#ThankASuper Spotlight Series: Matt Corbridge

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.

Matt Corbridge
Director of Grounds
Galloping Hill Golf Course (Kenilworth, NJ) & Shady Rest Golf and Country Club (Scotch Plains, NJ)

# of years worked at current course: Four years
Total years worked in the industry: I worked summers on a golf course toward the end of high school in Ohio and during college. I’ve been dedicated to a full-time golf course career for the past 15 years.

How did you get into the golf maintenance industry?
I was in a sales and marketing role at an engineering software company and started working at a local golf course on the weekends. The perks of free golf and unlimited driving range balls drew me to the golf course even when I wasn’t working. Eventually, when my superintendent Mike Kellogg mentioned the Rutgers turfgrass management program, I dove in head first and enrolled, driving to the East Coast and starting an internship at Bayonne.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
When I first started working, I loved operating equipment and the instant gratification of looking back on a perfectly checkerboard green as you drove away from it. As I’ve gotten older, I find myself intrigued and challenged by the yearly puzzle of budgeting, agronomic planning and trying to elevate the members of the grounds crew in hopes of helping them meet and hopefully exceed their own goals in the industry.

What’s the most misunderstood part of the job?
I think the most misunderstood part of golf course maintenance is that the job is everything you expect. Even during the long summer months when most of the job turns into routine, we always have to adjust cultural practices, watering habits and priorities. There is always something new to learn, try, change or fix.

What advice would you give to your younger self or younger superintendents just starting out?
Don’t ever be shy to express your desire to improve, take on more responsibility or advance in your career. Many times, the very catalyst to career advancement is simply expressing your interest and raising your hand to say, “I’ll do it,” and then taking pride in the work that follows.

What are a few accomplishments you are most proud of at your course/in your career?
Mostly, I’m just proud to be able to confidently answer questions and justify golf course decisions with science and the knowledge that others have shared along the way. My career goal is to pass this ability and opportunity on to the crew members who deserve their own shot. When it happens, it’s always nice to hear regulars tell you when the greens are rolling like glass, too.

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?
While we haven’t completed any major renovations, we have begun the process of becoming a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and are working with the county to improve some low lying areas of the course that have long been negatively affected by flooding from heavy rains.

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?
I think the future of turfgrass in general will focus on more naturalistic approaches to managing golf courses. We are trying to put our focus on plant health through soil improvement and efficient water use. You are already seeing an effort to promote sustainable maintenance made when top-end facilities go through re-design and renovation.  I think these kinds of changes in turf management will influence the very type of courses built and where the future of golf and golf course maintenance are headed.

What are some of the most helpful forward-thinking practices that have benefitted your facility?
As silly as it sounds, we have found that showing appreciation goes a long way in making a facility more successful and a more desirable place to work. It sounds simple, but little things like vendor-supplied crew lunches, rewarding individual performance and recognizing effort go a long way to keep a crew invested throughout our long golf season.

What does the game of golf mean to you and how has that helped fuel the passion you have for your career?
I grew up learning golf from my grandfather and watching the biggest tournaments provide exciting moments. While I play a lot less than I used to, being on this side of the industry I can still find enjoyment watching a ball roll across the grass and fall into the cup.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Thanks for the opportunity to share a little of my story. I’d be remiss to not also thank all the folks who help make what we do at Galloping Hill possible. It’s a great big team that does great big things well.