Back to the future

When Guy Cipriano told me the focus of this issue, my mind went into full “Jetsons” mode, imagining the most futuristic, out-of-this-world inventions and techniques that could change our business. I came up with a few, which I’ll save for the end. Because our industry’s future isn’t all robot-controlled mowers and flying Gators. There are some serious issues to think about if we’re going to continue to lead the way.

It starts with education. Of course, future superintendents will take classes we can hardly imagine today. Whatever science comes up with next, we — or, more accurately, you and those who follow you — will study it. And while it’s possible there will be machines to do all the work spreading, spraying, and fine tuning, superintendents will still need to know what is being done and why.

Our future brethren will need to be educated in business management, from finance to human resources. Business savvy will be even more critical to running golf maintenance operations efficiently and effectively. Budgets will continue to be significant, and no one should be surprised if the cost of labor, plant protectants and equipment continues to increase. Superintendents are running their own small businesses and should approach every day as if it’s their own company. Many of you already take this attitude to your course, your inventory, your staff and your overhead; it will only become more important. And the respect we earn will continue to be tied to the value of what we are caring for and how we do it.

As for equipment, I love seeing riderless mowers and sprayers, the continued evolution of “smart” technology in irrigation, and, as something of a gadget-head, I’m excited about the potential in all areas of the maintenance operation. But I’m worried that we’ll lose some of the art and skill of preparing a golf course. The innovations are great, but they’re ultimately just tools. Everything we do — everything in golf — is still about touch and feel.

I’m not sure what’s going to happen with labor. Maybe the problem goes away with remote-controlled equipment and drones that survey for problems from busted pipes to reckless cart drivers. (Watch out, marshals! Your jobs are next.) And while we may need fewer hands holding rakes and driving mowers, we’ll need more fingers writing code and typing commands. Perhaps the next crew members are in their parents’ basements — computer geeks who will manage the mowing, shaping, sweeping, raking, watering and other chores like a video game.

Something else sure to change is the superintendent’s personal image. We’ve already come a long way from being called dirt farmers, thank goodness. I don’t think it will be very long before technology allows us more time to manage our physical and mental fitness. We’ll likely be able to sleep later — and better — knowing the course is programmed to wake up each day in great shape. As for communicating with members, management and suppliers, that is done best by real people, so writing and speaking skills will continue to be vital. As will basic common courtesies. Actions speak louder than words, so take your hats off indoors, please.

Our responsibilities will continue to grow, along with our importance to our courses and clubs. Therefore, our compensation needs to increase accordingly. Don’t laugh ... that’s what these “predictions” that follow are for.

In the future …

• Your border collie will run on a treadmill and chase geese on a projection screen.
• Your office will either have only a smartphone or it will look like Mission Control, with screens, keyboards, graphs, grids and camera views of every square foot of your course. And buttons. Lots of buttons.
• Use a joystick to fix alignment or move the tees out of the shade. If there is any shade in the future.
• Deluxe tee markers will be available that use super magnets or air compression so they can’t be pulled out of the ground and repositioned by golfers. Flagsticks will automatically jump back into the hole when a golfer forgets to replace them.
• The drone bunker rake! Before the course opens, it will hover over each hazard, lower a rake head to the sand, and use adjustable tines to make designated patterns. Change the setting according to the sand type or raking patterns based on weather, tournaments, or you’re just in a bad mood.
• Turf will need little water as new species developed by top research scientists and universities will thrive on just morning dew.
• The GCSAA becomes a union for our constituency.

Stay alert: The future is coming faster than you think.