Ma rc h / A p ri l 2 0 1 1
FORE YOUR INFORMATION Peach Tree Golf & C.C.’s Stacy Baker By Sean O’Brien
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
President’s Message Meeting Schedule
2 3
Haggin Oaks Expo
4
Government Relations Update
5
Valley Hi Superintendent Mat Dunmyer
6
Aquatic Pesticide Use
10
Wilber’s News
12
Grass Roots Honorees
Well, we had a new meeting host for the SNGCSA this month at a venue many of us have visited in the past, Stacy Baker of Peach Tree Golf and Country Club in Marysville. Stacy comes to us after logging many miles across the western states by way of Colorado, Oregon and Washington since his graduation from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Stacy is the latest of a distinguished list of our past members to apply his skills at Peach Tree. I’m sure some of you long-
time members will remember Mr. Tim Thilo who served the association and hosted a number of meetings there. Another longtime and favorite among us, Joel Blaker, served as Assistant at Peach Tree before his career blossomed into the “King of Truckee” managing 4 courses there over his career, growing in 3 of them. Another longtime and involved member, Gary Rodgers, also put in a considerable amount of time at the Marysville club. Peach Tree is one of the many courses built in 1959 during Bob Baldock’s
illustrious career in Northern California as it seems he had his hands in every other course built during the late 50’s and 60’s. Unlike most of them Peach Tree sits atop a deep sand base that is the envy of almost every superintendent as the course drains very well. A fact Stacy is very happy about, especially given the winter we have had this year. Peach Tree winds its way left and right, mostly left though, through a very large number of trees that line virtually every fairway. The course isn’t exceed(Continued on page 4)
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Annual Grass Roots Meeting Cherry Island G. C.
By Phil Brown
Dates to Remember May 23, 2011 Valley Hi C.C.
Sierra Nevada GCSA An Affiliate Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
When we think of the term “grass roots”, many of us think of a group or an organization of ordinary individuals with a common purpose at the local level of their community without any major political influence or agenda. Along those same lines, the members of the Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association wanted to start a policy whereas the members
of our association would meet annually to recognize various individuals for their esteemed accomplishments and discuss the myriad of current topics that challenge us as an industry. This goes back about eight years ago, when Sam Samuelson CGCS, Past President, and Superintendent at Haggin Oaks Golf Course, put forth the initiative to set aside a special event in our
annual calendar of monthly meetings and educational seminars for the membership to involve staff participation and honor our peers. Since that time, numerous individuals have been recognized as distinguished recipients of certain awards that reflect their positive contributions towards our association as well as their professional successes (Continued on page 8)
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Fore Your Information EDITOR Jim Alwine Stockton Golf & Country Club 209-462-6734
OFFICE SNGCSA 5322 N. Leonard Clovis, CA 93619 559-298-6262 Fax# 559-298-6957 sngcsaa@aol.com PRESIDENT Jim Alwine Stockton Golf & Country Club 209-462-6734
VICE PRESIDENT Jeff Couwenhoven Woodcreek Golf Course 916-771-7370
SECRETARY/TREASURER Jeremy Payne Winchester C.C. 916-817-8106
PAST PRESIDENT Scott Dickson
209-728-5778 DIRECTORS Dave Bermudez Del Rio Golf & Country Club 209-341-2413 Frank Putnam Mace Meadows Golf & C.C. 209-295-7773 Jesse Seguin Lincoln Hills Golf Course 916-434-7200 Phil Brown Spring Creek C.C. 209-599-3747
Affiliate Representatives Dave Wilber Sierra Pacific Turf Supply 916-630-7600 Pete Bowman Target Specialty Products 916-396-9394
FORE YOUR INFORMATION Published by the Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Spring is definitely here and I hope everyone’s 2011 season is off to a great start. The Sierra Nevada GCSA started off on the right foot in March with an excellent meeting hosted by Kurtis Wolford at Cherry Island Golf Course. It was great to see so many staff members and to recognize our award winners from 2010. Congratulations to you all. Be sure to read Phil Brown’s article for a full recap on the GrassRoots Tournament. The next few months are busy at everyone’s golf course and it’s a busy calendar for the Sierra Nevada as well. We have quality golf and education lined up with host superintendent, Stacy Baker at Peach Tree Country Club in April. Then we’re off to Elk Grove to visit Mat Dunmyer at Valley Hi Country Club. Thanks to our hosts for letting us visit and enjoy their work. We are currently working on the 2012 calendar, so please let us know if you are interested in hosting an event. On April 27th, MARK YOUR CALENDAR, we will be participating in the Field Day at William Land Park Golf Course along with Morton Golf, the 1st Tee of Greater Sacramento, and Bob Cline and his wonderful staff. These people really know how to make you feel appreciated. If you would like to donate your time, equipment, or product, please call Bob Cline, (916) 802-2040 to offer your assistance. This is a really fun day that ends with my favorite part, a cheeseburger prepared by two of our members,
JIM ALWINE
Manny Pina and Jim Barbuto of Ewing Irrigation. Just a few days later, on April 29th, th 30 , and May 1st, we will be hosting a booth at the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo. Frank Putnam, BOD member, past president, and superintendent at Mace Meadows Golf Course has spearheaded this event gaining matching funds from GCSAA and involvement from many industry partners. Our goal will be to educate the golfing public on our commitment to the environment and our dedication to the game of golf. If you would like to donate your time at the booth or supply any small give-away items to increase traffic, please contact Irene Cline at the Chapter office. Finally, congratulations to Irene Cline and Kim Milne on being officially hired as Executive Directors of the State Association. Already, this move has resulted in a more cohesive California GCSA with all the chapter managers working together. Irene will continue to manage both the Sierra Nevada and Central Chapters and team up with Kim to handle the State’s business. Good choice. Don’t forget, our meetings are the best place to trade notes, see your friends, and support your Chapter. I look forward to seeing you at the next one.
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MEETING SCHEDULE April 18, 2011 Peach Tree Golf & C.C. Host Superintendent Stacy Baker
May 23, 2011 Valley Hi Country Club Host Superintendent Matthew Dunmyer
June 14, 2011 Darkhorse Golf Club
July 18, 2011 2011 Scholarship & Research Tournament The Ridge Golf Club Host Superintendent Scott McCullough
August 22, 2011 2011 Tri Chapter Meeting Stockton Golf & C.C. Hosted Superintendent Jim Alwine
Host Superintendent Tracy Shanahan
If you are interested in hosting a meeting email Jeremy Payne at jspturf@hotmail.com Or Dave Wilber at davewilber@yahoo.com
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STACY BAKER Continued from Page 1
ingly long, extending to around 6800 yards which is a pretty average length of courses built at that time. You have to keep it on the straight and narrow though if you want to score well there. Stacy counts among his priorities managing that aging urban forest while enhancing the turf quality surrounding them. We all know how hard a job that can be since trees and turf aren’t necessarily willing partners with each other. Also on his plate are tee and bunker renovations. We welcome Stacy to the area. We have a wealth of golfing pleasure here and with a 10.1 index I think Stacy would love to take advantage of all we have to offer in our selection of fine facilities.
G O L F E X P O 2 0 1 1 H AG G I N O A K S BY FRANK PUTNAM
Thanks to the generosity of Morton Golf Inc., the Sierra Nevada GCSA was fortunate to receive a complimentary booth at the 2011 Haggin Oaks Golf Expo scheduled for April 29th, 30th, and May 1st. The theme for our booth is “Environmental Management Practices”. We will highlight the everyday practices that the golf course superintendents implement in our daily operations. We will have visual media as well as handout information provided by the Sierra Nevada GCSA, the GCSAA, USGA, Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, and UC Davis. This will be an excellent opportunity for our association to inform the general public of our profession and our environmental stewardship This Expo is an annual event sponsored by Morton Golf and sup-
ported by the USGA, the PGA, the NCGA, and First Tee. There are many displays and lots of information. Our booth will be manned by our amazing board of directors. So if you get a chance, stop by the booth to visit. You will have the opportunity to interact with the golfers that help make our profession possible.
Booth 62 in front of the driving range.
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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 - M A R C H 2 0 1 1 BY JIM FERRIN, CGCS I have broken down the specific legal actions that will impact you and your golf course in the near future. Please be aware of this legislation to assist in preventing possible future litigation of Jim Ferrin, CGCS the golf industry as well as preventing possible litigation at your golf course. Need to Know Governmental Regulations That Are Impacting You Currently!!! Laws regulating ROPS (RollOver Protection Structures) on riding lawn mowers are now in effect. Contact your manufacturer representative if you are unsure if you are meeting the law. If one of your employees is hurt on the job while operating a piece of your machinery that doesn’t conform to ROPS you could face legal action. Applying pesticides within water bodies or near water bodies will need an additional permit per the NPDES. Weed Control Permit (Water Quality Order No. 2004‑0009‑DWQ, General Permit No. CAG 990005). Section 2200(b)(6) of the schedules specifies a one‑time fee of $136 for the Vector Control Permit. The other three permits fall under Category 3 of Section
2200(b)(9) which specifies an annual fee of $1200 plus an ambient water monitoring surcharge of 21%. Thus, total annual fee for each of the other three permits is $1452. This regulatory process from the EPA will go into effect in April 9, 2011. Currently the CGCSA and the GCSAA are seeking to amend this law by supporting HR 872 (Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011). Please use a GCSAA transmittal to send an e-mail letter to your Congressional Representative urging them to pass HR 872. If you golf course facility is accessed by the public, or one that is private golf but accessed by the public on an occasional basis (golf tournaments or social functions) you must abide by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its Recreational Guidelines or be faced with the possibilities of a complaint driven lawsuit from a disabled person or advocacy group. The new regulations were signed into law by President Obama in August 2010. Title II and Title III Regulations and Adhering to the standards of the law must in place by March 2012 at your facility or face the possibility of legal action. These groups have been very successful throughout California in making governmental entities and small businesses conform to the ten-
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ets of the ADA making a fair sum of money in doing so. The Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental advocacy group, has been successful with potentially in the future banning pesticide use within Bay Area regions that have been designated as endangered species habitat. They have now filed a national lawsuit suing the United States EPA. One golf course to watch is Sharpe Park in San Francisco where these environmental activists are attempting to shut the golf course down using the same justifications. A grass roots effort from the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance is fighting the fight. If the Center for Biological Diversity is successful there could be serious future ramifications for golf courses. If interested in getting involved contact the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance. State Regulations to be Aware Of A bill that revises the statutory requirements for the provision of meal periods to specify that the requirements apply only to employees subject to the meal period provisions from an order of the Industrial Welfare Commission is now being considered in the State Senate’s Committee on Industrial and Labor Rela(Continued on page 13)
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VALLEY HI SUPERINTENDENT MAT DUNMYER By Dave Wilber Buffalo, New York, 1993. A young Erie Community College engineering student thinks that someday he would design aircraft. Every day, on the way to school, he drives by Buffalo’s historic, The Park Country Club. Needing a job, he drives in the gates of the venue that held its first PGA championship in 1934. The young man meets Scott Dodson, the golf course superintendent and is offered a job. After a year, he was hooked. Mat Dunmyer had just begun the drive down his own historical path of being a golf course superintendent. Being a researcher and hands on type of person, Mat turned to one of the east coast’s most recognizable turfgrass education programs at Lake City Community College in Florida. Lake City’s program distinction was important to Mat. They required all their students, to complete a rigorous course of study in Equipment Maintenance and Management. “Even if you knew you wanted to be a Super, at Lake City, everyone had to pass that part of the program”, said Dunmyer as he thought back to how his engineering skills and his love for golf fit together. The mechanical minded Dunmyer excelled at Lake City and earned
their prestigious certificate. In 1998, Mat found himself at the GCSAA show in Anaheim and while hanging out at the original Jobs Board, (where actual postings were done on cards and not online). Mat met Mike Kosak and Kevin Breen from Lahontan Golf Club in Truckee. They all fell in love that day starting Mat on 4 years of learning going from Intern to Second Assistant at the very busy prestigious club. Not only did Dunmyer’s efforts and good impression work wonders on Breen and Kosak, but he also met his wife Heather that first summer as she was a member of the club’s food and beverage staff. “I had no idea how meeting Mike and Kevin would change my life”, Mat says, with a knowing smile. In early 2002, Mat’s career would again change as he accepted the first assistant’s position at
Stone Tree Golf Club in Marin County. Under the skilled direction of superintendent Kevin Preyseski, Mat went from working hard and leading sometimes, to working even harder and leading all the time. The investment paid off as Preyseski whole-heartedly endorsed Mat’s bid for his first superintendent’s position at Moraga CC in the East Bay’s posh community of Moraga. At this point, things were moving quick for Dunmyer. Moraga, while being a challenge, was nothing compared to his next opportunity. Now the General Manager at Moraga, Mike Kosak found (Continued on page 7)
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Welcome New Members
M AT D U N M Y E R CONTINUED
FROM
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himself looking for a superintendent and in late 2003 Mat got the phone call to come to Sonoma Golf Club. While his time at Moraga was short, Mat knew the opportunity at Sonoma was worth the move and he proceeded to stay until late summer of 2007 hosting the Senior PGA Tour’s Schwab Cup for 3 years. Jon Scott, then director of agronomy for the Tour called Mat “one of the most effective managers and hardest workers he had ever seen”. Once again, an opportunity and a change. Mat had a keen interest in building a new golf course, having always been a student of architecture and having gone through the construction of the last 9 at Lahontan. In August of 2007 Mat accepted the job of construction and grow-in superintendent at Rock Creek Cattle Company in remote Deer Lodge, Montana designed by Tom Doak. Dunmyer knew it may not be a long gig, but he wanted to get it under his belt and get he did. Working 20 hour days with almost 2 hours a day of commuting to the remote site, Dunmyer got a taste of construction and loved everything about it except the pressure it put on his growing family. Somehow during all of this Mat and Heather beFloratine AquaVive Bio-Amp JRM Farmload Distributors
came proud parents of their daughter Bella. So when Rock Creek opened to wide acclaim, Mat and Heather decided to return to Northern California. After the long journey that started down that drive into The Park, Mat came to Valley Hi C. C. in Elk Grove. Mat was hired in August of 2009 and during his time there, like always, he hasn’t let any moss grow under his feet. He’s replaced an old pump station and recently renovated the irrigation system to single head control and part circles in and out around greens. Mat will use his construction experience to help the club plan and execute other renovations to help Valley Hi reach it’s potential. This summer, Valley Hi will celebrate 50 years of golf on its fairways, tees and greens, and Mat hopes to help set them up for another 50 years. His assistant Jeremiah Stumpff and his 14 staff members have their hands full keeping up with Mat, but he’s proud of their work. “We are all making a big difference here and I like that”, says Dunmyer. We like it too Matt, and we are excited to have the SNGCSA see, play, and appreciate your work at our May 2011 meeting. Phoenix AnaLync Gro-Power Aqua-Pucks (800) 322-8417
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Don’t Forget William Land Park Field Day April 27, 2011 Starting at 7:00 AM Lunch Provided by Ewing Irrigation
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Grass Roots Continued from Page 1 throughout the year. But more importantly, this Annual Grass Roots Meeting has more to do with the support and dedication of individuals such as staff, employers, and the cohesive networking among colleagues that attributes to our success. Although the wet weather may have hampered our ability to finish a completed round of golf at this year’s Annual Grass Roots Tournament, the meeting itself definitely did not disappoint. With a packed clubhouse at Cherry Island Golf Course in Elverta, so graciously hosted by Kurtis Wolford, Golf Course Superintendent, everyone in attendance could feel the warmth and fellowship that existed among the crowd. The meeting kicked off with Jim Alwine, SNGCSA President, addressing the group about current events taking place in our industry, and the importance of our awareness to these issues as they will eventually affect how we do business in the future. This segment of the program was followed by introductions of attendees in the audience. Without a doubt, the significance of the meeting was truly visualized as numerous Superintendents attending, introduced several members from their respective facilities as staff and or management, to express their sincere appreciation and support they provide us and their golf communities. After an auspicious view of who and what helps to provide the successes among our organization and individual facilities, it was time to acknowledge some of the more distinguished members of the Sierra Nevada Superintendent Association over the past year. As with every year, prior to the Annual Grass
Roots Meeting the entire membership is called on to nominate a candidate who they feel embodies the qualifications necessary to receive the award of Distinguished Member of the Year, Turfgrass Manager of the Year, and the Affiliate Merit Award. So at this year’s Grass Roots Meeting the membership had voted to award the following individuals for their dedication, commitment, and the impact that they’ve had towards their profession and their peers. Congratulations to Jim Ferrin CGCS, Timber Creek Golf Club as our Distinguished Member of the Year. Scott Bower, Martis Camp, as our Turfgrass Manager of the Year, and Dave Wilber, Sierra Pacific Turf Services, as our Affiliate Merit Award of the Year. The association also recognizes annually, certain individuals who have not always shared in the limelight of the golfing industry, but have nonetheless pursued the same dedication, integrity, and loyalty it takes to be a Golf Course Superintendent. Therefore, the Sierra Nevada Superintendents selected Joe Goldbronn, Cypress Lakes Golf Course, Travis AFB in Vacaville as this year’s President’s Grass Roots Award for Outstanding Individual Career Achievement. All of these gentlemen are very deserving of their awards, and we appreciate greatly their involvement in our association. Following the presentation of our award winners for the year, was the introduction of our guest speaker, Robert D. “Bo” Links. Bo, as he is referred to by many, is a professionally accomplished attorney, an award winning acclaimed author, member of the USGA Green Section Committee, a member of the Alister MacKenzie Society, as well as a true golf historian. He ad-
dressed the group in a manner that was very relaxed but businesslike with the intent of delivering a concerned message for all of us in the room, and the golf industry as a whole. Bo talked about his many experiences and travels around the golfing world and shared various stories of people he’s encountered along the way. He did reveal to the audience, that no matter how diverse our particular situations may be in maintaining our respective properties, there is a very common thread amongst all of us in the industry. It is our adaptability as stewards of the land, conservationists, environmentalists, or keepers of the green to know our craft, and to keep the message clear that we understand what it is that we’re doing, so as not to allow the adversaries of our industry to take resources away from us, and in turn, ruin our profession’s ability to preserve the game of golf. He couldn’t have made it clearer, that we’re all going to face some challenging times ahead, and that we should be proactive in our efforts in maintaining our properties, as well as continue to promote the game of golf as a means of its own survival. Bo concluded his discussion with the recital of a poem that he wrote, which provoked thought and conversation throughout the room of attendees about this game we so love. Everyone there was so affected by the eloquence of Bo’s talk it reminded us of how significant we all are to this profession. After the awards presentation and the riveting talk from our guest speaker, everyone in attendance was indulgent with a bountiful lunch and a good hearty conversation with one and other while we (Continued on page 9)
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Grass Roots Continued From Page 6 watched the rain continue to come down. The question on everyone’s mind about then was, “Do you think we’ll get in some golf?” Needless to say, there was a small minority of us that headed out during a lull in the deluge of the day, to see if we could make sense of this game. While the masses of the meeting participants took to the roads following lunch to avoid a commuting debacle, surprisingly those who chose to stay and play were only slightly hindered by a few light showers. It wasn’t until after about seven or so holes in the round that the conditions started to change. In fact everyone pretty much scattered or called it quits after nine because the rain was coming down. With that said, it was decided that because of low participation in the golf that day, as well as incomplete rounds played, that the Grass Roots Tournament trophy and awards competition would be carried over to the up-
coming meeting at Peach Tree Country Club in April. Regardless of the weather setbacks on the day of the Grass Roots Tournament, a big thanks and appreciation goes out to the entire staff and management at Cherry Island Golf Course for their hospitality in hosting our event. Also, Kurtis Wolford and his crew should be commended for their tremendous effort in getting the golf course prepared for everyone considering the weather conditions surrounding the day. Great job you guys! Thank you everyone for bringing your crew members and management teams to this great event as we look forward to another successful “Grass Roots” effort from all of you next year.
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AQUATIC PESTICIDE USE, PERMITS AND INJUNCTIONS: WHAT SUPERINTENDENTS NEED TO KNOW. APRIL 6, 2011 By Michael Blankinship, Blankinship & Associates, Davis, CA Introduction Are cattails and tules in your ponds on your list of species to control? Or perhaps it’s the thick mats of algae that form near the edge your pump intake? Maybe you have endangered or listed species in an area where vegetation management is planned. Be aware of the following regulatory topics in order for your weed management project to succeed. California’s Aquatic Pesticide Permit Since 2002, intentional application of herbicides to “Waters of the United States” require a permit issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). First, it is critical that you know what constitutes “Waters of the US”.
Waters of the US Include: All interstate waters and wetlands and waters currently, formally or potentially used in interstate commerce; All other waters, including intrastate waters the use, degradation or destruction of which could affect interstate or foreign commerce including any such waters: which are or could be used by interstate or foreign travelers for recreational or other purposes; or from which fish or shellfish are or could be taken and sold in interstate or foreign commerce; or which are used or could be used for industrial purposes by industries in interstate commerce Tributaries to Waters of the US Wetlands adjacent to Waters of the US
Be aware of the “tributary” concept. Because many California creeks, streams and ponds drain directly to, or are tributary to a “Water of the US”, this permit may apply. Think “connectivity” here. If you are hydrologically connected to a “Water of the US”, you need to consider this permit. Put another way, if you are “hydrologically isolated”, this permit probably doesn’t apply to you. Many golf course ponds neatly fit into this category. If you apply herbicides to Waters of the US, the permit you need is the statewide general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Discharge of Aquatic Pesticides for (Continued on page 11)
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AQUATIC PESTICIDE USE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 Aquatic Weed Control in Waters of the US. Although currently being revised by SWRCB staff and due out in June 2011, the permit is still active and available for use. Pressure to comply with this permit includes that from environmental advocacy groups who have strong feelings in general about the use of pesticides. The existing California aquatic weed permit should not be confused with the three permits recently approved in March 2011 by the California EPA SWRCB. These permits are for vectors, aquatic invasive animals and large area forest canopy applications. Further, although similar in scope, none of California’s aquatic pesticide permits have anything to do with the USEPA permits. Will the EPA permits ever get adopted in California? Not likely. California’s more stringent permits are favored by environmental advocacy groups here and would be hard to rollback. What Pesticides Are Involved? In addition to surfactants, only 10 herbicides are approved for aquatic use. Special circumstances apply to the use of acrolein and copper that likely require California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance. Permit Benefits What do you get out of this permit except more paper and a hit to your Aquatic Pesticides Available for Use 2,4-D acrolein copper diquat endothal glyphosate fluridone imazapyr sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate triclopyr non-ionic surfactants
budget? Simply put: Protection. The citizen lawsuit provision of the Clean Water Act provides an opportunity for anyone (read environmental advocacy groups) to sue you if they feel you have adversely impacted water quality. Although not bullet-proof Teflon, the permit provides significant defense against such a suit. Recent Activity Nationally Since 2002, a variety of lawsuits have resulted in confusion regarding the need for aquatic pesticide permits and in June 2009, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that a permit to apply pesticides to water is in fact needed. In April this year, the USEPA was supposed to finalize its national aquatic pesticide permit. Although a draft is now ready for review, (www.epa.gov/npdes/ pesticides), EPA and states needing to implement this permit or one that looks similar have been granted a 6 month extension. As if the confusion prior to the June 2009 6th Circuit Court decision wasn’t enough, recent introduction and passage of HR 872 in the US House of Representatives supports eliminating the need for an NPDES aquatic pesticide permit. The bill is being considered by the Senate as you read this. Predicting the fallout in California if HR 872 passes is no easy task. It’s hard to imagine that California’s environmental groups would allow “backsliding” and tolerate the use of aquatic pesticides in California without a permit. The Crystal Ball: What Does the Future Hold? SWRCB staff are currently revising the existing aquatic weed permit and changes are ahead. These may include the addition of toxicity testing and the reinstitution of regional monitoring groups like was done in 2001. Stay informed by joining the
SWRCB “aquatic weed control” list serve: See: http:// www.waterboards.ca.gov/resources/ email_subscriptions/ swrcb_subscribe.shtml.
Injunction Dysfunction: Be Aware of Gobys, Frogs and Salmon In May, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an injunction that protects 11 federally listed threatened or endangered species, including the tidewater goby, from 75 pesticides in 8 Bay Area counties as a result of a suit by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD). The injunction requires the use of no-spray buffer zones. See: http://www.epa.gov/espp/litstatus/stipulat ed-injuc.html
Similarly, in 2006, the same U.S. District Court issued an injunction related to another CBD action. This time, buffer zones are needed for the use of 66 pesticides in parts of 33 counties to protect the red-legged frog. See: http://www.epa.gov/espp/litstatus/redlegfrog/steps-info.htm.
And last, in 2005, an injunction was issued by the Ninth Circuit Court regarding an Washington Toxics Coalition v. EPA lawsuit related to the use of 54 pesticides near salmon-bearing water. See: http://www.epa.gov/espp/litstatus/wtc/ind ex.htm About the Author: Michael Blankin-
ship is a 10-year GCSAA member, a DPR licensed pest control advisor and a registered professional civil engineer in CA. His Davis-based consulting firm solves problems related to permitting, compliance, water quality and natural resource management throughout the Western U.S. Learn more at www.h2osci.com. Reach Mike at (530) 757-0941 or mike@h2osci.com.
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W I L B E R ' S S I E R R A N E VA DA N E W S By Dave Wilber
Mike Azevedo is back at work at Yolo Fliers and asked me to express his appreciation for all the well wishes. He continues to go through treatDave Wilber ment, but is responding well. We all love you, Michael and are behind you 1000%. Congrats go to Irene Cline and Kim Milne our capable association management team. They’ve been selected to head the management of the California State Assn. We all know how fortunate we are to have them and
now the state will too. Jeff Couwenhoven, guru at Woodcreek and Diamond Oaks in Roseville reports that Valley Crest is rebuilding front 9 greens at Woodcreek. Getting them right is Jeff’s priority and obsession. As usual Jeff is all action and not much talk. Good man! Shane Howe has moved on as super at Bing Maloney GC. Many of us remember Shane’s father Dick Howe for his inspiration and influence and wish Shane the best. Campbell Turner from Bartley Cavanaugh GC will do double duty at both places for the time being. The rumor is that Morton Golf will take over management of all the Sacramento City facilities.
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Frank Putnam of Mace Meadows GC is going to be calling on many of us to help represent our chapter at the end of April for some outreach at the Golf America Expo. Details to come. Volunteer a few hours for help and you’ll be richly rewarded!!! Phil Brown of Spring Creek CC and his wife Suzanne were vacationing in Egypt (why, exactly, you’ll have to ask Phil and Suzanne, but probably because Mexico was to tame for them). Had their plans been to depart one day later, we might have seen them running for their lives on CNN. But Phil always has good timing and we are glad they are home safe in time to enjoy the fallout of insane gas prices.
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tions. It specifies that a meal period based on working more than 5 hours in a work day is required to be provided before the employee completes 6 hours of work. It also specifies conditions under which on-duty meal periods are permitted. We will be tracking this. Federal Regulations to be Aware Of If some of you use the H-2B Program then you should be aware of some recent rulings. The final rule from the DOL addresses concerns that the calculation method enacted in the 2008 rulemaking did not adequately reflect the appropriate wages necessary to ensure U.S. workers are not ad-
versely affected by the employment of H-2B workers. The wage methodology in the final rule achieves the department's goal of more fully protecting the job opportunities and wages of U.S. workers. The department anticipates issuing a future rulemaking that will address other aspects of the H-2B program. The new wage rates will apply to wages paid for work performed on or after Jan. 1, 2012. In addition, for a period of 60 days after the publication of the final rule, the department will welcome information from the public in order to gather data regarding the feasibility and implementation of phasing in the new prevailing wages. The final rule requires employers to pay H-2B
and U.S. workers recruited in connection with an H-2B job application a wage that meets or exceeds the highest of the following: the prevailing wage, the federal minimum wage, the state minimum wage or the local minimum wage.
Government Relations Committee
Your representatives to the Government Relations Committee: Jim Ferrin, CGCS, and Jim Alwine
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2011 Grass Roots Honorees
Above Jim Ferrin, CGCS shares his Distinguished Member of the Year. award with his crew and acknowledges that it wouldn’t be possible with them. Below Scott Bower, Martis Camp, is recognized as our Turfgrass Manager of the Year by Dave Wilber. At left Joe Goldbronn, Cypress Lakes Golf Course, Travis AFB in Vacaville is recognized as this year’s President’s Grass Roots Award for Outstanding Individual Career Effort.
At right Kurtis Wolford is thanked by SNGCSA President Jim Alwine for hosting the event. And above Dave Wilber, Sierra Pacific Turf Services accepts his plaque in recognition of his nomination as Affiliate Member of the Year. from
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2011 Grass Roots Highlights
“Bo” Links provided a very energized talk.
Pictured above is Chuck Talley and Sam Samuelson, CGCS. At right is the group from Eagle Valley Golf Club. Superintendent Terrance Smith with members Steven Corriea, Stu Sibley, and Bud Whitworth.
Pictured at right with Host Superintendent Kurtis Wolford is Jay Colvin. At left is last year’s tournament winner Wes Leith along with his crew.