In this episode of Living Legends: Where are they now? host John Reitman chats with career superintendent, mentor-to-many and current "international agronomy consultant", Dick Bator.
Bator's superintendent career included stops at Pine Valley, Merion and Oakmont. Over those years he mentored -- some may say 'tormented' -- many assistants who went on to careers as head superintendents.
He shares with us some of what made him tick, and advice for today. Some takeaways:
- I hired good people, but pushed them and taught them survival tactics
- Know the importance of detail work
- Learn to delegate
- Work in the trenches; I always did
- Know where you’re weak; hire people to fill those gaps
- Don’t mess up your personal life like I did. Too many divorces (3). Personal and family life is more important than the job. Biggest disappointment of my life.
- Always seek out help; never stop learning
- Today, I learn from every superintendent that I do consulting work for; and many are former assistants.