No downturn in assistance

The season isn’t even in full swing yet, and most of us are already feeling the pinch of reduced operating and capital budgets.

Many capital budgets were eliminated this year. Each of us feels the effects of the stagnant economy, and many are feeling the pressures of doing more with less.

Most of us have faced challenging economic situations, but we have never seen anything like this. Payrolls and manpower have been cut and salaries have been reduced to balance budgets.

The main stimulus behind this budgetary mayhem is declining memberships and reductions in guest play and other facility services. Superintendent jobs have been eliminated, and some members are being asked to take unpaid furloughs. 

How do we cope with these situations that threaten not only our facility viability but also our own and our families’ well being? It’s not going to be easy, and the solutions aren’t simple. Successful individuals will most likely be strong team players who help formulate the plan for the success of the facility. We all should work closely with the golf staff and other managers to map out a serious plan to get through these difficult times.

GCSAA provides a wealth of solutions to many of the problems we now face. One new offering is the Economic Survival Kit, available at www.gcsaa.org under the “Solutions/Tools” tab on the left side of the page. Think of this as a clearinghouse of suggestions and tips from GCSAA members across the country on how to do more with less. Sharing your knowledge and experiences with your peers makes every golf facility stronger and more successful. Send your tips on maintenance practices, budget friendly ideas, etc., to mszabo@gcsaa.org, and they’ll be posted to the site.

Other info packs address specific areas of concern in this troubled economy. And of course, our staff is prepared to offer individual assistance in many areas of career and facility development. Just call 800-472-7878.

Also, many GCSAA chapters like my home chapter, the GCSA of New Jersey, provide membership assistance on a local basis. GCSANJ’s Club Relations Committee (soon to be called Membership Assistance), offers one-on-one personal contact assistance with issues concerning employment; field assistance, whereby members will visit your course to give you a second opinion; and advice on individual club issues via counseling visits.

In addition, committee members will come to a course and speak with the greens committee to address potential issues, as well provide advice on salary, severance, contracts and ethics. This committee also contacts all New Jersey golf courses looking to hire a superintendent and provides them with hiring information and guidelines.

As I write this, some economic indicators seemingly are beginning to level out and perhaps even take a slight turn upward. We’ve all had tough times in our lives and have survived because we are an innovative, strong-willed and talented group of individuals. We will find the solutions and we will become stronger managers and leaders. Make it happen in 2009.