OGA-OGCSA Superintendent Spotlight – July 2018

In this month’s Superintendent Spotlight we feature Shane Hadwick, who is in his sixth year as superintendent (and 13th year overall) at Orchard Hills Golf & Country Club.

Describe your facility in 10 words or less:
Tight, tree lined with sneaky greens.

What is a little-known fact / fun fact about your facility?
There’s been a course on the property since 1931.

What is your best 18-hole score at your facility?
May have broken 80 once or twice.

What’s the biggest challenge your facility presents to you as superintendent?
Keeping a small, hard-working crew together.

What led you down the path of becoming a superintendent?
Family – I’m a 4th generation super.

Do you have a superintendent dog?
One in the making, a three-month old yellow lab named Pokey (pictured with my four-year old son Christian).

Ducks, Beavers or other?
Cornhuskers – Go Big Red

Grapes, hops or milkshake?
Hops

Tiger or Phil?
Phil

Jack or Arnie?
Both

Excluding your current facility, what is your favorite golf course?
McMenimans Edgefield

What’s your favorite tool in your tool box?
Cup cutter

What’s your favorite major tournament?
The Masters

Let’s say there’s a three-day weekend coming up—what are you going to do?
Whatever my wife Amanda wants to do.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve witnessed or done as a superintendent?
Tackled a llama that got loose on a course I was working at in Nebraska.

What would you invent right now to make your professional life easier?
I would un-invent the stimpmeter.

If your owner decided to plow up your course and make it a farm. What crops would you suggest?
Hops, of course

How much sand do you accidentally take home in your socks over the course of a year?
Plenty

Who is your idol in the golf world?
My father John

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to become a superintendent?
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty

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