Chain reaction

As I sit here and put out another job posting for an assistant superintendent position at Transit Valley Country Club, I thought it’s time to recall the chain of events created by a decision made by a couple of people.

I entered a budget meeting at my previous club on Dec. 4, 2020, to meet with the general manager and greens chair to discuss the 2021 budget. The human resources professional walked in after we were situated. I said to myself, “Here we go.” No reason for dismissal, just a “we want to go in a new direction.”

As I drove home, I called the wife to inform her of the situation. I thought about the whole COVID-19 year and how many times I asked God, “What am I doing here?” He knew I would not quit on my own, and I would just keep grinding through all the challenges I faced at the club. So, he made the decision for me.

The next day, I was getting to my honey-do list and was under my wife’s car changing the oil, and the phone rang. A member from Transit Valley Country Club called me to see if I would be interested in the superintendent position and if I’d be available to work. I’ll never forget the first line: “Hello, Adam? You do not know me, but I am a member at Transit Valley CC and seeing if you are available to be our superintendent?”

Knowing that one of my friends was the current superintendent, I said: “You already have a superintendent” After some back and forth, he said: “Are you available for work?” I responded: “As of 20 hours ago, yes.”

I got off the phone and called the current superintendent to let him know someone had contacted me. He was very gracious. We talked for a while about the situation and stayed connected throughout this process, which was not easy for either of us. On Feb. 1, 2021, I started as the new superintendent at Transit Valley Country Club.

Three years later, I see how one decision had a chain reaction to a region. I would say it has not been a seamless transition, more like a sports team at the grounds department. I have been fortunate to have great people on my crew for most of my career, but lately we have been moving people out as fast as we hired them. I have had nine assistants, with seven mechanics moving in or out in less than three years. It would be a long story behind each person’s journey, but I can tell it has been “next person up” at Transit Valley Country Club.

The list

The ex-superintendent at Transit Valley: Received an excellent job as a buyer/salesperson at a local seed company.

Assistant: Superintendent at Fox Valley Club.

Assistant: Assistant at Fox Valley Club.

Assistant: Superintendent at Shelridge Country Club.

Second assistant: First assistant at East Aurora Country Club.

Second assistant: First assistant at Harvest Hill Golf Course.

Assistant: Erie County Sheriff.

Assistant: Superintendent-in-training at ByrnCliff Golf Resort.

Assistant: Dismissed.

Current first assistant: I hired him as my second assistant at my last club in 2020. He moved to Crag Burn Golf Club as a second assistant when I was no longer there, but then called me to come over to Transit Valley when my first assistant took a superintendent job.

Temporary hire: I also had a good friend/fellow superintendent who was dismissed from his club suddenly. I called to tell him he could work here during his transition to a new job if he would like. Knowing he was a great superintendent, I figured it would not be long before he found one. He collaborated with us for a brief time. He’s now a superintendent at another club in the area and doing excellent.

Head mechanic: Moved to The Park Country Club of Buffalo.

Assistant mechanic: Retired.

New head mechanic: Hired and dismissed.

New assistant mechanic: Hired and dismissed.

Next mechanic: Came from Cloverbank Country Club for a season and then relocated to South Carolina with his family.

Current mechanic: Hired from another western New York golf course.

Current part-time mechanic: Retired engineer.

Assistant mechanic from my last club: Went to Shelridge Country Club as head mechanic for my other assistant.

My previous club hired someone from outside the area to become its new superintendent. He promoted two of my past employees to his assistants, so that was another positive. He also hired one of my past mechanics from another club to become his head mechanic.

All these changes I hope have been positive for all the people involved. If nothing else, it has filled many positions for western New York golf courses, and I have been blessed to be part of the relationships forged along the way. My current staff has a retired 35-year superintendent from a local country club who works seasonally for us and a 40-year retired assistant who works part-time. I also have two assistants-in-training I hope will fill multiple roles for me or someone else in the future.

Someone once asked me, “Aren’t you concerned when hiring ex-superintendents and assistants that your job would be threatened?” I have always said, “Surround yourself with the best possible people and you will always succeed and so will they.” I have always tried to do the right thing and help people get to the next level of their career aspirations. I believe I have influenced many people along the way to be their best.

Reflecting on the separation from my last club in December 2020, it was surprising to me at the time. But it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me and hopefully the people affected. It just reaffirms that when a door closes, God sometimes opens a better one.

As far as the last three years are concerned, it has been a wild ride. In our profession, you must be able to adapt and overcome and not be afraid of change. Sometimes this profession is not for the fainthearted, but I would not want to be doing anything else.

Adam Mis is the superintendent at Transit Valley Country Club in East Amherst, New York. This is his first Golf Course Industry contribution.