GCSAA Board of Director Marc Weston, CGCS at Indian Hills Country Club in Newington, Conn., made an outreach visit Jan. 8-11 to the Hi-Lo Desert and San Diego GCSA chapters. Outreach visits are conducted yearly by the GCSAA Board of Directors on a rotating schedule by region. 

Accompanied by yours truly, Weston started his visit in La Quinta, Calif., hosting dinner with Hi-Lo Desert President Chris Bien, superintendent at Desert Willow Golf Club; Vice President Nate Glaser, superintendent at Ironwood Country Club and Hi-Lo Chapter Executive Molly Duvall. Discussions were held on the successes and challenges of the chapter as well as the challenges facing superintendents in the Coachella Valley. 

On Jan. 9, Weston and I made site visits to three local facilities:

• PGA West to meet with Director of Agronomy Brian Sullivan, CGCS, MG, Stadium Course Superintendent Denver Hart and PGA Tour Agronomist Thomas Bastis, CGCS. (PGA West will be holding the PGA TOUR’s American Express Championship Jan. 15 – 21.)
• Andalusia Country Club meeting with Director of Agronomy Kevin Wallace. Kevin is a 30-year member of GCSAA who oversees the 185-acre private facility.
• Indian Wells Country Club meeting with Director of Agronomy Nick Reyes. Nick is a newly elected board member of the Hi-Lo Desert GCSA and is employed at the 36-hole facility by Invited Clubs. 

That evening, we attended a Pairings Party hosted by the Hi-Lo Desert at Mission Hills Country Club. The event kicked off the inaugural benevolence fundraiser which was held on Jan. 10. Mission Hills Director of Agronomy Jonas Conlan played host to the party which raised over $3,000 for the fund. Meanwhile, Marc had the chance to interact with nearly 50 Hi-Lo members. 

Our adventure next took us to San Marcos, Calif., for the San Diego GCSA Member Appreciation Event at Twin Oaks Golf Club. The event had a great turnout of 80 members and included a social hour following the conclusion of golf. Marc and I played with San Diego GCSA Vice President Todd Kochanowski, superintendent at Encinitas Ranch Golf Club, and Secretary/Treasurer Austin Daniells, regional superintendent at Admiral Baker Golf Course. Thanks to San Diego GCSA Chapter Executive Sandy Cooper and the board of directors for putting together a great day!

That evening, Marc and I hosted some members for a cocktail hour and some bowling at Draft Republic. The evening gave Marc a great chance to meet with numerous superintendents from around the area and discuss their challenges and how GCSAA can assist them. 

The final day of outreach concluded with a visit to the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa to meet with Director of Agronomy David Smallwood. David is heading up a massive renovation project with Golf Course Architect Gil Hanse that will conclude May 17-29 with the hosting of the men’s and women’s NCAA Division I Golf Championships. The course renovation is outstanding and David has the place looking ready for the big event.