Great golf doesn’t happen by accident.

“I took my first job working on a golf course when I was 16 years old and it was love at first sight – love at first experience. Being outside, getting up early every morning, seeing the sunrise and just learning.”

That early connection to the work sits at the heart of the Superintendent Spotlight video series, produced in partnership with the Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents Association (WGCSA), which highlights the people behind great golf courses and the paths that lead them there.

This installment of the series features Garrett Luck, Superintendent at Hidden Glen at Bentdale Farms in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. In the full-length video, Garrett reflects on discovering the turfgrass profession at a young age, the many pathways into the industry and why the superintendent role is a viable career that attracts people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Throughout the conversation, Garrett emphasizes the importance of care and accountability – for the golf course, for the team and for the standards expected every day. He speaks about building a grounds crew that genuinely cares about the work, one where trust allows responsibilities to be delegated with confidence and where the finished product reflects a shared sense of ownership.

Garrett also discusses the reality of the role, from setting high expectations while keeping the environment positive to wearing many different hats beyond simply growing grass. From data and equipment management to leading staff and creating opportunities for growth, the superintendent position demands adaptability, organization and leadership.

One of the profession’s greatest challenges, as Garrett explains, is time. The job can be demanding, with long days and a constant pursuit of improvement. Learning when it is okay to step away – even when perfection has not quite been achieved – is part of the process. Still, there is deep satisfaction in seeing a golf course at its best and knowing the role that careful decision-making and daily effort play in elevating the experience for members and guests.

The Superintendent Spotlight series supports the WGCSA’s broader mission to elevate the profession and promote turfgrass management as a rewarding and impactful career path. By sharing stories like Garrett’s, the goal is to give golf enthusiasts a deeper appreciation for the care, commitment and leadership behind the scenes and to inspire the next generation of superintendents.

🎥 Watch the full Superintendent Spotlight video with Garrett Luck below:

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Superintendent Spotlight is a collaborative video series presented by the Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents Association (WGCSA) in partnership with WiscoGolfAddict.

Visit the Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents Association website