In our modern world of performance measurement standards, quantifiable results and outcome-based incremental bonus/promotion charts, one thing remains as the key indicator of success:
Your truck.
While Jim McLoughlin's blog series was completed a short while ago, an additional thesis with an important message will be posted from time to time.
The following question relating to the career welfare of every golf course superintendent across the country has to be asked and should be addressed:
"Why have GCSAA Boards continuously failed to address the singular most important issue of their time? Namely, that it is time to liberate superintendents from the long-standing conundrum where
It's funny how our minds work. Sometimes the most innocuous thing can trigger a cascade of thought. Case in point: a few weeks back my neighbor told us he and his partner were going away on vacation and asked us to keep an eye on his house. He left us his keys and was off.
Now at any other time this would not warrant a blog post. Not much to see here. But when we hung up his keys it hit me immediately. My neighbor's key chain had the saying "Mind the Gap" on it. I have since found out that t
Aubrey McCormick is a great player, great person and champion of sustainability. Don't miss her refreshing take on the world of golf.
Join Aubrey and me as we talk about The Big Break, sustainable and green golf, golf's future and a ton of other things. You may not know Aubrey. You may know her as a player. But you are going to get to know someone who could very likely help shape our world by being a thought leader. And leading in thought these days means thinking. Not just "outside the box
Been wondering if it might be time to check out a career shift? Something different, like sales rep, or something easy . . . like golf pro?
Here's a short film to help you spot the warning signs that come from too much time in the saddle.
In this episode I Speak Frankly once again with Jim Koppenhaver, president and founder of Pellucid Golf. The lively conversation includes the recent Wall Street Journal article ("Americans Want to Play Golf... Until They Try It") citing NGF executive Joe Beditz; the PGA Junior League Golf; the Drive Chip and Putt Championship, and Jim's new venture with three other partners the Internet Golf Course Database and how superintendents can help influence ratings! Smart talk from leading thinkers, a
Many, if not most of us Green Industry professionals belong to professional associations or groups, and maintain professional certifications in those groups. In my case I am a Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist with International Society of Arborists (ISA), and a Certified Grounds Manager with Professional Grounds Managers Society (PGMS). I also participate in the Missouri Community Forestry Council (MCFC). We are also usually required to maintain licenses that give us credentials. Here in
Episode 20 of the TZP has me and Kevin Ross of Country Club of the Rockies doing an amazing jam session!
From Turf to Beer to Grilling to phases like "Boom Bah Baaaa", this episode has it all. Long time friends and co-conspirators, Kevin and I have history and passion. Makes for fun conversation and even wisdom! And while there is always fun, there is also some serious interesting conversation. Not to mention the agronomy of high altitude turfgrass management.
Take some time to get to k
Here is a remastered version of "The Rapid Deployment Irrigation Vehicle", a short training film guaranteed to help you get ready for summer.
This film stars Buddy, Dave, RW and several billion cicadas.
In the continuing saga of water management, once again I am Speaking Frankly with Mike Huck of Irrigation and Turf Services in CA. Mike and I continue a conversation we started last year about what we are learning from the California drought and how all golf turf managers can be better water managers as a result.
The first one to identify the subliminal message hidden in this film will win an autographed photo of Momma and her frying pan.
You can post your answer in the comment section, or if you don't want "others" to know you watch Rockbottum TV, use the TurfNet Private Message system in the upper right corner of the screen.
Alphabet Elitists attempting to maintain their anonymity should use their NSA connections to dig up my personal email.*
*Note: As always, do not use private email to s
Mark Hoban and Chris Cupit of Rivermont GC, will be hosting an Organics and Native Grasses Field Day on 19 July, 2016.
The "Mad Scientist" of Rivermont will reveal the results of his envelope-pushing research, as well as provide breakfast and lunch, supposedly of an organic nature. (No worms, however.)
Topics will include:
Biological trials on greens Compost trials (thermal and vermi) on fairways UGA fertilizer trials (organics, synthetics and inorganics) on fairways Native grasses
My guest in this episode of Frankly Speaking is Dana Lonn, PE, Managing Director of the Center for Advanced Turf Technology at The Toro Company. We discuss how the new technology in turf -- sensing, mowing, irrigation, energy/power sources -- will start driving demand and precision.
Turfgrass science from an engineer's perspective is the underlying premise of this discussion and as always "smart talk from leading thinkers" in the turf industry.
Frankly Speaking is presented by DryJect.
Irrigation can be a lot of things. But in a renovation and restoration situation, it can often be the most expensive and most complicated part of a project. But with the right focus and some good decision making, irrigation work doesn't have to be a nightmare.
Irrigation designer Larry Rodgers has had a great career. Working with over 680 facilities, he's seen it all. From the very top end to places no one has ever heard of, Larry has combined his love for irrigation, golf, travel and superi
My parents used to drill into my siblings and me, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything." I've taken that a step further lately with the adage, "If I don't have something meaningful to say, don't say anything." -- hence my hiatus from the Cheap Seats blog of late. But I'm back.
I was reading a book over the Easter weekend entitled When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. Not my usual reading fare (I lean toward murder mysteries, legal and police procedurals), but w
Over the course of the last several years I have covered different aspects of creating good career materials. From tips on resumes to hiring professionals to create your personal brand through websites and portfolios, we have covered a lot of material. And I intend to cover much more in the future.
However, I've never compiled any kind of resource to some basics on job applications - your cover letter, resume and references. So, here are some links to what I consider the baseline must-haves
A couple of weeks back, I was fortunate enough to make my way down to Cocoa Beach, Florida with my thirteen year old son Lucas. It was actually our first time in the southern US, and it was a great experience. Lucas is an avid bird watcher, so for him being in Florida in March is like being the proverbial kid in the candy store.
It was a great time to decompress and forget about the real world for a while, something that I am sure most of you can relate to. Being blessed with lots of time fo
For the first time ever, inside sources reveal who first coined the term, "Augusta Syndrome", and whether it is real . . . oh, and how to fix it if it actually exists.
Join me as I do some deep diving with Andy Staples, progressive golf course architect. From bluegrass to Holiday Inn Express. Nothing is off limits.
'Thoughtful' and 'thankful' are the theme words for this episode of the TZP!
Thoughtful ideas about golf design, resource management, work/life balance and many other things. Thankful for listeners, thinkers and new ideas in the golf business today. Andy Staples has a wonderful perspective on things. He's got that focus and drive that make h
Sustainability continues to be a hot topic in the Green Industry and here at Drury University. Every aspect of how we manage and maintain our landscapes is affected. I read about amazing things happening all the time and wonder what I can do? How can I share in all these amazing steps taking place on college campuses, golf courses, parks, businesses, etc.? I sometimes feel I am getting left behind. But sustainability is not only about liquid propane mowers, compost tea, and native plants. As I s
In this episode, I Speak Frankly with Doug Bechtel (Executive Director) and Tara Donadio IDirector of Cooperative Sanctuary Programs) from Audubon International about the changes going on the last few years at AI, including the development of programs beyond golf and the the role Audubon and other environmental programs can play in supporting the "greener" side of golf turf management
Progressive talk from intelligent professionals and always Frankly Speaking!
When Mike Maffei, CGCS, asked the TurfNet Forum about crew cell phone policy, some of the top minds in golf quickly answered.
However, sometimes it's necessary to get a second opinion.
Jason Haines is one of an emerging class of Superintendent who is making environmental and financial difference with his Agronomy.
His strongly scientific, minimalist approach isn't just because of his rather remote situation. It's because he's done the study about what is best for his facility and in turn his community.
Of the episodes I have done so far, this is certainly one of my very favorite discussions. Jason's style is not to hold back, which has endeared him to some people and
