Archive for April, 2009

The San Diego Golf Course Superintendents Association announces new leadership and award recipients on April 16, 2009 at the SDGCSA Annual Meeting at Coronado Golf Course in Coronado, California.

Executive Board

• President: Brendon Reaksecker (Bonita G.C.)
• Vice President: Vince Zellefrow (The Golf Club of California)
• Secretary/Treasurer: Brian Sandland (Bear Creek G.C.)
• Immediate Past President: Troy Mullane (The Farms G.C.)

2009 GGCSA Board of Directors:

• Chris Hayman (JC Resorts – Oaks North GC)
• Brian Darrock (Fairbanks Ranch C.C.)
• Geoff Haynes (Maderas G.C.)
• Phil Fitzgerald (Steele Canyon G.C.)
• Kent Graff (JC Resorts – Encinitas Ranch G.C.)
• Teddy Rosztoczy (Sr. Affiliate Rep – AA Equipment)
• David Kovack (Jr. Affiliate Rep – Grangetto’s Farm & Garden)

SDGCSA would also like to recognize the following exceptional individuals who were honored for their service and dedication to the SDGCSA and golf industry in San Diego and for their contributions to the association.

• Dave Waymire, CGCS – American Golf
• Geff Ward, CPS
• Dave Kovack, Grangetto’s Farm and GardenRon Nolf, CGCS – Vista Valley C.C.
• John Baasch – Lomas Santa Fe G.C.
• Sandy Clark, CGCS – Barona Creek G.C.
• Glenn Foreman, CGCS – Ocean Hills C.C.
• Mark Grund – Mark Grund Enterprises

The 2009 Superintendent of the Year Award and 2009 Vendor of the Year Award will be presented to the winners at the Annual Invitational on June 2, 2009 at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club.

John Baasch finalized date with Scott Bentley at The CC of Rancho Bernardo. The event will be on October 5, 2009. Save the date!

The NY times posted a very interesting “global” perspective on environmentalism and growth in CA vs. other parts of the country
. Check it out!

Week of April 20, 2009

This week’s web-based California Turfgrass Disease report is now available here:

- The UC Riverside Turf Pathology Lab

GCSAA Members,
As the world has its collective eyes affixed on the first golf major of the year, it is disappointing to see that some media outlets have chosen to attack a game that has proven itself for centuries as one that delivers the utmost in honor and integrity.
Below are two articles that I believe are important for you to read. Both attack golf and further various inaccuracies and myths about the game. The first is an opinion article in USA TODAY and the second is a feature online at NBCsports.com/MSNBC:
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/04/masters-of-the-universe.html
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30106555/ continue

Election Meeting
April 16, 2009
Coronado Golf Course
Individual Gross & Net Play

1st place gross: Scott Stevens score of 69
2nd place gross: Bill Sinclair won in card off with score of 73
(Brendon Reaksecker lost in card off score of 73)

1st place net: Brad Baker score of 66
2nd place net: Brian Darrock score of 67
Total Purse: $440.00

Closest to the Pins
#5 John Baasch: 4 Angels tickets with parking and $50.00 GCSAA certificate donated by Golf Ventures West
#9 Pat Shannon: $190.00 cash
#11 Bill Barkshire: $190. 00 cash
#15 Bill Homyak: $190.00 cash

Skins Game (Each paid out $115.00)
Pat Holden            Hole 3        Score 3
Brad Baker            Hole 4        Score 4
Brendon Reaksecker        Hole 7         Score 3
Bill Sinclair            Hole 14        Score 3
Dave Jones            Hole 15        Score 2

New Board of Directors for 2009
By Brendon Reaksecker
Bonita Golf Club

I’d like to start off my first President’s Message by saying thank you to the outgoing Board, our Association Manager and especially Troy Mullane. Your dedication to the Association and leadership has helped the 2008 Board accomplished some great things. Troy, the plaque given to you for your years of service to the Association should be proudly displayed in your office as you have genuinely deserved it. I regret not controlling the crowd after lunch to properly present the plaque to you. continue

By Blas Huezo, Barona Creek G.C.

The equipment technician’s role over the past 20 years has developed into much more than just a person on the staff who keeps the equipment operational. With the increase in golf courses around the world there simply are not enough skilled technicians to meet the needs of every course. This is the case due to many reasons however we believe career awareness to be the biggest.

How can you tell the difference between a skilled an unskilled technician? Is it the way they look or dress? Is it how quickly they can get a piece of equipment up and running? Is it the organization they have or maybe the management skills they possess? Also is not everyone’s perception of a skilled technician different? The GCSAA helped develop the Superintendent position into one that’s matured over the years as well. They have taken on more responsibility and have in turn gained much more respect. continue

The man, the myth, the legend, Tim “T-Bone” Roth was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.  Tim is 49 years of age and currently resides in Mission Beach.  In 1983, Tim moved out to southern California from the Midwest to work at The Lakes Country Club as an assistant superintendent under Bruce Duenow.  A year later, Tim took the assistant superintendent position at Desert Princess.  Three years later, in 1987, Tim became the superintendent at Desert Princess and continued to work there for the next three years.  In 1990, Tim made the best decision of his life, escaping the heat of the desert and joining the San Diego Superintendents Assosiation, working as the superintendent at Rancho Bernardo Inn.   Tim was the super at RBI for four years, before turning to “the dark side” and taking a job in sales with Scotts Fertilizer.  Tim then worked as an independent rep for a couple years and in 2002 joined Target Specialty Products.  continue

ABC Nightline is reporting that 10% of all golf courses in the country may close (as compared to the 30% of all golf courses closed in the great depression).

Check out the video