Ashley Binkle

When Ashley Binkle first arrived at Dundee Country Club in New Dundee, Ontario, 13 years ago, she had plenty to keep her busy.

“I kind of made a bucket list when I first started here of immediate changes I wanted to make to the property and then a master plan,” she says. “I think over the years we were able to slowly chip away. Obviously, with budget restraints we have to pick and choose our battles every year.

“Over the years, we were able to pick and choose and develop a program to slowly upgrade the facility that is here. I think what really keeps me on this property is we always have projects, and things to do to better the place.”

Binkle spent time at another club and worked for a company that built golf courses before deciding to apply for the superintendent’s position at Dundee. “It was my first big interview for a big job,” she recalls.

Upon being offered and accepting the position — she was one of just four female superintendents in Ontario at the time — Binkle enrolled in the turfgrass management short course at the University of Guelph.

As the superintendent at a club with a high volume of play, Binkle has learned to establish priorities. Her budget is set by GolfNorth, which owns the property.

“Realistically, Mother Nature is going to dictate what we do with our facility and equipment breakdowns,” she says. “I don’t have a mechanic — I am the mechanic. I bring in a mechanic for some of the bigger stuff that I don’t necessarily have time to do.”

One of Binkle’s biggest challenges is effectively utilizing water. Appearing on the Wonderful Women of Golf podcast she told host Rick Woelfel she has a manual irrigation system.

“Somebody has to physically come in, turn the pump on and put every spigot in the ground to water the golf course,” she says. “One of the biggest things we’re working towards is eventually automating the system. … The one nice thing about having a person do it is I know it’s been done. But a lot of things come into play when you’re using a manual system. Not every area needs the same amount, you’re running back and forth. That presents its own challenges.

“We also are a heavily treed property. I think since I started I’ve taken over 350 trees off this property and it still looks like I haven’t done anything. Trying to open it up and get air flow, especially around some of my troublesome greens, has been one of my top priorities.”

Another top priority for Binkle is encouraging future turf professionals and industry leaders. Two of her former assistants are now head superintendents. She is also involved in a business education program and speaks to students, encouraging them to explore the idea of a career in turf, including members of her own team.

“Seeing those guys go off and do their own thing is exciting,” Binkle said. “It’s exciting to see them get passionate about it. (It’s) inspired me to help people who are passionate about turf and who want to take it to the next level and learn some things while they’re here.

“It’s funny, a few years ago I said, ‘I don’t know if I want to teach another assistant because as soon as I teach them, they leave.’ But another one comes in and they want to learn. How do you say no to that? I can’t say no to somebody who is passionate about being here and wants to learn.”