TTA Member Spotlight
TTA Member Spotlight on
Ryan Blair, CGCS Holston Hills Country Club, a McConnell Golf Property Current Job Title: Certified Golf Course Superintendent Location: Holston Hills, Knoxville, TN Number of years in this position: I am in my sixteenth year at Holston Hills. Where did you attend college? I graduated from the University of Tennessee in fall 1997. What was your major? I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design. How long have you been a member of TTA? I have been a member of the TTA for 19 years. I joined right after I graduated, and I went to my first conference and show in January of 1998.
was in high school as an after school job. I started working summers on the course grounds crew, and it just grew from there. Why did you choose a career in the turfgrass industry? Like most in our field, I have always enjoyed working outdoors. When I was in high school, I played on the golf team and spent my days playing golf. My dad was a big golfer, so in the summer I always found myself at the course. Then one summer, I took a job on the grounds crew and decided this was the perfect fit for me. I have worked on a course every summer from that day until today.
What positions have you held with TTA? I am currently in my first year as a board member with the TTA.
What did you do before your current position, and how long were you there? Before Holston Hills, I was the assistant superintendent at Cherokee Country Club, also in Knoxville. I was there for a little over two years.
What year did you get started in the turfgrass industry? I first started working on a golf course in 1990 when I
What do you enjoy most about your job at Holston Hills? I enjoy the changing seasons and taking care of a
14
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2016 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
piece of property that has a rich history and past. I am very fortunate that I have been given the opportunities to always work to improve the course and given the flexibility to operate in the best manner as I see fit. The membership here also puts the golf course first, and they place a lot of emphasis on Donald Ross, both of which are tremendous assets to me as the superintendent. Who have been your mentors in the industry? My two biggest mentors have been David Stone and Chris Sykes. My first year out of high school, I knew I wanted to work in the golf industry, but I wasn’t sure about the correct path to take. Fortunately for me, I met David my first summer after high school, and he hired me for a position on his staff. David introduced me to the professional side of the business and challenged me to continue my education. Over the summers, I returned every year while I was attending the University of Tennessee and met a lot of great people over the years. After graduation, I