Golf course maintenance teams do their best to fly under the radar. They start work long before golfers arrive, they try to stay away from play as much as possible, and often feel that the less they are noticed the better. However, at the USGA Green Section it has always been part of our mission to shine a spotlight on their essential work. I want to take this opportunity to highlight a particular group of turfgrass professionals that are near and dear to my heart – the women who work in golf course maintenance.
Women currently make up around 2% to 4% of the turf management workforce in the U.S. and Canada (Carroll et al., 2021), but their numbers and influence are growing. That trend is better late than never, because in a time when many golf course superintendents highlight labor as a top challenge, courses can’t afford to miss out on a huge percentage of their potential workforce. The women that golf courses hire do more than simply fill out the roster. They bring unique experiences and skills to the job and in my 13 years working in course maintenance I never found a task that women couldn’t learn to do and do well.
Having a variety of skills and backgrounds is a great boost for any team. Differing perspectives provide new ways to solve problems, and people with unique experiences may offer solutions that were not previously thought of. When I was an assistant golf course superintendent, I used my teaching background to create a more organized spray record system. My superintendent knew our records were a little haphazard, so I suggested a method that worked for me in an entirely different career, and it streamlined and greatly improved our process.
Beyond the value women add to a crew, it’s also important to recognize what the golf course maintenance industry – and the turf industry as a whole – can do for them. The turf industry has given me a lot. Whether it was during my time in golf course maintenance, my years conducting turfgrass research, or in my current role with the USGA Green Section, I’ve met people I probably never would have otherwise and made lifelong friends around the world. I have felt the immense sense of satisfaction for a job well done and seen with my own eyes the enjoyment golfers got while playing a course I helped prepare that day. I’ve also gotten to attend and work some of the most prestigious championships in the world – a chance that most golf fans would jump at.
Even with all the positives that come with working in golf course maintenance or the turf industry in general, there is still a lack of awareness among women about the career options available. Many women don’t know that these jobs exist or that they would be welcome additions on golf course maintenance teams, at turf farms or at turfgrass research facilities. So, if you know a woman who likes being part of a team and seeing the value of hard work at the end of every day, encourage them to consider a career in turf. The doors are open!
References
Carroll, D. E., Stephens, C. A., Stripling, C. T., Sorochan, J. C., & Brosnan, J. T. (2021) Women in turf: A qualitative study examining how women have sustained their leadership role in the turfgrass industry. Journal of Agricultural Education, 62(4), 139-157.