Using up some leftover vacation days this week, my older brothers and I drove down to the New Jersey shore to try and get in one last round of golf for the 2011 year. After our Plan A was shot down by a 28 man shot gun at one course, we decided to try something different. Laguna Oaks Golf Course, a Par 3 Course. I had heard a bunch about this project from our Rep who covered the area a few years ago. What made it even better is my 7 year old son, who loves golf had come with us.
One of the hardest things I have found is trying to get him out to play. He loves the game but with a max drive of 75 yards and the occasional whiff, it is not a very good fit during normal play.
What we found was conditions as nice as any high end club I have played. It was really a blast.
As we came around after the first 9 (holes are numbers 10-18 because Fred Langford, owner/architect, does not want to change it when he builds his other 9) I just kept wondering if a project that started 20+ years ago might be what the future of golf looks like.
I wondered if this might be the answer for courses that are not viable any longer. With the next housing boom nowhere in sight, could this be the solution.
Definitely gave me lots to think about...
http://www.lagunaoaksgolf.com/PAGES/golfstyles.html
WJC
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
May you live in interesting times
The phase "May you live interesting times" may have a bit of an unclear origin but it is obviously poignant to the Turf industry right now. I have been calling on golf courses, school districts and townships for 20 years and I would have to go back to the early '90's to recall such a time of uncertainty, when I talk with people. Layoffs, pay reductions and any other phrase you can come up that has a negative connotation and it is relevant to almost everybody.
I have heard talk of course closings, township employee buyouts and even layoffs at clubs that you never thought you would hear it from. Where this is heading we can all guess. I had for years believed that with the contraction of the golf business opportunities there would be more golf course managers who would move over to the sports fields and grounds arena. Now with the lack of government funds and the similar contraction in the township and school district's staffing, things are going be more difficult. Even the option of going into sales is few and far between, with the reductions from vendors to mirror the market.
As history shows, with the change in any industry there always comes new opportunities. Being prepared & ready to take advantage of the changes is the key. As you read all the experts, it seems the theme of education and networking would be the fan favorite. In reality, I can't see how either of these things can be a bad thing at any time. So, I would ask....Are you on Linkedin? Are you attending as many educational events as you can? If the answer is no, why not?
WJC
I have heard talk of course closings, township employee buyouts and even layoffs at clubs that you never thought you would hear it from. Where this is heading we can all guess. I had for years believed that with the contraction of the golf business opportunities there would be more golf course managers who would move over to the sports fields and grounds arena. Now with the lack of government funds and the similar contraction in the township and school district's staffing, things are going be more difficult. Even the option of going into sales is few and far between, with the reductions from vendors to mirror the market.
As history shows, with the change in any industry there always comes new opportunities. Being prepared & ready to take advantage of the changes is the key. As you read all the experts, it seems the theme of education and networking would be the fan favorite. In reality, I can't see how either of these things can be a bad thing at any time. So, I would ask....Are you on Linkedin? Are you attending as many educational events as you can? If the answer is no, why not?
WJC
Thursday, December 8, 2011
If a tree falls on a golf course would you hear it?
I had an opportunity to play a Philadelphia classic course this past Monday. I have called on this course for over 15 years and have had the chance to play it a few times. I have been out on the course many times for demonstrations and seeing equipment perform. On Monday, I was able to see years of planning have a cumulative effect of an incredible golf course.
They have done as many local private clubs have, re-grassed, irrigation, bunkers and tree removal. All of these projects have been very successful but the most noticeable to me is the trees.
An interesting piece of Philly golf history is the give-a-way program of pine trees by the government.
This story, I have been told many times, happened back in the 50's & 60's the government had started a program of free pines and many clubs embraced the if it is free it's for me motto. It end up causing big changes in the original design as the trees grew. It seems like many courses have spent the last 10 years trying to remove these and get back to their roots. What also played into their removal is turf health. As we all know sunlight is hugely important to growing grass. There were some clubs that did a shade study to show how few hours of sun light areas received and made it difficult to grow turf. It is interesting to watch how this has all played out. Many clubs frowned on tree removal orignally. There are a few stories I have heard over the years of " cut this trees down and our fired" stories. What has been the end result is some incredible jewels being polished up and shinning!
WJC
They have done as many local private clubs have, re-grassed, irrigation, bunkers and tree removal. All of these projects have been very successful but the most noticeable to me is the trees.
An interesting piece of Philly golf history is the give-a-way program of pine trees by the government.
This story, I have been told many times, happened back in the 50's & 60's the government had started a program of free pines and many clubs embraced the if it is free it's for me motto. It end up causing big changes in the original design as the trees grew. It seems like many courses have spent the last 10 years trying to remove these and get back to their roots. What also played into their removal is turf health. As we all know sunlight is hugely important to growing grass. There were some clubs that did a shade study to show how few hours of sun light areas received and made it difficult to grow turf. It is interesting to watch how this has all played out. Many clubs frowned on tree removal orignally. There are a few stories I have heard over the years of " cut this trees down and our fired" stories. What has been the end result is some incredible jewels being polished up and shinning!
WJC
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Trending in Golf Course Maintenance
It is interesting to watch how when one golf club takes on a major improvement program how often it begins a wave of similar actions. The most recent tsunami was the re-grassing of greens due to the anthrachnose epidemic that hit during the late 1990's and early 2000's where area clubs changed from Poa to the new varieties of bent grass.Then it seemed to be the bunkers were right behind.
What looks like the next thing that clubs in the Philly market will be addressing is their maintenance facilities.
Recently Merion, Pine Valley, Philly CC & Aronimink have all either just completed or are in the process of building new maintenance facilities. There are currently a few more in the final stages of approval pending. I use maintenance facility and not shop because shop does not does it justice.
From offices to meeting rooms, staff break areas with all the amenities including washing machines and multiple micro waves, intern housing, shops that are state of the art and enough storage to fit the entire fleet easily. One of the big upgrades is on the safety end is the chemical storage and mixing areas. With big emphasis on ventilation and containment. Not like the old days of filling up the sprayer with you wash area hose and any spillage was going down the sewer drain or into the closest creek....
One of the common threads between all of these new shops is they were years in the making and tons of home work and research was done.
These clubs have traditionally been at the leading edge of improvement trends. Obviously they also have a strong membership, which at this time is not always commonplace.
I think it says volumes to how clubs have come around to the realization of the importance of giving the Superintendent and his the staff the tools to try and meet their high expectations.
WJC
What looks like the next thing that clubs in the Philly market will be addressing is their maintenance facilities.
Recently Merion, Pine Valley, Philly CC & Aronimink have all either just completed or are in the process of building new maintenance facilities. There are currently a few more in the final stages of approval pending. I use maintenance facility and not shop because shop does not does it justice.
From offices to meeting rooms, staff break areas with all the amenities including washing machines and multiple micro waves, intern housing, shops that are state of the art and enough storage to fit the entire fleet easily. One of the big upgrades is on the safety end is the chemical storage and mixing areas. With big emphasis on ventilation and containment. Not like the old days of filling up the sprayer with you wash area hose and any spillage was going down the sewer drain or into the closest creek....
One of the common threads between all of these new shops is they were years in the making and tons of home work and research was done.
These clubs have traditionally been at the leading edge of improvement trends. Obviously they also have a strong membership, which at this time is not always commonplace.
I think it says volumes to how clubs have come around to the realization of the importance of giving the Superintendent and his the staff the tools to try and meet their high expectations.
WJC
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Selling Ice to an Eskimo
I hate to be sold to! There might be nothing worse than high pressure sales.
I don't like when it is done to me and I hope I never do it to a customer.
Throughout my career I have been very lucky to work for two different companies who's owners both understood the importance of service and support. As a Salesman, you hope to have a good product that fits the customer's needs and helps to make their job easier. Then on the the more important end of the purchase, be able to take care of their problems and provide parts and service quickly.
One of the things I know for a fact is it all equipment breaks at some point. The good companies, and the one I would want to do business with, are the one who can fix it in a reasonable amount of time.
Have I been perfect, no way and I have paid for it with having to try and re-earn a customer's business.Sometimes I have been successfully and sometimes it will take years or a revolutionary product for me to get another chance. That is the beauty of sales.
Hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving!
WJC
I don't like when it is done to me and I hope I never do it to a customer.
Throughout my career I have been very lucky to work for two different companies who's owners both understood the importance of service and support. As a Salesman, you hope to have a good product that fits the customer's needs and helps to make their job easier. Then on the the more important end of the purchase, be able to take care of their problems and provide parts and service quickly.
One of the things I know for a fact is it all equipment breaks at some point. The good companies, and the one I would want to do business with, are the one who can fix it in a reasonable amount of time.
Have I been perfect, no way and I have paid for it with having to try and re-earn a customer's business.Sometimes I have been successfully and sometimes it will take years or a revolutionary product for me to get another chance. That is the beauty of sales.
Hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving!
WJC
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Welcome to my inaugural blog post and thank you for taking the time to check it out!
My name is Bill Corcoran and I have been married for 17 years to my wife Pam. We have 3 great kids. I live in the Philly suburbs, just about 6 miles from the City Line and I am a life long Philly sports fan.
I have been selling Toro Commercial Equipment for 20 years to Golf Courses, Schools & Townships.
I was lucky enough to receive the Toro Master Salesman Award in 2007.
My goal for this blog is to inform you on some of the things I learn in my travels as the Toro guy in the Philly suburbs. One of the best words of advice I received when I was just starting out came from
Bob "Mother" Stokes, who was a sales rep for Philly Turf for 35 years.
He said "Everyday you will learn something new and when you stop learning it is time to go do something else". Bob was legendary with his customer service and truly is one of the good guys.
I have been very lucky throughout my career to work with some incredible people with extensive knowledge and history. Starting with Richie Valentine and Dick Bator at Merion Golf Club, when I worked there through college.Two men who could have not been more opposite but both were able to get things done in their own way.
One of the most interesting things about the golf business is how two Superintendents could have courses across the street from each other and do things very very differently but both produce a great product.
Look forward to filling you in on what I see and learn!
Bonus information
Things that I am thankful for as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday:
-That my wife doesn't pillow me when I snore
-That my kids are healthy except for their hearing issues
"What did I just SAY" seem to be repeated often in our house
-That my wife's parents and my parents are both around to see our kids growing up,
even if my parents have become the Costanzas
I hope you and your family have a healthy and happy Thanksgiving!!!
WJC
My name is Bill Corcoran and I have been married for 17 years to my wife Pam. We have 3 great kids. I live in the Philly suburbs, just about 6 miles from the City Line and I am a life long Philly sports fan.
I have been selling Toro Commercial Equipment for 20 years to Golf Courses, Schools & Townships.
I was lucky enough to receive the Toro Master Salesman Award in 2007.
My goal for this blog is to inform you on some of the things I learn in my travels as the Toro guy in the Philly suburbs. One of the best words of advice I received when I was just starting out came from
Bob "Mother" Stokes, who was a sales rep for Philly Turf for 35 years.
He said "Everyday you will learn something new and when you stop learning it is time to go do something else". Bob was legendary with his customer service and truly is one of the good guys.
I have been very lucky throughout my career to work with some incredible people with extensive knowledge and history. Starting with Richie Valentine and Dick Bator at Merion Golf Club, when I worked there through college.Two men who could have not been more opposite but both were able to get things done in their own way.
One of the most interesting things about the golf business is how two Superintendents could have courses across the street from each other and do things very very differently but both produce a great product.
Look forward to filling you in on what I see and learn!
Bonus information
Things that I am thankful for as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday:
-That my wife doesn't pillow me when I snore
-That my kids are healthy except for their hearing issues
"What did I just SAY" seem to be repeated often in our house
-That my wife's parents and my parents are both around to see our kids growing up,
even if my parents have become the Costanzas
I hope you and your family have a healthy and happy Thanksgiving!!!
WJC
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