Mark Your Calendar for Crew Tourney

It’s time to get your four-person team together for the WWGCSA’s annual Crew Tournament.

This year we’ll be at North Shore Golf Course in the Tacoma/Federal Way area on Friday afternoon, July 20. Watch for further details and entry forms in the coming weeks.

North Shore is the defending champion for the WWGCSA and also represented the association well by winning the playoff with the Oregon GCSA last year.

Field Day Planned at WSU-Pullman

Palouse Ridge Golf Course will be the site for the annual Washington State University Field Day, this year to be held east of the mountain in Pullman on Tuesday, June 12.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. with research updates in the morning and then golf at 1 p.m.

Click here for an informational flyer.

Tacoma C&GC Takes Fivesome Crown

On what was believed to be the wettest May 3 in the history of the Puget Sound region, the team from Tacoma Country & Golf Club survived the elements to win the title at the WWGCSA’s annual Fivesome Tournament/Auction.

Superintendent Joel Kachmarek led his team to a 56 in the scramble at Fircrest Golf Club. He was joined by his club manager Josh Bridge, his pro Rich Friend and members Tom Brown and Mark Hanks.

In all, 130 players teed it up that day in what started out to be bearable conditions, only to be hit with a steady deluge the rest of the afternoon.

Meridian Valley finished second, with Sand Point third, Everett fourth and Wilbur-Ellis/OGCSA fifth.

The WWGCSA wants to thank all the players for suffering through the conditions. Also, thanks go out to all those who donated and purchased auction items, and Justin Horlacher of Cleary Chemical for assisting and conducting the putting contest.

Click here for complete results, and wish for better weather next year.

Mark Your Calendar for NTA Conference

The Northwest Turfgrass Association has set its annual conference to be three days and two nights at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on the coast of southern Oregon.

The conference will be held Oct. 28-30, with a welcoming round of golf on Sunday afternoon and a reception to follow. Educational sessions will be held Monday and Tuesday mornings with another round of golf set for Monday afternoon. One of the rounds of golf will be held at the new Old Macdonald layout.

While registration information and the costs are not yet set in stone, the NTA wants to make the conference affordable for everyone. With that in mind, the NTA is looking at a $550 registration fee that will include the lodging, golf and most meals. This rate will be based on double occupancy at the resort, so plan to share a room with a buddy, and share in the golf education and good times at Bandon Dunes.

The NTA is currently working on providing two outstanding educational sessions. Watch for more information in the coming months, or contact Paul Ramsdell, the NTA executive director, at mpsparks90@aol.com or 253-219-8360 for more information.

Dates Switched For WTLS

The dates for the Washington Turf and Landscape Show have been moved back for the traditional week after Thanksgiving.

In 2012, the WTLS will be held Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 17-19, and will remain at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.

Please take note of the date switch and contact Paul Ramsdell, WWGCSA executive Director, mpsparks90@aol.com or 253-219-8360 if you have any questions.

President Delivers Update on NTA

Mike Conklin, the president of the Northwest Turfgrass Association as well as the superintendent at Everett Golf & Country Club, has written a president’s message to members of the NTA, both past and present.

Mr. Conklin discusses the progress made by the NTA in the past year, and the goals for the coming years.

He also invites everyone to plan for the NTA Conference this year, Oct. 28-30 at Bandon Dunes.

Click here to read his president’s message

Phipps Named GCSAA Field Rep

Someone familiar to most everyone in Western Washington has been selected as the GCSAA Field Staff representative for the Northwest Region.

David Phipps, formerly the superintendent at Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City, Ore., will assist the GCSAA in promoting the association and its activities in the Northwest region of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado.

Phipps, a 12-year GCSAA Class A member, recently was honored with the GCSAA’s President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship. He also is a five-time winner of the GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Award.

Phipps is planning to join us for the WWGCSA Fivesome Tournament/Auction on May 3 Fircrest, so this could be the perfect opportunity for a meet and greet.

Equipment for Sale at Tanwax Greens

Tanwax Greens Golf Course in Eatonville is closing its doors after 16 years of operation and is selling its course-maintenance equipment.

Pictures and descriptions of the equipment are available by following this link.

More information is available by contacting Terry Ann Hatton at 253-686-0333, whose says the equipment was all bought new and kept in great shape.

Here is a list of the equipment that is for sale:

(20) Yamaha 2009 gas carts, 100 to 120 hours
John Deere 1600 Turbo Series 2, 11 ft area mower
John Deere 3245C rotary mower
John Deere 2500A two wheel drive greens mower
Toro 5400HL Turf Sweeper
John Deere 1070 utility tractor
Toro 3100 Greens Master 11 blade reels
Toro 3100 Greens Master 3 wheel drive 5 blade reels
Rears Mfg Pac-Tank 200 gallon sprayer
Rears Mfg Pul-Tank 100 gallon self contained gas motor
Turfco F12D turf sander
TY-Crop MH400 w/twin spinners, rear conveyer
Wheeltronic hydraulic lift
2010 John Deere Gator TH 6x4
John Deere Trap Rake
Foley Untied reel grinder w/bed knife grinder & back lap
(33) 70 foot steel poles, 33 netting panels, mats & more

Mark Your Calendars for NTA Conference

The Northwest Turfgrass Association has set its annual conference to be three days and two nights at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on the coast of southern Oregon.

The conference will be held Oct. 28-30, with a welcoming round of golf on Sunday afternoon and a reception to follow. Educational sessions will be held Monday and Tuesday mornings with another round of golf set for Monday afternoon. One of the rounds of golf will be held at the new Old Macdonald layout.

While registration information and the costs are not yet set in stone, the NTA wants to make the conference affordable for everyone. With that in mind, the NTA is looking at a $550 registration fee that will include the lodging, golf and most meals. This rate will be based on double occupancy at the resort, so plan to share a room with a buddy, and share in the golf education and good times at Bandon Dunes.

The NTA is currently working on providing two outstanding educational sessions. Watch for more information in the coming months, or contact Paul Ramsdell, the NTA executive director, at mpsparks90@aol.com or 253-219-8360 for more information.

Dates Switched for WTLS

The DATES FOR THE Washington Turf and Landscape Show have been moved back for the traditional week after Thanksgiving.

In 2012, the WTLS will be held Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 17-19, and will remain at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.

Please take note of the date switch and contact Paul Ramsdell, WWGCSA executive Director, mpsparks90@aol.com or 253-219-8360 if you have any questions

Broersma Achieves CGCS Status

Congratulations are in order for Trevor Broersma.

Broersma, the superintendent of Washington National Golf Club in Auburn, has completed all the requirements through the GCSAA to be awarded “Certified Golf Course Superintendent” status.

“Becoming a CGCS has been a goal of mine for a long time,” Broersma said. “Early in my career, I had the privilege of working for a CGCS who was and still is a great mentor to me. He taught me the importance of continuing education and personal development, which was evident in his career success.”

Broersma is a graduate of the turfgrass program at Penn State University and previously worked at The Golf Club at Newcastle and The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks in Silverthorne, Colo.

“I knew that when I became a superintendent I wanted to help our industry progress and be able to mentor others in the process. I feel it is important to promote high standards in our field, and this is one huge step in that direction. Achieving status of CGCS has been a personally and professionally rewarding journey for me.”

Myers Offers Updates From GCSAA

Jim Myers, the president of the Western Washington Golf Course Superintendents Association, recently attended the Chapter Delegates meeting at GCSAA headquarters.

Numerous programs and topics were discussed, including value of membership, the field staff program and member standards.

Click here to read the full report filed by Myers, the superintendent at The Plateau Club in Sammamish.

GHIN Handicap Club Back in Business

The Western Washington Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Washington State Golf Association are ready to offer handicaps to superintendents and members of their crews at reduced rates.

The rate for a GHIN handicap for a superintendent will be $18 and for members of their crew it will be $15.

Just e-mail a list of names of people who want to establish a handicap, or move their current handicaps to the WWGCSA Golf Club to Paul Ramsdell at mpsparks90@aol.com, or contact him at 253-219-8360 for more information.