#ThankASuper Spotlight Series: Scott Hillyard

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.

Scott Hillyard
Grounds Superintendent
Hawthorn Woods Country Club (Hawthorn Woods, IL)

# of years worked at current course: 16 years
Total years worked in the industry: 31 years

How did you get into the golf maintenance industry?
I needed a job for the summer following my freshman year in college, and I had a buddy that had a job on a golf course grounds staff. He got me in. I weed whipped and dumped trash for a season and a half, and I’ve been on a golf course somewhere every season since.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Thursday night before day one of the Men’s Invitational. A dry cut and roll on greens with the rest of the bentgrass mowed, and a low sun angle that shows all imperfections… or lack thereof.

What’s the most misunderstood part of the job?
The scope of knowledge a superintendent is required to have. We are scientists, doctors, pharmacists, mathematicians, agronomists, engineers, production managers, accountants, therapists, environmentalists, HR professionals and I’m sure all kinds of other titles could be added. We may not be experts in every field, but we need a deep working knowledge of all of them to prevent problems and keep the operation moving forward.

What advice would you give to your younger self or younger superintendents just starting out?
Set boundaries and establish expectations. Understand your craft. Build a long-term plan, stick to your principles and adapt as you grow. Let your product speak for you.

What are a few accomplishments you are most proud of at your course/in your career?
I have been part of a team that has hosted major golf events, and those were great moments. We have elevated daily playing conditions at HWCC to a championship level, especially on Greens, and I am proud of that. I have been here for 16 golf seasons now, which is much less common than in the past.

But I would say my team is what I am most proud of in my career. Most of my guys have been with me for quite a while now. We have a consistent team that returns year after year. We try and create an environment that isn’t always easy, but is rewarding, respectful, stimulating and challenging. We try and show our people that they matter. The golf course is what it is because of them.

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 completed a bunker renovation with Better Billy Bunkers in 2024, which was a big one. This year was cart path and turf renovations around the practice facilities and golf staging area. But 2025 was also a tough weather year and few, if any, will be more difficult in my career. My staff performed at a high level under some of the most difficult conditions we’ve ever faced. We weren’t perfect, but the turfgrass performed well. My staff was as important to this season as any renovation project could be.

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 as a steward of this property, it’s my job to consider the impact we leave on the ground and for our members and their guests. We try to provide the highest-level product we can, with the minimum number of inputs necessary. We have learned and developed relationships with the turf and plants, and we understand what they need and when. We watch and listen to what the ground tells us.

And, we educate consumers. My goal isn’t a flawless sea of green. It’s a course with depth — a variety of colors, textures, heights and angles that reflect how real turf behaves when it’s healthy and balanced. We apply fertilizers at minimal levels to provide the highest levels of playability at a reasonable cost with minimal environmental impact. Synthetic fertilizers are minimally used. Most nutrients applied are organic and/or lightly applied directly to leaf surfaces via sprayer. This leaves little on the ground to leach through soils. We apply fungicides at the lowest labeled rates and extended intervals if possible. Honestly, these thoughts aren’t necessarily innovative, they are just responsible.

What are some of the most helpful forward-thinking practices that have benefitted your facility?
I am aggressive on our greens. My goal is to see the golf ball roll as well as any other green out there. We mow low, groom always, broom regularly, roll daily, topdress frequently, handwater
often and aerify as much as possible. I take to heart the saying, “Drive for show, putt for dough.” Players return to greens that roll well. Greens are where we create experiences and make
memories.

What does the game of golf mean to you and how has that helped fuel the passion you have for your career?
Golf is a tool, and a multipurpose tool at that. Golf has impact. It employs people. It provides competition and recreation. It brings families together, builds community and closes business deals. It’s a hobby that can span nearly an entire lifetime. But as important as any of that, it can be grounding. It requires presence. It connects people with nature, gets them outdoors and away from screens, work, school and the stress of life.

I get to help shape that experience 20,000 times per year. In my community at least, I get to help shape that experience for hundreds of homeowners every time they use their deck, patio or backyard. I think as we get older, most of us want to believe that we have made a difference and have been impactful in a positive way. Golf has impact, and has provided me the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.