The Evolving Assistant As superintendent jobs become scarce, the roles of assistant superintendents are changing.
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By Robert Thompson
W
hen Jeff Cardwell first started working at Aurora’s Beacon Hall Golf Club at the age of 16, he had no sense he’d still be at the club into his forties. Cardwell, the assistant superintendent at the private club, started those days by raking bunkers. These days he’s the right-hand man to Paul Scenna, the club’s superintendent. Sure he’d like to take the next step in his career—to run the maintenance operation of a club on his own—but he’s also aware that’s an increasingly difficult job to access. “Jobs are scarce as far as movement goes and the economy doesn’t make it any easier,” says Cardwell. “People are cautious about making big moves, especially if they are in a position that’s pretty good as it is.” Cardwell pauses and continues. “Would I like to be a superintendent one day? I would love to,” he says. “But there are a lot of factors that go into that decision.” Cardwell’s circumstance is increasingly common these days. With consolidation occurring in the business, new course builds occurring rarely, and some clubs closing,