Duda is among the 275 GCSAA members who are making a difference through advocacy for their profession
Lawrence, Kan. (Sept. 6, 2016) – Nothing Frank Duda learned at the University of Maryland prepared him for the real-world management issue he would face as golf course superintendent at Miacomet Golf Course on Nantucket Island, Mass.
Duda had spent two summers as an intern and a couple more years as an assistant superintendent at Miacomet, so he knew how to take care of the bentgrass greens and fairways. He knew how to tenderly care for the environment and how to handle restrictions on inputs.
But, he wasn’t prepared for the challenge of finding the workers he needed to maintain the course. That led Duda to enroll in the 2014 class of grassroots ambassadors for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
“For me, it was an H-2B issue. It’s mainly vacationing college kids here on the island for the summers, and you don’t find college kids who want to wake up at 5 a.m. for labor jobs,” said the 30-year-old Duda, who took the reigns as head superintendent in 2012. “I have to have the H-2B program for our business to survive. I have advertised but have only had three Americans apply for crew positions in the last five years, and I am paying $20.73 an hour.”
So, Duda takes advantage of the H-2B visa program created by the U.S. government in 1987 to assist employers in finding temporary labor for up to 10 months when there is a shortage of U.S. workers. The program, which offers temporary visas and is administered by the Department of Labor, has grown to include 60,000 workers annually. Eighteen of those are members of Duda’s 24-person crew. His workers come primarily from the Philippines each year, and four more workers are from the Dominican Republic.
“They love it here, and they come back year after year,” said Duda. “I have workers who are age 18 and others who are 65 – old enough to be my grandfather. They always ask if they can bring a friend here to work for us.”
But the federal government’s H-2B oversight has not kept pace with the program’s growth. Paperwork is not processed smoothly, which has been frustrating for Duda, who voiced his frustration in person when he attended the 2016 National Golf Day in Washington, D.C. There he met with a senior legislative liaison from the Department of Labor.
“I told them that they might not like the program, but it is here to stay, so let’s make it easier for everyone,” said Duda.
Duda has also expressed his feelings to his state’s 9th District Congressman Bill Keating (D-Mass.), who shares Duda’s frustration. Keating, who has an office in Hyannis, Mass., fully supports the H-2B program. In his own district, Cape Cod uses plenty of H-2B workers to support its summer tourism traffic.
“The H-2B visa program is a good example of one of the many issues we have continued to engage on for the sake of businesses across the Island and throughout my district,” said Keating. “This program serves as a critical resource for many businesses in my district but also affects the income for many who rely on businesses being able to open during the summer tourism season. To this end, collaboration with business leaders has been essential toward my efforts to break down the program’s recent roadblocks.”
“I want to see this program be more successful,” said Duda with passion. “If you believe in your cause, this grassroots ambassador thing is contagious. When I see the passion of Chava (McKeel, GCSAA director of government affairs), it gets me fired up to want to make a difference for my profession. They really get into it, and it rubs off on you.”
The grassroots ambassador program is in its third year, with 275 GCSAA members serving as liaisons to their national legislators. The ambassadors are voices of advocacy for the golf industry and golf course managers.
“I can pick up the phone and Rep. Keating’s office will know who I am, said Duda. “You get to establish relationships with lawmakers so our voices can be heard.”
About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org. or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
Contact:
Craig Smith, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 4431 or 785-691-9197 (cell)
csmith@gcsaa.org
