It's plainly obvious that Jim Ferrin loves his work. After all, he has been in the golf business since 1974 and has worked as a superintendent for 40 years. But when it comes to doing for others, Ferrin has nearly turned his generosity into a second career based almost entirely on giving his time to promote his profession and helping his colleagues navigate through times of tremendous challenge.
Ferrin, who turns 62 next month, not only manages 27 holes at an active adult community near Sacramento, he has made it his mission to make the game more accessible to those with physical disabilities and works diligently to help his colleagues throughout California make sense of the state's ongoing water crisis.
Because of not just his willingness to give back to his profession, but because of the passion he displays through such selfless displays of professionalism, Ferrin has been named a finalist for the 2014 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year Award, presented by Syngenta.
A total of 10 finalists have been chosen by a panel of judges from a field of nominees based on the following criteria: labor management, maximizing budget limitations, educating and advancing the careers of colleagues and assistants, negotiating with government agencies, preparing for tournaments under unusual circumstances, service to golf clientele, upgrading or renovating the course and dealing with extreme or emergency conditions.
The winner will be named Feb. 26 at the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. Previous winners include: Chad Mark (2013); Dan Meersman (2012); Paul Carter, CGCS (2011); Thomas Bastis, CGCS (2010); Anthony Williams, CGCS (2009); Sam MacKenzie (2008); John Zimmers (2007); Scott Ramsay, CGCS (2006); Mark Burchfield (2005); Stuart Leventhal, CGCS (2004); Paul Voykin (2003); Jeff Burgess (2002); Kip Tyler (2001); and Kent McCutcheon (2000).
Ferrin first is superintendent at Sun City Roseville, a Del Webb community east of Sacramento, where he manages 27 holes of golf on the property's Timber Creek and Sierra Pines courses. He also is a member of the board of directors for the California Alliance for Golf, a non-profit entity that serves as a unified voice for the state's golf industry in its dealings with local, state and national government agencies, media and others, and is also co-chairman of the group's government relations committee. He is a member of the First Tee of Sacramento and the Sierra Nevada GCSAA Alliance for Drought Management, and he speaks regularly on the topic of smart water use. Finally, Ferrin also is versed on the finer points of the Americans with Disabilities Act and works feverishly to help bring the game of golf to those, who through their own disabilities, might not otherwise have a chance to play the game.
"Jim is known for his ongoing efforts in the area of Government Relations and serves on the board of directors for the California Alliance for Golf, where he is the voice at the table for California golf course superintendents," wrote Emmy Moore Minister of Moore Minister Consulting, in her letter nominating Ferrin for the award. "He also participates in a regional water task force along with other golf course superintendents, seeking solutions to best conserve water resources while also strengthening relationships with local water agencies."
For Ferrin, assisting others and helping his profession is a labor of love he's followed for most of the 10 years he has been superintendent at Sun City Roseville.
"Seven years ago I dedicated myself to going in a different direction, because I realized I could give back in some ways that I am very good at," Ferrin said. "Except for hosting championships, it lets me do what I want to do. I just have to find that excitement somewhere else now.
"I am lucky that my employer lets me do what I need to do. They appreciate having someone engaged in the process."
A drought that is measured in years presents a lot of challenges for superintendents, whose line of work often is called into question by an uninformed public.
Helping other superintendents understand what water-use restrictions mean to them as well as representing the industry with folks like Craig Kessler, director of government affairs for the Southern California Golf Association, as a government liaison is as important to Ferrin as managing putting green turf.
"Golf has a target on its back, and it shouldn't have a target on its back," Ferrin said. "One day to the next you could be out of a job.
"Water is going to be the biggest issue in golf. We need to kick people ... and get them going. If we're going to be viable in the future, we need to talk about this. Craig and I are on the same page with this. We don't want the state telling superintendents when or how to cut their water. Tell us how much to cut, and let us make it happen."
Ferrin's efforts to help educate others are not limited to fellow superintendents or government officials. Most of his staff has been with him throughout his tenure at Roseville.
"Jim is on the cutting edge of agronomic programs. Poor soil, poor water and very little of it," said Tim McCoy of Turf Star, a West Coast equipment distributor. "Jim has educated his staff and golfers as well of the sustainable practices they adhere to."
Ferrin also works to elevate the role of the golf course equipment manager by speaking to mechanics and other superintendents are state and regional events.
He recalled how a fellow superintendent called him to say "my mechanic says we need a hydraulic lift, because Jim Ferrin says so."
That equipment managers today are still asked to do their jobs without lifts or even computers is beyond Ferrin's ability to reason. His own equipment manager, Lee Medeiros, last year was named winner of TurfNet's Technician of the Year Award.
"Superintendents should want to empower their mechanics," Ferrin said. "How do you expect them to get their job done, and done safely without what now are basic tools of the trade?"