Greens at La Cumbre

The 2024 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship couldn’t have gone to a more deserving recipient than Wayne Mills, who received the honor in February. “From water conservation to wildlife habitat enhancement, Wayne Mills’ dedication to being an environmental steward has undoubtedly contributed to the sustainability of the game of golf,” GCSAA President Kevin P. Breen said in presenting the honor.

Dear Members, With enthusiasm and celebration of an illustrious career, I am pleased to announce the retirement of our esteemed Golf Course Superintendent, Wayne Mills, after an incredible 23-year tenure at La Cumbre. Wayne has been an integral part of our community, contributing his passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence. While it was a challenging choice for him to step away, we are all excited about Wayne's new journey in life. Although he is retiring, he remains deeply committed to the stewardship of La Cumbre. Wayne will partner with us on several aspects, such as the course renovation, finding his successor, and facilitating a smooth transition. Wayne's targeted last day as Superintendent is set for May 1, 2024. However, he has graciously agreed to remain actively involved as a consultant, supporting the Course Renovation Project in 2025. Our search for his replacement has already begun, with a dedicated search committee led by myself, our Green Chair, John Blair, and committee members Noel Lucky-Ris and Patrick Neilson. Throughout his tenure, Wayne has demonstrated exceptional leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the course and all who have worked alongside him. As we bid farewell to a legend, let's reflect on some of Wayne's key accomplishments: Environmental Stewardship: Wayne's commitment to environmental stewardship has set a remarkable standard. His innovative sustainable practices and environmental conservation efforts have transformed La Cumbre into a model of responsible golf course management. Wayne's tireless dedication will be recognized in the New Year when he receives the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America's highest honor, the President's Award. Continuous Improvements: Wayne's dedication to continuous improvement has elevated La Cumbre to new heights. His attention to detail and tireless efforts to enhance the property, improve playability, aesthetics, and overall quality have not gone unnoticed. Wayne's forward-thinking approach has kept our golf course at the forefront of industry standards. Development of Key Staff: One of Wayne's greatest legacies lies in his commitment to developing key staff members. Through mentorship and encouragement, he has nurtured talent within our team, fostering a culture of growth and learning. Many of our staff members attribute their success to Wayne's guidance. Collaboration with Green Chairs and Colleagues: Wayne's collaborative spirit has played a pivotal role in building strong relationships with our Green Chairs and colleagues at the club. His open communication, receptiveness to ideas, and ability to work seamlessly with others have contributed to the success and harmony of our course operations. As Wayne embarks on a new chapter in his life, let us express our heartfelt gratitude for his invaluable contributions to La Cumbre. Wayne, your passion, expertise, and spirit will be deeply missed. We wish you a retirement filled with relaxation, game hunting, and wonderful fishing adventures on the rivers of Washington. A date will be set in the future to celebrate Wayne and his remarkable legacy at La Cumbre. We look forward to honoring a true legend within the La Cumbre family.

"Lawrence, Kan. (Dec. 5, 2023) – Wayne Mills, 39-year GCSAA member and superintendent at La Cumbre Country Club in Santa Barbara, Calif., has been named the recipient of the 2024 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Mills will officially be recognized during the Send-Off Celebration at the 2024 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, presented in partnership with John Deere, on Feb. 1 in Phoenix."

Concluding the Chase, embracing serene landscapes and unexpected visitors, while prepping for year-end course enhancements. Well, as I'm writing this, we are on the final day of the Chase tournament. Our member-guest events, ladies and men, had good weather and excellent conditions to play in. I saw some old faces and many new ones. I hope all had a good time. I wanted this year to have good course conditions. The course has been under construction for the reclaimed water project or teeing ground improvements with cart path removal for the past few years. I had a personal setback. Plus, no water in the lake for some years. So, with the help of Mother Nature's rain, we were set up for a good year, and a good one we have had. Mild weather, good views, and conditions for all the club events and daily play, plus the SCGA event. On another note, I was in the lake working before the events and noticed 100+ American Coots had shown up there. This follows history. Two things happened - the Chase week coots return and we blew a hydraulic hose on equipment. For those new members who have not been here for a winter, with water in the lake, more coots will arrive. The coots are a challenge as they migrate to the turf areas to feed after consuming all the pond weeds in the lake. In the past, we have pushed them with dogs and set up feeding areas to try and control their movement. It could be better, but it helps during the coots' migration until March, when they head back north. Work for the remainder of the calendar year is: Build a 20,000 sq. ft. Putting green nursery on the 13th hole Aerate greens and surrounding areas Aerate Tees and seed par 3's Aerate and seed driving range tee top Freshen up the Landscape at Modac LC sign See you on the course,