Have you heard the one about the UT biochemist turned superintendent?

I am often amazed at the non-conventional and successful career paths of many superintendents in the South Central region. Last week, I was paired with GCSAA Class A member Donny Latham at a Central Texas GCSA event at Olympia Hills Golf Club in San Antonio. Although I had met Donny before and worked with him while he served on the CTGCSA Board of Directors, I didn't know him very well. I sure enjoyed getting to know him better and hearing about what he calls his "bizarre story" from biochemist to self-proclaimed "grass farmer." We all know there is no better way to get to know someone than to spend 18 holes and four hours together on the golf course!

In 2013, Donny accepted the position of director of golf course management at The Club at Sonterra, a 36-hole private facility managed by Century Golf. He is a native Texan and grew up in Little River – Academy, a very small town near Temple and one that only the most experienced Texas travelers would ever have heard of or visited. He headed south to Austin and earned a degree in biochemistry from the University of Texas. His career then took him to Seattle, Wash., where he worked in the biochemistry industry until he literally woke up one day and knew he needed a change in scenery and career path. He remembered that a close childhood friend, Justin White, had a degree from Texas A&M and was working in an industry that involved golf courses and growing grass. He checked into the details, and faster than a walking greensmower, he made a 180-degree change in careers.

Donny and his wife, Laurie, picked up from Seattle and headed south to Tucson, where he enrolled in the turf program at the University of Arizona. On his very first day in Tucson, another one of those bizarre twists happened when he met a golf member at The Gallery Golf Club while having dinner and watching the Holiday Bowl featuring the U of Texas and the U of Washington. The member introduced him to superintendent Paul Ellwood, who hired Donny despite his lack of experience or knowledge about golf course management. It turned out to be a great hire as Donny was instrumental in the building and opening of the South Course at The Gallery. Donny calls Ellwood a true professional superintendent and credits him with shaping his career.

From Arizona, Donny and his family made successful steps to the University of Texas Golf Club where he served as assistant superintendent under Rich Cope and then to his first superintendent position at The Republic Golf Club in San Antonio. Donny says he feels very fortunate to have worked with some great people along the way, which is evident in the way he talks about Ed Miller, with whom he had the privilege of working for at The Republic: "Ed is an amazing man who taught me so many things both professionally and personally. I only hope to someday positively affect the next generation of grass farmers in the way he influenced my career."

View of green of North Course at Sonterra GC

Donny and Laurie’s pride and joy are their children: Grace, age 10, and Blake age 3. Donny also volunteers his time and expertise at the San Antonio First Tee when he’s not at work or chasing the kiddos. Like all Central Texas GCSA members, he is very excited about the 2015 Golf Industry Show coming to San Antonio. Donny appreciates that his employer, Century Golf, is a huge supporter of participation and attendance at both local and national association events.

Hands down, the best part of my job is getting to know members on a personal basis. Thanks Donny, for a great day on the golf course and sharing your story. Hope you have a great 2014 season!

OKGCSA event at OSU a big hit

Football Practice Field

Kudos to the Oklahoma GCSA for trying something new again at its February chapter event in Stillwater, Okla. If you like variety, this is the chapter for you! Chapter leadership isn’t shy about shaking things up once and a while, and trying new formats and venues. Last year, the chapter held a bowling event headlined by GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans and earlier this year, an education event that featured a Texas HoldEm Poker tournament – all for bragging rights of course.

Cowgirl Stadium

The February event was held on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. The activities for the day included a tour of the OSU football practice facilities – Sherman E. Smith Training Center, baseball stadium – Allie P. Reynolds Stadium, softball stadium – Cowgirl Stadium, and the crowning touch – a tour of Boone Pickens Stadium, including the football team facilities within the stadium. Chapter leadership believes that providing these types of opportunities has sparked an interest among members, and participation will increase. President Jared Wooten is a proud OSU alumnus and was all too happy to schedule the event during a time of the year when golf is usually “iffy,” but members are still looking for networking opportunities.

Boon Pickens Stadium from the 50

The tours provided a lot of great agronomic information from Field Manager Todd Tribble. Todd provided good insight in to the demands of maintaining high-profile college athletic venues. Members quizzed him on mowing height, fertility programs, cultural methods and schedules, and of course, tried to pick up some insider information about this year’s Cowboy and Cowgirl teams! Since the vast majority of participants were OSU fans, this Texas Aggie kept a pretty low profile during the day but did enjoy seeing the very impressive facilities.
I think every Field Staff member would tell you the best part of our job is meeting new members and getting to know them a little personally. At this event I met two relatively new assistant superintendents, Michael Payne and Taylor Sandell, from Kickingbird GC in Edmond, Okla. Thanks for visiting and good luck at Kickingbird. Kudos to their boss, Brad Jolliff, for sending assistants to this meeting and supporting the association. Michael and Taylor said Brad had a city meeting to attend, but I’m wondering if he is more of an OU fan?

OSU Legend - Pistol Pete

I really think all chapters would benefit from following the OKGCSA’s lead by trying new venues and formats for their meetings. As a group, we usually have similar outside interests and hobbie,s so it’s not hard to find something that will appeal to most of your members. This meeting was low-cost and therefore a low-risk opportunity for the chapter to consider. I think the attendees enjoyed the day and probably learned something useful they can implement on their courses. Touch base with the great folks in Oklahoma for more information and insight.

Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation honors veteran superintendent

With overnight temperatures plummeting into the single digits, the Oklahoma GCSA kicked off its 2014 chapter event season with an "all inside" meeting at Tulsa Country Club in January. The Polar Vortex that gripped most of the Midwest gave the attendees plenty to talk about and plenty of incentive to huddle indoors for a great day of education, networking and fellowship.

Members substituted straights and flushes for birdies and pars as a poker tournament was held in lieu of the typical golf tournament. If you've seen Oklahomans and Texans fiercely battle on the gridiron, you can imagine what it's like at a poker table, and you'll understand why I graciously excused myself from the competition to head down the road to my next event.

But before I did, I had the privilege to spend time with one of the OKGCSA's most well-respected and legendary members: Craig Elms, CGCS. Craig was recently honored by being inducted into the Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation Hall of Fame. To say he was overwhelmed and surprised by the award would be the understatement of the year. Craig is a regular attendee of the OTRF conference, but he almost missed this special day. However, without spoiling the surprise, good friend and former assistant Charles Wise made sure Craig was there to accept the honor. In fact, the audience was full of Oklahoma turfgrass professionals who consider Craig a mentor and true friend.

Craig has been the superintendent at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club since 1975 and will celebrate his 39th year of employment before retiring later this year. During his tenure, he has employed and mentored a long list of individuals who have gone on to successful careers, thanks to his influence. Two of the most well known on that list include former GCSAA president and fellow OTRF Hall of Fame member Bob Randquist, CGCS, and Dallas Athletic Club former superintendent, Clyde Nettles. The rest of the list is much too long to include here, but Craig spoke very proudly as he talked about many of them. The protégé Craig is most proud of is his son Dustin, who will assume the reins at OCG&CC when Craig retires. Craig says you might see him out mowing a fairway once and a while, but Dustin will be calling the shots in the position he has earned and richly deserves.

Receiving the award on the campus of Craig’s alma mater, Oklahoma State University, was the crowning touch. Craig delivered a very humble and heartfelt acceptance speech for the award, which was presented by his good friend Lionel Bentley. He recognized and thanked many people and said he felt "guilty" for receiving such a prestigious honor that has been bestowed on so many well-deserving professionals in the past.

Craig has started preparing for retirement on his 320-acre farm in southern Oklahoma. He recently purchased a bulldozer and has started playing with his new toy. I asked him if we might see a tee or green built on the property, and he said he doubted it - he just likes moving things around with it. But Craig’s eyes really lit up when he talked about spending time with his three precious granddaughters. I’m sure they react the same way when they talk about spending time with their grandpa.

Congratulations to Craig and the entire Elms family for this very prestigious award and an impressive career. The legacy that Craig leaves behind in the industry and with the individuals he has mentored will live on forever. Please join me in congratulating the newest member of the Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation’s Hall of Fame!

South Texas GCSA Annual Meeting: A model for success

Fall is annual meeting season in the South Central region, along with many parts of the country. One of the great things about this blog is that it gives us the opportunity to brag when one of our chapters is doing something exceptional. This is definitely the case with the South Texas GCSA and the very organized and professional manner in which its annual business meeting is conducted.


The chapter's annual meeting was held in November at Sweetwater Country Club in Houston. More than 70 members attended the event, which also featured a golf tournament at the club. The South Texas GCSA packs a lot of business and recognition into the meeting, and the leadership does a great job of keeping it moving and meaningful. While each chapter should tailor its meetings to its unique needs, the framework and features of the South Texas GCSA meeting work well for this large and very active organization.

Following are some of the meeting highlights:

• Chapter President Sean Wilson did a great job presiding over the meeting and reviewing the events and news that affected STGCSA members over the past year. He thanked the members for their support, feedback and participation. Wilson introduced the 2013 board and officers and credited them for the success of the chapter during the year.
• Candidates for the board, including officers, were asked to give a short introduction and explain why they wanted to serve the association. These presentations were brief but meaningful to the voters.

• Tenure pins were awarded to members who reached five-year membership milestones. What a great idea! It is a special moment that members appreciate.
• Three candidates were nominated for the inaugural Sonny DuBose Award, the chapter's highest honor, which recognizes the member who best exemplifies the dedication and commitment to the chapter and profession that DuBose was known for during his career. The heartfelt nomination letters of George Cincotta, superintendent at Riverbend CC, John Freeman of Brookside Equipment, and Carl Tolbert of The Hurt Company, were read aloud to the entire membership. The winner will be announced at the next event in January.
• The typically routine "handing over of the gavel" was also a symbolic and meaningful gesture. The current president presented the incoming president with not only the reins of the chapter, but also a president's blazer, reserved only for members who have reached this leadership level.
• Wilson made a special point to recognize Marian Takushi, chapter executive, and lead the members in a round of applause. A real classy move - every chapter knows that an outstanding chapter executive is one of the biggest keys to success. 



Blayne Sparks

• Incoming president Blayne Sparks offered a preview of a productive and exciting 2014. The day was so meaningful to him that he included his father in the meeting and thanked him for his support and guidance. The elder Sparks came all the way from Baton Rouge Louisiana to be in attendance and see his son honored.
  

I enjoyed attending this meeting and appreciate all the special touches the leadership of the chapter takes each year to make it productive and memorable. I'd recommend other chapters take a look at a few of these and consider working them into their routine!

Aggie campus course opening

Maybe I’m a little biased – okay, I’m a lot biased. As a proud member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 1985 (Whoop!), I was thrilled to be invited to an event hosted by Ewing and Hunter Irrigation at the recently renovated Texas A&M University Campus Golf Course. Renovation is actually an understatement as the course was completely “gutted” and every square inch of the 1952 version rebuilt.

The multi-million dollar renovation was a collaborative project between Texas A&M University, Sterling Golf and Golf Course Architect Jeff Blume - Aggie Class of ’89.  Blume and Landscapes Unlimited were charged with the task of designing and building a course that would help the university reach its goal of creating the “best on-campus golf course anywhere.” Critical to the success of the project were the industry partners involved, including Landscapes Unlimited, Ewing Irrigation, John Deere, Hunter Irrigation and many more.

The event was kicked off with an educational session that included welcoming remarks from Ewing, Hunter and Sterling Golf representatives. The two highlight presentations were from the course designer, Jeff Blume, and the Texas A&M vice president of student affairs, Lieutenant General Joe Weber.

Blume spoke of the great honor to be selected as the course designer on land considered hallowed by Aggies. His design was inspired by classic golf course architecture, specifically work by Charles B. Macdonald and Donald Ross. The course includes elevated greens, gently sloping fairways, and 154 bunkers used to frame and define the fairways – not to punish the golfer or the superintendent. Most of the bunkers are very small and will require minimal maintenance.

Lt-Gen Weber spoke with great pride of the project that has been in the works for more than 15 years. He spoke of the new “front door” of the University that will now welcome current and former students, and the Texas golf community. Weber was also very proud of the way the course was built under a very tight budget and will be operated in a financially responsible manner.  

All speakers spoke very highly of GCSAA members Carter Hindes and Tanner Light. Carter is the director of agronomy for Sterling Golf and oversaw the project from the first shovel being turned. Tanner Light is the golf course superintendent and charged with maintaining the Mini-verde greens and wall-to-wall Celebration bermudagrass. Carter created a terrific account of the construction process on his blog: http://atmgolfcourse.blogspot.com/

There were no Johnny Football sightings that day, but I was privileged to play golf with a Class of 85 classmate – Johnny Walker. We braved two rain delays and very soggy conditions but were both able to break 80 on the very challenging course – thanks to the fact that we skipped 3 holes in order to finish before the heaviest rain.

This course will be a shining star for years to come in the Texas golf community. I enjoyed the course very much and appreciated the opportunity to be invited to this special event. Thanks to Curtis Bruton of Ewing Irrigation for the invitation and a great day. The improvement to the course and the overall A&M campus will make every Aggie proud and excited about the opportunity to tee it up.  

Tribute to a North Texas GCSA friend

I always learn something new at chapter events. Usually it’s about a new turf management technique, an equipment innovation that has solved a unique problem, or just the latest news and happenings among our members in the South Central region. But earlier this month in Fort Worth, I learned about something much more important than agronomy, management solutions or news. I learned about a friendship and a special bond that existed between two superintendents for almost 20 years. I also learned more about a great superintendent I had known for a quarter century.

Many of you in the South Central region know that in October, the North Texas chapter lost one of its legendary members when Garry Bearden passed away from complications related to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Garry was only 66 and had just completed his 40th year of service as superintendent at Ridglea CC - Championship Course.  He had planned to retire at the end of this year to spend time with his wife, Elaine, and his two granddaughters. Garry's funeral service was an awesome tribute that provided tremendous insight into his life outside of golf. He will be missed by many, many people.

It is well known that golf course superintendents have a long tradition of mentorship and camaraderie. The unique nature of the work and our industry often foster enduring friendships, which is truly one of the greatest benefits of the profession. Because of a fortunate golf pairing at the North Texas GCSA Scholarship Tournament at River Crest CC, I had the opportunity to play with Garry's closest friend and coworker, Duane Janssen, superintendent at Ridglea CC - Family Course.

Duane has been at Ridglea for 19 years and worked side by side with Garry for most of that time. Everyone knows that the two were close friends and often inseparable at chapter events and conferences - it was rare to see one without the other. Despite a 20+ year age difference, the two were the best of friends on and off the course.

Duane spoke emotionally about the friend he considered his mentor, partner, confidant and brother, offering amazing and warm memories, stories and “Beardenisms.” I was especially touched by the story of the day Duane informed Garry’s staff and crew that Garry's disease was quite serious and his chance of survival was bleak. The crew showed an outpouring of emotion and love for their leader, and they showed up in mass to Garry’s funeral. There is no doubt that this is the ultimate tribute to a golf course superintendent by the men and women who worked for him.

I am proud to have known Garry, privileged to have spent time with him and his family the day he passed away, and honored that Duane shared so much with me on the golf course that day. Thank you Duane, for making that day special.

Water Auditing In Arkansas

GCSA Arkansas members conduct a green water
audit at Fayetteville CC

One of the really cool parts of my job as South Central field staff is all the great education presentations that I see at chapter events. In October, at the GCSA of Arkansas annual meeting, attendees were treated to an informative talk and demonstration of basic water auditing techniques and methods. Jason Cook, CID (Certified Irrigation Designer), CLIA (Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor), provided members with practical information that they were able to take back to their courses and use immediately. 


Water auditing provides many benefits not limited to the opportunity to save water and associated pumping power. For a course committed to responsible environmental management and water conservation, auditing is an essential Best Management Practice. Water auditing is the process of measuring irrigation system performance to determine water use efficiency.
From these calculations, management decisions and system modifications can be considered to better utilize the system and apply water as precisely as possible. Issues with factors such as station run time, cycle scheduling, nozzle selection, head spacing and many others can be identified and addressed with routine water audits. Members in attendance were very enthusiastic about the demonstration and are now prepared to initiate a water audit at their home courses.

The highlight of the presentation was an on-course audit demonstration on the 9th green at Fayetteville Country Club. Members measured a grid and placed catch can devices on 10-foot centers across the entire surface of the green. All four sprinkler heads that irrigate the green were operated for 10 minutes. The water collected during the run time was then precisely measured and analyzed to determine the distribution uniformity for the system. 

For more information about water auditing, I suggest a search of “water audit” on the gcsaa.org website. Or visit the Course section, and select "Water conservation" under the Environment heading. I found many very good articles from the GCM archives and several irrigation related webcasts. There are also several irrigation management seminars planned for the 2014 GCSAA Education Conference in Orlando. Registration for these seminars and the conference opens November 5^th!

Greenside irrigation running during the irrigation audit of #9 green. In the interest of time for this demonstration, all four heads were run at the same time. Typically, heads would run independently.