The portfolio component is divided into three parts: work samples, skill statements and case studies. These elements evaluate your knowledge and skills by testing problem-solving techniques and by reviewing samples of the management principles, processes and tools you use.

About the portfolio

 You can begin working on your portfolio any time during your career, so at the time you qualify to apply to the program you will be ready to submit your completed portfolio with your certification application. As an applicant in the program, your portfolio will be submitted to a two-member team of judges for scoring. When you are ready to begin building your portfolio, contact the GCSAA Certification Department for complete portfolio assembly instructions and the assignment of your case study scenarios.

Work samples

Work samples provide evidence of the tools and documents that superintendents use to manage human resources. Each of the required nine work samples represents an activity or management tool that every certified superintendent should have and use. To help you through the process of submitting your work samples, templates are available for each of the required items.

View the work sample templates »

Skill statements

Skill statements are indicators of knowledge or abilities that a certified superintendent should possess, regardless of whether he/she needs them in his/her current position. A total of 15 skill statements are required. To help you develop your skill statements, templates are available for each of the 15 items.

View the skill statement templates »

Case studies

The case study consists of a fictional superintendent on a golf course and a number of “scenarios” or circumstances that could potentially occur on the course. You will be asked to respond to several different scenarios that cover a range of human relations issues. You should assume that you are the superintendent in the story and apply your best management and problem-solving skills to describe an appropriate course of action for the scenarios. You will be asked to respond to a total of eight scenarios.