From the MAGCSA President

This year marks my 26th year in the turf industry. It’s hard to believe that I have been in the business for a quarter of a century. During this period, I worked up North just outside of Buffalo, out West in Las Vegas, in the Southeast in Charlotte and now the Mid-South in Memphis. Heading into each market, apart from Buffalo where I grew up, I knew nobody working in turf nor did I know any of the vendors. The one resource that I did have was the local turf association in each of these markets.

The local turfgrass association is one of the best, if not the best turf resource we have. I have been involved with locals for 21 years and I wouldn’t be where I am today without my involvement in each chapter. I began my involvement with a local association in Charlotte in the early 2000’s just by joining and attending events and seminars. I consider myself an introvert, but being paired with others, golfing or sitting next to someone during a seminar, forced me to be open and talk. I soon realized that I had established a number of business and personal relationships within the Charlotte turf industry in a relatively short period. From the turf side, the contacts I have made within my peer group are invaluable. I know that if I have a turf issue I can call or text any of my peers and they will offer insight and guidance, and chances are someone has either dealt with the same issue or knows how to manage the situation.

Additionally, getting out to visit and play other golf courses in your market is a great benchmarking tool, I cannot count how many ideas I have incorporated into the courses I have worked at because of something I’ve seen while attending an event at another golf course, clubhouse, golf shop, or in the Agronomy facility that the Superintendent was willing to share with me. In all the markets I have been involved with there is always one constant, the comradery between turf professionals and vendors at the local level. The fact that we are all competing for the same customers and the same dollars and yet nearly every turf professional I have ever met is willing to share ideas and help with issues says a lot about the professionalism within our turf industry, and for me that all starts with the local associations. When I speak with interns and assistants in the business I am often asked what advice I have to share, my answer is always the same, join your local turf association and get involved, whether you are just attending the events, host an event or are involved with the executive committees, it’s the absolute best way to make contacts and get your name out within the industry. Having a large web of contacts is one of my greatest assets, not to mention the friends I have made along the way.

The MAGCSA would like to thank Andrew Foster for volunteering his time and energy the last two years as our President. I would also like to thank the current Board of Directors; Nick Bisanz, Michael Rosamond and Stephen Cox. I am very much looking forward to working with everyone over the next two years. The MAGCSA will kick the year off as we normally do with a shrimp and crawfish boil in March at TPC Southwind hosted by Golf Course Superintendent Nick Bisanz.

2022 MAGCSA President