#ThankASuper Spotlight Series: Scott Sutton

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 Sutton
Director of Agronomy
The Club at Sunrise (Las Vegas, NV)

# of years worked at current course: 13 years
Total years worked in the industry: 45 years

How did you get into the golf maintenance industry?
My journey into golf maintenance started back in high school here in Las Vegas. Like many young golfers, I was searching for a way to play for free, so I took a job at a golf course. My very first role was pulling crabgrass out of greens with a fork at Las Vegas Golf Club, earning $2.15 per hour. Back then, my paycheck just about covered car insurance and gas—which was $0.93 a gallon. I also worked on the driving range, outside services and in the golf shop before realizing that turfgrass didn’t talk back or yell at me. That’s when I knew I had found my calling. From the very beginning, I loved the work, and I knew I wanted to move up the ladder to become a superintendent.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Without question, it’s being out on the golf course during the quiet mornings watching the sun rise, or in the evenings watching the sun set. Those moments of peace and beauty remind me why I love what I do. Preferably, I enjoy them on separate days—but in this industry, dedication often means experiencing both in a single day.

What’s the most misunderstood part of the job?
Most golfers take course conditions for granted, not realizing that a golf course is a living, breathing micro-environment. Conditions can change rapidly overnight, and countless sleepless nights over the years have gone into making sure players enjoy the best experience possible.

What advice would you give to your younger self or younger superintendents just starting out?
First, show up every day and do the best job you can—learn from mistakes and keep moving forward. Just as importantly, schedule time away from work. Family events, fishing trips or simply rest days won’t happen unless you plan them. The golf course will always be there, but the moments with loved ones are what you’ll remember most.

What are a few accomplishments you are most proud of in your career?
I’ve had the privilege of serving as the construction and grow-in superintendent for seven golf courses in the Las Vegas Valley over my 45-year career. I am proud to be growing the only all Platinum TE Seashore Paspalum turfgrass golf course in Nevada, and our greens are known as some  of the best in the valley. Over the course of my career, I’ve been honored with several recognitions, including:

• KemperSports Superintendent of the Year (2017)
• Bill Tomiyasu Memorial Award (2018)
• Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (2011)
• Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (2017)
• Certified Irrigation Contractor (2021)
• Restricted Use Pesticide License (since 1986)

I’ve also been proud to serve our industry in the following roles:

• President and Founder of the Southern Nevada Irrigation Association (est. 2019, current President)
• President of the Desert Green Foundation (past seven years, Board member for 17 years total)
• Longstanding member of both the Southern Nevada Golf Course Superintendent Association and the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America

This past year, have you and your team completed any exciting projects?
Yes—last fall we completed a large bunker restoration project. Over time, many of our bunkers had grown in by as much as 8-10 feet. With our limited crew, keeping up with edging had been a challenge. Using the Better Billy Bunker system, we were able to easily identify the original edges, restore them and add about 150 tons of new sand. While it wasn’t a “major renovation,” it was a significant improvement that enhanced both the playability and visual quality of the course.

What insight do you have into the future of the industry?
I believe the future of our industry is bright. With technology advancing, smart and central controllers are becoming essential. At The Club at Sunrise, we use the TORO Lynx system connected to our on-site weather station, which sends real-time ET, wind and solar data to the cloud and automatically adjusts irrigation schedules. This type of precision water management is critical in Nevada, where water is such a precious resource.

Through the Southern Nevada Irrigation Association, I’m also working to mentor the next generation of irrigation professionals by offering monthly training classes and eventually certifications. Passing along knowledge and raising standards will be key to the industry’s success.

What are some of the most helpful forward-thinking practices that have benefited your facility?
One of our biggest challenges is irrigation water quality—we irrigate with reclaimed water, some of the toughest in the country. To manage this, we use several innovative practices, including:

• Sulfur burner treatment to lower pond pH and prevent protozoa buildup in irrigation lines
• Complete fertigation system to mix and inject custom fertilizer blends rich in micronutrients and potassium
• Soil penetrants to help our heavy clay soils drain and remain playable
• Gypsum and 0-0-50 injection to improve soil structure in combination with the sulfur burner

Additionally, our pre- and post-emergent weed control program has been invaluable. With 35 acres of active flood channel running through the property, seeds constantly blow in. Implementing a comprehensive IPM program has kept our course conditions among the best in the valley.

What does the game of golf mean to you?
Golf has been a central part of my life since my father taught me the game at age 8. He played three days a week until he passed, and he instilled in me both a love for the game and respect for the course. Golf was the reason I started working in this industry and has been the constant driving force behind my career. While I don’t play as often as I used to, I still cherish the chance to get out for a round. These days, I find my greatest joy in having a 160-acre “office,” bringing my dogs to work, smelling freshly cut grass and watching the sunrise and sunset each day.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I absolutely love being in the golf course maintenance industry. Over 45 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from so many incredible people. I also want to thank KemperSports for the recognition—it means a lot to be appreciated for the hard work and dedication that goes into making The Club at Sunrise a special place. And of course, I want to give a huge shout-out to my staff. With a crew of just eight, they help maintain 135 acres at a level I’m extremely proud of. I couldn’t do it without them.