Over 70 assistants attended the two-day education session

The GCSA of Northern California held their annual Assistant Superintendent Boot Camp on February 24-25 at Bayonet & Blackhorse Golf Course in Seaside, Calif. Over 70 assistants throughout Northern California attended the two-day educational seminar sponsored by Wilbur Ellis and Turf Star Western.  

The boot camp focused on agronomy, business, advancing technologies, leadership/communications and wealth management. Numerous speakers from the golf industry and turfgrass research world spoke to the next generation of golf course superintendents. Marc Snyder, turf and landscape technical specialist with SePRO, Chaz Schmid, Ph.D., of Oregon State University,  Jim Baird , Ph.D., of the University of California Riverside, GCSAA director of government affairs Chava McKeel, Frank Rossi, Ph.D., of Cornell University and Austin Guenthner of WestPac Wealth Partners highlighted day one.

Snyder discussed the science of plant growth regulators, Schmid covered aerification research at Oregon State, Baird highlighted research efforts and projects throughout California, Rossi discussed golf course traffic issues and how they affect turfgrass management, McKeel discussed current federal issues affecting the golf industry and Guenthner discussed financial planning. 

Following the education, a cocktail party, networking hour and dinner were held for all attendees.

Day two was headed up by host superintendent Parker Ray who spoke to the attendees on Bayonet and Blackhorse’s recent renovation project.  Following Parker was a superintendent panel on managing various facility types (Public, Semi-Private, Private, Resort) that featured Chris Dalhamer of Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Michael Knoll of Del Monte Golf Course, Justin Mandon of Pasatiempo Golf Club and Ray of Bayonet and Blackhorse. Lorabeth Catterson, digital platform sales specialist with Syngenta, followed up with a talk on emerging technologies in golf agronomy and Don Franz, branded product specialist at Wilbur Ellis, brought the day to a close speaking on maximizing pesticide efficiency with proper adjuvant selection. Following the session, the attendees were treated to lunch and a round of golf at the host facility. 

Special thanks go to Wilbur Ellis and Turf Star Western for their continued sponsorship of the event which serves as the premier assistant educational event on the West Coast. Find more information on the boot camp or the GCSA of Northern California on their website.