy Scholarship Thank You Letters Thank you for the generous support from you all at the NTGCSA! Since receiving the scholarship, I have been able to pay the remainder of my tuition and fees for my second semester of my Junior year at Texas Women’s University. I am so excited to finish my degree and serve the community as you all have done for others. Thank you for being a beautiful example of generosity and compassion.

Much love and thanks, Rachael Herrera

I am sincerely honored to have been selected as the recipient of the $1,000 Legacy Scholarship. Thank you for your generosity, which has allowed me to continue my education towards a degree in Engineering. Thank you again for your investment in me.

Sincerely, Ethan Doyle

Thank you so much for giving me the scholarship. I really appreciate it and it will help tremendously!

From, Halle Tielkemeier

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay. More importantly, thank you for selecting my essay for the Legacy scholarship. The award will help alleviate a portion of the financial burden that is attached to earning a college degree. For this, I am forever thankful.

Respectfully, Koy Keeling Thank you so very much for choosing me to be one of the scholarship recipients! I am beyond blessed and so very thankful for all of you!

You all have helped me tremendously with my schooling this semester!

Olivia Lehmann

Thank you so much for the amazing scholarship! I feel truly blessed to have been selected by the NTGCSA for this honor! It is hard to believe the costs of school, textbooks, and class supplies! Your generous financial support is appreciated and is being put to good use.

Additionally, thank you for the evening at the NTGCSA Banquet! It made me very happy to see old family friends and meet many of your members that are associated through work with my Dad. I hear so much about the business and it was a wonderful evening meeting new people and putting faces with names that I have heard over the years! Throughout the evening, everyone was so nice and welcoming, from the time I arrived through my “crash course education” at the Texas Hold ‘Em table!

I have been blessed in so many ways. My parents have been extremely supportive of my decision to pursue my education at John Hopkins University in Baltimore and through generous gifts from Associations like yours, I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders through the help with the financial burden. I promise to make the most of the opportunity that my parents and the NTGCSA have made possible!

Please accept my apology for not sending this note sooner; I have been going nonstop “up here in the North”. I am currently overloading at 20.5 credits this semester while pursuing my two majors of Biomedical Engineering with a Cell/Tissue Engineering focus, and East Asian Studies with a focus on Japanese and the History of Science and Technology. I am also continuing my participation on the Johns Hopkins Quidditch Club, Hopkins Woman’s Rugby Team, volunteering at the hospital with SHARE, and am looking into the Hopkins Marksmanship Team, but I promise that academics are priority number one! I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I love the material and I am excited about where the academic career paths may take me! On another note, I am very pleased to announce, that I have been selected for a highly competitive internship in Japan this summer! I will be teaching English and getting real world experience practicing my new Japanese language skills. I am so excited!

Again, thank you so much for your support and generosity! You have a wonderful organization with amazing members. It was so nice to meet many of you at the banquet! Your thoughtfulness means so much to me.

Sincerely, Margaret “Maggie” Jukes

Thank you BWI and to our great speakers for a terrific day of education at Dallas Country Club. If you weren’t able to join us, you missed out on these great speakers as well as TDA and GCSA Continuing Education Points. NTGCSA President Kirt Phillips was our host and Dallas Country Club was a fantastic venue for our education event.

NTGCSA President Kirt Phillips (L) and Colby Johnson of BWI

Gary Brooks Bayer

Laura Miller AgriLife Extension Agent

Emmett Muennink Arborjet, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist

Check out all of the photos from our great day: Click Here

The North Texas GCSA is excited to announce that we will be visiting the beautiful Mira Vista Golf Club in Fort Worth in early April. Past President Mike Epps and his staff have graciously invited the chapter and will certainly have the golf course in great condition for a fun day of competition. Helena Chemical is our Platinum Sponsor and will be our education provider that will deliver useful and practical information.

About the Sponsor - Helena

SCHEDULE 9:00 Registration 10:00 Education 11:30 Lunch 12:30 Golf

Founded in 1957, Helena Chemical Company has grown to be one of the nation’s foremost agricultural and specialty formulators and distributors in the United States. Products and services of$60.00 per person fered include Crop Protection Products, Fertilizer and Fertilizer Application Services, Specialized Nutrients, Seed and Seed Treatments, Financial Services, and Precision Ag Services and Software. Helena also offers its own line of products – Adjuvants, Bioscience, Branded Fertilizers, Nutritionals, Seed Treatments and Value-Added Products – through the Helena Products Group (HPG).

The theme of People…Products…Knowledge… pervades all levels of the company, with customer success as the goal and ultimate end result.

Speakers

Click here to register

Brad Shaver – Helena Chemical Topic: Biostimulants and Phytohormones in Turfgrass Management Programs This talk will explore various categories of Biostimulants, how they help the plant respond to stress and how these products can be used in an integrated management program.

Rick Blasi – Helena Chemical Topic – Maintaining Optimum Turf Growth and Health Plant Extracts and their impact on Turf. Covering Renova, Viva , and Utilize, three unique products from Helena.

Tegtmeier and Croda take home Superintendent of the Year award Jorge Croda, CGCS, and Rick Tegtmeier, CGCS MG, come from two vastly different worlds.

Tegtmeier grew up in the Norman Rockwell-esque Midwest, while Croda left his native Mexico to make a better life for himself and his family.

Due to a first-time tie in the judges' scoring, both were named 2017 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year in a presentation in the Syngenta booth at GIS. 2017 was the tenth year of award sponsorship by Syngenta.

Though their stories are forever intertwined, the circumstances that brought Croda and Tegtmeier together couldn't be more different.

Tegtmeier, director of grounds at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa, was recognized not just for staging a virtually flawless venue for the 2017 Solheim Cup. He also won acclaim for the four years of hard work and preparation leading up to the event and, most importantly, how he used the event to help others, including fellow superintendents throughout Iowa and colleagues around the country who had once worked for or with Tegtmeier.

Croda, superintendent at Southern Oaks Golf Club in Burleson, Texas, has a reputation that is more grass-roots.

He has been applauded by Southern Oaks members for the manner in which he revived their course. Once an "eyesore" and an "embarrassment" as well as a threat to home values, according to some of the members there, the course now is rated by some among the best courses in the Fort Worth area.

"Jorge Croda is exceptional in possessing all of the talents required. Recently, I marveled at the quality of product he creates as I 'secret shopped' 20 golf courses in the Dallas metroplex. His facility was clearly the finest," wrote industrial strategist and marketing guru J.J. Keegan.

But it wasn't always that way.

"The change from where it was then to where it is today speaks to Mr. Croda's dedication and passion in forming a team that was committed to excellence based on fulfilling the vision of a new owner."

Croda and Tegtmeier were chosen from a field of finalists that also included Mark Hoban of Rivermont Golf Club in Johns Creek, Georgia, Chris Ortmeier of the Champions Club in Houston and Josh Pope of the Old White Course at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Croda and Tegtmeier each receive a trip for two on the annual TurfNet golf trip to Ireland, courtesy of Syngenta.

Croda began rebuilding distressed golf courses in his native Mexico, and through a management company he started has had a hand in about 20 improvement projects south of the border.

Renovating golf courses represents only a slice of what Croda gives back to the community. And, it is among the least significant of his accomplishments. His passion for helping others symbolize what service is all about.

Like everything he touches, Croda's goal is to make it better, whether it is playing conditions on a golf course or the lifeskills of his employees who him produce those conditions.

"My job is to try to make people better," Croda said.

The consummate ambassador for golf, Croda speaks at chapter, state, national and international events; lobbies elected officials on behalf of the golf industry; and is active on his North Texas chapter board - all in an effort to promote the superintendent profession to those in and outside the golf industry.

Even that doesn't compare to what he does for members of his team, junior golfers and his neighbors in the Fort Worth area.

A certified First Tee coach, Croda is passionate about working to grow the game and instilling in young golfers the values the on which the game is built.

"We can make good choices, or we can make bad choices," he said. "I want to help them make good choices."

ASSISTANTS: Elevate your profile and differentiate yourself from the crowd with the new Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series (ASCS).

The Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series is composed of certificates covering key competency areas of:

Agronomy

• •

The certificates are golf-centric, available to GCSAA members and non-members, and can be • completed in any order. It is strongly recommended that an assistant superintendent has at least • two years of work experience before beginning any of the ASCS certificates. However, the certificates are available to all and not limited to assistants.

Business

Leadership and Communication Environmental Management/ BMP’s

Save the Date!

April 23 Hurricane Creek Country Club

All Time Series Record West 11 East 10 Join us for

It is Bully Cup time again in North Texas!

Texas Turfgrass Association News

THE BATTLE FOR BULLY XXII

North Texas TTA Representatives Past President Danny Smith, CPTM City of Fort Worth Golf 817-994-4559 golfdrs@yahoo.com Region 2 Representatives

Congratulations and Good Luck to the new TTA Executive Director Katie Flowers (left).

She follows TTA Legend Mrs. Shirley Duble who retired in December.

Rusty Walker, CPTM, CSFM

Raymond Miller

City of Grapevine 817-229-0416 rwalker@grapevinetexas.gov

Dow AgroSciences LLC. 813-363-9059 rcmiller2@dow.com

2018 Golf Industry Show and Education Conference a Great Success!

In February, San Antonio extended a Texas sized welcome to more than 11,700 attendees from all over the glove. The two-day trade show included 531 exhibitors covering 184,400 square feet of exhibit space at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center The GCSAA Education Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, is the largest educational conference in the turfgrass management industry. A total of 5,600 seminar seats were filled. In addition, thousands attended complimentary forums, sessions and panel discussions throughout the week. Subject matter included agronomics, business, environmental management, communications, leadership, technology, and personnel management.

The 2019 Golf Industry Show will head to San Diego, Calif., Feb. 2-7.

Matt Cowan claims second GCSAA National Championship Superintendent at the Hills Course at The Hills at Lakeway in Austin, Texas, finishes with a two-day total of 2-over-par to hold off a pair of other past champions.

On a layout he used to tend to as an assistant superintendent, Matt Cowan reaffirmed his status as the true king of Texas, at least when it comes to the GCSAA National Championship.

Cowan carded a two-day total of 2-over-par 146 to outduel two other past champions to earn the 2018 crown. Defending champion Michael Stieler, CGCS, from Spring Creek Golf and Country Club in Ripon, Calif. — also a two-time winner of the event — and three-time champion Seth Strickland from Miami (Fla.) Shores Country Club both finished at 3-over-par 147.

Congratulations Grandpa!

Robert and Pam Fleetwood welcomed granddaughter Presley Elaine Gabriel on November 9, 2017.

Looking sharp! Cortland Winkle and his much better half Haley Winkle. Big night on the town!

Daddy Chad Fisher welcomed his newborn son Richard Ryan Pierce on January 16. Congratulations Chad and Happy Diaper Duty!

Scott Fuller on the NYC Subway.

From Jay Tinsley: Proud Dad Something about “carbing up� be- moment right here! Add that to the fore a long run?? If you say so Scott. memory bank. Jakes first Ace!

2018 Annual Meeting Review

DARREN DAVIS ELECTED 2018 PRESIDENT GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Darren J. Davis, the golf course superintendent at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, Fla., has been elected to a one-year term as president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) at the association's annual meeting Feb. 8, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio.

Davis, a certified golf course superintendent (CGCS), served as vice president of the association in 2017 and has been a member of the association’s board of directors since 2012. A 28-year member of GCSAA, Davis is a past president of the Everglades GCSA and a past president of the Florida GCSA and Florida Turfgrass Association. He is currently a director with the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation. In 2004, the FGCSA honored him with its Distinguished Service Award, and in 2011 the FTGA presented Davis with the Wreath of Grass - the association’s highest award.

A native of Tallahassee, Fla., he earned a turfgrass management certificate from Penn State University in 1991. He also obtained an associate in arts degree from Tallahassee Community College in 1987 and a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2007.

“Becoming president is a privilege that I don’t take lightly,” said Davis. “I hope I am able to give the association back even a fraction of what it’s given to me.”

Other elected officers were Rafael Barajas, CGCS and director of golf course operations at Boca Grove Plantation in Boca Raton, Fla., as vice president, and John R. Fulling Jr., CGCS and grounds and facilities manager at Kalamazoo (Mich.) Country Club, as secretary/treasurer.

Board members Kevin P. Breen, CGCS and golf course superintendent at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos, Calif., and Kevin P. Sunderman, director of grounds at Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club in St. Petersburg, Fla., were elected to serve again. While T.A. Barker, CGCS and superintendent at Fore Lakes Golf Course in Taylorsville, Utah; and Jeff L. White, CGCS and superintendent at Indian Hills Country Club in Prairie Village, Kan., were newly elected to the board.

Mark F. Jordan, CGCS and natural resource leader at Westfield Group Country Club in Westfield Center, Ohio; continues his service to the board with one year remaining on his two-year term; while past president Peter J. Grass, CGCS and golf course superintendent at Hilands Golf Club in Billings, Mont., retires from board service.

In addition, delegates voted to approve 11 changes to the association’s bylaws.

National Golf Day 2018 Set for April 25 in Washington, D.C. Industry Leaders to Give Back Through National Mall Service Project

WE ARE GOLF – a coalition of the game’s leading associations and industry partners – today announces the 11th annual National Golf Day will be held Wednesday, April 25 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Steve Mona CEO of World Golf Foundation Administrator of WE ARE GOLF

National Golf Day celebrates the game’s nearly $70 billion economy (updated data available in April 2018), nearly $4 billion annual charitable impact and many environmental and fitness benefits. Industry leaders will meet with Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and federal agencies to discuss golf’s 15,000-plus diverse businesses, two million jobs impacted, tax revenue creation and tourism value.

Returning for 2018, golf industry leaders will arrive Monday, April 23 to participate in a community service initiative on the National Mall the morning of Tuesday, April 24. The project will focus on beautification, preservation and helping the National Park Service with turf deferred maintenance. More details will be available soon.

"With one in 75 U.S. jobs impacted by golf, the industry plays a significant role in stimulating our economy nationwide,” says Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation, administrator of WE ARE GOLF. “Last year, a record 2.5 million people tried golf for the first time, further cementing why it is vital to share golf’s interests with our country’s lawmakers, showcasing the game’s many economic, charitable and fitness benefits.”

In April 2017, National Golf Day was the most successful to date with a record 175 Congressional meetings scheduled in one day. Globally, the #NGD17 Twitter campaign eclipsed 72 million impressions and reached 24.3 million accounts, exceeding 12 million users in a one-hour span. More than 60 organizations from within the golf industry participated in the week’s activities.

To join the conversation, visit the WE ARE GOLF social media hub. Use #NGD18 and @wearegolf on Twitter and Instagram to show your support for the golf industry.

About WE ARE GOLF WE ARE GOLF, created in 2010, is an industry coalition that communicates the economic, charitable and environmental impact of golf, as well the health and wellness benefits of the game and the affordability and accessibility of golf, to Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and regulatory agencies. The goal of WE ARE GOLF is to ensure that laws and regulations that impact the golf industry are fair and appropriate to an industry that generates nearly $70 billion in economic impact annually, impacts close to two million American jobs and generates nearly $4 billion in charitable giving each year.

For more information, please visit www.wearegolf.org.

Click

The Rounds 4 Research program was designed to address a critical shortage in turfgrass research funding by auctioning donated rounds of golf online.

The program is administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Rounds 4 Research allows GCSAA chapters and turfgrass foundations to participate as fundraising partners with the vast majority of proceeds going back to those organizations. In this way, these organizations can direct the proceeds to specific projects that will have the most significant impact in their local areas.

The EIFG’s Rounds 4 Research is an expansion of the innovative program that was introduced by the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association. After the Carolinas GCSA realized the program’s scope had grown beyond what it could administer, it offered the program to GCSAA. As GCSAA’s philanthropic organization, the EIFG was the natural choice to oversee this exciting fundraising effort.

We are in!

The NTGCSA is proudly participating in the 2018 Rounds for Research program and encourages our members to consider donating a foursome of golf.

It’s for a great cause and will directly benefit Superintendents in the region. To donate, visit With your support, you can help us keep the future of roundsforresearch.com or contact the North Texas GCSA office at ntgcsa@gmail.com / 817-368-3002. our game green

Throwback Article

Course Etiquette – Where Has It Gone?

(ORIGINALLY PRINTED DECEMBER 2005)

by Richard Pavlasek, CGCS Brookhaven Country Club Jack Nicklaus once said that “Golf teaches us how to behave.” I’ve begun to wonder whether or not he was actually referring to the game of golf and the appropriate etiquette that goes with the game.

I’m sure that every golf course superintendent has been frustrated at least once (a day) by the lack of appropriate golf course etiquette being observed on the courses under their care. Proper golf course etiquette can cover a variety of topics including the safety of golfers, pace of play and maintaining the quality of the golf course. Of course, the first two are extremely important during the play of the game; however, to golf course superintendents the latter becomes the primary focus of every hour of every day. Superintendents are very passionate about their job and extremely dedicated to the courses entrusted to their care. We put in long hours, go above and beyond the call of duty and in general, take care of the property as if we owned the course ourselves.

This leads me to the question about course etiquette: Where has it gone and do golfers really know how to behave? I am not sure if I have the answer, but I have noticed that we are having to do more to try to combat the problem than anything else we do in our business. It seems no matter where you go to play, be it a private high-end facility or a public daily fee course, you see measures being taken to control the issues infringing upon the course. Traffic barriers like cross-timbers, railroad ties, rope and stakes along with course signage are placed throughout the course.

Attractive? No, not at all. Helpful? They can be, but only when golfers abide by the rules.

New golfers are often taught the proper etiquette or specific rules of the golf game when they are first learning the game… “Be kind to the Course” is one of the mottos they should all learn. This would apply to such issues as keeping carts away from greens and hazards, filling divots, repairing ballmarks on the green, and raking bunkers. Course maintenance is probably one of the most abused aspects of the game of golf, yet it is one of the most important elements of practicing good etiquette. Many times, I believe today’s golfer feels that they pay to play and that the maintenance staff is their to fix their problems. “I paid my dues (or green fee) and they can fix my damage.” I may be wrong about this attitude, but then why is there all the signage, barriers and newsletter articles addressing these issues out there.

It’s a common problem throughout the country and often a topic of conversation among superintendents. In addition, laziness is another culprit. We often see that someone is too lazy to walk around to the other side of a bunker to get a rake. Instead, he tries to level off the sand with his foot, or he just doesn’t do anything at all. Another shortcoming in etiquette for many players is repairing ballmarks on the green. Everyone is capable of making a ballmark, beginner to professional. Then why can’t they take the 10 seconds to reach down and properly fix the ballmark? There’s also the great debate as to whether rakes should be left in or out of the bunkers. Personally, I don’t mind where the rakes are placed just so long as golfers rake the bunkers properly when they exit.

Now, we realize that all golfers don’t go about playing the game in the same way and following the understood etiquette of the game. Some are proactive and will consistently follow the rules, fix their divots, rake the bunkers, keep the carts on the paths where appropriate and then there are those that are reactive, only follow the rules when someone points it out to them or when they are playing with someone that is observing proper etiquette.

The game of golf is still the same. Technology and course conditioning has changed, but the same principle still exists and that is for the golfer to go out and enjoy the game, both for leisure or competition. The game becomes less fun when you go out and find less than desirable conditions because your fellow player has not taken the game seriously following the proper behavior of good course etiquette. Maybe the golfers of tomorrow will appreciate what they have and rekindle the spirit of the game.

Regardless of the type of golfer you have playing on your courses, we as superindents remain passionate about the maintenance of our courses. I don’t have answers to whether or not the golfers know how to behave … but what I do know is that we have to continue to be creative and inventive to keep reminding (subtly or not so subtly) golfers the best way to behave on each of our courses. In the end, we all want good golf course conditions for our pleasure and enjoyment when we play the game.