Here's a simple but fantastic idea.

The American golf superintendents association, the GCSAA, has launched a campaign designed to get golfers to thank the guys who look after the courses they play on. An ingenious campaign which will both raise the profile of these hard-working, often unsung professionals, but also act as welcome boost to self-esteem.

Top professional golfers and celebrities alike will be part of the series of advertisements. The promotions consist of television, radio and print ads that will run throughout the year.

The first commercials went out during The Masters a couple of weeks ago - a masterstroke of high-profile timing by the association.

The 30-second commercials ask golfers to let the course professionals know that their dedication is appreciated. “If you love golf like I do, thank a golf course superintendent,” is the tagline used.

The new celebrity spot features Justin Timberlake, Charles Barkley and John Elway, but also includes Brandi Chastain (USA women’s soccer), Dennis Haysbert (actor), Jim McMahon (former NFL quarterback), Willie Robertson (Duck Dynasty star) and Larry the Cable Guy (comedian).

A second commercial features Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Nick Faldo and Michelle Wie.

The celebrities and top golfers also lend their voices to a series of radio advertising spots.

The appropriately named, Peter J. Grass, GCSAA president and a certified golf course superintendent at Hilands Golf Club in Billings, Montana said, “Golf course superintendents skillfully manage the biggest asset of any golf facility - the golf course without fanfare. But when giants of the celebrity world and the top players in the game support the work we do, it makes me boastfully proud to be a golf course superintendent for the past 31 years.”

I can see how people could be cynical about this being a fairly lightweight campaign, perhaps typical of that throwaway American 'have-a-nice-day' culture. But I feel it nicely hits the spot in what it's trying to achieve.

Anything which can draw attention to and make the wider public more aware of the relentlessly hard work and dedication put it by turf professionals everyday must be a good thing.

And a simple thank you always goes a very long way to making all our efforts worthwhile.

Could a similar campaign work over here? I like to think it could.