Millwood Golf and Racquet Club hosted this year’s Monday Qualifying Event for the local Price Cutter Charity Championship, which is being held this week at Highland Springs Country Club.
Ozark Turf Association member and OTA Board Member, Superintendent Chad Hoerschgen and his crew provided a great venue that saw some low scores. 8 players qualified for the Price Cutter Event.
The Missouri Golf Association held a Par 3 event at Big Cedar Golf, with play on Top of the Rock, where OTA member Justin Thomas is the Golf Course Superintendent, and at Mountain Top, where OTA member, and Past President, Steve Johnson, CGCS, is the Golf Course Superintendent.
Congratulations to these two members and their staff for presenting their courses for the event.
The Springfield City Championships were held at these two City of Springfield-Greene County Park Board Courses, Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course and Rivercut Golf Course.
Day one was contested at the Bill and Payne Stewart Course, a Perry Maxwell design. Scott Welsh is the golf course superintendent. Low score for the day was a 64 by Jon Freeman. Addison White fired a 65.
Day two was held at Rivercut Golf Course, where Dan Kersting is the golf course superintendent. Addison White fired a 71 there to win the City Championship for a two day total of 136.
For complete results, check out the Rivercut Golf Course Facebook Page.
The June meeting of the Ozark Turf Association was held on Thursday June 17th at Rivercut Golf Course. We would like to thank Brotcke Well and Pump for being our meeting sponsor.
Our Speaker was Dr. Lee Miller, Associate Professor and Extension Turfgrass Pathologist at the University of Missouri. His topic was “Unmasking Soilborne Disease Problems” After Dr. Miller’s presentation, Maron Towse, golf course superintendent at Schifferdecker Golf Course, and Ozark Turf Association Vice President, presented a $1,000 donation to assist the University of Missouri to help them run their turf research center.
After our meeting we had lunch and then split up into teams to play a Shamble. The winning team consisted of three gray beards who benefitted teeing off from the senior tees, along with one whippersnapper. The team of Mark Slaughter of GreensPro, Lee Davis, golf course superintendent at Randel-Hinkle Municipal Golf Course, Ryan McInerney, from Carthage Golf Course and Melvin Waldron CGCS, golf course superintendent from Horton Smith Golf Course, won with a score of 66. Both Lee and Mark led the team up until # 18 when Ryan made an all world birdie from the far right rough, near someone’s backyard. His third shot pinballed down through the right greenside bunker to kick out onto the green and end up at 4 feet, where Ryan made the birdie putt. Mel excelled at writing down the scores on the card.
Second Place with a 67, won on a scorecard playoff was the team of Aaron Borland, golf course superintendent at Carthage Golf Course, Chad Hoerschgen, golf course superintendent at Millwood Golf and Racquet Club, and Wyatt Cantrell of GreensPro.
Aaron Borland won the closest to the pin on # 2 sponsored by BASF, and he also won the closest to the pin on # 17, sponsored by Nufarm. Chad Hoerschgen won the closest to the pin on # 6, sponsored by Brandt, and Mark Slaughter won the closest to the pin on # 15, sponsored by GreensPro. We’ll make sure that prize money is put on his W-2 for 2021.
Thanks to Dan Kersting, golf course superintendent at Rivercut Golf Course, and his staff in preparing the course for our meeting, along with Steve King, golf pro and his staff in the clubhouse for preparing lunch and handling our meeting.
Thanks to all our attendees.
The Ozark Turf Association board of directors would like to announce that they have donated $1,000 to the University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center.
This donation was made possible by the OTA members, and partners who participated in the 2021 Scholarship and Research Outing. These members and partners played, sponsored teams, lunch, tee signs and/or prizes.
The OTA was able to raise money to sponsor both of their scholarship recipients, while also having the funds to donate $1,000 to the Turf Farm.
The funds will be used to help operate the Turf Farm where they conduct various research. Dr. Lee Miller and Dr. Xi Xiong lead the research teams. For more information about MU Turf, please visit their website at https://turf.missouri.edu/
Information gained in research is then shared with turf managers to improve our product for our customers. We recently benefited with Dr. Miller’s educational presentation at our June meeting.
Both Dr. Miller and Dr. Xiong, were grateful and appreciated the donated funds. Dr. Miller commented, “Thank you very much for your donation to support the operating expenses at the MU Turfgrass Research Center in Columbia, MO. It takes much manpower, parts and equipment to maintain our 13 acre facility (22 if you add the irrigation pond, which isn’t a no maintenance item). We appreciate this aid, particularly in these difficult times. No business or university in this country is doing well, and the cuts that we have incurred over the last five years (mostly from a decline in state funding and enrollment). The support of this industry has been and will be crucial to enabling us to continue serving the turf community, and we appreciate it very much.”
Kansas Golf and Turf with the addition of a team in our recent Scholarship and Research Outing, has moved from Silver Partner status to Gold Partner.
Thank you to Kansas Golf and Turf and Russell Cole for their support of our chapter and our scholarship and research efforts.
Congratulations to Jeff Sommerer, Golf Course Superintendent at Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark Missouri, for achieving GCSAA Class A membership status.
Please congratulate Jeff next time you see him!
We came across Jeff’s achievement in the May 2021 issue of GCM magazine. 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
Brotcke Well and Pump has renewed their membership for 2021. They will also be sponsoring our June 17th meeting at Rivercut Golf Course, where we will have Dr. Lee Miller from the University of Missouri speak on “Unmasking Soilborne Disease Problems”. Let’s thank Derek Nees, R.G. Project Manager and Brotcke Well and Pump for their support of our members and our association.
First off, the biggest winners from our event are our students and research. We made $7,000 (just finishing up a little bookkeeping and we will have an exact figure soon). This will cover our $3,000 per student awards.
This amount raised would not have been possible without the support of our Partners and everyone at our host course, Silo Ridge Country Club and Golf Course Superintendent, Ronnie Harman.
We would first like to acknowledge Barry Siems and Precision Turf Products, Barry not only sponsored a team, but he also sponsored our lunch and the light hors d’oeuvres afterwards (the onion rings were my favorite). We would also like to acknowledge Wes Kleffer from Bayer, who donated the gift bags to the golf maintenance personnel playing. Also thanks goes to Mark Slaughter and Tyler Fishel, of GreensPro, who help get players for many of our Partner Teams.
Partners with Teams and Tee Signs were: Bayer, Precision Turf Products, VanWall Golf, Midwest Turf, Advanced Turf Solutions, PBI Gordon, Professional Turf Products, Corteva, Knox Fertilizer, Clear Creek Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles, GreensPro, Syngenta, Kansas Golf and Turf, and The Andersons,
Tee sign Partners were, BASF, Ermisch Golf Designs, Precision Labs, GCSAA, and BWI.
Now on to the results: We’ll start first with the Proximity winners. On hole # 2, the closest to the pin prize, sponsored by GreensPro, was won by Eugene Jesse, one of the Assistant Superintendents at Osage National Golf Resort. On hole # 5 closest to the pin prize, sponsored by Nufarm, was won by Silo Ridge C.C. staff member, Sean Hoffman. On # 11, the closest to the pin prize, sponsored by BASF, was won by Homespun, otherwise know as Jeff Sommerer, Golf Course Superintendent at Osage National Golf Resort, Jeff kind of threw us off a little by putting the initials PW next to Homespun, and I was trying to figure out how that was the same as JS, but he was just letting us know what club he used. And the closest to the pin on #17 sponsored by Midwest Turf, was won by Dr. Jared Hoyle, who is with Corteva. The Long Drive contest on # 7, sponsored by FMC, was won by Brent Butler of Silo Ridge C.C.
Our tournament featured a 4-person low gross scramble team, which we paid out 3 flights and 3 places, Results where the following: Championship flight, 1st place, Silo C.C Team one, consisting of Bryan Daniels, Austin Hensley, Shawn Hoffman, and Derral Clyod. 2nd place, Precision Turf Products, Barry Siems (owner), Mike Irvine, Golf Facilities Supervisor, City of Springfield-Greene County Parks, Scott Welsh, Superintendent, Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course, and Josh Black, Superintendent/GM, Hail Ridge Golf Course. 3rd place, Silo Ridge C.C. Team two, Consisting of Jake Mann, Nathan Routh, Brent Butler, and Matt Keller.
First Flight winners were, 1st place, Team VanWall, with Andy Klein, VanWall, Jared Brewster, Superintendent, Highland Springs C.C., Caleb Sidel, Assistant Superintendent, Highland Springs C.C. and Justin Thomas, Superintendent at Top of the Rock. After avoiding a slow play penalty for being the last team to turn in a card, 2nd place, went to, Team Knox Fertilizer, with Bob Brinton, Knox, Sam Richart, Superintendent Fremont Hills C.C, Tom Russell, Superintendent at Triple Creek Golf, and Darren Mitchell, Superintendent at Lebanon, 3rd place was Team Syngenta with Chris Treadgill, Syngenta, Joe Manucci, Superintendent Piney Valley, Scott Crowell, Superintendent, City of Bolivar, and Darin Parker, Superintendent at Lockwood.
Second Flight winners and probably the smartest team with two Doctors, were, 1st Place, Team Corteva, With Dr. Jared Hoyle with Corteva, Austin Peters Assistant at Ozark National, Dr. Lee Miller, Turf Pathologist, University of Missouri and Chuck Ermisch, with Chuck Ermishch Golf Designs. 2nd Place was the Clear Creek Golf Car and Utilty Vehicle team led by Justin Fraker, and 3 anonymous ringers, and 3rd place was Team Osage National, led by Superintendent Jeff Sommerer, and his staff members, Eugene Jesse, Andrew Keeth, and Brett Randel. There was some issue with this team not reading their rules sheet and supposedly not using their 4 mulligans, but by not using them, they probably found their sweet spot for winning some money, as they in all likelihood, would have found themselves out of the money in 5th place in 2nd flight.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in our event in one form or another, that made this an outstanding and successful event. We look forward to seeing everyone next year for the 2022 edition.
Old Kinderhook hosted the Missouri Golf Association Senior 4-Ball Championship on Tuesday and Wednesday May 25th and 26th.
Superintendent and OTA member (and past Board Member), Charlie Boldreghini and his staff had the course dialed in for the event. We think of it as a trial run of our Ozark Turf Association Championship, presented by Clear Creek Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles, and Club Car. (Lunch sponsored by VanWall equipment), to be held on September 21st. So mark your calendars.
Also making an appearance in the event was current OTA board member Barry Siems owner of Precision Turf Products, teaming up with former OTA board member and retired superintendent from Ledgestone Country Club, Jim Pyle. Congrats to Charlie for preparing the course and to Barry and Jim for getting out and enjoying themselves.
For results follow this link: 2021 Men's Senior Four Ball Championship Event :: Home (golfgenius.com)
Lake Valley Golf Club hosted the two day Missouri Golf Association, Two Lady Scramble this past Tuesday and Wednesday, May 25th and 26th.
Lake Valley Superintendent and OTA Board Member Brad Seidt, and his crew prepared the course for the event. Congratulations to Brad and all the staff who put that effort into hosting.
Results can be found on this link: 2021 Two Lady Scramble Event :: Home (golfgenius.com)
Congratulations to Steve Johnson, CGCS, Golf Course Superintendent at Payne’s Valley Golf Course at Big Cedar Lodge, in Hollister Missouri, for renewing his Certified Golf Course Superintendent Status. Steve is one of three Certified Superintendents in the Ozark Turf Association.
Once certified, Superintendents will begin a five-year renewal cycle. To renew their status, Superintendents must meet the following requirements:
1. Continuing education requirement
Superintendents must either attain at least 15 points, of which a minimum of 9.0 must be education points. OR
Successfully complete the written examination, plus attain 5.0 points, with a minimum of 3.0 education points.
Please keep in mind that all points must be earned within the Superintendent’s five-year CGCS renewal cycle.
2. IPM requirement
To renew Their CGCS status, Superintendents must fulfill the IPM requirement (either by submitting a state pesticide license information or taking the IPM exam).
For more information on the GCSAA Certification Program, please contact Stephanie Confer, Certification Manager at GCSAA.
Precision Laboratories, makers of soil surfactants, aquatic products, spray tank adjuvants, marking and colorant indicators and antifoaming and spray tank/systems cleaners, has joined the Ozark Turf Association for 2021.
They are also sponsoring a tee sign for the OTA Scholarship and Research Outing, along with a closest to the pin prize at the OTA Championship in September.
We thank Precision Labs for their support of our members and programs, please thank District Manager, Chip Houmes the next time you see him.
The Ozark Turf Association would like to recognize some of their members at The Golf Courses at Big Cedar, who hosted a First Green event last week. Staff members from all their facilities participated in setting up STEM Education stations for students from the School of The Ozarks to visit.
Led by Todd Bohn, Director of Agronomy, at Big Cedar Lodge, the students were given a tour of the maintenance facilities and golf courses.
They were able to visit with Equipment Manager, Clinton McKee, who showed them the set up and basics of a cutting unit and other equipment, hopefully sparking the interest of a future equipment manager.
Steve Johnson, CGCS, Golf Course Superintendent at Payne’s Valley, led a soils learning lab.
Aaron Lorenz, Golf Course Superintendent at Buffalo Ridge, Led a math learning lab.
Austin Peters of Ozark National and Justin Thomas of Top of The Rock, led a gadgets and technology lab.
Staff members from Wonders of Wildlife led a wildlife management lab.
FIRST GREEN'S STORY
Founded in 1997, First Green is the only STEM education and environmental outreach program in the United States and Canada that uses golf courses as learning labs.
First Green, a Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) program, pairs golf courses with local schools for unique Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities.
Read more:https://www.thefirstgreen.org/about-first-green/#ixzz6u7uvYM8U
If any of our other OTA Members are interesting in hosting a First Green event, don’t hesitate to contact Leann Cooper, Senior Manager, Chapter Services, or Steve Randall, Director of Chapter Outreach, at GCSAA, who can help provide guidance and materials to host a First Green event at your golf course. Also contact us at the Ozark Turf Association if you need a couple of volunteers to help.
Congratulations and thanks again, to Todd and the team at Big Cedar for hosting this event that introduces, encourages, and highlights the potential careers in the golf industry and the game of golf to these students.
Thank you to all that attended our April Meeting held at Lake Valley Golf Club - sponsored by Premier Sand.
We had 35 attendees listen to host superintendent, Brad Seidt, give a presentation on their bunker renovation project. The presentation also included the steps Brad took to promote the project and get member approval. We also had Steve Randall, Director of Chapter Outreach with GCSAA give us some updates on what is happening on the national scene.
That was followed by an excellent lunch, (I could have just sat there and chowed down on the macaroni salad and those green beans had a sweetness to them, I would love to find out how) and then we had 29 players hit the golf course in a 4 person scramble.
There was a two-way tie for first place with scores of 63. The tie was broken by a match of cards with a birdie on the 3rd hardest hole, # 9, the team of Scott Welsh of Professional Turf Products, Dale Harrison, assistant superintendent at Lake Valley, Ted Fist of Premier Sand, and Mike Reinhold, assistant superintendent at Highland Springs C.C.
The second place team consisted of Mike Irvine, Golf Facilities Manager, City of Springfield, Mike Schemel of Advanced Turf Solutions, Luke Derhake, assistant superintendent at Old Kinderhook, and John Ripperger, assistant superintendent at Ledgestone Country Club.
A three-way tie with 64’s was broken by the scorecard with the third place team birdieing the # 1 handicap hole, yet they could not get birdies on the easy holes. That team consisted of Brad Seidt, host superintendent at Lake Valley, Russell Cole of Kansas Golf and Turf, Chad Short, superintendent at Mt. Vernon G.C. and Melvin Waldron, CGCS, superintendent at Horton Smith G. C.
We also had six closest to the pin winners:
Hole # 2 sponsored by Brandt: Barry Siems of Precision Turf Products
Hole # 5 sponsored by Nufarm: Aaron Borland, superintendent at Carthage G.C.
Hole # 7 sponsored by Midwest Turf: Levi Mathews, assistant superintendent at Lake Valley
Hole # 13 sponsored by the Ozark Turf Association: John Ripperger, assistant at Ledgestone C.C.
Hole # 15 sponsored by GreensPro: Kolby Armbruster, superintendent at Ledgestone C.C.
Hole # 17 sponsored by Premier Sand: Brad Seidt, superintendent at Lake Valley G.C.
We want to thank again Lake Valley Golf Club, superintendent Brad Seidt and all of the staff and members for inviting us to play and enjoy their golf course, (especially those Bluemuda fairways!).
Thanks also goes to Ted Fist of Premier Sand as our meeting/lunch sponsor. And our closest to the pin sponsors, Ryan Jerome and Brandt, Randy Beussink and Nufarm, David Hunter and Midwest Turf, Mark Slaughter and GreensPro, and Ted Fist and Premier Sand.
Next meeting is our Scholarship and Research Outing on Thursday, May 20th at Silo Ridge Country Club. See you there!
Mel
Chuck Ermisch is providing conceptual improvement planning and design services for the State Technical College of Missouri? The college is investing in the local nine hole course Osage Country Club in their town for both students and general public to enjoy. They are building a new state of the art clubhouse, a pool, a new building to house the Commercial Turf and Grounds division, and will be adding a driving range/practice area as well as making necessary improvements to the existing nine hole course. The best part is, the students will be heavily involved in the construction of the improvements and will get firsthand experience in how things are built. Ermisch will also be assisting the students by being a part of their classes by presenting his thoughts on the design process and industry standards pertaining to design, construction, and on-going maintenance/operations of the golf portion of the project.
We would like to announce Brandt who has been a supporter of the Ozark Turf Association for many years, and is a supplier of turf nutrition products, has joined as a Vendor member this year. They will also be sponsoring closest to the pin prizes at our April, June and September meetings.
Please thank Midwest Territory Sales Manager, Ryan Jerome the next time you see him.
The Ozark Turf Association would like to announce that Redexim Turf Products has joined as a new vendor member.
Please welcome new Territory Manager Brad Lackey and the entire Redexim Team to the OTA. We thank them for their support of our members and chapter.
The Ozark Turf Association would like to announce that Precision Turf Products has agreed to sponsor the lunch again, at the Scholarship and Research Outing on May 20th at Silo Ridge Country Club.
We appreciate their support for our scholarship and research efforts. Please thank Barry Siems, owner of Precision Turf Products when you see him.
The Ozark Turf Association would like to announce and thank Nufarm for renewing their membership for 2021. We also thank them for their continued support of the Scholarship and Research Outing with a tee sign and also a closest to the pin prize sponsorship. They are also sponsoring closest to the pin prizes at the April, June meetings, and at the OTA Championships in September. We appreciate their support.
Please thank Midwest Region Manager Randy Beussink the next time you see him.
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