the confidence to make small adjustments before they become larger problems.
If conditions cooperate, players can expect a championship that rewards strategy as much as execution. Holbrook believes the opening five holes form the most demanding stretch on the golf course, asking players to be precise from the opening tee shot before yielding to a more forgiving stretch.
The championship’ s defining moments, however, may come over the closing three holes. The reachable par-5 16th presents a classic risk-reward opportunity. The uphill, wind-exposed par-3 17th demands complete commitment. Then comes the finishing hole— a downhill par 4 with a green guarded by water on three sides— which leaves zero room for error with PGA TOUR cards on the line.
TOURNAMENT WEEK When championship week arrives, the routine Holbrook and his staff have followed all season won’ t change— it will simply accelerate.
Crews will already be spread across The Federal Club under the glow of headlamps at 4 a. m., racing to complete an entire morning’ s worth of maintenance before the first tee time. Greens will be mowed, bunkers raked, and hole locations cut before the course is turned over to the players.
With nearly twice as many people working as usual, communication becomes vital. As Sain knows from experience:“ You’ re relying on volunteers who are very skilled individuals, but sometimes they might not be that familiar with your golf course.”
Simple mistakes, like a mower in the wrong area or a bunker overlooked during setup, can disrupt an otherwise flawless morning. But those are exactly the situations Holbrook prepared for during his week shadowing Sain’ s operation.
To keep operations running efficiently, Holbrook will divide the maintenance team into two shifts. There will be a morning prep crew and an evening recovery crew to repair divots, restore bunkers, and prepare the course for the following day. Throughout the tournament, Holbrook and his management team will remain on call to handle unexpected weather or immediate issues.
Despite the demanding schedule, Holbrook hopes his staff will have a chance to enjoy the moment.
“ I want them to watch this tournament so they can really see it with their own eyes,” he said.“ Get the whole staff together, build that bond and good camaraderie.”
For many of his employees, it will be the first time they’ ve experienced a professional tournament from inside the ropes. And for Holbrook, that’ s every bit as rewarding as preparing the golf course itself.
It Takes An Army
WHEN IT’ S OVER By the time the trophy is presented on the 18th green, the championship will have produced unforgettable shots, heartbreaking misses, and 20 new PGA TOUR members. Fans will remember dramatic finishes and winning moments. Few will remember the thousands of decisions made long before sunrise, the volunteers who gave up a week to help, or the months of preparation that made those moments possible.
That’ s exactly how Holbrook hopes it ends.
“ The tournament week’ s about the event itself,” Sain said.“ It shouldn’ t be about golf course maintenance.”
Holbrook knows there will be surprises— weather has a way of rewriting even the best-laid plans.
“ You don’ t know what you don’ t know,” he said.
In a few weeks, The Federal Club will host the biggest event in its history, and Holbrook will discover those lessons for himself. If the golf course quietly fades into the background— challenging every player fairly while never becoming the story— Holbrook and his team will know they’ ve accomplished exactly what they set out to do. Just as importantly, the people who helped prepare it will leave better prepared for the next championship, carrying forward the tradition of passing knowledge from one generation of superintendents to the next. get your tickets today!
Opposite above: Ryan Holbrook communicates with his team.
Opposite below: Greenskeeper Aaron Fernandez waters a green.
Right: Peyton Lloyd and Silas Pearson hand rake bunker edges.
vsga. org S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2026 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 19