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Ben Anderson Superintendent at Arrowhead Country Club By Melanie Bonds , ATA Executive Director
Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2018
Ben
Anderson started learning the golf course trade when he worked on the crew at Capitol Hill. In time he came to work for seven years in the First Assistant position at Cypress Tree Golf Course in Montgomery, working with Glenn McWhirter. Following that he spent three years at Grand National in Auburn where he worked as Jeff Oelmann, CGCS’s, First Assistant. In order to advance his career, Ben attended Penn State University receiving a degree in Turfgrass Science and Management. While a formal education set the stage for advancement in the profession, Ben was constantly learning from those around him and credits McWhirter and Jeff Oelmann as his two greatest influences and supporters. “They really helped guide me. Both of these gentlemen have made it a point to come visit and keep me encouraged in my job as superintendent at Arrowhead. Glenn came to see me on my first day here at Arrowhead to see if there was anything I needed.” Arrowhead Country Club was formed in 1966 on the eastern outskirts of Montgomery, Alabama and opened for play as a full-service 18-hole country club in 1967. Constructed on land purchased from the
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McLemore family farm, the naturally fertile site had excellent drainage and produced wonderfully consistent conditions for growing turf, which continues to this day. Recently, ATA Members had a chance to play the course at the 2018 Poa Annua Classic! The great course conditions are a testament to the hard work of Ben and his crew and we appreciate their hosting this event. Ben says, “Moving into a Superintendent position at Arrowhead has made me appreciate the superintendents I have worked for even more. I was always able to put most of my efforts towards the course itself as an assistant, and I never truly realized how many other hurdles they were having to deal with until I took them on in this position.” One of Ben’s greatest challenges since moving into the superintendent’s role has been constant turnover of employees. “You always seem to have a core group of solid people and a revolving door of spring/ summer help.” On the other hand, he enjoys the daily challenges and the science behind the chemical uses and applications. Another plus is that he has always enjoyed preparing for tournaments and events. “Helping to host a PGA tour event at Grand National was an unforgettable experience.”
Ben hopes to always continue learning and growing in his chosen profession. In order to do this he is involved with a variety of local meetings and events. He is active in several turf associations, taking on a leadership role on the Board of the Alabama Turfgrass Association and as a Grassroots Ambassador for Government Affairs with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
Ben Anderson