PHOTOS COURTESY APPLEBROOK CC
SUPER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Mindful Pursuit
After starting a career in psychology, Jared Viarengo let the tug of a lifelong love of golf course work redirect him on a path that led to dual responsibilities as GM/Director of Grounds at Applebrook GC. By Jeff Bollig, Contributing Editor SUPER IN THE SPOTLIGHT Jared Viarengo, CGCS It was love at first sight. Encouraged by a friend, Jared Viarengo, CGCS, decided to apply for a job at his local golf course to get some spending money while in high school. He was enamored with the setting from the start. In fact, while pursuing a psychology degree at Northeastern University in Boston, he would return home to Sherman, Conn., to work at Candlewood Valley Country Club in New Milford. “I really liked the field of psychology, but working on the golf course gave me a chance to earn some money,” Viarengo says. “Plus, I enjoyed being on the golf course. It provided a break from the studying and coursework.” Upon graduation, Viarengo began his career as an outreach counselor, focusing on de-institutionalizing people who were committed to mental-health facilities. The goal was to re-introduce these individuals to mainstream society with ongoing treatment and therapy. But after two years, he found himself at a crossroads. To advance in the field, he would need a graduate degree. “I loved my work in psychology,” he says. “But it was so stressful. It wasn’t unusual to work with people who were threatening suicide. It was a challenge, but it was gratifying to help people. However, I needed to make a decision about going to graduate school.” Feeling the tug of the golf course, Viarengo decided to chart a new path and pursue a turfgrass degree at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at University of Massachusetts. It was a decision he has not regretted. “Everyone was supportive of me returning to school to get a turf degree, including my parents and my wife to be,” he says. “They knew how much I liked being on the golf course. Of course, I had to pay for it. But I was prepared to go through with it.”
Current Position: Director of Grounds/General Manager, Applebrook Golf Club, Malvern, Pa. Education & Training: • Bachelor’s Degree, Northeastern University, Boston, Mass., 1993; • Associates Degree, Turfgass Management, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass., 1997; • Masters in Human Resource Management/ Personnel Management, University of Maryland, College Park, Md., 2009 Years at Applebrook GC: 18 (since April 2001) Years in Golf Course Maintenance Business: 30; started in high school in 1989 Previous Employment History: • Part-time crew member, Candlewood Valley Country Club, New Milford, Conn., 1989-1995; • Student Intern, 1996; Second Assistant Golf Course Superintendent, 1997-98; Interim Golf Course Superintendent, 1999—all at Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, N.Y. Certifications: Certified Golf Course Superintendent Honors and Awards: Course awarded 14th Best in State, Golf Digest
50 C&RB www.clubandresortbusiness.com MARCH 2019
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