President’s Message – September 2017

As summer starts to wind down the temperature has not seemed to get the message. I hope all of you have been able to cope with the summer heat. I know many of us around the state also had to deal with the nearby threat of wild fires. In the Portland metro area, the smoke from many of these fires made many days less than enjoyable. From excessive rain to long stretches of days over 90 degrees, I can only remember a few golf seasons that the weather was less cooperative. As we head into the last quarter I wish for the best of conditions to finish the year.

The Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Association (OGCSA) Board of Directors has been meeting and preparing for the coming year. First though, the Board has had some changes since the elections at the Annual meeting. Darrell Fields, Vice President, and Jeff Komer, Treasure, have resigned their positions as golf course superintendents at their respective courses. Both have moved south, Darrell back to his home in California and Jeff to Arizona. According to our by-laws both were required to resign their board positions. It has been our pleasure to serve and work with Darrell and Jeff and their contributions to the OGCSA will be missed. In their vacancies, I have appointed Board members Gabe Hughes, Vice President, and Bill Barnes, Treasure. I would like to thank both for taking on the added responsibility.

With two vacancies on the OGCSA Board of Directors, Jeff Crabtree has volunteered to fill one of those positions. Jeff is the Superintendent at Oak Knoll Golf Course in Independence OR. He has run for the Board on two previous occasions. Besides Oak Knoll, Jeff was previously the Superintendent at Salmon Run Golf Course. He has also worked at Tokatee Golf Club and Willamette Valley Golf Club, with 25 years in the golf course business. I would like a warm welcome to Jeff to the OGCSA Board of Directors. We still have one vacant position, if you are interested please contact Alexis or myself.

August, we had two popular events, the OGCSA Crew tournament was again a sellout. With a bagpiper providing a bit of a Scottish flair. I particularly enjoyed hearing “Tunes of Glory” a tune we played at David Douglas as I, in kilts, led the band into the football stadium. My group almost lost our “Beaver Ball” in the riprap on 17, after it was found I thought it was destiny, but not to be.

A few days later, the Oregon State University Turf Management Program hosted a summer field day. It is great to see the research that is going on at OSU. It was a good day to network with old friends and to make new contacts. Some of the support for this research comes from the OGCSA and its philanthropic arm the Oregon Turfgrass Foundation (OTF). The OTF Tournament is Monday, October 16, 2017, at Oregon Golf Club. If you are interested you can get to the registration through the web page (www.oregonturfgrassfoundation.org).