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The PULSE
- (ARCHIVES)
THE PULSE ARCHIVES
is designed to keep a
history of the events originally posted on "The Pulse" webpage but have
passed
the sixty-day expiration date.
Current Events:
Click Here
Archived
Postings:
The
24th Annual Kansas Golf Course Superintendent’s Research Tournament -
Monday,
June 16 at Dodge City Country Club
(posted 3-08)
Proceeds from this tournament have greatly assisted KSU in conducting
turfgrass research on issues such as pest control, water savings, and
heat and cold stress tolerance. Your past support and future support
of this worthy tournament is greatly appreciated!
Please fill out the attached reservation form to play in the
tournament, sponsor a hole and/or donate items to the silent auction and
return by May 22.
A block of rooms has been reserved at LaQuinta Inns & Suites (2400 W.
Wyatt Earp Blvd.) for the night before. The KGCSA room rate is $85.00.
Please call (620) 225-7373 to make a room reservation by May 31 to
guarantee this special rate.
Dodge City Country Club has also offered a $40 rate for golf, greens
fees, range and cart if you would like to golf on Sunday, June 15. To
reserve a tee time on Sunday, call the pro shop at (620) 225-4242 and
let them know you are with the KGCSA tournament to get the reduced rate.
I hope you will be interested in playing in this tournament, sponsoring
a hole, and/or donating an auction item for the 2008 Research Tournament
on June 16 at Dodge City CC.
GCSAA visits The Hill
(posted 5-6-8)
GCSAA was front and center with its golf association peers in
Washington, D.C., April 16, as participants in the first-ever National
Golf Day. The goal of this event was to deliver the message of the
game’s positive economic, environmental and charitable impact on the
United States.
GCSAA President David
S. Downing II, CGCS, and Secretary/Treasurer James R. Fitzroy, CGCS,
attended, along with members of the GCSAA Government Relations
Committee, chaired by Keith A. Ihms, CGCS. Joining GCSAA were the PGA
Tour, LPGA, USGA, PGA of America, the Golf Course Builders Association
of America, American Society of Golf Course Architects, Club Managers
Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association, The
First Tee and the World Golf Foundation.
“It was exciting to be
a part of the first-ever National Golf Day,” says Downing. “This type of
cooperation between all of the major associations in golf was great to
see and needs to be sustained for the benefit of the game, the
facilities and all two million people employed in the golf industry.
This was a big first step and one that we are proud to be a part of on
behalf of our members and the facilities that employ them.”
The idea of a National
Golf Day was born out of the days following Hurricane Katrina. Gulf
Coast golf courses that were damaged by the storm turned to the federal
government for assistance, but were flatly rejected, lumped in with
tattoo and massage parlors as non-essential businesses.
Determined to change
that perception and quantify the industry’s economic standing, the golf
industry came together to conduct a comprehensive economic impact study,
the 2005 Golf Economy Report. The final results were significant: Golf
generates $76 billion in direct economic impact, creating an industry
larger than the motion picture and video industries. In addition, the
game is responsible for $3.5 billion in charitable contributions each
year. Those revelations were primary topics for discussions at the day’s
formal events: a congressional breakfast sponsored by The First Tee, an
afternoon news conference at the National Press Club and an evening
reception in the Capitol building.
For the golf course
management side of the industry, it was the message about golf and the
environment that provided the most notable headlines for National Golf
Day. Backed by results from the first two stages of GCSAA’s Golf Course
Environmental Profile project, the industry finally had facts to back
its long-standing position that the game and its managers are good
stewards of the environment. Represented in formal settings by both
Downing and former CEO Steve Mona, who now serves as CEO for the World
Golf Foundation, the association delivered that message to the nation’s
leaders. GCSAA was widely acknowledged by both legislators and the other
allied associations for its role in gathering solid data on the game’s
environmental impact — for example, that golf course irrigation accounts
for just one half of one percent of the 408 billion gallons of water
consumed in this country each day.
But GCSAA activities
did not end there. The association’s Government Relations Committee held
its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., the day before. Members spent an
afternoon on Capitol Hill in meetings with their various senators and
representatives, talking about labor issues (the H-2B guest worker visa
debate dominated discussions), the environment and the economy.
Hannes Combest to lead National
Auctioneers Association (posted
5-6-08)
Hannes
Combest, GCSAA's managing director of member programs, has been chosen as
the new CEO for the National Auctioneers Association. Combest joined GCSAA
in May 1996 as a manager of education and quickly climbed the ranks. She has
been integral in the association's efforts to elevate the profile of the
membership and the association, and in developing key relationships with a
variety of constituent groups. A certified association executive, her last
day at GCSAA will be May 28.
USGA Green Section
Mid-Continent Region by Ty McClellan, Agronomist
Standing Tall
(posted 4-21-08)
Due to a prolonged winter, spring across the upper
Mid-Continent Region has been delayed by as much as two to three weeks.
Many have yet to mow the putting greens more than every other day which is
approximately half as often when compared to a typical mid-April schedule.
Cooler than normal temperatures have certainly slowed bentgrass growth, but
this does not prevent golfers’ desires for greens conditioned at optimal
playing conditions, particularly after the best teed it up at Augusta
National last weekend. In response to these expectations, superintendents
will entertain thoughts of lowering the putting green height of cut much too
quickly and much too aggressively. Common questions posed during this early
part of the season include “When and how quickly should the height of cut
be lowered?” and “When should it be raised again to maintain turf health and
avoid summer heat stress?”
As considerations are given to the conventional practice of lowering the
height of cut only to raise it again during the summer followed by again
lowering it in the fall, why not always maintain a higher mowing height so
as to take advantage of increased leaf tissue all season-long? Why deplete
carbohydrate reserves and weaken the turf with ultra low mowing heights
heading into summer when we can instead prepare for summer by achieving
deeper roots that increase recuperative potential and stress tolerance
during the fall and spring? By considering the following rolling
strategies, up, not down, is the direction for putting green heights of cut
this year:
1.
Target
rolling, also
referred to as site or tournament rolling, is gaining popularity across the
region for good reason. It ensures maximum surface smoothness, trueness of
ball roll, and increased greenspeed on a daily basis where it is most
noticeable…..around the hole. For more information on target rolling daily
to preserve turf health without sacrificing playability, please see the
article Green Speed: Trick or Treat? by clicking on or
entering the following website address -http://turf.lib.msu.edu/2000s/2006/060717.pdf.
2.
Consider
alternating mowing and rolling (as opposed to mowing everyday) to save
valuable
budget dollars and man-hours, while
improving turf quality without adversely impacting playability.
While the University of Tennessee
originally researched this practice in regards to preserving
turfgrass health during the heat of
summer, it is gaining popularity as a season-long practice.
3.
If neither
strategy fits your situation, consider developing a hybrid of the two or
create your own rolling strategy that best matches your needs and
resources so that you can utilize rolling to bump up those mowing heights
all season-long.
Note: Rolling can be
stressful to turf health and therefore should not be overused, especially
during the summer where it may be most detrimental. Generally speaking, an
entire green should not be rolled more than three times weekly if performed
in addition to daily mowing. As such, utilizing rolling in a target manner
or alternating mow-roll practices makes sense when it comes to maintaining
smooth, fast putting surfaces without sacrificing leaf tissue.
In maintaining healthy turf, it is important to remember the
following:
§
Research
shows that even small increases in mowing height, i.e. mowing at 1/8
to 5/32 of an inch, can vastly improve turf quality
through a 25% increase in photosynthetic potential and increased root mass.
Furthermore, root mortality and summer bentgrass decline are mitigated by
minimizing the duration in which plant respiration exceeds photosynthesis in
mid-summer.
§
Taller turf
helps ward off invasion by moss and weeds.
§
Increased
leaf tissue is especially beneficial when a green is shaded and solar
radiation is limited.
§
Light,
frequent topdressing applications (i.e. summer dustings) are more easily
worked into the turfgrass canopy.
§
And, despite
the unpopularity among all involved, routine topdressing and aeration are
still necessary for long-term putting green health and playability.
To attain the best results when utilizing any of the rolling
strategies discussed above, the following are recommended:
§
Use plant
growth regulators (PGR’s) as they are very helpful in maintaining more
consistent greenspeeds throughout the day and from one day to the next. For
greens comprised of more than one turfgrass species, variety or cultivar,
PGR’s also minimize the differences in the varying growth rates.
§
Avoid flushes
in growth by applying nitrogen frequently and in low amounts, such as 0.1 lb
N every 7-10 days in a water-soluble, quick-release carrier.
All things considered, think again before instinctively
lowering the height of cut this spring only to raise it again in the summer
and lower it back down again in the fall. For your turf to benefit all
season-long, it is worth maintaining the maximum height of cut (without
sacrificing playability) so your turf can stand tall when it matters most.
If you would like more
information about a Turf Advisory Service visit, do not hesitate to contact
either of the Mid-Continent regional offices:
Ty McClellan at
tmcclellan@usga.org or (630)
340-5853 or Bud White at
budwhite@usga.org or (972) 662-1138.
HAGCSA
GIVES BACK (posted 3-7-08)
HAGCSA had
an opportunity to give-back to the community by helping maintain the
grounds at the Historic Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri,
yesterday. The efforts were covered by Fox 4
news,
NBC 41 news and an article/video on Kansascity.com.
View the video:
http://videos.kansascity.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=1755977
or
Check out the photos on our website:
http://www.hagcsa.org/photoalbum.htm
***Special
Thanks to Todd Bohn, PR Chairman, his committee and all those that
volunteered their time and equipment.
HAGCSA Recognized for Longtime Contribution
(post
2-26-08)
Heart of America GCSA
donates to The Institute.
The Heart of
America GCSA continues its longtime support of The Environmental Institute
for Golf with a $5,000 donation toward research and education to enhance
golf’s relationship with the environment. With this donation, the chapter
reaches the Governor's Club level in the cumulative giving program
and has again achieved Platinum Tee Club status.
Read more about the generosity of the Kansas City-area members of the
Heart of America GCSA, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
"The Environmental Institute for Golf's
research, education and technological advancements have resulted in
positive results for golf’s association with the environment," said
World Golf Hall of Fame member Greg Norman, Institute trustee and
chairman of its Advisory Council. "Golf course superintendents are the
chief environmental stewards for golf, so it speaks volumes of GCSAA's
Heart of America chapter to continue these donations to The Institute,
further strengthening the compatibility of golf with our environment."
With this donation, the Heart of America
GCSA has reached the Governor's Club level in the Cumulative Giving
Program, which recognizes organizations that have contributed between
$50,000 and $99,999 to The Environmental Institute for Golf since 1987.
An affiliate chapter of GCSAA, the Heart of America GCSA also has
attained Platinum Tee Club status again. The Platinum Tee Club is the
giving club for organizations that contribute a minimum of $5,000
annually and Heart of America GCSA has given $5,000 for 14 years. The
Heart of America GCSA, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this
year, is represented by the metropolitan Kansas City region.
"The Heart of America GCSA is pleased to
continue its support of The Institute," said Heart of America GCSA
President Scott Johnson, CGCS at Shadow Glen Golf Club in Olathe, Kan.
"We believe Institute programs such as research are worth investing in
because of the benefits they provide to our members."
The Environmental Institute for Golf is a
collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities,
dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural
environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and
services involving research, education and outreach that communicate the
best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf
course. For more on The Institute, visit
www.eifg.org.
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and
has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the
top professional association for the men and women who manage golf
courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in
Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and
representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries.
GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and
enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit
GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
For more information
contact:
Teri Harris, GCSAA managing
director, development at 800-472-7878
Scott Johnson, CGCS, Heart of
America GCSA president at 913-764-6531 |
Bayer Environmental Science Hands
Out Grant (posted
3-11-08)
Bayer Environmental Science Sales Representative Jimmy Johnson greets
William Irving, golf course superintendent at Kearney Country Club, in
Kearney, Neb., at the Bayer booth during the 2008 Golf Industry Show in
Orlando, Fla. Irving was selected at random to receive a grant sponsored by
Bayer and The Environmental Institute for Golf. For the sixth straight year,
the grants have sent five golf course superintendents to the GCSAA Education
Conference and Golf Industry Show. Each grant covers expenses for airfare,
hotel, conference registration and two education seminars. (William Irving
recently accepted the position of superintendent at Lawrence Country Club,
in Lawrence, Kan.)
Former GCSAA President Passes Away
(posted 3-11-08)
Robert M. Williams, 93, president in 1958 and winner of GCSAA’s
Distinguished Service Award in 1977, passed away last week. Williams’ nearly
60-year career in the golf course management industry included numerous
accomplishments, including his work mentoring students and apprentices, as
well as teaching and speaking on behalf of the profession. Williams is the
father of former GCSAA President Bruce R. Williams, CGCS. In lieu of
flowers, the family has asked that donations be directed to The Williams
Leadership Endowment. More information about this legendary superintendent
and where to send donations can be found on the
GCM
blog.
May 3, 2008 - 1st Annual Benefit Golf Tournament for Greensburg
(posted 3-7-08)
Time: 8:00am and 1:00pm (Shotgun Start)
Location: CannonBall Golf Course
Entry fee: $120 per team (Lunch will be provided)
Format: 4-man scramble (The first 36 entrys will be accepted.)
Prizes awarded for: longest drive, closest to the pin, hole-in-one; 2
shotguns will be raffled off
Registered to: Brandon Hosheit at (620) 770-1119 or (620)
723-1028
Mick Kendall at (620) 546-3584 or (620) 723-2671
Deadline: April 25, 2008
Come help celebrate the
rebuilding of Greensburg!
Past Presidents' Daughter Passes
(posted
2-14-08)
It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kathryn Ann
Tegtmeyer (25), daughter of
Cary Tegtmeyer CGCS, Holiday Hills in
Branson,
Missouri. Cary Tegtmeyer,
CGCS, served as HAGCSA President in 1984, while working at Topeka Country
Club.
Kathryn passed
away on Friday, February 8, 2008. She lived in
Chicago and attended Columbia
University of Chicago. Kathryn is survived by her parents, Cary and Barbara
Tegtmeyer of Branson and one sister Rebecca Tegtmeyer of
Raleigh,
N.C.
Memorial Fund:
St. Matthew's Grade School
27000 Virginia
Topeka, KS 66600
Condolences:
Cary & Barbara Tegtmeyer
393 W. Rockford Dr.
Branson, MO 65616
Online Guestbook:
http://www.legacy.com/chicagotribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=103324175
Visitation
Date: Thursday, February 14, 2008
Time: 7:00-8:00pm (Rosary Service at 7pm)
Location: Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home
1638 E State Hwy
76
Branson,
Missouri
Funeral:
Date: Friday, February 15, 2008
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Our Lady of the
Lake
Catholic Church
203
Vaughn Drive
Branson,
Missouri
Our
thoughts and prayers go out to Cary & Barbara Tegtmeyer and their family
during this most difficult time.
An arrangement & memorial has been sent on behalf of
the Heart of
America GCSA
membership.
HAGCSA Membership Hands Out Honors
(posted 2-8-08)
HAGCSA Gives away FREE Membership(s)
(posted 2-8-08)
The HAGCSA Board of Directors held a drawing for three free
2008 memberships (Class A - Superintendent Members and Affiliate) at the
Holiday Party. The following winners were drawn:
Plan to attend the 2008 Holiday Party on December 4; to enter your name in
the 2009 free membership drawing!
GCSAA Members Elect Board of
Directors New Board (posted 2-5-08)
(front row) Fitzroy,
Downing, Kuhns and Heine;
(back row) Randquist,
Queen, Finlen, O'Keefe and Ihms.
David S. Downing II, CGCS, vice president of
operations and construction for Signature Golf Group in Myrtle Beach, S.C.,
was elected GCSAA president at the Annual Meeting and Election Feb. 1. Mark
D. Kuhns, CGCS, was elected vice president; and James R. Fitzroy, CGCS, was
elected secretary/treasurer. Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS, and Sanford G. Queen,
CGCS, were re-elected to two-year terms, and John J. O’Keefe, CGCS, was
appointed to the board for a one-year term. Robert M. Randquist, CGCS, and
Keith A. Ihms, CGCS, will also continue on the board, and Ricky D. Heine,
CGCS, will serve one year as immediate past president.
Membership Rate Increase at GCSAA - Passed (posted 2-5-08)
Members also approved a board recommendation to increase dues using a
CPI-based formula. The increase will be $20 for Classes A and SM members,
and $10 for Class C members.
Ground Maintenance & Workshops - with K-State
Dates:
March 5 - Newton
March 6 - Olathe
March 19 - Salina
March 20 - Lawrence
Time: 7:30am - 4:00pm
Cost: $ 35.00 (lunch is included)
Credits: 3A = 3hrs.; 3B = 4hrs. (Kansas Commercial
Pesticides Applicator Recertification)
Registration and Schedule:
Click Here
HAGCSA Members
Compete – And Win!
(posted 1-2-08)
San Diego, CA
The John Deere World Championships, a four person handicapped
scramble, was held December 6 – 8, 2007 at La Costa and Torrey Pines in San
Diego. Local HAGCSA members, Woody Moriarty, Superintendent at Blue Hills
CC and John O’Leary, Golf Sales Manager with John Deere Golf and Turf, were
part of the winning team posting 27 under par to win the Championship Flight
by 1 stroke. The foursome was rounded out with John Steiner, Superintendent
at White Bear Golf and Yacht Club and Steven Fox, Superintendent at Ocean
Reef Club.
“John
was the producer, I was the closer,” responded Moriarty when asked about the
prestigious victory.
O’Leary added, “It was really a 3 person effort. It was like having Tony
Bertels as the fourth! The other 3 of us hammed and egged it pretty well.”
Fathers and baby tractor trophies are now home and resting comfortably.
Congratulations to Woody and John!
January 31 - ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT SESSION & RECEPTION
(at the GCSAA National Conference)
January 31, 2:00 – 5:00 pm.,
Orange Country Convention Center – Rms. 311E-F
Presented in partnership with Syngenta Professional Products and The Toro
Company
New this year, we’ve recruited a panel of
well-known superintendents to explain career strategies they’ve used for
success. You’ll learn tips that will help you transition from assistant to
superintendent no matter which facility type you’re targeting. You’ll also
get to hear some innovative practices from fellow assistants – ideas you can
implement at your own facility. Ample Q & A time after the presentations is
planned, with a networking reception following.
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Superintendent
Panelists:
Bob Farren, CGCS
Jon Jennings, CGCS
John Miller, CGCS
David Phipps |
Assistant
Superintendent Panelists:
John Ekstrom
Michael Heustis
Tavis Horton
Jeff Wichman |
FOR SALE (posted 1-8-08)
For Sale
- New - BERNHARD EXPRESS DUAL 3000 REEL GRINDER - New Machine on original
pallet $25,000 OBO.
For Sale - Used -
BERNHARD EXPRESS DUAL 3000 REEL GRINDER - Used less than one year for
customer grinding
has 134 hours $17,000 OBO
For Sale - Used - BERNHARD ANGLEMASTER 3000
BED KNIFE GRINDER - Used less than one year for customer
grinding - 103 Hours - $10,000 OBO
Please call Brian Rawlings with questions 913-261-2269.
January 17, 2007 - Floratine Winter Seminar
(posted
12-26-07)
Time:
9:30 a.m.
to 3:30 p.m.
Location:
AMERISTAR CASINO (3200
Ameristar Drive, Kansas City, MO (816) 414-7000; (I-435 to East on Highway
210).
Hosted by:
Floratine Midwest
Provided:
Continental breakfast (9:00am) and lunch buffet. You’re on your own for
gambling.
Topic:
• The Effects of Thatch, Organic Matter, and Black Layer on the Soil
Profile.
• Proper Plant Nutrition
and its Relation to Specific Diseases; Anthracnose, Fairy Ring, Patch and
Dollar Spot.
• Why Floratine? (Hey we
have to get a plug in here somewhere.) Includes a discussion (hopefully
questions) about Product Chemistry, Quality, Compatibility and New
Technologies.
Presenter:
Carmen Magro, CGCS, Floratine Senior Agronomist
Carmen has 15 years in turfgrass, including golf course superintendent
and Director of the Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program at Penn State
University. Reserve your place now (and a room if you need one – $99.00) by
calling or emailing David Hunter, 913-645-2764, dhunter74@sbcglobal.net, or
Curt Gillette, 816-510-3321,
cjturf@juno.com
~All
Superintendents and Their Assistants are Welcome.~
National
Institute of Golf Management - Education
Are you currently serving in the general manager role, or interested in this
undertaking? Are you interested in expanding your knowledge about the
entire golf facility and management? The National Institute of Golf
Management would be a great educational program for you. GCSAA serves as an
education partner to NIGM, a program that brings in golf course
superintendents, general managers, golf pros, food and beverage personnel
and golf course owners for a dynamic week of education and networking. The
2008 Institute will be held at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center, Wheeling,
W. Va. Jan. 6 – 11. For more information on the program, visit
www.nigminstitute.com or
contact Sarah Clopton, Sr. Manager, Curriculum at sclopton@gcsaa.org.
GCSAA Selects SpencerStuart to Conduct CEO Search
(posted 11-14-07)
GCSAA’s board of directors has selected SpencerStuart (http://www.spencerstuart.com)
to conduct the search for a new chief
executive officer. The board considered 10
search firms, requested proposals from five and conducted in-person
interviews with three finalists before selecting SpencerStuart.
SpencerStuart is an internationally
recognized firm that specializes in searches for top executive and board
leadership. A three-person team is currently conducting interviews with
board members, staff, members and other constituents to develop a more
complete picture of the qualifications and qualities of the ideal candidate
for the position. One of the unique complexities of the position is that the
CEO of GCSAA also serves as CEO of GCSAA Communications Inc., the for-profit
enterprise that helps fund GCSAA programs and services, and of The
Environmental Institute for Golf, which is GCSAA’s philanthropic
organization.
To review the position profile, visit
http://www.gcsaa.org/epushes/pdf/GCSAACEO16844-001SPC.pdf.
If you are interested in the position or know someone who is, please contact
a member of the SpencerStuart team conducting the search. (Contact
information is included in the profile).
The SpencerStuart team conducting the search
consists of:
* Robert G. Shields, the senior partner
managing the firm’s Chicago office and the lead contact on GCSAA’s search.
Shields has placed a wide variety of CEOs and senior
executives for industrial and consumer product providers and related
services companies, as well as for member-participant
associations and not-for-profit organizations. He is an active alumnus of
the University of Kansas, where he earned his
engineering degree, and is very familiar with Lawrence, Kan. He is a
Registered
Professional Engineer in Illinois, holds an MBA
from the University of Chicago, and serves on the board of the search
industry’s professional association, the
Association of Executive Search Consultants. He is an avid golfer and a
member of golf
clubs in Illinois, Michigan and South Carolina.
* Lynn R. Olman, also from the Chicago
office, specializes in working with associations, foundations, educational
institutions, healthcare organizations and other nonprofits.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in government and public administration
from American University, and her master’s in
legislative affairs from George Washington University. Throughout
her
career, she has served on the boards of numerous local, state
and national organizations and is currently a member of the Chicago Chamber
of Commerce board of trustees.
* Jed Hughes Jr., based in SpencerStuart’s New York office, is recognized as a pioneer in bringing
executive search to the world of sports. While at Walter V. Clark, he led
the development of psychological testing, competency development and
structural behavioral interviewing for the Super Bowl San Francisco 49ers
and the Super Bowl Green Bay Packers, and provided
leadership coaching for top business executives
at General Electric, R.R. Donnelly, H.J. Heinz and PNC Bank. He has
conducted a variety of CEO and board searches for private equity and public
companies in sports and business, including the PGA of America. He coached
for the UCLA, Stanford (where he earned his master’s), and University of
Michigan (where he earned his Ph.D.) football teams before moving to the
National Football League and working with the Minnesota Vikings, the
Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.
Current GCSAA CEO Stephen F. Mona, CAE,
announced in late September that he had accepted the newly created position
of CEO of the World Golf Foundation, and that he would continue to work with
GCSAA for up to six months to assist in a successful transition.
Sincerely,
Ricky D. Heine, CGCS
GCSAA President
HAGCSA PAST PRESIDENT PASSES:
CHARLIE SIDENSTUCKER (1924 - 2007)
posted 11-14-07
|
Charlie Sidenstucker, 83, St.
Joseph, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, at Heartland Regional Medical
Center. Mr. Sidenstucker was born Aug. 1, 1924, in Webster City, Iowa.
He served in the Navy during World War II. He married Annie Lee Way, who
preceded him in death in 1982. Mr. Sidenstucker was the greens
superintendent for 30 years at the St. Joseph Country Club. He also
worked for the Ames Country Club, Ames Iowa, for five years. He also was
preceded in death by his parents, Stewart Charles and Alice Lenore (Stangland)
Sidenstucker; and daughter-in-law, Mona Sidenstucker.
He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 359, Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America, past president of the Heart of
America chapter of Superintendents of America and a board member of the
Missouri Valley Turf Grass Association.
Survivors: two sons, John Stewart Sidenstucker, St. Joseph; and William
Charles Sidenstucker; stepson, Richard Lee, Smithville, Tenn.;
stepdaughter, Julie Hill, St. Joseph; six grandchildren; and six
great-grandchildren.
Service:
Friday, November 16, 2007
10 a.m.
Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Joseph.
Interment: Ashland Cemetery, St. Joseph.
(The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the
funeral home.)
***The family suggests memorial gifts to the Diabetes Association.***
Charlie was our HAGCSA
President in 1974; while he was a superintendent at St. Joseph Country
Club.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to
Charlie's family during this most difficult
time.
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"HEARTBEAT"
GOING ELECTRONIC ((posted
10-18-07)
Beginning with the April, 2008 issue, we are going to an electronic format
to disseminate the bi-monthly newsletter instead
of the current hard copy mailed to you.
What does this mean, you ask?
All HAGCSA members will be e-mailed the newsletter in the form of a
Permanent Data File. It will be very important for each of
us to insure that the Association office has a preferred, current e-mail
address so that you receive your editions uninterrupted. You can contact
Kim to make any changes either through our website at
www.hagcsa.org through the Contact Us section or
call (816-561-5323) or e-mail Kim at
kswank@swassn.com .
I liked getting the newsletter by
regular mail. Why are you doing this?
Come on! If you aren’t already connected, you better get there! Besides,
you will now be getting the newsletter in color, with quality pictures and
crisp, bold headings. Our chapter can also save money on printing and
postage, not to mention saving a
few trees! We will not be changing the format, so advertisers WILL be
listed just like in the past. Nothing will change other than
it being virtual vs. hard copy. You can print it off yourself, if you wish!
Well, what about the magazine
editions and the roster?
You will continue to receive the magazine issues and the roster as you have
in the past….For now! We want to make sure that everything goes smooth with
the newsletter before making the plunge and going entirely electronic with
the magazine. I would
love to get some feedback from our advertisers about the possibility of
eventually going electronic with the magazine editions, so any ideas,
feedback or possible concerns are needed and welcomed! The roster, for the
foreseeable future, will remain as hard copy, though we are exploring ways
to improve it.
Though change is sometimes difficult, I
can guarantee each of you that this new format will be great. I have seen
the future….it beats the hell out of the past! Don’t forget to get us your
current, preferred e-mail address AND remember to contact us if you change
it during the course of the year.
Tony Bertels
Heartbeat Editor
HAGCSA
Adopts New Logo (posted 10-8-07)
The HAGCSA Board adopted a new logo that
encompasses both HAGCSA and GCSAA; bringing awareness to
Superintendents worldwide. To date
over 30 chapters have revised their logos to be uniform across the globe.
We're updated our website and have ordered
new letterhead and envelopes. The
association office will continue to use the existing letterhead throughout
2007 to save on cost. If you have any questions regarding this update,
please contact Brad Gray, President (bgray@missionhillscc.com).
MONA TO LEAVE GCSAA
(posted 9-26-07)
Earlier this morning, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem announced that
Steve Mona accepted the newly-created Chief Executive Officer
position of the World Golf Foundation. The text of the announcement is
available at the following online link:
http://www.pgatour.com/2007/r/09/26/wgf/index.html
Steve has agreed to
continue to serve up to another six months to assist in the succession of
GCSAA’s chief executive officer. He came to GCSAA, Nov. 15, 1993, after
serving as executive director of the Georgia State Golf Association. A
statement from GCSAA President Ricky D. Heine, CGCS and Steve can be
accessed at the following online link:
http://www.gcsaa.org/news/releases/2007/sep/monaadvisory.asp
I know you’ll join me in
wishing Steve well in his new position – it has been an honor to work with
him during my tenure here at GCSAA. If you have any specific questions,
please feel free to contact Steve or Jeff Bollig, director, communications.
And just a quick reminder
to complete your GCSAA volunteer form if you have not taken time to do that
yet.
http://www.gcsaa.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=100
Thanks again and best
regards,
Lisa Wick
Sr. Manager of E-Learning
Programs
GCSAA
1421 Research Park Drive
Lawrence, KS 66049-3859
(785) 832-3649
(800) 472-7878, ext. 3649
(785) 832-4449 fax
lwick@gcsaa.org
National
Institute of Golf Management - Education
Are you currently serving in the general manager role, or interested in this
undertaking? Are you interested in expanding your knowledge about the
entire golf facility and management? The National Institute of Golf
Management would be a great educational program for you. GCSAA serves as an
education partner to NIGM, a program that brings in golf course
superintendents, general managers, golf pros, food and beverage personnel
and golf course owners for a dynamic week of education and networking. The
2008 Institute will be held at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center, Wheeling,
W. Va. Jan. 6 – 11. For more information on the program, visit
www.nigminstitute.com or
contact Sarah Clopton, Sr. Manager, Curriculum at sclopton@gcsaa.org.
610 SPORTS - "The Golf Show" (PSA from HAGCSA)
GCSAA is starting a relationship with 610 Sports and "The Golf Show" (Saturday
mornings 8am-10am) on behalf of the Heart of America GCSA.
GCSAA will have a 20 second PSA that will end with "brought to you by the
Heart of America Golf Course Superintendents Association".
In addition, on behalf of the GCSAA and HAGCSA, Brian Wright and Neil Jones
will be interviewing PGA Championship host superintendent Russ Myers from
Southern Hills in Tulsa. He is scheduled to be on in the
8:24am this Saturday. Make sure
to LISTEN IN and SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!
Please also take the time to review the attached profiles and documents
regarding the upcoming show.
For more information or if you miss the show, please download the following:
Russ Myers Profile
Southern Hill Golf Course
PGA Preview
Golf
Channel - WATCH IT! (posted 7-16-07)
A 30-minute special featuring The Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG),
GCSAA and its members will air on the Golf Channel next week. Earlier this
summer, a Golf Channel crew ventured to Bandon Dunes to see how the property
is managed in a manner that is compatible with the environment (Troy
Russell, superintendent member; Thomas Jefferson, CGCS; Jeff Sutherland,
superintendent member; Ken Nice, Class A member). While in
Oregon, the crew also caught up
with GCSAA Class A member
David Phipps, who hosts GreenLinks
from the EDGE on
http://www.EIFG.org.
Air times are (all eastern):
Monday, July 23 at 11 p.m.
Tuesday, July 24 at 2 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Wednesday, July 25 at 5:30 a.m.
Sunday, July 29 at 11:30 a.m.
It will also be aired later in the year at times and dates to be determined.
GCSAA
National Conference Committee Report
As a member of the GCSAA 2007 Conference and
Show Resource Group I participated in a meeting May 10-11 in
New Orleans. Topics of discussion included the
2007 Attendee Survey Results, Golf Industry Show Team Day, 2008 GCSAA
Education Conference/Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Marketing Strategies and
New Orleans 2009. Plans for the 2008 events in Orlando are well into the
planning stages – several new seminars are on the schedule as well as the
return of diagonal trade show floor aisles. The dates in 2008 are earlier
than usual so please make a note. The GCSAA Education Conference dates are
Jan. 28- Feb. 2 and the Golf Industry Show dates are Jan. 31-Feb. 2.
The meeting included a city
tour that highlighted New Orleans landmarks and visitor attractions. I have
to tell you that the city
of New Orleans is definitely ready for the 2009 GCSAA Education Conference
and Golf Industry Show! New Orleans has made tremendous progress after
Katrina and is dedicated to being a first-class city for conventions and
visitors. More information is forthcoming from GCSAA and I’m confident you
will be as excited about New Orleans as I am.
Steve Vincent
GCSAA Conference & Trade Show Committee
Lesco, Inc
On the fairways, personnel keeping on the
green path
(posted 7-6-07)
By ROBERT COLE, The Kansas City Star
Walking the contoured fairways of a freshly mowed golf course can be a great
beginning to a sunny summer day.
Course personnel spend
hours every day tending to bluegrass roughs and bent grass greens.
Maintaining irrigation systems and trimming cart paths are part of the daily
drill.
For many Kansas City area
golf superintendents, staying “green” also means monitoring the use of
fertilizers and managing turf grass to reduce the potential for pesticides
to run off into neighboring water supplies.
Environmental groups,
including the Washington, D.C.-based
National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides,
worry that pesticides may expose golfers to toxic chemicals and injure
ecosystems.
The coalition uses its Web
site, Beyond Pesticides,
to promote course developments that are environmentally friendly yet
economically viable.
Their cause isn’t being
overlooked by course superintendents, an increasing number of whom are
college graduates skilled in environmental practices.
Independent university
research indicates that well-managed courses don’t pose a significant risk
to environmental quality or human health, according to the
Golf Course Superintendents Association of
America, based in Lawrence.
Pesticide products
typically undergo more than 120 tests before they’re registered with the
Environmental Protection Agency,
the superintendents organization said.
“These are targeted
applications,” said Greg Lyman, environmental programs director. “Making
application for a course pest problem is likely to only cover about 6
percent of the play area.”
Lyman said his group was
surveying its members to identify how they practice environmental
stewardship, including land and water use, in their course operations.
Results of the five-year project will help craft new environmental education
programs, he said.
Nearly all course staffs
have at least one state-licensed pesticide applicator who is trained in
environmental practice, the superintendents group said.
The improvements made by
local golf operators have offset many environmental concerns.
Integrated pest management,
identifying pests and applying chemicals only to targeted areas are used at
Overland Park Golf Course
and St. Andrews Golf Club,
said Sandy Queen, manager of golf course operations for Overland Park.
“Technology has really
benefited the management of turf grass,” he said. “Chemicals don’t live as
long in the soil as the hydrocarbon products that were used in the early
’70s,” he said.
Architects now create
designs that help preserve wetland habitats and reduce the need for toxic
applications.
Adams Pointe Golf Club
in Blue Springs has focused on conservation since
construction began in 1996, said Randy Shatzer, superintendent.
Water quality at each of
the course’s six ponds is closely monitored, he said. Crews avoid
overwatering and try to use minimal amounts of chemicals in each
application.
Adams Pointe is one of
eight Missouri courses designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative
Sanctuary by Audubon International.
“We try to protect our
ponds and wetlands so the natural wildlife can thrive,” Shatzer said. “We
take pride in the environment.”
Kansas
Turfgrass Field Day
Date: August 2, 2007
Time: 7:00am - Registration
8:45am - Welcome
9:00am - Tour Highlights
12:30pm - Equipment Demo's (optional)
Location: K-State Research & Extension Center
35230 W. 135th Street (go west on 135th street and it will "dead-end" at the
K-State Center)
Olathe, KS 66061
Cost: $20.00 per person (included lunch)
Credit Hours: 1 credit hour for state pesticide license in
Turf Pest Control (3B)
.25 GCSAA Education Points
(education forms will be available at the registration table)
This is a Sponsored & Coordinated Event By: K-State Research Extension Center & Kansas Turfgrass
Foundation
To make a Reservation or for more information:
http://ksuturf.com/Field%20Day.html
July 17, 2007 - Ozark Turf Association Fundraiser Tournament
Time: 10:30am / Registration
11:00am / Lunch &
Driving Range
12:00pm / Shotgun
Start
Location: Old Kinderhook (Lake of the Ozarks)
Format: 4-person Scramble
Cost: $80.00/ Person or $320.00/ Team
Make your Reservations with: Paul Downard at 417-485-0787
*This is a Sponsored and Coordinated Event By: Ozark Turf
Association. The funds raised will benefit the
University of Missouri Turfgrass Facility
Missouri
Turfgrass & Ornamental Field Day
Date: July 10, 2007
Time:
8:30am - Introductions
8:45am - 1st Discussion
Choice
9:45am - 2nd Discussion
Choice
10:45am - 3rd Discussion Choice
11:45am - Lunch
(included in morning fee)
and Door Prizes
1:30pm - Golf Outing with
Travis Teuton
1:00 Irrigation Workshop with
Jim Davis from Toro
Hands-on Sports Turf Workshop at South Farms with Brad Fresenburg from MU
Native Grasses & Naturalized
Cost: $25 for
morning programs, lunch and exhibits
$25 for afternoon
workshop or 9-hole golf outing at the Columbia Country Club
This is a Sponsored & Coordinated Event By: Missouri Turf & Ornamental Council and University
of Missouri Extension
For topics, speakers, sponsorship, exhibitors and registration form:
Click Here
Nominate Candidates for the 2008
GCSAA Board of Directors
This is the
official call for nominations for candidates for the 2008 GCSAA Board of
Directors.
The deadline for receipt of nominations is July 1, 2007.
GCSAA
Scholars Competition deadline is June 1
Selection criteria for this program includes
academic excellence, work experience, extracurricular activities and
potential to become a leading professional in the golf course management
industry.
More Information & Application
Golf League 2007
A couple
of HAGCSA members are putting together a Golf League for 2007. You
don't
have to be a
member to participate. All are welcome to attend.
There will be 10
golf events over 20 weeks (an event every other
week), starting in May.
The cost is yet to be determined.
If you're
interest in joining the Golf League or have questions, please contact:
Jimmy Angelotti:
jangelotti@dubsdreadgolfclub.com
John O'Leary:
joleary@lesco.com
GCSAA Announces New Chapter Liaison
My name is Jim Cummins, and I am very proud to represent the GCSAA as
Chapter Liaison, focused on
Organizational Development, for KS, NE, ND, and SD. I will be working with
these states’ affiliated chapters
and members to:
-
Develop
strategic plans.
-
Build
relationships with other allied organizations as well as commercial partners
in the area.
-
Attend
chapter and allied meetings to make presentations that are pertinent to each
audience.
-
Promote the
features, benefits, and value to member and non-member facilities, of
belonging to the
affiliated chapter and GCSAA.
-
Establish the
relationship with the student chapters within the states.
As Chapter Liaison, I am here to help you and your Chapter
get the most out of your membership; to listen to your
needs and to relay your input to GCSAA Headquarters so we can better serve
you.
To give you a little background on how I arrived here…Well,
growing up in Springfield, Missouri, I spent summers l
earning about and playing golf at a small club in Ozark, MO called Fremont
Hills CC. My heroes quickly became
the golf course superintendent and the golf professional. They tolerated me
hanging around the maintenance shop
or golf shop, so I got an early education, and my admiration grew for them.
After playing golf for the University
of Arkansas (I played with John Daly…that was a good time) and Missouri
State, I got in the golf business at
Alvamar Golf and Country Club as an assistant golf professional in 1989. In
1992 I accepted a position as General Manager/Director of Golf at Emporia
Country Club. In 1997 I became a manufacturer’s representative for the
Dunlop Maxfli Slazenger Group and later was promoted to National Accounts.
In 2003 I became the Director of Sales for a landscape
and survey supply company in Florida called Component Systems Inc. The
Midwest is my family’s home, so here we
are and we could not be happier.
I am really excited to be a new team member of such a great
association, and I look forward to meeting and talking with
more of you in the near future. Please feel free to call or email anytime;
I am here to help in any way possible. I know
there is a lot of experience and knowledge you have for me to benefit from…I
welcome your thoughts… I ask you for them
…Thank you and take care.
Jim Cummins
Chapter Liaison-Organizational Development
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
1421 Research Park Drive
Lawrence, Kansas 66049
785.841.2240 main
785.312.5148 direct
800.472.7878 ext. 5148 toll free
785.865.8348 cell
jcummins@gcsaa.org
HAGCSA - Legacy Scholarship
(emailed to
membership and posted on 4-25-07)
Dear Fellow Member,
I am writing you to ask for two minutes of your time to answer a couple of
questions concerning an idea that is being discussed with the Heart of
America GCSA Board of Directors. The Board is aware that your input is
critical to the success of the association. Therefore, I would ask that you
send a reply as soon as possible before May 14th.
The idea concerns a Legacy
Award that is very similar to the GCSAA Legacy Award. Basically it would
award a child or grandchild of a Heart of America GCSA Member a monetary
award to help offset college tuition. The award would be an
added value to your membership
as the funds would be donated from a distributor.
Right now we are offering
all distributors a shot at funding this award but feel confident we can work
something out with one if not more distributors as I have been working on
the award for several months. Based on funding the award would be around
$1,500 and made out to the institution and the student. The award would be
based on an essay and awarded by outside Professors and Teachers from area
Universities and High Schools. Current board members would not be
eligible. For the entire award application, please call or email Kim Swank
or myself and we will be happy to send you one.
There is a sub-committee
forming to hash out all the particular details with this potential “give
back” to the membership. If you have questions or concerns in the meantime,
please address them to me at (913) 432-0333 or
maynard8@swbell.net.
Here are the questions:
1)
Would you find a Legacy Award a “benefit” to your Heart of
America Membership?
2)
Would you have children / grandchildren that could take
advantage of the award?
Thank you for emailing
Kim your answers. Hopefully you will see the value this brings to being a
member of the Heart of America, and will help in our recruiting efforts to
gain new members and retain out current members.
Thank you for your time,
Bill Maynard, CGCS
Immediate Past President
Education Seminars - Hosted by Floratine Midwest
Floratine Midwest will be
hosting educational seminars at various locations the week of April 16th.
All superintendents and/or their assistants are welcome to attend.
These informal sessions will be presented by one of Floratine’s corporate
speakers. Information discussed
will include plant strength and health issues, soil chemistry, plant defense
enhancement and other related
topics, as well as Floratine technology. If you have used our AnaLync soil
testing system, feel free to bring
your soil report to discuss.
So
join your friends and peers at this informational gathering, and enjoy food
and drink provided by Floratine Midwest.
Tuesday April 17th
– Topeka CC
8:30 –
Coffee/Rolls
9:00 – Seminar
11:30 – Lunch
Tuesday April 17th – Staley Farms CC
3:00 –
Beverages/Appetizers
3:30 – Seminar
6:00 – Conclusion
Wednesday April 18th – Terradyne GC
8:00 – Coffee/Rolls
8:30 – Seminar
11:00 – Lunch
Wednesday April 18th – Meadowbrook CC
3:30 – Beverages/Appetizers
4:00 – Seminar
6:30 – Conclusion
Thursday April 19th – Tan-Tar-A – Lake of the Ozarks
3:00 – Beverages/Appetizers
3:30 – Seminar
6:30 – Conclusion
-
Country Club attire required as requested by the host facilities
-
Please RSVP for attendees to David Hunter (913) 642-7202 or
dhunter74@sbcglobal.net or
Curt Gillette (816) 331-3659 or
cjturf@juno.com by Friday April 13th.
GCSAA Legacy Awards
Funded by Syngenta
Knowing the costs of higher education will continue to rise, The
Environmental Institute for Golf
(formerly The GCSAA Foundation) developed this program to provide
scholarship assistance to
the children and grandchildren of GCSAA members who have been active Class
A, Superintendent
Members, Class C, Class A-Retired, Class B-Retired or Class AA members for
five or more consecutive
years. Honorees receive a $1,500 award.
Applicants must be enrolled full time at an
accredited institution of higher learning, or for high school
seniors, they must have been accepted at such an institution for the next
academic year. This program
is funded by Syngenta Professional Products. The annual deadline is April
15.
Legacy award winners will be ineligible to
apply the year following their win. Winners can reapply after a
one year hiatus.
For application materials, please contact
Amanda Howard, employment
administrator, at
(800) 472-7878 ext. 4424
.
Word application |
PDF application
5 Reasons Why You Should Complete the GCSAA Compensation and Benefits Survey
In January 2007, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America will
send out the 2007 Compensation and Benefits Survey to member
superintendents.
Throughout the year superintendents call for
data from this survey to use as a tool for negotiating salaries, writing
budgets, establishing and maintaining bonuses and fringe benefits. Having
your own copy of the most up-to-date GCSAA compensation report can save you
hours of research.
So why should you respond?
Here are some key reasons:
- You receive a free copy of the
final report for completing the survey—a $100 value! Use this
report to reference how your salary, benefits and operational budgets
compare to peers in the industry.
- Be represented – this survey is
a measure of your profession. When you submit your data, and
your peers at similar golf facilities and job situations also
participate, we can include in the report the tables that are useful to
you. If you don’t respond, the report won’t be as useful to anyone
else either.
- Higher response rates bring
increased credibility for the profession—The superintendent
profession has traditionally impressed the golf industry by its high
rate of volunteer participation in this survey! With good response, you
and your colleagues have more precise data in smaller, more defined
categories to enhance your position and validate your budgets and
requests.
- Your voice counts—
Whether you have a maintenance budget of $2 million or $100,000, your
facility’s information is important in order to learn industry trends,
regional variances and more.
- You are the expert
— Your data adds to the accuracy of information in the report. With
your in
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