The "next level"

[Ray Richard]

We have a couple of high end private courses in the Northeast that recently removed their longtime superintendents. The reason for the change is a desire to "take it to the next level".

What's the term "next level" golf course conditioning mean to you?

[PThomas]

We have a couple of high end private courses in the Northeast that recently removed their longtime superintendents. The reason for the change is a desire to "take it to the next level".

What's the term "next level" golf course conditioning mean to you?

how were the conditions at the courses Ray?  

if they were good already, I wonder what the courses are looking for

[tlavin]

I'm sure it can be meaningless, but if you choose to take a positive spin on it, the "next level" should mean consistency in the condition of the golf course.  It should mean a repeatable method of maintenance that results in good playable conditions.  It should mean avoidance of recurring problems at the same time of the year under the former superintendent that were not explained in a satisfactory manner.  It should mean that people in the know recognize a marked difference in the appearance and playability of your golf course and that it gets considered to host events.  Most of all, it should represent the hiring of a person who seems at home with the course and the membership (if it's a private club) and who seems like he's going to be there for a long time.

[JohnV]

A superintendent I know said that he was starting to hear that phrase around his club.  Figuring that it is usually code words, for "getting a new superintendent", he beat them to the punch.  He prepared a presentation for the board on all the equipment and staff that he felt he would need to get the course "to the next level" and will present it a budget time.

His feeling was that by bringing the topic up instead of waiting for them to do so and by presenting the board with a plan on how to do it, he would save his job and get some needed equipment.

Yet to see how it works.  Hopefully it does as he is a very good superintendent.

[Tom_Doak]

Ray:

I know a couple of other "old guard" guys who quit when they heard their members using that same term.  They believe that today's members want consistent tournament conditions 365 days a year and that it's just not possible to accomplish.  But they know there are plenty of young turf professionals out there who will promise these conditions and provide them -- until the greens all die on them in the first tough summer.

[JC Jones]

Ray:

I know a couple of other "old guard" guys who quit when they heard their members using that same term.  They believe that today's members want consistent tournament conditions 365 days a year and that it's just not possible to accomplish.  But they know there are plenty of young turf professionals out there who will promise these conditions and provide them -- until the greens all die on them in the first tough summer.

The question is, how many clubs in Michigan are buying the promise of tournament conditions 365 days a year?

[Ray Richard]

Paul T-the two courses had very good conditions. Both supers had been at their clubs for over 10 years.

John V- a great point-I know think its a subtle way of saying to a super "reinvent yourself" before its too late. Some supers could use an agronomic and public relations makeover after 4-5 years in the business.

Tom D- You bring up an interesting point about supers-it is essentially an unachievable goal keeping tournament conditions 365 days a year, with nature and member interference with management plans. We also have had our share of young arrogant supers taking over private clubs and crashing in flames within a year. Those old supers do know all the tricks of the trade.

JC- Anybody who promises Augusta National every day is doomed to fail.

  I had a veteran super tell me " I leave each club job after five years, the members either hate you or they are sick of looking at you".

[Scott Witter]

Ray:

I know the two clubs of which you speak and both are cared for VERY WELL...it is simply a waste of energy to think that they 'need' to go to the next level.   I hope the superintendents land on their feet okay.  Whether or not many see it coming, it can be a tough pill to swallow when it actually happens, especially to a vet who knows what they are doing.

[Peter Zarlengo]

Sounds kinda like, "its not you its me"  

[Ed_Baker]

Ray,

The "next level" huh? I know the two courses you are speaking of, how high do they want the bar, the moon??
Just silly in my opinion.

BTW, are you playing in the McCracken Cup?

Terry Lavin, an excellent post, and if you ever want to move to the Boston area I would love to have you as our Green Chairman.

[Ray Richard]

Ed, The player in the McCracken Cup is my cousin, we have the same name, both are in golf biz, live in the same town, and our wives have the same name. Needless to say we have had about 300 occasions when the two of us are confused. All I can say my cousin soundly defeats me every time we play golf.

[John Gosselin]

.............desire to "take it to the next level."





What is the next level? 2ft....3ft...Boy that is going to take a lot of top soil.

[David Schofield]

"Take it to the next level" sounds like "It's not you it's me" for those of you who remember getting dumped in high school...