Mike,
The NGCOA fulfills a couple of necessary roles that the other organizations do not. I know you realize that without owners there are no courses so please don't think I'm trying to be cute in my response. It is not my intent. Just as the GCSAA, the PGA, and CMAA attempt, in their best uses, to aid in solving the problems of their constituents. The NGCOA seeks to aid in suporting issues that owners face on a daily basis. In my mind the primary issues are those of water regulation, seasonal wage issues, and one of the biggest line items on most courses budgets property tax and capital tax issues.
It seems to me that over the years to many external organizations have been courting all four of the organizations trying to sell this or that. Be it a new and inproved buying group, the latest and greatest piece of iron, new kitchen equipment etc. Further I would say, to their detriment, the employee membered organizations have spent too much time telling owners that only their respective memberships can perform duties of running selected sets of tasks for their businesses. Remember that the owners feel and those that sign the bank papers really feel that they are responsible for everything on their properties and to some extent probably are beginning to resent the implication that they are just lucky to have accomplished what they have done in their business lives and know little about their businesses. Owners also struggle with the notion that the variuos employee based organizations have been lobbied to make this or that deal with various vendors who inturn make contributions to employee based member organizations based retirement funds thereby putting employees in a conflict over purchasing choices.
One of the toughest things about our industry is that almost every single golf course business organization is as unique as the sites they sit on. For as much as all courses have in common, they are also very different.
As for the GIS I think it was one of the smartest things the GCSAA ever did. It opens the door for owners to see and appreciate what supers do and deal with. The best thing for most owners would be to sit through a seminar on turf disease, chemical standards and restrictions, alternative methods of conditioning and turf managment issues. This is a good thing. Its very hard to appreciate people for what they do if you have no idea what it is they do.
The management cmpanies are driveing the buying group concept a the little guys all want to get materials at their prices to be competetive, but this type of item is really secondary to the loobying arm owners need to exert influence on governmental issues and policies.
The existence of the multiple sub/employee organizations also leads many owners to having to deal with how the sub organizations pit themselves against each other, which is really sad when you think about it. That is just some of the perspectives in my circle of contacts and as we both know perception is reality. I'm glad to be amember of the NGCOA and in my case more importantly the MGCOA. Without their efforts or industry situation would be MUCH worese than it is now and I think things are tough enough as it is.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
JT