In the Spotlight...

Tenia Workman, Georgia GCSA executive director

Tell us a little bit about yourself - where you were born, raised, etc.

I was born and raised in Anderson, SC just across the lake (Lake Hartwell) from Hartwell, Georg. where I currently live. I graduated from Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. with a BS in Business Administration and worked on my Masters at the College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C.

During my college years, I met a nice assistant golf course superintendent, Buck Workman, and was married to him on October 2, 1981. Buck is now the certified golf course superintendent (CGCS) at Cateechee Golf Club in Hartwell, Georg. We have one son, John Barrett, who is a college sophomore, majoring in biology.

When did you start working for the Georgia GCSA?

I have been connected with the Georgia GCSA members for the last 25 years, and the last five as executive director. I was hired as executive director of the Georgia GCSA in June of 2002, and I love my job. I look forward to coming to work every morning, and especially working directly with the membership. The members in Georgia are great, and I truly have a board of directors who all work very hard to advance the mission of the Georgia GCSA. Working with the board of directors, their committees, my staff and the entire membership makes my job a pleasure.

What's the Georgia GCSA proud of? What has been a success for them/you?

The Georgia GCSA has been faced with many opportunities over the past five years, and quite frankly, needed the assistance of the entire golf industry in Georgia to help us with the challenges facing golf in Georgia. The Allied Golf Council was formed, consisting of the Georgia GCSA, the Georgia State Golf Association, the Georgia PGA, the Georgia Chapter of the Club Managers Association and the Georgia Chapter of the Club Owners Association.

This partnership with our allied associations has proven to be extremely successful. The council employs a lobbying firm and meets at least twice a year. The opportunity to work with the other associations and their leaders has certainly broadened my knowledge of the golf industry in Georgia. I must say "hats off" to the golf course superintendents who are at the forefront of the council. Wade Thomas, chairman of the council, Mark Esoda, CGCS, Berry Collett, CGCS, and Richard Staughton, CGCS, have all given so much to the cause and it has paid off. In Georgia, golf course superintendents are recognized as the most important team member at their clubs. It was the golf course superintendent who provided all the needed information to the state of Georgia to ensure that golf was protected under the new Statewide Water Management Plan. The Georgia GCSA has two representatives who work closely with state officials on the new plan. I am so proud of these members and all the work that they have done to protect the game of golf in Georgia.

The Georgia GCSA is most proud of the fact that we serve all superintendents and assistant golf course superintendents in the state; in fact we serve and are willing to help the entire facility. We aim to provide outstanding and affordable education for all members of the golf course superintendent’s staff.

Tell us what you consider to be a strength of yours? What comes to mind?

I feel that one of my strong points is working with an outstanding board of directors, committees and my wonderful staff. They all work hard for the betterment of the Georgia GCSA and golf in Georgia. I feel that by keeping the board of directors and committees abreast of current issues at hand with the association certainly keeps the wheels turning and allows our association the opportunity to continue the great work that we all do.

We are quite unique in Georgia. I certainly look to the membership of the Georgia GCSA as my extended family. Let me say again, just how much I LOVE MY JOB!!!

Share your stories by emailing them to Leann Cooper.