LETTERS: JANUARY 2010

Real cringeworthy
I have to say I enjoyed your column Cringeworthy (November, page 6). I do read my reports over and over before I send them, and in some cases I will even get my wife to proofread the document before I send them. I do have to point out a possible error in your article and the heading of There/There/They’re. Should the second one be "Their?" Once again thank you for caring about the small things because I think they do matter.

I enjoyed your article on proper writing techniques (November, page 6). But I was curious if you received any feedback, either good or bad. The irony of the correct way to spell things, but to see one of your bold face headlines reading: THERE/THERE/ THEY’RE.

Should that have been: THERE/THEIR/THEY’RE?

I was catching up on some of the industry magazines at lunch and read your "Cringeworthy" musings and have to say I agree with everything you stated. It drives me crazy, also. I must take it a bit further though and say the lack of proof-reading skills these days ranks right up there, as well.  It is probably due to laziness in most cases, but has become quite prevalent. Our industry periodicals are making me cringe more and more every time I read them. I am not a professional writer, so I won’t beat this into the ground, but your article should have been proofed before going to press. There/Their/ They’re is a fairly easy one to catch and is not the only example in the issue. I have not renewed two other magazine subscriptions recently (although they still come regularly for some reason) for this reason. It appears to show a lack of care and professionalism as you stated in the aforementioned article. We are living in a "spell-check" world and unfortunately that seems to be good enough for the majority of folks. 

Keep up the good work. I think you and your staff do a commendable job on most occasions and I enjoy reading your magazine. I am probably being a little too nitpicky but I think that is better than the other extreme.

Andy Nikkari
Golf course superintendent
The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa
Grand Junction, Colo.


I never mind advice from anyone, especially when grammor or spelling is concerned. However, if you are going to write an editorial on proper grammor and being professional in my writing, may I sudgest you proof read your own column... I totally agree with your thoughts, however the lecture/advice would have come across better if you had followed your own advice. I come from a family that owns a local newspaper, so I fully understand your thought process. I just would’ve thought that if you were going to write that editorial, you would have made sure it was totally void of errors.

Again, I agree with you 100 percent and I am one of the grammatically challenged superintendents in the work force. I was all ready to praise your column until I saw the error. Anyways, love the magazine and keep up the good work.

By the way, I am sending this tongue-in-cheek and as my own little "cringeworthy" editorial. I am aware that I probally have errors in this piece as well.

In the November edition, in your editorial about grammar, the following sentences were written: "Grammar is about credibility. If your resume and cover letter are fraught with yours that should be you’res or…" I am curious as to what the word you’res is a contraction for?

Mind your manners
I wanted to congratulate you for the article "Professional Protocol" (November, page 35). The tips and advice the article includes is probably the most neglected area of any professional service organization training. Penn State University Turfgrass Management program is to be congratulated. Navigating Your Place Setting (page 39) could save a lot of embarrassing moments for young professionals.

Success guide
Great choice for your interview piece (November, page 31) on advice for assistant superintendents. Ken Mangum gave me my first assistant superintendent job out of college 10 years ago and I have always thought of him as a great industry mentor. He has sound communication skills with many different types of people and that versatile professionalism is something I have worked hard on myself. The Atlanta Athletic Club has really become a place for young professionals to hone their skills and develop a passion for the industry and it is a direct result of Ken’s presence. Keep up the good work at GCI.

Superintendent profiling
Pat Jones’ column on profiles of superintendents was very funny (October, page 50). I’m still trying to figure out which profile is mine. I hope it’s one or both of the last two – I think I have met them all at one time or another!