#ThankASuper Spotlight Series: Danny Fielder

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 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.

Danny Fielder
Golf Course Superintendent
Dublin Ranch Golf Course (Dublin, CA)

# of years worked at current course: Four years
Total years worked in the industry: 42 years

How did you get into the golf maintenance industry?
My dad was a superintendent for 47 years.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Being outside and seeing the fruits of our labor in the quality of turf.

What’s the most misunderstood part of the job?
No one understands the science behind what we do. We don’t just mow and water and fertilizer every now and then. It’s very calculated and planned to maximize facility resources in order to get the best turf.

What advice would you give to your younger self or younger superintendents just starting out?
Chill out. It’s grass… it will grow back.

What are a few accomplishments you are most proud of at your course/in your career? I enjoy seeing former staff grow into better positions.
At Dublin Ranch, I’m proud to provide a beautiful product for our customers.

This past year, have you and your team worked/completed any exciting construction/renovation projects? If so, what was your team responsible for and how will it enhance the golf course/facility?
We have done a few in-house bunker renovations that look beautiful, and the team on that project was great. We also successfully installed an irrigation upgrade to the satellites and central computer that have helped us manage the water much better.

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?
It’s all going towards technology – satellite imagery, robots, sensors… all high tech.

What are some of the most helpful forward-thinking practices that have benefitted your facility?
We’ve implemented the use of robots for mowing fairways and some rough.

READ MORE: Golf Course Industry – A robotic fleet near the Bay

What does the game of golf mean to you and how has that helped fuel the passion you have for your career?
I’m a second-generation superintendent with one uncle that is a retired head golf professional in Colorado and another that played tour golf for two years. It’s in my blood and growing grass is what I know and love.