New York Times touts superintendents as water experts
Water issues facing the golf course management industry have made it to the cover of the New York Times. The front page of the Aug. 6 issue of the Times featured the article, “On the Fairway, New Lessons in Saving Water,” which focused on the water conservation efforts of golf course superintendents in recently drought-stricken Georgia.
Times Reporter Leslie Kaufman called the golf course superintendents “go-to gurus on water conservation for both industries and nonprofit groups.” She also noted how the plans implemented by Georgia superintendents are now being used by Marriot International and Habitat for Humanity for their own operations.
Mark Esoda GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Atlanta Country Club is prominently featured in the article. As is Anthony Williams, GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Stone Mountain (Ga.) Golf Club by Marriott, who was announced earlier this week as the winner of the 2010 GCSAA President's Award for Environmental Stewardship. See the following story for more information on Williams. This is the second Times article in the last four months to feature GCSAA and its members in reference to water issues.
Williams earns national environmental award
Anthony L. Williams, GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Stone Mountain (Ga.) Golf Club by Marriott, has been selected by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Board of Directors to receive the 2010 GCSAA President's Award for Environmental Stewardship.
The award will be presented during the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference at Celebrate GCSAA! Hosted by Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, Tuesday, Feb. 9 (formerly the Opening Session and Welcoming Reception). The conference (Feb. 8-12) will be held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show (Feb. 10-11) at the San Diego Convention Center.
"This is a well deserved honor for Anthony, who is an innovative and tireless environmental steward," said Kuhns, GCSAA president. "He not only goes to great lengths to identify and implement new ways to improve his facility's environmental stewardship efforts, but he continues to share his findings and best management practices with his peers, as well as mentoring so many others."
The GCSAA President's Award for Environmental Stewardship was established in 1991 to recognize "an exceptional environmental contribution to the game of golf: a contribution that further exemplifies the golf course superintendent's image as a steward of the land."
Williams worked with the University of Georgia to develop a detailed water-quality testing program. He played an integral role in the Georgia GCSA's work with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division on a ground-breaking water conservation initiative, creating the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Water Conservation Program.
Williams has helped mentor many colleagues about water conservation and has been instrumental in securing the commitment of 97 percent of chapter members participating in the Georgia BMPs for Water Conservation Program. He also continues to assist other superintendents and chapters across the country in creating their own BMPs water conservation programs.
A Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, Marriott's Stone Mountain Golf Club is a 36-hole public facility located 16 miles from Atlanta. Williams developed a maintenance plan that resulted in Marriott's hotel property at Stone Mountain, the Evergreen Conference Resort, being recognized as the first hotel to become a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Williams hosts Green Links, a feature on The Environmental Institute for Golf's Web site, www.eifg.org, that highlights a different case study in EDGE each month. He has authored two case studies for EDGE, the first focuses on water conservation and management at Stone Mountain and the second is a collection of effective integrated pest management initiatives.
Williams is a three-time GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Award winner, capturing the overall award at Marriott's Stone Mountain in 2006. He is a two-time Marriott Golf Grounds Professional of the Year winner and was honored with the 2008 J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence for his record of success in directing golf grounds operations at two distinguished Marriott Golf-managed properties, the Renaissance Pine Isle Resort and Stone Mountain. Williams is listed among Golf Inc. magazine's annual 20 most admired operators list in 2009.
Williams is a four-time Marriott Golf Crystal Achievement Award for Public Relations Excellence winner. He also received the 2008 J. Lamar Branch Alumni Award for outstanding agricultural leadership from his alma mater, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. Williams serves as vice president for the Georgia GCSA and will take over as president in October. He is also the director of the Georgia Turfgrass Association.
A 13-year GCSAA member, Williams holds an associate's degree in horticulture from ABAC. He is one of only approximately 1,800 individuals in the world who currently hold the GCSAA certified golf course superintendent designation. Williams also is a certified grounds manager, certified turfgrass professional, certified ornamental landscape professional, certified arborist, certified pool and spa operator and a certified Georgia master gardener. A master fifth dan black belt in Tenshi GoJu Karate, Williams is a member of the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
USCIS accepting new H-2B petitions for fiscal year 2009
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced Aug. 6 it is reopening the FY2009 (Oct. 1, 2008-Sept. 30, 2009) H-2B petition filing period and will immediately accept petitions from employers to bring foreign workers to the U.S. to fill temporary nonagricultural jobs for which there is a shortage of available U.S. workers.
Even though the visa cap for the second half of FY2009 was met back on Jan. 7, 2009, the Department of State received fewer than expected requests for H-2B visas, and as a result, has issued only 40,640 H-2B visas for FY2009 to date. USCIS is now making 25,000 visas available.
The normal (non-premium processing) time frame for H-2B petitions is 60 days. USCIS will make visa numbers available to petitions in the order in which the petitions are filed. However, because H-2B petitions (Form I-129) for FY2009 visas must be received, evaluated, and adjudicated on or before the FY2009 deadline of Sept. 30, 2009, USCIS cannot guarantee approval of any H-2B petition on or before the Sept. 30, 2009 deadline. Employers are encouraged to file as soon as possible and to request premium processing by filing a Form I-907 and submitting the $1000 premium processing fee, which will allow for expedited processing.
To qualify for a FY2009 H-2B cap number, employers must: submit the Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker to USCIS with all required documents, including an approved Alien Employment Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor that is valid for the entire employment period stated on the petition. The petitioner must also indicate an employment start date before Oct. 1, 2009.
Petitions received on or after Oct. 1, 2009, and/or requesting a starting date on or after Oct. 1, 2009, will be considered towards the FY2010 H-2B cap and are subject to all eligibility requirements for FY2010 H-2B filings.
Visit the USCIS Web site for more information and a Q&A document. You may also contact Chava McKeel, GCSAA senior manager of information and public policy, at 800-472-7878 or cmmckeel@gcsaa.org for more information.
Nicol has Hazeltine ready for PGA Championship
James Nicol, GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., has polished the historic gem for another major, as the PGA Championship returns Aug. 13-16.
Nicol worked with famed golf course architect Rees Jones to add or move tees on nine holes, bringing the length of the par 72 course to 7,685 yards, the longest ever for a major. Holes 12, 13 and 15 are the longest par 4, par 3 and par 5, respectively, in the championship's history.
"A reason for the added length is to bring the bunkers into the drive zone," said Nicol, a 30-year member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). "Length alone is not a big deal to these guys, it's the green surrounds that are the course's biggest defense."
Nicol and Jones relocated a bunker on the left side of No. 2 that will make flying it more difficult and forcing golfers to the right, where there are two more bunkers. No. 5, a par 4 dogleg right, has been extended nearly 50 yards to 455 so that the landing area is now where the bunkers are, and the bunkers on the right have been redone and brought closer to the fairway. A new cross bunker short of the green enhances the risk-versus-reward aspect of No. 14, a short 352-yard par 4 that the PGA of America will look to push the tee forward at least one day so the players can go for the green. A new tee box on No. 15 extends the long par 5 to 642 yards, bringing bunkers back into play on both the first and second shots. A new tee has also been built on the par 5 No. 7 at a slightly different angle, adding 27 yards. Bunkers were also moved closer to the fairway, pinching the landing areas on holes No. 1, 10 and 18.
A dry spring and summer have led to the current drought conditions in the area and therefore the Kentucky bluegrass/perennial ryegrass/fine fescue rough will not be as thick, or even as tall as it was for the 2002 PGA Championship. The first cut surrounding the fairways is 3 1/2 inches high and it is 4 inches tall beyond that. Nicol has the bentgrass/Poa annua greens at championship speeds.
Nicol uses a high-tech irrigation system with moisture sensors to conserve water and present a fast, firm golf course. He also subscribes to a stringent integrated pest management program, using low rates of chemical inputs only as needed. Approximately half of the 60 acres of rough at Hazeltine are unmanaged out-of-play natural areas, providing habitat for wildlife while preserving resources and maintenance costs. Nicol's staff also maintains several bluebird boxes throughout the property.
Former USGA President Totton Heffelfinger started Hazeltine National Golf Club, originally named Executive Golf Club of Minnesota, in 1961, next to Hazeltine Lake, southwest of Minneapolis in Chaska, Minn. He charged Robert Trent Jones to design a golf course suitable for national championships. Jones' son, Rees, has led renovations at Hazeltine, in 1990, again in 2008, and he will work with Nicol on a greens renovation in 2010.
Hazeltine has played host to the 1970 and 1991 U.S. Open, 1966 and 1977 U.S. Women's Open, 1983 U.S. Senior Open, 1994 U.S. Mid-Amateur, 1999 NCAA Men's Division I Championship, 2001 U.S. Men's State Team Championship, 2002 PGA Championship and the 2006 U.S. Amateur. The PGA of America will return to Hazeltine for the 2016 Ryder Cup.
A St. Cloud, Minn., native, Nicol is in his 13th year at Hazeltine. Prior to arriving at Hazeltine in 1996, Nicol worked 19 years at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids, Minn., where he hosted four Senior Tour events. Before that, Nicol spent five years at Lake Geneva (Wis.) Playboy Club, first as an intern, then foreman of the Briar Patch Course, and then as assistant superintendent. He holds a turfgrass management certificate from Penn State University and is one of only approximately 1,800 active golf course superintendents worldwide to hold GCSAA certification, which recognizes the achievement of high standards of professionalism through education, testing and experience.
For more about Nicol's preparations, read GCM Senior Associate Editor Seth Jones' cover story in the August issue of GCSAA's official magazine.
GCM at the PGA Championship. Once again, GCM will be providing live, behind-the-scenes coverage of golf course maintenance activities at next week’s PGA Championship. Presented in partnership with Eagle One Golf Products, GCM’s blog, From the Desk of GCM, at http://gcm.typepad.com will feature regular updates direct from the maintenance facility at Hazeltine National, along with all the news and information from the media center, including updates on player reaction to playing conditions and how superintendent Jim Nicol, CGCS and the profession of golf course management is being featured in the local and national media. Reports from Chaska, Minn., begin Monday morning, Aug. 10.
Turfing the ’Net
A new Web site is up and running to help superintendents manage turf disease.
John Kaminski, an assistant professor of turfgrass science at Pennsylvania State University, has gathered together five young turfgrass plant pathologists from universities in five different areas of the country to post a blog every day of the week about an issue affecting a different region of the country.
Kaminski covers the northeastern region, while Megan Kennelly, an assistant professor of plant pathology at Kansas State University, reports on the south-central region. Lane Tredway, an associate professor and Extension specialist in the department of plant pathology at North Carolina State University, takes care of the Southeast, and Jim Kerns, an assistant professor of turfgrass pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is responsible for the Midwest. The West is covered by Frank Wong, an associate professor of turfgrass pathology at the University of California at Riverside.
As disease pressure increases, the turfgrass disease blog (http://turfdiseases.blogspot.com) will highlight diseases that are being seen in each region and provide tips about control and management. Twitter users (http://twitter.com/turfdiseases) can follow the blog and receive updates about new posts. Over time, Kaminski hopes to improve the blog by providing disease photos from the field and occasionally bringing in guest bloggers.
