Meet The Team: Grounds Maintenance

2017 was a year of transformation at Blue Bell Country Club. "To wow our members we wanted to achieve a noticeable difference in the appearance of the course after the remodel," Curtis Harder said. "We were committed to ensuring that our golfers were interested in playing as much as possible because of the variety and hand crafted feel of the course." Recently our Membership Director, Rich Clegg, had a chance to ask Curtis and his team a little about themselves as well as their plans for the 2018 season. An interview with Curtis Harder, Grounds Superintendent

1. 2017 brought major changes to the golf course. What is your major focus for 2018?

With the major capital improvements behind us, my focus for 2018 will be course details and playing consistencies. Improvements will focus on all aspects of the course from pond maintenance and water coolers to green speeds and rough density/height. 2. Being a golf course superintendent brings early mornings and long hours. What drove you to this career path?

Many reasons brought me to this chosen career path, but 2 things stand out. At a young age I began to play golf with my grandfather and fell in love with the game and being outside. My career began at age 15 at Quaboag Country Club in Western Massachusetts. As I continue to advance my career in the turf industry, the long hours and daily challenges keep my position exciting and keep me motivated to excel. 3. When you are not at the Club, how do you like to spend your free time?

When I am not on the course I enjoy spending my time with many outdoor activities. In the winter, I enjoy snowboarding and hiking, while in the summer I try to get to the beach whenever possible and I am also an avid mountain biker. 4. What is your Super Bowl LII prediction?

While sticking to my roots of growing up in Massachusetts and going to many Boston Red Sox and Patriot games, I will have to say the New England Patriots as Super Bowl Champions. Note: Feel free to boo Curtis around the Club through Super Bowl Sunday.

An interview with Kyle Basehore, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent

1. 2017 brought major changes to the golf course. What is your major focus for 2018?

My main focus for 2018 is to provide the most optimal golfing experience for the Blue Bell membership. This means producing and managing excellent playing surfaces with minimal labor distractions to the golfer. I will seek out new ways of attacking tasks so that they can be completed safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption the the members' golfing experience.

2. Being a golf course superintendent brings early mornings and long hours. What drove you to this career path? The profession of golf course superintendent does demand early mornings and long days. This is something that I have been accustomed to since a very young age. Growing up in rural South Jersey, I had many jobs that began very early in the morning and it was instilled in me that the workday begins before the sun comes up. Once I graduated from business school, I was looking for a way to specialize my education and at the same time work in a field that I found enjoyable. Ultimately my love for golf, problem solving, and working outdoors is what drove me to this profession.

When you are not at the Club, how do you like to spend your free time? I spend my time taking care of my parents house in New Jersey, they are physically not able to maintain the house so I assist in any way that I possibly can. I also enjoy exploring new hiking trails, fishing and playing golf.

What is your Super Bowl LII prediction? My Super Bowl prediction is: Eagles 28 - Pats 21 with Nick Foles being named the Super Bowl MVP. Note: Feel free to high-five Kyle when you see him around the Club.

An interview with Derek Moyer, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent

1. 2017 brought major changes to the golf course. What is your major focus for 2018? Now that we have a brand new irrigation system, I plan to familiarize myself with the new software and learn how to repair and maintain all equipment. Because this was such an important installation on the golf course, it is imperative that we use it properly and take care of it as best we can.

2. Being a golf course superintendent brings early mornings and long hours, what drove you to this career path?

This career path is a new one for me as I had spent my entire career, until very recently, in the financial services industry. I am an avid sports enthusiast and have a particular passion for golf. I was looking to fulfill my desire to work within the sports & entertainment industry as well as focusing on golf. I thrive on a non-traditional work schedule and this career brings a fresh change to the 9 to 5 grind that I had been accustomed to.

3. When you are not at the Club, how do you like to spend your free time? I really have two passions in which I spend my free time. The first is cooking with a concentration on BBQ. Low and slow is how I cook and I spend my weekends when it's not raining grinding away in the back yard with my smoker trying to perfect my brisket and pulled pork. My second passion is golf. I started competing in sports at the very early age of five and have never lost that competitive drive. Unfortunately, getting older means not being able to compete at a high level at most sports. However, golf is a sport I love and can continue to play for several years.

4. What is your Super Bowl LII prediction? I am reminded of a scene from "Rocky III" where Clubber Lang is being interviewed for his upcoming fight with Rocky.

Interviewer: What's your prediction for the fight?

Clubber Lang: My prediction?

Interviewer: Yes, your prediction.

[Clubber looks into camera]

Clubber Lang: Pain!

Eagles: 38 Patriots: 24