Golf tournament and education highlight the two-day event

The Hawaii GCSA hosted its annual meeting and golf tournament on October 6-7 in Honolulu, HI.  It marked the first time that the chapter has met following the Covid-19 pandemic which placed severe restrictions on travel and other activities throughout the islands. 

The golf tournament was played at Ewa Beach Golf Club and featured over 70 players.  Host superintendent Bryan Grady had the Paspalum playing surfaces in excellent shape with his greens living up to their reputation as “the fastest greens on the island”. 

Players were treated to tee prizes, lunch, golf, a Hawaiian style buffet dinner and an array of prizes and raffles.  Sponsors for the tournament included: Simplot, DHR Construction, Pacific Golf & Turf, Ness Turf Equipment, Southern Turf Hawaii, Water Controls, ENVU, B. Hayman, Aquatrols, Hawaiian Cement, Big Island Mechanical & Construction, Anderson Golf, Pacific Pipe, The Andersons, and South Shore Equipment. 

The annual meeting and education seminar was held at the Ala Moana Hotel in downtown Honolulu.  Featured speakers included Dr. Zac Reicher of ENVU, Dr. Joe DeFrank, Dr. Zhinqiang Chen and myself.  Dr. Reicher spoke on turfgrass diseases, Nematodes and managing weed resistance. His presentation also included an in-depth look at the recent changes to the applications and rates of Oxazidione which is a key product for goose grass control on the islands. Dr. DeFrank spoke on weed control and Dr. Chen spoke on updates to insect pests prevalent throughout the islands including the invasive Rhinoceros beetle.  I provided GCSAA updates to the members including information on Conference and Show, Rounds4Research and updates to our CGCS and Equipment Manager certifications. 

Thank you to the Hawaii GCSA, members, and sponsors for the great hospitality.  It’s been a pleasure to get to know this group over the past decade and I always enjoy my trips out to the various islands. They embody the “Aloha Spirit”.