Just about every golf course equipment manager casts a discerning eye on turf conditions and quality of cut. It comes with the job. Few do so from a golfer's perspective. Elias Matias is one of them.
Elias, who has worked as a technician at 36-hole Pronghorn Golf Club in Bend, Oregon since 2007, including the last six as equipment manager, plays to a 10 index when he's not in the shop. He's scratch player when under a lift, seated at a grinder or training other members of David Freitag's staff. Those skills with club and ball definitely come in handy when performing the work of a mechanic.
"It definitely helps. It's a contributing factor as to how he does his job," said Freitag, director of agronomy at Pronghorn. "He is the first one here to see everything every morning. Topdressing is a necessary practice, and a lot of times, you have to go head to head with the mechanic on things like that because of what it can do to equipment. Elias understands what things like that mean to the playing surface and why we do them.
"Elias plays to about a 10 handicap which of course isn't a requirement, but certainly gives him common ground with our superintendents and helps him understand the game and conditions we are trying to maintain on a daily basis."
Aside from being an exceptional golfer, Matias also is a pretty good wrench-turner, and it is why he was named one of three finalists for the TurfNet Technician of the Year Award, presented by Toro.
Much of the equipment at Pronghorn was purchased during construction and grow-in from 2003 to 2005. One of the club's spray units has more than 7,500 hours on it.
"Often, when you get to 3,000 hours, they just don't work anymore," Freitag said.
While superintendents at other nearby facilities say their aging equipment shows its age, but Pronghorns, while not new, at least looks it - even a fairway mower in its 14th season.
"There is a standard of expectation here that we must meet," Freitag said.
"When something is getting old and probably should be replaced, ownership asks if we can make it last, and we can. We've developed that track record, and that is because of Elias."
And Matias manages a lot of equipment.
Not only is he in charge of keeping everything running so the crew can manage Pronghorn's Jack Nicklaus- and Tom Fazio-designed golf courses, he also is responsible for all landscaping equipment for the central Oregon resort. And if that wasn't enough, Pronghorn also contracts with the local homeowner's association for snow removal of 30 miles of road, and that means maintaining a 5-yard dump truck and a 1-ton pickup and plowing apparatus for both.
"He's able to take of a lot more than just mowers," Freitag said.
Like any great mechanic, Matias goes wherever he is needed at Pronghorn. One day that might be building racks to hang buckets for capturing clippings, helping a co-worker get back on the road or making repairs in the clubhouse.
"It doesn't matter if he is dealing with cutting heights and greens speeds, hybrid systems, custom fabrication, employee training, helping troubleshoot an employee's personal vehicle, or evaluating major purchases, our entire club benefits from Elias's skills, knowledge, and efforts," Freitag said. "To have his level of expertise on staff and the freedom to send problems his way knowing that Elias will get back to us promptly is a huge advantage in managing Pronghorn's expenses, both in lost time for our staff and materials."
Previous winners are (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. No award in 2008.