Golfdom, February 2015

Tomorrows Turf Jocks Assistants today determined to be leaders tomorrow Where did you study turfgrass science I went to school at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Not the most well respected program compared to Penn State or Michigan State but Ill just put it this way we work our butts off They are really starting to make a name for themselves Its kind of exciting Im excited to promote the University of Minnesota Why did you choose this profession I love the game of golf I love being on golf courses I originally wanted to be a PGA professional and work for the dark side but I had an uncle who was on the dark side and he said No you want to work for the golf course superintendent When I got a job on a local golf course I was like Wow This is working with my hands being on a mower mowing Woodhill Country Club rests next to Lake Minnetoka in Wayzata Minn 15 miles from the Twin Cities The private course designed by Donald Ross was completed in 1917 and is home to one of the top assistant superintendents in the industry Nick Klinkhammer spends his days on Woodhills 18 holes but has experience at some of the most well known courses in the U S with internships at Whistling Straits Pinehurst Resort and Augusta National When we talked to Klinkhammer he was working his first assistant superintendent job at Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh Ind Last December he made the move back home to Minnesota and Woodhill CC and seeing what kind of product I produce each day Creating a natural beauty It was an easy decision Once I got to college once I started to dive in and see what was all there I just ran with it Who is your mentor The guy I worked for Kyle Callahan superintendent Victoria National He is very intense very outgoing very goal driven Hes not going to wait around for you You have to be at the top of your game every single day I learned more with him in five months than I had in the past eight years When you got into the industry Were there any big surprises I found out that you are going to work a lot more hours youre going to have to put a lot more passion in which is fine with me I work an average of 14 hours a day during the summer Its just fine I got used to it If you want to have success you get used to it I love every minute of it any thoughts on being an assistant superintendent right noW Its tough Not only are you trying to please your boss but you are also trying to set yourself up for the future Its one of those things where youve got to put the time in and sacrifice Where do you see yourself in 10 years Right now my goal in 10 years is to be the best I can be Hopefully be a top 100 superintendent and on my way to achieving even more goals I have worked for top 100 golf courses and I kind of understand what it takes So in 10 years I hope that I am right there with them advertorial Nick Klinkhammer AssistAnt superintendent Woodhill Country Club Wayzata Minn brought to you by 16 Golfdom February 2015 Golfdom com