Southern Nevada superintendent Rohret to be enshrined in Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame

Induction ceremony to take place Oct. 28 at PGA TOUR’s Shriner’s Hospitals for Children Open

The Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame recently announced that longtime Southern Nevada superintendent Bill Rohret, CGCS, will be inducted as part of the Hall’s 2016 class.

Rohret is one of four inductees who will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame at the Oct. 28 induction ceremony at TPC Summerlin in Summerlin, Nev., a date that coincides with the playing of the PGA TOUR’s Shriner’s Hospitals for Children Open. Other inductees include long drive pioneer Mike Dunaway (1955-2014), real estate developer and philanthropist Irwin Molasky and PGA TOUR player and former Las Vegas resident Dean Wilson.

The Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame celebrates and brings awareness to players, administrators, benefactors, groups, instructors, teams, and other worthy golfers who have served the game of golf in Las Vegas in a positive and meaningful way, whether through performance on the course, volunteerism, financial support, promotion, or other dedicated service.

A 41-year lifetime member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Rohret has held superintendent positions in Southern Nevada at the former Desert Rose Golf Club, Stallion Mountain Country Club, Angel Park Golf Club and The Legacy Golf Club.

Now semi-retired, Rohret serves as a spray tech at Highland Falls Golf Club in Summerlin while mentoring and providing education and assistance to many superintendents around the Las Vegas Valley.

“This was totally unexpected,” said Rohret. “To be honored by your peers in the golf industry is always humbling and to go into the Hall of Fame with Dean, Irwin and the late Mike Dunaway is very special. They have all contributed so much to the local golf community.”

Bill Rohret, CGCS - 2016 Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Inductee

“What stands out about the induction of Bill in the 2016 class of the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame is how active the Southern Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association was in the process,” said Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame President Brian Hurlburt. “They took the time to send letters and make sure he was nominated. Our committee looked at that and realized if his peers believe he should be inducted then he is extremely deserving. It is nice to have another superintendent become enshrined in the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame because the profession as a whole does so much for the sport.”

Bill got his first superintendent position in 1973 at Cedar Crest Country Club in Columbus Junction, Iowa, and moved to Las Vegas in the late 1980’s as golf course construction was taking off in the area.

He served as president of the Southern Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association (SNGCSA) from 1989-1990 and became a GCSAA certified golf course superintendent (CGCS) in 1990. He willingly volunteered his time throughout the years to assist the association in reaching its goals.

While Bill’s agronomic expertise and background speak for themselves, it’s been his willingness to help others that has stood out. “I’ve known Bill for over 13 years and he has assisted me on numerous occasions,” said Dale Hahn, CGCS, director of golf course maintenance at TPC Summerlin and current president of the SNGCSA. “Whether it's borrowing a piece of equipment or giving advice on turf problems, Bill is always there for his fellow superintendents.”

Bill’s off the course accomplishments are even more impressive. He and his wife Dian volunteer their time with Special Olympics Nevada coaching a number of sports including basketball, track and golf. In 2008, Bill was named Special Olympics Nevada Coach of the Year. Over the past decade, the Special Olympics golf program at Angel Park Golf Club has grown from eight athletes to over 40.

Bill and Dian were also awarded the 2013 Citizens of the Year Award by the Southern Nevada PGA Chapter. The award is annually given by the chapter to those individuals who provide exemplary efforts within their community.

Bill is the father of two grown children, James and Nicole and has been married to Dian for 37 years. “I have to thank my family for providing support over all these years,” said Rohret. “Being a superintendent is a time-consuming endeavor and being able to share this honor with them means everything.”

“I’ve been blessed to be part of the Las Vegas golf community for nearly 30 years and to be elected to the Hall of Fame is surreal,” said Rohret. “I’d like to thank the election committee and all of those in the industry that supported my inclusion into this special fraternity.”

For more information on the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame and the 2016 class of inductees, visit the website.

Cactus & Pine GCSA hosts inaugural Water Summit at Desert Mountain

Summit focuses on the golf industries efficient use of water, sustainability efforts and the future of the game in Arizona

The Cactus & Pine GCSA inaugural Water Summit was held on June 21 at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz. The summit was organized to provide Arizona politicians, government agencies, leading water experts and municipalities and allied golf organizations with an overview of the golf industries efficient use of water, sustainability efforts, water supply and demand, the upcoming release of the Arizona Golf Industry Economic Impact Study, community outreach and the future of the game in the state.

“It’s important that the golf industry educate our water providers, public, and particularly our politicians on the sustainability efforts that the industry has undertaken,” said Rory Van Poucke, Cactus & Pine GCSA president and general manager/Class A superintendent of Apache Sun Golf Club. “With increased government regulations, increased operating costs and expectations for the proper use of natural resources, it’s paramount that they understand the issues and difficulties that our industry is facing now and in the future.”

Speakers included Rick Amalfi of Aquatics Consulting, golf course architect Gary Brawley of Gary Brawley Golf Design, Paul Brown, Ph.D., of the University of Arizona, Class A superintendent Rob Collins on Paradise Valley Country Club, Desert Mountain director of agronomy Shawn Emerson, Warren Gorowitz of Ewing Irrigation, Ronald Klawitter of the Salt River Project, Blaine Miller of APS, Hunter Moore from the Office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, golf course superintendent Nathan Nuemann, Troon vice president of agronomy Dave Nicholls, Pam Pickard of the Central Arizona Project, golf course architect Andy Staples of Staples Golf Design, Jeff Tannler of the Arizona Department of Water, Brian Whitlark of the USGA, Ian Williams of Rain Bird and golf course superintendent Jonathan Williams of Sewailo Golf Club.

The featured speaker was Moore, who serves as the natural resource policy advisor for Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Moore focused on current and future water use as well as challenges that Arizona will face in regards to potential cutbacks in the near future.

Pictured from the left is Cactus & Pine GCSA Executive Director Carmella Ruggiero, Cactus & Pine GCSA President Rory Van Poucke, Hunter Moore from the office of Governor Doug Ducey and Desert Mountain director of agronomy Shawn Emerson.

“In my opinion, the Phoenix/Scottsdale area is the premier golf destination in the country,” said Desert Mountain director of agronomy Shawn Emerson, who also served as host for the day’s activities. “The game is critical to tourism and the health of our communities who rely on golf to create jobs and consumer spending. Education, projects like the economic impact study and continued community outreach will protect our industry and ensure a bright future for the game in Arizona.”

The event was attended by 104 participants including staff members from the offices of Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake and Sen. John McCain, staff members from the office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and numerous policymakers from local municipalities, state agencies and water districts including the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Arizona Fish and Game, Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, Arizona Public Service, Central Arizona Project, Office of Pest Management – Aquatics Division, Salt River Project and Scottsdale Water.

“Our association’s goal is to educate our members and represent the turf and golf industry in Arizona,” said Cactus & Pine GCSA Executive Director Carmella Ruggiero who organized the event at Desert Mountain. “Events like the summit and town hall meeting that was held in 2015 give us the opportunity to showcase our industry and convey our message to our water providers and policymakers in the state.”

For more information on the association, visit the Cactus and Pine website.

Pictured from left is Cactus & Pine GCSA President Rory Van Poucke, Central Arizona Project Past President and current board member Pam Pickard and Desert Mountain director of agronomy Shawn Emerson. 

Golf Industry makes visit to the California State Capitol

The California Alliance for Golf (CAG), the unified voice for the golf industry in California, visited the California State Capitol in Sacramento on April 27. 

The delegation was made up of representatives from the California GCSA, Englander Knabe & Allen, GCSAA, Moore Minister Communications, Northern California PGA and the Southern California Golf Association.   

The California GCSA and GCSAA were represented by Jim Ferrin, CGCS at Sun City Roseville and CAG secretary; former GCSAA President and CAG board member Bruce Williams of Bruce Williams Golf Consulting; Kurtis Wolford, Sierra Nevada GCSA President and Class A Superintendent at Cherry Island Golf Course and I. 

The group met with Keali’i Bright, Deputy Secretary to Natural Resources Agency; John Casey, Communications Director to Speaker Anthony Rendon; Kip Lipper, Office of Pro Tempore; Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell, Assemblyman Phil Ting, Josh White, Legislative Director for Minority Leader Chad Mayes and key staff members of Governor Jerry Brown. 

Topics included a current overview of Governor Brown’s emergency drought declarations as well as the possible easing of those restrictions in the coming weeks due to ample snowfall in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the State Water Resources Control Board’s continuing changes to the state’s Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), growth of the game and youth initiatives in the state with a particular focus on the SCGA’s Youth on Course Program, golf’s efficient use of water in the state (less than one percent of the total fresh water), the industries outreach efforts with local government agencies and municipalities and an ask on the industries behalf for a resolution proclaiming a Golf Day in California. 

Additionally, the delegation held in depth discussion on the economic impact of the game. The state’s nearly 900 courses have a total impact of more than $13 billion, employ 128,000 creating $4.1 billion in wages and contributes nearly $365 million to charitable causes. 

The event marked the first of two yearly visits by CAG to the State Capitol. For more information on the organization and its efforts, visit www.cagolf.org.   

Pictured are members of the California Alliance for Golf at the State Capitol in Sacramento, CA during CAG’s Legislative Day

California to phase in $15 minimimum wage over five-year period

The California State Legislature and Governor Jerry Brown reached a deal with the Service Employees International Union's (SEIU) on March 31 to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by Jan. 1, 2022. Governor Brown signed it into law on Monday, April 4. The deal was passed by the assembly by a 48-26 vote and the Senate by a 26-12 vote. The increase from the current $10 per hour starts on Jan. 1, 2017. Below is the phase-in of the raise:

January 1, 2017                 $10.50
January 1, 2018                 $11.00
January 1, 2019                 $12.00
January 1, 2020                 $13.00
January 1, 2021                 $14.00
January 1, 2022                 $15.00

Companies with 25 or fewer employees have an extra year to comply. Raises in the wage after 2022 will be based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The bill will affect 2.2 million California workers who earn minimum wage and will have a potential ripple effect for another 5.6 million workers who could see their pay increase by an average of 24 percent over the same time period.

The California golf industry opposed the ballot initiative from the SEIU that would have gone to vote in November through the California Consumers Against Higher Prices Coalition, but business/industry was not brought to the table for the hastily-put-together negotiations between the legislature, the governor and the unions. Initial projections were that the ballot initiative would have passed in November, so the governor and the legislature likely cut the deal early to receive some concessions including the ability to temporarily suspend the hikes in the event of poor economic conditions or a large budget deficit.

It's difficult to predict what overall effect the raise will have on business in California, but speaking from the golf industry perspective it could prove to be very difficult with the game’s inability to attract new participants or raise rates to offset the wage increases. Please keep in mind that our industry was well aware of the issue and have been submitting comments on it over the past several years.

If you have any further questions on the increases, please feel free to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org.

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.

Representative Paul Gosar speaks to the Cactus & Pine GCSA at Apache Sun Golf Club

The Cactus & Pine GCSA board of directors hosted Arizona Representative Paul Gosar on Thursday, February 18 at Apache Sun Golf Club in San Tan Valley, Ariz.

The event was held to educate Representative Gosar and his key staff on the industries efficient use of water in Arizona as well as the economic impact the game has on the state. Other guests in attendance included representatives from the Arizona Department of Water, Central Arizona Project, CMAA, the Southwest PGA and USGA.

Desert Mountain superintendent Shawn Emerson kicked off the event speaking to the group on the economic impact of the state’s approximately 300 golf facilities. The industry has a total economic impact of $3.4 billion and employs nearly 54,000 people with wage income exceeding $1.4 billion. Emerson noted that Arizona is the eighth largest state in terms of golf industry economic impact.

I spoke to the group on the GCSAA’s Water Use and Conservation Practices on U.S. Golf Courses study as well as potential pesticide restrictions in Arizona and the United States. Jensen also spoke to Gosar’s staff on federal tax exemptions for turfgrass rebates and other water related conservation incentives.

Representative Gosar capped off the day addressing the group on the new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and the potentially devastating effect that the rule could have on golf facilities and other businesses, the Omnibus spending bill, the national debt and how to best work with our legislators and policymakers on both a local and national level. Those in attendance had numerous questions for Representative Gosar about the workings of the U.S. Congress.

A special thanks goes to Apache Sun owner Mike Musulin for hosting the event and Cactus & Pine president Rory Van Poucke and chapter executive Carmella Ruggiero for organizing the day’s activities.

“Advocacy has become a critical component of the golf industry,” said Van Poucke who also serves as the general manager/superintendent at Apache Sun. “We have to educate our legislators and policymaker on the industries efficient use of natural resources, the economic impact of the game and the benefit of the game to our communities as a whole.”

For more information on the event, contact Carmella Ruggiero at carmella@cactusandpine.com.

Cactus & Pine GCSA Board of Directors and guests with Arizona Representative Paul Gosar at Apache Sun Golf Club on February 18, 2016.