Striving to keep teens safe is the goal for Rich Gagnon, head golf course superintendent of grounds at Segregansett Country Club. As the recent recipient of the 2010 Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSAA) of America’s Excellence in Government Relations Award in the compliance category, his plan is to keep teens who work at golf courses everywhere out of harm’s way.
“The award was a huge surprise,” Gagnon said. “I’m passionate about what I do, but it’s a lot for one person to keep up with. I have to be diligent because I’m the one the responsibility falls to.”
As a way to save some money in a questionable economy, Gagnon decided that one way to save money was to hire some high school students because the hourly wage would be less. However, he did have questions regarding what types of child labor laws would come into effect, given the amount and types of gas-powered equipment being used and whether or not these kids needed a driver’s license to operate this equipment.
A front-end loader, a tractor, riding reel mower, riding rotary mower, utility carts and a chain saw are just some of the heavy equipment Gagnon was questioning.
Our Congratulations to go out to Rich Gagdon for all his hard work. Rich wrote an article for us back in August of 2008.