Mike Swing, CGCS

will be hosting the 2012

Annual Lowell Stone Char-

ity Event. This is Mike’s

3rd time to host this very

popular event and Visalia

C.C. is one of the favorite

spots for many of our atten-

dees. We are expecting a

full field this year as we are

joining with the 1st Tee

Program and their support-

ers to help fill the field.

The 1st Tee Programs of

Fresno and the Central

Coast will be the benefici-

ary of this years fund rais-

ing efforts.

This will be the

eleventh year that the

GCSACC has hosted the

Charity Tournament. This

event that was started by

Lowell Stone back in 2002

and in 2011 the GCSACC

board proudly renamed the

“Charities Event” to “The

Lowell Stone Charities

Event”. I’m sure everyone

knows that if it wasn’t for

Lowell, this event wouldn’t

even exist. His dedication

to this tournament, chapter,

and the golf industry made

it a very easy unanimous

decision to adopt the new

name.

The GCSACC,

through the Charity event,

has proudly supported

charities such as Hospice

Partners, Children’s Hospital

of Fresno, Len Ross Fresno

Junior Golf, Fresno Rescue

Mission, Special Olympic

Golf, Autism Speaks, and

First Tee. During the eleven

years the GCSACC has been

hosting this event we have

raised approximately

$30,000 and have been able

to provide these funds to

these very worthy charities.

We hope to continue for

many years to come.

The notices have all

been sent out and all our

members should have re-

(Continued on page 4)

2012 Annual Lowell Stone Charity Event Visalia Country Club

Mike Swing, CGCS Host Superintendent

TEE-OFF News September/October 2012

President’s Message 2

Meeting Schedules 5

Around the Green 6

From the Field 8

Highlights from Village C.C.

10

Inside this issue:

Official Publication of the Golf Course Superinten-

dents Association of Central California. The purpose of this publication is informa-tion and education for the membership. Published

bi-monthly by

GCSACC

5322 N. Leonard

Clovis, CA 93619

Phone (559) 298-4853

Fax (559) 298-6957

Email gcsacc@aol.com

Bob Schneiderhan,

Newsletter Chairman

Mike Scott, CGCS, Editor

2012 Election Results The 2012/2013

Elections were held at Vil-

lage Country Club in Sep-

tember. Elected to the

board were President Josh

Heptig, County of San

Luis Obispo, Vice Presi-

dent Troy Thompson, Val-

ley Oaks G.C., Sec/Treas,

Brian Daum, Palo Alto

G.C., Newly elected board

members are Steven

Showers, Airways G.C.,

and Tennessee McBroom,

San Piper G.C. Remaining

on the board will be Scott

Walwyn, Village, Country

Club, and Bob Schneider-

han, Cal Poly SLO.

Newly elected as our

2012/2013 Affiliate Rep is

Mike Cline, Wilbur Ellis

Co., and remaining for an-

other year will be Kevin Ep-

pich, Turf Star. Michael

Swing will be our Past Presi-

dent and we thank him for

his many years of service to

our board and the member-

ship of the GCSA of Central

California. We also thank

Trini Hernandez for his

many years on the board.

Page 2

President’s Message— Strategic Plan for the GCSACC by Josh Heptig

TEE-OFF News

Its fall and

many of

us are en-

joying

watching

the race to

October in

baseball

or the

begin-

ning of the college and NFL seasons.

All of the teams in these sports have

one thing in common…they all have a

strategy or game plan to accomplish

their weekly or season goals. As su-

perintendents we are also evaluating

our goals and strategies that were im-

plemented this past summer in antici-

pation of next year. We will analyze

fertility schedules and products in the

coming months to determine our

STRATEGY for 2013.

This past July our Board for

the Central California GCSA met in

Morro Bay to determine our strategy

moving forward to capitalize on our

forward momentum and evaluate our

short comings. We were joined by

Steve Randall from GCSAA head-

quarters and Jeff Jensen, our GCSAA

Southwest Regional Rep. The group

used a system of analysis called

SCOR (Strengths, Challenges, Oppor-

tunities, Risks) to help guide us

through this process.

I will not have enough space

here to provide a detailed description

of the days’ events, but rather a sum-

mary that will provide you a sense of

where we are going and how we plan

to get there. If you have any ques-

tions please contact a board member

and we will be happy to share any

thoughts or accept any ideas you may

have.

Our key strengths were easily

defined as the number of members we

have, our affordable meetings, and

affordable dues as compared to other

California chapters. Our challenges

were a bit more difficult to narrow

down, but included geographic sepa-

ration, regional economics, and grow-

ing the game of golf to name a few.

These strengths and weaknesses were

used to determine the opportunities

before us. The opportunities were

plentiful and some have been imple-

mented are in service already. These

items include an abbreviated meeting

schedule, educational content, fulfill-

ing member needs through survey

information, and member recognition.

The primary risk that concerns us all

is the solvency of our chapter.

Through the SCOR analysis it

was clear that our Board values our

members. We want to add value and

a more personal experience by en-

hancing our events and keeping our

fees affordable. We hope to do this

be reducing the number of meetings

each year so that a more focused ef-

fort can be made toward each event to

enhance the experience of the mem-

bership. This then led to the develop-

ment of a Mission and Vision State-

ments which are:

Mission

The GCSACC is dedicated to provid-

ing value to our member through

programs and services that enhance

our profession.

Vision

Members will be consistently recog-

nized as professionals and leaders in

the golf course superintendents pro-

fession; stewards of the land; edu-

cated; supporters of scholarship/

research and charitable contributions

(Continued on page 3)

Josh Heptig

Page 3 TEE-OFF News

to the community; a network of indi-

viduals supporting the industry while

maintaining a fun atmosphere; and

welcoming to industry partners and

allied golf organizations.

We walked away with two goals.

1) Develop a member engagement/

mentorship program

2) Create a 2013 calendar with a

focus on fewer meetings. Our

meeting schedule has been deter-

mined and will be shared with

you very soon if it has not been

presented at the time of this pub-

lication and recognition program

is in the works to honor a Super-

intendent and Industry/Affiliate

member each year at the annual

Christmas Party.

The Board was enthusiastic

as the meeting adjourned. This stra-

tegic plan will be reviewed every

one to two years to make sure our

organization is on the correct path.

As a board we cannot and should not

be making decisions that affect us all

without input from our membership.

So, I would encourage you all to get

involved in some form, either by

attending meetings, writing emails,

picking up a phone, and filling out

surveys to let us know your

thoughts, ideas, and feedback. We

each rely on our staffs each day and

our staffs on us, to provide the best

possible product for our customers at

our courses. This chapter is no dif-

ferent. Become involved at any

level and experience what the

GCSACC can mean to you, your

club, and your career.

President’s Message -Strategic Plan Continued from page 2

Page 4

TEE-OFF News

TURF PRO 2012

Dairy Creek Golf Course

2990 Dairy Creek Road

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

November 14, 2012

Copper River Country Club

11500 N. Friant Road

Fresno, CA 93730

November 15, 2012

Contact Mike Cline

559-269-7342

ceived the invitations. This is a first come first serve event

that is open to the public. Mike Swing has been working

diligently to raise funds from our generous sponsors. Ew-

ing Irrigation will be hosting the barbecue lunch again,

which is one of everyone’s favorite things. Come prepared

to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win some great

raffle prizes. We will have lots of fun out on the course

and during the tournament.

Remember to get your reservations in early, as we

hope to have a full field and you won’t want to miss this. If

you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact Irene or

Kim at the association office ( 559-298-4853) or email

them at gcsacc@aol.com. Registration deadline is fast ap-

proaching. You can register on line at

http://www.californiagcsa.org/central-california/events/

Charity Event Continued from page 1

Page 5

TEE-OFF News

November 5, 2012 Annual Charity Event

Visalia Country Club

Host Superintendent

Mike Swing, CGCS

December 8, 2012 Annual Holiday Event

Window On The Water

Morro Bay

January 2013 Winter Educational Meeting

Location to be determined

February 2013

Annual GCSAA Conference & Show

San Diego CA

February 6, 2013

California Room - USS Midway

Register on line at

Californiagccs.org

Meeting Schedule

Around The Green By Michael Cline

Page 6 TEE-OFF News

I wanted to thank all of the

commercial members who voted

for me to become your representa-

tive on the GCSACC Board of Di-

rectors, and I’ll do my best to repre-

sent all of our affiliate members as

we go into the New Year. If any of

you have thoughts or ideas that you

think should be brought before the

board, please let me know by

e-mailing me at

mcline@wilburellis.com and I’ll

make sure your thoughts are heard.

Some of the goings on the

chapter has seen is the return of

some familiar faces. Joel Brinkman

has returned to the Fresno area as

the Superintendent at Sunnyside

Country Club. Many of you will

remember Joel from his days at

Belmont Country Club so it’s great

to have Joel back in the Valley.

Also returning to the chapter as an

active Superintendent is Lowell

Stone who came out of retirement

to take on the head role at Madera

Country Club.

Superintendent Danny

Moak, formerly of Valley Oaks

Golf Course in Visalia, is the new

Superintendent at Merced Country

Club. Danny will actually be join-

ing Environmental Care who was

recently awarded the contract to

manage this private country club

after several years with Green Way

Golf.

A recent addition to the

Central Chapter is Rob Lomeli who

joints the Central Chapter as Super-

intendent for Ridge Creek Golf

Course in Dinuba. Make sure to

welcome Rob to the Chapter at

your earliest convenience.

It’s never too early to start

plugging the GCSACC Christmas

Party. Windows on the Water in

Morro Bay is a great venue, food is

great, the liquid libations are abun-

dant, the “White Elephant” gift ex-

change is a fun highlight to the eve-

ning and there are a ton of hotels

within easy walking distance from

the event. Watch for your official

invitations in the mail and we hope

to see you all there.

Speaking of Rob Lomeli,

since he just joined the chapter, I

thought it would be great to have

Rob as our featured Superintendent.

Rob grew up in the golf

industry, and as anyone who’s been

in the Valley for any length of time

would know, the name

Lomeli is huge part of

the San Joaquin Val-

ley’s golfing heritage.

In May of 1957,

Rob’s grandfather

Ralph Lomeli Sr.

opened Sierra View

Golf Course on the

South side of Visalia.

Not long after the

course opened, Rob’s

father, Ralph Lomeli

Jr. joined the business

and as most did when

joining the family

business, you started

at the bottom and

worked your way up.

Ralph Lomeli

Sr. retired from the

business in the mid

80’s and turned the

course over to his son.

About this same time,

Rob joined on as a cart boy and

began to work his way up in the

business, finally becoming the Su-

perintendent in 1997.

Sierra View Golf Course

closed its doors in May of 2006,

sold to developers who never built

a home on the site. The property is

now planted in Walnuts.

After leaving Sierra View,

Rob worked as an assistant for

Steve Jessup at Valley Oaks Golf

Course until 2007 when he took the

job as Assistant Construction Su-

perintendent at Ridge Creek Golf

Course. The construction phase of

Ridge Creek lasted until July 2008,

when the course

(Continued on page 7)

Continued on page 7

Page 7 TEE-OFF News

Around The Green Continued from page 6

opened. Rob became Superinten-

dent at Ridge Creek in May of

2010. Having just reached his 5th

anniversary at the course, here are

“10 things you didn’t know about

Rob Lomeli;

First job in golf?

My first job in golf was as a

cart boy at the family golf

course Sierra View in 1985.

What was your first manage-

ment job in golf?

My first management job in

golf was Sierra View’s Super-

intendent in 1997, took me 12

years to make the move up.

What do you like to do when

you’re not at work?

When I’m not at work love to

hunt and fish. I don’t have any

favorites; I’ll eat anything at

least once.

Who is your favorite sports

team and why?

My favorite sports team is the

Chicago Bears. In 1985, about

the time I was getting old

enough to care about sports,

the 85 Bears won the Super

Bowl. The team was all about

style, glitz, glitter, headbands,

and that Disco Beat song and

dance they did, they were cool.

If you could pick one meal,

what would it be?

My favorite meal is a good Rib

eye Steak, baked potatoes and

green beans done in my back

yard.

What’s your favorite part of

being a golf course superin-

tendent?

My favorite part of the job is

being outside, I hate sitting at a

desk.

What’s your least favorite

part of being a golf course

superintendent?

My least favorite part of the job

is all of the paper work that’s

now required to do your job.

What’s your favorite band?

My favorite band is the Zak

Brown Band.

What’s your

favorite song?

My favorite song is

almost anything

Zak Brown does.

What’s your fa-

vorite movie?

My favorite movie

is Lonesome Dove.

I know technically

it wasn’t a movie,

it was a TV event

with multiple epi-

sodes, but it

seemed like a

movie to me.

As always, if you know of some-

thing that might interest the mem-

bership, just give me a ring and

I’ll make sure to get it in the

newsletter. So until next time, I’ll

see you “Around the Green”

Rob Lomeli, Ridge Creek G.C.

Page 8 TEE-OFF News

For over 80 years the

specialty seed source for:

-Native Grasses and

Wildflowers

-Kikuyu, Paspalum,

Hybrid Bermuda

-Bentgrasses, Fine

Fescues, Ryegrasses

Golf Course Representatives:

Jim Culley 213-268-3193

Don Lewis 213-247-3266

Home Office: 800-621-0315

As we approach

November and

the start of the

holiday season, I

want to remind

Central Califor-

nia members

that next year’s

GCSAA Educa-

tion Conference

and Golf Industry Show are going to

be hosted by your neighbor to the

south.

The 2013 event will take place at the

San Diego Convention Center. The

Education Conference is scheduled

for Feb. 4-8 with the Golf Industry

Show taking place Feb. 6-7.

This year’s Education Conference

will feature over 100 seminars pro-

viding you the in-depth education

you need to meet today's challenges

and prepare for tomorrow. 16 new

seminars have been added featuring

a variety of topics including turfgrass

management, communications, fi-

nance, leadership and technology.

Led by the industry's most renowned

researchers, industry experts and

superintendents, seminars are avail-

able in full-day, six-hour, half-day

and two-hour formats. Education

points are offered for completing the

seminars and enrollment is limited,

so register early.

The Golf Industry Show, presented by GCSAA and NGCOA is an inno-vative trade show designed for own-ers and operators of golf facilities and golf course management profes-sionals. Featuring the largest exhibit floor in the industry, the event com-bines education, networking and solutions for golf course superinten-dents, equipment managers, owners/operators, general managers, chief operating officers, and architects and builders. In addition, a number of networking

events will be held during the con-

ference and show including a Wel-

come Reception, Opening Session,

From the Field Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Staff, Southwest Region

Jeff Jensen

Page 9 TEE-OFF News

Golf Course Materials

Topdressing Sand - Bunker Sand

Decomposed Granite - Drain Rock

1/8” Minus Turf & Tee Bulk Humus

Brush Removal Call for competitive rates

David Knott, Inc. (559) 449-8935 or (559) 760-5387

From the Field Continued from page 8

General Session and the19th Annual

GCSAA Collegiate Turf Bowl.

Early conference and show registra-tion for GCSAA members begins Nov. 1 and can be completed online at www2.gcsaa.org/conference/registration. We look forward to a big turnout from all of our California af-filiated chapters and we appreciate your support of this event as it returns to the West Coast. In closing, I would be remiss if I did-n’t mention the California GCSA “California Room” that will be held Wednesday, Feb. 6 during conference and show. The annual cocktail party and social will take place this year aboard the aircraft carrier USSMidway

in San Diego Harbor. The Midway now serves as a naval aviation mu-seum and will offer members and guests the opportunity to tour the carrier and participate in flight simula-tions and other activities. The event was attended by nearly 600 partici-pants last year in Las Vegas and this

year promises to be even bigger. More information will be forthcoming and registration will be available online at www.californiagcsa.org.

As always, if I can be of any assistance to you, please email me at jjen-sen@gcsaa.org and make sure to fol-low me on Twitter @GCSAA_SW.

Page 10

TEE-OFF News

Highlights from Village Country Club

Newest Board Member

Tennessee McBroom

The weather was amazing for the golfers. Pictured above for

the fun tournament was from left Mike Scott, CGCS, Mike

Cline, Jeff Jensen, Dave Rosenstraugh, CGCS, and Allan,

Goethe. At left pictured are Bob Schneiderhan, Josh Heptig,

Randy Haines, and Kevin Eppich.

Thank you to Scott Walwyn for

hosting the 2012 Election Meeting

at Village C.C. Scott is pictured at

right with incoming president

Josh Heptig. Below with Tennes-

see is GCSAA Field Rep Jeff Jen-

sen

Above with Josh is Mike Brown

Pictured above is Josh Heptig with David Goodrich

from CPS our Educational Speaker for the day. At

left is Bob Schneiderhan, Mike Scott, Mike Farmen,

and Randy Haines.

Page 11

TEE-OFF News

Thank You to our Sponsors

PRESIDENT

JOSH HEPTIG

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

SECRETARY/TREASURER VICE PRESIDENT

BRIAN DAUM TROY THOMPSON

VALLEY CREST/PALO ALTO G.C. VALLEY OAKS GOLF COURSE

2012/2013 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STEVEN SHOWERS

AIRWAYS G. C.

TENNESSEE MCBROOM

SANDPIPER GOLF COURSE

BOB SCHNEIDERHAN

CAL POLY SLO

KEVIN EPPICH

TURF STAR

MICHAEL CLINE

WILBUR ELLIS COMPANY

BOARD MEMBERS

EXECUTIVE STAFF

IRENE CLINE/KIMBERLY MILNE

PHONE (559) 298-4853 FAX (559) 298-6957

EMAIL gcsacc@aol.com

5322. N. Leonard Ave.

Clovis, CA 93619

SCOTT WALWYN

THE VILLAGE C.C.