#ThankASuper Spotlight Series: Frank Trejo

Pictured above, front left in navy blue short sleeves.

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.

Frank Trejo
Golf Course Superintendent
Dos Lagos Golf Club (Corona, CA)

# of years worked at current course: 20 years
Total years worked in the industry: 30 years

How did you get into the golf maintenance industry?
My dad started working in the industry starting in 1979, and my three brothers and I followed. At one point, I was working with all three of my brothers and my dad at the same course.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Being able to work outside with the team and interact with the customers. You also get to know a lot of good people in this business from your crew to the golf course staff, customers, partners and vendors.

What’s the most misunderstood part of the job?
People think we only water, fertilize and mow grass. This job is so much more, and there’s a specific reason behind every decision we make. Oftentimes, the guest only notices when something isn’t as pristine as they think it should be and fail to remember that the course conditions are that way in the first place because of the work we do.

What advice would you give to your younger self or younger superintendents just starting out?
There are two key points I’ve learned from family and friends: patience and dedication. If you can combine those two, everything is possible. If you miss one or the other, you can grow frustrated, tired and sick.

What are a few accomplishments you are most proud of at your course/in your career?
Creating the greens we have at Dos Lagos. When I first started here, the greens were being built using a green mix that wasn’t a fit for building new greens, so there were a lot of problems in the early going, and it almost got to the point where we were going to lose them. Using the experience I had, I took the challenge head on with the team, and I’m proud to say Dos Lagos now has some of the best greens in several counties around us.

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?
Over the last three years, we’ve built some brand new tee boxes to improve playability using a very lean crew. Along those lines, we’ve been able to continue delivering premier course conditions despite a smaller crew than most courses that get the amount of play that we do.

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?
Dos Lagos is located in a sensitive area with all kinds of wildlife and native plants that we work alongside a local agency to protect and eliminate chemical application.

What does the game of golf mean to you and how has that helped fuel the passion you have for your career?
Thinking back to when I first started working and then playing and watching golf on TV, respect and family come to mind. Every day, you can see the respect that this game commands between players and guests. It’s also been amazing to work alongside family for 30 years. With them in it, that’s what keeps me going.