The Tonto Verde Golf Club Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Travis Blamires (blay MIR' es) as our new Golf Course Superintendent, based on the unanimous recommendation of the Search Committees.  As a golf course superintendent he has more than twenty years progressive experience and education in the turfgrass industry.  He graduated with honors from Penn State University with a Certificate in Golf Course Turfgrass Management and has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Boise State University.

His professional history has allowed him to experience venues throughout the southwestern U.S.  He oversaw 36-holes as Director of Agronomy at Troon North Golf Course in Scottsdale.  He also held other positions at Troon Golf including Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent and Lead Superintendent from 2001 to 2009.  Currently Travis serves as Superintendent at the Club at Morningside in Rancho Mirage, CA.  He has substantial experience in bunker renovation and irrigation systems, and has managed golf course operations, budgets and staffing similar to courses of Tonto's size.

The anticipated start date for our new Superintendent is February 23rd.  The Blamires family, Travis, his wife, Amy, and two young children, Ellie (9) and Ayden (6), will be relocating to the Scottsdale area in the near future.

Travis will report directly to Jay Simons, Green Committee Board Liaison.  He also has functional responsibility to Jim Uffelman, Green Committee Chair, and the Green Committee.

I know that Travis is excited about this new opportunity and is looking forward to meeting all TVGC members and staff.  Please give Travis a warm Tonto welcome when he arrives.

I ask the membership to be patient over the next several weeks.  As of today we do not have a functioning superintendent or any assistants.  Chris Kessler and Mario Suastegui will be able to direct operations during this gap period, but situations may arise where the course is not at expected conditions. We will get back on track shortly and we need everyone's support in this transition.

Scott Thiss

President