TRAVELS WITH TERRY

Ultimate GCM Employee Housing

The first priority for a turf student looking for a quality internship is whether furnished housing is provided, with utilities included, at no cost. The new 18-hole golf course at the ABCW Ranch, LLC, in Twin Bridges, Montana, is currently under construction, designed by Kye Goalby, ably assisted by Eamon Sullivan and Matt Smallwood. The official name and logo of the new course are currently being considered. There are 15 new apartments, with eight on one side and seven on the other of the newly built metal maintenance building, with copper gutters and downspouts. Each apartment has a double bed and twin bed, small refrigerator, table and two chairs, two lamps, door with concrete stoop, window and shade and exterior light, separate window and shade, and individually controlled HVAC. The en suite bathroom has a sink, mirror with overhead light, toilet, shower with built-in seat and curtain, wall-mounted electric heater and overhead storage rack. Each apartment has only one employee per unit for excellent privacy. Each employee can park their personal vehicle in front of their apartment door. The superintendent has a permanently assigned apartment for his use whenever the need arises. Jarod Spurlin is the golf course superintendent. He really likes having employee housing for turf students, interns, and full-time and seasonal employees.

There is a central employee living area with a gourmet-equipped kitchen, flat-panel TV with elongated table below, dining table with eight chairs, couch with coffee table, two chairs with ottomans, a large floor rug and a central HVAC system. A propane grill, pellet grill, propane cooktop with large turkey fryer pot and charcoal grill are on the patio along with a wooden picnic table.

Having employee housing is highly recommended as part of a new maintenance building design or when an existing facility is being renovated or remodeled. This employee amenity is great for recruitment and retention in today’s competitive golf labor market.