Joshua Arnold-Bowen BAS-3999 Interview Script Education 1. How long have you been working in the turfgrass industry?

2. Where did you complete your education? 3. Do you have any other formal education other than turf grass? 4. Did your education prepare you for the requirements of your position? 5. What part of your education has been most helpful in the success of your career? Experience 1. How long have you been at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort? 2. How long have you been the Superintendent? 3. What tasks did you need to complete to reach this position? 4. What would you say your most important skill has been for you in your position? 5. Whom do you report to? How involved are they in day-to-day operations? Financial Management 1. Who is in charge of developing the budget 2. How do you forecast for unseen events? 3. Has your budget changed throughout your time? If so, how? General Management 1. What is the most challenging part of your job? 2. How do you deal with this challenge? Has education helped? 3. How many staff do you employ each year? 4. How do you retain these employees? 5. What kind of work do you do in the winter? 6. What does your typical day in the summer consist of? Human Resources and Safety Issues 1. Has there ever been an issue that you felt you could have handled differently with more training and/or experience? 2. Can you describe your training process? 3. What is the biggest health/safety issue concern with your staff? How do you handle it? General 1. What is your favorite aspect of your job? 2. What are the downsides of your job? 3. How often do you interact with public/members? 4. What has been the highlight of your career? 5. Where would you like to see your career go?

Joshua Arnold-Bowen BAS-3999 Interview with Kelly Thorsen I enjoyed my interview with Kelly Thorsen, the Superintendent at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Lethbridge, Alberta. He completed the Turf Management Program and Fairview College. After obtaining his diploma he continued his education at the University of Lethbridge. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Geography. Kelly has worked at Paradise Canyon, off an on, for 23 years. When Kelly originally started at Paradise Canyon he was an entry-level laborer and operator. After years of hard work and dedication he moved ahead in the company. In 1994 Kelly accepted the Superintendents position in Picture Butte. After working in Picture Butte for 3 years Kelly was offered the Superintendents position back at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort. Kelly has been with the course ever since. Through Kellys education and experience he has developed many skills that make him a proficient Superintendent. Kelly did not make the decision to go to school until he was the Superintendent at Paradise Canyon. He decided that if we wanted to be truly effective at his job he needed the formal education to back-up the knowledge he had gained through his experience. Kelly informed that he is responsible for the Golf Course Maintenance part of the budget. This includes all fertilizer/chemicals, labor, equipment, supplies, etc. Basically Kelly is in charge of anything that is related maintenance of the Golf Course. He informed me that the head of each department, such as the Pro Shop or Food and Beverage, works in conjunction with the Accountant to develop their individual budgets. Kelly also told me that over the years the budget has been adjusted for inflation, but that in recent years it has seen a decline in funds available. Kelly admits that having less funds available means that there are some reductions in the quality that the crew is able to produce. Kelly admits that he loves his job because he enjoys being outside. He did reveal that since becoming the Superintendent, his time spent outside has decreased. He still tries to get onto the course for a couple of hours each day. He typically tries to drive around the golf course in the morning monitoring with staff and checking conditions. He will then attend to any paperwork he as to deal with. This may include budget revisions, product/equipment acquisitions, and more. He then tries to make it out onto the course for an hour in the afternoon to check-in with the crew and see how the projects have progressed. Kelly told me that once the crew has gone home, he will typically spend and hour or two finishing up paperwork and attending any meetings he may have scheduled. During the peak season Kelly may return to the golf course at around 8 oclock to check on the operation of the Irrigation System. Although there may be slight variations in his day-to-day, that is how he typically tries to get through each day. Kelly showed me how enthusiastic he is about his career and how grateful he is to have his position. He clearly likes working for the company and treats his staff with respect. He admits that there are times where the golf course tends to consume his world, and other things are left behind. He told me that he thinks the most important thing to being happy with your position is to find a balance between personal life and professional life. While work is important, it is life that makes us

Joshua Arnold-Bowen BAS-3999 happy. It is because of this balance that Kelly does not feel the need to find a new golf course to work at in the near future. He did say that someday he would like to maybe work at a golf course in Hawaii. I enjoyed talking with Kelly Thorsen; he is a down to earth and genuine man. I think he is an excellent Superintendent, and is respected by the company. I am looking forward to working with Kelly and having him teach me different things on the golf course. I think he has many things to still teach me and I look forward to the mentorship he can offer.

Joshua Arnold-Bowen BAS-3999 Competencies During the interview Kelly identified his ability to: Manage staff effectively a. Schedule staff based on course requirements and staffs needs b. Hire/Dismiss staff c. Perform work reviews d. Retain trained staff e. Train staff f. Conduct weekly staff meetings g. Delegate daily and on going tasks Perform Golf Course Maintenance Tasks a. Operate irrigation system b. Operate golf course machinery c. Perform daily tasks d. Plan future improvements and projects Maintain Records a. Develop and maintain Operating Budget b. Maintain accurate records of chemical applications c. Develop Cultural Calendars for scheduling maintenance practices d. Monitor and record water usage and requirements e. Track weather patterns and predictions f. Maintain records of staff requirements Continue Professional Development a. Attend industry conferences and seminars to obtain Continuing Education credits toward pesticide license b. Research new techniques and practices c. Develop public relations d. Attend personal development seminars/workshops Communicate Effectively a. Interact with other departments of the golf course b. Interact with patrons and members c. Communicate with staff

B.

C.

D.

E.