Many golf facilities have made tremendous investments into course infrastructure in recent years. New irrigation systems, bunker renovations and practice facility upgrades are increasingly common. But one often-overlooked area where investment pays dividends for years to come is the maintenance facility, particularly staff spaces.
During a recent visit at Sand Point Country Club in Seattle, I had the chance to tour a new maintenance building with one of the most thoughtful staff locker rooms I’ve encountered. Each locker was custom-built with dedicated boot dryers, air vents and fans to dry wet outerwear, and ample space for personal belongings and dry storage. The inspiration? Elite college football locker rooms.
This attention to detail sends a powerful message that the agronomy team matters. The same way that new mowers and grinders protect the quality of cut, these upgrades take care of the people responsible for delivering great course conditions every day. That kind of investment supports employee retention, improves efficiency and raises the standard of professionalism within the entire operation. Not every course can build a brand-new maintenance facility or fully renovate their staff locker room, but there are still some low-cost, high-impact improvements that can make a big difference.
Add a drying area using affordable racks and small fans or heaters. Boot dryers are very economical to purchase from a variety of sources, and dry gear improves staff comfort and well-being.
Create personal storage cubbies using basic shelving materials to give staff space for their PPE, jackets and personal tools.
Upgrade common areas with microwaves, refrigerators and clean seating. A comfortable lunch space helps support morale and makes your facility more attractive to new hires. No one wants to wait 15 minutes for a microwave during a 30-minute lunch! Additionally, buying game consoles for the break room might be cheaper than you think and can provide a fun way for the crew to unwind.
Improve task displays with one of the many options available today. Smartboards are great but pricey, so if those are not in the budget you can use paint markers on glass or a few secondhand TVs to display information and improve communication and efficiency.
Ultimately, a golf course’s greatest asset is its people. Whether through large-scale renovations or incremental upgrades, investing in staff spaces shows that an operation values its team. That investment will be repaid every morning when your crew shows up ready, motivated and equipped to take care of the course. More information on what a modern maintenance facility needs can be found in the Green Section Record article “The Fundamentals of a Modern Maintenance Facility.”
West Region Agronomists:
Brian Whitlark, regional director, West Region – bwhitlark@usga.org
Ross Niewola, agronomist – rniewola@usga.org