Places to be: the Golfdom booth

Hey everyone!

If you're a superintendent on the Golfdom email list, you just received an email from us. A lot of the content in that email makes me blush (these guys are way too proud of me) but some of that information is actually REALLY COOL.

In my opinion, the lead item of this thing should have read, "Stop by the Golfdom booth to win a trip to Pinehurst!" If you're a super, you have to come by and get registered. That's an all-expense paid trip to No. 2. That's AWESOME.

You can also get your favorite golf hole entered into FMC's "Hole of the Month." We need stunning golf holes for this feature, let us know if we should use a hole from your course!

We also announced the schedule of the Golfdom booth. We'll have people at our booth all day both days, so any time is a good time to stop by and get a copy of the magazine or learn more about the Golfdom Summit.

If you would like to see some of the "new guys" with Golfdom, well, we'll be there also. Here's the schedule, and the entire contents of the email that just went out, below.

Hope to see you at the GIS!

-Seth

Stop by the Golfdom booth to meet our new editor-in-chief, Seth Jones, as well as two of our new contributing editors, Clark Throssell, Ph.D., and Anthony Williams, CGCS, CGM. We're excited about all three! Seth is a 13-year veteran of the turf magazine business, having put in all of his time previously at GCM. Clark Throssell is the former director of research for the GCSAA, as well as the former director of Purdue University's turf program. Anthony Williams is the director of grounds at Stone Mountain (Ga.) Golf Club and the first two-time national winner of the Golf Digest/GCSAA Environmental Leaders in Golf Award, as well as one of Golf Inc.'s "20 most admired golf operators." Each will be at the booth during the following hours to meet and talk to Golfdom's subscribers and show attendees:

Wednesday and Thursday Hours 1-2 p.m. -- Clark Throssell 2-3 p.m. -- Seth Jones 3-4 p.m. -- Anthony Williams

While you are at our booth you can submit your name for consideration on two exciting opportunities for you and your course:

First you can submit your name for consideration to be invited to the Golfdom Summit Nov. 12th - 14th 2011 at Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst Village, NC. The Golfdom Summit is an invitation-only forum bringing together superintendents, suppliers, and dealers of products used for maintenance, construction, design and operation of golf courses. Through education, conceptualization, and networking this summit will offer strategic level insights into what leaders should be doing to help them prepare their business to overcome any obstacles that may lie ahead. All superintendents invited will receive a fully hosted package including airfare, deluxe hotel accommodations, and access to networking events, as well as a round of golf on Course #2 at Pinehurst!

Drop by the booth and submit your name for consideration and one lucky superintendent from the show will be selected to receive an invitation to the Summit. The selection will be announced at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Golfdom booth.

While at the Golfdom booth you will also have the opportunity to submit your course for consideration to be featured in the Golfdom Hole of the Month feature which appears regularly in Golfdom magazine. Hole of the Month - sponsored by FMC - is a spread feature offering a scenic shot of the selected hole with information about the hole layout, playability, and maintenance challenges faced by the course superintendent. Submit your course for consideration to be featured in Golfdom magazine!

Please click here for more info.

Hendren's Hyperbole! Episode 5 -- Punch 'em in the face!

Welcome back to another riveting addition of Hendren’s Hyperbole! I hope everyone had a great weekend. How was my weekend? Thanks for asking! I watched a little golf, hung out with the family and attended my first and probably last live MMA fight with Golfdom’s Editor-in-Chief Seth Jones.

MMA, what a joke. Let’s talk golf, a real sport that does not involve two knuckleheads rolling around on the ground playing grab-ass in tight shorts, Tap Out gear, or morons, ERRRR fans, yelling “Punch 'em in the face!”

Congratulations to Bubba Watson, winner of the Farmers Insurance Open. He won with a score of -16. Phil Mickelson milked the crowd for all it was worth on the 72nd hole by having his caddie tend the pin for his 72-yard approach shot to force a playoff. Mickelson's shot was pretty close but in the end Watson was able to grab his second win on tour.

I think the real story at the Farmers was Johnny Vegas. I love this kid! His mind is sharp and his will is outstanding! He was very close to grabbing his second win in as many weeks. The last player to accomplish that feat was David Duval in 1997; he actually won his first three events.

I can’t wait to see what Vegas can do over the next few years. The sky is the limit for this kid -- let's start up the hype machine right now. Well, as long as he doesn’t start hanging out with Anthony Kim in his off-time, I think he'll make a big splash. Talk about a fantasy sleeper! Just remember you heard it here first!

How about Tiger’s pedestrian performance? He tied for 44th place. Everyone is off the Tiger bandwagon. How many times is this guy going to revamp his swing? How many swing coaches is he going to fire? How long are they going to keep following him on the course even though he is 15 shots off the lead?

Ratings were up 54% on Sunday’s final round on CBS. That just proves my point that Tiger's fans have left in droves. Tiger wasn’t anywhere to be found and the ratings were still great! I think everyone tuned in to watch my boy Johnny Vegas!

It did make my weekend to watch Tiger hit bad shot after bad shot, slam his club on the ground and drop f-bomb after f-bomb. He must have got that after-shot routine from Seth. If you're playing with him this weekend at the GCSAA tournament, I feel sorry for you. Just prepare yourself for this behavior, it's better if you know about it going in.

I think Tiger needs to go back to Vegas and let off a little steam as only Tiger can. It couldn’t hurt, right?

Matt Hendren is a superintendent for the city of Kansas City, Kan., and is currently preparing to work an overnight shift to deal with snow removal.

Randquist talks GIS numbers

I had a nice phone conversation with the soon-to-be president of the GCSAA this morning, Robert Randquist, CGCS at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Fla.

I've been hearing murmurs that GCSAA has been busy lately, as GIS numbers have been picking up in recent weeks. Randquist confirmed this for me.

"Our projections (for the GIS) were not conservative, and they were not liberal -- they were moderate. So far the trade show and seminar seats have both exceeded expectations," Randquist said. "Especially the seminar seats, they're considerably ahead (of projections).

"As you know, these seminar seats and making the trade show floor space goals -- it makes for a financially successful Golf Industry Show," Randquist said.

But what about attendance?

"Attendance is pretty close to what our projections were," he said. "It seems to be up-ticking pretty good lately. Usually in Orlando, we get a lot of walk-in traffic. If we get some of that, we'll be just fine."

Places to be: Turfco booth

Just caught word of what Turfco has going on at their booth (# 2740) this year.

The company is celebrating 50 years of business this year. Turfco invented the spreader back in 1961, so they want to do it up right this year. They're giving away commemorative 50-year divot repair tools at the GIS. Also, people who stop by their booth can register to win an iPad... they're giving away one iPad every month this year.

And their grand prize? One winner will score a free Widespin 1540EC. Score!

Can't wait until Orlando to get your name in the hat for an iPad? You don't have to wait... word is supers will be able to enter on-line via a special link. I've been given that link, but the page isn't live yet. As soon as it goes live, I'll share it with you.

I'm thinking the iPad is the official "it" prize of the year for the GIS. And I think that's cool... they're a hot item. Heck, I know everyone on the Golfdom staff has been Jonesin' to get one!

Oregon State study finds optimal treatment for fast, healthy greens

Researchers at Oregon State University believe they've come up with a winning formula for making putting greens fast and healthy – and they have the numbers to prove it.

They examined different rolling and mowing techniques on annual bluegrass putting greens and found that golf balls rolled the farthest when the greens were mowed daily and rolled immediately afterward. The balls traveled an average of 11 feet when struck at a controlled speed, which was 15 inches farther than on grass that was only mowed daily, not rolled.

The next greatest distance, an average of 10 feet, was on plots that were rolled daily but mowed only four days a week.

The study is important because the grass was mowed at a higher-than-normal height, which kept the grass healthy and vibrant and proves that putting speed can still be fast on taller grass.

For the complete press release click here.

Sad news in the industry

I received some very sad news that my friend Matt Hurley of Standard Golf passed away today. He suffered a brain aneurysm one week ago, had emergency surgery and never came out of a coma.

Matt touched many lives and will be sorely missed by all. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and co-workers at Standard Golf.

-- Pat Roberts, publisher, Golfdom

GCSAA made a strong choice in choosing Evans

Though it might not satisfy some, removing the “interim” title and choosing Rhett Evans as the next GCSAA CEO was a strong choice made by the GCSAA Board of Directors.

In the short term, Evans already knows the score at GCSAA. He knows what the association is going through. He knows what the staff has been going through. There will be no “catch-up” stage.

In the long term, Evans has the pedigree. Keep in mind, when GCSAA hired Evans to become the Chief Operating Officer, they really were hiring him to be the next GCSAA CEO – even ousted former CEO Mark Woodward would tell you that. Woodward introduced the Board to Evans as “his guy” – the two worked together back in Mesa, Ariz. Both Woodward, then Evans, worked as the city’s director of parks and recreation, where they managed a staff of 700 and budget of $32 million.

When Woodward left for Torrey Pines, Evans took over for Woodward back in Mesa. Woodward obviously liked what Evans was made of, because when the GCSAA Board started looking for a COO, Woodward dropped Evans’ name. The Board was looking for a COO, but more important, they were looking for the person to eventually take over for Woodward, and Woodward knew this.

And now that’s happened, albeit a lot faster than Woodward, Evans or the Board of Directors had planned.

But Evans is a leader. He’s also one of the most competitive people I know. Whether it’s golf, duck hunting or his Ironman triathlons he competes in, he likes to throw himself into projects full-bore. These qualities make for a CEO with a strong potential to succeed, and to lead the GCSAA into the future.

"We are excited to have Rhett Evans as our CEO," Jim Fitzroy, GCSAA’s current president, said in a press release from the association. "He has a track record of success everywhere he has been. He has experience in the golf industry, both on the facility level and from an organizational perspective. He has experience in managing a large staff and being accountable to a variety of constituents. And, he is a consensus builder. That will serve him well with GCSAA members and in the increasingly collaborative golf industry."

The truth is, Evans has seen a lot of blood on the walls during his short time at GCSAA. But he empathized with the staff while they were going through it. I can think back to my time at GCSAA during a particularly rough round of layoffs, and though I still disagree with some of the decisions made that day, Evans obviously didn’t take any of them lightly.

I don’t know who else was a candidate for the GCSAA CEO position. But honestly, the Board could have done a lot worse. By taking Evans, they know whom they’re getting. No one knew the last 18 months was really Evans’ try-out for immediately taking the GCSAA CEO position, but that’s what it ended up being.

Now, Evans can lead the GCSAA into the future. With the support of the membership, I think he’ll do a fine job.

Rain Bird's 2011 Intelligent Use of Water film competition now accepting entries

This just in from Rain Bird... and check out the judges, which includes our own Pat Roberts!

(Not sure about Pat judging films though... I recently discovered that he didn't agree with me that "Throw Momma From the Train" was unfairly denied an Oscar.)

RAIN BIRD'S 2011 INTELLIGENT USE OF WATER FILM COMPETITION ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES

Environmentally-focused film competition seeks short films highlighting the need for responsible water use

AZUSA, CA (January 25, 2011) – Rain Bird's 2011 Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition is now accepting entries from amateur and experienced filmmakers who want to raise awareness of the need for effective, efficient and responsible water use. Now in its fourth year, the Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition is open to all narrative, documentary, animated, experimental short films of one to ten minutes in length. These films should creatively explore methods and ideas about how to responsibly manage and use Earth’s most precious resource.

A judging panel of film and water experts will review films submitted via the competition's website, www.IUOWFILM.com. Finalists will win a trip to Los Angeles, where they will be guests at a formal screening event hosted by wildlife expert, Jack Hanna, a 30-year veteran of documentary films and TV shows.

“As a person that has spent the better part of my life documenting the beauty of wildlife and the habitats in which they live, I can appreciate the incredible power that film has to open minds, create an emotional connection and bring about change,” said Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium and host of the syndicated television series Into the Wild. “When I travel around the globe, I get to see firsthand just how strong the connection between water and life is. I am excited to once again have the opportunity to join Rain Bird in raising awareness of the fragility of all life and the need to find sustainable solutions that will preserve all of Earth’s inhabitants.”

Following the screening of the finalists’ films and a roundtable discussion with the filmmakers and judges, two winners will be announced and awarded cash prizes of $6,000 for the Jury Award and $3,000 for the Audience Choice Award.

This year’s competition will also feature a $6,000 Green Industry Award, which will be presented to the finalist’s film receiving the most votes from professionals who work in the green industry, such as landscape architects, landscape contractors, irrigation contractors and golf course superintendents. The Green Industry Award will be presented in partnership with the Questex Media Group, publishers of leading landscape and building publications including Athletic Turf, Golfdom and Landscape Management. Industry professionals will case their votes on a separate website hosted by Questex.

In addition to the return of Questex Media Group and FilmL.A. as Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition partners, The Chronicles Group, GOOD magazine and the Southern Nevada Water Authority have also partnered to support the competition in 2011.

A representative from each organization will also serve on the competition’s judging panel, where they will evaluate the submissions based on their ability to creatively address the issue of responsible water use. The 2011 competition judges are:

• Doug Bennett, Conservation Manager, Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Ben Jervey, Contributing Editor, GOOD Magazine
• Patrick Roberts, Group Publisher, Golfdom and Landscape Management magazines
• Philip Sokoloski, Manager of Communications, FilmL.A.
• Jim Thebaut, Chief Executive Officer, The Chronicles Group, Inc.

All entries to the Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Monday, August 1, 2011 for consideration. More information about the competition and entry requirements is available at www.IUOWFILM.com. Visit Rain Bird’s Facebook page to share thoughts and ideas with other filmmakers.

Hendren's Hyperbole! Episode 4 -- All Tigered Out

Welcome back to another addition of Hendren’s Hyperbole! Hopefully everyone had a chance to watch some of the Bob Hope Classic. If you didn’t have time due to an exciting weekend of trips to Bed, Bath and Beyond and Home Depot, you should be ashamed of yourself, but I know how wives and girlfriends do sometimes.

If you missed it, I‘ll fill you in on what you missed.

A rookie wins! What a coincidence, I let a couple of rookies have it in my last post and a rookie, Jhonattan Vegas, ends up winning in the next tourney. I think its Hendren’s Hyperbole karma! Either that or the one thing everyone needed to know about Johnny was he is a Venezuelan who knew little English when he came to the U.S. and he graduated with a degree in kinesiology. What? Nothing about a shoe fetish or his dream foursome? BORING!

Jhonattan earned 500 FedEx Cup points, a Masters invite and a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour with his win last Sunday at the Bob Hope Classic. In only his second PGA tour event he sunk a 15-foot putt on the second playoff hole to defeat Gary Woodland. He nearly holed out for eagle from the bleachers on 18 in the first playoff hole, an awesome shot! One thing is clear; this rookie has got some large stones! Nice work Johnny! You're kind of a big deal!

What does everyone think about Tiger dropping to #3? Personally, I don’t care if he's first or last. I know Tiger is good for the PGA Tour and golf in general but I am all Tigered out. Even when Tiger isn’t in the field he is still a topic of conversation between the on-air personalities. What a joke. I would rather hear about bunker maintenance, or John Daly’s wardrobe than the glitch in Tiger’s swing or whatever the topic of the minute is about Tiger.

That’s it for this week’s addition of Hendren’s Hyperbole! Hopefully everyone can find some time this weekend to watch the Farmers Insurance Open. Tiger is supposed to play so I am sure we will all get our fill of Tiger, his fake niceties and his generic interviews. This one here is my favorite Tiger interview...



Till next week!

-- Matt Hendren

Places to be: John Deere booth (or their website)

Continuing a series, I think the John Deere booth (# 2001) at the GIS will definitely be a place to visit during the show. Why? Well, besides the cool hardware... how about a trip to the Open Championship? Or an iPad?

The cool thing is Deere has already started this sweepstakes, and you can take a shot at it now by visiting www.johndeere.com/golf.

Here are the complete details, courtesy of John Deere:

John Deere Golf has launched its Think Ahead Sweepstakes, offering participants a chance to win a trip for two to the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s or one of several iPads. By watching a video on the John Deere Golf website, or taking a brief tour of the booth at the Golf Industry Show (GIS), golf course industry professionals qualify for a chance to win one of five iPads and are automatically entered for the opportunity to attend the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s this upcoming July.

“We’re focused on providing equipment, agronomics and irrigation products that equip customers for today’s obstacles and tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Gregg Breningmeyer, global director of sales and marketing, John Deere Golf. “We’re excited to offer the Think Ahead Sweepstakes as an opportunity for industry professionals to learn more about how products and support services from John Deere Golf can help them prepare for and achieve success.”

For the sweepstakes, there will be five entry periods. Three will offer online opportunities for entering by viewing videos on the John Deere Golf www.JohnDeere.com/Golf. The first video was posted on January 13, the second will post on February 11 and the third on April 1. An additional two entry periods occur each day during the GIS where attendees can enter after taking a brief tour of the John Deere Golf booth (#2001). Those interested in entering the sweepstakes through the booth tours should see a John Deere representative once they enter the show booth.

The sweepstakes is eligible only to U.S. citizens and the grand prize winner will be required to have a valid U.S. passport.

Places to be: BASF booth

I thought I'd start a series of posts here about some of the booths that are celebrating the GIS with some awesome giveaways... since I just spoke with these guys yesterday about the topic, I'll lead off with BASF (and to get your cool booth activities listed here soon, email me at sjones@questex.com).

I spoke with Heather Mueller of PSB yesterday, and she told me about how the game of Superintendent Thousandaire works... you know they're giving away some big money prizes to superintendents, a la "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," right?

So I figured that to participate, you have to get your name drawn, or something like that.

But no, it's easier. You just have to be at the BASF booth (# 940) at the right time.

So that time is top-secret, right? There's the rub, I figure... you've got to pop in and hope they're getting ready to choose some supers to compete in Thousandaire.

And then Heather told me, "It's at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, and at 11 a.m. on Thursday."

Ooh! So I got the scoop, right?

"No, we tell everyone that information. We post it on our blog, too."

Oh. OK. Well... how cool is that? You know the time and the place... all you have to do is go to the booth at that time and look like a superintendent who wants to win money. Heck, I could do that!

I'll also take this opportunity to remind you that your friendly (and even not-so-friendly) golf media will all be at the BASF booth at 3 p.m. on Thursday competing in our own version of Superintendent Thousandaire. All the money raised goes to charity. You can read more about that here.

Check out the BASF Turf Talk blog for the complete 411 on their giveaways during the GIS. Here's a hint: cash, product and turf books!

The best thing you could win at the Golfdom booth?

Surprise! It's not this!

(But you could still win it!)

Former GCSAA sales chief leaves association to join the First Tee

For almost five years to the day Mark Bisbing was the director of corporate sales and marketing for GCSAA. It was Bisbing who led the charge on all revenue generated for the association. It was on Bisbing's watch that the Partner Recognition Program (PRP) for GCSAA was created, making companies stretch for that next plateau to give more strength to each of their dollars spent with the association (think super-sizing that order of fries for only an additional 39 cents).

That was until a few weeks ago, when he accepted a new job as the director of corporate relations for the First Tee. Located at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., the organization strives to make a positive impact on children’s lives through the game of golf. The organization boasts 3.5 million participants and 705 program locations.

Now living in sunny Florida, Bisbing is already taking advantage of the nicer weather.

“I hit golf balls yesterday,” Bisbing laughs. He wouldn’t have been able to do that back in Kansas where his wife and daughter are still trying to sell their home in Lenexa. GCSAA headquarters had just picked up 5 inches of snow on this day.

In his new position, Bisbing will interact with the First Tee’s corporate partners and solicit funds to support the First Tee. “This was a great opportunity for me. I’ve always wanted to work down here in the mecca of golf,” Bisbing says.

Bisbing says it was with mixed emotions that he left the GCSAA. In one sense he felt like it was best for his family, as the economic environment at GCSAA has been rocky -- layoffs in recent years have cut the staff from 120 to 80 people. And in another sense he felt like he was leaving behind a family -- the great people he’d no longer get to work with every day at GCSAA headquarters. "It's never an easy decision to move your family," he says.

Bisbing says he’ll look back at his five years at GCSAA fondly, but also with a feeling that he left behind unfinished business.

“I still see tremendous opportunity and potential for the GCSAA,” he says. “I think I left and there were still some opportunities that could be leveraged to elevate the brand and revenues for the association that weren’t getting done.”

Bisbing says he enjoyed trying to find creative new ways to connect superintendents to GCSAA’s industry partners.

“The (GCSAA) members are the cornerstone to the success and playability of a course. The main reason you go to a golf course is for the golf course itself, whether the clubhouse is nice or in a trailer,” Bisbing says. “I always challenged the term ‘unseen heroes.’ I always wanted them to be seen heroes. They’re definitely under-recognized for the work they perform.”

For now, the self-described “golf guy” is looking forward to his wife and daughter joining him in Florida, and he’s also happy to still be in the golf business. He hopes he can still help out superintendents in his new role by helping grow the next generation of golfers while impacting the lives of millions of children through the programs and efforts of the First Tee.

“I’ve always wanted to work somewhere where I could make a difference in someone’s life,” Bisbing says. “This isn’t about selling widgets or our stock price, etc., it’s about making a difference in a child’s life. What could be better than that? And to do it in the universe of golf!”

Hendren's Hyperbole! Episode 3 -- TMI, Rookie!

Hola! Welcome back to another addition of Hendren’s Hyperbole! from sunny El Cozumeleno beach resort! Today it is a balmy 80 degrees. 80 and sunny sure beats the brutal -2 and snowy when we flew out of Kansas City. Tomorrow we are going to hit the links at Cozumel County Club. If things go well (I don’t shoot 120) I might fill you in on the adventure in another post.

Let’s get on to this week’s topic, 2011 PGA rookies.

This last week at the Sony Open was the first chance for the 2011 rookies to show the world what they are made of. Twenty six of the 35 rookies teed it up last week at Waialae. This year’s class is very diverse with players haling from Sweden, Venezuela, Brazil, Korea, South Africa, Argentina and the United States. Ages range anywhere from 20 to 41.

Unfortunately I couldn’t find anywhere to watch golf on the beach. However my Samsung Epic is still rocking so I can check out Twitter. Last week the PGA tweeted out a link to a list of the one thing you need to know about the 2011 rookie class. I found this list pretty stinking funny and a little disturbing at the same time. Let’s take a look at a couple of my favorite things you need to know about the rookie class of 2011.

1. Joe Affrunti, 29. Joe says he has a shoe fetish and never travels without flip flops. WHAT? Why do I need to know that? That’s just weird. A grown man with a shoe fetish should keep that to himself. TMI, Joe. Maybe when Joe is in New York later this year he can look up Rex Ryan’s wife and they can compare their open toe shoe collection! HEY-OH!

2. Jim Herman, 33. Jim says his dream foursome would include his father, brother and Donald Trump. Uh, Jim, this is supposed to be your dream foursome. I’m sure you pop and bro are great people but you wouldn’t substitute them for, oh, I don’t know, someone you can’t play golf with on a regular basis? Dream BIG Jim, dream big! I’m going to let the Donald selection slide. To easy.

I’m not sure why we need to know anything about the 2011 rookies but I am sure glad Joe and Jim decided to share! I recommend everyone who has a Twitter account and loves golf follow @PGATOUR for future little nuggets like the one thing you need to know about the 2011 rookie class.

That’s it for this edition of Hendren’s Hyperbole! Oh yeah, in case anyone was wondering I haven’t cut my finger on any coral. I did cut my lip on a beer bottle, but I was a good fifteen feet from the ocean and so far no one has scratched me a check for $70,500. I guess you only get a check if the cut requires stitches.

Check back next week for what I’m guaranteeing will be a great post.

-- Matt Hendren

We've got a new poll

Last week was BUSY, but we got through it... we're starting this fine MLKJ day with a simple question: Do you care who GCSAA hires as its new CEO?

Vote in the poll on the right side of the page! And if you want to add more than a vote, the comments button is always open.

Who will it be? -- Part 4, our best guesses yet??

OK, our WORST guesses yet...

Here's our final installment of suggesting the next GCSAA CEO. Hope you've had as much fun as we have! And good luck to GCSAA finding the right person -- we're rooting for ya!

Seth Jones, editor in chief, Golfdom magazine
Odds: 15,000/1
Pros: Charming; deceptively young given his abundance of gray hair; member of inaugural “Leadership GCSAA” class; once bowled a 135; christened by Phoenix Environmental Care “smartest editor in the turf business”; likes to party; also, humble.
Cons: If named GCSAA CEO, would insist on making every day “jeans and a Jayhawk T-shirt day” at GCSAA headquarters. That dress code would apply to visiting superintendents, too.
Why it would work: Jones claims the staff at GCSAA still mostly like him despite his recent move to Golfdom. He could make industry leaders feel good about their own golf games when they witnessed his lousy golf game. Jones would also aggressively add an extended “happy hour” to all GCSAA functions, something we could all agree is a good idea. Finally, two words: margarita machine.
Why it wouldn’t work: CEO position would cause Jones to fall behind on his quest to find the world’s best chicken fried steak. Plus, Jones is currently having too much fun at his new gig with Golfdom.

The Active Ingredient, crime fighter extraordinaire
Odds: 15 million/1
Pros: Sworn enemy of Dollar Spot and Fairy Ring. Also, bulletproof.
Cons: Vulnerability to anthracnose. Also, the Masked Avenger would refuse to work daytime hours. Plus, would probably insist on bringing in his sidekick, Active Ingredient Lad, to work as his receptionist -- and we all know Active Ingredient Lad is a bit pretentious.
Why it would work: GCSAA could boast the only CEO that was a superhero! The AI could double as GCSAA CEO and security at all industry events. Also, rumor has it he likes to party. But despite rumors, he is not Seth Jones... Seth is, uh... shorter. And, Seth isn't bulletproof. But he does have a weakness to anthracnose, but that's entirely coincidental.
Why it wouldn't work: Would golf industry feel comfortable making business deals with a man in a mask? Cape could inhibit golf swing. Also, overall superhero costume probably violates most clubhouse dress codes. The AI refuses to provide Social Security number, citing secret identity concerns. Finally there's the thought that some have, that he may be certifiably insane. I mean, really, who dresses like this?!? I know I certainly wouldn't...

Who will it be? Part 3

Here is part three of Golfdom's possible candidates for the GCSAA CEO position. Click here for part one, scroll down for part 2.

The GCSAA is currently interviewing candidates in Kansas City.

It is absolutely possible that a new CEO of the association will be named this month.

Who will it be?
All week here at the Golfdom blog we're throwing out guesses -- some good, some OK and some just flat out bad -- on who the next CEO of the GCSAA might be.

Agree, disagree, have your own candidate? Want to nominate yourself? The comments button is open, post yours!

Greg Norman, World Golf Hall of Famer
Odds: 87/1
Pros: C'mon, the guy is a Shark! Plus, the salary is irrelevant to him. Extra bonus, Norman's star power would make him a keynote speaker on just about any agenda, getting GCSAA tons of found exposure.
Cons: Golf game might get rusty with winters in Lawrence, Kan.
Why it would work: OK, we're not saying Norman wants the job of GCSAA CEO... we're just saying that Norman wants to rule the world. Or at least, the golf world. If he ever had eyes on being commissioner of the PGA Tour, this might be a good first step, eh Sharky? Also, Norman already knows GCSAA well, having been heavily involved with the EIFG and winning the GCSAA's Old Tom Morris Award in 2008. Wow... I've almost talked myself into this one!
Why it wouldn't work: Well, there's the whole playing schedule thing. And the different companies he's already in charge of. Plus, GCSAA headquarters wasn't built to code for a helicopter landing pad on its roof. OK, I talked myself back out of it.

Chuck Borman, former executive director of the Carolinas GCSA, former COO of GCSAA, currently a consultant for the CGCSA
Odds: 100/1
Pros: Previous experience at GCSAA as the association’s Chief Operating Officer. Years of experience as the director of the Carolinas GCSA, the most successful chapter out there right now.
Cons: Already enjoying semi-retirement.
Why it would work: Borman has the connections as well as a proven track record as the leader of the Carolinas. He also has a lot of friends back at GCSAA.
Why it wouldn’t work: You know how the Minnesota Vikings had to send three players to Mississippi to get Brett Favre to come back last year? Well, it would take all remaining 80 GCSAA staff members to go to South Carolina to drag Borman back to Lawrence, Kan. Second, Borman’s already left the GCSAA once, GCSAA wouldn’t want to set itself up to be left again.

Steve Mona, CEO, World Golf Foundation
Odds: 250/1
Pros: GCSAA CEO during most of the association’s heyday (1993-2007).
Cons: Can you ever go home again?
Why it would work: Mona was a cherished asset at the association while he was there. If he pulled a Roy Williams-goes-back-to-Carolina (apologies for another Lawrence, Kan. reference) and returned to the association which made him a force in the golf industry when they really need him? His appreciation within the GCSAA membership would be off-the-charts! At least until the GCSAA dropped back-to-back games in Hawaii, fell out of the AP top 25, and then... wait, I'm talking about Roy Williams again, aren't I? Sorry.
Why it wouldn’t work: Mona’s been there, done that. He's looking forward, not backward.

Come back tomorrow for what is surely our single-best nominee yet!

And if you have your own opinion, maybe you think a different Tour golfer would be a better CEO? Post it below!

Who will it be? Part 2

Here is part two of Golfdom's possible candidates for the GCSAA CEO position. Click here for part one.

The GCSAA is currently interviewing candidates in Kansas City.

It is absolutely possible that a new CEO of the association will be named this month.

Who will it be?

For the next five days here at the Golfdom blog we're throwing out guesses -- some good, some OK and some just flat out bad -- on who the next CEO of the GCSAA might be.

Agree, disagree, have your own candidate? Want to nominate yourself? The comments button is open, post yours!

Rhett Evans, interim CEO, GCSAA
Odds: 12/1
Pros: Former GCSAA COO, now current interim CEO. Was brought in to be groomed as the future CEO while Woodward was still there. Knows well the current situation and mood at GCSAA HQ. Also, would only have to move his office about 25 feet.
Cons: The GCSAA Board of Directors might think that naming Evans CEO lacks pizzazz, and would seem like a long-term plan put into effect too soon. Also, Evans is still relatively new to the association, having started in July of 2009.
Why it would work: The GCSAA board of directors likes Evans. They trust him as well, as he’s been asked to be involved in some pretty high-level layoffs in his short tenure. Evans also has the hallmark characteristics of a CEO: friendly, yet ultra-competitive and driven.
Why it wouldn’t work: Who says it wouldn't work? But if the GCSAA Board is looking to make a big splash, promoting the interim CEO doesn't ripple a lot of water.

Teri Harris, former director, Environmental Institute for Golf
Odds three months ago: 15/1
Odds today: 1,500/1
Pros: Years of experience at GCSAA as a high-level director, including a long stint as the head of GCSAA’s Environmental Institute for Golf.
Cons: Recently laid off. Whoops.
Why it would work: Had she not been let go a few months ago, Harris could have been a great candidate. She was one of the top executives at GCSAA for over a decade. She was good on camera. She had a knack for developing relationships that benefited the EIFG and the GCSAA. Also, it could have made a big splash to have named a woman CEO.
Why it wouldn’t work: Obviously, hiring Harris as CEO months after she was let go would not only be a human resources nightmare, but also a public relations nightmare. Had things worked out differently and she were still working at GCSAA, Harris may have been considered one of the front-runners for the position.

Hendren's Hyperbole! Episode 2 -- Stick with the Pool, Dude

Welcome back to Hendren’s Hyperbole! I hope everyone’s week was parallel to Jonathan Byrd and not Camilo Villegas. I logged a lot of time last week watching the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. I figured by now, as much golf as is watched in the Hendren household, my wife and daughters would be as huge a fan of watching golf as I am, but no, at least not yet. Let’s be honest, if they’re not fans after over a decade of constant golf watching, it’s probably not going to happen.

Let’s begin this week by taking a closer look at Geoff Ogilvy. Ogilvy is the two-time defending champion of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions (formally the SBS championship). Geoff had to withdraw prior to the start of the tourney Thursday due to a cut on his finger. Apparently he slipped while swimming in the ocean and cut his finger on some coral. A cut that needed twelve stitches to close up. Alright, come on, what the hell is Ogilvy doing in the ocean in the first place? Is he a professional golfer or a professional surfer? He’s not in Hawaii on vacation; he’s on a business trip! If he felt the need to cool off possibly the pool may have been a better option, maybe a cool shower. He is not only going to miss this week’s tournament but reportedly next week’s tournament as well. Here is the kicker; he is going to receive $70,500 for withdrawing. That’s not a typo, $70,500 for essentially flying to Hawaii and cutting his finger.

Now, on to Mr. Villegas, Mr. Camilo Villegas. Everyone knows you are a workout fanatic but here is a tip from me to you. Next time you are riding your bike from Jupiter, Fla. to Orlando to catch a flight to your next tournament (he literally rode his bicycle 80 miles from his home in Jupiter to the Orlando airport and got on a plane to go to a tournament) how’s about downloading a copy of the Rules of Golf on your iPod? Villegas was disqualified before play started on Friday due to turning in a signed, incorrect scorecard Thursday. The problem I have is that the infraction wasn’t caught by Villegas, his caddie, another player, or even the PGA’s vice president of rules. The infraction was called in by a golf rule narc, errrrr, television viewer! WOW! Remind me not to hit up the local muni with that guy! Oh well, I guess this will give Camilo a few more days before next week’s tournament to bang some weights, rip off a few crunches and read the Rules of Golf!

On a couple of lighter notes, Stuart Appleby lost his putter before the start of the tournament. It was found by a Golf Channel employee and returned but not before he bought a $120 putter in the pro shop and played his round Thursday. Isn’t a professional golfer losing his putter like a race car driver losing his keys?

Did anyone see Jason Day hit his tee shot fat by about 6 inches on No. 13 Friday? It was a dribbler off the tee! It reminded me of playing a round with one Mr. Seth Jones. The only difference is Jason still got a par! Golf, I love this game!

That’s it for this week’s addition of Hendren’s Hyperbole! My next entry will be posted from Cozumel, Mexico where I will be on the beach with a cocktail in both hands so I don’t cut either one on any coral!

Who will it be?

The GCSAA is currently interviewing candidates in Kansas City.

It is absolutely possible that a new CEO of the association will be named this month.

Who will it be?

For the next five days here at the Golfdom blog we're throwing out guesses -- some good, some OK and some just flat out bad -- on who the next CEO of the GCSAA might be.

Agree, disagree, have your own candidate? Want to nominate yourself? The comments button is open, post yours!

40-ish lawyer/sports agent type with a smooth demeanor
Odds: 4/1
Pros: This guy is good in front of a camera, looks slick in a nice suit and has had some real success out there in the private sector. He even smells like potential.
Cons: Doesn’t truly understand the work of the superintendent. The last time he interacted with one was when he helped get one fired as a member of a greens committee at his country club, but let's not tell anyone that!
Why it would work: Because the GCSAA is at its core still a business, and they need a businessman to run the place. If that same businessman could turn the charm on in front of the cameras? Deal. Plus, by hiring someone who is an up-and-comer rather than an established executive, that could save the GCSAA some serious coin.
Why it wouldn’t work: Who says it wouldn’t work? Only possible hiccup would be training new guy quickly in politics of superintendents and board of directors. But the new guy could lean on the GCSAA staff early. Let’s face it, whoever they choose this time around, they’re going to have to give him a longer rope than they gave Mark Woodward – the GCSAA doesn’t need to have the dubious honor of having four CEOs (Woodward, Rhett Evans, the new guy and his replacement) in the span of four years.

Jeff Spangler, Senior Vice President, Science and Agronomy, Troon Golf
Odds: 8/1
Pros: Former superintendent with as much experience in the boardroom as in the maintenance facility. With 17 years as an executive with Troon, understands the politics involved with public, private and resort courses.
Cons: Would members embrace a… gasp! management company guy?
Why it would work: Spangler already represents a huge number of superintendents… why not represent them all? He knows what challenges superintendents are up against, and he has ideas on how to deal with them. By being essentially in charge of every golf course’s agronomics under the Troon umbrella – and that’s a lot of golf courses – there might not be a better suited person out there right now.
Why it wouldn’t work: The fear of the big, bad management company. By hiring someone from the management company school of thought, would the anti-management company supers react like the GCSAA just hired Darth Vader to run the Empire? Possibly.

Check back tomorrow for more "who will it be?" guesses! If you want to comment, post it below!

A super's Super Bowl

As the clock winds down on the week here at Golfdom HQ, it's easy for us to start thinking about one team and one team only... THE CHIEFS!

I called devout Patriots fan Steve Sarro, superintendent at Vail (Colo.) Golf Club to see if he was worried about the Chiefs being in the Patriot's way to the Super Bowl.

Seth: So, are you worried about the Chiefs beating the Ravens and being on a collision course with your Patriots?

Steve: The Chiefs? They deserve to be in a bowl game! One of the dot-com bowl games that nobody cares about!

Seth: Ouch! We'll see about that!

Steve: I really think the Patriots have the best shot at the Super Bowl, depending on what the Ravens and Steelers do. But it really comes down to the Steelers or the Patriots. You know the Steelers could play all home games except for the Super Bowl...

Seth: If the Steelers can keep Big Ben together for a few more games, I think they're the team to beat.

Steve: Yeah, I don't know. I think Tom Brady walks on water. Look at what he's done without much of a roster right now.

Seth: I remember calling you when Belichick got rid of Randy Moss, and you told me you weren't worried about it... "In Belichick we trust."

Steve: I bet Randy Moss is sitting somewhere in Tennessee right now, thinking to himself, 'Man, I shouldn't have ticked those guys off!'

So... no love for my Chiefs. But you've got two picks made here. Sarro is taking his Pats, I'm taking the Steelers. Who are you taking the whole way?

What if?

Editor's note -- Today Pat Roberts, publisher of Golfdom, checks in to talk the impending new GCSAA CEO announcement... and something the association should consider doing.

I’m waiting for the big announcement on the new CEO of GCSAA -- if I were in the ivory tower, I’d surely make the announcement at the big show in Orlando. It would have a profound impact as opposed to getting an email from GCSAA headquarters with a press release.

This got me thinking about who the new CEO could possibly be. Let's see, they tried going the “one of our own” route this last time around and we all know what happened there.

Wait, actually, we don’t know what happened there, do we?

Before him the GCSAA went with the “tried and true” association guy, which worked well.

But what if this time around they thought outside of the box? What if they brought in a woman, or a minority to run the association?

It would certainly raise some eyebrows, but I think it just might be what the doctor ordered. I think it would be fantastic and a breath of fresh air.

These times call for strong leaders, regardless of their gender or ethnicity. Hey, Nancy Pelosi was the first female Speaker of the House in the history of this country, and we have a minority in the White House. Why not GCSAA?


-- Pat Roberts, publisher, Golfdom

How clear is your crystal ball?

That was a question asked to me today.

An industry person wanted to know what my expectations for the golf industry in 2011 were. My first thought was, "Wow, you want to know what I think?" My second thought was, "I'd like to tell you what I think!"

A short email followed... and I thought, why just email this complete speculation to one person? Why not share it with the world?

So, here you go: Seth's totally non-researched prediction for the golf industry where I predict such things as a Tiger Woods revival and the weather

• Golf will bounce back in 2011. I'm sure of it.
• OK, say that golf is behind the rest of the world when it comes to the economy (I wonder how many industries say that about themselves... "In the cotton candy industry, we're behind the rest of the world...") But if there's even a slight bounce-back in the economy, that means that those golfers are going to want to get out more than they did in 2010. Even if it's just one round more. I'm from the Steve Mona school of "a rising tide lifts all ships," OK?
  
• Here's where I predict the weather: the weather is going to be better in 2011, more golf friendly. That's not according to any book or weather reporter... that's according to the "it couldn't get any worse, right?" belief. 2010 was brutal. If 2011 is anywhere less than brutal? Good things.
  
• Tiger Woods will play better, contend... WIN... and drive TV ratings again. As soon as he sticks a 7-iron at an impossible pin to win a tournament, that'll inspire tons of us hackers to attempt the same shot the following weekend.

So, apologies for a non-researched post on this fine Wednesday afternoon... but I hope you can appreciate, I have Kansas Jayhawks basketball tickets for tonight's game. I picked up two tickets for me and a friend.

What's that? Why, no, I didn't buy any Kansas basketball tickets in 2010... you know, the econo--

Hmmm! So maybe the order goes like this: college basketball tickets, cotton candy, then golf.

You read it here first.

Hendren's Hyperbole! Episode 1 -- Fantasy versus Reality

Editor's note: Beginning with this installment, the Golfdom blog will feature a regular column from Matt Hendren, a superintendent for the city of Kansas City, Kan., and all-around golf nut.

Welcome to the inaugural entry to Hendren’s Hyperbole! This will serve as a weekly outlet to rant about all things golf and golf related. Now while I have absolutely none of the needed skills to be a great golfer, I do have all the needed skills to rant and rave about the 2011 PGA Tour Season. Check back here weekly for additional updates.

Believe it or not the 2011 PGA Tour kicks off this week in Kapalua, Hawaii with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions January 6th through the 9th. Being a big fan of all fantasy sports I decided to do a little research on World Golf Rankings versus fantasy rankings. If you currently participate in a fantasy golf league or are considering joining one I think you will be interested in the difference. Let’s compare the current top ten World Golf Rankings versus the average top ten fantasy draft golf cheat sheet.

World Golf Ranking
1. Lee Westwood, Eng
2. Tiger Woods, USA
3. Martin Kaymer, Deu
4. Phil Mickelson, USA
5. Graeme McDowell, N.Ire
6. Jim Furyk, USA
7. Steve Stricker, USA
8. Paul Casey, Eng
9. Luke Donald, Eng
10. Rory McIlroy, N.Ire

Fantasy ranking
1. Tiger Woods, USA
2. Phil Mickelson, USA
3. Zach Johnson, USA
4. Geoff Ogilvy, Aus
5. Padraig Harrington, Ire
6. Steve Stricker, USA
7. Jim Furyk, USA
8. Hunter Mahan, USA
9. Henrik Stenson, Swe
10. Dustin Johnson, USA

Only five of the current World Golf Ranking top ten are on the average fantasy ranking top ten. It would seem to me the top 10 on the World Golf Ranking would be a safe bet for any fantasy golf roster. They are, after all... the World Golf Ranking top 10!

All golfers listed on the fantasy top 10 are indeed top 25 golfers with two exceptions: Henrik Stenson, listed 9th on the fantasy ranking, is 53rd on the World Golf Ranking and Geoff Ogilvy, listed 4th on the fantasy ranking, is 27th on the World Golf Ranking.

Another interesting note: check out how many American golfers are on the top 10 fantasy golf list, and how many are on the actual World Golf Ranking top 10. We're looking at 7 American golfers on the fantasy top 10, but only 4 on the World Golf Ranking top 10. This is indeed a case of fantasy versus reality, and I'm sure those American golfers wish it were the other way around (I know I do).

Like all fantasy sports, fantasy golf is a crap shoot and the “sleeper” pick may be the pick to make but probably not break your fantasy roster. I just found it interesting to compare the World Golf and fantasy golf ranking top 10.

OK, that's it for for my first installment of Hendren's Hyperbole! I'll be back with more hyperbole next week, after we've seen one week of actual results. Thanks for reading, everyone!

-- Matt Hendren

Cloud, Pavlasek named GCSAA field staff

Congrats to Brian Cloud of Cloud Golf Services and Richard Pavlasek, CGCS, for being named GCSAA's newest field staff reps. Cloud will serve the South Central region (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico and Louisiana) while Pavlasek gets the sweet, sweet Southwest region (aloha, Hawaii! And California, Nevada and Arizona).

For now, click over here to read the GCSAA press release on Pavlasek, and click here to check out the press release on Cloud.

And expect your friends at Golfdom to follow up with both these gents down the road!

Fort Collins super earns DSA

Congrats to Grant Yaklich (pictured), Fort Collins (Colo.) CC superintendent, who was presented the Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Association's 2010 Distinguished Service Award at its annual conference and trade show in Denver recently.

A former president of the RMRTA, Yaklich has been in the turfgrass industry for 27 years. His service includes an effort to expand educational offerings to the association in such areas as business and employment. While Yaklich was superintendent of the Links at Sierra Blanca, he improved the course's Golf Digest ranking from 10th to 6th while at the same time reducing the course's water usage by 54 percent.

Yaklich has been the superintendent at Fort Collins since 1999.

GCSAA 2011 plan and budget

Jim Fitzroy, CGCS, president of GCSAA, just sent out a tome of an email regarding the 2011 GCSAA plan and budget. The entirety of that email is below.

Look for Golfdom to be covering much of what Jim talks about below next year. In fact, look no further than the post below this one to read more about John Miller being the new field staff rep for the Great Lakes region...

*******

Over the past year I have shared with you information regarding the financial standing of GCSAA and how the association serves you by providing programs and services to enhance your success and that of your facility.

I appreciate the feedback you have provided and the concern you have shown for the association and its staff. I empathize with you as facility budgets have tightened and Mother Nature unleashed her fury on much of the nation. Despite these challenges, I am confident 2011 will be a year of stability with optimism for better times ahead for the association, the profession and the game of golf.

The purpose of this communication is to share with you the outcomes of the GCSAA 2011 Plan and Budget Meeting conducted by the board and executive staff earlier this month. The meeting was a culmination of study and discussions in association committee meetings, board meetings, a board strategic planning session and the chapter delegates meeting this past year. I believe we have constructed an association plan that delivers quality programs and services, while being financially responsible and balanced. The fact remains that we have a solid financial base with no long term debt and a healthy reserve fund. Here are some of the highlights of the 2011 GCSAA Plan and Budget:

Chapter Effectiveness
We continue to dedicate significant resources to enhance chapter effectiveness. The feedback from you has been clear that chapters need and want assistance in serving members. Earlier this year we announced a plan to expand the field staff program, and based on your positive feedback, we have opted to accelerate the growth of the program. Recently we announced the appointment of John Miller, CGCS as the field staff representative for the Great Lakes Region (Kentucky, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio). He joins Ralph Dain, who is the field staff representative for Florida. Next week, we plan to announce resident field staff
representatives for the South Central (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico) and Southwest (Arizona, Nevada, California, Hawaii) regions.

Depending on the financial position of the association, the board approved the following sequence of filling the remaining regions of the Northeast (New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Ontario) and Northwest (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado) in the fourth quarter of 2011. The Southeast (Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi) and Mid-Atlantic (Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia) regions will be filled in 2012; and the Central Plains region (Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri) in 2013.

In addition to field staff, we are continuing to fund and/or increase funding for key chapter resources in the area of outreach (media/public relations), advocacy (government relations), and leadership development (leadership academy, conference chapter workshops, strategic planning). I am heartened by the many stories of success where chapter and association resources have been utilized to the benefit of members and their facilities.

Research
No GCSAA board member disputes the importance of research to our members and the business of golf. That is why we budgeted dollars and additional resources to continue our research program in 2011, albeit at a reduced level from years past. We have also noted contingency actions to make increased funding among the highest priorities should certain revenue levels be met. Our goal is to expand this program as soon as it is feasible.

Advocacy/Outreach
Representing our members and the association remains a priority for GCSAA. We have shifted resources to provide a greater focus on government relations and compliance efforts, including helping chapters with regional issues they are facing. We will continue to collaborate with our peer associations to participate in the We Are Golf coalition, which seeks to establish a stronger presence for the golf industry with state and national lawmakers. We will also maintain a strong media/public relations program including visibility on the Golf Channel and in various publications, web properties and events that are directed toward owners, operators, managers, parks and recreation officials, developers and other decision-makers.

It is clear that GCSAA members are recognized for their value as 97 percent of employers consider them to be key to the economic vitality of the golf facility, and avid golfers indicate they are the top employee at a golf facility in delivering enjoyment. Similar to We Are Golf, GCSAA will continue to be active in Golf 20/20's Image of the Game initiative, which seeks to publicize the economic, health, environmental and charitable benefits of the game. We have many success stories in our advocacy/outreach efforts on a national and chapter level and providing more resources will help to continue and heighten that success.

Environmental Programs
GCSAA and its philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf, will continue to put a focus on environmental stewardship and fostering industry collaboration on the sustainable management of golf facilities. Through the Institute's leadership, Golf's Drive Toward Sustainability is a collaborative initiative that will help to ensure golf courses remain viable and deliver environmental, economic and recreational benefits. Our focus will be to continue to produce tools for the industry to use, the cornerstone being Best Management Practices performance statements that present a supporting business case. The emphasis will be on continuous improvement for facilities. Two additional resources that will be provided in 2011 are the fourth and fifth phases of the Golf Course Environmental Profile; Energy Use and Conservation, and Pesticide Use, respectively. The GCSAA Golf Course Environmental Profile has been recognized as a resource for state and national surveys that measure the economic and environmental impact of the game. It has also been an important tool in golf industry advocacy efforts with legislators and regulators, and the media.

New Education Programs and Delivery
In our quest to continue to provide you the best education in the industry, we will invest resources to develop new seminars and utilize new technologies to deliver education and information.

New Programs and Services
We will produce new programs and services (and enhance current ones) to your benefit and to generate revenues to support those efforts. Among those that have been recently introduced or will be in 2011 include enhanced communications through the GCSAA Industry Spotlight e-newsletter, GCSAA online radio, a member-produced video channel on GCSAA TV and a redesigned website; development of a new and state of the industry Job Board; introduction of a Member Savings Program providing savings on a variety of goods and services for you personally and professionally; new superintendent competencies measured and addressed by the online Self Assessment Tool; a virtual trade show in cooperation with the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association; enhanced networking through a new online discussion forums product and social media presence (Facebook, Twitter, blogging); tools to advance environmental stewardship including an online IPM template, BMPs and case studies. This is just a partial list of the recent offerings your membership has allowed us to develop.

Financial Analysis
Though the economy in general has shown signs of growth, the prevailing opinion is that the recovery is likely to be slow and steady. Golf, a leisure/recreation industry, is by nature likely to trail in that recovery. People will quite naturally spend money on necessities before discretionary items. For that reason, we see 2011 as a year of stabilization. Golfer participation, course openings, and rounds played will likely be flat. That will mean GCSAA revenues will be flat for the most part. We have been conservative in our projections and reduced our reliance on reserve funds, therefore we will actually show a decrease in revenues from 2010. To accomplish all that we have laid out in the plan, it is vital that we have your support for a dues increase to be voted on at the annual meeting in Orlando. As has been shared in the past, the percentage of revenues that comes from member dues (for classes A, SM and C) is 27 percent, which is 10-13 percent lower than that of similar associations.

Conclusion
I appreciate your continued support of GCSAA. Our association retention rate since 2003 of 92 percent for Class A, SM and C members and 97 percent for Class A members is a testament to the value you place on GCSAA membership. However, we must never take that support for granted. You are constantly being asked to demonstrate a return on investment for your expenditures and we as members should expect no less from our association. I believe the GCSAA programs and services offer considerable value over and above that investment. I urge you to take advantage of these opportunities. A great way to start would be to join your peers at the 2011 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show, Feb. 7-11 in Orlando. Again, thank you for being a part of GCSAA and taking the time to read about our plans for 2011. Please contact me at jfitzroy@presidentsgc.com should you have questions.

Sincerely,

Jim Fitzroy, CGCS
GCSAA President

Miller talks end of LPGA agronomist, beginning of field staff

I've had the good fortune of knowing John Miller, CGCS, soon-to-be former GCSAA LPGA staff agronomist, for a few years now. I even had the pleasure of shadowing him while he was on the job at the 2008 Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills CC in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

The GCSAA recently announced that beginning in 2011, Miller will have a new job for the association -- he will be the new field staff representative of the Great Lakes region. Consequently, that also means he's on his last few days as the LPGA Tour agronomist.

Golfdom caught up with Miller recently to discuss the change of jobs.

"Sure, I'm sad (about the end of the LPGA position), but we accomplished what we set out to do," Miller said. "It was a sign of the times -- there was no money to fund the position anymore. GCSAA decided not to renew the contract."

Miller said his favorite thing about the LPGA position was being able to work with superintendents around the globe to make their golf courses the best they could be.

"I was an extra set of eyes that could help out," Miller said. "But it turned out I learned as much from (the LPGA Tour superintendents) as they learned from me."

While I talked with Miller, he told me he had missed my call earlier that day because he was at a regional superintendent holiday party. So it's obvious that Miller isn't wasting any time getting started on his new gig.

"I'm really excited about this new position. GCSAA has been working hard on this field staff project, and it seems to be going over well with the membership," Miller said. "I think it'll be fun to take the knowledge that I have -- I'm a past chapter president -- and working with other chapters to see what their challenges are. There are a different set of challenges now than when I was a chapter president -- it's a whole new set of challenges. So I'm sure I'll be taking what worked for chapter A and applying it to chapter B. It'll be a lot of fun, and it'll be a good challenge."

Miller said there's an unusual symmetry between his new role as a field staff representative and his old position with the LPGA, especially here in the early goings.

"It's almost the exact same process as when I started out with the LPGA. It's a lot of introductions and getting the word out," Miller said. "It's the same thing with the chapters -- meeting with chapter presidents and leadership, finding out their needs. It's the same as I did with the LPGA. It's taken an interestingly parallel path."

***

Regardless of what you think about GCSAA's field staff program (and I am interested in what you think about it, leave me a comment below), let me tell you that Miller is a great hire and a great representative for the association and for superintendents everywhere. Any time you speak with him, you can just tell that the guy is razor sharp. If he wasn't in turf, I think he'd do just fine as a politician. And he's one of the friendliest guys out there, too.

So good luck in your new position with GCSAA, John, we're rooting for you over here at Golfdom!

Leach says woman sat in 35-degree water for two hours

So much for a slow Monday after Christmas, Greg Leach, assistant superintendent at Lubbock (Texas) CC, said.

Leach arrived at the course around 7 a.m. and was enjoying what he called a "slow Monday after Christmas" at the course when one of his crew members came into the shop and told him there was a car in the pond on No. 15.

"I thought he meant someone stole a golf car and drove that into the pond," Leach says. "I didn't realize it was a real car until I saw it. I was about to call 911 when I saw someone was still in there."

Leach figured the woman in the car was dead. Overnight temperatures dropped to 25 degrees and there were areas of ice on the corners of the pond. Then he saw her move.

"I kicked off my boots and jumped in. The water is about four feet deep," Leach told Golfdom in a phone interview this morning. The car door was already open when he got there, but the woman was still buckled into her seat. "She was moving and speaking, but she wasn't making any sense."

Leach said he was in the water for all of two minute, but the cold water was enough to make his lower body entirely numb. The maintenance facility has a surveillance camera, and reviewing that evening's tape showed headlights going into the pond at 6:30 a.m.

"She sat in there for two, maybe two-and-a-half hours," Leach says.

By the time he had her out of the pond, the first police car was on the scene.

Leach, who got his turf degree from Texas Tech and has been at Lubbock CC for four years, said he once helped pull a 97-year-old man from a pond, but he was in a golf car. This was new territory for him. By the time Golfdom caught up with him on Tuesday morning, he had already done two interviews, one with the local TV news and another with a local newspaper reporter.

"It was a little bit exciting for what I thought would be a slow Monday morning," Leach said.

Assistant super rescues woman from pond

Greg Leach, assistant superintendent at Lubbock (Texas) CC, made the news by rescuing a woman from a vehicle crashed into a course pond. "First I thought she was dead," Leach told KCBD News in Lubbock.

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=13745340

Tragic news out of Texas A&M

Dr. J. Chris Stiegler, assistant professor of turfgrass science and ecology at Texas A&M, and his wife, Jenny, both died in a car wreck on Christmas Eve near Waco, Texas. Their infant daughter Emily has been upgraded from critical to stable condition.

Our prayers go out to the family and especially that baby girl.

Here's the TV news story from Bryan/College Station's KBTX.

Here's the story from yesterday's Bryan-College Station Eagle, a true tear-jerker: http://www.theeagle.com/local/Infant-s-parents-killed-in-wreck

From AgriLifeToday.com, also posted yesterday: http://agrilife.org/today/2010/12/26/stiegler-killed-in-car-wreck/

A fund has been established for Emily as follows:

Emily Grace Stiegler in care of Citizens State Bank
4611 West 6th Avenue
Stillwater, OK 74074

Happy holidays from your friends at Golfdom!

Hi everyone!

In case you haven't heard yet, there's a new editor-in-chief of Golfdom magazine... and yeah, it's that guy sitting on the couch wearing the Chiefs jersey right there... that's me, Seth Jones. (GO CHIEFS!!!)

I'm excited to be here. This is my 8th day on the job so far. I don't remember the last time a mundane day in the office has been so rewarding. I'm thrilled to have this new job, and I promise to work hard for the readers of Golfdom.

The Golfdom blog... well, it's been a lonely place for a while now. There just hasn't been any action. I look back and, wow -- this is the 5th post of the year? (At least I can say I'm responsible for 20% of the posts in 2010!)

I plan on changing that. I like to blog. Especially when I'm travelling for work. Not every blog post will contain cataclysmic information regarding the golf course maintenance industry. Some will be for fun. Some will be serious. But there will be something here for you to check out regularly. That's a promise.

Last thought from me: happy holidays. I hope all our many superintendent readers around the world have a wonderful holiday season. Travel safe. Enjoy the company of your families. Get a little rest.

We'll see you here again soon. Thanks for checking in on us.

(Photo by my daughter, Evey. She's only four! Not bad, huh?)

What Happened to the Green Filters on the TV Cameras at Pebble Beach?

When I watched the U.S. Open on television and saw Pebble Beach Golf Links — you know, the course a lot of people were saying looked lousy because the greens weren't green — I thought of something United States Golf Association agronomist Pat Gross said at a meeting a few months ago.

Gross spoke at the American Society of Irrigation Consultants meeting in late April. He told attendees that new USGA President Jim Hyler wanted to bring a more environmental approach to golf. Included in Hyler’s approach to this thinking was to have NBC remove “green filters from TV cameras” during the U.S. Open.

Really? Is that one reason why Pebble's greens looked brown?

Well, according to NBC’s Tom Roy, green filters used on TV cameras to make a course look greener is “a complete fabrication.”
“The colors that you see at home are the same as you'd see in person,” Roy said in an e-mail to me. “I've never been told to remove filters or adjust colors by any officials. The only manipulation we do is make the picture brighter when the sun sets.”

So where did this off-with-the-green-filter-thing come from?

-- Larry Aylward

Tiger and His PR

Tiger Woods has hired former George Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer to help him with his PR problems, if that's possible. But if I was Tiger, I'd think twice about having Fleischer advise me on what to say after hearing Mark McGwire's confession of steroid use last January.

Fleischer, who operates Fleischer Sports Communications, reportedly was hired by McGwire to help him patch up his image after he stumbled over his alleged steroid use during a congressional hearing a few years back. McGwire decided to come clean earlier this year, and he admitted to using steroids, but not to help him hit more home runs. McGwire said he used steroids for health reasons.

Most of the public, not to mention McGwire's peers, didn't buy the former Big Mac's statements. His confession was a joke.

Did Fleischer have anything to do with it? If I was Tiger, that would be my first question to Ari. Not that anyone can fix Tiger's image, though.

— Larry Aylward

Tell Us What You Think About the Show

If you get a minute, drop us a line at the Golfdom blog to let us know what you think about the show. If you're going, enjoy yourself in San Diego.

-- Larry Aylward

A Better Perspective

A year ago, during the Golf Industry Show in New Orleans, I heard several people say, “We just need to make it through this year.” These people had one thing in common — they were shells hocked by the onslaught of a dreadful economy. Well, we made it through a brutal 2009. Now what?

Not much has changed since last January. Then again, a lot has changed. It’s difficult to say where the golf course maintenance industry will be a year from now, but I’m betting it will be in better shape. Last January, we were all freaked out because there were so many unknowns. There are fewer unknowns this year, which is surely healthy for all of our mental attitudes.

San Diego will be a better show from that perspective. People will be more upbeat, having made it through the wreckage of 2009. Bring on the SoCal sunshine.

--Larry Aylward

Will Tiger's Tanking Image Impact the Golf Industry?

Everybody has a Tiger take? What's your's?

Do you think the golf course industry will suffer because Tiger's image has been tarnished?

Do you think people will forget about this in a matter of time and Tiger will go on to break Jack Nicklaus' record?

Time to Refinance

Earlier this month, I attended the Carolinas GCSA Trade Show & Conference -- an excellent show, by the way -- and heard a great seminar by Keith Smith, a financial advisor, who told superintendents they should refinance their homes if they already haven't. His reason? Rates! Did you know the average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage dropped to a record low of 4.71% this week. Check out this story: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-12-03-mortgae-rates-low_N.htm.

-- Larry Aylward

Currier Leaving Bethpage

Craig Currier is leaving Bethpage State Park, whose Black Course was the site of this year's U.S. Open, for the Glen Oaks Club, a private course on Long Island. Currier is one of the most recognized superintendents in the business. He has also been called one of the best superintendents in the business. Watch Golfdom for an interview with Currier.

A lot of people probably thought Currier would never leave Bethpage. They seemed a perfect fit. On the other hand, Currier is moving on to another and different challenge. There's nothing wrong with that. Such chances aren't going to open up much these days.

-- Larry Aylward

Just Like Lyle Lovett and Julia Roberts

I was surprised when I first heard the Club Managers Association of America dropped the Golf Industry Show like a bad habit. But my surprise only lasted for about two minutes.
Truth is, the marriage of these two associations’ trade shows was kind of like that of country crooner Lyle Lovett and Hollywood starlet Julia Roberts in 1993. It was so oddball that you just knew it wasn’t meant to be. Hence, I can see why the CMAA is leaving the GIS after February’s event.
— Larry Aylward

Look Who Has Time to Play Golf?

Obama has played 24 golf rounds this year. Nice to know he has the time. I hope he's talking about how to fix the economy while putting for a seven.
--Larry Aylward

Wiser When It Comes to Watering

Golf course superintendents are much wiser when it comes to watering in 2009.

A whopping 97 percent of superintendents say they’re taking measures to manage water more efficiently on their golf courses, according to a recent irrigation survey by Golfdom. The survey, conducted in mid-October, garnered nearly 500 responses from superintendents across the country.

The answers to the first question of the survey — Are you doing all you can to manage water as efficiently as possible? — reveals superintendents are more serious about reducing their water use than they were in past years. Fifty percent of superintendents said they’re finding ways to reduce overall water use, even if it causes occasional stress on the turf. Forty-seven percent of respondents said, “Somewhat, we’re trying to find the right balance.” Only 3 percent of superintendents said they were “watering away to attain as green and lush turf as possible.”

We conducted a similar survey in 2006, and the difference in answers between now and then is startling. Back then, only 25 percent of superintendents said they were managing water use as efficiently as possible and 65 percent said they were trying to find a balance. Almost 10 percent said they were watering away for the lush, green look.
— Larry Aylward

Are You Doing Anything to Avoid Job Layoffs?

The good news is unemployment DROPPED in July. Maybe we won't hit that nasty 10 percent mark after all — although several U.S. states have soared past it.
Are you doing anything to avoid layoffs at your course or company?
Let us know.

Have You Been Slighted?

If you read my column above, "They Dropped the Ball -- Big Time," you'll see the story of another superintendent who didn't get his due. In this case, it is Terry Bonar, certified superintendent of Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland.

How about you? Do you feel like you're getting your due where you work? Does your owner, general manager and pro understand the important role you play at your course?

Blog here and let us know.

Thanks,

Larry Aylward
Editor in Chief