During the week of the U.S. Open, leaders from the GCSAA and Wisconsin GCSA took advantage and got together to discuss matters related to the industry. Present at the meeting were: Jon Canavan, WGCSA president, Josh Lepine, CGCS, WGCSA vice president, Jeff Barlow, CGCS, WGCSA treasurer, Mike Bremmer, WGCSA director, Brian Bonlender, WGCSA director, Rob Johnson, WGCSA vendor representative, Brett Grams, WGCSA executive director, Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO, Darren Davis, CGCS, GCSAA vice president, Rafael Barajas, CGCS, GCSAA Secretary/Treasurer, John Fulling, CGCS, GCSAA director and Shane Conroy, GCSAA field staff. Mike Bremmer hosted the meeting at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee.
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| Mike Bremmer and The Wisconsin Club hosted the day's events. |
During the meeting, a variety of pertinent issues were addressed, including the GCSAA’s current key initiatives, which include:
- State-wide Best Management Practices implementation
- Government Affairs
- Professional development
- Recognition and promotion of profession
The Wisconsin GCSA key initiatives were also discussed which, coincide with some of GCSAA’s initiatives and include:
- Execution of Best Management Practices
- Continual chapter growth
- Continue to produce quality chapter events and education
This meeting provided an exceptional opportunity to gather information on what is being done at the local and national levels to continue to elevate our profession for both parties. One area of focus was Best Management Practices implementation strategies and approaches. Utilizing tactics and information from states who have previously implemented BMPs, such as Michigan and Florida, the group was able to discuss a variety of developmental approaches.
Growth as a chapter was also addressed. Constantly working to advance the profession and serve members, WGCSA President Jon Canavan brought up a variety of areas where the chapter has discussed growth programs and initiatives. With GCSAA representatives able to offer feedback and guidance, as well as take information back to headquarters, there was a lively discussion on remaining vigilant as an association to continue to grow the profession and association.
The group also used this time to discuss the labor issue in our industry. Finding talent at multiple levels in our industry is not a problem exclusive to Wisconsin, it's a national problem. This is being addressed at every level to ensure there is steady talent entering our industry. Currently, GCSAA is working with various allied associations in an effort to expose more individuals at every age to the career opportunities which exist in our great profession. There is also an immediate concern to produce individuals in golf turfgrass management. With this immediate concern, programs and initiatives are being addressed with specific allied associations and firms, which were discussed with the group.
Being able to conduct these intelligence gathering meetings offers great value to all involved. I know I can speak for each GCSAA representative and say the meeting produced both immediate, and long-term results, as well as valuable information each one of us can use to improve the industry. I want to thank each individual for taking the time out of their schedules to attend and offer input at this meeting. I'd like to thank Mike Bremmer for hosting at his beautiful facility, as well. I'm appreciative of the WGCSA board, and members for continuing to elevate not only our industry but all of golf. With such a successful month of June in the international golf spotlight, all the credit to Erin Hills superintendent and 14-year GCSAA member Zach Reineking and Thornberry Creek at Oneida superintendent and 30-year GCSAA member Steve Archibald as well as everyone on their crews for showcasing to the world how Wisconsin does golf.
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