Against The Grain (Everglades GCSA)

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Bryan Unruh, Professor and Associate Center Director at the University of Florida, for a deep dive into the vital role of Best Management Practices (BMP) in enhancing environmental quality on Florida's golf courses. Our conversation traverses the origins, current implementations, and future prospects of the BMP program, showcasing its significance in promoting environmental stewardship within the golfing community.

Big changes are coming for pesticide licensing and regulation! In this episode, we take you to the GC Horn, where Dr. Brett Wells Bultemeier breaks down the EPA’s updated rules, how they impact licensing requirements, and what pesticide applicators need to do to stay compliant.

🔗 Tap the link below to access the presentation and all the links mentioned.

👉 Click Here

Episode 1 - In this episode, we cover a range of topics, including upcoming events, exciting ways to utilize the shortcuts app on iOS, and announce the winner of our Podcast naming contest.

In this episode of Against the Green, hosts Gabe and Dave bring humor and updates

• 🎄 Holiday Hijinks: Christmas Minions and car-buying adventures.
• 🛠️ Industry Updates: Big changes to pesticide licensing and chemical labeling 
• 💰 Making an Impact: Learn how much was raised for the Golisano Children's Hospital.
• 📅 Upcoming Events: Get the scoop on the Dinner Meeting, Spring Symposium, and POA
• 🐊 A Gator Chomp Moment: You’ll have to hear it to believe it!

Whether you’re here for the laughs or to stay ahead of the latest industry news, this episode is a must-listen. 

Join us at the GC Horn Memorial Seminar, where Todd Lowe, the Technical Service Manager at Envu, imparts crucial strategies and insights for managing the complexities of an El Niño Winter.

Recorded live at the GC Horn Memorial Seminar on January 16th, 2024.

In this episode, Gabe and Dave chat with Brian Beckner from Native Bird Boxes and how they are reshaping bird conservation efforts.

Join us as we sit down with Dan Brooks, the past president of the Everglades GCSA, to explore his journey and insights.

Dan shares what he enjoyed most about his time on the board, his motivations for joining, and key lessons learned.

He also offers valuable advice for those considering a role on the Everglades GCSA Board and shares his thoughts on the organization's future.

Join Gabe and Dave as they discuss Black Friday shopping and some significant changes coming to the Certification of Pesticide Applicators

To learn more about the changes to the Certification of Pesticide Applicators Rule, visit ⁠https://bit.ly/3GKNkrF⁠

To view the Florida Certification Plan - ⁠https://bit.ly/41qr0gp⁠

To view the Florida Certification Plan Attachments - ⁠https://bit.ly/3RnhDtl⁠

Follow us @evergladespod on X

Adam Garr went from fixing ball marks to transforming golf course communication as the founder of Course Cares.

In this episode, he shares how Course Cares produces custom content like team recruiting videos, member updates, drone flyovers, and educational series on course etiquette. Discover how creative storytelling can lighten the load for golf course staff while keeping members informed, teams motivated, and courses looking their best.

In this episode of Against the Grain, we sit down with turfgrass expert Todd Lowe to discuss his 20+ years in golf course management. From growing up as a superintendent’s son to working as a USGA agronomist and consultant, Todd shares the key challenges and rewards of his career shift. He also breaks down his innovative work in soil diagnostics and turf health, offering practical tips for improving organic matter management on golf courses. Packed with valuable insights, this episode is a must-listen for golf course professionals.

Follow us on Twitter:
@Evergladespod

Follow Todd Lowe on Twitter:
@TloweTgrass
toddloweconsulting.com

Join Dave and Gabe as they take a reflective journey through the festive season and share their excitement for the year ahead.

To register for the GC Horn - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/RegisterGCHorn

Follow us @evergladespod on X

Gabe and Dave kick off the holiday spirit in this festive Against the Grain episode! They chat about the upcoming Christmas event, GC Horn updates, BMP Facility Manuals, Christmas lights, and some hilarious Elf on the Shelf antics. A fun, quick listen!

Support Golisano Children's Hospital through our 50/50 Raffle! Here

Register For the GC Horn Here

Create Your BMP Facility Manual Here

Follow us on X for more updates!

Have questions or feedback? Reach out here

In this episode, hosts Gabe Gallo and David Meske sit down with Ryan Swilley, CGCS, Vice President of the Florida GCSA. They explore the latest trends in golf course management, the biggest challenges superintendents face, and practical strategies for maintaining high-quality turf conditions. Ryan shares his experiences, industry insights, and advice for golf course professionals looking to stay ahead.

🔹 The evolving role of superintendents
🔹 Tools and strategies for efficiency
🔹 Key industry challenges and solutions
🔹 Florida GCSA updates and upcoming events

Don't miss this conversation packed with real-world takeaways for golf course professionals!

Guest: Ryan L. Swilley, CGCS

Vice President, Florida GCSA
📩 Email: rswilley@thedyepreserve.com
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ryan-l-swilley-cgcs-60a0907
🐦 X (Twitter): @RLSwilley

Resources & Links

📅 Florida GCSA Event Calendar – Stay updated on upcoming events!
🔗 View the event calendar

📢 Follow the Podcast
🐦 X (Twitter): @evergladespod
🌐 Website: EGCSA.GOLF

📌 Subscribe to the Florida GCSA Events Calendar
Stay informed by adding the event RSS feed to your calendar:

▶️ For Google Calendar:

1. Open Google Calendar on your computer.
2. Click + next to "Other calendars."
3. Select From URL.
4. Copy & paste:
   https://www.rsstocal.com/api/v1/convert?url=https://floridagcsa.com/resource/rss/events.rss
5. Click Add Calendar.

▶️ For Apple Calendar (Mac/iPhone/iPad):

1. Open Apple Calendar.
2. Click Add Calendar (iPhone/iPad).
3. Select Add Calendar Subscription.
4. Paste this URL:
   https://www.rsstocal.com/api/v1/convert?url=https://floridagcsa.com/resource/rss/events.rss
5. Click Subscribe and set update frequency.

In this episode, we uncover Gabe's revolutionary 'Wife Hack,' dive into personal communication styles, and preview the exciting lineup for upcoming EGCSA events.

Follow Against the Grain on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/evergladespod

Email us at Podcast@evergladesgcsa.org

In this episode of Against the Grain, hosts Gabe and Dave sit down with TJ Shine, a past President of the EGCSA, to explore his unique journey from golf course superintendent to sales rep.

TJ opens up about what initially drew him to a career in turf management and the pivotal moment that inspired his switch to the sales side of the industry. He shares candid insights on the challenges he faced during this transition, including the surprises that came with leaving the greens behind.

Gabe and Dave dig into how TJ’s extensive experience as a superintendent now shapes his approach to sales and whether his view of the industry has shifted since making the move. TJ also offers valuable advice on what superintendents might not know about the sales world and reveals the most rewarding aspects of his new role.

Join us for a fun and insightful conversation as we trace TJ Shine’s path from mowers to closers.

In this episode, Gabe and David talk with John Reilly—aka TurfMonkeyBoy—about how he went from a psychology degree to running one of Florida’s most progressive golf course operations. John shares the story behind his social media handle, why he’s embraced electric equipment, and how data-driven turf management is reshaping the way superintendents approach tradition. They dive into why sharing both the wins and challenges online matters, how social pressure impacts the profession, and what tech might be overhyped. It’s honest, insightful, and packed with fresh perspective.

Guest: John Reilly
Director of Agronomy, Longboat Key Club
X (Twitter): @turfmonkeyboy

Episode 2 - We've got a special treat for you! Join us as we sit down for a conversation with Robert (Bob) Lucius, Ph.D. Executive Director, CREW Land & Water Trust.

Episode 4 - In this episode, we welcome past EGCSA President and current Bahamian resident Captain Kevin Leo.

Episode 3 - In this episode, Gabe's AC is broken, the GCSAA Chapter Challenge competition is live, and who is Dave, and how terrible is he at golf?

You can contribute to GCSAAPAC one of three ways:

1. By check. Make your personal check payable to “GCSAAPAC”.

Mail it to: GCSAA

1421 Research Park Drive

Lawrence, KS 66049

2. Online. Online donations can be made at: gcsaapac.snwbll.com

3. Text. Text “GCSAAPAC” to 758-756-4005.

Join us as we talk with Isaiah Ireland from Club Care about nurturing Top Hat Bergonias, Red Zinnias, and the art of using frost cloth.

Join us for an engaging conversation with David Shepp and Seth McKeel from The Southern Group as they share their experiences and insights on lobbying for golf courses in Florida.

We discuss their roles, the impact of their efforts on regulations and policies, and the challenges they've encountered, especially regarding local fertilizer ordinances. Discover their key achievements, how they tackle environmental concerns on golf courses, and their future goals for the industry.

Plus, find out how our association and its members can better support their ongoing efforts to keep Florida's golf course industry thriving.

Henry “Skip” Hines, Equipment and Facilities Manager at Royal Poinciana in Naples, joins Gabe and David to talk about winning the Edwin Budding Award and his decades of leadership in the industry. Skip shares how he helped start the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association, pushed for technician education, and helped shape today’s technician certification through GCSAA. This one’s packed with insight, industry history, and a few powerful personal moments you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, we tackle the taboo of tech on the turf.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this special episode of Against the Grain! Join Gabe and Dave as they chat about last-minute costume ideas, candy favorites, and plans for spooky celebrations. Gabe and Dave keep it light from neighborhood parties to haunted plans, sharing a few laughs and prepping for the Halloween season. 

Plus, they share some exciting updates on upcoming events for the Everglades Golf Course Superintendent Association. Tune in for a quick, fun conversation!

In this lively episode, Dave and Gabe dive into a mix of hilarious and heartfelt topics. They kick things off with a discussion about Thunder Vests for dogs and how to keep pets calm during 4th of July fireworks. The conversation takes a fun turn as Dave admits he hasn’t listened to any of their past episodes, despite always being bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for recordings.

They also touch on the importance of membership dues and give a sneak peek into exciting upcoming events that listeners won’t want to miss. Tune in for a blend of laughs, insights, and behind-the-scenes stories in this action-packed episode!

In this episode, we give you a glimpse into our Halloween celebrations, talk about our upcoming events, and tease what's on the horizon with our big mystery guest.