Paul MacCormack
Fox Meadow Golf Course, Stratford, Prince Edward Island
Simplicity - We glimpsed how much fun less can be this season. Let's make it stick.
Sustainability - This pandemic offered us a view of what we need to make the game truly sustainable.
Fun - The game needs to just be more fun . . . period.
Connection - Value our ability to connect with others and never take it for granted.
Kindness - Don't have time for pettiness and meaningless debates. Just be kind.
Leasha Schwab
Pheasant Run Golf Club, Sharon, Ontario
Living wages for people starting out in the industry (ex. spray techs, AIT, second assistants, in some cases even assistants are very underpaid).
More in-depth learning opportunities. I feel we constantly review the same things in education.
People from clubs with lower budgets sitting on boards, winning awards, etc.
The public gaining an understanding about how valuable the greenspace of golf courses is.
More inclusive memberships, golf can be expensive to get into and it would be beneficial to have more flexibility for people just starting out.
Matthew Gourlay
Colbert Hills, Manhattan, Kansas
Robotic mowers.
Continued enthusiasm with play ... rounds up 50 million nationwide in 2020 vs. 2019.
Capital improvements for the course, maintenance facility, equipment, etc.
Understanding from members/golfers of the stresses of maintaining a golf course.
More Christmas wishes?
Laurie Bland
Miami Springs Golf Course, Miami Springs, Florida
I wish great health and well-being of all my family, staff, patrons, vendors and the public in general.
I wish that everyone gets to enjoy peace and balance into the new year in beyond, not just in their work life but their personal life too.
I hope that one day (in the near future) we will get to redo this historic golf course and celebrate its great history with the world.
I hope that the general public knows that golf courses here in Miami and around the world provide so much, not only the physical well-being but also the mental well-being. We must protect them!
I’m excited to see golf taking off again, seeing more new faces that are coming out to enjoy this great game. I hope more folks consider us in the municipal/public realm in the future.
Steven Neuliep
Etowah Valley Golf Club and Lodge, Etowah, North Carolina
Good mental and physical health for staff and golfers.
Better work life balance for management level employees.
Golfer expectations better matching resources provided by the facility.
Continued innovations of products required to properly maintain a golf course (Ex. chemical control products, g.c. supplies and equipment advances).
Get turf professionals to gravitate toward non-agronomic/ scientific educational offerings. Things like: financial management, personnel management, retirement planning and mental and physical health education!! Taking these will make us all more well rounded and also allow us to be better at our profession.
John Kaminski
Penn State University
Confirmation this month that I'm 2.5 years cancer free so I can get back to playing more golf as I did in 2020.
COVID Vaccine shots - ready to get back to teaching and traveling and visiting my students on their golf course internships in 2021.
Golf outings to continue to go up post COVID. COVID was actually good for much of golf and I hope this trend continues after we get back to "normal".
Economy to remain strong and improve. So golf projects and restorations continue to expand.
Courses to continue to recognize the shortage of qualified labor. We seem to be seeing an uptick in requests for information and applications as superintendents are once again recommending this as a good career for people. The future looks really good for young people wanting to go to school for turfgrass science.
Anthony Williams
TPC Four Seasons, Irving, Texas
That the boom in golf rounds played in 2020 would translate directly into bigger maintenance budgets in 2021.
For superintendents and their staffs to come out of the shadows and walk in the light of the game they make possible. Teach and tell everyone (start with the person in the mirror) the realities of how golf operations really work and how tough it is to craft great playing conditions with limited resources at every level of the industry. However, don’t forget to tell how great it is when it all comes together!
For all of the organizations that sponsor events and education for the golf industry to feel like they got more than their money’s worth this year and continue to invest in the human assets that will steward golf today and in the future. That would be truly visionary and help heal many of 2020’s wounds.
For everyone to reach their next level of aspiration. Where ever you are in this great industry, be it an intern/apprentice, irrigation/spray tech, equipment manager, assistant superintendent, superintendent or director of agronomy no matter the position; I wish that you reach your next level of opportunity this Christmas. If we are all growing it will be difficult for our industry to fail so help someone move forward.
That everyone who is fighting a personal battle no matter the foe (depression, finances, faith, substances, weight, health, grief etc.) will find some measure of peace. Give the gift of kindness to yourself and others this Christmas.
Mike Fidanza
Penn State University
Time to read those turf articles we've been meaning to get to, or better yet, read a good book outside of turf.
Time to watch those TurfNET webinars we've been meaning to get to.
Time to teach and mentor our younger members of the industry.
More time to spend with family and friends to clear our minds and alleviate stress.
We should all make the time to visit Damon DiGiorgio and Pinki at Playa Grande in the Dominican Republic!
Nate McKinniss
Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio
Safety/health - that employees remain free of any accident or illness.
Timely rains - to minimize the long summertime dry spells while refraining from excessive moisture.
Budget increases - especially for smaller clubs with high golfer demands.
Growing interest in turf from younger generations and women, too.
Work hard, live harder - that people can spend more quality time with family and friends; in addition, enjoying their interests and hobbies more often.