What you can find during your walks on the road

This month I've traveled to Kentucky, Iowa and Oregon.  With the long summer days, I enjoy getting up early and starting out with a walk.  If I can get a full one-hour walk in, I'm energized and ready for the events, presentations or meetings in which I am participating.

When I was in Louisville, the Kentuckiana chapter hosted, and I had the chance to meet individually with John Ballard and Roger Meier of their board.  The event was held at the University of Louisville Golf Club where John took over as superintendent just over one year ago.

I spent an afternoon with John as he explained the changes and vision he had for the club.  The university is supportive of a top-notch golf facility.  The University of Louisville GC is roughly 25 miles east of downtown.  So with the event being in that location, I booked my room accordingly.

The morning of the event I woke early and began my walk.  There weren't many walking trails near the hotel, so I decided to wing it and made my own route.  I took a sidewalk downhill and noticed a nice lake, park benches and plenty of wildlife.  As I continued, I saw numerous semi-trucks in the back of a large facility.  Interestingly, these semi-trucks were all "Papa John's" semis.

As I walked around the building, I saw a piece of paper on the grounds.  Curiously, I walked over and picked it up, looked at it, and found Papa John's coupons.  Large for the price of a medium and buy one pizza get the second of equal or lesser value for half off!

How ironic that 20 miles east of downtown Louisville I came across the headquarters for one of the largest pizza chains in the country?  Could not have come across this any better than if I planned it.  As I continued to walk the grounds, workers started trickling into the parking lot.  Something I'll remember the next time I order a pizza!

The following week, I traveled to Iowa to meet with the chapter as they held their state meeting at the Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City.  I stayed in Ankeny, north of Des Moines.  The morning looked ominous.  The area has been very dry from most of mid-May through early June when I arrived.  This morning looked different.  So, I took a leap of faith and began my walk noticing dark clouds and that rain was possible.

Again, I needed to coordinate my own route.  Walking paths weren't very accessible...again...

As I crossed a busy street and followed a sidewalk, about a half mile down I ran into the Iowa headquarters for Monsanto.  As I continued another quarter mile, I looked and crossed the corporate headquarters for Casey's General Stores.

Bear with me for a moment.  If you're not familiar with Casey's, it's a convenience store chain with gas, homemade donuts and pastries...and of course one of the best slices of breakfast pizza you can find! The regular pizza is pretty good as well!

Two national headquarters...both specializing in pizza on consecutive trips in consecutive weeks?  What are the chances?

There's something to be said about getting your exercise on the road.  You never know what you'll run into?

Now I'm hungry!

GCSAA welcomes John Walker as South Central field staff representative

In April, we received word that Brian Cloud, South Central field staff representative for nearly six years, was moving on from GCSAA to work with an allied industry representative.  From there, the wheels moved forward to fill the position.

Brian had excellent experience as a superintendent, chapter executive, and chapter official prior to joining GCSAA as a field staff member.  While his shoes are tough to fill, we are excited to announce John Walker will be the new representative starting June 1.

John Walker visits with Matt Noble of Pioneer Golf Course, Lincoln, Nebraska in November 2016. John will become the South Central field staff representative beginning June 1. He will be based in the Houston area.

Many of you know John from his experience serving on the GCSAA board of directors.  For those of you in Nebraska, you may remember our board outreach visit to the Nebraska Golf Summit in November.  John was able to speak to members of the Nebraska GCSA and represent the GCSAA during the event which featured local allied groups from the state.

As part of the trip, we made various site visits, including a visit to Matt Noble's facility in Lincoln, Pioneers Golf Course.  We were able to tour the golf course and glean information from Matt about what makes the course successful, challenges faced and how to solve problems John was a great sounding board as we met with Matt's staff.

This is a key component in being a successful field staff member.  It is vital to listen to your needs and concerns, while providing opportunity to share information that members can use to improve their career.

We welcome John to this new role! He'll work in the South Central region serving members, advancing the profession and enhancing the enjoyment, growth and vitality of golf across the globe.

Please reach out to John, or any of us, and have a great summer!

Is the "mission" vital?

In the first quarter of 2017, I've had the opportunity to help facilitate 11 strategic planning sessions across the country.  These sessions are a vital service GCSAA provides to chapters and members.

There have been various programs enacted.  Many of our goals and action items are to increase membership, drive participation/attendance at local meetings and try to become more active and engaged with students at the middle school or high school level.  It is import to introduce young people to the superintendent profession.

As part of these sessions, we also ask what the expectations are of the group.  We feel this is an important part of the process.  As a facilitator, this helps sense the direction for the meeting.

Following a Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities and Risk (SCOR) analysis, it is important for participants to prioritize the items most vital for them and the success of the organization.

Of the 11 sessions facilitated thus far, the most interaction and engagement has come from the next step of the exercise: Developing or reworking the current mission statement of the organization.

Some mission statements were pulled from a copy of a bylaws document that lists the purpose of the organization.  In many cases, this hasn't been refined in years.  Many mission statements simply list what the organization does.  For example, a mission statement that mentions scholarships, research, education doesn't really dig into the "why."  These are important operational items for a chapter, but is this really why the chapter exists?

All this aside – many mission statements are simply words.  Words embedded into a document that is rarely, if ever, referenced.  Successful organizations follow their mission statement.  A mission statement isn't to be memorized, it is to be known, shared and lived.

Part of our strategic planning process is asking the group to work together or independently to compile the chapter or organizational mission statement.  Ultimately the mission asks, "why does our group, organization, business exist?"

During these meetings, we have had great discussions on the mission statement.  There have been many creative concepts and ideas.  GCSAA's mission is to serve members, advance the profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of golf.  At the chapter level, there are pieces of GCSAA's mission statement that apply, however each chapter is unique.

Many exceptional leadership educators advise all of us to have our own personal mission statement.  It defines the "why" of what you represent on a daily basis.  In addition to a personal mission statement, I encourage your department to take a deep dive into the "why" you are serving your clients and how you as a golf course management professional can make an important impact on the customers at your facility.

Ultimately, you should ask yourself, "Is the mission vital?"  If not, how can we get there?

2017 Chapter Leaders Gather for Annual Symposium

2017 Chapter Leader/Executive Symposium Keynote Speaker Paul Long

Forty-three leaders from 27 affiliated chapters strengthened their leadership skills at the 2017 Chapter Leader/Executive Symposium, March 14-15 at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan. The symposium is funded, in part, by the Williams Leadership Endowment Fund through the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG).

This annual event allows chapters to send a volunteer leader and association staff. The program is intended to strengthen each chapter’s leadership team, build on successes, and learn new concepts and ideas to support chapter effectiveness. Attendees participate in sessions focused on a broad segment of volunteer and association management topics with plenty of time to network with their peers from around the country. GCSAA staff also highlighted the various ways the association can assist in chapter operations. In addition, the attendees broke off into separate groups focused on issues related to association management and development.

GCSAA CEO J. Rhett Evans opened the session focusing how attendees can “Make a Difference.” Evans paralleled William H. McRaven’s experience as a former United States Navy Admiral involved in special forces operations and the oversight of the Navy Seal program.

“Making a Difference” is about excelling at the little things so you will be ready to succeed when bigger opportunities arise. It is also about needing a good team, moving forward and being your best during dark moments. Improving is about starting the day by completing a task, taking risks and never giving up.

Chapters also had the opportunity to learn from one another.

Randy Robinson from the Iowa GCSA discussed events leading to a banner year in 2016. The chapter implemented a “VIP” or Valued Industry Partner Program with affiliate members, completed and published results from a recent golf course water study and unveiled a new website.

Joseph Haskins from the Mid-Atlantic chapter outlined how their year-long match play championship is a success.

Adam Ikamas of the Michigan GCSA and Brian Laurent of the Miami Valley GCSA discussed member engagement, social media concepts and a strategy for message delivery.

Following programmatic updates on Best Management Practices, Rounds4Research and Government Affairs updates, Shelia Finney, senior director of member programs discussed upcoming GCSAA initiatives, including a new member onboarding program to enhance outreach efforts, membership growth and retention strategies and member access with GCSAA’s new website.

Tuesday’s session concluded with roundtable groups focusing on:

• Holding Creative Education Events
• Student Involvement
• Enhancing Communications and Operations
• Rounds4Research Implementation
• Hosting Quality Golf Events

This session allowed for sharing of Best Management Practices and was well received by attendees.

Wednesday morning, Paul Long, the founder of a concept called “Fundamism” was the keynote speaker and highlighted Fundamism and Leadership. The session was interactive, allowing attendees to rate how they are an effective leader and areas to improve.

He used simple techniques to be accountable to yourself and others. Paul also discussed successful strategies for working with millennials.

GCSAA Chief Operating Officer J.D. Dockstader concluded the education session with highlights on the Golf Industry Show, intel from the member needs assessment and key programs for the success of members.

"To me, it's important to know what the association is doing and bring back that information to my area," said GCSA of New England Chapter Executive Don Hearn, CGCS, retired. "It allows me to provide them with a perspective that I couldn't get just sitting and looking at a website."

Hearn was GCSAA’s 51st President, elected in 1987.

The objectives for the 2017 Chapter Leader/Executive Symposium included:

• Gain practical skills and knowledge to help you successfully lead your facility and your chapter
• Explore the challenges and changes impacting today’s association operating environment
• Build an ongoing professional network of peers and share best practices and innovative ideas
• Receive updates on programs and initiatives that are of interest to chapters from GCSAA

So - what's next?

I'm scribing this post just hours from heading to the GCSAA Golf Championships and Conference and Show in Orlando. My parents were spot on when I was a child. They reminded me the more experienced we become, the quicker time passes.

January was a blur. I was in the office five business days during the month, but what a great way to start off the year! After attending the Michigan GCSA Annual Meeting and Past President's dinner, I was able to also speak and attend annual meetings in Iowa and Minnesota. The month concluded speaking at the Ontario GCSA conference in gorgeous Niagara Falls, Ontario, facilitating a three-day retreat with the Minnesota GCSA and facilitating a strategic planning session with Shane Conroy and the Michigan chapter.

The gorgeous Niagara Falls, Ontario

But as my parents also taught me: You must have something to look forward to. By looking ahead, it provides energy for the days and months to come.

From the chapter outreach perspective, facilitating strategic planning sessions continues to be a priority. Right after conference and show, Kevin Doyle and I will be working with the Northeastern and Hudson Valley chapters in New York.

If these sessions are similar to those in Minnesota and Michigan, it's a foreshadowing of progress and engagement. Chapters are looking at the long-term opportunities for success. At times those long-term opportunities need short-term planning and vision. Through these efforts, we continue to show value to our members and chapters. That is the essence of our outreach efforts.

Iowa GCSA President Chauncey Barry presenting at Iowa GCSA Annual Meeting

At conference and show, our new BMP initiative was unveiled. We thank the representatives from states and chapters who attended Thursday's BMP session. We will continue to answer questions and be there to help with the implementation. Fifty states by 2020 is the goal.

I can't stress enough that the vision of our department to accomplish "we." That's between our members, chapters, GCSAA, and affiliate and allied groups. We are using a team approach and we welcome your questions or concerns.

I look forward to seeing many of you down the road soon. Please reach out to me or any of our field staff representatives. We are here to serve, with the emphasis on we.

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