Iowa Turfgrass Institute

Message From the Iowa Turfgrass Institute

Randy Robinson | Executive Director | Iowa Turfgrass Institute

Back in September, on the 14th to be exact, we celebrated “Thank a Superintendent Day” as an industry. Numerous emails and social media posts were found throughout the internet and it was a great sight to see. It got me thinking though, is that it….one day of thanks. Now, of course, I’m biased as a former Superintendent, and I think they deserve more. Most of them don’t do it for the thanks, the awards, the recognition. They do it because they love it. They do it for the game….they do it for you. They certainly deserve more than one day of thanks for that.

Here are some ideas for you that I got from the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association (GCSAA):

• Superintendents are usually at the course before sunrise, so help them get their day started right with coffee and donuts or any other breakfast items. Surprise them and show them how thankful you are. • If you aren’t an early riser, try lunchtime or at the end of the day. Pizza or a BBQ for the crew will certainly send a message of thanks and appreciation for all their hard work. • Are you a social media buff? Then get those tweets, insta’s, snaps, and whatever else is out there rolling and thank them publicly to the masses. • Sometimes it can be as simple as a thank you card left on the desk or sent in the mail. Hand-written notes will never go out of style, they mean more today than they did in the past. If you are really inclined, put a gift card in there for them or the crew. • The easiest way to thank them. Give them a wave, tell them in person, and respect what they are trying to do for you on the course.

This, by no means, was written to make anyone feel guilty. Simply some suggestions from someone who’s been there, done that, and had numerous members stop me or give me gifts throughout the year. It went a long way for me and it will for them, making them have a better day preparing the surface of our favorite game. It doesn’t have to cost money and it takes no time to do it, so join me in thanking all those unsung heroes of golf course maintenance.