Nov Dec 2012 Fore Your Information

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FORE YOUR INFORMATION PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Meeting Schedule

4

Wilber’s News

6

Sierra Nevada Dogs

7

From the Field

8

Thank You Sponsors Meeting Highlights

Dates to Remember Feburary 6th California Room USS Midway REGISTER TODAY! Sierra Nevada GCSA An Affiliate Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

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BY

As my first order of business as incoming President, I would like to sincerely thank the entire SNGCSA membership for their support. Not only for the elective support which put me in this esteemed position, but for the support that I have personally and professionally received throughout the years that I have been involved with this association.

Believe it or not, I have been intertwined with the SNGCSA for just

JEREMY PAYNE

over 10 years now. My first interaction occurred when I received a scholarship from the association as a student at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo back in 2002. After attending the Scholarship & Research tournament and receiving the warm welcome and praise I got there, I knew this association (or at least one like it) was what just I wanted to be a part of as a grew into the industry. I officially joined the SNGCSA in 2006 when I was able to

move back closer to home and find work as an assistant at Sierra View CC. Countless meetings, several years of volunteering on the board and numerous invaluable friendships along the way have brought me where I am today.

I share my story because I think it is the epitome of what I have heard confirmed by most of our membership as the heart and soul of our association. It’s also the (Continued on page 2)

2012 ELECTION RESULTS BY

The votes are in! I would like to start by thanking Jeff Couwenhoven and the rest of the Board for a great year.

Also thanks to all who ran for positions this year.

Let’s do all we can to make this upcoming year and the years to follow as prosperous as this year.

This year’s President is

Jeremy Payne. He is a Superintendent for Valley Crest Golf Course Maintenance at Winchester Country Club in Meadow Vista, CA. He has moved up from Vice President last year and with his great business mind will direct our association down the positive path we are on.

JESSE SEQUIN

Vice President is Jesse Seguin moving up from Secretary and Treasurer. He is currently the Regional Director of Agronomy of the West/ South Midwest for Billy Casper Golf.

Bob Franco is this year’s Secretary and (Continued on page 4)

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Fore Your Information EDITOR Jim Alwine Bernardo Heights G.C.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE

OFFICE SNGCSA 5322 N. Leonard Clovis, CA 93619 559-298-6262 Fax# 559-298-6957 sngcsaa@aol.com PRESIDENT Jeremy Payne Winchester C.C. 530-878-9099

VICE PRESIDENT Jesse Seguin Lincoln Hills Golf Course 916-434-7200

SECRETARY/TREASURER Bob Franco Micke Grove Golf Links 209-598-0564

BY

Jeremy Payne

reason we have a reputation throughout the state as being the best association membership there is.

This association is all about you: our membership. And as President, that is my primary focus.

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JEREMY PAYNE

Along with the rest of our board, I’ve already worked hard to ensure our financial sustainability during these tough economic times by helping to balance the budget, relieve some undue burden off our affiliate sponsors, and by striving to make our events “break even” while still providing great value and venues. I now turn to you, our membership, to help me and our current Board take our association to the next level.

We are committed to continuing to provide the best possible meetings, educational

events and gatherings that bring us together as a group. Time and time again, we’ve heard that this peer-to-peer interaction is the most invaluable resource our association has to offer. We’re here to facilitate that. But as the old adage says, “You only get as much as you put into it,” so we encourage all our members to make an extra effort this year to schedule to attend one more meeting than you normally would, or invite a colleague who you know may have never attended or financially may not be (Continued on page 3)

PAST PRESIDENT Jeff Couwenhoven 916-771-7370

DIRECTORS Dave Bermudez Del Rio Golf & Country Club 209-341-2413 Scott McCullough The Ridge Golf Course 530-888-7122 ext 2 Kurtis Wolford Cherry Island Golf Course 916-991-7659 Rob Williams Stockton Golf & C.C. 209-462-6734

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

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE able to. We’re confident that after getting to meet and spend time with all the great members who attend our meetings, any newcomer will be anxious to return and participate again. And so the association grows.

Though the holidays have come and gone, I again give thanks to all of you, for being a part of this association, for being a part of my personal life and career path, and for making the SNGCSA the best association a superintendent could be a part of. It truly “isn’t always what you know, but who you know,” and I’m proud to know most of you and look forward to knowing those of you I don’t at a meeting later this year. See you soon and Happy New Year!

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Pictured above are the attendees at the NCGA’s 2012 Assistant Bootcamp, held at Hyatt Regency in Monterey. Sierra Nevada GCSA sponsored two assistants to attend again this year. We are proud to offer our members these types of benefits through our Professional Development Program. For more information on the PDP please call the association office. (559) 298-6262

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Election Results CONTINUED

Jesse Sequin

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Treasurer moving up from his position as Director. He is currently the Superintendent at Micke Grove Golf Links. This year’s Directors are Dave Bermudez, Superintendent at Del Rio Country Club. This will be his second term as director.

Dave was the mastermind behind the Scholarship and Research tournament and surely will make this year’s as great if not better than last. Scott McCullough will serve his second year of his two year term as Director. He is the Superintendent at The Ridge in Auburn CA. This will also be Kurtis Wolford’s from Cherry Island Golf Course in Elverta CA., second term as Director. The newest Di-

rector is Rob Williams from Stockton Golf and Country Club.

Congratulations to all and good luck in the up coming year!

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

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MEETING SCHEDULE January 2013

March 2013 Annual Grass Roots Tournament

No Meeting

Pending Confirmation of Date & Location

February 4-8. 2013 Annual Conference & Show San Diego, CA California Room USS Midway Wednesday Feb. 6, 2012

April 2013 Pending Confirmation of Date & Location

May 2013 California GCSA Annual Meeting and Golf Championship Hosted by the Sierra Nevada GCSA Location to be Announced

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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Wilber’s Sierra Nevada News

by Dave Wilber If you missed the Sierra Nevada's holiday party, held on the amazing Delta King, you blew it. I can't remember having a better time Dave Wilber with Turftypes and their dates. Lots of really well dressed women (guys, there's not much hope, but they try was amazing effort), great food, outstanding location. Nothing not to like. Highlight of the evening was the ultimate TurfHead white elephant gift exchange including Fertilizer Bags, Whiskey, Cheap Wine and Handcuffs. I expect double the turn out next year.

Special thanks to Irene Cline and Jeremy Payne for their energy in getting this together. Made it look easy and it's not.

Bob Franco is the new Super at Micke Grove Golf Links in Stockton, leaving Van Buskirk G.C. Hot, high and dry.

New superintendent at Val-

ley Hi C.C. in Elk Grove is Sean McPhedren. Sean was the Asst. Super at Mayacama C.C. in Sonoma County. No wine cave at Valley Hi, Sean!!

Stacy Baker is taking the helm at The Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento. Thus ending a long job hunt since leaving Peachtree CC. Some recent "direction changes" at a few high profile venues both in Northern California and elsewhere in the country have some folks shaking their heads. I was interviewed by a high profile golf writer about the trend of super firings, budget cuts and lower wages. Very interesting to hear that despite all our efforts locally and nationally, we Turfheads still don't get much respect. Sad part for me is that behind the scenes at a couple of these are card carrying GCSAA members.

Ethics? I guess it's business first then ethics. We should all be taking a collective gasp at what is real and what is propaganda.

As always, we are looking for meeting sites for 2013 and beyond. If you are interested, give a shout to Pete Bowman or Myself.

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SNGCSA GOLF COURSE DOGS “ L I LY ” B Y B O B F R A N C O It has been an idea that we have had for some time to feature the dogs in the Sierra Nevada GCSA. These furry members of our crews are vitally important to us and we would like to hear your stories and see photos of your pets/crew member.

In getting this new article off the ground I am featuring Lily, my 5 year old Chocolate Labrador Retriever. We hope that after reading about Lily you will send in your articles and photos to share with our members. They deserve to be featured and I am sure that everyone will enjoy these articles and photos.

Lily is a golf course superintendent’s dream employee. She is always ready to go to work; even

when 4 am comes too early for me she is right there with her nose in my face, tail wagging, bright eyed and ready to go. Lily loves to go to work. Just saying the word “work” gets her excited.

She has quite a few friends at the golf course. The golfers look for her and call her over for a few pets between shots. She has also formed a special relationship with my crew. She usually goes to the course with me every day but if she stays home I know I’m going to hear “where’s Lily?” all day.

Lily’s main job is chasing geese, squirrels, and gophers. She also enjoys running alongside my cart when I get out on the course. If she gets tired she will get in the pas-

senger seat and catch a ride until I stop then she is off and running again.

She even dreams about running. Her newest job is a trainer; we just adopted an 8 month old Black Labrador ReLily, Course dog for triever, named Bella, who needs to Bob Franco, be schooled on golf course etiquette.

This is a job that Lily takes on with some reluctance but is still doing her best.

Lily has become a vital part of my day and being able to share this experience with everyone puts a smile on my face.

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FROM THE FIELD

JEFF JENSEN, GCSAA FIELD STAFF, SOUTHWEST REGION Happy New Year to all of our Sierra Nevada GCSA members. I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season.

Jeff Jensen As we start a new year, I just wanted to cover some items that will hopefully assist you and your facility.

The FCC narrowbanding regulations went into effect Jan. 1 requiring all commercial licensees to migrate their systems from 25 kHz (wideband) to 12.5 kHz (narrowband) or a technology that achieves equivalent efficiency.

The FCC made this change to en-

sure more efficient use of the spectrum and to relieve congestion that will result in increased channel availability for public safety systems. This change will affect your hand held radios, irrigation remotes, etc. If you have not made the switch to narrowband, I would recommend doing so as the FCC will be levying fines on those not in compliance. All VHF/UHF equipment certified since 1997 has 12.5 kHz capability. Check with your vendor to see if your existing equipment is narrowband-capable or needs modification/replacement.

If you would like more information on this, please contact me as I have a PowerPoint from the FCC that covers the basics. Toro and Rain Bird also have information on their websites.

We are quickly approaching the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in San Diego Feb. 4-8. I want to remind you of the free education that will be offered on the trade show floor Feb. 6-7. “Answers on the Hour” sessions will cover a variety of current issues in course and facility management and “Tech Tips on the Half” offers industry experts sharing the latest developments in turf technology. Additionally, don’t forget to visit the Partner Pavilion (booth 4050) as staff and members of golf’s allied associations will discuss growth of the game initiatives. As a superintendent, see how you can contribute to attracting and retaining players.

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Last but not least, don’t forget to donate a foursome from your facility to Rounds 4 Research. The first auction for 2013 will take place in April, centered around the Masters and Green Week. You can donate online at www.rounds4research.com and 80 percent of funds from the auction of the round go back to the chapter in which the round was secured. The funds can then be used by the chapter for turfgrass research, scholarships, advocacy, education and environmental programs.

As always, if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and make sure to follow me on Twitter @GCSAA_SW. I look forward to seeing all of you at conference and show in San Diego.

Don’t forget to register for the 2013 California Room on the USS Midway on Feb. 6th. You must go online to register at Californiagcsa.org

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2012 H O L I DAY P A RT Y