The Michigan GCSA (MiGCSA) held their second equipment managers meeting of 2019, as newly appointed equipment manager board liaison Ben Beard focuses on EM education events and continues to bring value to MiGCSA equipment manager members. Beard, a 5-year GCSAA member has been at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, Mich. the past four years where he succeeded the industry-known Hector Velazquez. Beard has not lost a step during his time at Walnut Creek and has stepped up his role in the industry working with the MiGCSA board.

“My decision to work with the board was simple, I wanted the equipment managers to have a voice,” says Beard. “After years of fractionation with the lack of education that was available to EMs in the area, I took matters into my own hands and started making phone calls and getting involved any way I could. When the opportunity arose to become a liaison for the board, it was a no brainer.”

Most recently Ben’s involvement came by hosting the latest MiGCSA Equipment Managers Education Meeting. With over 30 EMs on hand from all areas of the state, this meeting included hands-on education where equipment managers gained experience soldering and wiring LED lights. The opportunity to solder and wire step-by-step gave equipment managers in attendance valuable experience in both these areas and the ability to bring this skill back to their facilities.

 

“We have had various incarnations of an Equipment Managers Committee since the Chapter merged in 2008. But in 2017 the latest push came when current MiGCSA president Rob Steger, CGCS at Saginaw Country Club, committed to the revitalization of the group when he took the chair of the committee,” said MiGCSA Executive Director Adam Ikamas, CGCS a 21-year GCSAA Class A member. “Rob gathers a great cross section of active EM Members from around the state and started having meetings to plan education. From this grew the proposition that the MiGCSA adopt and Equipment Manager Liaison to the board, Rob nominated Ben and he attended his first meeting in December.”

As the equipment manager role continues to expand at golf courses and with the ever-changing technology, the relationship between the EM and superintendent is more important than ever. Scott Rettmann, the superintendent as Walnut Creek Country Club and 11-year Class A GCSAA member worked with both Hector Velazquez and Ben Beard and knows how vital the EM/superintendent relationship is to producing first-class playing conditions.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work closely with both Ben and Hector at Walnut Creek, two of the best equipment managers in the business in my opinion,” says Rettmann. “Having an Equipment manager who can effectively communicate with the Superintendent and organize what work gets done, and when, is crucial to producing great playing conditions. Ben and I still take a morning course ride every day first thing which allows open communication from my side and his, while also inspecting the course to evaluate how we’re doing. I value Ben’s input and we’ve been successful together because of our great working relationship.”

Looking to the future, Ben, Adam and the MiGCSA board will continue to offer equipment manager education and are excited about the opportunities which will be afforded to equipment managers across the state.

“Ben is very committed to EM education, as is the MiGCSA and our board, adds Ikamas. “It is imperative that we provide education not only for our members but those who work for our members as well. I am really excited to have Ben on the team and leading the charge.”

Ben is excited for the future of the EM classification as well. “The committee truly believes that ‘if you build it, they will come’ as we focus on providing great education to the EM members,” says Beard. “The better we can serve all members, the stronger we will become as an organization. I see great things to come for the MiGCSA and the EM classification.”