In the Spotlight...

Justin Shulse, South Texas GCSA president

Tell us about your background. Where you were born, raised, etc.?

My father was in the military and therefore my family moved every three years around the globe. I was born in Texas, spent time in Alabama, Illinois, Europe, Washington State, and eventually graduated high school in Northern Virginia. My goal was to play baseball for a living and decided to play at New Mexico State University (NMSU). After realizing the dream of professional sports was ending, I jumped with both feet into golf course management. In 1997, I took my finals on Friday, graduated on Saturday, got married on Sunday, and started working in Dallas, Texas at Stonebridge Ranch on Monday! My life has not slowed down a bit. As a matter of fact, my wife Jennifer and I have four children that keep the house lively. Today we live in Cypress, Texas and have been in Texas for the last 10 years building golf courses and managing them. We have recently started a management company called William Cole Inc. with three partners and are having a great time in the golf management business.

How did you get started in the golf industry?

While I was attending New Mexico State University, my baseball coach helped me get a summer job at the NMSU Golf Course. I spent the first summer working on the grounds crew and began to learn and enjoy the golf course industry. After a year, the golf course superintendent approached me about the opportunity to change my major and study turfgrass science. He gave me the option of taking over the responsibility of managing the student crew of 20 that was employed year-round. I spent the next three years managing the golf course from an “Assistant Student Superintendent” role where much responsibility was placed in day-to-day operations, turf renovations, irrigation renovations, capital project, and leadership. NMSU became a training ground for me and other turf students to learn, experiment, and grow with hands-on experience.

Why did you join your local chapter?

The South Texas GCSA (STGCSA) chapter was extremely busy with lots of activities, and it was a way for me as an assistant superintendent to rub shoulders with professional turfgrass agronomists. I wanted to learn, be a part of the many activities, and get to know and be known in my professional field. Bret Barclay was my former superintendent and allowed me to shadow him at meetings, turf conferences, and golf outings. I wanted to be engaged in the turf community like he was.

Why become a leader in your chapter?

The STGCSA has always possessed great leadership. I was drawn towards the men and women who were effective at creating vision and executing on the chapter’s goals and objectives. My belief is to have a servant’s heart, to work for the members who desperately want leadership, good education, and goals and objectives that are bigger than us. Not many people aspire to serve and to put in time behind the scenes, but I felt called to lead in whatever capacity the STGCSA needed. Being a chapter delegate has allowed me to see the bigger picture and bring GCSAA goals and objectives back to implement at the STGCSA. My goal has been to tie them together to meet and exceed the members’ expectations. This year as president has been extremely rewarding taking the long road of serving, learning, and getting dirty over the past six years with the STGCSA board, chapter executives, and all our great members!

The STGCSA has a strong, involved membership. Any tips for other chapter leaders on how to get people involved and attending meetings?

The STGCSA has around 300 members and the way we try and get our members engaged is to provide them many avenues of education, networking, rewards, and service. The end result is that they have an association that gives them value. The STGCSA has put together many platforms to engage the members including education, scholarships, research, public relations, information services, golf tournaments, government relations, vendor days, historical preservation, community outreach (First Tee, Houston Golf Association, university turf lectures, supporting charter schools), technicians association, funding for the sick and those experiencing tragedy, job placement, and networking.

Anything else you would like to add?

I would like to thank the members of STGCSA for the opportunity to serve them and be a part of a truly wonderful organization. The STGCSA is an organization that sees the big picture and helps the quality of our professional lives. I would also like to say thank you to the leadership and staff of GCSAA for coming along side of the local chapter to support them, encourage them, and for taking the lead in our profession worldwide to enhance our daily experience as a golf course superintendent.

Share your stories by emailing them to Leann Cooper.