Below is a notification from LICH about an upcoming webinar.

I would like to give a shout out to a few superintendents that had hosted events in the last few weeks. Andrew Rebman at Kapalua, Dave Nakama at Waialae and Dan Husek at Hualalai along with their staff did a great job in getting their courses in shape.

At the end of last year the Carolinas put on Webinar classes and a few of you participated in the classes, thank you for participating.

Last don’t forget that our annual Golf & Seminar is this October on Oahu, hopefully it will be safe by then.

Russ
Russell Dooge, CGCS
37 Puahau Pl.
Wailuku, HI, 96793
(808) 344-3213

Aloha Members,

I hope this letter finds each of you healthy and in good spirits during this difficult time, an unprecedented time in our lives that has left many of us scratching our heads wondering what will come next. The current shutdowns and quarantines have caused us to change policy and procedures daily, but this is generally what we do in our business. Take a deep breath, reflect, and now is the time for us to make the best decisions we can with what information is available.

The HGCSA board has been busy over the last few days reaching out to mayors on each island regarding how to proceed with golf maintenance, given many clubs have made the decision to close. First, I would like to make sure you are communicating with your owner, stakeholders, members, or general manager regarding the best practice for your property and staff. Secondly, the response we have received from the mayors’ offices is that golf maintenance is a critical trade that can continue. They ask that we continue to follow the CDC guidelines on social distancing, limiting numbers, and continual hygiene. We need to maintain our product with limited contact and hours. I have personally talked with many of you and there are many great plans in place. Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call your neighbors to compare plans and strategies.

Since the economy is slowly grinding to a halt and revenues are at an all-time low, the HGCSA Board has voted to waive dues for the 2020 year. Along with waiving dues we have voted to postpone the annual golf and seminar in Oahu scheduled for August. The timeline is unknown as to how long the COVID-19 virus will require our day-to-day operations, travel, and gatherings to be delayed. We will regroup once things have settled to plan a meeting and golf for the spring of 2021.

This is a great time for everyone to download the mobile app (Android, Iphone) that Russ has set up for members called Wild Apricot. The app will allow each member to update their profile: Company, Title, email, and address information. You will need to set up a log-in and password and then reply to an email. If you know of any member who is not getting our emails, please share the app.

Scott Main
President HGCsA

“There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.”– Malcolm X

Aloha members.

We are excited to announce the near completion of the BMP Handbook for Hawaii golf courses. The committee is now reaching out to each of you to supply pictures from your golf course, employee outings, and anything you think would add to the document. Attach the file, add a description, the course name, peoples names if in photo, and credit the person that took the photo. Please see the list of photos still needed below and forward on to [email protected] These photos will be part of the handbook so high resolution photos, Iphone works, would be great to include in this publication.

Mahalo,

Scott Main

Pictures Needed for the BMP Handbook on the Topics Listed Below:

• Pump station
• Aerification
• Examples of different types of water bodies from each island
• Erosion control
• Construction
• Hybrid equipment
• Electric golf carts

• Stormwater protection
• True Turf Roller, Stand-alone roller and triplex rollers
• Maintenance facility
• Maintenance crews pics (teams and individuals, close up)
• Maintenance crews pics – action (cultural practices)
• Lighting on course
• Golfers

• PPE/Safety Sheets/Posted instructions
• Fuel station
• Recycling areas
• Native plants
• Unique course features/views – specifically Kaua’I and Oahu
• Views (general)

Dear Hawaii GCSA Members,

I hope this finds you all doing well and preparing for what promises to be another busy year throughout the islands.

I am reaching out to you on behalf of the Hawaii GCSA Board of Directors concerning the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) Rounds 4 Research program. Rounds 4 Research was started in 2012 to address funding shortages in the areas of turfgrass research, education and advocacy. To date, the auction has raised more than $782,000 nationally.

The premise of the program is simple: Golf facilities can support the effort by donating rounds of golf for two or four or “stay and play” packages and other items that will be auctioned online through a nationwide auction from April 29 – May 5.

The proceeds from the online auction are designated by the participating facilities to their local GCSA chapter (in this case, Hawaii). 80 percent goes to the chapter with the remaining 20 percent going to EIFG to assist with marketing and technical costs of running the national auction. The auction is conducted through the bidding platform biddingforgood.com. Donated items can be viewed at https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?vhost=eifg.

The Hawaii GCSA can then decide how to best spend the funds in the areas of research, education or advocacy efforts.

I’m asking all of you today to consider donating a twosome or foursome from your facility to the auction. In times of declining membership, participation and sponsorship, these additional funds can be critical to our chapter to continue providing the member services you have become accustomed to.

The donation process can be completed online and takes approximately 10 minutes. Please visit http://www.eifg.org/research/rounds-4-research/donate-a-round/online-form and complete the form.
The participating facility has the ability to restrict rounds to certain days and times as well as the option of setting your opening bid. You can send in your own certificate for the donation or the EIFG will create a certificate for you.

If you have any questions concerning Rounds 4 Research, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I appreciate your time and consideration. You will be assisting your local chapter as well as raising funds for the future of the game.

Sincerely,

Russ Dooge, CGCS
Executive Director
Hawaii GCSA