7 minute read
Performance Nutrition Superstar Dan Haubein 56 Sunniland Super Spotlight
Dan Haubein, GSC
Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club 2007–Present SUPERSTAR
Where are you from? Born Bangkok, Thailand (spent most of my formative years in Hawaii and Jacksonville, Florida)
How did you get into the golf business? I was working for a grocery store chain Food Lion at the time and enrolled in a managers trainee program. One day while playing golf with a few high school buddies, they mentioned they had been working at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra and job openings on the crew where available. At the time, I didn’t know how big-league TPC Sawgrass really was, but the idea of working outside and playing free golf sounded great. The rest is history. What makes your business a “standout/outstanding?” Pelican Pointe G&CC is a 27-hole semiprivate residential golfing community that is situated roughly between I-75 and the Gulf of Mexico in Venice, Fl. Since this is a residential-golf community, homesites border many holes, but every hole is also bordered by a waterway, wooded native area, wetlands, preserves and a 100-acre Hatchett Creek Conservation area lies within the confines of the golf course which provides ample cover for a diverse wildlife population giving the course a natural feel.
How has PN helped you be successful (favorite products, programs, technical assistance, etc. )? Water quality is a big problem and the use of KaPre Exalt has helped during the dryer periods of the year releasing nutrient tie up flushing sodium from the root zone promoting a healthier plant when rain fall is at a minimum. Wilson Randolph and Glen Thompson have introduced other great products into our program like agra-rouse, Prudent 44, Pennamin Ca, Vibrant Green & Red just to name a few. Turf programs change throughout the year and they have the products to help adjust to those changes.
Who is your mentor and why? I had the privilege of working and learning from many great individuals. Brad Tucker, Chris Neff, Larry Weber, and Ramon Perez just to name a few. Thank you, gentlemen. But two men that really gave a young kid a shot where Mitch Clark and Dan Stonionis. Mitch hired me as an Asst. Superintendent during his first Head Superintendents Job during a growin. Needless to say, I grew up quick and learned what hard work really was. Dan was a General Manager that gave a 25-year-old his first head Superintendent position. Unfortunately, both men have since passed. I am very grateful to them for the opportunity to succeed in life. RIP Mitch & Dan.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the field? Leadership is a position of trust. Control your emotions and choose words wisely. Have passion for what you do, your actions are a mirror image on your club, course and staff. Be open-minded, respect and learn your staff. I would never ask anyone to perform a task that I haven’t done or wouldn’t do myself. Continue to educate yourself and those around you. Communicate.
SunnilandSUPERSpotlight:
Cole McMahon and Kal Zaranec
Circling Raven Director of Golf Colin McMahon, PGA
The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel
and Circling Raven Golf Club today announce that Colin McMahon, PGA, and Kal Zaranec, GCSAA, have been appointed Director Golf and Head Superintendent, respectively, at the award-winning property.
Most recently, McMahon was head golf professional at The Creek at Qualchan Golf Course (2017-2022), in Spokane, Wash. Prior to that, he was first assistant golf professional at Toscana Country Club in Indian Wells, Calif. A graduate of Spokane’s Gonzaga University, this is his first Director of Golf position.
“Having worked and gone to school in Spokane, I’ve probably played Circling Raven close to 50 times,” said McMahon, who will turn 30 years old later this month. “Knowing two former golf professionals there, both good friends, I’ve learned a great deal about the golf club. It’s very popular and it never disappoints. This is a wonderful opportunity that the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the Casino Resort has given me. I couldn’t be more motivated to help Circling Raven remain among the top golf clubs in the country and climb to new heights.”
Golf Directors and Superintendents must work seamlessly together to ensure optimal conditions and operations. Hence, it’s fortuitous that McMahon becomes the golf operations leader as Zaranec takes the helm of the agronomy staff.
“Kal and I are starting a new era at Circling Raven,” said McMahon, the 2021 Inland Empire PGA Professional of the Year and 2021 Pacific Northwest PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year. “We get to put our stamp on operations and maintenance and doing so simultaneously is an ideal way to start the club’s next chapter in these areas.”
Zaranec worked as Circling Raven’s first assistant superintendent prior to his promotion. He was first assistant superintendent at nearby Gozzer Ranch Golf and Lake Club prior to that. Working with golf courses and turf maintenance has been a lifetime endeavor for him. His uncle was a superintendent at a course in Texas where Zaranec started learning the craft at a young age.
“I’ve known what I wanted to do since I was 10 or 11 years old,” said Zaranec, who graduated from The Ohio State University. “This is perfect timing to make this transition, and we’re committed to providing the exceptional course conditions for which Circling Raven is known.”
Zaranec is currently in the Nufarm EXCEL Leadership superintendent mentorship program that participants must apply for. He believes the additional training he’s receiving is taking him to another level.
“I’ve always known how important communicating well is,” said Zaranec. “But the program is showing me a whole new level, preparing me to communicate clearly, well and often with everyone from the executive department to our inseason staff of 29 team members.”
McMahon and Zaranec begin their department leadership roles on the heels of a remarkable 2021 season at Circling Raven.
Some golf club achievements included:
1. Surpassing $1 million in golf shop merchandise sales for the first time 2. Increasing the number of rounds played and revenue while maintaining superb playing conditions 3. Undertaking some course and supporting facility improvements 4. Regaining the No. 1 public course ranking in Idaho and climbing in Top 20 Casino Courses list nationally 5. Garnering praise from the professional tour players who competed in the inaugural Circling Raven Championship 6. Promoting cultural tourism activities offered by the casino resort and mesh them with golf package messaging 7. Leveraging golf to empower youth and Native Americans while operating in a manner that honors Tribal values
“We are confident that Colin and Kal will thrive in their new positions,” said Laura Penney, CEO, Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel. “We’re excited to have them help Circling Raven continue providing our guests with an exceptional golf experience.”
Visit www.cdacasino.com/ golf for more information on golf and other resort options. Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 1
Sunn 28-0-0
N-SURE ITEM #160031 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Sunn KTS
Soluble Potash (K2O) ..............25% Total Sulfur (S) .........................17% 17% combined sulfur 0% free sulfur
Derived from: potassium thiosulfate
Minors Blend
Total Magnesium (Mg) ..........0.50% Soluble Magnesium (Mg)....0.050% Soluble Iron (Fe) ...................3.40% Chelated Iron (Fe) .................1.60% Total Manganese (Mn) ..........0.25% Soluble Manganese (Mn)......0.25% Soluble Zinc (Zn) ..................0.10% Sulfur (S) combined..............3.50%
Derived from: Manganese Sulphate, Zinc Sulphate, Iron Glucoheptonate, Iron Sulphate, Magnesium Sulphate.
Sunn 6-0-0 Blend
Total Magnesium (Mg) ..........0.50% Soluble Magnesium (Mg)......0.50% Soluble Iron (Fe) ...................3.40% Chelated Iron (Fe) .................1.60% Total Manganese (Mn) ..........0.25% Soluble Manganese (Mn)......0.25% Soluble Zinc (Zn) ..................0.10% Sulfur (S) combined..............3.50%
Derived from: Manganese Sulphate, Zinc Sulphate, Iron Glucoheptonate, Iron Sulphate, Magnesium Sulphate.
Sunn 12-0-0 Blend
Total Nitrogen ..........................12% 12% Urea Nitrogen Chlorine not more than..............2% SECONDARY PLANT FOODS
Iron as Fe...................................6% Manganese as Mn.....................2%
Derived from: Urea, Iron Glucoheptonate, Manganese Glucoheptonate
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CORPORATION
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www.sunnilandcorp.com
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