Change isn’t just common in the golf course maintenance industry, it’s constant. The weather, course politics, technology and golfer expectations are just a few variables that are always shifting. As superintendents, we adapt through growth. We learn and evolve, adopting new technology and methods as fast as they’re proven. Superintendents have to keep their eyes open for every opportunity, whether it’s a new way to enhance your maintenance program and improve your golf course, or the chance to take the next step in your career. I recently left my role as the superintendent at Walla Walla Country Club in Washington to dive into being a USGA agronomist. While that means a new voice in the Green Section Record and a new face visiting courses in the West, this type of change is par for the course.

Originally from Virginia, I have spent most of my adult life out West. Although I spent many years in Southern California and Arizona managing bermudagrass with overseeded ryegrass, the turf types I’m most accustomed to are cool season. Even in Scottsdale and Palm Springs, we managed bentgrass putting surfaces. Talk about learning the importance of moisture management!

On the California coast, we faced challenges growing Poa annua with poor water quality and ocean waves crashing over putting greens. In the high desert, we had to overcome weeks of temperatures over 100 degrees with the short roots of juvenile Poa trivialis. I was fortunate to gain the experience of managing creeping bentgrass in the Coachella Valley with summer temperatures exceeding 125 degrees. A few hours east in the Sonoran Desert, we battled thatch accumulation and puffy summer conditions with the strong disease pressure of monsoon season.

At Walla Walla Country Club, we would survive the crammed growing season to finally catch our breath in winter, only to have the stress of snow mold and winterkill blow in with the cold. While I’ve always enjoyed math, the equations, precision and extent of fungicide programs during my time in the Northeast had my eyes watering.

Every seasoned golf course superintendent has faced similar challenges and so much more. Managing quality turf in every region has unique obstacles, but we all share a unified objective to provide the best playing conditions possible with the resources available – and with what Mother Nature has to offer.

I hope my varied experiences will allow me to provide insight that will help others, but I’m also looking forward to learning from all the new superintendents, agronomists, researchers and industry professionals that I’ll be working with in my new role. Cory Isom upheld the high standards of the Green Section through his many contributions, and I know I have big shoes to fill. I’m thrilled to continue our work toward better turf for better golf, and doing it all for the good of the game.

West Region Agronomists:

Brian  Whitlark, regional director – bwhitlark@usga.org

Ross Niewola, agronomist - rniewola@usga.org

Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service

Contact the Green Section Staff