GCSAA is serving you during the COVID-19 pandemic
Find golf-specific information and tools with GCSAA's COVID-19 Resources.
Update June 4
Town Hall No. 8 with Sen. Lindsey Graham set for 2 p.m. (Central) Tuesday, June 9
Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is the featured guest for Town Hall #9. Graham will discuss with the latest activities by Congress addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and the latest on the H-2B visa program. Michael Lee, government affairs manager, will provide an update on the Grassroots Ambassador program as well as talk about successful state level advocacy efforts during COVID-19.
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Update May 18
New Back2Golf resources available
Visit gcsaa.org/back2golf to get the latest information on golfers returning during COVID-19. You are encouraged to share the latest resources, a PSA video and social distancing posters, with golfers at your course.
Public service announcement
Share this Back2Golf PSA video, featuring Matt Kuchar, Nelly Korda and Stephen Curry, highlighting proper practices for golfers during COVID-19.
Posters
The Back2Golf Social Distancing Guidelines posters are for you to print out and use at your facility to help inform your members and guests along with staff. These can be displayed in the golf shop, locker room, first tee, clubhouse, golf car sign or wherever appropriate at your facility. Reminder to always follow your state, county and local health authorities for updates to your local mandates.
Update May 13
Town Hall No. 8 with Congressman Fred Upton set for 11 a.m. (Central) Monday, May 18
TGCSAA is pleased to welcome Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) as our featured guest for Town Hall No. 8. Upton is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He will discuss with GCSAA President John R. Fulling Jr., CGCS, the latest activities by Congress addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Update May 8
Town Hall No. 6 with Congressman Steve Watkins set for Noon (Central) Monday, May 11
The government affairs team will host Rep. Steve Watkins (R-KS), who will discuss steps Congress is taking to address the coronavirus pandemic and the potential impact on golf. CEO Rhett Evans will share the latest on the Back2Golf campaign along with other updates.
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Update April 28, 2020
Back2Golf, BIGGA resources now available
GCSAA is continuing to offer new resources to help members through the COVID-19 crisis, including guidelines for when golfers return as part of the Back2Golf initiative and an educational exchange with our friends at the British and International Golf Greekeepers Association (BIGGA).
Visit gcsaa.org/back2golf to help you through all the phases of reopening your course for play. In addition to golf course maintenance guidelines, you'll also find legal templates, a sample advocacy letter and resources from our allied association. Check back regularly as new resources will be added as they become available.
Also to assist you, GCSAA and BIGGA are offering an exchange of education materials during COVID-19.
As part of a reciprocal agreement with the GCSAA, during the COVID-19 pandemic BIGGA is providing GCSAA members free access to select video content and publications.
Update April 22, 2020
Career resources are now free through 2020
GCSAA knows your career may have been impacted by the global COVID-19 Pandemic and we want to provide you with support in this challenging time. Now through the end of 2020, all career coaching services are FREE to GCSAA members. This includes resume critiques, resume writing, LinkedIn profiles, cover and thank you letter creation, mock phone interviews, individual consultation, and more. Contact Carol D. Rau, PHR, career consultant.
Update April 17, 2020
Town Hall No. 5 set for 1 p.m. (Central) Monday, April 20
Join GCSAA Monday at 1 p.m. Central for a Town Hall update from the GCSAA government affairs team. A panel of superintendents will discuss strategies that they have implemented at their facilities to deal with Covid-19. GCSAA wants to answer your questions. Submit any questions you would like answered during the Town Hall meeting.
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Update April 8, 2020
Disaster Relief Fund available to those impacted by COVID-19
Many GCSAA members have had their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The GCSAA Disaster Relief Fund is now providing financial assistance to those affected by the crisis.
GCSAA will provide up to $500 to members who have experienced the loss of their jobs, layoffs or have been unable to work due to the effects of COVID-19. Funds can be used for items such as, but not limited, to groceries, medication, fuel, personal bills and childcare.
Any GCSAA member is eligible for this assistance, excluding the Friend of the Golf Course Superintendent classification.
- Assistance will be processed on a first-come, first serve basis. Members must contact GCSAA at 800-472-7878 or email membership.help@gcsaa.org.
- Members are also welcome to submit names of GCSAA members they may know who need assistance.
GCSAA's goal is to provide financial assistance as quickly as possible.
Donations made to the fund are an opportunity for those in the golf industry to directly assist their peers and are tax deductible. The fund is administered through GCSAA's philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf. You can donate today online or by texting Disaster to 785-693-2593 and following the link in the response.
Update April 7, 2020
Town Hall No. 4 set for 1 p.m. (Central) Monday, April 13
GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans will be joined by PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh, NGCOA CEO Jay Karen and CMAA CEO Jeff Morgan to discuss issues facing their organizations and the golf industry during the COVID-19 crisis, plus they will share how they are assisting their members during the pandemic and how they will go forward when it’s over.
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Update April 2, 2020
Town Hall No. 3 set for 1 p.m. (Central) Monday, April 6
Join GCSAA Monday at 1 p.m. Central for a briefing aimed at answering your questions on essential maintenance, navigating HR decisions, the stimulus package and other coronavirus-related topics. This webinar is limited to the first 500 attendees.
GCSAA wants to answer your questions. Please provide them on Twitter @GCSAA, email to membership.help@gcsaa.org or submit them.
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Update March 30, 2020
New Resources: Minimal Maintenance Handout and Town Hall No. 2
GCSAA and the USGA worked together to produce the Minimum Maintenance for Golf Courses During COVID-19 Outbreak handout. Plus, in case you missed Town Hall No. 2 on March 30, you can now watch the recording. Topics covered included updates on advocacy efforts and information on key human resources issues at facilities, GCSAA health insurance access, which launches, April 1 and more.
Visit
gcsaa.org/pandemic for the complete list of resources.
Update March 26, 2020
Town Hall No. 2 on March 30, plus more new resources
Town Hall No. 2 set for 1 p.m. (Central) Monday, March 30
Preparedness will be the theme for this week’s Town Hall. Updates from GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans and the government affairs team, plus Kerri S. Reisdorff, shareholder at the law firm Ogletree Deakins, joins in to speak about key human resources issues at facilities like layoffs, unemployment, FMLA and more. Nate Scott, SHRM-SCP, director of human resources, will discuss member health access, which launches April 1, and Shelia Finney, senior director, member programs, introduces the new online job board before questions from the audience.This webinar is limited to the first 500 attendees.
GCSAA wants to answer your questions – please provide them to us on Twitter @GCSAA or by email to membership.help@gcsaa.org.
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New resources
The most recent resource additions include:
Visit gcsaa.org/pandemic for the complete list of resources.
Update March 24, 2020
Additional COVID-19 resources added
GCSAA continues to add resources and information for you and your facility to use in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent additions include:
Visit gcsaa.org/pandemic for the complete list of resources.
Update March 23, 2020
2020 Rounds 4 Research auction postponed
The 2020 Rounds 4 Research auction, originally schedule for April 27-May 3, has been postponed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Information about the future date for the auction is forthcoming. Donations for the auction are still being accepted. Please contact Mischia Wright, associate director, EIFG, if you have questions.
Update March 20, 2020
Online Town Hall set for 1 p.m. (Central) Monday, March 23
Join GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans at 1.p.m. (Central) on Monday, March 23, for a GCSAA Town Hall as he shares information on golf and COVID19. He'll be joined by GCSAA President John Fulling, CGCS. Chava McKeel, director, government affairs, will provide an update on government advocacy and Shelia Finney, senior director, member programs, takes you through the newly published member resources page. This webinar is limited to the first 500 attendees.
GCSAA wants to answer your questions – please provide them to us on Twitter @GCSAA or by email to membership.help@gcsaa.org.
Recording now avavilable
Update March 19, 2020
Emergency Business and Communications Templates now available
GCSAA has created Emergency Business and Communications Templates to help you with your facility communications during the crisis. The templates, which have been vetted by attorneys, can be fully customized to meet the needs of your unique operation.
Update March 18, 2020
Resources for you and your facility in wake of COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear members:
In a world that is changing day by day, and seemingly hour by hour, we know it is a stressful time for all. I wanted to update you on what is happening at GCSAA in response to the pandemic, and let you know about new golf management-specific resources we are offering in this challenging time:
- We have complied a page of golf-specific COVID-19 resources. We also encourage you to send in any helpful hints are suggestions for the way your facility is dealing with the crisis. There is a great deal of general COVID-19 information out there, but we hope this information pertaining to golf course management will be helpful for you and your facility.
- In a joint effort with the Ontario chapter, we are offering select On Demand webinars that are free to everyone and eligible for CECs. Of course, all GCSAA webinars are free to members, but please share with your friends and peers who aren’t. The free webinars will be available through June 1.
- National Golf Day, which was scheduled for May 4-6 has been postponed. Due to the rapidly evolving nature of decisions by public health agencies, federal and state governments, a decision on whether to reschedule NGD will be made later.
- As of Monday, we modified our operation model and most of the staff are working remotely. All services are available, so, with the exception of visiting headquarters, please reach out to us in the all ways you normally do. We are here to help. We will continue to monitor the situation to determine when we feel it is safe to return to our traditional operation.
As many of you spend more time at home with your families as you practice social distancing, I just want to remind you that your GCSAA family is here for you. Do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are in this together!
Wishing you health and safety,
Rhett Evans
GCSAA CEO
Update March 17, 2020
COVID-19 resources for members
GCSAA has compiled a list of COVID-19 resources and information as it pertains to golf and golf course management operations. If you have any information you think would be helpful to share with other members, please e-mail Angela Hartmann, director of marketing and communications.
UPDATE March 16, 2020
All services will continue as most staff transitions to remote operations
Lawrence, Kan. (March 16, 2020) -- Out of an abundance of caution in response to the global COVID-19 Pandemic, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) will modify its operations for the foreseeable future to assist in reducing the spread of the disease. The transition is effective today.
While no member of the GCSAA team has tested positive for the virus, the association is taking preventative measures, in accordance with CDC and Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommendations, to transition most of its staff at its Lawrence, Kan., headquarters to work remotely in order to participate in social distancing. The headquarters building will not be open to the public during this time.
A limited number of staff members will remain onsite to complete some key functions. All remote staff will have the capabilities to continue their duties with little or no interruption in service to members.
“We are very fortunate that we invested in the technology to be able to continue to provide the high level of member service we are known for while keeping the health and safety of our members and staff at the forefront,” Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO said. “We will continue to monitor the situation to determine when we feel it is safe to return to our traditional operation.”
GCSAA members can continue to access all of GCSAA’s websites, and they can continue to receive assistance by calling 800-472-7878 or emailing
membership.help@gcsaa.org or reaching out to staff at their direct numbers or email. A full list of GCSAA contacts is available at
www.gcsaa.org/contact
Update March 13, 2020
Dear members,
As I am sure all of you are doing, we are closely monitoring the news during these uncertain times and want you to know we are doing our best to continue to serve our members while also looking out for the safety and well-being of our members and staff. We wanted to share some information about how GCSAA is preparing for and making adjustments during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic:
- The Chapter Leadership Symposium scheduled for next week is postponed until further notice.
- The Spring Board of Directors Meeting, scheduled the week of March 30, will be conducted via video conference.
- National Golf Day, May 4-6, is currently going forward as scheduled, but will be closely monitored, and we will provide you with any updates.
- GCSAA has implemented a temporary travel ban on all business travel through March 31.
- We have also instituted protocols for our team members to prevent the introduction of the virus to our headquarters.
- GCSAA staff will continue to be available to meet your needs, whether they work from our office or remotely, without any significant interruption to our daily business.
- We know that in addition to concerns for the well-being of your loved ones, that many of you will be facing challenges at your facilities, and we will be offering information and support during these stressful times. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
In GCSAA’s nearly century of history we have weathered many storms, and I am confident that with our dedicated team and current resources, that we can continue to serve you through this latest challenge. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Wishing you health and safety,
Rhett Evans
GCSAA CEO