Being a golf course equipment manager often means building a tool that doesn't exist so someone else can do their job faster and more efficiently.In a nutshell, that sentence describes Roland McPhearson, equipment manager at Azalea City Golf Course in Mobile, Alabama.
Because of his dedication to his profession and the game, McPhearson recently was named the winner of the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association's 2014 Edwin Budding Award.
Named for the inventor of the reel mower (in 1832) and the adjustable crescent wrench, the award is presented in concert with Ransomes Jacobsen and is given annually to "innovators, technicians, educators, engineers, etc. that have gone above and beyond their normal day to day jobs and made a significant impact in the golf and turf business."
McPhearson was named the winner of this year's award primarily for two reasons: 1. his ability to rebuild mowing unit rollers quickly and efficiently; and 2. sharing his knowledge with others.
McPhearson invented a commercially available product known as the Roller Tamer, available from Turf Pride. The Roller Tamer accommodates mower rollers of various sizes, and allows equipment managers and technicians to rebuild the units without damaging them by holding them directly in a vice.
"Roland embodies what our profession is all about," said IGCEMA founder Stephen Tucker. "While Roland took his idea to production, he has done what many in our profession do every day and that is try to improve things with what we are given. I can't think of a more deserving winner of the 2014 Edwin Budding Award than Roland."
McPhearson was nominated by a fellow equipment manager who wrote that the Roller Tamer is becoming an invaluable tool for fellow equipment managers. The Roller Tamer accommodates rollers from 2 inches to 5 inches in diameter and 5 inches to 30 inches in length.
The nomination letter reads: "Although the need to properly rebuild rollers has been a constant it hasn't been until now that Roland took the concept through extensive engineering and finalized a commercial product all through his personal effort. This product serves as nothing short of a third hand and proves invaluable to the roller rebuilding procedure."
McPhearson will receive the award at next year's Golf Industry Show in San Antonio.
"In the many years of presenting this award I have not met anyone more excited and honoured to win this award than Roland," said IGCEMA president Mike Kriz. "Roland is truly genuine and represents the Turf Equipment Technician and Equipment Manager in an outstanding manner. It will be a pleasure to present him with this award."
Past winners include Ed Combest, 2007; Eric Kulaas, 2008; Eddie Konrad, 2009; Vollie Carr, 2010; Wes Danielewicz, 2011; Dana Lonn, 2012; Tom Hurst, 2013.