GCSAA has been working to create greater opportunities and engagement for the career development of assistants, and that effort has come full circle with the release of the final 2 certificates within the Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series (ASCS). The latest certificates to be added to the program include Principles of Golf Course Environmental Stewardship, and Principles of Golf Course Leadership & Communications.

Previously, the program included Principles of Golf Course Agronomy, and Principles of Golf Course Business, which round out the program to include 4 certificates in all. Unlike the first two certificates that launched in 2018, the two new certificates will be earned by watching a series of webinars, taking short quizzes, and then doing outside activities that demonstrate the proficiency in the competencies covered by the certificates. These will be done through the Learning Hub. Details can be found by logging in to your account at gcsaa.org --> Education --> Certifications and exams --> Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series.

Like the other certificates in the ASCS, these are stand-alone certificates. A participate can earn just one or work towards completing all of them, working at their own pace. In speaking with members who have engaged this program, I can say that these certificates are certainly not a cake walk, even for experienced assistants who have a wide breadth of knowledge in these areas. These certificates were designed to be challenging, which makes them more valuable and powerful when leveraging them in the marketplace.

We offer member and non-member pricing. Member pricing is $50.00 per certificate, and non-member pricing is at $75.00 plus the price of the webinars ($60 per webinar). Remember, access to webinars is free of charge for GCSAA members. In all, it is much more economical to complete these certificates as a member versus being a non-member.

Currently, we are offering an incentive to complete all four certificates in 2019. Koch is offering GCSAA gift certificates to the first 150 participants who complete all four, and this program is set to expire on 12/31/2019. 

Diana Kern is the Manager of Education Certificates and Program Validation at GCSAA HQ, and she can be reached at dkern@gcsaa.org with any questions pertaining to this program.