Vagabonds and miscreants

I think we all have those moments in life where we think, “How did I get here?” Sometimes this thought comes during a tough stretch in our lives when we can’t figure out right from left, up from down. Other times it comes during moments of pure joy and gratitude. Life is filled with these moments, but for the purpose of this article I’d like to talk about two of these scenarios that transformed my personal and professional life.

I had many jobs that I worked at unsuccessfully before entering the turf industry. The majority of these failures were due to my inability to prioritize adult behaviors. I have always said that the turf industry is mostly comprised of people looking for a second chance: vagabonds and miscreants. I am one of those vagabonds. I am one of those miscreants.

My journey started with a rock bottom of my own undoing. I asked myself, “How did I get here?” and I was quickly given an answer. I got there by only living for myself. I got to rock bottom by being selfish and self-centered. I knew that this wasn’t me or my purpose in life. I prayed for guidance, and I received it. I started living with purpose and for something bigger than myself. It took a lot of time and a few more failures, but I eventually got out of my own way and started living for others.

This led to me returning to college and working in the field of substance abuse recovery. I could connect with this population because I had walked in their shoes. I worked as a case manager in a local nonprofit here in central Indiana. I helped disenfranchised men and women who were suffering from addiction and homelessness find a new way of life free from drugs and alcohol. This is a difficult, yet rewarding, job field to be part of. The successes were few and far between, but I knew there was hope, because I had achieved it.

After several years, I found myself becoming burned out and lacking empathy. During this time, I had gotten married and had my daughter. My attention was redirected toward my family, and I knew I needed a career change. My brother, Brad Allen, CGCS, is a lifelong turfer. He had given me opportunities in the past to work with him and he offered me a position to come and work with him until I figured out my next move.

I showed up to work on the golf course not looking to make it a career — and I never left. I fell in love with every aspect of this industry. It filled all my working needs. It had everything. Instant and delayed gratification, high expectations, working with my hands, and so much more. Most important, I found a community of people who came from a similar background and shared some of the same life experiences I had. With the support of my wife and brother, I went back to college — online this time — and got my advanced certificate from Penn State. I was off and running, and nothing was going to stop me.

I’m sharing this because the turf industry and the community surrounding it has had a huge impact on my life, and I want others to know that. My desire is that someone reads this and doesn’t lose hope. There is a place for you here in the turf industry. I’m not saying this field of work will fix all your problems. You must make sure to take care of yourself first and foremost. If you are like me, and if you’re honest with faults and failures, you will find the bridges you build in this community will extend far beyond your wildest expectations. You will find people from top to bottom who share some of the same stories you have and know the value behind your life’s journey.

You must step outside your comfort zone, be accountable, and sometimes work ridiculous hours. If you do that, others will see you for who you are, not what you were. Don’t be scared to start over and find something new; you might like your new story better.

How did I get here? I experienced both sides of this coin. Each side has value. Maybe you are currently on the negative side of this situation. That’s OK. Recognize this and make a commitment to change. It’s worth it.

I now find myself on the other side of this coin, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am every day to wake up and know that I get to work within a network of people who care about me and my personal well-being as much as the turf they manage. This is a community that welcomes we vagabonds and miscreants. Take advantage of this to better yourself and those around you.

Chad Allen is the superintendent at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana. This is his second Turfheads Take Over contribution and fifth Golf Course Industry contribution.