For those who did

not attend this year’s

GCSAA Golf Industry

Show, the Annual Meeting

and Elections were abso-

lutely electrifying. Well,

maybe that was a bit of a

strong statement, but this

year was important to Cali-

fornians. We had 2 candi-

dates running and I think all

will agree that a West Coast

influence is certainly bene-

ficial. The reality is that

each officer, director and

successful candidate fully

understands the importance

of our profession and

GCSAA’s role in the future.

As no surprise, Robert M

Randquist, CGCS was

elected President and he

will serve our interest and

(Continued on page 4)

Jason Pautsch will

be celebrating his 10 year

anniversary at Hunter

Ranch Golf Course on

April 1, 2011. What better

way to celebrate this mile-

stone than to host one of

the chapter meetings. Ja-

son Pautsch and the staff at

Hunter Ranch Golf Course

are pleased to host the

April 2011 Chapter Meet-

ing.

Jason has been

with Hunter Ranch for the

past 10 years and the su-

perintendent for the last 8

years. He also oversees the

golf maintenance opera-

tions at La Purisima Golf

Course. Jason, who resides

in San Luis Obispo, spends

2 days at Hunter G.C. and

the other 3 days at La Puri-

sima G.C. He has two su-

pervisors that work closely

with him, Tony Rudge, who

oversees the maintenance

staff at Hunter Ranch G.C.

on a daily basis, and Brian

Sanford at La Purisima

G.C.

Jason says there are

a few new projects on the

horizon at Hunter Ranch

G.C. The possibilities of a

resort is in the works, but a

on the “front burner” are an

18 hole putting course and

an events area, where ac-

tivities such as concerts and

other “non-golf” functions

will be made possible.

They’re also looking at add-

ing new tee boxes on all 18

holes to attract more women

golfers, as well as the junior

golf players.

Hunter Ranch is an

affordable, high-quality,

daily fee layout. It was co-

designed by Ken Hunter and

Mike McGinnis, It has a

Mackenzie influence with

dozens of flash-faced bun-

kers and liberally contoured,

hand-shaped bent grass

greens, several of them sited

well above fairway level,

marking the design. Come

share the experience and

help Jason celebrate.

Hunter Ranch Golf Course Jason Pautsch Host Superintendent

By Scott Furtak

TEE-OFF News March/April 2011

President’s Message 2

Meeting Schedule 5

Around the Green 6

Highlights 10

Highlights 11

Inside this issue:

Official Publication of the Golf Course Superinten-

dents Association of Central California. The purpose of this publication is informa-tion and education for the membership. Published

bi-monthly by

GCSACC

5322 N. Leonard

Clovis, CA 93619

Phone (559) 298-4853

Fax (559) 298-6957

Email gcsacc@aol.com

Bob Schneiderhan,

Newsletter Chairman

Mike Scott, CGCS, Editor

GCSAA’s Annual Meeting and Election Results By Michael Swing, CGCS

Page 2

President’s Message by Kevin Friesen, CGCS

TEE-OFF News

Looks like March has blown

in and backed out like a lion, what a

wet and wild ride! Hopefully April

will give us a little time to dry out.

Our monthly meeting sched-

ule has filled out quite well. With the

help of Scott Furtak, Brian Daum, and

Josh Heptig, we have a full years

worth of courses and education topics

lined up. If you want to keep track of

the events check out the Statewide

calendar on our website.

Californiagcsa.org.

If you missed the Tulare

meeting, you missed seeing a lot of

great equipment our affiliate members

have to offer. Turf Star, (Toro), AB

Turf, (Hustler), Bubco, (Aerway),

Mid Cal Tractor, (John Deere), Golf

Ventures West, (Jacobsen), and Best

Turf West (Baroness), all shared their

greens mowers, aerators, and fairways

mowers, as well as a few special

pieces. The demonstrations and head

to head competition was fun for eve-

ryone to watch and compare. Look

for us to do something like this again

next year. You’ll not want to miss it!

Thanks to Brett Miller and his

staff at Tulare Golf Course for allow-

ing us to hold this event at their

course.

We head to Hunter Ranch in

April. I know Jason will have the

course in great shape and we will be

getting updates on pesticides and will

get those always needed DPR hours.

The Government Relations

Committee of the California GCSA

has diligently been watching quite a

few bills in the legislature. All of

(Continued on page 3)

President’s Message Continued from page 2

Page 3 TEE-OFF News

which will affect not only how we do

business, but where and what pesti-

cides we can apply to certain areas

on our courses. In fact the GR Com-

mittee has sent out at least two e-

blasts notifying our members what

actions can be taken to help keep

some of the restrictions from hap-

pening. Guys, burying your heads in

the sand will not keep these bills

from passing, if we want to keep

what we have we have to start letting

those in the legislative know how we

feel. So when you get the notices/e-

blasts take the time to read them and

take the appropriate actions. If you

haven’t been receiving the E-blasts

please let Irene know, so we can

make sure that we have your correct

e-mail address.

I want to thank all of our

members for their support and I

look forward to moving ahead to-

gether. Most of you have paid your

dues and I know time always seem

to slip by way too fast, but we are

coming up on the 90 days overdue

period on membership dues. The

Board has placed in policy into ef-

fect that if by the 90 days period a

member who has not paid will be

dropped from the chapter, and will

have to re-apply for membership. If

you haven’t had a chance to pay

your dues and want to continue as a

member please contact the associa-

tion office as soon as possible to

make payment arrangements.

Turf Pro 2011

Three locations to serve you

Lancaster Bakersfield Fresno

Dairy Creek G.C. April 13, 2011

June 15, 2011

September 14, 2011

November 16, 2011

Copper River C.C. April 14, 2011

June 16, 2011

September 15, 2011

November 17, 2011

For Registration Information

Contact Mike Cline

(559) 269-7342

Page 4

GIS Election Results Continued from page 1

TEE-OFF News

represent GCSAA very well.

The same can be said of Sand-

ford G. Queen, CGCS, who was

elected to Vice President. Our

very own Patrick R. Finlen,

CGCS, of the Olympic Club in

San Francisco, was successful in

running for Secretary/Treasurer,

and he too will represent us well

as he works his way toward

President. As for directors, all 3

incumbents, Peter J. Grass,

CGCS, Keith A. Ihms, CGCS,

and John J. O’Keefe, CGCS

were re-elected. This resulted in

one position to be filled when

Patrick Finlen became Secre-

tary/Treasurer by the Board of

Directors. As it was, Rafael

Barajas, CGCS at Hacienda Golf

Club in La Habra Heights, was

appointed. I would like to point

out that Rafael gathered a con-

siderable amount of votes and

really gave the incumbents a run

for their money. Congratula-

tions to our new Officers and

Board of Directors, their sacri-

fices in spending time away

from home and family to benefit

us in so many ways will be

greatly appreciated.

The Annual Meeting

included member dues increase

of $20 annually for Class A

members and $10 annually for

Class C members. The vote

passed by a wide margin and all

agreed that what we get as a

member of GCSAA is substan-

tially more than what the PGA

and CMA offer to golf and its

sustainability.

Just a side note: Next

year’s GIS 2012 is at Las Vegas

and later than usual - February

27th to March 2nd

Hope more of you will be able

to join us!

April 27, 2011

Hunter Ranch Golf Course Host Superintendent

Jason Pautsch

May 25, 2011

Stockdale Golf & Country Club Host Superintendent

Michael Barber

June 6, 2011

Al Glaze Memorial Scholarship

Tournament

Kings Country Club Host Superintendent

Joe Elias

July No Meeting Scheduled

August 22, 2011

Tri Chapter Meeting

Stockton Golf & C.C. Host Superintendent

Jim Alwine

September 2011

River Island Golf & C.C. Annual Election Meeting

Host Superintendent

Fuzzy Cochran

November 6, 7, 8th

California GCSA

Annual Conference & Golf Championship

Silverado Country Club Napa, CA

Page 5 TEE-OFF News

Meeting Schedule

Golf Course Materials

Topdressing Sand - Bunker Sand

Decomposed Granite - Drain Rock

1/8” Minus Turf & Tee Bulk Humus

Brush Removal

Call for competitive rates

David Knott, Inc.

(559) 449-8935 or (559) 760-5387

With spring just around the

corner, everyone seems to hitting the

ground running. The wet winter has

created lots of winter weeds to kill,

crabgrass is just around the corner, and

some people are still fighting snow

mold in some areas. Here’s a quick

look at what’s going on “Around the

Green”.

Frank Wong has announced

that he will be closing down the pa-

thology lab at UC Riverside. This was

a simple business decision that Frank

had to make with not enough samples

and revenue to cover the costs of run-

ning the unit.

Former Marshallia Ranch Su-

perintendent, Albert Bancroft is now

the Superintendent of Tama Hills Golf

Course in Tokyo, Japan. After the re-

cent disasters in Japan, I tried to con-

tact him to see how he was and how

everyone was holding up. The follow-

ing is an E-Mail that he sent me over

the weekend.

Mike

Thanks for checking on me! Out

here in Tokyo everything is actu-

ally very good. There is a little bit

of a run on supplies – no actual

shortages, just “Japanese” style

panic where everyone is stockpil-

ing food and fuel – but quietly

waiting their turn in line.

We are pretty far from the reactors

and any of the devastation and did

not receive any damage. There

are some rolling blackouts but they

are scheduled and usually only last

for a few hours. There is a volun-

tary evacuation for dependents

and some civilian employees. Per-

sonally I will be staying; I doubt

my wife would want to leave with

her family here. Anyway at this

point there is no danger, just have

to take it day by day and see what

happens.

Quite a lot of people have been

displaced and things don’t look

good in that part of the country

and especially with the reactors.

However aid workers and rescuers

are still landing at Yokota AB and

then heading out towards that

area, so I don’t believe there is

Page 6 TEE-OFF News

Around The Green By Michael Cline

Page 7 TEE-OFF News

any need to worry until the rescu-

ers start heading the other way.

Thanks Mike and will keep in

touch. Al Bancroft

The other big news around the

chapter was the crazy punch good old

“Mother Nature” threw at us the week

beginning March 19th with crazy

storms coming in from Alaska and

dropping what seems like a season’s

worth of rain in 7 days.

Dave Rosenstrauch reported

over 8.5” of rain at the Alisal Guest

Ranch. Dean Evangelista reported

over 6” in Santa Maria as did Joe

Tompkins at San Luis Obispo Country

Club. I know that at my home in

Clovis we had about 2” of rain in a 24

hour period. What next, record highs

for California?

10 Things You Didn’t Know About

Superintendent

Bob Tillema

Bob or Bobby Tillema as those who

have known him for years often call

him was born into the world of golf,

and took to the work place at an early

age. His father, Bob Tillema Sr. was

the long time superintendent at Sher-

wood Forest Golf Course until his re-

tirement and still works to this day at

Ridge Creek Golf Course in Dinuba.

(Continued on page 8)

Around The Green Continued from page 6

Bob Tillema

Around The Green Continued from page 7

Page 8 TEE-OFF News

A story Bob told me was his recol-

lections of sleeping in the back of a

maintenance cart at about the age of

8, while Senior, as Bob often calls

him, changed quick couplers at

Sherwood Forest. Bob first became

a golf course superintendent at Riv-

erside Golf Course in Fresno. After

several years there, Bob had a short

stint with California State Univer-

sity Fresno before taking the reins

of Madera County Club where he

resides today. Here are 10 things

you probably didn’t know about

Bob;

First job in golf?

My first job in golf was at the age

of 14, at Sherwood Forest Golf

Course working with my dad. I

learned how to do everything at a

very early age.

What was your first manage-

ment job in golf?

My first management job in golf

was as the Assistant Superintendent

at Riverside Golf Course under then

Superintendent Gary Rodgers. Bob

was at the course only a few

months before Gary moved to Sac-

ramento to take over another opera-

tion and Bob moved up the ladder.

What do you like to do when

you’re not at work?

When I’m not at work I love to

watch and coach my kids in what-

ever sport their doing at the time.

Soccer, T-Ball, and they just fin-

ished basketball. I love watching

them and being involved.

Who is your favorite sports

team and why?

My favorite sports team is the Pitts-

burg Steelers of the NFL. My only

reason is that my first Pee Wee

football team was called the

Steelers and our uniforms were the

same color and the same logos so

they just became my team.

If you could pick one meal,

what would it be?

My favorite meal is Sushi. Any

kind, any time and I’m ready to go. (Continued on page 9)

Page 9 TEE-OFF News

What’s your favorite part of

being a golf course superin-

tendent?

My favorite part of the job is get-

ting involved with all the different,

interesting people that you get to

meet in this job.

What’s your least favorite

part of being a golf course

superintendent?

My least favorite part of the job is

the drama. Sometimes its mem-

bers, sometimes its employees, but

I hate just having to deal with

someone’s drama.

What’s your favorite band?

My favorite band is Nickelback.

What’s your favorite song?

My favorite song is Photograph by

whom else, Nickelback.

What’s your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is The Hang-

over, now that’s a party.

This has been 10 things you didn’t

know about Superintendent Bob

Tillema. Remember, if you have

information that you think our

membership might like to know

about, drop me a line and we’ll be

sure to get it in your newsletter. As

always, be safe, have a great spring

and we will see you “Around the

Green”.

Around The Green Continued from page 8

2011

Scholarship

Applications

are available on line at

Californiagcsa.org/Central Chapter

2011

Legacy Scholarship

Applications are also

available.

Pictured above are on right host superintendent Brett Miller with Tulare G.C. owner

Don Clark. We had equip-

ment from Mid Cal Trac-

tor, (John Deere), Golf

Ventures West, (Jacobsen),

Turf Star, (Toro), AB Turf

(Hustler), Best Turf West

(Baroness), and Bubco. It

was a perfect opportunity

to see all the equipment

and compare. Thank you

to all that participated.

Page 10

TEE-OFF News

For over 80 years the

specialty seed source for:

-Native Grasses and

Wildflowers

-Kikuyu, Paspalum,

Hybrid Bermuda

-Bentgrasses, Fine

Fescues, Ryegrasses

Golf Course Representatives:

Jim Culley 213-268-3193

Don Lewis 213-247-3266

Home Office: 800-621-0315

www.stoverseed.com

Equipment Demonstration Day Tulare

Page 11

TEE-OFF News

DL SIEMENS INC. Golf Course Construction Consulting

Project Bidding Assistance

Project Management

Cost Projections

Plan Analysis

Dale Siemens 559.994.5883

Ca License 872425

dls@dlsiemensconsulting.com

www.DLSiemensconsulting.com

Equipment Demonstration Day Tulare

Pictured at

left is Andy

Fernandez

and his crew,

at right Brett

watches the

John Deere

demo.

At left Dave Buliavac and Brian

Daum. Below are Bubba Simnacher

and his salesman and at right are

Kevin Eppich and Chuck Talley