Here we are heading past the holidays and into the heart of the winter season.  Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, and all the hustle and bustle of family is in the rear-view mirror.  For me, I used to look forward to my children bolting for the tree on Christmas morning holding out hope that Santa had delivered the goods.  Now they are older and wiser (for lack of a better term), and we simply hope they get off their phones long enough to say “hi” to the visiting friends and family.  As for items under the tree for me?  I always enjoy the gifts that keep on giving.  In the world of giving, you might be overlooking an opportunity to enjoy a gift of continuing information.

You could learn the immediate impact of tree removal from a superintendent in British Columbia, Canada.  Want to incorporate duties utilized at Shinnecock or Hazeltine National?  Updates from turf researchers as it happens?  Are you on Twitter?

That’s right, all this and more are right there on Twitter.  Yes, there is also political banter, items (good and bad) that go viral, but if you target your audience correctly, the learning opportunities and resources are endless.

With the sun at its lowest angle of the year, it is the absolute best time to show decision makers the impact of shade on your golf courses.  Recently, a tree removal video posted by @march_meadows showed the immediate impact of a conifer removal.  One tree removed, full sun on the green.  Perfect communication tool.

Do you lose sand from some flashed bunkers during the winter?  Winds during the off season can create problems with exposed sand.  So, when @Greensideup17 (Andy Wilson of Bethpage State Park) posted a picture of pallets placed inside bunkers by @jonjennings to alter the wind effect on the sand at Shinnecock, folks took notice.  One of which was @ct_turf (Chris Tritabaugh of Hazeltine National), who also uses a similar technique. 

Again, you don’t have to set the Twitter world on fire, post every little thing you do or follow so many people that you can never catch up.  You can follow those who can impact your ability to do your job, post golf-related items that may affect others, or even grow your world by interacting with people you find interesting. Or, you don’t have to post at all.  You can follow @GCSAA for resources and ways to take advantage of your membership opportunities.

Perhaps you are already a part of the Twittersphere, if so, I hope you are enjoying it.  If not, I urge you to dip your toe a bit or jump in.  You may find a gift of information that can benefit you more than you think.

I want to wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.  I enjoy serving you all as your field staff representative. 

As a reminder, off-season tasks often include tree work.  I have used The Newsletter to highlight safety resources available through UMass, allied organizations, and manufacturers in the past.  I urge you to revisit those and share with your staff often (The Newsletter, October 2013).