Thomas Brown, CGCS said: To answer most of your questions:
Averaging my pay over the year was not offered as an option. Basically, this is a pay cut that a soon to be 59 yr. old reluctantly accepts. I draw unemployment.
In regard to who does the work; "someone" needs to change pins,move tee markers, etc. when needed throughout a mild winter. If "someone" didn't do necessary maintenance there would be damage that would hamper recovery in the Spring.
Most of our equipment is over 20 yrs. old including greens mowers and fairway mowers (Jac. LF 100"s) just to name a few and we spend the entire season dealing with breakdowns and hydraulic leaks. The irrigation system is the original "state of the art" circa 1966 semi-automatic. It's now fully manual. This is all made possible by my assistant/equipment manager who helped build the course and then stayed on the crew. He's now 68, drawing S.S. and working full time in season.
When I protested the layoff, I was informed of a old golf pro that was told he would have to take a 50% pay cut if he wanted to remain the golf pro. He agreed. I always thought that if a golf course operation was a car the golf pro would be considered the paint job and the super would be the engine. We all know how far that car will go without an engine.
I think the hardest thing of all is the lack of appreciation for the hard work throughout the season under the added stress of old unmaintained equipment and an inefficient irrigation system. The bottom line is that I love my job as a superintendent and appreciate the fact that many of us don't have jobs right now in this industry. I am blessed in many ways and don't want this to be a pity party. I was just wondering how many others out there are in the same "car" (boat if you prefer).
I would suggest that this is the reason that everyone must be actively involved with both the local and national GCSAA. For all the effort that has been put into realizing the goal of superintendents being viewed as the extremely talented professionals they are, there are many of us who are still dealing with organizations that see us as nothing more laborers. I have been unfortunate enough to have worked with some of the most incompetent and unprepared superiors imaginable during my career in golf maintenance and have began believing this is the more the norm than an exception. It is also one of the greatest threats to the prosperity of the game of golf.
The professional superintendent is one who is trained to handle labor structures, budget, agronomic issues, irrigation issues and so many other things. Yet we commonly have to answer to golf pros or golf pros turned GMs who know how to play golf really well AND fold shirts nicely!
I have frankly begun to become disillusioned with the profession. Not because I dislike my work everyday, but I have very rarely received the respect and valuation that is in order for a professional. But I am certain that if anything is going to change we are all going to have to act together to MAKE it change. Pros and GMs are not going to respect us if we do not make a case for it with one unified and forceful voice. The only way this will happen is through the organization.