Keeping the Appropriate Life Balance

I had written this piece for the Winter Issue of The Florida Green and received an outpouring of positive responses. One of the calls I received suggested that I should get this word out beyond Florida and to our members across the country. After kicking it around in my mind for awhile I decided to take his advice.

I have had something that I have wanted to address, and I hope it is not too personal. I am going to write this with the desire that it causes at least one person to pause and think about the things that are the most important in life.

Throughout my career I have run around like my hair is on fire and tried to be everything to everybody, especially at work. From my time as a superintendent, I know how easy it is to focus primarily on the job at hand and lose touch with the other aspects of your life. I did this on a regular basis, and it was a contributing factor in the failure of my first marriage. One of my biggest regrets is that I did not get to see my three oldest boys grow up. They relocated to Ohio as I continued to work in Florida. I know a number of my colleagues who have endured similar circumstances. Through the years, summertime visits and holidays were not enough to replace what should have been an everyday dad.

In August 2012 I was driving to conduct a strategic planning session with the North Florida GCSA. I thought about my sons and was going to call but thought better of it because it was raining during my drive, and I needed to pay attention to the road. The rain continued on the drive home so I never placed the call.

The next day I completed my notes and sent them back to the board of the North Florida GCSA and conducted my typical day. I got so invested in work that I forgot all about the call I did not make the previous day.

That evening the phone rang at 8:04, and I answered to hear my oldest son on the phone. I heard his mother asking if I had picked up. My son handed the phone to her, and she immediately blurted out that our son Hunter had been found dead in his bedroom. The words hit me like a gunshot, and I fell to the floor. I could not move as the words ricocheted in my head. I was going to call him yesterday, and I did not!

Over the next several days, weeks, and even months, I was pretty numb and could not get a handle on everything that had happened. My 15-year-old son, Hunter, had passed away from an accidental drug overdose. I still ask myself if I had called that day would things be different? I don’t have the answer to that question, but I ask it to myself very frequently.

I know this is the extreme, and I hope that nobody ever experiences anything like this. I wanted to share my story so that maybe if you are reading this article, you will take the time and examine your own situation to determine if you have the appropriate life balance. There will always be greens that need attention or irrigation repairs that need to be made and reports to be filed, but remember your family needs you with them more than the job does. In the year and a half that has gone by since my son passed away, I believe I have found a better life balance. God is first, my family is second, and I am third. I have this written inside my notebook in case I let my priorities get confused. With the business of the golf season upon us, I just wanted to remind you to take time to spend with your family, the issues on the golf course, or on any job for that matter, will be there to be tackled tomorrow.

1 in 1,000 Year Storm a Real Duck Hook as The Golf Season Tees Off..

As I was traveling on the west coast of Florida, I heard the news of nearly 2 feet of rain falling in the Palm Beach Area on Feb. 10. The storm is being described as a once-in-a-thousand-year event. For GCSAA members and golf facilities in this area, the timing of this deluge could not be worse.

Typically Florida's golf season commences full throttle after the holidays. This latest curve ball that Mother Nature has thrown comes on the heals of one of the wettest summers in a number of years. Also, I have learned from several superintendents in the area that not only the rain, but the constant cloudy days are taking their toll on turf conditions as leaf spot diseases are finding the conditions favorable for development.

Beyond the turf conditions, there is the cost of repairing irrigation equipment as satellite controllers and pump stations were immersed underwater. These costs can potentially sky rocket as the damages are assessed. There will be a direct impact on budgets as the repairs will need to be made.

It has been a difficult year to say the least in this part of the state. My hope is that golfers at these facilities will be understanding long after the flood waters recede. There will be season-long ramifications that may be difficult to overcome and will be compounded if golfer expectations are not modified while superintendents undertake the arduous task of putting everything back in place.

My intention for blogging about this is to shed some light on a situation that will no doubt take some time from which to recover. GCSAA has resources that can help our members communicate to their golfers the very real impact that this latest weather event has had, and will continue to have, on their courses. If there is anything that we can provide to help you in your recovery plan and communications please do not hesitate to reach out to me as your GCSAA Regional Representative.

My thoughts are with you!
Ralph

Looking forward.....Looking back

I love this time of year when you can reflect on the accomplishments and lessons of 2013 and look forward to new challenges and opportunities in 2014.

As always, it is immensely gratifying to work with the chapter leaders as well as individual members assisting them in reaching their goals. This relationship is the essence of what we do at GCSAA. It makes for an enjoyable work situation when you are dealing with professionals on a daily basis. I truly consider myself blessed to represent GCSAA and the Florida region.

All of the chapters can point to a multitude of successes in 2013, from fundraising events to membership retention or even growth, and most importantly the camaraderie we all enjoy at functions. This networking is vital to the success of any association, and it is ever present across the region. 

I know the new year is a time for resolutions, so I will share with you my desires for 2014:

I would love to engage local chapters in either first-time strategic planning sessions or follow up on sessions that have already been conducted. We have enjoyed some great success with these planning sessions and believe there are benefits for all of us to participate in the process.

I see opportunities to assist chapters in their efforts to retain or grow membership. I have continued the pursuit of facility visits and look to aggressively participate in this form of communication in 2014. Also, by working closely with chapter boards, I am hopeful that we can positively impact attendance at meetings and provide assistance in developing educational formats.

I want to take more opportunities to highlight accomplishments of members/chapters through the various vehicles we are utilizing at GCSAA such as GCM, GCSAA This Week, this blog, and Twitter feeds. You are doing so many wonderful things throughout the year, and I want to help you tell your story.

Finally, I will continue to advocate on behalf of industry when it comes to legislative issues that impact your ability to reach your professional best. Water quality issues will continue in 2014, and along with them will be restrictive fertilizer ordinances across the region. My goals are to keep you informed and represent you in the best manner possible. In addition, participation in the FGCSA BMP Certification program should be a goal on everyone’s list. You are the environmental stewards, and this program helps highlight your efforts. My personal goal for the program would be to see 50% of FGCSA members certified by the end of 2014, or as Todd Lowe says, “50 by 15.”

I wish all of you and your families the very best as we conclude 2013, and I look forward to working with you as we embark into 2014. Stay safe and enjoy the season!!

Giving Tuesday

This time of year gives us opportunity to reflect on the blessings we enjoy. It also allows us to reach out and help those less fortunate. This holiday season I will have the opportunity to participate in at least four Toys for Tots campaigns that chapters around Florida are conducting. Not only are there toys, but there are donations to a variety of other worthwhile causes.

Tuesday, Dec.3^, is Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving to kick off the giving season added to the calendar on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. GCSAA is observing the day by spotlighting the amazing charitable contributions and deeds of our chapters and members. In the process of collecting information that we plan to share via social media, I have been blown away by the magnitude and frequency that chapters and individuals give on a regular basis.

I know that when speaking with our elected officials while advocating on behalf of the golf industry, I have used the number of $325 million in annual contributions in the state. The number is a big number but it is usually just that, a big number. It is not until you hear the stories behind the number that you genuinely appreciate the value of the contributions. Certainly, I am not just speaking in monetary terms.

In one such instance, it was not money at all rather the donation of time. GCSAA Class A member Barry Greenwalt, CGCS, and member of the Seven Rivers GCSAA and Florida GCSA is awaiting his third liver transplant. He has been battling his situation courageously, but his fight leaves him with little energy. On a Saturday not so long ago, a group of individuals from the chapter took time out of their schedules to come to Barry’s house and catch up on the chores and took care of other items that needed attention. The group did not have to do this but they had a colleague in need and did it because they wanted to help out a friend. My words can’t do this act justice, but I know the type of people in our industry, and I am confident these types of acts go unmentioned all the time across the country. I wanted to take this opportunity to say awesome job to our members, and it is a pleasure to work with all of you on a regular basis.

When it does come to financial contributions the chapters around Florida are not stingy with their money. Food bank donations from the Suncoast and Calusa chapters are regular operational certainties especially during the holidays when there are many in Southwest Florida in need. The Suncoast Chapter donated more than $800 to the All Faith Food House to assist those in the Sarasota area. The Suncoast Chapter has not limited themselves to just the local food house, they have more than $5,000 in donations to other great causes such as The Ronald McDonald House, Highland County Hospice House, and to a member whose spouse is dealing with cancer. Again, it is rewarding to be able to highlight these efforts that may otherwise go unmentioned.

Southeast Florida also knows how to extend good will to those in need. At a recent Palm Beach chapter event, the chapter presented The First Tee of The Palm Beaches with a check for $10,000. The check will be used to help provide proper storage for equipment and free up space for the children who participate in the program. The wonderful work of the first tee program is well documented but there are many behind the scenes groups that help them. In this case, the Palm Beach chapter is one of the behind the scenes supporters. 

The Palm Beach chapter has also been supportive of their neighboring chapter to the South. The South Florida chapter has just recently completed their 27^th Annual Missing and Exploited Children’s Fundraising event. The Palm Beach chapter donated $1,500 to this year’s cause. Over the lifetime that the South Florida chapter has hosted the event they have raised nearly $500,000 to support this worthwhile endeavor. These funds come from the support of others in the golf industry. Vendors and sponsorships and fellow superintendents come together to make this event the success that it is.

I did not intentionally leave anyone’s efforts out, but I could write into the middle of next year if I continued with this blog. Instead I will utilize Twitter with the hash tag #GivingTuesday to highlight a number of noteworthy contributions consistently made around the state. I hope you all enjoy the Holiday Season, and I offer my most sincere “Thank You” for the blessing of working with you in my role as your GCSAA representative!!

Live Green Proves Memorable

There is nothing like a little youthful enthusiasm to rejuvenate you and make you appreciate the countless benefits of working in the golf course industry. Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with The First Tee of Northwest Florida in its "Live Green" event conducted on a perfect Saturday morning at Osceola Municipal Golf Course.

I was blessed to work alongside volunteers from the Gulf Coast GCSA, Audubon International, The First Tee, and the Toro Co. But the best part was that I had the pleasure of discussing the positive environmental impacts of golf courses with roughly 50 eager First Tee students.

GCSAA Class A member Eddie Daigle provided six educational stations through which the students rotated. The students were able to see how hole locations are changed and greens are mowed. They were also exposed to such practices as planting of ornamental grasses and trees, and mulching. Joellen Lampman from Audubon International provided an overall environmental perspective.

I worked with 7-12 students at a time planting Cypress trees. The students were excited to work in the dirt and plant what several called Christmas Trees. I was able to relay the reasons we were planting the trees. I was surprised to find how many of the students already knew about photosynthesis.  I went on to discuss how the trees were being positioned to frame the hole, and protect the cars in the parking lot as well as provide habitat for birds and other animals like gorillas. The students agreed that there would probably not be any gorillas in Pensacola!!

Once we discussed the benefits of planting the trees, the real fun began. The Toro 30” auger stole the show as the kids were fascinated when it moved on its tracks and spun a hole a foot or two deep in less than 10 seconds. The students’ enthusiasm for leveling the bottom of the hole was only matched by mine as we jumped in the hole and kicked the dirt around (by we, I mean myself and the students!). The laughter that accompanied this process was priceless. Once the tree was planted and covered with mulch you could tell the kids had a genuine sense of accomplishment.

First Tee of Northwest Florida students planting Cypress trees at Osceola Municipal Golf Course

As each new group rotated through our session, I was impressed to see how the students exemplified the nine Core Values of The First Tee. It was during these transition times that I realized how fortunate I am to be able to share my passion with the next generation. It is my hope that these types of interactions will lead them to do the same in their future.

I will close by saying, if you are ever given the chance to work an event similar to this or invite students to your facility, take the opportunity to do so. You may think of it as a chance to enlighten the children, but I guarantee the reward you will receive will far outweigh the work you put into it.  Several days after the event I am still smiling as I recall the questions and comments from the students as their laughter echoes in my memory.

Is our vision 2020?

I was in my office the other day trying to get my internet service to quit crashing. It reminded me a little bit of a Monday morning as a superintendent. You know the drill: A couple of employees are no shows; a greens mower will not start; a fairway unit is leaking hydraulic fluid; and a bunker rake has ended up in a lake - all before 7 a.m.!

My technology trials are vastly different, but they serve as a reminder of how much we rely on our machines. It is when they are not working that we truly grasp the importance of technology. The way that technology has advanced in the 27-plus years that I have been in the golf industry would have been inconceivable in the late 1980s. In fact, my wife, Tennille, relayed to me recently that the Voyager 1 probe that was launched in 1977 and has been reported to have left our solar system is powered by technology that is inferior to today’s smart phones. The Voyager 1 probe has three computers that can process about 8,000 instructions per second compared to your smartphone that processes 14 billion per second!

Where am I going with all this? Take a moment and look around as you read this. Think about the things that may be different in seven years in 2020, or even 27 more years in 2040? In 1985, I was the night irrigation employee, and I moved quick coupler heads around the course all night. Today you can control all your heads individually from your computer, radio or smartphone, and you do not even need to be on the property. What will irrigation systems look like in the next 20 years? What regulations will be imposed on your ability to utilize water resources?

Now move beyond the facility level and think of the changes for your local chapter. What will you need as a member of your local association? What issues will the chapter face within seven years? Will there be an issue with membership retention? Who will your members be? Will there be continued support from vendors or allied partners?

Recently at the Chapter Delegates meeting, GCSAA set forth on an examination of what the industry will look like in the year 2020. How will GCSAA need to adapt to meet the needs of members? Are the efforts to market Class A sufficient? Should we change our membership structure? Do we need to address the standards to attain or maintain Class A status?

In addition to these issues, what programs and services will be enhanced or implemented to assist members in their efforts to achieve professional success? The core of GCSAA is built on professional development, environmental stewardship, advocacy, community and responding to member needs. We know that has been the cased for nearly 90 years and will no doubt continue for the next 90.

We are faced with regulations regarding water use, fertilizer and pesticide, as well as labor issues. These issues will definitely transform the industry and GCSAA. We will look much different in 2020 as we aspire to be the leader in golf. We will continue to focus on our mission, and we know that technology will certainly be a focus moving forward.

Arthur C. Clarke stated that, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Even though this year’s Golf Industry Show will be held in close proximity to the Magic Kingdom, we are not magicians at GCSAA. However, the diligent work of the board of directors and the 89 employees who support you every day will move the association forward in a direction that may well be incomprehensible today - no sleight of hand, just good old fashioned hard work with an eye on the future. For the record, my internet did not crash once while I wrote this . . .(knock on wood).

Welcome to the Florida regional page

I am excited to announce an additional communication platform: regional pages. GCSAA field staff will be blogging regularly to share pertinent information and the feedback we receive through our outreach efforts.

I have had the opportunity to relay information through my participation at local chapter meetings, chapter newsletters and a regular submission in The Florida Green. Through my interactions with individual members and chapter boards, I have also been able to report back to the GCSAA Board of Directors and staff about issues that directly impact our region. We then collaborate to support you, our members.

With this regional blog, I will keep you abreast of events and issues that have a direct impact on you and your facility. I hope this will help you to communicate with golfers, owners and boards the complex issues you deal with on a regular basis. 

In addition to items such as on-going fertilizer ordinances, the fight for continued use of methyl bromide for golf courses, and the impact of weather on maintenance practices, I hope to highlight accomplishments of individuals and chapters in an effort to promote your positive contributions. In my five years as your GCSAA representative, I have heard countless stories of chapter benevolence and individual charitable deeds that I look forward to sharing.

As this is a new endeavor, look for my blog updates at least every couple of weeks. It will be updated more frequently as the need and opportunity presents itself. I hope you find the information pertinent, as well as entertaining. But most importantly, I hope this content will help you meet your needs at your facility or within your chapter.