Ma rc h / A p ri l 2 0 1 2
FORE YOUR INFORMATION 2 0 12 M E E T I N G S & E D U C A T I O N
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
President’s Message
2
Meeting Schedule
3
TechTips
5
GrassRoots Tournament
6
Government Relations Update
7
From the Field
8
Association Update
11
Meeting Highlights
12
Meeting Highlights
14
Dates to Remember May 21, 2012 Arbuckle Golf Course Hosted by Craig McDonald
Sierra Nevada GCSA An Affiliate Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
BECOMING BETTER PARTNERS WITH OUR ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS BY JEREMY PAYNE
The 2012 year has already gotten off to a great start. For the first time in a long time, the Grassroots meeting, held at William Land Park by host superintendent Bob Cline, enjoyed nice, seasonable weather with no rain! The event was well attended with over half of the attendees being crew members and leaders instead of the usual flock of mostly superintendents. Awards were presented to Jim Alwine for Member of the Year, Matt Hoyt for Turfgrass Manager of
the Year, Kelly Kerr for Affiliate of the Year and Bob Cline for the President’s Grassroots Award. All were very deserving recipients. The event was capped off by an engaging presentation by Pat Finlen, superintendent of the Olympic Club, on their preparations for the soon-to-be hosted 2012 U.S. Open. Overall, a great start to another great year. If you haven’t checked out the meeting line-up here in the newsletter or online, please do
so soon, and mark your calendars, as nearly every meeting date has been set with the exception of October and the Christmas Party in December. Our next few events take us to a couple of courses that are a bit off the beaten path, but provide some excellent, quality local golf. Cypress Lakes, with host superintendent Joe Goldbronn, takes place in April, with education by Brian Whitlark of the USGA. (Continued on page 4)
2012 SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH TOURNAMENT BY DAVE BERMUDEZ
SNGCSA members, before we know, it will be time for the chapter’s Research and Scholarship Tournament. This year’s tournament is scheduled on July 23rd at North Ridge Country Club. We thank Larry Johnson CGCS, our host superintendent for offering
us his fine facility for this special event. We would like to take a moment to acknowledge everybody who made last year’s tournament a huge success. Our major sponsor was Syngenta and Joe Ballmer, who purchased the tee prizes. We would like to thank all the
golf industries suppliers that paid for equipment displays, donated items for the live auction, sponsored meals, tee signs and games on the course. Superintendents, we also want like to thank you for attending, bringing guest and some great prizes for (Continued on page 4)