Steven Wood, CGCS (left), Michael Sandburg, CGCS (center), and George Manuel represented South Texas GCSA at an in-service day for high school instructors of Houston's Aldine Independent School District.

2000 Leo Feser Award Candidate

Representatives of the South Texas GCSAA made a presentation about the superintendent's profession to high school instructors at an in-service day. Through the presentation, high school instructors learned about educational and career opportunities in golf course management for their students. Making the presentation was an educational experience, not just for the instructors, but also for the superintendents. The experience was an opportunity that every chapter should try to get involved in.

Over the past few years, GCSAA has worked hard to educate golfers and employers on the merits of our profession. From these efforts, dividends are starting to pay off.

In the fall of 1999, the Aldine Independent School District, located in Houston, asked the South Texas GCSA to become a member of their Professional Partners Program. The professional partners are individuals or organizations that work to educate instructors and students concerning their professions. During in-service days, the partners are invited to make presentations to high school instructors who believe their students may be interested in the partners' careers.

Setting a plan of attack
Richard Thomas, coordinator of the program, approached South Texas GCSA board member Stephen Wood, CGCS, about organizing a presentation for instructors' in-service day. Wood, in turn, contacted me and George B. Manuel, South Texas vice president, to assist in coordinating the presentation. The board of the South Texas GCSA viewed this as a great opportunity to work with educators.

I contacted Jeff Bollig, GCSAA director of communications, and Kristi Humston, communications manager, to locate information for use in the presentation. They immediately sent me posters, brochures, videos, magazines and books, as well as a sample student information packet from GCSAA's career development department. Wood, Manuel and I reviewed the information and developed an outline, which served as the basis for our presentation. I was designated the presenter.

In the spotlight
When the in-service day arrived, we were ready. Our presentation was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. at MacArthur High School, so we arrived early to set up and review our main points and answers to possible questions from the audience.

The individuals attending our presentation were high school agriculture science instructors. We made our introductions and opened with a few questions to break the ice. I gave a brief definition of what a golf course superintendent is, taken from GCSAA's "Explore Your Road to Success" brochure. The definition is: "A golf course superintendent is the manager of the game's most important asset: the golf course. Whether it is a public, private, resort or daily-fee course, the superintendent is a leader, responsible for ensuring the game's continued growth and value."

From there, we discussed in more detail the role of superintendents as scientists, technologists, communicators, educators, resource managers and golf analysts. Showing how each of these areas fit into our daily jobs seemed to intrigue the instructors.

In answering questions about these areas, we discussed why an individual would want to become a golf course superintendent. Some reasons we cited were the love of the outdoors, making the environment better, love of the game and the lack of monotony. The instructors believed that some of their students would enjoy the challenges of the profession.

The details
In response to the question, "What kind of education is needed for this career?" we responded that 88 percent of superintendents have formal education, and we described our own educational backgrounds. We emphasized the importance of choosing the right college or university, particularly one with a quality turfgrass program. Five colleges and universities in Texas have turfgrass programs. We also referred the instructors to John Wake, student programs manager at GCSAA, to acquire student information packets.

We also discussed how a summer job at a golf course can provide a student with an opportunity to evaluate golf course maintenance as a possible profession. In addition we provided general information about how to contact superintendents to set up summer jobs and how to reach college or university personnel to discuss educational opportunities.

Salary ranges were also a topic for discussion because the instructors felt that some students are drawn by high pay. With that, we explained that during the past few years our average salaries have increased greatly, with the national average being $56,000 a year. The average starting salaries of assistant superintendents in Houston is $25,000 a year. It may take three to five years or more to move up to a superintendent's position. We emphasized that an individual must have a good combination of education and experience to obtain a higher-paid position.

Instructors were amazed to learn that the national association has more than 20,000 members, our state association has more than 500 and the South Texas GCSA has more than 150. We explained how our profession has grown over the past few years, and how, with the help of our associations, continuing education -- very similar to their own continuing education programs -- keeps us up-to-date on the latest technology. We opened up the floor for general discussion, and after numerous questions, the instructors reluctantly left to go to the next presentation.

Win-win situation
This experience was very educational for the superintendents as well. We learned that many basic agronomic concepts are being taught in high schools today. There are many class projects that directly address landscape design, installation and maintenance. The designs include not only plant material but also irrigation. These were concepts that previously were not addressed until college.

The experience was an opportunity that every chapter should try. Seek out your local school system, public or private, to see if they have a program like this. This could also be an opportunity to get a school started in Audubon International's Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Schools.

What better way to educate the public than to start with the educators who influence the future?

Michael Sandburg is CGCS at Lakeside Country Club in Houston; a 10-year GCSAA member; president of the South Texas GCSA; and a national winner of the 2000 Environmental Steward Awards.