There is plenty of inherent pressure involved in managing playing conditions for choosy golfers. When you are maintaining equipment that was purchased by the late Wayne Otto, there is a little extra pressure to maintain that legacy.
Otto spent more than 40 years in the turf business, including 35 as the superintendent at Ozaukee Country Club, the historic 1920 William Langford-Theodore Moreau design north of Milwaukee in Mequon, Wisconsin. He was that state's first certified superintendent, and the Wee One Foundation was created in his memory after his death in 2004.
Ensuring that superintendent Brett Hosler has the tools he needs to maintain that legacy is a lot to live up to.
Such is life for equipment manager Dan Dommer, one of three finalists for this year's TurfNet Technician of the Year Award, presented by Toro.
"An elite and successful golf facility requires many strong employees, working well as a team to achieve elite results," said Hosler. "In my 18 years of experience in the golf course industry, I have never witnessed a more knowledgeable, hard-working and versatile employee as Mr. Dan Dommer. Dan is the type of employee that allows a golf facility to thrive in a saturated market."
Wayne Otto bought that (sprayer) at the show in 1997 right off the showroom floor, and it's been here for three decades. If it goes down, he's right there. I can't think of an issue where if something goes down Dan doesn't have it up and running within an hour.
Criteria on which candidates are judged include: crisis management; effective budgeting; environmental awareness; helping to further and promote the careers of colleagues and employees; interpersonal communications; inventory management and cost control; overall condition and dependability of rolling stock; shop safety; and work ethic. The winner receives the Golden Wrench Award and a spot in next year's Toro Service Training University at the company's headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Among the pieces from yesteryear is a Toro 5500 sprayer that is a holdover from the Otto era.
"Wayne Otto bought that at the show in 1997 right off the showroom floor, and it's been here for three decades," Hosler said. "If it goes down, he's right there. I can't think of an issue where if something goes down Dan doesn't have it up and running within an hour."
Other examples of vintage equipment that continue to hum along at Ozaukee are another sprayer that dates to the 1970s and a five-gang roller from the 1920s that Hosler continues to use today to smooth out fairways.
"What's old is new again," he said. "Thanks to Dan."
Dommer is a lot more than just a mechanic. Ozaukee's 100-year-old shop comes with plenty of limitations, including the lack of a lift, often requiring Dommer to take equipment to the family farm to work on it.
What's old is new again. Thanks to Dan.
"He has a whatever-it-takes attitude," Hosler said. "It's rare to find someone like that. Whatever needs to happen, he's going to do it. If we're topdressing fairways, he'll stay late and do it. If we need him to mow, he'll do it. Wherever we need him to fill it, he adapts to any situation."
At the start of each season, Dommer conducts a training class for returning and new employees, and meets regularly with Hosler to plan out each week's maintenance schedule.
"Perhaps the most important Dan possesses is the work ethic learned and developed as a farmhand," Hosler said. "He is an excellent planner, fabricator, mechanic, teacher, worker, confidant, problem-solver and friend. His adaptability and work ethic knows no bounds. Dan is an even better person than employee as well; something that no doubt contributes to the success he's achieved thus far. Our club could not function properly without his expertise and we are beyond fortunate to have him on our team at Ozaukee."
Previous winners include (2018) Terry Libbert, Old Marsh Golf Club, Palm Beach Gardens, FL; (2017) Tony Nunes, Chicago Golf Club, Wheaton, IL; (2016) Kris Bryan, Pikewood National Golf Club, Morgantown, WV; (2015) Robert Smith, Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, PA; (2014) Lee Medeiros, Timber Creek and Sierra Pines Golf Courses, Roseville, CA; (2013) Brian Sjögren, Corral de Tierra Country Club, Corral de Tierra, CA; (2012) Kevin Bauer, Prairie Bluff Golf Club, Crest Hill, IL; (2011) Jim Kilgallon, The Connecticut Golf Club, Easton, CT; (2010) Herb Berg, Oakmont (PA) Country Club; (2009) Doug Johnson, TPC at Las Colinas, Irving, TX; (2007) Jim Stuart, Stone Mountain (GA) Golf Club; (2006) Fred Peck, Fox Hollow and The Homestead, Lakewood, CO; (2005) Jesus Olivas, Heritage Highlands at Dove Mountain, Marana, AZ; (2004) Henry Heinz, Kalamazoo (MI) Country Club; (2003) Eric Kulaas, Marriott Vinoy Renaissance Resort, Sarasota, FL.