Advanced Turf Solutions renews as a Gold Partner with the OTA for 2024

Advanced Turf Solutions has renewed their Gold Partnership with the Ozark Turf Association for 2024. 

We thank Advanced Turf Solutions for supporting our members and helping provide for their education and networking opportunities.

Please thank Austen Gearhart, Jeff Olsen, Brock Phipps, Brian Winka and the whole Advanced Turf Solutions team the next time you see them.

Gold Partnerships include the company logo on our meeting banner for the year, along with the company logo w/link to their website on our website.  It also includes a team and tee sign at our scholarship and research outing.

Brandt Renews 2024 OTA Vendor Partnership

Brandt renews their OTA membership for 2024. They will also be sponsoring four proximity prizes, one at the March meeting, one at the OTA Championship and two at the Border War meeting with Kansas Chapter, one on day one and one on day two.

We thank Brandt and Ryan Jerome for their support of our members.

Ozark Turf Association Bowling Meeting Results

Despite it being a beautiful day when many members stayed at their courses to work, we did have 21 members attend our bowling meeting, although many of them declined to bowl as they were saving themselves for golf events, they had the next day. They still networked with their fellow members.

We did have 3 teams of four participate in our bowling match.  Winning the high game was Joey Roberts, Superintendent at Holiday Hills Golf Club and Resort in Branson who found his groove in the third game, rolling a 227.  The winner of the high series was Barry Siems, owner of Precision Turf Products, with a series of 555, which was a mark of consistency with games of 180, 190, and 185.

Barry also led his team in the 4-person team match, along with Kolby Armbruster, superintendent at Ledgestone Country Club in Branson, Austen Gearhart territory manager for Advanced Turf Solutions, and Nathan Strait Field Operations Coordinator for the Springfield Cardinals.  They will be our team captains next year.

Thanks go out to Enterprise Park Lanes who hosted us again this year, and for showing us some of the equipment they use to prep the lanes.  Some of us board members had arrived early from our board meeting, and we got to see the different patterns of oil that can be applied with their high-tech machine.  It was interesting during the discussion that we found a few similarities to golf.  The average or very good bowler cannot really distinguish between the different patterns, just like most golfers can’t tell the difference with greens speeds.  For the pros, they let them know the patterns they are using, just like we provide the pros with pin placement sheets.  Was very interesting to hear, yet we picked up on our similarities.  We also got a quick tour behind the scenes, checking out the pits where the pins reset.  Here, technology hasn’t changed much, as the machines looked just like they did back when I was moonlighting at bowling alleys in the late 80’s early 90’s. 

We look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting on March 26 at Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course in Springfield.  Our speaker will be Kris Inman.  Visit the website for more information. 

Mel

BASF renews as a Gold Partner with the OTA for 2024

BASF has renewed their Gold Partnership with the Ozark Turf Association for 2024. 

We thank BASF for supporting our members with their education and networking opportunities.

Please thank Cory Bunch our BASF sales representative the next time you see him.

Gold Partnerships include the company logo on our meeting banner for the year, along with the company logo w/link to their website on our website.  It also includes a team and tee sign at our scholarship and research outing.

SiteOne renews as a Gold Partner with the OTA for 2024

SiteOne has renewed their Gold Partnership with the Ozark Turf Association for 2024.  SiteOne will also be presenting our June monthly meeting at Branson Hills, and our joint meeting with support from Hunter Golf Irrigation, in October with the Kansas Golf Course Superintendent Chapter.  They have also sponsored some proximity prizes at a few of our golf meetings. 

We thank SiteOne for their support for our members, giving members education and networking opportunities.

Please thank Eddie Roach Jr. CGCS, David Moore, Andrew Jones, and the many other SiteOne team members who provide service to our chapter.

Gold Partnerships include the company logo on our meeting banner for the year, along with the company logo w/link to their website on our website.  It also includes a team and tee sign at our scholarship and research outing.

Syngenta renews as a Gold Partner with the OTA for 2024

Syngenta has renewed their Gold Partnership with the Ozark Turf Association for 2024.  Syngenta will also be sponsoring our Family Fun Night at the Springfield Cardinals game in August.

We thank Syngenta for their support not only for our members with their education and networking opportunities, but also supporting a fun evening with our families.

Please welcome new territory manager Conrad Pannkuk who is taking over for Paul Carlson who is now enjoying retirement.  We will miss Paul who has always been a big supporter of the OTA and we will welcome him to come visit anytime he likes, but we know Conrad and Syngenta will show the same support. 

Gold Partnerships include the company logo on our meeting banner for the year, along with the company logo w/link to their website on our website.  It also includes a team and tee sign at our scholarship and research outing.

Seven out of Ten Missouri Golf Courses You Can Play have an OTA Member Superintendent

A fall article in Golfweek magazine mentioned the top course open to the public to play in each state. For the state of Missouri, seven of the top ten courses are managed by Ozark Turf Association superintendent members. Our chapter would like to recognize the hard work by our members.

1. Ozark National at Big Cedar Lodge, Hollister - Ben McCurry

2. Buffalo Ridge at Big Cedar Lodge - Caleb Crawford

3. Payne’s Valley at Big Cedar Lodge - Steve Johnson, CGCS and Christopher Notestine

4. Branson Hills, Branson - Lukas Phillps

5. T5 Old Kinderhook, Camdenton - Charlie Boldreghini

6. #7. Ledgestone, Branson - Kolby Armbruster

7. #10. Rivercut, Springfield - Dan Kersting

The OTA is proud to recognize and support our members who are excelling at providing great playing conditions. Please visit their courses.

Photo credits to each of the golf courses websites and/or social media pages

2024 OTA Education and Annual Meeting Recap

The Ozark Turf Association Education/Annual meeting presented by VanWall Equipment was held at Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield Missouri and was well attended and a huge success.

We had Jodie Cunningham, Owner/Partner at Optimus Talent Partners and John Cunningham, CGCS, General Manager/COO at Grandfather Golf and Country Club, speak on the topic of “Recruiting and Retaining Your Team”.  Jodie and John have been regular speakers for GCSAA and have visited many chapters speaking on various personal topics in our industry.  They presented three solid hours of information and ideas to help attendees recruit and retain team members.  The feedback from our members attending was very positive.    

After Jodie and John’s presentation we were treated to a fantastic lunch, sponsored by FMC, featuring sliced sirloin steak and chicken piccata, served with salads and sides, with the mac and cheese being the side of choice.    

After lunch and also during registration and breaks, members were able to visit with our vendor partners, including Matt Strong with VanWall, Eric Pickrell with Reinders Turf Supply, Eddie Roach Jr. CGCS and David Moore with SiteOne, Josh Thomas with Professional Turf Products,  Joey Johnson and Tanner Phipps with Clear Creek Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles, Brad Lackey with Redexim Turf Products, Darrin Johnson with Andersons, Nathan Lykkegaard with Trimax Mowing Systems, Mark Slaughter with GreensPro, Austen Gearheart with Advanced Turf Solutions, Barry Siems with Precision Turf Products, Russel Cole with Kansas Golf and Turf, and Jed Spencer with Harrell’s.  We would like to thank these vendor/partners for participating in our annual education meeting, supporting our members. 

After lunch we recognized Clinton McKee, Equipment Manger at Big Cedar Golf, for being the first equipment manager in Missouri and OTA member to achieve his Certified Turf Equipment Manager (CTEM) designation from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, (GCSAA), he gave a brief history of how he became involved with turf equipment and what he is doing to encourage others to look into this important and viable career. 

Randy Robinson, our GCSAA Central Plains Region Representative, talked about current GCSAA programs and especially the important work being done by GCSAA’s Government Relations Team.

After Randy presented his program, the Ozark Turf Association held their annual meeting, presided over by OTA President Maron Towse, Golf Course Superintendent of Schifferdecker Golf Course, City of Joplin.  The minutes from last year’s meeting and the treasurers report were read by OTA Secretary/Treasurer, Melvin Waldron III, CGCS, Golf Course Superintendent of Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield-Greene County Parks. 

Elections were held after with Maron Towse being reconfirmed as President of the OTA, Jonathan Prange, CGCS, Superintendent at Highland Springs Country Club being elected as Vice President, Melvin Waldron, being reconfirmed as Secretary/Treasurer.  Brad Seidt, Golf Course Superintendent at Lake Valley Golf Course was elected to serve another 3-year term on the board of directors.  Kolby Armbruster, Golf Course Superintendent at Ledgestone Country Club remained on the board and is serving the third year of his term.  Chad Hoerschgen, Golf Course Superintendent at Millwood Golf and Racquet Club was appointed to fill out the remainder of Johnathan’s term.  Barry Siems of Precision Turf Products and Mark Slaughter of GreensPro were reappointed as vendor representatives.

Ozark Turf Association Announces Their 2024 Meeting Schedule

The Ozark Board of Directors would like to announce the 2024 meeting schedule. We will be posting these events on the website calendar over the next few weeks with more details, costs, and recognizing our meeting partners who support these events. This support allows us to keep costs reasonable for our members to network with each other.  Mark your calendars, plan your work on your course around these dates and we hope to see as many of you attending as possible. 

January 18th – Education Day/Annual Meeting – Highland Springs Country Club, Springfield Missouri.  Providing .35 GCSAA education points, we have speakers and meet with our partner/vendors.  Lunch is included. 

 February 23rd  – Bowling Meeting – Enterprise Lanes, Springfield Missouri, annual 9 pin no tap event.  Prizes, lunch on your own.                                             

 March 26th – March Meeting – Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course, Springfield Missouri, education, lunch, and golf on a hidden Perry Maxwell designed gem.                                                         

April 25th – April Meeting – Schifferdecker Golf Course, Joplin Missouri, education, lunch, and golf on Route 66.  It celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2022.                          

 May 23rd – Scholarship and Research Outing – Silo Ridge Country Club, Bolivar Missouri.  Get your teams together and raise money for the OTA Scholarship and Research fund on one of Missouri’s favorite courses.  Lunch, golf, snacks after golf while waiting for results, with a raffle, chances for everyone to win!           

June 11th – June Meeting – Branson Hills Golf Club, Branson Missouri, play on one of the top 10 courses in Missouri that is open to public play.  Education, lunch, and golf.                                                                                                   

August 9th – Springfield Cardinals (requested date) Family Fun Night at the Springfield Cardinals, Baseball, Food, Drinks, and Fireworks, all for one ticket.  Maybe even some surprises? Rally Skunk made an appearance last year. (We requested this date, waiting for confirmation our second choice is Friday August 23rd).                                              

 August 27th – OTA Championship – The Golf Club at Deer Chas, Linn Creek, Missouri.  Head to the Lake and challenge for our annual OTA Championship, multiple flight winners.  For those that just enjoy networking and fun, scramble teams will have their own prize fund.                                                                    

October 8th and 9th – Border War – Hidden Valley Golf Links, Clever Missouri and Rivercut Golf Course, Springfield Missouri.  Help the Ozark Turf Association take back the trophy at the Border War event pitting the Kansas Superintendent Chapter vs. the OTA.  Horse Race to follow the first day of golf. Includes lunch and dinner on the first day.                                     

 December 7th – Christmas Party – Millwood Golf and Racquet Club, Ozark Missouri, enjoy dinner and drinks, and usually some fun games, while everyone catches up with the past season happenings.  Our spouse’s favorite event. 

Ozark Turf Association 2023 Christmas Party

The Ozark Turf Association held their 2023 Christmas Party, presented by Professional Turf Products at the Lodge of Four Seasons Resort.

Members and their guests dined on salads, sides and had their choice of three different entrees, Chicken Picatti, Atlantic Salmon with chive butter sauce, and Prime Rib. Desserts were also included.

After dinner, the group played bingo led by bingo master Katie “Clause” Armbruster, wife of Ledgestone golf course superintendent and OTA board member, Kolby Armbruster. Prizes were given for the winning bingo cards. Winners included: Matt Strong, VanWall Equipment, Host Adam Distler, golf course superintendent at the Lodge of Four Seasons Resort, Sarah Roach, wife of Eddie Roach Jr. CGCS, SiteOne Landscape supplies, Tyler Fishel, GreensPro, Kristina Fishel, Tyler’s wife, Maura Towse, wife of OTA President and Schifferdecker golf course superintendent, Maron Towse, Leesa Siems, wife of Barry Siems, Precision Turf Products and OTA board member, and Mark Slaughter, GreensPro, and OTA board member..

We thank Professional Turf Products, Brad Gray and Josh Thomas for sponsoring our party and Adam Distler and the Lodge of Four Seasons for hosting.

Next year we will be at Millwood Golf and Racquet Club on December 7th, we hope to see everyone there.

Ivelisse Valentin OTA's Karl Anderson Legacy Award Recipient Completes Fall Semester

Ivelisse Valentin, recipient of the 2023-24 Karl Anderson Legacy Award completed her fall semester with a 3.2 GPA. Ivelisse is in her second year at Ozark Technical College and is majoring in Applied Science - Graphic Arts. The OTA congratulates Ivelisse on her achievement.  

Ivelisse is the stepdaughter of long time OTA member Chad Hoerschgen, Golf Course Superintendent at Millwood Golf and Racquet Club.

The Karl Anderson Legacy Scholarship is named for long time Ozark Turf Association member Karl Anderson who worked for many years as the golf course superintendent at Hickory Hills Country Club. He and his wife Patsy did not have children of their own, but strongly supported the association’s scholarship efforts. Karl lost his battle with brain cancer in May of 2018. The Karl Anderson Legacy Scholarship is open to the children and grandchildren of OTA members. Awards of $3,000 are given to recipients and funded by the OTA members through their annual scholarship and research outing held each year.

Hayden Camp - OTA Industry Scholarship Recipient Completes First Semester

Hayden Camp, the OTA Industry Scholarship Recipient completed his first semester at Baptist Bible College where he is majoring in Business. Hayden is also playing baseball for BBC.

Hayden has been working on the maintenance crew at Hidden Valley Golf Links for the past four seasons and continues to work around his school schedule.

We congratulate Hayden on his first semester accomplishments, and wish him the best in the spring semester.

Ozark Turf Association Member Achieves Class A

Paul Lewis, Golf Course Superintendent at L.A. Nickel Municipal Golf Course, Columbia Parks and Rec, in Columbia, Missouri, achieved Class A status last month with the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America (GCSAA). Paul was recognized in the October 2023 issue of Golf Course Mangement.

The Ozark Turf Association would like to congratulate Paul for reaching this milestone.

The definition of a Class A member is a golf industry professional; who possesses knowledge, skills and abilities through a combination of education, experience, professional development and environmental stewardship; and has met and continues to fulfill on-going Class A renewal requirements.

For members looking to earn Class A status, it consists of a combination of formal education, experience as a golf course superintendent, continuing education and providing proof of a valid pesticide license or passing the GCSAA IPM Exam. Class A membership demonstrates a personal commitment to lifelong learning, environmental stewardship and elevating the golf course management profession. It also shows employers that your achievements and competencies are documented and validated. For those looking to pursue Class A status, reach out to Randy Robinson, Central Field Representative at GCSAA.

OTA September Meeting Recap

The Ozark Turf Association had their September meeting presented by Professional Turf Products at Horton Smith Golf Course on September 21st.

They had an educational presentation with Caleb Sanders who is the Conservation Coordinator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, give his talk on Establishing a Warm Season Native Prairie. He was able to show the progress their plan has produced at Horton Smith Golf Course in the area of the old driving range between holes # 1 and 9. He was also able to show the process of starting a prairie on the upper portion of the area where they were starting that section over eradicating bermuda that had encroached. He presented a plan that other courses could follow and noted that in Missouri, facilities can apply for grants, such as, from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which has a EQIP, Conservation Innovation Grant, and the Missouri Department of Conservation has an Urban Cost Share, Community Conservation Grant.

After the presentation, attendees enjoyed Maple Bacon Cheeseburgers prepared in the Horton Smith snack bar.

While a few attendees had to depart after lunch, we did have 15 play golf afterwards with 3 teams of 5. The game consisted of two best balls per team with one being a special ball that had to be played by all team members once every five holes.

Team 2 with OTA President Maron Towse, golf course superintendent at Schifferdecker Golf Course, Ty Lewis, superintendent/general manager at Mountain View Municipal Golf Course, Dan Kersting, golf course superintendent at Rivercut Golf Course, Clayton Otting, assistant superintendent at Ledgestone Country Club, and Dustin Irvine with GreensPro was a strong team taking first place with a 2 best ball score of 146.

Second place went to the Carthage Municipal Golf Course team + one. It consisted of Matt Strong, territory manager with VanWall Equipment, Cody Gray golf course suprintendent, Ryan McInerney assistant superintendent, and crew members Dave Adams and Gary Springer who shot 157.

Proximity winners were:

• Hole # 3 sponsored by Advanced Turf Solutions - Mark Slaughter - Greenspro

• Hole # 6 sponsored by Brandt - Matt Strong - VanWall Equipment

• Hole # 8 sponsored by FMC - Dan Kersting - Rivercut Golf Course

• Hole # 10 sponsored by GreensPro - Mark Slaughter - GreensPro (we’ll send him a 1099 for that one).

• Hole # 12 sponsored by Ozark Turf Association - Ty Lewis - Mt. View Golf Course.

Thanks go to everyone who attended the meeting, Caleb Sanders and Greg McComas who work together to create the warm season prairie and gave the presentation, Horton Smith Golf Course staff for preparing and hosting the event, and Professional Turf Products for hosting the meeting along with proximity sponsors, Advanced Turf Solutions, Brandt, FMC, and GreensPro.

Strong Wins Ozark Turf Association Championship

Matt Strong, territory manager for VanWall Golf Equipment shot a 75, to win the Ozark Turf Assocation championship presented by Clear Creek Golf Car and Utility Vehicles, our Club Car dealer, held at Highland Springs Country Club, home of the Korn Ferry Price Cutter Charity Championship.

We had a tie for second place with 81’s with Dustin Irvine of GreensPro winning the scorecard playoff over Gavin Arnold, assistant superintendent at Highland Springs Country Club. OTA President Maron Towse, golf course superintendent at Schifferdecker Golf Course placed fourth.

In the A flight, Melvin Waldron III, CGCS, golf course superintendent at Horton Smith Golf Course won that flight in a scorecard playoff, with Kolby Armbruster, superintendent at Ledgestone Country Club placing second. Russel Cole territory manager for Kansas Golf and Turf Equipment came in third, with Travis Thompson, assistant superintendent at Margaritaville Resorts finished in fourth place.

Because I was too busy spending my winnings, I had misplaced our results sheet while trying on a new hat, thanks for those that helped remind me of the results. We did have a couple of proximity winners and scramble teams want to remain anonymous and the teams from the IRS in reporting their winnings.

Proximity sponsors were:

• Hole 4 sponsored by FMC was won by Derek Edwards, field manager of the Springfield Cardinals.

• Hole 6 was sponsored by GreensPro

• Hole 13 was sponsored by Ermisch Golf Design

• Hole 15 was sponsored by Brandt

We also had two scramble teams win prizes, with five teams playing for the fun and comradery.

Thanks go again to Clear Creek Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles and Club Car for being sponsors of the event, VanWall Equipment for sponsoring lunch, FMC, GreensPro, Ermisch Golf Design and Brandt for sponsoring proximities, Highland Springs Country Club superintendent Jonathan Prange, CGCS, his team and the many other staff members from pro shop and kitchen staff for making the day so enjoyable. Also, thanks to our members who came out to enjoy the day.

OTA Family Fun Night

Ozark Turf Association members and their families enjoyed our annual Family Fun Night, sponsored by Syngenta, at the Springfield Cardinals, AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

We were treated to bonus baseball as we had a double header caused by the rainout of the Wednesday night game. We enjoyed the traditional baseball food like hot dogs and brats, along with our members favorite, chicken fingers. We also had snacks like nachos with queso and other fixings, along with popcorn and cookies. Soda, water and adult beverages helped wash down the food.

During the second game, the OTA was represented by Katie, wife of Ledgestone Country Club Superintendent Kolby Armbruster and Paige, fiancé of Clayton Oetting. one of the assistants at Ledgestone participated in a between inning games, the Teddy Bear toss. They came away winners.

We had Hammons Field managers and OTA members Derrick Edwards and Nathan Straight visit us in the Home Plate party deck before having to return to the field to chase a skunk who had wondered into center field.

The night was capped off with the traditional Friday Night fireworks. We had a great turnout and the families always like taking advantage of the few times we all get together. We look forward to scheduling this event for next season.

Highland Springs Country Club Host 34th Price Cutter Championship

Ozark Turf Association member Jonathan Prange, CGCS and his staff including OTA members Gavin Arnold, Chase Shippley, and David Edie and a host of OTA volunteers worked to prepare the golf course for the 34th Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr. Pepper, part of the Korn Ferry Tour.

The event started in 1990 as the Greater Ozark Open in the inaugural season of the Ben Hogan Tour and is one of the few events still on the tour and at the same location for all 34 tournaments.

Thanks go to all the OTA vendors who provided meals for the crew and also helped in preparing the golf course.

The winner was Coody Pierceson with a final score of 25 under par.

The Highland Springs crew, and OTA volunteers look forward to next year’s event. We will post the dates once they are announced by the PGA Tour.

SiteOne Announces New Business Development Manager - Golf For Our Area

OTA Gold Partner SiteOne has announced Eddie Roach Jr. CGCS is the new Business Development Manager - Golf for SiteOne Landscape Supply. He will be covering the Eastern Oklahoma, Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri territories. 

Eddie has worked in the golf industry for 25 years and has been a golf course superintendent at courses in both Oklahoma and Missouri for the past 13 years. He is looking forward to working with members of the OTA by offering their extensive portfolio of product lines, plant and hardscape materials, and irrigation products.

Eddie was a recent OTA member who was serving on the board of directors. before moving back to Oklahoma. He is looking to getting back to attending meetings and events, seeing old friends and meeting new members.

Eddie’s contact information is:

Email: eroach@siteone.com

Cell:918-264-2971

Schifferdecker Golf Course Host 75th Ozark Amateur

Schifferdecker Golf Course in Joplin hosted the 75th Ozark Amateur last weekend. Taylor Lansford won the event with a 10 under score of 132, firing rounds of 67 and 65. First round leader Tragdon McCrae finished 3 shots behind with a score of 135, shooting rounds of 66 and 69.

Ozark Turf Association President Maron Towse, Golf Course Superintendent at Schifferdecker and his crew prepared the course for this special anniversary event. Congratulations to everyone involved.

OTA Receives Donation from FMC

FMC held many initiatives at the 2023 GCSAA Conference and Show that Ozark Turf Association members participated in. As a result, the OTA received a donation check of $893 dollars, through “FMC’s Give Back to Local Chapters Program”. The board has voted to use that donation towards our annual education meeting in January of 2024. Education chairman Jonathan Prange CGCS, notes this money will enable the event to bring in topnotch speakers for our members. This money will be added to FMC’s sponsorship of our education meeting lunch, with VanWall Equipment being the sponsor of the meeting. OTA members should watch for the future annoucement of our speakers, who are confirmed, we are just waiting on their topics and travel plans to make that announcement.

The OTA members who took part in the events were Justin Thomas, Golf Course Superintendent at Top of the Rock, OTA President Maron Towse, Golf Course Superintendent at Schifferdecker Golf Course, Jonathan Prange CGCS, Golf Course Superintendent at Highland Springs Country Club, Gavin Arnold and Chase Shipley, assistants at Highland Springs Country Club, Tyler Scroggins, Golf Course Superintendent at Holiday Island Country Club and his assistant, David Treat, and OTA Secretary/Treasurer, Melvin Waldron III, CGCS, Golf Course Superintendent at Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield - Greene County Park Board.

The Ozark Turf Association is grateful for this donation and other support from FMC that allows us to provide education and networking opportunities for our members.