IGM at The Savannahs Recognized for Environmental Excellence

We are pleased to announce that The Savannahs, 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. Maurice Miyo, Superintendent, led the effort to maintain sanctuary status on the course.

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. For more information on golf and the environment, visit http://www.golfandenvironment.org/.

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.

GCSAA Elects New Officers

Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, director of grounds at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., was elected president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) at the association's annual meeting Feb. 6.

The annual meeting was held in conjunction with the GCSAA Education Conference (Feb. 2-7) and Golf Industry Show (Feb. 5-7) in New Orleans. Kuhns will serve until the 2010 annual meeting, Feb. 12 in San Diego.

Elected as vice president was James R. Fitzroy, CGCS, director/superintendent at Wollaston Recreational Facility/Presidents Golf Club in North Quincy, Mass. Robert M. Randquist, CGCS, director of golf course and grounds at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Fla., was elected secretary/treasurer.

Peter J. Grass, CGCS at Hilands Golf Club in Billings, Mont., was elected to a two-year term on the board of directors. Keith A. Ihms, CGCS at Country Club of Little Rock in Little Rock, Ark., and John J. O'Keefe, CGCS, director of golf course management at Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, N.J., were re-elected to two-year terms on the board.

Sanford G. Queen, CGCS, manager of golf operations for the city of Overland Park, Kan., and Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS, director of golf course maintenance operations at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, both enter the second year of their terms as directors. David S. Downing II, CGCS, vice president of operations and construction for Signature Golf Group in Myrtle Beach, S.C., will serve on the board for one year as immediate past president.

IGM Unveils New Company Website

International Golf Maintenance a world leader in golf course maintenance unveils a new company website http://www.igminc.net/. With an easy-to-navigate design, the updated site offers comprehensive information about the company’s services, including contractual maintenance, consulting, and project management. A new addition to the site includes the Frequently Asked Questions which provides in depth answers to the most commonly asked questions of golf course maintenance service providers.

Golf Courses Help Protect the Environment

When properly sited, designed, constructed and managed, golf courses can be an environmental asset to a community. By their very nature, golf courses can provide significant open space and opportunities to provide needed wildlife habitat in increasingly urbanized communities across North America. With nearly 80% of all of the 15,000-plus golf courses in the United States located in urban or suburban areas, opportunities abound for golf courses to provide ecosystem services such as storm water retention, runoff filtration, urban wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors, heat island effect reduction, etc. Like most other businesses, golf courses must also work to address the environmental challenges of water use, water quality, habitat and biodiversity loss, chemical use, waste, energy use, etc.

Through Audubon International’s environmental education programs and other programs, golf course owners, managers, and superintendents are doing their part to help protect and sustain the natural environment in their communities. For more information and to find out how you can participate on golf and the environment, visit www.golfandenvironment.org.

IGM's Mike Fontaine Nominated for Superintendent of the Year

Congratulations to Mike Fontaine, Golf Course Superintendent for IGM at The Ledges in South Hadley, Massachusetts for his nomination for Syngenta’s Superintendent of the Year. “We truly appreciate the extra commitment that he showed to us last season and wanted to recognize those efforts” said Jennifer Wolowicz, South Hadley’s Chief Procurement Officer who took part in the nomination.

Tyler Minamyer, IGM’s East Coast Regional Manager agreed, “Mike exemplifies the focus on customer service that we seek in every member of the IGM Team. Superintendents are the backbone of every golf course operation and Mike has continued to show great leadership.”

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.

Winter on My Course?

In the south, maintenance teams are prepping their golf courses daily for the peak season diehards who are teeing it up and enjoying the weather. The grass doesn’t know it, but this is the busy season…especially in Florida. In the north, scaled down maintenance staffs are reworking equipment, completing annual pruning or removing ice and snow accumulation. Here, the grass realizes that it is wintertime! On the west coast, crews are doing all of the above. Depending on the elevation, golf may be in full swing or it may be asleep! Rest assured, the IGM maintenance teams are busy at every location across the country!

February 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.

5 Years of Service
Darin Pakkala – Director of Maintenance – IGM at ViewPoint

4 Years of Service
Mike Fontaine – Superintendent – IGM at The Ledges
Anthony Huseman – Irrigation Technician – IGM at ChampionsGate

3 Years of Service
Jose Tumax – Equipment Technician – IGM at Grand Palms

2 Years of Service
Anthony Garcia – Irrigation Technician – IGM at ChampionsGate
David Weaver – Irrigation Technician – IGM at SilverStone

1 Year of Service
Elizabeth Reyes – Crew Leader – IGM at ChampionsGate

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

February Birthdays

Members of the IGM Team with February birthdays:

William Myers – Equipment Technician – IGM at Cler Brook
Tommy Coffey – Superintendent – IGM at Grand Palms
Winfield Yount – Superintendent – IGM at Sandridge
Elizabeth Reyes – Crew Leader – IGM at Champions Gate
Kellie Knight – Administrative Assistant – IGM at SilverStone
Henry Oertel – Equipment Technician – IGM at The Ledges
Jennifer Bogucki – Executive Assistant – IGM Corporate

We wish each of you a very Happy Birthday!