The mission of the session was to help the chapter design a roadmap of activities for the coming months and year

GCSAA Director of Chapter Outreach Steve Randall and GCSAA Southwest Field Representative Jeff Jensen hosted a strategic planning session with the Cactus & Pine GCSA on August 30 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ. 

The mission of the session was to help the chapter design a roadmap of activities for the coming months and year.  Cactus & Pine is one of GCSAA’s largest chapters with 487 members encompassing the entire state of Arizona.  Those in attendance included President Ernie Pock, Vice President Andrew Hitchcock, Secretary Matt Rusch, Treasurer Rob Collins, Executive Director Carmella Ruggiero, and directors Chuck Hyppa, Paul Schieffer, Peter Ferlicca, Jim Broughton, Brandon Reese, Curtis Tyrrell, Jay Pock, and Gabe Towers. 

The session started with a review of the mission and vision statements.  The mission statement was revised to better reflect the current values of the chapter.  That was followed by a SCOR (Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities, Risks) that assisted the group in developing action items with a timeline including the development of a compensation survey for turfgrass management in the state, an internal financial audit of the chapter to include new budget processes and financial goals, and a plan to increase non-dues revenue in the chapter with a focus on the return of the Green Day Golf Tournament. 

Following the planning session, a short board meeting was held to discuss numerous topics including the upcoming GCSAA Conference and Show in Phoenix as well as the chapter’s potential participation in the Arizona Golf House at Papago Golf Course.   

Thank you to the Cactus & Pine Board of Directors and Chapter Executive Carmella Ruggiero for participating in the session and President and Grayhawk Superintendnet Ernie Pock for hosting and providing great hospitality.

Strategic Planning and Board Orientation are free services offered to GCSAA Chapters through our Chapter Outreach Department.  If your chapter is interested in hosting a session, please contact your Regional Field Representative for more information.