This is the third blog message I have dedicated to the subject of maintenance facility law and order within the past two months. (See Tips # 3 and #6 within the sidebar archive.) Why have I made this ongoing commitment to this one subject – because I firmly believe that what you see in the maintenance facility is what you will get on the golf course. In today’s difficult economy where employers will continue looking to replace higher with lower salaries for some time to come, a loosely maintained facility will too often become the final straw that will cost many unsuspecting superintendents their jobs.

To successfully address this job-threatening challenge, a repeating mechanism is needed that would both educate the remaining uninitiated (yes – still in the majority) and remind those who have recently seen the “light” to stay the course.

…an annual chapter-based contest to identify “The Best Managed Maintenance Facility Of The Year” would effectively help to realize these two educational goals…

Accordingly, I suggest that the concept of an annual chapter-based contest to identify “The Best Managed Maintenance Facility Of The Year” would effectively help to realize these two educational goals. The recommended guidelines that would be used to conduct these yearly contests follow:

1.   A “Maintenance Facility Guidance Committee” would initially be formed within each chapter to define contest rules and regulations. Once formed, this Committee would also be asked to promote the annual contest and the concept of sound maintenance facility structure throughout the chapter membership.

2.   The contest would be open only to clubs/courses with working superintendents who are chapter members. Golf course superintendents wishing to have their courses participate in this contest would submit the applications for their respective clubs/courses to the chapter secretary.

3.    Judging panels would be appointed by chapter Boards that would consist of a combination of +/- three members selected from the following: former chapter presidents, retired member golf course superintendents and at least one mandatory company sales rep because they visit maintenance facilities every week.

4. It will be important to announce, manage and conclude the contest within a workable annual schedule. Click here to see a suggested model contest schedule.

5.   To insure the contest would receive the serious attention it would need to realize its stated educational goals – the awards to be given to contest winners must appeal to the mass of chapter members. Click here to see a suggested “awards” program.

Certainly, chapters are invited to fine-tune the above listed contest guidelines to better suit their separate needs.

No longer will the sloppy maintenance facilities of some drag down the professional image of many…

Effective “Best Managed Maintenance Facility Of The Year” contests will sustain an important educational process, enlighten the golfing public, save superintendents jobs and elevate the image of an entire profession. No longer will the sloppy maintenance facilities of some drag down the professional image of many.