Episode 094
Building Trust on the Turf: How Superintendents Win Over Members, GMs, and Boards
with Holly Farrell and Brian D’Agostino
Summary
In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with two powerhouse voices from The Oaks Club: Holly Farrell, General Manager, and Brian D’Agostino, Greens Committee Chair, for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to build a successful relationship between a golf course superintendent and the people they serve. From communication strategies to budget battles, hiring instincts to managing member expectations, this conversation is packed with real-world insight that every turf professional and club leader needs to hear.
Holly brings 13 years of experience at The Oaks Club and a clear vision for what modern agronomy leadership looks like. Brian brings a rare dual perspective with 16 years on the board and greens committee at Ivanhoe Club in Chicago, and now leading a newly restructured Greens Committee at The Oaks. Together, they paint a vivid picture of what clubs are really looking for and what separates a good superintendent from a great one.
What You’ll Learn:
- Transparency and consistent communication are the foundation for trust between superintendents and their members, committees, and boards.
- Proactive communication — especially when things go sideways — prevents rumors and builds credibility faster than any technical achievement.
- The superintendent role has evolved into an executive-level position requiring strategic thinking, financial fluency, team leadership, and member-facing communication skills.
- Greens Committees serve as a critical conduit between the agronomy staff and the broader membership — and building that relationship is a strategic advantage for any superintendent.
- Setting realistic expectations tied to budget is the key to avoiding the single biggest gap at most clubs: resources not matching member expectations.
- In hiring, the differentiators aren’t technical — they’re trust, authenticity, clear communication, and the ability to connect with people at any level of expertise.
- Data-driven decision-making and capital planning are becoming non-negotiable expectations for top agronomy leaders.
- Team development and the ability to grow staff from within are long-term multipliers that great superintendents prioritize.
Links & Resources:
Bloom Golf Partners – bloomgolfpartners.com
Holly Farrell – The Oaks Club, General Manager | [LinkedIn Profile]
The Oaks Club – [Website]
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Who is Tyler Bloom?
Tyler Bloom is the leading expert on workforce development in the golf and turfgrass industry. He has worked with dozens of leading golf and sports companies in the United States including The PGA of America, Top 100 golf courses, public, municipal to professional sports teams, universities, and national historic landmarks.