GCSAA.org celebrates 10 years of service

There was a time when getting online might have meant going fishing.

In less than a generation, the Internet has become a vital piece of American life, and GCSAA has been along for the ride on the information super highway since GCSAA.org debuted in the summer of 1996.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this month, the site has transformed from an additional information source for a few tech-savvy members to an integral part of GCSAA's education, communication and member benefit efforts.

"GCSAA.org has enabled us to serve members in ways we could have not even imagined 10 years ago," GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE, said. "Its success is a testament to both our staff and their ability to recognize and utilize the latest technology, and our members in their willingness to embrace it. The board of directors at the time made a commitment to making an aggressive stance toward technology. They wanted this to be a prominent feature of service to GCSAA members."

As part of the anniversary celebration, starting July 17, GCSAA.org users will be able to view historical images of past incarnations of the site, download free wallpaper for their desktops, and can post a message on a guestbook about their memories and experience on the site. The features are available at http://www.gcsaa.org/10/default.asp.

The association's foray into the Web started in the early 1990s with the then Information Services Committee. The committee members at first broached the subject of developing a listserv similar to one that was already focused on turf-related information. However, as the staff looked into the developing the listserv, it became obvious that a Web sites were the latest advancement in technology and where the staff's efforts should be concentrated.

Sharmion Linseisen-Kerley, currently GCSAA's senior manager, brand marketing, served as the site's first Web editor and was there from the beginning.

"We weren't quite sure what we were getting ourselves into, but we had the basic plan laid for a (listserv) and when it became clear that Web sites were the way to go, we just transferred those plans into developing the site," she said.

When the site was first launched it provided just basic information on the association and the profession. A few months later a members-only side of the site was launched and "that's when things just exploded," Linseisen-Kerley said.

GCSAA President Sean A. Hoolehan, CGCS, was part of the Information Services Committee (later Web Strategy Committee) and said member involvement was key from the start.

"We had an edge on many other associations because we decided to jump into using this technology prior to being forced into it. We had a rich Web presence early in the game and members were looking for this," Hoolehan said.

From that initial launch, today there are more than 55,000 pages of content on the site to serve members, on topics ranging from news to career success strategies, employment information, media relations, and the ever popular members-only forums.

Member education has been a key part of the additional content on the Web. It has been a simple way to provide affordable and accessible continuing education opportunities for superintendents through online learning, self-study course and the introduction of webcasts in 2004. The first year online course sales were measured in 2002-03, 207 online courses were purchased. In 2005 323 were purchased, and the first half of 2006 there have already been 295 sold. Added search ability, on-demand webcasts, and links to outside educational opportunities have made the education offerings even more convenient in recent years. And members can track how all these educational options count toward their PDI (Professional Development Initiative) requirements through the online Professional Development Resource.

And as more has been offered on the site, more and more superintendents are making it a regular part of their routine. In all 75 percent of GCSAA members have registered on the site, including 86 percent of Class A members and 94 percent of Superintendent Members. In addition, the number of page views on the site has increased dramatically. In 2001, there was an average of 464, 112 page views per month. In 2006, the average page views per month are more than 2.3 million.

As the needs of the Web users have increased, GCSAA has kept up with the demand. In addition to its flagship Web site, GCSAA.org, the association has also launched GolfIndustryShow.com for information about the annual GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show, and EIFG.org, which focuses on the Environmental Institute for Golf.

"Our hope is for GCSAA to continue to pursue ways to use all the new technology available to us to better connect members," Hoolehan said.