Golf industry issues comments on California Department of Water recommendations on landscape water use

The California Department of Water Independent Technical Panel (ITP) on Demand Management Measures met in San Diego, Calif. on March 4 to discuss recommendations on landscape water use reduction and efficiency.

Craig Kessler, governmental affairs director for the Southern California Golf Association and I represented the golf industry at the meeting, providing the panel with recommendations and comments on areas of concern.

Following the meeting, we submitted written comments on behalf of the California GCSA and the California Alliance of Golf. In particular, we focused our comments in opposition to the lowering of the ETAF from 1.0 to .8 and the limiting of turf on slopes from the current 25 percent to 10 percent.

While many of our facilities in the state already irrigate at .8 or lower in some areas, keeping the ETAF at 1.0 gives our industry flexibility in dealing with budgets and potential water restrictions based on the Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA). Additionally, keeping the ETAF at 1.0 will allow those facilities that experience a high volume of traffic the ability to fully irrigate and recover from the abuse of this traffic.

Additionally, slopes of 25 percent on a golf course are very functional and serve as an integral part of the game of golf. With the advances in irrigation technology (particularly controllers) and the use of wetting agents, superintendents have the ability to effectively irrigate these slopes while eliminating runoff.

Other comments included increasing a potential tax credit cap (currently proposed at $10,000) on turf replacement and eliminating any potential landscape certification and continuing education requirements that could be placed on golf course superintendents by the Department of Water Resources.

The ITP will now take the comments from the various stakeholder groups and create a final report that will be submitted to Legislature.

See the draft report of the ITP's recommendations.

8th annual Hawaii Golf Ho'olaule'a Awards Ceremony honors Nakatsukasa and Tolbert

Longtime Hawaii GCSA chapter executive Clarence Nakatsukasa and Nanea Golf Club Class A superintendent Clint Tolbert were honored at the 8th annual Hawaii Golf Ho’olaule’a Awards Ceremony held February 20 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The gala, hosted by the Aloha Section PGA, honors those from Hawaii’s six major golf associations who have made extraordinary contributions to the golf industry.

Nakatsukasa, who is retiring as the Hawaii GCSA chapter executive at year’s end, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the game. The award marked not only service to the golf industry, but service to his country and community as well.

A decorated military veteran, Nakatsukasa didn’t get his start in the golf business until later in life. Upon graduation from the University of Hawaii in 1959, Clarence embarked on 20-year career in the United States Army. He retired in 1979 as a Major and during his tenure in the military he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious and Commendation Medals and the Vietnam Campaign & Service Medals.

Following his retirement from the Army, he worked as a personnel management specialist with the Army Corps of Engineers and Pearl Harbor Naval Base and as an administrator for COMSAT, a satellite communications provider.

In 1994, Clarence needed a new challenge and accepted the superintendent position at Ala Wai Golf Club. Ala Wai, located adjacent to Waikiki, has consistently been cited as the world’s busiest golf course in terms of rounds played. In 1995, Clarence joined the board of the Hawaii GCSA serving as treasurer before moving into the executive director position in 2003. In 2005, Clarence retired from Ala Wai but has continued to oversee the operations of the Hawaii GCSA.

“Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from Aloha Section PGA is very special,” said Nakatsukasa. “It’s a great finish to my career and I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to work with so many great individuals in our association and the industry over the last 20 years. I will miss it, but it’s time to relax and enjoy some other things.”

Pictured from the left is Hawaii GCSA chapter executive Clarence Nakatsukasa, Hawaii GCSA president Ryan Wood and Nanea Superintedent and Hawaii GCSA past president Clint Tolbert

Tolbert, who serves as the Class A superintendent at Nanea Golf Club on the Big Island, received the Superintendent of the Year Award. A 2002 graduate of the University of Georgia (and a devoted Dawgs football fan), Clint accepted the job as superintendent of the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course in Oahu upon his graduation. He served for four years at the Klipper before accepting the job at Nanea.

In his time at Nanea, the David McLay Kidd-designed course has been consistently ranked a World Top 100 by GOLF Magazine.

“To be recognized by my peers as Superintendent of the Year is gratifying,” said Tolbert. “I have to thank my staff at Nanea for all of their hard work. Nobody can do it alone and they are a big part of my success.”

In addition to his agronomic expertise, Clint has been very involved with the Hawaii GCSAA. First elected to the board of directors in 2011, Clint has served as treasurer, vice president and president of the association (2013-2015) and currently serves as past president. “Volunteering and being a leader in our association is important to me,” said Tolbert. “I’m proud of being able to give back to our industry and I encourage other superintendents to do the same.”

“To be able to share this night with Clarence is something I will never forget. He has become a great friend and mentor. His presence will be missed and we wish him the best of luck in his retirement,” stated Tolbert in closing.

The Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association is committed to growing the game of golf in Hawaii by providing advocacy, education and outreach to its members and industry partners. For more information, visit www.hgcsa.org. It is an affiliated chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.