Sessions
Monday, Feb. 8
Environmental Session: Exploring Golf’s Carbon Footprint
3:30 – 5 pm
Energy use at golf facilities and the basic elements of an overall carbon footprint will be discussed. GCSAA will provide a preview of the energy use data collected from the Golf Course Environmental Profile. Industry experts will discuss carbon trapping/sequestration on the golf course, energy use associated with maintenance practices and related equipment technology.
Moderator: Greg Lyman, Director, Environmental Programs, GCSAA
- Energy Use On Golf Courses — Clark Throssell, Ph.D., Director, Research, GCSAA
- Carbon Trapping On Golf Courses — Yaling Qian, Ph.D., Colorado State University
- Estimating The Carbon Costs of Golf Turf Maintenance — Frank Rossi, Ph.D., Cornell University
- Driving Toward Energy Efficiency — Dana Lonn, P.E., Managing Director, Center for Advanced Turf Technology, The Toro Company
Tuesday, Feb. 9
Innovative Superintendent Session I
7 – 9:20 am
This early morning session promises to deliver practical ideas on management practices, personal and facility marketing strategies, maintenance department streamlining, as well as the do’s and don’ts of disaster recovery. From the platinum rule of management to the role networking plays in disaster recovery, you’re sure to learn something new.
Chairperson: Drew Thompson
- 35 Years of Experience in Management 101 – Dennis Lyon, CGCS, Aurora Golf
- Don’t Be A Sad Dog! Successful Marketing Strategies for Today’s Superintendent – Christopher S. Gray, Sr., General Manager/Director of Golf Course Operations, The Marvel Golf Club
- Visual Improvement Program – A Look at Quality Control for Golf Course Maintenance – John Ekstrom, Golf Course Superintendent, Hindsdale Golf Club
- 2008 Disasters in Iowa – Mike Evertsen, Traer Country Club; Tom Feller, CGCS, Cedar Rapids Country Club; and Jeff Schmidt, CGCS, Donald K. Gardner Memorial Golf Course
You Asked For It . . . You Got It!
9:30 – 11:30 am
Once again, you helped build this session by sharing the challenges you face, then voting on the topics.
Chairperson: Anthony Brown, CGCS, OneSource Landscape & Golf Services Inc.
- Transitioning From Traditional Practices to Sustainable Standards and Practices – Bob Farren, CGCS, Pinehurst Resort and Country Club
- Your 25 Minute Appointment with the Green Speed Doctor – Thom Nikolai, Ph.D., Michigan State University
- Making Ends Meet: Balancing Maintenance and Golf in a Tight Economy – Paul Davids, CGCS, Sycamore Ridge Golf Course; and Bill Irving, Golf Course Superintendent, Lawrence Country Club
Trends in Contemporary Golf Course Architecture
1 – 3 pm
How can course design address the trend of golfers having less time and money to spend on the game? How do the technological changes in balls and clubs affect course design? What are some of the design trends being developed in the international golf market? These questions and more will be addressed by the current president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Doug Carrick, ASGCA, and a panel of leading ASGCA architects. Carrick will also invite attendees to direct questions to the panel.
Agronomic Solutions: The Latest and Greatest in Turf Management
1 – 3:30 pm
Packed with the latest information on leading topics in today’s world of turf management, this session is one you don’t want to miss. Findings from four research projects funded through The Environmental Institute for Golf, as well as an update on the Bethpage Project, will arm you with new tips and techniques to apply at your facility.
Chairperson: John Kaminski, Ph.D.
- A Critical Review of Water Quality Impacts by Golf Courses: Updates and Trends – Stuart Cohen, Ph.D., Environmental & Turf Services
- The Bethpage Project: The Art and Science of Pesticide Reduction for Golf Turf Management – Frank S. Rossi, Ph.D., Cornell University
- Management and Biology of Brown Ring Patch on Annual Bluegrass Greens – Chi-Min Chen, University of California-Riverside
- New Technology to Manage Organic Matter in Bermudagrass Greens – Kurt Steinke, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
- Management Practices Effects on Anthracnose Severity of Annual Bluegrass Greens – James A. Murphy, Ph.D., Rutgers University
Assistant Superintendent Session and Reception: A GPS for Leadership
1:30 – 3:30 pm
Presented in partnership with Syngenta
Strong leadership skills are essential for career success in any field, but are even more important for assistant superintendents – especially now. Are you headed in the right direction? Anthony Williams, CGCS, will share insights from his experience that will benefit you and your facility, both now and in the future. You’ll hear tips on building better working relationships with your direct reports, as well as with your supervisor or owner. Learn to blend tradition with innovation to set you apart from others. It’s never too early to get ideas on creating a successful culture as part of your facility’s management team, so make plans to attend today.
Speaker: Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, Stone Mountain Golf Course
In the Moment . . .The State of Public Golf
3:30 – 5 pm
Join us for an engaging session that features three very timely topics for those in the public/municipal arena. In addition to gathering tips and techniques on these topics, you’ll also be able to discuss your challenges with others involved in the same environment, as well as ask questions of the panelists. You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity.
Chairperson: Gary Carls, CGCS
- Working with the Union – James N. Ward, CGCS, City of Los Angeles Department of Recreational Parks
- Equipment Maintenance Strategies for Declining Budgets – Michael J. Kriz, Turf Equipment Manager, Arrowhead Country Club; Secretary/Treasurer, International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association
- How to Market Yourself and the Golf Facility – John R. Johnson, President, J2 Golf Marketing LLC
The Changing Face of Golf Forum
3:30 – 5 pm
Moderator: Sanford G. Queen, CGCS, Overland Park Golf Club
GCSAA has been working on strategies to promote inclusion in the golf course management profession. Henry Sandles, Director of the Mountain Region Affairs for The First Tee, and Howard Wright, Chairman of the Board of Pro Kids Golf Academy & Learning Center in San Diego, CA will offer ideas on ways superintendents can work with communities to bring non-traditional audiences to the golf course.
Their presentations will encompass new ideas for player development in non-traditional areas for golf with case studies and ideas. What types of communication styles will prove most beneficial? How can we as an association encourage non-traditional golfers to the profession?
Wednesday, Feb. 10
Golf Industry Show General Session – Personalties in the Workplace
Featuring Dr. Brian Little
8 – 9 am
Thursday, Feb. 11
Golf Industry Show General Session – Start Where You Are
Featuring Christopher Gardner
8 – 9 am
Friday, Feb. 12
Innovative Superintendent Session II
7 – 9 am
Is your budget still a little tight? Are you still trying to do more with less? If so, take advantage of this great opportunity to learn what some of your fellow superintendents are doing to get the job done during these challenging times. They’ll share their innovative approaches to tracking labor costs more effectively, completing course maintenance projects for less, saving on water costs, and using in-house labor and materials to modify or build maintenance equipment. Don’t miss these valuable tips and techniques that you can apply at your own facility.
Chairperson: Dale Kuehner, CGCS
- Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan, BUT Know What It Costs – Darrin Batisky, Golf Course Superintendent, Chartiers Country Club
- A Shoreline Restoration – Charles Anfield, CGCS, Heritage Bluffs Golf Club
- Every Last Drop – Justin Ruiz, CGCS, The Rim Golf Club
- DIY Bunker Stabilization with Soil Cement – Alan Hess, CGCS, Augusta Pines Golf Club
- Travels with Terry – Maintenance Equipment Ideas – Terry Buchen, CGCS, MG, Golf Agronomy International LLC
USGA Green Section Education Program: Money Talks – But Who Is Listening?
9:30 – 11:30 am
Firm and Fast – At Last!
Brian Whitlark and Derf Soller
Firm and fast conditions on the golf course lead to faster rounds, reduced costs and better golf.
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
Southeast and Florida regions
How an energy audit can boost your bottom line.
Getting the Word Out – It Is Easier Than You Think
Larry Gilhuly and Bud White
In today’s climate, golfer education is more important than ever before. Numerous examples of enlightening, informing and guiding your players will be presented.
Presentation of the USGA Green Section Award
The Hidden Costs of Trees
Dave Oatis
Planting a tree seems innocent enough, but it starts a chain of expenses that may accrue for years. Let’s talk about how much trees really cost.
Does the Grass Know the Cost?
Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and North-Central regions
Don’t get your green thumb by handing over cash.
Your Piece of the Revenue Pie
Keith Happ and Bob Vavrek
The golf course is a revenue center, but just how much of the revenue from dues and green fees are actually earmarked for golf course maintenance operations?
Perils and Pluses of In-House Renovation
Jim Moore
In-house renovation projects can be real cost-savers – if they are approached and implemented correctly.
A Labor of Love or a Love of Labor
Southwest and Mid-Continent regions
Executing a detailed labor analysis to track maintenance expenses and define realistic expectations.
Money Matters: Share the Wealth . . . of Budget-Stretching Ideas!
12:30 – 2 pm
Moderator: Dennis Lyon, CGCS, Aurora Golf
The economic changes of the last year have challenged everyone. A diverse panel of your peers will discuss ways to generate additional revenues or minimize expenses while maintaining playable conditions. Bring your questions and be prepared to find ideas you can take home and implement at your facility.
Panelists:
- Chris Carson, Echo Lake Country Club
- Matthew Ceplo, CGCS, Rockland Country Club
- Frank Dobie, The Sharon Golf Club
Irrigation Association Session: Breaking the Code on Decoder or Two-Wire Irrigation Systems
1 – 3 pm
This session, presented by the Irrigation Association, will take the mystery out of a two-wire irrigation system. Learn from a panel of experts and hear what fellow golf course superintendents have to say about their experiences with two-wire systems.
Moderator: Bob Dobson, Middletown Sprinkler Company
Getting the Most Out of Your Greens Mowers
1 – 3 pm
In this tough economy, there are times that we need to re-life a piece of mowing equipment vs. buying new. This session, presented by the Turf Equipment Technicians Association, will address when it is appropriate to re-life a piece of mowing equipment, what items would be replaced, and what would be saved. Critical components of maintaining quality of cut during your re-life, as well as annual maintenance of those critical areas that you probably never thought of, will also be discussed.
International Society of Arboriculture Session: Trimming Your Tree Maintenance Budget by Using BMPs for Tree Pruning
1 – 3 pm
Andy R. Trotter, Vice President and Field Operations Manager for West Coast Arborists, Inc., presents how a “less is more” approach can get the results you desire without blowing your budget. Using the International Society of Arboriculture Pruning BMP booklet as a tool, Trotter will explain how to develop specification to meet your course’s maintenance objectives cost effectively.