 |
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE David S. Downing, CGCS |
A few thoughts from GCSAA’s new CEO
 |
A note from President Downing: As was announced earlier this spring, the GCSAA Board of Directors has selected Mark J. Woodward, CGCS, to replace Steve Mona as the association’s chief executive officer. Mark will begin his duties July 1 after completing his obligations as host of the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. However, I thought it appropriate this month to turn this column over to Mark so he could share his thoughts prior to taking on his new position.
I appreciate Dave affording me his column space to communicate with you prior to my arrival at GCSAA full time on July 1. I consider it an honor and a wonderful opportunity to serve as the association’s chief executive officer. I’m appreciative of the trust and support the Board of Directors has shown in allowing me to continue my service to the members, the profession, the industry and the game.
I’m sure there are questions as to what I’ll be doing to place my stamp on the association. But this is not my association — GCSAA is your association. Through the input of many groups and individuals — chapters leaders, committees, past presidents, chapter delegates, industry partners, educators, etc. — the GCSAA Board of Directors provides the strategic oversight to staff for the proper allocation of resources to execute on the association’s mission and to achieve its vision. This is accomplished by hitting our performance targets, which are known as indicators.
I have great confidence in this working structure because I’ve functioned in similar environments during my professional and volunteer careers. In my 31 years with the city of Mesa, Ariz., and in the past three years as director of golf operations in San Diego, I operated in a structure where an elected board was entrusted with providing direction to staff. As a member of GCSAA’s board, I was involved in the creation of our current strategic governance system, whereby the board is actually less involved in daily operations, but rather charts its chosen direction through a strategic relationship.
I’m fortunate to be joining GCSAA at this time. Through the efforts of many individuals — committed volunteers and dedicated staff — the profession and the association have never been in a stronger position.
GCSAA members are widely recognized as integral to the enjoyment of the game and to the economic success of the facility. The association is viewed as a leading golf organization. GCSAA has a well-defined business plan and staff is executing on it.
Through the leadership provided by the board, we are taking a long-term view of the future of the profession, the facility and the game. We are aware of societal and demographic changes that will affect how the association and its members conduct their business.
But I also realize that change is a constant. As chief executive officer, I’m part of the GCSAA team that must manage change for the benefit of the members and their facilities.
I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and joining my teammates to continue the great service GCSAA provides to you, as well as exploring how we can do it even better.
RECENT issues
 |
 |
May |
April |