IN THE CROSS HAIRS
Any outdoorsman knows the importance of properly positioning his target within the cross hairs. Unfortunately, the golf course industry is frequently in the cross hairs of regulators and public scrutinists. As a superintendent it’s not comfortable being the target. As an industry we should be proactive and responsive in a professional manner. We should be forthright, transparent, support accurate scientific research, recognize our shortcomings and deficiencies, and work toward improvement.
This article is inspired by a personal experience at the 2011 National Groundwater Conference. The conference is attended by a diverse group of people representing the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, university researchers, engineering and water consultants, natural resource districts, agriculture producers, community representatives, U.S. Geological Survey, public health departments, politicians, public policy centers, and private industry. All of these professionals are brought together by the Groundwater Foundation’s vision of “a world with sustainable, clean groundwater where everyone understands how it impacts their life and acts responsible and responsively on its behalf.”
The three-day conference provided a wealth of information on the latest technologies, scientific facts, and success stories. Attending a conference outside the strict parameters of your own profession creates an opportunity to network and learn from others with a different perspective. Their outlook and point of view may differ from ours. It was shocking for me to hear a panelist representing agriculture make a comment that “golf courses use twice as much water and fertilizers” as he does. These comments need to be backed with hard facts and figures. This is the same industry that the Nebraska GCSA approached last year when they sponsored a radio advertisement with a similar statement. The panelist’s comments are an attempt to justify their industry’s usage at the expense of another.
I could counter his statement and present facts that an average 18-hole golf course uses only slightly more water than it takes to produce 80 acres of their commodity. In addition, turf in Nebraska requires a 7-8 months irrigation season compared to two or three months for his crop. I can also refute his comment concerning fertilizer use. Every geographic location, every crop and commodity and every turf variety and species will have different water and nutrient requirements. The real issue at hand is the efficient use of these inputs. The current trends in golf course design is to reduce highly managed turf with native grassed or natural areas that require reduced or total elimination of resource inputs. At Heritage Hills Golf Course, I have reduced water consumption 30% and nutrient usage 40% in the last fifteen years. And, I am continually striving to do better with new technologies that offer improved strategies and solutions.
My statements are based upon facts and a commitment to continuous improvement. Much of our efforts can be supported by scientific research as well. An important question would be, “how would these conference attendees, media and public know if we didn’t tell them in a proactive and professional manner?” In addition and like the ag producer, I am justifying my own operations.
It’s time for everyone to step back and review their water policies and actions. The golf course industry has support. In 2006 the Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America, conducted the initial GCSAA Golf Course Environmental Profile survey. This information provides baseline data for documenting environmental practices over time. The data will also help us respond to governmental inquiries and answer the public’s questions about environmental
issues. We can monitor our own operations and the industry’s progress with this information as well.
But it is not just a matter of possessing this scientifically backed knowledge. We also must be our own best advocates and share these facts, as well as our own personal experiences, with the public and the very groups that may question our practices. Whether at our own facilities, through our local media, or in organized platforms like the Groundwater Conference, we have to take an active role in spreading the industry’s message.
Water is a lifeline for all living organisms. There will never be any more of it and the quality will likely never get any better. It is treated as a commodity by many users. The Groundwater Foundation is an organization where all concerned parties can sit at the same table. Everybody who uses water needs to ask hard questions of themselves and not “target” other consumers. The turf industry’s use of water cannot claim to “feed the world”. Nor should golf be considered the number one priority use for water. But, our industry does provide
many benefits to the environment, to the economy and the quality of life.
The future will be a time of transition from the unimpeded water consumption of the past to a fair and reasonable regulated use that protects water resources while still allowing the economy to thrive. Politicians and regulators need to be informed and supplied with accurate and useful facts concerning the environmental and economic benefits of our industry. We need them to create common sense environmental policy. That doesn’t mean water use in the future will be inexpensive or painless, but it does mean that the value and cost of water will increase. Economists will say as the cost of water increases, the importance of water will escalate.
Environmentalists and economists don’t often agree. Environmentalists strive for conservation and protection of a natural resource. Economists study the science of the production, development, consumption, and profit of a commodity. As superintendents, we need to support both philosophies, but how do we achieve both? Everyone will need to compromise, sacrifice, and embrace common sense
regulations.
Like it or not the golf course industry is in competition for an exhaustible water supply. We will need to illustrate and communicate to others outside our industry circle that we are competent and trustworthy. It’s not fun being in the cross hairs. We have several
options. One, we could run and hide to avoid being the target. Two, we could arm ourselves and fight back and create a conflict where nobody wins. Or three, we put on protective armor lined with scientific data, collaborate with our detractors and other users and set
our sights on achieving sustainable and practical water policy for everyone. I choose option three!
Bill Bieck,
CGCS
THIRTY THOUSAND DAYS
Most of us will live a life span of 30,000 days. With the good Lord willing, some will have a few more and others may have less. Of these 30,000 days how many will you truly remember…… remember in a sense of actually being able to recollect every “footstep” or “breath” and commit to permanent memory? Most of us might “vividly” remember 12-24 events in our life. Unfortunately half of these events will be tragic but the other 50% are probably happy or euphoric.
It is the 10th anniversary of 9-11 that is prompting this article. I can retrace every “footstep” of that tragic and sad Tuesday morning. I was installing new garage doors on the cartshed at work. I couldn’t believe what was happening and found it disheartening that such evil was invading our homeland. I also remember that John Hadwick (former superintendent at Jack Rabbit Run GC) and I were to attend GCSAA’s 75th Anniversary Celebration in Lawrence on that Thursday. It was to be special day for GCSAA and for my good friend Brad Pearson (former superintendent of Holdrege CC.) Brad was commissioned to create a bronze sculpture of “Old Tom Morris” to be positioned at the front entrance at GCSAA Headquarters. The unveiling was scheduled for Thursday the 13th. Needless to say, the celebration was cancelled and many participants en route to Lawrence via commercial air flights were stranded. This year’s anniversary brought back many memories of that tragic 9-11 event. I was especially touched seeing the surviving children being interviewed, 10 years later, after losing their parents. A very important part of their lives was stripped and will leave a needless void.
Another unforgettable event was the assassination of President Kennedy. I remember being on the playground at school playing soccer. When we came in from recess, our 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Crawford, was called out to the hallway. When she returned she informed the class that JFK had been shot. I remember that clear crisp fall day so clearly!
The Challenger disaster of 1986, the assassination of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, the falling of the Berlin Wall, and Hurricane Katrina are other historic events that remained etched in my mind. I also remember the sudden shock of losing a close, personal friend when a driver of cement truck fell asleep and crashed head on with my friend. I can easily retrace the pain, anger, and sorrow of the family in those following days.
However, there are other memorable events that are happy……weddings, birth of our children, notable achievements. The birth of my three children is most memorable. Ryan, my oldest, was born in April 1981 B.C. (before cell phones). I was preparing Heritage Hills for its course opening in May. My banker, George, drove out to the course as I was fertilizing the #16 green and yelled from the parking lot across a wide ravine, “Bill, it’s time to get to the hospital.” George was a banker that took “personal banking” to a new level! Tyler, my middle boy, decided it was time to be born as I was “putting out” on #4 green on Wednesday Night Golf League. My youngest son, Tony, was born in December….I was in the shop sharpening mowers.
Of our 30,000 days of mortality, approximately 16,000 days or 50% will include a time commitment to our jobs or employment. It is only natural to assume many of our memorable events will be affected by our jobs. Most of the events described in the above paragraphs entwined the work place. But it is not the job environment that has made these days eventful or memorable.
In the scheme of life, “Just how important is our job?” Employment is important in that it provides us the financial means to be sustainable and provide for our families. Most of us have a passion for this industry and strive for excellence. That is good thing, but let’s not lose sight of a bigger picture and the 3 F’s……faith, friends, and family. How many days do you have?
Bill Bieck, CGCS
HOW MEDIA INFLUENCES THE GAME
Nobody can deny the impact that modern media has on the game of golf. Most of the coverage is positive but sometimes the impact is not constructive. There is no doubt that press coverage has given the game added attention and encourages individuals to “take up the game” or play more frequently. Tiger Woods has for the most part been very helpful for the industry.
But sometimes the media can be harmful to the mission of growing the game. Tiger’s recent onslaught of “personality flaws” needed to be reported by the press……that is their mission! We may not want to hear it but that is reporting the news. Uninformed journalists may report environmental issues in a “skewed” or “unbalanced” manner. However, if their reporting is accurate we must correct our deficiencies and convey our corrective actions through the media. It is the responsibility of our professional state and national turf organizations to monitor and be the watchdogs for our industry.
The “Nebraska Golf Day” is an example of allied golf associations uniting together to “highlight” the industry’s positive impact on the environment, environmental stewardship, and its financial contributions to the state’s economy. The Nebraska Golf Day would go unnoticed if the media does not convey this information to the masses.
I want to share a not-so-positive incident I viewed on TV during the St. Jude’s Classic in Memphis this summer. CBS Sports had the coverage with Bill Macatee, Ian Baker-Finch, and Gary McCord as the announcers. It was during Saturday coverage in which it was very hot and humid. Players were sweating profusely as their shirts and pants were drenched. Coverage was on the last group. And to be honest, there was very little excitement. I had the TV on but wasn’t really following the action. The last group was on hole #15 or #16. One of the players left his approach shot in the greenside bunker. The player hit his bunker shot and as he exited the hazard one of the announcers commented, “I bet his caddie doesn’t rake the bunker.” The announcer’s reasoning was that because it was so hot and they were the last group that it would be “acceptable” not to rake the trap. The announcers now had my attention! The three commentators actually were voting on whether the bunker would be raked or not. The vote was 2 to 1 that the bunker would not be raked. Even as this group was finishing the hole the cameras were constantly scanning the unraked bunker face. When the players left for the next hole the camera zoomed into the unraked bunker for a final time. The announcers actually condoned or justified this action. I shuttered and groaned……I have limited optimism when it comes to member etiquette. I felt the announcers just gave all my members a new excuse not to rake bunkers. They will be using the excuses “It’s too hot”, “I’m in the last group today”, and “….why rake, the maintenance staff will get it tomorrow”. The announcers, in my opinion, gave all golfing patrons an open invitation to creating “excuses and justifications” for not protecting the integrity of the game. I really expected one of the announcers to say, “Rake the bunker, it’s the right thing to do!”
I had a member that passed approximately 15 years ago at the age of 85. He loved the game and even in his later years he would refuse to leave the cart paths or do anything that would violate golf etiquette or leave a bad mark on the course. Claude was one of my best friends and spokesmen……he would correct anyone if they were abusing the course. Claude loved golf and Heritage Hills so much he arranged to have his cremated remains scattered on the course. Arrogance, ignorance, or apathy was not in Claude’s vocabulary or personality. I now use Claude as an example with some of my 25 year old members who always seem to fabricate and create excuses for not following course etiquette. Claude would have told them, “Just do the right thing!”
Bill Bieck, CGCS
Heritage Hills Golf Course
McCook, Nebraska
Recently the GCSAA chat-room posted a topic on the subject of member work-days. Opinions expressed by superintendents were evenly split 50/50 in support of these events vs. those in opposition. I was one who resisted such a day until four years ago. I was resistant for many reasons. I was worried that someone would get seriously hurt and the potential liability and litigation that could follow. I didn’t want to plan for a project in which you had no control of how many people would actually show. I had a fear that the group would be “uncontrollable or unteachable” and would not achieve set objectives. I had a fear the occasion would become an alcohol consuming event with little productivity and the inherent dangers. I had a fear the day would end in chaos and shed a negative light on maintenance operations. Fortunately none of my fears came to fruition!
It was four years ago when I had a Board Member propose a member work-day. I was rather cool to the subject and voiced the above concerns. However, other Board members supported the project. After reconsidering I agreed to coordinate the inaugural work-day. I have been pleasantly surprised with the outcomes. I still have the same fears and concerns. But with some self-imposed guidelines we have been able to curtail any negative incidents and provide positive results.
The following guidelines have proved to be successful for our course:
Do not plan a big day. We pick a Saturday in early spring. We start at 9 am and try to conclude by noon. We try not to “monopolize” the entire day….remember these are volunteers and this is their day off.
Plan a morning event. By starting in the morning and concluding by noon, you should be able to restrict alcohol consumption. Many volunteers will schedule tee times in the afternoon to play golf.
Be patient. Be flexible. Be Organized. Understand that you have no control in who shows and who doesn’t. It is very difficult to plan for the scope of certain projects with inadequate supervision and equipment. Understand that not everybody can physically do the same job. Our ages range from 14-80 years old. Have extra projects planned for any excess volunteers. Prioritize your projects. Pace yourself and “go with the flow”!
Emphasize to your staff that they are the lead supervisors (bosses). It might be hard for your staff to understand they need to exhibit leadership to the membership. Your staff, when properly trained, understands the final objectives of the project while your volunteers may not.
Rely on trusted and resourceful members to help coordinate and recruit volunteers. We all have members who are dependable, committed, and trustworthy. Our facility is fortunate to have resourceful members who are willing to share their talents. Depend on them to be leaders and maintain a structured approach.
Select projects requiring minimal power equipment. All of the courses power equipment will be operated by trained staff or designated trusted members. I request that volunteers bring their own tools and equipment i.e. chain saws, trucks, trailers…..if members are operating their own equipment much of the liability will be assumed by them.
Stress safety. Safety is paramount. In the four years of organizing this event no one has been hurt. One individual has lost his glasses, others have had scrapes and bruises, and nearly everyone has had aches and pains in the morning. Always encourage your staff and leaders to “talk safety”.
Smile and say thank you. Relax and try to enjoy the day. Remember that these people are giving you a part of their time. Recognize their support through a smile and thank you. I write a personal thank you to every volunteer. First and final impressions can leave either a positive or negative impression on your operation.
Some of the projects completed in the last four years have been the removal of tons of dead, dying, and fallen trees, the thinning of wooded areas, trash pick-up in obscure areas, landscape renovations, weeding of landscaping beds, cart shed maintenance, cart path construction, painting, roofing projects, bathroom remodeling, and we are currently completing a clubhouse patio awning.
Is a member work-day appropriate for your facility? Many courses have adequate staffing and the financial resources to accomplish these projects without volunteers. However, courses with financial restrictions may find this as an alternative to accomplish certain projects. There are many positive results from having a work-day. The day helps develop membership pride and a “sense of ownership”. It allows your staff to interconnect with members with hopefully a mutual respect being forged. It requires your staff to develop and hone their leadership skills. It provides an opportunity for your staff to showcase their professionalism and commitment. This year, the high school golf coach brought the six members of the varsity golf team to help. It was gratifying to see these pleasant young adults intermingle with other volunteers for the common goal of making their course better.
But, perhaps the most illuminating observation of this entire project is the revelation of who are your “engaged members”……those members who truly care about your facility. Just remember to show them your appreciation and recognition!
Bill Bieck, CGCS
Heritage Hills
Feb. – 2011
Nebraska’s Unicameral introduced 698 bills for debate during the 2011 legislative session. The following is a listing of some of the more “interesting” bills.
LB46 – Provides for a definition of a barber pole….”a cylinder or pole with alternating stripes of red, white, and blue or any combination of them that run diagonally along the length of the cylinder or pole.”
LB52 – Change motorcycle helmet provisions and require eye protection.
LB101 – Eliminate Daylight Savings Time.
LB 197 – Ensures that mothers are able to breastfeed wherever they are authorized to be.
LB 226 – Create the offense of assault with a bodily fluid against a public safety officer.
LB 229 – Transfer funds from the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund to the Water Resources Cash Fund. This bill would allow funds to be used for studies and grants to facilitate compliance with the Nebraska Groundwater Management and Protection Act.
LB 294 – Would prohibit a liquor licensee from selling alcohol to an individual prior to 6 a.m. on the person’s twenty-first birthday. (In other words, one needs to be 21 years and 6 hours before he/she could legally purchase alcohol.)
LB 436 – Increase Tobacco Use Tax from 64 cents to $1.99 per package.
LB 469 – Prohibit retail sale of novelty lighters and provide a penalty. This bill would include lighters with the likeness of cartoon characters, food and beverages, toys, guns, animals, vehicles, and musical instruments and those that play music or have more than one function.
LB 504 – Change motor fuel tax rates from 7.5 cents to 11.3 cents through October 1, 2012 and 15.1 cents per gallon there after.
LB516 – Authorize carrying of concealed handguns in educational institutions by security personnel, administrators or teaching staff.
Many of these bills seem rather frivolous or just an unnecessary nuisance for our society. Others could have an enormous impact. If you are a smoker LB436 will be of interest. If you are a parent LB516 should be a great concern.
LB101 eliminates the use of Daylight Savings Time throughout the entire State. How would this affect us as a golf business? The elimination of an hour of daylight in the evening for recreation could be detrimental for our industry. The working class might have a difficult time completing 9-holes of golf and would twilight golf leagues be able to finish a 9-hole round before dark? We need to be aware of where this bill is headed and be positioned with other allied groups to be in opposition if necessary.
There are over 25 bills introduced that concern water. Topics from the inclusion of fluoride, nitrates, and uranium in our water supplies to numerous definitions and terms used in defining the issues of water law should illustrate the relevancy of this subject. Several bills pertain to the NRDs. LB229 is especially interesting. It allows the transfer of funds from the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund (Lottery Proceeds) to help pay for water management in the state. The bill, introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine, was drafted to help fund a $320 million Platte River Cooperative agreement signed in 2006 by the governors of Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming. It was designed to benefit endangered and threatened species. Initially this bill looks like it would fulfill the objectives of the Environmental Trust Fund. The funding from this bill ($10 million per year for 7 years) will be used to manage water resources through means as diverse as creating new levees to paying farmers not to irrigate. However the real issue is depleted streamflows that have directly reduced the habitat for these species to flourish and survive. Many attribute the reduced streamflows to over-allocated irrigation in the Platte Valley.
The legislature turned a deaf ear to similar proposed legislation when the Republican River Basin issues were debated in 2007 to help the area become compliant with the 1943 Republican River Compact, in which the Republican River streamflows would be distributed with 49% allocated to Nebraska, 40% to Kansas, and 11% to Colorado. It has been difficult for Nebraska to achieve compliancy in drought and water-short years.
Similarly the Platte River Cooperative Agreement was signed by the State in 2006 by the Governors of Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado. Of the cost of the plan, the federal government paid $157 million in cash. Colorado paid $24 million cash, Wyoming $6 million cash, and the balance is Nebraska’s contribution to come from land and water credits. One goal of the agreement is to offset Platte River water depletions that occurred after 1997, primarily through irrigation. The money that would be transferred from the Environmental Trust Fund would largely be used to buy landowner’s water rights and to pay farmers not to irrigate……this is a similar debate which occurred in 2007 over the Republican River Compact.
The Governor, in 2007, was quoted at a water management meeting, that the Republican River basin’s trouble “is a local problem that requires local solutions.” Contrarily, Sen. Chris Langemeir of Schuyler, a co-sponsor of LB229, said the time is right for this legislation (LB229) in light of the state’s budget shortfall. “There are no general fund dollars, and if we do nothing, it becomes the burden of the people in the Platte River Basin to deal with water management issues there.” (Langemier’s district includes the Lower Platte North NRD.) So……is this a local or state concern?
.
I find it remarkable (if this bill is passed) that the state is willing to help fund this inter-state agreement on the Platte River but was not been willing to support the 1943 Republican River Compact. Since 2007 the local Republican River Basin NRDs have tackled their own water issues with little or no financial help from the state. Ironically the ETF has contributed some funding for various projects in the Republican Basin to encourage streamflows. But, all the successful grants had to follow specific project bidding guidelines set forth by the ETF. LB229 would bypass the bidding and evaluation processes of the ETF. The Republican River Basin NRDs have developed and created their own water management polices to curtail and conserve water usage. Allocations and water management plans have been implemented and basin irrigators are required to pay an “occupational use tax” based on irrigated acres. It is these funds that are being generated locally that are being used to reimburse farmers to retire irrigated acres. I would certainly hope that funding from LB229, if successful, would be available to all basins throughout the state.
It is important that we as individuals or as an industry understand the legal ramifications of any proposed legislation. All of these bills could potentially affect us socially, legally, environmentally, and financially. They could have an enormous effect on us….and maybe not in a positive way.
Bill Bieck
What does the future promise for our industry? Not only from a business standpoint, but from the ability to offer a gratifying recreation experience as well as our ability to properly manage and care for natural resources that the game and society relies upon.
All three of these components: economic, community, and the environment, are key elements of sustainability. Sustainability is becoming an important aspect or philosophy of many businesses, organizations, communities, and government entities throughout the world. Many of us might like to avoid these tough questions, but we as an industry must be prepared, accountable and pro-active as we head into the future.
The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA, is leading a collaborative industry-wide effort toward a sustainable approach to golf facility management. Their focus is on continual improvement by professionally managing and conserving resources and inputs, and reducing waste while providing playing conditions that satisfy golfers of today and tomorrow.
Sustainability may be considered by some as a righteous cause or something that can be accomplished by a few changes in operations. But one thing is certain, it can’t be achieved and then forgotten. Sustainability is an ever-changing, dynamic way of doing business. It isn’t something to back away from, but to embrace. Sustainable business practices can have positive impacts on your facility’s bottom line with both short-term and long-term investments and returns. Consider short-term savings through simple energy conservation practices like turning off the lights or saving water. Then consider long-term returns from investing in technologies and even the improved image of the game or brand of your facility. Incorporating these key elements into your decision-making processes will only help your business as well as society.
And of course it is about environmental stewardship as well. As we look ahead we can expect that golf throughout the U.S. will face increasing regulatory pressures pertaining to water use and water quality issues. In addition, resource restrictions and availability will affect business. Water, land use, labor issues, energy use, air quality, and pollution concerns will continue to be within the headlines. Environmental groups are demanding increasing regulatory action in lieu of voluntary compliance. Ultimately, the cost of doing business will continue to increase.
Across the United States, golf facilities are dealing with water management issues from use restrictions in California and Nevada to nutrient use restrictions in Florida and states adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay. This trend is expected to expand across the nation. States like Nebraska certainly face issues during drought or water rights from neighboring states. Our message is that golf courses rely upon and professionally manage inputs, such as, water, nutrients and pesticides, in order to deliver our product, which has many great benefits.
Sustainability will not only provide the means to improve our bottom line, but provides a great platform to deliver this message. It is important to promote the many benefits our industry can offer to the environment. We want see governmental agencies and environmental groups mitigating the loss of “green space” with the development of environmental friendly golf courses and parks. In addition, we want to see communities placing a greater value on turf and its effects on soil erosion and flood control. Golf facilities should be recognized as community greenspaces that provide not only recreational opportunities, but also offer important wildlife habitat.
The truth is that we don’t know all of the environmental challenges that lay ahead, but we can be equipped to defend our actions. Adopting a sustainable business philosophy through best management practices and advocating on behalf of the golf industry before regulations impact our business is a sound approach.
GCSAA, through the EIFG, offers existing, established and recognized resources from throughout the nation. Resources include access to BMPs that are recognized within states, such as Oregon, Florida, and Pennsylvania, as well as links to environmental programs, like the Audubon International, Groundwater Guardian Greensite Program and ePar Environmental Management Systems.
Key elements of these programs include the following suggestions to enhance our facilities environmental stewardship:
What will our legacy be? Will our industry be viewed as part of the problem or part of the solution? The late President John F. Kennedy says it best, “There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.”
William K. Bieck, CGCS
Written by Bill Bieck, CGCS
Originally Posted Thursday, 13 May 2010 09:36
“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.
President Mahar has done an exceptional job in keeping the membership informed of our chapter’s new management philosophies, organizational changes, and new focus points. It’s an exciting time for the Nebraska GCSA to have the capability and resources to venture into new opportunities and endeavors. Consider the following statements.
“We are them…they are us.”
“Their success is dependent on us…..Our success depends on them.”
“They need to lead….we need to lead them.”
“If we fail to adapt, we are not adjusting.”
“Those who lead are leaders…those who follow are lead.”
“Proper inputs will increase outputs.”
Most of the above phrases could be in reference to the advantage of teamwork between members and management. By working together we are both better able to achieve our benchmarks and goals. I would encourage all of you to become more vocal and active within the Nebraska GCSA. If you have comments and suggestions, contact your directors. They need your guidance so they can guide us.
“If you don’t know where you are going, you might end up in the wrong place”….(Yogi Berra) The Nebraska GCSA knows where it is going….they just need you to help select the right path!
Written by Bill Bieck, CGCS
Originally Posted Wednesday, 10 March 2010 15:26
Are you one who enjoys going to auctions? Auctions are truly a form of pure capitalism…a transaction between parties who agree to a certain price. No government interference and it makes no difference if the buyer pays too much for an item or if the seller does not receive fair market value. It is the doctrine of laissez faire…..let the buyer beware.
I’ve been to two “golf course” auctions. One was in Denver near the old Stapleton Airport. It was a private golf course that was going through a change of ownership. It had a newer clubhouse and everything was on the selling block. I had a hard time preventing my wife from bidding on the butter dishes, candle holders, and silverware….it was real silver! It reminded me of the Bushwood Country Club in Caddyshack! The important stuff….course equipment….was in sorry shape and poorly maintained. I bought nothing!
The second auction I attended was held last winter at a small 9-hole rural course in western Nebraska. The flyer indicated they had some items I might be interested if I could get a “steal”.
The auction was scheduled for December 15th. I expected many golf courses to be represented. It would be a social/networking event to visit with many of my peers. But the real uniqueness of this auction would end up being the weather. The forecast had predicted a low of -14 degrees with a high of 0 degrees. No additional snow was forecast but there was 4-5” of snow on the ground.The entire auction was being conducted outside in the harsh elements. I called before I left on the 100+ mile trip to make sure the event wasn’t cancelled.
I left early that morning with insulated coveralls, fur-lined gloves, stocking hat, my warmest socks and boots, a full thermos of hot coffee, and enough layered clothing that made me look like an over-inflated, but attractive, “Michelin Man”. As I headed north in my pick-up with the heater straining to keep me warm in the cab, I heard negative voices telling me I was wasting my time and how stupid it was to venture out in these conditions. But, then a conflicting voice was justifying the trip by convincing me it is so cold that common sense would tell other potential buyers to stay home. I felt good I would be able to take advantage of some real “deals”. It was going to be a good day!
I got to the course early and “walked” the equipment line and viewed the clubhouse fixtures. It was cold. Not many people yet! The auction finally started….the auctioneers had a hard time getting their loud speakers to amplify in the cold weather. They started on the “bargain wagon”. I bought a set of mismatched wrenches for $3. Good buy.
The bargain wagon was parked along side the putting green which was half covered with snow.The problem was the auctioneer had his bidding clientele standing on the putting green. Bidders were pacing and marching on the frozen green in an effort to keep warm. Successful bidders often stacked their merchandise on the green until the wagon was emptied. Many times those items were covered in grease and were actually dropped onto the putting surface. I just cringed!
More people were arriving as the day proceeded. It was hard to identify any familiar faces……they were all covered up except for the eyes and noses. Usually when you go to these events you can identify golf course personnel by the logoed clothes representing their employers. Today there was only one course represented…..Carhartt. I think it’s located up in the sandhills somewhere.
Eventually I was able to recognize some superintendents by their bidding numbers that were predominantly displayed in their breast pocket. Everybody had frozen appendages and icicle-laced mustaches. Used flags and cups sold for $5, open bags of fertilizer sold for more than new, open pesticide containers of who knows what, used V-belts, used PVC fittings, everything sold…laissez faire. Corey Crandall bought a box of used irrigation parts that had a new brass 1” quick coupler valve in the bottom of a Folgers coffee can for $12. Hidden value!
They advanced to the clubhouse equipment. They had those same butter dishes and silverware. I was glad I didn’t have my wife. I did bid on a rotisserie hot dog machine. I quit at $35. My competitor got it for $32.50. If only he hadn’t been there I could have gotten it for $20!
Finally they got to the equipment. The golf cars drew a lot of attention. They sold for more than they were worth. I think the farmers thought they would make good 4-wheelers…..laissez faire.
Moving down the line, we finally get to the mowing equipment. It was so cold that the only piece of equipment that started was the utility tractor that was stored inside overnight and would be used for loading purposes. The clean crisp air smelled of ether as the ringmasters attempted to start the other equipment to no avail.
Many people were interested in the Toro Workman that was advertised in the flyer with 761 hours.However if you look closely at the severely scratched hour meter it registered 2761 hours. The workman sold for well over twice of what it was worth….laissez faire. Finally we get to the rotary mower I was interested. The bidding started at a price that was already over my maximum price!Very few “steals” today. I felt I had wasted my day. I did buy a topdressing mat that had very little use for less than half the price of a new one.
It was time to head home. I started walking for the auctioneer’s trailer to “settle up”. I passed the empty bargain wagon where it all started…..one individual who had been buying “trinkets” all day and had stockpiled them on the putting green, drove his dilapidated smoke-belching pick-up on the green to load up his merchandise. I could only stare in disbelief. The clerk finalized my tab and I quickly removed my glove to write the check. It was so cold that the pen at the trailer window would not write! I requested a warm pen from inside the heated trailer. As I headed for home I wondered how all those successful bidders were able to load their diesel-geled equipment……laissez faire. The weatherman was right….my truck registered 0 degrees.
Bill Bieck, CGCS
Written by Bill Bieck, CGCS
Originally Posted Friday, 21 August 2009 09:20
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
Written by Bill Bieck, CGCS
Originally Posted Thursday, 13 August 2009 15:10
I know, icky is not a recognizable word in the Webster Dictionary. But, icky is one of the first words we teach our children. You know…..when the diapers need to be changed. Is there a better word to describe our current economic state? The situation is smelly, dirty, unpleasant, vile, nauseating, disgusting, offensive, revolting, horrid, and down right nasty.
Most of us are tired of reading the newspaper and trade publications that impart the misfortune and calamity of our current economy. However, we must recognize that we are in a cyclic downturn. Eventually the economy will improve. But in the meantime, we must modify our goals to withstand the immediate dynamics of a struggling industry. To ignore the business environment of today may spiral us into a deeper abyss.
Some courses are meeting revenue projections, but the majority of facilities are struggling to balance the budget. As superintendents we minimally and indirectly have an affect on revenues. We have much greater influence on expenditures. Many articles have been published on “how to” survive these economic times. Whether it is cutting staff, using generics, delaying equipment purchases, raising threshold damage levels, cutting nutrition rates, pre-booking costs, or reducing mowing frequencies, the net results will be reduced services and lower quality conditioning. I have been confused by the comments of my peers stating they are slashing their budgets…..but they will not compromise service and conditioning. If you are operating at a high efficiency how can these components not be diminished?
Instead of emphasizing the “doom and gloom” and “woe is me” attitude, maybe we should view our current fiscal challenges as an opportunity to showcase and promote our business and management skills. The “flat growth” of the past several years has forced most of us to closely scrutinize our operations. The current economic mess did not happen overnight. Our facility has been “adjusting” the budget for the last two years. New federal governmental leadership and global unrest has only increased the uncertainty of the future. The challenge of creating the 2009 budget was overwhelming. The Board of Directors and I concluded we needed to formulate a budget for a worsening economy. We did not want to lessen service or present an inferior product, but we needed to research all alternatives. We needed to not only formulate a fiscally responsible budget but more importantly develop an action plan that would demonstrate our commitment toward sustainability. With these directives from the BOD, I decided to present three separate budgets/plans to the Budget Committee…..one of extended growth and a continuation of planned improvements (4% increase)…..the second which froze expenditures to 2008 levels (I had finished the 2008 season 9% under budget)…..and the third plan which curtailed spending an additional 10% from 2008 levels. After a thorough discussion the BOD decided to “freeze” expenditures at the 2008 levels.
Not my budget of choice! But I was pleased to be able to be apart of the process and explain the ramifications of each plan. I needed to be a part of the solution….not the problem. We all agreed that if revenues rebounded we would adjust spending proportionately. This plan would protect the vitality of our facility. The plan still needed to be accepted by the stakeholders. The Board President asked me to present the budget at the annual meeting.
I relished the opportunity to address my membership and be able to communicate our staff’s willingness to be a team player and be proactive in our approach to solve the problem. I gave a brief history of the course including a financial analysis of past capital expenditures and our current infrastructure status. I could not promise that budget reductions would not affect the quality and playability of the course. But, I did promise them value. We will continually be looking for ways to become more efficient and sustain the highest level of expectations. I used two analogies to help illustrate our philosophies.
Five-Star Restaurants
What are the determinants of a five-star restaurant designation? Multiple people providing constant attention to service and detail. The atmosphere is special and you are pampered. The presentation of your meal selection is orchestrated and colorful. Even your wine selection is unlimited and well dramatized. And the price is reflective of that service.
Now consider the three-star restaurant. Your table may not overlook a breathtaking view. Your waiter may multi-task by serving your water, taking your food order, and might even clear the table after you leave. However, your meal may be as good as or better than the five-star! I emphasized to my stakeholders that we are not a five-star golf course, but that does not diminish the quality, conditioning, and playability of our course. Our course may exceed those attributes on many of the more expensive facilities.
Disneyland Service
Have you ever wondered how many people are employed at the Disney theme parks? Cleanliness and service is paramount at Disney. If you accidentally dropped a candy wrapper it might be retrieved by a sanitation team member before it reaches the ground! I emphasized to my members that I cannot have staff following them around to pick up their litter…but my staff will pick up litter as we pass.
The current economic state is challenging us…..but it also gives us the opportunity to excel in our management. We must learn to prioritize and create the best value for the resources we are entrusted. Not only do we need to undertake an economic evaluation of our facility, but we also need to do a personal assessment. The times require us to have a positive attitude….a can-do attitude. Even a simple smile can be contagious and foster trusting relationships and develop confidence.
We are being forced to evolve to a new business environment. We do not know what lies ahead. These “icky” times will bring out the best or worst in facility leadership. Golf course management of tomorrow may not be anything like it is today. But with the right attitude, creative ideas, innovative solutions, willpower, and persistence we will see a brighter tomorrow. Embrace the challenge!
