The GCSANJ

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey is devoted to the the furthering of the golf course industry through a, “Cooperative effort by the members of a group or team to achieve a common goal”, as said by president Bill Murray. The GCSAJN promotes studies done on issues and topics that plague fellow superintendents throughout NJ. Networking and communication are key aspects to allow this strategy to be successfully carried out to its fullest potential. Joining the GCSANJ ranks as a member helps not only you, but also your fellow GCSANJ members in performing to the highest of standards through your professional input, experience, and concerns.

The president of the GCSANJ also feels strongly that those in this industry aught to remember those back home and the loved ones in our lives. Our professional perspective of achievement through unity and team work should be displayed through our daily lives as well. We hold unique positions, ones that are demanding on both parties of a family. It’s the GCSANJ’s wishes to send their thanks to the families which have supported superintendents over the years.

Supporters of the Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science, the GCSANJ encourages all to continue furthering their education and knowledge of turfgrass management. Research articles are listed and linked online for chronic diseases and other pertinent information. Not only does the GCSANJ help with keeping you up to date, but makes you aware of current employment opportunities. These are announced via the GCSANJ’s web site, providing all information necessary for you to begin communications with the course in question.

Hosting a number of events each year, this organization provides great educational opportunities for you the superintendent, and encourages networking between the turfgrass managers of New Jersey. Over all, this foundation is a benefit to the golf course superintendents of america and will help broaden your knowledge and deepen your connections with your fellow turfers. This organization was designed to help ensure that our industry continues to make leaps and bounds towards a bright future and successful present.

Sean McCue Turf Blog.

Having found Sean McCue’s blog very interactive, informative, unique, and visually striking I wish to share my findings. A multitude of information and personal experiences are to be found on his constantly growing web page.

Vivid pictures reveal the picturesque views of his Colorado home course, but also depict the challenges faced in such climates. With great attention to detail, Sean covers topics such as annual flower beds, aeration, construction projects, to winter survival. This last topic is perhaps the most interesting I have read since stumbling upon his web page.

There aren’t many places that have to deal with climatic conditions as extreme as Colorado. The winters experienced are harsh, long, and unpredictable. The many unique techniques implemented on his course are interesting to observe and have given me food for thought back in my home state of Connecticut where snow and ice is a yearly occurrence. Although Connecticut is nowhere near the extreme of Colorado, many strategies still apply. If nothing else, its a reminder of how our personal battles on the course differ from state to state. It’s as Sean said, “Over the years I have always said that in Colorado I think it is harder to keep the turf alive in the winter versus the summer.” Its a unique spin on the difficult industry we exist in today. For many, it’s summer stress, but for Sean, freeze/thaw cycles can cause havoc.

Also available are numerous related sites which also prove very insightful. Clearly taking advantage of the times, Sean is using technology and employing it to his advantage, as well as those around him. Well organized, his blog has a list of “topics” on the sidebar a mile long. Under each are a number of corresponding articles sure to satisfy your curiosity. This simplifies the search considerably for the post you are looking for. I am amazed by the quantity, and quality Mr. McCue has accumulated on his web page since its beginnings in 2007.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for good photography, especially when it is on my most passionate subject, golf course management. Visually an inspired person, Mr. McCue’s photography draws me into his articles. For instance, Sean’s article titled, “Coming Back Together” shows a complete picture recap of a complicated greens sodding instillation. Fascinating! I have even found myself wandering through the course photography section, he has a unique gift for capturing beauty on the golf course and its surroundings. I believe many of us can take an example from Sean’s photography.

Web pages like Mr. McCue’s are inspiring, and challenge the rest of us to properly record and convey our yearly experiences on the golf course. Keep up the good work Mr. McCue!

To investigate it for yourself follow this link:

http://cccpgcm.blogspot.com/

Make it or Break it

Many today greatly overlook the importance of communication. The art of conveying ones thoughts and wishes to another in a legible form is crucial for anyone in any position of authority. One superintendent whom has been in his current position of employment for 25 years once said, “ I attribute my long employment wholly to my ability to communicate. First you must learn to master this art within and outside of your departments, and especially with your membership and board of committee before you learn how to grow grass. Make sure its in that order! More jobs are lost because of the inability to communicate than the lack of skill to provide tournament type conditions and the quality of the grass.” I believe this view is widely carried by many employers today, golf course related or not. When you look communication up in the dictionary you are given a number of definitions:

• the imparting or exchanging of information or news
• the successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings

I would like to put emphasis on the second definition, especially one word in particular,“Successful”. Communication is worthless unless it accomplishes a goal, namely the successful transfer of information, ideas, and feelings from one individual to another.

I believe many think there is a law of conduct for all communication, one specific mode of action. False. One of the challenges of being a good communicator is being able to adjust and adapt to each individual. Everyone behaves, receives, and understands things in their own specific way. Some times the differences can be subtle, but being able to learn these differences can greatly turn the tables in your favor for your commands to be understood and carried out. A simple search on google will quickly reveal this to be one of the “secrets” of communication. Secret? Please, this is, or at least should be obvious. An article on mastering communication displayed on ezinearticles.com said, “We must understand that different people perceive the world differently. Everybody has different internal filters. When you tell a joke, a group of people may laugh while another group does not think of it being funny. This does not mean the second group does not have a sense of humor. It is just that they perceive humor differently. As a great communicator, we must take responsibility changing our communication (joke) until we make our audience laugh.” I believe this example of humor is perfect. We are all individuals with widely differing tastes and we must take that into account.

The question that remains is how do we learn of each individuals preferred method of information

acquisition? It’s a scary concept for many employers and is not always completely attainable due to the size of the crews managed, but a personal interest in each individual on your staff must be taken. Only through getting to know these individuals personally will you ever find that one specific communication approach best suited for the individual/situation.

I am aware that this is just a small step towards becoming a proficient communicator, but if you make it a point to attempt to add this strategy to your arsenal I believe your success as a communicator will increase noticeably. Remember, know how to make the “audience laugh”. Through practice you will find which “jokes” are effective for each. It’s worth investing time into since the importance of mastering communication can be the deciding factor of whether you make it or break it as an employer.