FORE YOUR INFORMATION Ja nu a r y / Feb r u a r y 2 0 1 9
Whitney Oaks Golf Course April 29, 2019 Hosted by Brad Bonino
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P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S AG E Hopefully you had the opportunity to attend the Golf Industry show last week in San Diego. It’s great when the Golf Industry is in California beScott McCullough cause it makes traveling easy. I heard the education was great and I thought the trade show was excellent. Its great to have all the new and current products in one spot to check out. The California room was well attended and great seeing new and old friends. Thanks to Irene and Kim on all there hard work on that event. This year I was the Chapter Delegate and I really enjoyed seeing the whole process. The board members on the national level put in a lot of time for the GCSAA. This year the Delegates voted for board members, new membership classes, and a small dues increase. Rafael Barajas, CGCS is the President, John R Fulling Jr., CGCS is the Vice President. Mark Jordan,
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SCOTT MCCULLOUGH
CGCS and Kevin P. Breen, CGCS were running for the Treasure position. Mark Jordan ended up winning the vote of the Treasure position and Kevin Breen will remain as a Director. There were four people running for three Director positions. The three that won were T.A Barker, Paul Carter, and Jeff white. Everyone that was running for a Director would have been an excellent choice. Class A/B members will see a $20.00 dues increase. The Dues will go from $380 to $400. Class C dues will go up $10.00. Dues were $195 and now will be $205. One of the new membership classes is the Facility Membership. This membership is directed toward smaller courses where they want to be a member of the GCSAA but may not meet the other requirements as a Class A/B Superintendent. They have also created a membership called ―Friend of the Golf Course Superintendent‖. This really wouldn’t be classified as a membership however they would pay a fee to support the Superintendent but would not get the magazine or access to the website. It similar to signing up to be a
USGA member. Coming up in April Brad Bonino will be hosting a meeting at Whitney Oaks G.C., we have moved our Grass Roots Tournament from March since it usually gets rained out to May and Sam Samuelson CGCS from Wildhawk will be hosting that meeting. For the June meeting we are working with Delta Blue Grass to host a meeting at their plant in Stockton creating a field Day event. The Ridge, my course, will host the Scholarship and Research location for July. You should start receiving information on this soon. The Tri Chapter meeting will be hosted by Central California at Brookside C.C. on August 5th. The Presidents cup will be hosted by Doug Heinricks, CGCS at Montreux Golf Club at the end of September. Our final two meetings are the Election meeting in November hosted by Jeremy Payne at Cameron Park C.C. and the holiday will be returning to Teal Bend in December. Hope everyone can enjoy the remaining of winter before things get crazy again as spring hits.
2018 SNGCSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Scott McCullough The Ridge Golf Course VICE PRESIDENT Sam Samuelson, CGCS Wildhawk Golf Course
SECRETARY/TREASURER John Farley Teal Bend Golf Course
Dave Bermudez Jason Wolf Del Rio Golf & Country Club Lincoln Hills G.C. Mark Callahan Plumas Pines G.C.
PAST PRESIDENT William Hamilton CGCS Lake Wildwood Association
DIRECTORS Tracy Shanahan Peach Tree C.C.
Keith Hill, CGCS Hidden Valley C.C. Bryant Wait
Affiliate Representatives Rodney Muller Akoni Ganir Sierra Pacific Turf Simplot Partners
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April 29, 2019
August 5, 2019
Whitney Oaks Golf Course Hosted by Brad Bonino
Tri Chapter Event Brookside Country Club
M E E T I N G DA T E S
Hosted by Central California Superintendent Steve Showers
May 6, 2019 Grass Roots Tournament Wildhawk Golf Course Hosted by Sam Samuelson, CGCS
June 17, 2019
September 30, 2019 President’s Cup Tournament Montreux Golf Club hosted by Doug Heinrichs, CGCS
Delta Blue Grass Field Day
November 4, 2019
July 15, 2019
Annual Election Meeting Cameron Park C.C. Hosted by Jeremy Payne
Scholarship & Research Tournament The Ridge Golf Course Hosted by Scott McCullough
December 5, 2019 Annual Holiday Event Teal Bend Golf Course
Visit our On Line Industry Calendar for all event
https://californiagcsa.org/?page_id=3712
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MEMBER PROFILE : B RAD B ON IN O, S UPERIN TEN D EN T WHITNEY OAKS GOLF CLUB BY
RODNEY MULLER AFFILIATE REPARESENTATIVE SIERRA PACIFIC TURF SUPPLY Brad Bonino Whitney Oaks G.C.
Years in the business: 34 years. Started in 1985. Previous Employment: Tahoe City Golf Course (Bonino family owned business from 19482012), Whitney Oaks (two times, once as Assistant Superintendent and current Superintendent), Serrano Country Club. Education: San Mateo Junior College, played on the golf team to start out and then graduated from University of Georgia with a turf degree. Family (including pets): Wife Kim, and son Angelo who is 21 years old and named after Brad’s father. Dezi is their Brittany dog. What was the first car you ever owned? Datsun 1500 pickup. He paid $100 for it and it lasted one year. Brad bought a new Chevy S10 after the Datsun died. How fast did you drive it? It was not fast, mostly got Brad from A to B! How did you get into the business? Family! Brad’s dad was the Golf Pro at Tahoe City Golf Course. He and his siblings grew up playing golf. They had a putting green in the back yard and Brad helped his father take care of it. What did you learn that
they never taught you in College? Most of Brad’s experience is handson so RESPECT is what Brad has learned that cannot be taught. Respect among employees working side-by-side. What is #1 on your bucket list? Compete professionally fishing—Bass Masters! What accomplishment are you most proud of? Raising and supporting his family. Being a good dad and good husband. Setting a standard for Angelo to follow. The pressure is on Angelo! What’s your favorite restaurant? Buca di Beppo. Italian food is at his roots. Favorite course to play? Tahoe City, of course. ―I had a lot of fun there growing up.‖ Favorite vacation? Italy. Brad took a vacation back to Northern Italy and saw the same balcony where his Grandpa and Grandma proposed marriage. Name your top superintendent influences? Jim Ferrin, Steve Fackler, and John Dershimer. Let’s not forget his Assistant Superintendent Octavio Ayala who I can tell has had an impact on Brad. Lowest score you ever shot and the course? Tahoe City Golf Course, -1 under par as a junior golfer. If you weren’t a superintendent, what would you be doing? High school P.E. teacher. Brad likes being around kids and being active. What’s in your garage? 21’ Triton bass boat powered by a 250 Mercury. The boat, Brad likes to drive fast and Kim, his wife and
fishing partner, sometimes lets him know his limits. Brad has previously won two bass boats in fishing tournaments. Are you a collector of anything, and why? Fishing lures. Brad is always finding the next ―hot‖ lure or method. Any favorite podcast? Fishing podcasts. Currently listening to Kent Brown, a local who does a lot with the sportsman, hunting, and fishing expo. What were your favorite activities as a child? Golf, baseball, basketball, and fishing. What were your favorite activities as an adult? Fishing but Brad did hint at getting a handicap soon to join us at our events. Watch out, I think he may be a ―stick!‖ Brad also wants us to know that he is easy to shop for. I take that as gift cards to Bass Pro Shops will do. His schedule works out great for the three fishing circuits in which he competes, the Wild West Bass Trail, Nor-Cal 90, and the American Bass Association. All of his fishing competitions run from the Fall through Spring each season. Some highlights of Brad’s career are hosting the Canadian Open in 2000 and North Cal Open. An interesting note on the North Cal Open is Brad’s brother previously won the tournament and his name was on the trophy when he hosted. Brad will also volunteer at The US Open Championship held between June 13 and June 16, 2019 at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
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F ROM T HE F IELD BY
JEFF JENSEN GCSAA FIELD STAFF
The 2019 Rounds 4 Research auction has been set for April 29 – May 5. The auction raises funds for turfgrass research, education and advocacy. Rounds of golf are solicited Jeff Jensen from local golf facilities for the auction with 80 percent of the funds raised in the auction going back to the participating chapter. The remaining 20 percent goes to the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) to assist with the costs associated with running a national auction of this size. Rounds can be donated at https:// www.eifg.org/research/rounds-4research/donate-a-round/online-form and facilities can set restrictions on days and times as well as the option of setting the opening bid. You can send in your own certificate for the donation or the EIFG will create a certificate for you. Rounds will be accepted through the end of the auction period on May 5. All donations can be viewed and bid on at https://www.biddingforgood.com/ auction/auctionhome.action? vhost=rounds4research. It’s also a great chance to bid on rounds from some golf courses throughout the country that you might otherwise not have the opportunity to play. All facilities including municipal, daily fee, resort and private clubs are welcome to participate and raise funds for the chapter. GCSAA greatly appreciates your consideration in donating rounds to the program. In other news, GCSAA recently introduced the Turf Equipment Technician Certificate Program (TETPC) Level 2 for equipment managers. This certifi-
cate is earned by successfully passing one proctored exam which addresses the competency areas of: Administrative Management, Best Management Practices, Cutting Units, Drivetrains, Electrical Systems, Engine Technology, Hydraulic Systems, Metalworking, Spray Systems and Turfgrass Operations. The Level 2 exam consists of 73 questions and the cost is $80 for a GCSAA member. Prerequisites for taking the Level 2 exam are passing all 8 exams of Level 1. Level 1 exams cost $40 per member. Study guides for the exams are available at an additional cost. For more information on the TETPC Program, visit
The SNGCSA is now on Facebook and Twitter. Check it out!
https://www.gcsaa.org/education/certific ations-exams/turf-equipmenttechnician-certificate-program. Thank you for your continued support and if I can be of any assistance please don’t hesitate to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and visit my website at https://www.gcsaa.org/resources/region al-resources/secure/southwest for updates from around the region as well as a calendar of events.
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Members on the move….. Rick White has accepted the superintendent position at Haggin Oaks Golf Course in Sacramento. He is replacing Stacy Baker who left that position…. Saddle Creek Golf Resort saw a short stint with Kyle Peterson as superintendent who replaced Pat Smyth. Kyle returned back home to be closer to his family and is working in sales for Stotz Equipment in Utah…. Schaffer’s Mill in Truckee has hired Gus Rodda as superintendent. Gus comes from Gainey Ranch in Arizona where he served as superintendent…. Joseph Cuneo is now at El Macero C.C. as he takes over for our dear friend Stephen McVey….John Majchrzak has left Sonoma Golf Club to be the new Superintendent at Stonebrae Country Club…. Dave
Davies, CGCS is now superintendent at Oakhurst Country Club in Clayton…. Jim Husting, CGCS has announced his retirement from Woodbridge Golf and Country Club and the club is in the process of searching for a replacement. If you have changes or updates let me know and we will get this information out to our membership. - Rodney Muller Sierra Pacific Turf Supply
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Joseph Cuneo – Class A El Macero C.C. Will Overly – Affiliate Golf Course Energy Collective Rigoberto Rocha – Mechanic Spring Creek G.C. Austin Montillier – Mechanic Napa Golf Course Jeff Bine – Affiliate Hunter Golf
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Highlights from 2019 Turf Tech Workshop The workshop was again very successful with over 80 attendees. Those attending had the opportunity to attend courses with a vast range of subject matter.
Above is Tim McCoy and Kyle Dykstra, CGCS. Below is Don Mulcahy talking with Matt Dillon, CGCS during the trade show. Equipment displays by Turf Star and BelKorp provided great opportunities for attendees to get hands on.
Below right Terry Brown mans his booth at the trade show. At right Pete Bowman at his booth. Thank You Sponsors
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FOR ALL YOUR MATERIAL NEEDS PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE OR
REGGIE POMICPIC – Director of Sales and Market Cell# 209 993-5211 E-mail: reggie@brownsandinc.com
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M E MBE R P ROFIL E
A KONI G ANIR
Akoni Ganir
When it comes to being a fertilizer and chemical salesman in the golf maintenance industry, Akoni Ganir has all the tools. He can walk the walk and talk the talk. If you are going to call on superintendents and try to sell them on a particular product designed to solve a particular problem then you had better
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know what you are talking about. Akoni does. He has a turf and horticulture degree from a reputable college and has worked on some equally reputable courses as superintendent. Not to mention having volunteered at several major PGA tour events. When it comes to playing the game of golf…. let’s just say Akoni is still chasing that single digit handicap, but he genuinely enjoys playing the game with fellow superintendents, friends and his kids. As far as sales reps go, he is the complete package. Akoni was born and raised near Portland Oregon. He was one of three boys in a family that worked together. His father owned and operated a small scale landscape maintenance business called ―Mow-Time Yard Service‖, which is where he was introduced to turf management. He was a ―mow jockey‖ for most of his young
J O HN F ARLEY life. After serving a 2 year mission for his church, he went to college at Oregon State University and was heading for a degree in the pharmacy business. Akoni thought he had ―mowed his last lawn‖ when he left home and started his higher education. However at the age of 20, he was bitten by the golf bug and the rest as they say was history. He instantly fell in love with the game. Then when he discovered that you could get a degree in turf management, have a career in the golf industry and play for free everyday he was sold. He declared a new major and jumped in with both feet. While pursuing his turf degree he worked at two different golf courses; The Reserve Golf Club in Portland and Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon. In 2006 he graduated and struck out on his own. He applied for and was accepted into an internship (Continued on page 11)
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GIS T RAD E S H OW
C AL IFO RN IA R OOM H IG HLIG H TS
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A KONI G ANIR program sponsored by the NCGA. Akoni worked for a year at the prestigious Cypress Point Club in Pebble Peach. He worked and learned under the mentorship of CGCS Jeff Markow. Akoni cut his teeth at one of California’s most prestigious golf courses and then was hired permanently. At the end of his internship he was promoted to the position of first Assistant Superintendent. He claims he was at the ―right place at the right time‖. I think timing was certainly a factor, but a larger factor must have been his technical knowledge and his work ethic. Akoni has plenty of both. He worked happily at Cypress Point for the next five years before accepting the job as head superintendent at Tokatee Golf Club in Blue River Oregon. The prodigal son had come home. He worked there for two years and then came back to the north state and took over as head superintendent at Winchester Country Club. After serving an equal amount of time there he decided to make a change. Simplot Partners wanted to crack the market in Northern California and were looking for a sales rep for their new territory. Akoni was a perfect fit. He had the technical and professional background they were looking for and hired him right away. This was two and half years ago and Akoni has not looked back since. I asked him if he misses the business and he said ―no, I never
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really left‖. He went on to say he enjoyed the opportunity to apply his skills and experience while helping other superintendents solve problems and make improvements. He said there is nothing more rewarding than to help a fellow turf manager solve an issue he has been struggling with. Between 2010 and 2016 he had the great opportunity to volunteer for some Major PGA tournaments. In 2010 he helped prepare Pebble Beach for the US Open. Again in 2015 he flew up to Washington State to help roll greens at Chambers Bay for that year’s US Open. And every year between 2011 and 2016 he walk mowed greens in the morning and drug hose in the afternoon at Augusta National for The Masters tournament. Suffice it to say, Akoni has the chops when it comes to course maintenance and set up. His passion for the game and the industry shine through. He said he was grateful for being able to have had the opportunities that golf has given him and the friendships he has made during his time in the industry. Not too many people can say they have mowed every green at Augusta let alone setting foot on property. Akoni can definitely walk the walk and talk the talk. And as if all this was not enough, he holds a position on the board of directors for the Sierra Nevada Superintendents Association. He
is very active in the business and at home. When it comes to his personal life, Akoni has been no less busy. He met his lovely wife Kimberly of 18 years at church and they have four beautiful children. They have two girls and two boys. Adriann and Monica are 16 and 8 while Kenyon and Kamden are 14 and 10 years old respectively. His plate is full and life is good. The industry is better with guys like Akoni in it. I call him a friend, a peer , and I am proud to do business with him. Great job Akoni!
Augusta National for The Masters tournament. Akoni walk mowing the greens.
FORE YOUR INFORMATION Published by the Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association EDITOR Bill Hamilton, CGCS OFFICE SNGCSA 3273 Richert Ave., Clovis, CA 93619 559-298-6262 Fax# 559-298-6957 sngcsaa@aol.com
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