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Best for career

9 posts
  1. Jeremy Casebolt
    Jeremy Casebolt avatar
    0 posts
    4/9/2013 10:04 AM
    Hi guys, I haven't posted anything since I became a member but I do a lot of reading on the forums here and they have been very helpful! Thank you all for that! Without being too long winded and boring you with all my history, I left a very nice golf course in Kansas City and moved out to Colorado with my wife hoping to get back into the golf industry. I was fortunate enough to find a position at a small 9 hole par 3 course and worked my way up within a year to the assistant and shortly after the superintendent left and I took over for him March of last year. So I have been the super for the past year, and also in charge of the HOA property that surrounds the golf course. The course itself has finally turned the corner and is no longer a goat farm (for lack of better words) I absolutely want to move up in the business, as I am sure that everyone does, and work as a superintendent at a full 18 some where in the state. Last week an opportunity was brought to me about moving to a nicer course in my area but as the assistant. I have been debating with myself on what is best for my career. Since I am fairly new to Colorado I don't know a whole lot of people in the industry out here besides my reps, so the decision has been weighing heavy on me. I thought I would post on here to see what your guys' opinions would be on the possibility of a move to assistant or staying at this small course as the super. Again, I want to make the choice that is better for my career in the long run. I don't want to be stuck at this smaller course for the next 8 years while struggling to even get looked at for an open super position. Any feedback would be MUCH appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

    Jeremy



  2. Sandy Clark
    Sandy Clark avatar
    0 posts
    4/9/2013 2:04 PM
    Jeremy, this is something that has been kicked around before and is difficult to come up with one answer. Several guys started like you and felt the key to their success was directly related to taking a small supt. job and having the title no matter how small the course or the budget. Others felt it better to take an assistant position at a more highly visible facility to improve their path to a better supt. position. both ways worked. The question you must ask yourself is can you grow if you stay at this facility? If nobody recognizes your work it is obviously hard to promote yourself. If your answer is no, moving to a more visible assistant position is your path. If you can be recognized for your work then staying may work for you. Either way, join your local chapter and get involved. If your course is so limited that you cannot afford to attend meetings, you might take that as a hint. How well are you liked at your course? If your owners are very supportive and give you what is needed to do a good job, attending meetings and getting involved may be easy. You need to look long-term and determine where you want to be in two, five and ten years. How much are you willing to commit to the process of promoting yourself? Sorry I can't me more specific but the previous thread a couple of years ago provided success stories achieved both ways.



  3. Rosenthal Gregg
    Rosenthal Gregg avatar
    4/9/2013 7:04 PM
    Jeremy,

    Here is my story hope it helps some. I started my career many years ago as most out of the U of Maryland a good golfer with a degree in Environmental Management. I decided instantly I was not good enough to play golf for a living and did not want to be stuck in the pro shop! I had a friend who worked on a golf course maintenance crew who introduced me to the Superintendent. Soon after I was the foreman, then assistant Superintendent. A few years Later I went on to build my first new golf course as a Superintendent. This was during the boom years of development, I went on to do 5 new golf course grow-in's. I worked for a management company who asked me to come to a golf course needing some improvements as the Senior Tour was coming, I jumped as it was one of my goals in life, spent four years there hosted the Senior Tour and a USGA Ladies Event. Then went on to grow in a redevelopment of a course with Seashore Paspalum, one of the first to utilize it with reclaimed water. I then began a battle with epilepsy! Four years Later I was unable to work anymore, could not drive, ride my bike, live alone, had to move back in with my Parents! I was 49 years old and a mess! A rare battle for one who never had medical issues his entire life, epileptic, partial complex seizures overcame my life! Then a very lucky thing happened I finally met the right doctor, who sent me to the right place at the correct time! Tampa General Hospital, where they studied me for a week and found out I had one single location in my Left temporal Lobe where the seizures occurred. Several weeks later I came back and they scooped it out! Now one year seven months Later I am loving life seizure free and back to work as an Assistant Superintendent! Sometime down the line I will be the man again, but today I am happy to utilize my skills as part of the team doing what I do best, working with others to make the course as best it can be everyday for our players to enjoy!

    GreggR



  4. Trevor Monreal
    Trevor Monreal avatar
    5 posts
    4/10/2013 12:04 PM
    Jeremy Casebolt said: I absolutely want to move up in the business, as I am sure that everyone does, and work as a superintendent at a full 18 some where in the state.

    I think you answered your own question.
    If you want to be at an 18 you have to get to an 18 (very Yogi Berra-ish). Both 9 & 18 hole courses have their challenges but many of them are specific to each one.
    Colorado is a TOUGH market to advance in. Give yourself the best shot.
    However, if you are happy there(9 hole course)...nothing wrong with that.
    I'm going the other way...I started out a very nice dog track and now I'm at a decent goat ranch.
    Next stop: Danvers State Hospital



  5. Sean Hoolehan
    Sean Hoolehan avatar
    0 posts
    4/11/2013 9:04 AM
    Jeremy,

    The career ladder is a step at a time proposition. Many Assistant Superintendents I know face the reverse decision. Take a superintendents position at a smaller course to gain experience running the show or stay an assistant at a course with more resources. I think you will not hurt your career moving to a larger course with more resources. Since you have experience as a superintendent you are a rung above the assistants who have not. A future employer may find the career approach you took to be a positive attribute.

    Important career decisions should be made consulting the people who know you best (Family, friends, mentors).
    This is a fickle business. The best jobs are not always the best golf courses.

    Good luck,

    Sean



  6. Andrew Cross
    Andrew Cross avatar
    5 posts
    4/11/2013 9:04 AM
    I think Sean hit it on the head. I left an amazing private club as an assistant to take a Superintendent job at a public course with a management company, after a year and half management company was let go and a leadership change at GM forced me out a few months thereafter. I'm now an assistant/ Superintendent Manager at an upscale Park District course. I don't feel this move has hurt me (not that I had much of an option) and it allows me to see yet another aspect of the industry (Public, private, municipal, management). I also came on board during a transition here between renovations and a change over at Super (previous asst moved up). So I have gained valuable experience by taking a "step backward."

    I think my career path, although not how I dreamed it up, has led me to a good spot and will continue to get better. As a super I gained valuable experience and knowledge and also met my future wife (4 months away). Life is what you make it and only you truly know what you should do. Your gut instinct should tell you, but discuss it with family and friends.

    Good luck with your decision!



  7. Verdun Scott M
    Verdun Scott M avatar
    4/15/2013 1:04 PM
    Jeremy,

    I would agree with Andrew (which is scary because I know Andrew) and say that Sean hit the nail on the head and perhaps the information that is most important is to consult the people who know you best but also those who you trust the most to give you a straight forward answer. Before you make a decision make sure that you and your wife understand that a change in position may result in a change in work schedule as well.

    You are the only one who knows what the best answer is so listen to those close to you and trust your instincts.

    Good luck!

    Scott



  8. Jeremy Casebolt
    Jeremy Casebolt avatar
    0 posts
    4/18/2013 11:04 AM
    Thanks for the replies guys, I greatly appreciate it. After a long hard week of talking with my wife and anyone else that was willing to listen, I am going to stay where I am at. I hope that I'm not kicking myself in a few years, but I think this is the best thing for me and my family right now, and that's the most important thing to me as of now. Thanks again for your comments, just expect to see more posts from me leaning on you guys with questions! Have a great day!



  9. Gary Carls
    Gary Carls avatar
    20 posts
    4/18/2013 1:04 PM
    Jeremy,

    Doing what is best for your family is never the wrong decision. In the future you may look back but knowing that you made the decision best for your family is always the right way to go. Work hard and do your best and you'll always take great pride in your work no matter where you may be.

    I also hope you continue to visit the forums regularly and ask a lot of questions. There are a lot of folks on here from all kinds of backgrounds that can give you great advice and information.

    Have a great day!!!

    Gary K. Carls, CGCS, President - Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative

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