USGA Green Section Record, November 3, 2017 Share: Like 0 Share Tweet Finding And Retaining Assistant Superintendents By S. Addison Barden The ebb and flow of the economy sometimes leads to labor shortages in the golf industry. In recent years, it has been especially difficult to attract, hire and retain assistant superintendents. This issue comes at a time when superintendents depend on their assistants more than ever to help share the workload and supervise employees. Traditionally, the position of assistant superintendent was an entry-level management job that was a steppingstone to eventually becoming a superintendent. However, changes in the golf industry have resulted in fewer available superintendent positions. These and other factors may be contributing to a decline in turfgrass management programs, causing some assistants to leave the golf course maintenance industry. Facing a shortage of qualified assistants, superintendents and other golf facility decision-makers are more focused than ever on hiring and training assistant superintendents. This article explores how to identify the best assistant superintendent for your facility and includes suggestions for recruiting, training, retaining and mentoring assistant superintendents. Read More Multimedia Content Photo Gallery Infographic Ten Tasks Of Golf Course Maintenance The Impact Of Golf Course Labor Preparing a golf course for play takes a lot of time and effort. Well in advance of early morning tee times, staff at nearly every golf course are working hard to groom playing surfaces, change hole locations, move tee markers and so much more. This USGA photo gallery sheds light on many of the practices that take place before golfers set foot on the first tee. Golf courses are the most valuable asset of any golf facility and, as such, they require a significant amount of effort to maintain. It should then come as no surprise that, like any other business, labor plays a key role in the success of a golf facility. Explore this USGA infographic to learn more about the direct impact labor has on golf course playing conditions. Learn More Learn More Green Section Collection: Enduring Labor Market Challenges These interactive digital collections include additional supporting articles, a photo gallery and videos that provide relevant information on the primary subject. The collections can be viewed online in a user-friendly digital magazine format, saved as a PDF or printed. View Collection Research You Should Know Case Study When To Cover Bermudagrass Greens For The Winter Maximizing Productivity With Robotic Mowers Ultradwarf bermudagrass can provide excellent putting green conditions during summer, but it must be protected from cold temperatures during winter. Researchers at the University of Arkansas examined current covering recommendations and what they found could reduce the time spent under covers, saving time and money. Putting greens and bunkers are the most labor- intensive playing surfaces for any golf course to maintain. To enhance productivity, some facilities have explored the potential of robotic equipment. Observations from The Santaluz Club in San Diego, Calif., show the potential of technology to provide benefits beyond just reducing labor. Read More Read More Regional Updates West Region Northeast Region Having fun is critical to the survival of the game. While there are many ways to make golf fun, here are a few creative ideas that an eastern Oregon golf course uses to make golf more memorable and fun. A golf course superintendent’s checklist of things to do never ends. As the days get shorter, now is the time to make sure putting green turf is ready for winter. Here is a checklist of items to consider before snow begins to fall. Read More Read More Central Region Southeast Region Did unfavorable weather delay your renovation project this fall? If so, turf establishment may be delayed. Consider this inexpensive strategy to help extend the growing season and protect immature turf from winter stress. Explore recent golf course-maintenance trends observed in the Southeast, including native areas, utilizing mowers designed to improve efficiency and new spray boom improvements for turf- colorant programs. Read More Read More United States Golf Association 77 Liberty Corner Road Far Hills, NJ 07931 908.234.2300 Contact Us Stay Connected with the USGA Important Links USGA Privacy Policy USGA Green Section Home Page USGA Staff Contact Information Course Consulting Service Information USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online (TERO) ©2017 by United States Golf Association® Policies for the Reuse of USGA Green Section Publications USGA Green Section publications are made available through the courtesy of the United States Golf Association (USGA®). The reuse of these materials is authorized only if the following conditions are met in their entirety. This policy applies to all Green Section publications, including articles, videos, presentations, and webcasts. 1) Adherence to all components of our Conditions for Reuse policy. 2) Inclusion of the appropriate Reprint Permission Language. 3) Notification of your Intent To Reprint Content. The USGA Green Section Record (ISSN 2156-5813) is published twice monthly via electronic mail by the United States Golf Association®. http://myemail.constantcontact.com/USGA-Green-Section-Record--November-3--2017.html?soid=1103157499740&aid=7RXVvP_uQZk[11/6/2017 1:46:37 PM] ‌