 |
President's message |
Continuity during transition
 |
It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your president. I’m excited about working with you in the coming year, and I’m excited to see the fruition of the dreams and hard work of members who came before us. The board of directors is ready to explore new ideas to ensure that GCSAA and its members remain leaders in the industry.
Congratulations to Ricky Heine for a great year as president and to Sean Hoolehan, who leaves the board after seven years. All members should be proud of the leadership these gentlemen have provided.
Many of you might have questions about how GCSAA will respond as a new president takes office and a talented, personable CEO departs. Through the work of dedicated association leaders who preceded me and the current board of directors, I’m happy to report that GCSAA and it governance system is well positioned during this period of transition. Because of Steve Mona’s work during his 14-year tenure and the work the board of directors has done the past few years modifying our governance and creating the strategic indicators, we’re ready for this transition.
On the programmatic level, multiple boards over the years have provided staff the strategic direction to implement member standards, transition the GCSAA Foundation to the Environmental Institute for Golf and create the Golf Industry Show. We also have an excellent foundation of educational opportunities and the resources to be the “gold standard” in providing the continuing education you need to advance your facility and you. Other tools available for you to use are the GCSAA Web site, with more than 50,000 pages of information and resources, the career development department and our government relations department.
Over the years GCSAA leaders showed the discipline to build on the good work of their predecessors to provide direction for programs and services that benefit you, the association and the game. It would have been impossible for these events to occur if GCSAA were to wipe the slate clean every year as a new president and board took office.
Our structure doesn’t allow an individual, be it a director, officer or CEO, to force through a “pet project” that might bring notoriety or personal or political gain. Using committee, chapter delegate and staff input, the board assigns resources to projects through the plan and budget process. Every expenditure and resource allocation is based on achieving strategic indicators.
You’ve seen the survey results, but they bear repeating – 85 percent of employers view GCSAA as a leading golf organization (virtually tied with the USGA for the top response). GCSAA is at the table alongside the other golf organizations in virtually every initiative to advance the game. 97 percent of employers and 89 percent of avid golfers have a good or excellent opinion of GCSAA. In short, the people who pay our salaries and the ones who enjoy our work think highly of what the association provides through your efforts.
We take great pride in what you and the association have accomplished and the position we have achieved. That should motivate us all to push for an even greater future.
I challenge each of you to get involved with your chapter and learn more about what GCSAA has to offer. Your organization can only get better with you involved.
RECENT issues
 |
 |
February |
January |