Mike Swing,

CGCS, President of the

Central California GCSA

presented a $2500.00 check

to First Tee of Fresno Di-

rector Mike Firpo in Janu-

ary. These funds were the

proceeds from the 2011

Lowell Stone Charity event

held at Sunnyside Country

Club this past October.

It was with great

pleasure that our chapter

donated to an organization

of this type. The focus of

the organization is to im-

pact the lives of young peo-

ple by providing educa-

tional programs that build

character, instill life-

enhancing values and pro-

mote healthy choices

through the game of golf.

The First Tee of

Fresno operates out of Riv-

erside Golf Course in

Fresno. The course offers

a complete practice area for

the group as well as driving

range, chipping green and

putting green both grass and

matt hitting stations. Other

local participating courses

are Airways Golf Course,

Islewood Driving Range,

and Sierra Meadows Golf

Course in Oakhurst. All

three locations make their

practice facilities available to

this program so they can

make classes more accessi-

ble to the youth in the area.

Participants range in

age of 7 to 17. Our partner-

ship with this program is

helping create a lifelong

positive impact on the youth

of our community and on the

game of golf.

The program is al-

ways in need of further do-

nations not only of cash but

also equipment for the mem-

bers. You can learn more

(Continued on page 9)

Central California GCSA Donates to 1st Tee of Fresno

TEE-OFF News January/February 2012

President’s Message 2

Meeting Schedule 5

Around the Green 6

First Tee Program 9

Highlights 11

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

Cal Poly 2012 Turf Bowl Teams

Cal Poly is send-

ing 2 teams to compete in

the 2012 Turf Bowl com-

petition at the GIS in Las

Vegas next month. A total

of 8 students along with

their professor Dr. Jason

Lewis will be attending

educational seminars, and

enjoying the industry

show. The students are

planning on contacting

many of the local

superintendents as they

prepare for their case stud-

ies reports Dr. Lewis.

The students that

will be attending this years

competition are Mike

Magnani, Tyler Clark,

Sam Titchener, Cody Stew-

art, Chris Scott, J.J. Hubert,

George Schultz, Ethan

Wolach.

When you get the

call from one of the guys be

sure to help them out in any

way you can. These fine

young people are the future

of our industry.

Page 2

President’s Message by Michael Swing, CGCS

TEE-OFF News

2012 With a new year ahead of us, it’s

time for some to make the journey to

the Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas

this February. I have been very for-

tunate to attend this annual event for

many years and I am always re-

minded that many superintendents

are not able to make the trip. It

seems like all the logic in the world

is not enough to convince others of

the benefits gained from attending

this conference. That is unsettling to

me, because I believe there are many

ideas, products or services available

that can help you improve your

course and realize budget savings.

When compared to the overall Op-

erational Golf Course Maintenance

Budget, in most cases the cost is ap-

proximately ½ percent, and that is a

very small investment when sustain-

ability is the goal.

So, for those of you who are un-

able to make the trip to Las Vegas,

we have something for you. At each

of our monthly chapter meetings

there will be great education ses-

sions, networking, and of course, the

all favorite “turf study” (commonly

referred to as golf). Each newsletter

includes upcoming events, so mark

your calendars! In addition, on Mon-

day, April 9, 2012, I will be hosting

the Equipment Demo Day at Visalia

Country Club. We will mow, aerify,

verticut, topdress, spray, sweep, irri-

gate, and much more. All of our

dedicated and supportive vendors

will be there showing off such brands

Continued on Page 3

Page 3 TEE-OFF News

Three locations to serve you

Lancaster Bakersfield Fresno

as Hustler, Toro, Jacobsen, John

Deere, and two of my new favorites,

Amozone (a seeder that will revolu-

tionize the market) and Harper (the

most versatile sweeper on the mar-

ket). I really hope to see you at our

Demo Day, as I know there will be

something for everyone.

Here’s to a great 2012!

President’s Message Continued from page 2

DEMO DAY

Visalia Country Club

April 9, 2012

Contact the Association Office

for more information

Page 4

TEE-OFF News

The 2012 California Room will be held

at Las Vegas Country Club on Wednes-

day February 29, 2012. You are invited

to join in an evening of camaraderie and

have the opportunity to catch up with old

friends and make new acquaintances.

The event includes hosted cocktails and

hors d’oeuvres from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. It

is within walking distance of the conven-

tion center so you can walk over directly

following the closing of the show on

Wednesday. We hope to see you there!

2012 California Room

Wednesday

February 29, 2012

6:00 to 9:00 PM

Page 5

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.

February 27 —March 2

GCSAA Golf Industry Show/Conference

Las Vegas

February 29

California Room

Las Vegas Country Club

March 27, 2012

Hunter Ranch Golf Course

Host Superintendent

Jason Pautsch

April 9, 2012

Visalia Country Club

Equipment Demo Day

Host Superintendent

Mike Swing, CGCS

May 2012

Riverlakes Golf Course

Date to be Confirmed

Host Superintendent

Harry Dawson

June 12, 2012

Al Glaze Scholarship Tournament

San Joaquin Country Club

Host Superintendent

Kevin Wiles

July 2012

No Monthly Meeting

August 13, 2012

Tri Chapter Meeting Stone Brae C.C.

Hosted by Northern California GCSA

Meeting Schedule

Around the Green by Mike Cline

Page 6 TEE-OFF News

It’s been a few months

since my last Around the Green

article and much has happened.

Some things I can report on and

some I can’t. So let’s get to it!

Back in October, PC Me-

chanical purchased Monarch

Dunes LLC from its original

owner/developer. Superintendent

Tom Elliott reports that all of the

current employees will be retained

but that Kemper Golf, the current

management company for the site

will be phasing out by the end of

2011.

Paso Robles Golf Course

has been purchased and local su-

perintendent Doug Westbrook,

formerly at the Links at Vista Del

Hombre will take over. Long time

Paso Robles Superintendent Ben

Swinney will remain on staff to

assist in the course improvements

that are being planned.

The Links at Visa Del

Hombre is now under the watch of

Terry Wisler who’s worked with

Doug for several years to keep the

Link’s style course in tip top

shape.

Village Country Club in

Lompoc has hired former Black

Lake Golf Course Superintendent

Scott Walwyn to replace retiring

Superintendent Dorian Parola.

Best of wishes to Dorian on his

retirement, I keep hearing about a

beach in South America but what-

ever Dorian plans, I am sure it will

be fun.

The freak storm that came

through California on November

30th, did a lot of damage, but it

seemed to be confined to the

Fresno area. High winds starting

around mid-day brought down a lot

of trees but no course was hit

harder than Fort Washington

Country Club. Superintendent

Jose Alverez reported that the ini-

tial winds took down over 40 trees

but that another 60-70 plus had to

be removed because they were ei-

(Continued on page 7)

Page 7 TEE-OFF News

Around the Green Continued from page 6

ther heavily damaged or a liability . Fig Garden Golf

Course owner Dave Knott brought in several of his

trucks and it was reported that they hauled off more than

100 truckloads of debris.

Finally, Sunnyside Country Club Superintendent

Jim Dailey has taken the job at Haggin Oaks Golf Course

in Sacramento. He will be replaced by former Del Rio

Country Club assistant Rob Williams. Expect to see Rob

at a Central Chapter meeting in the near future.

My featured Superintendent for this edition is on

Riverside Golf Course Superintendent Troy Thompson.

Troy came to the CourseCo managed golf course just

about 2 years ago and just recently agreed to join the

Central California Board of Directors.

Prior to Riverside, Troy was at Valley Hi Coun-

try Club in Elk Grove, Sun City Roseville and several

others. Troy even did some work in South Africa as a

construction superintendent and consultant.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About

Superintendent Troy Thompson

First job in golf?

My first job in golf was in the 8th grade and I picked up

range balls at Green Valley Country Club in Green Val-

ley Arizona.

What was your first management job in

golf?

My first management job in golf was as the age of 16, I

supervised the weekend crew at Green Valley. I worked

on the course during summer vacation and got to run the

weekend crew during this time frame.

What do you like to do when you’re not at

work?

When I’m not at work, I love fast cars, fast bikes

(motorcycles) and long range sniper competitions. My

best shot in competition was 800 yards!

Who is your favorite sports team and

why?

I don’t really follow any sports, but if you want to con-

sider Formula One racing a sport, then Team McLaren

would be someone I follow.

(Continued on page 8)

Troy Thompson

Around the Green Continued from Page 7

Page 8 TEE-OFF News

DL SIEMENS

INC. Golf Course Construction

Consulting

Project Bidding Assistance

Project Management

Cost Projections

Plan Analysis

Dale Siemens 559.994.5883

Ca License 872425

If you could pick one meal,

what would it be?

My favorite meal is a big T-Bone

Steak, with a loaded baked potato and

corn on the cob. For dessert, a Sugar

Cream Pie. Troy told me about this

pie which is pretty much sugar,

whipped cream and pie crust, but I

know there’s got to be more to it than

that?

What’s your favorite part of

being a golf course superin-

tendent?

My favorite part of the job is the busi-

ness aspects of running a golf course.

Trying to balance the operational

budget with the course income, with

an eye on meeting management’s

goals with ownerships goals.

What’s your least favorite

part of being a golf course

superintendent?

My least favorite part of the job is

keeping up with the ever changing

environmental compliance that seems

to be ever changing.

What’s your favorite band?

My favorite band is Pink Floyd.

What’s your favorite song?

My favorite song is Comfortably

Numb, by Pink Floyd.

What’s your favorite movie?

My favorite movie since I like things

that go fast and blow things up is Top

Gun.

As always, if you know of something

that you’d like to send out to the

chapter, give me a call. Have a great

over-seed season and I’ll see you

“Around the Green”

TURF PRO 2012

Dairy Creek Golf Course

2990 Dairy Creek Road

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

April 11, 2012 | June 13, 2012

September 12, 2012 |

November 14, 2012

Copper River Country Club

11500 N. Friant Road

Fresno, CA 93730

April 12, 2012 | June 14 , 2012

September 13, 2012 |

November 15, 2012

Page 9 TEE-OFF News

Central California GCSA Donates $2500 to First Tee of Fresno

Below are Central California Board Member Troy Thomp-

son, 1st Tee Director Mike Firpo, and Central California

GCSA President, Mike Swing, CGCS

To learn more about the 1st Tee Program visit their website at

www.thefirsttee.org

about the First Tee Program in your area by going to the home web

site.

(Continued from page 1)

Pictured at left are Mike Swing,

CGCS presenting a $2500 check to

First Tee Director Mike Firpo

Page 10

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 Representa-

tives:

Highlights from January Meeting at Alisal Ranch in Solvang

The January meeting was “one of the

best meetings we have had” accord-

ing to some of the attendees. The

event hosted by Superintendent Dave

Rosenstraugh was held at the Ranch

Course at Alisal just outside of Sol-

vang. Josh Heptig, Secretary/Treas.

for the association and head of the

Education Committee was able to

line up Pat Gross, USGA Regional

Representative to give a 2 hr presen-

tation on Pesticide Management &

Current Trends in Ethicacy & Usage.

This education provided our atten-

dees with 2 hrs other for DPR and

.25 PDI Educational Points. It was

extremely beneficial to all who at-

tended. Look for more terrific edu-

cational opportunities in the months

ahead.

Pictured above from left Host Superintendent Dave Rosenstraugh, CGCS, USGA Pat Gross,

and Association President Mike Swing, CGCS

Page 11

TEE-OFF News

Alisal Ranch & Resort

Pictured at right is Matt Pearse, Bart

Malone, Rich Wagner, Mike Cline,

and Speedy Lipari.

Pictured on the left is

Pat Gross, USGA.

Field Representative.

At right is Joe Tomp-

kins, Allan Goethe,

and Dave Buliavac.

Thank You to

John Deere Golf

Mark Cantrell

for Sponosring

PRESIDENT

MICHAEL SWING, CGCS

VISALIA COUNTRY CLUB

SECRETARY/TREASURER VICE PRESIDENT

JOSH HEPTIG BRIAN DAUM

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY VALLEY CREST/PALO ALTO G.C.

2011/2012 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TROY THOMPSON

RIVERSIDE G. C.

TRINI HERNANDEZ

RIO BRAVO C. C.

BOB SCHNEIDERHAN

CAL POLY SLO

KEVIN EPPICH

TURF STAR

ANDY FERNANDEZ

AB TURF/HUSTLER TURF EQUIP.

BOARD MEMBERS

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

IRENE CLINE

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

EMAIL gcsacc@aol.com