“ He creates a welcoming environment, but he also makes sure we’ re doing what needs to be done the right way.”
Beyond The Federal Club, Holbrook regularly encourages assistants, mechanics, and other members of his staff to attend industry meetings and educational seminars throughout Virginia, exposing them to ideas and relationships that will benefit them throughout their careers.
By tournament week, Holbrook knows he can’ t oversee every task himself. While hosting the Korn Ferry Tour Championship marks a milestone for The Federal
“ The tournament week’ s about the event itself. It shouldn’ t be about golf course maintenance.”
Club, it also showcases the leadership structure he’ s built. Trusting his managers to handle their responsibilities allows him to focus on the unexpected— all while his staff gets hands-on experience at a professional championship to prepare them as the next generation of golf course superintendents.
Above: Federal Club superintendent Robert Starcher checks green speeds.
Right: Assistant superintendent Jackson McMackin leads the morning agronomy meeting.
Below: Greenskeeper Gualder Wallder rakes a bunker.
— Christian Sain
MORE THAN VOLUNTEERS Preparing a golf course for a professional championship requires far more people than a club’ s full-time staff can provide. To meet the Korn Ferry Tour’ s expectations, Holbrook is assembling an additional crew of 20 to 30 volunteers, nearly doubling the size of the agronomy operation for tournament week.
He recruited through the Virginia chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, reached out to vendors and industry contacts, and even drew volunteers from neighboring states eager to experience championship golf course preparation from the inside.
It’ s an opportunity to learn from fellow superintendents, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships within one of golf’ s most collaborative professions.
By the time the first group tees off, dozens of turf professionals from across the Mid-Atlantic will have come together for one purpose: delivering the fair and demanding test the Korn Ferry Tour expects.
vsga. org S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2026 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 17