Golfdom, January 2013

the golfdom report sociable supers in the heart of the information Age some superintendents are using blogs twitter and smart phones to get the word out By Beth Geraci J ohn Davis is excited Today the director of agronomy at Secession Golf Club in Beaufort S C is finally launching his course blog Ive been wanting to do this for a year but it was hard to find the time he says Davis is one of 84 percent of superintendents who said they use blogs regularly to promote their clubs ive told my memBers to contact me and they dont so now i want to develop that relationship john davis Gary Myers CGCS at The Sagamore Club in Noblesville Ind developed Sagamores blog when he arrived there three years ago when course blogs were just a blip on the radar Hes one of just 78 percent of greenkeepers who said they use all forms of social media for work He has linked his blog Twitter and Facebook accounts using them to inform his members of course projects playing conditions and scheduled maintenance We try to give them a heads up before they go out and play he says Joel Kachmarek describes himself as someone who is big into blogging I do love my blog says the superintendent at Tacoma Wash Country and Golf Club He started his blog in May 2011 to communicate with members and his green committee Since then the blog has garnered 37000 hits And because a picture speaks a thousand words Kachmarek ensures the blog is heavy on photos If course repairs need to be made Kachmareks photos help him easily get projects approved by members and the green committee The visual image tells the whole story he says As for Davis now that his own blog is up and running he feels more empowered This is mine Im in the drivers seat he says Secession is a national club so its 700 members live all over the country Given those logistics Davis plans to use his blog to inform and establish a relationship with them The issue Ive had here is the pro shop is the first point of contact he says Ive told members to contact me and they dont so now I want to develop that relationship Davis also uses an iPad on the course and says its the best thing hes ever what forms of social media do you use for work Twitter 6 I use it all 8 60 18 Facebook I dont use social media Blog 8 bought in his life He uses it mostly to do research on the course and keep track of his schedule I love the convenience of it he says Youre carrying your personal computer around with you everywhere you go Kachmarek takes photos with his iPhone and iPad then uploads them to his blog on the spot He also uses the devices to determine weather conditions and control his irrigation system remotely from any point on the course Having seen his cyberspace following grow exponentially Kachmarek knows how to take advantage of electronic media Each has its place he says For him Facebook is for friends and family and Twitter is for communicating with fellow superintendents I dont want to know that you just went to the bathroom he says Ill tweet something that will stimulate conversation Most surprising to Myers is how far and fast word spreads through social media If you post he says youd be amazed how many people from all over the world see it and comment on it That opened my eyes G istockphoto 30 Golfdom January 2013 Golfdom com