Tractor-sized talent

Matthew Wharton let a writing colleague through the Carolina Golf Club gates. He politely greeted him and then hopped on a tractor to resume aggressively verticutting Bermudagrass fairways.

The writer walked the Donald Ross-designed course in solitude. He scribbled notes about how Ross strategically scattered slopes, knolls, contours, knobs, rises and falls within the urban Charlotte golf grounds. July in Charlotte is steamy. Sweat engulfed the writer’s hat, shirt, shorts and socks.

On three occasions, Wharton stopped and asked the writer for his observations. On three occasions, Wharton quickly returned to work. Late afternoon turned to early evening. Wharton had arrived at the club before the writer embarked on his travel-filled day.

Finally, as the writer reached the back nine, he realized prolonged conversation and fraternizing were not part of the evening’s plans. No joint BBQ dinner at nearby Mac’s Speed Shop. No pints with a colleague and friend he rarely sees.

The writer was in Charlotte for a next-day assignment at a club on the other side of town. The assignment and trip came on short notice. Once a sponsor identifies and vets a story subject, immediate action must be taken. Deadlines are the most critical part of a writer’s job.

Deadlines are also part of a superintendent’s job — and the writer was visiting Wharton at an awful time. Carolina Golf Club was in the middle of its summer course maintenance closure. Like many clubs, Carolina Golf Club experienced a dramatic spike in memberships and rounds beginning in 2020. After superintendents and their teams meet morning deadlines, they receive few openings to execute non-routine tasks. Course closures are prized turf maintenance commodities. Nary a second could be wasted on the sunny mid-summer day.

Wharton eventually hopped off the tractor so the writer could hand him a Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association award for his “America’s Greenkeeper” column. Yes, Wharton toppled a group of writers at their trained game. Wharton posed for a quick photo and went back to work. The writer headed to Mac’s Speed Shop to sip sweet tea and eat brisket alone.

The writer recalled that July 2021 day when Wharton informed him that this month would mark his final regular “America’s Greenkeeper” column (page 58). A total professional, Wharton gave the writer, who triples as a publisher and editor-in-chief, more than six months’ notice to identify, recruit and secure this magazine’s next backpage voices.

We’ll unveil our new columnists next month. They bring a different perspective and tone to our pages. We’re not trying to replace Wharton; we’re using our editorial space and resources to provide readers with the best possible product. For six years as a monthly columnist, including five on the back page, Wharton helped us achieve our mission.

Wharton epitomizes golf maintenance professionals. He’s a dedicated, hands-on, savvy, golf-loving, solutions-finding grinder who places meeting and exceeding customer expectations ahead of schmoozing or socializing. He’s at peace on a tractor when others are neither around nor looking in his direction. If his employer gives him time and space to work, he will toil from dawn to dusk.

Superintendents possess massive skill sets. Wharton is also a fabulous writer. His ability to connect with members via written communication contributed to him landing a coveted job at Idle Hour Country Club in early 2023. His writing talents inspire peers everywhere. Golfers who find his content obtain a better understanding of a superintendent’s responsibilities.

Writing isn’t as physically demanding as providing awesome Transition Zone playing surfaces. One bad story or awkward glance at a stakeholder doesn’t cost a writer his or her job. Deadlines, though, never end. Finding material for the next column, article or profile becomes a mental tussle. Writers can work long hours for meager pay. Passion for the craft must be abundant. Sound familiar?

Wharton hit 72 straight “America’s Greenkeeper” column deadlines. He demonstrated how thousands of words can deeply impact others. A few peers he inspired through his column submitted articles for the issue you’re holding. Wharton’s writing legacy is enormous.

We’ll have brisket and pints waiting for him whenever he decides to hop off the tractor.