Scott Dodson of Park Country Club in Williamsville, N.Y. and Brian Conn of Transit Valley CC in East Amherst, N.Y. are both recovering well after a transplant operation, which was needed after Dodson’s congenital condition had deteriorated to leave him with just 7 percent kidney function.
2017 Joseph S. Garske Collegiate Grant Winners Announced
Nine college-bound children of members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America have been announced as recipients of the one-time grants to fund their education at an accredited college or trade school. The grants are based on community service, leadership, academic performance and a written essay.
Average Superintendent Salary Increases to $89,189
According to the 2017 Compensation and Benefits Report from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the average salary saw an increase of 4.7% over the 2015 report. Certified golf course superintendents saw an increase of more than 5%, averaging $109,620.
Nine GCSAA Chapters Receive Best Management Practices Grants
The grant program is funded through the Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic arm of GCSAA, through a donation from The PGA Tour. Chapters receiving $10,000 grants include Connecticut GCSA, California GCSA, Carolinas GCSA and Tennessee GCSA, while the Eastern Shore (Md.) Association of GCS and the Mid-Atlantic Association of GCS will receive $7,500 each, and the Georgia GCSA and the Metropolitan (N.Y. and N.J.) GCSA will receive $5,000 each.
Trump National GC Jupiter (Fla.) Owes $5.8M in Lawsuit
A federal judge ruled that the club must refund 65 disgruntled members their deposits plus interest after banning them from the property but continuing to charge annual dues. A column in Bloomberg touted the lawsuit loss as a win for Trump, who took on nearly $50 million in debt owed to members who put down refundable deposits when he bought the property, but will now pay only a portion of that sum.
Broken Sound Club’s Shannon Easter Leads Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards
The maintenance director and environmental consultant at the Boca Raton, Fla. property has been selected as the Overall and National Private recipient of the annual awards that recognize superintendents and their golf courses for overall excellence and best management practices. Alex Stuedemann of TPC Deere Run (Public Course) and Ken Nice of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Resort Course) were also selected for national recognition.
GCSAA Announces 2016 Legacy Award Scholarship Recipients
Funded through the Environmental Institute for Golf and Syngenta, the program provides $1,500 scholarships to the children and grandchildren of Golf Course Superintendents Association of America members who have been active for five or more consecutive years.
Golfers Experience “Evolution of Expectations” for Green Courses
An Urban Land Magazine report details how the golf industry is adapting to more frequent droughts, falling water supply levels, and government restrictions on water use. “Everyone understands water is the greatest challenge we face going into the future,” said Rhett Evans, CEO of the GCSAA.
Sylvania (Ohio) CC Kicks Off Centennial Celebration
A Centennial Outdoor Gala featuring vintage cocktails from 1916 was the first of eleven events planned for the year that will all feature a 100th-birthday theme.
FOX Sports Ohio Features Superintendents
The Northern Ohio GCSA, Central Ohio GCSA, Greater Cincinnati GCSA, Miami Valley GCSA and Northwestern Ohio GCSA have combined to partner with the network to highlight the role of the golf course superintendent. The live segments on “The Golf Zone with Jimmy Hanlin” will air every Sunday evening through October.
Celebs to Help Spread the Love for Course Superintendents
Grammy-winner Justin Timberlake, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, women’s soccer star Brandi Chastain, former NFL quarterbacks John Elway and Jim McMahon, actor and Allstate spokesperson Dennis Haysbert, “Duck Dynasty” star Willie Robertson and comedian Larry the Cable Guy will appear in the next round of a multimedia promotional campaign to “thank a golf course superintendent.”
California Superintendent Promotes Water Task Force’s Critical Role
In a guest-opinion article published in The Desert Sun of Palm Springs, Calif., Jim Schmid, Superintendent of The Lakes CC in Palm Desert, Calif., explained the long-term importance of clubs’ involvement in conservation efforts, even as severe drought conditions have eased.
USGA Hosts Pace and Innovation Symposium
The two-day symposium brought together industry leaders and experts to discuss golf’s issues and barriers. The organization has released recaps and takeaways from these discussions, including insights on pace of play, resource management, and course design influence and case studies.
California Dreamin’
If your club has made a serious commitment to an enhanced food-and-beverage experience for your members and guests, your executive chef should attend his or her own event.
Golf Courses Reduced Water Use by 22 Percent in Eight Years, Report Shows
Newly released survey data from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America also showed that courses used just 1.44 percent of all irrigated water in the U.S. in 2013.