IGM at Arrowhead Golf Course Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Arrowhead Golf Course, managed by IGM, has retained its designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International Program. Brian Kinney, Superintendent, led the effort to maintain sanctuary status on the course. Arrowhead Golf Course was designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2002 and is one of 664 courses in the world to receive the honor.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, Mexico, and Southeast Asia have achieved certification in the program.

“Arrowhead Golf Course has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property,” said Jim Sluiter, Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs.

“To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas,” explained Sluiter. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management. Courses go through a recertification process every two years. For more information on golf and the environment, visit http://www.golfandenvironment.org/.

IGM Participates in University of Florida Panel Disussion

On January 13th, IGM participated in a green industry discussion panel represented by Steve Gano, VP of Operations at the University of Florida’s College of Agriculture. The topic of discussion was job availability at the present for graduating seniors and other underclassmen. Gano, a graduate of UF represented the golf course maintenance segment of the industry while other panelists were from landscape construction, ornamental nurseries, vegetable production and fruit crop production. The take home message was… there will always be a position for the right candidate with the right experience and the right training. However, qualified candidates may need to be more flexible on location, the starting point and the timing. They also must complete “on the job training” before expecting a “management” position. The benefits of staying in college and pursuing a graduate degree were also discussed and everyone agreed that this is not a bad option given the current economic times and specifically, escalating golf course maintenance costs.

For more information on IGM and the professional golf course services offered, please contact the IGM Business Development Office at 800-413-5500 or on the web at www.igminc.net.

Giving 100%

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? What constitutes 100%?

Here's a little math that might prove helpful:

IF: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then: H A R D W O R K (8, 1, 18, 4, 23, 15, 18, 11) = 98%

K N O W L E D G E (11, 14, 15, 23, 12, 5, 4, 7, 5) = 96%

But A T T I T U D E (1, 20, 20, 9, 20, 21, 4, 5) = 100%

So, it stands to reason that hardwork and knowledge will get you close, attitude will get you there.

For more information on IGM and the professional golf course services offered, please contact the IGM Business Development Office at 800-413-5500 or on the web at www.igminc.net.

January Milestones

We would like to recognize the following team members who have demonstrated their continued commitment to excellence and have reached important milestones with IGM.

10 Years of Service
Ed Royland – Equipment Technician – IGM at Highland Fairways
David Fletcher - Equipment Technician – IGM at Tarpon Springs
Jesus Salinas - Equipment Technician – IGM at Mirror Lakes
Dennis Gates – Irrigation Technician – IGM at Spessard Holland
Bobby Jacoby – Superintendent – IGM at Highland Fairways
Todd Wigington – Superintendent – IGM at Country Creek
Chris Echart – Superintendent – IGM at Spessard Holland
Ken Parker - Equipment Technician – IGM at Habitat

7 Years of Service
Brian Pietrafeso – Superintendent – IGM at Craig Ranch

6 Years of Service
Bobby Reyes – Superintendent – IGM at Date Palm
Joe Carranza - Equipment Technician – IGM at Date Palm

4 Years of Service
Brian Keene – Assistant Superintendent – IGM at Widows Walk

3 Years of Service
Larry Lehman – Crew Leader – IGM at King’s Point
Brian Aiken - Equipment Technician – IGM at King’s Point

2 Years of Service
Ed Bakle - Assistant Superintendent – IGM at Mirror Lakes
Efren Mendoza - Irrigation Technician – IGM at Country Creek

1 Year of Service
Gary Glisson - Equipment Technician – IGM at Four Lakes
Kapildeo Ramkaran - Irrigation Technician – IGM at Four Lakes

Thanks to each of you for your efforts in making IGM the leader in the golf maintenance industry. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Meadowbrook Golf/IGM Promotes Greg Plotner and Steve Gano

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Jennifer Bogucki
Public Relations
Meadowbrook Golf / IGM
407.589.7200 x 222

CHAMPIONSGATE, Fla.; January 12 , 2009 – Ron Jackson, CEO of Meadowbrook Golf Group (MGGI) is pleased to announce the promotion of Greg Plotner, CGCS to Executive Vice President IGM - it's agronomic subsidiary.

Plotner has been a longtime member of the Meadowbrook family. Prior to his new role, he was the Vice President of Operations and Business Development for IGM. Greg has over twenty years of experience in the golf course industry and has been recognized by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America as a Certified Golf Course Superintendent since1991.

In addition to Plotner’s promotion, Steve Gano, Vice President of Operations will take on additional responsibilities with IGM and Meadowbrook. Formerly, Gano focused on IGM’s business outside the state of Florida. In his expanded role, the former Superintendent will assist the maintenance operations at all of IGM’s properties across the country as well as concentrate on acquiring new business.

"Greg and Steve are extraordinary leaders in the golf maintenance industry and Meadowbrook is proud to have them as part of our team,” said Jackson, “Their knowledge and expertise in regards to running maintenance operations is unparalleled and their proven success with other MGGI entities speak for themselves as to why we promoted them to our corporate team.”

Meadowbrook Golf Inc. is a Florida-based, full-service golf management and development company, which owns, leases, manages and maintains golf courses nationwide. Along with its wholly owned subsidiaries, International Golf Maintenance (IGM) and Golf Ventures, Inc. (GVI), Meadowbrook Golf provides management, maintenance services and supplies to top golf courses in the United States. Meadowbrook Golf employs more than 3,000 individuals and is headquartered in ChampionsGate, FL. For more information, visit www.igminc.net and www.mggi.com.

January Birthdays

Members of the IGM Team with January birthdays:

Linda Piney - Administrative Assistant - IGM at ChampionsGate
Dennis Gates - Irrigation Technician - IGM at Spessard Holland
Joda Brown - Superintendent - IGM at Country Wood
Jerry Wheelis - Equipment Technician - IGM at Lake Henry
Orlando Rivera - Assistant Superintendent - IGM at The Ledges
Raul Sanchez - Crew Leader - IGM at Bear Valley Springs
Todd Yandell - Equipment Technician - IGM at Bear Valley Springs
Jose Tumax - Equipment Technician - IGM at Grand Palms
Miguel Tomas - Assistant Superintendent - IGM at Pine Lakes
Brian Keene - Assistant Superintendent - IGM at Widows Walk
Daniel Chavez - Equipment Technician - IGM at Country Creek
Enrique Castellanos - Irrigation Technician - IGM at Silver Stone
Matt Sobotka - Assistant Superintendent - IGM at Lake of the Woods

We wish each of you a very Happy Birthday!

Welcome

Welcome to the International Golf Maintenance Blog. We hope this to be the first of many interesting and informative posts. Our goal is to provide information about company news and events as well as supply information about golf maintenance and related topics to our employees and customers.

Again, welcome and we hope you enjoy.

For more information on IGM and the professional golf course services offered, please contact the IGM Business Development Office at 800-413-5500 or on the web at www.igminc.net.