#ThankASuper Spotlight Series: Pedro Mendoza

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.

Pedro Mendoza
Superintendent
Glen Annie Golf Club (Goleta, CA)

# of years worked at current course: 28 years
Total years worked in the industry: 37 years

How did you get into the golf maintenance industry?
I was asked by the superintendent who opened the course in 1997 to come and work for him after we had worked together at a previous job.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is the people I work with and taking care of the greens (General Manager’s note: He’s very good at it!)

What’s the most misunderstood part of the job?
The most misunderstood part of the job is that once the holes are cut and the grass is mowed, our job is done for the day.

What advice would you give to your younger self or younger superintendents just starting out?
Always keep your attention on the big picture of the golf course as a whole and work well with others.

What are a few accomplishments you are most proud of at your course/in your career?
I’m most proud of the course conditions we have been able to consistently deliver and the fun that golfers have at Glen Annie.

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?
This summer, my team and I have been working very hard to replace the sand on all our greenside bunkers. So far, we have moved 500 tons of sand to over 36 bunkers without the use of trucks or tractors!

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?
The biggest things I see are the use of automated mowing and more advanced irrigation tools that both benefit the facility and the environment.

What are some of the most helpful forward-thinking practices that have benefitted your facility?
Reclaimed water is a forward-thinking practice that has greatly impacted golf courses in the Santa Barbara area.

What does the game of golf mean to you and how has that helped fuel the passion you have for your career?
I love the game of golf and seeing how the course plays is crucial for me to make the daily adjustments necessary for our golfers to enjoy their experience at Glen Annie. Overall, I’m just grateful for the opportunity to work with the people at Glen Annie and to work for a great team like Touchstone and KemperSports.