Lone Star Links

Fall 2018

Lone Star Links Fall 2018 The Official Publication of the Lone Star Golf Course Superintendents Association

RESCHEDULED! Details and Registration on page 6 and at LSGCSA.org

Lone Star Luncheon at Texas Turfgrass Education Conference Wednesday December 12

Save the Dates

Lone Star Reception at Golf Industry Show San Diego, CA Wednesday February 12

President’s Message I hope this message finds you well on the way to recovering after what seems, literally, “a wash out” of a month for most of Texas in September. As you are all aware, we had to reschedule the Texas Trophy due to almost annual amounts of rainfall in just the month of September. Corpus Christi Country club alone received over 20in of rain!!. Yikes, I hope they and all the others who faced this kind of natural phenomenon are well on the way to recovering their courses and getting them back into shape for the fall golf season. Yes, I know you West Texas guys are wishing for just a smidgen more rain, and I am sure you’ll get it at some point, but as is always the case in the great State of Texas, it’s a feast or famine scenario. Careful what you wish for. I know I am looking forward to the rescheduled date for of October 28th to October 30th for our 33rd annual Texas Trophy and a break from the mayhem of September. I have watched over the last month as many of the Golf Maintenance Staff have toiled and fought mother nature in almost hand to hand combat. Rain has washed out bunkers, flooded maintenance barns and caused untold amounts of mess and damage, yet, our maintenance crews have pushed the sand again and again, shown up to work to face flood clean up and grueling hours of physical labor and hard work. Considering all the hard work that our Maintenance Teams have done and continue to do, I would like to recognize on behalf of all the Lonestar Superintendent Members everyone one of them for all they have done to make the courses we are entrusted to maintain, as good as they can be. Thank-you!!! We have all been there at some point in our careers, and boys its heartbreaking to go through the washout, floods and other disasters we have been dealt with. Yet we persevere, and we hang in there and get it done. I would like to encourage all our Superintendent Members to please take a moment and personally thank each and every one of your team members for their personal efforts and hard work. Get together with them and do a barbeque, pizzas party or a pot luck cook-off. Anything will help them feel appreciated. With the festive season bearing down on us in November and December, there is no better time to start than the month of October. I personally look forward to seeing you all at the Texas Trophy in Corpus Christi. May the West Texas guys get the rain they so desperately need, and may the rest of Texas just dry out a little so we can do what we do best and prepare our golf courses for the next Golfing member, guest or visitor. Have a blessed day. God bless, take care and have a great day.

Jake Snyman LSGCSA President Lone Star Board Of Directors 2018 North Texas

South Texas

Central Texas

West Texas

Texas Gulf Coast

Mike Epps

Cody Spivey

Ken Gorzycki

James Stow

Tem Miller

Jeff Hansen

Jason Barrington

Craig Felton

Scott Robertson

Joe Todaro

Terry Gill

Jacob Snyman

Pete Ledezma

Email lsgcsa@lsgcsa.org to request contact information for any Board Member

SOUTH CENTRAL GCSA EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS SUMMIT On August 15 and August 16, we had the privilege of having almost all of the Executive Directors from the South Central Region meet in Dallas, TX, at the Four Seasons Resort at Las Colinas for a summit meeting to educate, inform, and discuss the ingredients necessary for successful chapter management. Darlene Curlee, 18 years with the Texas Gulf Coast GCSA, Mary Beth Rogers, 15 years John Walker with the Arkansas GCSA and Arkansas Turfgrass Association, Carol Cloud, 5 years GCSAA South Central with North Texas, Central Texas, Rio Grande, Lone Star GCSA's and Southwest Field Staff Representative Turfgrass Association and Texas Sports Turf Association, Cindy Herridge, 2 years with the West Texas GCSA, Katie Flowers, 9 months with the Texas Turfgrass Association and Carrie Cole, 3 months with the South Texas GCSA were all present for this meeting. Dawn Coleman with Oklahoma GCSA had a last minute family emergency and was unable to attend. Steve Randall from GCSA was also present to facilitate this meeting. We met for dinner on Wednesday night so that all could get acquainted and great conversations and discussions started immediately. We convened the next morning at 7:30 a.m. to get the day started so the ladies could leave at a decent hour to get back home on Thursday night. The morning started with a presentation from our gracious host, Anthony Williams, CGCS, and two of his assistants on his 25 -plus years perspective as a chapter leader in Georgia and now Texas. Steve Randall then presented some data on current memberships with GCSAA and the current GCSAA initiatives that are ongoing like the State BMP project, Grassroots Ambassadors, and Rounds 4 Research. Steve also showed the ladies the resources that are available on the website that will help them manage their chapters. This presentation created a great discussion among the ladies as they spoke about how they use the website to help them with their jobs. We broke for lunch and had some photo opportunities at the Byron Nelson statue and were joined by the Greens Committee Chairman and the General Manger of the Four Seasons Resort. We reconvened after lunch to discuss Board Orientation, Board service and expectations and succession plans for each chapter. This round table discussion was extremely productive for the entire group and led to the ladies deciding to create a Facebook page and group text so that they can stay in constant communication throughout the year. This meeting was very appreciated by the entire group and discussions have already started on when to meet again. I would like to thank everyone for their participation and a special thanks to Steve Randall for traveling to Dallas, and Anthony Williams, CGCS for helping me with the hotel, meeting room, and especially all of the meals. This was a great event and I feel that all of our regions should consider a similar event for their area.

Chapter Page

Northshore Meeting Thank you to Kevin Girt for hosting our August meeting. We had an excellent turnout of superintendents and assistants, including two new superintendent members, Brian Woolard and Justin Kolb. Two new affiliate members in attendance were Daniel McCann with Redox and Seth Logan with Horizon Distributors. A big welcome to these new members!! A big thanks to Ric Martinez and PMTService for sponsoring this meeting. We really appreciate your support.

The Joys of Country Living Jim and I love living in the Hill Country and in particular, Blanco County. Last summer we found our ideal home, in the country with a few acres. It’s perfect and we love it. The chickens even came with the purchase. Getting fresh eggs is wonderful. I’ve never had chickens before and I am enjoying the experience. Things have been going great, never any run-ins with the native wildlife until late July. One morning I went to collect eggs early and got the surprise of my life. I opened the door to the chicken nest boxes and there was this huge snake. It scared the bejesus out of me. I screamed, kept backing up and then took off running for the house to get Jim. Neither one of us likes snakes. I’m just scared of all of them. This poor guy though, he was a rat snake, just waiting for some eggs. I’m wondering how many eggs he stole over the months before we caught him. I have learned to be a lot more cautious and typically have my boots on. This experience hasn’t lessened my love of the country, just made me a bit wiser. —Darlene

Schedule of Events 2018 October 9 - Oso Beach Golf Course, Corpus Christi October 28-30 - Lone Star Texas Trophy - Corpus Christi CC November 13 - Annual Meeting - Victoria Country Club

RAIN BIRD, JOHN DEERE AND GOLFDOM TO BRING 2019 UNDERDOGS OF TURF CALENDAR TO THE MASSES (Image courtesy of Rain Bird) There’s no telling if all dogs really go to Heaven, but all golf course dogs are welcomed in the pages of the 2019 Underdogs of Turf calendar. Presented by Rain Bird, John Deere and Golfdom, the Underdogs of Turf calendar is the brainchild of Kasey Kauff, director of grounds at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas. Kauff’s vision was to create a calendar for the industry that pictured dozens of dogs on each page rather than one dog per month. Last year’s calendar accomplished that and celebrated more than 150 dogs (and one rabbit) in its pages. The 2018 Underdogs of Turf calendar was Kauff’s first attempt at a calendar. That calendar was sponsored by Rain Bird and handed out for free at the Golf Industry Show and mailed to Rain Bird’s new Twitter followers. Approximately 2,500 calendars were printed. Thanks to this new partnership, the underdogs become big dogs. The calendar will be distributed across the industry alongside the December issue of Golfdom. The Underdogs will now grow to 22,000 calendars strong, mailed to all 50 states. “The Underdogs calendar was a labor of love last year. I had no idea it would be such a subject of joy to others,” Kauff says. “With that, I’ve partnered with Golfdom to get the calendar out to as many people as possible. Also, this wouldn’t happen without the sponsorship of John Deere and Rain Bird. I can’t wait to see this calendar continue to grow.” Golf industry professionals have until October 15th to submit pictures of their pooches. To submit a photo, visit golfdom.com/underdogs. One lucky dog will be randomly selected on Facebook Live to be the 2019 cover model. The winning dog will be professionally photographed for the calendar. “We are so excited that Rain Bird, John Deere and Golfdom are partnering for the Underdogs of Turf calendar for 2019,” says Matt Corentin, global technological sales manager, Rain Bird Golf. “The calendar was so much fun last year that our dog Bella still barks about it! She is a big part of our family and since Rain Bird is a family-owned company, being a part of this calendar with Kasey was just a perfect fit. We’re proud to be a part of it again and to be working with such great industry partners.” “John Deere believes in the underdogs, and we love Kasey’s vision of expanding the limelight to include more of our furry friends,” says Ren Wilkes, marketing manager, John Deere Golf. “Our dogs provide so much support to us on and off the course, so we’re excited to partner with Rainbird and Golfdom to celebrate these important crew members.”

The 33rd Annual Texas Trophy has been rescheduled for October 28 - 30 Additional registrations are being accepted Tournament Information

Schedule

Tournament includes three days of golf and food.

Sunday, October 28

Daily Proximities: Long Drive & Closest to Hole Cash Awards

Welcome and Registration 10:00 - 11:30 LUNCH PROVIDED

National GCSAA Entry Fee Paid for the Top 3 Gross and Top 2 Net Eligible Individual Finishers in the 2-day Texas Trophy Event Individual Tournament Gifts

Individual and Team Championships are On the Line Chapter Teams Take part in the Long Drive Contest 9 Hole Putting Contest You must be a member of Lone Star GCSA to play in the Texas Trophy

Lone Star Texas Trophy Mixer 12:00 pm - Shot Gun Start Two-Man Best Ball Pick Your Partner Event Cash Payouts – Gross and Net Following Mixer: Long-Drive Championship $500 Contribution to Winning Chapter Drinks available during Long Drive 9-Hole Putting Contest Food Sponsor: AmeriTurf

6300 Everhart Road Corpus Christi TX 78413

Remember....If you are playing in the Sunday Mixer both partner's must register. Monday, October 29 10:30 – 11:30 Registration 12:30 pm – Shot Gun Start Day 1 - Lone Star Texas Trophy (2-Day Stroke Play Event) Flighted - Gross and Net Divisions Dinner and Awards: 6:00 - 9:00 Sponsored by: WinField

Tuesday, October 30 7:30 am – Shot Gun Start Day 2 – Lone Star Texas Trophy Lunch and Awards Following Play

Entry fee per person: $235 for 3-day event $190 for 2-day event $145 for 1 day

Entry Deadline : Thursday October 25 CLICK HERE to Register GET YOUR PUTTERS READY! This year we are adding a 9-hole Putting Contest following the Long Drive Contest.

Sponsorships Still Available! Check out page 13 Or at LSGCSA.org Call the LSGCSA office if you have questions ro to sign up!

$75 GCSAA Gift Certificate and a chance to win a 2019 Golf Industry Show full-pack registration with a free 5-night hotel stay in San Diego. It can all be yours just for sharing your experience as a GCSAA member and getting a peer to join.

Click here for more information

Take the Critical Legislative and Regulatory Issues Survey by Oct. 19 The GCSAA Government Affairs Committee invites you to voice your opinion on government issues impacting your facility and job. The committee is developing the 2019-2020 Priority Issues Agenda (PIA), which outlines legislative and regulatory priorities for GCSAA — those issues that are likely to require the greatest amount of association resources and staff time. The GCSAA Board of Directors will approve the PIA in early December at the winter board meeting. Please take a few minutes to complete three short questions. Individual survey results and comments will be kept strictly confidential. The survey deadline is Oct. 19. GCSAA works tirelessly to advocate on behalf of the golf course management profession, which has resulted in securing legislative victories and regulatory relief for golf properties. That will continue with your help. Thank you in advance for your participation in this important project. If you have questions, please contact Chava McKeel, director, government affairs, at 800-472-7878, ext. 3619. Click here to take the survey

Chapter Page

Chapter Champions Crowned! Aaron Clary fired a 1 over par 73 to capture the 2018 Central Texas GCSA Chapter Championship. Our affiliate Champion for the day was Dale Miller who battled the heat and carded a 2 over par 74. Overall we had a great Day at FalconHead GC! Thank you to Ameriturf for sponsoring this event and thank you to our host Halsey Hammond for getting the course in such fantastic shape for our event. Check Out All The Pictures From the Event

Aaron Clary (Left) Superintendent Champion

Dale Miller (Right) Affiiliate Champion

Save the Dates! Annual Conference and Trade Show

December 11 - 13 San Antonio Details Coming Soon

Texas Turfgrass Association Fall Magazine Issue Now Available texasturf.com

Chapter Page

ANTHONY WILLIAMS WINS GCSAA GAL AWARD Golf course superintendent honored for advocacy efforts, advancement of association priority issues and congressional outreach Anthony Williams, certified golf course superintendent and director of Golf and Landscape Operations at TPC Four Seasons Dallas at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, and Nick Janovich, superintendent at Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, W.Va., have been named Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award winners from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award, presented quarterly in partnership with The Toro Co., recognizes and honors individuals who have demonstrated growth in advocacy and advancement of the GCSAA Priority Issues Agenda through congressional outreach and relationship development with a member of Congress. Through Toro, the winners will receive a trip to take part in the 2019 National Golf Day in Washington, D.C.

DID YOU KNOW? Did you know we are always looking for content for our newsletter? All members are welcome to submit articles for our newsletter! Articles must be in by the 20th of the month prior to publication. Articles cannot advertise a specific company, but can certainly link to a company if it pertains to the article. Did you know you can always send in an ad for a separate issue with coupons or monthly specials listed in the ad? It can be in addition to your “regular” ad or “substituted” for your regular ad!

“On the surface we were total opposites,” Williams said. “However, when we met in his district office we found that our sense of community was shared and more powerful than our differences. We became friends. Anything is possible if you stop and find common ground.” After taking a break from the program due to health issues and moving to Texas, Williams is now matched with Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-TX).

July in North Texas means family fun for the members of the NTGCSA who get together to take a much deserved break from the scorching Texas summer. Our turnout was great and thank you to all who participated to make it a great event. This year, kids of all ages enjoyed great food, terrific prizes, and…… “inspired” golf.

2018 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS October - Annual Meeting October 11, Shady Valley CC Sponsored by Turf Materials November - Scholarship Tournament November 13 Four Seasons Resort, Irving TX December - Crew Championship Date and Site TBD

Chapter Page WTGCSA 32ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW OCTOBER 29-31, 2018 LUBBOCK MEMORIAL CIVIC CENTER MONDAY:

GOLF SCRAMBLE @ Lubbock Country Club $60 (includes all-you-can-eat pizza lunch) BBQ Dinner & Trade Show Open 6:30-9:00 PM @ Civic Center

TUESDAY:

CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW @ Lubbock Civic Center 8AM-5PM Turfgrass Sessions (CEUs) & Trade Show Silent Auction

WEDNESDAY:

CONFERENCE @Lubbock Civic Center 8AM-5:00PM Irrigation Sessions (CEUs) & Vendor Tables

HOST HOTEL:

MCM ELEGANTE (806) 763-1200 $90.00 Complimentary Hot Breakfast & WiFi Within walking distance of Civic Center REGISTRATION INFORMATION LINK

The conference will start on Monday, October 29 with a fun day. There will be a scramble at Lubbock Country Club with host superintendent Spencer Hill. Crusty’s Pizza will be serving all-you-can eat pizza from 10AM-2PM with tee off at NOON. Pizza is included with golf fee. Be ready to eat some great BBQ that the guys from Pro Chem will be providing. It will be served at 6:30PM at the Lubbock Civic Center. The Trade Show will also be open 6:30-9:00PM. Make plans to join us! The Trade Show and Silent Auction will be open Tuesday 8:00-5:00. This is a great time for attendees to inspect the goods and services offered by the commercial members and to talk one-on-one with the exhibitors. The Silent Auction will close at 4:30 on Tuesday, and winners will be announced at 4:45. Remember that a $100 gift card will be given to each of the vendor and non-vendor member whose auction items bring in the most money. Please consider donating an item. This auction brings in money for scholarships which are available to ANY member/member’s children. Contact Cindy for more info. The educational sessions will begin on Tuesday, October 30th, at the Civic Center. Licensed pesticide applicators will earn CEUs with the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Structural Pest Control Service. The New Mexico applicators will earn CEUs with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. This year’s program for licensed irrigators will be on Wednesday, October 31st. Licensed irrigators will earn CEUs toward their license renewal. There will also be vendor tables set up in the hallway next to the irrigation session classroom for irrigators to visit with commercial members and exhibitors. Superintendents will receive educational points through GCSAA for attending. Membership in the West Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association offers something for everyone. The WTGCSA hosts an annual educational conference with the registration form to join or renew membership in the association.

TEXAS TROPHY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Texas Trophy Sponsor $1,500.00 > One complimentary membership to Lone Star GCSA > Additional memberships for $50.00 > Two pre-paid entries into the Texas Trophy > Company Logo on rule sheets in every players' golf cart > Sponsorship recognition at Monday night banquet > Sponsorship recognition in Lone Star Links Winter edition >Sponsorship/company recognition on website on the Texas Trophy Registration page all year and on the results sheet of the golf tournament

Hole Sponsor $500.00 > One Complimentary membership to Lone Star GCSA. > Company name and logo on website registration page. > Banner on back of beverage carts and/or near beverage stations.

Sponsorships Still Available! More info at LSGCSA.org Call the LSGCSA office if you have questions or to sign up!

GCSAA LAUNCHES PODCAST GCSAA Podcast is now available to download on streaming services The GCSAA has launched the GCSAA Podcast, which is now available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. The GCSAA Podcast will feature relevant association and industry content that will include educational information, updates on GCSAA programs and services, reports from industry events, human interest stories and interviews with some of the biggest names in golf course management. The podcast will be hosted by Scott Hollister, editor-in-chief of GCSAA’s Golf Course Management magazine. This first episode, debuting today, will feature GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans while the episode available Oct. 2 will include coverage of GCSAA members who were chosen as volunteers at the 2019 Ryder Cup in Paris. “We are very excited to have another way to communicate with our 18,000 members,” Evans said. “However, the GCSAA Podcast also gives us the opportunity to share all the good things happening in the golf course management industry with a wider audience.”

Upcoming episodes will feature industry legend Matt Shaffer, an update on GCSAA’s new First Green program, an interview with superintendent Lawrence Powell and former LPGA player Renee Powell who are winners of GCSAA’s 2019 Old Tom Morris Award, and a preview of the 2019 Golf Industry Show, which will take place Feb. 2-7 in San Diego. In addition to streaming services, past episodes of the GCSAA Podcast will be available on the association’s website at www.gcsaa.org/podcast.

Chapter Page

The STGCSA Chapter Championship was held in August at Brae Burn Country Club hosted by Terry Gill. Congratulations to our winners (L to R) Championship Flight: Steve Gilley, 1st Flight: Chad Ott, 2nd Flight: Lee Gravett, 4th Flight: Jack Hargrove.

STGCSA is proud to announce the 18 scholarship winners for 2018. The Board of Directors of the South Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association started the Legacy Scholarship program in 1990 for the purpose of assisting the children of STGCSA members to attend college. Since 1992 a scholarship tournament has taken place where the majority of the money used to fund the scholarships is raised. In 2001 the Board of Directors created the “Legacy Memorial Scholarship” to honor members who have passed away. This scholarship is awarded to one student who demonstrates excellence in both education and extracurricular or volunteer activities. Since the first scholarship was awarded in 1990, over $285,000 has been awarded to the children of STGCSA members. Congratulations to this years’ 18 winners including the Legacy Winner, Megan Vaughn, daughter of Steve Vaughn. Claire Barclay, Brennan Barclay, Noah Baughman, Heather Dailey, Braeden Dieckhoff, Ryanne Dolen, Madeleine Ducote, Blake Fox, Isabelle Huntsman, Ashley Lyles, Matthew Lyles, Paeton Mrosko, Abigail Schultheis, Matthew Schultheis, Karlie Smelser, Megan Vaughn - LEGACY WINNER!, Anthony Wilganowski, Eric Wilganowski

Schedule of Events

October 8 Education and Toy Drive Northgate Country Club November 6 Annual Meeting and Past Presidents Meeting Kingwood Country Club December 4 Superintendent / Pro/ Member / Member Blackhawk Golf Club December 15 Christmas Party The Redneck Country Club

BETTER BILLY BUNKER ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR HURRICANE FLORENCE VICTIMS Company matching first $10,000 in individual donations to the GCSAA Disaster Relief Fund. A natural disaster has once again affected many within the golf community. As with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017, Hurricane Florence left a trail of devastation with countless golf facilities receiving significant damage that will take months to repair. Equally, if not more important, are the GCSAA members whose lives have been altered. Numerous members have still not been able to return to their homes to assess the damage. In times such as this, the GCSAA Disaster Relief Fund is critical in ensuring GCSAA members who need help get it. Developed after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Fund is designed to provide assistance to members personally affected by natural disasters. As it did one year ago, Better Billy Bunker has announced a matching program for those wanting to show their support for GCSAA members through the Disaster Relief Fund. BBB will match the first $10,000 in individual donations made to the Fund. “The images from Hurricane Florence are heartbreaking,” Better Billy Bunker officials said. “However, as we have seen in the past, it is during the darkest times that our close-knit industry shows its resolve. We encourage all those within the golf family to support the GCSAA Disaster Relief Fund. We want our friends impacted by Florence to know they have the backing of their organization and colleagues.”

To make a donation, text “Disaster” to 785-693-2593, or donate online at https://www.gcsaa.org/about-gcsaa/gcsaa-disasterrelief-fund. For GCSAA members personally impacted by natural disasters, call 800-472-7878 or email mbrhelp@gcsaa.org.

A great video from @SyngentaTurf about women and the @LeGolfNational turf team handling the #RyderCup. "You won't find too many women working in this business. But we can rake bunkers, we can mow fairways, everything. We can do everything." #WomenInGolf

2018 Gold Sponsors

Greg Nichols

Kolby Keeling, Dusty Daniel, Chris Harborth, Colby Johnson, Pat Johnston, Bo Phillips, Josh Ferguson

Dennis Wagner

Corby White, Chris Webster, Dirk Doyle, Eric Glover, Colt Phillips, Jeff Smith, Tim Loesch, Rod Hruza

Pat Cooper, Pat Neuendorff, Scott Andersen, Mark Cohorn, Ricky Jackson, JK Harrison

2018 Silver Sponsors