• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Paying the Price for Success An open letter to aspiring turfgrass professionals. BY JIM SIMMONS Today's students have access to more information, but the competitive nature of the business may mean more years of experience are needed before becoming a golf course superintendent. Dear Aspiring Turfgrass Professionals, to be the job of a lifetime, at least for a Most assistants and foremen were not y name is Jim Simmons and hometown boy. I enjoyed the work and turf educated and in many cases did not I have been working on golf being on a golf course. My father, who finish any formal education. Needless M courses for almost 40 years. I was not known for the art of conversa- to say,it was difficult to gain the confi- have been the golf course superinten- tion, made a single comment to me, dence of the assistant superintendents dent at the Shoal Creek Club, in "Why don't you consider going to turf and foremen. Birmingham, Alabama, since 1977. school?" From that point on, my career During my internship at NCR, When I made up my mind to become began. I worked hard and gained valuable a golf course superintendent, I had a I enrolled at Michigan State Univer- .insight into the career of a golf course goal to become the best superintendent sity in their new two-year turfgrass superintendent. Jack Hart told me in the business at the best course in the management program. I was fortunate something as I was leaving that has country. Throughout my career I have to be taught by professors such asJames stayed with me my whole career: been fortunate to be in the right place Beard,John King, Al Turgeon, Ken "Once you feel you do not have to get at the right time to advance my career, Payne, Paul Rieke, and Joe Vargas. Their down on your hands and knees to but any success I have achieved has not interest and enthusiasm really motivated evaluate your golf course, you will be come without hard work, long hours, many of us in the class, and some of us thrown out of this business."To this day, and working for demanding employers. needed motivating at that age. this statement is the truth. I have seen all sides of the business dur- My placement training or internship ing my career, and I would like to share was done under Jack Hart at the NCR CLIMBING THE LADDER with you the traits that I believe are Country Club in Kettering, Ohio. The Upon graduating, I went back to my necessary to be successful in this year was 1969 and the club would host hometown and worked a year as a so- business. the PGA Championship that same year. called superintendent. My two friends Student interns were unheard of at that and I made up the entire maintenance A CAREER IS LAUNCHED time. Although Jack Hart was forth- crew. It was hard work, the budget was I began working on my hometown coming with helpful information, many low, and I earned $2.25 per hour. I course in 1966. Two of my friends and of his assistant superintendents and fore- thought I was doing well. The course I were hired for what would turn out men were skeptical of college students. owners were businessmen who built 26 G R E ENS E C T ION R E COR D Student interns who demonstrate hard work, self- A mentor once told me, "Once you feel you don't have to get down on your hands and knees discipline, dedication, and patience are developing the skills to evaluate our golf course, you will be thrown out in this business." To this day, this statement necessary to be a successful golf course superintendent. is true. the course out of love for the game. When I arrived at Brookside, it was Eventually Nicklaus's course, Muir- They gambled most of their wealth on considered the third-best course in the field Village Golf Club, was built and this course, and they wanted every cent Columbus area. Mter renovating fair- Ed Etchells became the superintendent. spent to be productive, to say the least. ways and tees and generally improving I was hired as the assistant superinten- A good friend of my family,Jack the grooming of the course, it was con- dent. Now I had two demanding indi- Welch, became the self-appointed sidered right up there with Scioto C. C. viduals to answer to. Many of the skills guardian angel over my career. He All this work was done in a short I learned from my two previous courses brought information back from national period of time. I learned in a hurry to paid off as I worked to prove my meetings to me. He even piqued my be self-disciplined, efficient, and organ- worth. Over the four years I worked at interest in joining the Central Ohio ized when going about my jobs. Ed Muirfield, I continued to learn many Superintendents Association. At one Etchells lived his life this way, and if one valuable lessons and, although I did not meeting I got up the nerve to speak paid attention and wanted to progress, know it at the time, I was laying the with Walter Fuchs, superintendent at he would be wise to do the same. foundation for the next challenge in Scioto C.C., one of the premier golf my life. The harder I worked and the courses in the country. He invited me BECOMINGA more responsibility I was willing to to Scioto to show me his operation. SUPERINTENDENT shoulder, the more trust both Ed and During the tour, I was so impressed that My father, an employee of Scotts, had Jack put in me. I did not sit around I asked if he knew of anyone looking a meeting with Jack Nicklaus years talking about what I could or could not for an assistant. He mentioned a young before my start in the business. Jack was do. Instead, I patiently showed them I guy who had just become the superin- interested in building a golf course in was able to handle any situation on the tendent at Brookside C. C. in Worthing- Dublin, Ohio, and he wanted Scotts to golf course. ton, Ohio. I sent this superintendent, Ed use the course as a proving ground for Mter Muirfield Village was com- Etchells, my resume, was asked to inter- their products. Though the relationship pleted,Jack started designing his own view, and was soon hired. This move never developed, I never forgot the courses and Ed Etchells began provid- really jump-started my career. message of that meeting - Jack ing agronomic consulting on all of Ed Etchells was demanding not only Nicklaus wanted to build a golf Nicklaus's courses. Shoal Creek was of himself, but of his employees as well. course. Jack Nicklaus's first course he designed JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2006 27 FREQUENTLY ASKED the bottom for two reasons. First, I am the reward of an experienced assistant QUESTIONS able to get comfortable with you, your for three years. The assistant has the Jim Simmons has more than 30 years of attitude, and your work. Second, if your benefit of three years as an assistarit experience as a golf course superinten- training follows a progression and I am superintendent. dent. Over that time, he estimates that in a pinch for a crew member, I have a I have interviewed at several courses he has provided internships for more good feel for ,whether you are up to the and I do not seem to ever get to the final than 150 individuals, many of whom task or not. interview. I always end up second or are still in the business. Although the What traits do you look for when third. What is happening? You might faces of interns, crew members, and hiring an assistant superintendent? be looking at the wrong type of course. assistants change, Jim is asked the same At Shoal Creek, traditionally assistant Take a good look at yourself, your work questions over and over again. Below superintendents are hired from within ethic, and desires and seek a course that are a few of these questions along with the staf[ Over time, I am able to fits your profile. Jim's responses. observe the work ethic, attitude, and When asked in an interview, "What What type of experience can Igain skills of individuals who will be con- kind of money are you looking for?" from an internship under you? Your sidered for assistant superintendent the interview seems to lose its intensity. internship will begin with learning to positions. How should I handle this question in an master the shovel and rake. As I observe How long can I expect to be an interview? You may be asking for too your attitude and your ability to do assistant superintendent? At Shoal much money for your first position. excellent work, you will move up and Creek, an assistant superintendent is Very few assistants leave their present learn additional jobs. If all goes well, expected to remain on staff for approxi- position and land that "gold mine" you will have learned how work is mately three years before seeking a salary. There are too many people done at Shoal Creek and you will be superintendent's position. This time applying for the same position. While skilled at many different tasks. frame seems to work well for both some may have the experience to Why am I initially assigned the sides.

Load more

  4

Copy Link