Superintendents should focus on surviving in the world of turfgrass management beyond being the world’s greatest grass grower. That was the message at GCI Live, which took place at GIE + Expo in Louisville, Ky., last week. Pat Jones, GCI columnist and president of Flagstick LLC, advised superintendents that they need to be better communicators.
Labor management, business understanding, political savvy, creativity, thinking about the future and effective communication skills are areas in which superintendents need to be as proficient as they are in agronomy to be considered the best of the best and meet owners’ expectations.
The currently oversaturated job market should cause superintendents to think about their futures. Jones’ suggests superintendents write down what they like and don’t like about their jobs, evaluate their situations and think about restructuring their professional careers. Jones encourages superintendents to think about what steps they can take to get where they want to be five, 10 or 20 years down the road.
Communication is important, Jones says, partly because perception is reality to many people and some golfers still view superintendents like Carl Spackler, the Bill Murray character in the movie “Caddyshack.” To improve this perception, Jones suggests superintendents:
- Set and reach various communication goals.
- Sell themselves by
- Promote their ideas or programs to owners.
- Avoid course-conditioning-related surprises.
- Fix problems promptly.
- Manage their staff – and bosses – well.
- Be self-satisfied.
Superintendents also should explain their needs to ownership. This way, they can communicate return on investment and other purchases, such as equipment, more effectively. They can communicate such messages through print, video, on the phone or in person to members about why they’re doing what they’re doing on the golf course.
Jones recommends superintendents communicate disruptive maintenance practices to members effectively via clubhouse calendars, restrooms – wherever there’s a captive audience. Consider a sign on a par 3 or at a slow point on the course. When writing, superintendents need to be clear, concise and effective.
“Take the initiative,” Jones says. “Explain yourself. You need to make time for face time with the members. Work the grill room and practice range and buddy up with the pro staff and leadership.” GCI
