The Future, The Past, The Present

 

This time of year brings about a time to be reflective on one's work and life. Immersed in the day to day grind of keeping the property at Glen Echo CC in the best possible shape during the main growing season, reflection gets put to the back burner until we get to the non growing months of winter. 

The Future

The past month or two I've reflected upon my career and the future here at Glen Echo. At the November Green Committee meeting I discussed with the committee a plan I envisioned for my future. Needless to say, these plans of course are at the discretion of my direct report General Manager Tim Grossman and the Board of Directors. Let's assume they continue to be for the most part pleased with me and our Grounds Department efforts. I discussed with the committee my desire to stay at Glen Echo until I reach full retirement. I enjoy the day to day grind of managing a course and everything that goes with it. I do not desire to find another type of green industry job selling or some other type of work. My intentions are to be at Glen Echo through the next three summers 2022, 2023, 2024 and then plan to retire by late fall/early winter of 2024 when my replacement has been chosen and is in place. Of course the particulars for this transition are a bit fuzzy but I believe a plan is important for all concerned.

In the meantime, we will put the pedal to the metal and continue at full speed. We have a great deal of  new projects that need to be accomplished to put the next Superintendent in position for success from an infrastructure standpoint.   

The Past

Since arriving at Glen Echo on August 18, 2008, there has been a tremendous amount of work completed on our beautiful property. From the first project documented, First Blog Post through 1146 posts later to this post. 

First and foremost, I wanted our membership to be the most informed and knowledgeable regarding what was taking place on their property. Ultimately the choice was theirs to read or not but I think I accomplished my goal in keeping our membership informed.

No doubt we've had some tough times on the business side but I take great pride in what work we have accomplished and the overwhelming support our department has received from our members and guests. Even during these most difficult times with the pandemic, a great future for our long standing club is happening as I type this message

The Present

There is a great deal of infrastructure work that is ongoing at Glen Echo. Old bones require rejuvenation and at times renovation. 

Probably most important is a Master Plan that is not Joe's plan but a plan that can be used as a guide for the future. A realistic document that prioritizes work, sets the financial requirements and lays out a plan for the future. This type of work does not come free and requires the input of a Course designer working in coordination with the grounds staff, Green Committee, Board of Directors and the Membership.

 From my perspective as course manager, there are key elements that should be a part of this discussion in no particular order of importance for this blog post; greens drainage, tee renovations, practice facilities, tree management plan, course drainage especially the 3, 4, 11, 12 ,13 corridor, lake dredging, maintenance facility renovations, bunker drainage and continued equipment replacement. Already a part of the discussion and in the plans are continued cart path renovations.

 On a personal note, I've joined a Weight Loss Challenge that came about on Twitter from a group of turf managers. We have some skin in the game but in the end for me its not about the cash. With my future lined out above, I need to make some physical changes for my current and future health. As you know I've been pretty active as a superintendent but the activity level can be affected by the dining table and some pretty horrible decisions being made in regards to what I put into my body..

I've decided to remove wheat from my diet which is a high impact on my current grazing habits. Of course with that comes the leaving behind of daily cookies, donuts, sandwiches, cakes, most pasta and pizza. I have medically controlled high blood pressure I've developed over the last few years and arthritis is beginning to say hello. My hope with increased exercise I can eliminate the high blood pressure and slow the effects that age and arthritis have on my body. My goal is to reach a weight of 170 pounds which I haven't seen  since 1999-2000. 

My Superintendent Challenge is for 8 and 12 weeks so hopefully the transition will happen throughout the winter and into the spring. The most important thing of course for me is to make this a permanent change in my life style.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to another year of making every attempt to kill as little grass as possible.  Happy New Year.