Prime Source professionals share their thoughts on balancing course maintenance budget
You’re at the mercy of your climate and weather, labor shortages, increasing wages, unpredictable fuel costs, issues with water usage and so much more.
But contrary to the downward trends prior to the pandemic, the increase in rounds played and interest in the game puts us in a golf renaissance that looks positive throughout 2023 and beyond. However, that doesn’t make managing your course maintenance budget any easier.
In fact, it’s never been easy — so we visited with a few of the professionals from Prime Source about their past experiences as superintendents and thoughts on the delicate balance that budgeting requires.
Todd Deitz
Great Lakes Territory Manager
Don’t let the job overwhelm you. Just breathe. You learn you can only push Mother Nature so far and learn her limits. There are plenty of politics in course management. So, you listen, digest and implement a plan as to how you can accomplish the overall goal while maintaining the parameters of your budget. It’s always good to remember you don’t own the course but to treat it like it’s your own.
Mike Daugherty
Midwest Territory Manager
Learn how to talk to club members. They have a great appreciation for the game, but that doesn’t always translate to understanding how to get the course in top playing condition and keep it that way. In my 23 years as a superintendent, I believed strongly in taking the Greens committee on tours. Tour the shop and explain the equipment and upkeep. Go out on the course and show them what’s working or what needs improvement. Help them understand the impacts of wants versus needs as it relates to the budget.
Matt Wilkinson
Proprietary Products Manager
It’s important to realize the excuse of bad weather does not play. You’re hired to fix it with your given budget. It pays to remain flexible and figure out ways to alleviate financial challenges. We’re well-trained in the science of growing and maintaining the course, but people can overlook the value and importance of managing people. As a super, I found building coalitions and relationships helped everybody understand the nature of course management, along with its trials and tribulations — ranging from financial concerns to physical labor.
Justin Watts
National Accounts Manager
When you’re young and new on the job, you can fall into the trap of thinking you’re the expert. You quickly learn there’s a lot more you don’t know than you know. Keeping all the key personnel well informed about costs and outcomes was extremely important, no matter the scale of the job at hand. Managing expectations, especially when a project played out just as you explained it would, earns you instant credibility.
Sometimes it’s more about efficiency than labor. Spending money doesn’t mean you aren’t saving money. An extra herbicide application can mean you don’t have to mow as often. The same goes when it comes to purchasing new pieces of equipment. Instead of the constant dollars being spent on parts and repairs, a new machine can increase productivity.