There was a time in Sean Brownson's career when it was more likely he would be piloting a plane filled with people on their way to watch one of golf's majors than working at one. That was until the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park.
Then, Brownson was working toward becoming a commercial pilot while also employed as a member of Craig Currier's grounds crew at the course in Farmingdale, New York. It was while working the ‘09 Open on the Black Course won by Lucas Glover that convinced him he was suited for a career in golf.
"When I worked the 2009 U.S. Open, I got a feel for it," Brownson said. "I loved it.
"I already had my private pilot's license and was close to finishing my commercial rating. I never finished once I decided to stay in golf."
Since he was a member of the grounds crew Sean also has a realistic sensibility for how equipment is used and how it must perform.
Brownson moved into the shop as a mechanic four years after joining the Bethpage staff in 2007. For the past eight years, he has supervised a crew of five mechanics who maintain equipment used to manage five golf courses and the park for director of agronomy Andrew Wilson, the former Bethpage assistant who succeeded Currier.
Brownson, 32, is one of three finalists for the 2019 TurfNet Technician of the Year Award, presented by Toro.
Criteria on which candidates are judged by our panel 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.
Bethpage sees an enormous amount of golfer traffic each year. Some 45,000 rounds per year are played on Black Course alone, and the massive equipment inventory used to maintain the golf courses and park includes more than 300 pieces of mechanized equipment. Each season, about 500 hours are logged on every sprayer, utility vehicle and greens mower.
Recently, Brownson oversaw all equipment maintenance during the 2019 PGA Championship.
"Sean has mastered many tasks, whether troubleshooting string trimmers, rebuilding a Verti-Drain, or repairing and servicing fairway mowers, dump trucks, skid loaders, or whatever the needs of the day are," Wilson wrote in his nomination of Brownson for the Tech of the Year award. "Mr. Brownson handles each well and with the attention to detail that helps our staff provide conditions our golfers enjoy. He also trains our other mechanics whether on the specifics of a job or the thought process involved in making more complex repairs."
I just love the park and want to see it at its best every day. I want the public to see this place as I see it.
As a mechanic, Brownson knows how equipment is supposed to operate, but his experience on the crew provides some added perspective.
"Since he was a member of the grounds crew Sean also has a realistic sensibility for how equipment is used and how it must perform," Wilson said.
What drives Brownson is ensuring that golfers at Bethpage and visitors to the park have the best-possible experience.
"I just love the park and want to see it at its best every day," he said. "I want the public to see this place as I see it."
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.