The SuperNews. President s Message. Matt Urban RGGCSA President. President Matt Urban. Vice President Jimmy Rodriguez

Transcription

1 The SuperNews OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIO GRANDE GCSA President s Message President Matt Urban Vice President Jimmy Rodriguez Secretary / Treasurer Matt Hughes Board of Directors: Matthew Allen Roy Johnson Paul Kerr Caleb Buckley (Past Pres.) Vendor Representative Bryan Klock Chapter Executive Carol Cloud GCSAA Field Rep John Walker Letting Go The 2018 season is rolling along with our March meeting just around the corner. I am very grateful to have been elected to a second term as President of the Rio Grande Superintendents Association. The experience has been an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. At times it can be stressful, but what better way to learn than to get out of your comfort zone. Here at Artesia Country Club each employee has a specific set of skills which we utilize and develop on a daily basis. When appropriate, we ask that employees step out of their comfort zone and try something they may not be familiar with. Everyone knows what their specific role is in the operation, but to create a well-rounded crew on a tight budget, I believe it is a must to cross train. An operator may step off the mower to level a few heads at the end of the day. Subsequently you may discover he has a heightened interest in irrigation work. An assistant who is unfamiliar with tracking and planning could be put in charge of the labor budget for the year. He may be a great administrator, but you would never realize it if you didn t give him the chance. All of this takes a little bit of letting go by us as leaders. In the beginning of my career and up to recently I always felt that I had to do everything and be in control of all situations. I made a special effort at the end of last season to let go a little more and put my trust in the people I hired to do the job. Sure, it can be frustrating at times and most definitely requires more time and training, but that is our job!!! Over the last few months, my stress levels have decreased dramatically and the staff has become much more attentive and productive. Let s face it, there is only so much of us to go around. Success does not come without mistakes being made along the way. In the first term as President of this association, I was surrounded by talented, dedicated, and passionate people serving with me on the Board. I leaned heavily on them to help run the association and there is no way this could be done without their help, the support of our membership, and the great sponsors of the RGGCSA. Without letting go and trusting in my fellow superintendents, vendors, and our wonderful Executive Director Carol Cloud, 2017 would have been a rough one. The Board and I are excited to work together in 2018 to provide the members of the RGGCSA with networking and support. Without the generosity of our great sponsors none of this would be possible! We will be working to grow turf industry in New Mexico and El Paso by using our valuable resources to address the more pressing problems like our dwindling pool of assistants in the region. We are also working toward cultivating relationships with the Sun Country, Southwest Turf, and our Universities to help achieve our goals. Again, I appreciate the opportunity to serve. We welcome feedback and suggestions from all our members and hope to see you at all the meetings! Matt Urban RGGCSA President

2 Superintendent Article Rounds 4 Research Imagine the functionality of today s golf courses or the ability to manage them in an economical viable manner if there were no resources to fuel innovation, address challenges brought on by Mother Nature or respond to regulatory pressures. The absence of ongoing university-based research, education, advocacy programs and course operation resources threatens the ability of these small businesses to succeed and of golfers to maximize their experience. The Rounds 4 Research program was designed to address a critical shortage in turfgrass research funding by auctioning donated rounds of golf online. The program is administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf. Funds raised can be used to further efforts in the areas of research, advocacy and education. Rounds 4 Research allows GCSAA chapters and turfgrass foundations to participate as fundraising partners with the vast majority of proceeds going back to those organizations. In this way, the RGGCSA can direct the proceeds to specific projects that will have the most significant impact in our local area. Roy Johnson San Juan Country Club RGGCSA Board Member Rounds 4 Research helps you raise funds by auctioning donated rounds of golf through an online bidding forum, the program works as follows: 1) Courses donate rounds for auction. The course determines the restrictions.

3 2) The course/gcsaa member designates which chapter/organization they would like to entitle the proceeds. 3) GCSAA and its local chapters encourage golfers to bid on the rounds. 4) Proceeds raised from the auction are used to fund turfgrass research, education programs and advocacy efforts as deemed a priority for the organization receiving the funding. The process to donate a round is very easy, all previous donating facilities will automatically receive a letter and pre-populated form to approve and send in their donation. New facilities can simply fill out an online or paper donor form and send to the EIFG, the EIFG will keep each participating organization up-to-date on donations that have been received on a monthly basis. The 2018 Rounds 4 Research auction will be held online from April 30 to May 6 on BiddingforGood.com. Each participating organization will receive 80% of the proceeds (amount of sale per rounds, excluding any fees or surcharges) from each donation that has been designated for your organization, the EIFG retains 20% plus any fees and surcharges collected. For more information or help on how to donate rounds, please contact any of the RGGCSA Board Members or visit and click on Rounds 4 Research underneath the Research tab. Congratulations to long-time RGGCSA member Ron Borunda (left in picture) on your recent retirement! Ron was the golf course superintendent at Desert Lakes Golf Course in Alamogordo. The chapter held its January meeting at Desert Lakes and the course was enjoyed by all. Ron was not able to make the meeting due to prior commitments. His good friend Mark DeRoy later presented Ron with a plaque of appreciation awarded by the chapter.

4

5 We were all treated to a special day at Ladera Golf Course in Albuquerque. Ladera is a city managed course and our hosts for the day were Golf Course Superintendent James Lucero and David Salas with the City of Albuquerque Golf Division. James did a great job welcoming meeting attendees and giving a brief history of the course and a review of current course conditions. The course was in great condition and provided for a fun venue for our four man scramble event. The meeting portion of the event included a welcome by President Matt Urban. We had a great turnout for a very busy time of the year for RGGCSA members. Secretary Treasurer Matt Hughes gave a financial update of the association and Vice President Jimmy Rodriguez gave a review of the GCSAA Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. Jimmy and Matt both discussed the BMP initiative that GCSAA is working on to help all chapters to create BMP Templates for their state. New Mexico is working to put together a steering committee and hopes to make significant progress in Continued on Page 7

6 (Left to Right) Matthew Allen, Anthony Garcia, Chad Parron, and Jeremie Smith (Left to Right) Robert Gonzales, Larry Suzuki, Jimmy Rodriguez, and Matt Hughes. (Left to Right) Randy Hisey, Paul Kerr, Paul Tratechaud, and Caleb Buckley (Left to Right) Glenn Denney, Daniel Turnham, Paul Cassidy, and Casey Ish Anthony Garcia lines up his team s birdie putt on #18 John King and his new best friend aka Good Luck Charm

7 Champions! Continued from page 5 Johnny Walker, the GCSAA Field Staff representative for the South Central Region spoke about the BMP Project, the upcoming Rounds for Research Auction, and National Golf Day which will be held in April on Capital Hill in Washington DC. Our event sponsor for the day was Austin Turf and Tractor. Caleb Buckley thanked the association for the opportunity to sponsor and especially for their business in Caleb introduced technical experts form Austin Turf who gave a very informative lecture and demonstration of the new Tier 4 Diesel Engine regulations. Significant changes in the laws concerning emissions and pollutants have changed the way diesel engines are designed and maintained. Attendees earned GCSAA Continuing Education Credits for their participation. And of course no RGGCSA event is complete without door prizes and a 50/50 pot benefitting our 2018 Scholarship Fund. Thanks again to everyone who came to Ladera and made it a great day. See you all again in May at Socorro! Runner Ups! Left - Closest to the Pin Winner Paul Kerr Right - Closest to the Pin Winner Daniel Turnham Not Pictured - Matthew Allen who won a Closest to the Pin and a Long Drive Prize. Great shootin Matthew! Left - 50/50 Pot Winner Jimmy Rodriguez Right - Closest to the Pin Jeremie Smith Not Last Place! Aka 3rd

8 2018 Golf Industry Show and Education Conference a Great Success! In February, San Antonio extended a Texas sized welcome to more than 11,700 attendees from all over the globe. The two-day trade show included 531 exhibitors covering 184,400 square feet of exhibit space at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center The GCSAA Education Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, is the largest educational conference in the turfgrass management industry. A total of 5,600 seminar seats were filled. In addition, thousands attended complimentary forums, sessions and panel discussions throughout the week. Subject matter included agronomics, business, environmental management, communications, leadership, technology, and personnel management. The 2019 Golf Industry Show will head to San Diego, Calif., Feb. 2-7.

9 2018 Annual Meeting Review DARREN DAVIS ELECTED 2018 PRESIDENT GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Darren J. Davis, the golf course superintendent at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, Fla., has been elected to a one-year term as president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) at the association's annual meeting Feb. 8, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. Davis, a certified golf course superintendent (CGCS), served as vice president of the association in 2017 and has been a member of the association s board of directors since A 28-year member of GCSAA, Davis is a past president of the Everglades GCSA and a past president of the Florida GCSA and Florida Turfgrass Association. He is currently a director with the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation. In 2004, the FGCSA honored him with its Distinguished Service Award, and in 2011 the FTGA presented Davis with the Wreath of Grass - the association s highest award. A native of Tallahassee, Fla., he earned a turfgrass management certificate from Penn State University in He also obtained an associate in arts degree from Tallahassee Community College in 1987 Continued on next page

10 and a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Florida Gulf Coast University in Becoming president is a privilege that I don t take lightly, said Davis. I hope I am able to give the association back even a fraction of what it s given to me. Other elected officers were Rafael Barajas, CGCS and director of golf course operations at Boca Grove Plantation in Boca Raton, Fla., as vice president, and John R. Fulling Jr., CGCS and grounds and facilities manager at Kalamazoo (Mich.) Country Club, as secretary/treasurer. Board members Kevin P. Breen, CGCS and golf course superintendent at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos, Calif., and Kevin P. Sunderman, director of grounds at Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club in St. Petersburg, Fla., were elected to serve again. While T.A. Barker, CGCS and superintendent at Fore Lakes Golf Course in Taylorsville, Utah; and Jeff L. White, CGCS and superintendent at Indian Hills Country Club in Prairie Village, Kan., were newly elected to the board. Mark F. Jordan, CGCS and natural resource leader at Westfield Group Country Club in Westfield Center, Ohio; continues his service to the board with one year remaining on his two-year term; while past president Peter J. Grass, CGCS and golf course superintendent at Hilands Golf Club in Billings, Mont., retires from board service. In addition, delegates voted to approve 11 changes to the association s bylaws.

11

12 Caleb Buckley New Mexico and El Paso Account Manager (505) or toll free:

13 CONGRATULATIONS! RGGCSA Member Caleb Buckley was awarded the 2017 John Deere Salesman of the Year for the southwest part of the United States. This covers the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, California, Arkansas and New Mexico. Austin Turf was also recognized as the John Deere Financial Dealer of the Year and Chad Mobley was the Sales Manager of the Year for the same area as listed above.

14 National Golf Day 2018 Set for April 25 in Washington, D.C. Industry Leaders to Give Back Through National Mall Service Project Steve Mona CEO of World Golf Foundation Administrator of WE ARE GOLF WE ARE GOLF a coalition of the game s leading associations and industry partners today announces the 11th annual National Golf Day will be held Wednesday, April 25 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. National Golf Day celebrates the game s nearly $70 billion economy (updated data available in April 2018), nearly $4 billion annual charitable impact and many environmental and fitness benefits. Industry leaders will meet with Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and federal agencies to discuss golf s 15,000-plus diverse businesses, two million jobs impacted, tax revenue creation and tourism value. Returning for 2018, golf industry leaders will arrive Monday, April 23 to participate in a community service initiative on the National Mall the morning of Tuesday, April 24. The project will focus on beautification, preservation and helping the National Park Service with turf deferred maintenance. More details will be available soon. "With one in 75 U.S. jobs impacted by golf, the industry plays a significant role in stimulating our economy nationwide, says Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation, administrator of WE ARE GOLF. Last year, a record 2.5 million people tried golf for the first time, further cementing why it is vital to share golf s interests with our country s lawmakers, showcasing the game s many economic, charitable and fitness benefits. In April 2017, National Golf Day was the most successful to date with a record 175 Congressional meetings scheduled in one day. Globally, the #NGD17 Twitter campaign eclipsed 72 million impressions and reached 24.3 million accounts, exceeding 12 million users in a one-hour span. More than 60 organizations from within the golf industry participated in the week s activities. To join the conversation, visit the WE ARE GOLF social media hub. Use #NGD18 on Twitter and Instagram to show your support for the golf industry. About WE ARE GOLF WE ARE GOLF, created in 2010, is an industry coalition that communicates the economic, charitable and environmental impact of golf, as well the health and wellness benefits of the game and the affordability and accessibility of golf, to Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and regulatory agencies. The goal of WE ARE GOLF is to ensure that laws and regulations that impact the golf industry are fair and appropriate to an industry that generates nearly $70 billion in economic impact annually, impacts close to two million American jobs and generates nearly $4 billion in charitable giving each year. For more information, please visit

15 Bryan Klock was born into a Military Family who moved to Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew hit Miami, FL. He graduated from La Cueva High School in 1994, where he was a Basketball State Champion and Runner Up in High Jump and Long Jump. Bryan was awarded the UNM Scholars Scholarship after graduating from La Cueva and attended the University of New Mexico until After meeting his saving Angel and current wife of 19 years at TGIF s, Bryan worked for Lafarge NM in the Block and Aggregate divisions until he was approached by Buildology, 14 years ago now. He is currently the Office Manager with many hats for the company in Bernalillo, NM. He does whatever is needed to Git R Dun. From Loader Operator and Yard Dog, to part time accountant and janitor, he wears a different hat every day. Bryan says, I really do hope I get to retire from this company. This has been the best 14 years of a working life a guy could ask for. There could be no better Owner and Boss Man to work for than Steve Hooper! Heck, he allows me to go golfing for work, what more could you ask for. Well, time to time anyway. Bryan currently sits on the board for the Rio Grande Golf Course Association as the Affiliate Member and is an active member of the Associated Contractors of New Mexico. Bryan still has a great passion for basketball, even though his old legs don t allow him to play anymore, LOVES his San Francisco Forty Niners, almost as much as his family, and has attempted for many years now to become at least a scratch golfer. He still can t hit the ball straight to save his life, but hey, at least he is trying. Like most of us, the time he gets with his family and friends is how he truly enjoys spending his free time. Board Member Profile Bryan Klock Buildology

16

17 Without your support we would not have a successful association!

18

19

20 NMSU compares artificial turf to real grass in water usage Melissa R. Rutter As a turfgrass specialist, New Mexico State University professor Bernd Leinauer is asked a lot of questions relating to artificial grass and whether it actually is a water-conserving alternative to real grass, as is marketed and portrayed to the public. So, he sought the help of a Ph.D. engineering student and his mentor to ask the question, is artificial turf actually saving water compared to real grass? When Leinauer approached Ahmed Kanaan and NMSU engineering professor Igor Sevostianov, he was told a small equation could calculate the answer to his question. I m usually a little bit skeptical about (theoretical calculations), so we agreed that Ahmed would first do the equation so we can see what the model tells us and how much water would be needed to keep the artificial turf cool. Then we will actually go out and measure and see if the model holds true and if the two numbers line up, Leinauer said. After receiving his answer from the equation, Kanaan set up his experiment over the summer on the artificial turf located on the infield of NMSU s baseball field. He set up a parameter of 40 by 40 feet on the turf and installed a temporary irrigation system. After I set everything up, I decided to run the irrigation system for 20 minutes to see how long it would take to heat back up. I took two readings each day, one in the morning and one at noon, just to see the distribution of temperature, Kanaan said. The model I used calculated the amount of water required to cool the artificial turf correctly with an acceptable margin of error but there was no information how long it takes for the field to heat up again. He measured the surface temperature and one and two meters above the ground, so you could see the heat buildup over the field. He turned on the irrigation and cooled the turf and then measured and documented how long it takes to cool, when the artificial turf gets hot again and how long does it take for that to happen, Leinauer said. Reports have been published that artificial turf can reach temperatures as high as 180 degrees, making it a concern for athletes who face the possibilities of getting injuries while playing on the field. While artificial turf can withstand more traffic from play compared to real grass that faces wear and tear and needs recovery time, the question remains, does it need less water than real grass? At the end of the day what was still stunning to me was we irrigated for 20 minutes and in these 20 minutes we cooled the artificial turf down to more or less body temperature so that it would be comfortable for any athlete but within an hour after irrigation we were up at the high temperature again. So, if we irrigated at the beginning of a soccer game, the cooling wouldn t even last the entire soccer game and then we re hot again. And in these 20 minutes, we put out enough water that would last for a Bermudagrass field for an entire day. Not only would the artificial turf need to be irrigated multiple times a day to keep it cool, anything surrounding the turf would also be impacted by the heat. The surrounding buildings and grass are going to get affected because of the reflection of the heat. I had Bermudagrass next to the artificial turf and the Bermudagrass increased in heat causing it to be damaged by the heat. Kanaan said. When I would go to the field to get measurements I could not stay on the ground to do it. I burnt the back of my neck and my wrists, but I had no other choice I needed to sit down there and get the measurements. When the heat reflected on to you, you cannot breathe, Kanaan said. Sevostianov said there was no previous literature on this topic and said more research is needed to investigate in more detail. When we started looking for literature, we found many aspects of artificial turf discussed in literature, mostly economical ones. But nobody considered aspects of watering and nobody compared it to natural grass, Sevostianov said. So, it definitely opens a lot of possibilities, we are definitely thinking about going deeper and asking for external support. It was also a nice example of collaboration between two completely different disciplines in two colleges.

21

22 Callia Ward, New Mexico's top golfer among girls 10 to 11, will be on TV at The Masters She Represents the Next Wave of Talented Junior Girl Players Eleven-year-old Callia Ward of Albuquerque will be at Augusta National Golf Club on Masters Sunday with her golf bag slung over her shoulder one of 10 regional finalists vying to become the national Drive Chip & Putt champion among girls 10 to 11 years old. Callia beat out nine other girls at the regional at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa last fall by sticking five of her six chips from 30 yards to within a foot of a short-sided pin, her father Vince Ward said. At each level of competition, players post combined scores in driving distance and accuracy, closest chips and most holed putts. The Golf Channel will broadcast the Drive Chip & Putt finals starting at 7:45 a.m. on April 18 prior to the first tee times of the final round of The Masters. STRONG SHOWING BY N.M. JUNIORS AT SOUTHERN HILLS CALLIA WARD WASN'T THE ONLY NEW MEXICAN TO SHINE THIS YEAR. THE FINAL STANDINGS OF THE TULSA REGIONAL LAST SEPT. 17 BODE WELL FOR JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF IN NEW MEXICO. TWO OTHERS IN THE GROUP OF 10 FINALISTS IN CAL'S DIVISION ARE FROM THE ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA. RYLEE SALOME OF LOS LUNAS FINISHED SEVENTH AND LILLIAN MCDERMOTT OF ALBUQUERQUE FINISHED NINTH. ALSO AT THE TULSA REGIONAL, AVERY SKY OF RIO RANCHO FINISHED NINTH AMONG GIRLS 12 TO 13 YEARS OLD; JOSHUA GALLEGOS OF BELEN WAS SECOND ALTERNATE AMONG BOYS 14 TO 15 YEARS OLD; RILEY STEPHENS OF ALBUQUERQUE WAS FIRST ALTERNATE AMONG BOYS 12 TO 13 YEARS OLD; AND SANTIAGO LIBERTO OF LAS CRUCES FINISHED SEVENTH AMONG BOYS 7 TO 9 YEARS OLD.

23 Board Member Profile Roy Johnson San Juan Country Club Roy Johnson is currently the Golf Course Superintendent at San Juan Country Club in Farmington, New Mexico and is a 13 year member of the GCSAA. Roy was introduced to the game of golf at the age of 5 by his grandfather. As an eighth grader, Roy qualified for the high school varsity golf team later becoming a 5-year high school letterman in golf. Roy continued his pursuit in golf attending New Mexico Junior College and was a member of the golf team for 2 years; it was while attending NMJC when Roy met the love of his life Stephanie, eventually getting married in After attending NMJC, Roy transferred to New Mexico State University and enrolled in the Turfgrass Management program. While at NMSU, Roy completed two internships at Medinah Country Club in Illinois and Old Baldy Club in Wyoming, later graduating with a B.S. in Agriculture in Roy spent the majority of his time as an assistant superintendent at El Paso Country Club under the direction of veteran superintendent Phelps Davee, it was at EPCC where Roy would gain much of his knowledge and experience managing both turf and people. In December of 2015 Roy, along with his chocolate Labrador Remi, took over as superintendent and wildlife manager at San Juan Country Club who hosts the San Juan Open, one of the region s largest professional golf tournaments. In January of 2016, Roy and Stephanie welcomed their baby girl Morgan to the world who loves to come visit her daddy at the golf course to inspect course conditions and turn on sprinklers. Roy s hobbies include hunting, camping, golfing, smoking BBQ, exploring microbreweries and being around his family.

24

25 ASSISTANTS: Elevate your profile and differentiate yourself from the crowd with the new Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series (ASCS). The Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series is composed of certificates covering key competency areas of: Agronomy Business Leadership and Communication Environmental Management/BMP s The certificates are golf-centric, available to GCSAA members and non-members, and can be completed in any order. It is strongly recommended that an assistant superintendent has at least two years of work experience before beginning any of the ASCS certificates. However, the certificates are available to all and not limited to assistants. GOLF ENVIRO SYSTEMS, INC. Your source for experience-based solutions We can provide: Plant Nutrients (Liquid & Granular) Plant Protectants (Syngenta & Generics) Soil/Water Testing & Consultation Soil Amendments Barenbrug Seed Wetting Agents Golf Course Accessories Cover Tech Turf Covers Ice Melt Sports Turf Pro s Choice Infield Conditioners Field Marking Paint & Chalk Gary Schinderle Robert Gonzales Where Trust is Everything 26 YEARS AND STILL GROWING STRONG!

26 NMSU honors departments, faculty at 2018 spring convocation Jane Moorman New Mexico State University faculty and staff were welcomed back to campus on Tuesday, Jan. 16, during the spring 2018 convocation ceremony at NMSU s Atkins Recital Hall. Every fall and spring, convocation is held to honor excellence on campus. This has been a good year for NMSU on a number of fronts the size of our first-year class experienced the largest increase since 2000; our four-, five-, and six-year graduation rates are increasing; and we successfully implemented a first-year residency requirement, said Provost Dan Howard. The foundation for all this good news is our faculty and staff, and spring convocation provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their fine work and accomplishments. Three faculty members received Regents Professorships during the convocation. The recipients are Eve Adams, College of Education Counseling and Educational Psychology Department; Kathryn Hanley, College of Arts and Sciences Biology Department; and Bernd Leinauer, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Extension Plant Sciences Department. The Regents Professorship, established in 2001 by the NMSU Board of Regents, recognizes faculty who have made outstanding contributions to the university s mission and honors contributions in areas of education and research. A panel of Regents Professors evaluates facultysubmitted nominations from throughout the university, and the committee meets to determine the awards. The recognition is accompanied by a $12,500 annual stipend. Congratulations Dr. Leinauer We appreciate everything you do for the turfgrass industry in New Mexico and the RGGCSA! Matteo Many congratulations for receiving the Regents Professorship award, the highest award from #NMSU, and the first ever #Extension professor to be awarded. Natalie Dr. Leinauer receives the Regents Professorship, the highest honor the university bestows on faculty, at spring Convocation! Congratulations Dr. Leinauer - very well deserved!