Looking back and moving forward

As we head into a new year, I want to take a few minutes and reflect on some accomplishments in 2013. During this past year GCSAA was able to fill the remainder of the field staff positions. Chase Rogan joined the team in the Mid-Atlantic Region and Ron Wright became the field staff representative in the Southeast. These additions has allowed GCSAA to deliver a consistent message to all of its members, and receive direct feedback from members in the United States and Ontario, Canada.

Rounds for Research had a very successful year, raising over $150,000 to help chapters fund research, education, scholarships and advocacy efforts. In 2014, our goal is to have at least 10 rounds donated from each chapter and dramatically increase the amount GCSAA gives back to chapters. There has also been a rise in donations from individual members to the EIFG, making it easier for GCSAA to approach major donors and show them how important the EIFG is to its membership. It would be great if every member could donate a little to the EIFG in 2014.

On a personal note, I was able to help a number of chapters in the great lakes region and help set direction for the future by directing them through the strategic planning process. I was also able to help many individual superintendents who reached out to me to assist them with their membership questions; it is always satisfying when you can work with golf course superintendents and help them resolve issues. I hope that everyone has a very enjoyable holiday Season and I look forward to seeing you all in 2014!

December Events

Here in the Great Lakes Region, cold weather and snow have come in reminding us that Mother Nature is still in charge. Many superintendents and their staffs are finishing up blowing out irrigation systems and trying to get their snow mold protection out. Once those jobs are completed the work turns to winter projects and preparing the equipment for the upcoming season. Education season is also starting and with it the chance for superintendents to do some networking with colleagues and get updated on the latest trends in the industry. I will be hosting a booth at the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Conference and Show in Columbus, Ohio, from December 3-5 and attending the Wisconsin Golf Turf Symposium December 10-11. This is a great opportunity for superintendents to get pesticide applicator points, as well as GCSAA education credits. These credits will help you in your endeavors to maintain or obtain you GCSAA class A status as well as count toward obtaining or renewing your certification.

I look forward to talking with superintendents and industry partners at these events and seeing how GCSAA can better serve it members. This holiday season please remember those who have been affected by recent tornadoes and storms here in the Great Lakes Region. Natural disasters like these bring out the best in golf course superintendents as they band together to help their fellow superintendents and those in their communities.

November Update

Welcome to November! The seasons have definitely changed here in the Great Lakes Region. There is a hint of winter in some areas while others are still in early fall. Many superintendents are preparing their irrigation systems for winter as well as preparing their courses for winter diseases. GCSAA and I are preparing for the "education season". There are a lot of things going on in the region this month and early next month. I will be attending events for the Greater Cincinnati Chapter, the TriState Chapter and the Indiana Golf Course Owner's Association. I will be speaking at the Central Illinois Chapter education session on November 11, and I will be speaking at the Southern Illinois Chapter education event on November 12. On November 14, I will be at the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents Turf Clinic at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club, where Chava McKeel, GCSAA's government relations expert, will be addressing the group. The first week of December will find me at the Ohio Turfgrass Conference and on December 10-11, I will be at the Wisconsin Golf Turf Symposium.

Don't forget the OSHA Training Deadline for having everyone trained who handles any product that requires an MSDS sheet is December 1, 2013. Information including a webinar is available at www.gcsaa.org/course. Thanks again for looking and I encourage you to use the regional forums. I hope to see you at an event soon!

Welcome to the Great Lakes page

I would like to welcome you to the new webpage for the Great Lakes region. Here you'll find news and resources relevant to Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

In this blog, I'll provide regular updates about what is going on in our region and with our 20 chapters. I'll also share event information, and hopefully members will be able to reach across the chapter boundaries and attend events of interest near them.

In addition, this page includes a link to the regional forums, where you can post a question or comment for those in your area to answer or discuss. You'll also find the latest GCSAA TV videos, as well as videos selected for their regional content.

Each GCSAA region has their own webpage with the field representatives's blog, so feel free to visit all of the regions to get a peek at what's happening across the country. I encourage you to provide feedback in the comment area or email me at jmiller@gcsaa.org to let me know how you like the site or to provide suggestions about content you would like added. I look forward to seeing you at a meeting or event soon.