Superintendent's Forum

How Do You Get The Equipment You Need?

 

MATTHEW SEVERINO
Scarsdale Golf Club • Hartsdale, New York

“When I arrived here seven years ago,” Severino says, “I did a complete equipment inventory, which included what we paid for each piece and its replacement cost. I estimated the useful life of each machine and formulated a spreadsheet that told the club how much needed to be spent each year in order to keep our fleet up to date. This is adjusted every year as the price of equipment changes and new technology comes along. We know from year to year what we need to spend to keep our fleet updated. The club has been great about staying on that budget number.”

Severino works directly with the board, giving capital and operating presentations each year. He keeps the green chairman and general manager informed about his strategies and approaches, what equipment he is requesting and why.

“I don’t encounter much resistance in terms of maintaining the golf course,” he says. “The board and membership are fairly unanimous when it comes to the importance of the golf course and the priority it’s given in terms of budgeting and funding. Of course there are special situations with other major capital projects that affect what I’m asking for. However, there haven’t been any years when my proposal was rejected.”

Trust between the superintendent and board is an important component.

“They know my approach and what to expect,” Severino says. “I have a plan and communicate on an ongoing basis. When I ask for something, they understand why it’s important. I back up my requests with breakdown numbers on technician and staff time and parts costs. It’s the same with technology. Newer is better and we want to be riding that curve.”

 

KEN BENOIT
GlenArbor • Bedford, New York

“Buying a piece of equipment without demonstrating it is like buying a pair of pants without trying them on,” Benoit says. “How do you know if it’s going to work or fit your needs unless you try it? I think a demonstration may be the most critical stage to learning whether or not a piece of equipment is what you want. I also look for similar pieces of equipment from several manufacturers so I can compare one to another. I also take the time to ask other superintendents about their relevant experiences.”

Once Benoit makes a decision he approaches the appropriate club officials. He explains his needs and, if possible, shows them the improved conditions the equipment delivered.

“I am always careful to include the proper influential persons in on my thoughts to help gather momentum and better my chances for success,” he says.

“Today’s superintendent needs to be cognizant of how equipment can make him more efficient and save labor costs. All of our budgets are being squeezed. We feel it like any other industry. It’s critical to determine whether or not you need a piece of equipment. What can it do for you — better conditioning, more efficiency? However, if conditions are better, will this create a more labor-intensive environment? If so, is that equipment worth the improved conditioning? It’s a real balance.”

Benoit uses the example of cutting fairways with triplex mowers.

“Jacobsen’s Super LF-1880 gives the same quality cut as a triplex, but it’s a wider unit and we can get more mowed using fewer man-hours. That’s a reason for me to go to the board and tell them I can reduce labor costs by buying a new piece of equipment and at the same time get a better quality of cut. It’s a no-brainer.”

 

ROBERT NIELSEN JR.
Bedford Golf & Tennis Club • Bedford, New York

“If I see a product that interests me at the national GCSAA show,” Nielsen says, “I’ll ask my sales representative to bring one by. I also talk to other superintendents who are using the machine. If it works here, I’ll involve the green chairman. Then he’ll go to the board and make the purchase request.”

The club recently took advantage of Jacobsen’s leasing options.

“We had fallen behind on replacing some equipment,” he says. “The club was doing a project, so we didn’t buy equipment for a while. We needed to replace several pieces that were getting old, and we leased. Now that we have a steady yearly budget number, I can get the equipment I need and not get questioned nearly as much. It’s just part of a lease program. For the club, leasing is an opportunity to get more equipment and spread the cost over time.”

Leasing also provides Nielsen with the flexibility to get equipment that might not have been planned for.

“We’re at the level where we need to be,” he says. “There’s always the unexpected, but those instances are less frequent because there is a set amount for equipment in the budget every year. We have a good replacement program. Everything is on a replacement cycle. When a fairway mower drops off the lease, there’s not a big fight to get a new one because it’s part of the package. Another advantage of leasing is that when interest rates go down, I get more equipment for my money that year.”