Leslie Jeremiah Jr., 2018 HGCSA
Superintendent of the Year
Leslie Jeremiah Jr., 2018 HGCSA
Superintendent of the Year
Annually the HGCSA chooses a member for their Superintendent of the Year (SOY) award for their ability to excel at one or more of the following criteria: educating and advancing the careers of colleagues and assistants, negotiating with government agencies, maximizing budget limitations, preparing for tournaments under unusual circumstances, service to golf clientele, upgrading and renovating golf courses, dealing with extreme or emergency conditions and the member’s lasting impact on the Hawaii Golf Industry.
Background:
- At 8 years old, Les was introduced to the game of golf from his two uncles, golfing at Bay View GC
- First job was picking up range balls at Bay View GC; proceeded to work on the golf course grounds crew cutting cups, mowing greens & spraying RoundUp
- At 18 years old, got his first full time job at Minami Golf Course (Koolau) under Sean Hoolahan
Employment:
- Waikele Golf Club – construction grow-in w/ Kalani Voeller
- Bay View Golf Course – worked way up to GC Supervisor
- Various Landscape companies (intermittently)
- Bay View Golf Course – construction grow-in w/ Curtis Kono
- Challenge @ Manele – Asst. Supt under Earl Mamuad
- Makena – Asst. Supt under Dan Honma
- Experience @ Koele – Head Supt.
- Challenge @ Manele & Experience @ Koele – Head Supt.
- DHR Construction – Director of Agronomy & GC Construction (S. Korea, Philippines, Hawaiian Islands)
- Hoakalei CC – Director of Golf Maintenance
Education:
- Turf certificate @ UH Windward
- Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS)
- Golf Course Management certificate @ Ohio State University
Other:
- Golf Course Turf consultant work in Guam
- Speaker at Turfgrass Management seminar in Thailand & Philippines, and Hawaii conferences
- Active Board Member for Hawaii Turfgrass Association & HGCSA
- Mentored numerous members who have become/are currently Head Superintendents & GM’s
Outcomes from the Chapter Delegates Kansas City Meeting
A few weeks ago I attended the 2018 GCSAA Delegates Meeting in Kansas as your representative and below are the “Outcomes” of that meeting.
. . . Russ
The GCSAA Board of Directors, 2019 board candidates, and 89 delegates representing 91 of GCSAA’s 99 affiliated chapters, convened at the Hilton Kansas City Airport Hotel and GCSAA Headquarters on November 13 – 14, 2018, for the 26th annual Chapter Delegates Meeting. Thirty-six of the delegates were first-time attendees.
Key Outcomes
- CPI Dues increase proposal will move forward for a vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting in San Diego.
- Go To Meeting presentations will be scheduled with the delegates to discuss the membership recruitment and retention strategies as they are further refined.
- Proposal to add a Friends category to the bylaws will move forward for a vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting.
- Proposal to add a Facility Membership category to the bylaws will move forward.
- Proposal to add flexibility to the Annual Dues section of the bylaws will move forward.
- The Board of Directors will consider the Board Policy Oversight Task Group (BPOTG) recommendations at its Winter Meeting.
Hawaii’s GCSAA “First Green” Founder Superintendent Dan Husek Discusses the Program
Conversation with Hualala’i Director of Golf Maintenance Dan Husek about Hawaii’s first “First Green” program.
Pretty cool thing Dan did here. Great PR for all of us.
—Scott Main
First Green, a Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) program, pairs golf courses with local schools for unique Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities. Check it out at thefirstgreen.org
HGCSA Legislative News Update – SB3095
Here is a quick update on SB3095 SD1 HD1 CD1 that is about to pass. This bill started out with restricting pesticide spraying within 100 feet of schools and banding chlorpyrifos pesticides. It has changed to having any user of restricted use chemicals to report annual use to the state. CLICK HERE tp view the bill on the state legislature website.
Mandatory Pesticide Disclosure; Pesticide Reporting and Regulation Program; Chlorpyrifos; Pesticide Use Revolving Fund; Pesticide Drift Monitoring Study; Appropriation
Beginning 1/1/2019, requires all users of restricted use pesticides to be subject to a requirement to report on their use of restricted use pesticides to the Department of Agriculture (DOA). Prohibits the use of a restricted use pesticide on or within 100 feet of a school during normal school hours beginning on 1/1/2019. Prohibits the use of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos as an active ingredient beginning 1/1/2019; provided that the DOA shall grant any person, upon request, a temporary permit allowing the use of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos through 12/31/2022. Provides for the deposit into the pesticide use revolving fund of all penalties and fines collected under the Hawaii Pesticides Law. Revises the ceiling and use of the pesticide use revolving fund. Requires the DOA to develop a pesticide drift monitoring study no later 7/1/2019. Appropriates general funds for the pesticide drift monitoring study, establishment of two full-time equivalent positions, and outreach and education. (CD1)
Rounds 4 Research Golf auction
Rounds 4 Research is an innovative program aimed at generating resources to fund research and help ensure golf’s future. The premise is simple: Golf facilities can support the effort by donating rounds of golf for two or four or “stay and play” packages and other items that are auctioned online.
Opens for Bidding April 30, 2018
Whether you are an organization looking to solicit rounds or a golfer looking for the opportunity to support research while enjoying the sport you love, Rounds 4 Research provides a way for all aspects of the game to come together to ensure its future.
Scott Main Receives GCSAA-Golf Digest National Environmental Leaders in Golf Award
The awards recognize golf course superintendents and their courses for overall course management excellence and best management practices in the areas of water conservation, water quality management, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste management, wildlife and habitat conservation, communication and outreach, and leadership.
From the GCSAA Press Release announcing the awards:
Main’s Mauna Kea Resort is the oldest resort and oldest golf course on the Big Island of Hawaii. Its position right on the Pacific Ocean presents unique challenges, not only in compatibility with the marine ecosystem, but also because of soil that contains crushed lava and an average annual rainfall of 4.2 inches. Transitioning the course from bermudagrass to paspalum, which is salt-tolerant and requires less water, is just one aspect of the water conservation program.
In keeping with the Hawaiian culture’s dedication to wildlife, Main has partnered with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to rope off areas and display signage to protect nesting nene, Hawaii’s state bird and the world’s rarest goose. In the past three years, the course’s nene population has increased by 300 percent. Ocean wildlife is important too, and Mauna Kea participates in an ongoing study with the University of Hawai’i at Hilo to help gauge Mauna Kea’s water quality and its effect on coral reefs.
Congratulations to Scott and Mauna Kea Golf Course!
HGCSA Legislative News Update
This an a update on what is going on at our HI Legislature session this year. There are a lot of bills that have to do with pesticides and a couple of them deserve watching.
- HB 1756 HD1 has to do with the state banning the use and sale of any products with chlorpyrifos in it. This type of bill has been around for a few years. Not sure what will happen this session.
Here is the published submitted testimony from Scott E. Enright Chairperson, Board Of Agriculture for the April 2nd hearing:
Please CLICK HERE to view the testimony. - HB 2722 HD1 is about restricting the use of neonicotinoid and glyphosate products. This one could pass but it did get re-referred back to EEP/AGR committee.
If you read the bill it says use on state/public property and will need a restricted use license.
Please CLICK HERE to view the bill. - HB2721 HD1 is posting public notice before spraying, it also was re-referred back to committee.
Please CLICK HERE to view the committee report.
Please take a look at these bills and any others on the legislation website https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/ and type in pesticides at the keyword line.
If you have any concerns, we are forming a response to these bills, please send them to Mike Atwood at [email protected].
Russell Dooge, CGCS
Individual Pairings/Group Photos from the HGCSA 2017 Annual Golf Tournament
This years Tournament was a spectacular success giving Association members the opportunity to network and communicate with their community and with other professionals in the Hawaii Golf Industry — and it was just GOOD FUN!
Much of the credit for this very enjoyable event goes to our Sponsors. Please Visit the HGCSA Golf Tournament Sponsors page by Clicking Here.
To Visit the main Tournament photo gallery page please Click Here.
Delegates Post Meeting Report and the Official “Communication” from the GCSAA
Most of day was talking about changing the By-Laws, the By-Laws were sent to an Law firm that recommended a number of wording changes. The one that was discussed the most was about voting at the GIS, having the candidates that are running for the BOD be voted in for each position separately instead of the two top vote getter. Then if a appointment for a 1 year term is needed there will be a vote for that position instead of the President appointing someone. The other changes were about membership classifications.
The Code of Ethics were revised and all items that were not legally enforceable were struck.
National Golf Day this past spring was a success and the project on the Mall was a lot of fun for everyone. Next year the group would like to do a bigger project. Meeting the Congress members of course was the main reason for Golf Day.
GCSAA is setting up a political action committee or PAC in order to gain access to members of Congress that can help the game of golf.
A certificate program for Turf Equipment Managers and Assistant Superintendents is being worked on.
Any questions please let me know.
Russell Dooge, CGCS
One last thing, please let me know who you would like to be Superintendent of the Year and the reason why. Thank you Russ
Complete Delegates Post Meeting Communication from the GCSAA
Father and son honored by Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association
CLICK to view article on http://www.staradvertiser.com
Photo Courtesty Honma Family
Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association members vote for their superintendent of the year. The HGCSA board chooses its lifetime achievement award winner.
Kama‘aina who have golfed at Turtle Bay and Kapalua, and folks who have watched tour events on those courses in the midst of breathtaking views, probably aren’t surprised at the most recent selections.
Short Honma, who gave up farming and ultimately helped open all three Kapalua Resort courses, was honored with the lifetime award.
The 91-year-old followed his son into the golf business. Michael Honma, who has hosted 16 tour events at Turtle Bay since he started there in 1982, is superintendent of the year.
Both have seen Hawaii golf mature and modernize dramatically in their careers and played a primary role. Not bad for a bunch of farmers.
