Quad-State hosts round table discussions

Members of the Quad-State Turfgrass Association met at Calvert City Country Club, in Calvert City, Kentucky. where host superintendent and 16-year GCSAA member John English welcomed the association to take part in round table discussions. One of the smaller chapters in the region, and country, the group held a lively discussion on a number of pertinent industry topics. 

One of the main topics during the meeting was on the conversion from bentgrass greens to bermudagrass greens on a number of area clubs. Ultradwarf bermudagrass is becoming increasingly popular in the Western Kentucky area, among others, and many courses have undergone the conversion in recent years. Superintendents and industry partners all took part dissecting the cultural and mechanical practices needed before, during, and after the conversion, as well as the playability between the two surfaces. 

Another main topic during the meeting focused on the labor issue in the industry. A couple success stories for attracting labor from the group included raising hourly pay rates to compete with other industries, and allowing high school and college students flexible work hours throughout the season. Paducah Country Club superintendent Larry Hantle, CGCS, is considering implementing various seasonal bonuses to encourage employees to work earlier and later into the season, while others have utilized club member, and community resident volunteer programs to assist with various tasks performed on the golf course. 

Discussions also focused on various troublesome turfgrass diseases in the area, as well as the difficult stretches of weather during the season. During these discussions, members discussed cultural and mechanical practices which have worked best for them this season, and years prior. 

These smaller get-togethers are a great opportunity to meet with each member on a one-on-one basis. Everyone in attendance had the opportunity to contribute to the discussion and added value for every other person in the room. It is clear that each person there cared about how their fellow industry member was faring throughout the year and offered input where they could. These events truly help sum up the great individuals we have in our industry, and the willingness of all involved to help each other out.

Chapters offering GIS experience to members

As the 2018 Golf Industry Show (GIS) continues to creep up on the calendar, a few chapters in the region have been busy putting together opportunities for members to attend GIS at little or no cost. 

The Northwestern Illinois GCSA began their 'Send Me to the Show' promotion in 2014, with that year's winner, 10-year GCSAA member Shane Bays, who is the superintendent at River Heights Golf Course in the DeKalb Park District, receiving an all-expense paid trip to GIS 2015 in San Antonio. They have held the promotion every year since, and are once again offering a Northwestern Illinois GCSA member an all-expense paid trip to San Antonio, including airfare, hotel stay, conference registration and two education seminars. Ingersoll golf course superintendent and 17-year GCSAA member Matt Dutkiewicz, who also serves as the NWIGCSA director of communications, had this to say about the success of the promotion: "As an association, we are always trying to find ways to provide maximum value to our members. Providing an opportunity for one of our members to attend GIS was an excellent way to add value, and promote the industry at the same time."

 
The Kentuckiana GCSA put together a similar program last year after a strategic planning session with GCSAA staff. To help a current member offset the expense of attending GIS, the chapter introduced the GIS Scholarship. The inaugural scholarship was won by Dalton Morgan, a three-year Class C GCSAA member and assistant superintendent at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky. This provided an excellent opportunity to give something back directly to the members, and the KGCSA is continuing with this scholarship in 2018. Regarding his experience in Orlando at GIS last year, Dalton had this to say:

"First and foremost, I would like to just give a huge thanks to the KGCSA membership, the board of directors, and all of the sponsors at the fundraiser for giving me the opportunity to attend the show. The scholarship helped cover everything I needed while attending the GIS. The Orlando show was the first one I’ve attended. I've always kept up with the show on Twitter every year but actually being there this past February was great. The classes I attended on Monday and Tuesday were super beneficial and the trade show was a blast. The amount of networking with other turf heads and knowledge gained from GIS 2017 was outstanding. I appreciate everything that the KGCSA has done and is continuing to do to benefit me as a turf professional."
 

Dalton Morgan at GIS 2017 in Orlando, Florida

Most recently, the Michigan GCSA created a promotion to send one of their members to GIS 2018 through a tee shirt fundraiser. During the two-week promotion, the MiGCSA sold 180 shirts. 

Regarding the fundraiser, 19-year GCSAA member and MiGCSA Executive Director Adam Ikamas, CGCS added: "The MiGCSA Board is so happy to be able to provide the direct member benefit from the sales of these shirts, and the overwhelming showing of pride from our members to support their chapter is really a testament to the amazing community we have here in Michigan. This idea would not have happened if it were not for the original idea brought forth by Randy Robinson, Iowa executive director and seeing it put to action by Brian Laurent in Ohio, and the Michigan Turf tag line from Adam Garr, the Michigan Territory Manager for Syngenta, who has been using it on Twitter all summer. We look forward to expanding this fundraiser in the years to come."

GCSAA and WGCSA leaders meet

During the week of the U.S. Open, leaders from the GCSAA and Wisconsin GCSA took advantage and got together to discuss matters related to the industry. Present at the meeting were: Jon Canavan, WGCSA president, Josh Lepine, CGCS, WGCSA vice president, Jeff Barlow, CGCS, WGCSA treasurer, Mike Bremmer, WGCSA director, Brian Bonlender, WGCSA director, Rob Johnson, WGCSA vendor representative, Brett Grams, WGCSA executive director, Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO, Darren Davis, CGCS, GCSAA vice president, Rafael Barajas, CGCS, GCSAA Secretary/Treasurer, John Fulling, CGCS, GCSAA director and Shane Conroy, GCSAA field staff. Mike Bremmer hosted the meeting at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee.

Mike Bremmer and The Wisconsin Club hosted the day's events.

During the meeting, a variety of pertinent issues were addressed, including the GCSAA’s current key initiatives, which include:

• State-wide Best Management Practices implementation
• Government Affairs
• Professional development
• Recognition and promotion of profession

The Wisconsin GCSA key initiatives were also discussed which, coincide with some of GCSAA’s initiatives and include:

• Execution of Best Management Practices
• Continual chapter growth
• Continue to produce quality chapter events and education

This meeting provided an exceptional opportunity to gather information on what is being done at the local and national levels to continue to elevate our profession for both parties. One area of focus was Best Management Practices implementation strategies and approaches. Utilizing tactics and information from states who have previously implemented BMPs, such as Michigan and Florida, the group was able to discuss a variety of developmental approaches.

Growth as a chapter was also addressed. Constantly working to advance the profession and serve members, WGCSA President Jon Canavan brought up a variety of areas where the chapter has discussed growth programs and initiatives. With GCSAA representatives able to offer feedback and guidance, as well as take information back to headquarters, there was a lively discussion on remaining vigilant as an association to continue to grow the profession and association.

The group also used this time to discuss the labor issue in our industry. Finding talent at multiple levels in our industry is not a problem exclusive to Wisconsin, it's a national problem. This is being addressed at every level to ensure there is steady talent entering our industry. Currently, GCSAA is working with various allied associations in an effort to expose more individuals at every age to the career opportunities which exist in our great profession. There is also an immediate concern to produce individuals in golf turfgrass management. With this immediate concern, programs and initiatives are being addressed with specific allied associations and firms, which were discussed with the group.

Being able to conduct these intelligence gathering meetings offers great value to all involved. I know I can speak for each GCSAA representative and say the meeting produced both immediate, and long-term results, as well as valuable information each one of us can use to improve the industry. I want to thank each individual for taking the time out of their schedules to attend and offer input at this meeting. I'd like to thank Mike Bremmer for hosting at his beautiful facility, as well. I'm appreciative of the WGCSA board, and members for continuing to elevate not only our industry but all of golf. With such a successful month of June in the international golf spotlight, all the credit to Erin Hills superintendent and 14-year GCSAA member Zach Reineking and Thornberry Creek at Oneida superintendent and 30-year GCSAA member Steve Archibald as well as everyone on their crews for showcasing to the world how Wisconsin does golf.

Rainfall totals in the Great Lakes

For many superintendents in the region, this has been the season of precipitation. Whether it's record-breaking rain on a month-to-month basis or daily record-breaking rainfall rates, areas throughout the region have seen more rain this season than they have in the past. Just last week, areas in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin saw decades-old daily rainfall records surpassed; and this is on top the already wet season we have experienced. 

So just how much precipitation has the region seen this year? Below are graphs broken down by state (please click on the graphs for a larger image), showing how 2017 monthly totals (information from Weather Underground) stack up to the historical monthly averages (information from U.S. Climate Data). The last graph showcases the total precipitation the region has received this year vs. historical average totals (please note, all graphs represent rainfall totals in inches, and display information from March 1 - July 14). 

While superintendents employ cultural and mechanical practices to plan for adverse weather, we simply can't control or predict the weather. Seasons like this where extreme weather is the norm shows just how important these best management practices are. They also highlight the dedication and commitment superintendents display on a daily basis, as many have been working around-the-clock to ensure the course is in the best possible condition at all times.

US Open a huge success for all involved

With the U.S. Open making its first trip to Wisconsin, there was understandably excitement and enthusiasm among golf's allied associations throughout the state. The Wisconsin GCSA, the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association, and the Wisconsin Section PGA partnered together to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity. 

The Wisconsin GCSA board worked together with allied associations to create a fantastic ad campaign for the three aforementioned associations. Utilizing GCSAA's Chapter Outreach Grant, administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), the three associations created digital billboards (examples below) which highlighted the environmental and economic benefits golf and turf create throughout the state. The billboard campaign began the week prior to the tournament and ran throughout, until the week following the conclusion of the U.S. Open. This exposure equated to over 87,000 views of the various billboards which ran in the Greater Milwaukee area.

20-year GCSAA member and current Wisconsin GCSA President Jon Canavan, who serves as Director of Golf and Turf Management of the Milwaukee County Department of Parks, had this to say about the importance of the campaign: 'With the eyes of golf on the state of Wisconsin, we saw a great opportunity to tell our story for all of golf and turf. There is such great support for golf from our allied associates in the state of Wisconsin. I would like to thank the WGCSA, WTA, WPGA, GCSAA and EIFG for their support of this great campaign. This is a great of example to how different associations can come together to help grow our great game.'

Wisconsin GCSA Chapter Executive Brett Grams was instrumental in getting the campaign off the ground. He added: 'This project fit in nicely with our chapter's mission and vision of advancing our profession, advocating for our industry, and supporting the future of golf in Wisconsin. Thanks to Minnesota GCSA Executive Director Jack MacKenzie, CGCS, for sharing the idea when they did a similar project at the Ryder Cup in Minnesota last fall. We simply gathered additional support from our allied associations in Wisconsin to expand our media buy. The EIFG Chapter Outreach Grant made us that much more successful in telling the good story of environmental stewardship, and the positives of golf in the local landscape. The feedback has been nothing but positive to date.'

Along with the successful ad campaign, 14-year GCSAA and WGCSA member Zach Reineking, superintendent of Erin Hills, showed the world what a great place Wisconsin is for the game. Add to the fact that Wisconsin native Steve Stricker not only qualified for the tournament the week prior, but made the cut to play the weekend, this was truly a magical event for golf, and the entire state. Credit to the Wisconsin GCSA for promoting our industry successfully on such a grand scale, and elevating our profession to greater levels.

Golf takes over Michigan capitol

Michigan legislators were once again consumed with all things golf during the annual Michigan Golf Day at the Capitol in early June. The Michigan Golf Alliance, made up of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, the Michigan Section PGA, the Greater Michigan Club Managers Association, the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program, the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation and the Golf Association of Michigan, organizes and assembles the event each year.

This year's event was another huge success, as Michigan Senate and House offices were visited by professionals from the golf industry. During visits this year, I joined Harrell's Golf Representative and Michigan Turfgrass Foundation treasurer Doug Johanningsmeir, as we met with members and staff from the Michigan Senate.

We were far from alone representing the golf course management industry, however. Current Michigan GCSA President and 22-year GCSAA member Mark Ostrander, MiGCSA Vice President and 20-year GCSAA member Dan Dingman, as well as MiGCSA Executive Director Adam Ikamas, CGCS, an 18-year member of the association, were all on hand meeting with state Senate and House Representatives throughout the day.

Mark Ostrander (left), Adam Ikamas, CGCS (center), and Dan Dingman representing the MiGCSA board at the 2017 Michigan Golf Day.

The day's advocacy efforts focused on Michigan's nearly 800 golf courses and the role they play in the state's economy. Michigan golf plays a vital role in the state's tourism industry and has massive economic ($4.2 billion), wage income ($1.4 billion), job total (58,000) and charitable ($118 million) impacts on the state.

Adam Ikamas, CGCS, has been a long time staple at Michigan Golf Day and knows how important the event is for the industry, "We are very proud to be part of the Michigan Golf Alliance and help produce this important day every year. I am often asked why do we do it, as there are no pressing regulations working their way towards golf, why spend the time and resources on this day. But that is precisely why we do it, to maintain a good working relationship with the legislators in Lansing and the departments. It is hard to measure the lack of regulation. We are not specifically against any regulations but we just want to be involved in making smart decisions on any issues that may affect our industry. It is important that the folks in Lansing know who we are, what we do and why we do it, Legislative Golf Day is one of the many ways in which we accomplish this." says Ikamas.

This was Mark Ostrander's first trip to Lansing for the event, and he emphasized, "It is an honor to represent the MiGCSA at Legislative Golf Day. Our partnership with the Michigan Golf Alliance gives us the strength needed to have a presence when it comes to regulations that affect our industry. All of the legislators that we have the opportunity to talk to appreciate the impact the game of golf has on our state."

Dan Dingman joined Mark as a first-time attendee of the event, and encouraged others to attend in the future, "Taking part in the 2017 Legislative Golf Day was a great experience. During a beautiful summer day on the front lawn of the capitol building, the Michigan Golf Alliance continued their commitment to maintain relationships with the legislators in Lansing. This year’s event was well attended and resulted in a successful day for golf in Michigan. I highly recommend attending this great event in the future to anyone in the golf industry.”

'Lunch at the Turn' on the Capitol Lawn.

Aside from legislative visits, Michigan Golf Day also provides 'Lunch at the Turn' for all House and Senate Representatives, as well as their staff. This is a great way to meet, and continue conversations with state legislators in a relaxed and informal setting. It allows industry professionals tell their story and communicate the positive effects they have on the community and state. Following lunch, Michigan's Lt. Governor Brian Calley spoke on the importance of golf in the state and presented the Michigan Golf Alliance association presidents with the 'Pure Michigan Golf Month' proclamation.

While advocacy events are extremely important, there are also costs involved. The Michigan GCSA utilizes GCSAA's Chapter Outreach Grant to help offset some of these and keep chapter costs to a minimum.

Hats off to the Michigan Golf Alliance on yet another great day of advocacy. Please plan on joining us in 2018, as next year's Michigan Golf Day at the Capitol will undoubtedly be a success.