Turf Pros

Turf Pros
By Dave Waymire CGCS, American Golf

Brian Darrock
Fairbanks Ranch CC

Brian Darrock was born in La Jolla, California, The Jewel of San Diego. He married his high school sweetheart (Angela) and they have been married for 28 years. He has been the superintendent at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club for over 20 years and has been at Fairbanks for 27 years. As you all know, he has a wonderful sense of humor and treats everybody he meets with respect. He genuinely likes people. That is Brian Darrock.

Brian spent his elementary school years in La Jolla, middle school and high school in Escondido and started his advanced education with an eye towards forestry. He attended Palomar College and received an Associates Degree in General Education. When he realized Angela was not going to move to the Sierra Nevada’s, forestry was out. Enter golf career.

Brian had heard from his brother-in-law that they were building a golf course in Rancho Santa Fe. He was given Fred Harris’s name, went to the job site, and ran into David Major. He received a call a few days later, was hired as a “grunt” thus starting his long career at Fairbanks. He worked on the course “dodging earthmovers, planting trees, building bunkers” and eventually progressed to seeding and other more responsible duties. He really enjoyed the work, so he approached David and asked what he needed to do to advance. He enrolled at Mira Costa College and received a certificate in 1986. When Harris left, Rocky took over as superintendent. When Dave’s assistant wanted to take Brian aside and restructure his face, Dave made a move and Brian became the assistant. There is more to that story and different words were used to describe the situation, but we are choosing to keep this article clean and traditional. No UFC here.

So after a couple years of being the Assistant, David Major left for Del Mar Country Club and Brian took over as Superintendent in 1989. By utilizing my handy Office Depot calculator, I figured he has been there for 21 years. I feel like I keep telling you all what you already know, but that is amazing. How many high end private golf courses have a superintendent that has been there for over 20 years? They are out there, but it is rare. So is Brian.
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By Dave Waymire CGCS, American Golf

Steve Burgraff, Superintendent at Riverwalk Golf Course, has a strategy. He lives his life based on this quote that has hung above his desk for many years:

Press On

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

This was hanging on the wall of Steve’s ex father in law’s den. Steve said

“He was a high school graduate that worked 41 years for Union Oil. He started pumping gas and retired as a Vice President in charge of Real Estate and Marketing of the West. He was a fine man, as was my father too. Our parents were part of a great generation.”

Those who know Steve will confirm that’s his life objective and it conveys into work, home and play.

Born in Burlington Iowa, the Burgraff family moved to Northern California when Steve was four. After 8 years in the Sacramento area, they moved south to Walnut Creek. Steve attended junior and senior high school in the Bay Area and played football and baseball at Ygnacio High School.

Steve took some college prep courses to “become a doctor or lawyer.” Based on how lawyers are looked upon and the current health care crisis, he is probably happy he is growing grass! Eventually, he would go to school as a horticulture major, and received a two-year degree in Ornamental Horticulture. continue

1. Where were you born and raised?

I was born and raised in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Newmarket is a small city approximately a half hour north of Toronto by dogsled.

2. Family, Children?

Married to Dorissa and we have two children, Elizabeth three years old and Abigail one.

3. If you could not be a golf course superintendent, what would you do for a living?

Something outdoors, in close proximity to a lake.

4. What are your hobbies, or what do you like to do when not working?

Sports, camping, hiking.

5. Other than working on golf courses, name a couple other professions or jobs you have had throughout your life?

Substitute teacher, personal trainer, golf professional, construction worker.

6. Favorite sports team?

NHL-Toronto Maple Leafs, NFL-Chargers, MLB-Padres

7. How long have you been a superintendent?

Approaching 2 years.

8. What do you like most about being a superintendent?

Having as my office a golf course, where I can be outside the majority of my days at work.

9. What is you favorite movie of all time?

Caddyshack

10. What 3 words would your coworkers use to describe you?

Hardworking, honest, positive thinker.

11. Is there anybody that was instrumental in your success as a golf course superintendent?

I have worked under a number of great superintendents, Dennis Fowler, Richard Outred, and Ernie Amsler. Dennis Fowler has been the greatest influence in my success. No one took more time to teach how to do things and explain why you do it that way then Dennis did.

12. How many co-workers are on your crew?

Our crew totals 16, not including myself.

13. What color equipment do you like, Red, Orange or Green?

What kind of a question is this, are you trying to get me into trouble?

14. Who are the key employees on your staff?

I have a great staff with only two staff members that have not been here at least 3 years. There is one person I could not do without and that is the head irrigation tech – Sergio Valencia who is irreplaceable in running our 1967 irrigation system.

15. What challenges have you faced since joining CCRB?

The 42 year old irrigation system with no individual head control, no pressure regulation, three individual pump stations, and now water restrictions.

16. Favorite musical band?

U2

17. Who is your hero?

My Father.

18. What is your most important asset at The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo?

Now that we are under water restrictions I would have to say the course’s wells that supply about half the water.

19. Ginger or Maryann?

Maryann

By Dave Waymire CGCS, American Golf

This edition of Turf Pros is a look back to an earlier article written on our Association’s most cherished and respected superintendent, Ron Nolf. The following article was from a couple of years ago, so some of the facts may be dated. But Ron is Ron and everyone knows you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Okay, bad analogy, Ron learns new tricks all the time!

Using the word “character” to describe Ron Nolf is like calling Tiger Woods a “golfer”; it just doesn’t do him justice. Ron is another of our veteran superintendents of the association who is known for his classic sense of humor and an extraordinary outlook on life. “No golf course is worth so much stress that it affects your health and family. We have to remember, it’s only grass.” Amen!

Mr. Nolf graduated from Penn State’s two-year turf program in 1971 and went right to work as superintendent at Martingham Harbourtowne Inne and Country Club, a Pete Dye course under construction in St. Michael, MD. He may very well be the first superintendent to use reclaimed water and was in charge of the city’s sewer and water treatment plant. Ron originally applied for the assistant’s position there but was awarded the superintendent’s position instead because the resident superintendent was in the Caribbean building another course with Pete Dye and did not want to return. Who could blame him?

Ron grew up in Nazareth, PA, and in his youth helped with his father’s business cutting meat and skinning deer. After high school he studied business at East Carolina University, and then returned to work for his dad. With help from Alice (his wife of 35 years), Ron got a job as a laborer at Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem, PA, giving him his first taste of the golf course maintenance business. Dave Miller, Course Superintendent, was instrumental in getting him accepted to the Penn State program. continue

By Dave Waymire CGCS, American Golf

Born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Tim was the son of a Marine Corps Captain. That meant moving around a lot. Florida, North Carolina, Hawaii, and California were some of the places he called home. They finally settled in Oceanside, California when Tim was around 8 or 9 years old.

When his dad retired from the Marie Corps, the family moved to Vista.  With three other brothers in school all at the same time, Tim told me “We got into a substantial amount of trouble.” It is hard to imagine Tim Barrier a troublemaker. Well okay, it is not that hard. His parents and all three brothers (Steve, Mike and Chris) are all still locals.

Tim was a varsity wrestler at Vista High School, and both of his kids now attend the same school. Tyler, 17 is graduating this year and plays varsity hockey. Lily, 15 is a freshman and plays volleyball for Vista High. And Lesley, Tim’s wife of 22 years also attended Vista High School. Tim said “I met her when she was a senior and we have been together ever since, almost 25 years.” She was a member of the varsity cheerleading team, and currently works at the Four Season Resort Aviara. continue

By Dave Waymire, CGCS
American Golf Corporation

After 26 years at Coronado Golf Course, David Jones is calling it quits. The guy with the funny accent and a well-known personality of the SDGCSA is retiring on June 30th. I have a feeling in this job market, there will be a couple hundred applicants, but nobody can replace Jonesey.

Dave has 3 sisters, still in Australia. He has been married to his wife Anita for 28 years. They have one daughter, Tammy who is married but as yet “No grandchildren.” That almost sounded like a hint Tammy.

He got involved in the golf business because his father was a mechanic at Pennant Hills Golf Course, located about 16 miles north of Sydney. He spent summer vacations on the golf course starting at age 12. After high school, he went right into college and attended Ryde School of Horticulture and received a certificate in greens keeping in 1965. He was working full time at Pennant Hills and continued his education at Ryde until he received his second certificate, this one in Horticulture. continue

Turf Pros

By Dave Waymimre CGCS, American Golf

Meet Joe Neri, Arrowood Golf Course.

Joe Neri is a busy man, he’s got more irons in the fire than Barrack Obama will have on January 20th. He said “I want to experience many things in my life being that we do not live a very long time.” And he does!

Joe was a “border baby”, born in Tijuana and living there until the age of 12. The family moved north of the border when his dad bought a house in 1970 for $7,000. (At the current rate of the housing market decline, we may be able to find a similar deal by next year!) His father was a groundskeeper at La Costa for 31 years. Joe is the oldest sibling of 8, with 6 brothers and a sister. He attended Patrick Henry High School, transferred over to Lincoln High School for a short time, then transferred again over to my alma mater and graduated from Clairemont High School in 1979. During his high school years, he worked full time at Jack in the Box. He would work all night long and then go to school in the morning. Joe remembers – “That was tough.” continue

Meet Vince Zellefrow, The Golf Club of California

By Dave Waymire, CGCS – American Golf

1. Where were you born and raised? Las Cruces, New Mexico.
2. Family, Children? Wife of 15 years Belinda, 14-year old son Vinnie and 11-year old daughter Cassidy.
3. If you could not be a golf course superintendent, what would you do for a living? Work for the Department of Fish and Game since my Professional Baseball career did not work out

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