Archive for May, 2009

Every golf course superintendent should remember to call in a dig alert before getting their backhoe out, (or in this case post hole digger), especially if they are new to the site and unfamiliar with utilities that may cross the property!

Reinforces point of caution prior to digging even in open areas.

SDGCSA members were recently featured in North County Times articles. Members mentioned are:

• Brendon Reaksecker, Bonita Golf Course
• George Winters, The Vineyard at Escondido
• Gary Radersma, The CC of Rancho Bernardo
• Sandy Clark, CGCS, Barona Creek GC
• Tim Barrier, CGCS, Rancho Santa Fe GC
• Brian Kinnare, Woods Valley GC
• Bob Dobek, JC Resorts

These articles focused on the on-going struggle with water conservation. Check out the articles!

While the San Diego County Water Authority and some local water agencies are reaching out to golf courses in attempts to encourage water conservation, there are currently no mandates to enforce it. Read the full NC times article.

Brown soon may be the new green for golf courses. It’s called the “Augusta Syndrome,” and it’s making some golf course superintendents sick. Course operators say golfers are given a false sense of what a course is supposed to look like each spring during the Masters, when they see wall-to-wall green grass at the impeccably manicured Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. Read the full NC times article.

Danger signs: Ongoing drought, looming mandatory water cutbacks force golf courses to get creative as a matter of survival. The increasing thirst for water in the region has many residents concerned about rising costs and mandatory cutbacks, which could result in green-deficient wallets and browner lawns. For most local golf courses, the water shortage is the most pressing issue of the day, forcing many to re-think watering and maintenance methods in order to stretch their most precious commodity. Read more of this NC Times Article

Recycled Water Users! General Permit AB 1481Responses Needed

This is a message from the State Water Resources Control Board:
In it’s Tuesday, May 19, 2009 workshop regarding the draft general permit for landscape irrigation uses of municipal recycled water, the State Water Board extended the deadline for written comments. Written comments are due by 12:00 noon Tuesday, May 26, 2009. The State Water Board will accept additional written comments only on the changes depicted on the May 7, 2009 version of the proposed general permit.

For additional information and a copy of the May 7, 2009 version of the proposed general permit, please visit the program website http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/water_recycling_policy/landscape_irrigation_general_permit.shtml.

In other news:

• The San Diego Union Tribune is reporting that water saving rules differ across country.

Our 2009 board has created a new committee called the “Water Resource Committee.” With current Level 2 Drought Restrictions pending for the City of San Diego and other City’s soon to follow our association needs a voice and liaisons to represent us. The Committee is a mix of Superintendents and industry experts. So with no further a due, here are you 2009 Water Resource Committee volunteers.

• Chris Hayman
• Geoff Haynes
• Kent Graph
• Dennis Fowler
• Mike Greninger
• Larry Stowell
• Mike Huck
• Mike McCullough
• Dave Waymire
• Brent Harvey
• Brendon Reaksecker

The SDGCSA Water Resource Committee has a meeting next Wednesday with high ranking members from San Diego public utilities who had a big part in drafting the Level 2 Drought Restrictions. We wish to learn more about the restrictions and what “wiggle” room we may have. They are also the ones who review variance request going forward.

It is our goal to have these restrictions be based on allotments of water, rather than on behavioral watering. In preparation for this meeting we request help from our San Diego City golf courses who are using potable water on their course(s) to provide us with some information.

1. Five year history of potable usage (ac/ft)
2. Total acres of turf using potable water
3. Any historical ETo information you may have

Help us help you! If your course is within the City of San Diego and you use potable water, PLEASE RESPOND ASAP.

Thank you,
SDGCSA Water Resource Committee

By Stephen Tucker

Stephen is the equipment manager at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla., and past president of the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association. He can be reached at 941-309-2913 or stephen.tucker@ritzcarlton.com

Every year, hundreds of golf courses managers or owners find themselves looking for qualified golf industry equipment technicians, and every year there seems to be fewer available. Many of the equipment technicians in our industry have made the move from the automotive industry or military, while only a select few end up attending college to prepare for the profession. Of those few who attend col¬lege, a low percentage seems to stay in the business. Why is that? continue

THE GOLF INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES

Golf is a sport played by more than 28 million Americans, and enjoyed as a favored spectator activity by millions more. But it is far more than a game: golf is a leading U.S. industry that makes a wide variety of positive contributions to our society.

GOLF’S ECONOMIC BENEFITS

• The golf industry provides 2 million jobs in the U.S. and total wage income of $61 billion.
• The total economic impact of golf in America has been measured at $195 billion, including golf’s direct, indirect and induced impacts.
• Golf provides a direct economic impact of $76 billion. continue

EIFG , Toro add incentive to GCSAA survey program: Respond by May 19 to win!

The Environmental Institute for Golf and The Toro Co. are enhancing GCSAA’s Golf Course Environmental Profile effort by offering use of a Toro Pro Force™ Debris Blower for one year to one lucky survey respondent.  One winner will be drawn at random from those who submit a completed survey by May 19, 2009. Toro has demonstrated their support for the Golf Course Environmental Profile by providing a series of grants to fund all the survey work of the Golf Course Environmental Profile. Toro shares our belief that the data collected will allow The Institute to act more effectively on behalf of the golf course industry.

The new Toro Pro Force(TM) debris blower delivers tremendous air power for fast removal of grass clippings, leaves, aeration cores, or other debris from your golf course, maintained turf areas, and paved areas such as golf cart paths and parking lots. Operated by a wireless remote control with unmatched functionality, and with design features such as the durable one-piece plastic nozzle, the Pro Force sets a new standard. For more information, visit Toro’s Web site at http://www.toro.com/golf/utility/debris/blower/proforce.html. continue

By Brenda Warner, Executive Director

• Our application for e-commerce is in Underwriting at Chase Payment Tech. Once their underwriters approve this, we will have payments accepted on line for all payments to the association. Keep you informed on the progress. Thank you for your patience and understanding through this transition. So sorry for the delay. Once this is approved, I will let you know the shopping cart is up and running on our website.
• For those of you outside of the 760 area code, there will be a new area code 442 on the horizon. 442 will be used for all new phone, fax, and cell phone numbers starting this month. You will be connected automatically until October at which time you will have to dial either 1-760 or 1-442 to reach your party.
• Dues renewals will be over May 15th. Please let us know where you check is…the membership directory will be updated and the sponsorship levels accordingly. I’m told some checks went to GCSAA and not SDGCSA.
• It is the 2009 membership year, and we have a lot going for us even in this time of adversity. We can make a difference by explaining to the general public about water conservation, Audubon certification programs, and how we assist the environment, not hurt it. It is through ignorance that people just see “a big plot of land, with flag sticks, a bunch of sand, and a lot of water and pesticides going down the drain everyday.” It is the association’s responsibility to inform the ignorant.

By Dave Waymire CGCS, American Golf

Born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Tim was the son of a Marine Corps Captain. That meant moving around a lot. Florida, North Carolina, Hawaii, and California were some of the places he called home. They finally settled in Oceanside, California when Tim was around 8 or 9 years old.

When his dad retired from the Marie Corps, the family moved to Vista.  With three other brothers in school all at the same time, Tim told me “We got into a substantial amount of trouble.” It is hard to imagine Tim Barrier a troublemaker. Well okay, it is not that hard. His parents and all three brothers (Steve, Mike and Chris) are all still locals.

Tim was a varsity wrestler at Vista High School, and both of his kids now attend the same school. Tyler, 17 is graduating this year and plays varsity hockey. Lily, 15 is a freshman and plays volleyball for Vista High. And Lesley, Tim’s wife of 22 years also attended Vista High School. Tim said “I met her when she was a senior and we have been together ever since, almost 25 years.” She was a member of the varsity cheerleading team, and currently works at the Four Season Resort Aviara. continue

By Teddy Rosztocky, AA Equipment

As April turns into May gray, there seems to be three main themes being discussed throughout San Diego County; swine flu, and then swine flu, and then there’s the swine flu.  Cases have been confirmed everywhere from California to Maine and everywhere in between.  In Mexico, there are over 160 suspected deaths, and hundreds more cases reported.  Long story short, washing hands is the best prevention, unless you live in a bubble, or have a Haz-Mat suite handy.  Unfortunately, flights have been cancelled and travel worldwide has been affected.  Other than the swine flu, April saw tax season come and go, another car manufacturer file for bankruptcy, and North Korea threaten more nuclear weapons testing, can’t wait to see what May brings!

All kidding aside, we had a great election meeting at Coronado Golf Course.  Thanks again to Dave Jones and his crew for an awesome tournament.  The course looked great and it sounds like everyone had a good time.  Congratulations to Brendon Reaksecker, Vince Zellefrow and Brian Sandland for their new titles of president, vice president and secretary, respectively.  Welcome to the board Chris Hayman, Phil Fitzgerald and Brian Darrock, congratulations on your victorious campaigns.  Also, congratulations to David Kovack for winning the junior affiliate slot.  Special thanks to Glenn Forman and John Baasch for all their time and hard work this past year.  This association would not be as successful as it is without all the great people who take the time to help out, plan, organize and so forth. continue