President's Message
It has been a great start to the new year with the GCSAA National conference being held in San Antonio. The historic city hosted 1,000's of our industries professionals and proved once again that it is a worthy venue for a great time of education and camaraderie. I hope all of you had the chance to take part in what the national conference has to offer or will do so in the future when it returns.

The weather is warming, the grass is greening, and we as a chapter are getting fired up about the upcoming years events. We have an awesome lineup of venues that will play host to 5 golfing events followed up by our annual education meeting in December. I would also encourage your participation in the two Lone Star GCSA events. The Texas Cup being held in Waco at Cottonwood Creek and the Texas Trophy down at Corpus Christi CC. We begin our CTGCSA lineup at the historic Onion Creek Club for our Legacy Scholarship Fundraiser and Turf Show. The scholarships awarded to our youth are backed by a committed group of members and affiliates and continues to grow every year. Several vendors will be displaying products throughout the course and there will also be a few extra competitions that will spice up this year's event!

As most of you know we lost Marian Takushi, executive for the Lone Star GCSA, earlier this year to cancer. She will be greatly missed as she was always a shining light of our state and local chapters and friend to everyone she met. As a chapter will be making a monetary donation to her family's college fund as part of the legacy fundraiser in gratitude and memory of all she did for us.

I would close by expressing my sincere gratitude to our annual sponsors, without you all, this association would not be near as strong as it is. Carol Cloud, our executive administrator, thank you for all you do to have us organized and ready for this year's events. Thank you to the board members for all you do and will continue to do. Lastly, thank you to our professional members who make this association a tight knit group. If there is one thing I know, it is that we can lean on each other in this industry. It is an honor and a privilege to serve you all as president this year.

Matt Cowan
2018 CTGCSA President
Upcoming Events

Join us at historic Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio for the 2018 McClure Matches. This fun golf competition honors long time CTGCSA member Ted McClure.
Visit the ctgcsa.org website for more information and to register!
See you at Old Brack!
Top Stories
Jarrett Eledge honored as Central Texas GCSA 2017 Superintendent of the Year

Jarrett Eledge was selected by his peers as the 2017 Superintendent of the Year in Central Texas. Jarrett is the Superintendent at Lighthouse Country Club in Kingsland and is known for providing outstanding playing conditions at his home course. 

He is a very active member of the Central Texas GCSA and well respected by his fellow members. In 2017, he hosted the McClure Matches and attendees were amazed at the terrific course conditions and hospitality of the Lighthouse staff.  

Following is a nomination letter submitted on behalf of Jarrett.  

I would like to nominate Jarrett Eledge again this year for Superintendent of the Year. He continues to be an innovator and trendsetter in our field and thoroughly exhibits all the characteristics of a professional golf course manager. 

Jarrett combines his strong knowledge of agronomy with a precise execution of cultural inputs to continuously provide exceptional course conditions. At a time when all superintendents are experiencing rapid increases in labor costs and strained budgets, Jarrett effectively accomplishes his objectives using very effecient and productive methods. 

In addition to his exceptional agronomic abilities, Jarrett also demonstrates professionalism and a work ethic that I believe makes him a leader in our industry and is deserving of consideration for the recognition of Golf Course Superintendent of the Year. 

Texas twofer: Cowan claims second GCSAA National Championship

Superintendent at the Hills Course at The Hills at Lakeway in Austin, Texas, finishes with a two-day total of 2-over-par to hold off a pair of other past champions.

On a layout he used to tend to as an assistant superintendent, Matt Cowan reaffirmed his status as the true king of Texas, at least when it comes to the GCSAA National Championship.

The superintendent of the Hills Course at The Hills at Lakeway in Austin, Texas, built a commanding lead and then survived a rocky closing stretch to capture his second GCSAA title Monday on the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio. His previous championship came in 2015, the last time the event was played in the Alamo City.



Tyler Andersen realizes dream as  UT Golf Club superintendent

Each morning begins the same way for University of Texas Golf Club superintendent Tyler Andersen. Like most men with his job, he's a creature of habit.

After drinking his morning coffee, he arrives to work no later than 5:30 a.m. and immediately runs down a litany of tasks. He checks his weekly report for how the course will be managed, then meets with his three head assistants before walking the course grounds.

During his routine, Andersen takes one moment for himself - a quick pit stop between holes five and six where the burnt orange sun rises over the canyons in the Texas Hill Country. Moments like these, Andersen says, remind him why he chose this profession.

"It's one of those hidden gems of a moment that you found out being on a golf course that seems to strike you each day," Andersen said. "Watching the sun come out over (hole) five and over the canyon is a special moment each morning."
 



Marian Fluhr Takushi
June 1, 1963 - February 9, 2018


The Central Texas GCSA shares in the mourning for the passing of the longtime Executive Director of the South Texas GCSA and Lone Star GCSA, Marian Takushi. Marian passed away peacefully on February 9 and our prayers go out to her husband Jerry and son Blake. She will be missed by many throughout the golf industry in Texas.

Below is a very thoughtful tribute written by South Texas
GCSA President Kyle Brown


Marian Takushi began her career with STGCSA about 15 years ago. Married to Jerry Takushi, a Superintendent, she had a good understanding of the needs of our association and the "Mothering" it sometimes takes to keep us going in the right direction.

Under Marian's direction several new advertising programs were put into place allowing vendors and affiliates to have a bigger part in the association while putting STGCSA in a healthy place financially. She was great at coordinating events and was usually the first smiling face at the registration table and truly was the heartbeat who kept our events and association running smoothly.

After taking over the Executive Director position for Lone Star GCSA, similar results were obtained. These positive financial results allowed STGCSA and LSGCSA to donate more money to research at major Texas universities that ultimately will benefit our profession. Let's not forget the famous Lone Star Reception at GIS that she organized each year. What a party that always was, with the biggest and best happening a few weeks ago in San Antonio.

Above and beyond STGCSA, Marian's true passion was her and Jerry's son Blake who is now attending her alma matter, The University of Texas. Blake grew up in front of many members eyes through the pictures Marian loved showing off and the many stories of his baseball exploits. Being the good Aggie that I am I remember throwing a ut barb out to Blake at the scholarship banquet last year and quickly getting chided by her. She was not taking any of that nonsense, especially when it came to her son.

She had the uncanny ability to be loving and tell it like it is all at the same time. Marian was a pleasure to know and work with and as Blake said, we may be able to fill the Executive Director position, but we will never be able to replace Marian. From all of us who had the joy of knowing you, Good-bye Marian and may your soul rest in peace.

Kyle Brown
STGCSA President

Event Wrap Ups


The Central Texas GCSA kicked off our 2018 event lineup with a visit to historic
Onion Creek Country Club in Austin. The Legacy Scholarship Fundraiser and Turf Show
raised $18,092 through an onsite silent auction. Our great affiliate members
generously donated products and services that were auctioned to the highest bidders. 


Old and new friends gathered in a relaxed atmosphere at Onion Creek. The staff at the club provided great food and outstanding service making all attendees feel right at home. 


If you aren't making it to Central Texas events, you are missing out on great
opportunities to network with your peers and make new friends. 


Johnny Walker never misses an opportunity to flash a Gigem thumbs up.
He even taught his partner and new friend Jm Pressley his polished technique. 
Thanks Johnny for representing GCSAA and for all you do for our chapter. 


Father and son team Clayton (L) and Bruce Allen made it a special family day.
Thanks for joining us, hope you had a great day. 



Ms. Katie Flowers, the new Executive Director of the Texas Turfgrass Association
joined us for this special day. She took the opportunity to introduce herself and
to talk about the exciting future of the association.
Thank you Katie for being a part of our event!



Ken Boyce and Jeff Kadlec were all smiles before their round at Onion Creek. 


Never a dull moment with these two!
Jim Garrett and Chuck Watson had no trouble keeping themselves entertained
throughout the day. Let's just hope their partners had as much fun. 



And the most fun award goes to........
L to R - Craig Loving, Jarrett Eledge, Terry Harris and Daniel McCann. 
Either they are up to something or we're just not a part of the inside joke.


Medic!!! Gary Moore proving to everyone that he's still got it!
Had to have been a fun day for teammates L to R
Neil Thrailkil, Paul Lane, Craig Felton and Ryan Brooks


The stars of the day were Ryan Crump, Mike Chandler and their staff who provided
a fun course in great condition. We all enjoyed the opportunity to play the course
and to get to know the real four legged Superstar of the team: Agustus "Gus" McCray.


Jay Cockroft showed off his shooting skills on the Texas Sports Sands Closest to
the Hole contest. For his handiwork, Jay took home a Yeti cooler.
Something tells us he will put it to great use this summer!



The big winner of the day at the Texas Sports Sands contest was Mikey McPhail. 
Mikey took home a very nice ca$h prize.  Thank you Dennis Klene and Texas Sports
Sands for hosting the contest and providing great prizes.
 


Runner up team (L to R) Kevin Yanity, John Augillion, Jay Cockroft and Mike 
Chandler (not pictured) shot a pretty salty 56 and won second in a scorecard 
playoff but were 2 shots shy of our Champions for the day..... 



Matt Cowan? Wins a golf tournament? Who woulda thunk it?
Congratulations to our Championship winners (L to R)
Matt Cowan, Dale Miller, Aaron Clary and Jordon Droll (not pictured)
54 will take home the hardware pretty much any week of the year. 


Thanks again to the fantastic team at Onion Creek, our generous sponsors,
auction donors and everyone who attended to make it a great day.  
Thanks to you, we will be able to support and present our Legacy Scholarship
to help higher education for our member's children in 2018. Great job!

GCSAA News and Updates
ASSISTANTS!
Elevate your profile and differentiate yourself from the crowd with the new
Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series 

The Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series is composed of certificates covering key competency areas of:

Agronomy  *   Business  *  Leadership and Communication
Environmental Management and Best Management Practices

The certificates are golf-centric, available to GCSAA members and non-members, and can be completed in any order. It is strongly recommended that an assistant superintendent has at least two years of work experience before beginning any of the ASCS certificates. However, the certificates are available to all and not limited to assistants. 
2018 Golf Industry Show and Education Conference a Great Success!

In February, San Antonio extended a Texas sized welcome to more than 11,700 attendees from all over the glove. The two-day trade show included 531 exhibitors covering 184,400 square feet of exhibit space at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

The GCSAA Education Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, is the largest educational conference in the turfgrass management industry. A total of 5,600 seminar seats were filled. In addition, thousands attended complimentary forums, sessions and panel discussions throughout the week. Subject matter included agronomics, business, environmental management, communications, leadership, technology, and personnel management.  The 2019 Golf Industry Show will head to San Diego, Calif., Feb. 2-7.

We are in!
The Central Texas GCSA is proudly participating in the 2018 Rounds for Research program and encourages our members to consider donating a foursome of golf. It's for a great cause and will directly benefit Superintendents in the region. 

To donate, visit roundsforresearch.com or contact the Central Texas GCSA office at carolcloud2003 @gmail.com / 512-215-4612. Thank you for your support!
2018 Annual Sponsors





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