By Steve Randall – 10/22/21

67 delegates representing 72 chapters meet in person at GCSAA Headquarters and the Kansas City Airport Marriott

After a virtual session in 2020, delegates from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America met in-person during a two-day event at GCSAA Headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., as well as the KCI Airport Marriott Hotel October 21-22, 2021.

The annual event brings delegates together from GCSAA’s 98 chapters to discuss initiatives, provide insight on moving the association forward, and to begin discussions on electing board members and officers at the February 2022 annual meeting.

Highlights of the meeting included a new delegates orientation session at GCSAA headquarters. New delegates were given an overview of expectations for the event, toured headquarters and heard from department leaders how GCSAA is moving the association forward. 

Members also heard from President Mark Jordan, CGCS, and CEO Rhett Evans. Both discussed GCSAA’s influence in the world of golf, facing difficult times during a global pandemic, and the importance of the delegates to lead outward. GCSAA continues to showcase the organization and its members as the global leaders in golf course management.

A member dues discussion also took place. GCSAA follows a dues adjustment process created in 2006 from input and approval from chapter delegates. The process is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and equates to smaller and more frequent adjustments in dues rather than infrequent, but larger adjustments. This year’s proposal is the following:

• 6.6% adjustment n CPI since 2019
• $30 adjustment for A and B ($430) and $15 adjustment for C ($220) is being proposed
• Approval rates for dues adjustments using this process has ranged from 87% - 96%

The GCSAA Board of Directors will consider delegate feedback as they discuss the proposal. Delegates are encouraged to communicate the proposed dues adjustment with their membership and provide chapter feedback to GCSAA.

The delegates offered their thoughts on a variety of industry issues during breakout sessions. Questions on labor, professional development and best management practices were of focus.

Wednesday’s town hall session allowed delegates the chance to ask questions of the GCSAA Board. The interactive session focused on processes with the annual meeting and allowed further discussion on items discussed during the two-day event.

Candidate breakout sessions concluded activities. The delegates were awarded ample time to interact and ask questions of the candidates. Those running for the GCSAA Board in 2022 are:

• For President – Kevin P. Breen, CGCS
• For Vice President – Kevin P. Sunderman, CGCS
• For Secretary/Treasurer – Jeff L. White, CGCS; T.A. Barker, CGCS
• For Director (electing two) – Douglas D. Dykstra, CGCS; Steven J. Hammon; Christopher A. Reverie; Marc E. Weston, CGCS; Richard Wit, CGCS

As Dykstra and Weston are at the end of their director terms, there will be two (2), 2-year director terms up for election. Both Barker and White are in the middle of their two-year director term and will remain on the board as a director if not elected Secretary/Treasurer. The membership will also elect a one-year director seat to fill the vacancy left by the winner of the Secretary/Treasurer race.

GCSAA’s Annual Meeting will take place Thursday, February 10 from 8-10 a.m. at the San Diego Convention Center.