From the desk of GCM

Q School

I wish every sport had a Q School.

In the NBA, NFL, MLB, wherever, unless the player is a superstar, they usually fade away from the sport. That's because many of them are trying to make a team up until all the teams in the league say, "Sorry, we don't have a spot for you." And the player is forced into retirement, with no hoopla.

For example, when Antoine Carr, the original Big Dog, retired from the NBA, did anyone notice? Not really. He just wasn't on a roster anymore.

But as a fan of the Big Dog, I wanted to know what happened to him.

Every year I like to look at the list of players competing in Q School. I'm always shocked at how many of the players I've met, or watched on TV. And here they are, fighting for their Tour card.

Point, click and buy a new greensmower

Here's a new one, at least to me: An online auction is on its way that will allow you to upgrade your golf course equipment fleet from the comfort of your very own office.

The folks at Proxibid, the "world's largest provider of live auction webcasting services," will be offering an auction this Tuesday, Dec. 8 for more than 1,000 pieces of used golf course equipment. The auction will be conducted by Weeks Farm Machinery Auction Inc. and was commissioned by John Deere Credit. Not sure if all of those 1,000 pieces are John Deere green — the press release doesn't say — but based on the information in the previous sentence, I'd say it's a safe bet.

The auction will features greensmowers, utility vehicles, fairway and rough mowers, aerators, bunker rakes, blowers and more. "This is the finest selection of golf course equipment to hit the auction block in 10 years," said Justin Weeks with Weeks Farm Machinery Auction. "With live online bidding, we anticipate this to be a global sale."

Emerald Ash Borer: Learning from experience

Sometimes we get press releases which we believe you'd find noteworthy, but because of timing constraints, we can't get them in the magazine.

Here's one for our readers in Minnesota: Tuesday, Jan. 5th, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, will be the presentation "Emerald Ash Borer: Learning from experience -- case studies from Michigan, Illinois and Indiana."

Deadline to register is Dec. 16th at www.northerngreenexpo.org.

Scheduled to talk at the session is Stephen Sarnowski, superintendent at Raisin River Country Club. The brochure states that Raisin River CC had over 600 ash trees before the arrival of EAB. The course has taken a proactive approach, and has managed to preserve 250 ash trees, which they continue to treat.

The brochure does stress that this one particular presentation is subject to change. (There will also be presentations for city foresters/municipalities and commercial arborists/tree care companies.)

Dec. 1st -- already?

Where has the time gone? The weather outside tells me it's early October (60 degrees), yet the calendar is telling me it's Dec. 1st!

Well, time may be slipping out of control, but at least that means the December issue of GCM is out. Lots of good stuff this month, starting off with GCM Managing Editor Bunny Smith's profile of Old Tom Morris Award winner Judy Rankin. Bunny flew down to Midland, Texas to interview the World Golf Hall of Famer, and her story leads us off.

Longtime GCM scribe Terry Ostmeyer then chimes in with his thorough breakdown of the Nutrient Survey. The question we were asking around here -- asked in our best "Borat" voice -- was what is the deal with potassium? (OK, so we ask Seinfeld-ian questions in a Borat voice around here...) Superintendents, feel free to post your feelings on potassium (in an imagined Borat voice, if you like) in the comments section. You'll see what I mean when you read Terry's story.

Deere extends sponsorship of PGA Tour event

So, did you miss us?

After last week's time off, I know we're all glad to be back and ready to get after it as we head toward the end of another year. And we hadn't been back in our chairs for more than a few hours when the first big golf course management story of the week emerged — John Deere and the PGA Tour extending their multi-faceted partnerships on two different fronts.

First, Deere extended its title sponsorship of the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic for six years. The equipment company has sponsored this event in its hometown of Moline, Ill., since 1998, and this agreement keeps the tournament at the TPC Deere Run through 2016.

"Sponsorship of the John Deere Classic has been beneficial for our business," said Jim Field, senior vice president and chief financial officer for Deere. "Not only are we able to highlight our excellent equipment and services to a global audience but more importantly, raise millions of dollars for charity in the Quad City area."

GCSAA to offer limited services week of Thanksgiving

Things are about to get a little quiet around here.

That's because GCSAA has instituted a staff furlough for Nov. 23-25 and will observe the Thanksgiving holiday Nov. 26-27. In addition, GCSAA will have another staff furlough Dec. 28-31, sandwiched between the Christmas holiday Dec. 24-25 and the New Year's Day holiday on Jan. 1. The association headquarters will provide minimal services through its call center on the days of these furloughs. Please call 1-800-472-7878 for assistance.

Have a safe and happy holiday, and we'll be back here with new content Monday, Nov. 30.