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Rejoice! Fall is here, bringing cooler temperatures, apple cider, Thanksgiving, and, yes please, football.

Some of football’s most memorable plays are those with multiple lateral passes. The fans see the ball moving sideways or even backward as players find a way to advance. Assistants are no different. Their teammates can encourage them, tackle challenges, and run beside them, but ultimately the assistant must take the initiative.

Whether they are hired for the role, or develop from within, great assistants are worth celebrating. Here’s a glimpse at how a few modern assistants view their positions and the industry.

Mitch Bryden

Assistant superintendent

TPC Colorado

Berthoud, Colorado

Located halfway between Denver and Fort Collins, golfers of all levels are welcome at TPC Colorado, a championship course that can be played from 4,157 to 7,991 yards. Hired into the TPC network as an assistant and now in his fifth year, Mitch Bryden understands how people advance through the industry.

“That’s the goal, to train people to a level where they feel confident, they can move on to a different position,” Bryden says. “If we have an opening at our own course, we love to keep them, but depending on how fast everyone is developing it may be a different property.”

At TPC Colorado, Bryden coaches summer help through a variety of tasks from mowing to irrigation fixes, showcasing the profession as a career, not just a summer job. Blessed with drive, Bryden feels prepared to be a superintendent. His goal is to keep learning, achieving and to continue to be responsible for as much as possible.

Attending the 2022 Green Start Academy in Pinehurst, North Carolina, made a huge impact on Bryden. “Green Start opened my eyes to thinking about the hiring audience for superintendents, like the GMs, owners or even a greens committee,” he says. The event also taught him to think about finances and to further develop personal skills, such as being goal-oriented. Most important, Green Start Academy helped Bryden recognize the value of providing a premium product for every golfer, and that the product goes beyond course setup and conditioning.

“I was able to think more about how to contribute to the total experience, by team building and communicating with the pro shop and the restaurant and the administration, all that stuff,” he says. “It’s not just, ‘Hey, I love growing grass,’ but this whole other ball game.”

Tina Rosenow

Second assistant

Midland Hills Country Club

Roseville, Minnesota

After working a summer job at Midland Hills and discovering how much she enjoyed it, Tina Rosenow changed her major from engineering to plant science and graduated from the University of Minnesota. “I don’t have a golf background,” she says. “I like working outside and creating a product that is aesthetically pleasing and that people enjoy.”

With tournament experience at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles and an internship at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, Rosenow finds herself happy at Midland Hills, where superintendent Mike Manthey has been an incredible mentor. “It’s difficult convincing people to get the education they need,” she says. “It’s important, but so is mentoring.”

As one of two second assistants since November 2020, her responsibilities are largely technical, covering spraying and irrigation work, as well as taking turns managing the crew on weekends. She also oversees a lot of small projects. “We help our lead assistant make sure everything is being done right and whatever is needed, we are there for it.”

Rosenow feels ready to be a lead assistant. The crew peaks at 27 people for the 18-hole course with extensive practice facilities. Year-round positions are held by the superintendent, assistants, mechanics and three additional crew members.

“I like the membership and the property here,” Rosenow says. “Mike and I have talked about it. A title is a title, but you as a person, that’s how you are defined in your role.

“It’s up to individuals to put in the effort to advance. If someone is happy where they are, there is nothing wrong with that. I think that is different for my generation. Before, everyone was determined to move up. People are now more concerned about building themselves as a person versus having a different title.”

Mark Mello

Senior assistant

Vesper Country Club

Tyngsboro, Massachusetts

Leading a crew of 35 people at Vesper Country Club, Mark Mello is on his third property as an assistant.

Assistants might move from one property to another because the property and responsibilities weren’t as advertised, or maybe there’s no room to advance, or perhaps they want experience in a different area of the country. Whatever the reason, it’s a personal choice, and Mello is ready to choose a superintendent position.

“I have been particular regarding offers, because I want the fit to work for everyone,” he says. “I am very methodical when it comes to my process. I am not going to take a job just because it is offered. I work with my circle of mentors and friends in the industry to evaluate if it’s a place I can continue growing. I will know the right job when it’s available.”

Involved with the assistant committee of the New England Chapter, GCSANE, Mello has been monitoring assistant pay. It has increased in the past few years and is improving but Mello feels it needs to be higher to match the cost of living.

“When I’m a superintendent, I want to make sure the assistants make enough to live close to the golf course,” he says. “It shouldn’t be a second job going back and forth to work.”

His responsibilities for Vesper include payroll, creating spray sheets, handling purchase invoices and staff scheduling. He often works from home after he leaves the course. As the senior assistant, Mello liaises with the general manager and the club’s controller to coordinate preparation for meetings. Mello works with Career Advantage Golf for guidance on cover letters, application packages, his website and more. Managing a $2 million dollar budget with nearly $2 million worth of equipment, Mello feels prepared and confident about taking on every aspect of the next stage of his career.

Casey LaFrance

Assistant superintendent

Adam LaFrance

Assistant superintendent

Cherry Creek Golf Club Detroit Golf Club

Shelby Township, Michigan Detroit, Michigan

With horticulture being her first love, Casey LaFrance naturally fit right into the turf industry. She is the assistant at Cherry Creek Golf Club. Adam LaFrance is an assistant at Detroit Golf Club. They are married and happy to be expecting their first child.

Casey sustained a brain injury while playing ice hockey in college and when she needed a low-pressure way to help with recovery, Adam suggested working at a local course. She started filling divots and mowing. From there, she worked at several clubs as a gardener, horticulturalist and seasonal crew member.

Adam worked at Greystone Golf Club in Washington Township, Michigan, graduated from Penn State and has been an assistant for seven years, five of them at Detroit Golf Club. Established in 1899, it consists of two Donald Ross-designed courses, North and South, and is home to the PGA’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Casey and Adam are both interested in being superintendents, but they are currently focused on spending time with family. For the last four years, Adam fought and recovered from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He is fully cleared and both he and Casey are grateful for their caring colleagues, including Cherry Creek superintendent Tim Jenkins.

“Tim has taught me so much,” Casey says. “When there comes a day where I have stopped learning, I will move on. Working as an assistant is not hindering my career or my development and with our medical situations, there’s never been a day where I was told I can’t be with family. Tim’s view is that family comes first, and the GM feels the same. That extends through the organization. When you find a good place to work, hold onto that.”

Adam also has appreciated his time at Detroit Golf Club, where he holds an integral role. When a superintendent on either course is out for the day, Adam fills in. “Priority No. 1 is to manage the staff and make sure the assigned jobs are done right,” he says.

Jake Mendoza was at Detroit Golf Club early in Adam’s tenure. Sam Moynihan is the current superintendent. “Unfortunately, I had to go through the cancer,” Adam says. “But on the good side, I learned how to take care of the budget and do payroll each week. I also do invoice tracking and computer work. I’m involved in everything. It’s been nice to get that experience while still being an assistant. Even though I couldn’t be on property, I was still part of the team.”

Casey and Adam are also grateful to have someone at home who can problem-solve and understands the industry. “Everyone wants a 9-to-5,” Adam says. “Our industry isn’t like that. We depend on the weather and what the grass is going to do every day.” His favorite job is changing cups. “It was the first job I learned,” he says. “It’s awesome being able to set up the golf course and contribute to what the golfer will experience. Being a manager, you don’t get to do it as much. I love the game of golf. I could sit there and watch people play all day.”

Everyone is trying to advance the ball at the right time, in their own way.

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