It’s time to get buzzed about 2016

Golf is great. Three simple words that can influence the way we feel about the sport, our jobs and the future. Can’t you feel the buzz? Take the Official World Golf Ranking for example. Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson make up the top five. Add two more Americans and the top 10 is loaded… USA, USA, USA!

Golf will be on display this year like it hasn’t been in quite some time. In a seven-week period we will have three majors and an Olympic Championship. That’s right. Golf is back in the Olympics for the first time since 1904. Oh, yeah… it’s a Ryder Cup year, too!

Consider the golf courses for these events: The Masters at Augusta National, the U.S. Open at Oakmont, the PGA Championship at Baltusrol and the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National. On top of that, we will be the first in several generations to see golf in the Olympics, and the course wasn’t without some controversy. I’m sure we’ll hear about it.

The top players in the world will showcase their skills at all these events. At each one, there also is a superintendent-led staff and volunteers ready to showcase their abilities.

Not just majors, but all the PGA Tour events, Web.Com, USGA events, European Tour… you get me, right? Not just the professional tours, but everywhere.

The best in the world rely on golf course superintendents and their staffs to produce the playing surfaces they need to win. That simple. Same with my club and your club. We’re relied upon to provide appropriate conditions.

I listen to my members talk about this upcoming golf year. They’re buzzing about the same things. Upcoming events are filling up fast at the club. This time of year in southern Florida there is a lot of golf being played. The pressure is on to deliver the conditions members expect.

At every superintendents meeting I attend, the talk always turns to the game (after the El Niño discussion). There is a buzz at these meetings just about playing this month’s course or next month’s site.

The GCSAA Championship was also on a lot of superintendent’s minds. There was buzzing going on about San Diego. It’s a shame everyone can’t go to this event. No matter where it is, it’s always buzzing there.

Golf course construction is back to buzzing, too. Contractors are busy. This is good. Many clubs in our area have been planning and waiting for the right time to do this work. Clubs are opening their doors to reciprocate with each other.

Think of the trickle-down effect in our business. Equipment rentals, pipe and irrigation, grass, sand, you name it… buzzing.

How about you? Are you buzzing about 2016? You should be interested and invested in golf. This is a good year to do it. Go to a golf tournament. Any level works, even if it’s where you work.

Play in a golf tournament. “Whoa, stop right there,” you say, but the next local chapter event works just fine. Trust me, your local chapter will love to see you. Or maybe go to a local scramble at your church, or one that raises money for a good cause. Golf leagues are everywhere, and many are nine-hole events. Dust off those clubs.

Volunteer at a golf tournament. One tip here: Stick to what you do best. Don’t get into transportation, food services or anything like that. Anything that keeps you near the action or gives you access inside the ropes will do just fine.

Find a way to get involved in a different way this year. Plan ahead, involve your family and friends. This will be a great year for golf and golf course superintendents. Get involved, help grow the game. Get the buzz.

Now if I could only get buzzed about the elections.