#ThankASuper Spotlight Series: Brandon Ramage

At KemperSports, we know that the beauty and playability of golf courses and the overall golf experience wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of golf course superintendents and their maintenance teams. In honor of International “Thank A Golf Course Superintendent Day,” we’re proud to once again present our #ThankASuper Spotlight Series—a celebration of the hardworking men and women who care for our courses and ensure our guests enjoy the opportunity to play the game they love.

Brandon Ramage
Golf Course Superintendent
Rock Spring Golf Glen (West Orange, NJ)

# of years worked at current course: 6.5 years
Total years worked in the industry: 16 years

How did you get into the golf maintenance industry?
I got my start in golf maintenance at 16, when my mom lived on the 18th hole of Crystal Springs Golf Resort. Without a driver’s license, I needed a job I could reach on foot or by golf cart, and I knew I wanted to work outdoors rather than behind a desk. Within a week, I realized that if there was a way to build a career in this industry, this was where I belonged.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is being out on the course during fall weekend mornings. It’s quiet, peaceful and just me and the wildlife.

What’s the most misunderstood part of the job?
We don’t just “mow the lawn.”

What advice would you give to your younger self or younger superintendents just starting out?
My advice to younger superintendents would be to give the course your all while you’re there and give your home life the same energy when you’re away from work. Summers can be extremely demanding and stressful, but that pressure doesn’t need to carry over to your family. Strive for separation as it will make you better both at work and at home.

What are a few accomplishments you are most proud of at your course/in your career?
At Rock Spring, one of my proudest accomplishments has been leading a team to restore a classic golf course that was on the verge of being lost to development. Together, we designed and installed a complete cart path system, improved drainage throughout the property and steadily elevated playing conditions year after year. While Rock Spring stands out as a highlight in my career, another milestone was overseeing a full start-to-finish, in-house renovation of two holes at North Jersey Country Club — one of the most detailed and rewarding projects I’ve ever been a part of.

This past year, have you and your team worked/completed any exciting construction/renovation projects?
This past year we haven’t taken on a major construction project like the cart path installation, but we’ve continued to focus on constant improvements across the course. Our efforts have centered on drainage enhancements, extensive tree work and adding maintained fine fescue areas to improve both playability and aesthetics. These projects, while not as large in scale, have made a great impact on the overall look and performance of Rock Spring.

What insight do you have about the future of the industry? Are there any innovative practices you’re helping lead to benefit the environment/your facility?
We have been looking into robotic mowers that seem to be the big hit in the past year or so. I demoed one for a month or so and was pleasantly surprised at its performance. While I do not believe the technology is ready right now, I think in the coming years this could be a great addition to the operation and free up labor to be used on other areas of the course. I am hoping that as robotics begin to enter our industry, it is not a replacement for laborers, but rather an addition to them, allowing for detail work and project work to be focused on more heavily.

What are some of the most helpful forward-thinking practices that have benefited your facility?
One of the most helpful practices at Rock Spring has been maintaining the ability to think like a golfer. It can be easy for a maintenance team to focus solely on agronomy and lose sight of the player’s perspective. From managing frost and rain delays to making daily adjustments, we prioritize decisions that create the best possible experience for our guests while keeping the health of the turf equally in mind.

What does the game of golf mean to you and how has that helped fuel the passion you have for your career?
For me, it was never just about playing the game. It was about appreciating the game and the golf course itself. Before college, I knew I wanted a career in turf, and while I had played golf, I wouldn’t have called myself a golfer. That changed when I was working toward my bachelor’s degree at Delaware Valley and was required to play on the golf team. That experience shifted my perspective from simply wanting a job in the industry to truly building a career in it. Competitive golf gave me a new lens to see the game through while deepening my passion for agronomy.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
While I do give it my all to provide a best in-class golf course, there is more to me than just being the guy on the sprayer, or the guy that got people wet with the sprinklers or even the guy that destroys the golf course every spring and fall with the aerators. I am a new father of a handsome 7-month-old boy named Bennett recently married to my high school sweetheart Kayla. My crazy pup Turbo keeps me on my toes day in and day out, and I will do anything under the sun for my family, friends and pups to see them happy each and every day.