Archive for March, 2010

Evaluation of Commercial Products for Improving Tall Fescue Quality Under Drought Stress. Download the pdf.

The California Turfgrass & Landscape Foundation, whose primary missionis to support turfgrass & landscape research at UC, is soon to launch and as promised there will be a website created and maintained to serve as “one stop shopping” for all turfgrass & landscape information in California – past, present, and future.

Download the post emergence rye grass report.

The PAPA Scholarship Golf tournament is part of the ongoing investment into the Agricultural/Horticultural Industry. Over the last ten years PAPA has awarded over 30 scholarships to students who have pro- fessed their interest in the application, and related aspects of our industry.

With this annual Golf Tournament, PAPA is requesting your participation and/or your donation to continue the tradition of giving scholarships to undergraduate students in the Agricultural/Horticultural industry.
PAPAisanon-profit501c(3)corporation whose mission is to provide educational seminars for licensed applicators in the State of California, and Test Prep. Courses for individuals seeking to obtain a Qualified Applicators License or Certificate. continue

Media Contact:
Rick Schloss (619) 308-4387
Gary Player Invitational Slated For Steele Canyon Golf Club from April 12-13
Event to Feature Top Professionals and Business Leaders to Benefit Charity
(February 26, 2010) Jamul, CA—Steele Canyon Golf Club announced today that golfing legend Gary Player will host the first leg of the 2010 Gary Player Invitational Series of charity golf tournaments on Monday, April 12 and Tuesday, April 13, 2010.

For over a decade, top celebrities, businessmen and PGA Tour pros have come together for the annual Gary Player Invitational in support of underprivileged children’s education. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit local charities including: The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego- National City Branch, Pro Kids Golf Academy, New Alternatives, Inc, a local organization for abused and neglected children along with The Player Foundation which benefits children in need across the globe. continue

The LPGA Tour’s Kia Classic is March 25 thru March 28 at La Costa Resort and Spa.  Seventeen of the top twenty female players in the world are committed to playing in the event.  The tournament will be televised on the Golf Channel.  If you are looking for something to do this weekend, head out to La Costa to check out the best female players in the world. 

The LPGA Tour honors all active green and gold GCSAA membership cards with complimentary admission.  I am sure Steve Auckland and the entire staff at La Costa will have the course in great shape for this premier LPGA Tour event.  Come out and support professional golf in San Diego

Another hearty thanks to all those who helped make the 2010 Assistant Superintendent Training Camp at Riverwalk a success…a small success mind you, but a success nonetheless!

First, thanks to our Host, Steve Burgraff and Riverwalk Golf Club. The course played great Steve! Thanks to our heady President, Brendon Reaksecker for his help both days herding cats and controlling the volume level in the room.

The following speakers really made the event what it was…thanks for your time!

• Bruce Kidd and Evan Walden
• Dr. Frank Wong
• Ed Mower
• Ted Horton
• Ray Hernandez
• Alicia Mariscal
• Tom Piatkowski/Sandra Miller
• Mike Huck
• John Marman/Ben Koehler

And many thanks to our Affiliates who donated product for raffle prizes! continue

By Dave Waymire CGCS, American Golf

Steve Burgraff, Superintendent at Riverwalk Golf Course, has a strategy. He lives his life based on this quote that has hung above his desk for many years:

Press On

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

This was hanging on the wall of Steve’s ex father in law’s den. Steve said

“He was a high school graduate that worked 41 years for Union Oil. He started pumping gas and retired as a Vice President in charge of Real Estate and Marketing of the West. He was a fine man, as was my father too. Our parents were part of a great generation.”

Those who know Steve will confirm that’s his life objective and it conveys into work, home and play.

Born in Burlington Iowa, the Burgraff family moved to Northern California when Steve was four. After 8 years in the Sacramento area, they moved south to Walnut Creek. Steve attended junior and senior high school in the Bay Area and played football and baseball at Ygnacio High School.

Steve took some college prep courses to “become a doctor or lawyer.” Based on how lawyers are looked upon and the current health care crisis, he is probably happy he is growing grass! Eventually, he would go to school as a horticulture major, and received a two-year degree in Ornamental Horticulture. continue

SUSTAINABILITY – What does that word mean to you?

The SDGCSA was a lunch sponsor for the Cuyumaca College’s 2nd Annual Sustainable Landscapes Conference on March 11/12th. A great big thank you goes out to Bill Homyak from Southwestern College for volunteering to distribute the EIFG Environmental Profiles Volumes 1-3 and the Sustainability Initiative information brochures provided by GCSAA. Steve Sinram from Bonita Golf Club helped with set up and made sure our sponsor signs were on display to show which companies help support the local golf course industry.

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GOLFDOM JOINS FORCES WITH IGCEMA TO DELIVER INDUSTRY’S FIRST VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW

CLEVELAND – March 4 – Golfdom Magazine is pleased to announce it has partnered with the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association (IGCEMA) to deliver the IGCEMA Virtual Trade Show, a three-day live event where suppliers, dealers and customers can gather for meaningful business development and relationship building.

Held in a robust Internet-enabled convention center, the IGCEMA Virtual Trade Show is set for May 11-13 and features 3D booths where suppliers can distribute product information, display videos, conduct meetings and engage in sales discussions with attendees via e-mail and chat tools. continue

By Teddy Rosztoczy, AA Equipment

February is in the books, spring is around the corner, and the rain continues to fall in San Diego. This past month was an eventful time in the golf industry as the annual GIS show rolled through town. Plenty of familiar faces were seen strolling the San Diego Convention Center; even the infamous Mike Ditka made an appearance. Thanks again to all the members and affiliates that contributed to making the California Room a successful event once again.

Speaking of familiar faces, Chris Nolf, formerly the assistant superintendent at Vista Valley Country Club, has taken a new position in sales working with Norm Davis and Planet Air, as well as representing Baroness Mowers. Congrats to Chris on the new job and good luck with the new position. Also, in affiliate news, John Perez, the former superintendent at Borrego Springs Country Club, has taken a position in sales with Turf Star in Indio. Congrats to John as well and good luck moving forward. Welcome to the dark side boys!

Also, over at Torrey Pines Golf Course, Jon Maddern CGCS has announced that he will be leaving San Diego in March. Jon is the Deputy Director/Golf Operations Manager for Balboa Park, Mission Bay and Torrey Pines Golf Complexes. Jon’s last day will be Friday, March 12th. He will then be moving to Salem, South Carolina where he will become the superintendent at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls. Congratulations on the new job Jon, we will miss you in San Diego!
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