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!

Meanwhile, up in Ramona, Pat Shannon, superintendent at San Vicente Golf Club, has been working on a major lake project the last few years that should be wrapping up in the next month. San Diego Country Estates has been working with the Ramona Municipal Water District to expand the recycled water capacity of three lakes on the golf course, in addition to adding new water features. The construction of the project has been performed by Matrix Golf and Landscape. Upon completion, the capacity of the lakes will increase by 12 – 15 acre-feet, and include a new creek that will connect two of the lakes.

On a more personal note, our very own Mark Grund is getting married today, March 4, 2010. Mark is marrying Maura McCarthy, whom some members may have met at the Holiday Gala the past couple years. The two have been dating for four years, and finally decided to take the plunge. Congrats to Mark and Maura, we wish you nothing but the best!

Moving forward, the SDGCSA has a few big events coming up in the next couple months. First, the second week of March, Wednesday the 10th and Thursday the 11th, will be the third annual Assistant Superintendent Training Camp and Riverwalk Golf Club. Geoff Haynes has put together quite the list of speakers, so go www.sdgcsa.com and sign up now! Following the assistant superintendent meeting in March will be the annual election meeting in April. For those members that are interested in joining the board, nominations will be going out at the end of March for the Junior Affiliate position as well as Director positions for superintendents. Working on the board is a great, rewarding experience and it should be something to seriously consider for anyone interested in helping out our association.

If anyone has any SDGCSA news they would like included in this article, please feel free to contact me any time via email (teddyr@aaequip.com) or on my cell (760-802-6475).