Recently, I was afforded the privilege of joining newly elected Everglades Chapter President Kevin Leo for an abbreviated round of golf at Quail West Golf and Country Club. Although the lightning and rain cut our round very short, I did have the opportunity to get to know Kevin a little bit better. Kevin will make a great president in the coming year, and I am looking forward to working with him and the rest of the Everglades Board of Directors.

Prior to heading out on the course, Kevin was sharing a few comments with me, and he spoke about his Club Championship event where he was the one that handed over the winner’s trophy. It's not everyday you hear of the superintendent getting that honor! I was very impressed. He continued with, “Superintendents are not roadies who come in and just set everything up: We are the show!” Kevin wasn’t full of himself. He was just making the point that we promote at GCSAA frequently. The person who is entrusted with the most valuable asset at any golf facility is the golf course superintendent.

This thought is not intended to diminish the roles of others at the facility; merely it brings to light how important the role of the golf course superintendent is for the success of any facility. Often, the superintendents are low-key and stay in the background when they really need to step up into the spotlights and be recognized for their contributions. I am not suggesting that superintendents always need to toot their own horn, but when it is deserved, they should at least be given the opportunity to share the spotlight with others at the facility.

When Kevin made the comment about being roadies, it resonated with me. I thought how often superintendents and their teams perform their work behind the scenes as not to interfere with the enjoyment of the game and thus it makes it easy to have that roadie mentality. I would caution superintendents about staying too far out of sight that your efforts go unnoticed. The product speaks volumes for your work, but you still should be in the forefront.

I guess all I am trying to say is that superintendents should step into the spotlight when the time calls for you to be the performer and accept that your and your team’s efforts culminate in the enjoyment of spectacular playing conditions on courses throughout the world. I know its not the easiest thing to do but, heck you deserve your moments too and should not shy away from the chance to shine!