Seasonal change never ceases to amaze me. How simple change in temperature can affect personalities so much. It’s like new life is breathed into everything and a joy to watch as old withered and dull turns to perky and colorful. We have had a successful first quarter in planning and meetings with better than average attendance. Membership is trending up, sponsorship is trending up, and advertising is flat. Please be mindful of supporting these companies that are supporting our association.

The board has worked hard planning the year’s events and still has much work to do. We are looking into redesign of the Alabama Green and will be looking to you for input over the next few months. Our education programs have all been set and we have the kick off meeting at the newly renovated Hoover Country Club in May. Host superintendent is Mike Posey and Chris Hartwiger and Jack Ingram will speak. The dates and program for the assistants boot camp is set for November. We feel this year’s meeting will be a huge success and will fill up fast. The final regular meeting of the year is at Silver Lakes and will have superintendents meeting as well as technicians. The information presented at both will be informative and different in format. Education will include discussion on weather, disaster recovery, tier 4, grinding methodology and finally the new innovative product demo/discussion. Make sure you mark your calendar for these dates and visit the web site for dates and locations. Click Here for remainder of message.

ALABAMA CHAPTER BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - WATER USAGE

HELP US MEET OUR GOAL OF 75% COMPLETION BY JANUARY, 2014

In the turf industry, we rely on Best Management Practices in our water management, pest management, and fertility programs. These programs are beneficial in many different ways, often saving our respective courses money, as well as protecting the environment surrounding our course. The Alabama Chapter is implementing a BMP in water conservation efforts in 2013. With water being the most precious resource to our survival both physically and professionally, it is all the more critical that we care for this resource. Superintendents Click Here to continue reading article and access copy of form.

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Saugahatchee Field Trip, Friday, May 17th

A tour of Saugahatchee Country Club's new greens construction will take place May 17th. Architect, Kris Spence will be on site to answer questions. Superintendents and Assistants are invited to attend.

The tour will begin at 1:00 p.m., but if you would like to meet before-hand we will meet at 12:00 Noon for an informal lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings. If you are interested in attending please rsvp to Melanie Bonds at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hoover Meeting a Win Win!

Thanks to all who made time to come out to the Hoover Country Club meeting on May 13th. Chris Hartwiger and Jack Ingram provided an awesome education program that was approved for pesticde and education points. Mike Posey, Chris Williams and their crew had the course in awesome shape as they are also preparing for the State Amateur. Winners of the golf tournament are featured below:

First Place Team (l-r): Jeremy Sutton, Mark Langner, Matthew Findley and Wally Shapielak not pictured

Second Place Team (l-r): Larry Arnold, Rodney Guy, Chris Agnew, Greg Frost not pictured.

Closest to Pin Winners l-r: Chris Dyer, Brian Kirk, Chris Agnew, Gib Fox and Billy Humphrey

greatlakeslogo

WELCOME TO NEW SILVER SPONSOR:

GREAT LAKES PETROLEUM

Sales Representatives: Brian Kirk, 205-532-2893 and Alex Ingram, 334-315-4260

BMP's

A Pesticide Best Management Practices Template has been set up behind the Member Portal to help members with record keeping. To access at the link below you must be first go to the member portal and log in. This form will help streamline your compliance process. Many thanks to Mike Posey for designing this form for our Chapter. Click Here to Access.

The Alabama Chapter is currently compiling the BMP's for Water Management. Please see top of page for more information.

The JPTI Annual Customer Service School Sign up form is linked below to the JPTI website which has the updated service school time & locations where customers can sign up on-line.

On-Line Sign up Link

http://jerrypate.com/turfirrigation/university/golfgrounds/serviceschools.php

Calendar 2013

May 17th, Saugahatchee Outing

September 9, Silver Lakes

Education:"Disaster & Recovery"
with James Spann, Robert Edmondson, Jason Callan and others in conjunction with
Technician's Meeting

October 29th - 31st - ATA Conference and Show in Auburn and Alabama Chapter's Annual Meeting, Golf Tournament

October 31st, Annual Meeting at Auburn Conference Center

October 14, - Donnie Arthur at Shoal Creek Golf Club

November 13 and 14th, Assistant's Boot Camp,Grand National

Stay tuned for more details!

from the news desk

ACTION ALERT

Below is a link concerning very important legislation for golf courses affected by the tornadoes. If the disaster relief passes in it's current form which is basically a copy of the Bill passed after Katrina, golf course will be excluded from tax relief. The Alabama Senator's are sponsoring the bill so having input from our Association members will be especially influential.

Click on this URL to take action now
http://capwiz.com/gcsaa/issues/alert/?alertid=52680501