Golfdom’s 2019 State of the Industry report – Golfdom magazine

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An inaccurately forecast hurricane saved a lot of superintendents some trouble (but not the unnecessary prep work), while floods and drought were common themes in this years report. The labor challenge? We had to laugh when Daniel Francis, president of the Cincinnati GCSA, said, Im not going to talk about labor. Everyone knows labor is a problem.

For our 2019 State of the Industry report, sponsored by Nufarm, we once again embarked on a journey to learn what the golf season was like across the country. We talked to GCSAA chapter presidents and representatives to learn about regional weather, disease pressures, challenges and successes. This report, surveying 13 different states, covers a lot of ground.

Were happy to see that many of these reports are positive. It seems that despite some challenging weather conditions and the omnipresent labor issue superintendents had a lot to be proud of in 2019. But that doesnt mean they are celebrating just yet. Like TPC Louisiana Superintendent Brandon L. Reese reminds us, Our business never stops. Its a little bit of a slowdown, but not much. The grass has slowed down, but things dont slow down a ton.

We talk with 19 superintendents around the country in this report. To jump to a specific interview, click on their name below.

President, Long Island GCSASuperintendent, Seawane Golf & Country Club, Hewlett Harbor, N.Y.

Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?

It was pretty normal. Rounds were slow in the beginning because it was a little wet, but then it picked up. April, May were a little light, and then the weather turned for the better. I would say we were down in the beginning of the year and then picked up to normal.

How was the weather for your area this year?

It was kind of a wet early spring, and then it basically stopped raining.

What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?

Not bad, maybe two weeks all summer were kind of sketchy. We dealt with Pythium and brown patch during those hot spells. During the heat and humidity, those are typical.

What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?

Labor, by far. Finding either qualified assistants or even qualified crew members, which is getting to be more and more difficult every year. I started using a lot more part-time summer help. We began employing more women this year. Right now, I have a couple women this fall who will get their kids off to school, then work 8:30 to 1:30 every day. That seems to be the possibility moving forward, is having more females whore looking for part-time work during the day.

Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?

We had a great turnout for membership and our local chapter at the PGA Championship at Bethpage since the PGA was on Long Island.

What are your expectations for 2020?

Its supposed to be a cold winter, so superintendents in our area, the No. 1 thing on their minds is, Are we going to make it through without any winterkill or damage? We certainly dont want to go into spring with any turf loss, but like the old saying goes, If Mother Nature wants it, shes going to take it. Hopefully, member participation and member rounds will go up. Hopefully, well be able to grow the game a little more than we are right now, trying to come up with ways to get people more involved in the game.

As interviewed by Sarah Webb

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Rick Lewis, president of the Maine GCSA, is superintendent at Willowdale Golf Club. His chapter experienced a wet spring and cooler-than-normal temperatures. (Photo: Willowdale Golf Club)

President, Rio Grande GCSADirector of golf course maintenance, Towa Golf Club, Santa Fe, N.M.

Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?

It was much improved overall. The courses in the state generally all received good moisture in the winter, meaning we had more snow than we had seen in the previous three to four years. Course conditions were a lot better going into the spring.

How was the weather for your area this year?

Moisture was a little more than what we (normally) see. For us, moisture is very precious, unlike in some parts of the country. I think the weather pressure played a good and bad factor. Because of the moisture, we did lose some rounds because it rained. Were very much like Colorado, where we can boast 300 days of sunshine, but when the rain comes, sometimes it comes all at once when the monsoons hit. The moisture overall for the year was continuously good. We didnt have big stretches where there was no moisture at all, like wed had in previous years.

What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?

Disease pressure is fairly low for us in the state in general due to the dryness. Most of the diseases are fungal diseases. Not that guys dont spray, we do, but were not battling things like the East Coast often has to do.

What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?

Generating consistent rounds overall is always an issue. Were in a situation where rounds arent increasing really anywhere in the country, and in our area, when you have a downturn, its hard to fight back.

Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?

In the area, Black Mesa had some issues with enough water and better-quality water. In the last two years, they got their water issues worked out, and their conditions greatly improved. It was a course that was in the Top 100 courses in Golf Digest. During those years when they were going through those issues, it affected a lot of us in this area. Were very grateful that theyre doing better and helping everyone at the same time with their reputation as a Golf Digest Top 100 club. As for the chapter, we are very close to having our Best Management Practices (BMP) project done. Im guessing well have that published within the next six months.

What are your expectations for 2020?

Going into this winter now, it doesnt look like its going to be as good of a moisture winter for the entire state. I think some pockets of the state will get normal moisture, but others will get less than normal. The winter is the big trigger on how next year will start out for us.

As Interviewed by Sarah Webb

Immediate past president, Colorado GCSASuperintendent, Pole Creek Golf Club, Tabernash, Colo.

Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?

From what I heard, numbers were up, definitely here in my specific region in the mountains. We pretty much lost all of June to weather; we also had snow, but we rebounded in July, August and September. We had a really strong last three months.

How was the weather for your area this year?

We had rain in most of May and then a little snow in June, so it was pretty cold. We werent turning on much irrigation in that time. And then it really dried out for us in July, August and September. It was too dry. October was unusually snowy, and now in November, we are back in a dry spell. In Colorado statewide, it was the coldest October in quite some time.

What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?

Our biggest one was coming out of the winter. We had a lot of snow mold because a lot of our courses were under snow for over 200 days. The only one we really deal with otherwise is anthracnose. We dont get much pressure up here (in the mountains). I think we all kind of spray similar fungicides for anthracnose, and I think its pretty common around here.

What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?

I would say the labor. Our biggest challenge up here where Im located is housing for all of our laborers. Being in a resort town, the housing market is terrible. Its tough on those who arent making as much money.

Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?

Our biggest one is our BMPs just came out. That and we just had our third annual conference, and the numbers every year are growing, so that has been a real success.

What are your expectations for 2020?

Hopefully, to have another successful season on all the golf courses, and hopefully, weather cooperates. Thats the big one, getting weather to cooperate and continuing to have strong numbers.

As interviewed by Clara McHugh

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Immediate past president, Idaho GCSASuperintendent, Oquirrh Hills Golf Club, Tooele, Utah

Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?

I think the season was generally pretty good. Most years, the weather plays a significant part in the success of the season, and that was true for this year. We had a wet spring but pretty good weather the rest of the way. We had a couple weeks of significant cold in October, but it has warmed back up, and we are getting some extra play now in November, which is a bonus.

How was the weather for your area this year?

Overall, we had a pretty good weather year. The spring was wet. We had quite a bit of rain March, April and into May. At my course, we had a years worth of precipitation in that three-month period. After that, it dried out for most of the rest of the summer. Many areas went 60-plus days with no rain, but we didnt get very hot. There is quite a wide variety of climate/temperature/precipitation in our area, from desert to mountain/desert to high-elevation mountain courses.

What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?

This is one area in which we usually do not have too much trouble. Other than snow mold in the winter, not too many problems, other than maybe some localized microclimate issues. Low humidity levels and pretty good air movement seem to keep most diseases at bay.

What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?

I am not aware of anything specific, challengewise. Usually water and water availability are significant concerns, but with our winter snowpack and wet spring, that wasnt any issue this year. My best guess would be related to revenue, growth of the game and having the funding available for equipment and capital improvement projects.

Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?

We have been spending time working on our BMPs and are looking forward to completing that next year. There were some courses that I know had some success with junior golf programs and introducing young players to the game.

What are your expectations for 2020?

The general feeling that I get from other superintendents and course managers is a quiet optimism. Most courses saw a slight improvement by years end with revenue/play, and hopefully, that trend will continue. Several courses are looking at updating some equipment and capital improvements on the golf course.

As interviewed by Clara McHugh

President, Carolinas GCSASuperintendent, Carolina Golf Club, Charlotte, N.C.

Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?

Overall, it was another good year for golf in the Carolinas. There were four USGA Championships contested in our region in 2019 (U.S. Womens Open, U.S. Senior Womens Open, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Senior Amateur), and I think they definitely raised the level of excitement for golf in North and South Carolina this year.

How was the weather for your area this year?

The weather was definitely a major talking point again. The year started off wet, on the heels of a record-breaking fall the year prior. Summer was excessively hot and dry for some but still wet for others, me included. September saw a flash drought that lasted nearly 50 days, and we still had record-high temperatures in early October. We set an all-time record high of 99 degrees F on Oct. 2 in Charlotte.

What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?

We had some spring dead spot (SDS) like always on our bermudagrass fairways. Were assisting NC State University with some fungicide trials for SDS this year. I still manage bentgrass putting greens, and the hot and wet combination this summer kept me on my toes treating for Pythium root rot.

What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?

Labor! Finding folks who want to work is a major hurdle.

Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?

There were four USGA Championships conducted in our area this year. Also, our chapter raised a new record amount ($61,000) in the Rounds 4 Research auction.

Im hopeful after a challenging year like 2019 that there is only one direction golf can go up! Heres to a prosperous and weather-friendly 2020, fingers crossed.

As interviewed by Christina Herrick

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President, Virginia GCSA Superintendent, Blacksburg Country Club, Blacksburg, Va.

Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?

The season for playing golf in our region was pretty good. There were very few rainy days and not too many periods of extended heat. Our rounds are up 18 percent over last year, we sold out our large-member tournaments and league play participation was up. I hope this is a trend that others around the state observed as well.

How was the weather for your area this year?

The weather this year was interesting. We started off the year like we ended last year, wet. Then in June, someone turned off the spigot. We received 4 inches of rain for the entire summer, half of which fell in a one-week period. Thats about 8 inches below average for that time period. During this time, much of the state was in some level of drought. Fortunately, some timely rains have fallen over the past couple of weeks, but there are still some areas that would benefit from a good rain.

What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?

Disease pressure was low. With a lack of rainfall, extended leaf moisture was not an issue.

What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?

Labor! Finding, hiring and retaining all levels of our team was/is a challenge. As the labor pool shrinks, it has become increasingly difficult. And we are not alone. I have several members who are business owners that specialize in a trade, and they are experiencing the same issues.

Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?

Our chapter has been very active with state government recently. There have been several pieces of legislation introduced during the last couple of sessions that were detrimental to our industry. We have been able to meet with the delegates and present our point of view. Now we are recognized by members of both the House and Senate in the Statehouse.

What are your expectations for 2020?

In 2020, I expect more of the unexpected. Weather is always a crapshoot, and Mother Nature is undefeated. We are going to have to be even more creative to attract and retain labor. Policymakers are going to continue to introduce legislation that is related to our industry. It will be important to stay vigilant and keep an eye on bills coming out of the Capitol.

As interviewed by Christina Herrick

Georgia GCSA board member Superintendent, Big Canoe Golf Club, Jasper, Ga.

Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?The peak golf season of April through October was terrific. We beat rounds numbers from last year in every peak month.

How was the weather for your area this year?

After a wetter-than-normal start, the weather was incredible. Average or below-average rainfall in every month after April meant golfers had no excuses to not be out playing. The drought of late August to early October tested our irrigation system, but rains returned in mid-October, and everything is looking good again.

What was the disease pressure like for your area in 2019?

Average. No severe outbreaks that were unexpected. Prolonged heat into September meant we extended our preventive treatments for a month longer than normal.

What was the biggest challenge faced by your area in 2019?

Staff recruitment and retention continue to be a major challenge. Unemployment rates continue to be historically low, which is a good thing overall, but has meant fewer job seekers at the entry level. Also, the H-2B visas were tough to get, and that labor group was late to arrive and came in fewer numbers.

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Golfdom's 2019 State of the Industry report - Golfdom magazine