Yesterday, I took a break from my weekend routine of watching pro football and lamely attempting to check off a few chores on the old honey-do list to do some very important reading. My friend Trent Bouts, who is the communications director of the Carolinas GCSA chapter, asked me to read over and “grade” a bunch of articles. So, with a good reason to blow off cleaning my gutters for a while, I kicked back, muted the game and started looking through the clippings he’d sent me.
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By the way, these weren’t articles written by superintendents for their chapter publications. These were articles written by sports reporters, columnists and other members of the media about superintendents. What a concept, huh?
They were all positive about our profession and our industry. It was truly heartening to find that so much ink is being devoted to our cause annually just in the Carolinas alone. I wondered: How many other states or regions could amass a pile of great media coverage like this?
Probably none. Why?
The Carolinas chapter actually operates a contest for media in North and South Carolina that promotes the idea of writing about superintendents and golf course maintenance. They offer prizes, but more importantly, recognition for journalists whose work helps to promote and advance the profession. The contest has been around for a few years, and thanks to the CGCSA’s efforts to promote it, is beginning to take off quite nicely. Hey, if it takes a nice plaque or a small check to get on the radar scope of the media, that’s fine by me. It’s an innovative way for the CGCSA to create some Southern exposure.
My question is why other chapters – or the GCSAA for that matter – aren’t operating similar contests. It’s a great way to reach out to media and give them an incentive to pay attention. Trust me, journalists and publications value awards. Awards establish their credibility and that helps to sell ads.
Is your chapter doing something similar? If so, let us know about it by clicking here. If not, isn’t it time to start?
