Amid the many challenges and demands in the workplace coupled with everyday barriers to finding work-life balance, it can be difficult to remember the things that matter most. As the year winds down, we asked people across the golf turf industry to take a moment to reflect on what they are most thankful for.
Disclaimer: We knew everyone would mention their family first (and they did), so we asked them to skip that answer for the sake of avoiding too many redundancies.
Justin Sims, CGCS
Director of Grounds and Facilities
Alotian Club, Roland, Arkansas
- Thankful I work at a club where resources match expectations.
- Thankful for the wonderful team I'm fortunate to work with on a daily basis.
- Thankful I have the support and flexibility that allows me to break away and attend all my three boys sporting events.
Charlie Fultz
General Manager and Superintendent
Heritage Oaks Golf Course, Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Colleagues in the turf business who are always willing to help each other
- ADHD medication
- The golfers who helped us achieve the most rounds played and highest revenue year in our 24 year history.
- My 16 and 11 year old cats Greta and Gigi. That they are here another year healthy.
Jared Viarengo
Director of Grounds and Club Operations
Applebrook Golf Club, Malvern, Pennsylvania
- My health. The older I get, the more I realize its importance.
- My career/job. I still get a tremendous amount of satisfaction going to work every day.
- My relationships. Some of the fantastic friends and accomplished people I have gotten to know through the years, both within and outside the golf industry.
Wendell Hutchens, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
- I am thankful for the incredible impact that (the late) Dr. Bruce Martin had on the turf industry. He was a great man and he left a lasting legacy.
- I am thankful for a fantastic turf team here at the University of Arkansas. My graduate students Mike Battaglia, Sharandeep Chahal and Sam Kreinberg are truly remarkable. Also, my mentor, Dr. Mike Richardson, has given me more opportunities than I ever thought possible.
- I am thankful that I have the privilege to work in the best industry in the world. The turfgrass managers that I have the joy of interacting with day to day make my job fulfilling, and I am just thankful to be a part of such a special industry.
Jim Pavonetti, CGCS
Golf and Grounds Superintendent
Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, Connecticut
- I'm thankful for my network of friends in the industry that help me succeed year after year. You cannot thrive in this industry all alone.
- I'm thankful for a wonderful membership that listens and understands that without their support the golf course cannot be what they hope it could be.
- I'm thankful for a great staff with a warm family culture. Everyone helps and supports each other, making the golf course better and better each year. It truly makes the season fly by and not seem like a burden that it could easily be during tough stretches of weather.
Paul MacCormack
General Manager and Superintendent, and TurfNet Contributor
Fox Meadow Golf Course, Prince Edward Island
Editor's note: Although Paul is from Canada and Thanksgiving is traditionally an American holiday, we figured The Godfather of Mindfulness probably lives a life of gratitude every day.
This year has been a trial in so many ways, so my gratitude flows for all the small things. The sunrise, watching a flower bloom over time, or seeing the joy in people's faces that comes from enjoying the simple things in life.
Mike Goatley, Ph.D.
Professor and Extension Specialist
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
- Health
- A job that I enjoy
- A great team to work with at Virginia Tech
Carlos Arraya
General Manager and CEO
Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, Missouri
- Daily support of my community.
- Grace for when I screw up.
- Spiritual grounding that provides direction, strength and humility in leadership decisions every day.
Jorge Mendoza
Green River Golf Club
Corona, California
- Brand new spray rigs.
- Problem-free aerifications.
- My love for this career. I do not see this as simply a J.O.B. (Journey of the Broke). This is my passion.
Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D.
Writer and Consultant, and TurfNet Contributor
Divot Designs, Bloomfield, Connecticut
- That the inevitable aging process and gradual limitation of physical capacities I used to take for granted have not limited my joy and appreciation for the things I can still do and experience.
- That I am able to earn a living and make a career doing what I love to do.
- That we still live in a democracy.
Paul Koch, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Professor
University of Wisconsin Department of Plant Pathology, Madison, Wisconsin
- My research team, including lab manager Kurt Hockemeyer and my grad students past and present. Their dedication to our work is incredible and inspiring. They do all the hard work behind the scenes, and I get to do the fun part and travel around the world and present it to turf managers. But it doesn't happen without them.
- My fellow turf professors. Research is complex, and different skill sets and perspectives are needed to make true progress. I'm thankful I get to do this job with so many other talented turf nerds.
- The turf associations. It takes special people to dedicate considerable time to improve things for others, and we have incredible turf associations with incredibly dedicated people in Wisconsin. I'm grateful to be able to work with them.
Kevin Ross, CGCS
Consulting Agronomist, and TurfNet Contributor
OnCourse Turf, Edwards, Colorado
- Thankful for retirement and the ability to wake up in the morning and do whatever I want.
- Thankful for the beautiful outdoors and the ability to hike, bike, fish and camp in some of the most wonderful places on earth.
- My time with TurfNet will come to a close at the end of the year as I will hang up my video camera. I'm so thankful for all the years working with TurfNet, it has been a big highlight of my turf career.