The Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA) is being recognized by the Michigan Golf Course Association with its 2024 Award of Merit.
The MiGCSA represents golf course superintendents across Michigan and originated from a consolidation of four regional organizations — Mid Michigan, Northern Michigan, Western Michigan and Greater Detroit — into a single, statewide chapter in 2008.
The work behind that consolidation and its resulting success is why the MiGCSA was nominated for the award, according to Adam Ikamas, CGCS, MiGCSA executive director.
“I think the award is coming now because it is clear that (the merger) is working out and that it’s going the way folks thought it could,” says Ikamas, a 26-year GCSAA member. “At the time that was certainly not a guarantee. No other group of chapters had merged into one statewide chapter. And it took a lot of work, a lot of convincing, a lot of meetings, a lot of time.”
Adam Ikamas, CGCS, executive director of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
Ikamas says an important indicator of its success is the association’s membership in the Michigan Golf Alliance, which also includes the Michigan Golf Course Association, the Golf Association of Michigan, the Michigan PGA, the Greater Michigan Club Managers Association and the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation.
“As four separate chapters, we wouldn’t even be in the Michigan Golf Alliance. It’s just too hard to get four different groups together when all the other members are each one voice,” Ikamas says.
Among the other indicators of the merger’s success that Ikamas cites is a 20% growth in membership, from 627 members in 2008 to a new high of 754 members this year, making it the largest single state chapter.
“We also helped contribute to the Michigan Economic Impact study last year, and we’re a part of the lobbying efforts, and helping the golf industry as a whole in Michigan — none of that would have been possible as four separate chapters. It’s just too much to wrangle to get four different groups working together,” Ikamas says. “Just to be able to streamline that process and make sure that superintendents are recognized in Michigan has been fantastic.”
Ikamas says he’s planning on presenting the Award of Merit to the first four presidents of the MiGCSA, who did a lot of that work during that time. “I was on the board but was not executive director then, so it’s really a testament to them and other folks that made this happen.” Those first four presidents are: John Fulling, CGCS; Steve Hammon, CGCS; Ron Dahlin, CGCS; and Jay Eccleton, CGCS.
Since the merger, the MiGCSA has formed 13 committees, which Ikamas says contribute a good deal to the association.
“Our committees are very active. They don’t just show up and talk about doing things, they actually see things through to the finish line,” he says.
As for what members value in their association, Ikamas says it varies greatly from person to person.
“Some members are only members so they can post in the classifieds area. Some members find value in being on a committee or the board. Others like the golf events. Others think the government efforts are important. Hopefully we provide something of value to everybody, otherwise they wouldn’t pay their dues if they didn’t think so,” he says.
“My hope is that we provide a community. That it’s not just something you pay dues to — it’s something you’re a part of, that’s part of your life, part of your profession,” Ikamas says.
To that end, MiGCSA produces a “MiStory” series, a dozen or so videos posted each year on its youtube channel profiling individual superintendents. “We send a videographer out to get to know them, their family, their operation — again, to create that community flavor.”
The MGCA Award of Merit will be presented to MiGCSA on Dec. 3 at the Michigan Golf Business Conference at the Somerset Inn in Troy.