For many people, the Christmas season brings a welcome slowdown, a chance to refresh, recharge and reflect. For golf course superintendents, it brings all of that…plus a unique blend of winter prep, planning and professional development. While the turf may finally be catching a break, superintendents and the agronomy teams rarely are.

December on the course has its own quiet charm. Frosty mornings, dormant turf, and fewer (if any, depending on the weather) golfers mean agronomy teams finally get time to tackle the projects that are nearly impossible during peak season. Tree work, drainage repairs, equipment maintenance and long-range planning suddenly move to the top of the list. Even though daylight is short, the pace feels more deliberate, and there’s something peaceful about walking the course with nothing but the sound of winter wind through the pines, assuming you’re dressed appropriately.

At the same time, the holiday season is also a major stretch for chapter events. Many chapters hold annual meetings or Christmas gatherings in December — many with a charitable aspect. These are great opportunities to connect with colleagues, share what worked and what didn’t during the season and gather new ideas before winter truly settles in.

Then January arrives, the energy ramps right back up. Post-holiday conferences, especially regional shows and of course the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, which is celebrating the GCSAA Centennial, provide an important reset. They’re a chance to get inspired, learn from industry leaders, explore new technology, and bring fresh thinking back to the courses. The timing is ideal; superintendents return home with renewed motivation as the season inches closer.

Christmas may be the quietest moment in the golf season for many in the Great Lakes region, but for superintendents, it’s also a bridge, connecting one season to the next through reflection, education and preparation. After a long year outdoors (this year was especially tough as Mother Nature threw everything she had at superintendents this season), it’s a welcome chance to pause, appreciate the work behind us and gear up for the challenges ahead. Merry Christmas to all the superintendents and agronomy teams. Thank you for all you do!