7/12/2015 12:07 PM
I usually don't comment on these topics, but....
Staffing levels will continue to drop, while expectations will continue to soar. The finding and retaining compentant help issues will continue. Seen this for the last 5 years where I'm at. Current conditioning levels enjoyed at your facilities now will be considered too costly.
Conservation of water, plain and simple, it will be liquid gold. Even though I have an abundance of water where I'm at, I see monitoring usage a way of life. I'm in conservation mode now. Smarter irrigation controls will be forced upon all of us. Those that don't have them will have to get them.
Chemical and fertilizer mandates will become the norm, from no phosphorus to out right bans of herbicides and certain fungicides. This is already happened in areas of the country. Round up is getting beat up pretty bad right now. I see states requiring a mandated fertilizer and chemical usage plan being filed months in advanced and be reviewed annually.
I see many of our turf professionals stepping away from the turf life. Many because of time issues, just being tired from over work, or disenfranchised with the industry as a whole.
As for golfers in general, I see the golfing base falling even more, with rounds taking 5 hours. I see discounting in fees as a way of life. I don't remember ever seeing anyone pay full greens fee anymore. Can't discount your way to prosperity..... Many Pro's and GM's think they can.... And we continue to step up to cover the shortfalls.
And all this is happening, we as a group of superintendents try and piece this all together for something to present the golfing public, hoping to etch out a meager career.
Issues such as equipment emission compliance, equipment costs, project costs, renovation costs are all we deal with now. It's the unbudgeted items high expense things that'll test the facilities. You can only milk a course so much before it becomes obsolete or falls into disrepair.