#gcsaa

[darrenjdavisgcs]

It’s an honor to serve as chair of the @gcsaa 💯 Centennial Celebration Committee! We are looking forward to celebrating the work of our founder (Colonel John Morley) other predecessors, the tremendous growth of our association (nearly 20,000 members) and the #golfcoursemanagement industry! It has been a very productive couple of days in Lawrence Kansas #GCSAA #golfcoursesuperintendent https://www.instagram.com/p/CqY0f_Vu5Rx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bunkershotgolf]

New Air Service to Branson Airport Enables More Minneapolis-St. Paul Area Golfers to Reach the Burgeoning Destination

Big Cedar Promotes Two; LedgeStone Superintendent Featured; Upgrades at Branson Hills

One of America’s most accessible and in-demand golf destinations just got more accessible as Branson Airport (BKG) announced a new passenger air service from Sun Country Airlines.

Starting in August, the Minneapolis-based carrier will offer nonstop flights to/from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Flights are available for purchase now at suncountry.com.

“We are delighted to see Sun Country bring this route to the market,” said Jonas Arjes, Interim President/CEO of Explore Branson. “Thanks to our new courses and 10 total, the golf destination has been drawing players from around the globe, and we look forward to welcoming those from the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area, already one of our best visitor sources.”

Sun Country will use a Boeing 737, holding 186 passengers, for the flights. The service begins August 31.

Big Cedar Promotions

Big Cedar Lodge has appointed Jeff Steen as Vice President of Golf.

Previously, he was the Director of Agronomy, a role from which he helped guide all five of the resort’s golf courses to achieve Signature Sanctuary Certification from Audubon International, the non-profit organization that helps places implement environmental and sustainability best practices.

Prior to joining Big Cedar in 2019, Steen had more than 24 years of experience managing premier golf resorts, including 16 years with the famed Pebble Beach Company.

Big Cedar promoted Greg Thomas as its Director of Golf Operations. An Iowa native, he started at Big Cedar in 2014 and has worked as an Assistant Professional, Head Professional and Assistant Director of Golf Operations during his 9-year tenure (as Big Cedar has exploded into the best North American golf destinations category).

Thomas previously worked at Branson Creek Golf Club for 14 years before Big Cedar Founder Johnny Morris purchased the course in the fall of 2013 and transformed it into what is now Buffalo Ridge.

LedgeStone Superintendent Featured

LedgeStone Country Club at StoneBridge Village Superintendent Kolby Armbruster, GCSAA, was the subject of a feature article in the spring issue of GCM, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s member publication (“Missouri Marvel: Ledgestone Country Club’s Kolby Armbruster has brought more efficient irrigation strategies to this golf course”).

The article reports how Armbruster launched a 5-year plan when he started at LedgeStone in 2019 that is working out brilliantly.

“He’s ahead of schedule, actually,” said Dale Russell, LedgeStone member, when quoted in the article. “He has taken the course to another level.”

Known for its fun factor and compelling playability, those LedgeStone attributes appealed to Armbruster, the player, as he considered taking the Superintendent position there.  “I told myself I have to work at a golf course I enjoy playing.”

Hear, hear!

Branson Hills Set for Season

Branson Hills Golf Club is geared up for the 2023 season. The clubhouse has been updated with new wood flooring and the golf course has several new Zoysia turf areas designed to be more conducive to movement across the award-winning layout.

The club’s Magnolia Grille has new food choices and new beers on tap this season. Likewise, the pro shop is filled with new golf equipment, apparel, and accessories.

For more about Branson Golf:

ExploreBranson.com/golf

Instagram.com/@explorebransongolf

Facebook.com/@bransongolf

About Explore Branson Golf

Ozarks National, 800.225.6343

Mountain Top, 800.225.6343

The Pointe, 417.334.4477

Thousand Hills, 800.487.0769, 417.334.4553

Buffalo Ridge, 800.225.6343

LedgeStone, 417.335.8187

Top of the Rock, 800.225.6343

Branson Hills, 417.337.2963

Payne’s Valley, 800.225.6343

Holiday Hills, 417.334.4838

About Explore Branson

Branson is a one-of-a-kind family vacation destination nestled in the lakeside beauty of the Ozark Mountains — and an incredible value — with dozens of live performance theaters, three pristine lakes, an international award-winning theme park, dozens of attractions and museums, a Historic Downtown district, a Town Center-style shopping complex, a full range of dining options, and a host of hotels, motels, resorts, RV parks, campgrounds and meeting and conference facilities. Branson is less than one day’s drive for one-third of America’s residents. With low-cost flights to the Branson Airport (BKG www.flybranson.com) and nearby Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), it has never been easier to access Branson. Call 1-800-296-0463 for help planning your next vacation, convention or reunion. See more at: http://www.explorebranson.com

[usasportsworld]

3 golf-course threats that keep superintendents up at night

3 golf-course threats that keep superintendents up at night

By: Josh Sens January 13, 2023 Bluegrass weevils can wreak havoc on turf. O. Kostromytska/GCSAA Rodents and insects and fungus. Oh, my! In their turf-care work, superintendents stand on guard against a host of invaders, which can vary by region and season. While most of these intruders can be staved off with smart and timely measures, some pose bigger headaches than the rest. David McIntosh…

[golfcartsforsaleinsandiego]

Golf Cart Safety - How to Prevent Injury

It used to be that most golfers would prefer to stroll for their round from the tees to the fairways to profit from the full actual activity that could be gotten from playing this illustrious and old game. As a matter of fact, in spite of the long history of golf, the principal golf cart was presented exclusively in the last part of the 1940s to empower players with handicaps to have portability around a golf course.

Be that as it may, with an ever increasing number of individuals drawn to playing golf, the utilization of golf carts have similarly expanded. These motorized vehicles for the connections and fairways took into consideration quicker games and advantageous vehicle and holding of golf clubs. As per the Public Golf Establishment, motorized carts are presently utilized in around 66% of each of the 18-opening rounds.

This expanded presence of motorized carts handling the golf course has prompted worries on cart safety. As in other motor vehicles, ill-advised activity of golf carts can bring about mishaps and serious wounds, as well as making harm the golf course.

The Golf Course Administrator Relationship of America (GCSAA) proposes a few standards for the protected utilization of carts. One GCSAA idea is extremely straightforward: work golf carts just from the driver's side. No driving around or showing off as such demeanor isn't just hazardous yet in addition disregards the behavior in a golf course.

A further guidance is to restrict travelers to the seating limit of the golf cart. The greater part of these vehicles don't have safety belts, so it must be guaranteed that the travelers are completely situated and safely on board before the driver begins the golf cart.

To additional upgrade golf cart safety, driver and travelers ought to keep their whole body inside the vehicle when it's moving. A hanging foot shod in a cleated shoe, for instance, could without much of a stretch catch the ground and result in a hyper-extended lower leg or broken foot. Appendages stretched out external the golf cart could likewise get caught by tree limbs.

A protected golf cart driver ought to go gradually through turns and be generally on the watch for any approaching vehicles, whether person on foot or another vehicle. Additional wariness ought to be practiced while driving a golf cart all over inclines, where the vehicle should be driven straight and slow. Same applies while going backward, driving on free surfaces, wet turf or harsh territory. Click here golf carts for sale san diego

Golf cart safety precautionary measures reach out up to the opportunity the vehicle arrives at a stand-still. The brakes must be set and the vital eliminated when the cart is at this point not being used. The golf cart ought to never be driven by someone impeded by cocktails or medications.

Golf carts ought to be driven exclusively in regions where the vehicles are permitted. Regions limited to golf carts are demonstrated by golf course signs which ought to be complied consistently. Golf carts can genuinely harm the golf course which would thus risk the game of the carts' clients as well as those of other golf club individuals and visitors too.

[dpomalescreative]

🎵🎵🎵🎤...We're in a #freelance state of mind!!!🎵🎵🎵... #billiejoel remix!!!😁😁😁 #tradeshowphotography #headshots #supportspecialists #gcsaa #orlandophotographer #eventphotographer #tradeshowlife #headshotsessions (at Orange County Convention Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B79JqGfBKz9/?igshid=12o40dg18tnsw

[jamiegolf84]

Gave my first seminar of the year and it was a great success! Be sure to follow JT Mobile Training on LinkedIn and Facebook. #gcsaa (at Orange County Convention Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B71DlB3F7de/?igshid=14uj3yjcuaswl

[dardennicks]

Sod cutter or not we’ll get grass in the fairway somehow~ sprig modification #8 Bunker edges to the fairway ~cart paths edged~ all for Ladies Day @wildhorsegclv @wildhorsediscgolf Low 62 High 85 and 🌞#hendersonnevada #golf #gcsaa #pdga #pga #greenspace #thisismyoffice (at Henderson, Nevada) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByFwD1Ghmgo/?igshid=99bfmb6tvsr1

[jakesnyman-blog]

Final day of our DKR Member Guest for 2017. We couldn't have got it done without this amazing group of guys. They worked flawlessly together for the last 3 weeks and the results are proof. The course looked simply amazing. Best I've ever seen. Thank you!! #hillcountrygolf #CTGCSA #GCSAA #DKR #lovegolf #BartonCreekCountryClub #golfcoursemaintenance #teamwork (at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa)

[maritzaerwin]

What’s It’s Like to Be Golf Course Superintendent?

Original Image Source – Depositphotos.com

A golf course superintendent is a richly rewarding and hands-on job for anyone who loves the game of golf, improve a swing, and is interested in the maintenance of the playing grounds.

For players, a pristinely manicured golf course can be one of the primary reasons why they have a great experience on the links. This responsibility falls directly on the education and execution of the golf course superintendent.

To perform the duties of the superintendent at a high level of efficiency, the superintendent must be current with all the latest trends in golf course management, execute their management plan by clearly delegating tasks to staff, and be able to work within the restraints of a budget.

If anyone of these tasks becomes neglected, then it could ultimately show itself in the worsening condition of the course, causing membership at the club to fall and walk-in business to drop. So, as you can see, the golf course superintendent is incredibly important to the health of the course and, by proxy, the overall health of the club’s business.

This article is a deep dive into all of the intricacies of what a golf course superintendent can expect from their job. From salary to a daily schedule, everything is covered as we answer the question: What is it like to be a golf course superintendent?

What is a Golf Course Superintendent?

A golf course superintendent is the chief authority figure when it comes to the day-to-day care of the actual golf course. This incredibly important job oversees the management of all aspects of the course including such responsibilities as the health and maintenance of the turf and the irrigation systems that water the grass on each hole.

The superintendent also oversees a collection of employees that maintains the course. It is the superintendent’s job to make judgment calls on what needs to be improved or corrected either immediately or over time and pass that request onto their staff for execution.

The role of the golf course superintendent has become even more important in recent years as there is a push among groups, such as the USGA, to conserve resources such as water and reduce the use of pesticides and weed-killing chemicals to create a more green and safe playing surface for customers and members.

For environmental reasons alone, keeping up with the latest trends in turf management and finding new and exciting ways to care for the course’s turf is of utmost significance. So, even though the superintendent may already have a degree and certification, keeping those credentials up to date with continuing education is a smart play in staying relevant within the field.

What are the Job Requirements of a Golf Course Superintendent?

A golf course superintendent is ultimately responsible for everything that happens with the playing surface. From tee box to green, a superintendent is in charge of making sure that the course is in its best possible shape each and every day.

A huge requirement of being a successful golf course superintendent is working well with others. Since the golf course is located on such a sprawling piece of land, it is very difficult to be in multiple locations at once. So, for areas that need attention or improvement, the superintendent needs a well-trained and highly competent staff that can handle requests and follow through with the execution of the superintendent’s vision.

With rapidly changing environmental factors that the course deals with throughout the year, the golf course superintendent has to constantly be aware of the overall health of the turf and if it needs more personal care. That care could come in the form of more or less watering and aerating techniques that allow more air to get to the soil underneath the top layer of grass.

Why is Knowing Turf Science So Important for a Golf Course Superintendent?

Since golf demands a strong and adaptable playing surface that can withstand the punishment of hundreds of thousands of rounds each year, the golf course superintendent must keep the grass and the soil in tip-top shape.

Having an understanding of how turf reacts to the elements is crucial for a superintendent to know as it could be the difference between keeping the fairways pristine or allowing unsightly and unplayable brown spots to flourish in the grass.

For example, aeration is one of the best things that a superintendent can do for the health of the course’s soil, but also makes the grounds virtually unplayable for a few weeks, causing frustration among members and visiting golfers.

The process of aeration is necessary due to the compression of the top layer of soil by golfers over the course of the playing season. If the average golfer takes 45 steps on a green, for example, and commonly plays in a group of four, that’s 180 steps on each green. Multiply that by the number of foursomes that play the green each day, roughly 50-75 per day, depending on the weather and the popularity of the course.

Using that equation, each green on a course can expect to see anywhere from 9,000 to 13,500 steps per day. Now take into account how many days a course gets played and it is easy to see how compressed the soil can become with the added weight of all those golfers’ footsteps.

Many experts believe it is important to aerate when the grass is the strongest, but that typically falls on the calendar when the course is experiencing its highest traffic. More golfers mean more money, which is very important to the ownership and financial health of a club. But there’s no avoiding that aeration is a vital part of maintaining the health of the soil and keeping the course looking and playing its best.

Although it may not seem important, at first glance, understanding the science behind aeration and working in concert with members and ownership to set times to restore the health of the course is one of the biggest responsibilities that a superintendent will face during their tenure at a golf club.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Golf Course Superintendent?

While it is not essential to obtain a collegiate degree if you are interested in becoming a golf course superintendent, having one certainly allows you to jump to the front of the line when applying for entry-level positions at larger golf courses. By studying through an accredited university, you gain networking possibilities through the college and the potential to easily find internships that will allow you to build experience for your resume.

Top-flight universities, such as Rutgers, promote certifications through their agricultural department in becoming a golf course superintendent. Rutgers offers an undergraduate degree in Turfgrass Science, a 2-year certificate program and a 3-week prep course on managing Turfgrass as a part of their Continuing Professional Education curriculum.

Certifications and some type of secondary education in turf management is an expectation for individuals looking to find a job in golf course management. If you are a 22-year old student, fresh from getting your degree in Turfgrass Science, it may be hard to immediately get a superintendent job without experience, so you’ll want to make sure that during your schooling you are working at a course with responsibilities in working with turf maintenance.

What Salary Can a Golf Course Superintendent Earn?

The reason a golf course superintendent will want to become certified through traditional methods is that the expertise they build and display on their resume will determine their expected level of salary.

According to a 2019 survey by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, (GCSAA), the average base salary for a golf course superintendent increased 4.5% from 2017 to an all-time high of $93,176. For certified golf course superintendents, the salary is even higher, averaging $111,250.

The survey was based upon the participation of 3,191 professional superintendents. The average golf course superintendent in the survey is 46.5 years old, with roughly 16.4 years of experience and 10.5 years at their current job.

What’s the Day-to-Day Schedule of a Golf Course Superintendent?

Being a golf course superintendent demands a lot of supervision of the course each and every day. Typically, the morning begins with an assessment of the course. This means that the superintendent hops on a golf cart and drives around the 18-hole layout checking all aspects of the grounds. Everything from the condition of the greens to the height of the rough is assessed for maintenance.

Superintendents always have to account for weather and precipitation when considering the maintenance schedule for the day. In rainy areas of the country, such as the Pacific Northwest, golf course superintendents have to make different judgment calls than a superintendent in Arizona.

A typical workday for a superintendent starts early as the course’s needs must be understood before the club receives a surge of golfers. If the course is due for mowing, it is wise to start that process ahead of the first group off the tee, in order to not disrupt the flow of the playing groups.

Golfers understand the course has maintenance requirements and are willing to have their round interrupted to make sure the layout is playing in its best shape possible.

One of the biggest areas that a new golf course superintendent can struggle to adapt is by delegating work rather than just trying to do it on their own. An efficient superintendent does well at clearly outlining expectations and the daily assignments of others rather than trying to fix everything themselves by believing that they are the only person qualified for the task at hand.

A golf course superintendent is a leader and therefore, they must work hard at letting their bias fall to the side and instead, become a teacher and, sometimes cheerleader, for other members of the staff. By building up the skill level and confidence of employees, the golf course superintendent streamlines the process of a request of staff to execution by the employee.

Are There Negatives to Becoming a Golf Course Superintendent?

The job can become a bit lonely at times as the superintendent drives from one hole to the next to check on the condition of specific areas of the course such as greens, bunkers and irrigation systems.

One of the ways that superintendents cut through the loneliness of the day is by adopting a good companion, such as a friendly and energetic dog. On a side note, adopting a dog is more beneficial when it comes to the cost so you will save money. And it is also more satisfying to adopt one rather than buying as those dogs in the shelter need pet parents. Having a friendly dog on the course to help carry the superintendent through the day is a wonderful way to build camaraderie among the staff and guests of the course.

Another way to combat the blues is by playing the course regularly with members and understanding how the most frequent players are responding to the conditions of the layout. Yes, you may hear more complaints than praise, but the job requires an understanding of how others are enjoying the course and tailoring the experience to meet the demands of ownership and those who play the most.

Conclusion

For golf course superintendents, there’s nothing better than spending hundreds of hours crafting a playing surface that has golfers talking about how wonderful their day on the links was for them and their playing group.

However, as you can see, the job of a golf course superintendent is not one to be taken lightly. With several responsibilities that involve decisions that ultimately affect the health and quality of the golf course, the superintendent must be prepared to accept criticism and work harder at achieving the goals of ownership.

Scary stuff aside, if you love working in the fresh air among one of the greatest games that sport offers, then superintendents are well paid, receive perks such as unlimited golf and invitations to play some of the country’s most exclusive courses.

The post What’s It’s Like to Be Golf Course Superintendent? appeared first on CareerMetis.com.

What’s It’s Like to Be Golf Course Superintendent? published first on https://skillsireweb.tumblr.com/

[sunydelhi]

Turf’s Best Finish

SUNY Delhi captured fourth place in the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s (GCSAA) Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition in Orlando, FL in February, the best finish in the history of the Sports and Turf Management program. Delhi competed against 57 teams from 36 schools around the country, including large institutions such as Penn State, Michigan State and Purdue University. This year’s results build on an 11th place finish last year and a 32nd place finish in 2015. “The Turf Bowl accomplishment speaks volumes to what we are doing as a program, all the hard work the students have put in, and the level of future turf managers we are training,” says Assistant Professor Marvin Seaman. “This competition was a great experience for our students. Not only did they compete in the Turf Bowl, but the GSCAA conference provided them valuable professional networking opportunities.”

[pebblecreekgc-blog]

Keeping a course in great shape is tough work. Days like this when irrigation lines burst....our guys keep us moving forward. #thankasuperintendent #GCSAA #golf #thankful (at Pebble Creek Golf Club)

[darrenjdavisgcs]

“Sleepy” is our 4th returning #screechowl this year at #oldefloridagolfclub … but true to her name she’s obviously been sleepy No eggs in the @nativebirdboxes nest yet, but I’ll check on her in a couple of days @gcsaa #golfcoursesuperintendent @auduboninternational #thisismyoffice #swfl #golf #environment #somepeoplegettocallthiswork (at Olde Florida Golf Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqRPwkvu5mj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bunkershotgolf]

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has partnered with Association Health Programs (AHP), an insurance broker who specializes in association management benefit plans, to offer access to health insurance as a membership benefit.  

“Having access to affordable health insurance plans has been a key concern for many of our members for a long time,” Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO said. “And with current events, it’s now even more vital to be able to offer them access to benefit plans from major insurance carriers to provide coverage for the member and their families.” 

This member benefit will be available to all eligible GCSAA members (other than the Friend of the Golf Course Superintendent) and their immediate family members.  The program has options for members in 38 states. Due to state legal restrictions, the program is not available in 12 states: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. U.S. territories and those outside of the United States are excluded as well.

AHP partners with A+-rated insurance carriers to offer Preferred Provider Plans (PPO).  A few examples are United Healthcare PPO, Aetna PPO, and Cigna PPO.  Product options, carrier availability, and rates vary by state and individual circumstances. GCSAA members are responsible for the premiums and make payments directly to the insurance providers.  

A 5- to 10-minute online census form is required prior to obtaining assistance with product options and rates. For more information about the program, visit www.gcsaa.org/health.

About GCSAA and the EIFG The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 19,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org, or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.

The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

[meljmar]

Greenkeeper, Turf Manager, Head Honcho, Boss: whatever you call your superintendent, be sure to thank them for all they do! Tag your super! #ThankASuper#golf #gcsaa #tgcsa #golfcourse #golfcourses #golfcoursesuperintendent #golflife #golfaddict #golfers #golf⛳️ #golfing #golfland #golfstagram #golfchannel #turfgrass #turf @gcsaa (at Nashville, Tennessee)

[textingbase]

#gcsaa #thanksforchoosingus #welcometothefamily #textingbase #we❤️ourcustomers

[golfpurist]

Great family trip to the Village of Pinehurst.