New Supt at Chambers Bay.

[Anthony_Nysse]

Big Congrats to Eric!

http://gcm.typepad.com/gcm/2012/07/a-notable-golf-course-management-position-opening-has-been-filled-eric-johnson-started-his-job-earlier-this-week-as-directo.html

[John Kavanaugh]

Is this really just a lateral move inside Kemper Sports?

[Sven Nilsen]

Perhaps it is a lateral move in title, but it is a move to a position that will be getting a lot of attention and scrutiny as CB prepares for the US Open over the next few years.  Eric's own words in the article demonstrate the significance of the position to him.

John's sly insinuation that this is nothing special is laughable.

[John Kavanaugh]

I'm not saying it is nothing special.  For one I was happy to see a fellow old guy get a break.

[RJ_Daley]

For those living in the area and playing CB regularly; what is the current state of the fescue turf quality, particularly the surrounds and greens?  

Assuming that it is known that fescue establishes slowly, and given the pressure to bring in green fee revenue, has CB ever been given the time to establish the ideal fescue stand of turf that was envisioned to be of US Open quality?  Can the sand capped nature of the CB site and its micro climate be matched to the BDR characteristics in maintenance practices to equal BDRs fescue results and quality?  Is there a turf quality standard with the fescue they have established that is not possible to achieve given the specifics of the CB site?

I am skeptical that anyone can expect similar results when there are likely very different soil and climate circumstances between CB and BDR.  

Just what are the actual expectations of the USGA for the 2015?  With 3 years left before the event, are they thinking about introducing another species of turf as a polystand to fill in any bare or sparsely established areas?  

 

[William_G]

the golf and beach are better in Bandon, but Seattle is a great place to live..

lots to do with CB in the years to come

fwiw, 49 is not old, LOL

[Howard Riefs]

The post says that Eric was named the director of agronomy. Not the superintendent.

For those of us who don't work in the industry, can you explain the role of a course director of agronomy? Does it report to the superintendent? It it a role primarily at large resorts and clubs? How does the training differ from a superintendent?

Also, is it a new role at CB?

[Jim Colton]

The post says that Eric was named the director of agronomy. Not the superintendent.

For those of us who don't work in the industry, can you explain the role of a course director of agronomy? Does it report to the superintendent? It it a role primarily at large resorts and clubs? How does the training differ from a superintendent?

Also, is it a new role at CB?

Right. It says the Josh Lewis, the interim super, will take over the position permanently.

[Sven Nilsen]

I kind of see this as CB bringing in a specialist.  His focus will be on the turf conditioning, with Josh handling all of the other details associated with the upkeep of the course.

I've seen other management companies hire a Director of Agronomy to cover their entire portfolio of courses.  Wonder if there are other examples of a course bringing in someone in this role to focus on a single property.

[John Kavanaugh]

I'm sure at least 30% of his job will be massaging various golf writers, bloggers, USGA bureaucrats and architectural busybodies.

[RDecker]

Sounds like a chance to host and Open and not have to work alot of weekends in the interim, great opportunity to make one's mark.  A promotion for a veteran as Mr. Kavanaugh pointed out is also nice to see.  Congratulations to Mr. Johnson!

[Tom_Doak]

I had heard about this being likely a month ago, but not that it was official.  Congratulations to Eric, and a belated public thank you for getting everything at Old Macdonald into such great shape for his successor, too.

I don't think it is a lateral move in regard to pay ... and I know his family is excited about moving to the big city.  On top of that, he has fewer acres of turf to worry about at Chambers Bay than he did at Old Macdonald, which they probably didn't think to factor into his pay. 

Kind of funny to see that the g.m., pro and now the superintendent at Chambers Bay have all graduated from Bandon Dunes.

[Peter Pallotta]

I'm sure at least 30% of his job will be massaging various golf writers, bloggers, USGA bureaucrats and architectural busybodies.

I have a feeling this is the first time you've under-stated your case. 

Luckily there'll only be 2 or 3 'story-lines' coming his way, so only 2 or 3 messages to learn and repeat.

Peter

[Ben Sims]

Kind of funny to see that the g.m., pro and now the superintendent at Chambers Bay have all graduated from Bandon Dunes.

What you call funny, I call smart.  Where else would you get expertise for Chambers' situation that would be as good as the Bandon talent?

[William_G]

I don't think it is a lateral move in regard to pay ... and I know his family is excited about moving to the big city.  On top of that, he has fewer acres of turf to worry about at Chambers Bay than he did at Old Macdonald, which they probably didn't think to factor into his pay. 

Kind of funny to see that the g.m., pro and now the superintendent at Chambers Bay have all graduated from Bandon Dunes.

hahaha, the pay is relative to the phone intro at CB "site of the 2010 US Amateur and host of the 2015 US Open"

most folks at Bandon who are young with families move to a larger metropolis after 3 years, and that''s why we all love Shoe

just wish CB was better in the first place as the from a golf standpoint this is a downward spiral, LOL

[Don_Mahaffey]

Eric, congratulations and best of luck.

[Garland Bayley]

Congratulations Eric,

Moving between my top two golf courses seems reasonable to me. Ignore Gray Grieve. He lends his support to the Ducks.

[Eric Johnson]

thanks for the kind words and comments. 

[Richard Choi]

Definitely a smart move by Chambers Bay and another insurance policy for a successful US Open.

Congrats Eric! Hope to meet you soon at CB!

Would mind sharing with us what are some of your top action items as you take on this new role?

[Ted Harris]

I played Chambers just over a month ago after KP 2012 and from my memory 6 - 7 greens had either large dead spots or new square patches of fescue cut into the rest of the playing surfaces. Most if not all of the new square patches of turf on the greens were hardly kept level with the surrounding healthy putting surfaces. As well the height of the new fescue was kept at 1-2 inches in length (looked like rough) which made it impossible to putt through !!!!!

Won't be going back until I know conditions have improved on the greens - No mention of the putting surfaces was made upon check in

Wine Valley on the other hand was in stellar condition - probably the most fun I have had on a golf course that was not located in the U.K.

[Mike Nuzzo]

Congratulations Eric
Good luck preparing & managing for the US Open
Seattle is a very cool city - have fun

[Garland Bayley]

I played Chamber just over a month ago after KP 2012 and from my memory 6 - 7 greens had either large dead spots or new square patches of fescue cut into the rest of the playing surfaces. Most if not all of the new square patches of turf on the greens were hardly kept level with the surrounding healthy putting surfaces. As well the height of the new fescue was kept at 1-2 inches in length (looked like rough) which made it impossible to putt through !!!!!

Won't be going back until I know conditions have improved on the greens - No mention of the putting surfaces was made upon check in

Wine Valley on the other hand was in stellar condition - probably the most fun I have had on a golf course that was not located in the U.K.

I played Wine Valley just before KP and was shocked at how much they are letting go apparently due to monetary constraints. Bunkers reverting to nature. Bunkers devoid of sand and half filled with water. Less real estate being mowed.

I played Chamber Bay just after KP and was shocked at the poor conditions compared to all the other times I had played there. Conditions were much better for GRUDGE MATCH II played there a year ago.