Thursday, March 19, 2015

Rounds 4 Research auction quickly approaching



The 2015 Rounds 4 Research (R4R) auction is right around the corner and now is the time to donate a foursome from your facility to assist your chapter in raising funds for turfgrass research. 

This year’s auction is scheduled for June 8-21 in conjunction with the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay (Wash.). Donated rounds need to be submitted by May 15, and 80 percent of the funds from the donated rounds go back directly to the chapter in which they were solicited and designated. 

While your chapter leaders are heading up solicitation efforts in each respective region, the success of the program depends upon an “all hands on deck” approach. As a member, you can assist your chapter by volunteering for the R4R committee, donating a foursome from your facility and reaching out to other superintendents in the area to make them aware of the program and the benefits R4R brings to turfgrass research at the local and state level. 

Nine out of 10 chapters in the southwest region participate in the program and two chapters (Hi-Lo Desert GCSA and Southern Nevada GCSA) finished in the top 10 nationally, in terms of funds raised. 

The online auction will once again be conducted through biddingforgood.com and all courses donating rounds have the ability to market their course by including a short description, photo and web link. Furthermore, GCSAA provides resources for fundraising partners at http://www.rounds4research.com/participating-organizations/. 

The auctions will also be promoted by our allied golf industry partners, including the United States Golf Association, PGA of America, state and regional golf associations (NCGA, SCGA, SNGA) and The Golf Channel. Additionally, SiriusXM PGA TOUR radio will be promoting the program on Sirius channel 208 and XM 93. 

To donate, visit www.rounds4research.com and click on the Donate Now button. The entire process takes less than 10 minutes and you will be providing the golf industry with a better tomorrow. 

If you have any additional questions, please contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org. We appreciate your support of Rounds 4 Research. 


Thursday, March 5, 2015

San Antonio exceeds expectations for GIS and GCSAA Golf Championships

I’m writing this blog at 37,000 feet on my way back from the Golf Industry Show and reflecting on what was a terrific 10 days in San Antonio. It’s an honor to represent our 17,000-plus members and a privilege to work with all the staff and board of directors at GCSAA. Working together, we are able to put on a great event for our members, exhibitors and guests.

It started with the GCSAA Golf Championships, that featured more than 460 members participating in a variety of formats at some of the best golf facilities in San Antonio. While the unseasonably cool weather forced us to cancel the final round of the National Championship (the weather-shortened event was won by Matt Cowan, superintendent at the Crenshaw Cliffside Course at Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas), we were able to complete the Golf Classic. Hats off to our members who stuck out temperatures in the low 30s to finish up. A special congratulation goes out to members from my region that captured the championship in their respective flights including Jim Alwine of Bernardo Heights Country Club; Craig Johnson of Belmont Country Club; Scott Main of Mauna Kea Resort; and James Ward of the City of Los Angeles Parks & Recreation. Full results are available at http://www.golfindustryshow.com/gcsaa-golf-championships.

The Golf Industry Show came back to San Antonio for the first time in 37 years and the city didn’t disappoint. While overall attendance for the Golf Industry Show was slightly down from the 2014 event in Orlando - at approximately 12,400 - the final number of seminar seats sold, was up. A total of 5,385 seminar seats were filled - 3 percent higher than Orlando. In addition, thousands attended complimentary forums, sessions and panel discussions throughout the week. Subject matter making up 385 hours of education included agronomics, business, environmental management, communications, leadership, technology and personnel management. A total of 5,600 qualified buyers attended the two-day trade show, which included 551 exhibitors (a 2 percent increase over projections) covering 182,000 square feet of exhibit space at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Exhibitors across the board were pleased with the attendance and their interactions with buyers. For an in-depth look at the week, visit the GIS social hub at http://www.golfindustryshow.com/social-hub.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t congratulate Kevin Breen, CGCS at La Rinconada Country Club of Los Gatos, Calif., on being appointed to the GCSAA board of directors. The southwest region is in good hands with Kevin and veteran board member Rafael Barajas, CGCS at Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, Calif.

Again, we appreciate the support of everyone who attended GIS in San Antonio and if you have any questions concerning the event please follow up with me at jjensen@gcsaa.org. I look forward to seeing you at many of the upcoming events throughout the southwest region.



Field Staff with the always entertaining David Feherty at GIS in San Antonio.