The NGCOA Multi-Course and Resort Operators Retreat with held  July 26-27 in Charleston, S.C. GCSAA’s Government Affairs Director Chava McKeel was asked to provide a government affairs update at the NGCOA Top Agronomic Officers annual meeting as part of the retreat.

McKeel joined her NGCOA counterpart Ronnie Miles for the update, and Miles addressed labor and business issues (H-2B, overtime pay, ADA, etc.) while McKeel spoke on environmental issues (WOTUS, pesticides undergoing Registration Review at EPA, ESA, Senator Booker bill, House preemption bill, state legislation, etc.).

McKeel also encouraged the TAOs to help GCSAA finish filling the remaining 55 open Grassroots Ambassador spots.

Those in attendance included representatives from the PGA Tour TPC, Toro, Pinehurst, Montgomery County, MD courses, Syngenta, Arcus, ASGCA, GCGAA, Century Golf, Founders Group International and the USGA, The group also heard from USGA Chief Executive Office Mike Whan who laid out his future vision for the USGA.  

Other agenda topics discussed at the TAO meeting included labor challenges and what the industry can do to adapt and adjust to the changing workforce; equipment cost of ownership/replacement interval (a project that the USGA is undertaking), and the topic on water use – making water a better solution.

GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans and GCSAA Vice President Kevin P. Sunderman, CGCS, also attended.