In this month’s Superintendent Spotlight we feature Jason Blythe who has been with The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club for the last 15 years.

Describe your facility in 10 words or less: 
Semi-private, 36 holes, lots of play.

What is a little-known fact / fun fact about your facility?
We don’t actually have a vineyard here.

What’s your favorite hole at your facility?
No. 2 on the North Course and No. 10 on the South Course.

What’s the biggest challenge your facility presents to you as superintendent? 
The size of the property is definitely the biggest challenge.

Excluding your current facility, what is the top golf course you’ve played?
Royal Dornoch – Scotland

What is your go-to club in the bag? 
58 degree wedge

Favorite all-time professional golfer?
Fred Couples 

On your last day, what is your meal of choice?
I’ll take a table at Ox or Laurelhurst Market in Portland.

Country, Rock or other?
I don’t discriminate. Give me some Chris Stapleton, Dave Mathews Band, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam. Me and my wife love live music.

What’s your favorite sports team and why?
Blazers – Rip City Baby!!

What’s your all-time favorite movie?
Top Gun

What led you down the path of becoming a superintendent? 
A summer job that turned in to a passion for maintaining and providing excellent playing conditions for golfers.

What’s the biggest change that has occurred while you’ve been in the industry?
Crew sizes! In 2002 we had a staff of 51 employees in season. For 2019 we had 21 on staff in season.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve witnessed or done as a superintendent?
Police chased a cocaine dealer that fled from his car into a frozen creek bed on the course and then carried him out due to hypothermia.

Who is your mentor? 
Doug McCullen convinced me that this is what I wanted to do and I could be good at it. Supported me from the begining.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to become a superintendent?
You will NEVER make EVERYONE happy.