GREEN SHEE
VOLUME XXIII, PART \i, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007
NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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These South Florida GCSA superintendents swept the FGCSA Golf Championship once again winning both the Individual and Team
Trophies. They have held both trophies the past two years and won the Team title the last four years. From the left. Front row: Seth
Strickland, Jason Bagwell and Howard Hulsebosch (Low Gross Winner). Back row: Bob Harper and Kelly Cragin. Photo by Joel Jackson

Nov. 4 Suncoast GCSA trip to Tampa
Bay Bucs vs Arizona Cardinals
Nov 12 West Coast GCSA Chapter
meeting, Isla Del Sol
Nov. 13 Coastal Plains Chapter meeting,
St. James Bay GC

Upcoming Events
Nov. 26 Seven Rivers Annual Fishing
Trip - Crystal River
Dec. 8 South Florida Christmas party,
Signature Grand, Davie

Nov. 13 Everglades GCSA Pro-Super

Dec 11 North Florida GCSA Chapter
meeting, Hyde Park GC

Nov 14 Palm Beach GCSA Chapter
meeting, Iron Horse CC

Dec. 13 Everglades Christmas
Tournament

Nov. 14 Calusa GCSA Chapter meeting, Dec. 15 Palm Beach GCSA Christmas
Cruise, Palm Beach Princess
Twin Isles CC

FTGA Regional Turf Conferences:
Tampa, January 9
Ft. Myers, January 10
Port St. Lucie, January 15
Lake Worth, January 16
Broward/Miami Dade, January 17
Ocala, January 22
Jacksonville, January 23
Orlando, January 29
Milton, February 5

November/December 2007

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President's Message

President's Message
Èy Matt Taylor, CGCS

It should be official by now. We have
begun yet another golfing season in
Florida. This year is shaping up to be an
interesting year to say the least in many
regions of the state. Here in Southwest
Florida we are still on water restrictions
and will remain that way at least until next
June. Other parts of the state do not have
the same issues with water for now, but
only time and continued low rainfall will
tell.
Water isn't the only issue confronting our
industry. Not willing to wait for the state
Fertilizer Rule, it appears that many of the
local governments throughout the state are
busy trying to outdo each other for its own
version of fertilizer ordinances.
Methyl Bromide is doomed as most of us
know but it now appears that EPA is
deciding that it needs to go away much
quicker than mandated by the Montreal
Accord. The burning question is why EPA
is accelerating the process which harms
American farmers, growers and the
environment. They just approved a more

toxic chemical as an alternative. Say what?|
Over the past few years with the EPA's
pesticide re-registration process our
industry has lost many key products.
Dursban for one is officially gone from
golf course use. Not sure about anyone
else but it seems like an old friend just
died. And the final fate of MSMA
remains in limbo.
The pending Immigration reform bill
seems to be stalled for now but changes
are on the horizon in that arena.
Meanwhile you do have to keep up with
any No Match letters you get from Uncle
Sam when they question one of your
crew's social security numbers. Don't
ignore it. Follow the procedures or your
company could be in a world of hurt. Ok,
enough of all this negative stuff, is there
any good news?
Sure there is. The good news is that our
industry is highly educated, motivated and
resourceful. Most of us are busy in our full
time jobs, full time families and social
lives. Many guys use this however as an
excuse for just letting everyone else do the
yeoman's work. While you wonder what
can I do? I am just a green keeper.
Fortunately, many years ago some forward

GREEN SHEE

Editor:

Financial Support:

Joel Jackson, CGCS
(407) 248-1971 (fax/phone)
e-mail: FLGrn@aol.com

This issue of the Green Sheet
is being sponsored by:

News Coordinator:
Jennifer Innes
1296 NE OCeanview Cir.
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
(772)334-7515
(772) 334-6015
e-mail: jensinnes@comcast.net

The Green Sheet is a bimonthly FGCS A
Newsletter printed as follows: Jan/Feb,
March/April, May/June, July/August,
Sept./October, November/December.
2

Golf Ventures
5101 Gateway Blvd., Suite 18
Lakeland, FL 33811-2704
800-330-8874
800-481-8911
888-222-7072
All material submitted for printing will
be edited at the discretion of the editor.
Material must be typed or clearly
printed. Photos are encouraged. Items
must be for the good of the association.
Deadline next issue December 15.

Matt Taylor
thinkers got together and formed the
FGCSA with a system of local chapters for
local issues. Many of us are aware what
happens at the local chapter level but
many just see them as a place they send
their dues.
Recently, I attended a local EGCSA
meeting with golf and dinner. We had very
good attendance. Golf was great at Pelican
Bay. The meeting and dinner were also
good. The point is that it was a chance to
get out and see another golf course, spend
time with friends and relax. But more
importantly it gave us all a chance to talk
about the issues at hand and maybe get
others that were not as up on the facts
more in the loop.
A few days later I spoke to a vendor and in
casual conversation it came up that at the
last meeting he attended with XYZ chapter
that attendance was very poor. What is
troubling about both meetings was that
there are many people that did not and do
not attend meetings. How do they get their
information about the industry that puts
food on the table, funds their retirement
and sends their children to college? Maybe
it is time our own grass roots efforts need
to begin by building attendance at local
meetings. Maybe that is one thing you can
do to help out the cause.

FGCSA Happenings

Another simple way to get involved is to
write for the Florida Green. Each issue our
Executive Director has to beg for articles
that will help us. We all maintain some
type of turf grass and landscape material,
and we all do things little differently. Why
not share your knowledge with others? It
really does not take that long. If you think
you don't have time, let your assistants or
other staff members write the articles. By
doing that it gets assistants involved in the
chapter and association. Who knows, these
may be tomorrow's educated board
members.
Throughout the year there are times when
we are asked to write letters in support of
issues. Recently, it was on Methyl
Bromide. These opportunities are critical.
We all need to get involved to demonstrate

our need for products and/or sound law
making. I know that not many of us like to
sit down and write a letter to a
congressman or other legislator but we
really need to. In the case of the letter in
support of Methyl Bromide, key talking
points and the addresses to supportive
congressional leaders were provided. They
need to get a stack of letters to show the
need for action.
My thanks to those members who do
attend meetings and get involved in our
industry. For the others who are still
inactive and stuck in neutral I hope my
comments and ideas will inspire you to get
in gear and help us to move forward.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the
GIS show in Orlando.

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2008 Florida GCSA
Reception Thursday,
January 31st
The 2008 FGCSA Reception will be held
at the Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840
International Drive, within walking
distance of the Convention Center on
Thursday night, January 31st. The Rosen
is the Headquarters Hotel for the GCSAA
as well as the NGCOA and is the same
site as the spectacular FGCSA Reception.
Sponsor solicitation letters have been sent
to all previous sponsors but new sponsors
are always welcome to join us and be part
of this great night for the Florida
Superintendents who travel to the FGCSA
Golf Industry Show in Orlando. Affiliate
members of any local Florida chapters are
encouraged to become sponsors this year
and get involved with this event that has
always been the most talked about
reception of any GCSAA chapter!
This year will be extra special as we bid
farewell to Marie Roberts as she retires
from her position of Association Manager
after 23 years of wonderful and devoted
service. Please contact the FGCSA office
at fgcsal23@bellsouth.net to request a
sponsor solicitation form or call the
FGCSA office at 800-732-6053.

West Coast GCSA President Bill Kistler (left) presents FGCSA Executive Director Joel
Jackson with checks for $1,000 for research and $100 for the Ag/Green Industry Awareness
Campaign. Photo by Christi Haley.

For those of you who have not made
reservations yet for the GIS, the FGCSA
has reserved a block of rooms at the
Orlando Metropolitan Hotel (formerly the
Radisson), 8444 International Drive.
Rooms may be reserved by calling the
Golf Industry Travel at 800-442-7220.
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Executive Director Report

What's Up D.O.C.?
By Joel Jackson, CGCS
What's Up Doc? The former title of this
bi-monthly report to the membership has
been retired since the FGCSA Board of
Directors approved the position of
Executive Director to begin October 1 st to
reflect the changes taking place in our
staff. I accepted the promotion and I thank
the board for the new title. We will be fine
tuning the job description over the next
few months. Not a lot will change
outwardly, but I will work more internally
with the new Association Manager to find
ways that the FGCSA can serve the
chapters and all members more effectively.
And that brings up our new Association
Manager Jennifer Innes. Jennifer and
Marie have been working together about 4
hours a day since October 3rd in Marie's
home office, and Jennifer is learning the

ropes. Right now she is getting a good
dose of Florida Green and Directory
advertising training. She is setting up her
own home office operation and will begin
transferring files soon. So, the training and
transistion is going very well and off to a
great start.
Government Relations: Fertilizer Issues
- No rest for the weary with fertilizer
meetings in Marion County, Longboat Key
and Lee County. And the State's Fertilizer
Urban Fertilizer Task Force is also holding
its second meeting in Gainesville on
October 11th.
The result of the State Task Force
meetings won't bear any fruit until they
submit their final recommendations to the
legislature by January 15th and then we'll
see how bad they mess with it. Depending
on the language some of these early
ordinances may be superceded or the new

rule (if any) may open the door for local
legal challenges on the basis of lack of
sound science. It remains to be seen how
expensive that might become.
Water Restrictions: The South Florida
Water Management District has been
holding regional meetings to discuss water
use, conservation and the ongoing
restrictions. I can tell you that
Commissioner Bronson is on record
advising the SFWMD not to lower Lake
Okeechobee, but the special interests won
out and now all are suffering. But that is
another story. East and West Coast
superintendents continue to work with the
district to create fair and equitable
restriction language so courses will have
adequate supplies to keep the turf alive.
Overseeding for 2007-08 season has just
about been abandoned for anyone not on
effluent water.

FGCSA President Matt Taylor, CGCS visits with Jennifer Innes and Marie Roberts at our booth at the FTGA Conference & Show in
September. Jennifer is currently training to take Marie's position as Association Manager when she retires. Photo by Joel Jackson.
4

Methyl Bromide: A CUE Hearing in
Washington, DC at EPA was held at the
request of growers and manufacturers of
MeBr to protest the heavy handed cuts
being made into the annual allocations
which are prematurely using up stockpiles
for everyone. EPA has labeled Methyl
Iodide for one year, but Dr. Unruh reports
that it is more expensive and less effective
than MeBr. Mike Aerts with FFVA says it
is so corrosive that it tears up the injection
equipment.
MSMA: For whatever reason EPA may be
on the verge of re-evaluating it's risk
assessment model for MSMA. This comes
from Mark Esoda, CGCS in Georgia who
is on the GCSAA Government Relations
Committee. No specifics and Dr. Brecke
has not heard anything definite from his
fellow weed scientist contacts.
2. Golf BMP Manual Update: The BMP
Manual continues to be cited as the
authority for golf courses to follow in the
fertilizer ordinance arena. While that is
good news for us, we need to also help our
lawn care and pest control cousins, since it
was the Green Industries BMP Manual
that gave birth to our document. The basic
science and the experts sitting around the
table are essentially the same people for
both manuals. Please share that with your
local governments when they tee off on
lawn care.
Another thing you can do is to critique the
BMP manual and let us know where it
isn't economical, practical or feasible.
This is a living document and will
automatically change with advances in
research and technology, so help us to
keep it a tool that our whole industry can
use to help golf and help the environment.
3. Allied Associations: Ag Institute - 1
will be getting an update on the Ag
Awareness PR Campaign on October 10th
at the AIF Annual meeting in Daytona
Beach and will share the progress report at
the board meeting. In addition to the
FGCSA donation of $500 to the campaign,

the South Florida, West Coast, Ridge,
Seven Rivers and Coastal Plains Chapters
have responded to our appeal for chapters
to donate at least $ 1 0 0 to supplement
the state's donation. Waging an
educational campaign that will serve to
inform the public, media and government
about the positives of the Ag and Turf
Industries is not cheap, and we are all in
this together. I hope every chapter will
stand up and be heard from before the end
of 2007.

SFGCSA's
Missing & Exploited
Children Tournament

The 23rd Annual SFGCSA Tournament
benefitting the Florida Branch of the
National Center for M&EC was held at
Colony West CC on October 5th. Again
this year Dale Kuehner and his staff had
the course in great shape for the 136
players. They all enjoyed a great day of
IF AS: At the UF/IFAS Ag Advisory
th
Meeting on October 8 , Dr. Laila Racevitz golf, food and prizes.
was introduced. She will head up a
Congratulations to the Low Gross Team
department that will address the Urbancomposed of Gary Wilhelm, Paul
Rural Interface issues. While the obvious
Bondeson, Stuart Cohen and Mike Martin
scenarios include farming and ranching
- as well as the Low Net Team of Dale
operations next door to residential areas.
Kuehner, Steve Kuhn, Sam Urso and
Property rights issues, water quality,
Raymond Snyder.
fertilizer use, soil fumigant setbacks,
pesticide applications are also involved.
This year's event set a new record of
The group talked about how the major
$23,000 raised for the Center. This brings
issues and how best to address them.
the total funds raised by this long-running
Education of local governments ranked
tournament to just under $300,000!
high.
Obviously the event could not have been
Also Dr. Cheek reviewed the recent
budget cuts and while IFAS did lose some
ground it wasn't as bad as feared thanks to
individuals and associations pressing
legislators to remember how important Ag
and IFAS are to the citizens of Florida.
But the cutbacks have trickled down to
Regional Education Center budgets and
hiring freezes are in effect. Some folks in
the pipeline for positions were hired but
other vacancies will not be filled in the
near future.
GCSAA: The Methyl Bromide Task Force
will be issuing a report on the outcomes
from our recent conference call and which
will include recommendations for GCSAA
action with regard to our CUE applications
and to seek partnerships with others
seeking to curb EPA's rapid pace for
MeBr phase-out more stringent than what
is called for in the Montreal Accord.

as successful without the support of our
loyal sponsors - in particular the Diamond
Sponsors (Bayer, Sysco, Toro Company,
Aeration Technology, and The Print
Solution).
Space does not permit us to name all of the
sponsors but we are extremely grateful for
the 24 Golden Eagle Sponsors as well as
the 10 Eagle Sponsors, most of whom
have supported this Tournament for years.
Thank you to all of the sponsors and
volunteers who made this such a great day.

GCSAA
Conference and Golf Industry
Show January 28 - February
2,2008
Orlando, FL
Registration Information
online at www.scsaa.ors
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Chapter Delegates Meeting

GCSAA Chapter Delegates Focus on the Future
A total of 98 GCSAA Chapter Delegates
plus the association's Chapter Relations
Committee met at GCSAA headquarters in
Lawrence, Kan. and the Kansas City
Airport Marriott Hotel, Oct. 12-13-14 to
hear an update on the association's
programming and its future direction.
"I applaud the delegates for their focus and
contributions to the success of the
association and the profession," GCSAA
President Ricky Heine, CGCS said. "The
delegates are the link to the chapters and
the sounding board that provides the
leadership and staff direction. This
meeting was successful because the
delegates came prepared to discuss issues
that they and their chapters identified as
important."

its members. He said "image is important"
as it relates to members representing their
profession and facility in a positive
manner. He opined that "inclusion is
preferable over exclusion" as the
association grows its membership base and
works with others to advance itself and the
game. Lastly, he encouraged members to
promote the fact that being a golf course
superintendent is a profession, not an
occupation.
Reviewing Outreach Activities

Delegates heard a presentation outlining
GCSAA's largest investment ever in
outreach to avid golfers and employers
that communicates the value of GCSAA
and its members. Of note was the long
term commitment by the board to the
CEO Succession Plan
program. That is buoyed by a recent NGF
survey that revealed significant process is
Primary was a presentation by Heine
being made in
regarding the identification and selection
of a successor to GCSAA chief executive
positively affecting the attitudes and
officer Steve Mona. Heine indicated the
perceptions avid golfers and employers
process will involve the services of an
have towards GCSAA and golf course
executive search firm with the ultimate
superintendents. For example, avid golfers
selection by the GCSAA Board of
indicate the golf course superintendent
Directors. Heine welcomed input by
more than any other golf facility employee
GCSAA members and emphasized that the is responsible for their enjoyment.
board would not be constrained by a
Employers weighed in as well, with 85
timeline given Mona will remain with
percent noting GCSAA is a leading golf
GCSAA for up to six months since
organization (trailing the USGA by tenths
announcing his departure to the World
of a percent) and 99 percent indicating the
Golf Foundation in late September.
golf course superintendent is key to the
"This will be a professional search," Heine economic vitality of a golf facility. It was
said. "GCSAA is a respected organization reported that GCSAA chapters are seeing
and its members are highly-regarded. I
the value of leveraging GCSAA's outreach
believe we will have no shortage of
through adopting the GCSAA's logo. As
qualified candidates to lead our
of the meeting, 24 chapters have adopted
association. Certainly, Steve deserves
the new logo.
much credit for positioning us as a leading
golf organization. We believe his
Chapter Effectiveness Examined
appointment not only speaks well of him,
but of the association as well."
GCSAA Past President Tim O'Neill,
Mona updated the delegates on a variety of CGCS led a presentation that examined
programs and services the association
the charge of the Chapter Relations
offers to serve its members. He indicated
Committee. Namely, what should be the
the GCSAA staff has as its focus
relationship between the association and
"Members Matter Most." That mantra is
chapters? It is the goal of the board to take
supported with three global initiatives:
a long-term, comprehensive look at how
increasing membership, marketing its
the two entities work together, and to
members, and attracting additional
determine how to improve effectiveness in
resources to enhance member programs
serving shared members' needs. O'Neill
and services.
and committee members have been given
long term appointments to develop
Mona also left delegates with three key
points regarding the future of GCSAA and recommendations and present to delegates
6

in the future.
Establishing a Dues Strategy
As requested at past delegates meetings,
an index-based membership dues structure
was unveiled. It is the prevailing opinion
that smaller, but more frequent increases
are easier for members and the association
in the budgeting and planning process.
Larger dues increases result in
membership losses for GCSAA and
members have a more difficult time
justifying increases for employers. For
example, had the process been used in the
past, Class A and SM dues would be at
$285 annually compared to the current
$300 level. The GCSAA board of directors
is supporting a dues increase based on the
Consumer Price Index, which will result in
an increase of $20 for Classes A and SM,
and $10 for Class C. GCSAA members
will vote on the increase at the 2008
annual meeting with a simple majority
required to pass.
Committee Process
Delegates were reminded the deadline for
members to sign up online for committee
service is November 5. The GCSAA board
of directors selects the committees,
focusing on achieving diversity on many
different parameters including facility
type, membership class, interests, career
length, expertise, etc. The board will be
discussing at its Fall 2007 meeting issues
such as: no more than three years of
service on any one committee, and no
more than five consecutive years of
service without a hiatus. The goal will be
to provide some means to keep clear and
continuous lines of communication open
with those who want to serve, but were not
selected, or those who are serving a hiatus.
Such a process will keep members
involved and allow the participation of
members new to the committee system.
Measuring Performance
Heine briefed the delegates on the use of
indicators by the association. Indicators
(performance targets) are used to
determine resource allocation for
programs and
services and measure the association's

Chapter Delegates Meeting

performance. In 2008, indicators lettering
A through O are grouped according to
their focus: Market Share, Participation
Rates, Revenue, and Engagement.
Indicators follow an annual cycle of these
steps: a.) indicators established; b.)
resources are applied to association
efforts; c.) results are measured; d.)
indicators are reviewed and/or evaluated.
Every indicator is tied to a GCSAA vision
statement and results are published each
year in the GCSAA annual report and
posted on GCSAA.org.
Stats Don't Lie
Delegates heard an extensive presentation
on how GCSAA leaders and staff benefit
from the feedback members provide via
survey instruments. The amount of data
GCSAA has at its disposal is greater than
at any previous time in the association's
history. This provides a measure of
performance and helps to provide a road
map for the future. Among the surveys that
were discussed:

Certified members average higher salaries
than non-certifieds; Class A members
average higher salaries than Class SM.
The GCSAA Compensation and Benefit
Report is a tool for members to use to their
advantage in negotiation for salaries and
benefits. Member superintendents who
responded to the survey have access to a
complimentary subscription to the full
2007 Compensation, Benefits and
Operations Report. Those who did not
respond to the survey may purchase a copy
— $100 for members; $400 for nonmembers. Visit www.gcsaa.org for more
information.

including legislators/regulators, media,
environmental community, allied
associations, etc. Information will be
vital to developing programs and services
that advance environmental stewardship at
the golf facility. Information will first be
published in a scientific journal in late
2007. Additional communication will be
widespread.
Economic Impact Studies

Several economic impact studies are being
conducted to measure the role of golf and
its economic impact on a state by state
basis. The reports also include
Golf Course Environmental Profile
environmental data that GCSAA is
Project
providing (if available) to support the
effort. The studies are being conducted
The first three phases of the Golf Course
under the auspices of Golf 20/20. GCSAA
Environmental Profile Project have been
is helping to fund these studies and will
completed with the next phase coming out
alert chapters as to how they can be
in January 2008. Information will be vital
engaged in these studies.
to addressing various constituents

Member Needs Assessment
Feedback indicates that by and large
GCSAA needs to better communicate the
availability of programs and services and
the successes that have been achieved on
behalf of its members. Members see
GCSAA as being valuable in providing a
variety of programs and services that
chapters cannot. The Net Promoter Score
was introduced as another means to
measure association performance. GCSAA
has a net promoter score of 25, compared
to the average of 17 for associations. The
Net Promoter Score is based on the
formula of those who promote the
association (rate GCSAA a 9 or 10 on a 110 scale) minus the detractors (rate
GCSAA 1 through 6). Those rating a 7 or
8 are considered neutral. The Net
Promoter Score is "generally" higher
among those membership groups who are
more engaged: committee members,
delegates, etc.
Compensation and Benefit Report
Salaries and benefits have been going up
since 1993. The average salary of GCSAA
member superintendents in 1993 was
$44,500, while it was $73,766 in 2006.

Ridge GCSA Board Member Alan Puckett (left) presents a check for $100 to Joel Jackson to
pass along to the Ag Institute of Florida for Ag/Green Awareness Campaign. Photo by Ward
Pepperman

7

Jupiter: 888-222-7072
Lakeland: 800-330-8874

GOLF VENTURES HIRES ERIC REITER
TO ITS TEAM OF T & O PROFESSIONALS
Golf Ventures has selected Eric Reiter to fill the T & O Territory Manager position for East Orlando and the East Coast of Florida.
Eric brings over 13 years experience in the golf course industry and is a previous golf course superintendent. Please join us in
welcoming Eric to the Golf Ventures Team!

HEY SUPT'S-MAKE SURE YOUR TECHNICIANS
ARE AWARE OF THIS SPECIAL EVENT
Golf Ventures, Kilpatrick and Jacobsen are hosting a 2 day technician's event to bring the Jacobsen Factory to Florida. This exclusive
Jacobsen factory event is December 4th-5th at the Daytona International Speedway.
Two days of training on engine, electrical and hydraulic troubleshooting, preventive maintenance and ncpre. This technical training
event will help you improve the performance of your machines, your staff and your bottom line.
For more details, call Debbie Nipper at 863-904-2178.

Golf

Ventures

SKILPATRICK

Turf & Commercial Equipment

U/KCOBS=PJ
A Textron Company

The South Florida Superintendents Sweep the FGCSA Golf Championship Once Again!
FGCSA
Marie Roberts
1760 NW Pine Lake Drive
Stuart, FL 34994

FIRST CLASS
U.S.Postage
PAID
Permit #137
Stuart, FL
GCSAA Information Center
1421 Research Park Dr.
Lawrence, KS 66049

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