McBride keeps tourney-ready all year By Peter Blais being built in 1973 and 1974," McBride re- We try to peak the snow cover that helped insulate the turf, Professional tournaments are fine. But a membered. 'That's where my interest in course for the McBride said. course shouldn't be graded simply on how it construction and maintenance started. "In fact, we opened earlier than ever before Memorial looks the one week a year when the Greg "I gave half serious thought to changing last spring," he added. Normans and Nick Faldos come calling, ac- my major and going to a turf school like Ohio Tournament in May. McBride said his major maintenance cording to Club su- State or Michigan State. But I was so far Then we try to headache involves some of the steep-faced perintendent Mike McBride. along, I decided to see it through." maintain it at that bunkers that are susceptible to wash-out (See related story on best-conditioned After graduation, McBride had several level the rest of the during heavy rains. jobs, including selling pet products and "Keeping clay out of the bunkers so they all course — page 1) M. McBride year.' "We try to peak the course for the Memo- marketing computer systems. play consistently is a continuous maintenance rial Tournament in May," said McBride of his "But I decided that's not what I really is helping the television crews set up to cover problem," McBride said. Dublin, Ohio, facility. 'Then we try to main- wanted," he said. "I enjoyed my two summers the Memorial. McBride said he tries to keep abreast of tain it at that level the rest of the year." at Muirfield. I decided to get back in the golf The installation of underground television environmental issues that are plaguing many After all, that's what McBride would want if industry, somehow. I was married and it cables over the past 15 years — Muirfield is new and existing courses. He keeps up-to- he were a local golfer. And he is. meant starting all over. But I wanted it. one of the few courses nationally with such a date records of chemical and petroleum use. "I try to play the as often as "So I called Ed Etchells (Muirfield super- system — keeps unsightly above-ground Muirfield's underground storage tanks were possible. That's how you get the best per- intendent at the time and currently with Jack cables to a minimum. recently inspected. Drainage studies are be- spective on maintenance. If you understand Nicklaus' architectural business). He rec- Muirfield also provides its own camera ing conducted to avoid future problems. thegameyougetabetterideaaboutplayability. ommended I come back to Muirfield." towers, making scaffolding unnecessary. The "We try to keep up and anticipate where That way you can make sure the course is in Which is what he did. Starting as a seasonal 80 acres devoted to parking space during well be fivet o 10 years from now," McBride the best shape as often as possible." laborerinthe summer of1982, he was offered tournament week also falls under his sur- said. McBride, 36, started playing golf in nearby a full-time position that fall. McBride made a veillance. McBride said he has no plans to leave Worthington atage 11. He carried a 4- commitment "to learn as much as I could." "Basically, anything that comes on or near Muirfield, especially with a new maintenance while playing on his high school team. Management noticed and sent him to the the course must come through me first," building and some modifications to the bun- He went on to Bowling Green State Uni- Cook College two-year winter turf program McBride said. "We try to minimize the amount kers on the immediate horizon. versity, playing intramurals and local tourna- in Rutgers, NJ. of inconvenience for everyone — players, Tm excited about what's going to be ments while pursuing a political science de- McBride graduated in 1984 and was pro- spectators, workers." happening here over the next few years," he gree. But the seeds of his future profession moted to one of the two assistant superin- As for the course itself, tees, greens and said. were being sowed not in the classroom, but tendent posts. Ayear later he was made head fairways are planted in bentgrass with blue- When he's not at the course, McBride likes back home at Muirfield. superintendent. grass and fine fescues in the fairways. All to jog and work out. He and his wife, Linda, "I worked summers there when it was As superintendent, a major responsibility thrive in the Midwest climate and came who is in the antique business, collect antiques through last December's record-breaking and wine. They're also busy raising 15-month- cold in fine shape thanks, in part, to an early old daughter Kelsey. AMERICA'S FINEST SPORTS SURFACES USED BY OVER 50 PRO-TEAMS PARTAC GOLF COURSE SOIL CONDITIONER & TOP-DRESSING TOP-DRESSING IMPROVES AERATION AND DRAINAGE BETTER THAN SAND YET RETAINS NUTRIENTS & MOISTURE! GET THE WHOLE STORY ON AMERICA'S

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