The theme of my August 27th blog, entitled “Order Over Disorder,” addressed the necessity of managing your maintenance facility in an orderly manner. Because several insightful comments were received after that post was supplanted by a new one, I have decided to repeat some of these comments (in abridged form) below:

A good mechanic sets the tone for a tidy shop but that’s only the beginning…

Gordon Witteveen (retired 45-year superintendent and author, Toronto, Ontario)

“Jim: My wife and I visit more maintenance buildings than a USGA agronomist. At some I won’t even let her out of the car, never mind use the washroom! A good mechanic sets the tone for a tidy shop but that’s only the beginning…  Invariably, a messy maintenance building is reflected on the golf course.”

John Cummings, CGCS (Charleston, WV)

“Jim, I’ve had the experience of working out of six maintenance facilities in my 30+ year career…  You are correct, having an organized shop definitely carries over to the course…  It always made me feel good when the shop was presentable for visitors whether it be a sales rep or a member”

The attitude of the employee that is forged in the maintenance facility will usually be carried onto the golf course…

Tyler Minamyer: (Cahoon Plantation, Chesapeake, VA)

“Jim: We could not agree with you more… we take our responsibility to maintain a neat and orderly shop seriously. Not only is it a reflection of the overall operation which often carries to work on the course, but we see it as proper management of our… owner’s assets.”

Tim Hiers, CGCS: (The Old Collier Golf Club, Naples, FL)

“Jim:  …you could eat off the floor, the walls and the ceiling of the late Bill Wagner’s (Tequesta Country Club in Tequesta, Florida) maintenance building; (yet) he did not have a big budget but felt that cleanliness and organization in the maintenance facility would carry on to the golf course and its daily operations… The attitude of the employee that is forged in the maintenance facility will usually be carried onto the golf course. It would be interesting to compare workers comp cost with clean facilities versus unkempt facilities.”

The following photographs were taken of Tim Hiers’ maintenance facility at Old Collier:

Can there be any doubt that the commitment to organization and detail as shown in the above pictures would carry over to the care of the golf course? Yes, it is easier to organize newer and larger facilities; but – a fresh coat of paint, discipline and solid planning can accomplish a lot. Think of this as job insurance. Go for it.

Summary Observations:

It should be clear that there is an irrefutable close correlation between crew performance throughout the maintenance facility and throughout the golf course. You can be sure that employers see this in today’s difficult economy. Tighten up the ship, or you might be shipping out.