THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER DETROIT GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION Instead O f Paying Cash For T h ese, You C ould, For A bout T he Same Am ount O f M oney, Lease All O f T h ese! You can, with the Master Lease™ from John Deere Credit More than just a transaction, a MasterLease is an asset management tooi designed to help you put an equipment acquisition strategy together within your budget parameters. That could be a single greens mower OR an entire fleet of equipment — it's whatever meets your course's needs. So instead of purchasing two or three pieces of golf & turf equipment, see how the MasterLease from John Deere Credit can enhance your entire fleet of equipment.Call your John Deere golf & turf equipment distributor today or John Deere Credit Golf & Turf Leasing toll-free at 1-888-777-2560. OT H iN G R u n s L i k e A D e e r e ® WEINGARTZ Cedar Springs 11875 Northland Drive 877-485-9040 Farmington Hills 39050 Grand River 888-4JD-TURF www.weingartz.com “We Service What We Sell” Since 1945 Jo h n Deere C R E D IT Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association Officers President Roy Szyndlar, CGCS Vice President Mark McKinley Committees: GAM, Historian, Co-Awards President Emeritus Paul Kolbe Secretary/T reasurer Rick Murphy, CGCS Committees: Co-Social, Welfare, Policy, Finance Directors Ron Abbott, CGCS Committees: Co-Golf Day, Co-Michigan Room Tim Dorner, CGCS Committees: POG Editor, Publicity, Membership Bob King Committees: Co-Special Olympics, Co-Education Dick Matthews, CGCS Committees: Co-Golf Day, Co-Awards, Industrial Relations Terry Poley Committees: Co-Social, Co-Michigan Room Jon Shreve, CGCS Committees: Co-Special Olympics, Co-Education The Official Publication of the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Asociation Contents 5 .............................On Par With The President 7 ................................... 75th Anniversary Party 9 ................................... The View From M.S.U. 10&11 .......................... Michigan Room Report 1 3 .................. The Shape of Things To Come 1 5 ........................................ Member Viewpoint 17&18 . . ..............How About a New Chapter? 19&20 . . . . Leadership: More Than You Think 2 1 & 2 2 .................... Heritage Award Essay 23 . . . . Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Board 2 5 ............................... January Board Meeting 2 7 .............. . . . . February Board Meeting 2 8 .............................................. Roster Update 2 9 ..................................... New Member Roster 3 0 ..................................... Calendars of Events Contact for Kate Mason GDGCSA Executive Secretary Information GDGCSA P.O. Box 173, Troy, Ml 48099 (248) 362-1108 Fax: (248) 362-1736 E-Mail: gdgcsa@aol.com Printed by: Schaltenbrand Printing Company 16315 Harper Avenue Detroit, Ml 48224 (313) 882-4343 C H I P C p P R O F E S S I O N A L P R O D UC T S Aventis Insecticides • Chipco’ Choice™ • DeltaGard* • Sevin’ Fungicides • 26GT • ProStar* Banol’ • • Chipco’ Signature™ • Chipco’26019 • Ali ette’ Herbicides • Ronstar’ • Prograss’ Acclaim* Extra llloxan* • • Plant Growth Regulators • Proxy* Keeping G olf Courses Green with effective, responsible controls Aventis Environmental Science chipco* Professional Products Joe Grippi Sales Representative Tel. (616)844-7551 Fax (616)844-7550 Voice Mail (800) 577-5163 Ext. 3350 Mobile (616) 460-8560 e-mail: Joe.Grippi@aventis.com 13821 148th Avenue Grand Haven, Ml 49417 Aventis Environmental Science USA LP / Chipco Professional Products / 95 Chestnut Ridge Road / Montvale, NJ 07645 / 201-307-9700 o n p a r 's i? p r e s id e n t Spring is in the air and each of us has a favorite indicator of this season. Whether it is the appearance of the first robin, the blooming of the crocus, or my personal favorite, March Madness, they all represent spring, which means good weather is on the way. Whatever indicator you prefer, it is sure to get your heart pounding with the anticipation of a new season. It is the kind of excitement that comes with new challenges, new ideas and hopefully some new equipment. It is also the time to either implement, or at least solidify the programs and strategies that we have been formulating all winter long. Each of these holds the promise of improving of our golf courses and making the season successful. I hope that you were also able to take advantage of the educational opportunities that were available via a conference, trade show or seminar. I also hope that all of you took the opportunity to do something for yourselves that will assist you in becoming a better spouse, father, friend and superintendent. I purposely put superintendent last because I believe having a meaningful relationship with my family and friends will allow me to become the best superintendent that I can be. Here's wishing all of you green grass, straight drives and a successful season. P.S. I am also hoping for a successful Spartan NCAA repeat. Respectfully yours, ourse O Employees! “\ / ; During its recent meeting, GCSAA’s Board of Directors approved changes to the Associate membership classification, making it more accessible to all golf course employees! To qualify for Associate membership, you must meet the following requirements: 1. You must be employed within the golf course management profession. 2. You must be employed by and have your application attested by a voting (Class A or B) member of GCSAA. How to Apply: If you are currently a member of GCSAA, you will need to complete a reclassification form and have it attested by a Class A or Superintendent Member of GCSAA. If you are not a member of GCSAA, you will need to complete a membership application and have It attested by a Class A or Superintendent Member of GCSAA. Once you’ve completed your application and enclosed your dues payment of $125, simply mail It to GCSAA and we’ll take care of the rest! Associate Member Benefits • Reduced annual dues of $125 • Green membership card • All membership privileges except voting and holding office • One personal subscription to Golf Course Management For more information or to request a membership application call (800) 472-7878 www.gcsaa.org! or visit us online at A Patch of Green - 6 - Spring Issue, 2001 Holiday and 75th Anniversary Party a Success by Rick Murphy and Terry Poley, Co-Chairmen On Saturday, December 2, 2000, the GDGCSA held their Annual Holiday and 75th Anniversary Party at the newly restored GEM Theatre in downtown Detroit. It was a wonderful night, as 120 people were treated to an evening of entertainment which included the jazz sounds of the Ed Wells Trio Jazz Band and the comedy of “Sister” in the play members who readily cooperated with "Sister" when called upon. You were all fantastic! Late Night Catechism. We were especially entertained by several of our The evening was further highlighted by Mr. Gordy Lafontaine, who spoke about the history of our long-lived association. Gordy’s memories of the last 30 years were colored with good humor, good wit and a lot of laughter. They also included a very accurate account of just how much has changed in the world of turf management and the role of the superintendent. Gordy, thanks for sharing your memories and views with us. To help celebrate this occasion, Mr. Dave Fearis, past president of the GCSAA, presented GDGCSA President Roy Szyndlar a plaque honoring those men who pioneered our association in its early inception and others who were instrumental In advancing our profession, After graciously accepting the plaque, Ray proposed a toast to honor those individuals responsible for building our association and to encourage the current membership to build a strong legacy that will be left for the next generation of superintendents. It was a nice moment. Indeed, it was a grand evening. We’d like to extend our many thanks to all those involved in planning and organizing this event, including Roy Szyndlar, Mark McKinley, Paul Kolbe, Jim McGuire and Rosalee, Kate Mason, and our wives Cathy and Amy. In addition, we’d like to thank Carol Glasson and Sherry of D&C Distributors for again contributing the Christmas ornaments that they hand-crafted. Lastly, many thanks go out to the GEM Theatre and their staff for all their efforts in helping to make this night a memorable one. Upgrade Your Outdated Toro® Sprinklers With Low-Cost Hunter Retro-Risers Visit golf's best known courses and you will often find worn, inefficient sprinklers that have been in the ground for years - mainly due to the disruption and expense to replace them. Until now. With new Hunter Retro-Risers, your staff can pop out old Toro® internal mechanisms and replace them with efficient Hunter gear-drives within minutes. The Toro® body with flange remains undisturbed during the change-out and no digging is required. The Hunter RT Retro Riser is specifically designed to replace 1-inch inlet Toro® golf rotors, including models 630,730,760 and the discontinued 660. Talk to your local Century Rain Aid Golf repre­ sentative for a complete update on reliable Hunter rotors, heavy-duty valves and flexible control systems. AUTHORIZED HUNTER GOLF DISTRIBUTOR ¡Century AidI 800-642-3706 • www.rainaid.com Controller Board Repairs • 888-855-9132 Branches Coast to Coast email: rainaid@rainaid.com The View From M.S.U. Extension Forecast for 2001: Snow Mold, Fertilizer Costs and Field Day Crop and Soil Science Department, Michigan State University Kevin \N. Frank stimulate growth and recovery will help the turf to recover from damage. Be careful on the fertilizer though, as we don’t want to over-stimulate the turf and encourage “lush” growth. Energy Costs May Affect Fertilizer Prices is used Remember not too long ago when a gallon of gas was less than a dollar and heating your home didn’t cost a fortune? Well, unfortunately the high costs of energy, in particular, natural gas, are forecast to cause a possible doubling in fertilizer prices this year, according to a recent Golfdom article (February, 2001). The culprit is the high price of natural gas, which to produce anhydrous ammonia, the key component of all nitrogen-based fertilizers. However, Doug Johanningsmeier of Turfgrass Inc. indicated that the cost increase would be more modest than the doomsday predictions. Doug thinks that more realistically fertilizer prices will rise about 5%. No one seems to be exactly sure how high the price will go but all parties seem to agree fertilizers will cost more than last year. Best advice if you’re concerned about prices is to place your orders now. Michigan Turfgrass Field Day It’s never too early to mark your calendars so grab a pen. The 2001 Michigan Turfgrass Field Day will be held on Wednesday, August 22 at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center on the MSU Campus. This year’s field day should be particularly exciting for those interested in seeing the new modular field that will be moved into Spartan Stadium in time for the 2002 football season. In addition to the morning turf tours we’ll continue the popular afternoon workshops that were offered in 2000. I hope to see all of you there! Spring is on the way and after a long snowy winter many people are anxious to get out and hit the links. As the snow melted and the turf was uncovered our good friend snow mold has revealed itself once again. To understand the current conditions let’s begin by first looking at how the winter began in December. In many areas of the state conditions were rather mild and the ground unfrozen when the big blizzard hit on December 11th. The 15-plus inches that many areas received on top of unfrozen ground resulted in an ideal micro-environment for the development of snow mold. Unfrozen ground, a nice blanket of snow to insulate the turf, and obviously a nice moist environment appears to have resulted in a bumper crop of snow mold. The damage we are currently seeing is the result of both Microdochium patch (pink snow mold) and Typhula blight (gray snow mold). At the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, Dr. Vargas commented that this is quite possibly the most severe case of snow mold damage he’s ever seen, with some areas entirely blighted. We have seen some cultivar differences with respect to pink snow mold infestation. The sloping green, which is cultivar L-93, has virtually no pink snow mold, while greens in surrounding areas and throughout the turf center are heavily infested. I cannot attribute the difference to simply a cultivar effect, as the sloping green is definitely a little different than the average green. The sloping green is elevated and tends to hold less snow than other greens at the turf center. This might contribute to the lack of snow mold incidence seen on the sloping green. Okay, so if you have some snow mold damage, what can you do now? First of all it’s important to stay on your preventative fungicide treatment schedule throughout the spring, because if we have another wet, cool spring as we did last year, Microdochium patch can remain active through Memorial Day. There are several options for fungicide applications. Ron Detweiler, MSU Botany & Plant Pathology, recommends Chipco GT (Iprodione) + Fore (Mancozeb). Remember to always follow label directions when applying fungicides. Ron also recommends to avoid using PCNB products, as they can result in foliar burning and subsequent slower spring greening. There has also been evidence of PCNB’s causing root pruning in other crops. From a management aspect, brushing the turf to stand it up and applying a light fertilizer application to A warm “thank you” goes out to the vendors who contributed to the Michigan Room’s success at the Golf Course Superintendents Association Conference and Show, February 14-16 in Dallas, Texas Eagle Simplot Partners Ace Lesco Rhino Seed & Landscape Spartan Distributors Sygenta W.F. Miller Co. Weingartz Par The Andersons Emerald Isle Ltd. Green & Grow Osburn Industries Parmenter & Andres Peerless-Midwest Prosource One Turf Drain Birdie Aventis Environmental Century Rain Aid Deep Roots Aerification Golf Course Construction Marc Dutton Irrigation Torre & Bruglio Turf grass Valley Turf Other Contributions C.J. Colein & Associates Club Car Custom Aerification D&C Distributors The Davey Tree Experts Thielen Turf Irrigation Windsor Factory Supply Ü MARC DUTTON I R R I G A T I O N , I N C . YOUR IRRIGATION RESOURCE IN MICHIGAN IRRIGATION Installation Automation Electrical repairs Mechanical repairs Controller upgrades Radio controls PUMP STATIONS Installations Service Upgrades Authorized Service for FLOWTRONICS PSI WE INSTALL AND SERVICE ALL MAJOR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS 4720 Hatchery Road Waterford, Michigan 48329 (248) 674-4470 FAX (248) 674-3091 Contact DAVE or ED S & F CONSTRUCTION INC golf course specialists seamless patching, curb work, lightweight equipment and flexible working arrangements with staff etc. (810) 752-4889 (810) 752-2401 Fax: (810) 752-6719 New from The Andersons. Andersons G O L F P R O D U C T S The groundwork for excellence... Distributed by: TURFGRASS, INC. P. O. Box 667 28064 Pontiac Trail S. Lyon, MI 48178 Call 800-521-8873 or 248-437-1427 (call collect) TheCCCS* Andersons Professional T\irf Products Division P.O.Box 119 Maumee, OH 43537 Michigan Room Report Terry L. Poley/Jon Shreve, CGCS The Michigan Room was a great success again, thanks to all the vendors and donors who continue to support this event. Without their support, this room would not be possible. The room for this year's event was one that everyone from the state of Michigan could be proud of, even those who were not able to attend. The room was open Wednesday, February 14th through Friday, February 16th. People from all areas Michigan were in attendance, including alumni from across the nation, their families and friends. Thursday night there was a special presentation to recognize Greg Lyman. Greg received the "Presidents Award for Environmental Leadership" during the conference. We were honored to have special guests from MSU to help celebrate Greg's achievement; Dr. Ian Grey, Director of MSU Experiment Station; Dr. LouAnna Simon, Provost at MSU; Dr. William Taylor, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Keith Creagh, Deputy Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture; and James Obear, Director of the Development Office at MSU. Also mixed into the crowd was GCSAA President Tommy Witt. Later in the night, Carey Mitchelson was greeted with warm applause when he was awarded for his years of outstanding service to the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association. Support for the Michigan Room is strong across the nation. Superintendents and MSU alumni who have left Michigan look forward to attending this event just as much as the conference itself. Throughout the nights, people gathered around to catch up with old friends, meet new friends, share ideas and tell stories and jokes. But most of all, they gathered there to be around familiar faces and share in the pride of being from Michigan. Turf Grass Drainage Pays • Less Flooding • Healthier Grass • Lower Maintenance Cost • Shorter Rain Closing • More Cart Revenue • Better Course Appearance Water Management Specialists, Inc Dennis Rector • 1596 S. College Rd. • Mason, Ml 48854 Michigan Special Olympics for at It's that time again!! MARK YOUR CALENDAR FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2001 20th Annual Fundraiser Bald Mountain Golf Course Sponsored by Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association "6 man scramble" (get your groups together) $100 per man Your local suppliers, who make this event possible, will all be on site. (Bring cash or checks for auction items-No charge cards, please!) RAIN OR SHINE A GREAT DAY IS PLANNED FOR YOU! Check your mail for more info! The Shape of Things to Come — 2001 Bob Vavrek, USGA Agronomist, North Central Region some of the most severe bunker washouts I have ever encountered. I see more superintendents experimenting with new erosion control materials, such as Bunker Wall, in severely sloped cavities. Experience will dictate how and where to employ these materials to minimize bunker erosion, but I doubt any material will be a panacea for erosion problems in all architectural styles of bunkers. On a final note, I encourage everyone to have their irrigation water tested at least once this year. A number of reputable independent labs are available to determine pH, soluble salts, bicarbonates, and other characteristics of water that can, under some circumstances, have a significant effect on turf quality, especially during extended periods of drought. Superintendents in the more arid regions of the country and those at courses where effluent water is used for irrigation will never take water quality for granted. The water is tested frequently and the steady buildup of salts near the surface of greens during dry weather is constantly monitored. Sand based greens are subjected to long irrigation cycles at appropriate intervals to flush the accumulation of salts from the upper soil profile - a stress that can cause injury to Poa annua playing surfaces. the because upper Midwest that occur throughout Salt accumulation is not a common problem at courses the in frequent thundershowers the summer provide a natural flushing action through a green. On the other hand, the unusual weather patterns over the past several years have provided the type of conditions where damage to greens from excessive salts did occur at several courses. Damage that could have been prevented by simply testing the irrigation water and monitoring inexpensive conductivity meter during periods of hot, dry weather. the soil profile with an (262-797-8743) anytime Feel free to call the North Cental Regional office in Wisconsin information regarding water testing labs and conductivity meters, along with any other water or non-water related turf concerns you may encounter during the season. for I was asked to took into my crystal ball and discuss potential problems that superintendents in the North Central Region might encounter during the upcoming season. At first, issues such as chlorothalonil use restrictions came to mind or the steady westward march of gypsy moths and Japanese beetles across Wisconsin into Minnesota However, I decided to discuss a more general concern, one that most of us in the upper Midwest tend to take for granted - water. lakes/rivers, readily The abundance of fresh water available groundwater, and over 30 inches of precipitation each year across Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota are the reasons why we rarely consider water to be an issue on the golf course as long as a relatively dependable irrigation system exists. Too little water or too much water (mostly too much), however, can have a considerable impact on the health of the turf and the quality of the playing surfaces. Water impacts the golf course even before it is born. The presence of wetland habitat can limit the amount of land available for developmeat at a particular site. Protecting wetlands and wetland mitigation can significantly increase the cost of building a course. Only time will tell what impact, if any, the new Bush administration will have on wetland development and other environmental issues. Once construction begins, the washouts and erosion associated with heavy rainfall events can throw a monkey wrench into the timetable for opening a course. On the other hand, a lack of consistent rainfall during grow in will hinder the germination and development of turf across slopes, mounds, in roughs and other areas that lack supplemental irrigation. Rough turf quality can be set back a year or more during a droughty grow in. Water continues to be an issue after turf establishment. An increasing number of courses are experiencing the problem of moss encroachment on greens. The ability of moss to compete in turf is enhanced by excessively close mowing heights, low fertility and overwatered playing surfaces. Sometimes an extended period of wet weather causes a surge of moss growth, but most often irrigation and/or poor it was surface/subsurface drainage the green. I see a few more home remedies in my crystal ball, but don’t expect any long-term success regarding moss control until the grass is a little higher and the greens are drier. through or across too much related to Heavy rainfall events during the 2000 season caused The New Rain Bird VFD Pump Station Understanding Golf Courses Irrigation Needs In an industry characterized by intense com petition and rigorous standards for golf course playability, choosing the m ost appropriate irrigation products has never been m ore critical. With a Rain Bird VFD pum p station, m aintaining a competitive edge using the latest in irrigation technology has never been easier. From the exclusive Smart Pum p™ central control software link to the user friendly pum p station touch-screen display, Rain Bird VFD pum p stations provide one of the m ost intelligent solutions available. Smart Pump allows the operator to compare actual and controlled flow. Vtllley Turf A cut above Grandville (616) 532-2885 Kalkaska (231) 369-3482 Detroit (810) 220-2040 Management Companies: The Superintendent’s Worst Enemy? By.Tim Dorner, CGCS from letter received a in October of 2000 the GDGCSA Board of Back Directors the Chicagoland Association of Golf Course Superintendents voicing its concern about management companies and the strategies being used to secure more courses in its area. It also included a copy of a letter sent to GCSAA asking the board to take some type of action against what it believes is a breech of the GCSAA Code of Ethics with regards to many of the tactics used by many of these companies. in this letter says, “We infiltrate our area by attacking in The opening statement Chicago are offended by the blatant attempt by management companies to cut our throats and take over these our clubs. We’ve stood by and watched companies the management practices of veteran superintendents. We need to stop riding the fence on this issue and take a stance.” They go on to state, "They are growing and have a corporate mentality where they will not stop until they own all of us! Their niche is getting bigger and you may be next. It is estimated that in 1993 there were 600 courses under group management. Today, that number is closer to 1,600.” In conclusion, a reference to a quote by a management company official taken from Superintendent News was made. “Golf is no longer driven by passion, it is driven by economics.... it’s no longer a sport.... and the bottom line counts.” “We in the Chicagoland Association find this attitude offensive. Our profession is an art form, a study in science and nature. Yes, financial responsibility is paramount on the list of skills required, but first and foremost we grow grass. We deserve to be judged on the merits of our playing surfaces by the chairman of the green committee or course owner/operator, not by the regional agronomist, whose primary concern is what lies on the financial statement, not the lie of the ball.” While I don’t condone unethical methods of obtaining a job by any individual or entity, it unfortunately does happen. The call to rally against this perceived threat is a noble one; however, it is extremely naive. Ask any local or national board member who has had to deal with an ethics violation and they all will tell you the same thing. Our code of ethics are not worth the paper that they are written on. They will never stand up in the court of law, which unfortunately is the final arbitrator should parties involved choose to push it that far. that think If you the GCSAA could or would do something about this, you are crazy. Like it or not, golf is a big business and it is driven by economics. I don’t believe there are many operations out there where the bottom line doesn’t matter. Management companies are not a new phenomenon. Although they only control a small percentage of the market, they continue to attract more and more “accounts” each year. Obviously, management companies exist because there is a need that they meet in the marketplace. The sales pitch being thrown out there by most management companies is that “we can do it cheaper and not compromise conditioning.” Anyone who is concerned about the bottom line would be a fool not to listen to such a proposal. We as professionals should look to ourselves to secure our positions from "outside influences”, not the GCSAA. We should be evaluating the way we run our operations and determine if we are operating as efficiently as possible. Budgets continue to escalate. Where will it stop? We need to reaffirm the expectations of the board or owner each year at budget time and find ways to cut costs without compromising the goals and objectives of our operations. If you are running your operation in this manner, you won’t be looking over your shoulder at an individual or management company that’s trying to get a foot in the door at your course. from We don’t need the GCSAA to take a stand against management companies. What we need the GCSAA and the USGA is an effort at high profile golfing events, through their various publications and television time, to counteract what has been referred to by some people as the “Augusta Syndrome.” Golf course owners, club officials and the general golfing public need to fully understand the resources required and the man-hours needed to maintain a course at the highest level. They need to get the message that you can’t have “Augusta” with out being prepared to pay for it. They also need to recognize that the top-level courses are not the real world. The elite are the elite for two reasons; course layout and the resources required to be on top. Finally, we need to get away from the “us vs. them” mentality with this subject and become proactive. We need to look at ourselves to see where we can get better, individually and as an association. We need to work smarter, not harder. Working harder than the next guy may have gotten you the job; working smarter than the next guy will allow you to keep the job and leave on your own terms. Editors Note: If you wish to read the letters from the Chicago Association, contact any board member or Executive Secretary Kate Mason to receive a copy. Lebanon 11-3-20 with Merit® will fertilize and attack the grubs at the same time. • IBDU for a safe slow release - - a predictable source of controlled nitrogen provides optimal application coverage • It’s a mid size particle • Homogeneous - • Contains .2% Merit® contains same ratio of nutrients to Merit® control a variety of damaging grubs - low salt and reduced burning potential - • Potassium Sulfate of Potash Custom We now have our Application Truck for Michigan! PROFFES^tONAL. GRA88 S FED . 11-3-20 0.2% Merit® Le6§rnon Call your Local Simplot Partners Representative to book your application. Susan M. Shockey 248.866.6081 Marty Dominick 248.640.4440 Vic Bennett 313.215.4638 Marc McCoy 248.640.4437 S l f f i p i O t ^ f - r J J = ^ --™ Mark C Frever 517.202.6660 Don Benham 248.640.5395 Dan Shemon 248.640.4439 Scott Trbovich 810.577.2507 Simplot Partners / Local Michigan Offices 851 47th Street SW • Suite C• Wyoming, Ml 49509-5103• (616)257-8492 • (877)593-8873 • Fax (616) 257-8495 24800 N. Industrial Drive • Farmington Hills, Ml 48335-1557 • (248)474-7474 • (800)482-6520 • Fax (248) 474-3228 NEW CENTURY! HOW ABOUT A NEW CHAPTER? by Tom Mason Golf course superintendents have to be perceived as professional by everyone’s definition of what is a professional. The obvious place to start this endeavor is by making our local chapters more in tune with the profession educationally and more effective organizationally. Today, chapters suffer from all the problems associated with an organization that changes it’s leadership annually. For example: volunteers tend to do their jobs like the persons who preceded them. Chapters are often inconsistent in the services they provide. Information is typically slow to circulate and often less than complete. Leaders often fail to properly delegate tasks to others. Usually, chapters are lacking specific goals or a mission. Typically, there is very little thought put into preparing the organization for the future. Rarely are they perceived by their membership as responsive. In many cases chapters hire a person to serve as chapter manager in order to overcome many of the mentioned problems. Boards and committees then meet and are quick to realize that more could be accomplished since the new employee is now doing the work. After a period of time, the organization is more complex and more expanded and therefore much harder for a simple chapter volunteer to understand, let alone maintain a competent leadership role. This situation results in the chapter manager becoming indispensable and the central hub of the whole association. Furthermore, the leaders of the association know less and less about how the association really works. The association becomes a small business that needs to run as a business. Unfortunately the real mission of the organization (education) becomes secondary, or even less than secondary. When education becomes less than the primary reason for existing, then participation wanes. I would like to throw out my vision of what my chapter should be. It means nothing more than a place to start the discussion that has to occur, if we are serious about improving our profession. “What Chapters need to become” 1. Develop a mission 2. Prepare objectives for each committee 3. Prepare objectives for each year A. Seek out and list the top issues that concern members B. Inform all members and attack the issues 4. Create value for being a member A. Orientation programs " B. New member induction C. Concerted effort in association building 5. Create value for serving A. Board of directors and committee service B. Student memberships 6. Eliminate programs and committees that are not needed 7. Keep all tasks and assignments small, workable, manageable and accountable 8. Develop a Mentor program A. New members B. Young and older members C. Student members D. Have defined goals and objectives 9. Recognize the different kinds of members and help them organize themselves and benefit from each other 10. Train and prepare for the future in everything that is done 11. Encourage innovation and independent thought 12. Facilitate discussion about being a “golf course superintendent" I know that there will be many members that will say, “This can’t be done” or "We could never do this” or “We don’t have the time or resources” or “We can’t get there from here”. Yes, we can! We just have to change our thinking and our priorities. We also have to look at things as they really are, things as they could be, and things as we need them to be if we are to be effective and thrive in our jobs. I submit this "vision” recognizing that we have older members who began their careers without the need for business skills. We have many younger members who have come to the business via the college course catalog and only minimal apprenticeships. We have members from private clubs, municipal courses, privately owned courses, military courses, management companies and at infinite levels of funding and expectations. We need an association that is vigilant to what is going on in the golf business. We have to have an inkling about what is going to be needed of us in our jobs. Superintendents need a resource for understanding the history of golf course maintenance and how that history can affect our future. Our members have to have a mechanism to consistently and coherently communicate with GCSAA and its departments, so that our national association can be effective in its programs and initiatives. Right now, we as golf course superintendents lack the mechanism to teach and enlighten our members, particularly our younger members with “what it means to be a golf course superintendent”. Knowledge of these kinds of things is the price tag that is associated with a profession that is respected and a membership that is paid what they think they are worth. If we have an agronomic problem, we have university turf programs, GCSAA seminars, consultants and the USGA Green Section as resources. If we have a management problem, we have local schools, consultants and GCSAA seminars as resources. Countless superintendents have suffered because there is no resource to simply guide a person to being a “superintendent”. One that ties turf, management and golf together. There is no mechanism that constantly looks at our profession and informs our members that their world is changing and they need to become acclimated, at least on a local basis. When it is done nationally, it is typically missed or dismissed as “not applicable to me.” Being a golf course superintendent has never been easy, but it should be a lot easier. The demands of our jobs often require us to think differently as we see what it takes to be successful. Our local superintendents’ chapter should just be another tool for us to use in our attempt to be the best that we can be. TEES ★ GREENS ★ FAIRWAYS ★ BUNKERS ★ 810-752-3489 810-752-1026 FAX 810-337-3331 MOBILE CALL FOR DETAILS TERRY MALBURG PRESIDENT "The Water Quality Company" Testing • Evaluation • Treatment p H AIRW AY W ATER TR EA TM EN T A M EN D M EN T |( Exclusive Distributor of the Prime Turf Series 900 Injection Station For All Your Water Quality Needs Call: Tim Barno (248) 797-2124 *(800) 677-8097 A Patch of Green -18 - Spring Issue, 2001 Leadership: More Than You Think by Tom Mason When a person starts a new job the issues that are associated with that person are all about “what you do”. Can you grow grass? Do you know about golf? Can you manage money? Can you communicate? Do you understand the desired quality level? Do you manage the golf course or does the golf course manage you? Most of these issues are addressed in the turf school curriculum and networking. In fact, turf related issues dominate what is taught in the school. Basic management issues are talked about simply because one will obviously need to know how to manage a staff of employees to be a “superintendent” and grow turf. After a period of time (honeymoon period), when your customers understand that you can do the job, then you, whether you like it or not and whether you know it or not, will be taking on a whole new level of issues. The “who you are” issues...such as: Are you trustworthy? Are you responsive? Do you do what you said you would do? Can you forecast problems? Can you get along with other employees? Do you make other people better? Do you elevate yourself at the expense of others? Do you return your phone calls, mail and e-mail promptly? Do your customers perceive that you work to improve the quality of their product? Or, do they think that you work for the convenience of yourself and your staff? Are your budgets and reports on time and correct? Can you write and spell correctly correspondence? Can you speak to a group and get your point across? Do you see the big picture for your facility? Can you teach and inspire attention-to-detail? Can you handle problems? Do other people think that you can handle problems? Can you handle pressure? Do your employees think that you can handle pressure? Can you handle adversity? Do you have a plan for handling adversity? Do you develop your employees? Can you have an idea, sell the idea, develop the idea and then implement the idea? Do you know how to formulate an opinion? Are you consistent in your opinions and beliefs? Are you consistently polite and courteous everyone, even to difficult people? Can you separate professional positions personal positions? in your from to Are you perceived as accountable? Do you act like you are accountable? Are you quick to handle uncomfortable situations? Can you hide anger and frustration? Can you admit it when you are wrong? Do you apologize when you are wrong? Do you have good table manners? Do you know how to introduce people? Do you know how to make people feel included? Do you think people are comfortable with you representing their facility? Do your employees feel that you are effectively representing them? Do people at your facility think you hold a grudge and have to get even for things? Do women at your facility sense that you respect them and treat them fairly? Do you understand synergy? Do you understand and incorporate delegation? Do you understand and utilize empowerment? Are you perceived as innovative? Do you reward innovation on your staff? Can you manage a meeting so that everyone has a clear understanding of what occurred? Do you have a “Bad News” action plan? Are you perceived as proactive, or, are you perceived as reactive? Are you perceived to have vision? Do people think that you have a good understanding of quality? Do your customers know anything about you outside of golf or your job? Do you feel as though you are part of your community? How good are you at seeing the point of view of others? Do others think of you as a good listener? Do you understand your power as the golf course superintendent at your facility? Do your customers think that you use your power wisely? I’m not advocating that golf course superintendents should be taught or told how to conduct themselves. What I am advocating Is that we as a profession start talking about these kinds of things as issues. We have to make our colleagues cognizant that these kinds of issues and/or perceptions exist and are often expected from us. Superintendents have to understand that these "who you are” issues contribute to how effective you are in your job. “Who you are” that superintendents get tired, even when the golf course looks great. Often, they are the reason that owners and boards the of directors issues are often real passion to show feel no the reason superintendent respect or raise their pay. Often, they are the reason fellow employees and customers fall to show superintendents the respect that they deserve and criticize their product. Often, they are the reason superintendents can’t seem to get the resources they feel they need to Improve their product. Isn’t Is conceivable that if every golf course superintendent knew and practiced an understanding of these Issues, then our profession would be enhanced and many of the concerns that we have as a profession would be addressed? To my way of thinking, golf course superintendents have to become professional by everyone’s definition of professional, not just by our definition. Cart Paths Specializing in: Installation of new asphalt cart paths Installation of stone paths ♦ ♦ Resurface existing cart paths ♦ ♦ Grading ♦ Sub-grade preparation ♦ Sub-base preparation ♦ Restoration WHETHER YOUR COURSE IS WELL ESTABLISHED OR IN THE DEVELOPING STAGES, LET ASPHALT CART PATHS HELP TO INCREASE YOUR REVENUE. 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