A superintendent fraternity

Bill Webster, CGCS, arrived at work last winter to find out that the owners of Pumpkin Ridge had sold the golf course to a new management company. After sitting through the employee meeting and hearing that everyone will keep their job, Bill was pulled aside by the exiting management company and was told that he was being let go. Bill was only two years from retirement. Nearing the end of his working career and taking care of his mother who is in her nineties, Bill suddenly found himself in a place that he had never expected to be at this time. I have known Bill for 25 years and would have never expected something like this to happen to him. Bill has been the only superintendent at Pumpkin Ridge and has hosted two Women’s U.S. Opens, the U.S. Amateur, Web.com events and other LPGA events. It's not what one would typically expect after such an illustrious career.

From top left - Bill Webster, CGCS, Rod Nelson, Russell Vandehey, CGCS,
Tom Cook, and Gordon Kiyokawa

This year was Bill’s 25th CGCS anniversary and he was to receive his watch at this year’s Golf Industry Show in San Diego. For obvious reasons, he was unable to attend. I asked to have Bill's watch sent to me so I could present it to him in person instead of just letting him get it in the mail. I organized a lunch for him in Corvallis prior to the Oregon State field day and invited his close friends, Russell Vandehey, CGCS, Gordon Kiyokawa, CGCS, Rod Nelson, as well as our professor from OSU, Tom Cook. Due to a small miscommunication, the watch didn’t quite make it to my door by the time I had to leave so I was in panic mode. Sure enough the watch finally came and my son Adam was kind enough to drive it down to Corvallis and surprise Bill with the gift. I think it really meant a lot to Bill to have it presented in person and to have his friends by his side.
I wouldn't wish Bills situation on anyone. A great superintendent unnecessarily lost his job. But, at the end of the day, his friends were there to support him. Golf course superintendents are part of a fraternity that I am proud to be part of.

2016 Colorado Golf Day

April 13 was Colorado’s first annual Golf Day at the capitol. The event was put on by Colorado’s Golf Alliance which includes the RMGCSA, Colorado Golf Association, the Colorado PGA and the Colorado Women’s Golf Association. Tables were set up in the lobby of the capitol and a continental breakfast was served. Jennifer Cassell, the lobbyist for the Colorado Alliance, was present and was able to round up key legislators and bring them around to meet the alliance members. Golf Course Management's Editor-in-Chief Scott Hollister attended the event and was able to live tweet and interview some key players.

Superintendents Kyle Merritt and Tim Davis talk water with Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp

The RMGCSA’s Government Relations Committee Chair Kyle Merritt was the star of the day. Kyle spoke to just about every legislator that came down to learn about the industry. The RMGCSA table had an assortment of irrigation tools including moisture meters and sprinkler cans. I brought my banners to frame the table. Water use seemed to be the hot topic. I had a conversation with Representative Polly Lawrence and she commented on how tough it is for Colorado since their state is the source of all the water that is used by Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Southern California. They are limited on what they can use, so in a dry year, things are very tough. Following the time in the lobby, we were invited to sit on the floor of the House and observe the session in progress. Representative Lawrence was able to introduce our group in front of the assembly before they got down to business.

Following the morning session, I took Grassroots Ambassadors, Kyle Merritt and Mitch Savage, and Broken Tee Superintendent Tim Davis out to lunch. It was a great opportunity to get to know each of them better. Like I said earlier, Merritt did a fantastic job interacting with the House members. Mitch Savage did a great job, as well. Savage is one of three Class C Grassroots Ambassadors in my region. It was great to get to know him and find out what made him want to be so engaged as a Class C member. His answer was simple, he said he wanted to be part of something that could make a difference and he also felt it would be a great way to get connected in the industry. He told me that his ultimate goal would be to either work for the USGA or become the next northwest region field staff representative! If only I could bottle up his enthusiasm…