Roby Robertson

TPC Craig Ranch

HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS?

My first exposure to the golf business was as a tag along while my father played the money game on weekends, I was about 5 years old. Started working as a cart and range attendant at the age of 12 and moved into maintenance at the age of 14, the benefits of growing up in a small farming community.

WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF YOUR JOB?

The most difficult is the predicting weather extremes. Even the meteorologist can’t do that in North Texas.

WHAT IS THE EASIEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Getting up every day and inspecting the golf course, we are blessed to work in a profession where we get to see the sun come up everyday.

WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING YOUR PROFESSION TODAY?

One of the biggest challenges today is the availability to recruit quality labor, not only operators, but also assistants, interns and AIT’s. .

WHAT IS THE MOST VALUEABLE THING YOU HAVE LEARNED IN THE GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT PROFESSION?

Every day is a new learning experience, new technologies and regulations to stay abreast of and to continue to strive to find the answers. Try to learn something new every day, don’t let your failures be your undertaker, let them be your university. Keeping a positive attitude is the key to success and that self-leadership is just as important as servant leadership. Being a good self-leader provides a quality path for others to follow.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

I like to get together with friends and/or family to enjoy good sporting events. I like to travel to warm beaches and experience new adventures.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST THING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN ON A GOLF COURSE?

As a night waterman during my teenage years I got the privilege to witness all types of buffoonery. My father always used to say “nothing good happens after midnight!” I will keep this PG for young readers.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF THE NORTH TEXAS GCSA?

My expectations are that each individual that volunteers to serve on the board is serving to further their leadership abilities and gain valuable experience that they can transpose into their everyday professions. As a professional organization, I expect the NTGCSA to provide members with educational opportunities and networking possibilities.

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO GIVE BACK TO YOUR PROFESSION?

I have been fortunate to serve on chapter boards in 3 states now, even serving as President for Oklahoma in 2006. I have served on GCSAA committees, most recently the Research committee from 2011-2013. I currently sit on the BOD for the NTGCSA and aspire to assist this organization in moving forward with the current challenges as well. Board leadership is a great way to give back to your profession.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE ROLE OF AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT ?

The role of the Assistant Superintendent is to listen, listen and listen some more to learn as much as they possibly can. I had a mentor tell me once that the good lord gave us two ears, two eyes and one mouth and that we should use them proportionately. It was good advice that I took to heart twenty some years ago. I urge assistants to do the right things, the right way and they will have a promising future; taking shortcuts will lead to a short career.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.

I have been married to Jo Jeana for over 23 years, both of my sons attend UNT in Denton. My oldest is a senior and the youngest is a sophomore.

WHO IS THE GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?

I would say my lord and savior Jesus Christ who guides my path. But in the mortal, my father has had a large influence on my life; he overcame many challenges in his life and provided me with the necessities and a whole lot of fun. As with many of us, our immediate families have the most influence in our daily lives, between coaching little league games, going to school functions and trying to be everywhere and everything to our families with the ultimate goal of assisting our family members to achieve their goals and dreams has the most influence in shaping ourselves.

WHO WOULD BE IN YOUR DREAM FOURSOME, AND WHERE WOULD YOU PLAY?

Bill Murray, David Feherty, Fuzzy Zoeller , anywhere in the Caribbean. Cheering in the Gallery would be the likes of Natalie Gulbis, Maria Sharapova, Paula Creamer, Tea Leoni, you get the picture!

WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A FIRST TIME ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT?

Congratulations on your Degree. It will look good on your shelves with all those books. Welcome to the real world, you start tomorrow at 5:30am, you won’t get off until 5:30pm and you can pick one Holiday a year to enjoy a day off. Just kidding, welcome to one of the most rewarding careers in the world, but only you can make it rewarding.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN TEN YEARS?

In ten years, I see myself either as a Tour Agronomist or still working as a Director of Agronomy for a respectful facility. I will cross those bridges when they present themselves. Either way, in 16 years I am retired making some young superintendent very nervous when I tee off every day at 7:00am.

IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO CHANGE CAREERS AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

That is a question that I hope I never have to answer!!!!!