Selecting a professional superintendent to manage your golf course investment
Narrowing the field
Because each golf course is unique, the superintendent’s specific responsibilities vary greatly from one golf operation to another. This means that superintendents with many years of experience may have different areas of expertise. With this diversity of experience there is a greater likelihood of finding a candidate with appropriate experience and genuine interest in your opening.
The responsibilities covered in virtually any golf course superintendent’s position description are wide-ranging, requiring the skills, judgment and expertise of a competent professional. You can begin to evaluate a candidate’s qualification for your facility’s unique position by looking at the candidate’s education, experience and professional development.
Education - Golf course superintendents typically hold a bachelor’s degree in a field related to agronomy or horticulture, or a degree from an intensive, two-year turfgrass management program. The coursework involved in these programs usually includes studies in botany, soils, chemistry, irrigation and drainage, weeds, diseases, insects, mechanics, design, surveying and ecology. Many of these professionals have additional training in areas such as business administration, human resource management, engineering, public relations or education. Some superintendents hold degrees in other fields, acquiring their knowledge of turfgrass science by attending short courses, workshops and seminars during the off-season.
Experience - All professional golf course superintendents have substantial on-the-course experience. With most superintendents having worked as an assistant to an experienced golf course superintendent who served as a mentor early in their career, these mentors form the basis of a broad network GCSAA-member superintendents bring to your course. This professional network provides professional superintendents with access to valuable resources they can apply to your course – expertise and experience beyond their own.
Professional Development - The golf course superintendent’s rapidly changing, increasingly complex profession demands continuing education. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of employers support continuing education efforts. GCSAA’s Professional Development Initiative provides superintendents with comprehensive tools to further their education and expertise. Extensive educational opportunities are available at GCSAA’s annual Golf Industry Show and throughout the year (educational list is available at www.gcsaa.org/education).
GCSAA also administers a professional certification program which recognizes golf course superintendents who have excelled in the field of golf course management. Individuals may earn the title of Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) by meeting the education level, experience and education point requirements, completing the PDR action plan, having a valid pesticide license or passing the GCSAA IPM exam, maintaining employment as a golf course superintendent, and passing the GCSAA Certification Exam.
A Certified golf course superintendent brings value to a golf facility in a number of ways. You can count on certified members to be:
- Career professionals, who increase the chances of having consistently superior course conditions
- Committed to long-range self-improvement and long-range improvement of the golf facility
- Leaders with the skills they need to develop a well-trained, well-managed staff resulting in strong team morale and reduced turnover
- Efficient at managing a budget and maintaining top conditions
- Life-long learners, which keeps them up-to-date on the latest golf course management techniques and products, to produce superior course conditions in the most efficient way possible
|