I can sum up my observations about the most recent Syngenta Business Institute in two words: Old Farts.
This was the third time I’d attended the event, which is designed to provide intensive financial, management and leadership training for superintendents selected from around the nation. At the first two, it seemed that many of the attendees were younger, 30-something hot shots: those up-and-coming folks who are likely to be leaders of their chapters or even the national. Most came into SBI thinking being selected as one of just a couple of dozen participants was a feather in their cap and a nice addition to their resume. They usually left blown away by the curriculum, which is above and beyond anything available through the standard associations and industry programs.
This time around, I immediately noticed something different: at least a third of those who had made the cut and been selected were my age or older, which officially makes them old farts. More notably, they were individuals who were already successful in their careers by almost any yardstick. Yet, they had applied, written essays, networked with their Syngenta reps and local distributors and elected to spend nearly a week at Wake Forest University. What did they have to prove?
Well, nothing really. But what they did prove is that the best old dogs never stop learning new tricks. Kevin Smith, the veteran head honcho at Greensboro’s Bryan Park Golf & Convention Center who has a bit of gray in his hair, noted that he was always impressed when he was coming up that the legends of the industry still sought new ideas and new educational opportunity long after they’d won their distinguished service awards and achieved great notoriety in the profession. “They never stopped learning,” he said. “I want to be like that.”
Another wonderful old dog, our friend Rick Tegtmeier of Des Moines (Iowa) G&CC made it clear why he was there. He told the group that whenever he was in the presence of other talented superintendents, he tried to do a lot of R&D. That stands for “Rip-off and Duplicate.” No matter how advanced guys like Rick are in their careers, they’re constantly curious, always looking for a new idea to steal and vigilant for those little enhancements and improvements that will bring more value to his club and more enjoyment to his job.
R&D - a nice side benefit to an event that already delivers unrivaled educational value. If you’re on the fence about applying for the 2013 Syngenta Business Institute, remember that this thing is far more than just learning about P&Ls and managing people. It’s also a chance to have face time with some of your best and brightest colleagues from around the country... and do some R&D.
