CHANGES The New Jacobson Dealer for this area will be Valley Turf EVENT UPCOMING DATES LOCATION DATE Kathy Antaya C.G.C.S. will be the superintendent for The Meadows, G.V.S.U.’s new course in Allandale Bob Murphy is the superintendent at Tyler Creek in Alto Al Batham is the new superinten­ dent for Cascade Hills C.C. He comes to us from The Bear in Acme, Mi. Rod DeSmet is the superintendent at Thoroughbred in Montigue, Mi. Fred Pastoor C.G.C.S. is the Superintendent for Old Channel Trail in Montigue, Mi. Congradulations to Bill and Kay Fountain on the birth of Helen on Dec. 3 Editors Note: Please write me to have any changes included at: Western Views, 1447 Hope S.E. Grand Rapids, Ml 49606 MIOSHA Meeting Forest H ills............................. .... February 25 Round Table Disc To be Selected ....................... ..........March 24 G.A.M. Meeting Egypt Valley C .C ................... ............March 3 Spartan Univer. Spartan D ist.................... ....... ....March 10-11 Golf Outing Grand Haven.... . ...............April* Joint Meeting w/Mid Mich Turf Golf Outing Morning Coffee Pohl C a t.................................. .............May 18 Fairway G .C ................ ..........................June * Various Clubs........................ ...July-August* Golf Day Egypt Valley C.C................................. Sept. 13 Assoc. Annual Midland C.C............................. Mid Mich. Turf ........... Sept. 20 Annual Meeting Thornapple............. ............... ..September 28 Fall Party * Date to be set C.C. Jackson.......................... .... November 6 WESTERN VIEWS The President’s Message Winter for us is really a love/hate relationship. We hate it because it takes us away from that work that we really enjoy. We love it because it gives us a chance to catch our breaths after another busy and hectic season and to re­ group for next season. Many of us use this time to re-acquaint our­ selves with our families. It is this re-grouping period that is so critical to our success. In retrospect we can evaluate our previous year’s performance; what went well and what failed us or did not live up to our expectations. It is important to realize that we are in an industry that is not exact. Our decisions are based on many variables, some of witch are out of our control. We have problems that need to be addressed and following our investigation we realize that are several possible solutions to just one problem. We try to determine the one solution that will be the solution at our facility. Sometime we’re right and sometime we’re something else. Okay, maybe not so right. Okay, wrong! There, I said it. It is through education that we are able to arrive at many of these answers to these problems. This always sounds like such a simple solution. Yes, there are many formal opportunities that avail themselves to us over these blustery months, which includes the M.T.F. Turf Conference, the G.C.S.A.A. Turf Conference and Trade Show, the G.A.M. Seminar, and our monthly meetings, espe­ cially our March round table discussion. But besides having educated turf experts and research­ ers giving us well documented and well prepared presentations, there is one common denominator that exists at every one of these; that is .. .superintendents. We learn so much from each other. And why is that? First of all, we hold nothing back. If someone has a problem and starts talking about it, others will freely volunteer their experi­ ences with him. If they have had a bad experience, then they will warn him. If they have had a success, then they spill their guts to help. It is a unique industry. I have often heard it said that we are in compe- been in immaculate condition. My facility has many similar features and I am hoping to gain some insight that will help me in the upcoming season. You can see if I learned anything from him when you come to Egypt Valley for this years Golf Day in September. By the way, we also hate winter, because it’s cold outside of our nice f warm beds. Chris Fotchman CGCS Thanks: To the following members for their time and effort working the hospitality room at the National: Charlie Scott E.J. Harrington Kevin Henley Steave Adamczyk Paul Schippers Harry Schuemann Turf Conference Recap The number of people registering for the 1993 Turf Conference was 1300, about the same as last year. It is expected that the “Proceedings” will be out by May 1. The 1994 Turf Conference will be held on January 17th thru the 19th. The conference was well recieved and well orga­ nized. The overcrowding for some of the basic schools is being addressed,and more attention will be paid to availably of materials. Many thanks to the Conference Planning Committee for all the hard work they’ve done throughout the past year in planning and organiz­ ing this important event. Harry Schuemann, CGCS tition with each other. I don’t believe that. It seems to me that we are in more of a partnership where all the partners end up in a tie for first. I like that! Winter also gives us the time to visit with our fellow superin­ tendents at their clubs, we can see how well they maintain their shops and maybe pick up some valuable information or technique that will help us. You might even drop some pearl of wisdom on your host. In about ten minutes that is exactly what I’m going to do. I am going over to Cascade Hills to visit with their new superintendent, Al Batham. Al is from “The Bear” and I have seen his course during the Michigan Open and each time it has WESTERN VIEWS W.M.G.C.S.A. NEWS Appointments for 1993 Committee Name Chair Education..................... Membership.................. Nominations/Elections Scholarship................. Notification................... Fall Party....................... Golf D a y ........................ Newsletter.................... G.A.M.............................. M.T.F........... .................... Golf Events.................. Morning Coffees.......... Hospitality Room ......... Environmental............. By-Laws and Policy.... GCSAA .......................... Harry Schuemann ......... Bill Fountain .........Fred Pastoor ..............Paul Hoag ......... Bill Fountain .... Paul Schippers ............Gary Spahr Tom McGuinness ....Chris Fochtman Harry Schuemann ...Steave Tedhams .........Charlie Scott .... Paul Schippers ...Steave Tedhams Harry Schuemann ...... Pat Meersman The M.T.F. Board for 1993 Pres......................................................................................Jim Bogart Sec...............................................................................Lon Anderson Treas......................................................................Harry Schuemann Directors....................................................................Bruce Wolfrom Tom Gray Jim Timmerman Gary Bartsch Jim Brockelhurst Bruce Jacobs Tom Smith Chuck Cole ADVERTISERS Please Patronize them as they have made this newsletter possible. Amturf Arthur Hills & Associates Benham Chemical C & R Grinding Century Golf Team Design 3 D & C Distributors Green Growth Supply Co. J. John Gorney, Inc. Grand Rapids Tree Hoyt Whelan Ideal Mower Jennings Kleins Fertilizers Labanon Total Turf Care LESCO Matthews & Associates Michigan Sand Co, Mollema & Son Noram Chemical Nugent Sand Co. O. M. Scott Parmenter and Andre Peerless-Midwest Raymer Pump Spartan Lawn Equip. Spatan Distributors Standard Sand T. C. I. Turfgrass Inc. Valley Turf 1993 WMGCSA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS In mid December, Charlie Scott, Paul Richter, and myself traveled to East Lansing to inter­ view two-year students for the 1993 WMGCSA scholarship award. After ten interviews over a five hour period, and following much dis­ cussion, the committee decided that the recipients of the two six hun­ dred dollar scholarships would be Tony Gieb and Cameron Kern. They received their checks January 5 at the Michigan Turfgrass Conference. Tony is from Big Rapids and worked at Winters Creek G.C. for five years before entering Michigan State. During his intern­ ship he worked for Don Fitz at Cascade Hills C.C. Tony hopes to find an assistant superintendent position in either western or northern Michigan for the upcom­ ing season. Cameron hails from Cadillac, has experience at McGuires Resort, and did his placement training at Crystal Downs G.C. Cameron also has a four-year teaching degree. He too is looking for employment in Michigan, but is willing to relocate out of state if necessary. It is a pleasure to meet and talk with the quality people that are coming out of Michigan State University’s two-year program and into our industry. The membership of WMGCSA has reason to be proud of their continuing commit­ ment to turf management education in the State of Michigan. Paul Hoag, Scholarship Committee Chairman SS NOTE: 1993 Membership Dues are now ^oyfr^ue. Please pay them as soon as possible! SE Ot Mic h ig a n bTATE UNIVERSITY---------------------------------- LIBRARIES WESTERN VIEWS TAKEYOURSTEP TODAY! Certification will designate you as a professional pacesetter. Golf course superintendents recognize the value of a meaningful certification program. They know such a program will add dignity and prestige to their profession and increase the prospects of acquiring additional recognition. Certification is an opportunity to expand your knowledge of your profession, your industry, and your association. As you advance in your profession, you will not only have a resume and a good recommmendation to give a future employer, you will also have the distinction of being a Certified Golf Course Superintendent. To be eligible for the GCSAA Certification Program, applicants must: 1) document 5 years’ experience as a golf course superintendent. 2) be currently employed in that capacity. 3) have completed one year (30 semester credit hours) of college course work or 10.5 CEUs from GCSAA Division 1 seminars. You do not have to be a member of GCSAA to be eligible. Of prime significance to the GCSAA Certification Program are the comprehensive six-part examination and the attesting process. Although you prepare for the test at your own pace, the entire test must be completed within one year of the date that your application is approved. You can obtain the list of study materials from the GCSAA Education Department. The sections of the test are: I) Knowledge of GCSAA and the Certification Program. II) The Game and Rules of Golf. III) Turf grass Management. IV) Pest Control, Safety and Management. V) Financial Management. VI) Organization Management. You may retake individual sections of the test. The attesting requirement is fulfiled by having your golf course operation reviewed by two currently certified superintendents of your choice. So, don‘t put it off another day. For more information call (913) 832-4444. BULK RATE U. S. POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS, MI PERMIT NO. 582 1447 Hope S.E. Grand Rapids, Mi 49506