#7 - Course Conditions - Winter 2009/2010

Quarterly Publication of the Michigan golf course suPerintendents association | Winter 09-10

Migcsa state championship host steve fiorillo, cgcs at eagle eye and hawk hollow

2010 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONAND DUES STATEMENTMICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 64Saint Johns, MI 48879

www.migcsa.org

PREFERRED MAILINGADDRESS:

HomeWork

DISTRICT:Greater DetroitMidNorthernWestern

MEMBER SINCE:_______________________

PREFERREDCOMMUNICATION:

E-MailFaxPostal

WILL YOU VOLUNTEERFOR A COMMITTEE?

YesNo

TYPE OF OPERATION:PrivatePublicMunicipality

NUMBER OF GOLFHOLES MAINTAINED:_______________________

PLEASE MAKECHECKS PAYABLE TO:

MIGCSAP.O. Box 64

Saint Johns, MI 48879Fax: 1-888-3-MiGCSA

www.migcsa.org

____________________________________________________________________________________________NAME

CGCS: Yes No _________________________________________________________________________GCSAA Member #

____________________________________________________________________________________________HOME ADDRESS

____________________________________________________________________________________________EDOC LATSOPETATSYTIC

____________________________________________________________________________________________ESUOPSENOHP LLECENOHP EMOH

____________________________________________________________________________________________NOITISOP FO ELTITYNAPMOC

____________________________________________________________________________________________COMPANY ADDRESS

____________________________________________________________________________________________EDOC LATSOPETATSYTIC

____________________________________________________________________________________________XAFENOHP KROW

____________________________________________________________________________________________ETISBEW LIAME

PLEASE SELECT THE APPROPRIATE MEMBER CLASS: All membership categories will be reviewed by the Membership Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.If needed, check web site for the Detailed De�nitions of the following Classes according to our By-Laws.www.migcsa.org

0$ = rebmeM efiLAA ssalC

Class A Golf Course Superintendent = $75

Class SM Superintendent Member = $75

Class C Assistant Golf Course Superintendent = $50

Class D Equipment Technician = $25

57$ = etailiffA FFA ssalC

0$ = yraronoH H ssalC

0$ = rotacudE E ssalC

Class SA Student /Associate = $25 (Student or employee that doesn't �t a listed class)

esaC laudividnI rep draoB eht yb tes eb lliW = evitcanI I ssalC

05.73$ = deriteR R ssalC

Class FM Facility Membership = Will be set by the Board per Individual Case

CREDIT CARD PAYMENT: Visa MasterCard American Express ________________________AMOUNT $

___________________________________________________________________________________________CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE

___________________________________________________________________________________________NAME ON CARD

___________________________________________________________________________________________SIGNATURE

Enclosed is my check for ___________________________________________________________________AMOUNT $

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Fax: 1-888-3-MiGCSA

3course conditions | Winter 09-10

contents5 President’sPerspective

6 ChapterDelegatesMeet ingOf fers Ins i gh t and a Look Ahead

8 So – What i s i t About the New GIS Schedu le?

9 CalendarofEvents

12 The Ins t i tu te Fos ters Go l f ’ s

Greener S ide

18 FromNationals

19 HolidayPartyRecap:MidDistrict

20 TheBigEvent

22 GreenSideUp

23 AssistantUpdate

24 HolidayPartyRecap:GreaterDetroit

District

26 CallfromCampus

27 IntheNews

27 MiGCSAMembershipReport

28 HolidayPartyRecap:WesternDistrict

Steve Fiorillo, CGCS, Superintendent Hawk Hollow Golf Course and Eagle Eye Golf Club

Ben Walters , Assistant Superintendent The Whispering Pines Golf Club

10

16

Editor and CommuniCations Chairman

Adam [email protected]

Course Conditions is published 4 times a year by the Michigan GolfCourse Superintendents Association. Opinions expressed by guest writers do notnecessarily reflect the views of the MiCGSA. For more information onCourse Conditions or the MiGCSA please contact us at [email protected],1-888-3-MiGCSA or P.O. Box 64 in St. Johns, MI 48879.

PrEsidEnt STEVE HAMMON-2010 Northern-Class A Traverse City Golf & Country Club

ViCE PrEsidEnt RON DAHLIN, CGCS-2012 Western-Class A The Meadows Golf Club at GVSU

Past PrEsidEnt JOHN FULLING, CGCS Western-Class A Kalamazoo Country Club

sECrEtary/ JAY ECCLETON, CGCS-2011trEasurEr Mid-Class A The Emerald

board mEmbErs GREGG MATTHEWS -2010 Detroit-Class A Lakelands Golf and Country Club

GREG PATTINSON-2010 Mid-Class A Captains Club

JASON SCHWIETERS-2010 Western-Class A Sunnybrook Country Club

TIM DARK-2011 Detroit-Class A Barton Hills Country Club

JEFF HOLMES, CGCS-2011 Western-Class A Egypt Valley C.C

ADAM IKAMAS-2011Northern-Class ACrystal Mountain Resort

RICK HAKKEN-2012Mid-Class AThe Pines GC at Lake Isabella

SCOTT PULASKI-2012Northern-Class ATreetops Resort

TAVIS HORTON-2012Detroit - Class C

dEsignEr and Editor

Sarah [email protected]

Course Conditions staff

board of direCtors

.4 Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org

.

Welcometo the

Migcsa boarderiC rank

Chikaming Country Club REPRESENTING

WESTERN DISTRIcT

and

Jim bluCk, CGCs

From ForEst dunEs golF & Country Club

REPRESENTING NoRThERN DISTRIcT

President’s Perspective

stEVE hammon

Hello and happy New Year to you and your family. It was great seeing so many of you in Grand Rapids

during the state conference in January. As this is my last MiGCSA president’s message I have a large

list of thank you comments to dish out. To my wife Sue, thank you for all of your support while I spent

many days and nights away from home attending board meetings and traveling to numerous allied part-

ner events representing the MiGCSA. Next on the thank you list would be my assistant Kevin Breuker,

Dave Ertl my equipment technician and my entire staff for managing the operations at work while I was

on the road so much the past few years. My involvement with the chapter would never have been pos-

sible without the support of my general manager Jeff Anderson CCM, my green committee chairman Eric

Guttenberg and the board of directors at Traverse City Golf & Country Club.

The MiGCSA board of directors may have appointed me to be the president in 2009 but these guys are all

presidents of their respective board positions and committees. What an amazing group of people, all with

their own special talents, skills and desire to serve the membership. It’s been an honor getting to know

all of you and to have worked with you. Thank you for all of your hard work and hours away from your

own families and golf courses. Thank you to the MiGCSA membership and Industry Partners for their

support over the past few years. It took an army of people to volunteer their time to serve and merge

four separate chapters into one very successful and flourishing statewide association. You all have built

one of the best superintendent chapters in the country, membership numbers continue to climb, in 2009

they were up 9%. Thank you to all of the staff at the main office in Lansing for your work managing the

details of the association behind the scenes.

We had 43 members attend the annual meeting in Grand Rapids during the GLTE. Congratulations and

thank you to Gregg Mathews and Greg Pattinson for running for another three year term and welcome

aboard to Eric Rank and Jim Bluck for filling two board vacancies.

It’s been a great honor serving the membership of the MiGCSA as president this past year. Thank you

for the opportunity.

Sincerely,

stEVE hammon, migCsa PrEsidEnt


Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org.

chapter delegates Meeting offers insight and a look ahead

candidate presentations, economy dominate agenda

NinetyGCSAAchapterdelegates,representing95chapters,convenedinLawrence,Kan.,andKansasCity,Mo.,Oct.9-11toparticipateinawiderangeofdiscussions,includingthestateofthegolfeconomy,associationgovernance,golf’srelationshipwiththeenvironment,andmembershipgrowthandretention.

“Iwasextremelyimpressedbythepreparationandengagementofthedelegates,”saidJimFitzroy,CGCS,meetingchairmanandGCSAAvicepresident.“Thequestionsaskedwereappropriate,andthediscussionswerethoughtful.ThatmakesforahealthymeetingandgivesmegreatconfidencethatthedelegateswillgobackandcommunicatetotheirmemberssothattheyhaveadeeperunderstandingofwhatGCSAAisdoingontheirbehalfandonbehalfofthegame.”

CandidatE PrEsEntations

Inaddition,candidatesforpresident,vicepresident,secretary/treasurerandtwoopendirectorpositionsmetwiththedelegates.AshortenedversionofthecandidatepresentationswillbeavailableonGCSAATVinthenearfuture.Fitzroy,WollastonRecreationalFacility/PresidentsGolfClubinNorthQuincy,Mass.,isrunningunopposedforpresident;asisBobRandquist,CGCSatBocaRioGolfClubinBocaRaton,Fla.,forvicepresident.CurrentdirectorsSandyQueen,CGCSatCityofOverlandPark,Kan..,andPatFinlen,CGCSatTheOlympicClubinSanFrancisco,Calif.,opposeeachotherforsecretary/treasurer.Bothoftheirtwoyeardirectortermsexpirethisyear.Fourcandidatesarevyingfortwoopendirectorpositions:BobFarren,CGCSatPinehurst(N.C.)Resort;ToddLupkes,CGCSatPalouseRidgeGolfCourseinPullman,Wash;BillMaynard,CGCSatMilburnGolfandCountryClubinShawnee,Kan.;andMikeWooten,CGCSatCedarRidgeCountryClubinBrokenArrow,Okla.

“ThenominatingcommitteedidanexcellentjobinprovidingthemembershipasolidslateofcandidatesfortheelectioninFebruary,”Fitzroysaid.Thefeedbackfromthedelegatesistherewillbesomedifficultchoices,butallareextremelyworthyofservice.”

assoCiation oPErations and FinanCial uPdatE

Thirty-oneofthe39newchapterdelegatesparticipatedinanorientationsessiontolearnmoreabouttheirroleandingreaterdetailhowGCSAAfunctionsasanassociation.ThefullcontingentofdelegatesheardastateoftheassociationpresentationfromGCSAAChiefExecutiveOfficerMarkWoodard,CGCS.HenotedGCSAAhasbeenchallengedfinanciallybydeclinesinindustryadvertising,tradeshowspace,andconferenceandshowattendance.However,hesaidGCSAAisinabetterpositionthanmanyassociationsbecauseofahealthyfinancialreserve,asupportiveindustry,aloyalmembershipandnolong-termdebt.

Woodwardalsosaidtheassociation’ssolidfootingisbuoyedbyitsparticipationinnumerousalliedassociationinitiativesandbytheimportanceownersandinfluentialgolfersplaceonthegolfcoursesuperintendent.

“Inmyfirst15monthsonthejobIhavehadtheopportunitytotravelalloverthenationandmeetwithabroadspectrumoftheindustry,”Woodwardsaid.“Twothingsstandout:First,golfhasneverbeenmoreunifiedandcommittedtostrengtheningthegame;andsecond,therecognizedvalueoftheGCSAAmemberisatanalltimehigh.GCSAAhasitschallenges,buttheleadershipreallylooksatthesituationasoneofopportunity.Weareinastrongpositionandmuchofthecreditforthatgoestothemembership.”

sustainability

DelegateswerealsoupdatedontheworkofGCSAAandTheEnvironmentalInstituteforGolfinsustainingthegame.ChiefamongtheeffortsistheGolfCourseEnvironmentalProfile.GCSAADirectorofEnvironmentalProgramsGregLymanexplainedthatthenutrientsurveyresultswouldbereleasedinearlyDecember,buildingonthelanduseandwateruse/conservationreportsissuedoverthepasttwoyears.Lymannotedthatthedatafromthesurveyshasbeencrucialinworkingwithlawmakers,mediaandalliedgolfassociationsindetailinggolf’senvironmentalfootprint.Lymanalsodiscussedtheimportanceofthedevelopmentofthenewsuperintendentcompetencies,whichwillincludeanelementofenvironmentalmanagement.

PerhapsthehighlightofthemeetingwasapresentationonsustainabilitybyUniversityofKansasProfessorofJournalismandMassCommunicationsSimranSethi.AninternationallyrespectedauthorityonsustainabilityandcontributortoNBCNightlyNews,OprahWinfreyShowandPlanetGreenChannel,Sethispokeaboutthesustainabilitywithafocusonthetriplebottomline:people,planetandprofit.SheapplaudedGCSAA,itsmembersandTheInstitutefortheircommitmenttotransparencyandcontinuousimprovementinmanagingfacilities.

“It’sachallengeforyou,andIrealizethat,”Sethisaid.“Youhavetoserveyouremployersandyouarepressuredbygolfersforperfection.Youmusthavepatienceinthiseffort.Communicationswillbeimportant.Youwillhavetodemonstratewhyachangeofbehaviorisimportant.Usethetoolsouttherethatareavailabletohelp.Ithinkwhattheassociationandyouaredoingiswonderful.Aslongastheassociationandyouarecommittedtotransparencyandcontinuousimprovement,thenyoucanbesuccessfulagainstdetractors.”

First timErs imPrEssEd

Aformatchangethatfocusedoncreatingopportunitiesforsmall

6

groupdiscussions,expandedtimewiththecandidatesandmoreopportunitiesfornetworkingwaswellreceived,especiallybyfirst-timeattendees.

“Iwasblownaway,”saidDanielSalois,GCSAAClassAmemberatHighlandMeadowsGolfClubinToledo,Ohio,anddelegatefortheNorthwesternOhioGCSA.“ThiswasagreatwayformetolearnmoreaboutGCSAAandalloftheresourcesitprovidesforthemembers.Wehaveaverysharpstaffthatiscommittedtoservingthemembers.IamgoingtogobackandsharewithmychapterjusthowmuchGCSAAcanhelpthemandtheirfacilities.”

JayEccleton,CGCSatTheEmeraldatMapleCreekinSt.John’s,Mich.,andMichiganGCSAdelegate,challengedhispeers:“GCSAAputsitrightthereinfrontofus.Youcannotblamethem.Shameonusthememberifwedonottakeadvantageoftheresources.Ilearnedalotabouttheelectionprocessandtheassociationoverall.Iamimpressed.”

course conditions | Winter 09-10

other disCussions inCluded:• gCsaa governance issues, including voting procedures, dual

membership and the chapter affiliation agreement, which will be renewed dec. 31, 2009.

• Efforts by gCsaa to manage its expenses and generate new revenues. While the board will approve the association budget in december, the sentiment is not to raise member dues for 2010.

• the health of the gCsaa Education Conference and the golf industry show, as well as the future rotation of the event.

• gCsaa advocacy efforts with lawmakers, media and other audiences.

• best practices by chapters to increase effectiveness and engagement.

• gCsaa membership recruitment and retention activities.

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.

ForthosegettingreadytoheadtoSanDiegofortheGolfIndustryShow,wehopeyouenjoyandappreciatethenewschedule.Uponattendingtheevent,wewillneedyourfeedback!

ThedatesoftheshowareFebruary8-12.TheGCSAANationalChampionshipandGolfClassicwillbeheldinPalmSprings,CAFebruary5-7withtheentrydeadlineDecember11.

WithregardstotheGIS,alleventsareofftheweekend.EducationwillbeMonday,TuesdayandFriday.EventsarenotscheduledtocompeteagainstthetradeshowWednesdayandThursday.Throughextensiveresearch,GCSAAfeelsthiswillbethebestwaytoaccommodateourmembersandourindustryrepresentatives.

Travelingtovariouschaptersacrossthecountryandgaininginitialfeedback,manymemberswilltakeadvantageofeducationearlyintheweek,seetheshowfloor,makepurchasedecisionsfortheupcomingseasonandmaximizetheirvaluewiththestay.

Othersareplanningtoarrivemidweek,takeintheshow,thenattendeducationalsessionsonFriday.WehopeyouareabletousethenewGISscheduletoyouradvantage.Ifyouarenotabletostaytheentireweek,considervisitingonthefrontorbackendsoftheeventandremember,yourfeedbackwillbevitalincraftingoffutureshows.

Registrationisnowopen,wehopetoseeyouthere!

What’s on tap in 2010?

• Therewillbe19newseminars,introducingnewwaystoimproveyourcareerandfacility.

• Educationincludestwo-hourseminarstoprovideyouup-to-dateindustryinformation.

• Attendtheshowfloorhappyhourwhichpromisescamaraderie,fun,games,drinksandprizes.

• Newnetworkingsessionsandeventstoprovideyouevenmoreopportunitiestoconnectwithpeersandindustryprofessionals.

• Attend“CelebrateGCSAA.”Twoevents,includingtheopeningandwelcomingreceptionshavebeenmerged.JudyRankinwillacceptthe2010OldTomMorrisAward!

it’s about education!

Seminarscoveringawiderangeoftopicswillbeconductedandareafocalpointoftheevent.Visitwww.gcsaa.org/conferenceforalltheinformationyouneed!

kick it West to success – san diego style!CustomtoursforGCSAAattendeeswillbeoffered.Thoseinclude:• TheAolaniCatamaranCruse• GoCarsGPSTour• “Uncorked”BlendYourOwnWine• BalboaParkSegwayTour• TakeMeouttotheBallgame• SouthernCaliforniaWineTour• MidwayTourwithHarborCruise• WhaleWatching

so what’s holding you back?

Withsomuchtooffer,canyouaffordtomissthisevent?Justvisitwww.gcsaa.orgorgiveusacallat800/472-7878.

SteveRandallGCSAAChapterLiaison/FieldStaff800/472-7878

so – What is it about the new gis schedule? by steve randall– gcsaa chapter liaison

8 Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org

ThesecondannualMiGCSAFREEEquipmentTechnicianEducationSeminarwasheldonTuesdaythe20thatCrystalMountainResortandSpainThompsonville.Therewere32inattendanceforthe4hourmeeting,includingEquipmentTechnicians,CompanyRepresentatives,Educators,andStudentsfromtheTraverseBayAreaIntermediateSchoolDistrictCareer-TechCenter.Wealsowelcomed9newMiGCSAEquipmentTechnicianmembers.

ThedaystartedwithTomTarrfromtheCareerTechCenteronthevalueofOPEESA&theEETCcertification.HewasfollowedbyJohnGarletsofSpartanDistributors(Toro)whowentoverindetailthetechniquesofelectricialschematicreadings.GeneKlinkmanfromMidwestGolfandTurf(Jacobson)discussedthetechniquesofhydraulicschematicreading.AndJeremyWarnerfromWeingartz(JohnDeere)finishedtheeducationwithahandsondemonstrationof2and4strokeleakdowntesting.

equipment technician event recap

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Everyspeakerprovokedlivelydiscussionsamongtheattendeesandopinionsonwhathasworkedforthemattheirfacilities,andtheinformationexchangedamongtheTechnicianswasveryvaluable.LunchwasprovidedthankstoMidwestGolfandTurf,andsomeattendeesenjoyedaroundofgolfforonly$15afterthemeeting.Thankyoutoallwhoattendedcomingfromallcornersofthestate,aspecialthankyoutoDaveErtlofTraverseCityGolfandCountryClubforputtingthisgreatprogramtogetherandsupportingtheMiGCSAandcontinuingtheeducationofEquipmentTechnicians.

John Garlets of Spartan Distributors Jeremy Warner from Weingartz Gene Klinkman from Midwest Golf and Turf

2010 calendar of events

Friday, February 26 bowling scholarship Fundraiser (galaxy lanes, grand blanc)

monday, march 1 migCsa spring mgt meeting (oakhurst gC)

Wednesday, march 3 golf day at the Capitol with mgCoa (lansing, mi)

tuesday, march 9 migCsa spring mgt meeting/ Equipment tech

(Egypt Valley CC, ada)

tuesday, march 16 migCsa spring mgt meeting/Equipment tech (tree tops, gaylord)

monday april 12 iPP appreciation event / Chapter golf event (kalamazoo Country Club)

monday, april 26 migCsa spring opener (Point o ‘Woods, benton harbor)

Wednesday april 28 Equipment tech Education (the Wyndgate gC)

tuesday, may 11 Can-am tournament (gross ile golf and Country Club)

monday, June 7 mtF Fundraiser (arcadia bluffs, arcadia)

monday, July 12 migCsa golf Event (saginaw CC, saginaw)

Visitwww.miGCsa.orgfor moredetails!



Steve Fiorillo, cGcS arrived at hawk hollow Golf course and Eagle Eye Golf club in 1995. he spent the previous five years working at Timber Ridge Golf course. Prior to this, Steve attended Michigan State University and received a degree in crop and Soil Science.

The vision of chris Lutzke took a completely flat piece of land and with the collaboration of Pete Dye, designed what we now know as Eagle Eye Golf club. After trucking in more than two million yards of soil, the rolling “links” style course was created and features magnificent shot values on every hole. Eagle Eye provides a challenge from any of five sets of tees... and the signature “Island Green” #17 is simply not to be missed. Eagle Eye was rated the 5th-best new course in America in 2005 by Golf Digest, and the 4th-best course in Michigan in 2006 by Michigan Golf magazine. GolfWorld subscribers also rated it the 27th best public course in the nation and 4th best in Michigan this past September.

Steve resides in haslett, Michigan with his wife of 15 years, Susie.They have two children, Maria, 13, Paul, 10, and their dog Pudge.

steve fiorillo

cgcs

a full round

What is your FaVoritE sPorts rElatEd moViE?CaddyshackorHoosiers

What do you do in your sParE timE?Watchingcollegebasketballandfootball.

do you Play golF? What is your handiCaP?Idoplaygolf.Myhandicapisa5.

What is your FaVoritE golF CoursE you haVE PlayEd?CrystalDownsCountryClub

What golF CoursE Would you loVE to ExPEriEnCE onCE in your liFEtimE?IwouldlovetospendacoupleofweeksgolfinginNorthernIrelandandScotland.

hoW did you bEComE inVolVEd in thE golF businEss?IstartedworkingatThePinesatLakeIsabellawhenIwas10,andthenmovedovertothegroundscrewattheageof16.

What is your oPinion about thE augusta syndromE?Itwouldbenicetobeabletokeepyourcourseinthattypeofcondition,butveryfewhavethedollarstodoit.

What is thE biggEst issuE FaCing suPErintEndEnts today? Providinggoodplayingconditions,withmorelimitedbudgets.

What PErCEntagE oF your timE is dEVotEd to non-agronomiC golF CoursE managEmEnt? Probablyabout60%.

What is your biggEst PEt PEEVE ConCErning golF CoursE EtiquEttE? Fixingballmarks.Itisaneasythingtodo,buttoomanygolfersdon’ttakethetimetorepairthem.

iF you Could ChangE anything about golF CoursE managEmEnt, What Would it bE? Itwouldbegreatifwecouldstartworkat8:30am,insteadof5:30am.

What PiECE oF EquiPmEnt Would you likE to add to your arsEnal For golF CoursE managEmEnt? AmaintenancefacilityforEagleEye.Wecurrentlyworkoutofahousewithtwogarages.

What is thE oldEst PiECE oF EquiPmEnt that is still bEing utilizEd in your FlEEt?Toro455-DRoughMower,whichhas7,600hoursonit.Wealsohaveafewotherpiecesofequipmentwithover7,000hours.

What tyPE oF irrigation systEm do you haVE and aPProximatEly hoW many irrigation hEads?Torosystemwithabout1,100sprinklerheads.

namE any thrEE PEoPlE Who Would makE uP your “drEam sCramblE tEam?”JohnDaly,TigerWoodsandArnoldPalmer

Quick nine

1. bEEF, ChiCkEn or Fish? Beef

2. Fish, dog or Cat? Dog

3. ClassiC golF CoursE, modErn golF CoursE or modErn/ClassiC golF CoursE? ClassicGolfCourse

4. goldom magazinE, golF CoursE industry magazinE or usga grEEn sECtion rECord?Golfdom

5. dollar sPot, snoWmold or Pythium?DollarSpot

6. driVEr, WEdgE or PuttEr?Driver

7. titliEst, nikE or maxFli? Titliest

8. dECiduous trEE nExt to grEEn, EVErgrEEn trEE nExt to grEEn or no trEE nExt to grEEn?NoTree

9. dirty diaPEr ChangEr, tEEnagE taxi driVEr or grandParEnts? TaxiDriver


.

EventheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhasseenthebenefitthatgolfcanbringbyrestoringbrownfieldsintogolfcoursesaspartofitsBrownsfieldsAssessmentDemonstrationPilots.Currentlytheprogramisplanningtoleveragemorethan$33milliontotransform600acresofvacantandabandonedsitesintonewgolfcourses.Andasagolfcoursethatstandsononce-damagedlandmatures,itsdenserootsystemhelpsreduceerosionandaddorganicmattertothesoil.

Committedtostrengtheningthecompatibilityofthegameofgolfwiththenaturalenvironment,TheEnvironmentalInstituteforGolfprovidesprogramsandservicesforallwhocomeincontactwiththegameofgolf.TheInstituteisthephilanthropicorganizationofGCSAA.GCSAAiscomprisedof21,000membersthroughouttheworldandistheleadingprofessionalorganizationforthemenandwomenwhomanagegolfcourses.Superintendentsstandasstewardsofgolfcoursesandthebenefitstheyprovide.

WorldGolfHallofFameMemberGregNormanservesaschairmanofTheInstitute’sAdvisoryCouncil.“Ithinktheunsungheroesinallthisarethesuperintendents,”Normansaid.“They’reresponsibletothelocalenvironment.That’swhyIbecameinvolvedinTheEnvironmentalInstituteforGolf.”

TheInstituteisacollaborativeeffortoftheenvironmentalandgolfcommunities.TheInstituteconcentratesondeliveringprogramsandservicesinvolvingresearch,educationandoutreachthatcommunicatethebestmanagementpracticesofenvironmentalstewardshiponthegolfcourse.Theprimaryareasofenvironmentalfocusare:• Watermanagement• Integratedplantmanagement• Wildlifeandhabitatmanagement• Golfcoursesiting,designandconstruction• Energyandwastemanagement

Acresofgrass,majestictrees,tranquilbodiesofwater.Ifitweren’tfortheflagsandteemarkers,youmightthinkyouwereinanationalparkandnotonagolfcourse.

Golfcoursesoffernotjustabeautifulplacetoengageinafamilyfriendlysport,butavarietyofbenefitstoalmostanycommunity.Golfcoursesarealsoeconomicpowerhouses.AccordingtoGolf20/20,thenation’sgolfcoursesaddabout$20.5billionindirectrevenuesand$62billiontotaltotheeconomyeveryyear.Inaddition,theannualimpactofgolfoncharitablegivingismorethan$3.2billion.

Alongwiththeeconomicbenefits,golfcoursesprovidehabitat,serveasnaturalwatertreatmentsystems,improveairqualityandoffercommunitygreenspaces.

Ontheaveragegolfcourse,morethan70percentoftheareaisconsideredroughandoutofplay,accordingtotheGolfCourseSuperintendentsAssociationofAmerica(GCSAA).Theseareasofnaturalgrasses,treesandshrubsofferappealinghomestospeciesfromthroughouttheanimalkingdom.Golfcourseponds,riversandstreamsalsoprovideaquaticplantsandanimalsandwaterfowlaplacetocallhome.

Waterisakeyfactorinanygolfcourseoperation,andgolfcourseshelpretainandfilterwaterinreturn.Well-conditionedturfabsorbsandfiltersrunoffrainwatertothepointthatinmanycommunities,golfcourseshavebecomewaterrecyclingsitesandusetreatedwastewaterforirrigation.Turfisalsoconducivetogrowingmicroorganismsthatcleansewaterbydigestingandspeedingupthenormalbreakdownofcontaminantsinthewater.

Turfisalsoafriendoftheair.Notonlydoesagolfcourseprovidealargeareaofflorathattakescarbondioxidefromtheairandturnitintooxygen,butitalsoprovidesanatural“airconditioner”--particularlyinurbanareaswheremuchofthelandiscoveredbyasphalt.

the i n s t i t u t e f o s t e r s go l f ’ s g r e en e r s i d e


Presented by the golf course superintendents association of america

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autem vel eum duis

ThegroundworkfortheInstitutebeganmorethan50yearsagoasGCSAA’sScholarshipandResearchFund,buthasevolvedinbothnameandpurposetomeetthechangingdemandsofthegolfcourseindustry.ThroughoutthedecadesTheInstitute’saccomplishmentsinclude:• Completionofnearly70appliedscientificresearchprojects

fundedbyTheInstitute.• Thecontinuingeducationcurriculumforthegolfcourse

managementindustryhasplayedakeyroleindeliveringpracticalinformationtoadvancetheknowledge,skillsandabilitiesofgolfcoursesuperintendentstomanagegolffacilitiesinanenvironmentally-friendlymanner.

• Information,toolsandresourceshavebeenmadeavailabletotheindustrytocontinuouslyadvanceenvironmentalstewardshippractices.

• Morethan1,300scholarshipshavebeenawardedtoindividualstoadvancetheirknowledgeofgolfcoursemanagement.

AlthoughTheInstitutehasarichhistory,itcontinuestolooktowardthefuturebyfundingresearchprojectsinthefocusareasand,in2006,launchingtheGolfCourseEnvironmentalProfileproject.

Thegoalofthemulti-yearEnvironmentalProfileproject,whichisconductedthroughagrantfromTheToroCo.,istocollectinformationfromsuperintendentsabouttheircourses.Initiallytheinformationwillfocusongolffeatures,managementpracticesandenvironmentalstewardshipefforts.

Butwhatdoesallthisenvironmentalinformation,researchandsupportmeantothegolferandthecommunitiesinwhichtheylive?

“Thereissomuchtremendousvalueinthegreenspacethatwedeliverwiththesegolfcourses,”Norman,CEOofGreatWhiteSharkEnterprises,said.“SoIamsaddenedinmanywayswhenpeopledon’tunderstandthatbecause,attheendoftheday,theimpactthatwegenerateforthecommunityistremendous.”

Researchisthecornerstoneofcontinuallyincreasinggolf’spositiveimpactontheenvironment.Inthelasthalfcentury,researchhasnotonlyleadtoturfgrasscultivarsthathaveimprovedspeedandthequalityofplayingsurfaces,butalsothosethatneedfewercontrolstomaintainthosesurfaces.TheInstituteiscommittedtosponsoringappliedresearchprojectsthatresultinchallengingandenjoyableplayingconditionsinamannerthatiscompatiblewiththeenvironment.Researchprojectsscheduledtobeginin2006includedeterminingtheminimumrateoffungiciderequiredforacceptablelevelsofsnowmoldcontrol;thepotentialuseofstormwaterforgolfcourseirrigation;anddevelopingabiologicalcontroloptionsfortheAnnualBluegrassWeevil.

Sowhileagolfermaynotbeconcernedaboutweevilsduringhisorherweeklygame,theoutcomesofsuchresearcharemakingsureheorsheneverhastoworry.

TheInstituteisconductingaground-breakingproject,theGCSAAGolfCourseEnvironmentalProfile,whichisamulti-yearseriesofsurveystodeterminethephysicalfeaturesfoundongolfcourses,practicesusedbysuperintendentstomaintaingolfcourses,andinputsandoutputsassociatedwithmanagementofgolfcourses.Theoverallgoaloftheprojectistodevelopanenvironmentalprofileofgolfcourses.Theprojectbeganin2006,andthefinalsurveywascompletedin2009.ItwasfundedbyTheInstitutethroughagrantfromTheToroGivingProgram.Itwillserveasthebasisfor“sustainability”withingolfbyprovidingthemeanstomeasurecontinuousimprovementandprovidedatatoguideindustryenvironmentalefforts.Thedatawillprovidethemeansforindividualfacilitiestoidentifyandmakeimprovements,aswellastocommunicategolf’svalueswithintheircommunities.GCSAAhasandwillusethedatatodefinethecompetenciesnecessaryforasuperintendenttobesuccessfulandthendesigneducationprogramstosupportthecompetencies.TheGCSAAGolfCourseEnvironmentalProfilereportsareavailableonlineatwww.eifg.org.


Thank YouTo MiGCSa’S 2009 Top InduST rY parTnerS

G o l d p a r T n e r

p l a T I n u M p a r T n e r

S I l v e r p a r T n e r

SupporT The CoMpanIeSThaT SupporT Your aSSoCIaTIon

For More InForMaTIon on The InduSTrY parTner proGraM pleaSe ConTaCT The MIGCSa aT InFo@MIGCSa or 1-888-3-MIGCSa

MICHIGAN GOLF COURSESUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Thank YouTo M iGCSa’S 2009 Top InduSTrY par TnerS

SupporT The CoMpanIeSThaT SupporT Your aSSoCIaTIon

For More InForMaTIon on The InduSTrY parTner proGraM pleaSe ConTaCT The MIGCSa aT InFo@MIGCSa or 1-888-3-MIGCSa

16

The Whispering Pines Golf Club 18-hole course is located in Pinckney, Michigan. Whispering Pines is made up of 3.5 acres of greens, 2 acres of tees and 16 acres of fairways. The course opened in 1991 and was designed by Don Moon. Whispering Pines is noted for it’s 4th hole in the book “1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die.”

Ben Walters attended Spring Arbor University where he received his bachelor’s degree in business. He then returned to college at Michigan State University, where he received a two year certificate in Landscape and Nursery. Ben just completed his first year at Whispering Pines under the supervision of superintendent Matt Mader. Ben and Laura, his wife of three years, reside in Brighton, Michigan.

.

1. WhErE did you rECEiVE your EduCation? BusinessDegreeFromSpringArborUniversityand2yearcertificateinLandscapeandNurseryfromMichiganStateUniversity

2. What is thE most ValuablE thing you haVE lEarnEd in thE golF CoursE managEmEnt ProFEssion? Duetoweather,irrigationbreaks,equipmentissues,etcitistoughtomakesolidplanssoalwaysbereadytothinkonyourfeetandhavebackupplans.

3. What is your oPinion oF FloWErs on thE golF CoursE? Theyarefineaslongastheywellmaintainedandnotneglected.

4. What is your oPinion oF Walking a golF CoursE Vs. riding a golF CoursE in today’s gamE? Idon’tmindridingandIthinkriddingisapartofthegametoday.Coursesarelongerandithelpskeepupthepaceofplay.

the better half

b e n Walters

Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org

Quick nine

17

1. i-Pod, Cd PlayEr or 8 traCk taPE? i-Pod

2. lions, tigErs or rEd Wings? RedWings

3. titliEst, nikE or maxFli? Titliest

4. bEEF, ChiCkEn or Fish? Beef

5. sPorts Car, PiCk-uP truCk or WatEr CraFt? PickUpTruck

6. sPring, summEr or Fall? Fall

7. Fish, dog or Cat? Dog

8. soda, CoFFEE or tEa? Soda

9. thE mastErs, u.s. oPEn or british oPEn? TheMasters

5. What is your biggEst PEt PEEVE ConCErning golF CoursE EtiquEttE? Peoplenotrespectingropedoffareas.

6. What is your oPinion oF grEEn sPEEd and thE gamE oF golF today? Idon’tthinkfasterisbetterIthinkgreenspeedneedstobeconstantthroughoutthecourseandthegreensshouldbesmooth.

7. Would you rathEr bE a WEll ComPEnsatEd assistant suPErintEndEnt or a Poorly ComPEnsatEd suPErintEndEnt? Iwouldratherbeawellcompensatedassistantyouarestillabletogetoutandgetyourhandsdirtybutyoudon’thavetodealwithasmanyofthepoliticalissues.

8. arE you marriEd? do you haVE any ChildrEn? What arE thEir namEs? YestomywonderfulwifeLaurasheisanCPAandworksfortheUniversityofMichigan.NoKids.

9. What is your FaVoritE sPorts rElatEd moViE? Rudy

10. What is your FaVoritE non-golF sPort? Football

11. What is thE toughEst golF CoursE you haVE PlayEd? Ourcourseisbyfarthetoughestitisnarrowandhasalargenumberofslopechanges.

12. What golF CoursE Would you loVE to ExPEriEnCE onCE in your liFEtimE? Augusta

13. What is your FaVoritE golF Club in thE bag? 7iron

14. Who makEs you laugh thE most on your CrEW? WeallhaveagreattimetogetherbutwealwayshavefunwithSweetBobbyhehasagreatsenseofhumor.

15. iF you had a mulligan in a totally diFFErEnt CarEEr ChoiCE, What Would it bE? Iwouldlovetobeteacher.

16. iF you Could ChangE any golF holE on your golF CoursE Without rEPErCussion, WhiCh onE Would bE thE First? Hole#4itisatoughuphillholetoalongnarrowgreen.

17. What is your FaVoritE Food or rEstaurant? IcanneverpassupaWhopperfromBurgerKing.

18. What VEhiClE Would you driVE iF you had a monEy trEE groWing in your yard? 2010F-350LariatwithaPowerStroke.


18 Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org.

Maximize your Membership – use gcsaa as a resource

by stEVE randall- gCsaa sEnior managEr, ChaPtEr outrEaCh

Howdoyoudefinevalue?Intoday’stimesoftightbudgets,trimmingyourlineitemforMiGCSAandGCSAAmembershipmightbeaquickfix.Isitthebestidea?Howcanyougainthemostfromyourmembershipdollar?

Valueisbeingengagedwithproductandserviceofferings.ValueistoknowtheGCSAA,alongwiththeMichiganGCSA,areheretohelpyouinyourprofession.BoththeGCSAAandtheMiGCSAhaveprogramsinplacetoserveasyourguide.Itisavisionandprivilegetoserveyourprofession.

Whatareyourlocalandnationalorganizationsprovidingonyourbehalf?

Let’sstartwithadvocacy.TheGCSAAisworkingwithstateandnationalagenciestofightforfacilitiesacrossthecountry.Whetheritiswaterrights,theeconomicimpactofgolf,worker’srightsorotherlegislationkeytothevitalityofthegameandtheeconomicsuccessofthefacility,GCSAA,alongwithlocalchapters,arethereforyou.TheMiGCSAhasbeenactiveinLansingworkinginalliedpartnershipwithvariousgolfassociationstoprovetheimpactoftheindustry.Theseeffortsaredesignedtoadvanceyourprofession.

Howaboutoutreach?Inthepastyear,over$1millionhasbeenputintopromotetheClassAsuperintendentbytargetingemployersandavidinfluentialgolfersthroughpromotionaleffortsontheGolfChannel,influentialemployermagazines,amongothers.

Remember,datagainedthroughsurveysissuedbyGolfDigestandLinksMagazineindicatesawellmaintainedfacilityisfarmoreimportantthanthedifficultyofthecourse.

AsasuperintendentandmemberofboththeGCSAAandMiGCSAyoudrivesuccess.Researchprovesyouarelikelythemosteducatedmemberofthegolfcoursestaff.Youareresponsibleforthehighestbudgetatyourfacilityandthegolfcoursedrivestherevenueoftheproshop,golfcars,drivingrangeandfoodandbeverage.

YoureffortsinparticipatinginvariousGCSAAsurveysarevital.Thisdataisbeingpublishedinvariousmediumsandpointsouttheoverallimportancethegolfcoursesuperintendenthaswithintheindustry.Thegolfcourseenvironmentalprofileprojectincludeseverythingfromturfgrass,landscapeandenvironmentalstewardshiptowaterandnutrientuse,alongwithpesticideuse.Lookingahead,GCSAAisalsoworkingtoprovidetoolsyourcanusetoenhanceenvironmentalsustainability.

Datadrivesinformation.Itisproofthatsuperintendentsworktogether,shareresourcesandhelpproviderelevantdatacrucialtothesuccessoftheindustry.

Membershiprecruitmentandretentionisamajorfocus.Newmembersmaybecomefutureleaders.Retainedmemberssynergizeeffortsatboththenationalandchapterlevels.Remember,youreffortscandrivefuturesuccessoftheprofession.

Aswelooktoward2010,oneconstantremains.Golfcoursesuperintendentsandmanagersdriveavidgolferstoenjoythegame.Takenotethatyourhardworkisnoticed.Atthesametime,considerbecomingmoreengagedwithGCSAAandMiGCSAactivities.Asuccessful2010willtakeeffortfromeveryone,notjustoneorganizationoroneperson.Toagreat2010andhopetoseeyouinSanDiego!

stEVE randall

froM national

Mid

dis

tric

t


holiday Party recaPThankstothe30plusmembersfromtheMidDistrictwhojoinedtheMiGCSAattheMidHolidayParty.ThiseventisheldannuallyatBottomsUpinHolly.

Dave Makulski,

Bill Carrie, Damon

Murphy, Chris Sobek,

Randy Enicks

Jim Moore, Barry Beard, Doug Spiller, Daniel Johanningsmeier

John Schrieves,

Chris Sobek, Phil Owen

Phil Owen, Steve Rose, Jim Naugler, and Squirrel

th

e b

ig e

ven

t

The44thAnnualBigEventwasheldonOctober5,2009atBartonHillsCountryClub.Approximately119golfersjoinedourhostSuperintendentTimDarkatthisGreaterDetroitdistrictgolffundraisertobenefittheMichiganTurfFoundation(“MTF”).ThefundraisergoalsweresuccessfullymetthroughourattendeesandtheIPPsponsorsincludingtheVegasHole.SpecialthankstoSueShockey,ErinGreibeandTurfgrassInc.forsponsoringtheVegasHoleandraising$1,100.00fortheMTF.

ThelownetscramblewinnersincludedtheteamofTavisHorton,AndyKeilen,TimJohnsonandBradAndersonwithahandicappedscoreof46.ThelowgrossscramblewinnersweretheteamofCareyMitchelson,RussCunningham,KathyShagenaandBobMatesewithascoreof60(-12underpar).Thelongestdrivecontestonhole#12wenttoDaveNorriswitha306yarddriveandtheclosesttothepincontestonhole#8wenttoassistantsuperintendentJasonZaleskifromCountryClubofDetroit.

Ourtraditionalskinscompetitionwaswonbetweenthreegroups,onholes#4,#9and#11.TheteamofRobPylar,DavePollen,AndyThoresenandPerryStevenswontheskinsonthepar-4hole#4,theteamofJayEccleton,JeffHarry,TroyLooneyandKevinLuchettiwontheskinsonhole#9withagreatsecondshotfora2onapar-5andthethirdskinsonthepar-3,216yardhole#11wenttotheteamofSteveRebhan,LeeCollins,JimDartandJoeJehnsenwhoreturnedtheirwinningsbacktoturfresearch.

Thehighlightoftheeveningwaspresentingthe$750HeritagescholarshipawardtoKatieFord.Katiewasunabletoattendduetobeingatschool.HerfatherScottFordwasproudtoacceptitonherbehalf.

Thiseventwouldnothavebeenashugeofasuccessifitwerenotforthemembers,managementteamandstaffatBartonHillsCountryClub.TheMiGCSA’sBoardofDirectorscommitmenttomakingthiseventunforgettablewasthereasonitwassuchahugesuccessandtalkedaboutfordaysandweeksaftertheevent.SpecialthanksgoouttooureventvolunteersRonMurdockandTimJohnsonwhogavetheirtimeandefforttoassistingusinmakingthiseventatremendoussuccess.

Lastly,wewouldalsoliketothankallofourIPPsponsorsandprizedonorsforhelpingmakethiseventpossible.OurIPPsponsorsincluded:

bayersyngenta

midwest Golf & turfbasf

Weingartzautomatic supply michigan

Great lakes turfQuali-Pro

turfgrass inc.

Thanksagainforyoursupportandwelookforwardtoseeingyounextyear!

Sincerely,

TavisHorton,GreggMatthewsandTimDark,CGCSTheBigEventCommitteeCo-Chairs

The Big Event Committee, Volunteers and

MiGCSA Board MembersJay Eccleton, Ron Murdock, Tavis Horton,

John Fulling, Gregg MatthewsTim Johnson and Ron Dahlin.

Low Net ChampionsBrad Anderson, Tavis Horton, Tim Johnson and Andy Keilen (missing)

Low Gross ChampionsBob Matese, Carey Mitchelson, Russ

Cunningham and Kathy Shagena

Jeff Hnatow, Tim Dark,

CGCS and Mike Butler of Barton

Hills C.C.

Jay Eccleton and Scott Ford. Scott Ford accepting the

Heritage scholarship award for his Daughter Katie Ford.


the start of something bigthe start of something bigby katE m moorE, ExECutiVE dirECtor, miChigan golF CoursE oWnErs assoCiation

.

green side uP

22

the golf industry’s education experience, the big ideas Conference, proved that the best ideas come to those who wait. our industry waited long enough to realize the impact each of the segments has on one another and the continued success of the golf business in our state. as the michigan golf Course superintendents association endorsed and participated in the michigan golf Course owners association’s annual conference and vendor fair, it became evident that being together at this and other events is tantamount to the continued strengthening of our industry and positions us as a leader in michigan’s economic recovery. With golf being a major segment of the tourism industry, and that industry being the 3rd largest in the state, it is imperative that the allied associations not wait any longer to develop programs and events for and with each other.

leading the way to this collaboration was the 2009 legislative day, held in march. golf course owners, operators, superintendents and professionals all descended on the state capitol to deliver the news about our economic position and what

legislative actions affect us. With approximately 150 in attendance at the luncheon with state representatives and senators, the message was clear that our industry, while made up of a wide variety of facilities, suppliers, employees, and budgets, is strong and ready to lead into the next decade.

this year, the golf industry’s legislative day will take place on march 3rd in downtown lansing. We will again create a position paper for distribution to legislators, and visit most, if not all, offices. owners, operators, superintendents, pros and industry suppliers are urged to attend this important event.

meanwhile, as the winter chill has ushered us indoors for a few months, take time to set your sights on industry wide collaborations. What can we do together, better? don’t wait.

Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org

MGCOA president Bob Koutnik (left) presented Brad Dean, director of golf and Rick Schmidt, vice president of Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa with the Golf Course of the Year Award.

Superintendent and owner of Gull Lake View Resort, Charlie Scott was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by brother and co-owner Jim Scott.

MiGCSA president Steve Hammon took his turn at the “Friendly Feud” held after the Awards Banquet. “Name something you find on a golf course…”

The MiGCSA sponsored the turn-down gift provided to

all overnight attendees at the conference. This beverage

coaster boasts the Education Partnership of the MGCOA,

MiPGA and MiGCSA.

katE moorE

23

ThegolfdaystartedwithaneducationalseminarleadbyOaklandHillsCountryClub’sGolfCourseManagerSteveCook,called“SelectingforSuccess-BuildingaChampionshipTeamthroughtheInterviewProcess.”StevegaveassistantssomeinsightintothehiringprocessatOaklandHillsandexplainedhisprocessforidentifyingkeyattributesofcandidatesandthathebelievesthatteaminvolvementintherecruitingprocessensuresteaminvestment.AfterthepresentationandQ&Asession,SteveCookalongwithJohnFulling,MiGCSApastpresident,answeredquestionsfromthegroupofassistantsonthecurrentchallengeswithinthegolfindustryandtheimpacttocurrentandfuturesuperintendents.SteveandJohnoutlinedtheimportanceofdevelopingleadershipqualitiesandencouragedassistantstobecomeengagedinnetworkinganddevelopingqualityresumes,websites,portfolio’sandreferences.

ManythanksagaintoourguestspeakerSteveCookandJohnFullingfordedicatingtheirmorningtotheeducationportionofthegolfdayevent.Also,manythankstothiseventsIPPsponsors,Weingartz,MidwestGolf&Turf,Quali-ProandAutomaticIrrigationaswellasourmanyprizedonors.

assistant Golf day

ManythankstoeveryonewhomadeitoutOctober19,2009forthe2ndAnnualAssistantGolfDayatTheEmeraldsGolfCourseinSt.John’s,MichiganandtoourhostSuperintendent,TroyLooney,andtheDirectorofClubandGolfOperationsJayEccleton,CGCS.Thecoursewasingreatshape,thegreenswerefastandeverybodyhadagreattime!

The2ndAnnualAssistantGolfDayattracted30assistantsandseveralvendorsforanafternoonofgolfandeducation.Itwasadaytonetworkwithfellowassistantsfromacrossthestateandtolearnabouttheindustry.Allfourdistrictswithinthestatewerewellrepresented.

Thefollowingassistantsfinishedtheafternoonwithbraggingrights:• LowGrossChampion:MattSuziowitha6-overpar78• LowNet:JasonZaleski,AssistantSuperintendent,Country

ClubofDetroit,78• LongestDrive:JeffSmith,AssistantSuperintendent,Cascade

HillsCountryClub• ClosesttoPin:JimHiggs,SpartanDistributorsonhole#8and

TavisHorton,Hole#12

assistant updateby taVis horton, assistant board liaison

2009 Assistant Golf Day Group Picture


Guest Speaker - Steve Cook, CGCS, MG

Oakland Hills Country ClubEducational Portion of Golf Day

24 Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org

greater detroit district holiday Party recaP

Theholidayseasonisamagicaltimeoftheyear.Itiseasytoencounterhappystrangersandfellowcolleagues,aswellasfriendsandlovedones,whogreetoneanotherwiththejoyandgoodwill.Allofthesefeelingsoffun,festivityandfellowshipcreatetheperfectbackdropfortheGreaterDetroitholidaygathering.

ThepartyvenuethisyearwasBailey’sPub&GrilleinTroy.Almost40guestsattendedtheholidaygatheringandhadaterrifictime,manyattendeesstayedfortheentire1:00to4:00p.m.gathering.Therewasagreatvarietyofvendors,superintendents,assistants,crewmembers,andGreaterDetroitboardmembersthatenjoyedthegreatfoodandimpeccableservice.Ofcourse,therewerealsosomewhoenjoyedtryingtheirluckatthepooltables.TimDark,CGCSheldcourtandallowedmanytotryandbesthimbuthewasabletodefendhistable.

Thankstoeveryonewhoattended,wemissedallofyouthatcouldnotmakeitandhopeyouwillcomenextyear.Wewillkeeptheholidaygatheringatraditionforyearstocomeandhavedecidedtomoveitaroundsomembers,friendsandcolleaguesfromotherareasoftheGreaterDetroitdistrictcantakepartandenjoythisgreatevent.Spreadthewordaboutnextyear’sholidaygathering,itisscheduledforFriday,December10,2010intheprivateroomatGusO’Connor’sIrishPubinNovi.

Clem Wolfrom, Doug Johanningsmeier, Mark McKinley and Tavis Horton

Scott Trobvich, Fritz McMullen, Bob Unger and Brian Schweihofer

Tim Dark, CGCS holding his own at the tables

this is a ProJeCt that dr. keVin frank and dr. kurt steinke are submittinG to msu’s ProJeCt Greeen for further fundinG.

Turfgrassareashavebeenperceivedtorequireexcessiveamountsofwaterformaintenanceandtocontaminatesurfaceandgroundwatersupplies.Carefulnutrientandwatermanagementofcreepingbentgrassshouldbeatoppriorityforturfgrassmanagersaswaterrestrictionsforamenitylandscapeswillsoonimpactwater-richstates(i.e.Michigan)andaccompanyin-placeprecautionaryPrestrictions.Traditionalrecommendationsforirrigationhavebeentoirrigatedeeplyandinfrequentlytopromotedeeperroots.Problemsassociatedwithfrequentirrigationincludeincreaseddiseaseoccurrence,frequentalgaeformation,andthickerthatchlayers.Allofthesecancauseanincreaseinpesticideuseandtheneedforadditionalculturalpracticestoreducethatchandpromotegasexchange.Aseconomicandregulatoryconcernsforceadditionalmid-westerngolfcoursemanagerstoconsiderlower-inputmaintenanceapproaches,moredatapertainingtomaintainingacceptablequalityputtinggreensurfacesarerequiredfordevelopingenvironmentallysustainableturflandscapes.Scientificvalidationofthewaterrequirementsandnutrientfateofgolfcourseputtinggreensiscriticalfordevelopingscience-basedlegislativeapproachestowardswaterconservationandsustainableturfgrasssystems.

obJeCtiVes: 1)quantifyseasonalsoilwaterdepletionpatternsbetweentwocultivarsofcreepingbentgrass(i.e.A-4andPenncross),2)assesstheeffectsofirrigationschedulingstrategiesonnutrientleaching,wateruse,andcreepingbentgrassperformance,and3)assesstheimpactofthreeNfertilizationregimesonannualleachatevolumesandannualtotalNO3,solubleP,andtotalPnutrientloadingsfromtwocreepingbentgrasscultivars.

Eighteenirrigationzoneswillallowthreeirrigationtreatmentstobereplicatedthreetimesacrosstwocultivars.Irrigationtreatmentswillbesimilartothefollowing:1)dailyat100%ET,2)RootingDepthAdjustedIrrigation:thismethodconsiderstherootingdepthoftheturfgrassandplantavailablewater(PAW)inthesoil,and3)whensoilmoistureata3inchsoildepthisabout15%.Irrigationamountsintreatment3willrechargesoilwatervolumetoabout20%atthe6inchdepth.

Wirelesssoilmoisturesensorswillbeplacedatspecificsoildepthswithinirrigationtreatmentstoassesssoilwaterdepletionpatternsandseasonalwateruseofcreepingbentgrass.Creepingbentgrassperformancewillbeassessedvisuallybasedonquality,density,diseaseincidence,andalgaeoccurrence.Digitalimageanalysiswillalsobeusedtoassessdensityalongwithperiodicdestructivemeasurementsofshootandrootdensity.Plotarrangementwillallowforafertilizervariabletobereplicatedwithinirrigationtreatmentsandbetweencultivarsforleachatecollectionandanalysis.Thefertilizervariablewillconsistofeitheralow,medium,andhighNinputrateORconsistofa100%slow,100%quick,and50/50fast-slowNsource.Alldatawillbesubjectedtoanalysisofvariancefordeterminationoftreatmenteffects.Linearornon-linearregressionwillbeusedtoanalyzesoilmoisturedepletionpatterns.

a call fromcampus

26 Michigan golf course superintendents association | WWW.Migcsa.org.

miChiGan GCsa aWarded a 2010 ChaPter outreaCh GrantThe Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has awarded a 2010 Chapter Outreach Grant to the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association.

The Michigan GCSA will receive a $2,000 grant through the program, which was designed to assist GCSAA-affiliated chapters in communicating with key constituents, primarily golfers and employers. In the last two years, GCSAA has distributed more than $50,000 to chapters across the country to help with outreach efforts on a local and regional level.

With its Outreach Grant, the Michigan GCSA plans to expand on its long-term strategic plan by launching a campaign promoting the golf course superintendent as a key-decision maker to members of allied associations. The plan will include print advertising through association with the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, the Golf Association of Michigan and Michigan Golf Magazine. Web advertising will also be included.

In addition, the MiGCSA plans to establish a business certification program to assist chapter members, through education and training, to promote the superintendent profession at the facility level. For more information about the GCSAA Chapter Outreach Grant program, visit www.gcsaa.org/chapters.

miGCsa members take Part in synGenta business instituteCongratulations to Adam Ikamas and Gregg Matthews, who were selected as two of 25 golf course superintendents across the country to participate in the Syngenta Business Institute, a unique, educational program.

The Syngenta Business Institute is sponsored by Syngenta in conjunction with Wake Forest University’s graduate school of business and took place Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 in Winston-Salem, N.C. The role of the golf course superintendent involves not only agronomic but also business manager responsibilities. Syngenta worked with Wake Forest to develop a program that focused on business management in the areas of financial management, leadership and effective communications, and negotiation skills.

Superintendents from across the country were nominated by either their state GCS associations or the Syngenta Golf Advisory Team. They were selected from a talented pool of superintendents based on an application process that reviewed their educational background, industry achievements and an essay.

Ikamas is the golf course superintendent at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, and Matthews is superintendent at Lakelands Golf & Country Club in Brighton.

miGCsa on your soCial netWorkDid you know the MiGCSA can be found on both Facebook and Twitter. Search for the MiGCSA on either platform and keep up to date with events, education, and all the MiGCSA has to offer.

miGCsa ContaCt informationPlease note the change of contact information for the MiGCSA. Our new phone number is 1-888-3-MiGCSA. This number can receive faxes and will convert voicemail into email and forward them to the board of directors. You can also contact us at [email protected] this will be the only email address for the MiGCSA. Any postage mailing can be sent to P.O. Box 64 in St. Johns, MI 48879.

27in

the n

ew

scourse conditions | Winter 09-10

Jan. 2010 July 2009 total 2008 PerCentaGe Current membershiP membershiP retained

Class aa 25 20 20 125%Class a 165 278 267 62%Class sm 40 69 58 69%Class C 50 89 80 63%Class d 19 41 24 79%Class e 19 20 20 95%Class aff 96 135 134 72%Class h 10 10 12 83%Class sa 4 10 3 130%Class r 6 6 5 120%Class i 0 6 4 0%Class fm 0 0 0 0%total 353 683 627 56%

Migcsa Membership reportsummary of Classes 1/13/10

.


Western d

istric

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holiday Party recaP

Onceagainover50participantsinthegolfindustrycongregatedattheCascadeSportsGrillinGrandRapidstodiscussthe‘09seasonandrenewoldfriendshipswhilewishingeachotherawonderfulChristmasHoliday.Manythankstotheanchoroftheevent,Mr.SteveTedhams,whoenduredthemanypregatheringmeetingswithstaffofthegrillthatwereneededtoensurethattheeventwentaswell,orbetter,thanplanned.Over65peoplepre-registeredforthegatheringthatissoontoseeits5thyearatthesamevenueanditwasnotlimitedtoanyonecategoryofmembership.Industrypartners,superintendents,assistants,crewmembersandothervendorswerepresentandallspentaleisurelytimetalkinganddiscussingthe2009seasonandplansfor2010overagreatlunch.PastpresidentFullingwasinthehousetomeetandgreetthosethatwereabletofindsometimeduringthissuperbusyholidayseason.WhiletherumorsflewthatMr.Fullingwasreallypushing“TheBronkBrothers”currentalbumHerefortheGoodTimestoallthatwouldofferafriendlyear,manyonhandcouldnotresistthetemptationtostopandatleastchatwithhimabouthisdedicationtotheMiGCSA.Mr.Holmesheldcourtoverthepooltablesandallowedmanytotryandbesthimbutallowednonetowinthetable.ThankyoutoallthatattendedandwishedeachotheragreatChristmasandawonderful2010.

John Andres, Clint Ovren, John Fulling, Roger Barton, Vern Slager & A.J. Rings

Steve Tedhams, Bob Borgman, Ron Dahlin, Jason Schwieters & Rick Scheidel

miChiGan Golf Course suPerintendents assoCiation

3225 W. st. JosEPh | lansing, mi 48917

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#7 - Course Conditions - Winter 2009/2010