GCSAA has introduced three new membership opportunities to engage golf facilities that have leaner budgets, facilities with multiple GCSAA members, and individuals or groups outside the profession who want to show their support for golf course superintendents.
During the 2019 Annual Meeting, held Feb. 7 at the Golf Industry Show in San Diego, the membership approved bylaws changes to implement Facility Membership, Multi-Member Promotion, and Friend of the Golf Course Superintendent. The efforts aim to support GCSAA’s mission of serving its members, advancing the golf course superintendent profession, and enhancing the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf.
“GCSAA has something to offer golf facilities of every size,” says GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “With the new Facility Membership, smaller operations will have access to GCSAA resources for their whole team at a price point in line with their operation. With the Multi-Member Promotion, larger facilities will save when they add a GCSAA member.”
Facility Membership provides access to GCSAA’s resources and services, particularly those that can help with training team members, expanding team members’ knowledge, and creating efficiencies that will result in savings for the golf facility. To be eligible for Facility Membership, a facility must not have had a GCSAA member in the past three years, and the facility’s green fee must be below the 50% median in its region (regions will be based on GCSAA’s field staff regions). Dues are $200 per year for the facility and its employees.
Through the Multi-Member Promotion, everyone on a maintenance staff can benefit from the information and professional development opportunities that come with GCSAA membership, allowing them to improve the efficiency and profitability of the facility. Facilities can receive a 10% discount on membership dues (up to $100 in savings per nine- or 18-hole equivalent).
Those who join GCSAA as a Friend of the Golf Course Superintendent will receive a newsletter and other items to identify them as a Friend, and will get information about GCSAA programs such as First Green, GCSAAPAC and more.
“We have seen an increased interest in GCSAA outside of golf course management professionals as we’ve raised our profile through golf advocacy efforts and our STEM education program, First Green,” says Evans. “The Friend of the Golf Course Superintendent membership gives those who love golf and appreciate the key role superintendents play in enjoyment of the game the opportunity to show their support.”
Friend of the Golf Course Superintendent memberships for individuals are at $50, $100 and $200 levels of support. In addition, there is a $400 membership for groups of up to 10 people, such as green committees and private club boards. Dues from this membership class will support advocacy, turfgrass research, environmental efforts and scholarships.
Get more information about GCSAA’s membership categories.