This time of year in turf maintenance gets hectic for most everyone involved. Some of us have a tendency to get flustered and rush through things to Git-R-Done. I know for me, most of my work related mistakes (insert sarcastic comment here) are caused by rushing to get everything done and move on to the next job. When we have problems, a mower not running correctly or a chemical app not meeting expectations of coverage, it is usually your problem solving ability that will decide the extent of the impact on your operation. To me, you do not become a Superintendent or a Turf Manager unless you excel at this trait. But as we all know outside influences can sometimes reduce our strengths. I would almost compare it to the talk of an NFL quarterback when he is in the commentator favorite description of being in the "ZONE". Can you slow it down and look at how you got to this point? Do you look at all the variables involved? Do you take a long term look at the issue and think about what has changed?
One of the best words of advice I have heard was given to the last Superintendent that I worked under. He called the legendary Dr. Joe Duich at Penn State to ask him about an issue he was having with a green. Dr. Duich told him "Don't drive by that green for the next couple of days. Just leave it alone."
Sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing!
WJC
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Super Good Friday
The belief that Good Friday is the official start to the golf season here in the North East of the USA is what I have known since my start in the golf business. Our company had always talked about how a good start to the season would lead to a positive year. It is funny how golf has changed over the past 20 years from an expected 8 month income period and anything in the other 4 months in income is a bonus. Now this started to fade during the construction boom when many new courses, who had a mortgage on their new facility, saw the need for cash flow year round. Even some of the private clubs who traditionally had an end to the golf season and see you in the spring....not anymore!
But in those days cash was king (to steal a phrase from leasing expert Jack Azinger). No one was leasing and financing was not a major part of the capital purchase plan.So if you started out the season on the plus side, you were going to purchase some equipment. If not, you would look to ride out the year and hope to be in the red at the end. Now the amount of clubs that use leasing as an option has grown to a majority. Even many of the old money clubs are using leasing as a solution to keep their fleets up to date. So the buying cycle is not the same as it once was....
And finally as we all know the broadcast of The Masters gets everyone who loves to play golf wanting to get out there and hit the ball around. For me...I am pulling for the guy in the Red shirt on Sunday. I believe that the more Tiger wins the better it is for the game & business of golf! Whatever you think of him personally, he brings interest. No offense to Phil or Rory but Tiger brings them in!
Hope you and your family have a healthy and happy Easter!
WJC
But in those days cash was king (to steal a phrase from leasing expert Jack Azinger). No one was leasing and financing was not a major part of the capital purchase plan.So if you started out the season on the plus side, you were going to purchase some equipment. If not, you would look to ride out the year and hope to be in the red at the end. Now the amount of clubs that use leasing as an option has grown to a majority. Even many of the old money clubs are using leasing as a solution to keep their fleets up to date. So the buying cycle is not the same as it once was....
And finally as we all know the broadcast of The Masters gets everyone who loves to play golf wanting to get out there and hit the ball around. For me...I am pulling for the guy in the Red shirt on Sunday. I believe that the more Tiger wins the better it is for the game & business of golf! Whatever you think of him personally, he brings interest. No offense to Phil or Rory but Tiger brings them in!
Hope you and your family have a healthy and happy Easter!
WJC
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sum-(mer) Spring!
The month of March has been unbelievable in the weather department. Rounds are up, cash registers have been ringing and the grounds departments are a head of schedule with their preparation for opening day. Throw in a Tiger Woods win and things are just right in the golf world! OK, maybe that is a little too much on the glass being half full but I will take it.
Most courses have completed their aeration and now just a good soaking rain day here in the North East and you would have some happy turf managers. Sadly, my guess on this upcoming season looks like a dry one. No snow melt to help things and high temps early have the look of a few years back when we went from winter to summer. That year was not pretty and lots of tired people when September rolled around. But my guess is as good as any meteorologist(hopefully wrong as often as they are...).
With the Masters just around the corner and the official golf season about to begin, I wish you and your staff successful and healthy year!
WJC
Most courses have completed their aeration and now just a good soaking rain day here in the North East and you would have some happy turf managers. Sadly, my guess on this upcoming season looks like a dry one. No snow melt to help things and high temps early have the look of a few years back when we went from winter to summer. That year was not pretty and lots of tired people when September rolled around. But my guess is as good as any meteorologist(hopefully wrong as often as they are...).
With the Masters just around the corner and the official golf season about to begin, I wish you and your staff successful and healthy year!
WJC
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Spring Cleaning
As we hit the half way point in March, the weather has been incredible. Rounds of golf are up and everyone is itchy to get things started. With some courses mowing through a good part of the winter and most aerifying now, it looks like the busy season is here! The biggest concern seems to be if you have not charged your irrigation system yet....It has been pretty dry. With no snow melt, it has all the makings of a drought year but as we all know, there is no telling what weather we will be getting in the Mid-Atlantic region anymore.
I keep getting asked "what is going on out there" and I would have to say things are as positive as they have been since the tough times that started back in 2008. Most clubs have some capital , there seems to be more projects (Bunkers/Irrigation) starting or research is starting to see about costs. So are we back to boom times, probably not but are things looking better, absolutely. You just have to look at it from a different angle!
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
WJC
I keep getting asked "what is going on out there" and I would have to say things are as positive as they have been since the tough times that started back in 2008. Most clubs have some capital , there seems to be more projects (Bunkers/Irrigation) starting or research is starting to see about costs. So are we back to boom times, probably not but are things looking better, absolutely. You just have to look at it from a different angle!
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
| An Old Irish Blessing |
| May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand |
WJC
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Leaving Las Vegas
With the 2012 Golf Industry Show in the rear view mirror there is plenty to reflect on....
Mood ring
The overall mood seems to be is the golf business is turning the corner but it won't take much to push things in the wrong direction again. Lots of concerns with the lack of snow in the East and Mid West leading into the possiblity of a drought to start out the year. The growth of management companies seems to be filling the void on courses that finacially are struggling to survive. It will be an interesting 2012!
Lost in translation
I was really interested in how many attendees at the 2012 GIS were from places outside the USA. As we all know the growth of golf in the states has come to almost a complete halt but there is still some growth in other places around the world. I know just from the tone of the Toro Business Meeting (which is now refered to as the World Wide Business Meeting), that the opportunity to drastically grow the golf business can only be done by growing globally.
Philanthropy golf industry style
Mr. Ken Melrose, retired CEO of the Toro Company, made a $1,000,000 donation to the Environmental Institute for Golf under the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation.
The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and has as its mission to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game.
WOW! If you are not familiar with Mr. Melrose, he is one of the key figures in the Toro Company's success over the past 25 years. Everyone I have ever had a conversation with from Toro has always had high praise for his time as the head of the company.
Vegas Baby
There was a lot of concern about how much traffic would be on the floor from the vendor end. I saw most of the guys from my area. Were some guys a little short on time, sure but that happens each year. As always, there were some good stories of some late nights and good laughs but as the saying goes "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas".
WJC
Mood ring
The overall mood seems to be is the golf business is turning the corner but it won't take much to push things in the wrong direction again. Lots of concerns with the lack of snow in the East and Mid West leading into the possiblity of a drought to start out the year. The growth of management companies seems to be filling the void on courses that finacially are struggling to survive. It will be an interesting 2012!
Lost in translation
I was really interested in how many attendees at the 2012 GIS were from places outside the USA. As we all know the growth of golf in the states has come to almost a complete halt but there is still some growth in other places around the world. I know just from the tone of the Toro Business Meeting (which is now refered to as the World Wide Business Meeting), that the opportunity to drastically grow the golf business can only be done by growing globally.
Philanthropy golf industry style
Mr. Ken Melrose, retired CEO of the Toro Company, made a $1,000,000 donation to the Environmental Institute for Golf under the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation.
The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and has as its mission to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game.
WOW! If you are not familiar with Mr. Melrose, he is one of the key figures in the Toro Company's success over the past 25 years. Everyone I have ever had a conversation with from Toro has always had high praise for his time as the head of the company.
Vegas Baby
There was a lot of concern about how much traffic would be on the floor from the vendor end. I saw most of the guys from my area. Were some guys a little short on time, sure but that happens each year. As always, there were some good stories of some late nights and good laughs but as the saying goes "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas".
WJC
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Can You Hear Me Now?
Last March, I attended a seminar given by Jeffery Gitomer on Social Media and it was the kick off for his new book called "Social Boom". For those of you who are not familiar with Jeffery Gitomer, he is a big sales trainer and has written some great books on the topic of sales and customer satisfaction. If you are looking some great insights on what sales is all about, he is an incredible resource. It was my first step into the putting together a plan to try and use social media to help me be better at my job.
Now a year later, I have 401 followers on Twitter and have been slowly getting my blog up and going. The website domain name is still unused and the YouTube channel is quiet but I am getting there. On LinkedIn, I am up over 225 connections and climbing. I think the whole key was to try and do at least one thing a day. The key word in that sentence is TRY. The one thing everyone says about it in every discussion about using social media is " I don't have time". If you really think that, I would tell you to pick up Gitomer's book and read some of the statistics on the influence social media is having on society and the incredible coverage it has.
Has all this extra work sold one more piece of equipment for me? Not that I know of....YET, but as I was talking to a Superintendent Friday afternoon, he said he had learned a few things from my tweets.
So is it worth a couple of minutes a day.....my vote is yes! I am still way behind in the whole process but I am pretty happy being a year into it. Hopefully a year from now I can direct you to my website and tell you to check out the video on my YouTube channel!
WJC
Now a year later, I have 401 followers on Twitter and have been slowly getting my blog up and going. The website domain name is still unused and the YouTube channel is quiet but I am getting there. On LinkedIn, I am up over 225 connections and climbing. I think the whole key was to try and do at least one thing a day. The key word in that sentence is TRY. The one thing everyone says about it in every discussion about using social media is " I don't have time". If you really think that, I would tell you to pick up Gitomer's book and read some of the statistics on the influence social media is having on society and the incredible coverage it has.
Has all this extra work sold one more piece of equipment for me? Not that I know of....YET, but as I was talking to a Superintendent Friday afternoon, he said he had learned a few things from my tweets.
So is it worth a couple of minutes a day.....my vote is yes! I am still way behind in the whole process but I am pretty happy being a year into it. Hopefully a year from now I can direct you to my website and tell you to check out the video on my YouTube channel!
WJC
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Road Trip!
I will say after 12 hours of driving in two days from Philly to Providence, RI. and back for the New England Turf Grass show, it was worth the trip! Early Tuesday morning myself and two Philadelphia area Superintendents hit the road to attend the much talked about NE Turf Grass Show. I have heard for years that it is one of the best shows in the country. They still had good attendance and vendor support even as other shows are slowly fading. What I found was almost a mini-national. The show was what our show in Philadelphia was back in the 90's. Lots of vendors and good attendance.
Now the great question.....WHY? What is different?
It was $160 for a two day pass. They had food and drink on the floor, which other shows are now trying. One theory that I have been told is guys in the North Eastern part of the country don't have an issue with driving 2 or 3 hours to attend something. It also seemed like more guys who grew up in the area stayed in the area. So it seemed like a big reunion.
Was it worth the trip? Yes but we did take off for home earlier than planned with the weather not cooperating. I will pass on trying to get over the George Washington Bridge in NYC at rush hour in a snow storm. I did learn a valuable lesson about attending....Take the train! An Assistant Superintendent from Philly made the trip up by train. Being from the area he knew better. $50 each way and about 5 hours.It also drops you right behind the convention center. Live and learn.
WJC
Now the great question.....WHY? What is different?
It was $160 for a two day pass. They had food and drink on the floor, which other shows are now trying. One theory that I have been told is guys in the North Eastern part of the country don't have an issue with driving 2 or 3 hours to attend something. It also seemed like more guys who grew up in the area stayed in the area. So it seemed like a big reunion.
Was it worth the trip? Yes but we did take off for home earlier than planned with the weather not cooperating. I will pass on trying to get over the George Washington Bridge in NYC at rush hour in a snow storm. I did learn a valuable lesson about attending....Take the train! An Assistant Superintendent from Philly made the trip up by train. Being from the area he knew better. $50 each way and about 5 hours.It also drops you right behind the convention center. Live and learn.
WJC
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