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Certification

7 posts
  1. Jeffrey Gaylor
    Jeffrey Gaylor avatar
    0 posts
    2/26/2013 11:02 AM
    I am in the "building your portfolio" part of the certification process, and was wandering if there are addition resources to help through this process. In particular the case studies.
    Thanks for any info.

    Jeff Gaylor
    Ayden Golf & Country CLub



  2. Timothy Walker
    Timothy Walker avatar
    0 posts
    2/27/2013 9:02 AM
    I don't believe there are any resources besides the booklets for certification that you can purchase. There is no right or wrong answer per se however, the purpose of the case studies is to formulate a well thought out written response following the model.

    I hope this answers your question?!?!



  3. Canedo Alberto J
    Canedo Alberto J avatar
    2/27/2013 9:02 AM
    I just started the process and I talked to Penny Mitchel at the GCSAA office. She gave me great information on how to start the process.



  4. Jeffrey Gaylor
    Jeffrey Gaylor avatar
    0 posts
    2/27/2013 3:02 PM
    Thanks for your help guys!



  5. Joey Franco
    Joey Franco avatar
    0 posts
    11/11/2013 5:11 AM
    I am applying for certification this January. I will have the portfolio complete within the next two weeks (online is so much better than paper version). I am curious what materials you guys studied for the exam and wanted your viewpoints (suggestions & comments) on the process during the year of application and completing the process. Thanks!



  6. Joey Franco
    Joey Franco avatar
    0 posts
    11/11/2013 5:11 AM
    I am applying for certification this January. I will have the portfolio complete within the next two weeks (online is so much better than paper version). I am curious what materials you guys studied for the exam and wanted your viewpoints (suggestions & comments) on the process during the year of application and completing the process. Thanks!



  7. Andy Jorgensen
    Andy Jorgensen avatar
    1 posts
    11/11/2013 8:11 AM
    I would highly suggest taking the course "Preparing Your Way to Certification" given annually at the GIS. They will provide you with some minor study materials and also guide you through the process. Also, do what you are doing now, continue to reach out to your Certified peers. Since you said you are already working on your portfolio, make sure someone proofreads everything before you turn it in. Even the smallest grammatical and spelling error can cost you. When I did mine, I made five copies - three to turn in, one for myself, and one for my employer. It was proofread by my bosses admin assistant for a measly $50. But, she spent two weeks on it and had it so red lined I almost had to start over!! I felt bad only giving her the $50!



  8. Rodney Crow
    Rodney Crow avatar
    0 posts
    11/11/2013 9:11 AM
    I echo Andy's advice about taking the seminar "Preparing your way to Certification". Also, the GCSAA has a very informative website area about Certification:

    [urlhttp://www.gcsaa.org/Education/Certification/Certification-program-intro.aspx][/url]

    From my own experience with the testing, I chose to purchase the following items:

    1. The GCSAA Certification Preperation Guide
    2. The Mathematics of Turgrass Maintenance
    3. Superintendent's Handbook of Financial Management (By FAR one of the must haves!!)
    4. Decisions on the Rules of Golf (USGA publication, but VERY invaluable!)

    If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me directly!



  9. Joey Franco
    Joey Franco avatar
    0 posts
    11/12/2013 12:11 PM
    Thanks Guys! I am really concerned about the test. I have talked to some CGCS's and they said the test is very difficult. Unfortunately I am unable to attend the conference I have never attended and hope to one day). I wanted to know the best study material regarding the test. I will purchase the material for study guides. Andy, I purchased the online version of the portfolio and it is much easier to develop the portfolio than the paper copies. I do appreciate the information you both provided. If you have any more information, please e-mail me at super@brookstonecc.com. Once again, THANK YOU!



  10. Steven Huffstutler
    Steven Huffstutler avatar
    11 posts
    11/12/2013 12:11 PM
    If you dont already have it, buy Beard's book and read it.

    Regards and good luck,

    Steve



  11. Wahlin Scott B
    Wahlin Scott B avatar
    11/12/2013 12:11 PM
    I took the test four times. Once to get certified and three times to renew. I did my last renewal with CEUs and I am good until 2017 although I hope I will not have to go back to work. My contract was not renewed this past year, so I am not working. The first two times I took it it was open book, very fair and very hard. Six hours was not enough time to look up every question. You had to know at least 80% of the answers. The third time I took it it was closed book, still hard and fair, and even though I passed I did not do as well on that one. The fourth test was closed book, came from about 100 different sources and seemed to concentrate on club management and civil engineering more that golf course maintenance. It was probably the easiest because 50% of it were purely guesses considering I had never been introduced to these subjects before after 20 years as a superintendent. Aside from my score and the fact that I passed, I learned nothing because I will never know which questions I got right and which ones I missed. This is why I used CEUs for my final renewal.



  12. Holt Michael
    Holt Michael avatar
    11/17/2013 10:11 AM
    Just completed the process. I elected to not study for the test and rely on 20 years experience to get me through it. Had the idea of if I don't pass I'll buy the books for that section and study during the retake waiting period, no need to study what I may already know. Luckily, I passed because my idea would not have worked, just too much to remember in a short time period. It is hard and it is time consuming, took me every minute of 6 hours to complete it. Schedule your time during the year period to weigh the test against work responsibility. The attesting has to be done in the growing season. I took the test in April and had I not passed would have had to retake in July, which I would not have done because of work load. But I would have had to do the attesting in July because of growing season. It's all about planning and that is where a CGCS should excel. Remember, the attestors are certifying YOU, not the golf course, so if your budget limits your ability that's fine. Just don't let it limit your knowledge of what you should be doing. Contact me to talk further if you'd like. Good luck and enjoy the process. It's a huge accomplishment and will make you a better manager and a better superintendent.



  13. McEvoy Gerard
    McEvoy Gerard avatar
    2/23/2014 6:02 AM
    Hi, I am a superintendent based in Ireland and I would like to work towards getting certified. I have completed a science degree here in Ireland and I have a HNC in golf course management From Elmwood college in Scotland. I have been a superintendent for the last 9 years and have been involved in golf course maintenance at some level since 1994. I was wondering if any body out there can point me in the general direction of where i need to go to get certified. I have looking on the GCSAA website and am not sure about the self assessment tool. Do i just complete the questionnaire according to what I think. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks



  14. Alan Hess
    Alan Hess avatar
    0 posts
    2/23/2014 8:02 AM
    Contact Penny Mitchell. She has been supervising the program for many years. You must become class A first, and happens faster depending on the school and the degree. 800-472-7878.



  15. Lee Strutt
    Lee Strutt avatar
    0 posts
    2/23/2014 9:02 AM
    Hi Gerard,

    I have just recently finished and completed my certification process. As Alan mentioned Penny is your best port of call for the information relevant to the certification process.

    Having recently been through the process I may be able to give you some help and support if you decide to undertake the award scheme. My contact e-mail is l.strutt@gwest.co.uk

    Hope this helps

    Best regards

    Lee



  16. Peter Grass
    Peter Grass avatar
    0 posts
    2/23/2014 10:02 AM
    Dear Gerald,

    I agree with the others, contact Penny at the US (sorry) Toll Free # given or pmitchell@gcsaa.org, she is the expert on all things about the program.

    As far as the self assessment tool, you are the person to answer the questions and evaluate where you think you are in your knowledge and abilities in the areas given. The intended result is for the person to have a fair assessment of their knowledge and skills in relation to what a very large and extensive group of (North American, US & CA) superintendents determined were the needs to be successful in the present and future profession. After completion, anyone should be able to see what areas of further education and experience may be helpful to become a well rounded and successful professional. That is the true reason for it being a required part of the process, self improvement.

    As GCSAA is truly becoming an International association, members now in 78 and services used in well over 100 countries, I can see that this tool may need to be examined and possibly modified to fit other parts of the world also. I do believe that the vast majority of the areas covered apply to everywhere in the world, but we may need to have a (International) review to determine if the things covered are still relevant and global.

    Thanks for the question as it has caused me to rethink the self assessment tool in a new light.

    Good Luck,

    Peter Grass, CGCS
    Hilands Golf Club
    Billings, Montana
    GCSAA Secretary/Treasurer



  17. Joey Franco
    Joey Franco avatar
    0 posts
    2/23/2014 6:02 PM
    Gerard,

    I am currently going through the process of certification. Penny is a huge help. She can answer many questions (I have asked many questions). Call or e-mail her and she will be back in touch quickly. I finished my portfolio and going to take my first exam in April (hopefully will pass the first time). I finished the self assessment tool, then the portfolio, course attesting this summer and hopefully the exam. The process takes time, but in the end I believe it will be worth the work. Good Luck!



  18. Simon Parkin
    Simon Parkin avatar
    0 posts
    2/24/2014 9:02 AM
    Gerard, I also have a HND from the UK and have finished the Certification program. As the others have said, contact Penny and get the ball rolling on your portfolio. It does take time, but you can work at your own pace.
    I completed the Self Assesment tool before I applied and it gave me a good breakdown of areas that I needed to strengthen. I feel this helped me out during the process and thats what it id designed to do.

    Let me know if have any other question.

    Cheers.



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