Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Sacramento Golf Industry Water Conservation Taskforce formed



Group formed to work proactively with water agencies in the Sacramento and Sierra Nevada regions


The Sacramento Golf Industry Water Conservation Task Force was formed at a Feb. 14 meeting at Empire Ranch Golf Club in Folsom, Calif.  
 
The meeting, hosted by Southern California Golf Association director of government affairs Craig Kessler and I, featured over 40 GCSAA superintendents, PGA professionals, club managers, owners and irrigation industry experts. 

Craig and I provided information to the group on similar task forces in the Coachella Valley, Los Angeles and San Diego areas, discussed long-term water policy in California (including the water bond that will be on the 2014 ballot) and provided strategic planning and messaging for the group that will allow them to move forward with efforts in the Sacramento area.  

The goal of the task force is to establish a long-term and cooperative working relationship with water districts throughout the region.  Main objectives will include:

·        Establishing water conservation mandates in a manner consistent with sound golf business practices, i.e., in a manner that permits golf courses to reduce consumption while retaining 100 percent control over irrigation practices. Developing an “alternative means” of complying without being restricted to watering only certain days of the week and only certain hours of those days.
·        Exploring turf reduction programs that may be available for golf facilities through their respective water agencies.  “Cash for grass” programs have proven very beneficial for courses in Arizona, Southern California and Southern Nevada, and can assist the golf industry to help meet the state’s mandated 20 percent water cutbacks by 2020.
·        Address media and public perception that the golf industry is an irresponsible user of water.

The group will be headed by Granite Bay Golf Club superintendent Matt Dillon and Winchester Country Club superintendent Jeremy Payne, who is a past president of the Sierra Nevada GCSA.  Marc Connerly, executive director for the California Golf Course Owners Association, will serve as the group’s official spokesperson. 

Other task force committee members include:
·         Jim Ferrin, Sun City Roseville
·         Jesse Creencia, Cameron Park Country Club
·         Greg Bliek, Sacramento County Golf Courses
·         Dave Bermudez, Del Rio Golf & Country Club
·         Rob Williams, Stockton Golf & Country Club
·         Bob Brueggeman, Lake of the Pines
·         Kurtis Wolford, Cherry Island Golf Club
·         Shawn Mcphedran, Valley High Country Club
·         Mike Woods, PGA - Haggin Oaks 
·         Jim Barbuto, Ewing Irrigation
·         Rodney Muller, Empire Ranch Golf Club
·         Jeff Frontz, Golf Maintenance Solutions
·         Jeff Wilson, PGA - Wilson Golf Management
·         Mike Scully, Valley Crest Golf Course Maintenance

Congratulations to the golf industry in Sacramento/Sierra region for working together to not only address the current drought situation but put long-term plans in place that will ensure that golf is part of the decision making process in the future.

If you have any questions regarding the Sacramento Golf Industry Water Conservation Task Force or would like to assist the group, please contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and I will be glad to get you involved. 

Friday, March 14, 2014

Symposium on Affordable Golf scheduled for Dairy Creek Golf Course



Symposium to touch upon the challenges faced in the golf industry as well as issues and concerns brought forth by the most important person in the golf business - the golfer

Because of increasing concern about the cost of playing the game of golf, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), PGA of America, National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) are excited about the inaugural West Coast Symposium on Affordable Golf coming to Dairy Creek Golf Course in San Luis Obispo on March 31 – April 1, 2014.

The Symposium on Affordable Golf originated at Southern Pines, NC in 2010 under the creation and direction of golf course architect Richard Mandell of Richard Mandell Golf Architecture.  Mandell’s vision was to raise awareness and understanding of the challenges of the golf industry through open discussion, exchange of ideas and highlighting successes that promote the health and sustainability of the game of golf and the business of golf.  “We define the elements of the game of golf that are most important to golfers and focus on how industry experts can lead efforts to transform the business of golf into something that better reflects the tenets of the game,” said Mandell, who has more than 20 years of experience in the golf course design business.   

The symposium covers a variety of topics including affordability, best maintenance practices, golf course playability, pace of play, player development programs, sustainability and getting back to the roots and traditions of the game.  A few of the highlighted speakers include Rhett Evans, CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America;  Craig Kessler, director of government affairs for the Southern California Golf Association and Dick Rugge, former senior technical director for the United States Golf Association.

“The Symposium on Affordable Golf gives not only industry experts, but everyday golfers the opportunity to present their ideas to assist in the promotion and sustainability of the game,” said Mandell.  “While affordable golf means different things to different people, and our goal is to show that affordability, profitability and sustainability are concepts that go hand in hand and apply to the success of the golf experience for both the end user and the operator.”

“The GCSAA is appreciative of Richard bringing his successful Symposium on Affordable Golf program to the West Coast,” said Josh Heptig, Class A golf course superintendent for the San Luis Obispo County and president of the GCSA of Central California.  “I have had the opportunity to speak and participate in past symposiums in North Carolina and have come away with numerous ideas to improve not only my facilities, but the entire game of golf. This is one of the few forums where a cross-section of golfers and industry professionals can express their ideas openly with a common goal in mind.” 

For more information on the symposium or to register, visit http://centralcaliforniagcsa.com/home/?page_id=52.  Seating is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Members of GCSAA, the LPGA and the PGA are eligible to receive continuing education points.  Cost of the event is $75 per person including the seminars, lunch and golf following the second day of presentations. 


Friday, March 7, 2014

GCSA of Northern California and the USGA to hold regional conference

The conference is intended for club directors, course owners, green chairpersons, superintendents and professional staff, as well as interested golfers.
 


The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California (GCSANC) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) will hold a regional conference on Monday, March 17, at Diablo Country Club in Diablo, Calif. 

The conference is intended for club directors, course owners, green chairpersons, superintendents and professional staff, as well as interested golfers. Certification credits will be available for GCSAA, PGA and CMAA members.  

The event will be moderated by Bo Links of the USGA green section committee and will feature a variety of topics including:

  •  1914-2014, 100 years at Diablo Country Club – David Mackesey, president of Diablo Country Club
  •  How course set-up affects pace of play – Brian Whitlark, USGA Green Section
  • Common rules infractions – Mike Sweeney, western director USGA regional affairs
  • Designing for playability and water conservation at Menlo Country Club – Kyle Phillips, Kyle Phillips Golf Course Design
  • Research on managing salinity in turf – Dr. Jim Baird, UC Riverside
  • Golf’s use of water- Pat Gross, USGA Green Section

Lunch and golf will take place following the presentation and space is limited.  Jacket and tie are mandatory and the registration is $105 for those wishing to play golf and $65 for those just attending the sessions.  Lunch is included with all registration fees.  

Registration is available online at http://www.gcsanc.com/events/next/  and any questions can be directed to Barb Mikel, executive director of GCSANC at 877-942-7262.