I also think to call him out on not introducing himself to the architect during his visits is a bit immature, especially to use that as reason for starting this thread rather than reaching out to him privately to actually talk about his interview, his answers, his concerns, and perhaps the original intent with that green. Maybe he is a bit socially awkward just like the architect has admitted to being - perhaps you are more alike than you know. Tom, I would think upon a visit to one of your courses, YOU would be the one who should be introducing yourself to the staff, especially the guy who presents your course each day. It seems rather arrogant (and not like your humble self) to think that he should be the one seeking you out on your visit to his workplace.
Will:
By now this thread would have properly disappeared from GCA, except for Brian bringing it back up, which is too bad. I realized my post was harsh and was happy to see it slip away, as I said many posts back, when I also made clear that I harbored no ill will toward the young man.
I haven't had the chance to play Lost Dunes for a couple of years. When I do go and visit my courses, I generally prefer just to relax and not make it a working visit, though of course many of the superintendents of my courses are personal friends and I do visit with them if they're around. Otherwise I try not to get in their hair, unless I see something that really bothers me, and likewise, I trust they will come to me if they need to talk about something bothering them. [That was the context for my comment about his not having introduced himself; I was hardly "calling him out". One of my former bosses was notorious for getting superintendents fired by making loud comments when he visited courses; for that reason I generally try to stay totally away from any such discussion.] I have great respect for those who work long hours to take care of our work.
So, I'll take my lumps for making the first post, instead of reaching out privately. [Although, there seems to be some misunderstanding that I have somehow snubbed him when I was there ... I've never met him, and never heard his name until I read his interview.] I DO think it was fair to make a general point about superintendents' priorities and green speeds, using a real world example instead of just a stereotype. I just shouldn't have used his name.
By the way, just as I made a possibly erroneous assumption about his real beliefs without knowing for sure, you have been quick to defend him without knowing for sure, either. As an individual, he deserves the benefit of the doubt -- which is why I shouldn't have used his name -- but there are plenty of superintendents in this business who are all about the green speed, and yet the one time I cite what seems to be a specific example, I'm accused of taking it all out of context.
It's too bad that I brought this back up?
Pretty sure it was out in a public forum for anyone to find...which I can tell you that SEVERAL superintendents and assistants check on a regular basis. So to think that something like this, where you call out someone who is dedicating their life, likely spending 80 or more hours per week caring for your creation, is going to slip into obscurity is fairly ignorant.
Just like you can slap lipstick on a pig and it's still a pig...you can rename this thread, but it's still a BS thread. What you should have done is ask for it to be removed as there's absolutely nothing of value in the comments on this thread. For a comment like, "he should be shot" to come up is ridiculous. I would expect more out of a group of people that claim to be educated and connoisseurs of this great game.
You can say you harbor no ill will towards him, but the fact of the matter is that you still called him out over an assumption. As previously stated, you have no idea why he wants to make changes to the green.
I can assure you that his comments have absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he doesn't like how it plays. While most supers get into the business because they love the game, when you're in it, the vast majority only have an opportunity to play a handful of times per year. Again, his comments are more than likely based on maintenance concerns and the ability to provide members with the playing conditions that they expect...or based on feedback from the membership. If you'd like...I can call him and ask him about it, like you should have instead of making broad generalizations about superintendents and potentially harming this young man's career.
I do not believe your point about superintendents' priorities are fair or factual at all and really don't see how this is a "real world example." You took a comment about someone that enjoys the challenge of getting their greens as fast as possible for a few events per year and insinuated that all superintendents place value on fast greens over playability. Nowhere in his comments did he mention fast greens as his priority...he did mention that he enjoys the challenge, though.
In all of my experience talking and working with superintendents, I can't think of anyone that would place their priority on pushing their greens to the max. As you know, fast greens come with a lot of risk and significant expense. It's unhealthy for the plant and usually takes multiple mows, rolling and several other cultural practices to keep the greens moving at "championship pace."
The superintendents that I know place their priorities on maintaining a healthy plant and giving their members the conditions that they ask for. Unfortunately, some members push their superintendents to have fast greens because they played XYZ course on the other side of town and their buddy was bragging because they're running 12 on a daily basis.
I don't know the context of the visit where he didn't introduce himself, but based on your comments of wanting to lay low and not get in the way, it's very possible Matt had know idea you were the architect of the golf course. While my comments may be coming off harsh (because they should be); I'm a huge fan of your work, Tom...but to be honest, I'd have absolutely no idea if you were sitting next to me on a plane.
The reason I'm so upset and disappointed by this thread is because things like this cost good people their jobs or hold them back from future opportunities. Somebody could cite the comments made on this thread during an interview process and the poor kid, who is more than likely qualified to make the jump, won't get an opportunity to advance.