Presidential Perspective by Jake Schmitz, Superintendent at Olympic Hills Golf Club I recently had the opportunity to attend a gathering put on by an affiliate member of the MGCSA. A good portion of the program included discussion on challenges faced by the golf industry today, and at the top of the conversation were issues with water and dealing with an inadequate labor supply. Both superintendents and general managers voiced their concerns with water regulations and restrictions, something that everyone agreed was inevitable in our industry. Of course, the challenges associated with labor today did not take much of a back seat either. From across the country, comments included the inability
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to find anyone ‘to do the work’, and then figuring out ways to retain employees, should you be able to find them. Unanimously, the group cited their frustration with good employees that leave the job for $0.25 at another venue. Having been able to participate in a group setting such as this, it was good to know that Minnesota is not alone when it comes to these challenges. I guess misery loves company! Near the end of the meeting, a little over an hour of time was dedicated to a short seminar on leadership. The overall format of our time spent with the affiliate company was quite interesting, in that time was spent touring facilities, engaging in conversations regarding product performance, and then discussing challenges that