When you said this morning to take out the new triplex out to mow greens, does the "new triplex" have over 3000 hours? Lots of clubs have fallen behind in their equipment replacement plans and now have been trying to get the process restarted. While the clubhouse gets new rugs and the golf cart fleet lease keeps on rolling, you are using equipment that was meant to be replaced years ago.
Recently, I had the chance to work with a golf course that was at this tipping point. Their main rough unit was purchased used and had over 10,000 hours! Yes, that is not a typo, over 10,000 hours.
The club has been doing well with play and would buy a piece when something would get to complete failure. The need for investment was obvious, but how do you get the board to understand where you are in your fleet needs?
We put together, what I would call for lack of a better term, a reverse proposal. I took pictures of all the equipment that needed to be replaced. Then, we collected the hours and years for each and put it in to a formal proposal, almost like you would for an equipment quote or bid. The part that I think helped to sell it to the board was the formula on each page showing the hours on each unit and how that would translate to car miles. I used 75 miles=1 hour on piece of turf equipment. I have heard all sorts of different conversions, but that is the one I use. Then add in multiple operators, being run at full throttle and what translates to off road use to help drive home the point,and hopefully,they see a clearer picture. Obviously, not an exact science, but it helps to speak a language that the board or owner will understand.
WJC
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Steak Or Sizzle?
Recently the GCSAA had started the "Thank a Superintendent" marketing campaign. I think this is a excellent way to attempt to grow the understanding of who is providing these great playing surfaces. But I will tell you, there are many Turf Managers who do not like to talk about themselves or their accomplishment. However, there are definitely more and more Superintendents who are using what is available to communicate to their members about what projects and day to day maintenance is being completed. The guys who made comments about ,"you and your Twitter" , a few years ago are now realizing it is not going away.
As the social media world continues to grow, I think it will become harder and harder for a Superintendent not to become a part of it. I have had the discussion,over the past few years, with many turf managers, who want nothing to do with any of it and that is their right. If it is not who you are, it is tough to change. The problem is the way people communicate and get their information is evolving.
What is interesting is how is it all perceived. Absolutely, it is an easy way to get information out quickly, but there another part of it that people struggle with....self promotion. Self promotion is not something that many of us are comfortable with, but often it is something that is an unwanted necessity. The discussion of is it the steak or the sizzle, I have had many times with people. The guy down the street has pretty much the same conditions as you and for some reason they are getting seen as more than they are. Why? Well they have a weekly blog explaining the past week's projects, they tweet great pictures that make the course look good constantly, they have been posting You Tube videos of projects and equipment in use. What are you doing to communicate with your members?
Your blog was set up two years ago and you posted something last November. You think Twitter, Instagram and You Tube are for teenage girls , but you are frustrated when you keep getting comments about what they are doing at your neighbor's club!
The truth is the current expectations of people is to have instant information and it is not going to get any less. The days of the article in the club's monthly newsletter with your recap of the past few weeks, is probably not going to cut it. While finding your "voice" in social media is not easy, it is something I would urge you to consider starting.
WJC
As the social media world continues to grow, I think it will become harder and harder for a Superintendent not to become a part of it. I have had the discussion,over the past few years, with many turf managers, who want nothing to do with any of it and that is their right. If it is not who you are, it is tough to change. The problem is the way people communicate and get their information is evolving.
What is interesting is how is it all perceived. Absolutely, it is an easy way to get information out quickly, but there another part of it that people struggle with....self promotion. Self promotion is not something that many of us are comfortable with, but often it is something that is an unwanted necessity. The discussion of is it the steak or the sizzle, I have had many times with people. The guy down the street has pretty much the same conditions as you and for some reason they are getting seen as more than they are. Why? Well they have a weekly blog explaining the past week's projects, they tweet great pictures that make the course look good constantly, they have been posting You Tube videos of projects and equipment in use. What are you doing to communicate with your members?
Your blog was set up two years ago and you posted something last November. You think Twitter, Instagram and You Tube are for teenage girls , but you are frustrated when you keep getting comments about what they are doing at your neighbor's club!
The truth is the current expectations of people is to have instant information and it is not going to get any less. The days of the article in the club's monthly newsletter with your recap of the past few weeks, is probably not going to cut it. While finding your "voice" in social media is not easy, it is something I would urge you to consider starting.
WJC
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