TurfNet Superintendent of the Year 2009
Finalist Profile:
Aaron Porter, Fargo Country Club, Fargo, N.D.
 Most superintendents must deal with a career-defining catastrophe - such as a flood. But rare is the greenkeeper who faces two floods, including one considered a major, historic event, in his first year on the job.
Helped along in part by the spring thaw of what was a particularly snowy winter downstream from Fargo, N.D., the northward-flowing river began to rise in March 2009. Within weeks, the rising river crested more than 22 feet above flood stage in Fargo, with water covering half the course at Fargo Country Club for five weeks. Cleanup efforts and a renovation project ensued when the water receded, only to see the course flooded over again days before the scheduled June reopening and kept the course closed for another five weeks.
It wasn't until July 29 that Fargo was able to open all 18 holes. Though frustrated at the cards they'd been dealt, Porter and his staff never waivered from the task at hand.
Porter, 35, led an effort to construct a permanent earthen dike through the course eliminating the need for construction equipment on the course in the future. He also oversaw construction of a new par-3 course (designed by Hurdzan-Fry and constructed by Duininck Golf) and a fall renovation plan that includes raising the elevation of three holes.
"Aaron's leadership under pressure and his ability to manage staff, budgets and priorities when the need was greatest exemplifies the meaning of professionalism," wrote director of golf Mark Johnson in his nomination of Porter for TurfNet's 2009 Superintendent of the Year Award, presented by Syngenta.
"With staff having to remove and clean silt from the golf course, not once but twice, Aaron did not have any turnover in staff. Very impressive when considering the scope of work that the staff was asked to perform."
With the spring thaw beginning and the Red River's level rising, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers met with various officials in Fargo to warn them of the impending flood. The corps also met with club officials, including Porter to inform them of a plan to erect a dike system around the course in an attempt to protect parts of the town. The dikes, however, would be built on the outside of the golf course, leaving the property in the flood zone.
While the corps was building dikes, Porter's crew was busy building their own dike system to protect buildings at the club.
Eventually, the river crested at nearly 41 feet, its highest level since the 1890s. Five weeks of water on the course killed turf on nine of 18 holes. Four other holes and four holes on the par three course suffered damage due to heavy equipment on the property as the national guard built dikes designed to protect the city.
By outfitting a Bobcat with a rubber blade and removing the silt before it dried, he was able to begin the reseeding process two weeks sooner than expected. He shared this time-saving trick with other area superintendents affected by flooding.
Soon, he was splitting time between leading the cleanup effort, designing and helping build the new par-3 course and maintaining nine holes that were opened in the wake of the flood. The project also included raising the elevation of Nos. 1, 2 and 10 out of the way of future flood events.
With recovery from the flood completed, members awaited the June 20 reopening. Their hopes were dashed when heavy rains upstream washed out nine holes - again.
Cleanup and reseeding began all over again, with construction of the par-3 layout, still in the works. The nine holes that were open were in such great condition, that the club elected to hold its member-guest tournament on just half the golf course. It wasn't until July 29 that all 18 holes were opened.
"Through all the trials of 2009, including the construction of community-saving dikes and levies, the flooding, restoration and reseeding, flooding again, reseeding a second time, design and construction of a new par-3 course, alternate hole and renovation of holes 1, 2 and 10, Aaron never lost focus on the members of Fargo Country Club," Johnson wrote. "Aaron approached this last season with unmatched professionalism, composure and steadiness. Aaron's leadership under pressure and his ability to manage staff, budgets and priorities when the need was greatest exemplifies the meaning of professionalism."
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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