Ask any Superintendent, "What is the golf course's most important asset?" They probably won't say equipment or fertilizer, or even the irrigation system. The best Superintendents will tell you that their staff are their important asset. Without staff, good staff, happy staff; who will operate the equipment? Who will apply the fertilizer? Who will repair and maintain the irrigation system? The answer is simple: NO ONE. Your people are your most important asset.
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| The 3rd Green looking back down the fairway. Fall morning |
There are many different ways to manage a group of people. We find that a team atmosphere can be very effective. Working
together with trust and respect is a fundamental component of management
and success. This becomes even more crucial when staff numbers are below where they should be, and each team member is asked to do more than they previously had to do. Some people manage with fear
and demand respect. We use positive reinforcement and earn respect
mutually. Some people choose to cut staff hours and staff perks as it is
a high cost that is variable and easily reduced. While this can save money
in the very short term, it won't take long before staff becomes
displeased and productivity plunges along with morale. We try our best to be fair with our staff and focus more on rewards than discipline. When your job is
to create and maintain a 128 acre pristine product, your dollar definitely goes much much further with happy staff. I think as a team, we have certainly been able to achieve
a sense of trust and respect that has seen the conditions of the course
flourish.
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| 2014 Kamloops Golf and Country Club Turf Care Team |
If the golf course is the most
important asset to a Golf Club, and the people who maintain the course are the golf course's most
important asset, you must treat these people with the fairness and respect they
deserve. Otherwise your Club will not last long in this day and age.
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| Thompson-Shuswap Bronze Medallist Recipient |
The staff at our club have done an absolutely astounding job this year. I really can't thank them enough. Seriously guys and gals, if you read this, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Labour budgets over the last 3 years have been cut and cut and then cut some more, and all the while our staff has been asked to work harder and to do more with less. They have done more than that. They have done far more than just maintain the course to an acceptable level. Our Turf Care Team has went above and beyond this year... and our efforts have been noticed. The course was voted "Best Course in Kamloops" in the 2014 Kamloops This Week Readers Choice Awards. The course has also been recognized as being outstanding by the PGA of BC, receiving a 2014 Regional Bronze Medal as one of BC's Top Tracks, while it is also the first time in the Club's 100 year history to make it into these rankings. An award winning Turf Care Team. AWARD WINNING! Well done everyone!
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| 13th Green looking back down the fairway. Fall morning |
These awards have been echoed by our membership and greens fee'rs who have praised the course conditions all year. We hear positive comments on the course at least once a day, something that we are not used to in our line of work. While the compliments are much welcomed and reassuring of our success, we will continue to strive to become better. Although we have done very well this year, there is always room to improve. We will continue to raise our standards and goals as we prepare and plan for next year.
