COURSE Conditions WINTER 2018-19
Quarterly Publication of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
FEATURE SUPERINTENDENT
Kevin Welp, CGCS Midland Country Club
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FEATURE: My first year as a Superintendent and to host a PGA event Industry Partner Profile: Terry Kerkstra, Control Dynamics Assistant Superintendent Profile: Andy Gianino, Cascade Hills Country Club
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2019 Event Calendar All events are subject to change in date and/or location. Please check www.MiGCSA.org for all the latest event information MTF Events in Green GCSAA Events in Silver Wee One Event in Blue Volunteer Opportunities in Red
March, 5&6 - The Spring Meeting (Amway Grand, Grand Rapids) Sunday, April 1 – 2019 Match Play Championship Opens Sunday, April 7 – Sunday, April 14 – The Michigan House at The Masters (Augusta, GA) Tuesday, April 23 - Spring Opener (Pilgrims Run, Pierson) Sunday, April 28 – May 12 – Tee Times for Turf Online Auction Live Monday, May 6 - Can-Am Tournament (Essex G & C.C., Ontario) Monday, May 20 – Wee One Fundraiser (Franklin Hills C.C., Franklin) Sunday, June 2 – Northern Fundraiser (Arcadia Bluffs - South Course, Arcadia) Monday, June 3 - Northern Fundraiser (Arcadia Bluffs – Bluffs Course, Arcadia) Thursday, June 6 – Legislative Golf Day (Capitol Building, Lansing) June 10 – 16 – Meijer LPGA Classic (Blythefield C.C., Belmont) Thursday, June 21 – LaFontaine Outing/Mid Golf Event (Coyote Preserve, Fenton) June 24 – 30 - Rocket Mortgage Classic (Detroit Golf Club, Detroit) July 15 – 20 - Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (Midland Country Club, Midland) Wednesday, August 14 – MTF Field Day (Hancock Turfgrass Center, East Lansing) Wednesday, August 28 - MiGCSA State Championship (The Emerald, St. Johns) Tuesday, September 10 - Tuck Tate Championship (True North G.C., Harbor Springs) Thursday, September 12 – MSU Student Welcome Outing (College Fields, Okemos) September 9 – 15 - The Ally Challenge, by McLaren (Warwick Hills G&C.C., Grand Blanc) Monday, October 7 - Western Golf Day (Point O’ Woods, Benton Harbor) Monday, October 14 - The Big Event (Barton Hills C.C., Ann Arbor) Friday, December 6 - Detroit Holiday Party (The Lodge at Keego Harbor, Keego Harbor) Thursday, December 12 - Northern Holiday Party (Buffalo Wild Wings, Traverse City) Friday, December 13 - West Holiday Party (The Blue Moose, Grand Rapids) Friday, December 20 - Mid Holiday Party (Goodrich C.C., Goodrich) Wednesday, January 22 - Curling Fundraiser for Ice Research (Detroit Curling Club, Ferndale) Tues-Thurs, Jan. 7 - 9 - Michigan Turf Conference (Kellogg Center, East Lansing) Tuesday, Jan. 7 - MiGCSA Annual Meeting (Kellogg Center, East Lansing) Mon-Fri, Feb 2 - 7 - Golf Industry Show (Orlando, FL) Wednesday, February 5 – Michigan Gathering (TBD, Orlando)
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Contents
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MiGCSA Board of Directors
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Superintendent - Kevin Welp
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Calendar of Events
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Industry Profile - Terry Kerkstra
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President’s Perspective
32
5th Annual Curling Fundraiser for Ice Research Andy Gianino - Assistant Superintendent
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34 Feature: “My first year as a Superintendent and to host a PGA event 42 2018 Scholarship Winners 44
12
The Wrench: Backlapping
Association Update
16
The 2018 Holiday Parties
18
The MiGCSA at GIS
6
46
Off Course: Let’s demystify the wine experience… A Message From MTF
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COURSE Conditions BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER
DAN DINGMAN Greater Detroit-Class A Birmingham Country Club
CALENDAR OF
EVENTS
JEFF SWEET, CGCS Mid-Class A Bucks Run G.C.
SUNDAY, APRIL 1 – 2019 Match Play Championship Opens
ROB STEGER, CGCS Mid-Class A Saginaw C.C. SECRETARY/ TREASURER
SUNDAY, APRIL 7 – SUNDAY, APRIL 14 – The Michigan House at The Masters (Augusta, GA)
PAST PRESIDENT
MARK OSTRANDER Western-Class A The Moors C.C. BOARD MEMBERS
JEFF HOPKINS Western-Class A Muskegon County Club
TUESDAY, APRIL 23 – Spring Opener (Pilgrims Run, Pierson) DOUG HOEH Northern-Class A Treetops Resort
JOHN TUCKERMAN RYAN MOORE Western-Class A Greater Detroit-Class A The Ravines Golf Club Forest Lake C.C. DOUG WARE Greater Detroit-Class A City of Livonia GENE DAVIS Northern-Class A Elk Rapids Golf Club
ANDEW DALTON Mid-Class A Metamora G&C.C. JESSEE SHAVER Western-Class A Gull Lake C.C.
MONDAY, MAY 6 Can-Am Tournament (Essex G & C.C., Ontario) MONDAY, MAY 20 – Wee One Fundraiser (Franklin Hills C.C., Franklin) SUNDAY, JUNE 2 – Northern Fundraiser (Arcadia Bluffs - South Course, Arcadia) MONDAY, JUNE 3 Northern Fundraiser (Arcadia Bluffs – Bluffs Course, Arcadia)
ASSISTANT LIAISON DAVE MAKULSKI
Greater Detroit-Class C Franklin Hills Country Club
COMMUNICATIONS ROB STEGER, CGCS COMMITTEE Chairman
SUNDAY, APRIL 28 – MAY 12 – Tee Times for Turf Online Auction Live
THURSDAY, JUNE 6 – Legislative Golf Day (Capitol Building, Lansing) COLLIN ROMANICK Blythefield C.C.
JUNE 10 – 16 –
Meijer LPGA Classic (Blythefield C.C., Belmont) KYLE BARTON TOM SCHALL, CGCS Oakland University Tam-O-Shanter C.C. THURSDAY, JUNE 21 – JESSE SHAVER ANDREW DALTON LaFontaine Outing/Mid Golf Event Gull Lake C.C. Metamora G&C.C. (Coyote Preserve, Fenton) MICAH WISE CRAIG MCKINLEY Site One JUNE 24 – 30 Buck’s Run Golf Club JOE ETTAWAGESHIK Rocket Mortgage Classic (Detroit Golf Club, Detroit) JARED MILNER Lochenheath Golf Club Meadowbrook C.C. BRETT ROBERTS Please visit www.MiGCSA.org for all of the Target Specialty latest and most up to date information. You can Course Conditions is published 4 times a year Products
Profile interviews conducted by Greg Johnson, Greg Johnson Media L.L.C.
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by the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association. Opinions expressed by guest writers do not necessarily reflect the views of the MiCGSA. For more information on Course Conditions or the MiGCSA please contact us at info@migca.org, 1-888-3-MiGCSA or 316 Glencarin Dr. NE, Rockford, MI 49341.
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quickly and easily register for events, view past issues of Course Conditions, browse and post items for sale, post and browse classifieds, and so much more. If you need help logging in email us at info@migcsa.org
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President’s
PERSPECTIVE
A
s I sit down to write my final newsletter as the Immediate Past President of our nationally recognized Chapter, I can’t help but reflect on how great of an experience the past seven years has been for me both personally and professionally. Since joining the MiGCSA Board of Directors in 2012, I have witnessed the state of our Chapter improve each year. This would not have been possible DA N DINGMAN without the hard work and leadership of those who served the MiGCSA since its inception. The MiGCSA is in great hands as President, Jeff Sweet, takes over the gavel. The current Board of directors are enthusiastic and full of great ideas that are sure to continue moving our chapter in the right direction. Serving as President in 2018 was a challenging and enlightening experience. Representing the Chapter’s 700+ members for the year was an honor, and one I will never forget. I had the opportunity to meet many people from every corner of our industry. With this I have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the inner workings of our industry and how important it is for all members of the Michigan Golf Alliance to collaborate and ensure success. Let me assure you that behind the scenes, even if you don’t see or hear it, this team of Professionals are working on our Member’s behalf each and every day. There are many highlights of the past year but, representing the MiGCSA at the Chapter Delegates Meeting at the GCSAA Headquarters in Lawrence, KS stands above the rest. Representatives from over 100 affiliated Chapters were in attendance for informative sessions regarding the extensive number of initiatives the GCSAA is working on to keep the Golf Course Superintendents at the forefront of the golf industry. Representing the Michigan Chapter, I was an especially proud delegate to watch our own John Fulling, from Kalamazoo Country Club, stand up with the GCSAA Board of Directors as the Secretary Treasurer. John will serve as Vice President in 2019 and then become President in 2020, what an accomplishment! Visiting GCSAA Headquarters is a great experience, one where you will appreciate all they do for us – The Golf Course Superintendent. In closing, I’d like to thank everyone who made my time on the MiGCSA Board of Directors enjoyable and possible including, all past board members with whom I had the pleasure to serve alongside, Adam Ikamas for the fantastic work you do managing our Chapter day in and day out, The Membership of Birmingham Country Club and General Manager Joe Basso for supporting my time on the board and encouraging me to be involved, The Greens & Grounds staff at BCC for their dedication and supporting my time away from the golf course, and my family for their support and encouragement. Lastly, I thank The Members of the MiGCSA for allowing me to serve and represent you – it was my absolute pleasure! Sincerely,
Daniel P. Dingman GCS Birmingham Country Club MiGCSA President Course Conditions
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FEATURE
My first year as a Sup
to host a PGA BY CHRIS KUCIEMBA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT WARWICK HILLS G&CC
F
irst and for most I would like to take this opportunity to thank Phil Owen, the Warwick Hills Board of Directors, the Warwick Greens Committee and the club Membership. Without these people I would not have had the opportunity to share with you my experience of co-hosting this past seasons PGA Senior event. Perhaps a little preemptive explanation before we begin, Spring 2017 I’m informed I would be taking over for Phil Owen as his predecessor, immediately after I’m given the position the Ally Challenge Senior PGA event is announced. Now I find myself not only needing to prove myself as a first year Superintendent for the upcoming 2018 season, but let’s toss on a PGA event of which I have zero experience with. Needless to say the expectations are high and so is the pressure. I should also mention that my wife was due to have our second child in January, right before the season would begin. First year Superintendent, first year PGA event, two-year-old daughter and my son due in January 2018. Warwick Hills and the surrounding community have been yearning for a PGA event to return since the Buick Open dissolved after 2008. So needless to say the club, local businesses, the Grand Blanc chamber of commerce, as well as the general public are ecstatic about this new event. Many local businesses had depended on the Buick to make their
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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
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erintendent and
event
year, or even stay afloat. This new event was being pegged to have a similar impact. Initial numbers hovered around 20 million in business and charity revenue. The remainder, of what I hope is a somewhat interesting read, will give some insight from my personal experiences pre event to post event. Preparation begins almost immediately after the deal is inked. Our first hurtle would be the pre survey of the course by the PGA’s head agronomist. What will they want to change? We haven’t hosted an event for ten years, we think the course is close to tournament shape, but is it? What would be a long hole by hole assessment boiled down to one major concern, 72 trees that they wanted gone. Over the course of the next four months we developed a priority list of the trees that needed to absolutely go and those that they would “really like to see removed” over our three year tournament agreement. We wound up removing just under 60 trees from January 2018 to mid-April. The logistics of what trees to cut when, coupled with the tree service availability and of course the weather becomes acute when you’re dealing with 60 large hardwood trees you want cut, removed, stumped, filled and sodded ASAP to take advantage of early spring rains. The last thing we wanted was to sod mid-summer since most of these areas are a far shot from an irrigation head. Even with an incredibly late spring and very small spring window we managed to complete the task. Early June brought in Jeff Haley the PGA Agronomist whom I would be directly working with from this point forward through the event. Anybody that knows Jeff he is a man of few words that will often comment or make a suggestion in the form of a question. An example would be “Moss?” or “you think that limb creates a double Jeopardy?” Was he quizzing me? Clearly the huge pine tree in front of my fairway bunker shot is a somewhat unfair double penalty… and yes, we have been battling a silvery-thread moss problem on the back right of 13 green. Basically if Jeff said
nothing everything was on point, a comment usually meant some attention was needed. I really thought that we would be having lengthy conversations of how we would obtain green speeds. The senior tour and the rules officials for this course simply didn’t want anything over 12. For the most part our membership likes the greens between 11 and 12 and we try on a daily basis to keep it there, so for this past years event holding 12’s for three day period was something myself and the crew where accustom to. Overall the initial visit went very well and I found that the bones of the course was in senior tournament ready condition. July hits and the ball game changes. .70” of rain for the entire month of July. It was not unheard of to run 300,000 to 450,000 gallons of water a night. Everyone knows how this part goes, hand watering every morning and most evenings depending on dew points and how bad wilting was through the afternoon. We experienced several days where dew points dropped from 65% to 40% midafternoon at 85 degrees…I would literally watch the fairways turn darker shades of purple, then gray with a sinking feeling that I’m sure all rookie Superintendents get “I’m losing ground”. Several nights where spent sleeping on the floor in the office watching the flow meter, checking the pumps and figuring out the aspects of my 23 year old Genesis III Hunter software. I can promise you it’s not as intuitive as your smart phone. My second agronomy visit had me a little concerned due to the isolated dry spots on fairways, some that would not make a recovery by the event. Overall less than 2% of fairway surface had damage. By the event only a handful of small areas needed to be sodded; mainly landing areas. August brought some much-needed real rain and the course made a huge recovery. HNS Sports Group would be essentially putting on the event and I would be working very closely with their team once setup began. I was informed on a daily basis of what was to be completed the following day, so we could
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make arrangements to insure nothing was damaged on the course. The bulk of the grounds crews’ role in setup was tracking wires, electrical lines, drainage lines, marking heads and basically making sure a stake wasn’t going to damage something. Once setup began the second week of August things progressed fast. Suddenly you have 40-50 strangers on your course driving fork lifts, trucks, erecting scaffolding and pounding stakes in the ground. I can’t say enough about how organized and respectful of the course and my wishes HNS and their crew was. The bulk of the work for those that did not attend was centered around the par three 17 and 18 green. The build out was larger than the Buick Open but concentrated to essentially only two holes with one caveat. We needed to fence off the entire driving range to host a Big and Rich concert where we expect 30k people to attend. My concerns for the potential disasters that could happen fell on deaf ears and the concert was happening whether I liked it or not. For those not familiar with Warwick’s range we have four large target greens mowed at tee height and just under three acres of fairway and practice tee turf that would be used for seating. Essentially they wanted to turn the range into a mini Pine Knob. If anybody has attended a show at Pine Knob on a rainy day you can image my concern. The fun and somewhat stressful part about setup was there are so many moving parts you really can’t have a hand on every single thing that happens during the course of a day. My first year doing this I was involved in almost everything that was happening daily. If an irrigation line was being tracked by an assistant I would re-track it behind them “just to make sure”, not that it wasn’t done correctly the first time, I just didn’t want any mistakes. In the future, I plan on delegating more to the assistants, who in my case are more than capable of handling most of what I was obsessing over. A week and a half before the event we started getting the rain we need so desperately in July and once it started it never stopped. The course went from bone dry to saturated in just a few days. We received a total of six inches of rain over the course of a ten-day period. Typically, we would consider the course saturated after
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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
three tenths in one day. To this point construction took place under dry conditions, now we had the flip side to that and the new hurtle would be keeping crews off of areas that don’t drain well and stay wet for days. Luckily years of working on the course as an assistant gave me the upper hand on what areas to protect. The answer became simple after just the first day of rain, if a vehicle was driving on any turf plywood was mandatory and at the expense of the tournament host HNS. Once we got the fifty-man crew on board we had very little damage from setup. The week of the event was the culmination of what the crew, myself and the club had been prepping for all year. The weather shaped up to be perfect and with all the rain we had the week before the course was green wall to wall. All of the logistical concerns about hand watering fairway landing areas (which I didn’t really agree with) and tees wasn’t going to be needed. Having a fairly good understand of how the course dries out after rain events I felt confident that we would only need to hand water greens in the evening…if that.
and luckily this past year everything fell into place. Mother nature really allowed me to present the course conditions the way I wanted to, and don’t think for a minute the crew and I don’t realize next year could be the total opposite. On a final note, of everything that hosting a PGA event can bring to your operation, the most important thing is the relationships and comradery you develop with co-workers. The feeling of being in it together is more rewarding and lasting than I would have ever expected. Once the crew members realized what they were a part of they really upped their game and their commitment to their role. Special thanks to Randy Enicks my Mechanic and phycologist, Dominic Fulgenzi and Mike Barrett my two amazingly talented assistants…couldn’t of done it without you guys. For those that have interest in volunteering next year the event will be held September 9-15th. Please give us a call at 586-719-4330, or email ckuciemba@live.com.
During the Pro-ams we faced the challenge of morning work in the dark, so we purchased camping headlamps at a fraction of what it would cost to outfit our twelve-year-old greens mowers and bunker rakes. The lamps work really well for everything except bunker raking, which would be done mechanically. The light just wasn’t bright enough to show imperfections, small ridges and pull-outs…everything just looked uniform in the dark. Once we had sunlight we had to quickly change gears and hand rake a lot of unacceptable bunkers. I was fortunate to inherit the course in “tournament” shape, and I was luckily knowledgeable enough about the course to keep it that way throughout the season. It would have been one thing to have the event in July or early August, but a September event meant keeping it together almost until the end of the season…a lot could have gone wrong during 8-month period. HNS, the PGA and the club were very happy with the way the event went, but I have to be honest and say it could have been very different. We live and die by the weather
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2019 BY PAUL ALBANESE, ASGCA
A
nother year has started, and golf is beginning to see some rebound. Tiger Woods seems to be on a comeback, and we in the golf industry hope his reemergence dovetails with that of the industry as a whole. The golf industry, when Tiger came on the seen some twenty years ago, had rested some of their future hope on the “Tiger effect”, hoping his preeminence would foster the underprivileged and youth of color to take up golf in droves, and fuel the golf economy of the future. That did not occur; at least to the level hoped, and possibly even needed. Although it seems there has been some increased interest in golf by urban youth and kids of color from under-privileged backgrounds, this increase may be attributed as much to programs such as Sticks-For-Kids and First Tee as by Tiger Woods. And, this is no slam on Tiger himself. He was not – and is not – responsible for this aspect of our industry. He is a performer, and has fulfilled this role in a most entertaining and valuable manner. We, as an industry, still need to utilize the tools and ammunition we have to increase the consumption of golf – on real golf course facilities. In addition to the many good initiatives undertaken, there is still a need for more focus on getting people to play this great sport. Therefore, the first questions to be asked are: who really is the target market of golf? If you are a private club, the market will be different than a municipal facility. In general, this has always been true. But, there are more disparate market segments in golf than there were in past generations. In the 1960’s, the new Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus superstars may have been out-shining the stars of the previous decade, Nelson, Hogan and Snead. But, all of these stars were from the same overall demographic: well-to-do white men. Today’s stars – like Tiger Wood, Notah Begay, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson – have a more significant cultural difference from their
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predecessors. This does mean these guys don’t have respect for their elders and senior members of the sport. These men are simply more different in their lifestyles than Nicklaus, Palmer and Watson were from Hogan, Nelson and Sneed in their lifestyles. Just the advent of the internet and smartphones is one major difference. Therefore, the business of golf has to recognize this more, and change accordingly, and yet without a degradation of core tents and philosophies of golf. I believe the USGA and R&A have finally made some steps in the right direction in this regard with their current rule changes. Eliminating stroke and distance for out-of-bounds and other rules which made the sport simply unattractive to potential patrons, will cater more to those used to faster entertainment in their sporting endeavor. The new generation (and even those of us hooked to fast paced information available via smartphones) has no patience for such delays in their fun time. And, versus standing on a soapbox, demanding those that wish to partake in golf simply learn the value of patience, a better move is to change the rules to speed up the game. This is a good step. But, speed of play is likely not enough. More initiative are needed to ensure the sport can take advantage of this recent semi-uptick in golf interest. In a past column, I referenced that TopGolf took a page from, and capitalized on, traditional golf. And, that traditional golf may now need to reference Top Golf in order to re-surge its popularity. This is possible. Concepts that enable the play on a traditional golf course to “connect” outside the venue on which the golfer is located should be considered. Most restaurants, unless a true classic, change their menu every so often, in order to entice patrons back. Movie producers change up the stories told every summer for their blockbuster releases. Golf is in competition for
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
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leisure dollars, and if golf proprietors don’t provide their customers something new, every so often, their attention, and money, will go elsewhere. Many different “golf menus” should be considered, and not simply cater the same fare over and over.
Paul Albanese, ASGCA is a principal with Albanese & Lutzke, Golf Course Architects/ Construction Managers. www.golf-designs.com paul@golf-designs.com
And, to produce something new that our customers want, we must pay attention to what they enjoy. Let’s see what 2019 will bring.
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2018 Scholarship Winners BY DOUG HOEH, TREETOPS RESORT MIGCSA BOARD MEMBER, SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
T
he winners of the 2018 Heritage Scholarship have been chosen. The Heritage Scholarship is an award of $1,500 that is offered through the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association. The award is available to the children of our current members who are enrolled in a post high school education curriculum. Funding for this scholarship is provided by the proceeds from the 2018 Fundraisers, the Northern at Arcadia Bluffs, Western Golf Day at Blythefield C.C. and the Big Event at Walnut Creek C.C. Thank you to these facilities and our generous Sponsors & Industry Partners. The applicants are asked to submit a 750 word essay along with evidence of their scholastic and extracurricular achievements. The scholarship committee then grades each applicant based on their submission and the 4 highest scores are awarded the scholarship. The submissions are graded based on the appearance of the application, the content of the essay, followed by the applicant’s scholastic achievements and community involvement. These awards were presented at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, January 23rd at the Michigan Turfgrass Conference in East Lansing.
This year’s winners include: Mikaela Bluck, Daughter of jim Bluck, CGCS Evan Hammon, Son of Steve Hammon Caitlin Dahlin, Daughter of Ron Dahlin, CGCS Trevor Roznowski, Son of Jason Roznowski Congratulation to Thomas Quisnesberry for receiving the 2018 MSU Student Scholarship. I would like to thank all 8 applicants for their time and efforts applying for this award. I find it extremely pleasing to be able to get to know these young adults through their submissions. I would encourage each applicant to continue to apply for this scholarship as the scores were very tightly grouped. An additional thank you to the 2018 Scholarship Committee Mike Rosen, Jesse Sholl, Seth Britton and Jim Priebe for their help in choosing the recipients.
Board Member & Scholarship Committee Chairman Doug Hoeh with 2018 MSU Student Scholarship Winner Thomas Quisenberry and Scholarship Committee Member Seth Britton 12
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
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| Winter 2018-19
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The 2018
Holiday Parties In all more than 150 members, family and friends attended the Detroit, Western, Mid and Northern Holiday parties this December. Along with this attendance more than 100 toys were donated to the Toys for Tots program to help a bunch of kids have a better Christmas and $170 to the Red Kettle Campaign. Thank you to all who attended and especially those who made a donation.
A surprise retirement gift for Phil Owen, CGCS from Warrwick Hills who hung up his handwatering hose this year.
odge The L t a d e arty. rat troit p celeb e p D u o e gr for th A nice arbor H o g e at Ke
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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
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The second year for the Northern party at Buffalo Wild Wings in Traverse City hosted by Past President Steve Hammon.
Back to a new and old location at the Blue Moose formerly the Cascade Sports Bar hosted the Western party.
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2019 GCSAA Vice President John R. Fulling, CGCS
THE MIGCSA AT GIS BY ADAM IKAMAS, CGCS
At the 2019 Golf Industry Show our very own Past President John R. Fulling, CGCS was elected as the Vice President of the GCSAA which will put him on track to be President of the GCSAA in 2020. Congratulations John! We look forward to your vision on a national and global level with the GCSAA. On Wednesday evening more than 200 Golf Industry Show attendees came by the Michigan gathering
at The Kitchen Bar & Grill including many from the Tennessee chapter. I often get some funny looks when I tell people we paired up with the TGCSA as it seems an unlikely pairing. This came from last year as the TGCSA had a change in their management and needed a place to get together at GIS. We had a good relationship with Shelia Finney the previous Executive Director of the TGCSA who went to work for GCSAA and she had put us in touch with Melissa Martin the new ED in Tennessee and our board approved a joint gathering in Orlando. It went so well the Board approved this for future GIS gatherings. After all we all see each other here in Michigan all the time so why not meet some folks from other parts of the country at “The National� and it provides us the ability to reserve some larger spaces and provide drink tickets. Already some good friends have been made between memberships and we plan to continue this partnership in 2020 in Orlando.
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
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| www.migcsa.org MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION | WWW.MiGCSA.ORG
TRANSITION BETWEEN WITH
SCHEDULE A DEMO TODAY at one of our locations below 6445 Alden Nash Avenue SE Alto, MI 49302 29321 Garrison Road Wixom, MI 48393
SUPERINTENDENT - KEVIN WELP, CGCS
KEVIN
Welp 1
Kevin Welp, GCCS has been the head superintendent at Midland Country Club for one year after coming over from Detroit Golf Club. He is 50, originally from Illinois, and holds a four-year turfgrass degree from Michigan State University.
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HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? I played high school golf, and my parents (Tom and Janice) owned a driving range (The 19th Hole in East Dubuque, Ill.). Then I worked for Leibold Irrigation in high school and through some of my college years, and I met a lot of superintendents through that experience. Plus, my Dad had a landscape company, so all of that combined put me into the business. I was, I think, John Leibold’s third employee and now he has built a company that is all across the country doing construction and irrigation for golf courses.
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WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED GOLF TO BE YOUR CAREER? Right away. Working with John (Leibold) and meeting all the superintendents, it was clear it was just a good fit for me.
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COURSES YOU HAVE WORKED AT? I was an intern at Cedar Rapids Country Club in Iowa, and then worked as an assistant at Westborough Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, and then came to Muskegon Country Club as a superintendent and was there 20 years before going to Detroit Golf Club and last year coming to Midland. WHAT PART OF YOUR EDUCATION DO YOU USE THE MOST? The unique thing about being a superintendent is the diversity it requires. You have a formal education that gives you your base and the terminology you need, but then you learn so much on the job and so much of what you learn is site-specific. The job is a little bit of everything all the time and then some. I can’t say there is any one thing I use from my education all the time because you use all of it in one way or another.
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HOW HAS YOUR JOB AT YOUR CURRENT COURSE PROGRESSED? Well, we have a lot to do. We have an LPGA event coming this summer, and in some ways, I’m still getting my feet on the ground at Midland. This is my third job as a superintendent, and one thing I think people underestimate is the learning curve at a property that is new to you while at the same time you are trying to get staff lined up and tweak things. We have some poorly drained fairways at Midland, so we have to tackle those over time. I was at Muskegon for 20 years, but there were still things I wanted to do. All things have to fit in time and budget. In the long-term though at Midland will try to keep making it better every day. It’s a process, like eating and elephant. You go one bite at a time. WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF THE MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? The work they do in education, networking, fundraising for research, the outings they put together, the
support they give to the industry – it’s all important and they do it great. I don’t know how they could do it much better. I’m always impressed and I tell them that.
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WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MICHIGAN TURFGRASS FOUNDATION? I don’t have a lot of experience with them. I attend the conference, and in a lot of ways they are like MiGCSA in that they are a well-oiled machine. I know when I look around the country this is one of the best states for support in the turfgrass industry, if not the best. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE GIVEN BACK TO GOLF? Yes and no. In one sense every day you give back to the business by being super dedicated to what you do. The dedication and drive being a superintendent takes are like few other jobs. We exceed other industries in determination and dedication, and we do it every day inside a budget and still get great results. I feel I have mentored assistants because some have gone on to be superintendents,
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THINGS PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME
and I try to be part of the networking through MTF and MiGCSA because everyone is so supportive. Once I get situated in Midland, I hope to pay it forward more so to speak.
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DO YOU HAVE HOBBIES OR SPECIAL INTERESTS AWAY FROM THE GAME? Mostly hunting and fishing. I have cabin over near Ionia, and I have a bird dog (Jack) who is great. He goes to the golf course with me every day. I like pheasant hunting, some duck hunting. I also like to do construction, home improvement, that kind of thing.
10 WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF YOUR JOB? Staffing and human resourcing, and just trying to keep a staff intact and motivated. In general, those things are the hardest parts.
11 WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST
ABOUT YOUR JOB? I like that no two days are the same. There is constant change and troubleshooting, and I like it when you get everyone
1. In 2008 shot a 548lb black bear that is the 22nd largest in state history. 2. Favorite beer is Blue Moon. 3. Avid shooter and outdoorsman. 4. The first course I worked at was Cedar Rapids Country Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I lived in the maintenance facility and had a cot in the Superintendent’s (John “Jack” Rhodes) office. It was a little Carl Spackler, but it was a great experience! It let me see the complete operation. 5. Voted best body in High School.
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working toward one goal and pitching in to make it happen. There’s nothing quite like 6:01 in the morning when you have the team on the fairways and everything is in motion, making it happen for the day. It’s a beautiful thing to see.
12 WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING GOLF? Time – the time it takes to play a round. In the immediate-gratification society we live in, and that’s a huge issue for golf. It’s a time-consuming sport in a world that doesn’t take the time.
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IS THERE RESEARCH YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ACCOMPLISHED IN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT? I’m not sure I can narrow it down to one research, but we absolutely need it to continue. I look at where the game has come from in the 25 years I’ve been in it, and it has come leaps and bounds. There’s a lot of things, wetting agents, new fungicides, so many things that can help in the chemistry. I do think research is the key to our business. The bar is only going to get set higher and higher with the environment, and it always changes with what membership at clubs want and demand. We always need that research to stay current.
14 WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF
IN 10 YEARS? Still enjoying what I do. I think I will want to still be working on a golf course. As long as I’m enjoying it, I will want to keep doing it.
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REMEMBERED 100 YEARS FROM NOW? As a superintendent who did the best he could and worked hard every day.
18 HOW DO YOU RATE
THE IMPORTANCE OF A SUPERINTENDENT IN A GOLF OPERATION? I think it is the most important position on the property. The superintendent has so much that they touch. It is like being the quarterback, even more so than a general manager. Most clubhouses are run a different way with several managers involved with the general manager. The superintendent usually doesn’t have that structure under him, or at least as much of it, and has to wear a lot of hats.
16 WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU
THE MOST IN YOUR TURFGRASS CAREER? John Leibold. The way he conducts himself, the way he does business. Great guy. You need role models in the world and for me it’s kind of ‘what would John do?’ He is the kind of guy who makes it right no matter what it is. He is the real deal. I worked for him three or four summers and still have a good relationship with him. He does business well, says the right things and treats people the right way. The world needs more people like that.
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19 WHAT PERCENTAGE OF TIME
WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU’VE LEARNED THAT YOU USE ALL THE TIME? That you have to make sure your staff works hard but tries to have fun at the same time. You have to keep it light, but at the same time be diligent. One of my
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
former guys told me once that I convinced him that working hard was cool. When I first started, I didn’t have that mentality. I thought my people will do what I say when and how I say it. I quickly learned that was not a long-term successful approach, at least for my personality.
| www.migcsa.org
DO YOU DEVOTE TO NONAGRONOMIC GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT? Probably 50 percent. It depends on the day. It’s all on the course some days, and other days there is no time to give to the course.
SUPERINTENDENT
20 WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF
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23 WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST
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THE ROLE OF AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT? They can lessen the burden on a superintendent if they are good. It’s huge and great for a system to have. It’s a much-needed role, and we should probably have more of them. It can take a lot of weight off a super’s shoulders. Finding a good one is the tough part. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF THE ROLE OF THE GOLF COURSE MECHANIC OR TECHNICIAN? Very important. It is critical. With the technology advances, and with keeping control of things it is important. With the game and the expectations you are expected to reach with your equipment, you have to have a person in control there. The mechanic is one of the most important people on the team.
GOLFERS WALKING VERSUS RIDING IN A CART TO PLAY? When I played a lot, I played my best golf when walking. I also like the look of it, and the wear of it on the golf course, but that’s just me. I know it can take more time, and time is a problem today. I appreciate that part of golf though. I also realize it doesn’t fit everywhere. PET PEEVE IN GOLF COURSE ETIQUETTE? Cart traffic. Some golfers just get too close to greens or tees. That’s probably my biggest one.
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OF GREEN SPEEDS IN TODAY’S GAME? It just gets tougher and tougher to deal with. I know 25 years ago 8 ½ for a speed was fine. Now, if you are not at 12 you are getting left behind. It’s weird how we chase things in this game. It used to be we were worried about the new big
drivers and how much longer we needed to make the fairways. Now we are getting greens to speeds where people can’t putt them so we are going to flatten greens so people can putt them. I know the consumer seems to want what is more difficult, and that is a natural progression of the game in ways, but at some point, you have to think about what the courses can sustain. DO YOU HAVE A HUMOROUS OR INTERESTING STORY YOU CAN SHARE FROM YOUR CAREER? A member at Muskegon Country Club one day stops me on the golf course and tells me that we have some weeds on No. 4 fairway. I say something like, “Yeah, it’s Knotweed.” He gets upset. “Dammit, it is weeds. I know weeds when I see them.”
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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
www.advancedturf.com
INDUSTRY PROFILE - JIM HIGGS
TERRY
Kerkstra 1
Terry Kerkstra,
has worked with Control Dynamics as a pump station design/project manager for five years after 7 years as the owner of Auto Control. He and Robin, his wife of 31 years, have two children. His son Devin, 26, worked with him at Auto Control and is currently working as a Master Mechanic for the city of Plymouth. His daughter MacKenzie, 21, attends Grand Valley State University and working an internship with Haworth Corp.
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He received his master electrical status at Grand Rapids Community College in 1999.
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HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? I was working for my company building automated controls for commercial irrigation when I met Ron Dahlin at (superintendent at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University). After a few meetings with Ron he strongly suggested I get involved with the MiGCSA and the rest is history. WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE? I would have to say my wife (Robin). She has supported and believed in me and given me the confidence to succeed in life. WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? My instructor at Ottawa Area Vocation Center for Agricultural Mechanics pushed me to always give 110 percent if you want to succeed in life. Anything less is what is the norm. His influence got me to the top of my class of over 400 students. I was awarded top honors after two years. CAN YOU SHARE A FUNNY STORY FROM YOUR CAREER? I was at a The Moors Country Club (Portage) with Mark Ostrander (the superintendent), and we were going to the pump house when we observed a non-golfer crossing a green in high heels. I said to Mark that she was aerating the green with her high heels LOL. He stated, “watch this,” and then he grabbed his radio from the cart and proceeded to turn on sprinkler heads as she ran for cover. Without a smirk on his face he says, “I bet she won’t do that again.” WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? Obtaining quality help to perform the many tasks that are required to maintain the course in the top conditions that are required. WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS WHEN WORKING WITH THE MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? Their continued support of industrial partners. It has been outstanding!
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DO YOU HAVE AN EMBARRASSING CAREER MOMENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? At Fox Hills Golf Course (Plymouth) we were trapped at the pump house due to the crane operator having tipped the crane into a pond. We tried an alternate route and buried my brand new F350 truck. WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE TO DECISION MAKERS WHEN DOING BUSINESS? When making decisions about your equipment repairs or purchases take time to talk to your fellow superintendents and get their input. The industry and the people in it are there for your benefit. WHAT IS YOUR BEST SUCCESS STORY? It is hard to say just one because two come to mind. Wuskowhan Players Club (near Holland) and Kalamazoo Country Club – both sites have Pumping Stations that have out-performed my expectations in more ways than one.
10 WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST
ABOUT YOUR POSITION? I love to teach people about their equipment and what they can do to increase its performance and longevity.
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HOW MANY DAYS OF THE YEAR ARE YOU ON THE ROAD? 100 to 120 days a year.
12 WHO HAS THE NICEST SHOP
YOU CALL ON AND WHY? Wuskowhan Players Club was very organized and clean.
13 WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER
THE BEST PRODUCT YOU OFFER AND WHY? Our Remote LOGIN. It gives the customer and us the ability to monitor and make changes at will from Phone, I-Phone, PC or Mac.
14 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE
GOLF COURSE TO PLAY? I don’t play golf, but my favorite course to visit is Crystal Downs. It is an absolutely beautiful property.
15 IF YOU HAD A DIFFERENT
PROFESSION, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I would have love to be a NASCAR driver. I love speed. It is something I’ve toyed with my whole life, and I still do even though I’ve been in three life-threatening accidents because of it. I wrapped a four-wheeler around tree when I was 18. I rolled a car, and I
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
rolled a semi-truck. I still push the envelope. Things have just never been fast enough.
18 WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES
OR ACTIVITIES AWAY FROM GOLF? I love to water ski and wake board. I’ve played golf maybe a dozen times. I love nature, but I don’t golf.
19 WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING OUTSIDE OF WORK? Going out to different restaurants with my wife. I love to try new foods.
21 WHO HAS THE BEST
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT DOG? Brae Burn Golf Course in Plymouth! His name is Cooper, and he is a beautiful Golden Retriever.
22 HOW MANY CONFERENCES
AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS DO YOU ATTEND PER YEAR? Six to seven per year.
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THE INDUSTRY WILL BE DIFFERENT IN 10 YEARS? I think the equipment for turf will become more automated, such as self-guided mowers.
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INDUSTRY PROFILE
THINGS PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME
1. Owned 25 different vehicles by age 21 2. Life Threating eventsa. Was ridding 3-wheeler in Northern MI and lost control hitting large tree, broke both pelvis bones. Was told that I would be lucky to ever walk normal again, 2 weeks later carried my crutches into doctor’s office just to prove him wrong. b. Been electrocuted by 12,470 volts repairing old farms service, walked away with only minor injuries. Back working 2 days later. c. Hit an embankment at 100+ MPH with snowmobile at 12 years old, ended up with over 75 stitches to reattach my lower gums (not wearing helmet) d. Rolled 1983 Pontiac Grand Prix in drainage ditch trapped under water, was rescued by good Samaritan, did I mention my 13-year-old sister was with me…. e. Rolled 28’ box truck in a tornado while living in Indiana. 3. Was part of a dare in high school that ended up him being part of a 3-man cheerleaders’ squad… 4. Enjoy reading suspense fiction books in spare time. 5. Actually, held many different professions a. Farmer b. Carpenter-Rough in homes 3-months-Lost job due to 3-Wheeler accident c. Machinist- 2 years d. Heavy Equipment Mechanic 4 years e. Semi-truck and heavy equipment operator 2-years f. Milk Route sales 3-years g. Electrician 10 years i. Welder/Fabricator- 2nd shift job during electrical apprentice. h. Machine Builder -2 -years i. Pump Station designer-10 years j. Business owner 7 years -AUTO CONTROL
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JEFF SWEET, CGCS FROM BUCK’S RUN GOLF CLUB TO
LEAD MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS
EAST LANSING – Jeff Sweet, CGCS, the Class A General Manager at Buck’s Run Golf Club in Mt. Pleasant has been elected as the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA) Chapter President for 2019. The MiGCSA held its 11th annual meeting and elections on Tuesday January 22nd at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing during the Michigan Turfgrass Conference. Other officers elected to the MiGCSA board include Vice President Rob Steger, CGCS from Saginaw Country Club & Secretary/Treasurer Doug Ware from the City of Livonia. The election marked the end of board service for Past President (2017) Mark Ostrander Superintendent at The Moors Country Club in
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Portage. Our deepest gratitude for his service to our industry. New members elected to the board include Gene Davis from Elk Rapids Golf Club and John Tuckerman from the Ravines Golf Club. Also reelected to a second term was Jeff Hopkins from Muskegon Country Club. The MiGCSA is “dedicated to providing value to our members through programs and services that enhance and promote our profession.” The MiGCSA has more than 700 Members in Michigan and is managed by Adam Ikamas, CGCS Executive Director, who can be contacted at adamikamas@migcsa.org, 1-888-3-MiGCSA.
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
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5th Annual Curling Fundraiser for
Ice Research
T
he MiGCSA was back to the Detroit Curling Club on January 19th thanks to MiGCSA Board and Detroit Curling Club Member Ryan Moore. This year was another great event starting with lunch at noon followed by detailed instruction with on ice training for everyone. This annual event will return next year, January of 2020.
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Root Growth
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:Summer Stress
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Aeration Recovery
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Soil Conditioning
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Playability
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Carbohydrate Storage
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LDS Prevention
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Moisture Management
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Drainage
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Disease Resistance
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Salinity
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Soil Feeding
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
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| Fall 2018
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ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT - ALLEN SAVILLE
Andy
Gianino 1
Andy Gianino started his current position as an assistant superintendent at Cascade Hills Country Club in January after working the last seven seasons at Oakland Hills Country Club. He is 35, single, a graduate of Michigan State with a four-year degree in turf management and is originally from Kalamazoo.
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HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN GOLF? My brother is a superintendent (A.J. Gianino of Green Meadows Golf Club in Monroe), so that has had a lot of influence on me. He’s my older brother and I’ve spent time on the golf course with him as he was working and I was tagging along. I ended up working in golf in college as a summer job, and I enjoyed it, so I went into it. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB IN GOLF AND WHAT WAS A KEY THING YOU LEARNED FROM IT? I worked at The Prairies in Kalamazoo and worked under Brian Larsen. I learned a lot, and I enjoyed it. I think the key thing I learned was that you don’t have to be intense and serious all the time when you are working. You can have fun with everyone and still get the work done and produce a good product. That group of guys worked hard and had fun at the same time.
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
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| www.migcsa.org
WHAT ARE YOUR NEW RESPONSIBILITIES AT CASCADE? We are still figuring that out, but I know I will be really involved in learning the operation and have my hands on all parts of the operation eventually. The dynamic of how it will all work we are still working on. I’ve been there just a few weeks now and there are two other new assistants who were hired, too. So, we will all be figuring that out with Al Bathum, the superintendent there since 1992. ON THE JOB, WHAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IS THE KEY PIECE YOU WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN YOUR ARESENAL FOR GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT? A deep tiner. The greens at Cascade are older greens, great greens, but it is nice to get deep penetration on those. It was much the same thing at Oakland Hills. It’s really a standard thing at places with older greens.
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WHO ON YOUR CREW MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST? Taylor Gray – we are friends, and he is well, he is just always coming up with something to make me laugh. IF YOU HAD A MULLIGAN ON A DIFFERENT CAREER CHOICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I think an architect, probably in the construction of buildings. I thought about it at one time. I was in landscape architecture before turf and I was always intrigued by the design aspect. I would want to work on buildings though, not golf course architecture I don’t think. WHAT IS THE CULTURAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICE YOU COULD NOT DO WITHOUT? Outside of mowing, and this is pretty standard, but top-dressing. I think the benefits you get from top-dressing can mask some of the other issues you could have, and really today, for the firm, fast conditions, top dressing is essential to achieve that.
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WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FROM THE MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? My expectation is that they are looking our for us (golf course superintendents) when it comes to legislation – us and our industry. HOW HAVE YOU GIVEN BACK TO YOUR PROFESSION? I’ve been part of volunteering for the Wee One Golf Outing in Michigan. I enjoy that. I also hope I have had a positive influence on interns, other assistants or anybody on the crews I’ve worked with.
10 WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST
ISSUES FACING ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? Currently the market to make the leap to superintendent is very difficult. A lot of assistant jobs are out there, but not a lot for head superintendents. It’s making the leap from assistant to head superintendent that is very difficult. The competition is fierce.
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THINGS PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME
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When a job does come up there are so many qualified applicants to choose from. WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE JOB? It has to be finding labor, keeping labor, just simply finding motivated individuals. Unfortunately, our industry typically under pays people in some of the jobs, so that doesn’t help with labor issues.
12 WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF
THE JOB? The part I like the best is coming up with new ways of doing something. I like the tweaking you have to do day-today, the brainstorming on how to fix problems. In general, I like that there is some challenge, something different every day. Problem solving continuously and dealing with the weather are the things I like, and it is what I enjoy the most. It’s always changing.
1. I like to quote Seinfeld in almost any situation. 2. I recently started drinking tea instead of coffee. 3. This process made me realize I have no hobbies. 4. I’ve used the same screw driver to mend plugs for over 10 years. 5. I don’t like red trucks but I own one regardless. Course Conditions
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13 WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN
16 WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU
14 HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE
15 WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST
17 HOW DO YOU RATE THE IMPORTANCE OF
10 YEARS? Hopefully I will be the superintendent at Cascade Hills Country Club. REMEMBERED IN THE FUTURE? I hope as someone who has made a difference in somebody else’s life, whether related to golf or not. It could be somebody I mentored along the way. I really just want to have had a positive impact on people. ABOUT TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT? There are three people for this one: My brother A.J., Mark Ostrander (The Moors Golf Club) and Steve Cook (Medinah Country Club, and formerly Oakland Hills Country Club). Each one of them impacted me in different ways. My brother has been a huge influence on why I’m even in this career, and I look up to him in general as a person and brother. I really started my career with Mark as an assistant at The Moors, and he taught me the foundation of the career and just everything starting out. Then I had the opportunity to go to Oakland Hills and learn from Steve, when he was the director there. I learned more about the business end of the industry from him, and he was also big in teaching me about the management of people and leadership. Those were the big things from Steve.
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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
HAVE LEARNED? The most valuable thing I’ve learned it how to deal with the different types of people. Our industry has a very diverse demographic of individuals that you encounter. You have guys on the crew with different levels of education, guys from different countries, and you have to interact with each person and make sure their interactions with each other are going well. You learn something with each individual.
AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT’S ROLE? Assistants are extremely vital as the industry goes through changes. Superintendents have become a little more unable to be on the golf course a lot. They have a lot more meetings and spread sheets to deal with, and really all the other things that go with the business end. It just keeps them off the course, so they need a good assistant who keeps the stuff on the golf course rolling, and who can be innovative and come up with ideas on how to deal with things he sees on the course.
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MECHANIC? I think the mechanic is absolutely vital and is probably the hardest position to fill. Good assistants are probably much more available, but I know finding a good mechanic is really important. They keep the place going.
| www.migcsa.org
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
19 WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET
PEEVE CONCERNING GOLF COURSE ETIQUETTE? I think raking the bunkers, and not so much from the standpoint that it causes more work for us, but that it is really poor treatment for the group behind you. The number of people who do not rank bunkers is absurd.
20 WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS OF
GREEN SPEEDS AND THE GAME OF GOLF TODAY? I think green speeds need to be tailored to the specific golf course, and even the hole. Some greens are from a playability standpoint able to be faster for anybody who is playing the course. Then there are greens that need to be slower because of different reasons just to aid in pace of play and the fun of the game.
21 IF YOU COULD CHANGE
ANYTHING ABOUT GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? It would be wages, and I don’t mean for assistant superintendents. I mean for crew members. It would solve a lot of problems if they could make more money.
22 AWAY FROM GOLF, WHAT IS
YOUR FAVORITE SPORT? It has to be football – Michigan State football. I typically make it to one game a year, and the rest are on TV, but I really enjoy it.
23 WHAT TYPE OF HOBBIES DO
YOU HAVE AWAY FROM GOLF? Aside from watching Michigan State sports, I don’t have many hobbies. I guess I’m bored.
24 DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE
GOLF COURSE? My favorite course that I have played is Pinehurst No. 2. I didn’t play it before the renovation, and I was amazed how natural it was, and I thought the green complexes were incredible. Being at Oakland hills, a Donald Ross with a Robert Trent Jones renovation, and then going to Pinehurst (Donald Ross), I was just amazed to see how drastically different the designs were. It was so intriguing to me.
25 DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST
26 WHAT IS THE FAVORITE CLUB IN YOUR BAG? My 9-iron. I’m just confident with it, both in accuracy and distance control.
27 WHO IS THE GREATEST
INFLUENCE IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE? My parents (Sam and Mary), and really my entire immediate family of my parents and my brother.
28 DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE
FOOD OR RESTAURANT? It has to be Italian. I don’t have a favorite restaurant, and not a specific food.
29 WHAT VEHICLE WOULD YOU
DRIVE IF YOU HAD A MONEY TREE GROWING IN YOUR YARD? Range Rover. I’ve generally just always liked them.
30 WHAT IS YOUR DREAM
SCRAMBLE TEAM? Me, Steve Yzerman, Tom Izzo and Peter Jacobsen.
COURSE? I want to play Merion Golf Club (Ardmore, Pa.). From what I’ve seen, it is absolutely beautiful.
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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
FROM NATIONAL
MiGCSA Course Conditions -
January 2019
A
s we move into another year, this is always a time to reflect on what has been accomplished over the past 12 months, both personally and professionally, as well as set goals for the upcoming 12 months. Throughout 2018, thanks to your dedication and commitment to the industry, GCSAA was able to reach the goal of 18,190 members by the end of December (at the time of writing there are 18,248 members of the GCSAA family). This could not have been accomplished without you, the current members of GCSAA. While supporting new programs, spreading the word of industry initiatives and bringing new turfgrass professionals into both the MiGCSA and GCSAA, you have been the main driver behind membership growth. The goal is to expand the GCSAA family to 19,000 members by the end of 2019, and we are confident with the industry working together, we will achieve the goal. Along with member retention and recruitment, there are a handful of other areas, along with the Chapter Outreach/ Field Staff team, I am focusing on throughout 2019 and beyond. Best Management Practices (BMP) continue to be a main emphasis of GCSAA and the industry. In the Great Lakes region, 2018 saw Ohio complete and publish their statewide BMP manual, with Illinois set to be published in the next few months. The goal is to have each state implement a BMP document by the end of 2020. With numerous industry professionals assisting in this effort, we are again confident of accomplishing this vastly important initiative for the industry. In the latter stage of 2018, the Chapter Outreach/Field Staff team internally created a ‘Chapter Board Orientation Guide’. This guide will provide chapter board members, along with prospective board members, information on chapter operations. Addressing areas such as chapter governance, financials, working with GCSAA, and team building, the document provides information to chapter board members on what to expect when they join the board of directors. This comprehensive document gives existing, new and
Shan e Conroy
potential board members an in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes work necessary to run a successful chapter. This document will be available to the 99 chapters and their board members across North America. One of the favorite areas of my position is working with director of chapter outreach, Steve Randall, and assisting in facilitating chapter strategic planning sessions. The goal of the strategic planning sessions is to focus on the ‘why’ of your chapter. These sessions bring together the current chapter board of directors and the chapter executive director where board members are challenged and taken out of their comfort zone to work to advance the chapter. The strategic planning sessions cover a SCOR (strength, challenges, opportunities and risks) analysis, where the board members focus their resources on both short- and long-term goals and action items. Outcomes from these sessions include anything from communication, member benefits, community involvement and membership recruitment to name a few. The MiGCSA has been a regular investor in strategic planning sessions, conducting a session every few years. I personally want to thank Adam Ikamas, CGCS and the board for taking time to participate in the strategic
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FROM NATIONAL
planning sessions and continually working to increase the value of the MiGCSA to their members. The First Green program also continues to be a large focus in 2019 with multiple field trips scheduled this year throughout the region. This is a great program which exposes students to the STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) education principles superintendents exhibit daily. By bringing students to the golf course, they are exposed to not only our great profession and given a behind the scenes look at maintaining a golf course, they are also exposed to the game of golf and educated on the positives golf courses bring to the community. Through their involvement in the First Green, students can
40
see first-hand what it takes to run a golf course, and the environmental benefits golf courses bring to the community. These are just a few of the areas the chapter outreach/ field staff department will be focusing on in 2019. Along with site visits and working with the GCSAA board through the board outreach program, we will continue to connect with members at their individual facilities to learn how GCSAA can continuously improve as an association and offer valuable member services. I wish you all a fantastic 2019 and look forward to seeing you at an MiGCSA event or at your facility this year.
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
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Summer 2018
49
Let’s demystify the
wine experience… Wine 101... Wine is fermented grape juice. Nothing more. Nothing less. Honor what you like. Don’t worry about what the so-called experts say. Whether you know a lot or a little about wine, every sip is a learning opportunity. What do you smell? What do you taste? How heavy does the wine feel in your mouth? Does the wine have an oily sensation? What foods does it pair well with? Does the taste change from the beginning of the taste to the end? Is there a long finish? Etc.
Picking out a bottle of wine… Regardless of your level of interest in wine, you’re in for some fun and challenges. Wine is a living thing and is constantly changing. Every year you’ll be presented with a seemingly endless stream of new wines, producers, appellations and vintages. Even if you find a winery or style of wine that now appeal to you, your taste will likely change over time and you’ll discover new horizons. The combination of possibilities is endless. Rule No. 1 of buying wine is to trust your own taste. No one knows your taste preferences better than you, so it’s important to be comfortable deciding which wines appeal to you and which don’t. The best advice is to taste a wine by buying a single bottle before you commit to several bottles or a case. The importance of this rule is further magnified when it comes to expensive wines. It makes no sense to pay $20, $30 or $40 for something you’ve never tried and might not like. You’ll be far happier with your buying decisions if you taste a wine and decide you like it before committing to more bottles. There’s a big wine world to choose from, with literally thousands of different possibilities. Even if your friends or wine critics rave about a wine, there’s no guarantee that you’ll like it.
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Gaining experience with the world’s fine wines takes time, but it is a fascinating journey. You’re likely to learn as much from your buying mistakes as you will from your triumphs. Part of the fun of wine is learning where and how it’s grown and vinified, which food types match well with different wines, and which wine types and vintages improve with cellaring and bottle age.
White wine with fish, red wine with meat.. Let’s examine the much-maligned “white wine with fish, red wine with meat” rule. It’s very, very old school, and there are many delicious exceptions to it. However, it’s a useful starting point, because it captures the no-fuss instinctive nature of wine and food pairing. Thus, white wine with fish. If you’ve sipped a light Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, you recall a light texture on the palate and brighter flavors of citrus. Fish, your sense memories tell you, is also light (in color, but also in texture). White meats like chicken and turkey also belong in this category. If you do the same mental exercise with a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon and a grilled steak, you begin to see the method behind the madness. Both red wine and red meat-laden plates are fuller, darker and deeper in texture and flavor. Thus, they make a good pairing.
The Three “P”s… The three “P”s of selecting wines are Price, Preference, and Pairing. Keep these in mind when visiting your local wine merchant and throw the odds in your favor for picking a winning wine every time.
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
OFF COURSE
BY DAVID HERMAN HERMAN & ASSOCIATES
Price
Pairing
The price you are willing to pay (or not pay) for a bottle of wine is a key determining factor in selecting a wine that is right for you. Gone are the days when you could only buy a “good” bottle of wine for over $30. In today’s market, there are plenty of great wines available for around $15, some for considerably less. So rest assured that you won’t have to drop a bundle of money to experiment with various wines. A decent wine merchant will be able to give you plenty of suggestions in your stated price range.
In general, white wines accent lighter flavored meals well, while red wines often complement heartier meals a bit better. Keep in mind that pairing foods and wines is 99% personal preference and 1% science.
Preference Ahh, preferences. We all have them, and they often change at a moment’s notice, but let them be swayed by what you will be drinking them with or who you will be sharing them with. For example, if you are hosting a happy hour get together, your preferences might lean towards “safe” reds and whites. For people that may not be accustomed to heavier-bodied, heartier wines, give them a break - buy a softer Merlot or Pinot Noir Reds. For a white, who doesn’t enjoy a refreshing Gewurztraminer? If you are seeking to experiment with a new varietal, then talking to your local wine merchant about wines, styles, and labels, that you have enjoyed in the past and asking for specific recommendations should provide sufficient direction for another great find.
Hopefully I was able to demystify your possible wine experience. The wine journey can be a lot of fun and try not to be intimidated by wine, remember it’s just fermented grape juice. It’s a great beverage to be enjoyed with friends, family, and co-workers. When pairing wine with meals, balance is the key, you do not want the food or wine to overpower each other. At the end of the day, drink what you like and don’t pay attention to all the pundits that tell you what you should be drinking. In vino veritas, is a Latin phrase that means “in wine lies the truth”, suggesting a person under the influence of alcohol is more likely to speak their hidden thoughts and desires.
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A Message From
L
uck plays a part in many of the things we do. I’ve never had a hole in one…just saying. However, for the important moments… nothing beats preparation. Preparation separates those who can…from those that wish they could. One preparation that will always payoff is research. Research plays a key role in most endeavors worth pursuing. For countless of you, formulating for the upcoming season began before last year ended. For individuals, who don’t believe wishing on luck to make them successful, attending the 2019 MTF Turf Conference was also part of the planning process. The conference provides a combination of education, personal and professional interaction and participating in essential industry events that offer a chance Tony Robbin to prepare and plan for success as sents e r p n well as a chance to mix and mingle a m an Ding the D h t n it e w id y s ut with peers. CSA Pre . Amy Fo
“The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck.”
MiG
44
sident
MTF Pre
nation
2018 do
This year’s conference was well attended and our feedback from attendees indicated that our list of subjects and speakers was well received. The amount of planning required for a conference of this size is no small task and the MTF is fortunate to have both Curt Boak (Conference Chair) and Dr. Kevin Frank leading the efforts to ensure that the we provide proper education and personal touches for all to attend. It was also gratifying to see many Board Members participate in various
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
capacities and it is an indicator of the passion they have for the Foundation. The MTF thanks all attendees for their interest and also thanks the many industry partners who participated in the Halftime Show and offered Sponsorship to events and items we provided. The support our industry partners deliver to the Conference as well as the Hancock Turf Research Center allows the Foundation to provide the tools and funding required for the MSU Turf Team to conduct research. The Turf Conference is one of four events that support funding for the Turf Team (Conference, TeeTimes4Turf, LaFontaine Benefit Golf Outing & MSU Field Day) and as our most notable event, we want the three days to provide as much information and comradery as possible. Your input is always welcome and the Conference Committee is always looking for feedback that may improve our sessions and gatherings.
A few of the highlights: Amy Fouty completed her tenure as President of the Foundation and is to be congratulated for accomplishments during her Presidency. The Foundation has grown financially, membership has increased, funding of Graduate Students for professors was implemented and the ground work for future funding has been established. On behalf of the Board of Directors and members of the MTF, we were fortunate to have her as President and thank her for her service.
| www.migcsa.org
Annual Meeting: Board Members Election: Three incumbents and one new candidate were elected as Board of Directors at the MTF Annual Meeting held during the conference. We welcome returning Board Members: Curt Boak - Lawn Tech Representing: Lawn Applicator Mark Wildeman - Clio Country Club Representing: At Large Eric Davey - Prestwick Village Golf Club Representing: Greater Detroit District We welcome their return to the board, and we welcome their continued efforts and hard work.
“I would rather be lucky than good.” – Lotto Winners
Following the Annual Meeting the Board of Directors met to elect Executive Board positions:
Newly Elected Executive Committee members include: President – Doug Johanningsmeier Vice- President – Curt Boak Treasurer – Dan Mausolf Secretary – Mark Wildeman Congratulations to all those elected to the Executive Board and Doug Johanningsmeier who has meticulously handled the financial businesses of the MTF for most of his tenure on the board. The MTF is in excellent position with his direction.
Newly elected to the Board of Directors: Dan Jennings - Advanced Turf Solutions Representing: Sports & Commercial Turf
Meritorious Award: Mr. Jim Timmerman was awarded the Meritorious Award during the Founders Reception held on Tuesday evening. Fritz McMullen presented the well-deserved honor and the MTF thanks Jim for all his years of service to the industry.
Dan will be representing Sports and Institutional Turf and we welcome him to the Board of Directors as well.
Student Scholarships: This year two scholarships were MTF scholarships were awarded to MSU Students:
Also appointed to the Board of Directors: Craig Moore - Marquette Country Club Representing: At Large Craig is the first board member to be located in the Upper Peninsula and the MTF is excited to have him as part of our Foundation. Craig has been appointed to replace Rob Pyler who served the board on many committees and offered valuable input during his time on the board. The MTF is grateful for the time and effort that Rob put into the Foundation and thank him for being a Board Member.
Nicholas Worley Robert Hancock Memorial Scholarship Award Thomas J. Quisenberry Kenyon T. Payne Outstanding Student Award The Foundation congratulates the students and welcomes them to a long history of outstanding student award winner. The Conference Committee has met and preparation for the 2020 Conference has already begun. The Conference will be held January 7th – 9th at the Kellogg Conference Center. Any individual interested in participating on the committee, offering suggestions for speakers, subjects, events or participating as an sponsor or vendor is welcome to contact the MTF any time and we will provide any information or direction needed.
Carey Mitchelson Executive Director - MTF
Another busy year for the Michigan Turfgrass Conference Course Conditions
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ASSOCIATION UPDATE
Who are these
I
f you are a fan of Seinfeld, the mid 90’s sit com that I have come to realize is not as familiar with everyone who may be a bit younger than I am, it is hard to read that opening line without hearing his voice. As much as I would like to use this space to explain why anyone not familiar with the show should drop this magazine and get to binge watching I want to talk about who these people actually are that run the MiGCSA. Often when that is considered people may think that I am the one running the chapter, and on a day to day basis that is true, keep all the plates spinning is how I often refer to that. But what I want to talk about here is who are the actual people, and what their motivation is. Unlike many companies or corporations, the MiGCSA is not some separate business trying to make money from our customers, focused on the bottom line above all else. Please do not get me wrong, the MiGCSA does need to be profitable, but that is a good thing for all of our members. Too often, the MiGCSA, and GCSAA for that matter, are looked at the same way you look at your cable company or some company you just pay the bills to. But, these groups are run by you! By you I mean Golf Course Superintendents, your peers. The board consists of 12 members who come from all corners of our state who have volunteered their time and efforts to represent all of our members. Every decision and direction is made by these individuals. All of the past decisions from 2008 until this morning have been made by your fellow members. All of these decisions are made with one thing in mind, our mission:
people? This is why the MiGCSA exists. This is the guiding light that directs and helps form every decision big or small. This is why these people have given up their very valuable time to serve their industry, our industry. They are there to represent you all and to dig deep into the issues at hand and try to fulfill our mission. I know people have varied opinions on the MiGCSA and even the GCSAA and some are not positive. What are they doing for me? Is it worth the membership dues every year? Thankfully, I believe, this is a very small percentage but if you have any doubt, I want you to consider this. If you look past the surface at the current board, and look at the Past Presidents, and Board Members of this chapter do you think they would dedicate their time and efforts into something they did not think was absolutely critical for our profession? Do you think they would travel from all corners of Michigan to Board Meetings? Do you think they would agree to be harassed by me via email or phone sometimes on a daily basis to help guide this ship if it was not worth it to you as a member? If you do still think so, I would encourage you to call up your local Board Member and talk to them about why they are committed to this association. I bet you will walk away with a better understanding of who these people are, and why they do what they do.
Adam Ikamas, CGCS MiGCSA Executive Director
The MiGCSA is dedicated to providing value to our members through programs and services that enhance and promote our profession. 46
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
C O V E R - OP T I O N 2
Course Conditions
| Spring 2018
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