Personnel news

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 resort’s 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 industry agreed to collaborate as members of The Environmental Institute for Golf Advisory Council: Vernon 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 and c.e.o. of Troon Golf; 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 Ortiz-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 Sasser, Weitz Golf International;

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

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

Secretary - Michael Harrington, HARCO Fittings; and

Treasurer - Steve Christman, 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 Caverly of Golf Course Construction.; Mick Jones of The Toro 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 Chocholak, 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 Fernald, 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.

Rain Bird Corp. promoted Barbara Booth to director of the company’s golf irrigation strategic business unit.

Rain Bird Corp.’s golf division added Scott Stevens as district sales manager for the Southern California region. Stevens will promote customized irrigation systems to new and existing golf courses in Southern California. He will be based out of La Quinta, Calif.

West Coast Turf promoted John Marman to regional sales manager for Southern California and Southern Nevada. Marman will be overseeing the Southern California and Southern Nevada regions—responsible for new business development for golf, landscape and sports turf. In addition, he will be general manger for WCT’s Las Vegas operation. Marman is a founding member of the Nevada Landscape Association’s Southern Chapter and has served as secretary/treasurer of the state board for several consecutive terms.

Curt Franklin has been added to Waukegan, Ill.-based Precision Laboratories sales team. Franklin will be responsible for managing customer relationships in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas for the golf course, lawn and landscape, and athletic field markets. Franklin’s hiring represents a completion of the company’s plan to expand its national sales presence. GCN