Member privileges (Design concepts)

The realization that many superintendents now are setting plans and budgets for next year prompted me to encourage you to become more active in your professional association and specifically to budget for the Golf Industry Show.

Here in Texas, the outpouring of help to evacuees of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has been phenomenal. While one-time involvement to help suffering is laudable, we all should be more involved on a regular basis in something we care about. While there are many good causes, I’ve devoted most of my time to help my profession of golf course architecture, mostly through my long-time involvement with the American Society of Golf Course Architects.

I dreamed of being a golf course architect since I was 12, after my first round of golf. During that same year, I found out about the ASGCA and dreamed of being a member. Unlike most things you looked forward to as a youth that turned out to be somewhat disappointing, such as drinking your first beer or smoking your first (and in my case last) cigarette, the ASGCA hasn’t. In fact, other than my one attempt at skydiving, which was every bit as thrilling and terrifying as I had imagined, it has been the most satisfying experience of my life.

I often say that if you cut me, I’ll bleed not red, but Ross tartan red, blue and green (see the picture above), the symbol of ASGCA membership. I’ve left instructions for a simple headstone already, “Father, golf course architect, ASGCA member,” which conveys my continuing passion for golf course architecture and the ASGCA. Wearing that tartan jacket, in short, is part of my identity. (While I’m not anticipating leaving you anytime soon, it’s always an interesting reality check on your life to write your own tombstone.)

I’ve served the association in every capacity up to and including a year as president, which was 10 years ago. I’ve headed numerous committees, attended many industry conferences and worked on many environmental and contractual issues for the society. As almost anyone who has served in similar capacities will tell you, no matter how much work you put into a professional association, you get twice as much out.

I often wonder why all superintendents don’t support their professional association with passion, because I know many superintendents who have similar stories to mine and are passionate about their craft. They’re probably the ones getting most involved with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America on national and local levels.

I hate to hear about superintendents not going to the Golf Industry Show because of budget cuts at their clubs/courses or because of a belief that there’s nothing new to learn – which is incredibly short-sighted. I’d also love to see close to 100-percent attendance at local superintendent chapter meetings. You can’t learn if you’re not there, and you can’t improve if you don’t learn. So, it’s really in your courses’/clubs’ best interest to go. And it’s in your best interest no matter what age because the happiest people are those who continue to take an interest in learning.

Valuable learning
I’ve attended all but four of the ASGCA meetings since I became a member. I have taken something valuable from each one, whether it was seeing a top-rated golf course or listening to seminars about new issues affecting design. Even if I learn just one valuable thing, I feel attendance was worthwhile. For instance, I overheard Jack Nicklaus mention the smallest green target he would aim for is a 40-foot-diameter plateau, which I’ve used in design. Your one thing might be a trick on calibrating a spreader or something equally minor that might save you a significant amount of time.

Most of the best learning comes from impromptu conversations in the bar after the formal meetings with the greats in my profession, such as Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, his sons Rees and Robert Jr., Pete and Alice Dye, and many others. You have a similar opportunity, although I realize telling your greens chair that you need to go to Atlanta to hang out in the bar is not the greatest sales pitch. Perhaps you should call it an informal educational opportunity. Social hours can be when you learn the most, no matter how good the seminars might be. That’s because no matter what outsiders the GCSAA might bring in for seminars, you’ll be standing next to the best and brightest in your field. Who better to ask your most pressing questions? If you ask the right questions and listen, that esteemed, nationally known superintendent of a famous course is always willing to tell you his experiences. The most surprising thing you’ll learn is they have just about the same problems you do.

There are numerous books and articles about how to make the most of your trade show experience. Most suggest you have an agenda of things to accomplish and make a point to hang out with the best in your profession. To paraphrase Woody Hayes about the forward pass, there are three types of people you can spend time with, and two of them are good. The good ones are the top professionals in your field and younger members who you can mentor with your insights. The bad ones are those hanging out in the bar solely to drink. They’re the ones who’ve lost their passion. If the conversation turns to the same old complaints, reply “yes, this job would be a lot easier without those darn golfers,” and find someone positive.

I’m an unabashed joiner. Maybe you aren’t by nature, but the GCSAA is a great professional organization that has made great strides representing golf course superintendents and elevating their image. The Golf Industry Show, even if it has moved around more than a “Mel Brooks Mole” this year, is a wonderful educational opportunity.

Being a member of your profession and professional organization is a privilege, but you have to take advantage of the opportunities presented at the national and local levels. And you have to think in terms of putting in to get something out. You will find whatever time and effort you put into being a member, you’ll get much more back – and so will your employer. GCN

Jeffrey D. Brauer is a licensed golf course architect and president of GolfScapes, a golf course design firm in Arlington, Texas. Brauer, a past president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, can be reached at jeff@jeffreydbrauer.com.