Equipment Managers, GCSAA, and
The Golf Industry Show
BY: SAM HOLYSZ EQUIPMENT MANAGER AT GULL LAKE C.C.
A
s an equipment manager I am a tool-centric kind of guy. I am always on the look out for new tools, methods, ideas, and continuing education. I have become part of some very cool networks within the golf industry and it is great to have growing support and ever-increasing opportunities in front of me. In 2015 GCSAA absorbed the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association (IGCEMA) and introduced the Equipment Manager classification for membership. The GCSAA President in 2015, John J O’Keefe CGCS said at the time “We recognize that equipment managers are an integral part of our membership and a vital part of the successful golf course management team.” He followed with “We hope all facilities will encourage their equipment managers to become a valuable part of the association.” This EM classification has opened up many learning and networking opportunities both on the national level and within our local associations. Gaining access to some amazing resources from online learning tools and education, to career resources, even a certification program. The Job board, membership directory, and an opportunity to become part of the GCSAA Equipment Manager Task Group are a few more benefits. One other benefit that changed my path within this amazing industry was a complimentary one time full-package registration to the Golf Industry Show (GIS). This afforded me the opportunity to attend GIS18 in San Antonio. It was an eyeopening experience to say the least, the education being offered, the networking opportunities I had, and experiencing the trade show floor, wow. After that experience I decided I wanted to help grow EM education and take on a bigger roll in our industry. This evolved into writing an article in Course Conditions, presenting at GIS19 in San Diego, joining MiGCSA’s equipment managers committee, and presenting again at GIS20 in Orlando. I want to share with you what I have seen at GIS as an EM.
Education:
Over the last three years I have seen a steady growth in educational opportunities focused on the equipment manager. The paid seminars are a great opportunity to learn and to network, but the free session education is taking off. The shorter format of the free session seems to have reduced conflicting classes and having to miss one because you had to be to another. These sessions have also encouraged more and broader topics to take hold. This in no way diminishes paid seminars like Jim Nedin’s understanding mowing technology and its effects on quality of cut and after cut appearance, probably the best paid class I have attended to this date.
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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
