Insiderthe CGCOA

The CGCOA is pleased to announce that Oak Quarry Golf Club (Riverside, CA) has earned the coveted distinction as 2011 Course of the Year. CGCOA member Sam Koh, who serves as president of Oak Quarry GC, will accept the honor in the presence of his peers at the upcoming Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Oak Quarry Golf Club, a striking 18-hole championship course created by Dr. Gil Morgan and Schmidt-Curley Design, has been ranked Top 5 Golf Club by the Los Angeles Times. It is also ranked nationally by Golf Digest, Golf Link, and Fairways & Greens and the Press Enterprise rated it the No. 1 Best Course in the inland south-ern California area.

Oak Quarry is set in the old Jensen Quar-ry. Winding the clock back to the 1800s,

the quarry provided the cornerstones and building blocks for downtown Los Angeles. Today, it’s a setting that provides some of the most spectacular views in golf. Golf Di-gest tagged Oak Quarry as the Yosemite of Golf and its fourteenth hole, El Capitan.

According to Koh, Oak Quarry GC is a family-owned facility and operated by some of the best people in the industry. “As president, the most important assign-ment is to make sure we have the very best people managing the property and at every touch point that our guests experi-ence,” said Koh. “It really is a privilege to be in the golf business, a business that is all about making people smile and helping others have a great time…and if it’s done right, that fun is contagious.”

INSIDE thIS ISSuE

•The Sigel Brothers are Golden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

•The CGCOA Recognizes Ted Horton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

•Don’t Miss the CGCOA Reception at GIS . . . . . . . . . 4

•CGCOA Member’s Pledge . . 5

•Harris and Links receive CGCOA For The Good of the Game Award . . . . . . . . . . 6

•Message From the Executive Director . . . . . . . . 7

•Message From the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

•Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . 8

•CourseCo Receives CGCOA Environmental Excellence Award . . . . . . . . . 9

•Leading the Game of Golf in California . . . . . . . . 10

vOLUME 6 ISSUE 1 • SPRInG 2012

CGCOAP.O. Box 12083 Orange, CA 92859www.golfcalifornia.org

PUBLISHED BYIN thE LOOP GOLF, INC.1206 Fourth Street Santa Rosa, CA 95404707.569.8481

DESIGN BYJ hILL DESIGN707.321.0026

COMMENTSPlease write toshaw@intheloopgolf.com

(Continued on page 7)

Oak Quarry Golf Club Receives Course of the Year Award

CGCOA BOArD OFFICErS

JOhN K. ABENDrOthCelticGolfManagement

BILL ArAGONAPresident/General ManagerBoulderCreekGCC&Resort

Z. GOrDON DAvIDSONIGM/Meadowbrook Golf ConsultantZ .GordonDavidson&Associates,Inc .Golf&ResortProperties

KEvIN hEANEyExecutive DirectorSCGA

ErINN hOytWebsite&DatabaseManager

PAtrICK KEmBALLDirector of GolfCanyonLakeCountryClub

ShAw KOBrEPresidentInTheLoopGolf

SAm KOh KossInternationalOwnerOakQuarryGolfClubFounder/CEOIntrinsicAgency,LLC

DAvID KrAmErGM/OwnerLosSerranosCountryClub

DAN mCINtyrEGeneral Manager, Western OperationsValleyCrestGolfCourseMaintenance

Emmy mOOrE-mINIStErMedia/Public RelationsNCPGA,GCSANC&CGCOA

DAvE NELSONSales Manager, CaliforniaClubCar,Inc .

LyN NELSONCEO/Executive DirectorNorthernCaliforniaGolfAssociation

DAwN PrEBuLASenior VP of DevelopmentVGMClub

HONOrarY MEMBErJErry hOLLINGSwOrthHollingsworthEnterprisesPrior OwnerSingingHillsGolfCourses&Resort

PrESIDENTJAy mILLErOwner/OperatorHiddenValleyGolfClub

VICE PrESIDENTStEvEN J. PLummEr, CGCSPresidentChampionshipGolfServices,Inc .General ManagerTustinRanchGolfClubSECrETarYErIC JACOBSENVice President of Golf PropertiesCastle&CookeCalifornia,Inc .

TrEaSUrEr SCOtt hOytGeneral ManagerPasatiempoGolfClub

IMMEDIaTE PaST PrESIDENT GEOrGE KELLEyOwner/OperatorStevinsonRanchGolfCourse

ED SmILOw, ESq., PGmINTErIM ExECUTIVE DIrECTOr CGCOaGolf Course lawProfessionalGolfersCareerCollegeTheLegendsGolfClub

BOArD OF DIrECtOrS

ADvISOry BOArD

CALIFOrNIA GOLF COurSE OwNErS ASSOCIAtIONP .O .BOx12083,ORANGE,CA92859tel: 951.246.2928 / fax: 951.246.2929www.golfcalifornia.org or www.californiagolf.org

tOm ADDISExecutive Director/CEOSouthernCaliforniaProfessionalGolfersAssociation

KImBErLy BAuErCOO/General Mgr./Regional Director Hospitality IndustryWaterhouse,Inc .CreativeHospitalityServices

DOuG DAhLVP IrrigationTurfStar

DAN FArrAr General ManagerMeritPropertyManagement

tOm FrOStPresidentTomFrostGolf,Inc .

BOB hIGGINSGeneral ManagerSaddleCreekGolfClubCastle&Cooke

tED hOrtONTHC(TedHortonConsulting)

tOm ISAAKCEO/PresidentCourseCo,Inc .

GrEG PIESChALAPresidentValleyCrestGolfCourseMaintenance

JOE PrIDDyImmediate Past PresidentGeneral ManagerSantaMariaCountryClub

LON & rICh rECOrDSTargetSpecialtyProductsInc .

tErry A. SELKPresidentTasmarkEnterprises—TourismMarketing

hArvEy SILvErmANConsultant/GolferPellucidCorp .

ShAwN SmIthDirector of Golf AdministrationPebbleBeachCompany

The Sigel Brothers are Golden

How do allied organizations such as the CGCOA sustain themselves during lackluster times? Any allied associa-tion leader in California will tell you it hasn’t been easy. Each and every organization in golf has been presented their share of challenges, especially during recent tu-multuous times. Yet, the NGCOA’s California Chapter has been fortunate due to the ongoing support of members like Rick and Gary Sigel with Golf Insurance Services, LLC.

“Rick, Gary, and the entire staff with Golf Insurance Ser-vices really care about the future of golf,” shared CGCOA President Jay Miller, “and they continue to demonstrate their interest year after year through their role as CGCOA Gold Sponsors, for which we are extremely grateful.”

When you ask brother’s Rick and Gary about golf, it is obvious that it’s part of their corporate culture evidenced by the hundreds of golf courses they insure. On a daily basis, a good portion of their time is spent educating course owners on ways to prevent insurance claims. They encourage their clients (many who are CGCOA members) to be proactive when it comes to safety which can trans-late into a cost savings for course operators.

In appreciation for their unending support, the CGCOA has plans to recognize Rick and Gary Sigel during the Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas.

To learn more about Golf Insurance Services, LLC (an affiliate of the George Peterson Insurance Agency), visit golfinsuranceservices.com.

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THE CGCOA WOULD LIKE TO THAnK THE FOLLOWInG SPOnSORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT:STATE

Club Satellite networkTed Salatateds@csnlife.com

CybergolfDan Murnandan@cybergolf.com

Gallus Golfgallusgolf.com

Golf Course LawEd Smilowedsmilow@golfcourselaw.com

Golf Insurance ServicesGary Sigelgsigel@gpins.comRick Sigelrsigel@gpins.com

Golf now/Golf Channel.comMike Loustalotmloustalot@golfchannel.com

Greenway GolfGeorge Kelleygkelley@greenwaygolf.com

Increase Club Profitswww.icptoday.com/

PellucidHarvey Silvermanharvinfc@pacbell.net

Professional Golfers Career CollegeEd Smilowedsmilow@golfcourselaw.com

Southern California PGATom Addisscpgata@aol.com

Tapin SolutionsKyle Thompsonkyle@tapinllc.com

Target SpecialtiesRich Recordsrich.records@target-specialty.com

Tustin Ranch/ Championship GolfSteve Plummersplummer@tustinranchgolf.com

TW Energy SaversJohn AbendrothIGolfSwing@aol.com

valleyCrest Golf Course MaintenanceGreg Pieschalagpieschala@valleycrest.com

vGM ClubDawn Prebuladawnprebula@earthlink.net

nATIOnAL SPOnSORSClub CarDave nelson dave_nelson@clubcar.com

Toro/Turf StarLen Gregory (Turf Star)leng@turfstar.com

The California Golf Course Owners Association (CGCOA) recognizes the 11 years of dedicated service from its out-going Executive Director Ted Horton and will extend their appreciation to him at a special evening reception on Tuesday, February 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The gathering will be held during Golf Industry Show week where course own-ers and superintendents will be on hand to express their appreciation for Ted’s contributions to the CGCOA.

During his respected tenure as execu-tive director, Horton “gave his all” for the betterment of the association and its members. The position which was part-time, often required extended hours in order to get the job done. Horton be-came an expert at multi-tasking, as it wasn’t until just recently that part-time administrative support became available to the CGCOA.

Hard work (and successfully juggling several projects at once) became com-mon for Ted. He gave his best, and always in a kind, informed and gentlemanly way.

Under Horton’s tenure with the organi-

zation, social media platforms were created, a website totally revamped (and more user-friendly), and a sponsor program was launched. A speakers se-ries which attracted numerous industry experts was put in place and a first-ever growth of the game conference found its footing. Annual meetings and board retreats organized by Horton, gave CGCOA leaders a forum to collaborate, define (and redefine) the association and its goals.

Horton had a way of making sure that new members felt welcomed and those who kindly volunteered within the or-ganization were acknowledged for their contributions, big or small.

Setting aside networking time pre-or-post meetings was always important to Horton, as it gave members a chance to share what was working at their course or club.

While serving as CGCOA executive di-rector, Horton found himself doing dou-ble-duty when elected President of the California Alliance for Golf (CAG), a state-wide allied organization which he helped found with other colleagues who were concerned about the future of the game and business of golf. To this day CAG continues to take shape and form, de-feating negative legislation and protect-ing key resources (i.e. water) for the golf industry. With Horton’s 40-plus years of solid agronomic experience, he is able to provide insight about turf care manage-ment in ways course owners have come to appreciate. Having hosted several major championships throughout his career (in the mid seventies and eight-ies), Horton has never stopped sharing what he’s learned with others. The game of golf is better because of Ted Horton.

The CGCOA Recognizes Ted Horton for Years of Dedicated Service to the Association

Savings and revenueCGCOA Group Workers Compensation Group Plan: CGCOA members now have a group workers compensation plan in place. Effective Jan 1, 2012, the fully insured plan with AM Best rated A insurance company allows dues paying members up to an additional 20% credit by placing their workers compensation insurance in the CGCOA group plan. Contact Rick Sigel, Gary Sigel, and Greg Twiggs for details. (916) 635-1050 rsigel@gpins.com.

I believe as an organization we must come together to fight California’s runaway train on worker compensation. The plan the Sigel brothers present to us (through Golf Insurance Services and CIG) can help mitigate mount-ing costs. Please consider contacting them today.

CGCOA Golf member ProgramA new membership is unveiled for golfers. CGCOA courses have the opportunity to contribute $100 to the associations website, where, in turn, we promote your course, have tee times booked directly to your site, and connect a link from your web site to the CGCOA site.

This is fueled by golfers who will purchase an an-nual membership for $39 through our CGCOA website at golfcalifornia.org. If they’re already a greenskeeper.org member, the cost is $25. Once a member, these individuals will start receiving discounts (or special of-ferings) at participating CGCOA courses.

As we begin to launch this program, I am pleased to introduce our inaugural course participants: Poppy Hills GC, Tustin Ranch GC, Los Serranos CC, Pasatiempo GC, Hidden Valley GC, and Stevinson Ranch. (These courses will be listed in green, non-participating courses will be listed in black). An example of a benefit offering: Hidden Valley will slash $5 off green fees plus provide a warm-up bucket of balls to the golf member.

For CGCOA member courses who choose to partici-pate in this program, please make your checks pay-able to: CGCOA, and mail to: CGCOA President Jay Miller, Hidden Valley Golf Club, 10 Clubhouse Drive, Norco, CA 92860. Participation fees are as follows: One course ($100), 2-3 courses ($250), 4–7 courses ($500). In your submittal, please also indicate the discount your course is planning to offer. At the beginning of each month offers may be changed and/or updated.

Greenskeeper.org and its founder, Johnny Hakim, have kindly agreed to assist the CGCOA. Thus, all CGCOA courses that are participating in the aforementioned program (offering benefits to the golf members), will be highlighted on the greenskeeper.org’s web site. Johnny has agreed to notify his 40,000 members about our new golf membership program and how to easily purchase this membership online.

I anticipated this will drive huge traffic to our site and the web sites of participating courses. This cross-mar-keting effort should also drive golfers to Greenskeeper.

President Jay Miller provides an overview of services and opportunities available through the CGCOA

Leading the Game of Golf in California

Please join us for the annual CGCOA reception on Tuesday, February 28 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm in the Renaissance Ballroom III at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel.

Held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, this reception is an opportunity for chapter members to gather together as we honor outgoing Executive Director Ted Horton for his many years of dedicatedservice to the association. We will also recognize the contributions of outgoing president George Kelley from Stevinson Ranch, and loyal CGCOA sponsors Rick and Gary Sigel with Golf Insurance Services.

The 2011 CGCOA annual award winners will also be

recognized at this reception. They include Sam Koh of Oak Quarry Golf Club, recipient of the Course of theYear Award, Tom Isaak and the team at CourseCoInc., recipients of the inaugural Community Environ-mental Award, and Richard Harris, Esq. and Bo Links, Esq., recipients of the inaugural For the Good of the Game Award.

It’s also a chance to see old friends and make new ones. Food, drink, and merry entertainment for all. This reception is kindly sponsored by Club Car, ZGolf Food & Beverage Services, Target Specialty Products, Champion Golf Services, Pellucid, Tapin Solutions, VGM Club and Golf Course Law.

Don’t Miss the CGCOA Reception at the GIS in Las Vegas

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President Jay Miller provides an overview of services and opportunities available through the CGCOA

org, attracting new members to their organization too. Ultimately, it will help grow our brand and grow the game. If all goes as planned, we project over 4,000 member-ships will be sold in 2012. Any questions, or for assis-tance with sign-up, please contact me direct at (951) 737-1010 or via email at jay@hiddenvalleygolf.com.

Branding and Promoting the CGCOAStand Proud! Please display your new membership certificate in your golf shop. Personally, I am adding the CGCOA logo to my business card and plan to inform our entire staff what the CGCOA is all about…and what we stand for. Our Board of Directors, Committee Members, and Past Presidents are working diligently to make a difference for all of us in the golf industry. So, please join us in sharing our mission, and if your schedule will allow plan to attend our upcoming meetings.

CGCOA SponsorsI am pleased to announce we are forming a new spon-sor relations committee (with chair), so that all en-dorsed sponsors of the CGCOA will have a platform to present their product and/or service directly to mem-ber golf courses. Additionally, CGCOA Directors are committed to developing a sponsor notebook that will include: a two-page presentation on each CGCOA spon-sor, showcase product and/or services, company his-tory, possible pricing, and detailed contact information

so you can easily reach out to them whenever the need arises. By supporting this program you’ll discover how our valued sponsors can help improve your bottom line.

Step up and help us Grow the Game of GolfThis season the CGCOA is launching a Growth of the Game initiative and it includes you and your staff. The goal is for every golf course in California to be respon-sible for bringing at least 12 new players to the game. This could include first-time players or even former players who are ready to dust off theirs clubs and re-turn to the sport. Hidden Valley has already begun on this journey by offering free adult beginner lessons the first and last Saturday of every month. If we can get every course in America to follow this mission, we as a industry can produce 237,000 new golfers a year.

meetings and AnnouncementsMake a point to visit our web site at CGCOA.org as we’ll be posting upcoming meetings, webinars, educational forums, golf events and more.

On behalf of the California Golf Course Owners As-sociation’s board of directors, committee chairs, and members who volunteer their time for the betterment of the organization, we wish you the very best in 2012 and we guarantee this year will indeed, be a monumen-tal year for the association.

• We operate our golf facility in an ecologically responsible manner

• We provide a quality golf experience at a fair price• We provide outstanding customer service to all

golfers• We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race,

age, disability or religion• We provide a safe environment and maintain our

courses so as not increase risk of play beyond that which is inherent in the game

• We provide advance notice to our customers of any adverse conditions of play

• We encourage all golfers to play deliberately so as not to cause slow play

• We provide an opportunity for the game of golf to grow and prosper

• We are dedicated to the rich traditions and history of the game of golf

• We embrace positive improvements which will make the golf experience more enjoyable for everyone

CGCOA Member’s Pledge

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In 2011 CGCOA leaders and its awards committee determined that it was important the organization recognize individuals who are doing extraordinary things to benefit the game and future of golf. Thus, a new award was created, appropriately named: For the Good of the Game.

First award recipients are Richard H. Harris, Esq., and Robert D. “Bo” Links, Esq., two gentlemen who’ve demonstrated exceptional volunteerism through their advocacy work to help Save Sharp Park, an Alister MacKenzie-designed public golf course (Pacifica, CA) owned by the City and County of San Francisco. They are amazing advocates for affordable public golf of which Sharp Park is the model course, open to citizens of all ages and ethnicity.

Both men have deep roots in California golf. Harris is a member at Gleneagles GC, Sharp Park GC, and Stan-ford University GC where he played Varsity Golf and was team captain in 1968. An attorney by profession, when Harris isn’t busy volunteering his time in support of public golf, he is assisting clients through his “day job” with the legal firm of Erskine and Tulley.

Harris was instrumental in the Save Stanford Golf Course campaign in 2000. He is co-founder of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance (SFPGA), an organization solidly committed to preserving affordable eco-friendly golf.

Co-honoree, Robert D. “Bo” Links is a resident of San Francisco and has practiced law in the city since 1974 and is currently with the legal firm of Slote & Links.

He is passionate about the game evidenced by his role as volunteer golf historian for San Francisco city golf courses. He was active in the project to renovate and restore Harding Park GC and has served on the USGA Green Section Committee nearly 20 years. He’s au-thored two books, Follow the Wind plus Riverbank Tweed & Roadmap Jenkins: Tales From the Caddie Yard. Links was honored by the Alister MacKenzie Society (2007-2008), earning 1st prize in the international Lido Design Contest, the only two-time winner of such an award.

Link’s finest golf endeavor was his key role in co-founding the SFPGA. Together, he and Harris continue to lead a team of dedicated volunteers who are com-mitted to securing necessary funding for an environ-mentally sensitive restoration of Sharp Park GC.

Both men work tirelessly in making sure political lead-ers and common golfers are well-informed about the issues surrounding Sharp Park as they work to protect its integrity, recreationally and historically. And while some matches have been favorably won (concerning the fate of Sharp Park), both gentlemen will be the first to remind you that they’re still “on the front nine” with a lot more holes that need to be played when it comes to retaining and restoring this precious course.

It is for all the reasons above and more, that the CGCOA presents its inaugural For the Good of the Game Award to Mr. Harris and Mr. Links.

If you would like to learn more about the SFPGA and how you can assist in efforts to help “Save Sharp Park” please visit sfpublicgolf.com.

Co-HonoreesBoLinks(left)andRichardHarriswiththeSanFranciscoPublicGolfAlliance .

Harris and Links receive CGCOA For The Good of The Game Award

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Dear Members,As the golf industry is poised to rebound in 2012, our organization is primed to meet the challenge ahead. We have in place strong leadership in a Board of Direc-tors committed to your success. We have the resources necessary to see their vision made a reality. With your continued support and that of our sponsors 2012 can and will be a great year for the CGCOA.As your Executive Director, my efforts will be centered on growing the importance of our organization in the California golf community by:• Increasing our membership in every region of

California• addressing local concerns of every member

through local meetings• Increasing member representation through a Board

of Directors composed of at least one member from each region

• Increasing meeting participation through electronic means such as live video broadcasting, webinars and recorded meetings with website access

• Increasing member services through access to preferred providers who have superior products

• Developing our website into a vital source of information and driving golfers to your golf course

• Developing our newsletter as an informative instrument for your success and delivering the recognition you deserve

• representing and advocating your point of view in industry forums such as the California alliance For Golf, supporting the PGa of america in its new Golf 2.0 Initiative, and standing united with the North-ern and Southern California Golf associations, PGa, CMaa, and CGCSa in lobbying efforts in Sacramento

• Interacting with the NGCOa to insure local interests are protected on the national level

• administering the benefits of CGCOa membership to insure continued value in being a part of this organization

My plans are ambitious. They will take a lot of time and effort. But, with your support, I am pledged to fulfill the CGCOA’s mission to enhance the lives of the golf course owners and operators in California.

Fairways and Greens,

Ed SmilowExecutive Directored@golfcalifornia.org

Message From the Executive Director

Koh was introduced to the game of golf by his dad at a very young age. He understands the importance of growing the game and believes it starts at home, for he too, has introduced his children to the sport and enjoys spending time on the course with them whenever he can. He says it’s time well spent, a way to get to know his kids even better.

At the club a variety of membership and player devel-opment programs are offered throughout the year for golfers of all skill levels.

Koh has served the CGCOA on its board of directors and also in the capacity as vice president. He admits that he’s always been fascinated by the caliber of his fellow CGCOA Members and their genuine willingness to help one another. He believes the collective experience through CGCOA membership has been an invaluable tool.

Koh has served as co-chair of the CGCOA membership committee and the communications committee where he was instrumental in the recent redesign of the CGCOA web site. Due in great part to Koh and Oak Quar-ry GC the CGCOA was able to produce a Growth of the Game DVD highlighting a variety of best practices. The educational DVD was distributed to CGCOA members and California-based allied golf organizations.

Koh understands the importance of lending a hand that expands beyond the CGCOA and the golf industry. He serves as president for the Koh Charitable Foundation which supports numerous not-for-profit organizations.

Warmest congratulations to Sam Koh and the entire staff at Oak Quarry Golf Club, recipients of the 2011 CGCOA Course of the Year Award.

Oak Quarry (Continued from front page)

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Dear CGCOA Member,Our association is excited about 2012 as it promises to be of great value to you and your facility. As we plan to fulfill our mission to work together as golf course owners and operators to enhance our lives through our participation in the game of golf your participation is essential to our success.

In 2011, we adopted a set of core values to set us apart from non-member courses. This included a pledge to all golfers who visit our facility a quality experience at affordable prices. Our members will be recognized by the CGCOA brand which our courses can proudly display. In 2012, the association is making an effort to make our brand recognizable to the public by having the CGCOA membership certificate prominently displayed at all member golf courses and driving golfers to member courses through our golf membership program and website advertising.

This year we are introducing a new workers compen-sation program exclusively for members to band to-gether to decrease workers compensation premiums as they escalate throughout California in 2012. Our re-lationship with our sponsor and preferred provider Golf Insurance Services will benefit all members who join our group policy.

Last year we presented two outstanding educational programs where the leading authorities on current is-sues provided vital information to members to keep them competitive in our difficult economic environ-ment. In 2012, we will again present two educational programs to keep CGCOA members competitive, reduce costs of operation, increase profitability and provide a quality golf experience to the public.

Our Facebook page and newsletter will be revamped this year. Members will be able to access current infor-mation and gain valuable resources on issues which concern us all such as ADA compliance, employment law issues, property tax reduction and the latest trends in golf course marketing.

We have the great support of our industry sponsors who continue to keep us well advised and keep us pre-pared for the challenges ahead. Everyone is urged to return their interest in our organization and your busi-ness with the respect they deserve.

I look forward to serving as your President in this most exciting time when golf rebounds from the doldrums, and once again, becomes a vital economic force here in California.

Golfingly yours,Jay millerCGCOA President

Message From the President

aPrIL 20, 2012Arrowhead Country Club3433 Parkside DriveSan Bernardino, CA 92404-2409Agenda to be announced

Upcoming EventsGOLF & EDUCATIOnAL COnFEREnCESSave

THEDate

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Since day one, the CGCOA has encouraged its members to be environmentally proactive at their courses and clubs. In full support of this value the association has added a new award to its annual recognition program, the CGCOA Community Environmental Award. This hon-or will be presented annually to a CGCOA member facil-ity and/or management company that demonstrates excellence in the area of environmental stewardship.

The CGCOA is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2011 Community Environmental Award is CourseCo, Inc., a Northern California-based golf management company.

One of the primary goals at CourseCo is to continue to expand sustainable management practices achieved through ongoing education and programs that en-courage reducing and recycling products. “One of the more important core principals of our company is our commitment to the environment,” stated Tom Isaak, President of CourseCo, Inc. “Sustainable turfgrass management is an integral aspect of every evaluation, recommendation, and management plan implementa-tion we perform for our clients.”

Isaak and his team are well aware that golf courses serve as satisfying habitats for nature evidenced by the fact that 12 CourseCo-managed courses have ob-tained Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary designation, of which 11 are located within California.

In addition to the inaugural CGCOA’s Community En-vironmental Award, CourseCo’s receives top honors at the Golf Industry Show as the recipient of the GCSAA/Golf Digest 2011 Environmental Leaders in Golf Award (the national public and overall winner) acknowledging the fine work of Tim Powers, CGCS, at Crystal Springs GC (Burlingame, CA). Still other CourseCo superinten-dents will receive honors at the chapter level.

Over the years CourseCo has elevated citizen aware-ness on the ecological benefits of golf and its surround-ings. They continue to remind golfers and non-golfers alike, that golf & the environment are compatible and that golf & the environment are actually friends.

Members of the CourseCo staff have provided edu-cational habitat tours for youth. Additionally, through partnership programs with local schools and broader-based community programs such as the Oakland Turf-grass Education Initiative (OTEI), CourseCo has enlight-

ened youth on all aspects of turf care management. In some cases it has inspired youth to pursue careers in turf care management.

Congratulations to CGCOA Member Tom Isaak and the entire CourseCo team…. true leaders in golf, environ-ment and community.

CourseCo Receives Inaugural CGCOA Environmental Excellence Award

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