LS Links Fall 2021

Fall Edition 2021

36th Annual Texas Trophy We had a great time in West Texas!

Thank you to our hosts, all participants and generous sponsors!

See you all in 2022 in North Texas!

President’s Message

Craig Felton LSGCSA President

Thank you! Congratulations! and Way To Go! All of these are in order to everyone who attended, supported, and worked hard to make the 36th Annual Texas Trophy a great event in Abilene. More than 100 participants made the trip to West Texas to enjoy three days of golf, fun and camaraderie. Check out all the results and photos from the event on the pages of this newsletter and on our website lsgcsa.org. Thanks again to everyone who participated.

As the Fall season marches on, two can’t miss events come closer for all Lone Star GCSA members and sponsors.

In December, we join the Texas Turfgrass Conference in San Antonio. We will be hosting our Annual Meeting and luncheon on Wednesday, December 15th. This is always a great opportunity to review the events of the year and catch up on news and happenings.

The Lone Star board has been active in helping set up an educational session at the Texas Turfgrass Conference that will focus on facility adoption of the Environmental Best Management Practices that were created and published in 2020. The manager of the document, Gina Rizzi will be on hand to discuss the program and assist members as they initiate building a specific BMP policy and manual for their operation. The Lone Star board is very excited about this initiative and supports all the great things that will transpire because of this effort. The Texas golf industry and the golf course superintendent profession will be enhanced by all of these efforts. We welcome feedback from all members so please let a board member know if you have any comments or suggestions In February, we will join the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego. Our ever popular reception night will be held on February 9 and we’re expecting to return to good crowds and lots of fun. We couldn’t do this event without our gracious sponsors and we invite them to consider being a part of hosting this event for our members. If you’ve never had the opportunity to be a part of this fun night, I highly recommend you make plans now to be in San Diego with us all.

Enjoy the Fall season, stay safe, and look forward to seeing you all soon.

Mike Upchurch

Travel with Johnny Walker - GCSAA Field Staff Representative

Follow MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN

DAN CRENSHAW Johnny

Walker on Twitter @gcsaa_ SoCentral

Congrats to our Texas members that participated in the GCSAA National golf tournament in Palm Springs.

Championship Flight: Steve Gilley 2nd place; Shawn Westacott 7th place.

Second Flight: Aaron Schick 2nd place Senior Flight: Alan Hess 1st place Gross; Mike Chandler 1st place Net Way to Go!

Texas Trophy 36 in the books!

The 2021 Texas Trophy will be one for the record books in many ways. The South Texas GCSA capture their 16th Trophy championship and sixth in a row. The South Texas chapter widened their lead in all time wins over the Central Texas chapter who have won 13. South Texas’ domination also extended to the individual Championship as Steve Gilley repeated as champion. That win moves Steve into a tie for all-time second place with Dale Miller who has won 3 lifetime championships. Only Ed Martinez has captured more with 4. But every one of our attendees was considered a champion by the camaraderie, networking, competition and fun they had in West Texas. The West Texas chapter rolled out the red carpet with a great golf course, fantastic food, and an overall exceptional experience for the three day event.

The event started Sunday morning with an outstanding brunch at Abilene Country Club. We were certainly treated like royalty and then headed out to the golf course for a fun mixer format. We all caught up with old friends, and made new ones. As we inch closer to the 40th anniversary of the championship, the history and commitment of the attendees, sponsors, and hosts remains inspiring.

The popular putting contest was held following the mixer and everyone got their shot at a really cool and unique putting course set up by the terrific ACC professional staff.

They must have set it up in true West Texas style, because the winner was Kenny Dierschke of Yoakum in West Texas.

He lapped the field with the only under par score of eight on the par 10 layout. Second place consisted of several members who shot one over par 11. Brian Woolard won second place in the scorecard playoff. Following the mixer, we enjoyed a great steak dinner served by our hosts at ACC. After the dinner, all headed out for a fun night in Abilene and a good night’s sleep for round one of the Trophy.

Round one started bright and early and attendees were treated to another glorious day at Abilene Country Club.

The competition resulted in tight races in all flights across all the scoreboards. Following Round 1, the Annual Shootout was held which pitted 25 - 3 member teams in an alternate shot shootout. Shootout is a perfect name for this competition as teams are elimated via score or by a team chipoff. Tension was high throughout the competition that was won by the 3 man team of Steve Gilley, Blake Law and Brent Ratcliff. They won the championship with an exciting shootout on the 18th hole. We captured lots of photos and videos of the event so check them out on the lsgcsa.org website.

Our final day in West Texas was every bit as spectacular as our first two. This round was held at the ACC South Course which provided just as worthy conditions as the North Course. Thank you to our tournment host Superintendents: Jimmy Braden of the North Course and Zach Ross of the South Course. The Trophy ended with a celebration of winners and all contestants at the closing ceremonies. Thank you to all who participated and made this a special event in West Texas. Mark you calendars now for Texas Trophy 37 to be hosted by North Texas!

GOLD Sponsors Meal Sponsors

Monday Breakfast

Silver Sponsors

Sunday Lunch

Tuesday Breakfast

Tuesday Lunch

Shootout Sponsor

Hole in One Prize Sponsor Proximity Sponsors

Hole / Beverage Sponsors

Bayer * BASF * Fleetwood Services * FMC * Hargrove Construction * PBI Gordon * Innovative Turf Services * Syngenta *Toro

Vice-President Jeff Hansen (L) hands out the winning hardware to the winning STGCSA reps.

L to R: Steve Gilley, Jeff Smelser, Tanner Chrastecky, and Cody Fisseler Title Sponsor Representatives from Helena: Jarrett Eledge (C) and Corby White (R).

Monday Lunch Sponsor: Pat Johnston from BWI (R)

THANK YOU to our wonderful sponsors! We appreciate your support.

Shootout Sponsor Representative: Dale Miller of Ameriturf (L) Gold Sponsor Representative: Scott Dotson of Simplot (L)

2021 Championship Flight Champion Steve Gilley (L)

With his 3rd Championship, Steve joins 3 time Champion Dale Miller (R) in the all time standings. Only 1 golfer has one more.

Ed Martinez with 4 victories!

Champ Flight Net Champ - Tanner Chrastecky (r)

Champ Flight Net Champ - Kenny Dierschke (l)

Champ Flight Gross 3rd - Hunter Montgomery (l)

Champ Flight Net 3rd - Cash Lane (l)

“Very Experienced” Texas Trophier Johnny Walker delivers the hardware.

First Flight Gross Champ - Jeff Smelser

First Flight Net Champ - Jon Cook

First Flight Net 2nd Place - Trevor Ogden

First Flight Net 3rd Place - Jay Cockroft

Second Flight - Gross Champ Cody Skarpa

Second Flight - Net Champ Mike Upchurch

Second Flight - Net 2nd Place Rey Gomez

Affiliate Flight - Gross Champ James Hockman

Affiliate Flight - Net Champ Dale Miller

Affiliate Flight - Net 3rd Place Pat Johnston

Shootout Sponsor

Shootout Champs

Shootout 2nd Place

Shootout 3rd Place

Mixer Gross Champs - AJ Pursley and Tanner Chrastecky

Shootout Fun!

Mixer Net 2nd - Dalton Griffin / Chad Davis not pictured

Mixer Net Champs - Grant Jones and Mike Upchurch

Mixer Gross 2nd - Gilley (c) and Chernosky not pictured

Mixer Net 3rd - Jeff Visser and Daniel McCann

Putting Contest Champion - Kenny Dierschke (l)

Putting Contest 2nd Place - Brian Wollard (l)

Day 1 50/50 Winner - Grant Jones (l)

Day 2 50/50 Winner - Michael Mathis

Day 3 50/50 Winner - Rey Gomez (l)

Thank you WTGCSA Chapter Executive Cindy Herridge (L) for all of your great help all week!!!

THANK YOU TO OUR PROXIMITY SPONSORS!

Our event started on Sunday with all participants honoring the USA with The Pledge of Allegiance.

Very Cool!

Monday CTP Winner - Adam Hess

Sunday CTP Winner - Kyle Larson

Sunday CTP Winner - Michael Upchurch

Monday CTP Winner - Dale Miller

Monday LD Winner - Tanner Chrastecky

Tuesday CTP Winner - Johnny Walker (l)

Tuesday CTP Winner - Paul Lane

All Time Results

Year Host Course Team Champion / Medalist

1985 Waterwood National South Texas GCSA / Randy Broyles

2000 Pecan Valley – San Antonio South Texas GCSA / Ed Martinez

1986 Horseshoe Bay South Texas GCSA / Bill Hanna

2001 Pine Dunes – Frankston Central Texas GCSA / Ed Martinez

1987 Bear Creek - Dallas Central Texas GCSA / Billy Clagett

2002 Quick Sand GC – San Angelo Central Texas GCSA / Ed Martinez

1988 Fairway Oaks – Abilene West Texas GCSA / Bill Hanna

2003 Palm View CC – McAllen North Texas GCSA / Richard Pavlasek

1989 The Woodlands South Texas GCSA / Richard Luikens

2004 Blackhorse GC – Houston South Texas GCSA / Harry Yewens

1990 Hidden Hills on Lake Travis West Texas GCSA / Mark Bailey

2005 Golf Club at Star Ranch Central Texas GCSA / Mark Haven

1991 Fossil Creek – Fort Worth Central Texas GCSA / Dale Miller

2006 Stonebriar CC – Frisco North Texas GCSA / Chris Webster

1992 The Club at Mission Dorado West Texas GCSA / Clint Deeds

2007 Diamondback GC – Abilene West Texas GCSA / Mark Haven

1993 Rockport Country Club Central Texas GCSA / Clint Deeds

2008 Victoria Country Club Central Texas GCSA / Joe Anderson

1994 Old Orchard Golf Club South Texas GCSA / Tem Miller

2009 Memorial GC – Houston South Texas GCSA / Chris Webster

1995 The Quarry South Texas GCSA / Bruce Burger

2010 Horseshoe Bay Resort Central Texas GCSA / Ed Martinez

1996 Squaw Valley North Texas GCSA / Dale Miller

2011 Fossil Creek GC – Fort Worth Central Texas GCSA / Terrell Gallman

1997 Amarillo Country Club West Texas GCSA / Dale Miller

2012 The Rawls Course – Lubbock South Texas GCSA / Brian Honea

1998 Harlingen Country Club Central Texas GCSA / Kevin Yanity

2013 Newport Dunes Central Texas GCSA / AJ Pursley

1999 Crown Colony, Lufkin South Texas GCSA / Wade Blevins

2014 Texas A&M Golf Course Central Texas GCSA / Tanner Chrastecky

August Chapter Event Hosted by Blake Law at Amarillo Country Club

winfieldunitedpro.com |

@winfieldpro

Results Continued 2015 Horseshoe Bay Resort Central Texas GCSA / Tanner Chrastecky 2016 Amarillo Country Club Ross Rogers Golf Course South Texas GCSA / Matt Cowan 2017 Gentle Creek CC – Frisco South Texas GCSA / Matt Cowan 2018 Corpus Christi Country Club South Texas GCSA / Steve Gilley 2019 The Clubs of Kingwood South Texas GCSA / Shawn Westacott 2020 The Dominion CC Fair Oaks Ranch

Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort South Texas GCSA / Steve Gilley 2021 Abilene Country Club South Texas GCSA / Steve Gilley

Team Standings South Texas Central Texas West Texas North Texas

16 13 5 3

Medalist Standings Ed Martinez 4 Dale Miller 3 Steve Gilley 3 Bill Hanna 2 Clint Deeds 2 Mark Haven 2 Chris Webster 2 Tanner Chrastecky 2 Matt Cowan 2

00, 01, 02, 10 91, 96, 97 18, 20, 21 86, 88 92, 93 05, 07 06, 09 14, 15 16, 17

Trophy Facts The “home” team has won the Trophy 16 times!

STGCSA 7 times at home, CTGCSA 3 times, WTGCSA 4 times, and NTGCSA 2 times.

Longest team winning streak: The current one!

STGCSA 6 wins, 2016 - 2021 Second longest team winning streak: CTGCSA 3 wins, 2013 - 2015 Since 2008, ONLY the STGCSA and CTGCSA have won the team championship. WTGCSA won the title in 2007.

Longest Medalist Win Streak: 3, Ed Martinez 2000 - 2002 In 1995, Bruce Burger won the medalist title on his home course - The Quarry. However, the CTGCSA team did not win the team title.

STGCSA took the honors.

The medalist title is named after long time STGCSA Superintendent Harry Yewens. Harry won the title in 2004!

August Education and Golf at Tangle Ridge

We Love Our Sponsors!

Thank You!

Crew Appreciation Championship Host Todd Leist from Vaaler Creek (L) with CTGCSA President Jake Snyman

Our goal is to leave ​​ the land better than we found it!

We’re humbled & proud to share our ​Texas Golf Industry BMP Guide supporting environmental stewardship & high-quality golf facilities.

We are pleased with the great feedback that has been recieved on the Texas Golf Industry Best Management Practices Guide that was published on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. The guide has been loaded to the GCSAA website, in addition to our LSGCSA site. We have a social media campaign running in conjunction with the launch, so please support the effort by sharing/liking on Twitter and Facebook.

The guide provides an overview of thirteen best management practices (BMPs) in golf course maintenance to support environmental stewardship and optimal course conditions in the state of Texas. Our goal is to create and maintain courses that are ecologically functional and healthy green spaces, demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship, the community, and a quality golfing experience.

Thank you, LSGCSA members.

We appreciate your partnership with us in developing the Texas BMP Guide.

Player of the Year Standings