Task force to address water issues in the California desert

I recently returned from a meeting of allied golf organizations and The Desert Sun newspaper in Palm Springs, Calif., in which we announced the formation of the Coachella Valley Golf Industry Water Conservation Task Force.

The task force, based on successful and similar groups in Los Angeles and San Diego, was organized to address water conservation, management and potential water-related issues and concerns in the Coachella Valley.

Headed by Hi-Lo Desert GCSA President Stu Rowland, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Rancho La Quinta Country Club; and Craig Kessler, director of governmental affairs for the Southern California Golf Association; the task force includes representatives from the California Golf Course Owners Association, Coachella Valley Water District, Hi-Lo Desert GCSA, GCSAA, Irrigation and Turfgrass Services, the PGA of Southern California, the Southern California Golf Association, the USGA and various experts from the turf and irrigation industry.

Initial goals include:

• Assist in the development of a strategic water management plan for the Coachella Valley’s golf industry to help meet the state’s mandated 20 percent water cutbacks by 2020
• Work with the Coachella Valley Water District and valley courses on accelerating recycled water use
• Address the mixed-use water situation in the valley
• Address the negative perception that some of the non-golfing public and media have concerning the golf industry's use of water in the valley and the depletion of the aquifer

The task force is open to all representatives of the golf industry in the Coachella Valley, and we hope to see a significant number of area superintendents participate. If you are interested in joining the group, contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org, and I will add you to the email list. You'll receive updates and more information, including upcoming meeting dates.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events or at the Golf Industry Show in Orlando. Thank you for your support of GCSAA.

Hawaii course uses innovative design to offer fun alternative to golfers

As I travel throughout the Southwest to varied allied golf organization meetings, the topic of player development is the most frequently discussed issue in the industry. What can facilities, superintendents, PGA professionals and allied golf organizations do to attract new players (both young and old) to the game?

While I can site numerous player development programs around the country, one of the best and most creative hails from the Aloha State. 

Located on the North Shore of Kauai, The Prince Golf Club at the Princeville at Hanalei Resort is one of the country’s top golf and resort destinations. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course is annually rated among the Top 100 Courses in America by numerous publications, including Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and GolfWeek. 

The course recently underwent a $5 million renovation, and, in an effort to provide a fun and fast alternative to the traditional 18 holes, the resort designed an innovative par-three layout.  

The Mini Prince opened in April of 2013, and was carved out of The Prince’s world-class 13-acre practice facility, utilizing its practice greens and bunkers. Behind this innovative design is the management and golf operations staff including Derrick Watts, the GCSAA Class A director of agronomy at the Prince. Watts, the past president of the Hawaii GCSA, enhanced the existing practice greens and expanded them into six complete par-three holes that serve as part of the driving range for most of the day and are then transformed into a six-hole course in the late afternoon.

The Mini Prince opens daily at 4:00 p.m., and closes at sunset, offering golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to get in a quick and affordable round. The holes range from 65 to 91 yards, while greens feature an 8-inch putting cup that provides easier opportunities for less experienced players. It takes 30 minutes to play the six-hole layout. The turf is seashore paspalum cut at .125 and rolling at approximately 8.5. 

The cost to play the Mini Prince is $15 including rental clubs, and juniors age 8-17 are free if accompanied by a paying adult. Unaccompanied juniors age 12-17 can play for $5. The course is complimentary if golfers played The Prince course on the same day and the fee allows players to play the course as many times as desired before sunset.  

Designed by the resort as an additional family activity and amenity, the Mini Prince sees as many as 30 rounds per day. “Families have really taken advantage of the course, and it’s great to see the kids being introduced to the game while on vacation,” said Watts. “Our hope is that these families will return to their hometowns and get their kids involved in junior golf on a full-time basis. As a superintendent, I feel the responsibility to help grow the game and I’m thankful that Princeville feels the same way.”

For more information on The Prince and the Mini Prince, visit www.princeville.com.

These are the type of programs that will ensure the success of the golf industry over the next 20 years. I had the opportunity to sit down with Watts in Honolulu in September, and the passion he has for this project and growing the game is evident. Thanks to Watts and all of the superintendents who put in the time and effort to make sure that the industry not only survives, but thrives.  

I hope you and your families all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. If I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime. Thank you for your continued support of GCSAA. 

Camaraderie at the center of San Diego GCSA retreat

I often get approached by superintendents who ask why they should be members of their local chapters. They indicate that the traditional role of an affiliate chapter is no longer relevant and provide examples of education that they receive through various online resources, smart phone apps that assist them in the field and social media that allows them to communicate with their peers in the industry.

While I cannot dispute that technology has and will continue to change the way we conduct association/chapter business, I wanted to share a story from a recent event that still proves how relevant chapter functions can be when conducted with some creativity.

I had the privilege of attending the San Diego GCSA Catalina Island retreat in late October. This inaugural retreat required a huge amount of effort and coordination by the San Diego GCSA board of directors (in particular Brad Baker of Wilbur Ellis and Cody Layton, superintendent at Eagle Crest Golf Club), and executive director Carey Sandland. The group had to schedule ferry service back and forth for 40 members, including various arrival and departure times, obtain a group room rate, book the golf course and find a restaurant to hold the education and lunch. While it was a painstaking process, they pulled it off and the event ran flawlessly from start to finish.

The members got to spend a couple of days on sun-drenched Catalina, receive some quality education from Jim Baird, Ph.D., play golf at the Catalina Golf Club (a nine-hole facility said to be the oldest facility west of the Mississippi) and enjoy one another's company.

During a lunch at the event, San Diego GCSA President Brian Darrock, Class A Superintendent at Fairbanks Ranch Golf Club; and I were discussing the changes in chapter participation and how competition, technology and the lack of personal time has hurt chapters throughout the country.

As we looked around though, we quickly realized that while competitors may be able to provide education, online resources, etc., and technology has changed the way the younger generation interacts, GCSAA-affiliated chapters can offer something that no one else can: camaraderie.

What other industry associations offer the opportunity to spend a couple of days on a retreat with your superintendent peers, vendors, sponsors and other allied industry professionals? After an event like the Catalina Island retreat, they are no longer peers, vendors or sponsors, they are friends - and you can’t put a price on that.

No matter what Southwest chapter you may be a member of, please make an effort to support the events in your area. You will make some new friends along the way and create memories that will last a lifetime.

I look forward to seeing you all at upcoming events. If you have any information you would like to share with me or other members throughout the region, please don’t hesitate to email me or post on the (members-only) Southwest regional forum. Thanks for your support of GCSAA.