Though a superintendent might be able to build and support a phenomenal golf course without talking with players or even committees, the fact is every once in a while a superintendent has to speak in front of other people. GCI columnist Dennis Lyon has been both a superintendent and a past president of GCSAA, so he knows the value of a solid presentation.
Why should a superintendent learn about public speaking?
Well, let me begin by saying I had a mentor named Stan Metzger back when I worked for him back in the 60s. He told me once that in his opinion and his observation from many years in the business, superintendents tend to be naturally behind-the-scenes type people. There’s a reason why superintendents are superintendents and not bankers, lawyers or real estate agents. We’re an individual by nature that doesn’t like the spotlight in general. We like to be behind the scenes and get things done and get a lot of self satisfaction from a job well done and don’t necessarily need a lot of pats on the back. Given that that’s our nature, I think we need to be aggressive and understand the importance of communication.
In addition to the importance of communication, I think superintendents have a great story to tell and we need to tell it. The story is the value of golf courses and the value of what we bring to the golf facility. Golf courses make better communities, they make a place for citizens to go and get great exercise and enjoy themselves and be together as families and conduct business. They’re great for nature and the environment, and those are stories we need to tell. We need to talk about the value of a golf course to players and the community, and its positive impacts on the quality of life for golfers and non-golfers. 175 acres of turf and trees sure is a lot better than 175 acres of asphalt and parking lot.
I think a lot of times, especially cities, they don’t value their public golf courses, even the ones they own. They’re willing to spend all kinds of money on swimming pools and tennis courts and things that don’t make any money and they won’t come up with $50,000 a year to help a golf course. I think supers have to be part of the opportunity to tell that story about the value of our facilities.
How should a superintendent get started with public speaking?
I think there are several good ways. Speak to your members out on the golf course. Don’t be hesitant to go talk to them and tell them what’s going on. I really think supers are admired by the golfers and envied to some degree and we don’t realize it. They want to talk to us. So kind of one-on-one or one-on-four communication, if you have time as a superintendent, is a good thing. Don’t be afraid to go speak or volunteer to speak in front of a group like the Kiwanis Club or those types of organizations. They are always looking for speakers and maybe you have a club member that would be willing to make the introduction. Don’t be afraid to speak to your city council at the meeting if there’s some issue that’s affecting the golf course.
There’s lots of ways to communicate. It doesn’t have to be verbal. I mean, write articles for your local chapter, write stories for any local publication or newspaper. If you have some ideas, send it to them. You’d be surprised what they’ll print.
What are some tips for superintendents before they get up in front of a crowd?
First of all, be yourself. Try and relax and think of the audience out there as friends who are interested in what you have to say. If you’re afraid and it’s hard for you to speak in front of a group, try to look over their heads and speak to everybody but nobody in particular, just look to the back row. They all think you’re looking at them, you can’t really see them that well and you can just talk. Be prepared also, but don’t feel obligated to feel like you need to get everything exactly right. Don’t stand there and read. Get up and tell your story, and be as comfortable as possible.
I know of one GCSAA board member that went to Toastmasters. He was afraid to speak in front of people, and now he’s on the GCSAA board. For some people it comes natural, for other people they need training. So get it. It’s valuable. It’s worth it for your profession and it’s worth it for your career.
