January February 2016

FORE YOUR INFORMATION Ja nu a r y / Feb r u a r y 2 0 1 6

2016 Grass Roots Tournament Hosted by Moody Ayeb

Sierra Nevada GCSA An Affiliate Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

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P R E S I D E N T S M E S S AG E

Kurtis Wolford, SNGCSA President Superintendent Cherry Island Golf Course

Its February 16th and my head is full of ideas and education from the GIS San Diego. With this change of weather of late it seems like we are jumping into spring early this year, ( I hope not). We will all be crazy busy before we know it.

This El Nino has been very helpful this year slowly filling up our reser-

BY

KURTIS WOLFORD

voirs and generating some snow pack up in the Sierras. Let’s all hope it has not fizzled out and continues til all of our reservoirs and snow pack are set up for the rest of the year. What a change from last year!

One thing that I have learned in this business is that Mother Nature is far from predictable and will always throw you a curveball when you are expecting something else.

In January the BOD had a strategic planning session with GCSAA Southwest Field Staff Representative Jeff Jensen. The mission of the session was to help the chapter design a roadmap of activities for the coming months and year to help continue the momentum of a wellorganized chapter. From This session we developed several goals for the association.

Some of these are: implementation of accounts receivable SOP, conduct Sierra Nevada GCSA event in Reno/Tahoe/ Carson City area, and develop Government Relations Outreach Program for the chapter, and grow Sierra

Nevada GCSA membership participation. If any SNGCSA member would like to review the plan in its entirety please contact me. I know from previous years planning meetings that we have an excellent plan to keep the SNGCSA on track and we are doing our best to serve the membership. If you have any questions or concerns about the membership please contact any of the BOD. Our contact information is on the SNGCSA website.

This year’s meeting schedule started with the 2016 Mechanics Seminar & Irrigation Seminar that was held on January 26th & 27th. Our host Superintendent Scott McCullough put a lot of time and effort into this educational event. We had great attendance both days with over 60 attendees each day. I would like to thank all of the meeting sponsors as well as the presenters that made the trip up to Auburn. The presenters gave a good mix of technical and practical education. It was great to meet Mechanics and Irrigation Techs from around our region. I hope each attendee was able to learn something they can take back to the course and utilize. Each year that I attend I always pick up on something new that I will use on the (Continued on page 3)

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March 14, 2016

September 26, 2016

Annual GrassRoots Tournament Mather Golf Course Hosted by Moody Ayeb

Annual President’s Cup Clear Creek Golf Course Hosted by Michael Cunniff

M E E T I N G DA T E S

May 23, 2016 Greenhorn Creek Resort Guest Speaker Pat Jones Hosted by Hulises Avila

July 18, 2016 Annual Scholarship & Research Tournament Sierra View Country Club Hosted by Kyle Dykstra, CGCS

August 15, 2016 Tri Chapter Meeting Central California Hosting Corral De Tierra hosted by Doug Ayres

(Continued from page 2)

course or in the shop.

The Golf Industry Show was in sunny San Diego February 6th-11th. It seems like the attendance was up this year. The SNGCSA was well represented at the show this year. All my classes where filled. Vendors were very happy with the amount of traffic on the tradeshow floor. On Wednesday morning from 9-12 the place was packed. The California Room was on the USS Midway February 10th. It was great to see friends from all over the state. It was a full ship, with over 650 guest attending the event. Touring the Midway is always impressive. The shear scale of the ship and how it operated is

November 8, 2016 Annual Meeting and Elections The Reserve at Spanos Park Hosted by John Jorgenson

December 2016 Annual Holiday Event Location and Date to be confirmed

The SNGCSA is now on Facebook and Twitter. Check it out!

Check out the website: Sierranevadagcsa.com

impressive. Knowing that 4000 crew members with the average age of 19 worked on that ship is mind boggling. That shows some awesome leadership and organization.

We will be holding the Grassroots tournament at Mather Golf Course in March. Moody Ayeb has stepped up to host us this year. We are taking nominations for Turfgrass Manager of the Year, Distinguished Member of the Year, and Affiliate Merit Award. If you would like to nominate someone send us a note of who and why you are nominating them. Each nominee will be evaluated within the guidelines established by the committee and award winners will be decided on by a vote exercised by the Board of Directors.

In May Hulises Avila will be hosting us at Greenhorn Creek Resort.

We are looking to fill our calendar with venues for 2016 and 2017. If you would like to host a meeting we would love to hear from you. It is a very rewarding experience and a great time to show your course off to the association members.

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F ROM T HE F IELD

Thank you to all of our Sierra Nevada members for your support of the Golf Industry Show in San Diego.

We had an incredible week and GCSAA truly appreciates our California chapters for coming out in Jeff Jensen

BY

JEFF JENSEN GCSAA FIELD STAFF

groves to support and assist the industry.

GIS featured 12,600 attendees interacting with over 550 exhibitors on 250,000 square feet of exhibit space.

In conjunction, the GCSAA Education Conference was attended by 5,240 seminar participants as well as hundreds who attended complimentary forums and sessions held throughout the week.

Pete Grass, CGCS at Hilands Golf Club in Billings, Mont. was elected as GCSAA’s president with Bill Maynard and Darren Davis being

elected to serve the roles of vice president and secretary/treasurer. California will continue to be represented on the board as Kevin Breen, CGCS at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos was re-elected to a two-year term.

Other elected directors included Rafael Barajas, CGCS and former superintendent at Hacienda Golf Club and John Walker. Full election results are available here.

GCSAA delegates voted to revise Class A member standards. The vote also involved amendments to the bylaws, which included a new definition of Class A and renaming the Superintendent Member class to Class B. Full details of the changes are available by clicking here.

In other news, I wanted to remind you of the upcoming deadline for the GCSAA Legacy Scholarships. The Environmental Institute for Golf and Syngenta fund the scholarships to provide assistance to the children and grandchildren of GCSAA members who have been active Class A, Superintendent Members, Class C, Class ARetired, or Class AA members for five or more consecutive years. Honorees receive a $1,500 award.

Applicants must be enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher learning, or for high school seniors, they must have been accepted at such an institution for the next academic year. Deadline for applications is April 15. More information is available by clicking here.

Thank you for your continued support of GCSAA and if I can be of any assistance to you or your facility, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and please follow me on Twitter for daily industry updates @GCSAA_SW.

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S N G C S A P ERSONAL & P ROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM K W BY

A program that was established back in 2012 by the then BOD was the SNGCSA PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (PDP). The purpose of the PDP is to assist in furthering the careers and improving the mental and physical health and life satisfaction of our association members.

The PDP is a benefit available to all members in good standing with the association, who find and can demonstrate a financial need for assistance in reaching a goal that would improve their life or career. As an association of busy, hardworking professionals, we understand that finding either the time or money to put toward life-improving activities outside of work can be extremely challenging. This program aims to assist in lessening the financial burden of taking part in activities such that our members can find their way toward leading a happier and more productive work and home life.

Personal & Professional Development activities that may apply to this grant program may include, but not be limited to: Personal  Learning a new hobby, or taking lessons pertaining to  Attending an event or activity related to an area of personal interest Purchasing books/tapes/CDs/classes to learn a new language Professional  Attending a seminar or class related to any facet of being a turfgrass employee  Continuing higher education through universities or online  Taking a test aimed at achieving

URTIS

licensing or certification (i.e. QAC/ QAL, PCA, Irrigation Auditor, etc.)  An activity or outing designed to boost crew morale Attending an association golf or educational event The PDP functions as follows: Members may apply for a PDP grant at any point during the year Applications for PDP grants will be reviewed and/or approved monthly at SNGCSA BOD meetings When necessary, PDP applicants may be asked to attend the BOD meeting for further questioning during review of their application PDP grants may be awarded for the full cost, a matched portion, or any partial portion, of the activity applied for, up to $500; applicants should be clear in their application if they are seeking full, matched or partial reimbursement PDP applicants who are awarded grants will be required to utilize their own funds initially, then provide the Board with both receipt of payment and some form of official completion of activity applied for, at which time the association will reimburse them for the funds granted to them by approval of their application Once PDP funds (20% of net Scholarship & Research proceeds) are exhausted, no further grants will be considered until after the next Scholarship & Research fundraising event The SNGCSA Board reserves the right to deny any application deemed inappropriate, incomplete or not in the character of the objectives of the program, as well

OLFORD

as for any current or historical issues with the good standing of the applicant in the association (professionally and/or financially) In order to apply for a PDP grant, applicants must provide the following:  Full Name, Course/Organization, Position  Description of activity interested in participating in, including any associated dates, timelines, multiple occurrences, location, etc. (<250 words)  Description of need (i.e. what financially prohibits you, personally or professionally, from paying for this on your own) (<250 words)  Description of how the activity will improve your personal or professional life (<250 words) Total cost of activity applying for, amount of grant requesting (if different) and indication of request for full, partial or matched grant funding for the activity All applications should be submitted via mail, e-mail or fax to the association office and/or Irene Cline to be passed on to the Board for review.

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G OV E R N M E N T R E L A T I O N S U P DA T E F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 6 JIM FERRIN, CGCS What is our Government Relations doing for the golf Industry? 

California Alliance for Golf (CAG) and EKA

In California we are now aligned with CAG and the legislative advocacy group EKA where we are represented by lobbyist Tony Rice (replacing Capital Partners).

CAG is an organization made up of all the golf industry’s major organizations which include the California GCSA, Northern and Southern California Golf Associations, Northern and Southern California PGA, California Golf Course Owner’s Association, California Managers Association as well as the women’s Northern and Southern California Golf Associations and the Pacific Women’s Golf Association. This organized coalition has enabled us to step up our influence with state wide as well as regional legislation that impacts the golf industry.

Besides Tony Rice, Craig Kessler and GCSAA Field Rep Jeff Jensen have greatly assisted with our industry’s drought and water conservation efforts.

Last year they assisted in supporting and organizing water task forces throughout the state. A legislative day in Sacramento was very successful and informative to our law makers in regards to golf’s strong contribution to the statewide economy that they were unaware of. Two legislative days are planned this year, as well as some smaller attempts at gaining advocacy at the state capital. CAG is also continuing to organize their efforts in developing a membership to further support legislative lobbying efforts for golf as well as developing a Golf Commission (like the existing Milk, Almond, and

Walnut etc. Commissions), that have a voice in the legislative efforts in Sacramento. The Golf Commission if it becomes a reality (and it needs state legislative approval to do so) would become a separate organization from CAG because it can’t be associated with lobbying efforts. 

GCSAA Ambassadors

The GCSAA continues its lobbying efforts nationally and state wide with its Ambassador program which assigns golf course superintendents to influential lawmakers in Washington as well as statewide (senate and house).

There has been a very good response

by California golf course superintendents assisting in the efforts by Chava McKeel and the GCSAA Government Relations staff to bring golf’s legislative advocacy into the forefront. 

Regulatory Legislation We Are Watching

Nationally we are still concerned with the impact of WOTUS and what that might mean for managing pesticide use near waters deemed “waters of the United States.” This recent law, driven by the Clean Water Act, has had efforts by the GCSAA to amend it in a manner where golf courses may become exempt again from its stifling legislation and annual permitting costs. However California may still go forward with its own statewide regulatory efforts if the national WOTUS is amended. Stay tuned.

El Nino so far has proved to be a reality and our 12 statewide reservoirs are filling and snow pack is up to 120%. Snow pack is a very important

measure as we know that back in the late 1970’s (the 2nd worst recorded drought in California) that the drought ended due to beneficial rains and a snow pack of 150%, which ended up filling all the reservoirs. Since no new reservoirs have been constructed since the late 1970’s, despite California’s population almost doubling, 150% of snow pack should do the same in 2016.

However with new regulations on a variety of water uses, including measuring groundwater, the governor and the California Water Board as well as a myriad of water agencies throughout the state will impart continued potable water use restrictions, which is a good thing until more infrastructures can be built including more plants generating re-claimed water for golf courses.

There are some pending efforts right now that we are following to change pesticide applicator certifications in the state, more hoops to jump through. We are also mindful of ground root efforts to regulate nitrogen (deemed a pollutant). We are also focusing on the minimum wage and its potential impact on the golf industry.

Jim Ferrin, CGCS Co-Chair California GCSA Government Relations Secretary –Treasurer California GCSA Secretary- California Alliance for Golf

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A M E S S AG E F RO M Y O U R S E C R E TA RY / T R E A S U R E R B I L L H A M I LT O N , C G C S

If you were a superintendent in the early 1990's or early 2000's, then you know a lot about doing more with less. It always seemed as though there were so many things that you wanted to do, but couldn't because you didn't have the funding. If you were like me during those same times, you did a little deficit spending of your own with the help of a credit card company. Well, I have paid my dues and my debts while growing and prospering in this business. I have now reached a point where I am proud of my career and what I have given to the golf clubs that I helped to improve along the way. As your Secretary/Treasurer, I am returning the favor of support that I've received from the many local associations that I have belonged to. Involvement in this SNGCSA chapter is a real treat. There are cool guys to work with, and our chapter exec, Irene Cline, is a blessing that you should really appreciate. We have an awesome chapter with a wide range of su-

per smart superintendents, vendors, and industry reps.

Now that you're feeling really good about yourself and the chapter you belong to, this is where I drop the proverbial hammer. A handful of us volunteers are actually running this association. As the volunteer money guy, I'm here to tell you that we have $10,000 in outstanding revenue that was committed and due to our association. Where I come from that's a lot of dough. Especially given the fact that we're a cash based, nonprofit organization. We have no "line of credit" at some bank. There's no secret account in the Cayman Islands. If we don't have it, then we can't spend it. News flash!! We spend the money on you! We do our absolute best to bring you, your brain, and your golf clubs to some of the many unique facilities that our diverse membership manages. When you commit to being a SNGCSA member, that means paying your dues and then enjoying all that

this fantastic group has to offer. If you want to be, or keep on being a member of the national association (GCSAA), then you must be a member of the local group as well. I'm not making this up, that's just how it works. The chapter executive will send a list of the members in good standing to GCSAA at the end of March, 2016. If you're a superintendent and you're not on that list, then you can't renew your national membership. It's not a good situation people. The Board of Directors is not a collection agency. We each have our own courses to manage. The absolute last thing in the world we want to do is call and hound you for your dues, or whatever you owe to the association. I'm asking for everyone to please step up and pay your dues, because in this business paying your dues never, never ends. And this association, like your own work crew, is only as good as the sum of its parts. Do the right thing and stay involved.

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Kurtis Wolford Cherry Island Golf Course 916-991-7659

DIRECTORS Dave Bermudez Del Rio Golf & Country Club 209-341-2413

VICE PRESIDENT Scott Dickson Valley Crest 209-369-7037

Hulises Avila, Greenhorn Creek Resort 209-736-8164

SECRETARY/TREASURER William Hamilton Lake Wildwood Association 530-432-2187 PAST PRESIDENT Rob Williams Stockton Golf & C.C. 209-462-6734

Affiliate Representatives Joe Kurung West Coast Sand & Gravel 916-386-8177 Tim McCoy, Turf Star 916-861-7924 FORE YOUR INFORMATION

Wes Hull, Nakoma Golf Resort 775-781-4494 John Jorgensen, The Reserve at Spanos Park 925-584-4592 Kyle Jones, Yocha De He Golf Club 530-796-5816

Published by the Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association

EDITOR Bill Hamilton, CGCS OFFICE SNGCSA 5322 N. Leonard, Clovis, CA 93619 559-298-6262 Fax# 559-298-6957 sngcsaa@aol.com

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2016 SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH TOURNAMENT S I E R R A V I E W C O U N T RY C L U B B Y D AV E B E R M U D E Z

Before we know it will be time for the chapter’s Research and Scholarship Tournament. This year’s tournament is scheduled on July 18th at Sierra View Country Club. We thank Kyle Dykstra, our host superintendent for offering us his fine facility for this special event.

Once again Syngenta and Joe Ballmer will sponsor the tee prizes.

We would like to thank all the golf industry suppliers who in the past had equipment displays, donated items for the live auction, sponsored meals and for those who sponsored tee signs and games on the course. Superintendents, we also want to thank you for attending, bringing guests and bringing some great prizes for the raffle.

Soon the SNGCSA Board of Directors will be asking again for donations for this year’s event.

The money raised from this tournament goes to Scholarships, Turfgrass Research, Personal and Professional Development Program, and our Benevolence Fund. Over the last four years the money raised from this event exceeds $135,000. We

could not have done this without everyone’s participation. Lets make this year another record breaking event.

Thank you, David Bermudez and Kurtis Wolford 2016 Scholarship & Research Committee Chairmen

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Craig Watters Jacobsen Class Affiliate Mike Malcolm Table Mountain Golf Course Class A Thomas Cagle Serrano Country Club Class C Don Mulcahy J.R. Simplot Co/ BEST Class Affiliate

In 2016 we implemented a “Mechanics Membership” Level Below are our new members to this category that joined during our Annual Mechanics Seminar at The Ridge Greg Chaba Bartley Cavanaugh Keith Winn Auburn Lake Trails Nicholas Holt Clear Creek Tahoe Dylan Foster Del Rio C.C. Jon Stringer Clear Creek Tahoe Ryan Yost DarkHorse G.C. Michael Herbert Auburn Vly G.C. Jon Rybicki Pebble Beach Brennan Souza Apple Mountain Marc Sanchez Cameron Park CC Daniel Sanchez Greenhorn Creek Davis Sanchez Greenhorn Creek Jesus Leyva Greenhorn Creek Robbie Crawford Wm Land Park

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Steven Bohanna Serrano C.C. Pedro Galvez Woodcreek Oaks Brett McCullen Catta Verdera Ray Hayes Yocha DeHe Jeff Minnieweather WildHorse G.C. Lee Medeiros Sun City Roseville Morgan McCauley Martis Camp Frank Baker Turkey Creek Tim Pryor Marty McCracken Lincoln Hills Tom Krueger Lincoln Hills Michael Larski Rio Vista Kevin Schumann Granite Bay Michael Whiteaker Cherry Island James Shepard Aurun Lake Trails

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2016 M ECHAN IC / IRRIGATION SEMIN AR HIG HLIG HTS Lots of hands on training for our attendees. At Right Tony Kerr. Below the group listens to Jeff Jenson discuss GCSAA Opportunities

At right, Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Representative

At left Ben Showard displays items for viewing and below Mike Jones from Sierra Pacific Turf has info available for everyone

Above is Scott McCullough. Scott has organized and hosted this event for three years Vendors had opportunities to share with attendees, Below is Billy Hausch from Farmload Dist.

At right Kelly Kerr gives a live demonstration for the attendees

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2016 GIS HIGHLIGHTS Below on left Jim Barbuto, Ewing & Pat Smyth, Saddle Creek. On the right is Tim McCoy, Turf Star

Above Joe Balmer

Above Bob Miller, Anderson’s and Below are Kim Milne and Mike Scully on the trade show floor Jacobsen’s booth was quite impressive and busy at right is Karen Pasini from NuFarm

2016 CALIFORNIA ROOM HIGHLIGHTS

Above the GCSAA Staff visited our event Below Jim Alwine along with other San Diego members

Above is Chuck Talley, Turf Star with Mrs. Husting. Below Tim McCoy, Turf Star and Tim Texiera, Sierra Pacific Turf

Tally and Michael Scully pictured above and below is Mr. & Mrs. Mike Farmen

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