For the first time that I can recall in my career, I was introduced as an expert. The interview that I did with Tony Leodora, from the Saturday morning radio show was played here in Philadelphia yesterday. The topic was innovations in golf course maintenance in the last 20 years.
It was interesting to hear myself and see where I probably should have said something else then I stated but all in all not bad. I had sent out an email to some friends and family about it being on. On Superintendent said he looked forward to the ammunition but afterward said "hard to believe....but you did good". I will take it. The other funny line was I thought you would yell Babba Booey at the end of your interview.
I am greatly appreciative to the Philadelphia Area Golf Course Superintendents Association for giving me the opportunity, especially Jim Lyngh who is the media liaison on the Board of Directors. Jim said when the topic came up at their board meeting, I thought you would be a great choice. (Thanks Jim!)
This was about a nine minute segment. What is pretty incredible is to think about all the changes over the years and not just in equipment that I did not have time to bring up.
So when I run into you on the show floor at the GIS, no autographs please.... :-)
http://golftalklive.net/golfradio.aspx
The interview is at the 43 minute mark.
WJC
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Word On The Street
If you were to say one topic that is almost a common occurrence on my visits throughout my territory it would be "What is going on out there?" Obviously, most Superintendents & Grounds Directors have their friends in the business but they are often looking for a larger picture.
As of this month, I would tell you that things are very positive for the most part. It is now the new normal with more winter lay-offs than ever before but on the fleet replacement end, more clubs are getting a plan in place. The upcoming Tier 4 impact may be playing a big part in that but a few of the people I have been working with are just at the point that they need to upgrade their fleet . No chewing gum, duck tape or bailing wire will get them through another year!
The good thing is more clubs & facilities are looking to spend. That is always a positive indicator of where we really are. Most places have changed their approach and tried to do more with less. The thing is at some point equipment wears out and you are throwing money at something that should have been replaced seasons ago....Those who have been the most successful at getting movement have really made it a point to educate their members or managers on fleet replacement. Whether it is making the club look at using leasing as an option (If I hear we are a cash club one more time.....) or just using the numbers to look at the repair and maintenance that an old fleet needs and how that cash could be used in better ways.
Again, rumors of any new golf course construction on the horizon have not begun but it is definitely positive news.
WJC
As of this month, I would tell you that things are very positive for the most part. It is now the new normal with more winter lay-offs than ever before but on the fleet replacement end, more clubs are getting a plan in place. The upcoming Tier 4 impact may be playing a big part in that but a few of the people I have been working with are just at the point that they need to upgrade their fleet . No chewing gum, duck tape or bailing wire will get them through another year!
The good thing is more clubs & facilities are looking to spend. That is always a positive indicator of where we really are. Most places have changed their approach and tried to do more with less. The thing is at some point equipment wears out and you are throwing money at something that should have been replaced seasons ago....Those who have been the most successful at getting movement have really made it a point to educate their members or managers on fleet replacement. Whether it is making the club look at using leasing as an option (If I hear we are a cash club one more time.....) or just using the numbers to look at the repair and maintenance that an old fleet needs and how that cash could be used in better ways.
Again, rumors of any new golf course construction on the horizon have not begun but it is definitely positive news.
WJC
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Follow You Follow Me
This past week I was asked if I would be interested in being interviewed for a local radio show called Golf Talk Live. The topic is going to be innovations in golf course maintenance in the past 20 years. The weekly show is hosted by Tony Leodora. Tony is one of the first people you think of when it comes to golf in the Philadelphia area. He has made a concerted effort to include the Superintendent's view in his show and has a great relationship with the Philadelphia Area Golf Course Superintendents Association.
To me this was really an honor to be asked, hopefully it doesn't mean I am just old.
I started thinking about all the changes since I was a kid just starting out to what is done today. As my early Saturday morning started, I threw it out on Twitter to get some other opinions. I have not really figured out all the protocols on Twitter yet but I was blown away by the responses! What was cool was the first ones came from over the pond and then the US & Canadian Turfers followed. What was funny was Primo Maxx was mentioned a bunch. Not being in the chemical business, this was not on my radar. Final count was somewhere around 16 different votes. Very cool!
Now I still occasionally get some grief from friends in the business with the "Are you going to Tweet that?" but I think it is a great tool to communicate. I think back to when I started in sales in the early 1990's and it was a big deal when I got a pager...Now I can throw out a question and get an instant response from a Superintendent in Ireland! Now that is innovation!
WJC
To me this was really an honor to be asked, hopefully it doesn't mean I am just old.
I started thinking about all the changes since I was a kid just starting out to what is done today. As my early Saturday morning started, I threw it out on Twitter to get some other opinions. I have not really figured out all the protocols on Twitter yet but I was blown away by the responses! What was cool was the first ones came from over the pond and then the US & Canadian Turfers followed. What was funny was Primo Maxx was mentioned a bunch. Not being in the chemical business, this was not on my radar. Final count was somewhere around 16 different votes. Very cool!
Now I still occasionally get some grief from friends in the business with the "Are you going to Tweet that?" but I think it is a great tool to communicate. I think back to when I started in sales in the early 1990's and it was a big deal when I got a pager...Now I can throw out a question and get an instant response from a Superintendent in Ireland! Now that is innovation!
WJC
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Off Broadway
While the GIS is seen as the big show, local trade shows are still important to many people in our business. So why should I take another look at attending my local show? I was lucky enough to be asked to sit in on a discussion back in 2012 about "what can we do different?" for the PA Turf Grass Show. Matt Shaffer, who was the President of the PA Turf Grass Council at the time, had a refreshing view of asking the people who are on the business end of how to grow a shrinking product.
So this year there is an opening speaker that has some big interest here in Philly, Bernie Parent.
The legendary goalie of the Philadelphia Flyers. There is also some other changes to the format in an attempt to revive the event. Hopefully it will bring some people back and maybe some new faces.
In the end to me it is about supporting great programs like the PA Turf Grass Council and others that are vital to the turf business. While attending you get the opportunity for professional growth, networking opportunities, always important sprayer applicator credits and supporting the future.
For those of you who are local, I hope to see you this week and for those of you in other parts of the country, I hope you take a day to visit you regional show.
http://paturf.org/
WJC
So this year there is an opening speaker that has some big interest here in Philly, Bernie Parent.
The legendary goalie of the Philadelphia Flyers. There is also some other changes to the format in an attempt to revive the event. Hopefully it will bring some people back and maybe some new faces.
In the end to me it is about supporting great programs like the PA Turf Grass Council and others that are vital to the turf business. While attending you get the opportunity for professional growth, networking opportunities, always important sprayer applicator credits and supporting the future.
For those of you who are local, I hope to see you this week and for those of you in other parts of the country, I hope you take a day to visit you regional show.
http://paturf.org/
WJC
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
How Are Your Fundamentals?
Here in Philadelphia, it seems the only thing going on is that Andy Reid has been fired by the Eagles. Now as someone who has followed the team my whole life, it was time for a change...
The interesting thing to me is the whole dynamic of why he lost his job and team. Driving around I spend a bunch of time listening to all sorts of music and talk radio. Once in a great while you hear a point that sticks with you. Someone made the point that everything started to change when the Eagles got away from the fundamentals of their success and brought in a big name free agent (T.O!) to try and push them over the top. Instead of building through the draft they went down the road of signing high ticket free agents.
Why the football talk? Well I think it is more about what are your fundamentals. I have traditionally spent some of the down time over the holidays re-evaluating how I do my job and how I can do it better. For me I am planning on going back to some of the things that I had always done but had gotten away from as the years have past.
What are the fundamentals of your success? Have you gone away from what got you where you are today? obviously all our jobs evolve over time but is it for the best? Can you get out on the course or in the field more? I know for me, the Andy Reid firing is a message that carries beyond the world of the NFL. Don't forget your fundamentals.....
Hope you and your family had an excellent Holiday Season!
WJC
The interesting thing to me is the whole dynamic of why he lost his job and team. Driving around I spend a bunch of time listening to all sorts of music and talk radio. Once in a great while you hear a point that sticks with you. Someone made the point that everything started to change when the Eagles got away from the fundamentals of their success and brought in a big name free agent (T.O!) to try and push them over the top. Instead of building through the draft they went down the road of signing high ticket free agents.
Why the football talk? Well I think it is more about what are your fundamentals. I have traditionally spent some of the down time over the holidays re-evaluating how I do my job and how I can do it better. For me I am planning on going back to some of the things that I had always done but had gotten away from as the years have past.
What are the fundamentals of your success? Have you gone away from what got you where you are today? obviously all our jobs evolve over time but is it for the best? Can you get out on the course or in the field more? I know for me, the Andy Reid firing is a message that carries beyond the world of the NFL. Don't forget your fundamentals.....
Hope you and your family had an excellent Holiday Season!
WJC
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