Career Summary

          A successful Golf Course Superintendent requires dedication and hard work. My career has taken several different directions to gain as much knowledge as necessary to become successful. Growing up, I was never interested in golf. My interests included football and soccer (I really enjoyed the contact). Once I played the game for the first time (at the ripe age of 21), I fell in love with the game and gained an interest in the aspect of golf course maintenance.
         My very first task on the golf course was to weedeat every pine tree on a 27-hole golf course in preparation for the Alabama Open (Timbercreek Golf Club). My first thought was "What I am thinking, walking around the golf course with a weedeater and a gas can?" I could have quit that day, but I am NOT that type of person. Once I was trained and excelled in the daily maintenance of the golf course, I was promoted to 2nd Assistant Superintendent after 2 years on the job. I want to give gratitude to Mr. Jack Archer for giving me this opportunity and teaching me the ins and outs of maintaining a golf course. He was my first mentor in the business and one I truly appreciate.
          I really enjoyed the maintenance of the golf course and wanted to see if there were any educational opportunities for this industry. I enrolled into the Golf Course Management program at Faulkner State Community College. Towards the end of my education with FSCC, another interest came to my attention (Golf Course Construction). I have always been the type of person who wants to learn as much as possible. An opportunity to travel and renovate or newly construct golf courses sparked my interest. I started my construction career with C. E. Carter & Associates. The late Chuck Carter was very influential in my golf course construction career. I started installing drainage, moving dirt, shaping and any other aspects of the golf course construction business. After 1.5 years, I was promoted to Golf Course Construction Superintendent. At first this was an overwhelming experience. This was the first time in my career (22 years of age), I was supervising people and as many as 50 at a time. I had to grow-up quick, but my nature is to lead and help others succeed. The first golf course I was instituted to build was Moore's Mill Golf Club in Auburn, Alabama. This was a great project and one I will never forget. Throughout my golf course construction career, I coordinated with many Architects, Owners and General Managers. Each project was very successful due to 3 very important necessities: COMMUNICATION, LEADERSHIP, and ORGANIZATION.
          These attributes are the foundation of my management style and are necessary in becoming a successful superintendent and person. I really enjoyed golf course construction and would still be in the business today, but I was tired of traveling and wanted to go back to golf course maintenance. An opportunity came that I couldn't pass-up. I got the opportunity to become the 2nd Assistant Superintendent with Craft farms Golf Club in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This was a shock because I was used to being the person that made all of the decisions, but I had to really start over and climb the ladder in the golf course maintenance industry. After 2 months on the job, I was promoted to 1st Assistant Superintendent for 36-holes. I always knew patience and determination would aid my career to be successful. A very important person who influenced my knowledge and career was Shannon Easter (Director of Maintenance at Craft Farms Golf Club). He taught me the true requirements in maintaining quality turf. After a few years, I felt I was ready to become a Golf Course Superintendent.                 Enterprise Country Club provided this opportunity. An old club with new ideas of a golf course renovation and new clubhouse. The members wanted a leader and someone who could exceed expectations. During my tenure, the membership grew by almost 300 members. The largest growth in the 50 year history of the club. I continue to communicate with many of the members and have built long-term relationships with them. This was the point that I realized I really enjoyed interacting with the private sector. Building relationships, educating members and exceeding expectations are what supplies my drive to be successful. I had built a foundation at ECC, but wanted to develop my skills in a larger market and within the confines of corporate golf. My next opportunity was with Brookstone Golf & Country Club (American Golf Corporation) in Acworth, Georgia.
          This facility had many difficult years before my employment. The members didn't play a full 12 months for over 10 years. This was due to continued decline of bentgrass greens, closed for greens conversion and closed again after the loss of grass on the greens from the harsh winter of 2010. I had a tall task ahead of me building trust with the membership due to the continued failures in the past. My first year was the first time the membership of Brookstone Golf & Country Club played a full 12 month schedule. Since my first day with Brookstone Golf & Country Club, the membership has doubled to almost 700 members. During my tenure with this facility, I have lead a strong golf course maintenance team in exceeding member expectations, providing top quality conditions and a foundation for continued growth. A very important person during my time with this facility is Carl Collins (Director of Maintenance - American Golf Corporation). He provided me the aspect of corporate management to coincide with customer satisfaction. The business drivers implemented through corporate segmentation standards are necessary in becoming a successful superintendent.
          Throughout my career I have always wanted to learn or be exposed to every facet of the golf course industry. I knew additional education would be necessary to be successful. I chose to pursue a Bachelor's Degree from Penn State University. I accomplished this feat in December of 2014. 2014 was a great year both professionally and personally. I achieved goals that I set forth many years ago: Bachelor's Degree, Certification through the GCSAA and above all become a mentor to my son. Another great achievement is a recipient of the Melrose Leadership Academy through the EIFG/GCSAA. In the end, my career has taken many different turns, but I am confident the people I have met, the staffs I have lead and the continued determination to become a successful Golf Course Superintendent will provide me the ability to achieve my goals before the end of my career..