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Mike Elliott, Head Equipment Manager at The Philadelphia Union League in Philadelphia, PA started working on the golf course at the age of 14. He got some great advice from the superintendent at the time, you should be a golf course mechanic. That’s exactly what he did. He set his ambitions pretty high by aspiring to be the equipment manager at Augusta National. He may have not made it to Augusta but he did make it to Pine Valley, yeah that Pine Valley. Now he is happy to be a part of the amazing things that are happening at the Union League. They are starting an apprenticeship program for golf course mechanics and it is off to a great start. Mike shares some great tips and tricks in the episode.

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Dan Williams, equipment manager at Vestavia Country Club in Vestavia Hills, AL, started out in the foundry industry working on machines for most of his career. For the last ten years he was a mobile service guy traveling all over the world. He was ready to get off the road and be close to home when he answered a listing on a job board for a golf course equipment technician. He had no idea what he was getting into but has adapted very well with some mentors in the industry. 

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• Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning
• Email us at [email protected]
• Check out our YouTube Channel

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Tate Johnson, assistant technician at Chambers Bay in University Place, WA, was brought into the turf industry by his dad who is a superintendent. He has worked alongside his dad since a young age. His dad has also brought his brothers into the industry as assistant superintendents. Tate's decision to enter the industry took him straight to the shop where he works alongside a senior technician in Jerry Holcomb. Tate has a great passion for this career and wants to see more younger people join us.

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David Blowers, Senior technician at Abell Turf and Tractor in Holly Springs, GA, was forced into Lake City Community College by his dad because he liked his mom’s cooking. He worked at a few golf courses before moving to the distributor side. Where he was the service manager at Georgia Turf and Tractor for many years. David is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to turf equipment and especially John Deere equipment. In the episode we touch on a lot of really important things like fostering relationships, using the tools in your toolbox and don’t be afraid to push yourself and others.

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Daniel Barnes, Equipment Manager at The Ford Field and River Club in Richmond Hill, GA, was dragged to Lake City Community College by his grandma and entered the golf course maintenance program having never set foot on a golf course. After a stint as a small engine mechanic at an asphalt plant and some road time as a mobile service tech, Daniel found his professional calling at the golf course with its wide variety of things to wrench on. Learn what makes TETAC so great and the value of local networking for turf techs. We go deep on work-life balance and its importance.

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• Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning
• Email us at [email protected]
• Check out our YouTube Channel

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Lured to loving the game of golf as a kid, Austin Wright, CTEM, studied golf course management at Kansas State University before falling for the equipment side. After getting the basics at Washburn Technical, Austin learned under some great Kansas City superintendents then landed his current gig at Sand Valley Golf Resort in Rome, WI. Hear about Austin’s very cool lawnmower racing hobby, foamers, and some dad life tips you won’t want to miss. 

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Kayla Kipp, Equipment Manager at Nemacolin Resort, returns to the podcast to share some insider insight on volunteering at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles. Kayla gives all credit to David Fruchte, CGCS, and his team of nine for ‘cutting a diamond’ at the course and welcoming the team of 31 volunteers to support his crew. Kayla enthusiastically shares the experience of being on a crew with so many other women in an industry where women are underrepresented (to say the least!). Kayla educates us on how the improvements in women’s golf affect not only the game but our industry as a whole. Kayla and Trent have a great time discussing everything from pine cones to the power of connecting with others in this great career. Happy Pride Month everyone!

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After attending automotive trade school and realizing he didn’t want to lift car and truck tires for the foreseeable future, Nick took off to the Power Sport Institute and started his career in a parts store. Nick’s grandma played a key part in his path when she brought him a newspaper ad clipping looking for a golf course mechanic. Nick honed his skills at a public course before landing at the Worcester Country Club as equipment manager and eventually facilities manager, maintaining clubhouse bowling lanes constructed in 1914 along with everything else. Nick talks fabricating everything from dishwasher parts to a gate with granite posts, and bonds with our host over their mutual love of voltage drop tests. 

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