June 2008 IssuE
Geo Beat
Geoscientists Carry Romance for Outdoors Over to Golf Course
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BY TOM SNEDDON, P.GEOL.APEGGA Manager, Geoscience Affairs |
Editor’s Note: In the April PEGG, we introduced you to Tom Sneddon, P.Geol., APEGGA’s new Manager, Geoscience Affairs. As part of his role to strengthen the connection between APEGGA and the geoscience community, Mr. Sneddon will be contributing a regular column to our pages, which kicks off with this installment.
A few years ago, a client dropped into my office and announced that I was a “typical geologist” when he noticed a putter sticking out of my map caddy and a putting target strategically placed in an otherwise unused corner.
Why is there such an affinity between geoscientists and golf?
The two biggest tournaments in Calgary are the CSEG Doodlebug and the CSPG Classic, and they’re near-pro-tour quality. The entry fees also approach pro tour magnitude and both are sold out months in advance. This suggests there are some pretty proficient golfers in our midst.
It likely has a lot to do with why many of us got involved with geoscience in the first place.
The romance of outdoor work conducted under wilderness conditions involving hiking and climbing and whacking chunks of rock from isolated outcrops. Taking the Earth’s pulse with sophisticated equipment set up at a remote site. Exploring things beyond the ken of our senses.
We saw ourselves strapping on a Bell 206 with only a rock hammer, a bear-banger and a Brunton Pocket Transit to map the unknown. The reality for most geoscientists, however, is endless office work with hired help doing all the neat stuff in the field.
Endless reprocessing of ancient data. Contracting hassles, permit hassles. Sweet talking management or shareholders into funding our latest brainstorm. Very few and far between (and short) ventures into the field.
Enter golf.
Golf is a substitute for field work, while you explain to the boss (known to some of you as “The Man”) that you need to go because the client or investor will be there and it will be a relaxed social occasion where we will get to know each other and make him/her more amenable to our latest brainstorm.
Golf involves everything we do as professionals.
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It demands absolute honesty and integrity.
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It requires us to be aware of dangers to public and worker safety.
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It requires a high level of competence and technical knowledge — have you researched all the new clubs lately?
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Its rules and regulations are many, complex and often puzzling, but
they must be followed to the letter, or else! -
It places a high value on maintaining dignity and decorum through often trying circumstances and placing winning secondary to maintenance of reputation.
About the only thing missing is the public interest, and that may be served by providing many people employment and thus revenues to the Crown.
Given the technical challenges and the professional and ethical issues involved with the game of golf, I suppose there is a close affinity with geoscience and that it should appeal to many practitioners in the profession.
Now, if only we could find the time to play a few more rounds.
If you have comments or questions for Tom Sneddon, P.Geol., reach him at tsneddon@apegga.org or at the Calgary APEGGA office, 403-262-7714.