Go Time!

It is raining here at MiGCSA HQ just north of Grand Rapids, not quite the warm spring rain that is usually coming around this time of year but it is a big all day spring rain none the less. It is that slow all day soaker that reminds you the real spring is here. Another sure sign of spring is my Twitter and Facebook feeds are packed with photos of greens mowers out  making that first cut, one of my favorite days of the year when I was a Superintendent. Everyone knows it is Go Time.

1st Mowing of 2010 at Crystal Mountain

It all happens fast, all of the sudden your back on the sprayer, the first shotgun start and the double mow and roll days are upon you. Here in Michigan that is usually broken up by some brutal cold weather and sometimes snow as winter tries to hang on longer than anyone wants it to, but we all know it is Go Time.

So this is a great time of year to make sure you have some plans to do more than the day to day operations on the golf course. Of course these are very important to you and your job security, but I caution you on thinking that is the only thing you need to do to be successful. Your Chapter has many opportunities for you to meet and interact with fellow members all season, from the 24th of April to the 2nd of October. Right now make the plans to attend at least one or two of these meetings. I would also encourage you to sign up as a single, I know radical right? But when you do that I will make sure you are paired with someone you will value meeting at the end of the day. Yes golfing with your "group" is fun, and I am not saying you should drop those guys, but maybe go to a meeting in another area of the state, as a single or ride with someone and get paired up. Or even better grab that guy down the road who you know is not a member and invite them to come with you, expose them to the MiGCSA and our members, think about how much that would mean to them. Grow your network, meet some new people who are just like you. North, South East or West we are all Golf Course Superintendents. So before Go Time becomes I can't go time make your plans to utilize these opportunities, you will never know what your missing if you always miss it!

2017 Events
Monday, April 24 - Spring Opener (Spring Lake C.C., Spring Lake)

Monday, May 8 - Can-Am Tournament (Essex C.C., Ontario)

Monday, May 22 – Wee One Fundraiser (Birmingham C.C., Birmingham)

Sunday, June 4 – Northern Fundraiser Practice Round (Arcadia Bluffs, Arcadia)

Monday, June 5 - Northern Fundraiser (Arcadia Bluffs, Arcadia)

Thursday, June 8 – Legislative Golf Day (Capitol Building, Lansing)

Thursday, June 22 – LaFontaine Outing (Coyote Preserve, Fenton)

Wednesday, July 12 – Mid Golf Event (Apple Mountain, Freeland) 

Thursday, July 27 - Tuck Tate Championship (TBD)

Wednesday, August 16 – MTF Field Day (Hancock Turfgrass Center, East Lansing)

Thursday, August 24 - MiGCSA State Championship (Bucks Run G.C., Mt. Pleasant)

Friday, September 8 - Assistant & Student Networking Golf Outing (College Fields, Okemos)

Monday, September 18 - Western Golf Day (Muskegon C.C., Muskegon)

Monday, October 2 - The Big Event (Bloomfield Hills C.C.)