NGCSA

Most of us take pride in our heritage.  We are proud of who we are, our roots, our ancestry and would never consider changing our names.  Perhaps if we have been convicted of a felony and hurt society, we would welcome a name change.  Women can change their names by simply becoming married.  Sports heroes have found it fashionable to change their names to reflect a specific personality or character trait.  Motion picture icons have changed their names to create better name recognition.  But as golf course superintendents, what would be the benefit to change our name?  It would be cool to have a moniker of Frank Fairway, Pete Parr, Mike Mulligan, Tommy Turfman, Sandy Hazards, Woody Strokes, or Grant Greenman.

Silly or not, the GCSAA recommends that its members change their names.  They have encouraged us to “add four letters.”  Those four letters are CGCS.  It has been a marketing strategy to encourage members to achieve “Certification” status in their professional career.  GCSAA’s Certification Program is the industry’s most recognized professional distinction.  The program demonstrates commitment to your career and exceptional knowledge of the profession, both on and off the course.

It was with much interest that I read the July, 2009 issue of Golfdom.  The lead story featured two GCSAA members debating the legitimacy of the “Certification Program”.  Debate is healthy and I respect both gentlemen in their opinions.

The merits of Certification were well stated by Rafael Barajas, CGCS.  The counter-point position was argued by Christopher Gray.  I found myself agreeing with one of Mr. Gray’s assessments, “Certification does not, in anyway, guarantee actual job performance success.”  This is an argument I often hear and I certainly agree!  GCSAA Certification is not unlike other industry distinctions.  Receiving a certificate, diploma, or degree does not assure exceptional results.  One still needs to be able to employ those learned skills into an end result.

However, I must respectfully disagree with Mr. Gray when he states that the program is “driving a wedge between membership classes.”  His implication that certification is a classification is incorrect.  Certification is not a membership category.  Another assertion from Mr. Gray stating that “many of the Certified Superintendents truly believe they are the elite of the association and that the GCSAA supports and encourages that belief”….implies that arrogance is rampant among Certified Superintendents.  This is a comment that disturbs me and I would vehemently debate that the GCSAA does not condone that attitude amongst any of its members.  The GCSAA addresses the specific issues of behavior and integrity in its “Member Code of Ethics”.

GCSAA does not require its members to become certified.  Certification is simply a prescribed program enabling individuals to be recognized for their superior levels of achievement in golf course management.  Certification is strictly a personal choice.  The program will help you self-assess and identify competencies that can be improved and strengthened.  It will then help you design and set a plan in motion for self-improvement.  The program will challenge you to become a better course manager.

If you are not presently certified, I would recommend you consider entering the program.  In the next few submissions of Western Waves, I will be promoting entrance into the program and updating you of its mission, history, and its current standards and requirements.

Bill Bieck, CGCS
Heritage Hills GC
McCook, Nebraska