International flavor

This summer offered the return of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Nothing epitomizes international competition and camaraderie like the Olympic Games so I thought this would be a great opportunity to showcase an international greenkeeper.

I first met Lee Strutt, MG, CGCS, MS in San Antonio at the 2015 Golf Industry Show. We had a mutual friend in his wife, known to the greenkeeping world as Sami from BIGGA. Lee is the grow-in superintendent and estates manager at Les Bordes Golf Club in Saint-Laurent-Nouan, France, about 60 miles south of Paris.

Lee is a past board member of BIGGA, a mentor for the Future Turf Managers Initiative, an experienced inspector and examiner for the Master Greenkeeper certificate, and has presented to peers throughout the United Kingdom, Australia, Asia and at GIS. Lee also holds the distinction of being the only superintendent in the world to hold industry designations from BIGGA, GCSAA, Canadian GSA and Australian STMA.

Why do you love greenkeeping and what makes you proud to be a greenkeeper?

When I first started in the industry, it was all about being outside. The freedom, the landscape, the countryside and the diversity of tasks have always been an allure to me. Watching the seasons change and working in challenging weather conditions never deterred me either. The beauty of working outside is tolerating bad weather and then appreciating the good weather that comes, and seeing the sun rise in the early morning never disappoints. As my career progressed, it has been the people that have drawn me to different projects large and small. People in this industry are passionate and endeavour to deliver a great daily service to make customers happy, often going beyond the call of duty to make this happen. This passion in people is infectious and makes this industry unique and rewarding.

I am extremely proud to be part of this industry and realize we are surrounded by so many fellow professionals that have become extended family. You only must have a quick look at social media to see the amount of care there is for each other. Sharing ideas and support, it may be equipment, or materials or just reaching out to give human support through periods of mental stress. This has been shown whether a couple miles down the road or from the other side of the world — that is, true friendship and concern is extremely rare and not seen in many industries.

How would you describe the style of the golf courses at Les Bordes and what is their claim to fame?

I have two courses that I manage. One is a 1980s parkland-style designed by the legendary Robert Von Hagge. This is very much an American style with mounding on either side of the golf holes set into a woodland estate. The area of Les Bordes has many lakes, some of which were excavated to create many of the golf holes, so water can come into play on many holes making the course very strategic but also aesthetically pleasing.

My second course is designed by Gil Hanse and opens this year. The New course is worlds apart in both design, strategy and backdrop to the Old. The New course has a heavy influence of heather and broom surrounded by fescue. The course is designed to fit very naturally into the landscape and feels like there are no boundaries, so golf morphs seamlessly into the surroundings.

Without a doubt, the claim to fame about Les Bordes is the original owners. Baron Marcel Bich, the inventor of the Bic manufacturing brand, and businessman Yoshiaki Sakurai. They were two friends who decided to create Les Bordes for their own pleasure, they wanted the course to be of international quality and scale. Start of a legendary and unique course and experience for anyone lucky to play it.

What turfgrass species do you manage and how are they impacted by your climate?

The Old course was originally sown with creeping bent across all playing surfaces, but over the years has become dominated by Poa annua. There have been times where ryegrass was overseeded. So now there is a varying blend of turfgrasses that compete with different needs, making management challenging. However, the long-term plan will unify the management of the turf and potentially reintroduce newer versions of creeping bent to bring the course back to its original theme.

The New course has been sown with pure fescue (chewings and creeping red) on the greens. The fairways and tees were sown with fescue mix and ryegrass to gain rapid establishment and development. The ryegrass was used as a nursery crop to aid the longer establishment and development of the fescues. Part of this decision was both for better sustainable management of the course but to also give a strong contrast from the Old course. A different playing experience.

Our climate has a broad range of temperatures, from the low 20s Fahrenheit in the winter to over 100 degrees from May to October. Our average rainfall is about 20 inches, but like most superintendents around the world, our averages never seem average. From June to September, it is about keeping the turf canopy cool and the turfgrass healthy.

How does greenkeeping in France vary from other parts of the world?

Every country has its own setup and influences. A lot of turf management is taken from the U.S. but is restricted by French and European regulations, making direct applications impossible or difficult to implement.

The French work system is very strict and heavily enforces its work hours — 35 hours per week, including weekends. There is flexibility within the team to work longer hours to fit in with competitions and maintenance practices, but the hours must balance out at the end of the year, meaning staff can finish their annual work time allowance in early December, making winter programs challenging.

Is there a tip you have learned during your time at Les Bordes you would share with other greenkeepers?

Particularly with the language barrier, I have learned to listen and understand more than to assume and react. I have learned I do not necessarily have to respond to a situation or issue immediately. Thinking of others, How and why were decisions made? Talking with understanding has made me a better communicator and a better manager as well as a team player, not just a team leader.

Do you have a favorite story or anecdote from your time as a greenkeeper?

About a year ago I mentored a young woman who was part of a group highlighting women in golf. The group was tasked to summarize their work in a five-minute presentation to their peers. The young woman and I spoke at length about this situation and opportunity. She wanted to make the presentation but was too scared to stand up and speak. She was afraid she would mess up her words and be embarrassed. We spoke about what failure would look and sound like. Also, what success would look, sound and feel like? She liked the idea of success but still had concerns. For some random reason, I told her “Do you want your fear to define you?” and it was the right words that made her realize she did not need to be scared, that even with failure, there is success. To be successful, you must face your fears and overcome them. I now live by this random act of advice because it makes you realize there is very little we cannot achieve. Only fear holds us back. And the girl I mentored, she went on to smash the presentation and now realizes how much she can achieve.