OGA-OGCSA Superintendent Spotlight – April 2020
In this month’s Superintendent Spotlight we feature Tyler Gabriel who’s worked at Stone Creek Golf Club for the last five years and nine months.
Describe your facility in 10 words or less:
Fun public facility with varying 9’s. Greens are mint. Affordable.
What’s your favorite hole at your facility?
No. 14. A short par 3 over wetlands.
What is a little-known fact / fun fact about your facility?
Fun Only fact I care about is I have four guys that have been here for more than 15 years. They are the reason we can accomplish so much!
You are interning for a different position at your facility (for a day), what would that role be?
Players Assistant. I would have no mercy on people driving their carts all over the place.
Excluding your current facility, what is the top golf course you’ve played?
Lucky enough to have played Olympic Club, Pinehurst No. 2, Mayacoma CC and Yocha Dehe where I worked in NorCal.
Have you had a hole-in-one? When and where?
Two: one at age 12 – Echo No. 4. Another at age 21 Brasada Ranch No. 6. Also had a double eagle at No. 15 on Sunriver – Woodlands course.
What is your go-to club in the bag?
9 Iron. All day.
Who joins you in a dream foursome?
Tiger, Kobe and my friend from home Sam.
What’s your favorite tool in your tool box?
TDR Moisture meter. We don’t do a whole lot of hand-watering after lunch. This tool has significantly helped us manage moisture.
On your last day, what is your meal of choice?
Steak and mashed potatoes. Plus any dessert that has chocolate.
Country, Rock or other?
Hip Hop>Country>Classic Rock
Let’s say there’s a three-day weekend coming up – what are you going to do?
Golfing either way. But probably heading back to the East side of the state to hang out with Mom and Dad.
What led you down the path of becoming a superintendent?
Grew up playing at a small 9 hole course where there is one guy that takes care of everything. Thought that might be fun.
What would you invent right now to make your professional life easier?
Robotic mowers that are affordable and capable of the quality of our current mowers.
Who is your mentor?
Pat Dorn / Kyle Jones
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to become a superintendent?
Enjoy it! Figure out what you are capable of getting done each day, get it done and go home. It will all be there tomorrow.