For us, it’ s an extremely rewarding experience to have people come out there and enjoy an area that we put in hundreds of hours of work into.”
For us, it’ s an extremely rewarding experience to have people come out there and enjoy an area that we put in hundreds of hours of work into.”
~ Mitchell Riley, assistant superintendent
“ It’ s our job to come in every day, take the randomness and pull it into a predictable point,” Riley says. That“ randomness” includes soil chemistry, weather conditions, disease pressures, moisture levels, and plant growth— all of which fluctuate by the hour and demand adjustments.
While many enter the profession through trade experience, starting as equipment operators or irrigation techs, Riley shows the value of formal education, especially in understanding the agronomics behind turfgrass care. With such a background, professionals like Riley can analyze life cycles, determine soil nutrient deficiencies, apply fungicides and fertilizers responsibly, and manage water with sustainability in mind.
The crew’ s day begins early, usually between 6:30 and 6:45 a. m., with a meeting to finalize a game plan. From there, they tackle daily setup: mowing and rolling greens, raking bunkers, changing pins, and preparing tee boxes. Throughout the rest of the day, the crew cycles through mowing fairways, tees, and roughs on a rotating schedule. The goal? Twice a week for fairways and tees, once for the rough— all while managing unpredictable tasks like irrigation leaks, tree trimming, or storm cleanup.
June 2025 | Valdosta Scene 29