Sunniland Super Spotlight: Anthony Williams

SUPERSTAR

Jason Ellis

Jason Ellis, a native of northern Virginia, moved to Florida when he was 13 where he was introduced to the sport of golf. As a life-long sports enthusiast, baseball was his sport of choice. Golf was something he did with friends in high school at the local 9-hole facility after school or on weekends. Golf course maintenance wasn’t even on his radar, and in fact he had no idea what it was. Ellis said the industry found him by fate when he was 20 and attending college to become an accountant. He realized after his first year, that major probably wasn’t for him. The idea of sitting in an office all day and looking at a computer had lost its allure. Ellis applied for a job at a local golf course, Cape Coral Yacht Club, as a cart attendant. After completing the application, Ellis found out all the positions had been filled. However, there was a need in the maintenance department at the course. The superintendent “Nick” offered Ellis the job. Since he needed to make some money, he agreed to accept the position despite not having an inkling about golf course maintenance. He stayed in that capacity for 18 months and fell in love with the profession. Ellis enjoyed the comradery and diversity of the crew. He forged life-long friendships and learned how to operate all the maintenance equipment. The following year, the Club brought in a new veteran superintendent, Gary Crowell. He had construction experience that the new owner was looking for to oversee the planned renovations Not long after Crowell was at the helm, he approached Elis and said “you’re a smart kid, ever consider doing this long-term?” Ellis began thinking about it but didn’t know what this career path would entail. The next step was studying for a chemical applicator’s license. Over the next few months. Elis assumed more responsibilities and began working on chemical and fertility programs and applications. Cornwell served as a mentor and convinced Ellis to attend the local community college that had a budding turf program, led by Dr. Lee Berndt of Michigan State University. Ellis attended classes in the evenings while working during the day. The curriculum, students and faculty facilitated other golf-related connections that led to his next position with IGM as an irrigation tech in Lehigh Acres at Mirror Lakes. There Ellis learned the “ins-and-outs” of irrigation, another essential component of healthy turf. Change came calling again when another connection from school approached him about a second assistant position at Palmira Golf Club in Bonita Springs. Ellis accepted the position with the Palmira’s superintendent Tom Caliguire and experienced what it takes to be a stellar superintendent. This

is where he was able to take part in the agronomic planning of the course and management of staff. Elils was promoted again within a year and was tasked to help plan and manage the addition of nine holes to the property. “I really enjoyed construction and grow-in, one of my favorite parts of the job and have been fortunate enough to do a couple more since then,” he said. Elis was promoted again and he served as Palmira’s superintendent for the next three years. Ellis left Palmira and joined nearby Country Creek County Club in Estero where he has served as superintendent for the last 11 years. PERFORMANCE Nutrition products have been essential tools in Ellis’s turf management programs for over ten years. He credits Prudent 44®, Pennamin® High K, and KaPre ExAlt® as staples in his agronomic program. He manages push up greens very effectively with the assistance of these products. Recently, he added Kelpene® CaT to all his turf to deliver foliar calcium and improve its stress tolerance during lengthy periods of tough growing conditions. PERFORMANCE Nutrition’s technical support team have played a key role in the Elis’s success at County Creek. He said, “ as well as the high caliber and quality of materials and ongoing R&D, the company provides products that give superintendent’s like me an edge.” The industry has been great to me, I’ve met a ton of great people and I’ve been able to travel the world “for work”. That’s why mentoring is so important to me, I hope to jump start a few careers and show off this amazing industry.” Ellis, his wife Anne and son Micah live in Estero, FL just a few miles from the golf course.