Only you

Do you remember Smokey Bear? You know, he is only the face of the longest-running public service announcement campaign in U.S. history. Starting in 1944, Smokey’s original catchphrase was, “Care will prevent 9 out of 10 forest fires.” But, in 1947, Smokey said, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.” In response to a massive wildfire outbreak in 2001, Smokey’s famous catchphrase was updated to say, “Only you can prevent wildfires” to help distinguish the difference between any unwanted outdoor fires versus prescribed fires.

I am here to tell you preventing fires is not the only thing YOU can do. Only YOU can prevent you from achieving the highest recognitions in our professions. I am talking about becoming a Certified Golf Course Superintendent and/or a Master Greenkeeper.

I received my newest CGCS certificate for my updated renewal cycle last month. Certified Golf Course Superintendents must renew their certifications every five years via continuing education and professional service.

I posted a photo of my new certificate to X and was struck by a response from good friend Justin VanLanduit (aka @TurfTank). Tank’s response was simply, “One thing I wish I’d gotten done.” And that made me think: Who else out there never achieved the highest accolades of our profession for one reason or another?

I know what you are thinking: Your reasons are/were good ones, even valid ones. But the truth is, deep down, your reasons for not getting something done were just the excuses you told yourself to validate you for not getting it done. See, only YOU can hold yourself back.

Otter Creek (Indiana) Golf Course director of agronomy Brent Downs recently achieved Master Greenkeeper status through BIGGA. Brent became the 90th MG and only the 36th superintendent to be in both the CGCS and MG ranks. Sounds like an exclusive club, right?

I am here to tell you we are not. We want you to come and join us. We want you to achieve your full potential and reach the pinnacle of achievements of our profession. We are even willing to mentor, tutor and assist you in any way possible so that you too may join the ranks of those professional turfgrass managers willing to test themselves and grow to become even better managers.

I know there are hundreds of you right now who are the best of the best superintendents and course managers around the globe and aren’t certified or a master greenkeeper. Achieving one or both designations does not make you better than your peers. But it does show a level of dedication to personal growth and professional development that only you can inhibit yourself from achieving.

And if becoming certified or a master greenkeeper is not your thing, then maybe you will consider going above and beyond to become a certified arborist. What about a certified irrigation auditor? Heck, how about an MBA? Why should pros like Matthew Gourlay and Lee Strutt get the opportunity to monopolize the alphabet with all the letters after their names?

What is holding you back? I know. Time, work, family, and more. We are all pressed for time and the last thing we want to do at this stage of our lives is give up precious time to prepare for exams just so we can call ourselves something that others do not.

Have you spoken with someone who is certified? Or have you asked a Master Greenkeeper what being an MG means to them? I know from both being one and having spent a good deal of time conversing with my peers they all say pretty much the same thing: the level of personal satisfaction and the sense of accomplishment far outweighs the amount of work required.

And now is the absolute best time to start your journey as the requirements for CGCS were recently modernized. I spent two years on the GCSAA certification committee that got the ball rolling on the new requirements. I have also spent several years on a BIGGA work group that has been overseeing the revamping and modernization of the master greenkeeper certificate.

So, there you have it. Neither are stuck in the past as they have been updated and refreshed to reflect the roles of the modern-day superintendent and course manager. So, what is keeping you from joining us? Do not let YOU hold you back.