By Michael Bradley
The season is upon us---long days, warm nights, and golfers scrambling to enjoy what we all make possible. 2026, being the 100th birthday of the Organization that has and will continue to aid us in our endeavors, has been extensively mentioned and for good reasons. I was reminded of what our founder, Col. John Morley, said.
Chapters and sponsors have donated Plaques, carved bricks, endowments, and other gifts. I feel that we can do more than these Chapters. Let's evaluate ourselves individually and as a Chapter to determine how we can strengthen our Chapter and its parent organization going forward. Only then will we define our Chapter.
We can be members of golf clubs, car clubs, and church bodies, to mention a few. Your hand or foot is a part of your body, like your eyes, stomach, and vital organs. A member serves the whole being. Much like a hand or foot, some members serve the whole through provision, others through small service, and others still through service on a larger scale. I want for every golf course in the State of New Mexico, along with any from neighboring states that are inclined to be members of the RGGCSA, GCSAA, and the SWTA. Our employers should want to provide these memberships, as they invest in you for the good of the course at which you provide your services.
I trust that all of you know that the RGGCSA is here, providing relevant education for your turf needs and earning GCSAA and state pesticide CEUs. We also provide you with a group of peers that can and will assist as best they can in any situation-a Family in turf, we eat and golf together. Some crying is involved, too, generally by my teammates, though. We also provide access to vendors from throughout the state, making it easy to place orders, ask questions, or schedule on-site visits for those same purposes and more. In conjunction with GCSAA, we provide a marvelous tool, the BMP manual. This manual is essential to your course, and to every course in our state and in other states as well.
GCSAA uses BMP to tackle problems head-on with the EPA and other agencies, demonstrating that we are the world's best stewards. They also develop crew training materials in English and Spanish to support our crews' training. Offering greenkeeper certificate programs, among others. They offer many programs for individual members to enhance career advancement. They make Rounds 4 Research possible, greatly enhancing Chapter dollars for research and education. They then amplify the education and family aspect of the Chapters.
SWTA is essential for tying all fine turf-to-turf adjacent careers together, offering a 3-day event with golf, education, CEUs, a tradeshow, and networking. We are easily introduced to more potential employees and, hopefully, to lasting friendships.
I vote to be of service, not just to these organizations that I value and appreciate, but to each of you, whom I value and appreciate. I cannot do this alone, nor can the Board; it will take all of us. As Col. John Morley said, “No life is, or can be, self-existent. We depend upon each other”.
Have an excellent season.
