Lake City Golf Course Operations

FTGA 2010

2010-09-14T11:11:00.001-04:00

Dear Turgrass Professional,

Immediately after the 2009 Conference & Show (C&S), the FTGA conducted a survey to ascertain which areas of the C&S met the attendees' expectations, and in which areas they would like to see changes. This September, we will introduce a new and improved C&S based on the responses to that survey.

Location, location, location...
The survey indicated that you wanted to move the C&S to a central location with family activities. We are pleased to announce that this year the FTGA C&S moves to the Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, situated in one of America's top tourist and family destinations. The FTGA has negotiated an inclusive $99 room rate at this beautiful resort for you and your family.

Double your value
This year, the FTGA launches an exciting opportunity for turf industry businesses to double the value they receive at the C&S. This exciting addition allows member companies the occasion to schedule a meeting during the C&S. With this new program, you can hold one of your recurrent meetings at the C&S, and the FTGA will handle the details for you. We will arrange free meeting space and provide refreshments. It doesn't get any better than that.

Enhanced networking events
There's much more in added value at the 2010 C&S. We are focused on providing a premium networking experience seamlessly woven into the C&S experience.
To that end: All of our C&S packages include education and trade show credentials as well as lunch on Wednesday and Thursday. This allows attendees, instructors, exhibitors, sponsors, students and others the chance to visit together in one place with no need to take off for lunch away from the action. The lunches on both days will also enable us to provide brief announcements, sponsor recognition and the availability of event staff to answer questions. For exhibitors, the Thursday lunch will double as the ribbon-cutting for the opening of the trade show, with extended hours and improved opportunities for showcasing products and services.
The Awards Luncheon will be significantly updated. This year, it is combined with our traditional prayer breakfast to create a new morning kickoff on Thursday. While retaining a motivational theme and speaker, the Thursday breakfast is intended to be a positive kickoff for the day, and it will include comments from our Executive Director, Pete Snyder, on the "state of the association" and our industry.
Our Golf Tournament and Corn Boil will remain the outstanding events participants have come to expect. The Golf Tournament will be held at one of Orlando's outstanding golf courses. The Corn Boil will be located on site at the Caribe Royale, but it will retain its flavor and purpose as an opportunity to have fun, see old and new friends, and allow you the chance to bid on some great auction items.

Mark your calendars now for the best ever FTGA C&S this September 15 - 17.

Sincerely,

Mac Carraway,
Conference & Show Chairman

An Army of One

2010-08-16T19:54:00.000-04:00

Overnight armyworm damage on a newly installed TifGrand lawn!

Lake City GLO at Florida Gateway College

2010-07-26T16:27:00.003-04:00

Lake City Community College has officially transformed into Florida Gateway College to better reflect the area from which it draws its students, in conjunction with the offering of Bachelor Degree programs. While the name has changed, the legendary GLO programs remains in tact with exiting new course offerings including Sports Turf Management and Irrigation Auditing. Additional contact information is located at the bottom of this post for any prospective students.

https://www.fgc.edu/academics/golf-and-landscape-operations.aspx

1. Golf Course Operations: This is a three-year Associate in Science (A.S.) degree program that educates students to become golf course superintendents (the turfgrass manager at the golf course). Applicants must have 500 hours of golf maintenance work experience before entering. The first year is an entire year of mechanics and shop management, and the second and third years stress agronomy, horticulture, and turf management.

Some facts follow:Need level 10 on TABE test for mechanics module and ACT, SAT, or other approved test scores. Graduates enter the job market as assistant superintendents commonly earning $25,000-$35,000 More jobs than graduates Job market is throughout Florida, nationally and internationally Career potential of $50,000 to well over $100,000 Florida Gateway College (FGC) grads are in very high demand Articulates to Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration through Saint Leo University located on FGC campus

2. Landscape Technology: This is a two-year A.S. degree program that educates students to become landscape managers. The program emphasizes landscape installation and maintenance with some design. There is excellent management potential for bright students who like horticulture and management, and Florida landscape contractors want more FGC grads.

Some facts:Need ACT, SAT, or other approved test scores Many more jobs than graduates $25,000-$35,000 starting salaries are common $50,000 to over $100,000 career potential Good for people who like plants and contracting (building landscapes) or landscape maintenance Great career for someone who wants to own his/her own business Use these Web sites for more industry information: www.FNGLA.org and www.thelandlovers.org Articulates to Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration through Saint Leo University located on FGC campus

3. Turf Equipment Technology: This is a one-year Applied Technology Diploma program that can lead to an A.S. degree in Turf Equipment Management. It trains students to manage the shop and maintain all the equipment used to care for the turf at golf courses. Students must score a 10 in English, reading, and math on the TABE before entering. Graduates with a mechanical aptitude who are organized and management oriented are in very high demand throughout Florida and the entire United States. There is a severe national shortage of turf equipment technicians.

Some facts:Need level 10 on TABE for one-year Applied Technology Diploma Can be $25,000-$35,000 starting salary Career potential: $40,000-$75,000 depending on abilities and location Could place three times the number of graduates (usually around 10) Bright students who grasp the shop management concepts as well as mechanics will advance quickly

4. Pest Control Operations: This is a one-year, 24 credit Applied Technology Diploma program that can lead to an A.S. degree in Landscape Technology. It trains students for lawn and ornamental pest control operations. The program includes courses in plant materials, pest control, botany, chemistry, business management, and more. Students must score a 10 in English, reading, and math on the TABE before entering.

Some facts:Need level 10 on TABE for the Applied Technology Diploma 24 credits can be done in one year or six credits per semester over two years All 24 credits articulate into the A.S. degree in Landscape Technology Students can use this program as a start to the landscape program Starting salaries vary depending on where students go and whether they go into the lawn care, landscape, or golf industry as plant health technicians

5. Certificate in Horticulture: This is a one-year, 18 credit certificate program that leads to entry level positions in horticulture related industries such as plant nurseries or landscape companies.
Need ACT, SAT, or other approved test scores 18 credits articulate into the A.S. degree in Landscape Technology There is a job market for entry level horticulturists.

Contact :John R. Piersol, Director

Golf & Landscape Operations

149 SE College Place

Lake City, Florida 32025-2007

386.754.4225

john.piersol@fgc.edu

www.fgc.edu

Revised 06/08/10

St. Andrews Links- Old Course Blog

2010-07-14T19:54:00.000-04:00

Follow the link to the "Preparing the Old Course for the Open" blog to track the finishing touches to the Home of Golf in advance of this week's championship.

http://www.standrews.org.uk/2010-Open/Blog.aspx

Merion Golf Club

2010-06-28T16:08:00.004-04:00

Designed by Hugh Wilson, Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania will be hosting the 2013 U.S. Open. Merion is the site where Bobby Jones captured the Grand Slam in 1930 and where Ben Hogan hit the now immortal one-iron to the 72nd hole of the 1950 U.S. Open, completing his comeback from a near fatal car wreck the previous year. Thanks to 2010 graduate Joey Flinchbaugh for the following pics.

Aerification- Timuquana Country Club

2010-06-18T19:42:00.005-04:00

Here are some photos of aerification at Timuquana Country Club, a 1923 Donald Ross design and host of the 2002 U.S.G.A. Senior Amateur, in Jacksonville, Florida. Timuquana has three Lake City alumns on staff including Assistant Superintendent Don Bryant, Irrigation Tech Chris Maynard, and A-I-T Brad Stephens.

FarmLinks Dryject Pictures

2010-06-04T17:06:00.002-04:00

GCO student Brandon Hurtt along with Assistant Superintendent and LCCC alum Robert Mitchell recently performed Dryject service on the greens at FarmLinks in Sylacauga, Alabama.

http://www.dryject.com/dryject/howitworks/index.php

DryJect allows you to:

Aerate, amend and topdress in one pass, allowing a smooth surface that’s ready for play in an hour.
Help new sod knit to the soil below by creating channels filled with amendment, allowing roots to penetrate deeper.
Punch through sports turf, allowing better root proliferation.
Combine soil modification with aeration for increased soil benefit.
Apply up to 250% more material than traditional topdress applications.
Adjust aeration spacing and depth (up to 8 inches).
Inject amendments such as Profile™ Field & Fairway™ and Greens Grade™ directly into the soil.

Thanks to Brandon Hurtt for the Pics.

The Planning Process

2010-05-22T11:45:00.002-04:00

From Michael Vogt, CGCS

Golf Course Business

http://mcmahongroup.blogspot.com

Planning

Yogi Berra said it best, “The future ain't what it used to be ".

Planning is the process of setting goals, developing strategies, and outlining tasks and schedules to accomplish the goals. Many in-season golf course operational changes are dependent on weather and player demand but as you know the turf never takes a break, especially during the spring. No one can see into the future, you certainly can not plan for emergencies and weather, but you can plan for what you know.

These are some basic planning truths on golf course business:

1. Plan for and save to fund capital replacements on a yearly basis,

2. Plan for budgets based on goals set each year, not past history,

3. Have a set of minimum acceptable standards for golf course conditioning,

4. Plan and monitor labor hours as if they are the make-or-break issue at your course,

5. Document the use of, and use water as if it was a truly limited commodity,

7. Sound equipment maintenance should never be compromised,

8. Spend all money as if the savings went directly into your pocket!

Learn more on these issues at, Golf Course Business.

Pictures of Dryjecting

2010-05-14T23:01:00.006-04:00

Sorry everyone but my pictures of dryjecting at FarmLinks will not load up here. If you go to my Facebook you will be able to see those pictures along with others. Or if you would like me to email you the pictures, send me an email at brandon_pga@hotmail.com. If you have any questions about this process please feel free to ask.

Congratulations to the Class of 2010

2010-05-12T20:30:00.008-04:00

These Class of 2010 Graduates have secured jobs at the following facilities:

Jason Craft- IPM Manager- The Sanctuary- Sanibel Island, Florida

Joey Flinchbaugh- Merion Golf Club- Ardmore, Pennsylvania

Carl Mattheus- A-I-T- The Valley Club of Montecito- Santa Barbara, California

Robert Mitchell- Assistant Superintendent- FarmLinks- Sylacauga, Alabama

Justin Pawlicki- Second Assistant- Old Memorial- Tampa, Florida

T.J. Quinn- Assistant Superintendent- Port Royal- Southampton, Bermuda

Tyler Sanderfur- Blackwolf Run- Kohler, Wisconsin

Phillip Soukup- Second Assistant- The Landings Club- Savannah, Georgia

Alan Stevenson- Assistant Superintendent- Gainesville Country Club- Gainesville, Florida

Senior Seminar- Bobby Weed, Weed Golf Course Design

2010-05-11T05:29:00.008-04:00

World renowned golf course architect Bobby Weed recently spoke to the senior seminar class about the challenges facing the golf course industry. Weed, a 1977 graduate of the GCO program at Lake City remarked on the negative image that has accompanied the current golf model and the need for creativity to succeed in the current climate. Bobby Weed migrated to Lake City after performing undergraduate work in his native South Carolina. He grew up around farming and construction, building a driving range in high school which the Weed family continues to operate today. Following graduation at LCCC, Weed apprenticed under legendary architect Pete Dye who he met while working for Ron Hill at Amelia Island. This led to Bobby becoming the PGA Tour's construction superintendent and later the Tour’s in-house architect, designing many of the first generation TPC designs. Weed would venture out on his own in 1994 and has designed course all over the world, many receiving acclaim for their environmental ingenuity. His current projects include Palatka Golf Club, a 1925 Donald Ross design and a collaboration with Pete and P.B. Dye in Sochi, Russia, site of the 2014 Winter Olympics. We would like to thank Bobby Weed for his tremendous support of the GCO program.

Summer Internships

2010-05-04T22:15:00.004-04:00

Hey guys,
The Lake City Turf Club is going to start contributing to the blog now. I just wanted to remind everyone to post pictures and write about any experiences you come across this summer. Let everyone in our program know that this blog is here and encourage them to join it. I also wish all the guys that are graduating this year a congrats and wish you guys the best of luck in the future. I know you'll make this program proud and make our alumni base that much better. Have a safe summer and good luck to everyone.

Thanks,
Will Guererri

Senior Seminar- David Robinson, Marriott Golf

2010-04-30T20:31:00.004-04:00

David Robinson, Director of Golf Grounds for Marriott Golf, visited the Lake City campus on April 19th to speak to the Seniors to about the challenges of resort golf management in the current economy. David, a Class of 1998 graduate of the LCCC GCO program, focused on the need for creativity in evaluating the golf business model and how pace of play has effected the generating of revenue. Robinson stressed the importance of industry participation and continuing education, encouraging the students to achieve GCSAA certification. We would like to thank Mr. Robinson for his support of the GCO program at Lake City.

LCCC Field Days

2010-04-21T14:40:00.003-04:00

As the semester winds to an end, LCCC's GCO program hosted its annual industry field days at the Turf Equipment Technology building. Students were exposed to the latest turf equipment technology from three titans of the golf course industry. Jacobsen and Golf Ventures spoke to students about the company's latest hybrid technology along with new options in its rotary mowing lines. John Deere and Beard's introduced some of the technology being used in military applications in Iraq and Afghanistan and how this autonomous technology will be applied to course maintenance. Toro and Wesco Turf discussed some of their new machines to be introduced for field applications in 2011 including the newest tri-plex and walk-mowers with flexible cutting unit and hybrid technology. We would like to thank these three cornerstones of the golf maintenance industry for their investments in the Lake City GCO program.

Howard Fertilizer Golf Tournament

2010-04-12T15:42:00.005-04:00

The Country Club of Lake City played host to the annual Howard Fertilizer Golf Tournament organized for LCCC's Golf Course Operations, Landscape Technology, and Turf Equipment Technology graduating class of 2010. An 11:30 a.m. lunch was followed by a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start, best-ball tournament and concluded with a dinner and awards banquet. Congratulations to LCCC senior Joey Flinchbaugh for taking home prizes in both the longest drive and closest to the pin contest. Thank you to LCCC alumn, Howard Fertilizer's Dwight Kummer for sponsoring this wonderful event and for Howard's support of Lake City's GLO programs.

Pike Creek Turf Farm

2010-04-05T18:37:00.000-04:00

LCCC GCO students made their annual excursion to Pike Creek Turf, Inc in Adel, Georgia, on Monday, April 5, 2010. Students were exposed to fourteen different warm-season grasses planted on over 2500 acres. Current selections in production include Fumigated, Georgia certified Tifway, TifDwarf, TifSport, TifEagle, TifGrand, and Miniverde bermudagrass as well as Sea Isle 1, Sea Isle 2000, Sea Isle Supreme, SeaDwarf, and Platinum TE paspalumgrass. Thank you Pike Creek and the Allen Family for your ongoing support of the LCCC GCO program.

Senior Seminar- Ultradwarf Bermudagrass

2010-03-30T17:54:00.005-04:00

Matt Taylor, Director of Golf Course Operations at Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples, Florida and a member of LCCC's 1994 graduating class, gave a presentation on Ultra-dwarf Bermudagrass to the GCO senior seminar class on Monday, March 29, 2010. Taylor focused on preparing, planning and executing a conversion to Ultra-dwarf Bermudagrass as well as cultural practices and fertility programs used to maintain these hybrids at a championship level. We would like to thank Matt Taylor for his continuous support to the LCCC GCO program.

Wesco Turf and The Toro Company at LCCC

2010-03-30T17:40:00.004-04:00

Lake City class of 1975 alumnus Bob Jones presented the newest irrigation products from the Toro Company to the Lake City GCO horticulture lab class. Jones, Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia territory manger for Wesco Turf, discussed the latest control systems including the Network VP along with the Turf Guard Wireless Soil Monitoring System. This seminar introduced students to many of the technologies they will encounter as they enter into their careers in the golf industry. We would like to thank both Wesco Turf and The Toro Company for their patronage of the LCCC GCO program.

Wesco Turf Training- Hydraulic School

2010-03-30T17:38:00.001-04:00

From Wesco Turf: http://www.wescoturf.com/events/event.cfm?claID=22

Hydraulic School - Lake City, FL
Equipment Repair Workshop of Hydraulic repairs and diagnostics

Type: Wesco Turf, Inc. is pleased to announce the Wesco University, Commercial Equipment Seminars.

This year, our targeted equipment repair workshop will focus on Hydraulic repairs and diagnostics. This one-day program will feature a presentation along with hands-on work stations. Please do not miss this opportunity to further your technician’s knowledge of Toro’s Hydraulic systems.

The cost of this program will be $75.00 per person. RSVP is required. Please reserve your space as early as possible as attendance size is limited per session.

The session will start promptly at 8:00 am and conclude at 3:00 pm; lunch will be provided.

Thursday May 13, 2010 at Lake City Community College

149 SE College Pl. Lake City Fl. 32025

Golf Operations Maintenance Facility

Bobby Weed to manage historic Palatka Golf Club

2010-03-22T19:52:00.000-04:00

Lake City alumn Bobby Weed was recently selected to manage Palatka Golf Club, a 1925 Donald Ross design in Palatka, Florida.

"Weed's professional career began with an apprenticeship under Pete Dye, an association that stretched for over 17 years.

In 1983, Weed was hired by the PGA TOUR, where he advanced to become their in-house architect in 1987. From that post, Weed was responsible for the design of many of today's best known TPC venues, which continue as host sites for prominent TOUR events.

Weed was also able to collaborate with many of the TOUR's most familiar names, including Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd and Chi Chi Rodriguez; a cross section of experience unavailable to most.

In 1994, Weed's career and experience reached an apex with the formation of his own design firm, where he continues to "hand-craft" golf courses. Today, Bobby Weed Golf Design has amassed an impressive list of accomplished courses that are consistently ranked at the top of their respective categories."

From http://www.bobbyweed.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOBBY WEED GOLF DESIGN SELECTED TO MANAGE PALATKA GOLF CLUB
Palatka, FL; February 26, 2010 – Citing an opportunity to reverse a string of annual operating losses, the Palatka City Commission voted unanimously on Thursday night to contract with Bobby Weed Golf Design, Inc. to manage their Donald Ross-designed municipal golf course.

Utilizing a novel and relevant approach, the design firm partnered with Dublin, Ohio-based T2 Golf Solutions, LLC to propose a comprehensive vision for the course that included design, agronomic, infrastructural and operational improvements. Critical to the upgrades will be a sympathetic adherence to Donald Ross’ original intent.

“We have long advocated that golf course designers need to be aware of and influence the business aspects of any course’s operation, more so today than ever before,” commented Bobby Weed. “Our partnership with T2 allows us to offer a broad and unique spectrum of integrated services that directly benefits the bottom line. By ensuring that capital projects have a solid economic rationale, our creativity creates commerce.”

One of approximately 20 municipal Donald Ross courses remaining in the country, the Palatka Golf Club has been in operation since 1925 and is the long-running host course of this month’s Florida Azalea and Senior Azalea Amateur tournaments. Together with the Ravine Gardens State Park and St. Johns River, the golf course is one of the bedrock amenities for which the City is broadly known.

“The irreversible impact of losing such a vital, historical resource was not lost on the community,” furthered Weed, “We are already seeing unified support that crosses over the boundaries between the City, Putnam County, residents that golf, and residents that do not. Our responsibility is to protect and enhance this partnership as we invest in improving the golf course.”

Posting on the LCCC GCO Blog

2010-03-18T12:31:00.000-04:00

I'm still attempting to develop the simplest way for contributors to post information on the blog. Understand, this is a work in progress and will be continuously tweaked until an adequate method and format is established. For now, you can forward any post to lakecitygcoblog@gmail.com. Any suggestions can be sent there or placed in the comments section. I hoping this blog can evolve to the point where, eventually, an alumni website can be established to support the GCO program at Lake City. Thanks!

Brad Stephens, Class of 2010

Welcome!

2010-03-16T19:04:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Lake City Community College's Golf Course Operation and Landscape Technology blog. This blog was created as a networking tool for current students and alumni as well as keeping track of what is happening at LCCC. Due to liability concerns, this blog is not directly affiliated with the LCCC GCO faculty and staff, however faculty input and participation is encouraged.

To those unaware, LCCC will be undergoing a name change effective July 1, 2010 and will be called Florida Gateway College to better reflect the area from which it attracts its students, in conjunction with the goal of offering Bachelor degree programs. The Lake City moniker will still remain attached to the GCO program, thereby ensuring continuity within the industry. We encourage both students and alumni to submit industry writings, job postings, or any other information that you feel can assist in strengthening the interaction of affiliates of the GCO program. I will be posting information on how to submit contributions in the near future. We thank you for your participation!

Brad Stephens, Class of 2010