Most everyone is in the thick of it at this point. Hopefully everyone has wrapped up his or her staffing issues. I know it has been tough this year if you rely on H2B seasonal help. The cap was filled in January and most New England companies do not bring their help in until now. One local irrigation contractor I know here on MV relies on at least three guys from Jamaica and this has been a huge disruption for him. Who would have thought immigration issues would have such an impact on small businesses here in NE? One of the blessings of being on a nine-hole course is the smaller staff requirement. I do not envy those who have to fill a large staff every year. Most of my crew has been with me for several years, which sure makes life easier.

It is the time of year we begin to implement all the great plans we developed over the winter. We prepare for the increase in play and all the headaches to come. This morning thinking about what to write for this month’s message I heard a poem on The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor I thought it could be adapted to us quite well. The poem is called “The Waitresses." by Matt Cook from Evesdrop Soup © Manic D Press, 2005. I’ll summarize it since reprint permission did not arrive in time. It talks of the waitresses at a restaurant who have to remind the schizophrenic man not to act that way or they will ask him to leave, but he keeps forgetting he is schizophrenic, so they keep reminding him. It loses something in translation I am sure but I thought to myself, is this not us in dealing with golfers? We are constantly reminding them to fix ball marks, rake bunkers behind themselves, and to replace divots. We tell them not to drive or pull their carts in certain areas yet the message seems to bear repeating time and again. Does golf cause schizophrenia?  I always liked the definition of insanity: to keep doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. Maybe this year is the time to shake things up a bit and come up with a new way to get the message across. I have often thought of taking in all the ropes, stakes, and signs just to see what would happen. I am fairly certain I know the answer. If anyone thinks they have a fresh take on the message please share it with the rest of us. For most, I think, we will simply be happy to have golfers show up and put an end to the slump in revenue we all seem to be facing.

We have a great schedule planned and a lot of issues to discuss like should we change the name? How should we best involve our Assistant members? Please make your voice heard and attend as many meetings as you can.

Here’s hoping everyone has a prosperous fun year.