Ohio course celebrates groundskeepers

Ask any golfer, the most important part of a golf course experience doesn’t start with clubs, the newest cart or even amenities found in the clubhouse. The playing conditions on the ground separate one course from another and the natural tendencies of these greenspaces can change daily without proper care. Mixing a bit of science, art and possibly a little luck, the maintenance of a golf course is the responsibility of superintendents and their teams of groundskeepers.

Kennsington Golf Course in Canfield, Ohio, celebrated the efforts of longtime superintendent Sean Novotny and his team in a big way on Sept. 12 as part of “Thank A Superintendent Day.”

The 17-year-old course owned by local developer Chuck Whitman recognized Novotny’s team along with the facility’s horticulture and landscaping crew by providing each employee with a gift card to the Kennsington Grille. Kennsington officials also placed a picture of Novotny with his team on a large digital sign at the development’s entrance. The bottom of the sign reads: “Congratulations & thank you for your impeccable groundskeeping.”

“I want to thank the groundskeeping crew for all their hard work in creating an exceptional golf experience at Kennsington.” Novotny said. “Kennsington is a great place to work and it’s an honor to work for the Whitman family.”

Kennsington is an 18-hole, par-71, public golf course, designed by Ohio-based Brian Huntley. The 7,044-yard course combines natural beauty and serene lakes to perfectly complement the meticulously planned Westford Lifestyle Community. Kennsington Grille, located just off the green at the clubhouse, offers year-round dining with a wide selection of food and beverages.