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PRESIDENT's message |
A peek in the mirror
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As superintendents we understand the importance of strong cultural practices that help our turf survive a myriad of seasonal stresses. Some of these practices (like aerification) have a temporary negative effect on course-playing conditions, but the pain is worth the gain.
The negative effect of skipping one of the important steps in managing our courses is not always quickly evident. Often it’s only in later months that you find yourself paying for a short-term profit. Some of these negative ramifications are extremely obvious, and some are more insidious. Changing topdressing, skipping a fertilizer application or using smaller tines to plug the greens all have their own effects. Most of this is simple for superintendents to understand, and we know we have to do the little things to succeed.
Having said that, and knowing what the little things can mean on our golf courses, I now ask you to take a look in the mirror. Are you doing the little things in your life that will help you succeed?
Early in my career, I thought that getting ahead meant a bigger and better course with a bigger and better budget. My idea of spending time with the family was bringing them to work with me. Fortunately, I changed before my family was forced to change me.
Are there times in your career when you must put in long hours? Of course there are. I have done a couple of grow-ins, and they are times of intense management. But a grow-in is temporary. I have friends who have hosted major championships and PGA Tour events, and they receive tremendous personal and professional satisfaction from these endeavors. But if you ask them their plans for after the event, a common theme is “spend time with my family.”
I’ve also heard how some superintendents have let their career consume their family life, and by the time they realize it, it’s often too late.
Think about this: If you average 60-plus hours at work a week, most of your customers do not know it. They judge you on the conditions, not the hours. If you drop your hours to 45 a week, a significant number of customers may think, “Boy, our superintendent doesn’t work as hard as he used to,” no matter what the conditions are.
Long hours are a trap. They are a necessary evil at times, but they are not a way of life. You could say it’s a way of no life.
We are superintendents, not supermen and superwomen. You are not doing your course any favors by taking a shortcut to career burnout. Plan time off and take it (although I suggest that you avoid the week before your big tournament).
Take a couple of weekends off. Train your assistant to handle adversity and make decisions — and don’t be surprised when he or she does both.
Empower your staff to take ownership, and they will take ownership. You might find yourself sharing the glory, but you’ll also find strong allies when you need them.
Communicate everything you do. This will help explain the extraordinary circumstances that caused you to work extra hours and will galvanize support for you when you take the time you deserve — the time that makes you a better manager, the time that makes your team stronger, the time that makes your course better.
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