The Annual Meet-

ing of the GCSA of Central

California will be held on

September 17, 2012 at the

Village Country Club in

Lompoc and hosted by Su-

perintendent Scott Walwyn.

Village Country Club is

located 5 miles north of

Lompoc and 7 miles east of

Vandenberg Air Force

Base. The Club is a full

service private facility with

a 150 acre 18 hole golf

course built in 1962.

Scott Walwyn came

to the Village in December

2011. His career in the golf

industry began after he re-

tired from the military. He

had a degree in Administra-

tion and was working as a

sales manager for a com-

pany when one of the secre-

taries mentioned that her

son worked at Los Altos

Hills Country club as the

assistant superintendent.

She knew how much Scott

loved golf as she had

caught him sneaking out of

the office early to go play .

Scott had no idea what a

superintendent was and be-

gan asking questions. He

remarked that the job

sounded really cool and

since she already knew he

didn’t really like his job at

the company she suggested

he go visit her son. She co-

ordinated the visit and Scott

spent several hours with him

driving his course, meeting

the superintendent and gen-

erally being in awe of this

new world behind the scenes

of the game he loved so

much.

Within six months,

after a lot of investigation,

he convinced his then girl-

friend, now wife, that they

should move to San Luis

Obispo so that he could at-

tend Cal Poly.

(Continued on page 3)

Annual Meeting Village Country Club

Host Superintendent Scott Walwyn

TEE-OFF News July/August 2012

President’s Message 2

Meeting Schedules 5

Maximizing Irrigation 6

Rounds 4 Research 9

Highlights from Tri Chapter Meeting

10

Inside this issue:

Official Publication of the Golf Course Superinten-

dents Association of Central California. The purpose of this publication is informa-tion and education for the membership. Published

bi-monthly by

GCSACC

5322 N. Leonard

Clovis, CA 93619

Phone (559) 298-4853

Fax (559) 298-6957

Email gcsacc@aol.com

Bob Schneiderhan,

Newsletter Chairman

Mike Scott, CGCS, Editor

Tri Chapter Meeting by Emmy Moore Minister Nearly 100 golf

course superintendents and

affiliate members from the

Central, Northern Califor-

nia and Sierra Chapters of

the GCSAA attended the

2012 Tri-Chapter Meeting

at TPC Stonebrae in Hay-

ward, CA, hosted by Di-

rector of Golf Course

Maintenance Operations

Dave Davies, CGCS.

The educational

seminar and golf tourna-

ment sponsored by John

Deere, commenced with

Fred Brattain, founder of

The Disabled Golfers’

Learning Foundation pro-

viding insight on ADA

Compliance as it specifi-

cally relates to golf facili-

ties. Brattain’s presentation

spanned from legal aspects

to the economic benefits de-

rived from improved course

accessibility.

Part two of the pres-

entation shifted to the driv-

ing range at TPC Stonebrae

where Brattain was joined by

international ambassador for (Continued on page 8)

Page 2

President’s Message— A New Direction by Michael Swing, CGCS

TEE-OFF News

As President of

Central Califor-

nia GCSA I am

pleased to say

that our Chap-

ter is heading

into a new be-

ginning. Times

have changed

and how our

Chapter serves

its members

must change in

order to have

value for our

membership. In July of this year

the board of directors held a strate-

gic planning session to evaluate our

position and address multiple issues

facing us. As our board members

fine tune our new business plan it

will be incorporated into our

budget. Once this is completed we

will announce our program and

work diligently towards it. I would

like to point out that the board

members that participated in this

session included myself along with

Brian Daum, Josh Heptig, Troy

Thompson, Scott Walwyn, Kevin

Eppich, and we were assisted by

Irene Cline, Steve Randell,

GCSAA, and Jeff Jensen, GCSAA.

As Steve and Jeff of

GCSAA lead us through the steps,

we defined our purpose and future.

I was amazed with the outpouring

of great ideas from each board

member and their ability to improve

on each idea.

This September I’ll move

into the position of Past President

and I am pleased to report that with

the new officers and board of direc-

tors, we will do very well. Special

thanks to the current board mem-

bers and Irene for working so hard

(Continued on page 4)

Michael Swing, CGCS

Page 3 TEE-OFF News

Three locations to serve you

Lancaster Bakersfield Fresno

She

agreed to

this and

Scott was

on his

way. He

got ac-

cepted

into

school,

secured an

internship at Morro Bay G.C., trans-

ferred into a new unit with the

Army National Guard at Camp Rob-

erts, found an apartment, and got

engaged. All within a very short,

life altering, period.

Now fourteen years later he

still loves what he does. While on

the Central Coast Scott worked at

Morro Bay G.C., Blacklake G.C.,

He then moved north for a period of

time and worked at Geneo Lakes,

G.C., The Ridge G.C., Cardevalle

C.C. and then he moved back to the

coast to Blacklake G.C. and Avila

Beach G.C. and now the Village

C.C. He still loves getting up early,

sunrises, cruising his course with his

dog at his side, the animals, getting

off early, bringing his girls to the

course, and generally getting the sat-

isfaction of setting goals and getting

stuff done. The Course is an Audu-

bon Sanctuary Course and because

of the location near Vandenberg he

has the opportunity to meet so many

interesting people, mostly retired

military and those that have been

involved in the space industry.

Scott loves the beach, swim-

ming, golf and is an avid photogra-

pher. He shares all his interests

with his wife and and two daughters.

Scott finds his job to have a

lot of similarities to his military ca-

reer being, “accomplishing the mis-

sion at hand”. After trying a variety

of things, and being a firm believer

in the adage, like what you do be-

cause you have to do it everyday,

Scott feels his mission is accom-

plished.

Don’t miss the opportunity

to play this beautiful course and re-

member to VOTE.

Scott Walwyn

Annual Meeting Continued from page 1

Page 4

TEE-OFF News

TURF PRO 2012

Dairy Creek Golf Course

2990 Dairy Creek Road

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

September 12, 2012

November 14, 2012

Copper River Country Club

11500 N. Friant Road

Fresno, CA 93730

September 13, 2012

November 15, 2012

in making our Chapter a value in these difficult eco-

nomic times. I would like to point out that serving on

the Board of Directors is something everyone should

experience. Each board member works very hard to

make our Chapter better and this experience will serve

you well in the future. Try it, you’ll like it!

Thanks Everyone!

Michael Swing, CGCS

President’s Message Continued from page 2

Page 5

TEE-OFF News

September 17, 2012 Annual Election Meeting

Village Country Club

Host Superintendent

Scott Walwyn

October 2012 Annual Charities Event

Date to be confirmed

November 2012 Date and Location to

Be determined

December 8, 2012 Annual Holiday Event

Window On The Water

Morro Bay

January 2013 Winter Educational Meeting

Location to be determined

February 2013

Annual GCSAA Conference & Show

San Diego CA

February 6, 2013

California Room - USS Midway

Meeting Schedule

Maximizing Irrigation Efficiency By Kevin Eppich, Turf Star

Page 6 TEE-OFF News

It is August in the Central

Valley and irrigation is in full

swing with the triple digit tempera-

tures we have been seeing in mid-

to-late July. The guys on the cen-

tral coast are experiencing the chal-

lenges of their own with the lack of

rainfall this winter. This time of

year the irrigation delivery system

is of utmost importance to main-

taining healthy turf grass. This is

also the time of year irrigation is-

sues are most evident. A customer

of mine asked me to share some

observations and adjustments we’ve

made to his golf course that have

made life easier for him in the peak

of the summer heat.

I have been working with

Mike Swing, CGCS at Visalia CC

this spring in an effort to increase

the irrigation efficiency of his sys-

tem. Visalia CC did an irrigation

renovation in 1988-89, it went in

with Toro 655 and 670 series 1.5’’

inlet sprinklers on 75 to 80 foot

spacing, Network 8000 satellites

and all new pipe, wire and fittings.

We began to look into the hydraulic

tree he inherited from the previous

superintendent and noticed a lack of

definition in the hydraulic tree. It

was only defined down to the 4’’

sub main line, not down to the 2,5’’

lateral lines. Mike, Mauro Flores

the Assistant Superintendent and I

spent about 12 hours inputting

every 2.5’’ lateral as indicated on

his original irrigation As-Built plan.

We also identified each station by

flow zone to identify the many in-

stances where they have three

sprinklers per station on three sepa-

rate laterals. The acute definition of

the hydraulic tree insures only one

station on all three laterals will

come on at any one time while at

the same time limiting one head per

lateral at a time to come on. This

maximizes the sprinkler head pres-

sure which in turn raises sprinkler

Distribution Uniformity and re-

duces sprinkler runtime because of

the improved DU. Other improve-

ments Visalia CC has been making

over the last five years is to replace

the twenty-three year old sprinklers

with the newer 855s and DT54 se-

ries conversion assemblies and

sprinklers as the older sprinklers

have worn out.

Mike has since reported to

me significant improvements in

many areas of irrigation. The most

significant is a three to four hour

reduction in the water window and

much less daytime hand watering.

This has resulted in significant

power and labor savings. The play-

ing conditions have

improved for his

membership because

the irrigation has had

time to infiltrate into

the soil profile and

isn’t running late into

the morning as in

years past. Tradition-

ally they have run the

system from 80%-

100% of Evapo-

Transpiration and now

they don’t exceed

75% of ET or the golf

course is too wet.

They have also ex-

perienced less disease

pressure which leads

to reduced seed,

chemical and fertilizer

inputs. This change

has positively im-

pacted his bottom line

by reducing power,

labor and material

inputs. Mike has

much greater control

of his golf course be-

cause he is better able to manage

his irrigation system.

All golf course irrigation

systems have their own unique

challenges based on personnel, in-

stallation, topography, power,

pumping capacity, pipe size, con-

trol systems and sprinklers. No

matter the brand there are some

basic principles to keep in mind

when evaluating an irrigation issue.

It is essential to audit your system

every couple of years by checking

every station on every controller

and verifying the number of sprin-

klers per station, the sprinkler’s

nozzle configuration, arc, pressure

then reconciling it with data in the

computer. This will insure the elec-

trical and hy-

(Continued on page 7)

Continued on page 7

Page 7 TEE-OFF News

Golf Course Materials

Topdressing Sand - Bunker Sand

Decomposed Granite - Drain Rock

1/8” Minus Turf & Tee Bulk Humus

Brush Removal Call for competitive rates

David Knott, Inc. (559) 449-8935 or (559) 760-5387

Maximizing Irrigation Efficiency Continued from page 6

draulic flow management of the

system is maximized within the

limits you program into the soft-

ware.

Speed of rotation of each

sprinkler is a big part of the equa-

tion to achieving higher DUs.

Measure the speed of rotation and

be sure the sprinklers are rotating

within the manufacturer’s spec, if

not, change the stators to achieve

the desired rotation speed.

Acquire a 100 ft. tape

measure and verify that the spac-

ing in the field is what you think

it is. Make nozzle adjustments

where needed and make a priority

list of the sprinklers that need to

be moved and create a long term

plan to move sprinklers into the

proper spacing.

The use of a digital pres-

sure recorder can be a very re-

vealing tool. Install the pressure

recorder on a quick coupler and it

will record the pressure in a spe-

cific area throughout the eve-

ning’s irrigation cycle. Simply

bring the pressure recorder back

into the office and download the

information into the software.

This will help identify pressure

dips and spikes that you can then

address by rescheduling what can

run simultaneously in any one

area. Golf courses without a cen-

tral computer have the least flow

management and actually have

the most to gain through the use

this tool to help identify pressure

issues.

Last but not least if you

have questions about your system

consult with your irrigation repre-

sentative or an irrigation consult-

ant to inspect the system’s effi-

ciency so you can maximize your

irrigation system’s efficiency.

Chances are one of your peers or

local professionals in the area

have seen the same issue and

would be glad to lend a hand and

solve what can be a puzzle at

times. If you have questions

about the efficiency of your irri-

gation system ask your local irri-

gation representative or irrigation

consultant to assist you and help

yourself beat the summer heat.

Page 8 TEE-OFF News

For over 80 years the

specialty seed source for:

-Native Grasses and

Wildflowers

-Kikuyu, Paspalum,

Hybrid Bermuda

-Bentgrasses, Fine

Fescues, Ryegrasses

Golf Course Representa-

tives:

adaptive sports, Anthony Netto,

founder of the Stand Up and Play

Foundation. Netto, who enjoys the

game of golf, understands the im-

portance of accessibility, as a vet-

eran who is also a wheelchair user

himself.

Surrounded by scores of

GCSAA members, Netto demon-

strated the use of the ParaMobile; a

solo vehicle specially designed for

individuals with disabilities, allow-

ing them the ability to stand up and

comfortably participate in the game

of golf. Seminar attendees were

pleased to learn the ParaMobile can

travel throughout the course in a

safe, efficient manner for golfers

and without damage to the turf or

green complex.

Throughout the presenta-

tion Brattain and Netto fielded

questions from GCSAA chapter

members and provided solutions on

how golf facilities can enhance the

recreational experience for golfers

with disabilities. Brattain felt the

time spent with GCSAA members

was highly beneficial. “What was

gratifying was the ability to allay

some of the more prevalent fears

that are associated with disability

and wheelchair access,” said Brat-

tain. “Educating others on how to

work with individuals with disabili-

ties in tandem with ADA Compli-

ance is highly rewarding for me,

and for my colleague Anthony, too.

We are committed to improving

accessibility for golfers and pleased

that GCSAA chapters are open to

learning more about our initia-

tives.”

To learn more about The

Disabled Golfer’s Learning Foun-

dation please visit

www.DisabilityGolfer.org.

For more information

about the Stand Up and Play Foun-

dation visit:

www.standupandplay.org.

Tri Chapter Event Continued From Page 1

Page 9 TEE-OFF News

Rounds 4 Research

We are pleased to an-

nounce that the Central California

Chapter is joining with the Califor-

nia Chapter and will be participating

in the Rounds 4 Research program.

Earlier this summer the Environ-

mental Institute for Golf (GCSAA’s

philanthropic organization) an-

nounced that it would be conducting

Rounds 4 Research after the Caroli-

nas GCSA administered it on a

smaller scale for three years.

Working with a handful of

chapters, the Carolinas GCSA gener-

ated nearly $350,000 in three years

to support local research and advo-

cacy efforts. Noting that the program

had grown beyond its administrative

capacity, the Carolinas approached

GCSAA with the challenge to take it

national and share this wonderful

opportunity with others.

Rounds 4 Research is based

on the practice of securing donated

rounds of golf and putting them up

for public auction. The EIFG will

work with the Bidding for Good

website to auction the rounds and

administer the various notification

and revenue collection activities. At

least 80 percent of the proceeds will

be distributed to participating chap-

ters or turfgrass organizations for use

on research-based programs such as

education, scholarships, advocacy

and agronomic research. With more

than 650,000 registrants, the site

supports non-profit organizations

with the most highly sought item,

golf rounds.

It will take a committed ef-

fort from all of us to make this pro-

gram a success. You will be asked to

solicit rounds of golf from your fa-

cilities (and perhaps others) to be

placed for auction. We expect the

auction to begin in late September.

The more rounds we secure the

greater the revenue we can generate

in support of our members and chap-

ters.

We have sent an Eblast pro-

viding more information about the

program and support documentation

that can be shared with others at

your facility in soliciting rounds.

From that perspective, it is important

to remember that this program is for

the benefit of all aspects of golf.

This is not a program that will only

benefit golf course superintendents.

Again, we are excited about

the opportunity presented to us and

the potential to invest in activities

that will strengthen the profession

and the game. Please contact me

should you have questions.

Page 10

TEE-OFF News

Tri-Chapter Tournament Highlights

Above are the three association presidents,

from left Rodney Muller, Northern Califor-

nia GCSA, Jeff Couwenhoven, Sierra Ne-

vada GCSA, and Mike Swing, Central Cali-

fornia GCSA. At left the host superinten-

dent Dave Davies talks to Rafael Barajas

and others about the course.

Jim Cully prepare to take a shot

At left Jon &

Kirk Christensen

Demonstra-

tions by An-

thony Netto of

Stand up and

Play.

Page 11

TEE-OFF News

Thank You to our Sponsors

PRESIDENT

MICHAEL SWING, CGCS

VISALIA COUNTRY CLUB

SECRETARY/TREASURER VICE PRESIDENT

JOSH HEPTIG BRIAN DAUM

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY VALLEY CREST/PALO ALTO G.C.

2011/2012 GCSACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TROY THOMPSON

RIVERSIDE G. C.

TRINI HERNANDEZ

BOB SCHNEIDERHAN

CAL POLY SLO

KEVIN EPPICH

TURF STAR

ANDY FERNANDEZ

AB TURF/HUSTLER TURF EQUIP.

BOARD MEMBERS

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

IRENE CLINE

PHONE (559) 298-4853 FAX (559) 298-6957

EMAIL gcsacc@aol.com

5322. N. Leonard Ave.

Clovis, CA 93619

SCOTT WALWYN

THE VILLAGE C.C.