From the desk of GCM

Mark Hughes memorial information

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

John McCabe Funeral Home
300 West 3rd Ave.
Derry, PA 15627
Phone: 724-794-2789

Viewing:  Friday, Nov. 2 ------ 2 - 4 p.m.  and  6 - 9 pm
Service:  Saturday, Nov. 3  ----  11 a.m. at Derry Presbyterian Church,108 West 3rd. Ave., Derry, PA 15627

A memorial fund has been established to help Mark's wife, Lisa, and sons.

Checks Payable to :  Mark T. Hughes Memorial Fund
Send Checks To: 
PNC Bank Attn:  Mark Cody
3510 U.S. Rte. 22 West
P.O. Box 44
Whitehouse, NJ  08888

Update 7: California fires and golf

Another update via Brenda Warner of the San Diego GCSA, this one from Geoff Haynes, who is the superintendent at Maderas Golf Club and a 13-year member of GCSAA. All the photos you see with this post come from Haynes:

"After a close call with fire right on the 15 northbound lanes (as I headed south), I made it to work around 4:30 Monday morning. I called some of my crew to tell them to stay home and then drove out onto the driving range. What a sight ... the ridge above holes 14 and 15 was on fire, and the ridge above holes 2 and 3 was glowing bright orange. The wind, smoke and heat were incredible! After the sheriff's department kicked us out, the 15 was closed, so I had to get to 56 to 5 to 78 to make it home. It took two hours!

"After two days of news watching, I was very worried, though fortunately only for work and not for my family, which never had to evacuate.

"On my way into Maderas Wednesday morning (after begging and pleading with the National Guard), I was expecting to not have a shop/yard. The surrounding hills were literally smoked. Thankfully, the maintenance building and clubhouse were still standing. The flames completely encircled the yard but never really got inside, although we did lose four machines parked under a carport by the fence -- two Toro 3100s, a Toro 4000, and a Ditch Witch.

"We also lost the bridges on holes 7 and 17, along with power and water to holes 6 and 7. Some singed turf will need to be reseeded and, of course, numerous trees to the wind. Other than those few things, the course came through pretty well, all things considered. A lot of charred native landscape around here that will take a few years to grow back.

"I’m very thankful as it could have been much worse."

And as a sneak preview, the December issue of GCM will feature a recap of how the Southern California wildfires impacted the golf industry in our monthly Inside Your Game column.

More on the tragic death of Mark Hughes, CGCS

Two news stories explain more on the death of Mark Hughes, CGCS. Apparently Mr. Hughes died saving the life of his wife, Lisa. Click here and here for the stories.

Update 6: California fires and golf

Thankfully, it appears that firefighters -- with a little help from Mother Nature -- are beginning to get the upper hand on the wildfires that have been plaguing Southern California. Probably should have posted this earlier, but the San Diego Union-Tribune is a great source for those looking for general information on the fires.

I'm still receiving information on how the fires have effected the golf industry from Brenda Warner, who works with the San Diego GCSA. She passed along this update from Nick Spardy, an affiliate member of GCSAA who works with Simplot Partners, who spent some time with David Buckles, the superintendent at Rancho Bernardo Inn in El Cajon and a 23-year GCSAA member. Spardy shared the following story about the efforts of Buckles and his crew, efforts that are now beginning to make waves in the mainstream media, as this story in the Union-Tribune details.

I was with GCS Dave Buckles, Rancho Bernardo Inn, on his course and he got a call to go over near some of the houses on the course. Upon arriving there, numerous neighbors and television cameras were on site. Dave, Esteban (Chavez), his assistant, and eight of his crew were showered with hugs and gratitude from the locals. You see when the fires were rapidly moving through the Rancho Bernardo area, Dave and his team used homeowner hoses and scaled roof tops to shake shingle roofs and kept the fires from destroying six homes. The fact that they stopped the six homes from burning saved the whole neighborhood and the chain reaction that would have occurred. One home did burn to the ground. The woman who lived there was at the site. Esteban, the assistant at Rancho Bernardo Inn, had reached into her burning home and grabbed a picture which was hot and threw it on the ground. As it turns out, the picture as of the woman's daughter when she was three years old. The woman upon seeing this cried and with gratitude hugged Esteban, thanking him. This was the only item she had left. To be a witness to the gratitude all these people had for Dave and his team and to know what unselfish act they performed, made me proud to be part of this industry and a San Diegoan.

Later today I'll post another update I received through Warner, this one from Geoff Haynes, who is the superintendent at Maderas Golf Club in Escondido and a 13-year member of GCSAA.

In happier news

As if on cue, I got this email from Bill Newton, GCSAA's manager of media and public relations:

Subject: Good story

San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct. 28: “Golf course crew battled to save 6 homes”

Article about Dave Buckles, GCSAA Class A superintendent at San Bernardo Inn in Rancho Bernardo, Calif., his crew of eight saving six homes surrounding the golf course from the wildfires using garden hoses and buckets of water scooped from swimming pools and the media attention he’s received since, including a feature on Telemundo and an invitation to the Ellen DeGeneres show.

Sad news times two

Just received some sad news via the GCSAA grapevine.

GCSAA has received news this morning of the passing of Mark Hughes, CGCS. Hughes was the chapter delegate for the Finger Lakes Association of Golf Course Superintendents. He was also a member of the Greater Pittsburgh Golf Course Superintendents Association. Hughes was the Superintendent of Monroe Golf Club in Rochester, New York. 

Mark and his wife, Lisa, were celebrating their 25th anniversary in Puerto Rico. Mark passed away from a drowning accident during the trip.

There will be a wake at the John McCabe funeral home on Friday, Nov. 2nd and a memorial service on Saturday, Nov. 3rd:

John D. McCabe Funeral Home
300 W 3rd Avenue
Derry, Pennsylvania 15627
Phone: (724) 694-2789

We recently sent my parents to Las Vegas to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. I can't imagine the sadness of something tragic happening during a celebration like that. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hughes family.

It should also be mentioned that Shelly Howard, GCM's traffic specialist, lost her mother last week. The GCM staff attended the funeral in Horton, Kan., on Friday. Our thoughts and prayers are also with Shelly and her family during this sad time of loss.

Sorry for all the sad news. We'll try to find some good news to put up here soon...

Update 5: California fires and golf

I received an e-mail from Sandy Clark this morning, and the news is good from Barona Creek Golf Course. Despite some reports from earlier today that there remained questions about whether the Nationwide Tour Championship would be played at Barona next week because of the wildfires plaguing Southern California, the superintendent at Barona Creek reports to me that all systems are go -- at least for now.

"We toured the course with the PGA Tour officials yesterday, and all agreed that the tournament could still be held," Clark wrote. "Unless someone at PGA headquarters decides differently, Barona and the on-site PGA guys are planning to move full speed ahead.

Here is the complete report from Clark:

We are fine. Other than losing three days of work, the golf course came out unscathed.  The casino is closed until probably Saturday or Sunday and we have closed the golf course until the practice rounds begin next Monday. We toured the course with the PGA Tour officials yesterday and all agreed that the tournament could still be held. Unless someone at PGA headquarters decides differently, Barona and the on site PGA guys are planning to move full speed ahead. It does feel good being back in my own house again, after a brief two day evacuation. Thanks for your concern and interest.

I also got an e-mail yesterday from James Ward, a member of GCSAA's Strategic Communications committee and the golf manager for the city of Los Angeles' recreation and parks department. And the news from further up the coast is also good:

The last 4 days have been surreal around Los Angeles with the Santa Ana winds blowing 60 mph and smoke all around. Our city courses have not been affected by any of these horrific fires. Staff has been touched by evacuations and concerns of property loss.

There was a good story in this morning's LA Times about golf and the fires that you can read by clicking on this link. I'll post more information as I receive it. And if any blog readers have their own stories to share or photos they'd like to send along that detail how these fires have effected the lives of those in the golf course industry, feel free to e-mail them my way.

Update 4: California fires and golf

Mark Woodward, CGCS has been spending plenty of time in the office lately. No surprise there for the director of golf operations for the city of San Diego, what with the U.S. Open coming to Torrey Pines' South Course in June, not to mention the PGA Tour's usual stop at the club for the Buick Open in late January.

Still, he hadn't pulled an all-nighter yet -- until Monday. That's when the former GCSAA president and his family hunkered down in his office after their Carmel Valley neighborhood was evacuated by San Diego police in advance of a wildfire that was bearing down on the neighborhood.

"We got the reverse 911 call Monday afternoon and just left," Woodward told me during a phone conversation Wednesday morning. "We had already packed up a few changes of clothes, our pictures, other things that we knew we couldn't replace in case something happened. We had it all ready by the door, so when the call came, we loaded up our cars and took off."

Fortunately for Woodward, the evacuation was short lived. By midday Tuesday, it was clear his neighborhood was no longer threatened by the fire that had prompted the evacuation. "We kinda snuck back in and just laid low for most of the day," he said. "A lot of our neighbors did the same thing, and we got the official OK to return early this morning. We feel pretty lucky."

So far, the San Diego courses that Woodward manages -- Torrey Pines, Balboa Park and Mission Bay -- have escaped serious damage for the fires. Thick soot, falling ashes and poor air quality led the city to close its courses for several days (Woodward also mentioned a sensitivity by city officials to the perception that would be created if golfers were on the course while others in the community were suffering through the tragedy), but the courses re-opened today, although player traffic was extremely light.

Woodward told me communication among superintendents in the area had been somewhat limited. Most were too busy worrying about protecting both their homes and their golf courses, he speculated, to commiserate with their brethren in the golf course industry . He had spoken to Sandy Clark, the superintendent I mentioned earlier on the blog who is scheduled to host the Nationwide Tour Championships next weekend at Barona Creek GC, but the conversation took place several days ago and he had nothing new to report -- the only road in and out of Barona Creek remained closed and there was no word on the fate of the course, the hotel and casino that rounds out the resort or the tournament.

Woodward did find a bright spot about his office camp out -- scaring the heck out of your employers. "A woman who works for me called about 2:30 in the morning to tell me that her neighborhood was being evacuated and she wouldn't be in the next day. She was just planning on leaving a message, but I rolled over and answered the phone. I think I scared her half to death. In the middle of all of this, you still don't expect someone to answer the phone in the middle of the night."

Update 3: California fires and golf

This is video from a site called Live Leak that shows a helicopter taking water from a pond near the ninth hole at the TPC Valencia in the northeast portion of Los Angeles.

More to come later based upon a conversation I had with Mark Woodward, CGCS, who is a former GCSAA president and currently serves as the golf operations manager for the city of San Diego, overseeing Balboa Park, Mission Bay and Torrey Pines golf complexes. I also got an e-mail from Jim Ward, who is a golf manager for the city of Los Angeles' parks and rec division, with an update on the situation in his area. Stay tuned.

San Diego's inflamed

My friend Megan, who lives and works for a law firm in San Diego, sent an update of the fires in her region late last night. While she doesn't work in the golf course industry, her perspective is certainly one that many of our members in the area can share.

"Simply, San Diego is on fire. Over half a million people have been evacuated in San Diego County alone, including a lot of my co-workers. I am lucky to live in this enclave of unthreatened area, but there are fires to the north, east and south of me. The bay is about eight blocks to my west, so basically I'm surrounded. The closest burn is about 11 miles to my southeast, but I believe that fire just turned south and is no longer headed in the direction of downtown.

Schools, courts and many other government services are closed through Monday. We've been asked to conserve electricity, limit cell phone use and limit non-essential travel. The Marine base here has two fires, and the Navy has been ordered onto the ships to free up their barracks on base for evacuees.

Two attorneys and one secretary at my firm live in a burn area and may have lost their homes. At one point, one of the attorneys was driving around town with his wife, four kids, mom and two dogs in a Suburban looking for a place to go after getting evacuated from the first place they evacuated to. Another attorney, staying with friends near Qualcomm Stadium, was chased by a coyote that was essentially hunting her small dog that she was walking. Wild animals have been pushed into the city by the fires.

The scrolling text at the bottom of the local news is listing streets and then address numbers that were destroyed, like 'Market Street: 320, 326, 328.' It's eerie to see that on the news because I know it corresponds to people who lost their homes, but it's actually comforting to those who are in limbo to know their house's fate.

The air quality is going to be bad here for days, if not weeks. At one point today I watched as huge clouds of smoke started to roll into downtown, although strangely if I looked straight up, the sky was blue. The air is hot and dry and polluted. After walking about two blocks outside, the back of my throat felt irritated and there were tiny, but visible, pieces of ash falling.

I have, however, learned a lot of fire-related terminology after watching about 48 hours straight of news coverage and can now converse better than Southern Cal natives regarding these fires:

- The fire will "lay down" over night as the winds calm. The problem with these fires is that both Sunday and Monday night the Santa Ana winds continued and thus the fires did not slow down over night.

- One fire may have several "fingers" or "heads." When I went to sleep Sunday night, there were two fires in the county and one of those had two heads. When I woke up six hours later, there were eight fires.

- A fire is "contained" when it is under control, but not necessarily out. Right now the Witch Fire (largest fire currently burning in CA) is 1 percent contained, and the Harris Fire, which is closest to me, is 5 percent contained, so we have a ways to go, although if the wind will die down, things will improve drastically.

- There has been a lot of "explosive fire behavior," so the fire is jumping over the "defensible space" consisting of rocks, etc., that people have built around their homes."

I just got off the phone with Megan just now, and she updated me that the outlook is a little brighter this morning as the winds appear to be dying down, FEMA's on the scene, and reinforcement firefighting teams from Texas and Tijuana are there helping to extinguish those fires. State prisoners have even been summoned to help the efforts, so it sounds like resources are being used effectively, and hopefully managed effectively. Hopefully all that manpower will soon get those fires contained.

Update 2: California wildfires and golf

This morning's L.A. Daily News featured this story about how water hazards on area golf courses are being used to supply the tankers that are making aerial assaults on the fires and the overall impact the fires are having on golf. There are updates from the TPC Valencia (the next-door neighbor to Bob Hertzing and Valencia Country Club), Vista Valencia and Robinson Ranch GC.

Update: California wildfires and golf

Scott Woodhead, GCSAA's senior manager of governance and member standards and a former association president, passed along an e-mail he received from Brenda Warner, who works with the San Diego GCSA. Here's how she described what she is experiencing right now.

I am living a science fiction movie right now. The sky is black, ash is falling everywhere, the sun is out and it's 90 degrees. Air quality is horrible. Winds are calm right now where I am. Packed and ready to go. Got evacuated on Monday, back in yesterday. Other side of town just got mandatory evacuation again. Flames are high and moving quickly. Fires are kicking up all over the place, winds have changed again.

Brenda also listed off a number of golf course that had been impacted by the fire. I've sent her an e-mail to confirm some of that information and also to see if she will keep us as updated as she is able to over the next few days. I'll keep the posts coming as I get new information.

California wildfires and golf

As the wildfires that are ravaging Southern California continue to grow, I sent out a few inquiries to superintendents that I know in that part of the world to get an idea of how these fires are impacting folks in our industry, both personally and professionally. The plan is to pass along what we're hearing on this blog and also in the Inside Your Game column in the December issue of GCM.

My first response came from Bob Hertzing, who is the superintendent at Valencia Country Club northeast of Los Angeles. His layout isn't in the direct path of the biggest fires -- those all appear to be south of his location -- but even he has seen some impact from the flames, most notably from the high winds that are fanning the flames and the smoke and soot the fires are spreading over the region.

"We have lost nine large tress and numerous branches," he wrote me in an e-mail. "We were 14 days post-overseeding and some of the juvenile ryegrass seedlings have seen better days. The course re-opened today at noon and the cleanup efforts are still under way. Once the wind tapers off, we will be throwing more seed on the fairways to make up for the mortality that the winds have caused."

Fortunately for Bob, his home and family are safe. "Most of the houses lost have been on the outskirts of town," he said. But "things are interesting. I would compare it to a hurricane with fire." Not a good visual, really. Bob said he would send along some photos he has taken later today, and I'll post them as soon as I can.

Another guy I'm especially eager to hear from is Sandy Clark, who heads maintenance at Barona Creek Golf Club outside of San Diego, which is scheduled to host the Nationwide Tour Championships next week. So far, I haven't heard back from Sandy, but poke around the Web a little and the picture looks bleak -- the resort's Web site indicates that both roads into the valley that is home to the resort, casino golf course and Barona Indian Reservation have been closed and the entire operation is currently shut down. The facility escaped major damage during wildfires in 2003 -- let's hope they get the same breaks this time around.

My first Chapter Delegates meeting part II

OK, back to the Delegates...

Thankfully, I got to the Kansas City Airport Marriott without any further drama. Ran like crazy to get in the hotel, as it was still pouring rain when I got there. The weather was so nasty this day that the KU football game got postponed twice. Once before the game, the second time after a bolt of lightning struck not far from the stadium just as KU was scoring a touchdown...

Found my seat, located conveniently near the door. I was about 10 minutes late, but I wasn't nearly the latest person to arrive (we'll leave out names for now!). Seated at my table were Bob Farren, CGCS at Pinehurst, representing the Carolinas GCSA; Kirk Hardin, superintendent at Camelback GC in Scottsdale, Ariz., representing the Cactus and Pine; Brent Edens, superintendent at Big Creek G&CC in central Arkansas, representing the GCSA of Arkansas; Mel Waldron III, CGCS, representing the Ozark Turf Association; and Teri Harris, managing director of development for GCSAA.

Introductions were made, and it was a really solid group at my table. Discussions were lively, and our table wasn't shy about sharing their thoughts. Plus, they were dedicated... for example, Brent made it to the meeting, even though he had a three-week-old baby girl back home!

We talked a lot about chapters and how their involvement in the National effects the National and the chapters. Did some brainstorming on how the relationships could be made stronger... and even asked the question, 'Should they be made stronger?'

Once the discussion was opened up to everyone, it was interesting to hear the diverse opinions of the different chapters. Recently the Michigan chapter consolidated from four chapters to one, so you know that got a lot of talk. Brian Durant, superintendent at Washtenaw CC, got a nice laugh from the crowd when he introduced himself as the delegate of the "former... Greater Detroit chapter."

Anyway, there was a lot discussed, too much to type up here, but there will be plenty of communications to come from the Delegates meeting. But as far as my first Delegates meeting, overall impression? Of course it was very educational. It was like an amped-up committee meeting on serious steroids. It wasn't quite what I expected. I thought it'd be more formal, perhaps, with more people dryly lecturing from a podium. Instead it was like one giant brainstorming session, with a bunch of passionate individuals trying to contribute their two cents. Throw in a few presentations from GCSAA staff, a lunch or two, and there it is -- my first Chapter Delegates report.

Thanks to everyone who came out to make it happen. I hope to see everyone again next year!

Anger management

Water in Georgia, Part II

Consider this an addendum to the post below by our intrepid blogger Seth Jones about the dire straits the folks in Georgia are finding themselves in as the entire Southeast suffers through a historic drought -- this video from the folks at The Weather Channel focuses on golf's use of effluent water as an irrigation source, featuring Ken Mangum, CGCS (please forgive the misspelling of his last name in the video) and the Atlanta Athletic Club. Good stuff and some positive PR for the golf industry that sets us up as leaders in the smart use of water, especially during a sensitive time in that part of the country.

And stay tuned -- I'll let you know why I've been a ghost around these parts for the last month or so. I've got a good reason (at least what I think is a good reason), so I'll fill you in on all the gory details later.

Think rainy thoughts for Georgia

It's another rainy day in Lawrence, Kan. In fact, there were murmurs of flash flooding on the news this morning. At least my roof has been repaired already, so there will be no flooding in my kitchen.

I chatted with Anthony Williams, CGCS at Stone Mountain (Ga.) Golf Club, just now. They could use some of this rain out that way, for sure. The state just upped the drought urgency in north Georgia to "Level Four," meaning Anthony can only water his greens. The weird thing for him is that the course has a pond full of water ready to go... but since the drought is not regarded in a case-by-case basis, the same restrictions are on him that are on the guy that would need to pump city water on to his fairways. So the pond just sits there. Water, water, everywhere, but not legally allowed to irrigate with it. You can imagine the frustration.

The other frustration was that they upped the restrictions from Level Two to Level Four -- no time for Level Three. Residents in north Georgia cannot water lawns or plants at all, meaning nurseries and green houses have basically had their businesses closed down for them.

But it is very serious business. Atlanta reportedly can go 100 days before they start to ration drinking water. Athens, Ga., may only have a month before they have to go that route.

Check out the radar and you'll see serious storms in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. Here's to hoping some of this rain can somehow find a way to pop up down south.

My first chapter delegates meeting

This weekend I attended my first Chapter Delegates meeting. It had a rough start, but ended on a high note.

So it's 4 a.m. Saturday morning and this thunderstorm is just rocking Lawrence. Thunder and lightning and some serious rain. I make a mental note to get up a little earlier than usual since I might have to drive slower to be safe in this deluge. At 5:30 a.m. I get up.

...And for some reason, there's no hot water. The house we just moved into is 150-years-old, but the science of hot water is pretty simple. Yet, I'm taking a cold shower. I get out quickly, freezing to death. I spot the heating wall unit that was recently installed, and decide to give it a try to warm up.

Ten minutes later and no heat is emanating from this unit, so I crank it off. Open the bathroom door and start getting dressed.

And then the smoke alarms all start going off.

My wife is awake, my baby is crying, I've got three different smoke alarms going off with no smoke, and since the house is new to me, I'm not especially quick at figuring out how to silence the alarms. Once I silence them, it takes me even longer to try to figure out how to reinstall them. I go from being on time (and able to enjoy the hot breakfast they'll have waiting for me at the Marriott), to running late (and faced with a peanut butter crackers breakfast).

So I get ready as fast as I can. Sure, I can't find my suit pants, but I'm not officially upset with the way my Saturday morning is going yet. OK, that's a lie -- it's Saturday morning, my weekend -- and I'm UPSET with the way this weekend is beginning.

Finally I'm ready to get going. I checked the radar, and Lawrence is just now on the edge of this storm... and I get to take off and drive back INTO the worst part of it. I mentally prepare to get soaking wet outside. But I only make it as far as my kitchen before it literally starts raining on me. Oh sure, it had already been metaphorically raining on my day, but now, I'm standing in my kitchen, and the rain water is coming through the roof on me. I curse for a minute, then get some towels out.

The drive to the Kansas City airport Marriott? White-knuckled. Camaros aren't known for their handling on wet roads.

(Breath) Finally, I make it to the meeting... (this post to be continued tomorrow...)

Jacobsen welcomes press to Charlotte

After a quick jaunt to Charlotte, N.C., to visit Jacobsen's headquarters and newly opened Jacobsen University training center and consolidated parts and distribution center, I'm only half-certain what day it is and I definitely need a good night's sleep.

But it was a trip worth the experience.

Jacobsen hosted a slew of media types in the golf course management and other ancillary industries to its home on Oct. 12 to boast its new digs, new business methods and a couple new products.

Dan Wilkinson, president, talked about some changes the company has made in the past few years, including implementing a "lean" approach to its parts storage and delivery systems and maximizing efficiency in all its manufacturing operations. In the first quarter of 2006, Jacobsen started a comprehensive product testing program on 85 courses in nine different countries. It's a long process, but it's worth the investment, he said.

Jake's vice president of marketing, Joe Cunningham, detailed Jacobsen University's training programs available to turfgrass students, superintendents and technicians in addition to its dealers. "Students" at Jake U go through training on equipment and other turf industry topics in a classroom setting and in simulated workshops with hands-on testing and experience.

Here, Joe shows us an electrical lab with equipment-specific schematics to help students trace circuits and troubleshoot electric problems.

Business Education Manager Craig Cousino led us on a full tour of Jake U, and then the group heard about the company's consolidated parts and distribution operations from Distribution Center Manager John Whittington. About eight months ago, Jacobsen streamlined its Charlotte facilities from four to two. The company also underwent an intensive pick study to determine placement of inventory. The new system has already improved its parts fulfillment processes -- today, the company boasts a 97 percent fill rate.

After the Jake tour, we hopped the state line to South Carolina's Tega Cay GC, where Brian Melka, Jacobsen's director of product management, demonstrated the environmentally-friendly 122F Eclipse greensmower and two other relatively new products from the company.

There, Bob Marshall, superintendent at Skaneateles CC in Skaneateles, N.Y., shared his experience and thoughts on the 122F Eclipse after using it at his course for a five-day trial period. He liked that the machine can accommodate groomer attachments and also locks out operator error, increasing consistency of cut regardless of the user.

Finally, our group of about 15 got a real treat for the evening's entertainment -- we indulged in one of Charlotte, N.C.'s favorite pastimes, NASCAR. I confess I may have underappreciated NASCAR and misunderstood its appeal in the past, but I can say that my mind has been changed. Though I may not attend another NASCAR event in my life, I had a blast. We dined in style at the Speedway Club, an astounding buffet of crab legs, lobster tail, prime rib, jumbo shrimp and dozens of desserts.

Those in the publications department at GCSAA who have witnessed my appetite and know my ability to eat a months-old Moon Pie (I don't even like Moon Pies) when hungry may understand the scene of this smorgasbord, especially considering the 45-minute time limit on our gluttony. 

Then we took our seats at the NASCAR Busch Series Dollar General 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, a spectacle of light, sound, color and brand name marketing. I temporarily lost my hearing, inhaled bits of tar and felt the rush of 30+ cars speeding by at nearly 200 mph at track level, and I loved every minute of it. Got back to the hotel, packed my bags and shut my eyes for a few seconds before waking up to my alarm and heading off to the airport. It was a 24-hour whirlwind of action, but as my batty yet brilliant 9th grade civics teacher always said, you can sleep when you're dead.

Green Start Academy report

The second Green Start Academy was recently completed in Cary, N.C. Hosted by John Deere and Bayer Environmental Science, the event hosted almost 80 assistant superintendents from across North America.

The two-day educational and networking event provides training in best management practices and innovative products, as well as career development from industry experts and peer networking. Assistants qualified after being nominated by their superintendent and submitting an essay to Green Start Academy. Essays were reviewed by a panel of industry experts including: Collier Miller of the PGA TOUR; Bryan Bielecki of Billy Casper Golf; Dean Graves, CGCS of Chevy Chase Club; Ken Mangum, CGCS of Atlanta Athletic Club; Bob Farren, CGCS of Pinehurst Country Club; and Bruce Williams, CGCS of Los Angeles Country Club.

“Education and professional development opportunities such as this lead to the success of not only these assistant superintendents, but also their courses and the industry as a whole,” Gregg Breningmeyer, director of sales and marketing, John Deere Golf & Turf, said.  “We’re proud to contribute to the continued growth of our industry.”

Over the two-day period, participants attended education sessions focusing on golf course care and maintenance, professional development, industry regulations, turf science and recent research. The event also included tours of the Bayer and John Deere facilities.

GCSAA and GCM were also represented at Green Start Academy. Dave Ferris, GCSAA director of membership, was in attendance, as well as Bunny Smith, GCM managing editor. If you look closely you can see both GCSAA staffers in the team photo. They're the fourth and fifth, respectively, on the front row. Tiny, I know, but trust me, that's them.

The question I have: What future big-name superintendents are in that photo? Perhaps a future host of a major? Or maybe a president of our association?

Who knows, but they're certainly on the right track for success.

Heart of America chapter helping restore historic Elmwood Cemetary

The Heart of America GCSA chapter is stepping up to help restore a Kansas City landmark some may have forgotten.

Elmwood Cemetary, in downtown Kansas City, was designed in 1872 by renowned architect George Kessler, the arcitect for KC's parks and bouelvard system. It's a 43-acre cemetary, and is the resting place for many of the city's founders. Over 2,000 war veterans are buried at Elmwood, including 800 veterans of the Civil War.

The cemetary is mostly full, so it's rare to have a new burial there. Hence, there's little money coming in. So a budget for upkeep is mostly non-existant, despite this cemetary being on the historic register.

But the Heart chapter, along with some local tree companies, will be there this Saturday morning to do what they do best -- spruce up a greenspace.

"We felt our expertise and resources could be used in a very positive way in the community,” Tim Nielsen, superintendent at Drumm Farm GC in Indepence, Mo., said.  “Elmwood Cemetery desperately needs help, not just ours, to help restore one of Kansas City’s most historical sites.”

Fred Klauk to retire in 2008

A well known name in our industry -- and a very good friend of GCM -- is set to retire.

Fred Klauk, superintendent at TPC Sawgrass for 25 years, will call the 2008 Players Championship his last (Klauk pictured here with Tour player Carl Paulson). Klauk has hosted 22 Players Championships, including the 2007 tournament, which featured a completely renovated Stadium Course. GCM covered that story in the May 2007 issue with a story by Terry Ostmeyer.

And when I think about it, Fred has been one of the most friendly, accomodating superintendents we've worked with here at GCM. Back in 2003, I drug Fred all over the course during tournament week so I could do a story where he played golf with a Tour player for a few holes (by the way, Fred won with a birdie on 17). Then Terry did his May cover story. Then Scott Hollister went out there during tournament week this year to shadow Fred at his busiest time.

So yeah, Fred Klauk has definitely been a friend to GCM. We'll miss him and also wish him the best of luck -- and hope he's as successful a fisherman as he has been a superintendent.

Here's the press release the PGA Tour sent out this morning:

25-YEAR PGA TOUR VETERAN FRED KLAUK TO RETIRE

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL. (October 8, 2007) – The PGA TOUR announced today that TPC Sawgrass Golf Course Superintendent Fred Klauk will retire after 25 years of service.  Klauk’s retirement will take effect following the 2008 PLAYERS Championship, but he will remain involved with the TOUR as a project manager to help with the transition of his successor and assist with the 2009 & 2010 PLAYERS Championship.  The announcement was made by David Pillsbury, President of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties.

“Fred’s numerous contributions to the TOUR during his 25 years of dedicated service will be dearly missed,” said Pillsbury.  “Fred leaves an extraordinary legacy of superb golf course maintenance and tournament agronomy excellence.  We wish him the very best as he begins this next chapter in his life and we are pleased that he will remain a valued and integral part of the PGA TOUR family.”

During his more than quarter century career with the PGA TOUR, Klauk prepared golf courses for 27 PGA TOUR tournaments, including 22 PLAYERS Championships and the 1996 U.S. Amateur Championship.  His crowning achievement was to spearhead last year’s renovation of THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass and the elevation of THE PLAYERS Championship through numerous competitive and fan enhancements.

“I am personally indebted to Fred for his outstanding leadership, willingness to help and consistently positive attitude,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.  “Fred’s contributions to the elevation of THE PLAYERS Championship have had and will continue to have a dramatic and lasting effect.”  Cal Roth, the PGA TOUR’s Vice President of Agronomy, said, “Fred is a leader among professionals who manage the game’s most valuable asset.  In addition to helping to elevate the quality of the golf course for the best players in the world, Fred has mentored many other golf course superintendents during the past 25 years.  We are grateful for his contributions to the PGA TOUR and to the golf course agronomy profession.  Fred will continue to be a source of inspiration and leadership as he transitions to his new role in project management.”  Klauk will work with Roth to identify his successor and will assist in the transition through the PLAYERS in 2010.   

“It has truly been a privilege to be a part of the TOUR family, and to have had the privilege of working alongside so many remarkable and dedicated people.  I look forward to staying connected to the TOUR and to spending more time with my family,” said Klauk.

An accomplished golfer and former club champion, Klauk is 31-year member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture.

Among the numerous awards he has received over the years, Klauk earned Golfweek’s 2000 Golf Father-of-the-Year award, having passed his love for golf down to his three sons, all of whom are excellent players.  His son, Jeff is a player on the Nationwide Tour; son John, a former NCAA All American golfer at Texas, works for Merrill-Lynch in Los Angeles; and son Jason works as an investment banker for FBR in Washington, D.C.

Klauk looks forward to trading in his signature straw hat for a fishing cap and to traveling with Peggy, his wife of 34 years.

The oh-so quiet GCM office

Wow. You could hear a pin drop in the GCM office today.

Why? Because my team is scattered around the globe, literally.

We've got Teresa Carson, our senior science editor, in Ireland. We've got Bunny Smith, managing editor, in Clayton, N.C. Darcy DeVictor, associate editor, will soon be Carolina-bound as well. Then there's the Colorado chapter of GCM working hard, Terry Ostmeyer and Becky Drager (Estes Park and Leadville, respectively).

Let's see, that leaves... Ed Hiscock, editor-in-chief. He's in an important meeting somewhere in the building. Kelly Neis and Roger Billings, our home design team, are here figuring out the look of our November issue. And Shelly Howard, our traffic specialist, is here.

Who am I forgetting?

Ah, yes, my blogger in crime, Scott "H-Bomb" Hollister. The Ricky Bobby to my Cal Naughton Jr. ('cause I like to party) is at home recuperating from eye surgery. I'll let him give you the story when he gets back, but we wish "El Diablo" a speedy recovery.

With this nice weather and all these people out of the office, looks like I may need to do some on-site research down the street at Alvamar GC this afternoon.

Who they calling 'turf wackos'?

Our own Mr. Greg Lyman made the Wall Street Jounral recently. Lyman is GCSAA's director of environmental programs. He's also not nearly as good at pool as he thinks he is (and yes, that's a challenge, Lyman).

For the story in the WSJ, titled "Golf's 'Turf Wackos'" by John Paul Newport, click here.

And yeah, that's a lousy photo of Lyman presenting to the Environmental Programs Committee... but when will I ever get another chance to use that photo?

With Norman in Naples

Hello from Naples, Fla.

I just got done with a 1-on-1 interview with Greg Norman. Look for the story in the December issue of GCM! Norman was great, had a lot of great things to say about our members.

I'll be back in the factory on Wednesday. More soon!