01 09-10 Sept/Oct 2010 Sierra Nevada GCSA Newsletter

It is election

time again. This year we

will hold the Annual

Election Meeting on No-

vember 1, 2010 at Cam-

eron Park C.C. Jessie

Creencia, CGCS has been

a long time supporter of

the SNGCSA and contin-

ues to be active on our

various committees.

Individuals seek-

ing election this year are

Jim Alwine who is run-

ning for President of the

Sierra Nevada GCSA.

He has served on the

chapter’s Board of Direc-

tors for the past 4 years.

He is also a Director on

the California GCSA and

this year’s Co-Chairman

of the Government Rela-

tions Committee. He

graduated from Purdue

University, worked as an

assistant at Woodbridge

Golf & C.C. and Catta

Verdera C.C. He has

been Superintendent at

Stockton Golf & C.C.

since 2005.

Next, we have

Jeff Couwenhoven run-

ning for Vice President of

the Sierra Nevada GCSA.

He has served on the

BOD for the last 3 years,

most recently as Secre-

tary/Treasurer. Jeff

graduated from California

State University, Fresno

and went on to work as

an assistant at Copper

River C.C., Tracy Golf

and C.C., and Woodcreek

G. C. He’s been with

Valley Crest for over 7

years and now is the Su-

perintendent of Wood-

creek G.C. Jeff has been

instrumental in his man-

agement of finances for

the Sierra Nevada com-

posing Standard Operat-

ing Procedures for all

financial transactions

within the Chapter.

Jeremy Payne is

running for Secretary/

Treasurer of the Sierra

Nevada GCSA. He has

(Continued on page 5)

A N N UA L E L E C T I O N M E E T I N G 2010

September/October 2010

Dates to Remember

November 1, 2010

Annual Election Meeting

Cameron Park C.C.

Host Superintendent

Jessie Creencia, CGCS

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

President’s Message 2

Meeting Schedule 3

Wilber’s News 4

Government Relations 6

Accounts Receivable Pol-icy Update

10

Raley Field Highlights

11

FORE YOUR INFORMATION

Sierra Nevada GCSA

An Affiliate Chapter of

the Golf Course

Superintendents

Association of America

For anyone who

missed it, September 23

was an absolutely beauti-

ful day in Truckee, CA.

Director of Agronomy,

Mike Cornette and Jason

DeHerrera, Superinten-

dent welcomed the mem-

bers of the Sierra Nevada

GCSA to the wonderful

course they call home,

The Golf Club Gray’s

Crossing. This was the

first trip to Gray’s Cross-

ing for SNGCSA and defi-

nitely will not be the last

after a crowd pleasing ex-

perience.

The day started

with a short frost delay

providing a little more

warm-up time on the range

and putting green. Two

members, especially made

the most of this practice to

prepare for victory in the

annual President’s Cup

Tournament.

Terry Smith, from Eagle

Valley Golf Course,

played very well and

scored a 78 to win the cov-

eted President’s Cup. He

was thrilled to receive the

trophy, “You mean I get

my name on that? That’s

awesome.” He also scored

a round of four at Grizzly

Ranch G.C. during the

50/50drawing. All in all, a


P R E S I D E N T ’ S C U P R E S U L T S

I am writing

my final President's

message from vacation

in Vermont. The only

reason that it's even

getting done, late too,

is because Irene had to

call and remind me.

This is not the first time during my presidency

that Irene has had to kick me in the butt.

Fortunately, I'm not the only one either,

and I'm pretty sure every president and di-

rector that's served on the board has felt

Irene's boot from time to time. Thanks

Irene for keeping me and the rest of us in

line. We couldn't do it without you.

Thanks to Bob Higgins my general

manager at Saddle Creek for allowing me

the time to attend all the monthly meetings

and board meetings. However, he will not

allow me to attend the election meeting at

Cameron Park. Something about me aerify-

ing greens that day. Can't quite understand

that.

Thanks to Pat Smyth, my assistant,

who's holding down the fort while I'm off

on vacation or attending meetings, or doing

god knows what else. To not have to worry

about the golf course is priceless.

Thanks to Jim Alwine my VP

of ,"if Irene doesn't kick you in the ass hard

enough, I will". Jim ensured that I stayed

focused and kept the BOD moving for-

ward. The Sierra Nevada will be very for-

tunate to have this bright and energetic

man as its president in the coming year.

Thanks to Jeff Copenhagen, Jer-

emy Pain, Colby Gunk, Dave Wilbur, Jer-

emy Fowler, Phil Brown, and Scott Costi.

Seriously, I can't count the number of times

their names were butchered in either a

meeting, newsletter, or correspondence. I

personally only screwed up once or fifty

times. Really, many thanks to Jeff Cou-

wenhoven, Jeremy Payne, Colby Gunsch,

Dave Wilber, Justin Fowler, Phil Brown,

and Scott Koski for making my life as

President a whole lot easier.

Thanks to all our affiliate members

who continue to sponsor and give monies

to make our association activities success-

ful ones. Thanks to all the supes who

hosted meetings this year and plan to next

year.

And a huge round of applause to everyone

who attended a meeting this year. If you didn't

get a chance to attend any this year, I hope you

will consider this coming year. We'd really

like to see you.

Finally I'd like to thank myself, with-

out whom I would not have been president. It's

been a fun and interesting ride.

Page 2

PR E S ID ENT ’S MES S AG E S C O T T D I C K S O N

Fore Your Information

Fore Your Information

EDITOR

Jim Alwine

Stockton Golf & Country Club

209-462-6734

OFFICE

SNGCSA

5322 N. Leonard

Clovis, CA 93619

559-298-6262

Fax# 559-298-6957

[email protected]

PRESIDENT

Scott Dickson

Saddle Creek Resort

209-785-3701

VICE PRESIDENT

Jim Alwine

Stockton Golf & Country Club

209-462-6734

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Jeff Couwenhoven

Woodcreek Golf Course

916-771-7370

PAST PRESIDENT

Frank Putnam

Mace Meadows Golf & C.C.

209-295-7773

DIRECTORS

Scott Koski

Incline Village Championship Course

775-832-1309

Jeremy Payne

Winchester C.C.

916-817-8106

Colby Gunsch

Tahoe Paradise Golf Course

530-577-0547

Phil Brown

Spring Creek C.C.

209-599-3747

Affiliate Representatives

Justin Fowler

CPS

916-606-5553

Dave Wilber

Sierra Pacific Turf Supply

916-630-7600

FORE YOUR INFORMATION

Published by the Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association

E-mail: [email protected]

V.M.: (800) 543-0630

Box#2417

Mob: (530) 864-6443

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Western Specialty Division

HELENA CHEMICAL COMPANY

3155 Southgate Lane

Chico, Ca 95928

Bus: (530) 342-4786

(800) 554-5703

Fax: (530) 343-9047

Scott Dickson

800 MOSSDALE RD, LATHROP, CA.

209 234-1500 www.brownsandinc.com

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Fore Your Information Page 3

ME E T I N G SC H ED U L E November 1, 2010

SNGCSA Annual Election Meeting

Cameron Park C.C.

Host Superintendent

Jessie Creencia, CGCS

November 7, 8, & 9, 2010 California GCSA Annual Conference

Pacific Palms Resort

Industry Hills, CA

December 14, 2010 Annual Holiday Event

Rancho Murieta Country Club

Host Superintendent

Rich Scholes

January 2011 Happy New Year!

February 7 — 11, 2011 GCSAA Annual Conference and

March 2011 Annual Grass Roots Tournament

Location to be confirmed

April 2011 Location to be Confirmed

If you are interested in hosting a meeting email Jeremy Payne at [email protected]

Or Dave Wilber at [email protected]

Fall has

fallen on us with

100 degree temps.

Payment, cer-

tainly, for a mild

summer.

Moody

Ayeb takes over at

Mather Golf Club.

Mather is managed

by CourseCo and Moody has been

working for them most recently as

the Asst. Super at The Metropolitan

Golf Links in Oakland.

Jeremy Payne is now the

Super at Winchester C.C. in

Meadow Vista and will be part of

the Valley Crest management effort

there. Jeremy is leaving Empire

Ranch GC in Folsom where he was

Commander in Chief.

Tracey Shanahan at Dark-

horse G. C. reports trials in con-

junction with UC Riverside are go-

ing well. Look for the SNGCSA to

have a Research Meeting there as

part of our 2011 program line up.

Did you know Tracey’s brother

Don Shanahan is the Assistant at

Darkhorse? Don is one of our new-

est members. Welcome! What hap-

pens when they disagree? Brotherly

love, I’m sure.

Our President's Cup meet-

ing at Gray’s Crossing in Truckee

was a great success. Special thanks

to Dir. of Agronomy Mike Cornette

and his number 1 at Gray’s Jason

DeHererra and the rest of the Tahoe

Mountain Club staff for a wonder-

ful day. Especially true since it was

28 degrees at 7AM the day of our

event.

Our association meetings

are always great events and we in-

vite you to help us keep them this

way by remembering that we are

first and foremost a golf industry

professional organization. Let’s all

of us remember we represent our

Association and our Employers and

conduct ourselves in a manner

befitting that responsibility. Be it

how we make and keep our meeting

reservations, observe golf rules and

etiquette, attend educational meet-

ing sessions, moderate our con-

sumptions or assure we pay our

meeting fees on time, it’s up to

each of us to do it right. That’s not

a hard thing to do and will pay off

to all of us as our group is wel-

comed to any facility.

Page 4 Fore Your Information

W I L B E R 'S S I E R R A NE VA DA NE W S By Dave Wilber

Dave Wilber


served on the BOD

for the last 2 years

and served as Chair-

man of the Education

Committee and is

currently Chairman of

the Golf Committee.

Jeremy graduated

from Cal Poly, San

Luis Obispo and pro-

ceeded to work as a

NCGA Intern at the

Meadow Club. He was assistant at

Sharon Heights G.C. and Sierra

View C.C. before taking the Superin-

tendent position at Empire Ranch

G.C. He is now in his first month of

employment with Valley Crest G.C.

Maintenance as Superintendent of

Winchester CC.

Frank Putnam,

Superintendent

at Mace Mead-

ows G.C. is

running for a 2

year position as

a Director of

the Board. He

served the

board since

2005 and as President of the Sierra

Nevada GCSA in 2008 and 2009.

David Bermudez

is running for a 2

year position as a

Director of the

Board. David has

been the superin-

tendent at Del

Rio Golf and

Country Club for

the last two and a

half years. Prior

to Del Rio he was the superintendent

at Mountain Gate Country Club for

twenty-two years. David also was the

regional superintendent for American

Golf “Country Clubs”. He graduated

from Horry Georgetown Technical

College with a degree in agronomy.

Jesse Seguin is running for a

2 year position

as a Director of

the Board.

Jessie has been

the Superinten-

dent at Lincoln

Hills Golf Club

for 4 years, and

the Western Re-

gional Superin-

tendent for Billy

Casper Golf for

about 6 months.

He worked as an Assistant in North-

ern Michigan and Chicago after col-

lege. He decided to move out West

and now reside in Lincoln , CA. He

grew up in Northern Michigan and

attended Michigan State University

in the Crop and Soil Science Pro-

gram.

For the affiliate position we have two

very strong individuals running.

Pete Bowman,

Target Specialty

Products has been

a member of the

association since

1990. Pete was

previously with

UAP from 2006 -

2008 and Sierra

Pacific Turf Sup-

ply 1997 - 2006.

Prior to his switch

to the affiliate side

of the industry

Pete worked as a

Golf Course Su-

perintendent from

1986 to 1997. He

was certified in

1993. Pete

worked at eight

golf courses dur-

ing his career as a

superintendent.

He had stops in Berkeley, San Luis

Obispo, Pasadena, Long Beach,

Fountain Valley, Lodi, Merced, and

Patterson, CA. During this time as a

superintendent he served on the

SNGCSA Board and was President

in 1995; he also served as the Af-

filiate Director from 1999 to 2002.

Justin Fowler, CPS,

has served as the affili-

ate representative since

2008. He is seeking

re-election to the posi-

tion as he has enjoyed

participating in the

Board process and

would

like to

continue in the posi-

tion.

All of

these individuals

have stepped up to

support the members of the

SNGCSA. Please show your support

and cast your ballots.

2010 SLATE OF CA N DI DATES C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1

Jeremy Payne

Frank Putnam

David Bermudez

Jesse Sequin

Jim Alwine

Jeff Couwenhoven

Justin Fowler

On Goings issues:

The Department of Justice has

ruled on and approved the Ameri-

can with Disabilities Act as it re-

lates to the recommendations that

have been under consideration in

the “Recreational Guidelines for

Golf Courses” in making both pub-

lic and private (if they host public

events) accessible to the disabled.

The law will be implemented in

the spring of 2011 giving golf

courses a time to become compli-

ant. The ADA is a complaint

driven law and numerous advocacy

groups for the disabled have done

very well financially in filing and

winning judgment lawsuits against

small businesses that were not

compliant with the ADA. Of an-

other important note no ruling was

made for the need to supply single

rider golf cars to disabled golfers.

This may come later.

The EPA has settled the

Golby 11 lawsuit with the Center

for Biological Diversity and pesti-

cide restrictions have been imple-

mented in the counties surrounding

San Francisco Bay. Use restric-

tions have been placed on 75 ac-

tive ingredients for their potential

effects to 1 or more of 11 federally

listed endangered species in Ala-

meda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa,

San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano,

and Sonoma counties. No-use

buffer zones are in effect adjacent

to certain habitat based on the ge-

ography, the species at risk and the

pesticide being used. The restric-

tions will remain in place while

EPA is reviewing these pesticides.

The settlement of this lawsuit may

open the door for more litigation in

areas around California that may

also have habitat that other listed

endangered species populate. Stay

tuned.

Two important chemicals

are no longer available as tools for

golf course superintendents. PCNB

and MSMA can no longer be sold

to professional golf course and

landscape managers. In the case of

PCNB there were impurities found

in the product that could have had (Continued on page 7)


Y O U R E X C L U S I V E N O R T H E R N C A L I F O R N I A D E A L E R S

GOV ERNM EN TA L RELATI O N S COMM I TTEE October 5, 2010 by Jim Ferrin, CGCS

Floratine

AquaVive Bio-Amp

JRM

Farmload Distributors

Phoenix

AnaLync

Gro-Power

Aqua-Pucks

(800) 322-8417

Thor Larson

831-277-4356

Mike Farmen

559-709-6295

Bob Francischine

209-747-2206

Bob Slater

530-219-4135


toxicological significance and thus

the US EPA removed the product

from distribution. We may however

see this product next season for

snow mold protection. In the case

of MSMA it looks as if we have

permanently lost an important pesti-

cide that was used as a post control

product for crabgrass and Dalis

grass (amongst other summer grassy

weeds).

We Need Your Help!!!!

In a recent decision from the U.S.

Supreme Court declining to hear the

case, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court,

overturning a 2006 EPA Aquatic

Pesticide final rule, declared that

pesticide applications were now

considered a point of source dis-

charge of pollutants, which takes

away the exception of pesticide ap-

plications from the Clean Water Act

and NPDES permitting requirements

per the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide

and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) This

potentially can change the way pesti-

cides will be regulated in the future

and the manner in which superinten-

dents will be apply to apply them. Go-

ing forward superintendent’s and other

pesticide applicators will be required to

obtain Clean Water Act National Pol-

lutant Discharge Elimination System

permits for pesticide applications if

your golf course sits near a body of

water- natural or man made.

The GCSAA has been actively

involved in fighting this ruling and

they are asking for our assistance in

doing so by reaching out to members

who might lobby their legislators to

amend legislation in accordance with

FIFRA (see GCSAA On-Line) by not

requiring Clean Water Act permits for

pesticide applications if done in accor-

dance with the FIFRA. The GCSAA is

pushing for passage of amending legis-

lation in S.3735 and H.R. 6087. Ac-

tion alerts can be found at gcsaa.org/

advocacy/take_action.aspx.

The GCSAA is also advocat-

ing that we find out locally with what

is happening in California and NPDES,

which your Governmental Relations

Committee has made comments on.

Other states are already in the process

of developing draft permits. We

should know more by December.

Please contact Chava McKeel at

[email protected] to assist.

GOV ERNM EN T REL ATIO N S C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 6

mailto:[email protected]

pretty good day for Terry. Congratula-

tions.

Taylor Hubbard began his

round on the 12th hole with a well

struck tee shot that rolled down the

fairway into perfect position. He

would go on to capture his 3rd Affili-

ate Trophy in 4 years with a final score

of 80. The Affiliate Trophy vaca-

tioned away from Taylor’s mantle last

year which saw Jim Barbuto win the

prize at Coyote Moon. As you can see,

Chapter President Scott Dickson is just

as excited as Taylor.

Below is

Taylor

Hubbard on

#12

GHIN’s

were

re-

corded

and

proved

to be

impor-

tant, at

least to the two Low Net winners. Lou

Silvera, Superintendent of Castle

Wood Country Club fired an 86 for a

net 71.

Bob Miller of Andersons Golf

Products finished with a net 69 to take

the top spot on the affiliate side. If you

don’t already have one, work towards

getting your official handicap for the

next tournament.

As usual, our affiliate mem-

bers generously offered their support

in sponsoring the many prizes for the

tournament. Precision Labrotories do-

nated the prize money to our top play-

ers which went towards gift certificates

at the Gray’s Crossing Pro Shop.



PR ESI D EN T ’S CU P C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1

Verti Drain

Service

Bruce Christensen

Minden NV 89423

2754 Kayne Ave. Christensen

Turf Products

Christensen Turf Products

Tel: (775) 4502761

Fax (775-267-9382

Email: [email protected]


There were also 6 con-

tests on the course. Sponsors

included Pete Bowman of Tar-

get Specialty Products, Jim

Duhig of Arrowgolf Construc-

tion, David Piper of Simplot

Partners, Joe Kurung, West

Coast Sand and Gravel, Larry

Blackledge of Quali Pro,

Manny Pina of Ewing.

Closest to the pin was

won by Brandon Carter, John

Renslow, Sean Kelly, and

Colby Gunsch.

Don Radford

and Tracy

Shanahan won

the accuracy

drive and long

drive respec-

tively.

PR ESI D EN T ’S CU P C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 8

Above are Scott Dickson and Michael Cornette

handling the registration. Below is Lou Silviera

hiding from the camera

Thank You to All Our Sponsors


As a courtesy, the Board of

directors would like to remind the

membership of the new rules that are

effectively in place with regards to

payments to the Sierra Nevada

GCSA. The highlights of the policy

are as follows:

Invoices for dues shall be sent

annually as of October 1st. All dues

are due upon receipt of invoice.

Members who fail to pay their dues

by December 31st shall have a $25.00

additional penalty applied to the

amount due. If dues remain unpaid

by January 30th the member will be

notified by the Secretary of their

membership termination with a letter

stating the reason for termination.

Termination of membership will be

effective 30 days after the notification

has been sent. Dues for new members

joining after March 30 of any year

shall be pro-rated in the second year

to one-half of the annual dues for the

appropriate membership class.

The first invoice will be sent out

upon completion of service. After 30

days or the first of the month (which

is closer) a second invoice will be

sent with 1-1/2 % interest per month

plus a penalty if applicable.

Payment for all Association meet-

ings and events are due in to the of-

fice by the reservation deadline

posted. Any confirmed meeting fees

unpaid on the day of the meeting will

be invoiced to the member at the

meeting. After 30 days of the meeting

a second invoice will be sent with 1-

1/2 % interest per month.

Any member attending a meeting

with a guest is responsible for the

payment of the guests’ participation

in the event the guest does not fulfill

their obligation to the association.

If you reserve a spot for a guest,

and they do not show up, you will be

billed for your guest. You must can-

cel 72 hours in advance (3 business

days) prior to the meeting.

Following ninety days of the in-

voice date, if the invoice remains un-

paid the board will motion to suspend

the meeting privileges of the member.

If the suspension is held until the

membership renewal cycle, the mem-

ber will need to pay all debts as well

as reinstate the membership with a

twenty five dollar reinstatement fee in

addition to the dues.

It is important to remember

that as a professional organization, we

owe it to ourselves to be just that…

Professionals. We should be able to

hold ourselves to the same standards

we would hold businesses and mem-

bers at our courses to in our organiza-

tion. It has been a pleasure to serve

as your secretary treasurer this year.

2010 ACC OU NT S RECE I VAB L E POL I C Y By Jeff Couwenhoven


OU R D AY AT RA L E Y F I E L D

Above Jeff Couwen-

hoven throws a

few. Everyone who

attended had the

opportunity to take

batting practice.

LOTS OF FUN!

At left Scott

Dickson

prepares for

his first

semi pro

debut. Be-

low, even

Irene got

into the

game

Our hosts Chris Raulston along with Chris

Martin of the RiverCats Maintenance Div.

5322 N. Leonard Ave.

Clovis, CA 93619

California State Meeting

Water, Turf & Management

November 7,8,9, 2010

Pacific Palms Hotel

www.pacificpalmsresort.com

Industry Hills, CA

Register online at Californiagcsa.org

Register Now

01 09-10 Sept/Oct 2010 Sierra Nevada GCSA Newsletter

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