The Ohio Golf Course Owners Association (OGCOA) continues its commitment to elevating the business of golf in Ohio by dedicating a meaningful portion of the 2026 Ohio Golf Conference, presented by Jonas Club Software, agenda to modern agronomy strategy and course infrastructure.
At 1:50 PM on March 3, Daniel Smith, ASGCA with Better Billy Bunker, will present “Bunkers 101: Strategic Hazards or Expensive Headaches?” at Westbrook Country Club. The session will examine how bunker construction and renovation decisions directly impact maintenance labor, playability, capital planning, and long-term operating costs. According to Smith, “bunkers are an essential part of strategic design. However, proper bunker construction is paramount to ensuring they don’t become a maintenance nightmare for agronomy teams and a financial burden for owners.”
Rather than viewing bunkers as isolated maintenance expenses, the presentation will challenge operators to consider whether their bunker strategy is protecting their investment—or creating recurring financial strain.
“Being stewards of the business of golf in Ohio means recognizing that agronomy decisions are business decisions,” said Mike Hendrix of smbGOLF, which continues to help the OGCOA be intentional about elevating agronomy conversations across every leadership role within a golf facility. “From owners to superintendents to general managers and PGA professionals, these discussions affect everyone responsible for the health and sustainability of the operation.”
A Strategic Agronomy Sequence
The “Bunker 101” session is part of a coordinated agronomy and operations sequence designed to connect infrastructure strategy with cost control and emerging technology.
At 1:15 PM, Sean Whalen of Avendra will present “Leveraging Group Purchasing, Technology, and Relationships to Reduce Costs,” featuring Ross Lorenz, Assistant General Manager at Coldstream Country Club. The session will explore how facilities can protect margins while making smart investments in maintenance and operations.
At 2:30 PM, Nate Clemmer of SynaTek Solutions will lead “New Agronomy Opportunities Through Chemical Management & Autonomous Mowing,” joined by superintendents from Blue Ash Golf Course and Westfield Country Club. The discussion will address robotics, autonomous mowing systems, and modern chemical strategies that are reshaping labor models and efficiency across golf facilities.
Together, these three sessions reinforce that agronomy is not a siloed discipline—it is a foundational component of financial performance, golfer experience, and long-term asset protection.
Leadership Development adds to Experience
The Ohio Golf Conference is preceded by a half-day workshop, on March
2nd, led by James Cronk, focused on building and managing a high-performing team within your golf business. By pairing leadership development with infrastructure strategy, the conference ensures conversations move beyond theory and into practical execution.
The 2026 Ohio Golf Conference will take place March 3 in Mansfield, Ohio, bringing together golf course owners, operators, superintendents, PGA professionals, and industry partners committed to strengthening the business of golf across the state.
For additional information or to register, visit:
https://ohiogolfconference.com
About OGCOA
“Your best small investment of the year”. The Ohio Golf Course Owners Association represents public, private, and municipal golf facilities throughout Ohio. The association advocates for golf course operators, provides education and networking opportunities, and works to strengthen the long-term sustainability of golf businesses across the state.
About smbGOLF
smbGOLF provides technology, data, and strategic consulting services to golf course operators, vendors and associations across North America. Through its work with state and regional associations, smbGOLF helps elevate conversations around operations, marketing, technology, and agronomy to ensure golf facilities remain competitive, efficient, and future-ready.
About Daniel Smith, ASGCA & Better Billy Bunker, Inc.
Daniel Smith, ASGCA, is a renowned golf course architect and a key leader at Better Billy Bunker, Inc., and Golf Links, Inc. where he bridges the gap between elite architectural design and innovative construction technology. As a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Smith brings decades of field experience and a “designer’s eye” to the world’s premier bunker construction method. CONTACT: 765-730-1237 www.billybunker.com
