Skills for life

Work experience and skills gained in different industries can contribute to the breadth and success of the turf team. Likewise, some people choose to leave turf, but they have learned valuable skills as a member of the crew. Positive professional interactions yield positive word-of-mouth recruiting.

At Elcona Country Club, they maintain Poa annua greens, the tees and fairways are Penncross bentgrass, and the team is led by superintendent Ryan Cummings. He wasn’t always in the turf industry; neither was one of the retirees on his staff, Paul Gleissner. Discussing their work in Bristol, Indiana, over the family-friendly 18-hole course, practice facility, and extensive trails and grounds, it’s easy to see how retirees from different industries can contribute to turf maintenance.

There are many ways to get into turf. What was your journey?

Cummings: I grew up on a farm and thought I wanted to be a biochemist or a geneticist and work for one of the seed companies. After one semester of biochemistry, I knew that was not for me. A friend was studying food science and I was always interested in processes and how things were made. I got my degree in food science and Frito-Lay offered me a job. I was a production supervisor and I was also in charge of quality control for SunChips. I started working nights but would play 36 holes on my day off. I always loved golf and played in high school. One day, while I was eating, I watched the sunrise and I thought, ‘What am I doing here?’ I went back to school for turf and worked at the Purdue courses with Jim Scott. I fell in love with it, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Gleissner: I have been with Elcona on and off since 1983, when I graduated college. I started as a summer employee and then worked full-time until settling in with the Mishawaka Fire Department in 1986. I figured out I could still work here, part-time, a few days a week. I had a young family and it was an opportunity to work a second job. I was a paramedic for the last half of my career, riding on an ambulance daily. My stress from that job would go away by working here. It’s my happy place.

Takeaway

Turf maintenance appeals to different people for different reasons and people are going to find their way in and out of the profession at their own pace. Learn what resonates with crew members of all ages, their backgrounds and what tasks appeal to them. They may have skills that surprise you and they may have talents you can help them discover.

What skills are beneficial for retirees coming to turf maintenance from a different industry?

Cummings: Attention to detail and pride in your work. Those are hard to teach. Markets are competitive and attention to detail is what distinguishes facilities, so find individuals who work to that standard. One person on my staff is a retired arson investigator and he asks a lot of questions. As an arson investigator, you have to be on the lookout for details. His main job here is mowing and he still asks a lot of questions on procedures or on how to make his routine more efficient. Any line of work that investigates, or people who ask questions or are curious will do well. We hire in two waves and flexibility is paramount. There are a lot of people, including retirees, who are looking for extra income or to experience a different job. We are finding good people and I can train for the skills I need as long as they have a work ethic and some pride in their job. Turf training and getting a four-year degree wasn’t as big in the ’70s and ’80s and there was a talent gap. Older superintendents looked for work ethic, pride in the job and punctuality. We are coming full circle in hiring for personal skills and training for the technical skills.

Gleissner: The ability to learn. My original boss knew I got off from the fire department at 7 a.m. and mowing started around 6 a.m. My boss taught me how to plant trees and care for them, so I have done a lot of that. I still do a lot of tree work. Early on I learned a valuable skill and I’m older, but I still enjoy it. I have been here so long that I am cutting down trees that I planted! For the course and the property, I’m excited to make it look good.

Takeaway

Careers where people need to be curious and detail-oriented, employ critical thinking, or work with systems and efficiencies can bring those skills to a position in turf maintenance. People who are comfortable with machines and chemicals are going to be helpful, but don’t overlook the value of storytelling. It’s a skill, too, and stories bring people together. They lighten the workday and often share a lesson, one way or another.

What are some strategies for managing an intergenerational crew?

Cummings: I am almost managing people based on their generation. I would explain a task to Paul different than I would explain it to some of our younger staff based on how they process and understand information. You can’t just manage one way and you have to figure out what works. Sharing a meal is a great way to bring everyone together, and be it smoking with my Traeger or using my Blackstone, I love cooking. During those lunches people engage more. Seeing those smiles and interactions is why I do it. We have employee golf days with afternoons off so staff can bring a friend, golf together and enjoy the course. When I hire people, young or old, I explain we are providing greenspace for members to enjoy their recreational time. We work hard and take pride in the job, but we can make it enjoyable. During winter, we review our processes. In summer, I ask questions daily to maximize efficiency. We also strive to improve our work-life balance. The 12- to 14-hour days are long and that’s a big topic this winter. How do we meet and exceed member expectations but also do things differently? It's something my boss and I have discussed, that saying, ‘This is the way that we have always done it,’ does not apply. We have to be flexible and embrace new ideas. And Rizzo is joining the team this year! The members and all generations seem to enjoy having a dog on course, and Rizzo is ready for running around and being goofy.

Gleissner: It’s different. The younger generation is a lot different from my generation. Sometimes they don’t listen to what I have to say! My first bosses could put the fear of God into you, but I learned to do something right the first time so you don’t have to do it over. And we all enjoy Ryan’s cooking. It’s nice to sit around and chat with each other and take a few extra minutes to enjoy a hot lunch.

Takeaway

More than ever, crews are being managed according to the individuals they are comprised of. Set the culture for the team but understand that more individual instruction, and patience, is required. The different generations learn, process and work in different ways but no one is arguing about time off to play golf, goofy dogs and a nice hot meal.

Lee Carr is a Northeast Ohio-based writer and senior Golf Course Industry contributor.