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Is the golf biz much different than show biz?

By |  February 18, 2016 0 Comments
Joel Jackson

Joel Jackson

Every day that I read The Los Angeles Times I’m reminded of the old entertainment saying that is the headline of this column. We’re deep into motion picture awards season, and not a single day passes without articles about all the nominations from all the motion picture guilds (Screen Actors, Screen Writers, etc.), the Golden Globes, and of course, the Academy Awards. The paper even has a separate weekly section called “The Envelope!”

Amid all this show biz publicity I came across articles warning eager Hollywood wannabes about disreputable talent agencies and some ads touting training programs promising insider knowledge and access to “the biz.”

According to LA Times reporter Daniel Miller, “There is a cottage industry of academies, workshops and conventions that promise actors insider knowledge… but industry experts caution that talent, luck and persistence are the key ingredients for making it in Hollywood.”

Talent, luck and persistence certainly are characteristics of successful people, and I began to wonder if the golf biz is that much different than show biz.

For example, each February we have our own awards show at GCSAA’s Golf Industry Show.

Our golf courses, the handiwork of superintendents and crew, are broadcast on television weekly around the world to cover the PGA Tour, and we have blockbusters like the Masters and the U.S. Open Championship.

Lights! Camera! Action! The actors are the superintendents, the crew and the golfers and green committee members. The general manger is the director, and the owners and/or equity members are the producers.

Technical support comes from equipment managers, suppliers, and vendors, who provide props like tractors, mowers, cup cutters, flagpoles, etc. The special effects team comprises the chemical and fertilizer suppliers who provide fertilizers, growth regulators, colorants and pesticides to maintain a good-looking set.

The writers include the superintendent, who drafts his new year’s budget and prepares committee reports, the assistant superintendent, who writes up the daily work assignments, and the admin assistant, who types invoices and attendance reports.

Working on location includes action at local chapter events and regional and national conferences. For instance, there was a cast of thousands on location for the production of February’s much anticipated and projected blockbuster, “The 2016 GIS” at the San Diego Convention Center.

Publicity was handled by the GCSAA and coverage was provided by various golf publications.

Becoming a superintendent is the dream of many people in our industry. Folks enroll in turf schools and pursue a bachelor’s degree in turf management. Others sign up for programs at junior colleges to earn an AA degree or turf certificate, and others pursue certification via online programs. Regardless of the academic path followed, the dreamers must have those three key attributes that Daniel Miller mentioned — talent, luck and persistence.

Having spent 24 years in the turf management field and 25 years writing about superintendents and their golf courses, I can tell you that the education pathway is a mulligan stew of all the above, plus the school of hard knocks on the job. Many in the industry have college degrees, just not in turf management per se.

Those blessed with a good — no, make that a great —work ethic, common sense, loyalty and a willingness to go the extra mile definitely have a leg up on the others.

You can display your talent and persistence at work every day, but how do you manage luck? There’s no formal rule for luck, but you definitely improve your chances by being seen beyond your own golf course.

That means joining the GCSAA and your local chapter, and if you’re already a member, going to meetings and volunteering for committees.

Finally, attend conferences like the GIS and make it a point to meet your peers from all areas in the industry. You never know when you might get that “lucky” break.

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