Efforts to slow down methyl bromide cancellation successful
At a meeting Oct. 29, senior officials of the U.S. EPA assured GCSAA and manufacturers of methyl bromide (MeBr) that the agency would not cancel golf course MeBr use immediately and will work with the product registrants over the next several weeks to determine a phase-out schedule.
Manufacturers had asked for MeBr to be available until the end of 2014 to allow for suitable alternatives to be developed, but the EPA denied that request. It is hoped the agency will now agree to at least a 3-4 year phase-out schedule. But even in a worst-case scenario, it is likely the phase out would be no sooner than the end of 2011. It is also likely that under any phase-out plan, end users would be able to use any packaged material until the supply is exhausted.
GCSAA members wrote letters and made calls to Congress urging their representatives to press the EPA to agree to a reasonable timetable for an orderly methyl bromide cancellation process. Thanks to these grassroots efforts by members, golf facilities will continue to have access to this important soil fumigant tool for the next couple of years.
Bayer grant sends five winners to GIS
For the seventh straight year, GCSAA, The Environmental Institute for Golf, and Bayer Environmental Science are sending five golf course superintendents to the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference (Feb. 8-12) and Golf Industry Show (Feb. 10-11) in San Diego.
The winners of a random drawing held by The Institute are:
Arin Hawkins, GCSAA Class A superintendent, Raymond Memorial Golf Course, Columbus, Ohio
Stephen Hendley, GCSAA Class A superintendent, Lake Carlsbad (N.M.) Golf Course
Christopher Young, GCSAA superintendent member, Port Jervis (N.Y.) Country Club
Michael Painter, GCSAA Class A superintendent, Meadowbrook Golf Course, Lubbock, Texas
Donald Firestone, GCSAA superintendent member, Capitol City Golf Club, Olympia, Wash.
The purpose of the grant is to assist golf course superintendents with their professional development through participation in the annual event, which features the most comprehensive education program and trade show in the industry.
"We are very fortunate to have Bayer Environmental Science offering opportunities like this to superintendents," GCSAA President Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, said. "These recipients are being afforded an experience and professional development opportunity that otherwise would not have been available to them."
All five winners receive airfare, hotel accommodations for five nights, conference full-pack registration, two education seminars (half-day, one-day, or two-day), and $200 spending money.
“Bayer Environmental Science recognizes the importance of professional development to stay current in the field,” Jimmy Johnson, Bayer Environmental Science fungicide business manager, said. “We are pleased to continue our relationship with The Environmental Institute for Golf by helping these five golf course superintendents further their professional development at the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show.”
Bayer is a GCSAA Gold Partner and is one of just three supporters at the Star Club level for donors who have contributed between $500,000 and $999,999 to The Institute since 1987.
California golf associations, water district team up for Golf and Water Symposium
Recognizing that all stakeholders need to be involved to effectively manage the Coachella Valley's domestic and irrigation water supplies, the Coachella Valley Water District has again joined with the California State Club Association and the California Alliance for Golf for the second annual Golf and Water Symposium, Nov. 12 at the University of California, Riverside's Palm Desert Graduate Center.
The event will bring together leaders from the golf and water industries to address state and local water issues. Keynote speakers are state Sen. John Benoit, who serves on the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, and Tim Quinn, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies. The event is designed to be a valuable source of information not only to club managers and superintendents, but also to developers, golf course designers, landscape architects water agencies and others interested in the future of water and golf in Southern California.
GCSAA Past President Bruce Williams, CGCS, golf industry consultant and a CAG board member, will provide insight on how the golf industry and water districts can work together successfully. In addition, members of the Hi-Lo Desert GCSA Board of Directors, along with community leaders and representatives from the golf industry, will discuss topics such as new water-conserving technology, how to redesign a golf course to use less water, how the economy has had an impact on the golf industry and the importance of cooperative partnerships between the water and golf industries.
Learn more and register online at the California State Club Association.
Diegnau named winner of Minnesota GCSA Environmental Award
Paul Diegnau, CGCS, has been named winner of the 2009 Minnesota GCSA Environmental Award. Diegnau has been the superintendent at Keller Golf Course in Maplewood, Minn., for the past 13 years, and is a 23-year member of GCSAA. Diegnau also serves as the vice president of the MGCSA. Diegnau will be presented the award on Dec. 9 at the MGCSA Appreciation and Recognition banquet at Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins, Minn.
This is the second year the Minnesota GCSA has presented an Environmental Award. Mike Brower, a 22-year Class A GCSAA member and the superintendent at Minnesota Valley Country Club in Bloomington, Minn., won the inaugural award last year. “We, as superintendents, take pride in what we do to help the environment,” Scott Turtinen, executive director of the MGCSA, says. “The Environmental Award is a way for the MGCSA to showcase one of our peers.”
GCSAA to provide limited services the week of Thanksgiving, last week of December
GCSAA has instituted a staff furlough for Nov. 23-25 and will observe the Thanksgiving holiday Nov. 26-27. In addition, GCSAA will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1 for the Christmas holiday, for an additional staff furlough Dec. 28-31, and for the New Year's Day holiday Jan. 1.
The association headquarters will provide minimal services through its call center on the days of the furlough.
