In this month’s Superintendent Spotlight we feature Bret Carroll, who is in his third year as superintendent at OGA Golf Course and eighth year overall with the facility.

Describe your facility in 10 words or less:
Super fun layout for golfers of all ages and abilities.

What is a little-known fact / fun fact about your facility?
We’ve hosted 16 USGA event qualifiers in the past five years. Which is believed to be the most of any golf course in the country.

What is your best 18-hole score at your facility?
Why ruin a good day by keeping score?

What’s the biggest challenge your facility presents to you as superintendent?
Constantly bouncing between public play conditioning and tournament conditioning throughout the summer months with a small crew.

What led you down the path of becoming a superintendent?
I started working on a golf course as a summer job in 1989. Thirty years later, I still love seeing the sun rise every day.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve witnessed or done as a superintendent?
Wasn’t a superintendent at the time, but I once watched a bear scratch his back on the flag stick of a hole I’d just changed (while working in Montana).

Tiger or Phil?
Fred Couples

Jack or Arnie?
Arnie

Ducks, Beavers or other?
Go Ducks! (Sorry)

Grapes, hops or milkshake?
Hops. Lots and lots of hops.

What’s your favorite major tournament?
The Masters

Excluding your current facility, what is your favorite golf course?
Pacific Dunes

What would you invent right now to make your professional life easier?
Maintenance-free bunkers!

If your owner decided to plow up your course and make it a farm. What crops would you suggest?
We’re surrounded by hops and hazelnuts, but I’d go with blueberries.

How much sand do you accidentally take home in your socks over the course of a year?
Enough to build my own private beach.

Do you have a superintendent dog?
Yes – Wile E. Coyote. He’s wild and works his own hours but manages to keep geese and rodents on their toes.

What’s your favorite tool in your tool box?
Mole trap

Who is your idol in the golf world?
Moe Norman or Carl Spackler

If you could change a Rule of Golf to make your life easier, what would that be?
Use the foot wedge whenever you need to improve your lie.

Let’s say there’s a three-day weekend coming up—what are you going to do?
Taking the kids camping or watching them play sports.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to become a superintendent?
No golf course is perfect, but prepare to work your tail off to make your’s the best it can be.