A Debt of Gratitude

Greetings Golfers,

A few days ago - September 13 - was “Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day”. 

Some of the golf magazines had articles about why and how to thank a GC Super.

That’s a good thing. Too often they get taken for granted … or are subjected to petty abuse and nit-picking.

As most Minnesota golfers know … we at DRGC have one of the best.

Every year, he pulls it off. And this year is the best ever. The golf course is ridiculously good. I hear about it every day. I wish he would hear it too … he deserves the compliments.

Who am I talking about? … I just presumed you knew … his name is Barry Provo … and he’s been here for over 20 years. And … he better stay for another 20 … in fact, he can NEVER leave. 

Supers have to be artists and scientists. They have to manage a staff and a budget. They have to be a leader and a hands-on worker. They have to have an innate sense of the land … and yet keep up with the constant changes in the industry.

They have to be “all-in”.

Well … Barry is beyond “all-in”. It’s unbelievable what he does and what he accomplishes.

But he doesn’t do it alone. He has a great staff that should be acknowledged. Here they are:

• Paul Bickel

• Sam Brammer

• Dean Clark

• Gordy Davis

• Ryan DeBenedetto

• Ethan Erickson

• Calvin Green

• Sonny Jerkins

• Lee Metzger

• Zach Reiff

• Grant Paulson

• Ryan Scrivner

• Chase Snedeker

• Mike Stannard

• Brian Tjenstrom

When you see Barry and/or his staff … please thank them for providing such a beautiful and playable golf course.

They certainly deserve our thanks. You may have missed thanking them on the official day … but that’s ok … if you thank them every time you see them in September … it will almost balance-the-scales.
 

Cheers!

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com