We Are Golf

One of the initiatives I have been working on recently is the joining of RMGCSA to the We Are Golf coalition. We Are Golf is a collaboration of the Club Managers Association of America, the GCSAA, NGCOA, and the PGA. This group was formed as a way to show the impact of golf both economically and environmentally at local and national levels. We at the RMGCSA think it will be a great way to have golf's voice heard legislatively, and I am proud and excited to be a part of it.

Pilgrimage to Pebble

About one of the only good things with having my wife in Law School in San Francisco, is the fact that we get to explore the beauty of California's Northern Coast. From surfing in Santa Cruz to cycling in Marin County, we have been able to see some of the most amazing scenery in the U.S. This weekend, we had no plan except to head south from The City. During the drive, I suggested we make the drive to Pebble Beach, one of the Meccas of American golf. The beauty and majesty of this fabled course were beyond what I expected, and made me proud of my career and being part of the great game of golf.

Colorado Golf Carbon Project

One of the items I am working on this spring is collecting information about our facility to enter into the Colorado Golf Carbon Project.

"The primary goal of this research project is to collect information about resources utilized by Colorado's golf courses, so a carbon accounting research can be completed. The research will explore and quantify the benefits and impacts golf courses have within the greater carbon emissions and sequestration picture"


I feel this is a groundbreaking project which will hopefully show that golf courses can have a positive environmental impact and help to alleviate some negative thoughts about our industry.

Friend or Foe?

One of the major dilemmas we have at SSGC is Poa Annua or Annual Bluegrass management. How can one tiny little plant cause so much uproar? While many Superintendents do everything in their power to eradicate this "weed", we here at South Suburban embrace our Poa and manage it into a putting surface that is as good as the best bentgrass greens.
Come Spring, the Poa plant begins production of seedheads for propagation. If left unchecked, these seedheads not only become unsightly, but cause the green to become bumpy and inconsistent. One of the major tools we use is a Plant Growth Regulator(PGR) called Proxy. This product inhibits the maturation of the seedhead, and doesn't allow it to emerge. By monitoring soil temperatures on our greens, we have had very good control over the past few years and are confident that this year will be just as good.

Spring!

Even though the calendar doesn't officially say Spring yet, the warm weather and longer days have started to get the golf course and the staff primed for the season. Verticutting fairways, cutting cups, fertililzing greens and finally getting out on the course are a sure cure for the cabin fever we all experienced this winter.

GIS, San Diego 2010

Since Super Bowl Sunday, I have been in San Diego enjoying the sun and camaraderie of the GCSAA and GIS industry shows. Monday and Tuesday were spent in continuing education classes. I was extremely impressed with both the professionalism and innovation from these classes. The new technology, as well as new communication skills I learned will hopefully help to propel me to the forefront of this industry. It was great to see many of our friends from the RMGCSA as well as making many new ones at the hospitality events and trade show floor. I would like to thank Dave Tooley for sending Chris, Brian and myself to the show. I hope this is the first of many in my future.

Urban Drainage/SEMSWA Project

Since late 2009, Urban Drainage and SEMSWA(Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority)have been on our course performing a creek stabilization and reclamation project in order to halt erosion of Little Dry Creek. This has been a great partnership and also a great way for the course to take care of this problem, without any financial commitment from us.