This is just a proud Dad moment that I'd like to share on this forum. My daughter, Anna, is graduating high school this year and will be attending University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill in the fall. There have been several scholarships she applied for and one of them is through the GCSAA, the national professional association for Golf Course Supers. Below you'll find the prompt, an open ended question about the golf industry.
Please
complete an essay about any topic related to the golf industry.
I have lived in Highlands,
North Carolina ever since I was born. The small mountain town accommodates
thousands of tourists each year, drawn in by its natural beauty. Many of these
people are second-homeowners and members of upscale private country clubs in
the area. My father, Brian Stiehler, the Superintendent of Highlands Country
Club, has always worked to maintain a pristine course and the details just as
precisely “perfect”, though he would never agree with that statement of
perfection. I have watched how he and the entire crew of greenskeepers and
associated staff have worked to maintain the beauty of these land areas, which
has taught me so much through various aspects of life.
The hard work of employees of
the golf industry is directly represented in course maintenance and member
satisfaction. From the painted rim of the cups, to the sharp edges of the tee
boxes, the attention to detail of maintenance crews are unmatched. The levels
of commitment of the staff have personally taught me so much about how to
approach a task at hand. Careful thought and patience is what will ultimately
lead to success and satisfaction with what is done, but there is always
something you believe could be improved. If this feeling is lacking, something
is not being done to the level it should be. There are also obstacles, such as
inclement weather or drought in the golf course industry that have resulted in
difficult times for the staff. But, that is something they must overcome. No
matter what is causing difficulty, there are still things that must be met, and
it is your responsibility to find ways to achieve these tasks. I have seen my
dad’s high level of involvement at Highlands Country Club and other
organizations, that it has driven me to work towards the same levels of leadership
and motivation in my personal work experiences.
As I have grown up immersed in the life of Highlands Country Club, it has always been my “backyard”. The memories I have on the course hold so much sentimental value, and have been so important to my childhood and teenage years. Whether it be playing a couple holes after dinner during the summer, holding my first official job at the driving range, or changing the pin location on hole 2 for the annual men’s member guest with my father, each minute spent on the property has shown me how much something can truly mean to someone. The acres of land are more than rolling hills and close-cut grass to hit a ball on. It is hours of hard work, the efforts of a well-organized staff, thousands of memories for players and spectators, and an important piece of history for many. The golf course industry is not just about the systematic process of course maintenance. It is about providing the optimum experience for many, and for that, I could not be more grateful.