About Us

Staff/Officers/Directors/District Coordinators
 Committee Members
 

Our Mission Statement

Cactus and Pine GCSA is dedicated to serving its members by enhancing their recognition as a professional, to educating members concerning efficient and economical management of golf courses and related environmental standards, and by providing collaborative ways for members to assist and support one another.

Benefits of Membership - Focus of Association

Today's golf course superintendent must be a scientist, an economist, a business manager, a personnel manager, and more. It is a very challenging profession. To help meet this challenge, superintendents need a strong, professional association. Beginning in the early 1950's, the Cactus and Pine GCSA was just a handful of individuals who met to exchange ideas. This small group has grown into an Association with more than 600 members. A Board of Directors and Standing Committees direct the external and internal workings of the Association. We are affiliated with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) which serves superintendents internationally. Cactus and Pine GCSA members are leading the way as Environmental Stewards to address such timely issues as water conservation, ground water protection, pesticide use and safety, and environmental protection. We work in conjunction with the Club Managers Association, the Southwest Section PGA, the Arizona Golf Association and the Women's Golf Association to promote the game of golf in Arizona.

Services  - Stay in touch with your fellow superintendents with the timely publication of the Cactus Clippings and our website. Research updates, events within the region and superintendent work tips make this a valuable information source.

Education  -  The Cactus and Pine GCSA has monthly meetings that include informative educational topics ranging from technical turfgrass subjects to business management and personal self improvement.

Networking Opportunities  -  Cactus and Pine GCSA has divided the state into four geographical areas and hosts District meeting for superintendents to discuss issues of concern related to their particular soil conditions and growing season.

Camaraderie and Golf Events  -  Playing golf at local courses stimulates discussion and the sharing of ideas about golf course management techniques and golf maintenance resulting in problem solving ideas.

 

Fundraising and Research

The Golf and Environment Foundation supports turf grass research that assists the golf course superintendent by hosting the Karsten Turf Challenge Golf Tournament, and by soliciting individual donations. This Foundation (formerly the Cactus and Pine Foundation) was formed to further fundraising opportunities and to distribute funds for research and scholarships.

Major corporate sponsorships have been used to examine: 

  • Salinity tolerance of creeping Bentgrass

  • Minimum water requirements and drought tolerance of fairway Bermudagrasses

  • Determining tolerance to effluent of Bermudagrass cultivars

  • Overseed rates for fairways

  • Fairway preparation techniques for overseeding

  • Paspalum AP-10 for Greens

  • Developement of best management practices for maximum performance of Sea Isle 2000 and Sea Isle Paspalum in the Southwest

  • Drought tolerance of twenty-one Saltgrass (Distichlis) accessions compared to Bermudagrass

  • The determination of the host range and water quality on "rapid blight" disease of cool season turf grass

  • Germplasm selection, salinity screening, and water use of Saltgrass, under both well-watered and limiting soil moisture conditions

  • Evaluation of soil salinity on selected Arizona golf courses using electromagnetic induction

For information about how you can participate in the Karsten Turf Challenge or any other Foundation activities please call Lynn Cannon at the Golf and Environmental Foundation at 602-750-0935 or email lynn@golfenvironmental.org

Code of Ethics

As a member of the Cactus and Pine Golf Course Superintendents Association
of Arizona, I pledge myself to:

 

  • Recognize and discharge all my responsibilities to my employers at all times.
     
 

  • Practice and insist on sound business principles in exercising the responsibilities
    of my position.
     
 

  • Utilize every opportunity to extend my professional knowledge in order to increase
    my value to my employers, my industry and my profession.
     
 

  • Truly assume the responsibility for the physical well-being of my golf course
    professional judgment in declaring my golf course playable or unplayable, according
    to prevailing conditions.
     
 

  • Maintain the highest standards of personal conduct to reflect creditability and
    add to the stature of the profession of the Golf Course Superintendent.
     
 

  • Neither engage in nor support any exploitation of my Association, Industry or
    profession.
     
 

  • Avoid dissemination of any malicious information concerning other golf courses
    and/or Golf Superintendents.
     
 

  • Lend my support to and actively participate in, the efforts of my local Chapter
    and National Association to improve public understanding and recognition of the
    profession of Golf Course Superintendent.
     
 

  • Extend technical help to any golf course when called upon by the Superintendent.
     
 

  •  Recognize, observe and expect in return the highest standards of integrity in my
     relationship with other Golf Course Superintendents as follows:

     A. When seeking employment

 

  • I will seek counsel of Cactus and Pine GCSA when applying for a position in
    any district
 

  • I will make certain the position is open before making application to any
    prospective employer
 

  • I will ascertain and uphold the salary level of the district in which I negotiate
    for a position
 

  • I will, when possible, speak to the man who is leaving or has left the position
    for which I am considered.

          B. When visiting other Golf Courses

 

  • I will call on the Superintendent of the Golf Course.
 

  • I will present my Cactus and Pine GCSA Membership Card.
     

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