golf
Making the greens a little greener
Mitchell Riley talks Valdosta Country Club fairways care
words & photography by CAISON KIRKLAND
Valdosta Country Club is no secret to Lowndes County golfers. With its pristine greens and striped fairways, the course has long set a strong standard for golf in the region. But what most do not see— beyond the swing of a driver or the length of a putt— is the science, sweat, and detail that go into maintaining a course every single day.
One of those behind the operation is Mitchell Riley, the club’ s first assistant superintendent. A graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a degree in horticulture, Riley’ s path into turfgrass management was built on a foundation of plant science and hands-on experience. He completed two internships in the field before joining Valdosta Country Club— first as an intern himself, then as a spray technician, and now as one of the key leaders on the grounds crew.
28 Valdosta Scene | June 2025