T’s Time Secured
Odds are decent that you are not currently in Hawaii reading this. Odds are also good you wish you were. Thats probably why you have seen Tevin “T” Moses (@tevinkekoa.Im) all over instagram working early and playing late at the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club. To hear that the course’s nickname is “Jurassic Park” makes sense if you have seen any of his reels. Tevin took a little time for the GK GC so you can get to know him a bit better and what motivates him to keep showing up day in and day out.
Where do you work? Royal Hawaiian Golf Club on Oahu, Hawai’i
Property Description: Royal Hawaiian is a unique place, some call it the “Jurassic Park” course. We are cut into the side of mountain tucked away in the jungle. Literally a jungle. We are full par 72 championship course with a 140 slope rating from the tips. People mostly know us as a course where bring a bucket of range balls to play with is a requirement. With blind tee shots island greens and OB left and right on almost every hole it’s a course that will test every facet of your game.
How long have you been at this property/role? I am relatively pretty new to golf course maintenance, I’ve been with the company for almost a year now. Groundsman for 4 months then started working into operator 1 the past 6 months now.
Avg crew size? Right now we run a 7 man crew, definitely not enough for the course that we have to deal with but proud of the boys because we make it work.
Describe Hawaii golf in one word: scenic
Do you have more local play or tourist play at your course? Tourist, for sure
What surprises tourists the most about golf in Hawaii? Speaking strictly for our course I hear more time then not how crazy it is for us to be “battling Mother Nature”
Handicap? I had a handicap last year but never renewed for 2026, but last time I checked it was a 11
Favorite task to do on the course? Mowing greens in the morning on dewy greens
Least favorite task? Once we built a cinder block wall for a section of our cart path, that sucked. But cutting trees in the pitch black dark or extreme torrential downpour is also up there
Worst thing about being a greenkeeper? The stereotype that all we do is cut grass.
What is the strangest thing you have seen on the job? A rental set on the cart path, come to later realize our clubhouse got broken into that morning
Best thing about being a greenkeeper? The challenge. You aren’t just cutting grass, or putting tee markers in different spot or driving around in TXs and pro gators. The reason I fell in love is because you literally wrestle with nature everyday. Everyday is something new and our job is to give our golfers the best experience possible. What that means is the “bar” for the perfect golf course is never gonna be obtainable but that’s okay cause it gives us something to chase everyday.
Work/Career Goals? Honestly I would love to be a part of USGAs G.A.P program and further my career in golf course maintenance. Ultimately it’s to travel around the world meet others in this space and eventually land at a course where I can make the biggest difference as a superintendent.
Favorite piece of equipment? Ventrac
Favorite Golf club in your bag? 3wood
What came first, passion for golf or greenkeeping? Passion for golf
Describe your golf game in one word: determined
Golf Goals? Starting next year I’m gonna be transitioning into getting into more competitive golf (keeping score, tournaments ect.)
If you are not at the golf course where are you likely to be? The gym
If you are the golf course GM for a day, what change(s) would you make? Increase greenskeeper wages.
What is the one thing you want golfers to notice at your course? A lot. But I’ll change this to what I wish most golfers had is more perspective. Understanding how golf courses are run and maintained, I think would enhance both their experience and ours.
Why greenkeeping? It's rarely for the money and most people leave the work over time. What keeps you in it and motivated?
For me, it came out of necessity. After losing my restaurant job in 2024 I needed to change mindsets and figure out what the next chapter for me looked like. I was already making golfing content on Instagram and was obsessed with it so I decided why not just try and work at a golf course. Sure enough soon after landed a greenskeeper job at Royal Hawaiian where I sparked an idea. Let’s create content around greenskeeping and show golfers what it looks like behind the scenes. That’s where my journey in this space begins.
I stepped into this space for the love I had for playing the game. But over time I have built some rock solid relationships. The job is hard but leaving everyday it gives you a sense of accomplishment. The idea that the work that you do today affects what it looks like tomorrow is what keeps me motivated. Nothing is ever gonna be perfect but that doesn’t mean we can’t try.
Favorite Course you have played? Volcano Golf Course in Volcano, Hawaii
#1 course you would most like to play? Jacks Point in New Zealand
Course you would most like to see how it operates? Oakmont CC for the US open
Anything you would like to add? Work Early & play late is not just a motto it’s a lifestyle! And don’t forget to say thank you to your local greenkeepers!