J G Prusa

ASIAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS SUMMIT

Pattaya, ThailandOctober 2011

Why a Need For Training Tour Agronomists in Asia – The History

and Critical Role

James Graham Prusa

J G Prusa

“The history of most golf clubs is that a committee is appointed, they make mistakes, and just as they are beginning to learn by these mistakes they resign office and are replaced by others who make still greater mistakes, and so it goes on.”

Dr. Alister MacKenzie, circa 1929

Essence of the need for tour agronomists in Asia and standards:

J G Prusa

The role of the CHAMPIONSHIP AGRONOMISTJust what is the role?• Support for Superintendent and the golf

course / event / tour • THEY ARE SUPERINTENDENTS with

EMPATHY• Provide expertise – experience• A fresh perspective – objectivity• They have ‘Horsepower’ / Clout• Understanding when to use it• ‘Margaret Thatcher on being a ‘Lady’

• Liaison

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What qualifications are necessary for Championship Agronomist?

• Education• Proven Experience • Golf Course Superintendent• Tour event experiences

• Business Savvy and Acumen• People skills – all levels• Ability to deal with the unexpected• Can-do Attitude• A NETWORK • Local, National, Regional, International

J G Prusa

What qualifications are necessary for Championship Agronomist?

• Stay in background – promote others(humility – selflessness)

Korean LPGA2011 KB Star Classic

Hanul Course

LPGA2011 Hana Bank

Ocean Course

J G Prusa

What qualifications are necessary for Championship Agronomist?

• Teacher

• Grasp of the Rules of Golf

• Ability to remain current

• Quality Control (QC)• Remember what it was like before

standards!

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Play for sport or just punishment?

That is the question…

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Why Standards?Sandy Tatum

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What qualifications are necessary for Championship Agronomist?

• Respect and knowledge of predecessors and colleagues worldwide GOLF TRADITION

J G Prusa

What qualifications are necessary for Championship Agronomist?

• Knowledge of international standards

• Deep respect for the players• Deep respect for the Game and its

traditions

J G Prusa

“A golf course that consisted entirely of one shade of green would be merely ugly. There is great charm and beauty in the varying shades of colour of a golf course.”

Dr. Alister MacKenzie

What qualifications are necessary for Championship Agronomist?

• Deep knowledge of golf’s shapers and makers…

J G Prusa

SO, why a need for training ASIAN tour agronomists for ASIA?• This is ASIA – time for Asians to step up and take care of

selves / colonial days are long gone• It will bring greater acceptance of golf, standards and

‘QUALITY’• Golf courses are different in Asia – at least for now very

much more exclusive• Cultural nuances – in each nation (Yes? No?) (E. Tour)• Status of Golf Course Superintendents are different (need

to be raised up – how better to do than by promotion)• Language differences• Better understanding of local abilities – ‘people’ versus

‘machines’ (Ron Fream)• But must help advance modern methods

J G Prusa

SO, why a need for training ASIAN tour agronomists for ASIA?• “Best is good enough” – Jon Scott “KAIZEN”• Environmental / Ecological and Climatological factors – SE

Asia is not Florida, demands seasonal grasp• Available products and chemicals vary locally and widely• Courses are more ‘user friendly’ – conditions are more

difficult to achieve and set-up is different (SKY72 play)• Owner expectations are different – GREEN• Asian service attitude is different• Greater affinity and empathy for nations / people• Travel is expensive and cumbersome versus local resource

talents with Boots-On-The-Ground

• IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!

J G Prusa

How do we do this?• Make the need known to various tours and interests• CHINA LAST WEEK – Chinese speaker called Americans and

others ‘Big Brothers’ / Mentoring - Recruiting (NEED TIME TO TRANSITION)

• Set it as a clear goal and start transition• Identify promising prospects• Take time and do not rush – I takes 15-20 years of

experience across a broad range of courses and numerous events management

• Pass on the torch – first responsibility of a manager• The Game of Golf will benefit from cross-pollination – it

imitates natures mechanisms of survival• It is an investment by non-Asians for the future that will

pay back to the West and golf

www.PrusaAssciates.com

© 2004 J.G. Prusa © 2004 J.G. Prusa

IN CONCLUSION, never forget …

© 2006 J.G. Prusa

…with the hole placement! カップの大きさもキーパー次第！…that it is the Golf Course Superintendent

really who controls GOLF …ゴルフをコントロールしているのはゴルフコースのキーパーであることを・・・

J G Prusa

How do we do this?• “SPEED” of greens• Peaking course for tour / championship condition is a very

brief 1 – 1.5 weeks and takes months if not years to prepare for – S T R E S S R E S I S T!

• Differences between tour golfers USA, Europe, Asia – today Walter Hagen and Lee Trevino would feel close to realities of Asian players (their development)

• Korean Women golfers – why success?

• www.PrusaAssciates.com