GCBAA FOUNDATION
Foundation Update
Tom Shapland GCBAA FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
The golf construction industry has certainly become more sophisticated in the 45 years since the first GCBAA meeting held in Washington DC. The initial meetings where vendors shared news of improved technologies and contractors told war stories of difficult projects have evolved into much more. Our gatherings, while continuing to nurture relationships, began to emphasize the importance of professional behavior and the science of running a successful business. In the midst of this transformation, some of the more prescient members realized that there was another responsibility that we, as a group, needed to address – how to give back to the game that provides us with so much and how the Association might nurture its growth. In response to that need, the Association established Sticks for Kids, and, in concert with that program, the GCBAA Foundation. I have recently been given the opportunity to serve as the next President of the Foundation, following the dedicated service of outgoing president Rick Lohman. It is an honor to follow in his footsteps, along with that of the late Brad Schmidt, Steve Shoemaker, and Bill Kubly. Due to the leadership of the past presidents and the organizational skills of Justin Apel, Samantha Huff and Lori Romano, the Foundation is structurally strong. Due to the support of the entire Association (particularly the GCBAA Board of Directors) and extraordinary fundraising efforts led by Dennis Wagner and Ellen Davis, the Foundation is financially sound.
BOARD MEMBERS MARK ARRIMOUR TOTAL TURF SERVICES JIMMY KIRCHDORFER ISCO INDUSTRIES BILL KUBLY LANDSCAPES UNLIMITED, LLC KUN LI FORWARD GROUP RICK LOHMAN THE TORO COMPANY RON STEPANEK COMMUNITY GOLF SERVICES DENNIS WAGNER HUNTER INDUSTRIES DOUG YORK EWING IRRIGATION
Our biggest challenge going forward is to find the most effective and efficient way of applying those assets to grow the game and further develop our industry. No organization in the game of golf has done a better job than your Foundation in minimizing the percentage of administrative costs related to the operation of its programs. We will continue to operate in this manner while, at the same time, expanding our charitable efforts. We will embark on this quest without the services of several people who have been instrumental in the success of the Foundation. Christine Faulks and Joe Di Rienzo are leaving the Board after years of yeoman service. Staff member Lori Romano is leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities. All will be missed. But we are pleased to be adding Jimmy Kirchdorfer of ISCO Industries and Doug York of Ewing Irrigation to the Foundation Board, both of whom will undoubtedly bring new ideas to our table. Ultimately, the Foundation and its programs belong to the members of the GCBAA. As such, we welcome input from anyone regarding how we might achieve our goals, whether through expansion of existing programs or completely new initiatives. I can be reached at tshapland@shaplandgolf.com and look forward to hearing from you. One last thought – we constantly push the idea that growth of the game is essential. The National Golf Foundation recently published a report that we are getting record numbers of people to try the game but still have a declining number of total rounds played. We need to take a personal responsibility in solving this problem. First, take time to play. Second, encourage someone to take up the game and take the time to play with them. Golf is the greatest game. Tom Shapland
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