 |
Presented in partnership with
|
Certification 101:
How to make the grade
 |
With only a business administration degree from a local community college and 25 years working for the City of Aurora (Colo.) Golf Division, I am one of the least likely candidates to have made it through GCSAA’s new certification program. But even though GCSAA has made the program more comprehensive, it also provided the resources I needed to be successful — and it didn’t hurt that I was able to work with a mentor who is a past president of GCSAA, Dennis Lyon, CGCS, as well as a host of other outstanding certified and Class A members of the Aurora golf division.
I ventured through the program for all the usual reasons — advanced career opportunities, higher pay, professional recognition and personal satisfaction — and I encourage my fellow GCSAA members to do the same.
Start by asking yourself if you have the two most important qualities to successfully complete the process of becoming a CGCS: drive and patience. Then take advantage of the association’s resources, beginning with the Professional Development Resource. The PDR is simply a tool that you can complete online at your own leisure. By honestly answering each element, you will gain an understanding of your strengths and areas of potential improvement. Self-assessment is what the PDR is about, so use it to your advantage. The PDR addresses each area covered in the new exam and allows you to establish a plan of action for study.
Next, complete the portfolio so that you can turn it in with your certification application as soon as you reach eligibility. The portfolio is a combination of case studies, skill statements and work samples. Think of your portfolio as an opportunity to express your own style, habits, examples, goals and traits to a review panel. The guidelines for review of your portfolio content are generously explained, making it easy for you to assemble your thoughts.
Completing the PDR and portfolio puts the final parts of the certification program within your grasp, but you must also meet regular formalities such as work and education eligibility requirements, possess a valid pesticide license or complete GCSAA’s own IPM exam.
Course attesting is straightforward. You have one growing season to complete the requirements. Two attestors from your local chapter will be assigned to review your facility and listen to your concerns about how you manage your operation. The attestors are truly unbiased and are there to help you.
The new closed-book exam is your final hurdle. You have one year to pass all three parts, so put it to your advantage. After completion of the PDR, portfolio, and everything else involved with the certification process you will have a great understanding of what is needed to pass the exam.
My wise mentor told me, “There is no way you can study for everything that is on the exam.” He was correct. My plan of action was to take the exam just to familiarize myself with the content and devise a study plan to pass any part that I had to re-take. I passed two parts of the exam the first time through and realized how comprehensive the three sections truly were.
My own experience told me to focus study on my strengths. I believed I could pass this last exam by focusing my study on my PDR strengths and not worrying about studying my weak areas. My plan ended up working the second time through for me.
Completing the new certification program was truly rewarding. I saw my accomplishment in a new light after receiving congratulatory letters and e-mails from other GCSAA members and affiliates. I encourage you to complete the new certification program with the help of the GCSAA, mentors and co-workers. You, too, will realize the sense of accomplishment and value of the CGCS designation.
According to the newly released GCSAA 2007 Compensation, Benefits and Operations Report, the base salary of more than 4,000 superintendents polled is $73,766. Half of respondents earn more than $66,000 annually, 33.3 percent earn more than $80,000 annually and 20 percent earn more than $95,000 annually. This marks a 7 percent increase over the 2005 base salary results. The report also noted that the average salary of Superintendent Members is $59,398, while Class A members earn 31.5 percent more at $78,096. Fifty-four percent of responding superintendents receive a bonus; the top three factors used to compute bonus amounts are: merit/job performance (64 percent), profitability of overall operation (46 percent) and staying within the budget (42 percent). Throughout a seven-day week, superintendents work an average of 41 hours in the winter, 55 hours in the spring, 60 hours in the summer and 51 hours in the fall, according to the GCSAA 2007 Compensation, Benefits and Operations Report. |
RECENT issues
 |
 |
July |
June |