Ko Olina superintendent Bauer victorious; education highlighted by the release of the Hawaii Golf Maintenance BMPs

The Hawaii GCSA hosted their Annual Meeting, Educational Seminar and Golf Championship on the island of Oahu September 26-27. Over 70 members from the islands attended the events. 

The Golf Championship was contested at Kapolei Golf Club with Ko Olina Superintendent Rick Bauer capturing low honors with a one-over par 73. Host Class A superintendent Bill Lucena and assistant Aaron Leslie had the Paspalum playing surfaces in excellent shape and golf was followed by a Hawaiian dinner and awards banquet. 

The Annual Meeting and Educational Seminar took place at the Ala Moana Hotel in downtown Honolulu. Nanea Golf Club superintendent Scott Main, CGCS, was elected as president with Hualalai Class A superintendent Dan Husek being elected Vice President. The remainder of the board will stay intact. A special thanks goes to outgoing President Mike Atwood, superintendent at Wailea Golf Club for his years of service as president. 

The education for the day included a great array of speakers and topics that were relevant to all parts of the golf maintenance industry. The day kicked off with a human resources presentation by Charlene Nakamoto, Hawaii OSHA updates from Walter Medina, legislative updates from Hawaii State Representative Lynn DeCoite (District 13), glyphosate updates from Michelle Starke with Bayer, weed control with Joe DeFrank, Ph.D., and insect control with Zhiqiang Cheng, Ph.D. 

As with many chapters on the West Coast, glyphosate was a main area of interest among the superintendents in attendance with numerous questions for Representative DeCoite and Bayer’s Starke concerning the products future use on the islands. 

Additionally, Gina Rizzi, principal with Radius Sports Group, released the Hawaii Golf Maintenance BMP. The BMP project began in February of 2018 and is a 120-page guide that focuses on 12 sections: 

• Planning, Design & Construction
• Archeological Awareness
• Pollinators
• Wildlife Protection
• Irrigation
• Surface Water Management and Quality
• Nutrient Management
• Cultural Practices
• Integrated Pest Management
• Pesticide Management
• Maintenance Facility Operations
• Energy

Kudos to the Hawaii BMP Committee for producing an excellent document that will serve the needs of golf courses for decades to come. 

View the BMP in its entirety.

Thank you to Hawaii GCSA Chapter Executive Russ Dooge and the great members of the chapter who welcomed me with open arms to the islands. It’s a pleasure to work with all of them and the exemplify the Aloha Spirit. I look forward to my next visit!