News

Committee spreads golf's message in Washington

While in Washington, D.C., last week for the second annual National Golf Day, members of GCSAA’s Government Relations Committee also held their annual meeting, which included discussions on the association’s 2010 Priority Issues Agenda, the H-2B Visa “returning workers” legislation and steps the industry can take to communicate golf’s benefits in the media and with Congress.

A key item on the committee’s agenda was to begin crafting GCSAA’s 2010 Priority Issues Agenda, which outlines the association’s legislative and regulatory priorities, along with the associated position statements. Members also held a strategic discussion on steps that the golf industry as a whole can take now and in the future to address recent anti-golf sentiments in the media and with Congress. The group shared ideas on how to engage golf allies and other potential stakeholders to advance "golf is valuable" messages throughout the year. 

The GCSAA Government Relations Committee is chaired by President Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS.

At National Golf Day activities, the committee joined members of the board of directors, association staff and representatives from 10 allied golf organizations to bring a united message of the industry’s significant economic and social contributions to members of Congress and their staffs. The committee also pushed for passage of the H-2B Visa “returning workers” legislation.

Joining GCSAA were representatives from the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Builders Association of America, LPGA, National Club Association, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA of America, PGA Tour, USGA and World Golf Foundation.

“I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the second National Golf Day," said Kuhns. "This important event allows our federally elected officials the opportunity to understand the golf industry’s concerns. It was truly an honor to work with GCSAA’s Government Relations Committee and the leaders of golf’s allied organizations to speak up as a unified voice to ensure lawmakers have an accurate perception of the golf course management profession.”

GCM honored by TOCA

GCSAA’s Golf Course Management magazine picked up 11 awards from the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) at a ceremony held in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, last week.

The awards ceremony, which capped off TOCA's 20th anniversary annual meeting, was held about an hour east of San Juan. GCM garnered five first-place commercial publication writing awards and six merit awards.

Senior Staff Writer Terry Ostmeyer won first in the Turf Feature Article category for his article "H2No" from the April 2008 issue, and Senior Manager of Creative Services Kelly Neis took first in the Headline Writing category for "H2No."

GCM contributor Bill Steele won the Environmental Stewardship Article category for "Calculating the value of green" from the February 2008 issue; contributor Trent Bouts took first in the General Features category for his "Lone Rangers" piece from December 2008; and longtime GCM contributor Peter Blais captured a first in the Product Information category with "Up, up and away" from the February 2008 issue.

Other writing awards included a Operations Profile merit award for GCM's Associate Editor Darcy DeVictor for "In the brick of it" from the magazine's May 2008 issue; a General Feature Article merit for GCM Senior Associate Editor Seth Jones' article "GCSAA's Ladies Man" from the July 2008 issue; and two merit awards, one for Ornamental Feature Article and another for Headline Writing for John Fech, Ph.D., for his March 2008 article "Too mulch of a good thing?"

Jones picked up another merit award in another category -- this time photography -- for "Honor the land" from the August 2008 issue; and a merit went to GCM Senior Manager of Design/Creative Services Roger Billings in the Portrait/Personality category for his photo of GCSAA Chapter Liaisons Jim Cummins and Steve Randall in the May 2008 article, "Reaching out."

In addition, longtime GCM research section contributors Wendy Gelernter, PH.D., and Larry Stowell. Ph.D., were honored as TOCA's 2009 Environmental Communicators of the Year. 

Also at the Puerto Rico meeting, GCM Editor-in-Chief Ed Hiscock stepped down from a two-year term as TOCA president. He will continue on the TOCA board of directors another two years as immediate past president.

Woodward participates in LPGA advisory council

GCSAA CEO Mark Woodward was one of 25 members from the world of golf and beyond to take part in meetings of the LPGA’s Commissioner’s Advisory Council in Watkins Glen, N.Y., earlier this week.

The council is charged with providing guidance to LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens in a wide variety of LPGA Tour business, and is made up of notables from the game of golf (Annika Sorenstam, Nancy Lopez and Alice Dye), as well as the government (Tom Ridge, the former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security) and business sectors.

“As a member of the LPGA Commissioner’s Advisory Council, I have the opportunity to stay very well connected with one of our valued golf industry allied partners,” Woodward says. “In these times, it is imperative that we continue to enhance our collaborative efforts with all of our partners to ensure the long-term viability of the golf industry.”

GCSAA and the LPGA Tour are in the second year of a collaboration that resulted in the creation of a tour agronomist position, held by John Miller, CGCS. This week’s meetings were held in conjunction with the LPGA Tour’s Corning Classic.
 

Fresno State considers water resource management degree

Students seeking a degree in water resource management may soon look to a graduate program at California State University, Fresno.

The university’s College of Science and Mathematics and the Center for Irrigation Technology are teaming up to explore the feasibility of a professional master’s degree in water resource management.

“As we have been working in the water and irrigation arenas we have been asked by many companies, organizations and agencies about higher-education program availability for water and irrigation professionals,” said David Zoldoske, director of the CIT. “We have found that many times, people working in these professions have come to the industry from various backgrounds and are looking for avenues to develop their knowledge and expertise.”

Fraka Harmsen, associate dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, added that they’re creating a program that combines advanced training in geographical information systems with science and business-based applications to regional water resource management. A survey to help the groups fine-tune the specifics of the degree program was sent to irrigation and water-related companies; local, state and federal agencies; and other natural resource groups. Anyone interested in participating may take the survey at www.californiawater.org.

Nebraska GCSA hires management firm

Josh Mahar, GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Wild Horse Golf Club and president of the Nebraska GCSA, has recently announced that Kissel/E&S Associates of Lincoln, has been selected the new management firm to administer the affairs of the Nebraska GCSA.

 “We are extremely pleased to welcome Kissel/E&S Associates on board.  They will be leading the Nebraska Golf Course Superintendents into an exciting new era…..an era of progressive outreach to our members and the golfing public,” Mahar said.