OTA Bowling Meeting Results

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We would like to thank the 26 members who attended the meeting on Friday, February 19th. We had 23 members bowl. We also would like to thank Enterprise Park Lanes for hosting us again this year and especially accommodating our date changed due to the weather. Also a big thanks go to our Gold and Silver Partners on the banner, their support allows for meetings. Our banner pictured will be retired as our new banner will show our 2021 Gold and Silver Partners. (There is still time for Partners to be added).

We played 9-pin no tap again this year, and tried to pair up teams using last year’s scores. It was amazing to see some of the improvement from last year to this year. While we also saw some big drop offs. I guess that is to be expected when we only bowl once a year. We do have to wonder if GreensPro has put a bowling lane in their warehouse along with the golf hitting net, as their A # 1 driver Wyatt Cantrell showed the 2nd biggest improvement from last year by 143 pins.

The biggest improvement was Scott Hendrickson, assistant superintendent at Hickory Hills C. C. He won this year’s event with a 671 series and a high game of 275, a 159 pin improvement. Sam Richart, golf course superintendent at Fremont Hills C. C. came in second with a 643 series. The winning team, with a 3 game total score of 2217, consisted of Sam Richart, (643), Brian Cheever, President of Clear Creek Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles, (592), Mike Irvine, Golf Facilities Supervisor, City of Springfield/Greene County Park Board, (504), and Conner Antonette, AIT at Hickory Hills C.C. (478). They defeated the 2nd place team of Justin Thomas, golf course superintendent, Top of the Rock, (602), Jared Brewster, golf course superintendent, Highland Springs C.C., (546), Tyler Fishel, GreensPro, (506), and Tye Hiedbreider, golf course superintendent, Twin Oaks C.C. (458) by just 105 pins.

Special prizes, Toro Hats, provided by Scott Welsh, equipment territory manager of Professional Turf Products, went to the team of Scott Hendrickson, Chad Hoerschgen, golf course superintendent, Millwood Golf and Racquet Club, and Ryan McInerney, crew at Carthage Golf Course. when it was discovered, that they did not have a team of four, when someone was mistakenly put on their team who was already on another team. The fourth Toro hat, (one with the vintage Bull logo), went to the one bowler that will get mentioned, and who had regressed from last year, Aaron Borland, golf course superintendent at Carthage Golf Course for the lowest score. I might ask to have the bumpers removed from my lane next year if this vintage logo hat is a prize next year.

It appears that everyone had a great time, and we will plan this annual event for next year.

Following the bowling meeting, a group of members did head over to Uncle Bentley’s for the annual telling of tall stories, and shuffleboard. It was a home match for the local boys’ Tye Hiedbreider and his assistant Jay Butler, of Twin Oaks, which is across the street, and rumor has it there is a secret tunnel under the road for them to come practice, Jay has a dry spot on the right edge where his puck will just stop on a dime. Old stories were told to some of our new members attending. Many laughs were had.

Congratulations to Kristopher Moore for Achieving GCSAA Class A Status

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Congratulations to Kristopher Moore, Golf Course Superintendent at Twin Hills Country Club in Joplin, for achieving GCSAA Class A membership status.

Please congratulate Kristopher next time you see him!

We came across Kristopher’s achievement as we decided to go through some of our back issues of GCM magazine, during the snowy weather, and noticed it in the September issue. Don’t hesitate to contact us when you, or your staff reaches career milestones or host important events. We love to share news with our fellow members.

GCSAA Class A status is achieved by combining years as a golf course superintendent, and earning a certain number of educational points. Once a superintendent becomes a Class A member, they must continue to take numerus educational seminars and attend networking opportunities. The Ozark Turf Association, a GCSAA affiliated chapter, strives to provide almost all education points needed to maintain Class A status.

For more information on what is needed to become a class A or to maintain class A status visit the following link:

https://www.gcsaa.org/about-gcsaa/membership/membership-classifications/class-a-membership

Knox Fertilizer renews as a Gold Partner with the Ozark Turf Association

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We would like to thank and announce that Knox, has renewed again this year as a Gold Partner.

Their support for our members is welcomed and that support allows us to provide member meeting and networking opportunities. We appreciate their Partnership. Please thank Bob Brinton, Central Sales Representative, the next time you see him.

Bowling Meeting Moved to Friday February 19th

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With the recent winter weather and the forecast for more snow tomorrow, we have rescheduled the bowling meeting to this Friday, February 19th. It will be the same time, same place, check the calendar for details.

We apologize for the late notice, you hopefully have seen this update on the email we sent out earlier, and on our Facebook page, when we posted it a little after lunch.

We are appreciative that Enterprise Lanes was able to accommodate our switch. Please thank them when we arrive on Friday.

If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, and you want to attend, please send a text or call Mel.

BASF Renews Silver Partnership

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We would like to thank and announce that BASF, has renewed as a Silver Partner. They have also agreed to sponsor a tee sign at the Scholarship and Research Outing, along with sponsoring a proximity prize at the same event.

Their support for our members is welcomed and that support allows us to provide member meeting and networking opportunities. We appreciate their Partnership. Please thank Cory Bunch, Region 4, Sales Representative, the next time you see him.

Professional Turf Products Renews Gold Partnership

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We would like to thank and announce that Professional Turf Products, distributor of Toro Turf Equipment has renewed as a Gold Partner.

Their support for our members is welcomed and that support allows us to provide member meeting and networking opportunities. We appreciate their Partnership. Please thank Scott Welsh, Equipment Sales Representative, and Brad Gray, Branch Manager, the next time you see them.

Missouri Publishes BMP Guidelines - Ozark Turf Association participates in the process

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MISSOURI PUBLISHES UPDATED BMP GUIDELINES FOR GOLF COURSES

by Jan 26, 2021 | Kate Hiebert


Golf course superintendents lead the development of statewide best management practices with a grant from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

Lawrence, Kan. (Jan. 26, 2021) – A collaborative effort by golf course superintendents in Missouri from three affiliated chapters of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the University of Missouri, has resulted in the publication of “Missouri Best Management Practices.”

The effort was part of an initiative by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) to establish BMPs in all 50 states by the end of 2020, which has been accomplished.

The Missouri BMPs were developed in part by using the BMP Planning Guide and Template created by the GCSAA and funded and supported by the USGA. The three GCSAA-affiliated chapters involved in the effort include the Heart of America Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Missouri Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Ozark Turf Association.

The group received a $10,000 BMP grant that GCSAA funded through the association’s Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) in part by the PGA Tour. The BMP grant program provides funding through the EIFG to chapters for developing new guides, updating existing guides or for verification programs.

The BMPs provide guidance in 13 key areas including surface water management, groundwater protection, pesticide management and pollinator protection.

“These research-based, voluntary guidelines have been developed specifically for Missouri’s 390 golf courses,” the introduction of the manual says. “When used alongside the state’s pesticide and water quality and quantity regulations, the guidelines not only protect natural resources, they also afford the opportunity for superintendents to be recognized as environmental stewards by club members, the community at large, and state officials.”

Members of the BMP steering committee included Lee Miller, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Missouri; Matt Czarnecki, superintendent at St. Peters (Mo.) Golf Club; Eddie Roach, CGCS, superintendent at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow, Okla; (formerly from Hickory Hills Country Club, Springfield MO), Brent Stephenson, director of agronomy at Great Life Golf Kansas City in Liberty, Mo.; Spencer Roberts, CGCS, superintendent at Canyon Farms Golf Club in Lenexa, Kan.; Carter Demay, superintendent at Country Club of St. Albans (Mo.);a Chad Fetter, superintendent at Bogey Hills Country Club in St. Charles, Mo.; and Rachel Owen, Ph.D., owner/consultant at Horizon Soil Solutions in Columbia, Mo.

To read “Missouri Best Management Practices and to learn more about GCSAA’s BMP program, visit www.gcsaa.org/bmp.

Advanced Turf Solutions renews Gold Partnership

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We would like to thank and announce that Advanced Turf Solutions, distributor of turf products has renewed as a Gold Partner.

Their support for our members is welcomed and that support allows us to provide member meeting and networking opportunities. We appreciate their Partnership. Please thank Austen Gearhart, Sales Representative the next time you see him.

Midwest Turf Renews at Gold Partner Level

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We would like to thank and announce that Midwest Turf the exclusive Distributor of Floratine in our area, and they also distribute other turf care products, has renewed this year as a Gold Partner. They have been long time Silver partners along with supporting the Scholarship and Research Outing.

Midwest Turf will also sponsor two closest to the pin prizes this year, one at the April golf meeting, and one at the OTA Scholarship and Research outing. Check out our calendar page for the dates of these events.

Their support for our members is welcomed and that support allows us to provide member meeting and networking opportunities. We appreciate their Partnership. Please thank David Hunter, Owner, the next time you see him.

Ozark Turf Association Education Day/Annual Meeting

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The OTA had another successful Education/Annual Meeting Day this past Wednesday at Highland Springs Country Club. Our number of attendees were in the 40’s, not quite our 2020 meeting attendance, but still better than attendance used to be when it was held in late October or early November. Temperatures in the 50’s with a heavy frost that morning probably prevented some members from leaving their courses for the day, along with some of our Partner members not able to travel long distances yet.

Our education committee of Jared Brewster, Highland Springs C.C. superintendent, and Barry Siems, Owner of Gold Partner, Precision Turf Products, brought together a host of speakers, with various topics.

Thanks to our speakers: Paul Myers of Atmospheric Industries, Ted Fist of Premier Sands, Carlos Arraya, CGCS, Bellerive Country Club, Steve Randall, GCSAA, and Shareen Beal-Thater, along with Tyler Stevens from Commerce Bank. Also thanks to our host Highland Springs Country Club who was able to accommodate our last speakers virtually. Lunch was great too!

We would also like to thank our Vendors who attended and had set up to speak with our members. Gold Partners included: Barry Siems with Precision Turf Products, Austen Gearhart with Advanced Turf Solutions, Mark Slaughter, Tyler Fishel, and Wyatt Cantrell with GreensPro, Andy Klein with Van Wall, Heath Schesser with PBI Gordon, and Scott Welsh of Professional Turf Products. Also attending, Ted Fist with Premiere Sand, Steve Simpson with BWI, and new this year were Kellie Dills with New Life Agricultural, and Dr. Jared Hoyle with Corteva. Thanks goes to these vendors who support our Association.

Election results: Mike Irvine, Golf Facilities Manager for Springfield-Greene County Park Board, was reconfirmed as President. Maron Towse, Superintendent at Schifferdecker G.C., was reconfirmed at Vice-President, Melvin Waldron III, CGCS, Superintendent at Horton Smith G.C., was reconfirmed as Secretary/Treasurer. Brad Seidt, Superintendent at Lake Valley Golf and Country Club, was elected as Director, as was Chad Hoerschgen, Superintendent at Millwood Golf and Racquet Club . They replace on the board, Charlie Boldreghini, Superintendent at Old Kinderhook Golf Resort, who is retiring from the board, and Eddie Roach Jr. CGCS, Superintendent at Hickory Hills Country Club, who is moving to Cedar Ridge Country Club, Broken Arrow OK. We thank both of them for their service to the members of the OTA.

Van Wall renews as Gold Partner

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We would like to thank and announce that Van Wall Golf, our John Deere equipment distributor has renewed as a Gold Partner. They have been long time Gold Partner supporters.

Van Wall will also sponsor the lunch this year at the OTA Golf Championships, Presented by Clear Creek Golf Car and Utility Vehicles. This event will be held at Old Kinderhook Golf Resort on September 21st.

Their support for our members is welcomed and that support allows us to provide member meeting and networking opportunities. We appreciate their Partnership. Please thank Andy Klein, Golf and Turf Territory Manager the next time you see him.

Precision Turf Products renews as a Gold Partner

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We would like to thank and announce that Precision Turf Products has renewed as a Gold Partner. They have been long time Gold Partner supporters.

Their support for our members is welcomed and that support allows us to provide member meeting and networking opportunities. We appreciate their support. Please thank Precision Turf Owner Barry Siems the next time you see him.

New Gold Partner

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We are happy to announce that Bayer has been the first Partner to renew for 2021 and they have stepped up to the Gold Partner Level, from last year’s Silver Partner status. Their support for our members is welcomed and that support allows us to provide member meeting and networking opportunities. We appreciate their support. Please thank our Bayer Representative Wes Kleffner the next time you see him.

Keep an eye on the News section of the website, as we head into the beginning of the new year where membership and partnership announcements will be shared.

Also don’t forget to RSVP for the 2021 Education/Annual Meeting Day on January 13th, at Highland Springs Country Club. Check the calendar and/or your email for more details.

Thanks!

Mel

The Ozark Turf Association Christmas Wishes

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The Board of Directors of the Ozark Turf Association wishes all of our members and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season. Safe travels to all that might be going to visit loved ones.

Stay on the look out as we announce the schedule for the Education/Annual meeting to be held January 13th at Highland Springs Country Club. The Education committee of Jared Brewster and Barry Siems have provided an excellent slate of speakers and topics. That info should be coming out by Monday.

GCSAA Members - Take the 2021 Compensation and Benefits Survey Now

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TAKE THE 2021 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS SURVEY

GCSAA superintendent members will receive an e-mail on Dec. 15, 2020, to complete the 2021 Compensation and Benefits Report survey and assist in collecting vital data within the industry. Please submit your survey by Jan. 29. If you did not receive the survey email, contact Greg Stacey, senior manager, market research and data, at 800-472-7878, ext. 5152.

Results from the 2019 Compensation and Benefits Survey

How the report can be used

GCSAA conducts a comprehensive study of the compensation, benefits and operations of its superintendent members. This biannual report shows whether your compensation is in line with your peers at similar facilities in your region. The report can be used to begin negotiations for an annual review, pay increases, or salary or benefits cuts. Details can be shared with constituencies, used to advocate on behalf of the profession and reveal trends.

Average, mean and percentile of reported salaries are reported. Salary information is broken down by state and metro area, by facility demographics, and for fringe benefits, insurance and bonuses.

In 2019, more than 3,191 superintendents participated, a response rate of 45%.

Highlights from the 2019 Report

  • More than 69% of all superintendents responding to the 2019 survey worked at 18-hole facilities

  • The average base salary for golf course superintendents rose to $93,176, a 4.5% increase over 2017

  • The average base salary for certified golf course superintendents rose to $111,250, a 1.5% increase over 2017

  • Member superintendents, on average: are 46.5 years old, have spent 16.4 years as a superintendent and have held their current position for an average of 10.5 years

The Ozark Turf Association Donates to the Wee One Foundation

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The Board of the Ozark Turf Association made a recent donation to the Wee One Foundation. The Board’s donation of $500 was matched by Syngenta, for a total donation of $1,000. The OTA was honored to make a small effort to assist our fellow colleagues when they are faced with medical challenges.


The Wee One Mission
The Wee One Foundation was developed as a tribute to Wayne Otto, CGCS to assist golf course management professionals (or their dependents) who incur overwhelming expenses due to medical hardship without comprehensive insurance or adequate financial resources. Through the Foundation's work, Wayne's legacy will never be forgotten.

More In Need

Since its inception in 2004, membership within the Wee One Foundation has grown to over 350 in 27 states. More importantly, the Wee One Foundation has gifted over $1,500,000 to families in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin - As the Wee One grows more people are helped and more funds are needed to distribute. Please consider contributing today.

History of the Wee One Foundation

The Wee One Foundation was founded in 2004 when friends of Wayne Otto, CGCS banned together to financially assist him in his battle with cancer. Wayne was a pioneer in the turf industry always searching for new and better ways to produce a finer playing surface. As Wayne learned more about his disease, he applied those same pioneering principles to overcome his illness.

Those that knew Wayne, knew a man small in stature and a man that placed more effort and enthusiasm into his friendships and care for his fellow man. As passionate as Wayne was about turf, his love for life could not measure. Wayne died in the fall of 2004 but his passion for life and his willingness to help still live on because of the work of the Wee One Foundation.

Through the perseverance and hard work of several friends of Wayne, the group developed its mission of helping those in need. Founded on the principle of assisting golf course management professionals (or their dependents) who incur overwhelming expenses due to medical hardship without comprehensive insurance or adequate financial resources, the Foundation has evolved into a cause that goes way beyond its initial reason for existence.

The Wee One Foundation was aptly named to honor Wayne. Nicknames are rarely chosen by their owner as in this case. On a golfing trip to Scotland with some friends, one of the group’s caddies decided to place his wager on the “wee one”. A small action (as legend has it) that turned out to be a sound decision by the caddie that day and a small gesture that has helped many other individuals through economic hardships due to overwhelming medical expenses.  Simply, that is what the Wee One Foundation accomplishes today.

Since its inception in 2004 the Wee One Foundation has gifted over $1,500,000 to those in need. The Foundation raises money through its membership, golf outings and sponsorships.

We encourage you to visit the website and learn more about The Wee One Foundation at https://weeone.org/ or click on the logo below.