GCSAA program earns accolades

The National Certification Commission has recognized the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s certification program as “one of the most extensive and comprehensive certification programs for any profession.”

The NCC, based in Maryland, is an independent source of information on the development and improvement of certification programs, and serves more than 150 associations and 300 certification categories. NCC executive director Richard Jafferson made the comment about GCSAA’s certification program after reviewing recent changes.

In 2003, GCSAA began restructuring its certification program in order to raise the level of documented professionalism through a comprehensive continuing education program. Following completion, GCSAA submitted the new program to the NCC for evaluation.

GCSAA first instituted its certification program in 1971 to recognize outstanding and progressive superintendents. Approximately 2,000 golf course superintendents worldwide currently hold certified golf course superintendent status.

To qualify for GCSAA’s new competency-based certification program, a candidate must have at least three years experience as a golf course superintendent, be employed in that capacity and meet specific post-secondary educational requirements and/or continuing education points. The candidate’s knowledge, skills and abilities are validated through the development of a portfolio consisting of their responses to skill statements, case-study scenarios and submission of work samples; an on-site inspection of their golf facility; and a six-hour examination covering: equipment, irrigation systems, materials and technology; golf course and grounds; human resources, rules of golf, financial and administrative systems, regulatory and programmatic systems, crisis management, project management and ethics and values.

Maintaining certified status requires renewal every five years after the initial date of certification. To fulfill certification renewal requirements, a candidate must participate in 150 hours of continuing education and professional development.

“I have seen the certification process evolve over the past 20 years to what it is today,” says GCSAA director Mark Kuhns, CGCS, who was the chairman of the certification committee when restructuring of the program was completed. “The superintendent’s expertise has broadened and our standards have reached a new pinnacle. The next generation of certified golf course superintendents will possess the knowledge and experience to perform at the highest level in our profession.

“I feel very confident that future certified golf course superintendents will reap the rewards and benefits for their dedication to professionalism as its value becomes more strongly realized in the marketplace.”

For more information, visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.