April 2006
In the Crosshairs
By Paul Diegnau, CGCS
Keller Golf Course, St. Paul, Minnesota
Education
Education is expensive. Just ask anyone with children attending college. But
it doesn't always have to be. Look no further than the industry you belong to.
Sure you can jet away to warm (usually), sunny (usually) locations every
February and attend the always impressive Golf Industry Show. Sure, the
educational opportunities are almost endless but the financial commitment can be
a bit steep, especially for the smaller golf clubs or those experiencing budgets
on the decline. There is an option out there that I think few are aware of and I
know few have tried. I am, of course, referring to GCSAA Online Education,
specifically the webcast offerings. It is truly one of the slickest ways to
learn a thing or two while kicking back in the comfort of your office, without
putting much of a dent in your budget.
As a current member of the GCSAA Online Education Task Group, I have been
exposed to the vision that our national association has for this technology and
its membership. The potential seems unlimited. Having participated in at least a
half-dozen web-based seminars and several web-based meetings, I can honestly say
this communication medium is amazing! It is truly convenient, yet powerful, and
something that everyone should experience at least once. Once you try it you
will be impressed and probably will try it again. All you need is a PC with an
Internet connection, either a dial-up or high-speed connection will do. Log into
the GCSAA education section and click on the webcast link. On this page is a
link to a site that will verify if your PC is up to the task. This site will
also install the webcast software that makes this entire process possible. PC
requirements are minimal and, of course, you will need speakers. Communication
among seminar participants is achieved either by typing or by using a
microphone. There is one drawback…as of right now, the webcast software will not
work on Mac machines.
The seminars last 1.5 hours and are presented by many of the same professors and
researchers that present at our local and national educational programs. These
e-learning sessions cover a variety of topics and deal with current issues,
problems, and research and are offered in real time. Currently on the docket are
seminars by Dr. Bruce Clark and Dr. Mike Agnew on managing Basal Rot
Anthracnose, Dr. Thomas Nikolai on green speeds, resume writing for the green
industry, coaching your team with positive feedback and many more. New seminars
are constantly being added. In addition, you receive education points for
participating and members of your staff can participate at the same time as
well. Best of all…it only costs $30! So, check it out. You won't be
disappointed!
On another note, the child labor law session that was held during the March
Mini-Seminar proved to generate a great deal of interest among members of our
association. As was suggested at the seminar, we have put together a committee
of MGCSA members to work with the Minnesota Department of Labor to further
define the role of the teenager in MN golf course maintenance operations. Our
main meeting will be held on March 30, which will already have occurred by the
time this issue of Hole Notes reaches your door step. We will keep all members
informed of the outcome of this meeting. It only makes sense that the less we
leave open to interpretation by Department of Labor inspectors, the more clear
our responsibilities become as employers.
- Paul