[Design concepts] A more positive outlook

A few months back, I wrote about the privileges and intangible benefits of membership in professional associations. Among those was attending the Golf Industry Show because of what can be learned there.

To be honest, I considered not going this year because it would be a “smaller” show. But when I don’t go, I always feel I’m missing something. I figured I could learn plenty from 19,000 industry experts. Besides, what can you learn from 25,000 people that you can’t learn from 19,000? The clincher for me was being asked to be on a panel in the Building the Game solution center.

If you went, I hope you had a productive show, even if attendance declined. Even though I heard various attendance reports, the superintendents, managers and vendors I talked to said they accomplished what they wanted in terms of new business, products or relationships. I was focused on industry business and keeping my ears open for potential new clients. I met a few people with projects in mind and considered that a success.

One tangible benefit of attending the show is to renew old friendships. It seems you can’t walk five feet without meeting someone you know, which is a good feeling for most of us. It’s also a great way to share information.

Most of my time was spent on industry business. I participated in a presentation about construction contract issues in conjunction with members of the Golf Course Builders Association of America. Hopefully, we imparted concrete and specific information to those contemplating renovations.

I also took a turn manning the American Society of Golf Course Architects booth, and was able to answer questions from several attendees. One of my clients wanted me to view this year’s phase of the master plan I prepared for him long ago. Given how many master plans lose steam throughout the years, it brightened my day to see a long-term plan still being implemented.

The ASGCA also had many important items on its show agenda. I attended a talk about renovation trends because it’s always good to see what others are doing. Later, we had a business meeting that included presentations about the special design problems in renovations. As a past president of the ASGCA, I also was invited to participate in the society’s long-range planning sessions, in which we’re trying to lay a blueprint for the next decade.

Perhaps my biggest learning opportunity came when I was drafted, at the last minute, as a replacement panelist on the GCBAA recertification panel. (Like certified superintendents, certified builders must renew their credentials periodically.) I knew of the program and typically bid my work to certified builders only, but nonetheless was impressed with the attention to the financial condition the panel requires to recertify builder members annually.

As a result of such activities, I was shortchanged walking the floor to see the latest advances in our industry. However, I stopped by the bookstore to add a few titles to my collection so I could keep learning after the show.

But I did notice one troubling trend: We’re too defensive about the game. It’s understandable for golf course architects and builders to lament construction and profit decreases, and for young superintendents to worry about where their first big jobs are coming from because fewer new courses are being developed. Even established superintendents and managers worry about where the better jobs will be. However, we can take comfort knowing golf generally has expanded for almost 500 years and will continue to do so.

The bigger problem is the subtle, negative tone we often use when speaking to others. Rather than celebrate golf’s virtues, many seem to spend too much time apologizing for how environmentalists, social engineers and others define our game. For many of us, the best we can say about our great game is, “Golf – not half as bad as you think.” Even though golf has challenges, such as slow play, do we need to apologize for a sport that allows us to escape our problems instead of permitting us to rush back to them?

We should celebrate the game and the beauty of its courses as good things. The U.S. Golf Association commercials do a good job, but the only nongolfers to see them are the ones who tune in to watch Tiger’s latest victory. While all golf-industry organizations should redouble their efforts to promote golf as important to our quality of life, individuals can help more. Why apologize for golf courses when the development of courses such as The Quarry at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, Minn., (see photo at left) turns an old mine into a beautiful landscape people can enjoy?

Many how-to-sell management books suggest preparing a greeting and introduction that highlights what you do in a short, compelling statement. Golf course architects, builders, managers and superintendents can introduce themselves by saying they’re privileged to create or maintain some of the most beautiful places around. If we each say something positive about golf whenever we meet new people, it will counteract those who speak negatively about golf, and by extension, us.

See you next year at the Golf Industry Show. Please look me up. I look forward to hearing your compelling statement. GCN