A lot of GC Supers have lost their jobs this year that didn’t deserve to. Brutal winter, weird spring and summer. You can be good at growing grass and have years you struggle due to weather. If you have a Super who has done well for 3 years, he doesn’t become bad overnight.
MY OBSERVATIONS...
Greens Chairman, Board Members and Club Presidents have done more damage to the golf course than 98% of Superintendents.
Why?
Bad decision making on what they want done, what are their priorities, when to do it and how to do it. Sorry, this had to be said.
I used to be confused how people who are successful enough to be members at a private club could be so terrible at helping to run the club business.
But I have grown to better understand the dynamic there. It is not their business, there is no incentive to be profitable especially in F&B. No one wants to be the guy who raised the prices for drinks or dinner. If the club struggles down the road it will not be their problem, they want to be popular or at least not be the scapegoat with their fellow members. They do not have to worry about the long term financial outlook for the club like they do for their own business. They are not reliant on the club to pay their bills and eventually retire.
There are a few rare exceptions where a club has a leader with the fortitude and foresight to make the hard decisions. But most are happy to kick the can down the road and not be the bad guy.
“Show me the incentive and I'll show you the outcome” -Charlie Munger
The green committee chair plays a key role in the success of golf course maintenance and a club as a whole. @BradleySKlein shares his tips for success in this important job including:
"Don't play armchair agronomist"
"Don't play armchair architect"
"Don't be afraid to say no"