Why is GCSAA certification valuable?

TOMMY WITT, CGCS
Northmoor Country Club | Highland Park, Illinois

Today, golf course superintendents are being required to perform a matrix of tasks for their employers. Our profession transcends growing grass. While our main responsibility will always be providing quality golfing conditions, our profession and the demands of our employers have far transcended the greenskeeper responsibilities of those who managed golf courses in previous years.

In many ways, the GCSAA certification program can help us obtain and master the skills that our employers demand. Without question, many search committees and employers list certified status as a prerequisite for applying for a position. Being certified doesn’t guarantee anyone a job or even success. However, it may be a huge influencing factor in the hiring process.

Certainly there are many very fine superintendents who have chosen not to enter the certification program. More than being a measuring stick for how good or successful you are as a superintendent, certification is more a measure of personal achievement and individual effort. There are superintendents who have great jobs and have enjoyed a significant degree of success who are not certified and are very comfortable in their careers. Conversely, there are superintendents who want to attain the highest level of recognition that their profession has to offer. Certification is truly a personal choice.

 

BRUCE WILLIAMS, CGCS
Los Angeles Country Club | Los Angeles, California

The certification program of GCSAA is not for everyone. It is a program with a foundation of formal education, experience, validation of competencies and a lifelong commitment to continuing education. Some will choose to pursue this goal and others will not. It is a matter of perceived value.

More and more employers are designating “CGCS preferred or required” when posting job openings. Only 22 percent of those eligible for certification have accomplished this lofty goal. Some people do it as a challenge while others view it as a path to career success. Survey statistics indicate that the salary of certified superintendents averages $10,000 more than the salary of noncertified superintendents.

Certification will not guarantee you employment success. It is merely a goal for many, as is a college degree, and qualifies you in the eyes of employers. Mix certification with a good work ethic, experience and business acumen. When mixed together this is a wonderful recipe for success.