Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet are cited historically as the first Europeans to set foot in what today is Iowa in the late 17th century. But when it comes to putting Iowa golf on the map, that credit goes to Rick Tegtmeier, CGCS, after the 2017 Solheim Cup at Des Moines Golf and Country Club, says one public official.
"In addition to providing the greater Des Moines area with a world-class golf facility, Rick's exceptional management has allowed the Des Moines Golf and Country Club and the state of Iowa to gain international attention as they hosted the Solheim Cup this year," said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey in nominating Tegtmeier for the 2017 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year Award, presented by Syngenta. "This put Des Moines on the map and provided other great economic benefits to Des Moines and the state."The Solheim Cup, won by the U.S. team captained by LPGA legend Juli Inkster, indeed was a big deal. It was named the top story in golf in Iowa by the Des Moines Register, one of the top five moments in women's golf by the PGA of America and could help launch Iowa into the LPGA spotlight on a permanent basis.
The tournament boasted full galleries, feel-good patriotism everywhere and a $32 million infusion into the Des Moines economy. At the epicenter of all of this was Tegtmeier and his team who together produced a venue that won praise not only from Northey, but from Inkster, 2007 Masters champion and Iowa native Zach Johnson, and what seemed like just about everyone else in the state of Iowa. In all, 25 people nominated Tegtmeier for the 18th annual award.
Other finalists include Jorge Croda of Southern Oaks Golf Club in Burleson, Texas, Mark Hoban of Rivermont Golf Club in Johns Creek, Georgia, Chris Ortmeier of the Champions Club in Houston and Josh Pope of the Old White Course at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
The winner of the 18th annual award will be named at 2 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Syngenta booth during this year's Golf Industry Show in San Antonio and will receive a trip for two and a week of free golf on the TurfNet members trip to Ireland in October, courtesy of Syngenta.
The journey to the Solheim Cup was a long road for the club and Tegtmeier that began as far back as 2010 when the club adopted a master plan by original architect Pete Dye and his associated Tim Liddy. That plan included a massive renovation that began in 2013 and in which nine holes of the 36-hole property were closed and restored each year for four consecutive years.
That project was set into motion to improve conditions for the members, and would have taken place with or without the Solheim Cup.
Although the club voted to approve the master plan and the restoration project, shutting down nine holes per year over four years required Tegtmeier to be a master communicator and teacher to keep members abreast of what they were getting for their money. Throughout the process, he gave tours of the project, updated members at countless meetings and logged literally hundreds of blog posts throughout the duration.
"The work was for a lifetime for our members. The tournament was only three days," Tegtmeier said. "We worked hard to do it right for the membership, and the Solheim Cup benefitted from that."
Just ask Inkster, the Team USA captain.
"Players from both sides raved about the course conditions, in particular the greens and how pure they were," Inkster wrote in a letter nominating Tegtmeier for the award. "The 2017 Solheim Cup was an epic and historic display of women's golf played on an unbelievable state at Des Moines Golf and Country Club. I have been around a lot of golf for a long time, and can honestly say that the conditioning of the course for the Solheim Cup was among the best I have ever seen."
Staging a great golf course was only half the battle for Tegtmeier, who rolled out the red carpet for any superintendent in the state who wanted to be part of the event and help portray Iowa golf in the best possible light.
Nearly four-dozen of his colleagues with some tie to Iowa or Tegtmeier answered the call.
"The only professional event in the state is the (PGA Champions Tour) Principal Charity Classic. We don't have any other professional sports. Nothing," Tegtmeier said. "When you have event like this in state, it is supposed Iowa guys. In other places where they host big events, superintendents there get to be a part of that. In Iowa, we don't get that chance. I send assistants all around the country to get that experience, but my fellow superintendents don't get that chance. I went to the state conference and told them here's your chance.' "
The success of the restoration, the outpouring of support from within the industry and the product delivered for Teams Europe and USA all are directly attributable to Tegtmeier's abilities as an agronomist and manager, said Jim Cutter, general manager and chief operating officer at DMGCC.
"Rick is the total package; a leader who allows his subordinates enough space to learn and enough support to prosper and eventually be successful on their own," Cutter said.
"He understands the importance of his role as a fiduciary at the club. His team delivers an outstanding product on a daily basis. He is a lifelong learner . . . and last but certainly not least Rick is a true team player, always quick to help in any department where his help is needed."
Just ask other superintendents throughout the state.