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PRESIDENT'S message |
The next phase begins now
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I write my first message as president humbled to be leading an organization with GCSAA’s history and accomplishments. There are many people I need to thank, chief among them my wife, Jennifer, and my children, Justin and Kristen. Thanks also to the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association for nominating me and providing continuous encouragement, and to the Country Club of Darien for its unwavering support.
My appreciation also goes to the delegates who’ve supported me on the board, the many superintendents I’ve been honored to meet, and the fine GCSAA staff that keeps everything moving ahead.
Finally, I want to thank my fellow board members. Working with all of them on behalf of the membership has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my involvement with GCSAA.
But my gratitude isn’t confined to individuals. I’m also grateful to GCSAA as an organization. I’ve had a solid career at one place for 24 years, and while I was fortunate to make the connection with my course, the education, services and networking opportunities open to me through my membership in this association has done much more to assist me in my chosen profession than I could have imagined
back then.
You may tell yourself that you’ll never be in my position, that you’ll never lead an international organization with more than 23,000 members. I understand, because that’s what I told myself as a young superintendent. But it can happen. I’m living proof. GCSAA and its chapters offer the opportunities; all you have to do is take advantage of them. Volunteer at the chapter or national level, go to the Golf Industry Show, go to www.gcsaa.org to learn what’s available or to enter the give-and-take of the forums.
And as you serve your profession, GCSAA remains committed to serving you. Service is the lifeblood of this organization, and the best kind of service is an attitude, a conviction that little things make a big difference. I encourage members to put GCSAA to the test of service.
To help meet that test this year, GCSAA will focus on a few main goals, including the continued development of our allied relationships. Partnering with the National Golf Course Owners Association and the builder, architect and other associations at the Golf Industry Show ensures the financial viability of this important event, which funds many member programs and services. These allied relationships also bring positive recognition to our profession.
Another area of focus is our work with The Environmental Institute for Golf, which fosters a positive image in the environmental community and provides resources that superintendents need to ensure their courses remain environmentally friendly.
Member education also is paramount and a driving force behind all our initiatives and affiliations with outside organizations. Check out the latest offering, a series of interactive Webcast training sessions on a wide range of topics from professional development to agronomy. All you need to take advantage of these affordable and easily accessible learning opportunities is a computer.
Associate Editor Seth Jones’ article in this issue of GCM contains more of my objectives for GCSAA this year, and I welcome questions concerning these priorities.
You’ll also want to check out this issue to discover how a long-time superintendent preps a course for spring and a four-and-a-half month season at 9,000 feet of elevation, as well as for a round-up on the latest in utility vehicles.
Like this issue of GCM, GCSAA has so much to offer. I look forward to seeing every one of you use your membership to take advantage of our many resources. I also look forward this year to helping GCSAA achieve its important goals and objectives as we move into the next exciting phase of our growth and success.
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