Friday, May 22, 2015

Cactus & Pine GCSA never fails to make members feel special



I recently attended the Cactus & Pine GCSA annual election meeting at Phoenix Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona. For chapters who are looking for new ideas or could use tips on how to put on a seamless annual election, I highly suggest you contact Cactus & Pine Executive Director Carmella Ruggiero. Carmella and the Cactus & Pine board of directors never disappoint and they make each and every member feel special. 

Their annual election meeting is not an event, it’s an experience.  This year’s theme was “Making Golf Fun Again.” From the moment you arrive, you know you are in for something a little different. Cactus & Pine's President-elect Rory Van Poucke served as the doorman at the entry to the club and greeted each member as they arrived.  From there, it was on to the registration area which was littered with volunteers to make sure every detail of the day was handled.  Custom lanyards are provided for all members and each receives a gift bag overflowing with snacks and sweets. 

The meeting area and every table is decorated in the theme of “Making Golf Fun Again” and at every seat is a special gift for members that included car chargers, note pads, mouse pads and other assorted knickknacks. 

The speakers for the event were individuals, companies and golf facilities who have placed an emphasis on bringing fun back to the game and encouraging growth, especially among the millennial generation.  Top Golf, American FootGolf, PGA professional and trick shot artist Craig Hocknull and many others entertained the crowd throughout the morning and provided great information on what our game is doing to encourage new participants. 

And don’t forget about the food. Breakfast, a filet mignon and crab cake lunch and hor’s d oeuvres following golf in the afternoon. Even the golf format for the day – pink ball scramble – was focused on the “Making Golf Fun Again” theme. 

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Wickenburg Ranch Golf Club superintendent Andy Huber who completed his term as president. Andy has been a pleasure to work with over the past year and is one of the great guys in the industry. I would also like to congratulate new board members Jeff Plotts of TPC Scottsdale, Matt Guilfoil of Desert Canyon Golf Club, Matt Rusch of San Marcos Golf Club, Marc Snyder of Desert Mountain Golf Club, Jonathan Williams of Sewailo Golf Club and Casey Ruddick of Southwest Turf. I look forward to working with all of you in the upcoming year. 

A special thanks goes out to Phoenix Country Club superintendent Charlie Costello and the entire staff and membership for their hospitality and allowing us access to their incredible facility.  Anyone who knows Charlie knows the attention to detail that he pays to his golf course and it ranks as one of the truly great facilities in the southwest United States

I can’t say enough about the efforts of Cactus and Pine, particularly Carmella, who puts so much time into putting together a great event that runs smoothly, provides incredible member value and – most of all – keeps her members feeling special and coming back for more.  While not every chapter has the finances or volunteer staff to put on an event of this scale, you can create a similar culture and experience that will keep your members coming back time and again.  

If you are interested in speaking with Carmella or looking for some suggestions for upcoming meetings or events, contact her at carmella@cactusandpine.com.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Mandatory water conservation regulations adopted in California

The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted a final emergency regulation on May 5, requiring an immediate 25 percent reduction in overall potable urban water use statewide, in accordance with Gov. Jerry Brown’s April 1 executive order.

The regulation adopted by the board this week places each urban water supplier into one of eight tiers, which are assigned a conservation standard, ranging between 8 percent and 36 percent. For more information on which tier your provider falls under visit www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/drought/docs/emergency_regulations/supplier_tiers_20150428.pdf.

Additionally,  commercial, industrial and institutional properties that are not served by a water supplier, or are self-supplied such as by a groundwater well, must also reduce water use by 25 percent or restrict outdoor irrigation to no more than two days per week. No reporting is required but these properties must maintain documentation of their water use and practices.

What does this mean for golf facilities in California? It's not a one-size-fits-all approach to conservation.

Local water supplies will have discretion on how they achieve their required reductions. If you are using potable water to irrigate, you need to contact your water provider to discuss your situation. Some districts may place larger restrictions on outdoor irrigation. YOU HAVE TO ASK TO FIND OUT.

If you are using groundwater, the state, not the local water provider, will oversee use. Courses will be required to reduce water use by 25 percent or restrict outdoor irrigation to no more than two days per week. If your wells are not currently metered, it is recommended to have them metered and start keeping monthly pumping records. Although reporting is not required at this time, if a complaint is filed against your course it will be much easier if there are proper documentation and records in place. THE ONUS FALLS ON YOU.

The regulation will be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law, which has 10 days to approve or deny the regulation (May15). If approved by the Office of Administrative Law, the regulation will take effect immediately and remain in effect for 270 days from that date.

For more information on the emergency regulations, visit http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/drought/emergency_regulations_waterconservation.shtml.