Personnel News

Golf Course News, Jun 2004

Angel Fire (N.M.) Resort named Jon Bohannon its head golf professional. Bohannon will be responsible for overseeing Angel Fire Resort's golf pro shop operations, instructional lessons, tournaments, retail sales, golf carts and driving range. Angel Fire Resort is a master planned development in a common interest community offering homes, condos and land.

Doug Weaver joined Greenwood Development Corp. as director of instruction for Palmetto Dunes Resort and Palmetto Hall on Hilton Head Island, S.C. The 44-year-old former tour professional will assist golfers in perfecting their game-management abilities, their swings and their golf persona on the resorts three championship courses: Arthur Hills, George Fazio and Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course. Weaver plans to increase and improve the resort's women-only programs and daily classes, among other soon-to-be announced programs. Weaver will join his 8-year-old junior golf school with Palmetto Dunes Junior Golf Academy.

Eight individuals in the golf industty agteed to collaborate as members of The Environmental Institute for Golf Advisory Council: Vermon A. Kelly Jr., president of PGA Tour Golf Course Properties; H. Thomas Webb III, senior vice president of residential development for Crescent Resources; Tom CrOW, founder of Cobra Golf and also a retiring trustee for The Institute; Dana Garmany, chairman andc.e.o. ofTroonGolf; R.D. Hubbard, owner of Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, Calif.; Robert Sillerman, c.e.o. of FXM; and Frank Weed, c.o.o. of Medallist Developments. Jamie Ottiz-Patiño, owner, president and golf course superintendent at Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande, Spain, agreed to serve on the Advisory Council in September. The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The purpose of the advisory council is to provide guidance to the institute's board of trustees, in the areas of outreach, fundraising and strategic planning. The members were selected to the advisory council to enhance the institute's ability to cultivate relationships with current and potential donors, as well as communicate the importance of the work conducted by The Institute.

The Golf Course Builders Association of America elected five officers and added four new members to its board of directors. The officers and new members will serve two-year terms. The elections took place in conjunction with February's Golf Course Superintendents Association of America conference in San Diego. Elected officers are:

President - Tommy SdSSer, Weitz Golf International;

President Elect - Tom Shopland, Wadsworth Golf Construction Co.;

Vice President - Rick Elyea, Tee-2-Green Corp.;

Secretary - Michael HaiTington, HARCO Fittings; and

Treasurer - Steve Chlistman, Eagle Golf & Landscape Products (second term).

Fidel Garcia of Ryangolf Corp. will continue to serve the board as immediate past president. As the new president, Sasser brings more than 30 years of experience in golf construction and land development with him. At Weitz Golf International, his responsibilities include developing and presenting business plans for construction projects throughout the world. His affiliations include National Golf Foundation, the GCSAA and the Urban Land Institute. The GCBAA also welcomes the following new board members: Klaus Ahlers of Leemco; Glenn Coverly of Golf Course Construction.; Mick Jones of TheToro Co.; and Scott Pate of Seaside Golf Development.

During the Equipment & Engine Training Council's annual conference, the board of directors voted in five new members (see photo at right): John ChOCholok, instructor, Ukiah High School; Mike Goad, training manager, Dixie Sales; Brian O'Neil, technical instructor, Kawasaki Motor Corp.; Lynn Pesson, owner, Southland Engines; and Earl Miner, manager, US Technical Services, Oregon Cutting Systems Group. Each will serve a two-year term on the EETC board of directors. Also, Dann Roark, service training manager, Briggs & Stratton Corp., is the news president of the EETC executive board. Rounding out the remainder of the executive board are vice president Fred Moreaux, technical service and training director, Ariens Co.; Secretary Mark Lindemann, instructor, Alexandria Technical College; Treasurer Brian Kassel, customer care manager, Coye Consultants; and Immediate Past President Pete Femold, service manager, Shindaiwa.

Daniel JazdzewSki was appointed accounts manager for John Deere Landscapes in San Diego County. John Deere Landscapes is a wholesale distributor of irrigation, landscape lighting and landscape products for professional contractors. Jazdzewski will work on new customer acquisition and will be based at a branch in San Marcos, Calif.

Lesco promoted Luke Stratton to technical services manager and Mike Maravich to technical services representative.