A new golfing season is now well underway, and 2024 continues to move along at a pace that only seems to gain steam. Students have finished their school year, and some are out working their summer jobs. It’s during this time of year that I often think back to when I started in the business and how those early days on the golf course were some of the most fun I’ve ever had in a job.  

My golf course agronomy career began at Boulder Pointe Golf Club in Oxford, Mich., when I was 17. I started working in April. I would show up after school and on weekends. It was early spring in Michigan, and the days were usually cold and wet. My first task on that initial day was to add sand to bunkers, probably not anyone’s favorite maintenance practice on the course. The course was still under construction when I started and wouldn’t open until later that year. In the spring, the bunkers only had drainage and edges, and adding sand via Cushman’s was how I was introduced to the industry. I loved it.

Working at a golf course that is still under development may be one of the coolest gigs in the industry. I was working with several others who were around my age and the superintendent, Scot Gardiner, CGCS, a 39-year GCSAA member, and the assistant at the time, Phil Hopper, a 24-year association member, didn’t make it feel like work, they made it fun.  

Once school ended for the summer, I would be there most days from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., along with the majority of the crew, pretty standard almost 25 years ago. As my hours increased, so too did my responsibilities. I went from adding sand to bunkers, to triplexing tees and approaches. From there, I started to handle course setup (once the course opened) and mowing the driving range.

I still remember mowing the range for the first time. I was on an old Ransoms riding mower, although it was fairly new at the time. I couldn’t tell you the model or the year, but it was the biggest piece of equipment I had ever operated to that point. I was beyond nervous. While I did my best to hide it, I’m sure Scot knew I was nervous as well.

He gave me a tutorial of the mower and went over the safety and operation. He then watched me for a couple of passes to make sure I didn’t drive the thing into the clubhouse, but after a few minutes, he went on his way, and I was on my own. I couldn’t help but think about how cool it was that I was mowing the range on a mower twice the size of my Ford Contour. Here I was, working at the golf course for only one season, and I was mowing rough, triplexing tees, and changing cups.

It wasn’t just that I was showing up for work every day, it was the fact that I felt a part of something. I felt like I mattered. I wanted to show up for work every day and give it my all. Scot and Phil were putting their trust in me, and I didn’t want to let them down. At that point, it was still just a summer job, but I enjoyed it, and it was satisfying work. Little did I know it would become my career a handful of years later.  

I don’t tell you this story to take a trip down memory lane or reminisce. I wanted to share this story because you too have the power to change someone’s life. By adding some responsibility or encouraging additional accountability, there’s no telling where it might lead someone. There may not be the next great superintendent, or assistant or equipment manager on your crew, but if you don’t allow them to take this job to the next level, how will you know?

You may be thinking to yourself, my crew is so short right now, they already do all of these tasks and more. I know that’s the case for many of you. If that is the case, look for opportunities to give those on your team more responsibility, or involve them in areas of the day-to-day operations where they may not have had the opportunity prior. You never know where this may lead them.

Additionally, those already on your team should be the greatest advocates for you and the agronomy crew. When I was working at Boulder Pointe, I wasn’t shy about encouraging my friends to apply. Why wouldn’t I want to work with my buddies and get paid at the same time? A few applied. Not all were hired, but this was 2000, and the labor pool wasn’t as tough as it is today. With that said, your team can still act as your best recruiters if you give them the opportunity. Their recruiting is directly tied to their day-to-day responsibilities at the course. Why would someone want to encourage a friend or family member to come work with them when they don’t like their job? When they take pride in their work, have responsibilities, and feel like they matter, referrals can become a regular occurrence.

When you give someone the chance to take their career to the next level, they not only oftentimes take that opportunity, but surpass expectations. I don’t know what I would be doing if I wasn’t given that opportunity by Scot and Phil 24 years ago, but I am forever grateful to them for putting their trust in me and I hope I exceeded their expectations. I’m confident if you do the same, your team will also exceed expectations.