BY BEN BEARD, AMERICAN DUNES GOLF CLUB
A
s I stroll through my photo albums searching for an idea for the “Wrench” article, there seems to be several recurring characters in my photos. It’s not a mechanic with ever changing facial hair and a funny look on his face, rather it is a set of young boys eager to learn and with a passion to do whatever dad is doing. Ted and Frank may sound like the names of a couple of old retired gentlemen looking to help part-time, but in fact they are my 3 and 1 year old sons.
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During my job interview I was asked if I involve my family in my work life, do I bring my sons to the course and show them what I do? Without hesitation I replied YES! The superintendent (Joe VerDuin) smiled and glanced at a picture of him and his son sitting on a tractor at the golf course. I knew right away that we shared the same passion for fatherhood as we did for turf. Also I felt great pleasure knowing that the club was hundred percent supportive of me being a father first and Equipment Manager second. Not only do my boys get to witness the construction of Jack Nicklaus design golf course but they also get to see their dad in a career that he loves and is extremely passionate about. Plus they get to operate excavators and go on tractor rides which alone is every little boy’s dream! Now when my boys are with me at work it’s not all fun and games, they are expected to be productive. Teddy has been known to push me out of the way when installing a water pump and saying “Dad, I got this.” Just the other day when my wife stopped by with donuts for the crew Franky knew that the shop floor needed to be swept, after taste testing the donuts of course. Now it may seem like I’m taking advantage of free labor but I truly believe that I am helping instill values that will help them be successful later in life while spending quality time together. At times it may get frustrating, like when you are removing axle bearings from a Kubota and see your 1 year old covered in gear lube or when you can’t find your ⅝” wrench after your 3 year old “helps” you adjust reels. But it is all worth it when you get to see the joy on their face after working with dad. Now having a couple of rambunctious children running around the shop may seem a little counter productive,
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Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org
