The SuperNews OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIO GRANDE GCSA
President’s Message Letting Go The 2018 season is rolling along with our March meeting just around the corner. I am very grateful to have been elected to a second term as President of the Rio Grande Superintendents Association. The experience has been an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. At times it can be stressful, but what better way to learn than to get out of your comfort zone.
President Matt Urban Vice President Jimmy Rodriguez Secretary / Treasurer Matt Hughes Board of Directors: Matthew Allen Roy Johnson Paul Kerr Caleb Buckley (Past Pres.) Vendor Representative Bryan Klock Chapter Executive Carol Cloud
GCSAA Field Rep John Walker
Here at Artesia Country Club each employee has a specific set of skills which we utilize and develop on a daily basis. When appropriate, we ask that employees step out of their comfort zone and try something they may not be familiar with. Everyone knows what their specific role is in the operation, but to create a well-rounded crew on a tight budget, I believe it is a must to cross train. An operator may step off the mower to level a few heads at the end of the day. Subsequently you may discover he has a heightened interest in irrigation work. An assistant who is unfamiliar with tracking and planning could be put in charge of the labor budget for the year. He may be a great administrator, but you would never realize it if you didn’t give him the chance. All of this takes a little bit of “letting go” by us as leaders. In the beginning of my career and up to recently I always felt that I had to do everything and be in control of all situations. I made a special effort at the end of last season to “let go” a little more and put my trust in the people I hired to do the job. Sure, it can be frustrating at times and most definitely requires more time and training, but that is our job!!! Over the last few months, my stress levels have decreased dramatically and the staff has become much more attentive and productive. Let’s face it, there is only so much of us to go around. Success does not come without mistakes being made along the way.
In the first term as President of this association, I was surrounded by talented, dedicated, and passionate people serving with me on the Board. I leaned heavily on them to help run the association and there is no way this could be done without their help, the support of our membership, and the great sponsors of the RGGCSA. Without letting go and trusting in my fellow superintendents, vendors, and our wonderful Executive Director Carol Cloud, 2017 would have been a rough one. The Board and I are excited to work together in 2018 to provide the members of the RGGCSA with networking and support. Without the generosity of our great sponsors none of this would be possible! We will be working to grow turf industry in New Mexico and El Paso by using our valuable resources to address the more pressing problems like our dwindling pool of assistants in the region. We are also working toward cultivating relationships with the Sun Country, Southwest Turf, and our Universities to help achieve our goals. Again, I appreciate the opportunity to serve. We welcome feedback and suggestions from all our members and hope to see you at all the meetings!
Matt Urban RGGCSA President