GCSAA participated in the NGCOA’s annual Multi-Course and Resort Operators Retreat (MCOR) July 23-24 in Monterey, Calif. The annual gathering brings together the highest-ranking professionals at resorts and multi-course companies in the golf course business. This event allows the top agronomic officers of multi-course operations to advance their objectives, share ideas and solve problems together.

Those in attendance from GCSAA included CEO Rhett Evans; GCSAA President Rafael Barajas, CGCS; GCSAA Vice President John R. Fulling Jr., CGCS;  and Director of Government Affairs Chava McKeel.

MCO members are GCSAA members, and it’s important to work together to protect to defend the golf course management industry. Consequently, GCSAA participated in the Top Agronomic Officers Meeting at MCOR and was provided updates on advocacy initiatives, the BMP 50 by 2020 initiative, the equipment manager program, the new GCSAA Friends membership and First Green.

McKeel discussed updates on many issues from GCSAA's priority issues agenda including the WOTUS rule; NPDES pesticide general permits; the National Turfgrass Research Initiative; status of glyphosate and chlorpyrifos; fertilizer and pesticide bans and restrictions; H-2B visa program and overtime pay rule. She also encouraged the MCOs to get more involved in helping the government affairs department secure Grassroots Ambassador positions.

TAOs in attendance were from American Golf Corp., Arcis Golf, Billy Casper Golf, ClupCorp, CourseCo, Desert Mountain Club, GreatLife Golf and Fitness, Kemper Sports Management, Marriott Golf, Landscapes Golf Management, Montgomery County Revenue Authority, OB Sports, Pebble Beach Co., PGA Tour Golf Course Properties, Pinehurst Resort, Touchstone Golf and Troon.

The events closing speaker was Condoleezza Rice, Ph.D., 66th U.S. Secretary of State and Denning Professor of Global Business and the Economy at Stanford Graduate School of Business. She discussed the intersection of leadership, politics and economics and what this means for the golf-related operations for which those in attendance are responsible.