ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT - SAM BEKINS
SAM
BEKINS BY GREG JOHNSON
The dream scramble team foursome for
Sam Bekins
includes his Grandpa Howie, who introduced him to the game of golf, Jordan Spieth, who he enjoys watching compete on the PGA Tour and musician Kid Rock.
Bekins, 25 and single, rocks talents beyond the golf course. He plays guitar and he got a chance to meet Kid Rock during the grand opening of American Dunes last spring because of his day job. He is an assistant superintendent at the golf course/monument to the Folds of Honor Foundation created by Jack Nicklaus on the former site of Grand Haven Golf Club. “I talked to Kid Rock and saw him hit a few golf shots, too,” he said. “Music is a big part of my life. I wanted to meet him.” Bekins has performed with his guitar at American Dunes, but much more of his time is spent on the golf course. “I get there before the crew and pull out all the equipment we plan to use for the day,”
he said. “I find if I get it all out before the crew gets there we can avoid some problems by finding it early and things go a lot smoother. I’m involved in the planning, the normal day-to-day maintenance, special projects, all of those things.” American Dunes, recreated in a natural sand dune area close to Lake Michigan, presents some unique challenges for Bekins and the rest of the golf course maintenance staff. He has been involved from the start of seeding. “It’s a whole different beast than I’ve worked before and a big learning experience,” he said. “I went from working with heavy soils and mainly clay push-up greens and now I’m working with a
Course Conditions
| Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22
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