West Coast-based Gradoville and Hertzing Management Group has made the strategic decision to bring on Josh Lewis as a partner. A former superintendent, Lewis has more than 25 years of golf maintenance experience, including an extensive construction and project management background whose projects have included the grow-in of Bandon Trails, renovations at Pasatiempo Golf Club and preparations for the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.
Founded by Pat Gradoville, CGCS, and Robert Hertzing, Gradoville & Hertzing Management Group is a leading professional consulting company, providing a broad range of service in agronomic assessments, pre-construction planning and project management in the western United States. Gradoville and Hertzing started the company to fill an existing void in the turfgrass industry with the goal of assisting turfgrass managers in all aspects of a demanding profession.
“We are extremely excited to have Josh join our team,” Gradoville and Hertzing said in a joint statement. “He brings a very diverse and well-rounded background in golf course maintenance, construction and tournament preparation, and an overwhelming desire to support the superintendent and club management communities, which we believe aligns perfectly with our company’s vision.”
Lewis will be focused primarily on Northern California, Central California and the Pacific Northwest, but the company remains committed to bringing a collaborative approach to consulting and project management, so all parties will be involved to some extent in every project the firm handles.
“We all believe firmly that there is a huge value in what we bring to the table as a team, which is one of the things that really attracted me to this opportunity” Lewis said. “If I’m on a project or consulting visit and something comes up that I haven’t seen before, there is a really good chance that Robert or Pat have dealt with it in the past and I get to pull from their knowledge and network just like they can from mine.”
Most recently, Lewis served as the superintendent at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California, where he was focused on completing and bringing online the club’s new recycled water facility and building a master plan and project alongside golf course architect, Todd Eckenrode of Origins Design and landscape architect Ken Alperstein of Pinnacle Design.
Before arriving at Sharon Heights, Lewis had stops at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Eugene Country Club, Pasatiempo Golf Club, Almaden Golf and Country Club and Chambers Bay. Lewis also brings an extensive tournament background to the firm, hosting a total of four USGA Championships, including the 2015 US Open and participation in several other USGA and PGA Tour events.
“I’ve always been fulfilled the most when I get to help people, and there is no better group to help than golf course industry professionals” Lewis said. “I’m looking forward to using my network and experience to help as many people as I can in our industry, whether it’s providing support on a project and helping somebody retain their life balance through an intense process or reducing their stress level around an issue they may be having with their turf. I just want to help people, and I believe this platform gives me the best chance to do that.”