2025 Super Social Media Awards: Joshua Kelley

Deer, turkey, bobcats and fox can often be seen across the central Florida course. The Grande Lakes creative team runs a wildlife safari at sunrise, taking visitors around the course. Kelley and his team prioritize conservation and do their best to ensure the course wildlife has the best life possible. His team also cares for a small farm, home to chickens, ducks and quail. “We always joked about how The Ritz-Carlton chickens have a better life than most animals in the world,” Kelley says.

Kelley and other Super Social Media Award winners will be recognized at 2:30 p.m. PT, Wednesday, Feb. 5, at The Aquatrols Company booth #4025 at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego, California. The event is open to all. Free drinks will be served during and after the ceremony.

Why is sharing nature content so important to you?

It’s just one of my passions. It’s one thing that drew me to working on the golf course and working outside, being so close to nature and having that opportunity to positively influence it. Grande Lakes is just a really special property. It’s 500-plus acres right in the heart of Orlando. There’s two major roads on the sides of it that when you’re on our property, you really have no idea you’re right there.

What are some of your favorite scenes to capture on camera?

The turkeys are always awesome. It’s more seasonal. We see them a lot in October, November and December. They’re always really very cool, especially when it’s more in the mating season. You see them puffing out their feathers and trying to attract each other. It’s very interesting seeing that take place. It’s always hard with bobcats and foxes and things like that. You see them, but it’s hard to get photos of them because as you see them, they kind of scare you away. When you can actually capture a photo of one of them, it’s a very special moment.

What is your overall goal with posting content?

Getting engagement from other superintendents or like-minded people. I like to have that interaction or see them repost and share things and have questions for me. And one of the great things is I’ve made a lot of great connections, and people have reached out to me personally through the messaging app or through a phone or whatever, seeking more information. It gives you the opportunity to develop those relationships that help you become more successful in your career.

Kelsie Horner is Golf Course Industry’s assistant editor.