ACTION ALERT: 2010 ADA Regulations for Recreational Facilities

Written on February 22nd, 2012

California GCSA
Government Relations Committee
For Immediate Release, February 21, 2012
Attention Golf Course Superintendents,

2010 ADA Standards for Recreational Facilities

As the Governmental Relations Committee has been forewarning golf course superintendent’s and general managers the new 2010 ADA Regulations for Recreational Facilities goes into effect on March 15, 2012. This may impact your golf facility.

This new 2010 law covers the following golf facilities:

Title II covers golf course facilities overseen or operated by a governmental body (city, state, or federal). A transition ADA compliance plan should already be in effect at these facilities.

Title III covers privately owned or private country club golf facilities that are accessible to the public (private clubs who host outside golf tournaments or social functions fall into this category). A work plan should be in effect before March 15, 2012 or as soon as possible after the law goes into effect.

If you are a completely private club (no public access) such as California Golf Club or Cypress Point Club then you do not need to meet the new 2010 ADA Regulations. Their status protects them from having to comply with the law. However Augusta National Golf Club (home of the Masters) has to because they host an outside golf tournament every spring.

To comply with the 2010 American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design and Recreational Access as well as California’s Code of Regulations (Title 24) and avoid the possibility of a complaint driven lawsuit from a disabled person or advocacy group trying to access your golf facility each Title II and Title III golf facility must provide a defined continuous path of travel throughout their entire facility: parking lot, practice areas, buildings, golf course and on-course amenities. If there are barriers to a continuous path of travel they must be removed, or a plan to remove them (Title II Transition Plan and Title III Work Plan) Each barrier poses the possibility of a lawsuit. There is a monetary value for each violation. There are also new regulations in effect for new construction at golf facilities that you must comply with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

There is no grandfathered “in” clause.

40% of the federal ADA lawsuits originate in California (San Diego and the Bay Area are hot beds for ADA litigation). Since the ADA is a complaint driven law “drive by” litigation can take place without your knowledge. If you do not meet the ADA requirements of a sink, drinking fountain, ball washer, or access to a teeing ground on your golf course, or aisle width, counter height, dressing room bench height in your pro shop (just to mention a few of the regulations) you could be subject to a law suit.

What can you do? You can access the 2010 ADA Recreational Guidelines at ada.gov/regs2010 and see where your facility may be in violation. The GCSAA, Access Board and USGA Green Section also have produced information on becoming ADA compliant. You can use this information to audit your own facility.

In many instance golf facilities are using ADA golf course consultants to produce Transition and Work Plans to meet ADA regulations. Contact Jim Alwine Governmental Relations Co-Chairman, sgccturf@sbcglobal.net, for some referrals to these services. Make sure they are advocates for you.

In regards to the necessity of providing an adaptive golf car at your golf facility it might be a good idea to begin planning to do so. This is not part of the current 2010 ADA law as of yet but is currently being discussed by the Department of Justice and a decision is due out soon.

Jim Ferrin, CGCS

Morongo Golf Club – Used Equipment for Sale

Written on February 2nd, 2012

Make an Offer (all or individual)
Contact Paul Mayes, GCSA
email: pmayes@tukwetcanyon.com
phone: 951-473-9007

Meet the Candidates

Written on February 2nd, 2012

Check out the candidates at http://www.gcsaa.tv/candidates/

Climate Change Summary Newsletter and Commentary

Written on July 8th, 2011

Check out the latest Climate Change Summary Newsletter and Commentary:

Letter from California GCSA President Rafael Barajas, CGCS

Written on July 5th, 2011

It is an honor and a true privilege to lead this association for the next twelve months. I would like to thank my fellow board members for their vote of confidence and for trusting me with this awesome responsibility. I promise to work hard on your behalf to ensure our association remains strong and prospers into the future.

In May, we had the opportunity to take part in a strategic planning session, facilitated by GCSAA staff members Steve Randall and Richard Pavlasek. The session is always energizing! Hearing input from the entire board to build on our strengths and understand areas our chapter can improve helps create a road map for success and helps us to move forward.

I would like to share a few outcomes from that session and goals for the coming year. First, the strength of the California GCSA is working on your behalf to represent our members in Sacramento. All of us understand the impact legislation may have in our profession. To capture the essence of our work in this area, we will launch communication titled “California Capitol News,” or as our board called it CCN in the coming weeks.

The purpose of this message is to not only provide updates on legislative issues, but to highlight the work done in this area. Our government relations chairs, Jim Ferrin and Jim Alwine, are working to inform and advocate on behalf of the membership. The California GCSA needs to tout our efforts in this area and we see CCN as a way to deliver the message directly to our members.

As we move forward during these tough economic times, we must remain focused on issues that impact our industry. To no surprise, water is at the top of the list even though the drought is supposedly over. We need to work very closely with water agencies and local government, focusing on two primary initiatives. First, we will endeavor to create an open line of communication with the appropriate agencies with the objective of affording superintendents a voice as it relates to the type of water restrictions that would be reasonable and appropriate for golf course properties. Secondly, we hope to get as many golf course superintendents as possible involved in a public relations campaign aimed at communicating and educating the local government and water agencies as to the kind of proactive and voluntary water conservation efforts already initiated and implemented throughout our industry. Our efforts to conserve water shall be for naught if not communicated and brought to the forefront. Our Government Relations Committee will

continue to monitor the approximately 40 initiatives on CGRC’s “radar.” These initiatives are in the areas of water conservation, pesticide regulations, and labor. The State of California is broken, but this doesn’t stop them from bringing new bills to the table that could have a direct impact on our business.

We also need to continue to enhance our web site. We feel the site has taken great strides over the past year. We view our web site as a key communication tool and we want you to visit the site on a regular basis. Content and messaging will be relevant and timely for your needs!

Soon, you will see information outlining our annual conference and chapter golf championship. This will be a great opportunity for affordable education, networking and communication. Not only is this a large endeavor, but also our board continually looks for ways to enhance the value of your membership. The board has also discussed bolstering programs for research, pursing an allied relationship with the California Turfgrass Landscape Foundation and will consider working jointly with our local chapters to promote our profession.

A great team leads the California GCSA. Irene Cline and Kim Milne have assumed the chapter executives role and are a great asset with our day-to-day operations. I would also like to thank immediate past president Kevin Friesen, CGCS and incoming vice president Mike Swing, CGCS from Visalia Country Club and newly elected secretary-treasurer Jason Green from San Jose Country Club for their continued leadership, and the rest of the board members current and newly elected for their support.

Great individuals work together to form an effective team. Our team looks forward to working with you.

Is “Attractive Traffic Control” an Oxymoron?

Written on May 4th, 2011

Free Video: Is “Attractive Traffic Control” an Oxymoron? Not at Shady Canyon Golf Club.

Shady Canyon Golf Club is gently carved into the scenic, rugged, unspoiled beauty of Irvine, California’s Shady Canyon. Its layout is dramatic. But the narrow entrance and exit areas of many of its fairways can invite wear and tear, presenting a clear traffic management challenge. Superintendent David Major, CGCS, has developed an efficient, effective and elegant solution to directing golf cart traffic. His approach is illustrated in PACE Turf’s new video: “Traffic Control at Shady Canyon Golf Club,” which is now available on YouTube.

“Premiere golfing conditions always require some level of traffic control,” said Dr. Larry Stowell, director of PACE Turf. “The challenge is to give golfers clear guidance while at the same time not interfering with the aesthetics of the golf course. David’s approach at Shady Canyon has been particularly successful, and he was happy to share it with the turf management community through this video.”

Like other PACE Turf videos, this one is practical, to the point, and contains information that can be put to immediate use. “Our videos have been one of PACE Turf’s most popular member benefits,” Dr. Stowell said. “We’re pleased we can share some of them with the turf management community free of charge.”

PACE Turf videos can be placed on superintendent association websites or golf course websites by clicking on the “Share” button that appears underneath the video on YouTube. PACE Turf’s other golfer education and superintendent education videos can be viewed on the PACE Turf YouTube Channel or http://www.youtube.com/user/paceturf.
PACE Turf is a membership organization that provides breaking research news, information and expert advice on its website www.paceturf.org. The mission of PACE Turf is to generate and share independent and objective agronomic information for turf professionals, so they may develop management programs that are effective, practical and scientifically sound.

Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua L.) Control In Non-Overseeded Bermudagrass Turf

Written on March 18th, 2011

Down the University of California, Riverside’s Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua L.) Control In Non-Overseeded Bermudagrass Turf 2010-11 Report.

This report is was prepared by Jim Baird, Alea Miehls, Brent Barnes, and Vanessa Ferrel Department of Botany and Plant Sciences department.

Download report.

2011 Golf Industry Show Photos

Written on February 24th, 2011

2011 California Room Photos

Written on February 24th, 2011

RECENT LEGISLATION – NEW!

Written on February 24th, 2011

Due to changes in the governing statutes, claims for gasoline purchased prior to July 1st, 2010 will be refunded at a rate of $0.18 cents per gallon, and claims for gasoline purchased on or after July 1st, 2010 will be refunded at a rate of $0.353 cents per gallon. Additionally, each new fiscal year the Board of Equalization may adjust the rate of the motor vehicle fuel excise tax.

If you have questions you can contact:
Michael Swing, CGCS
California GCSA Sec/Treas
Visalia Country Club
Cell: 661-301-9889
Office: 559-732-2047
Fax: 559-732-2220

The iStimp App for the iPhone

Written on February 3rd, 2011

A Video Review from the Experts at PACE Turf

SETUP: A golfer approaches his first green of the day. He whips out an iPhone and launches his new iStimp application to determine the green speed. The players one hole behind cluster at the tee box. They see the golfer get on his knees, prop a golf ball on the phone, tip the ball off the phone, measure the distance it rolls, and repeat the actions three more times. The players behind begin to yell as the delay in their play continues.

REVIEW: In a new video from PACE Turf, Dr. Larry Stowell reviews the iStimp application, made by iGolfApps, and the interesting problems it could pose for golfers and golf course superintendents.

“Just imagine the pace of play when golfers start stimping every green with the iStimp,” says Dr. Stowell, director of PACE Turf. “Based upon my evaluation, it takes approximately two minutes to obtain a single reading and the iStimp instructions
recommend four readings. That’s eight minutes total.”

The video, “The iStimp: For Better or Worse,” is available free of charge on YouTube and is the latest in a series of educational videos that PACE Turf offers at no charge to the turf management community. The videos offer clear, concise and science-based explanations of topics that affect golf course turf.

The PACE Turf video is suitable for viewing at greens committee meetings, in club houses or other areas frequented by golf patrons. The video can also be placed on superintendent association websites or golf course websites by clicking on the “embed” button that appears underneath the video on YouTube. PACE Turf’s other golfer education and superintendent education videos can be viewed on the PACE Turf YouTube Channel or http://www.youtube.com/user/paceturf.

PACE Turf is a membership organization that provides breaking research news, information and expert advice on its website www.paceturf.org. The mission of PACE Turf is to generate and share independent and objective agronomic information for turf professionals, so they may develop management programs that are effective, practical and scientifically sound.

Bidding now open on silent auction items

Written on February 3rd, 2011

Bidding is officially open for Golf Industry Show Silent Auction – let your members know how they can impact their bottom line through this special event.

Items are rolling in daily and bidding is open. Each year, the Silent Auction gives the golf industry the opportunity to save money on personal items and products that benefit facilities, while also contributing to a worthy charity. Items up for bid include autographed memorabilia, soil amendments, fertilizers, software and equipment.

Visit our new auction site http://auction.golfindustryshow.com to register and bid.

If you’re attending the 2011 Golf Industry Show, be sure to stop by the Silent Auction area on the trade show floor (booth #2719) to continue bidding and learn more about the products available.

GCSAATV clip with Kevin Breen and Lahontan

Written on December 5th, 2010

Let your voice be heard

Written on December 5th, 2010

Member Needs Assessment reminder All GCSAA members were sent the Member Needs Assessment survey via email on November 16. If you missed it, check your spam filter in case it mistakenly was sent there. Your feedback is important to ensure we are meeting members’ needs for career and golf course facility success. If you didn’t receive the email, contact Greg Stacey, GCSAA’s senior manager of market research at gstacey@gcsaa.org. The survey deadline is Dec. 7th.

State Tournament Results

Written on November 21st, 2010

State Golf Championship Results

Babe Zaharias Course @ Industry Hills

SUPERINTENDENT GROSS

• 1st: Mike Stieler, 37 points
• 2nd: David Buckles, 31 points
• 3rd: Robert Hertzing, 28 points

SUPERINTENDENT NET

• 1st: Arturo Fuertes, + 2 points
• 2nd: Doug Martin, + 2 points
• 3rd: Todd Shank, – 1 point
• 4th: Rudy Cardenas, - 1 point

AFFILIATE GROSS

• 1st: John Grund, 33 points
• 2nd: Brian Carson, 30 points
• 3rd: Mark Cantrell, 29 points

AFFILIATE NET

• 1st: m.e.s., + 2 points
• 2nd: James Culley, + 2 points
• 3rd: Ben Koehler, + 2 points

SKINS

• # 5: Junior Valdivia
• # 7: Bob Ferre
• # 8: Mike Stieler

FUN EVENTS

• Longest Putt: Phil Brown
• Longest Drive: John Hardin
• Accurate Drive: Junior Valdivia
• Closest to Pin: #7, Bob Ferre
• Closest to Pin: #13, Rick Ransburg
• Closest to Pin: #14, Kevin Neal
• Closest to Pin: #17, Larry Conkings

Photos from the Educational Seminars

Written on November 21st, 2010

Casino Night Photos

Written on November 21st, 2010