Sandpines Golf Links

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A Day in the Life of a Superintendent at Sandpines Golf Links: Crafting the Perfect Oregon Coast Golf Experience

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From our Superintendent, Dave Roath below –

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At Sandpines Golf Links, a Rees Jones-designed links course on the beautiful Oregon Coast, every day is an opportunity to ensure that our golfers experience the best conditions possible. As the course superintendent, my role is crucial in maintaining the golf course’s beauty and playability. From sunrise to sunset, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at a typical day managing this stunning coastal golf course.

The early morning hours on the Oregon Coast are serene, and I rise at 4:30 AM to start my day. There’s something magical about the quiet before the golfers arrive, especially at a premier golf course like Sandpines. While most are still sleeping, I’m already getting ready for the day ahead.

5:45 AM – Arrive at the Agronomy Center

By 5:45 AM, I arrive at the Agronomy Center at Sandpines Golf Links, a hub for course operations and maintenance. I take a moment to check the weather forecast and review any updates on G1 (our golf course management software). Keeping track of weather conditions is essential, especially when managing a coastal course that can experience rapid changes in conditions. This helps me plan for irrigation, mowing schedules, and any necessary adjustments for the day.

6:00 AM – Crew Start Time and Morning Meeting

At 6:00 AM, I gather the crew for our morning meeting. Our team is committed to delivering exceptional course conditions, and it’s essential that everyone is aligned on the day’s goals. We discuss the tasks ahead, review the schedule for course prep, and go over any specific issues from the previous day’s play. We go through our goals – both for the day & long term.

6:15 AM – Crew Begins Course Prep, I Check Emails and Review Schedules

By 6:15 AM, the crew begins preparing the course for daily play. This includes mowing greens, setting tee boxes, and raking bunkers, among other essential tasks. Meanwhile, I check my emails, monitor the weather, and review G1 for any special notes regarding the day’s tee times or maintenance requirements. I also review timesheets to ensure everything is on track for our team’s performance.

7:00 AM – Start My Course Prep and Evaluate Crew Work

At 7:00 AM, I dive into my part of the course prep. This includes checking in with the golf shop to discuss any upcoming events or tee time changes. I evaluate the quality of the crew’s work and communicate any adjustments needed. It’s important to monitor progress throughout the day to ensure that Sandpines Golf Links continues to shine as one of the top golf courses on the Oregon Coast. I also review the irrigation results from the previous night to ensure that the course has received adequate water.

10:00 AM – Lunch Break

By 10:00 AM, it’s time for a well-deserved break. I use this time to recharge and reflect on the morning’s work. Managing a golf course, especially a Rees Jones-designed links course, requires constant attention to detail. During lunch, I also keep an eye on my phone for any urgent emails or updates regarding course conditions.

10:30 AM – Assign Work for the Second Half of the Day

After lunch, I begin assigning work opportunities for the second half of the day. This involves reviewing any unfinished tasks from the morning and identifying what’s needed to keep the course in perfect condition. Whether it’s additional turf care, setting up for a tournament, or preparing for evening irrigation, planning ahead is key.

10:45 AM – Crew Starts Second Shift Work

By 10:45 AM, the crew is back at it. They begin their second half of the day’s work, whether it’s fine-tuning the greens or handling additional landscape maintenance. I use this time to check in with the golf shop, monitor the course’s irrigation system, and ensure that the day’s plan is progressing smoothly. This step is essential, as the needs of a coastal golf course can shift rapidly due to the unique climate of the Oregon Coast.

11:30 AM – Course Tour and Irrigation Evaluation

Around 11:30 AM, I take a moment for a full course tour and evaluate the results of the morning’s irrigation. I look for any areas that may need further attention and assess the progress of our crew. At Sandpines, attention to detail is crucial – every blade of grass must be in perfect condition to uphold the standards of this world-class golf course.

2:00 PM – Adjustments and Final Check-ins

By 2:00 PM, I reassess the work plan for the day and make any necessary changes based on the progress of the crew and any unforeseen challenges. I also check my email and review the weather and timesheets once more. Communication with the crew is constant, and as they come in to wash and put away equipment, I make sure they know how much I appreciate their hard work.

2:30 PM – Crew End Time and Irrigation Setup

At 2:30 PM, the crew wraps up their day, and I thank them for their efforts. As superintendent, it’s important to recognize their hard work and dedication to maintaining the high standards of Sandpines Golf Links. Once the team is done, I set up the irrigation system for the night to ensure that the course is adequately hydrated for the following day.

3:00 PM – Lock Up and Head Home

By 3:00 PM, it’s time to lock up the Agronomy Center and head home. As a superintendent, the work never truly ends, but I take pride in knowing that I’ve done my part to ensure that Sandpines Golf Links is ready for another day of golfing excellence on the Oregon Coast.

9:00 PM – Bedtime

After a busy day maintaining one of the best golf courses on the Oregon Coast, I head to bed by 9:00 PM, ready to do it all over again the next day.

A day in the life of a superintendent at Sandpines Golf Links is filled with careful planning, hard work, and a deep passion for golf course maintenance. From the stunning views of the Oregon Coast to the challenging layout of this Rees Jones-designed links course, every aspect of the day is centered around creating the best possible experience for golfers. Whether it’s fine-tuning the greens or ensuring the irrigation system is optimal, every decision I make plays a role in delivering an unforgettable golf experience.

If you’re planning to visit the Oregon Coast, be sure to stop by Sandpines Golf Links and enjoy a round on one of the most beautiful and meticulously maintained golf courses in the region. Play a round on the Oregon dunes!

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Understanding Aerification at Sandpines Golf Links: Why It’s Crucial for a Healthy Playing Surface

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As a golfer, the sight of aerification on the course can feel like an inconvenience. The mess, the temporary disruptions in play, and the slower-than-usual greens are enough to spark frustration for anyone looking to enjoy a smooth round. But for golf course superintendents & course maintenance team, including us at Sandpines Golf Links, aerifying the turf is a vital practice to ensure long-term course health and the quality of play.

The tension between golfers and superintendents is real, but understanding the benefits of aerification can help alleviate the frustration.

The Science Behind Aerification: Why It’s Essential for Turf Health

At its core, aerification is all about creating the best possible environment for turfgrass to thrive. Whether on the fairways, tees, or greens, healthy grass is essential for a great golfing experience. Turfgrass, like all living things, has parts that deteriorate over time, including the leaves, sheaths, crowns, and roots. As these plant parts age, they break down into thatch — a layer of decomposing organic material that accumulates on the soil’s surface.

While thatch can seem harmless, it creates a variety of problems for the plant. Thatch acts as a barrier, hindering water infiltration, nutrient absorption, and gas exchange — critical functions for plant health. Over time, it can also become a breeding ground for pests and pathogens, making the turf vulnerable to disease. When plants are unable to drink, eat, or breathe properly, they become stressed and less resilient, leading to weaker turf that can’t withstand heavy foot traffic or environmental stressors.

Aerification directly addresses this issue by disrupting the thatch layer and ensuring that the soil receives essential nutrients, air, and water. In essence, it’s a form of deep care for the course’s grass, allowing it to continue growing strong and healthy.

The Aerification Process at Sandpines Golf Links: A Strategic Approach

At Sandpines Golf Links, we understand that golfers want to enjoy a pristine course, free from interruptions. That’s why our superintendent employs a thoughtful and strategic approach to aerification to balance course health and golfer convenience.

We use a combination of techniques to manage thatch and improve the playing surface:

  • Vertical Mowing: By vertically mowing the turf with specialized blades, we can remove thatch before it becomes problematic. This process lifts the decaying material from the canopy and brings it closer to the surface, where it can be properly dealt with.
  • Sand Topdressing: After vertical mowing, we apply a thin layer of sand to the turf. Not only does this smooth out the surface, creating a more consistent playing experience, but the sand also acts as a diluting agent for the thatch, improving the soil structure and promoting healthier grass.
  • Venting: Venting involves poking small holes into the soil profile without removing cores. This helps improve water infiltration and gas exchange, both crucial for turf health, and aids in relieving compaction. Venting is typically followed by sand topdressing, which further enhances the process.
  • Plant Growth Regulation: To help control the amount of thatch produced, we use plant growth regulators. These slow down grass growth, minimizing the volume of organic matter that accumulates on the surface, while still maintaining the health and appearance of the turf.
  • Spoon Feeding Fertilization: Instead of large, sporadic doses of fertilizer, we apply small, regular feedings to ensure the turf receives a consistent level of nutrients. This “spoon feeding” technique helps maintain balanced plant growth and reduces the overall need for aerification, resulting in healthier turf with less disruption to golfers.
  • Pest Management: Regular treatments of fungicides and wetting agents help protect the turf from disease and ensure optimal moisture retention, which in turn enhances the plant’s ability to compete with natural environmental stressors.

The Results: Healthy Turf, Happy Golfers

While aerification may seem like a hassle, it’s actually one of the most important steps in ensuring Sandpines Golf Links remains a top-tier course for golfers. By regularly aerifying, topdressing, and using innovative turf management techniques, we provide a healthy, resilient playing surface that resists pests, recovers quickly from damage, and offers a consistent, smooth experience on every hole.

For golfers, this means better turf conditions throughout the year — greens that roll smoothly, fairways that are firm but forgiving, and tees that provide solid footing. In short, it’s all about creating the best possible conditions for play, ensuring that every round at Sandpines Golf Links is an enjoyable one.

Aerification Makes For Better Play At Sandpines Golf Links

Aerification is a critical part of turf management at Sandpines Golf Links. While the process may be a temporary inconvenience, its long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term disruption. By keeping our course in top condition, we’re ensuring that every golfer enjoys the best possible playing surface. So the next time you see the team at Sandpines out on the course performing aerification, remember: it’s for the health of the turf — and the enjoyment of your game.

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Meet The Team: Superintendent – David Roath

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Meet the keeper of Sandpines’ greens! For every time you compliment the course’s play, David is who we have to thank!

“My journey to Oregon began in 1985 when I left the bustling San Francisco Bay Area to attend Oregon State University (Go Beavers!). Little did I know that this decision would shape not only my professional life but also my deep passion for golf.

Golf has been my constant companion for as long as I can remember. Since 1989, I’ve maintained a single-digit handicap, and the game has always been at the heart of everything I do. While finishing my studies at OSU, I worked part-time as a golf shop attendant and greenkeeper at Trysting Tree Golf Club. This hands-on experience in golf course maintenance only deepened my love for the sport and planted the seeds (pun intended) for what would become my career.

After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, I made my way to Portland, where I got married, started a family, and continued to pursue my golf dreams by playing in amateur events all over Oregon. I spent 10 years in sales and sales management, gaining valuable experience that would serve me in future roles. However, as my daughters were growing up in the late 1990s, I felt the pull to return to my true passion: golf.

In 2000, with my daughters still quite young, I returned to Oregon State University to pursue a Post-Baccalaureate Bachelor of Science degree in Turf and Landscape Management. It was a pivotal decision that allowed me to merge my love for the game with my professional aspirations. By 2002, I had earned my second degree and was ready to take the next step in my career.

I accepted the Assistant Superintendent position at Trysting Tree, the same golf course where I had worked during my college days. At the same time, our family grew with the birth of my son. I had the opportunity to help Trysting Tree host a US Open qualifier in 2004, and I was incredibly proud of the excellent playing surfaces we were able to present for that prestigious event. The very next day, I received an offer to work at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon, where I helped maintain the Meadow Course until 2011.

After a brief stint managing a landscape company, I returned to golf course maintenance, taking on roles at Tetherow (2014-2017) and Pronghorn (2017-2021). Each stop along the way helped me hone my skills and build a deeper understanding of the intricacies of turf management and course conditioning. Finally, in March 2021, I took on the role of Golf Course Superintendent at Florence Golf Links on the central Oregon coast.

Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by a simple goal: to create the best playing conditions possible. As both a turf manager and a golfer, I want to make golf courses that I’d love to play on—greens that are smooth and consistent, fairways and approaches that are firm with plenty of roll, and rough that provides a challenge. While it hasn’t always been easy, we’re getting closer to achieving those ideal conditions at Florence Golf Links. As we continue to improve the rough and bunkers, I find myself even more eager to play golf this year, as I can truly see the fruits of our labor coming together.

Family has always been central to my life. My children grew up in Central Oregon, all of them graduating from Bend Senior High School. Erin, now 27, is a real estate agent with Sotheby’s in Bend. Kylee, 25, is in the biotech industry in San Diego. And my youngest, Alexander, at 21, is currently a junior in Engineering at Oregon State University—he’s following in my footsteps, although his passion seems to lie in a different field.

Looking back on the years since I first arrived in Oregon, it’s clear that my journey has been shaped by a combination of passion, family, and a relentless drive to create great golf experiences. With each year that passes, I’m reminded of how fortunate I am to be doing what I love and to have shared this journey with my family. Whether it’s on the golf course or in the turf management world, my passion for the game and for helping others enjoy it remains as strong as ever.

When I’m not on the course making sure your green pace is the best it can be, you can find me on the hunt for the best food Florence has to offer, checking out the local competition, building memories with friends and family, or traveling to find warmer/drier climates—especially during winter. 😉

I’m excited for my next chapter, filled with more golf, more improvements to Florence Golf Links, and more memories with family – mine & yours!”

David Roath

Superintendent