“Most superintendents lose their jobs because of poor communication as compared to the actual conditions of the course. But, if something happens and you lose turf and you don’t communicate to your members properly, then your whole world falls apart.”
the financial situation of the entire golf facility is very important. Communication: You have heard the statement that you can never communicate enough. I am a firm believer of this statement. Very few times do I play a golf course that is not in excellent condition. However, when I hear of a golf course superintendent that has lost his/her job, it is not because of agronomic reasons. It is often a lack of communications with the employer or golfing membership. The following two quotations illustrate this:
“Communication may be 80-85% of a superintendent’s job with agronomy being 15- 20%.” Dr. Joseph Duich, Professor Emeritus - Penn State University. “Most superintendents lose their jobs because of poor communication as compared to the actual conditions of the course. If the course is in good condition, poor communication skills won’t hurt as much. But, if something happens and you lose turf and you don’t communicate to your members properly, then your whole world falls apart.” (anonymous) It is the nature of a golf course superintendent’s job to not be around the golfers in a day-to-day environment. You are at the course very early in the morning when the golfers aren’t there. Then your maintenance facility is off ‘the beaten path.’ So, you have to make a real effort to come in contact with the golfers and also the rest of the team at your golf facility - i.e. the golf pro, the manager, etc.
Also, remember that there are other forms of communication beside the oral one. Written communication is also very important. You can communicate to your constituents by means of emails and newsletters.
The golfers and your employer aren’t the only ones that you communicate with. You communicate with your crew on a daily basis. Also, you should be communicating with the general public that aren't golfers to explain to them the environmental benefits of a golf course. So, as you can see, communication is an on-going and very important process. Leadership: You, as a golf course superintendent, are a leader or else you wouldn't be in the position you are in now. You lead your crew in their daily activities. This is a challenge as labour can be a problem. In the United States, it is very hard to get qualified labour. The youth don’t want to work at a golf course because of the early hours and working weekends. Then, if you do hire those persons younger than yourself, you realise that they have different work values than you. So you have to learn how to coach and lead them.
You should use your leadership skills when you meet with the manager, golf pro, etc. in your facility’s team meetings. Then, if you do have to meet with committees, you should take the lead by formulating the agenda and keeping the committee on focus during the meeting. If you think about it, you use your leadership skills more times than you think.
I hope that I didn’t confuse you between ‘BCL’ and ‘BLT.’ As your job gets more business oriented, I believe that continuing education, especially in
the field of Business, Communication and Leadership, will become even more important. You have an excellent education programme at the upcoming BIGGA conference, which I will be attending. I always enjoy coming to that and seeing old friends and learning more and more about our profession. I, along with Michael O’Keeffe from the Ohio Programme (which places interns at courses in the U.S.) will be in booth Q80. Please drop by if you have any questions about GCSAA and also intern placement questions for Michael.
An AFT 45 on a compact tractor has two applications
Fitted with its chain and boom for wider and deeper trenches, or
Fitted with its slitting wheel for narrow slit drainage
AFT Trenchers Tel: 01787 311811 email:
info@trenchers.co.uk www.trenchers.co.uk
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