2019 Dog Days of Golf calendar features Romeo on cover
Ryan Semritc’s young border collie/Brittany mix is popular with golfers at Willows Run Golf Complex in Redmond, Wash.
With piercing blue eyes and a name in honor of Shakespeare’s romantic hero, it’s no wonder Romeo the dog can charm his way into a snack of bacon every morning in the clubhouse at Willows Run Golf Complex in Redmond, Wash.
That same charm is evident on the cover of the 2019 Dog Days of Golf calendar, produced by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and sponsored by LebanonTurf. Romeo is also in the running for Dog of the Year, along with the other 14 dogs featured in the calendar, through a vote of the attendees at the February 2019 Golf Industry Show in San Diego.
Romeo’s human, Ryan Semritc, is a nine-year member of GCSAA and golf course superintendent at Willows Run. The one-year-old pup’s unlikely rise to calendar cover boy started at a horse ranch in Eastern Washington. The Semritc family dog, Alfie, had passed away, and the family picked the blue-eyed border collie/Brittany mix from the ranch that was offering free puppies.
“He is the most spoiled ranch dog ever,” Semritc says. “I took him to work with me the day after we got him, and now he’s at the front door at 4:45 every morning ready to go.”
Romeo is young and still learning the ins and outs of his golf course dog duties, but in addition to his 9 a.m. bacon snack, most of his day involves lots of running, riding on the golf cart and providing public relations for the golf course management staff.
“Everyone is a lot more understanding about issues if you have your dog with you,” Semritc says of Romeo’s interaction with golfers. “He’s a fan favorite of everyone here.”
When not at the golf course, Romeo lives at home with Semritc, his wife, Rosalie, and daughters, Sonora and Violet.
About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org, or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
Contact:
Angela Hartmann
Associate Director, Communications
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 3647 or 785-393-1361 (cell)
ahartmann@gcsaa.org
