The Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents divot crew are perennial volunteers for the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship. Author Scott Ramsay is second from right. Photos courtesy of Scott Ramsay
There are many everyday routines that can serve as a greater metaphor for life.
Take, for example, cleaning out a clothes closet. When I rearranged my own closet this past fall, I initially approached it as a tedious weekend chore, but eventually I viewed this task as something with more meaning.
As someone who lives in New England, where our climate changes not only with the seasons but also sometimes every five minutes, I take seriously the process of “switching over” my seasonal clothes. In my case, I moved my dozens of short-sleeved golf shirts to the back of the closet and my warm sweatshirts and “woolies” to the front — so I would be able to grab one quickly on our cold winter mornings.
It was also time to cull through the faded, stained and thread-worn clothes and send them to the trash. (It is amazing how much blue dye has infiltrated my wardrobe!)
I am also blessed with an excess of swag — just too much stuff — so it was time to scale down to two of each color, stripe pattern or style. I donated the remaining items to my local Goodwill, which then had an abundance of black golf shirts in new or nearly new condition. I also parted with a Greater Hartford Open Sammy Davis Jr. leather coat that I had been hanging onto for many years.
The CAGCS contingent to the National Golf Day Community Service Project.
Throughout this process, I had a chance to reflect. What did the old shirts represent about my past opportunities and experiences? How did the items I decided to keep align with my future identity and contributions for this year and beyond? Without hesitation, I found myself saving everything with a GCSAA and Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents logo on it. Whether these items were new or ancient, I saved them.
I have worn many work golf shirts with several club logos over my career, but I only truly cherish my GCSAA and CAGCS items. I have never been one to wear the vanity logos from nationally recognized clubs. Rather, I identify most with and am most proud wearing things that represent our industry organizations. These associations have been a consistent source of fulfillment, connection and achievement throughout the decades of my career. Specific positions and jobs come and go, but these organizations have been the one constant for me. Regardless of the industry sector you work in, it is a great profession: We will always support each other, and there are always people who have your back, even if your club lets you down.
Last year I attended the Masters, again thanks to GCSAA and Augusta National Golf Club. I proudly wore my GCSAA-logoed attire. It was amazing how many folks recognized our logo and the positive conversations that it created while walking on and off the golf course. It is a proud moment when our brand is recognized, and it is important to be recognized by the general golfing public and ANGC.
I have so many great memories due to this industry, whether from National Golf Day, Chapter Delegates Meeting, Chapter Leaders and Executive Symposium or many committee trips to GCSAA headquarters. The more folks I meet, the stronger my relationship with GCSAA grows. It is all of you folk — and the commitment to our principles, the camaraderie, striving to be better, and most importantly the unwavering support of each other — that is the GCSAA.
The CAGCS board of directors.
There are so many great programs and benefits, but I would like to highlight the government affairs programs, where I have worked most closely. The growth in our advocacy efforts has been incredible. National Golf Day, the Grassroots Ambassador program, GCSAA Political Action Committee and state-level support are invaluable to our association members in so many ways. We are the leaders in advocating for the game of golf. If you have attended NGD, you know this to be true. This advocacy effort not only helps protect our resources; it elevates our profession among other industry partners, the golfing community and the many political types who we engage.
This work is not for everyone. It can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary. It is in our ethos to put our hands up, jump in and get the job done. I have learned so much from all of you who I have crossed paths with, whether in Washington, D.C., Lawrence, Kan., or at my first GCSAA Conference in Houston. Thank you.
There is a committed group of professionals currently managing your local association. I am continually impressed with those who volunteer their time — even as the “day job” already demands so much — to give back to their association and keep it moving forward. Personally, I have watched the CAGCS grow, age and improve throughout my time in Connecticut. I was once one of the youngest golf course superintendents in the state, and now I am one of the oldest. Over this time, the common denominator underlying my career is my membership in GCSAA and CAGCS.
If you are currently involved in your local association or at a national level, thank you. If you are not yet volunteering, I encourage you to take a step to help carry the torch forward. One day, I hope for all of you to have a moment — like the one I experienced cleaning out my closet — when you feel genuinely thankful for and connected to something with such personal and professional meaning.
The author with National Golf Day speaker Bret Baier (right).
I am now a retired golf course superintendent with so many great memories and lifelong relationships built from all the opportunities this industry has provided. I have learned so much from you — even stuff about turf. I know many other industries aren’t as open, supportive and as sharing.
On my shirt is the GCSAA logo, but beneath it is the true heart of the association, the staff and the members. Thank you again.
Scott M. Ramsay, CGCS, is a past president of the CAGCS. He is a 42-year member of GCSAA.