Reign Drops
It is with great pleasure to introduce Reign O’Keefe as the Greenkeepers Golf Club’s first Ambassador and Contributor. Enjoy a little Q & A to get to know the new guy.
Property Name (and location):
Sequoyah Country Club (Oakland, CA)
Currently in a full renovation but we are a 18 hole course with 6,100 yards/18 acres
How long have you been at this property/role?
Been at Sequoyah for a year as a assistant superintendent and every day I’ve been having a blast
What is your crew size?
The Average crew is like 10 but no more than 30 people that’s plenty
Handicap?
Yes, 12 currently
Favorite task to do on the course?
Cutting Cups without a doubt. It’s a time for me to be able to observe everything and especially the greens. I enjoy trying to find new pin locations.
Favorite piece of equipment?
Cup Cutter without a doubt
Favorite Golf club in your bag?
Driver is my favorite mostly because I always just love the feeling of being able to hit a ball as hard as you can seeing how far you can get it
Work Goals for 2026:
Finish my renovation at Sequoyah and really understand the building of our new greens and irrigation system.
Golf Goals for 2026:
Play Cypress
Do you keep a golf club in your cart and what club why/why not?
I always have a putter and a pitching wedge because when ever I get a chance I’ll hit a few balls around the course or putt on the green just really being able to put your self in a golfer’s position. Somebody has to do the playability tests.
Biggest/Most common Misconception about your course?
That it’s currently open. I’ll have to get back to you once we re-open.
Biggest/most common misconception about your job/role?
That being an assistant superintendent we have it easy compared to the crew. People think we are making good money and wde have it easier than the crew but of course that’s not all what it means to be an assistant. It’s about helping the superintendent, taking a load off his back. I’ve seen assistants that “manage” but don’t work and I want to lead by example.
Do you think playing golf helps or hurts your role?
I believe it always helps and if you don’t play it I’m not sure what you’re doing because playing gives you another perspective; the golfer’s perspective. I will always notice a few things when I play that I often miss in the day to day grind.
Do you enjoy/benefit from having golfers on your crew?
Always more people to see the details the better and more guys to play golf with when we are not working.
What is the one thing you wish golfers would be better about when playing your course?
Ball marks on the greens
What do you think is the biggest misconception golfers have about course maintenance?
That we just mow grass and that’s it. It is so much more than that, at least when you get around a super and crew that takes pride in their work.
Best thing about your job/role?
Being able to be up before the sun and play golf after work. Work early and play late right?
What is the one thing you want golfers to notice at your course?
I would say the location it’s such a unique spot being able to oversee the whole Bay Area is pretty cool
Top course you would most like to play?
Cypress point one day I’ll get in
Course you would most like to see how it operates?
Pasatiempo
Favorite Course you have played?
Riviera Country Club
How does your job make you better at golf?
Being around the game, having an intimate understanding of the course and what the architects are doing to influence your decisions.
What came first, passion for golf or greenkeeping?
Golf; first I played with my grandfather a lot and wanting to see the behind the scenes of it pushed me to work in it.
Why are there not more dogs on golf courses?
Not sure why but I think there should be more dogs around the game. My boy Archie loves the turkeys and deer we have on the course , we call him the greens guardian.