After a lengthy career as a school principal, Todd Gordon finally made the transition to superintendent - but not the kind of superintendent you might think.
Gordon, 57, spent 32 years as a teacher and principal in the Marion-Florence school district in central Kansas until his retirement last year. This year, he started a new career - as superintendent at Marion Country Club, a private, nine-hole facility that redefines barebones.
Gordon, whose golf course maintenance experience includes one season helping his predecessor, is a staff of one at a course that operates on the honor system. And he has called on the expertise of experienced professionals to help him master his craft.
Greens fees are $15 to play the nine-hole route twice and 20 bucks for a cart. And it's all on the honor system. There is no clubhouse staff, so players just sign in, grab a cart, place their money in an envelope and drop it into a box.
"We can't afford to have someone just sit in the clubhouse," said Gene Winkler, the club's treasurer.
When the previous superintendent left, Marion was a little rough around the edges. Even though he had only worked at the course part time for one season, Gordon had caught the attention of other members.
"I told the board members if they ever wanted their golf course to look like my yard to give me a call," Gordon said.
They remembered that.
"He is doing a wonderful job," Winkler said. "He was a principal in the local school system for years. He was always outdoorsy and he used to have a green in his back yard that he maintained. He worked here as a laborer last summer, and when the greenkeeper left, he moved up into the job, and he is doing a great job."
Gordon never even played golf, much less practiced as a turf manager, until he started his career in education.
"I was just a farm kid from Iowa. I never played through high school until I took a teaching job in Kansas," he said. "The other teachers were all golfers and they were determined to turn me into a golfer. I guess they won out, because I've been one ever since. I can't believe I went all those years without playing. I guess I found the right district."
His job today as superintendent is much different than it was a year ago as a part-time greenskeeper.
"I used to have a flexible schedule here and could come and go as I please," Gordon said. "Now, I come early and stay late.
"I was great help for the greenkeeper before me. Now, there's just one of us."
That's not exactly true.
Members at Marion have been very generous with their time, helping where and when they are needed.
"We have a member who donates two days of mowing, that's 16 hours a week," Gordon said. "Another member has helped mow and we have a member who is on the school board who has taken off work to help. We've had a lot of member help. Without that, there's not enough hours in a day to get the work done."
Finding enough help is not the only challenge facing Gordon at Marion. He also needs the expertise of others to help solve agronomic challenges and build daily protocols.
For that, he has leaned heavily on area superintendents, vendor reps and others.
That list includes Mike Hulteen, CGCS at Hesston Golf Course, Gary Andrews of Hillsoboro Golf Course, Shawn Spann of Winfield Solutions and Kansas State extension specialist Jared Hoyle.
"We had some problems with the greens. I'd take pictures and send them to Mike," Gordon said. "He's busy himself, but he always takes the time to help me. I can't thank him enough.
"Between him and Gary, that's 60 years of superintendent experience. When they make suggestions, I pay attention and write it down. There are a lot of folks out there willing to lend a hand."
Gordon also made field trips to other courses to pick the brains of superintendents throughout the area.
Last year, Gordon coached the Marion High School golf team. While his team was competing, Gordon would be at the maintenance shop talking turf with superintendents at each course.
"He wants to learn. All the time he is reading and learning," Winkler said. "He's made so many contacts. He really wants to make the golf course good for us."
