#ThankASuper Spotlight Series: Will Bell

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 have the opportunity to play the game they love.

Will Bell
Director of Agronomy
Forest Creek Golf Club (Round Rock, TX)

# of years worked at current course: 8 Years
Total years worked in the industry: 25 Years

How did you get into the golf maintenance industry?
I started off with a passion for playing competitively in school and was attracted to the agronomic side of the business with an agricultural background growing up.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Being outside and watching the sun come up every day.

What’s the most misunderstood part of the job?
One of the most misunderstood parts of being a golf course superintendent is that the job is far more about managing people, resources and expectations than it is about simply “mowing grass.”

It’s business management – budgets, strategic planning and justifying expenses.
It’s managing people – motivating a diverse crew, training new hires, navigating personalities and keeping morale high in the face of every type of weather.
It’s science under pressure – making real-time agronomic decisions with sometimes incomplete information, while weather, pests and member expectations keep changing.
It’s weather and timing – you can plan perfectly but a single, untimely rain, frost or heat wave can undo weeks of work, and you’re still expected to deliver great playing conditions the following day.
It’s constant communication – explaining why greens are aerified or why the course isn’t perfectly green in a drought year.

The toughest part is that a lot of what we do is invisible to others – problems prevented and decisions made that keep the course playable without anyone noticing.

What advice would you give to your younger self or younger superintendents just starting out?
Learn to manage people before you manage turf. Communicate more than you think you need to. Control what you can and accept what you can’t. Protect your work-life balance.

What are a few accomplishments you are most proud of at your course/in your career?
In 2018, we successfully completed a $5.1 million renovation project at Forest Creek that included rebuilding all 18 greens, reconstruction of all bunkers, a complete overhaul of the driving range, improved drainage in low lying areas of the course and the installation of a new course irrigation system. For that, I was lucky enough to receive the honor of KemperSports Superintendent of the Year that year.

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 year, we constructed a new dedicated USGA nursery green to provide high quality turf for repairs, ensuring faster recovery and consistent playing conditions. In addition, we’ve proactively removed underbrush and selective trees to improve light penetration and airflow in key playing corridors, enhancing turf health and playability. The continued installation of curbing along select locations has also resulted in improved drainage and reduced wear and tear to our cart paths.

What insight do you have about the future of the industry?
Water is going to continue to define our work as it relates to access, efficiency and regulations. Labor will remain the biggest challenge. Automation is here and surely helps, but the ability to build and retain a skilled, motivated crew will still be a key differentiator between a good couse and a great course. Environmental stewardship will move from a “nice to have” to something that is “required” of golf courses. And, career sustainability will matter more.

Are there any innovative practices you’re helping lead to benefit the environment/your facility?
POGO has proven to be pivotal with turf management and helping us achieve premier course conditions while optimizing water use through their moisture data technology. Another one we’ve been using at Forest Creek is the use of GPS sprayers for targeted pest and disease control to ensure only the affected areas are treated.

What are some of the most helpful forward-thinking practices that have benefitted your facility?
As an extension of the answer above, implementing each of these has allowed us to work smarter and achieve the level of course conditions Forest Creek guests have come to expect:

• Precision moisture management with POGO readings
• Targeted wetting agent rotation for problem greens
• Drainage and soil amendment in high stress areas
• Converting native areas to no play zones
• Proactive cultural practices
• Technology-driven spraying

 What does the game of golf mean to you and how has that helped fuel the passion you have for your career?
Golf is more than a game to me – it’s a place where tradition, challenge and community meet.  As a superintendent, I take pride in shaping the course that becomes the stage for unforgettable moments, from first birdies to lifelong memories.