Episode Summary

This week on The LowDowns, I sit down with Steven Spatafore, Director of Agronomy at Los Altos Golf & Country Club and the GCSAA Emerging Leader Award recipient. Steven and I go deep on the craft and the calling: building teams, earning respect the right way, learning from mentors, and why leadership is ultimately about people—your crew, your members, and your family.

We talk through Steven’s career path (including stops like Pebble Beach and an internship at Valhalla that pushed him out of his comfort zone), what it meant to get “the call” for Emerging Leader, and how his curiosity—books, politics/advocacy, and constant learning—shows up in his management style today. Then we close with our usual segments: Four Down Territory, Two Truths and a Lie, and The Fastest Two Minutes in Podcasting.

Key Takeaways

• Emerging Leader isn’t a title—it's a responsibility. Steven shares what the award means after the excitement fades: representing your team, your club, and the profession with consistency.
• Respect is earned in the margins. Small actions—how you communicate, how you handle pressure, and how you treat people when they’re struggling—become your leadership résumé.
• Mentors matter, but so does personal evolution. Steven credits the people who shaped him, while being honest about how marriage, partnership, and life outside the course refine your priorities.
• Advocacy is leadership. Steven’s interest in government/politics translates directly into serving the profession and navigating stakeholder environments at the club level.
• Hard seasons reveal real culture. From lean staffing moments to COVID-era constraints, Steven explains how you keep standards high while staying human.

Segment Rundown

• Introduction / Rundowns / Breakdowns – what’s happening in golf + turf, then we set the table for the episode
• Showdowns (Interview) – Steven’s origin story, career milestones, leadership philosophy, and what Emerging Leader means in real life
• Four Down Territory – a quick-hit list segment (and a great way to hear how Steven thinks)
• Two Truths and a Lie – can I finally break my streak? (tune in…)
• Fastest Two Minutes in Podcasting – rapid-fire “fill in the blank” + a few laughs
• Final Thoughts / Downs and Out – what Steven is most proud of, what’s next, and the episode wrap

Final Word

Steven is the real deal—grounded, people-first, and relentlessly intentional about growth. If you’re building a team, stepping into leadership, or simply trying to do this job at a high level without losing yourself in it, this episode will hit home.