Nine reasons to contribute to Turfheads Take Over IX

We guarantee golf maintenance professionals write better than we reporters and editors can lead a turf team through weather whims. Our December archives prove our point.

We’ve concluded our past eight print years by offering readers, followers, scrollers and listeners the opportunity to contribute an article to an issue we affectionately call “Turfheads Take Over.” We love all 12 of our annual print issues equally, but there’s something special about helping people who hold demanding full-time jobs connect with a large peer audience via writing.

The premise of Turfheads Take Over involves filling what we in the magazine business call a “feature well” with reader contributions. All industry professionals are encouraged to write about any topic they deem fit. Submissions can range from 600 words (the minimum to fill a print page) to more than 2,000 words.

We’re available to assist with every step of the writing process. Submissions must be received by Thursday, Oct. 31. Yes, deadlines are part of our business! See below with details on how to submit an article and applicable images.

Let’s do our part to convince you to submit by revealing nine reasons why contributing to Turfheads Take Over IX represents a great use of your time.

Self-therapy

A golf maintenance job can be a grind. Temporarily stepping away for a creative pursuit provides a mental respite. Using a different part of your brain reinvigorates the mental focus required to execute tasks that pay the bills.

Stakeholders will appreciate you even more

People exude tremendous pride in their golf facilities. Seeing your name and thoughts in a respected national publication proves to owners, GMs, members and loyal customers that your expertise extends beyond presenting awesome playing conditions. Well-deserved course cred accompanies becoming a published writer.

Your résumé will get a boost

Despite a glut of open positions, landing one of the industry’s most desirable jobs remains ultracompetitive. One more skill on a résumé, especially one used as frequently as writing, has never hurt somebody’s case when applying for their next job.

Wise way to use a weather delay

Unfortunately, the weather isn’t perfect everywhere. Waiting out storms will always be a part of a golf maintenance job. Crafting a few sentences and paragraphs, in a quiet office, during a downpour, can be a productive use of time before returning to the course.

Step toward certification

Writing an article for a local, regional or national publication is a requirement for earning some career certifications. But let’s face it, writing might not be the requirement you’re most stoked about fulfilling. Our team’s pleasant demeanor and accessibility makes a seemingly painful part of the certification process pleasurable.

You can inspire others

Whether we publicly admit it or not, we all want to leave an indelible mark on others. When you share an idea, concept, thought or story with a mass audience, you’re connecting with people you’ll likely never meet. In turn, somebody might parlay your calculated words into actions to help themselves, their businesses or the people around them. That’s powerful stuff.

You can recognize your team

Perhaps your team recovered from a natural disaster. Or provided fabulous conditions during a nasty weather stretch. Or concocted practical ways to boost golfer satisfaction. Or played a huge role in generating new revenue for your facility. Or overcame a failure. A published story in a glossy magazine about what your team achieved is terrific breakroom, hallway or office artwork that will boost employee morale.

You can draw attention to your company

We dissuade overly commercial articles. But we welcome people who work for industry companies to share ideas and observations from their vast experiences. Every contributor receives a tagline at the bottom of their article. The taglines mention their name and where they work. Who knows? A qualified buyer might contact you about your products or services after reading your writing.

It can be fun

Let’s revert to the beginning of this article. You’re a better writer than you imagine. Punching a few keys, watching thoughts appear on a screen and sharing the results with others can be more enjoyable than imagined. You might also gain a fulfilling hobby or potential side hustle.

Guy Cipriano is Golf Course Industry’s publisher + editor-in-chief. You can email submissions and applicable images to him at gcipriano@gie.net or managing editor Matt LaWell at mlawell@gie.net.