Lone Star Links
Fall 2018
Lone Star Links Summer 2019 The Official Publication of the Lone Star Golf Course Superintendents Association LSGCSA President Cody Spivey (Left) and Texas Cup Title Sponsor - Simplot Travis Klosterboer (Right)
Jason Barrington Texas Cup Host The Golf Club at Texas A&M
A great Day in Aggieland!
A Great Day in Aggieland! Over 100 LSGCSA members from across the state enjoyed a superb golf course and great camaraderie in College Station. More info and pictures inside! 2019 Texas Cup and Texas Trophy hosted By:
Save the Dates September 15 - 17
Justin Lonon (Left) and Steve Gilley (Right) 2019 Texas Cup Champions
President’s Message I hope everyone has had a great spring and the weather is treating you kindly. Summer has arrived and is sure to bring its own set of challenges. Despite whatever mother nature throws at you, here’s hoping for increased rounds and revenues. Strong winds and tough playing conditions did not stop us from having a great turnout and a wonderful time at the Texas Cup at the Golf Club at Texas A&M. Jason Barrington and his staff did an outstanding job hosting the annual event. Thank you to Simplot, our title sponsor. Congratulations to Steve Gilley and Justin Lonon who took home the hardware. Shoutout to South Texas’s Steve Gilley as he has been on fire…2018 Texas Trophy Champion, GIS Nationals Champion, and 2019 Texas Cup Champion! That’s an amazing trifecta! We had a great boost to Rounds4Research in our state this year. Texas was among the top 5 in the nation. Thanks to all those who donated rounds and participated. We hope to grow our efforts even more next year as this helps all of our chapters throughout the state. Mark your calendars for upcoming events. The Texas Turfgrass Association Summer Conference is slated for July 14-16 at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center. You won’t want to miss the amazing educational and networking opportunities. This year’s event also includes an equipment rodeo and tour of Kyle Field. The Texas Trophy, hosted by South Texas, will be at Kingwood Country Club. The event, scheduled for September 15-17, will give us the unique opportunity to play three different courses. Thanks to Helena for once again being our title sponsor. More details and registration will be coming soon.
As all past presidents have acknowledged before, one of the dangers of our job is the daily sun exposure. As we go about our work this summer, remember to protect yourselves and your crew by faithfully applying sunscreen. Educate those around you about the importance of prevention. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Rollins and Lane families. We hope for speedy recovery in both cases. More information about these families and their challenges can be found on the CTGCSA page of this newsletter. My wish for all of you is that you take some time this summer to relax and enjoy time with your family and friends. See you on the links!
Cody Spivey, LSGCSA President
Chapter Leader/Executive Symposium strengthens teams Forty-three leaders from 25 affiliated chapters strengthened their leadership skills at the 2019 Chapter Leader/Executive Symposium, March 19-20 at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan. The symposium is funded, in part, by the Williams Leadership Endowment Fund through the Environmental Institute for Golf. This annual event allows chapters to send a volunteer leader and association staff to GCSAA Headquarters. The program is intended to strengthen each chapter’s leadership team, build on successes and learn new concepts and ideas to support chapter effectiveness.
The Lone Star GCSA was represented at this event by Vice President Mike Epps and Chapter Executive Carol Cloud
Attendees participate in sessions focused on a broad segment of volunteer and association management topics with plenty of time to network with their peers from around the country. GCSAA staff also highlight the various ways the association can assist in chapter operations. Participants met recently elected board member Paul Carter, CGCS, President Rafael Barajas, CGCS, and Vice President John R. Fulling, Jr., CGCS, who were at headquarters for orientation. Day one included sexual harassment and discrimination training, GCSAA programming updates, a Rules of Golf Update and round-table discussions. The roundtables allowed chapter executives and leaders to separately discuss chapter operations. It is designed to ensure both the leader and executive are on the same page with items important to chapter operations. On day two, GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans outlined the association’s new branding objectives, which focus on GCSAA and chapters working together to increase recognition. Evans asked attendees to provide their insight on describing members and chapters. Next, Donna Forgy from Pro Skills Inc. led an interactive leadership discussion focused on working with individuals from various generations.
Lone Star Board Of Directors 2019 North Texas
South Texas
Central Texas
West Texas
Texas Gulf Coast
Mike Epps Vice President
Cody Spivey President
Ken Gorzycki
James Stow
Tem Miller
Jeff Hansen
Jason Barrington
Joe Todaro
Terry Gill
Craig Felton Secretary / Treasurer
Pete Ledezma
Jacob Snyman Past President
Email lsgcsa18@gmail.com to request contact information for any Board Member
Best Business Practices: Networking Events
Kerri S. Reisdorff
GCSAA and Chapter sponsored networking events are a great way for our members to foster and enhance relationships in our industry and with your peers. As with all professional or job-related functions, we all must act responsibly and respectfully to ensure all feel welcome and enjoy the event. Unprofessional or disrespectful behavior can make others feel less welcome – and can damage relationships and careers. As such, we offer the following helpful best management practices to ensure all of us continue to enjoy our networking events: Continued on Page 18
Service. Solutions. Insights.
This information was presented by Ms. Reisdorff at the Chapter Leaders / Executives Symposium earlier this year. It provides great guidelines on ways to maximize networking opportunities within the golf industry and in business settings in general. Thank you Ms. Reisdorff for your contribution.
Chapter Page
2019 SCHEDULE: June 24 Texas Tech Research Farm and Hillcrest Country Club Lubbock August 12 Tascosa Country Club Amarillo October 28-30
Congratulations Champions!
2019 Conference & Trade Show Lubbock LakeRidge Country Club (Golf Tournament)
The 2019 Texas Cup was held at the Golf Club at Texas A&M in May to the enjoyment of members from across the Lone Star State. Participants enjoyed being in the heart of Aggieland and a superbly conditioned golf course compliments of our host, Jason Barrington and his hard working staff. Jason has done an outstanding job of managing this golf course and bringing it to top level conditions universally claimed by all who participated. The event Title Sponsor was Simplot who help make it a special day in every way. Please note the banners on the bottom of this page that recognize Simplot and many other great sponsors who stepped up to the plate. Our Champions included a very familiar name to recent Lone Star competition winner’s circles. Steve Gilley and his partner Jason Lonon won the Gross Championship and took home the coveted Texas Cup. Our host Jason Barrington and his partner Todd Gilmour finished second. In the Net Division, Aaron Schick and Bradley Snodgrass of North Texas took home the championship prize with Jeff Hansen and Tanner Light close runner-ups. We had lots of happy winners on the day with a skins game and proximities. All possible through the generous donations of our sponsors. Thanks again to all who made it a special day in College Station. We look forward to returning to South Texas in the fall for the Texas trophy in September.
Save the Dates! September 15 - 17
Save The Dates! Details and RSVP Coming Soon!
2020 Lone Star GCSA Reception January 29 - Orlando, Florida Sponsorships Available - Contact the LSGCSA Office
With the new John Deere 9009A TerrainCut™ Rough Mower, you can now mow more rough in less time without sacrificing cut quality. The 9009A features five, 27-inch decks for a nine-foot cutting width. Each deck has a unique, deep shell design with an innovative rear discharge chute. Height-of-cut can be set instantly using no tools. And the 9009A comes with the TechControl Display, letting you make precise settings of mow, transport and turn speed, as well as weight transfer, LoadMatch™ and cruise control. The time has come for a wide area rough mower to do more. So don’t just mow wide. Mow wide better. With the new 9009A TerrainCut Rough Mower. Trusted by the Best
austinturf.com
Chapter Page Derick Hashimoto 2018 Superintendent of the Year Derick has done an outstanding job of maintaining his golf course especially considering the limited resources which he has to work with. Derick has established a good rapport with the members and staff at Cimarron and everyone seems to respect him for his dedication and hard work. Not only does Derick attend as many TGCSA meetings as possible, but ever since he joined TGCSA, he has graciously volunteered to serve on the Board of Directors, demonstrating his desire to promote our Association and help make it one that will continue to benefit our members well into the future. Congratulations Derick!
2018 Vendors Day Champions Northshore Country Club
L to R: Steve Hernandez, Jim Garrett, Kevin Girt and Chad Borchers. Calendar of Events June 11 - Riverbend Resort Brownsville August 13 - River Hills Country Club Corpus Christi Scott Robertson
Brent Ratcliff
2018 Biddy Cup Winner
Seamaan Cup Winner
November - Annual Meeting Victoria Country Club
Give Me Some Skins Top Gross Winners Aaron Clary/Tyler Easterwood $97.00 Daniel Gonzales/Link Windham $97.00 Brandon Johnson/Scott Poynot $97.00
Guess Who? It just wouldn’t be a proper Lone Star event without the sylin’ and profilin’ glamour of Sean Wilson.
Thank you to our Hole and Beverage Sponsors J. Hargrove Construction
Top Net Winners
Corteva AgriScience
Daniel Gonzales/Link Windham $260.00
Turf Materials
Aaron Clary/Tyler Easterwood $65.00
Tri Tex Grass
Jay Cockroft/Kevin Yanity $65.00
Lastec FMC
Very happy Skins, Proximity and 50/50 Pot Winners
2019 Gold Sponsors
2019 Silver Sponsors
Thank you to all the great affiliate companies who have stepped up to the plate in 2019! If your company would like to be a sponsor in 2019, there are still great sponsorships available. Contact the Lone Star office for more information. LSGCSA18@gmail.com
Chapter Page
We had a great turnout today at our Annual Scholarship Tournament! Thank you to everyone who donated to the auction and to everyone who came to support this event! A big thank you to Cody Spivey and staff at High Meadow Ranch for hosting!
Chapter Page
2019 McClure Matches
Champions “Burger’s Bushwood Boys” Captains: Bruce Burger and Corby White
The CTGCSA will use GoFundMe to help those members in need due to emergency situations. Give any amount you can and know that it is a great help to someone in need. Thank you. Bentley Cade Lane - Son of CTGCSA Member Cash Lane. On May 1, Bentley was born 10 weeks early and weighed 3 pounds 7 ounces. Shortly after birth, both of his lungs collapsed and a brain bleed was found. He was emergently intubated and will be in the NICU until mid- July on doctors guess. He is a strong little fighter and absolutely beautiful. Improvements have been made in the past couple of weeks and our spirits can only get stronger. Click here to help!
Dennis Rollins is currently the assistant agronomist at Summit Rock. On May 14, Dennis was involved in a single vehicle accident while on his way to work. The accident resulted in extensive injuries. Since the accident, Dennis has been in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at the St. David's South Austin Medical Center. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. We know Dennis has a long, hard road ahead but with support from family and friends he have faith that he will make a full recovery! Click here to help!
Chapter Page
Kyle Moore
Host Mike Epps (L)
Champion Crowned! In April, Kyle Moore captured the “Ace” January Superintendent Championship at Mira Vista CC.
Kyle Moore - first ever Superintendent Champion and Bully Cup Winning Captain in same year!
Stephen’s father John with an update on the family
Stephen Best Remembered! In May, the chapter held it’s annual Memorial Superintendent / Pro Championship honoring NTGCSA icon Stephen Best.
Sky Creek Ranch Host Bryan Tupa (L)
Best Business Practices: Networking Events
Continued from Page 4
TIP No. 1: This is a Business Event Socializing with industry peers or colleagues at GCSAA and Chapter events is not equivalent to having drinks and enjoying time with friends or family. As such, attendees should keep in mind the conduct expectations they have at work and act accordingly. Remember that you are representing your employer and the golf course management profession. TIP No. 2: Drink Responsibly Excessive drinking of alcohol is never professional. Nor is it a defense for inappropriate behavior, harassment, bullying, or other misconduct. TIP No. 3: Help Others If you see a colleague acting badly or unprofessionally step in and explain to them what they are doing and how it appears to other people. This is one time where your intervention can save a colleague’s reputation and protect the culture of the event, thus continuing to foster a welcoming environment. When in doubt, follow the Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
TIP No. 4: Intent is Irrelevant Regardless if your comment or behavior was intended to be jovial or comical it could unintentionally offend someone. Examples include offensive language, jokes, or other physical, verbal, written, or pictorial conduct relating to the team member’s sex, race, religion, national origin, age, disability, or other factor protected by law that would make a reasonable person experiencing such behavior feel uncomfortable or would interfere with the person’s ability to network with their peers. This should serve as a good reminder to know your surroundings and audience before engaging in potentially offensive behavior. If you have any concerns about the above-mentioned tips or if you become concerned about behavior at a GCSAA or Chapter event immediately contact a GCSAA or Chapter staff member. Let’s all continue to enjoy networking events in a fun and professional environment!
Rounds 4 Research auction raises $364,000 for turfgrass studies National program has raised more than $1 million since 2012. The 2019 Rounds 4 Research fundraising program to support turfgrass studies, administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), sold 1,465 rounds of golf and yielded nearly $364,000 in its May online auction, making it the most successful in the program’s history and an increase of $51,000 over 2018. The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association raised $61,000 and was the leader among more than 70 GCSAA affiliated chapters and turfgrass organizations that received proceeds from the auction to support turfgrass research at the local level. The Florida GCSA was next with nearly $40,000 raised for its chapter. The top bid was $4,750 for a round of golf for four donated by Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas. "Rounds 4 Research continues to grow every year, and that is thanks to generous donors and bidders who care about supporting the game they love," said Rhett Evans, GCSAA chief executive officer. "It is wonderful to see all aspects of the game come together to ensure its future.” The national campaign is supported by a $50,000 donation from The Toro Co. The Golf Channel, Golf Advisor and GolfNow provided promotional support. More than 70 golf course management companies donated more than 400 rounds to the auction, including American Golf, Billy Casper Golf, ClubCorp, CourseCo, Founders Group International, Marriott Golf, the PGA Tour TPC Network and Troon Golf. The program has raised nearly $1.5 million since launching in 2012.
GCSAA survey shows rise in salaries for golf course superintendents Assistant superintendents, equipment managers also see increased compensation Employers of golf course superintendents continue to reinforce the value they place in golf course facility leaders as the average annual salary for the profession climbed to more than $93,000 in 2019. The average salary and additional data come from the latest biennial Compensation and Benefits Report from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The 2019 report showed that the $93,176 average salary was an increase of 4.5 percent over the 2017 report, continuing the trend of increases in every two-year period since GCSAA began tracking the data in 1993. Superintendents’ salaries have more than doubled in the last quarter century since that first report, when the average salary was $44,500. Certified golf course superintendents, those who have achieved the highest level of recognition through education, experience and service, saw an increase of more than 1 percent over 2017. Their average salary rose to $111,250, an increase of $1,630 over 2017. Assistant superintendents and golf course equipment managers also saw increases in their incomes. Assistant salaries rose 7.3 percent, and equipment managers saw a 7 percent increase from the average salary two years ago.
“It is heartening to see golf course owners continue to invest in golf course superintendents and their staffs,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO. “They know the value of these highly educated professionals who oversee the golf facility’s top asset.” The report also gives a good picture of the profile of GCSAA superintendents and their operations. The average age of a superintendent is 46.5 years, and they have spent 16.4 years in the profession. The average number of years superintendents have spent in their current position stayed steady at 10.5 years. Between December 2018 and January 2019, the association research firm Industry Insights sent the 2019 survey to all GCSAA Class A and Class B members and the response rate was 45 percent, with a margin of error of +/-1.3 percent and a 95 percent level of confidence.
More information about the 2019 Compensation and Benefits Report is available at gcsaa.org.