by
Shane Conroy
| Mar 11, 2021
In early March, several chapters in the Great Lakes region offered virtual education for members as the upcoming golf season approaches.
The Wisconsin GCSA typically holds their Spring Business Meeting in early March and this year was no different. The event, however, saw an adjustment, as it was held virtually. Chapter Executive Brett Grams facilitated the meeting and provided a year-in-review, discussed membership, finances, committee reports and the 2021-2022 event schedule. Membership numbers remain strong in the WGCSA and in-person events are slated to begin in late April with the Super/Pro Outing at Wild Rock Golf Club at Wisconsin Dells. Individual and joint Class C/EM meetings are also on the docket this year, with a joint event scheduled in May. Chapter president Jeff Barlow, CGCS, a 26-year GCSAA member and superintendent at Waupaca Country Club, provided an update from the board’s perspective and has a busy March as a strategic planning meeting is scheduled with GCSAA and the WGCSA board later this month.
The Kentuckiana GCSA held their first meeting of 2021, with the return of their annual Mini Pesticide Meeting which is typically held in early March. Getting back into it this year allowed roughly 50 members of the chapter to get together virtually. 11-year GCSAA member and chapter president Brian Curtis kicked-off the meeting with a chapter update, announcing in-person golfing events returning later this year. Other presenters included 20-year GCSAA member Eric Skorich, 7-year GCSAA member Jim Ellis, Gary Myers, CGCS, a 27-year association member, and Chris Johnson, a meteorologist at WLKY. John Ballard, CGCS, superintendent at Valhalla Golf Club and 26-year GCSAA member, gave an update on the Kentucky BMP development and encouraged those in attendance to adopt a facility BMP document. John also served as the Kentucky BMP committee chair. Copies of the Kentucky BMP document are available through the KGCSA.
The Central Ohio GCSA and Miami Valley GCSA held a joint Virtual Lunch and Learn where Kyle Miller addressed many common superintendent questions. The presentation focused on spray nozzle technology, proper methods of watering in fungicides, preemergent herbicides, correct pesticide storage, dollar spot control, as well as weed control across multiple surfaces. This was a great way for superintendents and GCSAA members across central and western Ohio to connect before the season gets underway as well as earn Ohio Department of Agriculture pesticide credits and GCSAA continuing education points.
The Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents held a two-part online labor-saving techniques and strategies meeting in early March. Part one featured four speakers who provide outside contract work in specific areas. These areas included aerification, landscape work, tree maintenance, and irrigation repair. The second event, which took the place the following day, featured golf course superintendents who are using a combination of outside contract work along with their course staff to complete projects. 21-year GCSAA member Craig Kight, 18-year member Mark Kosbab, CGCS, 10-year association member Andrew Evans and 24-year GCSAA member Jeremy Turton lead a panel and discussed the various contracting services they use to assist in landscaping, tree maintenance, irrigation, and plant protectant applications.
Each chapter provided great education and camaraderie for their members as we head into the official start of Spring and the 2021 golfing season.