Renee Guyer became the Golf Course Superintendent Superintendent at Canterwood just this last year. With everything going on pandemic-wise, she hasn’t had many opportunities to meet with fellow members since joining WWGCSA, but she was able to attend the Northwest Hospitality Room and meet some of us there. We got a chance to talk to her, welcome her and get to know her better:

When did you first get involved in turf management?

I was 21 years old and looking for a career that I WANTED to be a part of – as opposed to doing something else because someone else thought it was a good idea. I had played golf since the age of 12, and it seemed like a natural fit to get involved with a game I truly enjoyed and the opportunity to work outside and not be cooped up ALL day in an office or school. I switched from being a vocal music education and vocal performance major to Turf after my 3rd year of college.

What has kept you engaged in the industry?

Engagement is a great word for being involved in not only local events and getting to know people at a local level (I am looking forward to meeting people at my first WWGCSA meeting this month!) – But national engagement has been a driving force for me too. I have had the honor and privilege to connect with other men and women in this business from across the country through volunteer opportunities with GCSAA and other opportunities through my professional tournament experience.

What is your turf management experience to date?

• Intern at The Kittansett Club, Marion Massachusetts – 2008
• 100th Annual Massachusetts State Amateur
• Intern at Wooster Country Club, Wooster Ohio – 2008-2009
• Intern at Firestone Country Club, Akron Ohio – 2009-2010
• PGA Tour- World Golf Championships - Bridgestone Invitational
• Assistant Golf Course Superintendent, Firestone Country Club, Akron Ohio – 2010-2017
• PGA Tour- World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational
• Golf Course Superintendent, Fazio Course at Firestone Country Club, Akron Ohio—2017-2021 PGA Tour- World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational – 2017
• PGA Champions Tour- Bridgestone Senior Players – 2018-2021
• PGA Tour – Senior British Open Qualifier - 2021
• Golf Course Superintendent, Canterwood Golf & Country Club, Gig Harbor Washington 2021–Present

How many people are on your crew?

At peak season we are at 17 Employees.

What is your annual operating budget?

$950K – 975K

What is your course’s most pressing operating challenge?

Labor! I think this is the answer that everyone would give. Navigating through the pandemic and seeing some light at the other end of the tunnel is exciting, but the labor issue is still the same. Finding the right person for the right job, at the right time for the right pay.

What is your most favorite/creative story of how you were hired and/or what it took to hire someone else?

When I initially applied at Firestone, my interview was in the office of the shop. Being that I had only ever worked at a single course facility, I didn’t realize how large the room would be! They all shared one very large (and intimidating) office. When I arrived for my interview, it seemed like the supervisors kept pouring in to sit down with me for my interview. By the time it was all said and done, I interviewed in the room with 3 Superintendents and the Director of Agronomy. A little intimidating for someone looking for their first job right out of college! It all worked out in the end, and I have some of my most memorable moments in golf at that facility and with those 4 individuals.

What’s it like being a female working in a male-dominated profession?

Sometimes being a female in this business is no different than being a male. Example - We all come to work every day wanting to accomplish the same goals and provide the product that is expected of us. No matter who we are as a human.  Where the difference comes in through my experience is interaction with people. I often find that communication can be stunted or stalled because people don't always know what to say to me or how to say it. That means that I must be that much more communicative and deliberate in word and deed. It is the same as far as relating to multiple generations of employees, supervisors' members etc. Just because we are talking to people who are innately different than us, doesn't mean that we can't communicate productively and efficiently.  Understanding the different ways males and females often communicate has become important to me to be able to get my message or point across. 

It has come to light in the last few years just how few women are a part of the maintenance side of the golf industry. Through technology and modern communication tools, many of the women in the business have been able to get to know one another and network. It has been wonderful to get to know other women from across not only the country, but the world that share a passion for turf. I look forward to the chance to help diversify the business and help women understand that this is a valid career choice and an absolute awesome industry to be a part of!

What do you enjoy the most about what you do?

Every day is different, and Mother Nature keeps us on our toes. Interacting with members has become a favorite of mine. This is the first time that I have ever worked at a facility where there are homes on the golf course. The culture here at Canterwood is very vibrant and meeting the people that live on property allows me to see their passion for the community and their love of the game.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?

I enjoy gardening/doing yard work with my wife. We are always tinkering on something in the garage and always trying to find better ways to grow our veggies and herbs for the season. We are big on hanging out by the fire pit and spending time with family and friends that way.

I also really enjoy throwing competitive darts. League play and tournament play.

What is your long-term vision for your course?

I want Canterwood to be appreciated for high turf quality as well as an attention to detail for all the other aspects of course maintenance. Having a smooth and well-organized operation in the Golf Course Maintenance Department is the beginning of that. We will continue to work towards improving the facility and the product that our members and guests see every day.

What would you like your colleagues to know about you that I haven’t asked?

It was a very big move coming across the country to take on a new property. A little nerve-wracking and sometimes intimidating. It has been so wonderful to start to get to know many people here in the Western Washington area. All the reps, vendors, members here at the club and even the handful of other Superintendents that I have met so far have been so gracious and kind. It really has been nice to be welcomed with open arms.

After working as a self-employed, contract lobbyist for 26 years, Heather Hansen is retiring effective this coming June 30 (2022). She represented several clients in Olympia, including the Golf Association of Washington (GAW), Washington Friends of Farms & Forests, Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association and Washington Farm Forestry Association. She has served the WWGCSA most recently through her representation of Washington Golf, most recently guiding us as we worked with the Governor’s office to keep golf open and safe through the Covid crisis. But it was her connection with Steve Kealy that brought her to work with the Washington golf industry.

“Steve Kealy, superintendent at Glendale, was on the board of directors of Washington Friends of Farms & Forests. There were a couple of issues affecting golf that he wanted more help with,” Heather notes. “He introduced me to Paul Backman.” And the WWGCSA, through its role with the GAW, has worked with Heather ever since. Her work with the GAW also helped inform and advise the Evergreen Chapter of Club Managers, WA Golf and the Western WA Chapter of the PGA and various issues which impact golf in Olympia. As a result, we’ve been able to manage our way successfully through the legislative web for quite some time. “It’s gratifying when you succeed at something and members are thankful. I like being able to make a difference that helps people in their day-to-day work.”

How does one get involved and confident in the world of political lobbying? “Before I started lobbying, I was a County Extension Agent in Arizona and in Utah. [Afterward] I was listening to a legislative hearing on a bill [while] I was doing communications for another trade association. Committee members were struggling with wording in a section. After the hearing, I visited with my legislator in the hallway and suggested language. He responded, ‘I like that, come up to my office and write that down, I’ll offer it as an amendment.’ He did and it passed. Once I saw my words in law, I was hooked.” And the elements of the job that she enjoyed the most? “I love seeing people come together and realize how much they have in common. I remember a meeting where a golf course superintendent and a wheat grower realized how similar their work was, ‘one crop was just taller than the other.’”

Of course, challenges will persist in our industry. From Heather’s perspective “I expect regulations on land and water to continue to increase. It’s frustrating to see legislators create regulations that affect things they do not understand and won’t take the time to learn about. For example, a bill proposed this year (it didn’t pass) would have prevented golf courses from repairing bridges or culverts on the course. The best defense is getting to know your legislators and helping them understand what you do and why you do it.”

Sometimes “retirement” means doing different types of work. But not for Heather, “Nope, retirement is retirement for me. There are so many other things I want to do . . . hiking, gardening, rock climbing, photography. I like to be active. I have plans to travel [and] take more photos. I’ve started to sculpt and am learning to paint. I’m thinking about writing a book. As I have more time, I may come up with more ideas.”

“[Ultimately] I want the Superintendents to know how much I have enjoyed working with them. Several golf courses have hosted legislative tours – Glendale, Meadow Park, Tacoma. All have been very educational and fun to do. To this day I hear comments about the greens - nobody could believe turf could be that perfect.” From all of us at the WWGCSA, we wish the best for you as take the time to pursue your delayed avocations. Fair thee well!

166 players gathered at Glendale Country Club on Cinco de Mayo for the 2022 Fivesome, presented by Pacific Golf & Turf, and everyone seemed in the spirit of the event and ignored the steady rain drops that never stopped falling. Compliments aplenty were bestowed upon our host, Steve Kealy, and his crew for the condition of the course. The winning scores supported the assessment of the conditions, as Wing Point won low gross at 18-under while the host Glendale team took home the trophy with a low net score of 20-under par:

1st Gross—Wing Point Golf and Country Club: Michael Goldsberry, Brian Rice, Jeff D'Amico, Gregg Colburn, Austin Hurt —18 under par—$200 each

1st Net—Glendale Country Club: Steve Kealy, Clint Whitney, Mike Montgomery, Josh Cheney, Todd Kilburn —20 under par—$200 each

2nd Net—Tacoma Country and Golf Club: Joel Kachmarek, James Hochrine, Brett Eaton, Rich McEntee, Bob Bethke —19 under par—$150 each

3rd Net—Kitsap Golf and Country Club: William Wallace, Tammy Trew, Hercules Hubbel, Bill Hart, Ron Sisemore —18 under par—$100 each

Of course, the day is also about raising money for the Association, which works year ’round to unite golf course Superintendents—and those that work them—to enhance the profession and therefore the playability of our golf courses. Volunteers from First Tee were there raising money for their very noble mission of expanding the reach of golf, and using the game as a metaphor for getting the most out of life. Forty-one different vendors were represented on the boxes around the golf course, offering prizes, games and maybe, just maybe, so adult beverages.

The 2023 version of the Fivesome is slated to return to Meridian Valley Country Club. Next year’s host, Craig Benson, was at Glendale scouting the 2022 event—“Kealy has raised the bar, we’ll be ready!” So we’ll see you then, bigger and better than ever.

“It’s a beautiful day at Pinehurst,” said Bob Farren CGCS, Director of Golf Course & Grounds Management at Pinehurst Resort in his opening statements of the 2021 Green Start Academy welcoming the Top 50 assistant superintendents in North America. The Green Start Academy (GSA) launched in 2006, with the goal of providing Assistant Superintendents the tools, and knowledge they need to further their career in the golf industry through professional development, networking, and interactive peer groups. After a virtual academy in 2020, this was the first year that sponsors John Deere, Bayer, and Rain Bird hosted the prestigious Green Start Academy at the historic Pinehurst Village. In my opinion, there is no better venue to host the 50 selected candidates, and industry leading mentors, for three days of education and networking in November. This past year, I was honored with the privilege to share this experience with the top assistants in the country, learning valuable insights driven by the Academy. I strongly encourage every assistant looking to further their career in the industry to apply for future Green Start Academy events.

The sponsors are what make this event successful year after year. John Deere and Bayer are the original hosts of the event with the new addition of Rain Bird stepping up to help promote career development for aspiring assistant superintendents. The sponsors took care of everything for us including booking and paying for our flights, shuttle to and from the airport, two-night stay at the historic Holly Inn, and all meals on the resort. Every meal we ate was outstanding and there is nothing like Southern hospitality, we were treated like royalty from the second we stepped foot on property until we left. I flew in early enough to sneak in a round of golf on Pinehurst No. 2 and was paired with two mentors of the Academy who had the same idea. We had a blast misreading putts on those tricky Donald Ross greens. On Monday, our first night after our welcoming dinner at Pinehurst Country Club, we were offered the opportunity to try the famous 1999 US Open Payne Stewart putt on the 18th green of Pinehurst No.2, which to our surprise, a lot of assistants drained. During the Academy on Tuesday, we broke up the day by splitting into our mentor/mentee groups to play a round on The Cradle, the resort’s par 3 course. This was a great way for everyone to let loose and get to know each other on a more personal level.

While they mix in a lot of fun events, the focus of the Academy is professional development. Being able to network, build and maintain relationships is essential for navigating a career in the turf industry. Speakers led seminars on topics such as Basics of Building a Budget, Managing Stress and High-Pressure Situations, and the Importance of Diversity and Inclusion. There was little to no agronomy talk. Rather, this experience was about helping the attendees grow as better managers of people and preparing us for what life will be like as a superintendent. The conversations that I enjoyed the most were the mentor panel discussions. To highlight a few topics: Managing Up and Down, Communication and Cultivating Business Relationships, and Getting the Best From Your Team. The panelists, whether intentional or not, divulged subtle tips and tricks regarding managing both up and down the hierarchy and fostering professional relationships through communication. The way they spoke exuded confidence, professionalism, and expertise in both the industry and professional development, and all attendees were fortunate to take away key insights from these true professionals. After the lectures concluded, attendees broke out into mentor and mentee groups where participants were encouraged to share what was learned that day and identify what tools are going to be implemented into their professional arsenal. Additionally, both short-term and long-term goals were developed for individuals and then discussed within our group of assistants. Each group had six assistants and one mentor, mine being Stephen Tucker, Director of Golf Course and Landscape Operations at the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club in Orlando, Florida. On Wednesday the final day of the Academy, they gave the floor to Carol Rau, Career Expert and she extensively covered what hiring managers are looking for as it pertains to resumes, cover letters, first impressions, and how to interview for a superintendent position.

Networking is a huge part of being selected to attend the GSA. Attendees will be surrounded by the best assistants in the country and should take every opportunity to ask questions about their associate’s position and club and begin building the foundation of a new relationship. Again, fostering and maintaining positive relationships, and building your support system with other likeminded people is crucial in a young professional’s development. Mentor and mentee groups are fortunate to have continuous communication through an email thread and on the GCSAA app, where we have a private group chat that only the attendees and mentors have access to. I also text with a lot of the guys, updating each other on how they are doing with their goals or what they are doing on the golf course that day. Individuals are being held accountable to attack and achieve the goals that were set at the GSA. Personally, I have now completed the first part of four of the GCSAA’s Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series due to the encouragement of other members of the GSA. My cohort and network that I have built is holding my feet to the fire to complete the remaining sections over the next couple of weeks.

After our classes were over for the day on Tuesday, attendees were given the opportunity to put our new skills of professional development and networking to the test over happy hour and dinner. That moment of enjoyment socializing with all the attendees and mentors was where it could be felt that the real professional growth was being done. Now, four months removed from attending the Academy, the conversations still flow with fellow GSA attendees just like the drinks that were shared with them that night.

Having attended the Green Start Academy, if you are fortunate enough to be selected, I recommend you go all in, and fully embrace everything the Academy has to offer. Don’t just be there to be there, be there with a purpose. By continuing to go the extra mile, continuing to learn, network, and grow, and make yourself one percent better every day, you will drastically increase your value to your club. Whether you’re attending local seminars or having conversations with your superintendent, take notes and ask questions. There are no such things as dumb questions or ideas, just ask or talk about it and you’ll be better for it – be a critical thinker and listener as you engage in these conversations. I want to encourage assistants to go the extra mile and get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and to apply themselves to these career development programs that our industry leaders offer us. Showing up to work every day and doing a good job might not be enough to set yourself apart when it comes to taking the next step in your career. You want to stand out because if you don’t, someone else will. You don’t know what you don’t know, and I learned at the Green Start Academy that I didn’t know a lot!

In closing, if you have the drive and desire to develop professionally and make yourself more valuable to your club, I highly recommend applying for the Green Start Academy. The immediate impact of attending the GSA has helped me become better at managing people and made me more valuable to our club’s operation. In addition, I now have a gameplan with set goals that are specific, attainable, and relevant to take the next step in advancing my career to a superintendent position. Applications open in the summer so keep an eye out on social media accounts of John Deere, Rain Bird, and Bayer for a link to apply. Applying isn’t easy but nothing in life that’s good is easy. You must think your way through some essay questions and answer them honestly. This was my third time applying so don’t be discouraged if you are not selected on your first try, it’s a yearly event and there will always be next year. The point is you’re trying and putting yourself out there. Another way to attend the Academy is if you complete the Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series you could be selected to attend without applying. In the meantime, there are many other avenues to progress your career, and it’s up to you how much extra effort you want to put in for yourself. Stephen Tucker asked, “Do you want to be on a short list that gets a phone call when a superintendent position opens up, or do you want to be refreshing the search page on job boards every day?” Your answer to that question should tell you if you should apply to the 2023 Green Start Academy or not. Thank you again to John Deere, Rain Bird, Bayer and everyone at the Green Start Academy and Pinehurst Resort for this once in a lifetime experience and invaluable knowledge. Also thank you to my boss, Cory Brown, Superintendent at Overlake Golf and Country Club and alumni of the 2011 Green Start Academy for encouraging me to apply, and for his continuous support to further my career in the turf industry.

Patrick Oien
First Assistant Superintendent
Overlake Golf and Country Club

Superintendents, vendors and crew members from both the Oregon and Western Washington GCSAs joined some of the regulars from the crew at American Lake Veterans Golf Course gathered to help the Veterans’ course prepare for the upcoming golf season. More than 50 individuals, including golf industry and U.S. military veterans, worked together to begin the process of getting all 18 holes

Tasks undertaken included aerating and verti-cutting greens. Sanding greens, surrounds and tee boxes. Rolling the back nine greens. Blowing debris away from the field of play, especially in areas around the recent renovation of the front nine. Over 4,000 pounds of seed were spread around the golf course, in particular on the ditches created by the installation of the new irrigation system. Superintendents and vendors brought extra equipment to get it done. Many volunteers were using rakes, shovels and their bare hands to trim edges of walk ways and pick up rocks – all in an effort to enhance the playability and presentation of the golf course.

Perhaps most importantly, the day happened because of the coming together of four distinct groups, each believing in the great value of the mission of American Lake. Superintendents and crew members from both the Western Washington and Oregon GCSAs lent their helping hands. Member vendors such as Washington Rock, Walrath, Turfstar, RainBird, Turf Commander, Floratine NW and Aquatrols contributed equipment, supplies, logistics and their hands to the effort as well.

The WWGCSA/OGCSA Service Project is an annual event typically held in March of each year. It provides an opportunity to bring members of both the Oregon and Western Washington chapters together in a meaningful way by giving their time and effort back to the game of golf.

Seventeen Superintendents and Assistants were led by the GCSAA’s David Phipps (Northwest Field Rep) in creating their facilities’ BMPs (also known as Environmental Stewardship Guides) the week of March 28. BMP workshops were held at three different facilities over three days. The process took just about two hours, with each facility represented walking away with BMP guidelines that they can call their own.

Facility BMPs are the next-step initiative of the GCSAA’s nationwide BMP push.  The value to all of us is that the more facility BMPs we’ve completed in our region, the more credibility we have with legislators who, despite being made aware of our state-wide BMP, are skeptical as to how many golf course Superintendents actually are guided by them. This affects their positions on pesticide, herbicide, fungicide and other related regulations which affect golf course maintenance. The more we can demonstrate, perhaps better said “articulate”, what is our long-standing and ongoing stewardship of our grounds, the more likely legislators, at the both the state and local levels, are to work with us as opposed to against us.

We are looking to do another round of BMP Workshops, one of the stops will be in the Bellingham area. If you are interested in attending a BMP session in the near future, let Bill Ackerley know and we’ll work on bringing another workshop into your area as well.

Close to 60 WWGCSA members and colleagues gathered at Sand Point Country Club at the end of January to hear a presentation from the principals of the recent renovation of the golf course. Nick Schaan of DMK Design, Casey Kalbrener of Ridgetop Golf and Marcus Harness, Sand Point’s Superintendent each gave a presentation on the project from different perspectives.

Nick Schaan, pictured on the left during his WWGCSA presentation, explained how DMK Design, the shop of David McLay Kidd, came to work on the project. Craig Sampson, Sand Point’s former Superintendent, reached out to Kidd and convinced him to take a look at the course. Upon seeing the course for the first time, Schaan explains, “David looked around and asked, ‘Why haven’t I heard of this place? What other courses in the country, or even in the world, do you get a view like this? I have traveled the world looking at golf courses and there aren’t many with a view like this. The views were the first thing that caught my eye. I could see a golf course that had unrealized potential.’” And with that, DMK Design took on the project.

Casey Kalbrener went through the challenge of organizing the speedy renovation. A wetter than normal winter, with the goal of having the course back to the members within six months. “We committed all of our available resources in getting the project done in a timely fashion,” Kalbrener said. The renovation transformed the golf course from, as one member put it “hilly, narrow, with lots of trees, [narrow], and small undulating greens,” to “[still] hilly, but wide open, lots of views,, and larger undulating greens. It is more wide open yet demands more precision in your shot-making. You can’t get away with a mediocre shot like you used to. The course is now beautiful and treacherous.”

The presentation was wrapped up by Marcus Harness, who described how his crew became part of the project, embracing the improvements while finishing the edges. And today, it is the Superintendent and his crew who are responsible for maintaining and building upon the work invested in by the Sand Point membership. Harness is pleased with how his crew has responded to higher expectations, and the membership is retaining its commitment to making, and keeping, Sand Point Country Club its best possible self.

It’s never easy to replace a legend, but that’s what Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) is tasked to do as Gwen Stahnke’ retirement date nears. WWWC is seeking applicants for a full-time, tenure-track Turfgrass and Irrigation Management Instructor at the Walla Walla campus. The start date is at the beginning of the Fall quarter in September 2022.

Matt Williams, WWCC’s Division Chair of Agriculture Programs, says that “we are looking for someone inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services.” Williams says that applicants don’t necessarily have to have an academic background and will consider experienced Golf Course Superintendents as well. “Modern education institutions understand that training is teaching. If someone has taught on the job then they are a worth candidate too.” William’s and his team at WWCC “have identified three core themes that describe the fundamental aspects of the College's mission by translating it into practice: Student Success, Strong Communities, and Resource Stewardship. As an organization, we value learning opportunities, a sense of community, diversity, health and humor, excellence, integrity, teamwork, innovation, personal and professional growth, and sustainability.”

Williams goes further when describing the environment they have built at WWCC, “The agriculture faculty at WWCC are innovative and passionate professionals focused on student success. We are seeking a creative and dynamic individual who will become an active and engaged member of the Agriculture Department’s team.” If you are interested in applying, you may do so via this link.