We had a hugely successful collection for Toys for Tots at the Westin Hapuna Golf Course this month!
The mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. Learn more at www.toysfortots.org.
Mahalo to everyone who participated!
In June, the Big Island Golf Course Superintendent Association (BIGCSA) supported the Hawaii Golf Course Employee Foundation (HGCEF), whose mission is to provide financial relief to Hawaii golf course employees and help them overcome personal challenges including medical needs, transportation, living situations, family emergencies and more.
Mahalo to The Club at Hōkūliʻa for hosting an afternoon of golf to benefit this incredible non-profit organization. $850 was raised by BIGCSA during the golf tournament.
A very special Mahalo as well to the HGCEF’s corporate sponsors for their generous contributions:
Water Controls and Pump Systems
B.Hayman Hawaii
Kelly's Tree Service
Simplot
Radius Sports Group
Go to Turf Hawaii
Smiles for Keiki
Big Island Golf Course Superintendent Association
To learn more about the Hawaii Golf Course Employee Foundation (HGCEF) and make a donation, click here.
March 5, 2019
Aloha Members of the BIGCSA,
The Board of Directors knows how fortunate we are to work and gather with each of you throughout the year. We sincerely hope you value your time spent with fellow members and hope you continue to support our small ‘ohana.
Along with this letter is your billing for the 2018 year. Please note for affiliates: as a continuation of 2018, membership remains at $75 and is available only as an individual. Additionally, for affiliates, the BIGCSA will NOT be collecting the HGCSA dues.
For individual memberships, we will continue to offer the collection of one check for the BIGCSA and HGCSA. Feel free to join the Big Island Association at any time; however if you miss the deadline of May 1, you will be required to pay the State dues separately.
We encourage you to look within your organization and within the industry to recruit any new members who may enjoy and add value to our association. As a reminder; please visit www.bigcsa.org to view the updated event schedule; view photos from last years’ events; to pay your dues; and make any payments that maybe associated with upcoming events.
On a final note; please review and acknowledge via membership renewal the attached Big Island Golf Course Superintendent Association’s “Code of Conduct.” Please realize our intention is to be a professional association and want to ensure our long term success. We want to thank you for your continued support and welcome any feedback you would like to provide.
Mahalo Nui Loa,
BIGCSA Board of Directors
Danielle Tucker, host of The Golf Club Radio Show, interviews Dan Husek, Superintendent from Hualalai Golf Course, regarding hosting the First Green STEM Program on the Big Island to provide keiki (kids) hands-on learning in math and science. First Green is an initiative of the Environmental Institute of Golf (EIFG), the philanthropic arm of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
Hualalai Golf Course hosted a fun day of hands-on learning in math and science for kids from Makua Lani Christian Academy.
The course was the first to host a First Green program in Hawaii, an initiative of the Environmental Institute of Golf (EIFG), the philanthropic arm of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
The event provided keiki an opportunity to learn about environmental aspects of the golf course including collecting soil samples, how to measure and minimize water use, how to apply geometry and math on the course, and of course time to practice putting and have fun.
Mahalo to Dan Husek, Hualalai Golf Course Superintendent, for hosting the event and to the Big Island Golf Course Superintendents Association ‘ohana who volunteered their time to help. It’s a great example of the sense of community and stewardship that superintendents share in golf, and especially in Hawai’i.
Sean Bartlett, Brozie Ambrosio: "Putting Course" - Set up five holes for kids to practice putting and have fun.
Mike Clifford, Ron Hall: "Water" - Water use on golf courses including weather station data and Evapotranspiration.
Dan Husek, Chase Ivey: "Tools of a Superintendent" - Overall golf course maintenance and the tools that are used.
Justin Campbell: "Soils" - Discussion about soils in general and turfgrass as a filter.
Scott Main, Kimo Meikle: "Math" - How math is used daily while maintaining a golf course.
We were proud to share our Big Island aloha as the 2018 location for the Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association’s annual golf tournament and seminar.
The seminar took place September 13 at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and the golf tournament was held at Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf Kings´ Course. Presenters included Dr. Fred Yelverton discussing Pesticide Management and Dr. Reicher from Bayer Golf discussing root health and photosynthesis.
Mahalo to our host sites, including Scott (Kimo) Meikle and crew, the greens were outstanding. A special mahalo to the sponsors, especially platinum sponsors John Marshall and Simplot, and Bayer Crop.
Golf Course Industry Magazine (GCI) and John Deere conducted interviews and video tours to share the story of people, practices and partnerships on the Big Island in a series of GCI articles. The final installment “Kokua” highlights partnerships, service, and support for golf maintenance operations.
To read more, visit http://www.golfcourseindustry.com/article/mauka-to-makai-part-4/
Golf Course Industry Magazine (GCI) and John Deere conducted interviews and video tours to share the story of people, practices and partnerships on the Big Island in a series of GCI articles. The third installment “Malama ‘aina” highlights management practices and operations which encourage environmental sustainability.
To read more, visit http://www.golfcourseindustry.com/article/hawaii-nene-golf/
Golf Course Industry Magazine (GCI) and John Deere conducted interviews and video tours to share the story of people, practices and partnerships on the Big Island in a series of GCI articles. The second in the series “Ohana” features interactions between Big Island superintendents and crews which contribute to their sense of family, loyalty, and brotherhood.
To read more, visit http://www.golfcourseindustry.com/article/hawaii-golf-family-maintenance/
Golf Course Industry Magazine (GCI) and John Deere conducted interviews and video tours to share the story of people, practices and partnerships on the Big Island in a series of GCI articles. In the first of the series “Aloha” Big Island superintendents and crews talked with GCI about teamwork, camaraderie, culture, community, management styles, and turf.
To read more, visit http://www.golfcourseindustry.com/article/mauka-to-makai-part-1/
What a day! A record turn-out and terrific day of golf. Mahalo Mauna Kea Golf Course, including Josh Silliman, Duane Otte, and Brook for hosting us. Plus a special thanks to our Big Island guest, Guy Cipriano from Golf Course Industry (GCI) magazine, who journeyed over from the mainland to spend a few days with superintendents at courses throughout the island.
March 27, 2018
Aloha Members of the BIGCSA,
It is that time of year in which we ask for your continued support by renewing / possibly recruiting membership. We are hopeful that in 2018 we can continue coming together for networking, friendship and sharing of knowledge. Your Board wants to thank you for all your continued support during this past year.
The Board of Directors knows how fortunate we are to work and gather with each of you throughout the year, while providing the services and benefits of the association. We want to ensure that your continued support of the association is of value and welcome any feedback you would like to provide.
We are pleased with the creation of our website: www.bigcsa.org. On it you can find: our anticipated yearly schedule of events; you will be able to register for those events; and be able to pay your dues!
Please visit the Registration & Dues section on our site for for both the BIGCSA and the HGCSA 2018 membership year; for individual memberships we will continue to offer the collection of one payment for the BIGCSA and HGCSA dues and will forward the state dues to HGCSA. Feel free to join the Big Island Association at any time; however if you miss the deadline of May 1, you will be required to pay the State dues separately.
Please note for Affiliates: membership has been reduced to $75, and is available only as an individual. Additionally for Affiliates, the BIGCSA will NOT be collecting HGCSA dues.
Mahalo Nui Loa,
BIGCSA Board of Directors
GCSAA's Golf Industry Show San Antonio brought great barbecue, TexMex, and Shiner Bock...but even better education, product updates, and camaraderie. Our Hawaii superintendents and partners shared the spirit of Aloha at the HGCSA dinner. It was great to see so many of our BIGCSA members made the trip. Next up, GIS San Diego, February 2-7, 2019!
The Big Island Golf Course Superintendents Association is proud of our own Scott Main, CGCS, BIGCSA President, receiving the Golf Course Superintendents Association-Golf Digest National Environmental Leaders in Golf Award for a Resort.
"Main’s Mauna Kea Resort is the oldest resort and oldest golf course on the Big Island of Hawaii. Its position right on the Pacific Ocean presents unique challenges, not only in capability with the marine ecosystem, but also because of soil that contains crushed lava and an average annual rainfall of 4.2 inches. Transitioning the course from bermudagrass to paspalum, which is salt-tolerant and requires less water, is just one aspect of the water conservation program.
In keeping with the Hawaiian culture’s dedication to wildlife, Main has partnered with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to rope off areas and display signage to protect nesting nene, Hawaii’s state bird and the world’s rarest goose. In the past three years, the course’s nene population has increased by 300 percent. Ocean wildlife is important too, and Mauna Kea participates in an ongoing study with the University of Hawai’i at Hilo to help gauge Mauna Kea’s water quality and its effect on coral reefs."
Congratulations to Scott, Mauna Kea Golf Course, and the other award recipients! Click here to read more.
The Golf Industry Show will take place February 3 through February 8, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. The 2018 lineup of 97 seminars and 20 sessions covers all aspects of golf course management. Register and learn more at http://www.golfindustryshow.com/.
Check out the GCSAA delegate meeting recap from our Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association state chapter delegate, Russell Dooge, CGCS. http://www.hgcsa.org/hawaii-golf/
