4 minute read

Member Spotlight

Next Article
Feature

Feature

Patrick Pierce’s Rules for Success – Follow Up, Encourage and Lead the Way

Patrick Pierce, superintendent at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National Golf Club, has played golf since he was old enough to hold a golf club. A career in the turf industry was not on his radar, but upon graduation from high school, he was uncertain about his future. His mom introduced him to some folks she had grown up with in Foley, Alabama who were in the turfgrass and golf business. With his love of outdoors, turf management seemed a natural fit for Patrick. In pursuit of a career in the field he attended Faulkner State Community College where he earned an Associate in Applied Science and Golf Course Management degree in 2004.

Patrick’s first job was a summer position at Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club in Gulf Shores. Prior to getting his present position at Grand National, Patrick spent several years going back and forth between working at Gulf Shores Golf Club in Gulf Shores, and the Auburn University Club in Auburn. He was given his first opportunity as an Assistant Superintendent at Gulf Shores Golf Club in 2005. In 2007 he had an opportunity to move back to his hometown of Auburn and work at Grand National as an Assistant Superintendent. In 2014 Patrick was promoted to his current position as Superintendent by The Trail. Jeff Oelmann, CGCS and Chauncey Nicholson were two of the biggest influences in his career.

Soon after Patrick was promoted to his current position, Grand National was privileged to host the PGA Tour’s Barbaol Championship from 2015 until 2017. This event ranks as a milestone in Patrick’s career. “To be able to say that I was the Superintendent for a PGA Tour event is something that I will always remember and be proud of.”

Managing a crew that ranges in age from 18 to 70 years old can be challenging. Patrick has employees that are college students working their first ever job, as well as retirees. “Getting the different personalities, cultures and different levels of work ethic to coalesce to accomplish a common goal as a group can be challenging at times.” According to Patrick something that helps him with personnel management is “inspect what you expect.” “I can’t always expect everyone I work with to have the same vision, or standards, that I do when performing a task. If you want to make sure something is completed the way you want it done, you have to followup, encourage and lead the way!”

Patrick feels privileged to spend his workdays on the golf course. “I don’t know if I would last very long in a job where I had to spend most of my time indoors or sitting behind a desk. The early morning before the course is filled with golfers is my favorite time of day.”

In addition to his knowledge of the mechanics of golf course maintenance, visits to Scotland have given Patrick a greater appreciation of the history of the game of golf, and golf course architecture. He counts Carnoustie Golf Links or Anstruther Golf Club in Scotland as among his favorite courses. Both courses were built or designed in part by Old Tom Morris. “I have always loved links style golf and the courses there remind you of the way golf was played hundreds of years ago. There is so much golf history in Scotland! It is an amazing place to visit.”

Patrick is “Dad” to three beagles: Mo, Pearl and Lula Belle. He enjoys camping and fishing when he has time and is also a huge Auburn basketball and football fan.

A member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Alabama Turfgrass Association, the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association and the USGA, Patrick is the incoming President of the ATA. Our association looks forward to his leadership in 2025! Thank you for your service!

This article is from: