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For Vice President
David S. Downing II, CGCS

David S. Downing II, CGCS, has been the superintendent at The Rivers Edge Golf Club in Shallotte, N.C., since 2005. Previously, he served as director of golf operations at the Pearl Golf Links in Sunset Beach, N.C., senior vice president of operations for Avestra, the director of golf course operations at Barefoot Resort & Golf and Wild Wing Plantation and superintendent at Las Vegas Country Club, the TPC of Connecticut, Kennett Square Golf and Country Club and Williamsport Country Club. He has a two-year turf certificate from Penn State University in University Park. A GCSAA member for 27 years and a member of the board since 2002, Downing currently serves as GCSAA’s secretary/treasurer, and is vice chairman of the Chapter Relations Committee, the Conference and Show Resource Group and the Industry Advisory Council. Downing is a member and past president of the Carolinas GCSA. He is also a former member of the USGA Green Section Committee and has served on the golf course management advisory committee at Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

Statement
It has been a pleasure to serve the members of this association as a director and now as the secretary/treasurer.

I would like to thank the board of directors of the Carolinas GCSA for nominating me for the office of vice president. It is an honor and a thrill to be asked to run. I have the full support of my employer and family to take this next step, and I feel I am ready.

Over the past few years I have talked a lot about change and being prepared for it. In that time, we as a board have examined the future of the profession and how we can best position the members of GCSAA to succeed. We have spent considerable time focusing on the success of the facility. It is so logical: If facilities do well, then our members will do well, we as an association will do well, our vendors and suppliers will do well and allied associations in golf will do well. Quite simply, it takes successful teams to achieve the goals of each individual facility. We need to be the leaders of this philosophy.

With our dedication and expertise across a wide range of disciplines, GCSAA members are well positioned to help drive that success. And the Professional Development Initiative was a solid first step toward ensuring the future and enhancement of those assets. We now need to expand on that commitment with a branding campaign that carries our message to the entire industry and even beyond. Ensuring our members increase their involvement and stake in the health of the entire facility is paramount.

This will require change. Last year I wrote that we as superintendents need to be a part of the solution to help grow the game of golf. This remains true. There is competition in the marketplace for the time it takes to play golf — from work, family, other sports and activities. Overcoming that competition is an immense challenge. But all challenges present opportunity, and we as an association can lead the way. I am excited about these opportunities and the chance to help shape the direction for our members to succeed.

Finally, in Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose-Driven Life,” the first few words are, “It’s not about me.” I agree totally with that statement. We are here to serve each other and to try and do what is right for others.

Serving this membership is a way for me to be a good steward. My family and I have been blessed to live in different areas of this great country because of my career as a golf course superintendent. It is a great profession, and hopefully I can continue to serve each member of this profession and association.

RECENT issues

December 2006	November 2006