NGCSA

What kind of a superintendent are you? Are you progressive and open-minded to changes in your management style? All of us aspire to be positive and beneficial to the successful operation of our facility. We desire for it to function smoothly, providing the best possible course conditions. But, are you committed to self-improvement and professional development? Are you willing to do an honest assessment of yourself? The following assessment exercise will compare your management style with “tape”. Yes, tape! Tape is used to bind, fasten, strengthen, or wrap two surfaces together. There are good “tapes” and bad “tapes” just as they’re good and bad management techniques.

Adhesive Tape – The ultimate tape that will bring staff and management together and work as a team towards a common goal. A very cohesive personality.

Masking Tape – When we do not disclose all information and are not being transparent.

Transparent Tape – Forthright and open in your management style.

Double-Sided Tape – Do you communicate with honesty and sincerity or does your story change according to who you are talking?

Invisible Tape - Do you avoid participation, commitment, and visibility?

“Green” Tape – Are you able to balance the “playability of the game” with a commitment to the environment?

Airborne . . . that was my thought when I teed off at Nebraska Golf Day. The tee was pretty wobbly as it went into the ground and I managed to somehow place the ball on it. Luckily my drive went straight, not long, but looked good for the spectators. Relieved, I pondered why it should matter so much that I could hit a golf ball. Surely that would not be the only recollection people would have of this day. Perhaps it was personal pride that made me want to hit a good drive for the gallery, but more importantly was that I wanted to demonstrate that superintendents are golf guys too. Too often, our knowledge of the game is discounted by golfers. They consider us grass guys, but don’t realize that, first and foremost, we are golf guys that know and understand all the intricacies of the game. But somehow the ability to hit a golf ball instantly gives you more credibility with golfers. That fact (although never stated) unfortunately probably gives the golf professional more clout with some of your club’s members. How can we overcome that? It is simple and often acknowledged that the superintendent needs to play the game-especially with your members, patrons, and bosses. This allows them to see you as a golfer, not as a guy/gal who just works at their golf course. Golfers relate to each other as only those who play the game can understand and appreciate. They share stories of their best rounds, bad lies, and winning a skins match on the 18^th hole. Be a golfer-it will enhance your status as an authority about the game.

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” This statement from JFK is one of the most famous in American history. By simply changing the arrangement of the same words, an entirely different meaning is achieved. It’s a play on words.

JFK was referring that as citizens we need not always be looking for the “what’s in it for me” benefit, but rather how can we give back in order to enhance our country. On a much smaller scale, how do we view our membership to the NGCSA? We have access to the many benefits of belonging to a progressive local chapter, but do we contribute back to our Association through attendance, leadership, and support. A cooperative and synergistic approach to membership will make our chapter much stronger.