Bring on 2017!

For some, 2017 can't get here fast enough. One thing is certain: it will arrive regardless!

Without a plan, 2017 could be a difficult, long year. None of us can predict the weather. It may be hot, dry, cool, or mild. Whatever is in store, you need a plan and must have options to implement.

Within GCSAA's chapter outreach department, this holds true as well. We are excited to announce our 2017 department plan to members and chapters. Our plan reflects GCSAA initiatives and provides measurable metrics. Let's take a look:

50 by 2020 best management practices implementation

This is a key organizational initiative. The goal is to have all 50 states with a workable BMP program by 2020. GCSAA will be launching more information at conference and show, including a template states/chapters can use to help develop and implement a BMP plan.

Various states and chapters already have this plan in place.

Working with chapters to develop a steering committee, get key stakeholders identified, enter data and produce a BMP manual are key steps to the process. Our team will be working with chapters and states every step of the way.

Why BMPs? The voluntary implementation of BMPs are important to golf course operations. Having sound policies in place are important, especially when questions of drought, use of inputs and water quality (to name a few) come into play.

Recruitment/retention efforts

Members are the lifeblood of any organization. Strong membership numbers ensure GCSAA and chapters have a strong voice on advocacy issues, diversified opportunities with members and value to industry partners.

For 2017, we are looking to build membership to over 18,000 members. Building Class C, students and equipment managers is a focus. However, having robust member numbers in all categories is important. There is also an enhanced effort to focus on Class A members and work with Class B members who are close to reaching Class A status.

Strategic planning sessions

Working with chapters on their future and plans is important. Our team facilitates strategic planning sessions as a chapter service. There were 17 sessions conducted in 2016 alone.

In 2017, there will be a continued focus to assist chapters with this process. We hope to see chapters add new programs and services that are relevant to its members while maintaining existing programs that add value.

If you, as a member or on behalf of your chapter, have any questions about this process or would like to discuss these sessions in more detail, please contact me.

Board outreach visits

In 2015, the chapter outreach team began working with GCSAA board members (who are not officers) to schedule visits to various chapters and expand our outreach. These meetings have been well received.

These will continue in 2017. The priority of these visits is for a GCSAA board member to meet members at facilities, provide an update on GCSAA initiatives to the chapter and to speak with students if time and circumstances allow.

Mission focused

Ultimately, all of our focus areas are key to our mission. That is: to serve members, advance the profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf.

With this plan in place, we are excited and looking forward to the opportunities 2017 will present. We hope you will have a good 2017 as well.

Nebraska Golf Summit brings local allied groups together

Continuing with our field staff and board outreach efforts, GCSAA board member John Walker and I visited Nebraska and participated in the 2016 Nebraska Golf Summit. Roughly 100 representatives of the golf industry, including superintendents, golf professionals, club managers and representatives from the Nebraska Golf Association were on hand.

The Nebraska GCSA held its board an annual meeting during the event. John Walker and I presented and focused on GCSAA initiatives and adding value. The chapter presented its Superintendent of the Year award to Craig Ferguson of Lochland CC in Hastings for his years of service to the profession.

Henry DeLozier opened the event discussing "Your Legacy." The presentation was focused on what and how you do things will impact today, tomorrow and the future. One of the more powerful quotes reflected on how you will be remembered, as some people don't care or worry about their legacy.

"That will be their legacy," DeLozier noted. "If you are not worried about making things better in the future that's how you will be defined," he said.

Ron Whitten of Golf Digest concluded the event and provided a unique look into golf course architecture. He pointed out the difference between "left-brained" and "right-brained" architects. The right-brained architect is more concerned about the flow of the land...golf course maintenance issues are not as much of a factor. The left-brain architect is more calculated and binary in design. Everything has a specific purpose.

Whitten also noted when right-brained architects become left-brained and vice versa, much of what they are designing doesn't fit. It was a very entertaining and informative presentation. Whitten was part of the architecture team for Erin Hills GC in Wisconsin, which will host the 2017 U.S. Open.

The Summit was an excellent event. The next day, Mr. Walker and I visited students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and conducted three site visits at area courses.

Turf students at UNL are excited and ready to attend GIS and compete in the turf bowl. The students we spoke with have a solid plan to enter the golf course management profession. They have their internships set and understand you may need to leave the area to get a position you desire. NGCSA past president Chad Giebelhaus also joined us during the meeting. As a UNL graduate, he offered insight to what he's seen in the industry and how students can take advantage of opportunities.

Mr. Walker discussed his career and how he made sure he went outside his normal boundaries to find a solid position in the field. The students appreciated the visit.

Our three site visits included: Pioneers GC and Holmes GC in Lincoln and Johnny Goodman GC in Omaha.

Matt Noble is the superintendent at Pioneers, a City of Lincoln facility that serves the southwest quadrant of town. We were able to tour the golf course and meet some of his staff. A player friendly golf course that he keeps in excellent condition with a small staff and budget. Matt has shown an interest to get more involved with NGCSA and GCSAA functions. He does have a young family and is very well respected.

Casey Crittenden, CGCS oversees Holmes GC and is the acting supervisor for superintendents at the City of Lincoln courses. Casey has been active in chapter functions and speaks very highly for what GCSAA has done for his career. Since Casey assumed the position in Lincoln a few years ago, courses are starting to turn a profit and golfers are enjoying excellent conditions.

In fact, Nebraska as a whole notes a positive uptick in revenues and number of rounds over the past three years.

Our final stop was in Omaha at the Johnny Goodman GC. It is one of Omaha's eight city courses. George Barth is the golf course superintendent. Johnny Goodman GC is arguably the busiest Omaha golf course and most profitable.

The biggest challenge is working with other golf management staff regarding price points. There is the desire to continue discount pricing although the tee sheet is full. George asked if there are thoughts or ideas on how to work with this situation.

John and I enjoyed a whirlwind 2-1/2 days in Nebraska, met many individuals and are excited about the attitude and ambition of golf in the state. The chapter is committed to working on developing a Best Management Practices template by the end of 2018. Steve Merkel, CGCS, director of golf course agronomy at Landscapes Unlimited spoke during the NGCSA Annual Meeting on the importance of getting BMPs developed. They are working to have a committee formed for the project after the 2017 Golf Industry Show.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season. GCSAA is working for you. Please contact me if you have any questions.

GCSAA Board Member John Walker With Pioneers GC Superintendent Matt Noble

GCSAA Board Member John Walker Presents During the NGCSA Board and Annual Meeting

Field staff teams with GCSAA board for chapter outreach

This month, I had the opportunity to team up with GCSAA board member John Fulling as we visited members in Northeast Iowa.

Over the past two years, GCSAA field staffers have worked with GCSAA board members who are not officers to tag team visits to various chapters across the country. This year, I teamed up with John Fulling and we participated in the Iowa GCSA State Meeting in Riverside, located near Iowa City.

One hundred and fifty attendees were on hand for the event, which featured a chapter update meeting followed by golf and a social.

During the chapter update meeting, Mr. Fulling provided an update on GCSAA initiatives and how the chapter and national organization are working together.

In addition to the chapter function, John and I joined Iowa GCSA President Chauncey Barry at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. We were able to spend two hours with golf course management students.

This event was well received. Both John and Chauncey were able to share their experience on the rewards of the golf course superintendent profession. Both discussed ways and ideas students can become engaged at an early age and work to get the job they deserve.

There were 16 students attending. Kirkwood CC has a very large campus and numerous programs for students. As part of the golf course management program, the students maintain a putting green. In addition, a golf hole will be added as part of the long-range plan. This gives students hands-on experience.

John and I also visited a couple of facilities. The major facility visit was to the Jones Golf Course in Cedar Rapids. The Jones course has been closed since September when flooding hit the Cedar Rapids area. We were able to see, firsthand, the effects of the flood.

There continues to be discussion on the future of the course. The land is susceptible to regular flooding. Chad Bildstein is the course superintendent. He and his crew have done an exceptional job under difficult conditions.

I will have a second board outreach visit, this time with board member John Walker in Nebraska November 20-22. We will be a part of the Nebraska Golf Summit and will also look to meet students, members and non-members in the area.

Our outreach efforts are to maintain contact with those in the field. We would be happy to set up visits for the future. Please reach out to me if you have an interest. We hope the remainder of the 2016 season goes well.

GCSAA Board Member John Fulling Presents to the Iowa GCSA in Riverside

John Fulling (left) and Jones GC Superintendent Chad Bildstein - notice flood damage behind them

Chapter Outreach team details future to assist members

The Chapter Outreach department held its annual department meeting offsite in St. Augustine, Fla., recently. This meeting has been held the past three years at the site of the upcoming conference and show. However, since all staff in the department had attended an event in Orlando, we moved this to St. Augustine, where staff toured the World Golf Hall of Fame and was introduced to some of the World Golf Foundation staff.

Here are the highlights of the meeting:

Chapter Delegates Meeting – Main agenda items were highlighted. Staff will be expected to facilitate small group discussion and assist with various duties. We discussed membership recruitment, the development of a political action committee, the proposed dues increase and member engagement updates which will be a focus of the meeting.

GCSAA's “Working for Me” Campaign – Field staff from the region of the monthly winner will follow up with the facility winning the promotion. It would be ideal to have the field staff representative there to provide lunch or another concept to the facility. This would provide an opportunity for GCSAA's field staff to be present and show the value of membership.

Best Management Practices (BMP) Rollout/Ideas – Fifty states by 2020 is the vision and message provided. The concept is already being pre-launched as field staffers update chapters and attendees during meetings. Relationships that our department developed will be key in helping achieve 50 by 2020.

Board Outreach Template – Emily Bradford, our senior manager of executive operations, has developed a template for GCSAA's board of directors' outreach visits. The template helps fill in the blanks and streamlines the agenda for the visit. All department team members are onboard with the template and will be used for remaining official board outreach visits.

Department Metrics – The team will be proposing revised metrics to be implemented in 2017. Some of the metrics, including A, B, C, and EM membership recruitment, Rounds 4 Research participation and chapter donations to the Environmental Institute for Golf will remain. However, a chapter engagement process (which indicates where chapters participate in GCSAA services/programs) is being proposed, as are tracking the number of chapter/individual member and non-member visits and total overall contacts per month. More detail will be provided in the coming weeks.

Chapter Assessment Tool – Questions are being revised for the chapter assessment tool. This is a “dashboard” concept to see where chapters are effective and how our team can assist chapters in areas of need. This tool has been distributed every three years as the affiliation agreement cycle was structured. It has proven to be effective in pinpointing areas chapters would like help in and for our outreach team to focus.

SCOR Analysis – Each year we have conducted a strengths, challenges, opportunities and risks exercise. It has been fascinating to see how the items in the SCOR have evolved over the past three years. Here are the main items unveiled in the SCOR and a homework assignment that is due late next week.

Strengths (top areas noted):

• Relationships established in the regions
• Strong team, diverse personalities and abilities
• Provide a face and personality for the association
• Gaining recognition among the golf industry/allied groups

Homework assignment:How can we leverage GCSAA through the chapter outreach department with various allied groups (for example the GCBAA have invited field staffers to speak at their regional events).

Challenges (top areas noted)

• Changing environment
• Reaching non-members with GCSAA Value
• Balance – Are we spending too much time in one or two programmatic areas?

Homework assignment: How can we reflect proper balance, both from a working standpoint and with travel and other demands put on the position?

Opportunities (top areas noted)

• Leveraging our messaging to members/golfers
• Leveraging industry recognition
• Government affairs and messaging

Homework assignment: Thoughts or story ideas for GCM/Communications team that can continue to leverage what GCSAA provides?

Risks (top areas noted)

• Decline in membership
• Forgetting who we are and offer
• Messaging getting redundant/stale

Homework assignment: How can we influence enhancing our identity and prevent industry decline

Ultimately, the meeting continues to help GCSAA prioritize focus areas. We appreciate your input and feedback. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Steve Randall

Staying patient in the heat of summer

Over the past month, I've been able to visit various facilities in the Central Plains region. Many members are going through the difficult summer stretch. Stifling heat, humidity, too much rain — or lack thereof — are ongoing battles in July and August.

Upon my visits, I've asked superintendents what they do to stay fresh and ready for the daily grind.

Here are a few examples:

• Taking a quick two-day break to attend a couple Major League Baseball games
• Fishing, both alone and with friends
• A quick two-day getaway with family
• Visiting friends in the industry to play golf, but staying away from the discussions of work
• Recharging by taking a couple of professional development classes online
• Becoming more active in chapter and industry activities
• Possibly becoming a GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive. You may have unique ways and ideas to get away from the grind. I'd love to hear about those and possibly feature those in a future post. The most important part is to stay balanced.

A recent Forbes magazine article suggests that a key to balance may not be reducing the amount of work, but how you go about your daily activities. Here's a snippet:

To find reasonable harmony between work and life...focus less on reducing the hours worked and more on controlling when and how to work to more seamlessly mesh work with personal activities.  On the personal front, keep life rather simple by focusing time and energy on family, friends and hobbies...eliminate or outsource (nearly guilt-free) activities that might be rightfully referred to as chores.

That can be more easily said than done. If you host a large event, or even a major club function at your facility keeping things simple sounds great, but is a challenge. Ultimately it's up to you to find that balance.

This is where your chapter and peers can be of assistance. I'm also happy to share stories on what successful superintendents do to stay on top of their game. The cycle continues. The days are getting shorter but your responsibilities continue. All the best the remainder of the summer!

Steve Randall
Director, Chapter Outreach
800/472-7878

Northwest Iowa visit: great event, great people, excellent networking

This past week I had the honor to speak at the Iowa GCSA State Meeting and Northwest Iowa event. There was an excellent turnout in Webster City, Iowa, at the Briggs Woods Golf Course. Many thanks to superintendent Russ Appel for serving as host.

As part of the trip, I spent some time visiting various facilities after the meeting and before returning to headquarters in Lawrence, Kans.

In this part of the state, rain has been hit or miss. In Spencer, Iowa, there has been plenty of rain. Too much, in fact. Spring started early, then temperatures cooled, then rain and now heat. In many ways, it was the perfect mixture of unique conditions for a golf course for the city.

In Okoboji, at Brooks Golf Course, a storm rolled through the area Tuesday with high winds causing damage. In touring the facility with Superintendent Brett Hetland, CGCS, trees were uprooted, water was standing in many areas and nine holes of the 27-hole facility were closed as staff cleaned up debris.

By contrast, Webster City had been relatively dry, until the same Tuesday storm hit later in the day. Webster City is roughly 90 miles from Spencer and around 110 miles from Okoboji.

Dealing with Mother Nature's changing conditions is a part of the profession, and with that, understanding there are only certain things you can control.

That's what chapter meetings and outings do. They bring people together to share the highs and lows. They allow members to pick each other's brains to ensure the best possible conditions are provided for customers.

In the end, Mother Nature wins, but it's how we can adapt to changing conditions and stay patient. In my presentation, I mentioned that sometimes the hardest thing to do is nothing. The first instinct is to apply a product, or do something to the turf. Sometimes the best course of action is staying patient, but observant, to various conditions.

I hope all of you are grinding through the summer season but taking the time to appreciate the wonderful profession of being a golf course superintendent. Always maintain a great network of friends and peers and lean on your chapter and GCSAA as needed. We are here to help!

Rough weather hit Brooks Golf Course in Okoboji, Iowa. Other areas of the region have been dry. 

Mississippi Valley Equipment Managers provide excellent local education

I had the opportunity to attend and speak at the Mississippi Valley GCSA Equipment Managers education session near St. Louis. The chapter has been a model of providing educational opportunities for EMs over several years. The keynote address this session focused on fuel injection and what to expect working on these engines. The 25 attendees were attentive and engaged.

The "Big Three" manufacturers were also represented and provided information and practical experience. The chapter has held successful sessions allowing attendees to see equipment and identify parts, which can lead to discovering "why" problems occur. Knowing the "why" will help equipment managers focus on solving the problem. This is essential in eliminating downtime with equipment. A facility will be successful with a well-educated, dedicated equipment manager.

We look forward to seeing continued success with equipment managers at the local and national level. Also this month, the Equipment Manager Task Group met at GCSAA headquarters to help shape educational and professional opportunities.

Superintendents: Continue to engage your equipment manager. Get them involved. GCSAA and local chapters are here to help.

Attendees

Fuel injection engine parts

Chapter Leader/Executive Symposium is more than just education

Recently, chapter leaders and executives attended the annual GCSAA Chapter Leaders/Executives Symposium. The event is funded, in part, through the Williams Leadership Endowment Fund through the Environmental Institute for Golf.

While the session highlights ideas to improve leadership and communication skills, the event is also rich in tradition for attendees. This event is a chance for many to renew relationships and create new friendships, all for the sake of improving golf and the golf course management profession.

Because of cost, size and space, the event is limited to 25 chapters, each of which can bring a leader and executive. The event allows time for attendees to get to know each other outside day-to-day chapter operations and exposes attendees from one end of the country to the other. The symposium highlights the first part of the GCSAA Mission Statement: To serve its members, while helping chapters do the same.

Sessions educated attendees on running successful events, ensuring chapters are aware of resources at their disposal through GCSAA, chapter-to-chapter learning and roundtables, along with social media skills, communication tips and regional breakout sessions.

Leann Cooper, senior manager of chapter services, works directly with attendees to ensure their visit is successful and valuable. A big credit to her efforts for running a successful event.

We've received many comments on the session and how it has recharged the batteries as we hit spring 2016 in full stride.

Have you looked at ways to expand your professional development opportunities?  Consider GCSAA as your one-stop source for information and education. We're here to help you succeed in your profession!

Around the nation

Over the next several months I will highlight some local establishments I'm able to visit while on the road. This is something I've thought of doing for some time, but now is the time for implementation!

This week I was working our Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative Chase Rogan and the Central Pennsylvania GCSA as we facilitated a strategic planning session at Reading Country Club in Reading, Pennsylvania.  As part of the trip, I was able to visit a couple of local restaurants (well worth the visit!). If you're ever in Reading, make a trip to the Santino's Family Restaurant.  A great local Italian eatery.  Fresh pasta and pizza and a great array of Italian menu items to choose from.  Friendly service, as well.

Since I flew in and out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the following evening I stopped at The Soul Burrito for dinner.  An interesting flair to burrito items.  The homemade mac and cheese was exceptional!

One of the great opportunities of travel is to experience local flavor!

Chapters, the local networks that drive success

Greetings! I’ve been fortunate to spend much of 2016 presenting at various regional shows and getting a pulse on the industry as we move into spring and summer.

Fortunately, many regional events are seeing solid attendance. Much of this is attributed to valuable educational programs, networking and placing a vital importance on our industry as we move through the year.

As part of my travels, I heard from Luke Cella, the chapter executive for the Midwest Association in Chicago, who also serves as the staff representative for the Wee One Foundation.

For those unfamiliar with the Wee One, it was started in honor of superintendent Wayne Otto, who contracted pancreatic cancer. Superintendents worked together on behalf of Otto to raise funds for so that he could afford treatments.

Although Otto passed away, the effort to raise funds for others has not. Fundraisers are held across the upper Midwest. In 2016, Wee One will have raised and donated over one million dollars to help golf course superintendents and dependents as expenses rise for cancer treatments.

In addition to that, Cella focused his presentation on associations. In this day and age of technology and social media, is a chapter or association really “needed”?

While today’s technology is effective, can you really send a Facebook post or tweet to explain how the chapter moves the mission forward? Can you truly “unite golf course superintendents” through e-mails and social media posts alone?

Think about that for a second. When there’s an issue with water quality or water use, will commenting on social media alone make the difference?

The old adage, if we don’t have a seat at the table, we’re on the menu, holds true.

What else can your association provide?

In addition to advocacy, know-how and leadership are at the top of the list. Your board and committee members are hard at work to ensure the best interests of the chapter are represented. It is the vision of the chapter to ensure professionalism and representation on your behalf.

At GCSAA, we continue to build on various initiatives. 2016 is a year of execution. There will be legislation that will have an impact on our industry and we will have a seat at the table. We will continue to support Rounds4Research and have moved up the auction to April.

There are numerous ways you can get involved. Consider becoming a Grassroots Ambassador. Consider joining a committee within the chapter. Figure out how you can become a part of the network that moves the industry forward.

Those who serve get much more back. Serving the industry is making a difference today and in the future.

Our chapters are the local networks that drives success. Associations are essential and you can make a difference!

And away we go!

Welcome to 2016!

As I become more "seasoned" (older), I harken back to my mother's insightful words when I was a kid:  "Steve, time goes by faster the older you get."  So accurate!

Soon, we will be in San Diego, readying for the Golf Industry Show.  We hope you plan to attend. Registration for the GCSAA Golf Championships recently closed and we have a solid turnout and look forward to another successful event.

If you haven't pulled the trigger and registered for conference and show, there are still seminars available.  In addition, we have added a list of seminars sorted by day. You can also get seminar descriptions.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing many of you around the central plains region and across the country.  In January, I'll be in Michigan attending the Michigan Turfgrass Conference in Lansing, working with Shane Conroy, our Great Lakes regional representative, on the strategic planning sessions with the Kentuckiana and Southern Illinois Chapters and attending annual meetings with the Minnesota and Iowa GCSA chapters.

In February, following GIS, I will be with Kevin Doyle facilitating a strategic planning session with the Central New York GCSA, and hit the "Dakota Circuit" for presentations in both Fargo, North Dakota and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  I will be back to Iowa in early March for their Golf Summit.

It will be a busy time and I'm looking forward to outreach with our members.

A summary of 2015

This past year was very successful on many fronts.  Our chapter outreach team saw the loss of Central Plains Representative John Miller, as he moved on to the LPGA Tour.  Shane Conroy has done an outstanding job filling John's shoes since June.

The western United States was in horrific drought.  Kudos to our members for properly managing water as a resource at their facility.  In addition, our Southwest Regional Representative Jeff Jensen has worked tirelessly with our members and other allied golf organizations to help communicate the message of proper water use.

It was a pleasure to join Chava McKeel, along with Florida Regional Representative Ralph Dain and South Central Regional Representative Brian Cloud at National Golf Day in April.  (This year's event is scheduled for May of 2016.)

A big thanks to Dave Phipps in the Northwest Region for his work on the First Green board of directors.  (At GIS in San Diego, GCSAA will offer a session on how to host a First Green event at your facility.  This is a great program to introduce students to golf course operations and golf course management.)

Chase Rogan in the Mid-Atlantic and Kevin Doyle in the Northeast have done an exceptional job working on many advocacy-related issues in their regions.  Recruiting Grassroots Ambassadors and communicating the process with WOTUS, among other issues has added tremendous value to our members and chapters.

Ron Wright in the Southeast continues to work with chapters and members on various fronts to enhance our profession.

2016

This will be a year focused on executing initiatives.  Again, Grassroots Ambassador recruitment will be a priority.  It is our goal to have a GCSAA member matched with a member of the US House and Senate.  Rounds4Research will have a new date!  This year, the auction will take place April 1-10.  We hope chapters will jump on board and appreciate the change.  It will be key to get golfers to bid.

Our chapter leader/executive symposium will be held March 29-30.  The date will coincide with our Spring Board meeting.  This will give attendees and our board time to network and interact.

We are planning to hold the chapter delegates meeting in October.  Official dates will be set in the near future.

Along with this, GCSAA continues to update our social media platforms and communication streams.  We are working to update our website and looking to enhance our "Thank a Superintendent" marketing campaign, all during the course of the 2016 year.

This is just the tip of the iceberg.  It is our mission to serve our members.  It is our goal to ensure you receive value for your membership.

The journey has begun!  I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming months.