Super to GM Cancel The title field is required!

1. Jeremy Hreben

   

   0 posts
   
   1/15/2014 9:01 AM

   So an opportunity came to me at my course. I am at a municipal golf course. Previously there was a PGA pro, a GM who was also a PGA pro and then myself, class A super. The PGA pro shop manager is no longer with us as of the summer. The GM is leaving. They are talking to me about taking over the GM spot. I would not hire a super but a strong assistant. I would handle maintenance budget and purchasing and he can stick with agronomics. I have no experience in this, running a retail store(the pro shop) outings, marketing, etc. I feel I can manage the people, expectations just not sure what to expect. I love growing grass an all that comes with it but this also sounds like a good opportunity.
   
   basically I am looking for advice rom anybody and I there is anybody hat has make this transfer.

   
   
   
   
2. Donald Johnson

   

   0 posts
   
   1/15/2014 10:01 AM

   Hi Jeremy,
   
   I have made this transition and will be happy to offer my advice to you. Send me an email and we can set up a time to talk.
   djohnson@cuisinart.ai

   
   
   
   
3. Stephen Ravenkamp

   

   1 posts
   
   1/15/2014 12:01 PM

   Same here. Email or call.
   
   Steve Ravenkamp, CGCS
   Apache Stronghold Golf Course
   San Carlos, AZ
   www.stephenravenkamp@agcr.us
   928-475-7667

   
   
   
   
4. James Smith

   

   113 posts
   
   1/16/2014 2:01 PM

   While not in your position just yet, every year it seems like I am getting closer and closer to it. I love what I do now and really do not want to lose what I have enjoyed the last 20 years but to be honest it can be really hard watching other management come and go and always setting the course back to some degrees. I always felt that when I got to old to do what I like but at the rate I am going I may end up as old and the Capt. before I desire the change, and thats really old!

   
   
   
   
5. Ronald Kirkman

   

   42 posts
   
   1/16/2014 6:01 PM

   Jeremy,
   
   Go for it. If you don't accept the position someone else will. This represents advancement in your profession. Remember, someone has to do the job and it might as well be you. Evidently, your bosses or boss has enough confidence in you to take on added responsibility. Relax and show them what you can do. I was a CGCS when my Board approached me in 1974 to take over the reigns of the clubhouse. The treasurer was past Dean of Admissions at Northeastern University, Boston, MA and he loved the idea that I was improving my education and that played a major role in getting the chance to manage.
   
   Randini, thanks for the compliment. Hopefully, you will take over the management position at your golf course. The sooner the better. OOOPS! Was that a compliment telling me and the world that I am old? It seems like yesterday that I just started here at Needham. I must say I did enjoy most of my 34 years as Manager but the golf course is my first love especially after 45 years as the superintendent.
   
   In conversation with the manager today, she said she was getting a little heat from a couple of different people and I said I know the feeling. To be truthful, these people were out of line.I did have the pleasure in telling her that I am glad it is you and not me in a kind gentle manner. I know what it was like. She did say she will see me and Bill (clubhouse employee) Tuesday and that she will have some good news. I know we are going to get a raise. I will be going from $13.00/hr. to maybe $13.50 or $14 per hour. It feels good to be low man on the totem pole.
   
   Jeremy, if you like your club and the location you can have a good life and then when you get old as me you may still be working but it will be a relaxing work.
   
   Capt. Kirk
   Retired Alien
   Needham Golf Club
   Needham, MA

   
   
   
   
6. Timothy Walker

   

   0 posts
   
   1/18/2014 8:01 AM

   Jeremy, that's great. Jump all over it if it makes sense.
   
   Reach out to Andy at Paramus, or Ken who was at Paramus. That is how the town set the golf course up, superintendent/General Manager.

   
   
   
   
7. Michael Sullivan

   

   5 posts
   
   1/23/2014 9:01 AM

   I have been in this position since February of 2002. Are there things I would change since accepting this, absolutely. The biggest negative for me is being able to schedule my time so that everything is covered, but that is more of a personal organizational issue than a job issue. However it has gone well and i recommend it.
   The other issue for me was financial. I should have pushed for a higher salary. I am still trying to re-allocate my position to a higher salary grade. I am in the Supervisor Union with the city.
   Like other, call or email if you would like to chat
   
   Michael Sullivan
   Golf Course Superintendent
   Brennan Municipal Golf Course
   Stamford, CT
   203-223-8625
   msullivan@stamfordct.gov

   
   
   
   
8. Jeremy Hreben

   

   0 posts
   
   1/27/2014 6:01 PM

   Well I have completed all the interviewing processes. I just got a call at 6:45 in the evening. The township manager called to ask what time I get in in the mornings. I told him in the winter it is anywhere between 6 and 8. He said "wow> That is a big range" He wants to meet me at 7:45 tomorrow morning. So he is either gonna fire me, haha, or give me his decision on the General Manager's position. I have been acting GM since the absence of the previous one. And to be honest, I am still not sure if the position is for me or not. SO depending on what news I get, I may be calling all of you later in the day. Thanks for your help.

   
   
   
   
9. Timothy Walker

   

   0 posts
   
   1/28/2014 8:01 AM

   Tell him 6 when the course is open and 8 when snow covered and plowing is not needed....
   
   Hope it worked out for you.

   
   
   
   
10. Jeremy Hreben

    

    0 posts
    
    2/1/2014 10:02 AM

    So as of now, I am the acting GM, I guess because I am the next in the chain of command and am familiar with all the municipal procedures. There is a "consultant" the chairman of the township economic development committee working with me. He is a great resource and I am utilizing him to the fullest. The time frame for this arrangement is 2 months. We will see what happens after that. I have not forgotten about you guys that offered your helping hand. I will be contacting you. Thanks for your help. If any of you guys will be in Orlando, please feel free to call me at 856-630-0213

    
    
    
    
11. James Smith

    

    113 posts
    
    3/1/2014 6:03 AM

    Jeremy, congrats on the move.
    
    May I ask a favor of you now? We get a lot of new post over the years asking about this same subject or other similur experiences. The problem is that none of them ever comes back and lets us know how it is going. Maybe you could keep this thread open by updating your experiences for us to see or start a new one in the I need help now board (it would be nice to see my migrain on get bumped down finally). I know it could be a very valuable tool for other supers looking at the change to read. Even if you just need to blow off steam. Maybe just letting us know the hardest things to get done or the new regulations you just found out, basically anything that seems important that you never knew about before. There is very few of the Superintendents/GMs out there to pull information from for the others looking at the same situation.

    
    
    
    
12. Stephen Ravenkamp

    

    1 posts
    
    3/5/2014 8:03 AM

    This question is one that recurs on a fairly regular basis. There is not an easy answer; each situation, and each individual, is different. While I am not professing to have all the answers, I am attaching a matrix I have developed for when I am asked this question. It may or may not help in your particular situation.[attachment=0">GM philosophies.docx[/attachment">

    
    
    
    
13. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    3/7/2014 9:03 AM

    Stephen Ravenkamp, CGCS said: This question is one that recurs on a fairly regular basis. There is not an easy answer; each situation, and each individual, is different. While I am not professing to have all the answers, I am attaching a matrix I have developed for when I am asked this question. It may or may not help in your particular situation.[attachment=0">GM philosophies.docx[/attachment">

    
    
    Thanks for that, it is a pretty good assessment to think about.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
14. Jeremy Hreben

    

    0 posts
    
    4/3/2014 6:04 PM

    I wanted to give everybody an update. The past 3 months have been interesting. We ended up hiring a head pro and an assistant pro, with the intent they would be promoted to GM and head pro, respectively. It also turns out this "consultant" is acting GM. He was told to perform GM duties while nobody informed me. So it turned out to be a pissing match over chain of command, who answers to who, etc. So, over the last couple of weeks, I have been GM on paper. It is fine with me. I learned a lot in these months. I am still collecting my stipend. It was a real eye opener. I have learned that clubhouse employees can't relate to my blue collar, military learned, strict but fair, straight to the point management style. I have also learned there is NO WAY on earth one can do this and still handle superintendent duties. So i am aerifing greens this Sunday and Monday and in the future will attend department head meetings and give my John Hancock when needed.