Have you ever heard of the trivia game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon"? It is a trivia game based on the idea that everyone who is an actor in Hollywood can be linked back to working with Kevin Bacon in six steps. This is based on the idea of six degrees of separation, that we are all just six introductions away from each other. The reason this comes to mind is I had the chance to travel with a representative from another division of our company this week. As we started to talk about who we were and how we got to where we are today, a very interesting fact came up. He was a long time Superintendent before going into sales but his two sons are now in the business. Well as we all know, this industry is smaller than we all think sometimes. His son had been an Assistant to one of my former crew mates back in the early 90's, who went on to be a Superintendent! Sure some of this is regional, because most superintendents don't change zones in the USA to often. With the amount of golf courses around, it always amazes me how when I start talking about where I have worked with a new acquaintance there is always a connection.
Maybe that is why this business is a little different than others?
Have a happy & safe Memorial Day weekend.
Thank you to all who have served our country!
WJC
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Plan B
Tim Morghan, Principle of Aspire Consulting, has given a few talks for our company at educational events about the 50/20 rule. A Superintendent has been at a club for 20 years and for his fiftieth birthday he gets a big target to put on his back.
With the job opportunities shrinking and market full of Assistant Superintendents, there are changes now being made with the Superintendent in the 40's. Now I know there are tons of variables involved when a change is made at these positions and age is not always the main factor. But I have had more discussions recently about what other options are out there for turf managers? Now some would say golf is all I have ever done and I don't want to do anything else but what do you do when you that option isn't there? What happens if your club is struggling financially or that kid you ripped 15 years ago for taking a cart to close to a green is running for the board and gives you the stink eye every time he drives by you.
What is your Plan B? Schools, Townships, Colleges and even Estates is what I tell people all the time.
Now these jobs are not the easiest to come by either but it is another opportunity to do what you love....manage turf! Some great benefits, and something called weekends off! It is a different pace of life but might be the answer to a career move that you did not see coming when you first started with your Plan A.
WJC
With the job opportunities shrinking and market full of Assistant Superintendents, there are changes now being made with the Superintendent in the 40's. Now I know there are tons of variables involved when a change is made at these positions and age is not always the main factor. But I have had more discussions recently about what other options are out there for turf managers? Now some would say golf is all I have ever done and I don't want to do anything else but what do you do when you that option isn't there? What happens if your club is struggling financially or that kid you ripped 15 years ago for taking a cart to close to a green is running for the board and gives you the stink eye every time he drives by you.
What is your Plan B? Schools, Townships, Colleges and even Estates is what I tell people all the time.
Now these jobs are not the easiest to come by either but it is another opportunity to do what you love....manage turf! Some great benefits, and something called weekends off! It is a different pace of life but might be the answer to a career move that you did not see coming when you first started with your Plan A.
WJC
Friday, May 4, 2012
Cheesesteaks & Pretzels
This past week I got a chance to travel with Don Lackner, an engineer with the Toro Company, as we visited customers with an upcoming new product from Toro. (I would tell you but then it wouldn't be a secret...). It was a lot of fun and productive even though we got more rain this week then we have had for a while. Super smart guy and has played a part in some of the best products Toro has today.
(ProCore 648!). I always enjoy getting to see what the future looks like in turf equipment. I remember when I first saw the original ProCore 648 at one of our training events. First thing I thought was this is too big.It is amazing that some people have that vision to see new products that are so ingenious.
One of my favorite parts of the travels with people from outside the area is the chance to get them a traditional Philly Cheesesteak & soft pretzel. Sorry for all those people who believe they have had one at their local restaurant but unless it is from around here it is not a Philly Cheesesteak! My personal belief is that is the lovely Philadelphia water that goes into the roll.....Just a theory but I am sticking with it.
As we start May, Team Matches/GAP Matches and Member/Guest events have begun. With the drought breaker last week of a couple inches and bit of rain this week, things have steadied slightly.
Hopefully the temperatures in May with stay with historical averages and it will be a great year!
WJC
(ProCore 648!). I always enjoy getting to see what the future looks like in turf equipment. I remember when I first saw the original ProCore 648 at one of our training events. First thing I thought was this is too big.It is amazing that some people have that vision to see new products that are so ingenious.
One of my favorite parts of the travels with people from outside the area is the chance to get them a traditional Philly Cheesesteak & soft pretzel. Sorry for all those people who believe they have had one at their local restaurant but unless it is from around here it is not a Philly Cheesesteak! My personal belief is that is the lovely Philadelphia water that goes into the roll.....Just a theory but I am sticking with it.
As we start May, Team Matches/GAP Matches and Member/Guest events have begun. With the drought breaker last week of a couple inches and bit of rain this week, things have steadied slightly.
Hopefully the temperatures in May with stay with historical averages and it will be a great year!
WJC
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