#ThankASuper Spotlight Series: Eric Johnson

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.

Eric Johnson
Regional Director of Agronomy for KemperSports
Director of Agronomy, Chambers Bay (University Place, WA)

# of years worked at current course: 13 years and change at Chambers Bay and 24 years with KemperSports
Total years worked in the industry: 35 years

How did you get into the golf maintenance industry?
The initial plan was to get a turfgrass degree and find work on baseball fields. At the time, there was a lack of opportunities to work on baseball fields. Fortunately, I found work at Trysting Tree Golf Course while attending Oregon State University.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Almost every day brings new challenges and finding ways to continually improve our operation. I have also been fortunate to have been part of some great teams throughout my career, and of course, watching guests enjoy the golf course.

What’s the most misunderstood part of the job?
How much time and coordination are required to prepare the golf course while minimizing impact on the guest and their experience. At the end of the day, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature.

What advice would you give to your younger self or younger superintendents just starting out?
Golf maintenance is a marathon, not a sprint – always be playing the long game and find a way to YES.

“Certainty is the great enemy of unity. Certainty is the deadly enemy of tolerance.” – Robert Harris

What are a few accomplishments you are most proud of at your course/in your career?

• Hosting the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in 2015.
• Re-grassing Chambers Bay’s greens in 2018
• Managing the fairway drainage and re-grassing project at Spyglass Hill in 1995
• Having the opportunity to volunteer and meet other superintendents at multiple national championships

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 believe technology integrations will continue to be adopted to assist golf maintenance operations. We are planning on introducing autonomous mowers and pickers to our two ranges.

What are some of the most helpful forward-thinking practices that have benefitted your facility? 

• Data collection
  • Soil moisture monitoring turfRad
• Growth and disease models
• Pest management
  • Mapping pests (primarily weeds) and creating Rx application Maps to reduce treated areas, and in turn, reduce chemical use and cost, save on labor and minimize environmental impact
• Alternative disease management strategies
  • Applying Iron and wetting agents instead of fungicides during the winter

 What does the game of golf mean to you and how has that helped fuel the passion you have for your career?
Golf has been part of my family for 35 years. Molle and I have been fortunate to have four sons work at Chambers Bay, three of whom have continued to work in the golf industry:

• Reece is currently First Assistant Superintendent at Tacoma Country and Golf Club
• Ryder is currently working at Woodlake Golf
• Tate is Equipment Manager at Rodeo Dunes
• Grady, our youngest, is a math and computer science major at Harvey Mudd focusing on sports data and a member of the football and track teams. He has worked at Chambers Bay the last few summers.