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Sunny weather is
on the horizon! Well, we
do live in California after
all. What I am referencing
here is the indicators are
trending upward for the golf
industry as a whole after a
favorable 2012 golf season.
The amount of paid rounds
increased 6.1% nationally
and the State of California
showed an increase of 3.1%
during 2012 as reported by
the National Golf Founda-
tion. Let’s hope that this
trend continues into 2013
and well beyond.
If you are looking
for more rays of sun, San
Diego was the place to be
this February. Not only
was the sun shining, but
there was many opportuni-
ties to expand your knowl-
edge and brilliant ideas that
may help your facility navi-
gate toward success. The
trade show included all of
the latest and greatest toys
we all had on our wish list
this past holiday season as
well as great promotional
offers available only to at-
tendees . The education at
the show is always fantastic
and this years’ lineup of
topics and presenters was
no disappointment. On top
of all of that, there were
numerous networking op-
portunities available includ-
ing our very own California
Room aboatd the U.S.S.
Midway. This was a must
attend event, that included
over 600 of our California
members.
Our 2013 Chapter
event schedule started with a
bright and sunny beginning
on the coast as Tennessee
McBroom and Sandpiper
Golf Club hosted the first
event of the year. What a
gorgeous day! We were
welcomed by a beautiful
sunrise and those that stayed
for golf were bid adieu as the
sun began to set over the
Pacific as we headed home.
The meeting was equally as
great as we kicked off 2013
with our new GCSAA presi-
(Continued on page 3)
Presidents Message By Josh Heptig
TEE-OFF News January/February 2013
Investing or Not 2
Mallard Duck Nesting Tubes Meeting Schedules
4 5
Be Different in 2013 6
From the Field 8
Irrigation Efficiency 9
Highlights from Winter Symposium
10
Inside this issue:
Official Publication of the Golf Course Superinten-
dents Association of Central California. The purpose of this publication is informa-tion and education for the membership. Published
bi-monthly by
GCSACC
5322 N. Leonard
Clovis, CA 93619
Phone (559) 298-4853
Fax (559) 298-6957
Email [email protected]
Bob Schneiderhan,
Newsletter Chairman
Mike Scott, CGCS, Editor
By Laws Changes by Steven Showers The Golf Course
Superintendents Associa-
tion of Central California
(GCSACC) last amended
the chapter’s by-laws in
2006. At that time the
changes made were in or-
der for our chapter to re-
main in line with the Golf
Course Superintendents
Association of America
(GCSAA) regarding the
dual membership require-
ments. The board of direc-
tors has decided to again
amend our by-laws in a
few minor areas.
The proposed
changes we are consider-
ing include:
Inserting language in the
by-laws relating to the
ability of the board of
directors to assess a
$50.00 reinstatement fee
to members who let their
membership lapse and
then reapply for mem-
bership with the chapter.
(Continued on page 3)
Page 2
Investing or Not Michael Swing, CGCS President California GCSAA
TEE-OFF News
So how’s your 401K, stocks,
savings account or money tucked
neatly in the mattress doing these
days? Hopefully, we all will do
well. We all invest in one way or
another to protect our future when
the great day of retirement arrives.
But until then, how do you invest in
your career? For many successful
superintendents it’s active involve-
ment in GCSAA, California GCSA
or your Local Chapter. It’s one of
those things, the more you invest the
greater the return. So what am I
leading to? Each level of the asso-
ciations has its own unique offer-
ings, or as I call it “Tools”. These
tools are necessary in solving issues
of today and with hundreds of tools
available, you are now prepared to
tackle almost anything. Doubt me?
Just open these websites and see for
yourself. You will get lost in the
maze of resources, benefits, links,
and more. One of the biggest bene-
fits among the 3 associations is the
behind the scenes support you
(member or not) receive as a profes-
sional in the eyes of golfers and the
public. It comes in many ways such
as TV commercials, Radio an-
nouncements, Golf Commentary, or
local superintendent interview to
name only a few. The increased
awareness of what we do results in
greater salaries, benefits, and recog-
nition now and in the future.
Networking is the path to
enhance these tools. Meeting new
professionals and talking shop is a
great way of learning. It is also a
great way to establish a connection
or consultant for a particular issue at
some point in time. In many cases
your colleague may bring forth new
ideas or better options to the table.
Establishing these relationships be-
comes synergistic with continued
education. Have you ever noticed
that the most successful superinten-
dents are present at almost every
event, seminar or function in golf?
They understand the value and the
future of this profession.
The alternative, and there is
always one, is to not invest in your
knowledge of Golf Course Manage-
ment, float along and eventually be-
come obsolete. Remember, we are
replaceable and in today’s market,
many college graduates and assistant
superintendents are looking at you
for a spot. More importantly, your
club needs you to be at the forefront
of course management.
Page 3 TEE-OFF News
dent to be Pat Finlen, CGCS from The
Olympic Club. Pat provided some great
information about where GCSAA has
been, where we are, and where we are
striving to be in the future. Pat was fol-
lowed by Pat Gross from the USGA. Pat
was our featured speaker last year at Alisal
and he did not disappoint us this year as he
provided cost saving tips and regional up-
dates for the attendees. The final leg of our
educational relay was Bruce Williams with the California Turf and
Landscape Foundation. Bruce brought home the baton as he spoke
about the importance of turf research and how University funding is
lacking here in our State. The Foundation has been established to in-
crease the awareness of research as well as provide a mechanism so
that funds can be allocated to benefit our industry.
As a golf course superintendent, your position has been shown
to be the most important to your customers’ satisfaction. That means
that each of us must continue to inspire our staffs toward making our
golf facilities as enjoyable as possible. The golf course superintendent
has been rated above the Golf Professional, the Marshall, the outside
attendant, and even the General Manager. However, no facility can be
successful without the continued effort and support from the entire
team. Our chapter is an example of just that…TEAMWORK and
TEAM EFFORT! We need your support, participation, and feedback.
One of the officers, Board of Directors, or myself may call on you this
year to encourage your attendance at an event or outing. We see the
importance of TEAM and we would enjoy having each of our team-
mates get involved in 2013. So consider setting time aside this year to
attend at least one event with YOUR chapter and peers. The informa-
tion, ideas, and relationships that you take away will make it worth-
while I guarantee. Your Board’s goal this year is to ensure that our
Chapter is the membership in which you cannot afford to pass up!
President’s Message-Continued from page 1
Josh Heptig
Creating a position on the GCSACC
board of directors for one Class C
member (Assistant Golf Course Super-
intendent). In order for this change to
take place we need to change the cur-
rent language regarding restrictions
that relate to Class C members’ inabil-
ity to hold office. The right of Class C
members’ ability to vote is also a topic
of conversation and the board is ex-
ploring the option of awarding this
right to our Assistant members.
Remove the language regarding the
association issuing membership cards.
Adding the proper name to our charity
tournament, the Lowell Stone Charity
Tournament.
Removal of gender specific language
from the by-laws.
In order to amend the by-laws the
board must first present proposed changes
in writing to the membership at a regular
meeting, potentially the August meeting.
Then the amended by-laws would be voted
on by secret ballot by all voting members
present at the following meeting in Sep-
tember. The amended by-laws would be
adopted if a minimum of two-thirds votes
were in favor of the changes.
If you have any input regarding
these proposed amendments or would like
to address other areas of our by-laws please
contact any board member or email the
association office.
By Laws Changes Continued from page 1
Page 4
TEE-OFF News
The Audubon Society Mission
Statement: To work with others to
deliver high-quality environmental
education and to facilitate the sus-
tainable management of land, wa-
ter, wildlife, and other natural re-
sources in all places people live,
work, and play.
While interviewing for the
superintendent position at The Vil-
lage Country Club near Lompoc,
California, I learned that the course
is a certified member of the Audu-
bon Cooperative Sanctuary Pro-
gram (For Golf), and has been since
2001. Having worked as an assis-
tant at The Ridge Golf Course near
Roseville for a couple of years, I
had some experience with various
projects pertaining to the sanctuary
program. Upon being hired, I was
eager to see what the course had
done in the past and had planned to
do in the future. I started looking
around over the next few months
and talking to members about the
course and its wildlife.
As spring rolled around I
was excited to see all the Mallard
ducks in our ponds and couldn’t
wait for all the little yellow duck-
lings that would soon be following
their mothers, especially for my 2
daughters. And so, nature did it’s
thing and there were ducklings, but
not as many as I was expecting.
Later, I would find piles of down
and feathers which I’m sure our
resident Red-tailed hawks had
something to do with. In the weeks
that followed, there were fewer and
fewer ducklings behind their moth-
ers and it became apparent that be-
tween the eggs and ducklings get-
ting snatched by predators on the
ground and the hawks, falcons, bass
and egrets, mallards were not long
for VCC.
I started doing research on
line to see what other courses were
doing to assist in the Mallard popu-
lations and found an article from
The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay GC
and they were building nesting
tubes for their Mallards. I dove
into the article and discovered that
these tubes work, are easy to build
and inexpensive. Although there
was no information on methods of
protecting these little dudes from
birds of prey, etc., we will try a
chicken wire “blind” at one end and
see if they will scurry under for
(Continued on page 7)
Mallard Duck Nesting Tubes By Scott Walwyn
Page 5
TEE-OFF News
April 3, 2013
Spring Educational Symposium
Ridge Creek
Dinuba Golf Club Host Superintendent
Rob Lomeli
Educational Topics
Experience at Ridge Creek
Continued Education—DPR—PDI
PCA/PCO
July 15, 2013
Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship &
Research Tournament
San Luis Obispo Country Club Host Superintendent
Joe Tompkins
August 5, 2013
Tri Chapter Meeting
Hosted by Central California
Spring Creek Country Club
Host Superintendent
Phil Brown
Meeting Schedule
Be Different in 2013 by Tennessee McBroom
Page 6 TEE-OFF News
Over the past few years the
reins have been pulled in to reduce
spending and now as many are
looking to hire additional staff and
catch up on deferred maintenance
within their properties, it is ever as
important to review current opera-
tions and have a great plan in place.
Our roles as Superinten-
dent’s have changed significantly in
recent times, perhaps some wear
more hats, sit in on more commit-
tees, or manage additional proper-
ties, but it is my belief that we’ve
found the bottom in the economy.
With the current uptick in business
levels, we’re reviewing the opera-
tion and every item to see what can
be done differently with not always
the outcome just to save money, but
to improve the product on the golf
course. As we continue through
this process we strive on being dif-
ferent; asking the hard questions to
ourselves; Are we different? What
sets our properties uniquely apart in
the market place? What efficien-
cies need to be improved? What
new or different approach can be
taken to improve our guest/member
satisfaction?
Throughout this review and
planning process working as a team
is not only important throughout
every department, but the only way
to operate to know where we are as
a business in today’s world. Our
properties have always kept the
focus on the guest/member and
never losing sight of that! Operat-
ing differently and providing the
best information to our ownership,
management, and membership alike
has improved our overall business
plan. Without that re-
lationship, when reve-
nues were tight, it was
easy for management
to react and just cut
budgets with little dis-
cussion and little
knowledge of the effects. Now,
having open and honest communi-
cation is ever so critical in manage-
ment of expenses, generating new
revenue streams, and creating new
ideas to differentiate ourselves in
the marketplace. Not just thinking
outside of the box, but as I would
say sometimes by throwing the box
away entirely and just being differ-
ent has helped us succeed.
As we gather for chapter meetings
in the future share your success sto-
ries, share your hardships and con-
cerns with your neighbors, and take
time to utilize these formats to
make a difference in your proper-
ties. Ask yourself the hard ques-
tions every day, Are we different?
At the end of it all we’re not only
judged by our surfaces, not just the
guest/member daily comments, but
the bottom line as well, and some-
times you have to be different in
your approach to find the solution.
Cheers to a prosperous and
successful 2013!
For over 80 years the
specialty seed source for:
-Native Grasses and
Wildflowers
-Kikuyu, Paspalum,
Hybrid Bermuda
-Bentgrasses, Fine
Fescues, Ryegrasses
Golf Course Representatives:
Jim Culley 213-268-3193
Don Lewis 213-247-3266
Home Office: 800-621-0315
www.stoverseed.com
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Mitch Peterson Valley Club of Montecito
Class A
Guy Beltchenko John Deere Landscapes
Class E
Simon Herrera Ocean Meadows G.C.
Class A
J. Ryan Bentley North Ranch C.C.
Class A
Page 7 TEE-OFF News
Mallard Duck Nesting Tubes Continued from page 4
protection. The premise behind the tubes is that they sit
above the water not on the ground like normal Mallard
nests. In this way, the eggs are at least able to hatch
before they are destroyed by predators such as raccoons,
foxes, rats, opossums, etc. The experiences at The Bear
Trace suggest the ducks will find the tubes and have
used them.
The Mallard nesting tubes are made of chicken
wire, burlap, pvc and zip ties. We will build 3 this
spring and emplace them into the pond as they free-
stand in the pond and I will report back on progress and
success!? Google this course and see full color step-by-
step pictures on the construction of these nests.
www.Bthbgcm.blogspot.com.
Wish us Luck!
Page 8 TEE-OFF News
Golf Course Materials
Topdressing Sand - Bunker Sand
Decomposed Granite - Drain Rock
1/8” Minus Turf & Tee Bulk Humus
Brush Removal Call for competitive rates
David Knott, Inc. (559) 449-8935 or (559) 760-5387
I wanted
to update you on
the progress of
the Environ-
mental Institute
for Golf (EIFG).
EIFG enjoyed
tremendous suc-
cess in 2012 and
is continuing its
mission of foster-
ing sustainability through research,
awareness, education, programs and
scholarships for the benefit of golf
course management professionals,
golf facilities and the game.
Nine affiliated chapters have
made EIFG donations with the most
recent being a $5,000 donation from
the Southern Nevada Golf Course
Superintendents Association. Other
contributing chapters include the
Alabama GCSA, Everglades GCSA,
Florida GCSA, Heart of America
GCSA, GCSA of New Jersey, Mid-
west Association of GCS, Palm
Beach GCSA and Wisconsin GCSA.
These donations are being used to
fund projects in a variety of areas
ranging from water use and energy
conservation to pollution prevention
including the soon to be published
GCSAA Golf Course Environmental
Profile.
While the support from our
affiliated chapters and industry part-
ners has been outstanding, we still
need individual support from our
loyal superintendent members mov-
ing forward. To that end, EIFG es-
tablished the “Give 5” campaign in
the fall of 2012 to provide an easy
and affordable way to support EIFG.
Take 5 seconds to donate $5 at
eifg.org. It’s that easy to show your
support for the industry and to en-
sure the game’s long-term success.
Additionally, the Rounds 4 Research
program has shown some early suc-
cess and auction dates for 2013 will
be announced shortly. Currently
over 40 affiliate chapters nationwide
participate in the program including
all of the chapters in California. If
you have not donated a foursome
from your facility, I urge you to do
so as 80 percent of the funds from
the auctioned rounds of golf go back
to the chapter in which they were
secured to be used for research, edu-
cation, advocacy, scholarships and
environmental programs. You can
donate online at
From the Field Jeff Jensen GCSAA Field Staff
Jeff Jensen
Page 9 TEE-OFF News
Irrigation Efficiency Lowers Stress Levels By Kevin Eppich Turf Star Golf Irrigation Sales and Service
Winter has set in and the
irrigation system needs have greatly
diminished. This is the time of year
to review what changes need to be
made to the irrigation system and
plan improvements for next year.
Earlier this year I worked with Mike
Swing, CGCS at Visalia Country
Club to assist him in an effort to
raise the irrigation efficiency at his
golf course. Mike was kind enough
to document the benefits he saw this
irrigation season in a letter to me
recently. I wanted to take this oppor-
tunity to share with you the many
benefits he achieved this year most
importantly cost reduction and better
playing conditions.
The major change in Mike’s estima-
tion was the reprogramming of the
central computer to better fit the spe-
cific challenges the irrigation system
presents. The system is 23 years old
with 75 to 80 foot spacing and an
undersized mainline and a central
with a program he inherited from his
predecessor. We redefined the hy-
draulic tree and created more pro-
grams to control specific areas, in
doing so, the water window was re-
duced by three and a half hours.
This lead to increased soak times for
their tight soils. Some areas, rather
than running 21 minutes at one time,
he ran 3 cycles of 7 minutes each
eliminating the wet and dry spot is-
sue. Something he couldn’t do be-
fore and finish within his targeted
watering window. Another benefit
was the irrigation was now able to
start at 9:00 pm versus 8:00 pm
which increased member satisfaction
in the evening hours.
The result of maintaining the proper
pressure at the sprinkler head leads
to lower runtimes. More water goes
through the sprinkler at 80psi than at
65 psi. The dynamics of the irriga-
tion system design can now be maxi-
mized. Other improvements Visalia
CC has been making over the last
five years is to replace the twenty-
three year old sprinklers with newer
sprinklers that provide a better DU
as well.
The irrigation needs were much
greater in 2012 than in 2011 due to
the weather differences. There was
an additional 40 acre feet of ET re-
quired at Visalia CC this year com-
pared to 2011. Mike said in years
past they would run at 80%to 100%
of ET now they can’t go over 75%
or they are wet. The
power costs were re-
duced by an estimated
$4,000 as a direct re-
sult of reprogramming
the central computer.
Visalia CC doesn’t
pay for water only to
pump it. Those golf
courses that pay for
water have the ability
to recapture excess
expenditures that are
significant. Hand wa-
tering was greatly re-
duced allowing his
staff to focus on other
areas like bunker
capes and tree shadow
affected areas. Spot
watering from the con-
troller was also re-
duced.
The end result for
Mike this year was
cost reduction, improved playing
conditions through less wet and dry
spots and a happy membership that
has seen the difference. Best of all
he said his turf was under less stress
which greatly reduced his stress at
the time of year it is traditionally at
its highest.
Three locations to serve you
Lancaster Bakersfield Fresno
The GCSA of Central California
is now on Facebook and Twitter.
Check it out!
Page 10
TEE-OFF News
Winter Symposium Event Highlights Sandpiper Golf Club
Pictured above are Chapter President Josh
Heptig, Guest Speaker and GCSAA President
Pat Finlen, CGCS, with Host superintendent
Tennessee McBroom. At right is Pat Gross,
USGA
Pictured above on the right
is Bill Galli with Gordon
Vosti . At left and right is
Tennessee going over some
of the course changes that
have taken place with the
group.
A special guest
came to visit
us, Tennessee’s
wife Dodie
with their son
Bronco.
Page 11
TEE-OFF News
Thank You to our Sponsors
Control Pump
Turf Time
Tulare
Golf Course
PRESIDENT
JOSH HEPTIG
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
SECRETARY/TREASURER VICE PRESIDENT
BRIAN DAUM TROY THOMPSON
VALLEY CREST/PALO ALTO G.C. VALLEY OAKS GOLF COURSE
2012/2013 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STEVEN SHOWERS
AIRWAYS G. C.
TENNESSEE MCBROOM
SANDPIPER GOLF COURSE
BOB SCHNEIDERHAN
CAL POLY SLO
KEVIN EPPICH
TURF STAR
MICHAEL CLINE
WILBUR ELLIS COMPANY
BOARD MEMBERS
EXECUTIVE STAFF
IRENE CLINE/KIMBERLY MILNE
PHONE (559) 298-4853 FAX (559) 298-6957
EMAIL [email protected]
5322. N. Leonard Ave.
Clovis, CA 93619
SCOTT WALWYN
THE VILLAGE C.C.