NGCSA

Spring is always a time of awakening and rejuvenation--flowers bloom, trees bud, grass sprouts new shoots. And we “go back to work” with a sense of urgency and anticipation for a better season than last. This season, however, will be met with much hand-wringing and uncertainty over the economic pressures put on all of us. Despite that, most superintendents with whom I have talked are anxious to see what lies ahead— as if they will really bear down to make the best of an 'iffy' economic situation.

And so it should be with your involvement with your association this year. Make an extra effort to make it the best year it can be for our chapter. It shouldn’t be difficult to make it a great year considering the many fantastic things that are happening within our association. All we need is some effort and participation on your part. What is so great? you ask, remembering last years’ helter-skelter schedule and member apathy. Well, since you asked, here goes my list of great things that your BOD has been working on to make Nebraska GCSA
successful and fulfilling to its members in 2009: The meeting and education schedule for this year is outstanding! Derek Nicholson has put together the best schedule we have had in years. Check out our meeting schedule in this and coming issues and at ngcsa.org. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss these events. What brings many of you to the meeting? Great venues!!—how about Wilderness Ridge, Field Club, Iron Horse, Wild Horse just to name a few in 2009.

What about education you might ask-- not the same old stuff we’ve heard a hundred times? We’ve got something for everyone and have added many “interesting topics” outside the realm of turf; i.e. financial planning, personality types, irrigation and public power, mower reel set-up, and much more.

The new look web site is still a work in progress but it is exciting to be able to exchange information quickly among members. By using this media you have no excuse for not knowing what is going on! The continued search for an Executive Director!! This is a significant change in how our association operates, but it is a change that is necessary and vital to further our chapter. This position will elevate our  association to the levels that the Nebraska Golf Association and the Nebraska section PGA now have with golfers. Check out the posting for this position in this issue. Maybe you are our man/woman! A renewed cooperation with UNL. Roch, Bob and the whole University staff want to be more involved with our association. Obviously, they are key to our education programs and their industry contacts will help broaden our learning opportunities. Already Roch has scheduled Gary Grigg and himself to do their GCSAA seminar on foliar feeding for our April meeting!

Bob Hall has returned as newsletter editor!! The news-letter will be packed with great info! Whew! I am already down to the bottom of the page with great things for Nebraska GCSA in 2009. All we need now is for you to be with us!     

Josh Mahar    
Nebraska GCSA President