Monday, March 7, 2011
Advice for High Schooler interested in Golf Course Management
Hi, I'm a sophomore in high school and I am really looking into a golf course management position to pursue as I get older. I was wondering what an everyday cycle was for a Superintendent. Would anyone want to give me some advice? - Alshae
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It seems just a short time ago that I was in your shoes. In that short time this business has changed drastically. I graduated from the U of M in May of 2001 with little concern about getting a good job as an assistant superintendent. Ten years later the business is far different. Turf schools have turned out lots and lots of students while the number of courses in the US has decreased. Add to this the fact that many facilities are having to tighten their budgets meaning full-time position for turf school graduates are becoming less.
ReplyDeleteAll of that being said I believe this is a wonderful career. I am fortunate as a golf course superintendent to do what I love every single day. I love my job and so few people these days seem to be able to say that. If you are interested in this field you MUST be passionate and have a fire deep within that drives you to succeed. Don't choose this career because you like mowing greens and fairways.
A career in turfgrass management is wonderful but it needs to be your passion as much or more so than it is your job.
In regards to an everyday cycle: Every superintendent has a very different role in their organization. Some are true businessmen spending most of there time managing people, monitoring budgets, communicating with customers, over all big picture roles. While some are all hands on spending their days cup cutting, fertilizing, making chemical applications, and tackling an array of projects and problems. And most superintendents are somewhere in the middle. Very capable of all the hands on technical work, but delegate most of it out to allow time to tackle bigger issues. I live in the middle but more on the management side. A day in my work, during the season, starts with a morning meeting with my key staff. We review previous day and then outline goals and plans for the day. I will then work on some of my office work for a bit, then head out to see how things are progressing on the course, make sure things are progressing as anticipated (staff, machines, turf concerns, golfers). I will then spend some time in the clubhouse reviewing golf schedules for current day and days to come, and communicating with our Golf Professional about our plans and any points of interest. Then I usually tackle some things on my list of things to do, special project or a problem that has arisen. I will often spend some time visiting with customers on the course, addressing questions they may have. Then again at the end of the day I conclude with getting some office work done before going home. As you work your way up in this industry, you would spend most your time doing the hands on portion, then transition to a manager once you become a superintendent. The best thing that I could suggest that you do is job shadow a superintendent or two in your area. Most superintendents are great people and willing to share there passion with others. Good luck with your decisions.
ReplyDelete- Eric Counselman
Somerby Golf Club