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V O L U M E X X V I I , P A R T IV, M A R C H / A P R I L

2011

N E W S L E T T E R OF T H E F L O R I D A GOLF C O U R S E S U P E R I N T E N D E N T S

M A R C H

AND

CALENDAR

APRIL
OF

E V E N T S

ASSOCIATION

Randquist, CGCSA
Elected GCSAA President

MARCH 8TH
EVERGLADES G C S A EDUCATION AND DINNER
THE CLUB AT PELICAN BAY
MARCH 14TH
NORTH FLORIDA G C S A PABLO RESEARCH TOURNAMENT
PABLO CREEK C C
MARCH 17TH
SEVEN RIVERS G C S A MONTHLY MEETING
OCALA GOLF CLUB
MARCH 17TH
CALUSA G C S A MONTHLY MEETING
SHELL POINT
MARCH 2 4 T H
SOUTH FLORIDA G C S A TURF EXPO
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, DAVIE
MARCH 3 0 T H
WEST COAST G C S A MONTHLY MEETING

Above: Florida

LARGO GOLF COURSE

Superintendent Bob

APRIL11TH

Randquist, CGCS (Dark

NORTH FLORIDA G C S A MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

Suit) is escorted to the

MARSH CREEK G C

stage by GCSAA Past

APRIL 1 8 T H

Presidents to officially

SEVEN RIVERS G C S A JEFF HAYDEN MEMORIAL
ENVIROTRON GOLF CLASSIC
WORLD WOODS G C
APRIL21TH
EVERGLADES G C S A SPRING SYMPOSIUM
NAPLES GOLF AND BEACH HOTEL
APRIL 2 5 T H

assume the office of
President of the GCSAA.
Left: Bob Randquist,
CGCS from the Boca Rio
G.C. in Boca Raton was
elected President of the
GCSAA at the GCSAA
Annual Meeting in

CALUSA G C S A AND SUNCOAST G C S A JOINT MEETING

Orlando of February 11,

THE RITZ CARLTON MEMBERS GOLF CLUB

2011.

PRESIDENT'S
BY

GARY

REPORT

MYERS,

C G C S

Positive Start for 2011
We just concluded the Golf Industry Show and our FGCSA Reception held at
Disney's Epcot. From the comments I heard that night and emails received, it was
huge success. All thanks go to Jennifer as she spent numerous hours preparing for
the event. She began negotiating with Disney last summer to put together the room
set-up, food and refreshments. She arranged the busing end logistics to get
everyone to the event. She was diligent in sending out mulitiple communication
keeping everyone informed. Her hard work created a fantastic event.
Congratulations to Robert Randquist, CGCS on becoming the President of the Golf
Course Superintendents Association. Bob is a tremendous leader in our industry
and asset to both GCSAA and FGCSA. We offer our support in any way needed
during his tenure.

Gary Myers, CGCS
speaker sessions, the

The attendance numbers for the Show were up and I hope this is another positive
sign that the Industry is on the way up as well. The new format works well with the
education on Monday, Tuesday and Friday and the Equipment Show on
Wednesday and Thursday. This was the 31st consecutive GCSAA Conference that
I have attended.

equipment and product show or
just seeing fellow
Superintendents you have come
to know over the years are
extremely beneficial. I truly

I look at the Conference as a "Must Attend"event. In my opinion, the benefits of
—
—
dina iustify the associated costs. The educational seminars, the educational

believe that these benefits have
attributed to my overall
development as a Golf Course
Superintendent. I am looking
forward to going to Las Vegas
next year where I spent 12
years of my career.

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
PO Box 65
Jensen Beach, FL 34958
(772) 334-7515
(772) 334-6015
E-mail:fgcsa@comcast.net

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

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 April 15.

The GCSAA has been dealing
with reduced attendance over
the past few years mostly due to
the economy. The local
associations have also been
dealing with reduced attendance
to monthly events. Is this also
due to the economy? It may be
a small part but, I am not sure it
is the main reason. Early in my
Continued on page 3...

...President's Message Continued

Calendar of Events continued from page 1
MAY 12TH

career, Superintendents in my area looked forward to
monthly events and the majority of the area courses were
represented at those events. In those days, Superintendents
and Assistants actually outnumbered vendors. We also
looked at these as "Must Attend "events.
It was a chance, and still is, to see what the other courses

F G C S A SPRING BOARD MEETING
10AM, NAPLES GOLF AND BEACH HOTEL
MAY 13-1 4TH
EVERGLADES G C S A POA ANNUA AND G C HORN
NAPLES, F L
MAY 16TH
WEST COAST G C S A CHAPTER CHAMPIONSHIP

were dealing with. We all have the same pest, weed and

BELLEAIR COUNTRY CLUB

disease challenges and there are many options available to

MAY 18TH

us to combat those challenges. To me, it is extremely

SEVEN RIVERS G C S A , U F / I F A S NORTH CENTRAL

beneficial to see the other courses and learn what products
they are using and what kind of results they are having. It is a
chance to talk to area Superintendents and develop that
camaraderie with others. I have never been afraid to call a
fellow Superintendent and discuss a problem I am having

FLORIDA TURFGRASS FIELD DAY
U F PLANT SCIENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION UNIT
MAY 23RD
TREASURE COAST G C S A BLUE PEARL TOURNAMENT
JUNE 4TH
PALM BEACH G C S A FUTURE OF GOLF TOURNAMENT

and asking for their advice. I'm just not sure that

THE FALLS COUNTRY CLUB

Superintendents feel the same way today.

JUNE 16TH

I am sure everyone has a reason for not attending monthly

SEVEN RIVERS G C S A ANNUAL MEETING AND VENDOR

events but, I am not convinced that the economy or lack of

APPRECIATION DAY

time are the main factors. I would encourage all of you to
take a look at the benefits of attending local GCSA events. •

CANDLER HILLS GOLF CLUB
JUNE 16TH
WEST COAST G C S A AND RIFGE G C S A JOINT MEETING
GRASSLANDS

At the FGCSA Reception during
the February Golf Industry Show
in Orlando, FGCSA President
Gary Myers, CGCS (center)
helped recognize and honor the
service and retirement of Larry
Kieffer (left), Florida Green
Publisher (20 years), and Daniel
Zelazek, Florida Green Cover
Photographer (30 years). Photo
by Joel Jackson.

^^^^mmimkiksidmmmm.

EXECUTIVE
BY

JOEL

DIRECTOR'S

JACKSON,

REPORT

C G C S

and we must continue to work locally to relay the facts
to our cities and counties and demand common sense
and science in all regulations.

1. Legislative update: Mike Goldie reports that

Local Fertilizer Ordinances: Meanwhile the march of

several bills have been filed that address the local

local ordinance continues as St. Lucie County is

governments pre-empting the state's Model

nearing a vote, the City of Stuart is nearly through

Ordinance. As usual expect lots of opposition and

drafting and getting ready to vote on one and Collier

cities and counties fight for home rule. One of the bills

County is considering three drafts, all of which

seeks to give the Dept. of Agriculture absolute

contained language banning fertilizer applications to

authority over fertilizer sales and applications just has

ALL turf in the County. No exceptions for Golf BMPs in

it has for pesticides. It has always been implied, but

the original drafts like many of the other ordinances.

never enforced. Mike says Ag groups hope

Members of the Everglades GCSA are working closely

Commissioner Putnam weighs in to make this happen.

with county staff and commissioners to include sound
science in there regulations and understand that golf

FGCSA President Gary Myers, Government Relations

courses are community businesses. It is cases like this

Chairman Bill Davidson and I are planning a March

when these "far out" bans with little or no regard to the

22 nd to March 24th trip to Tallahassee to engage House

real world consequences that each one of us needs to

and Senate Committee leaders on the issues facing

step up and write or call your commissioner and

golf and the green industries. This trip will focus on the

support sound science and best management

obvious impacts of fertilizer ordinances, water quality

practices in the laws.

(NNC) and water restrictions and we will target
appropriate Agriculture, Natural Resources,
Environmental regulatory committees, but Mike Goldie
also suggested we include, Small Business, Economic
Development and Tourism Committees for the
business aspect and impact that golf brings to the
Florida Economy.

2. Association Business: With the GIS coming to
Orlando this past February, we saw a nice surge in
membership in our new Industry Partner Program.
There has generally been some positive buzz from
both the PGA Merchandise Show and the GIS on
things slowly turning around. Let's hope some of that
positivity trickles down to the maintenance budget.

EPA's Numeric Nutrient Criteria: As the NNC
lawsuits story plays out we are seeing the usual media

FGCSA Website: One of the features of the new

inflammatory columns and articles saying Big Ag is

FGCSA Website is Jennifer's ability to send out email

fighting clean water and wants to continue its pollution

blasts easily. We will try very much not to bombard you

of Florida's waters. No mention of Rule 5E passed in

with emails, but we do ask that when see one marked

2007 which reduced N and P content in all fertilizer

FGCSA Newsletter in your Inbox, don't just delete it as

blends sold in Florida by 30% and 70% respectively.

junk mail. Please open and check it out. It will save all

Or no mention of the Fertilizer Task Force of ALL

of us time and effort. Thanks.

stakeholders from local governments, regulators,
IFAS, environmental groups and industry which held 57 statewide public meetings for input, then
unanimously gave consensus to a draft model
ordinance which was given to the Legislature and
passed. Now some media are calling it the ordinance
drafted by agricultural interests.
The slanting and prejudice in the media will not stop

3. Education: The 2011 FTGA Regional Seminars will
wrap up March 15th & 16th in Orlando and Vero Beach.
The FGCSA/USGA Spring Seminar at the Poa Annua
Classic will be on Friday, May 13th in Naples. •

FROM

JENNIFER'S

DESK...

Let me begin by extending a very sincere
thank you to all of the FGCSA Reception
Sponsors. Because of your sponsorship
commitment, we are able to provide our
superintendent members one night out of the
year where they can gather and get

F.G.C.S.A. INDUSTRY PARTNERS

reacquainted with colleagues and friends.
This year was no exception - your
sponsorship provided a truly magical

Platinum Plus
Golf Ventures
Hector Tuf, Wesco Turf] The Toro Company

experience at Disney World's Resort®
Epcot® Theme Park. Thank you, thank
you! Without your support an evening like
this would not be possible.

Platinum
Bayer Environmental Science
Beard Equipment, John Deere Golf] ShowTurf
Harrell's LLC
Howard Fertilizer & Chemical Co. Inc.
Syngenta
Tampa Bay Turf Management, Inc.

I would also like to extend a sincere thank
you to all you superintendents who RSVP'd
for the event. I know this year's event was
very unique, but your willingness to embrace
the changes made my job much easier. We
were able to accurately predict the number of
guests and in turn were able to provide you
an event that I hope you found very

Gold
Agrium Advanced Technologies
BRANDT
Celebration® Bermudagrass
Pasteuria Bioscience, Inc.

rewarding. Thank you for taking the time to
read my e-mail newsletters and The Green
Sheet; you helped make this event
unforgettable.
Now that the GIS has passed, my regular

Silver
Winfield Solutions Professional Products
Group

duties will continue to keep me busy as we
prepare for the Spring issue of the Florida
Green, The POA Annua Seminar (please
watch your inboxes for Newsletter
announcements and registration forms for

Bronze
Ragan Technical Solutions, Inc
Southeastern Turfgrass Supply

this year's event) and the Spring Board
Meeting. Before I know it we will be in full
swing with dues renewals and end of year
reports. Where does the time go?! I look

Thank you very much for your Support!
Partnership Opportunities are available all year.
Contact the FGCSA office: 800-732-6053 or
fgcsa(p).comcast.net

for details on the program

forward to working with you again this year.
As always, be sure to contact the FGCSA
office if I can be of any help. •

FLORIDA'S

GIS

WINNERS

Christopher Flynn, CGCS, Marriott's Grande Vista
Flynn, a 13-year GCSAA member, is a GCSAA
certified golf course superintendent at Marriott's
Grande Vista, a resort in Orlando featuring towering
pines, oaks and cypress trees surrounding the 9-hole,
2,300-yard, par-32 Grande Vista course, a 18-hole
Grande Pines course, and a practice facility that is
home to the Nick Faldo Golf Institute. Located at the
headwaters of the Florida Everglades ecosystem,
Grande Vista features 30 acres of native area, 10
acres of wetlands and 40 acres of ponds. Ten-feetwide buffer strips of native grass along the in-play
shorelines of the ponds protect the water, which is also
tested twice-a-year to ensure maintenance practices
are not negatively impacting water quality.
Flynn has created a Native Area Improvement Plan
with two neighboring resorts that focuses on
enhancements, outreach and educating guests.
Grande Vista, which is a certified Audubon
Cooperative Sanctuary, has partnered with the South
Florida Water Management District to develop and
build a nature trail that connects the resort to the
adjoining conservation lands. Flynn also developed an
initiative to become a designated property in the
Department of Environmental Protection's Florida
Green Lodging Program. He has a bachelor's degree
in plant science from the State University of New York
at Cobleskill, and is enrolled in the environmental
management graduate program at the University of
Florida. Flynn is the two-time defending recipient of the
J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence.
Thomas Vlach, CGCS, TPC Sawgrass
Vlach, a 20-year GCSAA member, is a GCSAA
certified golf course superintendent at TPC Sawgrass,
a 36-hole resort in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., that lies
on 400 acres of previous forest and swampland. TPC
Sawgrass is home of the PGA Tour, the Players
Championship, and the Nationwide Tour's Winn-Dixie
Jacksonville Open Presented by Planters. Both
tournaments combine to annually contribute more than
$6.7 million to charity. In 2008, Vlach and his staff
added a transfer line from the reservoir lakes to the
irrigation pond, virtually eliminating the facility's use of
Continued on page 7...

GCSAA Past President Jim Fitzroy, CGCS (left)
presents Chris Flynn, superintendent of the Marriott
Grande Vista Resort in Orlando with his GCSAA/Golf
Digest, Co-National Winner's Environmental Leaders
Award for Resort Courses. Photo by GCSAA

Superintendent Tom Vlach, TPC @ Sawgrass (right)
receives the other Co-National Winner ELGA Award
for Resort Courses. Photo by GCSAA.

/

.. .continued from page 6

well water from the Florida
aquifer. The reservoir lakes
collect drainage water from
surrounding communities that
would have previously drained
into the Atlantic intercoastal
waterway.
TPC Sawgrass is a member of
the Audubon Cooperative
Sanctuary Program and Vlach
and his staff work closely with
the St. Johns County wildlife
management department, as
well as Beaches Emergency Aid
and Kare Sanctuary. Vlach has
a bachelor's degree in turf
management from the
University of Wisconsin. He is a
past president of the Alabama
GCSA and a past vice president
of the Palm Beach GCSA. His
staff regularly updates a blog
with environmental information
for golfers, and TPC Sawgrass
leverages the national attention
surrounding the Players
Championship each year to
highlight its environmental
stewardship. Vlach hosts high
school students from St.
Augustine Tech each semester
to provide hands-on experience
with all aspects of the golf
course management operation,
including environmental
stewardship, and his staff also
provides facility tours to resort
guests and a Jacksonvillebased Autism awareness
program. Tom started his
superintendent's career at the
original Winter Springs G.C. •

A special Thank You to our
FGCSA Reception Sponsors.
Without YOU our Reception wouldn't be
possible!
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Bayer Environmental Science
Beard Equipment, John Deere Golf, ShowTurf
Golf Ventures, Helena, Jacobsen
Harrell's LLC
Howard Fertilizer & Chemical Co., Inc.
Syngenta
Tampa Bay Turf Management, Inc.
Hector Turf, Wesco Turf, The Toro Company

GOLD SPONSORS
Agrium Advanced Technologies
Celebration® Bermudagrass
Florida Turf Support
Numerator Technologies

BRANDT
Dow AgroSciences
Grigg Brothers
Pasteuria Bioscience, Inc

SILVER SPONSORS
Aerification Plus
Florida Superior Sand, Inc.
Golf Agronomics
Hendrix and Dail, Inc.
MJS Golf Services, LLC
QGS Development, Inc.
Winfield Solutions Professional
Products Group

Country Club Services, Inc.
Go-For Supply, Inc.
Green Technologies, LLC
MacCurrach Golf
ProPlus Golf Services, Inc.
Quality Turf LC

BRONZE SPONSORS
Aeration Technology, Inc.
Bunkersplus LLC
Cycle Works and Cycle Works
Golf Supply
Eco Verde Technologies, Inc.
Florida Potting Soils
Go-For Supply, Inc.
Hydropro, Inc.
Ragan Technical Solutions, Inc
Sullivan Electric & Pump

Arysta LifeScience
Citrus Seven Pump Station
Services
Dupont Professional Products
FIS Outdoor
Florida Coast Equipment,
Inc./WESTRAC Equipment Co.
GREENZKEEPER Wholesale
Supply
Precision Small Engine Co.
Southeastern Turf Grass Supply
Upstart Products, Inc.

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

HELENA

Golf m
Ventures

FA/
When Performance Matters.™

I

Golf Ventures is the 2010 Jacobsen Dealer of the
Year f o r North America.
The Lakeland, Florida
based
business
won
the
turf
equipment
manufacturer's
most
prestigious
accolade
by
increasing market share and providing superior
customer service, marketing, customer training and
information technology resources. Jacobsen is a Textron Inc
company based out of Charlotte, North Carolina.
The award ceremony was held in Orlando, Florida on the eve of
the &I5 Show on February 8, 2011 where the Jacobsen dealer
network had as^mMjqd'jfppff+i^ir annual meeting and dealer event.
Golf Ventures was also second out of 38 dealers to receive the
Serw'ice Award. Thank You to our customers f o r helping us
achieve this prestigious award!

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