I won’t even attempt to match the excellent remembrance of Gordon Witteveen done by our friends over at TurfNet (http://www.turfnet.com/view_news.php?obj_id=709) but I will share one quick memory of him.
It was about 1990 and I was the GCSAA staff liaison to the Communications Committee. Gordie was, even then, the most senior of several very notable folks on that committee – which included several young firebrands who went on to become presidents of the national later. As I recall, our annual meeting in Lawrence had turned into a borderline silly discussion about how the association magazine should portray the “professional image” of superintendents. Should they be shown wearing blue blazers and ties to work? Should the magazine ever be allowed to show them wearing jeans and workboots? Was facial hair acceptable? There was lively talk about publishing revenues, television ads, branding campaigns and all manner of highfalutin stuff.
Gordie remained quiet, palms resting on the table, eyes half closed, until the conversation paused. He then looked around the table and said, “The thought has just occurred to me that this organization is no longer the simple band of brothers it was when I joined many years ago…and I’m not sure I like it.” After a moment of stunned silence, I asked him what he thought we should be discussing. He said, “Let’s find ways to help the average member…the guy struggling away at a small course somewhere…get ahead.” It completely turned the conversation around and led to some very interesting, very positive PR initiatives for the association in the early ‘90s.
That was Gordie. Insightful, clever, quick with the right words, a champion of honesty and always focused on what was important. I’ll miss him.
If you share that sentiment, I hope you’ll abide by his wishes and show your support for the Wee One Foundation (http://www.weeone.affiniscape.com/index.cfm) in his memory.