21 Years of Leadership

Mike has served as Superintendent at Everett for 21 years—hired directly into the role and entrusted with the stewardship of a club founded in 1910. When he arrived, he inherited a course already well-supported and maintained by a committed membership. Over the years, he has built on that foundation with thoughtful planning and steady improvement, and an approach that honors the club’s history while preparing it for the future.

Midway in his tenure, Mike played a key role in a major master plan initiative that brought a new cart barn, rebuilt swimming pool and cabana, expanded practice facilities, a covered driving range structure, and a redesigned parking area—enhancements that have complemented a recent $12 million renovation of the clubhouse.

While Everett hasn’t undergone wholesale course reconstruction during his tenure—aside from rebuilding a couple of greens roughly a decade ago—Mike has consistently advanced numerous smaller improvements. One ongoing priority has been tree management, an especially important consideration at a mature Pacific Northwest property. His steady, practical approach has ensured the course continues to thrive agronomically and strategically.

A Beaver at Heart

Mike’s path into the profession began with a love for the game. Introduced to golf at eight years old, he was a self-described “golf nut” through his youth and into adulthood. That passion ultimately led him to the turf management program at Oregon State University, where he graduated in 1990 (after, as he jokes, “cramming four years of college into eight”).

While at Oregon State, he worked at area courses including Trysting Tree and Tokatee Golf Clubs. Early mentors such as Bob Senzman (Mike, I don’t think I have Bob’s spelling right) at Columbia Edgewater Country Club and longtime OSU professor Tom Cook played a meaningful role in shaping his professional foundation. Mike later spent nine years at Persimmon Country Club in Gresham, Oregon, and helped with the grow-in at Trilogy at Redmond Ridge before making the move north to Washington—a decision that has now defined more than two decades of service at Everett.

A Golfer’s Perspective

A longtime single-digit handicap in his earlier years, he understands the game from the player’s perspective. That background has informed his course setup philosophy and his approach to daily presentation. He recalls that in his early career, one of his favorite tasks was cutting cups—an opportunity to be out with the crew, lead from the front, and carefully consider how the course would play that day. That golfer’s mindset—balancing fairness, challenge, and enjoyment—continues to influence his work.

Although he doesn’t play as much golf as he once did (a reality familiar to many superintendents), his love for the game remains central to his motivation. “We’re in a service industry,” he says. “We make people happy.” For Mike, that is the most rewarding part of the job: knowing members appreciate the experience his team provides.

Family, Sports, and Summers at the Ballpark

Originally from Oregon’s Willamette Valley—growing up in Albany and Eugene—Mike remains a proud Beaver and lifelong fan of Oregon State. After moving to Washington roughly 24 years ago, he brought that friendly rivalry north, obtaining a soft spot for the Cougars while reserving his strongest competitive feelings for the Huskies, and of course the Oregon Ducks.

When he’s away from the course, Mike prefers simple pleasures: time with his wife, tending to projects around the yard, and the occasional travel opportunity. He’s not much for movies or binge-worthy streaming—he’d rather be outdoors. Sports are a family affair. Both of his children attended Davidson College in North Carolina (yes, the alma mater of Stephen Curry) and now live in Charlotte. Despite the cross-country relocation, Seahawks and Mariners loyalty runs strong in the Conklin household. Summers often revolve around following the Mariners, with trips to the ballpark among Mike’s and his wife’s favorite outings.

Steady Stewardship

In an industry experience more and more change—new technologies, evolving expectations, capital projects, and environmental pressures—Mike Conklin’s tenure at Everett stands out for its steadiness. Twenty-one years in one role speaks to trust, consistency, and a shared commitment between superintendent and membership. Mike’s blend of golfer’s perspective, agronomic expertise, institutional knowledge, and genuine service mindset reflects the very best of the WWGCSA community.

Note: The Association looks forward to gathering at Everett in mid-March for our annual Spring Meeting and celebrating the work Mike and his team continue to do every day.

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Despite frozen conditions closing most area golf courses, superintendents and industry partners gathered last week at Seattle Golf Club for the annual Winter Chapter Meeting. The chilly weather outside contrasted with a warm atmosphere inside, as attendees connected with peers and heard from three outstanding speakers representing seed science, agronomy, and university research.

The program opened with Crystal Fricker, President of Pure Seed. Pure Seed is a wholesale supplier of warm- and cool-season turfgrass and forages developed by Pure-Seed Testing. The company was founded by Crystal’s parents, Betty and Bill Rose, and today remains proudly family owned and operated. Crystal now works alongside her brother and sister—and each of their spouses—they’re fond of saying that this arrangement helps ensure Pure Seed stays firmly rooted in family values.

Crystal recently received national recognition with the 2025 Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Science Award from the Crop Science Society of America, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to turfgrass science. The award was presented by Dr. Cale Bigelow of Purdue University, who many members will remember as a WTLS speaker this past year. Crystal shared updates on ongoing seed development focused on improving turf durability while reducing required inputs—an important theme as superintendents continue balancing playability, sustainability, and budgets.

Next up was Ross Niewola, the USGA Green Section’s West Region Agronomist, a role he assumed in late 2024. Ross brings 15 years of golf course maintenance experience, having worked in Virginia, Colorado, Arizona, New Jersey, Washington, and both Northern and Southern California. His background spans warm- and cool-season grasses and public and private facilities, most recently serving as superintendent at Walla Walla Country Club. A Penn State graduate with a degree in turfgrass management, Ross emphasized that his primary mission is to support regional golf courses and crews by sharing best practices and keeping them informed on current trends in course management.

The final presentation came from Dr. Michael Neff, Professor of Crop Biotechnology in Washington State University’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and the Washington Turfgrass Seed Commission Endowed Professor. Dr. Neff reviewed the history and current state of turf management education at WSU while highlighting ongoing research in turfgrass management and breeding programs focused on seed production, resiliency, and climate adaptation in Washington State.

Dr. Neff also provided an update on existing endowments supporting the turf program and outlined opportunities for the golf industry to help strengthen and expand WSU’s curriculum so it can compete with peer institutions such as Oregon State University. He closed with a significant call to action: seeking industry support toward an $8 million endowment to ensure his position—and the momentum of the program—continues well beyond his retirement.

Next on the this year’s timeline is GCSAA’s Conference and Trade Show, happening this week in Orlando. March is busy with an Equipment Managers’ Meeting, a Chapter Meeting at Everett Golf & Country Club, and our annual service project returning to the American Lake Veterans Golf Course. Please refer to our Association’s calendar which is found on this page of our website.

Eight years ago, Trevor Kiunke saw a snapshot of his future.

As a high school sophomore, Kiunke participated in the school’s ag science program. The group took a field trip to Monarch Dunes Golf Course in Nipomo, Calif., where Kiunke quickly fixed his eyes on what was happening on the ground. The aerification of a practice green mesmerized him. 

“They’re pulling cores, filling holes with sand, preparing all of it so golfers can go play on it. Crazy. Cool,” Kiunke says.

Kiunke met Herminio Plata, a GCSAA Class A superintendent and 28-year association member, who was looking for people to work at the golf course. Not long afterward, Kiunke drove to Monarch Dunes to tell Plata he was seeking summer employment.

Well, Kiunke got the job—and his ambitious ways are still a work in progress.

Now an assistant superintendent at Inglewood Golf Club in Kenmore, Wash., Kiunke has done what he can to advance his career. Besides earning a degree in 2024 in turfgrass management from Washington State University (where he was guided by professor Michael Neff, who oversaw crop and soil sciences), Kiunke also completed two internships at Montreaux Golf & Country Club in Reno, Nev., for Doug Heinrichs, CGCS, a 38-year association member.

Fast forward to two years ago, when Kiunke was hired at Inglewood GC, where he works for 25-year GCSAA member Greg Matz. The golf course is where Kiunke wanted to be. 

“I didn’t want to work inside,” says Kiunke, a one-year association member. “I like what I do. I like the hours. I like working at a private club. The standards align with my values. I have high standards for myself and the product we put out for our golfers.”

Still, what he is trying to accomplish isn’t enough. Kiunke is participating in GCSAA’s Assistant Certificate Series. It’s geared to provide ways to stand out and achieve career milestones. The series is composed of: Principles of Golf Course Agronomy, Principles of Golf Course Environmental Stewardship, Principles of Golf Course Business and Principles of Golf Course Leadership and Communications.

In the meantime, he is compiling a full-course sprinkler audit for the Leadership part of the series. “I started on all this in May 2024, and my goal is to finish it by this March,” says Kiunke.

And that’s not all, folks. After completing the Assistant Certificate Series, Kiunke’s next target is GCSAA’s Excel Program. It offers leadership training for personal, career and stewardship for GCSAA Class C members.

“For me, I know how passionate I am and want to make a difference and move the ball forward in any aspect,” says Kiunke, “and just show people I know what I’m talking about.”

Kiunke hasn’t forgotten that visit eight years ago to Monarch Dunes. This past fall, he attended the Western Washington GCSA annual meeting. There, Karen Armstead received the Paul Backman Distinguished Service Award for her dedication to First Green, the GCSAA program that has roots in Washington. Seeing her being honored reminded Kiunke of a similar type of event for youths that he went to at Monarch Dunes, which created a career path for him.

He learned from it and has chosen to follow by example. In May, Kiunke will host a GCSAA First Green event. 

“A high school soil science class, Inglemoor High School, is coming to the club,” Kiunke says. “Maybe it will light a spark in someone who doesn’t know this is something they can do one day for work. And maybe I can do this for someone else like it was done for me.”

. . . as we get ready for a big rematch with the 49ers this weekend, let’s look back to Hawks game on December 28 in Charlotte, NC. Late in the game, CBS cameras caught the image of a fan, in a Seahawks jersey, sitting in the front row, who had an uncanny resemblance to Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. The Seattle Times followed up on the story and we found out that “Stan Darnold” was actually Ben Conklin. Ben is the son of our own Mike Conklin, the Superintendent at Everett Golf and Country Club. Here is the rest of the story as reported by the Times. Enjoy.

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The WWGCSA closed out 2025 with a memorable Holiday Party at the Topgolf facility in Renton, Washington—an event that blended professional development, community connection, and plenty of fun. Nearly 60 members braved a rainy, gray Northwest afternoon to gather for what turned out to be one of the Association’s most vibrant year-end events yet.

For the first time, the Holiday Party opened with an extended block of education designed to equip attendees with both technical skills and career-building insight. Ryan Kuster of Ag Enterprise Supply kicked off the afternoon with a focused, highly practical seminar on “The Latest on Perfecting Chemical Sprayer Calibration.” His session provided members with up-to-date techniques, reminders, and best practices—valuable knowledge for every turf professional as they head into the next growing season.

Following Ryan’s presentation, industry career specialist Carol Rau led a dynamic two-hour workshop centered on advancing individual career paths. Carol’s session explored how to present oneself effectively—both in person and in written correspondence—with a clear eye toward future opportunities. Her guidance offered attendees actionable strategies they can apply immediately in their professional journeys.

After three hours of education, members moved into the Topgolf bays for two hours of relaxed play, conversation, and connection. With 12 bays reserved, there was plenty of room for friendly competition, networking, and laughter—all under the cover of Topgolf’s heated, weatherproof hitting decks.

Despite the dreary conditions outside, the energy inside was engaging and festive. Special thanks go out to our presenters, our hosts, and all the members who joined us. We look forward to another active, connected year ahead.

More than 30 Assistant Superintendents gathered on Thursday, November 20, for the WWGCSA Assistant Superintendents’ Meeting, held at the iconic Museum of Flight in Seattle. The event featured an exceptional lineup of presenters: Josh Truan, Director of Agronomy at Gamble Sands Resort; Sean Reehoorn, Superintendent at Aldarra Golf Club; and David Phipps, the GCSAA’s Northwest Region representative. Each brought unique experience and insight to a program focused on professional growth, career development, and the expanding resources available to emerging leaders in golf course management.

Josh Truan opened the session with a practical and forward-looking presentation on advanced budgeting—an area every aspiring superintendent will eventually take on. Josh encouraged attendees to get involved now in their course’s budgeting processes, if they aren’t already, to better understand the financial decision-making and planning responsibilities they will assume later in their careers.

Sean Reehoorn followed with a talk titled On Becoming a Superintendent. Drawing from his own path—shaped by education, influential mentors, and unexpected turns—Sean highlighted the importance of preparation, adaptability, and staying proactive throughout one’s career journey. He also emphasized the human side of the superintendent role: being an advocate for the maintenance team and creating a supportive environment where staff can thrive.

Rounding out the presentations, David Phipps shared updates on the evolving resources offered through the GCSAA. Using the association’s guiding framework of “attract, train, retain,” David walked attendees through the extensive educational tools, training modules, career resources, and industry support available to members. His message reinforced the value of staying engaged with the GCSAA to take full advantage of these opportunities.

The three presentations naturally evolved into an open roundtable discussion, with each speaker contributing questions, perspectives, and personal stories that deepened the learning experience. The collaborative dialogue gave attendees a wide-ranging look at both the challenges and opportunities ahead as they progress toward superintendent roles. The meeting concluded with a docent-led tour of the Museum of Flight, the largest private air and space museum in the world. The tour provided a fitting end to a day devoted to growth—pairing a look forward into attendees’ professional futures with a walk through aviation’s rich and inspiring history.

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The WWGCSA hosted its annual Equipment Managers Meeting on Tuesday, November 18, bringing together more than 30 equipment managers from across the association along with representatives from key industry partners TurfStar and Pacific Golf & Turf. The event was held at the impressive LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, an apt setting for a day focused on machinery, innovation, and the future of equipment management.

Both TurfStar and Pacific Golf & Turf shared presentations highlighting new technologies currently in development. Much of the discussion centered on the rapid progress of robotic equipment and digital task-planning tools—many of which now utilize AI to help equipment managers identify priorities, streamline maintenance, and improve overall efficiency.

The keynote speaker, Jerry Holcomb—well-known in the region and currently the equipment manager at Chambers Bay—offered a thoughtful reflection on how the profession has evolved over the span of his distinguished career. Jerry emphasized the accelerating pace of technological change and how it is reshaping day-to-day operations in equipment management. His perspective set the stage for a wider round-table discussion among attendees about what these advancements mean for the future of the profession.

Despite the uncertainties associated with rapidly emerging technologies, the group reached a common conclusion: equipment managers should embrace innovation and remain informed, while recognizing that much of the testing and refinement will occur first in the larger, better-resourced agricultural sector. As that industry works through challenges and best practices, many of the proven technologies will eventually make their way into golf course turf management.

Following the discussion, attendees were treated to a docent-led tour of the museum. Founded by Harold and Nancy LeMay and opened in 2012, the museum is part of what is considered the world’s largest private car collection. Its multi-level gallery displays more than 350 rare and historically significant automobiles. Major contributors to the museum include the LeMays themselves, the City of Tacoma—who provided the land—AAA Washington, and numerous private donors.

The combination of forward-looking industry insights and a tour through automotive history made for a memorable and engaging day for all who attended.

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The Western Washington Golf Course Superintendents Association held its Annual Meeting on Monday, November 3, at Aldarra Golf Club. The day featured a productive morning business session followed by a round of golf in classic Pacific Northwest fall conditions — grey skies, light rain, and a beautifully prepared golf course that showcased Aldarra’s outstanding conditioning.

During the business meeting, members elected new officers and board representatives for the coming term. Matt Schuldt was elected President, while Erik Linsenmeyer and Abel Anderson earned three-year Board terms. Chase Lea was chosen as the Assistant Superintendent Board Member for a two-year term, and Chris Concienne was re-elected to a one-year term as the Affiliate Member representative.

Sean Reehoorn, the WWGCSA’s GCSAA delegate, along with David Phipps, the GCSAA regional head for the Northwest, updated the membership on the goings-on in Lawrence Kansas. Key takeaways were that the GCSAA is celebrating its 100th year with re-emphasis on its important missions to recruit, train and retain key professionals to our industry. In addition, the GCSAA continues to put a lot of effort into its legislative efforts to properly inform our collective elected officials of the benefits of our industry.

The association also recognized the next generation of turf professionals with two $2,500 WWGCSA scholarship grants. Carson Andrew, a Washington State University turf management student and summer intern at Tacoma Country and Golf Club, and Jalen Roque, a full-time crew member at The Home Course while attending Penn State’s World Campus, were both selected for their dedication and promise in the turfgrass industry.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Paul Backman Distinguished Service Award to Karen Armstead, honored for her leadership in developing the First Green program from its early roots in the Pacific Northwest into a nationally recognized GCSAA initiative that connects golf courses with STEM education for students.

On the course, Chad Wortinger of Bear Creek Country Club topped the competitive field of 20, carding a 76 to edge Mike Goldsberry of Wing Point GCC by two strokes. In the One Best Net Ball team competition, the threesome of Cory Fadenrecht, Mathew Ricco, and Ernesto Navarro, paired with their blind draw partner Jacob Close, combined for a stellar net 55 to take home $100 each.

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The event featured a 4-man scramble format, bringing together top crews from across Oregon and Washington. Three Oregon teams faced off against two squads from Eastern Washington and two from the western side of the state — including the Sand Point and Gold Mountain crews, who earned their spots by finishing first and second, respectively, at the WWGCSA Crew Championship at Druids Glen in June.

After a day of sharp wedges, booming drives, and plenty of friendly ribbing, the Indian Creek Golf Course Crew rose to the occasion on their home turf, posting an impressive 12-under-par round to capture the championship.

“It’s always fun to see the folks who make these courses shine get their own day in the sun,” said one event organizer. “These teams know every blade of grass on their home courses—and it shows when they get out here to compete.”

With bragging rights secured, the Indian Creek crew will hold the traveling trophy until next year’s championship, where teams from across the Northwest will again vie for regional supremacy—and maybe a little revenge.