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Became a Superintendent Today!

16 posts
  1. Matt Dutkiewicz
    Matt Dutkiewicz avatar
    0 posts
    11/18/2013 1:11 PM
    Today, I officially achieved my dream, and became a Golf Course Superintendent!
    I find it to be quite an honor, and am very proud to take the mantle on. It is certainly not an easy achievement, and the road only gets bumpier from here on, but to just get the opportunity is an amazing thing. I look forward to doing great things, and making huge mistakes, but always learning along the way, trying to provide the best service that I can and proudly being a part of the Superintendent brotherhood.

    Matt Dutkiewicz
    Superintendent
    Ingersoll Golf Course



  2. Nowakowski Michael J
    Nowakowski Michael J avatar
    11/18/2013 2:11 PM
    Congratulations Matt, welcome aboard.



  3. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    11/18/2013 2:11 PM
    Congrats!

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  4. Clay Putnam
    Clay Putnam avatar
    33 posts
    11/18/2013 3:11 PM
    Well done, Matt. I hope you find your dream lives up to your dream.



  5. Ronald Kirkman
    Ronald Kirkman avatar
    42 posts
    11/18/2013 3:11 PM
    Congratulations Matthew;

    Remember, the first 45 years are the toughest. It gets easier after that.

    Capt. Kirk
    Retired Alien
    Needham Golf Club
    Needham, MA 02492

    P.S. Mel, Jen is on Chelsea tonight.



  6. Gary Carls
    Gary Carls avatar
    20 posts
    11/18/2013 3:11 PM
    Congratulations Matt,

    Enjoy the ride and take the highs with the lows as they come. I always tell people it's not a bad job when you can spend 300 days/year or more on a golf course and can jump in a golf cart and tour the course when things aren't going so well. Sure beats being behind a desk all day!!!!!

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

  7. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    11/18/2013 4:11 PM
    Ronald Kirkman said: Congratulations Matthew;

    Remember, the first 45 years are the toughest. It gets easier after that.

    Capt. Kirk
    Retired Alien
    Needham Golf Club
    Needham, MA 02492

    P.S. Mel, Jen is on Chelsea tonight.


    What! I still have 20 years or so to go?

    Thanks Capt. I hadn't check twitter in awhile and hadn't seen her mention it yet.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  8. Keith Pegg
    Keith Pegg avatar
    0 posts
    11/18/2013 9:11 PM
    Ronald Kirkman said: Congratulations Matthew;

    Remember, the first 45 years are the toughest. It gets easier after that.

    Capt. Kirk
    Retired Alien
    Needham Golf Club
    Needham, MA 02492

    P.S. Mel, Jen is on Chelsea tonight.


    RK,
    So very true,
    Keith



  9. Peter Bowman
    Peter Bowman avatar
    11 posts
    11/18/2013 10:11 PM
    Matt,

    Congratulations Matt. You should take this weekend off, otherwise they're gloing to expect you to always be there on weekends.



  10. Trevor Monreal
    Trevor Monreal avatar
    5 posts
    11/19/2013 10:11 AM
    Good job Matt!
    Thanks for sharing with us.
    Those of us that have been doing this a while sometimes forget how blessed we are to do what we do.
    Now...put your smartphone away and go spray something.



  11. Kenneth Rue
    Kenneth Rue avatar
    3 posts
    11/19/2013 11:11 AM
    Congratulations Matt:

    Don't ever lose the enthusiasm that you presently exude. There will be those long days and nights but the view in the end from your perspective as well as others will be that of excitement while working with nature.

    Good luck now as well as in the future.

    Kenneth B. Rue
    Retired Supey
    Kentucky



  12. Matt Dutkiewicz
    Matt Dutkiewicz avatar
    0 posts
    11/22/2013 8:11 PM
    Thank you all for the well-wishes! (5 days and still going strong! ha!)



  13. Peter Bowman
    Peter Bowman avatar
    11 posts
    11/22/2013 9:11 PM
    You're off tomorrow and Sunday, right?



  14. Matt Dutkiewicz
    Matt Dutkiewicz avatar
    0 posts
    11/22/2013 11:11 PM
    Peter Bowman, CGCS said: You're off tomorrow and Sunday, right?

    ha, yes. Course is closed for the winter here in northern IL. So I work on reports, capital improvement project planning, fert/chemical bids, budgeting, staff training, etc from home on thew weekends on my iPad. But technically I am "off" saturday and sunday because i'm not at work. Not complaining, I actually enjoy doing this kind of work as well.



  15. James Smith
    James Smith avatar
    113 posts
    11/23/2013 6:11 AM
    Try to make it a point to attend the GIS as often as possible and take as many classes as you can. you will never be to old to learn new things.

    Use this forum as often as possible (it can be a heck of a stress reliever) and always try to pass on your knowledge to the rest of us, even if some do not need it).

    From the get go, remember that you are a Superintendent now and no longer the Assistant and try to live up to the status. A Superintendent knows what he or she wants and goes for it where an Assistant basically has to wait to get an ok to go for it. be confident in what you know and positive in how you present your knowledge to your club.

    use everything at your disposal to achieve your goals (sometimes you may have to think outside the box)

    Good luck and know we are always here to help out.



  16. Peter Grass
    Peter Grass avatar
    0 posts
    11/23/2013 8:11 AM
    Dear Matt,

    Congratulations and thank you for sharing your news and passion for the position you have just received. As others have mentioned, those of us who have been at it awhile sometimes take it for granted and also forget how exciting it is to take on new responsibilities.

    My advice, use the resources available through your facility and staff, GCSAA and local Chapter(s), fellow superintendents and assistants to always learn. Never in one year or 30 years think that I know it all now.

    This is a great industry with great people who are always willing to help and use that spirit to better yourself and also then share your experiences with others too.

    Yours Truly,

    Peter Grass
    GCSAA Class A Member, Certified
    GCSAA Director
    Hilands Golf Club
    Billings, MT



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