Thank you for inquiring about membership to the Heart of America Golf Course Superintendents Association.
Our Mission is to promote the welfare of the game of golf, the science and art of golf course management, the organizational and business effectiveness of the profession, the professional image and well-being of its individual members, and to unite golf course superintendents in this area.
Our memberships are granted by individual (not clubs or companies); with an annual term from January 1 to December 31. At this time I'd like to make you aware of some of the benefits, opportunities, and resources that are now available to you as a member of the Heart of America GCSA.
Heartbeat Publication
As a member you will receive a complimentary subscription to this nationally recognized publication that has information about the industry and our association.
The Pulse
The Pulse is a section in the Heartbeat and on our website that allows you to post any news or information about our industry. This is free of charge to all members.
Educational Programs
Take advantage of the opportunity to learn what is new in our industry while receiving continuing education points by attending our monthly meetings and the annual Heartland Green Industry Expo: "Common Ground" Conference and Trade Show.
Networking Opportunities
Take the opportunity to meet and network with fellow members at our monthly meetings. This is a great time to compare notes and to help solve problems that people are facing at their clubs or companies. You can also volunteer to serve on one of the many committees for the HAGCSA if you are interested. This can allow you to work closer with fellow members and get a better idea on how the organization works.
Employment Opportunities
Allow the HAGCSA to help you fill an open position at your club or company. Members of the association may post positions on this website and in the monthly newsletter free of charge.
Employee Awards Program
This program is designed to help offset some of the cost of school for those whom are full-time employees taking turfgrass classes. Only employees that working for members of the association are eligible for this program.
Annual Dues (classifications listed below):
Superintendents: $150
Assistant Superintendents: $80
Supplier/Affiliates: $150
Facility: $50
Student: $25
Equipment Manager: $25
To become a member; complete a membership application (PDF) and submit to the HAGCSA office. Your application will be presented to the board of directors for review at their monthly board meetings. Upon approval, your payment will be processed and a membership packet will welcome you to the association. If you have any questions regarding this process, please feel free to contact the HAGCSA at 816-561-5323.
We appreciate your interest in the Heart of America GCSA and look forward to welcoming you as a member.
Classes of Membership
ARTICLE VII – Membership
Section 1: Classes of Members
The membership of the Association shall consist of the following eleven (12) classes:
(1) Class AA (2) Class A (3) Class B (4) Class C (5) Associate
(6) Affiliate (7) Retired (8) Honorary (9) Class P (10) Student (11) Inactive (12) Class EM
(Note: Class D members are reclassified as Associates; Class E and EE members are reclassified as Affiliate; Class H members are reclassified as Honorary; Inactive is created and Class S members are reclassified as Student.)
Class AA - A member must have retired as a Golf Course Superintendent and have reached the age of fifty-five (55) and (1) been a voting member for twenty-five (25) years or (2) a former Board member or (3) a charter member.
Class A - Golf Course Superintendent - To qualify for this class, an individual must have, at the time of application for membership, at least three (3) years experience as a Superintendent and be employed in such a capacity. Class A members shall have all privileges of the Association.
Class B - To qualify for a Class B membership an individual must have less than three years’ experience as a golf course superintendent, and be presently employed in such capacity. Class B members shall have all the privileges of the Association, other than appointment as Special Director.
Class C - Assistant Golf Course Superintendent - To qualify for the Class C membership, an individual must be, at the time of application for membership, an assistant to a golf course superintendent, and shall be presently employed in such capacity. Class C members shall have all the privileges of the Association, except that of holding office, other than election as Class C director or appointment as Special Director.
Class EM – Equipment Managers - To qualify for Equipment Manager membership; an applicant shall be employed as an equipment manager, assistant equipment manager or mechanic/technician within the golf industry and shall have such rights of the association as the board of directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.
Associate - To qualify for Associate membership, an applicant must be an individual interested in golf course management and/or in the growing or production of fine turfgrass. Associate members shall have such privileges of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify, except those of voting or holding office.
Affiliate - To qualify for Affiliate membership, an applicant must be a business firm or governmental body interested in golf course management and/or in the growing or production of fine turfgrass, either individually or through employment by, or other affiliation with, a company, proprietorship. Affiliate members shall have all the privileges of the Association, except those of voting and holding office. Affiliate members who have at least five (5) years continual classification as Affiliate may not vote, but may be appointed as Special Director.
Retired - Any Class A, Class B, Class C, Affiliate member or Associate reaching age fifty-five (55), who is retired and no longer seeking within the scope of activities of any membership class of this Association may apply to the Board of Directors in writing for Retired membership, the annual dues for which shall be one-half the amount paid by Class A members. A Retired member shall have all of the privileges of this Association afforded the member in his or her immediate previous classification, with the exception of holding office.
Honorary - Any person who has rendered special or valuable service to the Association or the golf industry may be elected by a three-fourths vote of the Board of Directors to Honorary membership. Only one person may be elected to Honorary membership each year. This classification does not pay dues. Honorary members, as of November 12, 1985, shall be exempt from reclassification. Class H members may not vote or hold office.
Class P - Any person who is a qualified representative of the golf, turf management or academic communities may be invited on a year-to-year basis to be a privileged member of this Association. Class P members pay no dues and may not vote or hold office.
Student -To qualify for Student membership, an applicant must be a full-time turfgrass student enrolled in a formal course of education, or have completed his or her formal education less than one (1) year prior to the date of application for membership. Student members shall have such privileges of the Association, except those of voting and holding office.
Inactive - An Inactive member is a member who, by reason of unemployment, illness or other adverse circumstances, has been placed in this class upon his or her application. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to act on such application and to place a member on Inactive status, subject to terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may specify.
Section 2: Reclassification
(a) A Class A member may retain this classification of membership for a period of one (1) year from the time employment is discontinued as a Golf Course Superintendent, or for as long as GCSAA Certification is retained.
(b) Should a Class A member regain employment as a Golf Course Superintendent during this one-year period of grace, this status of membership shall be automatically retained once the Association is notified in writing of this fact.
Section 3: Rules
(a) Only Class AA, A, B, and C members may vote at meetings of the Association.
(b) Class A, Class B and one Class C member may serve as an Officer of the Association.
(c) Except as stated in Article II, Section 1 of these By-Laws, Class A, Class B, and one Class C member may serve on the Board of Directors of the Association.
(d) AA, Honorary and Privileged members shall not be required to pay dues or assessments. All other classes of membership shall pay annual membership dues, and assessments when necessary.
(e) Any question of classification due to an unclassified job title will be resolved by the GCSAA definitions of job titles and responsibilities.
Section 4: Application and Admission
(a) Every applicant for membership must present to the Board of Directors an application in writing on forms provided by the Association for this purpose. The application shall be signed by the applicant and endorsed by two voting members.
(b) All applications for membership must be accompanied by a check for the appropriate dues.
(c) The Board of Directors shall elect new members to membership by a two-thirds vote of those in attendance at the Board Meeting.
(d) Applicants will be notified in writing by the Secretary of their election, or not, to membership.
Sections 5: Expulsion and Restoration
(a) Any member may be suspended or expelled from membership by a three-fourths vote of the Board of Directors for any willful infraction of these By-Laws or for any willful misconduct that would not be in the best interest of this Association, after having been given fifteen (15) days notice of charges by registered mail and an opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors.
(b) Any member who has been expelled may, after the passage of one (1) year, apply for restoration to membership through the regular membership process.
Sections 6: Dual Membership Requirement
All Class A and Class B membership applicants must submit an application for membership or evidence of membership with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and must maintain that membership thereafter.
Section 7: Facility Membership
A facility membership is available to those facilities that operate with limited resources. The membership is in the name of the facility. However, the recipient of the membership benefits and information can be the superintendent, owner, or other representative selected by a golf facility. The facility is entitled to all privileges of membership, except those of voting and holding office.
