Advice for northern supt. looking to move to Florida Cancel The title field is required!

1. Brian Keene

   

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   12/1/2014 4:12 PM

   To be closer to my girlfriend's family and further away from the snow and cold I m contemplating a move to southern Florida and was wondering if anyone had any advice, or personal experience, to share on making the change from cool season to warm season grass. My college education and work experience has solely dealt with cool season grass. However, I did my internship in the transition zone in southern New Jersey. I am a superintendent now and realize that I may need to take a step back to assistant until I get fully acquainted with southern golf courses.
   
   Thanks for the help.

   
   
   
   
2. Christopher Flynn

   

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   12/2/2014 6:12 PM

   Hi Brian, I made the jump a little over 10 years ago (from NY to Florida). I was fortunate to get a Supt. position with Marriott Golf at a 9-hole property and was able to build off of that. I think the key thing is to think a few steps ahead regarding what position to accept. Consider what job is going to best get you where you eventually want to be. You might want to consider getting in with a [u">good [/u"> management company that will hopefully provide future growth opportunities (as it did for me). Or look at Asst. positions at very high end private clubs. As for dealing with southern grass I would not worry about that too much. I would say it's a lot easier for a Northern guy to go South than vice versa (just my opinion). I may not be in South Fl but if I can be of any assistance feel free to contact me.

   
   
   
   
3. Daniel Brooks

   

   0 posts
   
   12/3/2014 11:12 AM

   Hello Brian,
   
   I also made the move from New York to Florida about nine years ago. I was a superintendent and I took an assistant position at a high end club in Naples. When I moved I felt that I first needed the experience growing warm season turf and then transition into a superintendent position later. I think that good agronomic practices can get you pretty far, but there are some important differences in growing warm season turf that are critical to learn. The issue that I face now is getting interviews to move up into a superintendent position. It is important to know the right people to get you into interviews when you are ready to step up. My advice to you is to work for a well connected superintendent that has been around for a long time and has made a name for himself and his course. It should also be a high end club to help you build the resume. If you need any help or have any questions please contact me. Good luck.

   
   
   
   
4. Brian Keene

   

   0 posts
   
   12/3/2014 1:12 PM

   Thanks for taking the time to reply with some very helpful and encouraging advice.