Author Archive

April winds bring May heat

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

In most landscape climates the phrase “April showers bring May flowers” appropriately applies, but here in the desert southwest we say that, “April winds bring May heat.”

April is notorious for bringing southern winds to the Las Vegas Valley about every other day. Landscape companies in Las Vegas should review their irrigation timer at least once a week during the windy season. Unfortunately, it’s just not enough to “set it and forget it.” By monitoring the irrigation timer and using water responsibly, as landscapers we can reduce the amount of problems we have in our landscapes when the inevitable HEAT hits us.

The Las Vegas Valley Water District allows homeowners and landscapers to water every day (7 days per week from May 1st through September 1st). We often think “Let’s immediately start watering every day so that my plants and grass will grow.” (more…)

How P.J. McGuire Formed the Nevada Golf Industry Alliance

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

Certified Golf Course Superintendent P.J. McGuire mobilized his fellow superintendents to form an alliance that advocates for the golf industry as a united front.

In December 2008, when golf course superintendents in Nevada became aware of a state bill that potentially would cost golf courses hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in additional taxes, Certified Golf Course Superintendent P.J. McGuire took action of his own. He mobilized the members of the Southern Nevada and Sierra Nevada chapters of the Golf Course Superintendents Associaton of America (GCSAA), as well as the Southern Nevada Golf Association, the PGA Southwest Section, the Club Managers Association of America, the Nevada Golf Course Owners Association and the First Tee of Southern and Northern Nevada, to form the Nevada Golf Industry Alliance (NGIA).

After all, as the Director of Golf Course Maintenance for Par 4 Golf Management Co. in Las Vegas, McGuire knows about strength in numbers. (more…)

P.J. McGuire Receives the Excellence in Government Relations award

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

In February 2011 I was honored to accept the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s, Excellence in Government Relations award. The award was presented at the 2011 Golf Industry Show in Orlando Florida. This award is presented to one individual yearly who demonstrates actions beneficial to the game as well as to the business of golf.

I was happy to accept this award as it helped draw attention to work being done in the state by a newly formed group, the Nevada Golf Industry Alliance. I am the president of this group. (more…)

GCSAA set to recognize Par 3 Landscape’s Golf Course Superintendent

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

News Release – 12/14/10

GCSAA Class A member leads formation of alliance
McGuire recognized for excellence in government relations

GCSAA Certified Golf Course Superintendent P.J. McGuire, director of golf course maintenance for Par 4 Golf Management Co. in Las Vegas, has been selected by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America to receive the 2011 Excellence in Government Relations Award.

The award will be presented during the 2011 GCSAA Education Conference at Celebrate GCSAA! presented by Syngenta, Feb. 8. Celebrate GCSAA! is hosted by GCSAA President James R. Fitzroy, CGCS. The conference (Feb. 7-11) will be held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show (Feb. 9-10) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

“Under P.J.’s leadership and vision, golf associations in Nevada have come together and are now speaking in one voice and showing important political leaders in the state golf’s great economic, environmental, social and recreational value,” Fitzroy said. “The Excellence in Government Relations Award is a well deserved honor for his work.” (more…)

Color in the Las Vegas Landscape

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Las Vegas Landscape Colorful Flowers

The conditions have been perfect for growing plants that have abundant color in Las Vegas this spring.  Everywhere you look, the spring color has done very well, thanks to the rain we received and the cooler than normal temperatures.  Even the desert is greener than normal.   (more…)