In the Spotlight
Tell us about your background. Where you were born, raised, etc.?
I was born and raised in the small town of Hanover, Kansas. I went to school at Cloud County Community College, earning an Associates Degree in Business. I was fortunate enough to find a wonderful job as an administrative officer with the Extension Horticulture Department at Kansas State University (KSU) in 1980, and have been there ever since. I am married to Cliff Dipman, golf course superintendent at Manhattan Country Club. I have a daughter, Cortney, who is 16 and a stepdaughter, Kelsey, living in Chicago. I enjoy spending my free time gardening, walking and spending time with my family.
How did you get started with the Kansas GCSA (KGCSA)?
I got started with the KGCSA through my job in the Horticulture Department at KSU. I am involved with the Kansas Turfgrass Foundation, organizing their field days and annual conference. It was at these events that I became acquainted with many of the golf course superintendents around Kansas and the KGCSA. At first, I started helping them out with several of their monthly mailings. In 1998, I was asked if I wanted to join their team. The following year, the KGCSA celebrated its 50th anniversary as an organization and I was involved in helping set up that celebration in which many members, present and retired, attended. I learned a lot about the organization, the dedication and commitment this group of people have to each other and the chapter.
What strengths do you bring to the position?
I feel one of my strengths is working with people. I truly enjoy working with all the people involved in the KGCSA. It is a tight, close-knit group, who are willing to help each other out in a moment’s notice.
I also feel that I have strong organizational skills in setting up the annual research tournament and monthly meetings, as well as compiling the database for the membership directory and soliciting advertisers for the newsletter.
The one thing I was not sure I would like doing was calling up vendors in our association and asking them for monetary donations and support for the various fund-raising activities we do. I know their resources get tapped by many of the different organizations. Even though it seems like I call on the same vendors when these events occur, they always happily support us in our efforts to raise money. Their commitment made me realize it is both the golf course superintendents and the loyal vendors working together as a team that make this such a great organization.
What has been a success for the Kansas GCSA this year?
The KGCSA recruited member volunteers and vendors for a work day at Cannonball Golf Course in Greensburg, KS. Greensburg is a small town in Kansas that was literally destroyed by a tornado earlier in the summer and the golf course was in much need of assistance. Although many of the members had never heard of Cannonball Golf Course, nor knew the superintendent, the response from our members and vendors to spend a day at Cannonball Golf Course doing the fall maintenance such as aerifying, topdressing, overseeding, fertilizing, mowing and donating products, equipment, etc., was overwhelming. A tremendous amount of work was accomplished in a short amount of time.
What’s your favorite Kansas GCSA program or service?
I think the monthly meetings are great opportunities for superintendents to get away for a day to learn, network, meet new people, and enjoy the fellowship of their peers. These meetings usually consist of an educational presentation and lunch, followed by golf. Our organization tries to hold the cost of these meetings down so that it is affordable to the members. It is at these meetings that I witness the camaraderie between the members and realize it really is a unique group!
The annual KGCSA Research tournament is always a highlight of the year and a great success, raising more than $15,000 each year for turfgrass research in Kansas.
Share your stories by emailing them to Leann Cooper.
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