Kevin Hicks reconnects with John Szklinski, his first boss out of college, for a conversation covering nearly four decades in golf course management.
John’s career began at age 16 on a golf course near State College, Pennsylvania, before taking him to Penn State, Arizona, Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, and ultimately Charlotte Country Club. Along the way, he helped prepare Southern Hills for the 2001 U.S. Open, navigating everything from a maintenance facility fire and vandalism to major course renovations and the challenges of managing famously fast putting surfaces under championship conditions.
John also reflects on nearly 20 years at Charlotte Country Club, where he oversaw an extensive $30 million renovation. He shares lessons about project management, budgeting, contractor oversight, and preparing a maintenance staff for the very different demands of large-scale construction.
Kevin and John also discuss how technology has changed turf management, including the impact of soil moisture meters, cell phones, and hydronics, while emphasizing that experience, observation, and hands-on management still matter.
Most importantly, John looks back on the people and relationships that shaped his career and offers simple advice to the next generation of superintendents: find work you genuinely love.
