Superintendent Spotlight:
Many golf course superintendents have the profession in their sights from a young age, oftentimes because of a family connection or course maintenance job.
Not the case for Midlothian Country Club superintendent Mitchell Linnerud.
“I kind of just stumbled into it,” Linnerud admitted.
Growing up in Stoughton, Wisconsin, just outside of Madison, Linnerud began playing golf at the age of 5 with his father and grandfather. As a teenager, he played competitively while also participating in Future Farmers of America (FFA). It wasn’t until his FFA advisor mentioned turfgrass as a potential career path that Linnerud began to broaden his view of the game and industry.
“Every time I would go play a course after [talking with the FFA advisor], I was looking at it a little di erently,” Linnerud recalled. “I would see the guys and think, ‘They're weed eating, they’re aerifying. What are they doing over there?’ So, I started to build up this thing in my head where I was more curious about it.”
This curiosity led to a seasonal grounds position at a nearby country club, which Linnerud then parlayed into a turfgrass degree, an internship at National Golf Links of America on Long Island, New York, and an assistant position at Medinah Country Club.
Following a stint as an assistant at a club in Minnesota, Linnerud returned to Illinois last March for his first head superintendent position at Midlothian. Now embarking on his second full season maintaining the 1898 Herbert J. Tweedie original, the 27-year-old Linnerud is looking to build upon the lessons learned from his maiden campaign in the top spot.
“All the weight is on your shoulders, right? If something gets messed up, you’re the one that has to answer those questions and concerns,” Linnerud said.
Linnerud appreciates the support provided to a young superintendent by a membership base he calls “passionate” and shares their fervor for the club.
“I really enjoy providing fun playing conditions," Linnerud described. “It’s a good feeling, seeing members and their guests have fun out there.” —Casey Richards