Is it possible for a family to focus on anything more practical than securing the job of its main wage earner in today’s difficult economy? You may not think so until I suggest that the future career opportunities available to our children and grandchildren will command our anxious attention for years to come because the national economy will dictate so.

Where Is This Economy Going?

Do not be misled by the somewhat constant pronouncements by the national media that the “recession is over” because this is not factually accurate information. In truth, economists advise that there is no core relief in sight for the present economy and that the mounting multi-trillion dollar national debt will outlive our children and grandchildren – promising to undermine the quality of their lives. How do we best prepare our children to face this self-perpetuating economic challenge?

Career Options For Our Children

Clearly, parents who have intended to send their children to college should steadfastly remain dedicated to this cause. However, because the escalating national debt promises to marginalize career opportunity for some time to come (FYI: two years’ of college graduated seniors are now stacked up without job opportunities), it is important that parents counsel their children to build “living wage” options into their careers.

…our children should commit to acquiring a “skilled trade” to complement any college degree earned because America will always need skilled tradesmen…

This means that before, during and/or after the pursuit of a college education, our children should commit to acquiring a “skilled trade” to complement any college degree earned because America will always need skilled tradesmen.  Acquired skilled trades will maximize every American’s opportunity to earn a living wage pending the economy’s return to a full-employment mode, which some economists suggest may not be any time soon. However, once the economy does recover, our children would then have the option of applying their college degrees to seek career opportunity in the private sector, or of continuing on with their skilled trade employment status. All the bases would be covered.

To complicate matters, you should note that the Obama administration recently nationalized the College Student Loan Program, which suggests that you can expect a change in tuition loan dispensing policy. Be sure to monitor this program as your children approach college age.

Skilled trades represent a unique opportunity for our children to weather difficult economic times…

Skilled trade education is readily available through adult and vocational educational programs. Everyday examples of skilled trades are: electricians, welders, carpenters, plumbers, car/truck mechanics, masons, butchers, chefs/bakers, law enforcement, firefighters, nurses aides, barbers, court reporters, blacksmiths, dental hygienists and so on. The military, of course, presents another secure job opportunity, as do the always-necessary college degree-based professions of accounting, nursing, pharmacy and golf course superintendency. Many of the above listed trades and professions traditionally have had people shortages.

Never has it been more important in our country’s history to steer our children to secure nesting grounds as it is now.  Make your case now, or your children may be living at home longer than you anticipate.

A review of last week’s blog message (October 22nd; Tip #10) will remind superintendents that by elevating their game, scheduling play routinely throughout their golfing community and identifying with the inherent values of the Game, they would be positioning themselves to acquire new status within golf’s inner sanctum; i.e., the nationwide Family Of Golf. In due course, this newly earned standing would likely become one of the surest forms of job security available to golf course superintendents throughout their long careers.

Once superintendents… earn their way into the Family Of Golf circles they will be treated by their employers and constituents as the equivalent of “favorite sons”…

This premise stands true because past history shows that once superintendents take the time to earn their way into the Family Of Golf circles they will be treated by their employers and constituents as the equivalent of “favorite sons” working within a small business operation; and accordingly, will be supported, counseled and job-protected to the fullest extent that course economics will allow. At a minimum, this translates into the comforting circumstance whereby the dismissing of a respected “favorite son” superintendent will become a matter of last resort for course operations facing economic pressures and not, as is now too often the case, a matter of first resort.

…the highest echelon of respect a layman can earn within national golf circles is being recognized for possessing a broad-based Rules expertise…

The Rules Pedigree:

Carrying the Family concept one step further, the highest echelon of respect a layman can earn within national golf circles is being recognized for possessing a broad-based Rules expertise. The most direct evidence supporting this premise is noting that one of the fundamental requirements for becoming a USGA officer, executive director, or field staff operative is possessing a thorough working knowledge of and an acquired expertise with the Rules of Golf – gained through years of dedicated field service to this cause.

Could there be a better time for golf course superintendents to seize on this guaranteed respect enhancing (i.e., job securing) opportunity? Nothing stands in the way, except committing to the following readily addressable qualifying program: (i) registering for the one or more PGA/USGA sponsored Rules Workshops needed to qualify you to pass the challenging national Rules test; (ii) once having passed this test, volunteering to serve on your club/course Rules Committee; (iii) working with your course’s golf professional staff to co-teach the Rules throughout your golf course setting and (iv) further volunteering to serve on your regional golf association’s tournament Rules Committee from time to time.

Servicing the Rules needs of their course-playing clientele will convert the superintendents’ present “back-of-the-house” image to a newly respected and deserved “front-of-the-house” image…

Working through this four-step Rules program will benefit superintendents in ways never previously anticipated. For example, superintendents would: (i) earn unprecedented professional respect; (ii) convert their present “back-of-the-house” image to a newly respected and deserved “front-of-the-house” image; (iii) enhance their job security; (iv) gain a decided edge when seeking new jobs because of their Rules commitment and (v) acquire a new satisfaction with and pride in themselves and their careers. (See my Golf Course Industry August 2007 column entitled, “Job Security Through The Rules.”)

Clearly, this won’t be a quick and easy road to travel, but it’s one where the benefits gained are valued and true. Who would’ve thought the Rules of Golf could deliver treasures forever sought but never previously perceived as being deliverable to golf course superintendents?

Why is it that while superintendents play a lot of golf they are not considered to be an integral part of golf’s inner sanctum, or true players of the game? The direct answer to this question is because superintendents essentially play golf outside golf’s mainstream arena; i.e., roughly 85% of the rounds the typical superintendent plays are with peers via monthly chapter meetings, chapter tournaments, late afternoon rounds with staff and friends, etc. This is tantamount to drinking beers in the parking lot and not in the fraternity house with the pace setters on campus.

The missing element here is that golf course superintendents must learn to identify with the game of golf’s inherent values and not just use it for social exercise…

The missing element here is that golf course superintendents must learn to identify with the game of golf’s inherent values and not just use it for social exercise. Caring for and maintaining the nation’s golf courses is a different thing, entirely. Identifying with the game is a two-step exercise:

Step One Requirements:

1. Your first concern must always be giving the necessary attention to optimizing the quality of your golf game because this is the only way you will be comfortable playing golf in the “mainstream arena” before the world. This nets down to taking golf lessons, practicing on the range and practice putting green to the degree necessary and, of course, playing enough golf.

2. It is important to understand that how well you score is far less important than playing the game comfortably within the accepted norms of the players’ community; i.e., at a good pace, within your game’s limits, by handling adversity well and by showing a respect for the Rules Of Golf.

3. Dress like a golfer and play with a set of modern age clubs and golf bag. Tired clubs and golf bags convey an image of indifference to the game.

4. Schedule your season long golf game into the mainstream arena via rounds with members of your governing boards and committees; playing a weekly game with your course players that would include informal course maintenance Q&A sessions before, during and after each round; participating in several weekly PGA ProAms a season with fellow course players; and scheduling post-season international golf trips with course officials/players as golf professionals often do – and more.

It is a well-accepted axiom that playing golf will provide insight into your and your fellow golfers’ personalities like no other way in life. Accordingly, use the opportunity of playing golf in the mainstream arena to show the world (and your club/course constituents) who and what you truly are. Best job security in the world.

5.   Always establish and maintain a USGA-based handicap via your course’s score reporting system by posting a minimum of 20 scores a year. There is no greater way to tell the world that you couldn’t care less about the game of golf than by failing to maintain an official handicap.

There is no hurry; take the time you need to effectively grow into and implement the above “player” qualifying recommendations. Once you have met the criteria, you will have earned the right to be considered a players’ player and all the otherwise not available career and life altering benefits associated with this status will begin to accrue to you.

…which will profile what further commitments will be required of you to assume, not just a membership in, but a leadership role in the Family of Golf…

For the moment, however, I leave you to speculate what specifically these job enhancing and securing benefits might be until next week’s blog message, which will profile what further and final commitments will be required of you to assume, not just a membership in, but a leadership role in the Family of Golf.