Category: Coming Events and News

Conversation with Hualala’i Director of Golf Maintenance Dan Husek about Hawaii’s first “First Green” program.

Pretty cool thing Dan did here. Great PR for all of us.
—Scott Main

First Green, a Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) program, pairs golf courses with local schools for unique Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities. Check it out at thefirstgreen.org

The awards recognize golf course superintendents and their courses for overall course management excellence and best management practices in the areas of water conservation, water quality management, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste management, wildlife and habitat conservation, communication and outreach, and leadership.

From the GCSAA Press Release announcing the awards:

Main’s Mauna Kea Resort is the oldest resort and oldest golf course on the Big Island of Hawaii. Its position right on the Pacific Ocean presents unique challenges, not only in compatibility with the marine ecosystem, but also because of soil that contains crushed lava and an average annual rainfall of 4.2 inches. Transitioning the course from bermudagrass to paspalum, which is salt-tolerant and requires less water, is just one aspect of the water conservation program.

In keeping with the Hawaiian culture’s dedication to wildlife, Main has partnered with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to rope off areas and display signage to protect nesting nene, Hawaii’s state bird and the world’s rarest goose. In the past three years, the course’s nene population has increased by 300 percent. Ocean wildlife is important too, and Mauna Kea participates in an ongoing study with the University of Hawai’i at Hilo to help gauge Mauna Kea’s water quality and its effect on coral reefs.

Congratulations to Scott and Mauna Kea Golf Course!

This years Tournament was a spectacular success giving Association members the opportunity to network and communicate with their community and with other professionals in the Hawaii Golf Industry — and it was just GOOD FUN!

Much of the credit for this very enjoyable event goes to our Sponsors. Please Visit the HGCSA Golf Tournament Sponsors page by Clicking Here.

To Visit the main Tournament photo gallery page please Click Here.

Most of day was talking about changing the By-Laws, the By-Laws were sent to an Law firm that recommended a number of wording changes. The one that was discussed the most was about voting at the GIS, having the candidates that are running for the BOD be voted in for each position separately instead of the two top vote getter. Then if a appointment for a 1 year term is needed there will be a vote for that position instead of the President appointing someone. The other changes were about membership classifications.

The Code of Ethics were revised and all items that were not legally enforceable were struck.

National Golf Day this past spring was a success and the project on the Mall was a lot of fun for everyone. Next year the group would like to do a bigger project. Meeting the Congress members of course was the main reason for Golf Day.

GCSAA is setting up a political action committee or PAC in order to gain access to members of Congress that can help the game of golf.

A certificate program for Turf Equipment Managers and Assistant Superintendents is being worked on.

Any questions please let me know.

Russell Dooge, CGCS

One last thing, please let me know who you would like to be Superintendent of the Year and the reason why. Thank you Russ

Complete Delegates Post Meeting Communication from the GCSAA

Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association members vote for their superintendent of the year. The HGCSA board chooses its lifetime achievement award winner.

Kama‘aina who have golfed at Turtle Bay and Kapalua, and folks who have watched tour events on those courses in the midst of breathtaking views, probably aren’t surprised at the most recent selections.

Short Honma, who gave up farming and ultimately helped open all three Kapalua Resort courses, was honored with the lifetime award.

The 91-year-old followed his son into the golf business. Michael Honma, who has hosted 16 tour events at Turtle Bay since he started there in 1982, is superintendent of the year.

Both have seen Hawaii golf mature and modernize dramatically in their careers and played a primary role. Not bad for a bunch of farmers.

A few weeks ago I attended the 2016 GCSAA Delegates Meeting in Kansas as your representative and this an summary of that meeting.
. . . Russ

Eighty-two delegates from 84 chapters convene at GCSAA headquarters

Membership engagement and growth, advocacy efforts and an upcoming best management practices guide were among the key topics of the 2016 Chapter Delegates Meeting. The 82 delegates from 84 chapters also heard from nominees for the 2017 GCSAA Board of Directors. The two-day meeting, held Oct. 11-12 in Kansas City, Mo., and at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., also offered delegates the chance to discuss issues and provide input in small group sessions and during a “town hall” session.

Key Messages

• CPI Dues Process– GCSAA has a long-term membership dues pricing structure that ties a proposed dues increase to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) . The GCSAA Board makes a recommendation to the membership on changes to A, B or C membership dues every two years based on the CPl. The CPI increased by 1.2% over the past two years and this translates to a proposed of $5 dues increase for A, B and c members. This proposed increase will be voted on at the Annual Meeting. The delegates also heard about a proposed Bylaws amendment in which the dues approved by the membership could not exceed the set amount. This would allow flexibility to offer introductory, reduced membership dues for new members or other entities.
• Political Action Committee – GCSAA is investigating the possibility of resurrecting a GCSAA Political Action Committee (PAC) to further its advocacy efforts on behalf of the membership and remain the leader in advocacy for the golf industry. GCSAA stressed that if a PAC were started the money distributed would be to aid champions of policies that advance GCSAA ‘s priorities from the GCSAA Priority Issue Agenda, not a particular person or party. Staff will provide additional educational materials to each chapter before year end to help gauge the level of interest . Please contact Chava McKeel if you have questions about a PAC at 800-472-7878 or [email protected]. Your comments will be vital to shape the direction of this initiative.
• Rounds 4 Research Auction -The delegates celebrated the success of the top 4 chapter fundraisers in the 2016 R4R Auction. Chapters are encouraged to find a champion – a delegate, the president, chapter executive- someone who will spearhead the initiative in their chapter. 2017 Auction will be April 1-9. Chapters just need to recruit the rounds to donate – GCSAA administers the rest of the program. Call or email Mischia Wright, Associate Director, EIFG at 800-472-7878 or [email protected].
• Member Engagement Through Committees and Task Groups – Delegates learned more about GCSAA’s committee and task group process. We are asking you to spread the word that GCSAA is looking for volunteers. The Call for Volunteers for 2017 will open on November 1. More information will be available on the GCSAA website or call our office at 800-472-7878.
• Membership Growth – GCSAA has a renewed focus on membership growth and value. We need your help at the local level as we are working to achieve a set goal of 20,000 members by 2020. Delegates were presented with several different membership growth initiatives , including ideas to partner with affiliated chapters. Delegates heard about, and asked questions concerning, potential bylaws definition changes surrounding the ISM and EM classifications aimed at being more inclusive and introducing others to golf employment opportunities.
• Department of Labor Overtime Rule – December 1, 2016 is the deadline when the new Department of Labor overtime pay rule goes into effect. The final rule will raise the exempt salary threshold indicating eligibility from $455/week to $913 ($47,476 per year). All golf facilities should come into compliance with this significant jump in the salary threshold in the next 6 months. GCSAA has provided a webinar and other important resources to help you get ready for the change at http://www.cgrcengage.com/gcsaa/Labor.
• BMP Planning Guide and Template– Delegates heard about GCSAA’s 50 by 2020 BMP initiative. This aims to have all 50 states with a golf centric BMP program in place by 2020. GCSAA unveiled portions of its new BMP Planning Guide and online template which can be utilized by the chapters creating the state level BMPs programs. We will need your help at the local level as key constituents within your state and chapter will play a vital role in this initiative.
• Interactive Meeting– Delegates took part in small group discussions and an interactive Town Hall with the GCSAA Board of Directors.
• Candidate Presentations and Breakouts– the candidates for the 2017 GCSAA Board of Directors gave presentations and hosted breakout rooms for the delegates. The delegates were awarded ample time to interact and ask questions of the candidates . Those running for the 2017 GCSAA Board of Directors are:

  • For President- Bill H. Maynard, CGCS
  • For Vice President- Darren J. Davis, CGCS
  • For Secretary/Treasurer

  • Rafael Barajas, CGCS
  • John R. Fulling, Jr., CGCS

  • For Director (Six members are on the slate for three director positions)

  • Mark F. Jordan, CGCS
  • Jeffrey F. Millies, CGCS
  • Kevin P. Sundermao
  • Rory Van Poucke
  • John Walker
  • Jeff L. White, CGCS