CERTIFIED GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

BIOGRAPHY

I have been fortunate to be around golf my entire life, creating not only a career from it, but enjoying a passion for it as well. My family had a membership at MacGregor Downs Country Club, and I took advantage of the opportunity to take up the game at a very young age. Throughout my youth, I continued my interest in golf and started to develop a deeper curiosity for golf course operations. As soon as I was old enough to work, MacGregor Downs hired me as a cart attendant at the pro shop. Although I enjoyed my time there, I still had an interest in the maintenance department at MacGregor Downs.

 

Throughout high school, I worked on the course that sequentially led me to the pursuit of a BS degree in agronomy, and later, a career in golf course operations. During my time at North Carolina State University, I was awarded an educational internship at the world-famous Broadmoor Resort in Colorado to develop my skills as a golf course manager. This rewarding experience only increased my excitement for a career in golf, particularly managing larger facilities.

 

After graduating from college in 1997, I was provided the opportunity to work as a spray technician at the Jack Nicklaus designed Wynstone Golf Club in Barrington, Illinois. Here, under the tutelage of GCSAA Past-President Tommy Witt, I began my professional career and was promoted to Assistant Superintendent after my first year at the club. After a couple of seasons passed, I decided I wanted to hone my skills at a larger facility closer to home.  Soon, I attained the Assistant Superintendent position of the Woods Course at Kingsmill Resort in Virginia. My time at Kingsmill was very rewarding. I was promoted to Superintendent over both the Plantation Course and the Woods Course, hosted several PGA and LPGA tournaments, and had the joy of marrying my wife Jamie.

 

My successes at Kingsmill lead to my position at The Country Club of Virginia where I was hired as the James River Course Superintendent in 2005. Through my hard work and ambition, I was awarded the position of Senior Superintendent of The Country Club of Virginia in the fall of 2008.  During my tenure, I was an integral part of creating outstanding course conditions, garnering the #8 state ranking by Golf Digest, a club that was unranked previously, and I mentored several assistants in becoming superintendents themselves. I have also hosted many state and regional tournaments, and have seen the birth of my son, Cameron, while working at The Country Club of Virginia.

 

In 2015 I took on a new challenge to manicure one of Arkansas’ best courses, The Blessings Golf Club. In a very short time the course has been remodeled by Kyle Phillips Golf Design to improve its routing, bunkers, and green complexes to make it one of the most thrilling, scenic, and demanding courses a golfer can play. As a member of the club’s leadership team I guided the maintenance staff through this project and the 250 year flood storm that interfered with its completion. All the dedication and hard work has helped Blessings earn the 2019 NCAA Golf Championships.

 

I have developed a keen interest in golf history and architecture and read many books related to these topics. I have continued to maintain my golf game handicap of 11; thereby ensuring I view the golf course in the eyes of the player and can condition the golf course for the best playing experience possible. When I am not pursing my interests in golf, I enjoy spending time with my family and have become an avid tennis player. As a member of Toastmasters International I have won several awards for my speeches at events. I continue to develop my skill-set and always look forward to meeting the challenges and rewards that the golf industry provides.