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.

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?