I often refer to the passion that is the profession of the
superintendent. After all, wake up
between 3 and 4 in the morning, respond to the pressures Mother Nature
throws your way, fight the never ending battle that is golfer/member
expectations, and do it all again the next day.
Yes superintendents get paid, but I feel it is better described as a
passion more than a profession.
I have also written articles based on the government relations
actions taking place on your behalf by GCSAA. Some
members have told me that the work being done by the GCSAA staff “is worth the price of membership alone.” So what were to happen when GR meets members
here in the Northeast Region?
Here is where the collision happens: add Chava McKeel, GCSAA associate director of government relations, and see that not only do superintendents
exude passion for their profession, so do McKeel and the GR staff. The message was made clear to the
Connecticut, Metropolitan, and Maine chapters, nearly 600 people, simply working
to raise awareness of the profession of the golf course superintendent and the
benefits of golf will not work.
Advancing the profession and enhancing the vitality of the game of golf must be done with passion. McKeel might not operate with enough passion
to move mountains (literally), but definitely enough to move votes.
During the many hours travelling the region, I learned first-hand
that GCSAA’s staff of McKeel, Margo Campbell Szabo, and newly hired Kaelyn
Seymour are indeed passionate about your profession and you the member. Many in government think golf is an elitist
sport that needs no federal help. More
in government think golf is a waste of open space and blight on the
environment. Your GR staff at GCSAA
considers operating in that element a challenge, and even fun. Building coalitions, developing
relationships, and generating political capital are more than a job for McKeel and
the staff; it is what makes them tick. Her messages of “we need to chip away at
misperceptions” of golf, and “get involved in government relations, it’s not
scary” resonated with the members.
I can attest to those two statements personally. I attended my first New York State Turfgrass
Association (NYSTA) Lobby Day in Albany last year. There were four topics to be discussed with state
legislators that day, and “leave behind” materials were distributed to the
group. I was petrified. I had no idea what to do. My first meeting was with the chairman of the
environmental committee, and was an adversary of the green industry. The discussion went as expected when
the unstoppable force meets the immovable object -- nowhere. By the second office visit of my six, I understood
that we, the members of the industry, were the experts on the topics. We were educating the lawmakers on our issues
and were garnering favorable responses. Was
it effective? If you consider getting $150,000
reinstated into the state budget for research, outreach and advocacy, then yes,
it was successful. It was also easy.
Look for more information about how you can become active in
GR issues on the national level soon.
Also, consider taking a pro-active approach at the state level. Remember, you are passionate and the expert,
the two traits that GCSAA’s GR staff use to keep your tools in the tool box at the
national level. They will definitely work
at the local level for you too! 