Roll it Forward By: Jules Driscoll

Roll It Forward

By: Jules Driscoll

When you mention a Superintendent or Assistant’s name around the industry, most know who you are talking about, where they are currently working and where they have previously worked. Mention my name and a few of you may know of me and where I work, but that’s about it, so here is my story! My start in the turf industry is very unconventional! I don’t have a formal turf school education, I haven’t worked at any other courses, yet I have spent the last 23 years on the grounds department at Wayzata Country Club and have loved every minute of it. My family ties to golf span back

Photos provided by Jules Driscoll

over 96 years. Back in 1926, my Great-Grandpa, using his team of horses, formed the original first 3 holes of the Le Sueur Country Club. Soon after opening, he became one of the 1st members and my family has held the longest continuous membership with the club since. My late grandpa, Gerald Distel, became a member in the 1950’s, where he was the General Manager for 8 years and held a standing tee-time every Thursday afternoon until he passed in 2012. My uncle, Bob Distel worked their grounds crew throughout high school before making turf his career and I spent many years in the clubhouse,

starting out as a dish washer and finishing out my time there as a waitress/dining manager. I also spent a great deal of time playing the course with my parents being members for the past 47 years and every spring on my high school golf team.

Many years later we would come back together at Wayzata Country Club. My Grandpa Gerald on the grounds crew, my Uncle Bob the Superintendent and me, the office manager. After my first year of college, I was presented with a unique opportunity that would bring me where I am today. My Uncle Bob and his wife were expecting their 3rd child and during the last 4 months of the pregnancy, my aunt was put on bedrest. I made the decision to move to Wayzata to live with them for the next year to help with caring for their 2 young children. While living on property, I also waitressed in the clubhouse, pool patio and worked the on course halfway house, which began my time with WCC.

In 1998, I was asked by my Uncle Bob if I was available to fill in for