When I think of GCSAA and its local chapters, the first thing that comes to my mind is excellent education. And when it comes to attendance, education is the driving force behind most meetings that I have attended over the last seventeen years of being a GCSAA member. It goes without saying that speakers like Rossi, Wong, Nikolai, and many more, have been bringing amazing presentations and continue to do so. But, in recent years, I have also seen a number of superintendents provide some highly informative presentations including Chris Tritabaugh from Hazeltine Golf Club, Thomas Bastis, CGCS, from the California Golf Club and Brian Nettz from the Presidio Golf Course. All three were hosted by Western Washington in 2013 and I came away thoroughly impressed with the value of information that each one offered. They later hosted Dan Meersman from the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Curtis Tyrell from Medina and Bill Maynard, CGCS, who was from Milburn Country Club at that time.
Last fall, I heard Chris Carson from Echo Lake Country Club in New Jersey speak at the Peaks & Prairies Fall meeting in Billings, Montana. You couldn’t get someone further from New Jersey than Billings, but Chris was incredible and was very well received. Dan Dinelli also presented in Montana and, earlier in 2015, in Idaho. When it comes to thinking outside of the box, Dan takes the prize. His homegrown research is on par with most university institutions. The difference: his research is downright applicable to day-to-day golf course conditions.
Other speakers that come to mind: Randy Samoff of Sweetwater Country Club, Steve Southard, CGCS, of the City of Loveland Golf Operations, and Brian Youell of Uplands Golf Club and Dean Pillar, both from Victoria, Canada. I would be remiss if I didn’t list Tim Hiers, CGCS, from The Club at Mediterra, in Naples, Florida. Tim has always been one of my role models since his early years at Old Collier and my early years at Stone Creek. I was finally able to bring him out to Oregon to speak on environmental stewardship and Tim was a class act.
I have yet to see a bad presentation put on by an industry peer, so if you are on an education committee and feel you have exhausted your speaker pool, look no further than your own peers. There are so many great stories out there to share.
On a side note, I attended an Intermountain GCSA event this January and Thomas Bastis, CGCS, from the Cal Club was presenting. When I got to town I learned that Thomas had already been in town for two days. His IGCSA hosts treated him to two days of powder skiing under bluebird Utah skies. You can pretty much guarantee Thomas will be back at the next invitation!
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Chris Tritibaugh speaking to the Western Washington GCSA in 2012
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Usually, for just the cost of a plane ticket and a hotel room, many of these guys are happy to come out and share their experiences. From my perspective, the group dynamics are much more interactive with these speakers as opposed to a more academic speaker. I believe superintendents are more inclined to ask questions and have an ongoing dialogue with peer type speakers.
I had a conversation with Western Washington’s Past President Jim Myers. Jim is a delegate and also enjoys the networking aspect of his job. When at the Golf Industry show, he meets members from all across the country and the world and then uses those contacts as potential speakers. That was, essentially, how he rounded up all those speakers I mentioned.
Other speakers that come to mind: Randy Samoff of Sweetwater Country Club, Steve Southard, CGCS, of the City of Loveland Golf Operations, and Brian Youell of Uplands Golf Club and Dean Pillar, both from Victoria, Canada. I would be remiss if I didn’t list Tim Hiers, CGCS, from The Club at Mediterra, in Naples, Florida. Tim has always been one of my role models since his early years at Old Collier and my early years at Stone Creek. I was finally able to bring him out to Oregon to speak on environmental stewardship and Tim was a class act.
I have yet to see a bad presentation put on by an industry peer, so if you are on an education committee and feel you have exhausted your speaker pool, look no further than your own peers. There are so many great stories out there to share.
On a side note, I attended an Intermountain GCSA event this January and Thomas Bastis, CGCS, from the Cal Club was presenting. When I got to town I learned that Thomas had already been in town for two days. His IGCSA hosts treated him to two days of powder skiing under bluebird Utah skies. You can pretty much guarantee Thomas will be back at the next invitation!
I am remorse that I didn't recognize Kevin Hicks from The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Kevin is actually the only superintendent to earn the prestigious Trifecta Plaque, earned by presenting at all three of Lori Russell's Chapters!
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