Industry News

Deadline approaching for 2009 EGR Awards

The 2009 GCSAA Excellence in Government Relations Awards deadline is fast approaching: nominations are due October 15. The EGR Awards recognize and honor outstanding individual and chapter efforts in government relations in the areas of advocacy and compliance.  Any GCSAA member superintendent, assistant superintendent or chapter is eligible to receive an award. 

If you know an individual or a chapter whose contributions to the industry deserve to be rewarded, nominate them for an EGR Award.  Nominations can be made using the online form, or a hard copy form is available by calling 800-472-7878.  For more about the EGR Awards program, contact Chava McKeel, senior manager, government relations, 800-472-7878, Ext. 3619.

NGCOA, NCA 2008 Compensation Survey shows size matters

When it comes to compensation in the golf and club industries, size matters. It also pays (literally) to work at a private facility vs. a public-access facility.

Those were among the findings of the 2008 Golf and Club Industry Compensation and Benefits Report issued by the NGCOA and the National Club Association.

Average total compensation (base salary, bonus and commission) for the chief executive staff person / general manager position at facilities with annual gross revenues of more than $7.5 million was $208,706, according to the survey of NGCOA and NCA members earlier this year. In contrast, employees in the same position at facilities where annual gross revenue is less than $2 million took home $72,222.

The lead agronomic manager / head superintendent at a private facility earned an average salary of $118,186 compared to $75,351 at public-access facilities. The salary difference between the head chef at private and public facilities is even greater – $77,250 compared to $44,982. 

In addition to compensation, the survey looked at trends in health care, which showed the golf and club industries are not immune to rising costs and pressures affecting other employers. Responding facilities reported paying $5,337 in health care premiums per staff member in the most recent fiscal year, up from $4,889 a year earlier, more than an 8 percent increase. 

Indicative of the financial strain many courses and clubs are under, the number of facilities providing health insurance dropped from 94 percent to 90 percent in the past year.

The study was conducted earlier this year for the NGCOA and NCA by Industry Insights, an independent research and consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio. The full report, which is available to NGCOA and NCA members for $150 and to non-members for $225, may be ordered from the associations’ respective Web sites, http://www.ngcoa.org/ and http://www.nationalclub.org.

GCSANC Institute--what's more important than water?

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California in cooperation with the University of California Cooperative Extension will host its 2008 Institute, Sept. 15-16 at The Course at Wente Vineyards, Livermore, Calif. The educational conference What’s More Important Than Water?, will feature speakers from water districts, educational institutions and allied golf organizations, all discussing the topic of water from historical, environmental, and scientific perspectives.

"The Institute remains a favored educational experience for course superintendents and affiliate members because we focus on subject matter critical to golf courses and surrounding communities," stated Michael Souza, GCSANC board member and event co-chairman. Other components of the two-day conference include an industry trade show and a tournament on the Greg Norman-designed course at Wente Vineyards.

Industry experts who will serve as conference speakers are: Hossein Ashktotab, Ph.D., Santa Clara Valley Water District, Chris Dundon, Contra Costa Water District; David Langridge, East Bay Municipal Utility District; Peter Canessa, Pacific Gas and Electric; James Baird, Ph.D., UC Riverside; and Mike McCullough, Northern California Golf Association.

"Due to water supply issues in California, golf course superintendents are eager to absorb all the knowledge they can on how to best conserve water while also maximizing efficiency," said Ali Harivandi, Ph.D., with UC Cooperative Extension and long-time institute organizer and moderator.  "Fortunately, several course superintendents anticipated the current situation within our state and have taken measures to conserve water and energy resources, and now, come to the institute prepared to share best practices with others."

Golf course superintendents serving as conference presenters include: Mr. Ted Horton, CGCS, California Alliance for Golf, Steve Agin, Ruby Hill Golf Club; Joe Vallaire, Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course; Gary Ingram, CGCS, Metropolitan Golf Links; and David Sexton, CGCS, Meadow Club.

Bayer to send five superintendents to GIS

For the sixth year, Bayer Environmental Science and The Environmental Institute for Golf will send five golf course superintendents to the 2009 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in New Orleans.

The purpose of the grant is to assist golf course superintendents with their professional development through participation in the annual event, which features the most comprehensive education program and trade show in the industry.

Golf course superintendents who did not attend the GCSAA Education Conferences and Golf Industry Shows in either 2007 or 2008 are eligible. Those interested should complete and submit the online application at www.gcsaa.org or contact GCSAA member services at 800-472-7878 to receive an application via fax.

Entries will be accepted through Oct. 20, 2008. The winners will be selected through a random drawing, and The Institute will notify winners by Oct. 24, 2008. Only one application will be accepted per person. GCSAA membership is not required.

Each grant will cover expenses for airfare, hotel accommodations for six nights, conference registration (full-pack), two education seminars (half-day, one-day, or two-day), and $200 for personal expenses.

"We greatly appreciate Bayer's continued support of this program," said GCSAA CEO Mark Woodward, CGCS. "By sending five golf course superintendents to the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show, Bayer continues to recognize the role of the golf course superintendent in the success of a golf facility."