Welcome to The Fairway GM

This is my first blog post.

And truthfully, it may be terrible.

But I’m guessing that post after post, I’ll get better at this just like I did becoming a General Manager.

So, why am I here?

For most of us in management, we spend years trying to climb the ladder. We work hard, take on more responsibility, solve more problems, and eventually, if we’re fortunate, we reach the top.

And then something happens.

You realize how lonely it can be up here.

Not lonely in a sad way. Lonely because you’re the one at the top.

The decisions come to you.

The problems come to you.

The new ideas come from you.

The successes are often attributed to you.

And when things aren't going well, somehow, they're always your fault!

I’ve been climbing that ladder since I was 15 years old.

Over the past 29 years, I’ve worked just about every job a golf course can offer. I’ve worked outside and inside. I’ve worked in the clubhouse and in the maintenance shop. I’ve cut greens and then turned around and putted on them.

I've worked in the pro shop, taught lessons, worked with junior golfers, handled merchandise, worked in the kitchen and bar, managed staff, dealt with customers, and eventually found myself responsible for essentially every aspect of running a golf course.

I’ve been a General Manager for more than 20 years.

And somewhere along the way, I realized something.

My experience has taken me pretty far.

But I’ve also realized that experience alone isn't enough.

Over the years, I’ve developed into a leader.

I mentor college students, adults, and the young people working their first jobs. I’ve learned how to handle difficult employees, challenging customers, staffing problems, operational issues, and the countless little things that can make or break a day at a golf course.

I've developed systems, policies, training methods, and plans that help operations run more smoothly.

And I want to share those things with you.

But there’s something else I want to share.

I don't think I have all the answers.

In fact, I know I don't.

And that's where you come in.

One of the things I believe has helped me become successful is my willingness to listen to new ideas. I don't care where a great idea comes from. If it makes sense and makes the operation better, I'm interested.

As a GM, my staff can bring me ideas and thankfully, they do.

But what I don't have every day is the opportunity to sit down with other General Managers and hear how they think.

How do you handle a difficult employee?

How do you deal with a customer who is upset?

How do you keep your staff motivated?

How do you manage the never-ending list of problems?

How do you balance being a boss with being someone your employees actually want to work for?

How are you making your golf course more profitable?

Those are the conversations I want to have here.

The Fairway GM isn't going to be a place where I tell you everything you're doing wrong.

It's going to be a place where we share ideas.

I'll share what I've learned being a GM for over 20 years.

You share what you've learned.

Maybe I'll give you an idea that makes your job a little easier.

Maybe you'll give me an idea that makes mine better.

And maybe, together, we can become better managers, better leaders, and better people to work for.

That's really what I hope The Fairway GM becomes.

I’m in this for the long haul.

Maybe this becomes something small.

Maybe it becomes something much bigger than I ever imagined.

Maybe it becomes one of the greatest communities of golf course managers out there.

And who knows?

Maybe I’ll even meet a few new golfing buddies along the way.

If you've taken the time to read this first post, thank you.

Seriously.

I hope you'll stick around.

Watch the YouTube videos. Leave a comment. Tell me how you handle things. Challenge my ideas. Share your own.

Because while I may be sitting at the top of the ladder, I don't want to be standing here alone.

Let's share what we know. Let's learn from each other.

Let's become great together.

— Rick,The Fairway GM