In the Spotlight...

Peter McDonough, Virginia GCSA past president and government relations liaison

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Millbury, Massachusetts. I was a sports nut from a young age, playing basketball, baseball, hockey, and golf. I went to the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts. After finishing school in 1984, I worked in Texas and Florida before coming to my current position as golf course superintendent at The Keswick Hall and Club in Charlottesville, Virginia for the past 15 years. The greatest thing about living in a college town (University of Virginia) is the variety of cultural choices that a small community has to offer with a city atmosphere.

How did you get started in the golf industry?

My start in the golf course industry was really mowing lawns for homeowners as a youngster. From there, I started caddying at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, Massachusetts, where there was a PGA tour stop at the time. Combining both my love of golf and my love for the outdoors, the next step was to come under the spell of Dr. Joseph Troll. With his guidance and persistence, he convinced me and everyone else that being a golf course superintendent was my destiny.

Why did you become involved with the Virginia GCSA?

My decision to get involved with the Virginia GCSA really came about by seeing how well the Florida GCSA operated. The need to centralize the communication and representation of the superintendents in Virginia in regards to the business aspect of golf was missing. We customized the Florida GCSA model to fit our needs in the Commonwealth, and formed the Virginia GCSA in 1999. The Virginia GCSA grew through many early accomplishments by committee members. The most critical time of representation occurred in the drought year of 2002. The Governor of Virginia issued an order for golf courses to discontinue all watering. We immediately regained water use by working with the governor's staff. We also participated in the Drought Monitoring Task Force and helped write the criteria for future golf course industry needs to address the situation when it arises again.

What role does the Virginia GCSA need to play in the success of the Virginia Turfgrass Council?

The superintendent needs to realize the importance of the Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC), as the education and research vehicle for our land grant university, Virginia Tech. Without the science and technology provided through research and education, there is simply no way to convince legislators of the environmental enhancement that golf provides for all citizens. Scientific data that is generated with state funding is difficult to dispute by the powers that be.

Population growth will dictate significantly higher state funding to resolve the competition for natural resources. We need the decision makers to turn to our land grant university for answers. The Virginia GCSA and the VTC are participating in the turfgrass side of business, which combines other turfgrass industries and contributes significantly to the Virginia economy.

This is where the business of golf meets the business of agriculture. This is the ultimate challenge for the golf course superintendent's side of the industry. We are turfgrass professionals in the business of golf. Legislation that affects turfgrass usually comes through the agricultural side of legislative committees. We need to involve our golf business partners because ultimately they have the best communication with golf's end user - the golfer. We must fulfill both roles because of the networking that golf and agriculture provide for our success.

What challenges do you see for golf and the golf course superintendent in the future?

The biggest challenge for golf will be water. The corporate entities that provide fertilizer and pesticides inevitably come up with the answer to meet the need. However, they do not make water. Figuring out how the golf course industry secures this most precious resource as the population grows and works with government for all to succeed will be the key. Emphasizing that we in the golf industry live here on earth like everyone else and continue to develop proactive measures for a safe, secure, and enjoyable environment is our main priority.

Share your stories by emailing them to Leann Cooper.