Super Girl
If I am being honest, I have a big soft spot for the smaller golf properties, the mom & pop courses. There is just something about the little courses doing the best with what they have that usually carries an unmatched vibe and charm. Superintendent Arielle Gardner knows what it means to do more with less as she has plenty to keep her busy at Shelter Island CC (aka The Goat) with a crew of just 1 and limited resources. But if you have followed her on the gram (@afarmersturf ) you can tell she makes the most of her time when she is on property and brings a little extra sunshine & personality to place.
Crew Size? 2 ( Me and 1 part-timer)
Favorite task to do on the course? Course set up and putting pins where no local has ever seen them before!
Least favorite Task? Rotary mowing
Best thing about being a greenkeeper? Everything - literally. Sunrises? The first peak of light sneaking out over Dering Harbor, feels like the best way to start the day.
Worst thing about being a greenkeeper? Everything. ha! Everything I have is old, broken, breaking, leaking, lagging.. but having the worst equipment is just one piece of the puzzle that makes the bad things pile up. There is a silver lining in making you extremely resourceful and creative.
What came first, passion for golf or greenkeeping? I never grew up with a father to show me the way. I was a farmer who needed an outlet who couldn’t go far from my 24/7 livestock program, so I began sneaking on the very private very classy course on the island in my farm boots at twilight and was hooked. 4 years later I’m the superintendent of the most humble golf course on the East End and I am obsessed.
Work/Career Goals? To be a badass female superintendent with a focus on turf biology. I am enrolled in the Rutgers two year turf program and taking that and pushing the boundaries about what we know about biology in turf.
Golf Goals? Make more putts
Do you keep a golf club in your cart and what club? why/why not? Always have the putter with me, for course set up, when I forget it I borrow ‘Father Peter’s’ our local priest who insists on keeping his clubs in the Maintenance shop instead of the bag room.
Favorite piece of equipment? My crew caddy, which is a foam box from the US post office, it's very soft on the greens and makes me laugh every single time I do course set up.
Favorite golf club in your bag? Daisy By Royal Vintage 1976 orange putter. I've been called out so many times. Expensive and modern isn't the answer, it's your putting bro is my normal rebuttal.
Biggest/Most common Misconception about your course? It’s easy. Our course is crazy hard, all blind shots, uphill downhill, crab grass fairways, but it sure is fun.
Biggest/most common misconception about your job/role? That I’m the beverage cart girl.
Do you think playing golf helps or hurts your role? If I didn't play golf I think I wouldn’t be any good at my job at all. You need to know what's ‘fair’ to the golfer and always be thinking of them!
Do you enjoy/benefit from having golfers on your crew? Yes absolutely! I have one highschool young man that loves our course and it’s fun to have a young enthusiastic kid care about the course so much.
What is the one thing you wish golfers would be better about when playing your course? Smiling - it's supposed to be fun! and Pace of play. Fixing ball marks.
What do you think is the biggest misconception golfers have about course maintenance? That it’s just about cutting grass and watering it. And that chemicals are bad. It's actually about a lot of thoughtful considerations to the land as they pertain to water, chemicals, wildlife, and the golfer.
What is the one thing you want golfers to notice at your course? How much love and care and time I put into every little aspect. How hard I'm trying. And how much a smile means to someone who works essentially alone all day every day.
Why greenkeeping? It's rarely for the money and most people leave the work over time. What keeps you in it and motivated?
I love stewarding land on the small island where I live. Often referred to as the jewel of the island for its elevation and water views - it happens to be one of the only remaining accessibly priced golf courses or activities in general for that matter to all income levels, providing a fun welcoming environment to anyone, of any income level is incredibly special. I could work somewhere with housing provided, benefits, etc but I chose to start here - at the public 9 hole with thatch as thick as challah french toast, because I love a challenge. I don't need prestige, I need smiling people, saying that course was amazing and I had no idea it was even here.
Favorite Course you have played? Mine. The Goat. Shelter Island Country Club. I have also played Maidstone and Shinnecock, it’s still mine.
#1 course you would most like to play? Mine till I’m 90.
Course you would most like to see how it operates? National Golf Links
Does golf make you better at your job? Yes for sure, helps me with course set up, how penal I want things to be, how fast or slow the greens are rolling, when I need to cut the grass (again).
Does your job make you better at golf? Yes and no. Yes because we have a driving range (that I’d like to blow up with dynamite and re-do) but also because it’s a time suck and I play less now.
Anything you would like to add?
I think this industry is about what you know, but it truly is also and maybe even more important - about - who you know that makes a difference. It seems to me that just about everyone wants to help out, see you succeed and be a resource, what a special thing in the turf industry. I always say in a world where you can be anything, be kind and being kind goes a long way in turf.