AGCSA: What type of degree do you have and where did you obtain your degree?
Simmons: Degree in Turf Management from Michigan State University.

AGCSA: As a Golf Course Superintendent, what percentage of your job comes from experience that you obtained from working on a golf course and what percentage comes from what you learned in college?
Simmons: 50% College skills & 50% on the job training; the problem, the on the job skills did not always come from doing or learning the job right the first time.

AGCSA: What subject or class in turf school would you say has the most influence in your job as a Head Superintendent and why?
Simmons: Chemistry; Not only was an important class that had to be learned but the professor took a direct interest in me and made a lasting impact on me, my classes and my future.

AGCSA: What advice would you give to a turf student who is about to embark on his first summer internship and is there any certain job at the golf course that he should make a special effort in learning?
Simmons:  I tell our interns “you can’t do everything everyday, watch what others are doing and ask questions, your day is coming." First time interns we try and impress on them to learn the proper techniques in all phases of mowing and grooming the course, but always be vigilant on what is going on around them and ask questions.

AGCSA: How many years have you been in Golf Course Maintenance, including any work as a crewmember?
Simmons: I began working on a course in 1966. I became an assistant in 1971; and a Superintendent in 1975.

AGCSA: What attracted you to a career as a Golf Course Superintendent?
Simmons: I had been playing golf since I was in 6^th grade and I knew I wanted to stay in golf; I wasn’t good enough to be a Professional; I had worked around a dairy farm since I was 10 and enjoyed being outside, couple that with golf, that is the direction I headed.

AGCSA: What is your work experience and time you spent there? Who did you work for?
Simmons:  My first position on the course was in my hometown, two successful businessmen built a nine hole course and I was fortunate to be hired on. There was no Superintendent, but the entire Scotts Proturf division was right down the road, if we ever had a question we would call or go to their office.

AGCSA: What would you say is the hardest thing to overcome your first year as a Head Superintendent, after being an Assistant before? What advice would you give a first time Head Superintendent?
Simmons: When I arrived at Shoal Creek, I had never had an employee that hadn’t finished high school. I was use to communicating with young kids just out of school. When I came here, most of the crew were older gentlemen who didn’t have an education. They didn’t look kindly on a 25 year old telling them what to do.

AGCSA: What advice would you give to someone facing their first encounter with a disease or major pest problem? What should their attitude and approach be in dealing with the problem?
Simmons: Be aggressive, don’t wait and see what it might be. Take samples to a Phylogis, check irrigation (many times the problem could be caused by a secondary problem, improperly turning head, ins or outs watering in an area they are not meant to be watering), if the wait is too long on results, try something, fungicides, anything. No one ever got fired for trying, They will get fired for doing nothing.

AGCSA: What do you enjoy the most and least about being a Head Superintendent?
Simmons:  Most; Trying to groom the course to perfection (it doesn’t ever seem to get there) or renovating an area and seeing it from dirt to finish, or working with Turf Students, showing them techniques or answering questions or posing situations to students and let them steam over it for a while before they have an answer. Least; being away from family with the long hours.

AGCSA: What would you say is the most important trait to have when dealing with your maintenance crew on a day-to-day and long-term basis?
Simmons:  Be honest, if you don’t know the answer or can’t give them an answer, tell them you don’t know or you can’t get into the area.

AGCSA: Every Superintendent has to answer to his or her boss/bosses (GM, owner, board etc...). What advice could you give someone in dealing with his or her higher-ups?
Simmons:  Don’t be an obstruction to getting what they want done. Do it or let them know the problems or costs involved but DO NOT be negative the instance you hear the request. Think about how you can do it and if there is a problem come back to them at later date; this shows them you have given it some thought and you concerns may be valid.

AGCSA: If you could change one thing about your job that would make it perfect in your eyes, what would it be?
Simmons: This profession can’t be prefect, there are too many areas you deal with, employees, members and committees, weather, diseases, equipment, contractors, and on and on. I have come to understanding at NO time will everything be prefect and not getting ahead or making the course better.

AGCSA: What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever made while working on a golf course?
Simmons: Letting my emotions get out of control, and make decisions that I have regretted.

AGCSA: List your family and How do they cope with your job?
Simmons: My family is grown and left the nest. Barbie, Patty and Billy. But while they were young and growing up, I had to do three major golf tournaments. I tried to get them involved as much as possible; whether it was bringing them to work with me or making them involved with some aspect. That way they understood what I was going through, and I worked hard at being involved with them in the activities. They may not of liked it but understood. All of them being grown today, they would say I probably balanced most things properly. Most of them have a good work ethic and have their education.

AGCSA: What kind of things (hobbies) do you like to do when you get away from work?
Simmons:  I play golf and tennis. I have played tennis longer than I have played golf. I enjoy going to professional baseball and football games.

AGCSA: Lastly, what is your favorite golf related movie? (the battle lines will be drawn between Caddyshack, Bagger Vance, Happy Gilmore and Tin Cup!)
Simmons:  Caddy Shack.

Paying the Price for Success: An Open Letter to Aspiring Turfgrass Professionals (by Jim Simmons, CGCS)