News and Information

03/11/2010

Western Spring Management Meeting Recap

Wow, What a day!

On_the_List.JPG
Events Czar/MiGCSA Bouncer, John Fulling works the door
The Spring Management Meeting at Egypt Valley Country Club was too good of a deal to pass up. For those of you unable to attend, I am sorry that you had to miss this one. The education, the chance to talk with your peers, the sharing of ideas at the discussion in the afternoon, the Lasagna and those Macadamia Nut & White Chocolate cookies.....all made for a great MiGCSA day. Jeff Holmes and the entire staff at EVCC did their usual above and beyond job of taking care of all of the participants, thank you. All of this and for only $50, it doesn’t get any better than this!

We started the day with an update from John Fulling on the renewed focus that has swept the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation. The return of Gordy Lafontaine and his emphasis on fund raising is no joke as the focus is all about the “Jack”. It is nice to have Mr. Lafontaine’s smiling face and calm confidence back. Yes, he will get you to donate to your profession and you will do it willingly and with a smile on your face. Welcome back Gordie!

Chris_Wilczynski.JPG
Chris Wilczynski of Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest & Associates
Chris Wilczynski of Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest & Associates gave a very timely talk on “The Evolution of Course Design & Master Planning into the Future”. He offered up some great information on where course design came from and, more importantly, where it is today. He tied it all in to the new equipment designs, the new inclusion of family in golf, which set of tees the normal golfer is playing despite the expanded distances we are seeing, what it means for maintenance and how this all tied into the ever present Sustainability of Golf. Chris is a wealth of information well beyond his years, if time allows you should spend some time with him and tap into that resource. His non-assuming style and grace will put you at ease as you talk and he makes you feel ok even if you are asking those tough questions.

Intro_Dr._Steinke.JPG
MiGCSA President Ron Dahlin introduces Dr. Steinke
Dr. Kurt Steinke had the opportunity to share with the group some of the research that he has tackled in the past and how this has lead to his wealth of knowledge. It is nice to have him on the staff at MSU and on our team now. I know that we will continue to see more great, industry leading, research come out of our team in East Lansing with him as part of the group. I hope that every member gets the chance to learn from the research that he has already completed on buffer strips, drought tolerance, aerification, nutrients in run off water from a strong stand of turf vs. an open stand of grass and all the new projects that he already has planned for us to share in. What a strong addition for us.

Nikolai.JPG
Dr. Thom Nikoli and Turfgrass Potpourri
Now those of us that had a hand in setting up the day got a little concerned when Dr. Thom Nikoli wanted to talk about “Turfgrass Potpourri”. Not presenting an outlined plan on his talk made a little bead of sweat form on our foreheads as he boldly approached the podium. Well, we were summarily lead down the garden path has he presented some ideas on a research project designed to start this spring titled “Turfgrass’s Role in Changing the Urban Landscape”. In his usual Paul McCartney rock star style he continued on to tell us about his ideas on how having a maintained swath of grass in blighted areas may lead to safer, better adjusted neighbor hoods filled with saner better adjusted neighbors. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds and what we learn from it over the next 3 years. Thom held little back as he passionately talked about the fact that he is paid to teach but finds time to do some research as well. After attentively listening to him for an hour, I still don’t know what an Urban Landscape has to do with ball roll?

Joe_Hancock.JPG
Mr. Joe Hancock of Hancock Golf LLC/ Devries Design
We had the pleasure to have Mr. Joe Hancock of Hancock Golf LLC/ Devries Design step up to the microphone on a very short notice. He gave a nice first time talk about the decision on “Doing a project in house or with an outside company”. Joe has had a hand in projects large and small and his shaping ability is becoming well known throughout the nation. I found it amazing that he was able to do his entire talk with out the aid of his ever present souped up and amplified iPod plugged in to his ears. Great job Joe, thanks for helping us by saying Yes to your first foray into speaking.

Mead.JPG
Mr. Tom Mead
Next, Mr. Tom Mead carried the Sustainability theme to a new level. With a lifetime of working on this and just now starting to see this become a new mantra, Tom was able to offer ideas both large and small on how to move toward a more “Sustainable Golf Course Business Model”. It is the steps that we take everyday that help us to continue our national leadership in this and Tom reminded us that not every step needs to be a giant leap. Even things as simple as turning off the light when it is not needed can start your journey toward sustainability. It was good information to get exposed to as we can expect to hear a lot more about this in the very near future from all levels in our industry.


Group.JPG
We finished the day by gathering into smaller groups and shared ways that we are cutting costs and even some on generating revenue. It continues to amaze me how resourceful golf course superintendents are and how level headed they approach what they have been entrusted to do. I will compile all of the comments from the Spring Management Meetings and post them on the MiGCSA web-site after we finish at Tree Tops.

Listening.JPG
One year from now may seem like a lifetime to you right now, but if you missed the meeting, you missed a lot for a very economical cost. So, mark your calendars in March of 2011 to reserve yourself a spot at the table where you can learn great new ideas on how to be a better turf manager and maybe even take to opportunity to pass some of your wisdom on to others.




03/11/2010 Western Spring Management Meeting Recap

03/11/2010 Greg Lyman Commercial Featuring Justin Timberlake...

03/11/2010 Detroit Spring Management Meeting

03/10/2010 Gregory Seago September 20th, 1965 - March 07th, 2010

03/10/2010 John H. Dodge 1950-2010

03/07/2010 Become a Fan of the MiGCSA on Facebook!

03/05/2010 Feeding Their Sorrow

03/05/2010 Small Wonders - Dunes Club and Signal Point Top 25 Nine Hole Courses in America

03/05/2010 MTF - Tee Times 4 Turf - MiGCSA Members Donate Today!

03/04/2010 Deadlines approaching:GCSAA Scholarships for members’ children, turfgrass students

03/03/2010 MSU Correspondence, TeeTimes4Turf

03/03/2010 Recap of Legislative Day in Lansing by MiGCSA President Ron Dahlin

03/02/2010 MiGCSA Scholarship Bowling Fundraiser Raises Over $1,000

02/25/2010 2010 Hancock Turfgrass Research Center Wish List

02/22/2010 Flawed Turfgrass Research Report Gets Mass Media Attention . . . Now What?

02/19/2010 Michigan State resource getting bigger and better

02/17/2010 Strong turnout for 22nd West Michigan Golf Show

02/16/2010 Superintendents Lose Long-time Advocate: Rebecca “Becky” Tate

02/08/2010 MiGCSA President's Address to the Membership for February

02/05/2010 The city of Detroit's only private golf club is in a tough spot, literally

02/01/2010 16th Annual Golf Course Hockey Challenge

01/28/2010 MSU Update January 27th

01/26/2010 WE ARE GOLF Announced as Industry Initiative for Changing Perceptions; Overcoming Biases

01/16/2010 Say 'thank you' to your tech

01/16/2010 On The Road With The USGA - January 2010

01/16/2010 A New Way of Doing Business

01/15/2010 National Design Honors to Michigan based Raymond Hearn Golf Course Designs, Inc.

01/13/2010 MiGCSA President's Message

01/12/2010 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association Elects Dahlin President

01/08/2010 2010 MiGCSA Events Calender

12/31/2009 Greater Detroit Holiday Gathering

12/24/2009 MGCOA 2009 Awards

12/22/2009 MiGCSA Members take part in Syngenta Business Institute

12/21/2009 Au Contraire, Mon Frere USGA Regional Update North Central Region

12/21/2009 Western Christmas Party Re-Cap

12/18/2009 Mid District Holiday Party Recap

12/13/2009 MiGCSA Annual Meeting Notice

12/13/2009 MiGCSA 2010 Membership Renewal

12/13/2009 MiGCSA Presidents Message

11/26/2009 MSU Update November 26, 2009

11/23/2009 Breaking Wind

11/23/2009 MiGCSA Contact Information

11/20/2009 12/1 - LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LEFT TO REGISTER! (GCSAA CEU's Available) MGCOA - Michigan Golf Business Conference and Vendor Fair @ Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth

11/19/2009 Audio slideshow: Grass-Roots Advice

11/18/2009 Michigan GCSA awarded a 2010 Chapter Outreach Grant

11/16/2009 MSU Update 11/15

11/06/2009 DAC, Forest Lake Country Club to Vote on Merger

11/06/2009 Professional growth can also lead to new career paths

11/02/2009 Assistant Golf Day Recap

10/26/2009 USGA Turf Management Regional Updates

10/26/2009 GCSAA gives scholarship awards to 12 students, 4 from MSU

10/23/2009 Granholm budget reduction letter

10/21/2009 Equipment Technician Event Recap

10/20/2009 Q&A: Marvin still on the course after 67 years

10/19/2009 2009 Big Event Recap

10/16/2009 Side Effects USGA Regional Update North Central Region

10/13/2009 Chapter Delegates Meeting offers insight and a look ahead

10/09/2009 MI Department of Agriculture Has Closed All Its Regional Offices

10/04/2009 MSU 4 October 2009 Correspondence

09/30/2009 MiGCSA Members in GolfWorld Readers Choice Awards

09/29/2009 GCSAA TV MythBusters: What Do Northern Superintendents Do in the Winter?

09/25/2009 MSU database includes GCM search feature

09/25/2009 And The 2009 Diamond Award Recipients Are?

09/17/2009 The 'real deal'

09/17/2009 Environmental Stewardship at Birmingham Country Club

09/15/2009 Leadership Academy shapes future of the industry

09/11/2009 A little message from John Fulling... Yes, like the old days!

09/05/2009 11,000-Year-Old Mammoth Tooth Found on Course at Morrison Lake CC

09/04/2009 On The Road With The USGA - September 2009

08/29/2009 Course Conditions Online Magazine

08/29/2009 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame - Ted Woehrle Interview

08/28/2009 Rob Pylar Named New Valent Turf Territory Manager in Midwest

08/25/2009 8/25 MSU Update

08/25/2009 Important MiGCSA Management Update

08/18/2009 USGA Update - Side Effects

08/13/2009 State Championship Recap

08/07/2009 On the Fairway, New Lessons in Saving Water

08/07/2009 MSU Update 8/6

08/03/2009 2010 Education Conference Web site launches

07/17/2009 MTESP Making Greens "Greener"

07/15/2009 USGA - In Recovery

06/25/2009 Clubhouse Burns At Manistee National Golf Resort

06/08/2009 John Fulling, CGCS and Bronk Brothers Drummer set to Release Album

06/08/2009 Wandering caterpillars can be a nuisance.

06/06/2009 MSU Update

06/05/2009 Successful control and treatment of Emerald Ash Borers in Gross Pointe Farms

05/27/2009 Reports from the field

05/25/2009 President’s Perspective

05/18/2009 In Recovery

05/14/2009 MSU Correspondence

05/13/2009 Golf operators see promise

05/13/2009 Golf courses hit a rough patch

05/08/2009 Klauk family steals Players spotlight

05/08/2009 Industry leaders take golf’s message to Capitol Hill

05/07/2009 Mt. Pleasant superintendent renews professional certification

05/01/2009 USGA Regional Update

04/30/2009 Green Swing - Pure Michigan Travel

04/30/2009 Michigan course welcomes unemployed with free golf

04/17/2009 USGA Regional Update

04/16/2009 Congratulations to the Dalton Family

04/16/2009 Plane crash survivors receive delayed golf vacation

04/16/2009 GDDTracker.net gets a major overhaul in 2009.

04/16/2009 Lorena Ochoa GCSAA PSA debuts

04/07/2009 Snow Mold Research Plots Ready at Treetops

04/06/2009 Links Honors the Meadows as one of the top 25 College Courses

04/03/2009 MSU Turfgrass Alumni Update

04/01/2009 Energy Use and Environmental Practices Survey

03/28/2009 Gaslight Media Press Release

03/28/2009 Member Directory

03/26/2009 MiGCSA Member News

03/26/2009 18 holes of misery: Detroit area's toughest golf

03/25/2009 MiGCSA Presidential Update

03/22/2009 Admission to the Masters

03/22/2009 Senate Moves to Invest Funds in Michigan Agriculture Industry

03/22/2009 In the US, demand is small for urea for prompt delivery

03/17/2009 It Won't be Long

03/06/2009 GCSAA TV videos reach 10,000 views

03/06/2009 Fertilizer Prices Likely to Decline in 2009

03/05/2009 Budget Impacts on MSU Research and Extension

03/05/2009 Tough Assignment

03/05/2009 GCSANJ donates $10,500 to The Institute

03/03/2009 OSHA reminds employers to post injury/illness summaries.

03/02/2009 On The Road With The USGA

02/27/2009 Golf on the ballot for 2016 Olympic games

02/23/2009 Technician Education

02/10/2009 MiGCSA Members help with Habitat Project at the 2009 GIS

02/10/2009 GCSAA elects new officers for 2009

02/09/2009 Member Log in for MiGCSA Website now Available

02/06/2009 Norman extends service on Advisory Council

02/06/2009 All GCSAA partners recommit to Partner Recognition Program

02/06/2009 Golf Industry Show announces that the USGA will become a participating partner beginning 2010

02/05/2009 GAM Members Save at West Michigan Golf Show

02/05/2009 Syngenta has donated $1 million to The Institute

01/28/2009 Interlochen couple donates course

01/26/2009 USGA Awards $5.1 Million In Grants In 2008, Assisting 230,000 Individuals

01/20/2009 Give Egypt Valley credit for landing USGA event

01/16/2009 Current USGA Update

01/15/2009 Presidents Message

01/07/2009 Fire destroys Shanty Creek building

01/01/2009 MiGCSA Presidents Message

12/16/2008 USGA Regional Update - Unseasonable Greetings

12/12/2008 Play golf in New Orleans

11/18/2008 USGA Regional Update - The Other Side of Covers

10/13/2008 USGA Regional Update - Better Late Than Never

10/01/2008 MiGCSA President's Message

09/16/2008 USGA Regional Update - On The Dry Side

08/13/2008 MiGCSA President's Message

07/15/2008 USGA Regional Update - Pick a Patch

06/24/2008 Northern blights are par for 'other' course Torrey North's Open wounds are new city golf manager's top priority

06/15/2008 USGA Regional Update - Holes From Hell

05/15/2008 MiGCSA Presidents Message

04/01/2008 Keepers of the greens

03/01/2008 Former Michigan Superintendent Jon D. Maddern to head Golf Operations

02/19/2008 USGA Regional Update - Be A Skeptic

02/02/2008 GCSAA Update - In the Spotlight - Donn Eurich

02/01/2008 GCSAA Update - In the Spotlight - John R. Fulling, Jr., CGCS

01/07/2008 GCSAA Update - Michigan GCSA members celebration

Member Login

Need help? Forgot Password

gcsaa (2K)

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association P.O. Box 64 · St. Johns, MI 48879 · 1-888-3-MiGCSA