Jorge Croda, CGCS, has built a reputation, career and brand on his ability to resurrect golf courses from the dead in much the same way, according to the Gospel of St. John, Jesus did with Lazarus.
A native of Mexico, Croda, 54, first made a name for himself restoring the struggling Southern Oaks Golf Course in Burleson, Texas near Fort Worth. There he encountered a layout that in some areas had more weeds than turf, literally. In short order, he turned Southern Oaks around from an eyesore and what golfers there described as an embarrassment into a track that today is showing up on lists of some of the best daily fee courses in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.Before putting his skills on display at Southern Oaks, he performed similar feats at courses in Mexico. Whether it was Croda personally, or the management company he formed that bears his name, he's had a hand in helping restore about 1:10 golf courses in his native country.
As if that were not enough, he also works help promote the golf course superintendent profession locally, as well as at the state and national levels, and does the same for members of his team, who, like him, are Mexican.
We're not done.
In an effort to help grow the game he is a certified First Tee coach, proving there is something everyone in this business can do to make it a stronger industry for themselves and others.
Not bad for an industrial engineer.
For his selfless efforts to grow the game as well as the people who work in it, Croda was named a finalist for the 2017 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year Award, presented by Syngenta.
Other finalists include Mark Hoban of Rivermont Golf Club in Johns Creek, Georgia, Chris Ortmeier of the Champions Club in Houston, Josh Pope of The Old White Course at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia and Rick Tegtmeier of Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa.
The winner of the 18th annual award will be named at 2 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Syngenta booth during this year's Golf Industry Show in San Antonio and will receive a trip for two and a week of free golf on the TurfNet members trip to Ireland in October, courtesy of Syngenta.
"When (Croda) assumed responsibility for the golf course in 2011, it was struggling. The Mark Brooks-designed golf course was known as exceedingly difficult and poorly conditioned," wrote J.J. Keegan, golf industry strategist and consultant, in nominating Croda for superintendent of the year. "It was just far enough away from the masses to discourage only the avid to make the drive. Today, it is more playable for all levels of ability, finely conditioned and has become one of the must-play golf courses in the region.
"The change from where it was then to where it is today speaks to Mr. Croda's dedication and passion in forming a team that was committed to excellence based on fulfilling the vision of a new owner."
A graduate of the Universidad Regiomontana in Monterrey, Mexico with a degree in industrial engineering, Croda spent the first half of his career conducting R&D in the agriculture industry, a field he said was wrought with stress. It was after a heart attack in 2000 that he realized he had to make some changes.
Shortly after, a friend invited him to help rebuild greens on a golf course, and it was then that Croda's life changed forever.
"I did it with no pay. I loved it," he said. "I had found my passion."
Croda's greatest contributions to the game, however, might be in how he gives back to help others.
For the past two years, Croda has been part of the GCSAA contingent that travels to Washington, D.C., on National Golf Day to meet with legislators and lobby on the industry's behalf, and he has been a North Texas GCSA chapter board member and GCSAA chapter delegate. He speaks at national and international events, promoting the role of superintendents throughout the world and last year was named his chapter's superintendent of the year.
He works just as hard to enhance the progress of members of his team, conducting career-development classes that include computer training and English language seminars to strengthen their employability chances in the U.S.
"Jorge has received many honors, and rightfully so for his efforts and hard work at Southern Oaks," said Ernie Abraham, the club's general manager. "Not only is Jorge a leader at our club, but for the golf industry as he volunteers himself to all ages of golfers including the First Tee program in Fort Worth, volunteering countless hours helping young people learn and appreciate the game of golf."