On Thursday, our company hosted The Future Superintendents Academy at The Ace Club. I would have to say with the feedback we received after the event from some of the attendees, it sounds like it was a success. To quote one Superintendent " I talked with my Assistants and they agreed that it was probably one of the best seminars that they have attended in terms of forwarding their careers." That is pretty cool! The program ran close to schedule with some presenters having to sprint through some things that deserve more time but that is normal.
Some of the highlights were Darin Bevard of the USGA giving some advice on communication with your members. This was followed by an all-star panel discussion. On the panel was Dr. Mike Fidanza of PSU, Jimmy Jones of Distinct Golf/Fairview GC,Jared Viarengo from Applebrook GC, Jim Roney of Saucon Valley CC and our host John Canavan of The Ace Club. Each had great insight for our attendees. I still have to smirk because of Jimmy & John's long tenure at each of their clubs, I had to make a comment about their start in the business vs the birth dates of the attendees. At the end of the panel discussion Bill Hughes, who is one of the owners, presented Dr. Mike Fidanza with a check for $25,000 for a scholarship fund for PSU Berks Turf Grass. It was a nice surprise for one of the really good guys in the industry!
We then had a brief basics of financing from Paul Danielson, who is the Marketing Manager for Financing for Toro. We then had the straight talk express with Tim Moraghan, Principle of Aspire Golf Consulting. Tim tells it like it is. His advice on what you need to do to advance your career was invaluable. After lunch was Kevin Doyle, Northeast Region Rep for the GCSAA. Kevin gave a quick update of what the GCSAA has available to help. Next up was Dann Harris. Dann is a consultant who does an eye opening program on being the interviewer & interviewee. I can guarantee no one got sleepy after lunch....High energy!I owe Matt Rogers from Aronimink GC for being our interviewee. It was a tough spot. To finish up the program Chris Harriman, Superintendent at Cattail Creek CC gave his real life experience in finding his job. Chris worked with our company back in 2010 to create the first FSA. Chris hit it out of the park. I know there are a few attendees building their personal website and working on their portfolio this weekend!
Themes that kept coming up over and over Passion/Communication/Differentiate yourself. I cannot thank our presenters enough. All were open and more than honest about what they experienced and what it takes to be successful. And thank you to all the Future Superintendents who felt we provided enough of a valuable program to take a day away from work to attend. A special thanks goes out to Nick Lubold, who is the Assistant at Overbook GC. Nick was a key contributor to putting together the program!
What a great day!
WJC
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