FarmLinks recently announced the addition of Jon Maddern as the new Experience manager at FarmLinks, the first and only research and demonstration golf course, located in Sylacauga, Ala., designed as a testing site and a proving ground for the industry’s finest products and services.
This relationship-oriented position enables FarmLinks to connect directly with each guest who visits Pursell Farms and FarmLinks Golf Club and also helps the team cater their educational programs to the unique needs of the more than 1,200 superintendents who attend The Experience each year. The Experience manager, essentially, is a host and a liaison, the face of the program, who ensures that each guest benefits from the total FarmLinks experience.
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“Jon is a tremendous asset to our team,” said Erle Fairly, president of FarmLinks. “What better way for us to meet the needs of superintendents who take part in The Experience than to bring a former superintendent on board? There’s a whole new generation of guests who will take the knowledge that’s generated at FarmLinks back to their own facilities, and Jon’s background and expertise is significant in the success of these efforts.”
With nearly 30 years of experience in the golf industry, Maddern brings a wealth of knowledge to the position. A golf enthusiast and a native of Michigan, Maddern earned a Certificate in Turfgrass Management from Michigan State University and has served as past president and board member of GCSAA. Maddern is also a member of The Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association and the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association. Additionally, Maddern has been president of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation and has served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Golf Foundation and the Green Section and Long Range Planning committees of the Golf Association of Michigan.
Previously, Maddern was superintendent of golf, grounds and parks for the City of Farmington Hills and superintendent at Hillcrest Country Club in Mt. Clemens, Mich. And most recently, he used his skills as the superintendent of golf course, grounds and facilities at Elk Ridge Golf Course in Atlanta, Mich., for more than 16 years.
“I’ve been blessed to serve on a variety of boards and work closely with my peers throughout my career, and this position is another extension for establishing and building those relationships," Maddern said. "Ironically, I went through The Experience at FarmLinks as a guest years ago. Now I have the opportunity to offer superintendents a look into the future of turfgrass management with real-life research and demonstration and help each guest see how our corporate partners’ products and services can be utilized at their facilities.”