The impact of our industry on one’s mental health is more often discussed from the male perspective rather than that of female superintendents. In the last post (Is it Time to Man Up or Open Up) we looked through the lens of the male experience and explored themes like vulnerability, intergenerational patterns and the simple act of opening up to someone you trust.  

When I wrote that piece I felt that I had at least a modicum of experience to fall back on. Being a man and speaking with other male superintendents in this industry for roughly 25 years has given me a solid foundation for my perspective. 

This time I cannot say the same.  For this post we will shift our gaze and focus on the female experience of well-being within the turf world through the first hand lens of women in our industry.

Beyond this preamble you will find that this post is entirely shaped by the wisdom and experiences of a select few kind and giving individuals. They have taken time out of their busy lives to share their insights and perspectives on what it’s like to be a woman in the turf industry. More to the point of this blog post, they also share their perspectives on what it means to be a female in our industry tending to mental health and well-being.  

...this post is entirely shaped by the wisdom and experiences of a select few kind and giving individuals.

So before we proceed, I wanted to first offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to the following five women: Emily Casey (Bernhard & Company), Hannah Isinghood (St, Andrews Link Trust), Kendra Kiss (BASF Turf Canada), Adrienne Meadows (TPC San Antonio), and last but certainly not least, Miranda Robinson (TurfRad & TurfNet). 

The initial post in this series arose after I watched and was moved by a new Netflix series called Adolescence. It is a dramatic series that deals with the aftermath of the tragic murder of a young teenage girl and is a revealing look at what it means to be a man in our modern world. Though the series deals mainly with the male perspective they did not omit the female experience entirely. I reference it here again because the series highlighted themes like misogyny, sexual assault, gender violence and social media bullying as part and parcel of the female world experience under patriarchy. The women in this series’ perspectives were often overlooked and dismissed, leaving the viewer with a glimpse into some of the difficulties and struggles women all over the world face in their daily living within male focused and designed systems. 

In the feedback gathered from our participants, parallels with the aforementioned series were plain to see. They spoke of dealing with many of the same difficult themes as they made their way into and became part of the turf industry. It became evident that the struggle of being female in a male dominated industry adds unnecessary complexity and suffering on top of an already difficult career. These stories were at times difficult to hear, but at the same time incredibly inspirational and important, both. 

The following are their words in answer to questions offered as starting points for the participants to share from. (All of the questions I sent out by email and were discussed in a zoom call. All responses below are unedited and anonymous.)

How has being female in a male dominated industry shaped your journey? (ex. Have you run up against sexism, macho behavior, dismissive or even inappropriate behavior?) 

“I’ve had interactions that have stuck with me—like when our former spray tech told the crew and a few members that I only had my position because I was sleeping with the superintendent. It was, of course, completely untrue, but it was hurtful and frustrating to have my abilities dismissed in that way.”

...it was hurtful and frustrating to have my abilities dismissed in that way.”

“My experience in a male-dominated industry has included several challenging situations. I have encountered inappropriate behavior, including the use of foul language and sexist jokes.  At times, I have felt objectified, including an incident where I was inappropriately touched at an industry event.”

“Often, I feel like a guest in my own home, knowing my place. I have been sexually assaulted on the job twice, even after reporting incidents to management. This has made me hyper-aware of my safety, so I dress fully covered even in extreme summer heat, never get out of my cart in the dark, and keep conversations with men brief to avoid misunderstandings.”

Have you run up against simple things like the shop not being very accommodating to females?

“I rarely receive a uniform in a women’s cut (I’ve worn trousers and a uniform shirt cut for a man’s body for the past 2 years, and there are differences that affect how the clothes fit and thus how they feel to wear, for those that don’t think it’s ‘that big of a deal.’)”

“...It does not feel good to show up to work wearing a shirt that is way too big. Humans come in all shapes and sizes and the important thing is that they feel professional, confident, and comfortable in their uniform and that will absolutely be represented in their work.” 

Golfer Issues

“Visiting golfers can sometimes be rude, and I’ve had more than a few make off-the-cuff remarks. Often, they assume I’m the beverage cart attendant, and when they learn I’m not, they can be dismissive—or even outright unkind.”

“Golfers have mistaken me for a cart girl, then shown disappointment or even disgust upon learning I was a maintenance worker.”

How has this journey impacted your mental well-being? How does it land today? 

“This job can be incredibly draining—mentally and physically. It can feel isolating, and there have been times I’ve wondered if I’m doing something wrong. Social media only shows the highlight reel—I’m guilty of it too. We don’t see the tears, the self-doubt, or the moments of frustration. We don’t talk enough about how this career can strain our relationships outside of work, or the mental toll it can quietly take over time.”

Social media only shows the highlight reel—I’m guilty of it too. We don’t see the tears, the self-doubt, or the moments of frustration.

“As someone who experiences moderate anxiety regularly, I have found that being one of one or one of a few females in a workspace can add to this anxiety. I am also acutely aware of how I present myself in the workplace and on any job as a female.”

“I have faced dismissive behavior, where my opinions seemed to hold little value, leading to reluctance in voicing concerns when I recognized potential issues. Reflecting on my early career, mental health was not a topic of discussion. I was raised in an environment that emphasized hard work and perseverance as the keys to advancement. Despite my efforts, I often observed male colleagues progressing more rapidly than I was. It was disheartening to see them fail upward while I was repeatedly passed over for promotions, which negatively impacted my sense of self-worth.”

“As a woman, anything can be seen as a reason not to promote. Before I was educated, I was told I needed more schooling. Now, with nearly three turf-related degrees, a GCSAA assistant certification, a pesticide license, and leadership training, I am told that experience matters more. The last time I interviewed, I was told I was “not a good fit.” These experiences have made me defensive when my qualifications are dismissed, which still happens often.”

“I would be lying if I said that this did not have an effect on my mental health at points. Although it did not affect me enough to want to leave the profession, it certainly made it hard to walk through the door sometimes.” 

Has being a woman in a male industry pushed you to prove yourself more only to have that push negatively affect your well-being? 

“I have found that I have developed a pattern of pushing myself to the point of overworking in order to prove that I can do the job as effectively and efficiently as anyone else; working longer hours, working above expectations on everything.”

“The constant pressure to prove oneself repeatedly can be incredibly draining. Women often face greater scrutiny than their male counterparts. Reflecting on this question has made me realize how even small interactions contributed to my struggles with addiction. Feeling isolated, without support, and unsure of where to turn can lead one down a difficult path.”

“This career has consumed me, but in a positive way. As a former addict, I channel my obsessive energy into my goals. I work to support my kids and am also pursuing a bachelor’s degree.” 

How has your journey affected your approach to everyday life and your own well-being?

“Today, I’m more aware of those challenges and I work harder to set boundaries, take care of myself, and remind myself that my worth isn’t defined by perfection. It’s still a balancing act, but I’m learning to navigate it with more grace and self-compassion.” 

I work harder to set boundaries, take care of myself, and remind myself that my worth isn’t defined by perfection.

“I absolutely love what I do, but I am also well aware that work isn’t and shouldn’t be everything. I was encouraged to take on different activities and hobbies as a kid, and I continue strive to ensure that my life is well rounded with variety and my sense of self worth is not tied to my work.” 

“While I believe my experiences have contributed to my strength in reaching my current position, I feel I could have achieved my rank without some of the challenges I faced. I have adopted an "I can do it on my own" attitude, stemming from a belief that I needed to prove myself to my supervisors in order to learn new skills. This mindset has impacted my self-esteem and self-confidence, leading me to second-guess myself frequently and struggle with making firm decisions.”

“I am grateful for the experience because I do approach life differently now. Not so long ago it was considered blasphemy for a woman to speak up to a man. I hear from my mother and grandmothers about how proud they are that I am confident in my profession. They were not even allowed to own a business, heck not even allowed to wear pants to school. I feel confident, I know I have used that word a bunch but it really is the main theme. This whole journey has left me confident. When you get to look at the world through confident eyes you really get a much different experience.”

What are some of the key tools you employ each day to help with your overall well-being?

“My non-negotiable is going to the gym. It’s the one part of my day that belongs entirely to me—a space where I can focus solely on myself. No responsibilities, no conversations, no over-thinking—just me and the weights. I also try to journal whenever I can. I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be, but putting my thoughts on paper helps me clear my mind and unwind before bed.”

“Ensuring that I am getting enough sleep is key for me, but it can be tough in the height of summer when there is lots of daylight when I am trying to get to sleep.  I try to take some time in the evenings to do something that fills my bucket – playing guitar, catching up with a friend, putting on my favourite show or going outside for some birding.”

“I also utilize a journal to decompress, committing thoughts to paper is something that helps me but may not be for everyone. This activity has also been a great tool for reflection; to look back and see where and how far I’ve come along my winding path.” 

“Every day, I remind myself of my worth and recognize that my unique experiences contribute to my value. I focus on positive self-talk and actively work to prevent negative thought spirals. Taking the time to pause and breathe helps me understand that people are often more concerned with their own challenges than with me.”

Every day, I remind myself of my worth and recognize that my unique experiences contribute to my value.

“Every morning, I find a spot on the course to stretch, breathe, and watch the sunrise. Nature teaches me acceptance and resilience. I read spiritual literature to keep my mind centered and work on speaking well of others. Talking to my kids keeps me grounded.”

“This may sound silly but to give myself some time to exist without expectations for the time, without the burden of the never-ending lists of things we need to do. I sometimes sit by a tree, or sit by the water, or sit watching a television show without feeling "bad" for not using that time to be "productive." It is very freeing.”

Who are some of the key people/mentors that have helped shape your journey thus far and given you the support your needed to keep going?

“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the wonderful networks of Women in Turf that I am part of, stemming largely from connections I have made being a mentee in the Women in Turfgrass Mentorship Program and all the opportunities that I have been offered since I joined. Sometimes the best remedy for a tough day is to get in touch with another gal in the industry and share that experience.  

Morgan Creighton’s mentorship program and pushed me to take tournament volunteering opportunities to develop a network of women that I rely on regularly today. There are challenges to being a female in this industry, but incredible opportunities as well, and I am thankful to have a support network that has supported and pushed me to seize every opportunity.”

*There have also been more programs developed over the past few years that are helping bring women together and expand their network of supportive women. The GCSAA is moving to year three of the Women’s Leadership Academy (Nov. 11-13, held at the GCSAA Headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas)

Since 2021 there has also been the “Women in Turf” program developed by the USGA to bring together a group of roughly 30 female volunteers to assist with the preparation of the venues for the Women’s US Open Championships.) 

Thanks again to these amazing women for sharing their experiences for the betterment of our industry and thanks for reading.

The women who participated would also like to thank the following people who have impacted their careers in a positive way:
Andy Huber (Superintendent at Seven Canyons GC), Rob Kobzar, Tony Duh, Leam Grendahl, and Doug Dorey (Valley Ridge Golf Club in Calgary), Ian Morrow (Olds College), the late Pat McTeer (Bootleg Gap), James Bebee (Priddis Greens), Dave Wilber, Carey Bradley, Andy Park, Ken Kenzie, Todd Olsen, Jeff Babish, John Faber (The City of Calgary), Darryl James, Ron Biggs, Richard Heffering, Chris Langley (EM at TPC Sawgrass), Jeremiah Mincey (Black Diamond Ranch)

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, here are a few resources:

• Canadian Mental Health Association
• The National Institute for Mental Health
• NHS Mental Health