What are the three biggest pieces of advice you'd give to a novice Grounds Department employee just starting out on a Golf Course?
- Be on time and never miss a day!
- Don’t just work hard, work harder, and ask for overtime including weekend work!
- Learn, learn, learn the business!
I love baseball and as some folks that I fired over the years will tell you, I terminate people after three strikes! Some folks have gone on to become great Assistant Golf Course Superintendents and even Superintendents after I have fired them. I believe that they have learned something very valuable. They may say something different, I have even heard the term “Hard Ass”. With everything that a Golf Course Superintendent has on their plate each day, there is no time for lateness, missed time, or second guessing. I was a “My way or the highway” person. My Assistants over the years can fill you in on that subject. They still love me. LOL!
Be on time and never miss a day!
Turf jobs are very demanding. Grass always grows and needs to be cut, mowed, and cared for in many ways. I always used timecards and doctors’ notes. In my world there are rules and accountability. Firm but fair!
Don’t just work hard, work harder, and ask for overtime including weekend work!
The turf business calls for dedication of many hours. If you want to get into this business, you need to be prepared to work many hours under many harsh conditions. Don’t expect many butt pats (or Poo Pats as I called them). Remember, one “Oh Shit” takes away ALL “Ata Boys/Girls”. Even going to Turf School I was working 50 or more hours a week.
Learn, learn, learn the business!
If you want to get into the Turf Business, be a sponge and pick up as much as you can. Ask questions and go to Turf School! Read up on the internet or do something old school, go to the library. There are so many moving parts to growing turf for any business that you will never stop learning for the rest of your life if you stick with this profession.
If you survived me, and went to move on, I did take the time to explain why I am the way that I am. I won’t get into what I say so ask me one day and I will tell you the real story! (I refer you back to my older writings about D.I.S.C. Personalities) Remember, these jobs are very demanding of those who are in charge so, listen to this Old Grey-Haired Guy before you strike out!!!
-Mark S. Merrick, CGCS Retired
Introducing ‘Merrick Mondays’, a segment where we hear from Mark Merrick, our resident brand Ambassador, Chief ‘Cool” Officer, and general source of wisdom and secrets of the universe, to spotlight a dose of interview-style content, weekly.