Guest Column: Welcome to Blog Central

Welcome to Blog Central. I'm Jim Black and I've been tasked by GCI to serve as your tour guide through the web. Together we'll traipse through the blogosphere and ramble though social media for the best blogs, tweets, sites and anything else I can find so you don't have to spend all your time searching for it, too.

It gives me the opportunity to help my fellow turf-heads take advantage of the most useful information out there to help you succeed in this business.

Here's an example of a great blog you should know about:

Do have an issue with your Toro 450-D, or any other piece of equipment? Check out the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association and their very active community at www.icgema.org.

It was during a conference call in September of 2006 that 12 turf equipment technicians had a eureka moment and realized it was time to form an association akin to the GCSAA. Understanding the need for some well-deserved professional recognition, board members and officers from around the world were elected on Jan. 1, 2007, to head up the association.

The IGCEMA.org website is full of information and education. On their blog you can discuss issues and shoot the bull with others from not only around the country, but around the world who have had the same issues. Go there to also find out about their web simulcast from the GIS.

Speaking of the big show, stay tuned to golfcourseindustry.com - I suggest making it your homepage at least for the week of Feb. 7-11 to catch all the news, blog updates and antics from the staff and friends attending. If you can't make it to Orlando, this will be the next best thing!

One last thing, these cold and snowy winter months have their benefits, one of which is the occasional half-day. I’m sure most superintendents enjoy balancing the long days of summer with a half-day here and there during the winter season, leaving the tree work or tee marker sanding and painting in the hands of your able crew.

We had the opportunity to get our hands on some hidden camera video of how productive your crew is on those days you sneak out early. Click here to view the footage.

I'll post it to GCI's videos, too.

Until next time...