ROBERT JONES DIARIES
Rob Jones is part of the Ohio State University’s programme for young greenkeepers. In part V of his diary he talks about his move ‘down south’ to work at the Sea Island Resort in Georgia and his experiences on a ‘short course’ at the Harbour Town Resort on Hilton Head Island
Hi everyone. I thought it was about time to catch up on the latest experiences I have had in the past few months. There has been a lot of mixed emotions; some tough times and some really good times. I guess that is what coming to America is all about, learning lessons of life and, for some of the younger people that come out, helping them grow up - fast! I have moved on from Double Eagle in Ohio to Sea Island Resort on the South East coast of Georgia. Sea Island is currently ranked the number one Golf Resort in America! Not a bad move eh? Double Eagle was a very nice golf course to work on and, if there was an opportunity to go back, I would go at the drop of a hat. Not just because of the friends I made, but the maintenance side of it all made sense to me and Ohio and the surrounding area was amazing. I actually now call Ohio my “American home” and I would recommend anyone to go and visit. It was very hard to leave all that behind but I had to move on; that is why this programme is so great. OSU’s Mike O’Keeffe, the programme’s coordinator, had already explained that each part of the country is so different and I had to experience this, be open minded, and willing to move.
So, what of Sea Island? Well, this has been a complete change for me.The golf course is fantastic. I can understand why it has been ranked number one golf course resort in America. They do nothing by half measures here. It’s only
the best for their guests, and these are not normal guests. The G8 Summit was held here and George Bush Snr is a regular guest! There are five courses; Seaside,
Retreat, Plantation, Ocean Forest and Fredericka. The last two are totally private.
I am working on the Seaside course. Originally designed in 1929 by famed architects Harry S. Colt and Charles Alison, the Seaside Course underwent an update in 1999 by Tom Fazio, earning it a prominent place on Golf Digest’s list of Top 100 Courses in the United States. There is a lot of work to be done on this course. They have just appointed a new Superintendent, who is changing some of the management techniques to his method of working. I have found it particularly interesting to be able to watch this process in action.
I have also got a new housemate down at Sea Island. His name is Scott Davidson. Scott is 19 and is from Scotland. We get on well. This is another thing I think this programme is good for, you get to live and work with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I have found the best way to do that is to learn as much about the individual as possible. Maybe they have suffered a crisis in their family, maybe they can teach you something about the profession that you did not know. Maybe they see things differently, it all helps. I am not saying this is easy. You have to make concessions, you have to be willing
Rob Jones with the famous Harbour Town Lighthouse in the background
to be flexible, and give a little, as each of us are set in our own ways/routines, and to then move and fit in with someone else, you have to be flexible. As I said earlier, my first few weeks down at Sea Island have been mixed with good and bad times. Settling in was not easy but I kept my head down and eventually got used to it. I find working hard helps as it takes your mind off things. Since I have been at Sea Island I have turned 21. That was a very tough time for me; being away from my family and friends for what people see as a special time in their lives. My housemate though, was brilliant, and helped me get through all the emotions on the day. I was very grateful for that and I made sure I told him so. When I first arrived at Sea Island, in late October, the Seaside course was in the middle of being overseeded. This was good to observe, and it has been interesting to see the types of grasses used and watch them slowly growing in and, now, looking very good. Everything
The Short Course group at Harbour Town Resort
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