TurfNet Superintendent of the Year 2009
Finalist Profile:
Craig Currier, Bethpage State Park, Black Course, Farmingdale, N.Y.
 The U.S. Open is supposed to test the mettle of the world's best golfers, not golf course superintendents. But that was the case last year when the 109th edition of the U.S. Open was played at Bethpage State Park's Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y.
News reports in the days leading up to the championship painted a bleak picture for superintendent Craig Currier, his staff.
The forecast - 40 percent to 60 percent chance of rain throughout the week - threatened the tournament from the onset of practice rounds. But the Open - the second for Currier at Bethpage - went on, and he and his staff received many accolades for their hard work at saving the tournament.
Early in the week, his crew and an army of volunteers pumped water from bunkers and mowed greens between downpours and practice rounds.
More than 1 inch of rain fell on the course in Farmingdale, N.Y., on the first day of the tournament, leaving ankle-deep puddles around the course and washing out most of first-round play. By the end of the weekend, overnight rains delayed play on Sunday. Third-round play was not concluded until that evening, and final round play began shortly thereafter with golfers playing almost until dark before concluding on a Monday finish.
Throughout the week, Currier, 39, and his staff pumped water from fairways and bunkers and used squeegees and other tools in an attempt to remove water from greens.
"Considering the weather conditions that he and his crew had to face during the 2009 U.S. Open, I think it goes without saying how much he deserves this award," Michael Schiller, superintendent at Nansemond River Golf Club in Suffolk, Va., wrote in his nomination of Currier for TurfNet's 2009 Superintendent of the Year Award presented by Syngenta. "Torrential downpours leading up to and then during the championship would make you think that course was going to be unplayable but, leave it to Craig and his people to get the job done and the course ready all while smiling the entire time. Such a laid back and personable attitude led him to be stress free even though all the signs were disastrous. He pulled it off, yet again, and the course was in remarkable condition. He deserves every attribute possible for making our country's championship as good as possible."
Wrote Jeff Kent, superintendent at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.: "Despite horrific weather conditions during this years U.S. Open, Craig maintained the same level of cool professionalism he always maintains. Craig's poise in the face of adversity and how he represented the profession was truly admirable. . . . As I left this year's tournament, I was extremely proud of my friend and I quietly said to myself; there isn't a better Superintendent in the profession.
"I called to congratulate Craig the day after the tournament, that went on into a second week. He was right back at it the next day getting things ready for some of the 350,000 people he hosts each year, on the five courses at Bethpage, like nothing had ever happened."
In November, Currier moved on from Bethpage, accepting a position at Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury on Long Island.
The Superintendent of the Year award, sponsored by Syngenta, is presented annually by TurfNet to one outstanding superintendent selected from among those nominated by club officials, course owners, members, casual golfers, or staff members.
The winner will be announced at GIS in San Diego, and will travel with a guest to Ireland for a week-long golf course tour, courtesy of Syngenta.
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