Nurturing new life

Becoming a new parent has been a life-changing experience filled with joy, challenges and constant learning. As an assistant superintendent, I find many of the same parallels. Both come with their own set of rewards and hurdles. Surprisingly, there are intriguing similarities between the two roles that offer valuable insights into balancing responsibilities, nurturing growth and embracing change.

Just as in parenting, the early stages of a golf course and its maintenance require careful nurturing. When my wife, Claudia, and I had our beautiful boy, Cyrus, he also needed constant attention, care and guidance. Feeding a bottle every hour in the middle of the night was not easy. It reminded me of the late nights, going back to the course to make sure irrigation was running in the fertilizer we applied earlier that day. On the course, we must oversee daily tasks such as mowing, irrigation and fertilizing to ensure the course thrives. Like a baby, the course needs time, patience, nurturing and care to reach its full potential.

Both parenthood and golf course maintenance require excellent problem-solving skills. Parents must find creative solutions to pacify a crying baby or address unexpected issues that arise. As an assistant superintendent, I’m often faced with challenges like managing unexpected turf diseases, irrigation system failures and blowouts or unpredictable weather conditions that might shut down the course. The ability to adapt and find solutions is essential in both roles.

Parenting and maintaining a golf course are both long-term commitments that require unwavering patience and perseverance. Our newborn can be demanding at bedtime. He has not slept much, so that means mama and I have not slept much either. This can make both of us cranky at times, but we need to be patient with each other and the baby. A golf course’s maintenance and improvements are ongoing processes as well. Success in both roles comes from patience and a steadfast commitment to long-term goals and objectives.

Balancing the responsibilities of parenthood and golf course maintenance requires exceptional time management skills. As a new parent, I try to prioritize time, maximize efficiency and make the most of every moment. At the golf course managing the staff, scheduling maintenance tasks and ensuring the course’s daily operations run smoothly requires a similar level of time management and organization as parenting.

Being an assistant superintendent and a new parent requires a ridiculous amount of adaptability. Babies grow and change rapidly, so parents must adapt to their evolving needs. If there is an irrigation blowout in the afternoon causing damage to the course, we must adapt our schedule to get there to take care of it. There have been instances where my baby has gotten sick, and I had to drop everything to get him the care he needed. Flexibility is crucial to success in both roles.

Teamwork is essential for success, too. Parents often rely on their support network, including partners, family and friends, to share the responsibilities of caring for their child. Golf course superintendents also collaborate with their team, including maintenance crews and other staff, to maintain the course’s beauty and functionality. Teamwork and effective communication are keys to success in both realms. It’s amazing to have such great support from my wife. Claudia is the best teammate I’ve ever had. It’s also great to work at a place that understands the time required to take care of a family.

While both roles come with challenges, they are worthwhile experiences. We get to witness our child’s growth and development, creating cherished memories along the way. There’s nothing better than coming home after a long day at work to his smile and laughter. On the golf course, we see the fruits of our labor as the course transforms and thrives under our care. The pride associated with maintaining healthy, happy grass and a healthy, happy baby is immensely rewarding.

Skills and qualities such as nurturing, problem-solving, patience, adaptability, time management, teamwork and enduring commitment have helped me in both roles. Recognizing these parallels and finding balance should lead to success and fulfillment on both fronts. As much as I enjoy maintaining a golf course, nothing is more rewarding than being a father.

Tyler Robb is the assistant superintendent at Grove XXIII Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida. This is his second Turfheads Take Over Contribution.