Kris and Ray,
Thanks for the great feedback. I must be a little too young to be feeling as much negative karma from the superintendent experience, but I've definetely seen in my mentors many of the things you two describe. The state of golf right now affects everyone, and I honestly think that besides club owners, many of whom are struggling to just break even so we can keep our jobs, the pressure on the superintendents is the next highest in the industry because everyone is looking to them to keep their course alive (literally and figuratively).
Kris-
I agree with you 100% about the need to get back to more of a "grassroots" approach and to not be afraid to get dirty. I participated in the NCGA Supt Intern program and that 1 1/2 years has instilled that in me more than anything. I was in a somewhat in a position of leadership compared to the normal greenskeeper, but I performed ALL their jobs, I dug ditches with them, laid sod, mowed greens, tried to best the set-up guys best time for completing all 18 holes, etc. And I know now even as an assistant that I get more respect from all the crews I work with (1) because I speak the language very well and (2) because while I mostly send them off on jobs and supervise, I still am able to jump in enough to get dirty and sweaty and show them I not only know what needs to be done but that I know HOW to do it as well. However my question to you and any super is that given how much courses are evolving and the super position becomes more of a business manager, required to create more accurate records and budgets and SOPs and business plans, participate in every meeting at the club, give facetime to the members and plan major remodels and restorations at most clubs, how can we hold on to being able to "get dirty" without having to relinquish those jobs to assistants because we simply don't have time anymore after being buried under paperwork?
Rich -
You draw a very accurate picture of what I have observed with my bosses and during greens committee meetings. However, I constantly remind myself that as a super, the only thing I can think to do it is use the power of the majority. You're right, the real majority probably don't care or have much of an opinion about what the 1% wants to do or change, so they won't be of much help. But I do believe at most courses there tends to be a group larger than 1% that are BEHIND the super and acknowledge him as the expert and would prefer to let him make those important decisions and not a few of their fellow golfers. From your experiences, do you really think it is that difficult for a super to try to get that supportive small majority more involved and vocal so as to at the very least outnumber if not overwhelm the 1% that constantly give us headaches?