There is definitely something about waking up and working through sunrise that is good for one’s soul. That’s just one of the many things that I have learned in my time so far at Congressional Country Club. Being responsible for setting up one of the top high-end golf courses in the world, while taking in nature’s beauty and strength, is nothing short of a privilege. The daily challenges that are faced between weather, equipment, team member engagement, and cohesion all amount to one common goal of wanting to do the best job possible. The day-to-day grind that is a part of my job makes the gratification of accomplishing goals even more satisfying.
My name is John Burton, and I am a specialist and irrigation technician at Congressional Country Club. Throughout my time there, I have been tasked with a plethora of different responsibilities and jobs that have not only made me better at the work I do but also better as a person. One of my favorite things I get to do in my position is train and on-board new team members and interns. I take pride in making an almost instant connection with new hires and doing my best to provide them with the correct information and training to set them up for success. Seeing the growth of team members I know I had a direct impact on is very fulfilling.
Beyond creating relationships with fellow team members, most of my work stems from the variety of cultural practices performed every day on the golf course, to the servicing and maintenance of our irrigation systems on the property. Daily responsibilities vary from mowing all surfaces, hand watering, pesticide application, bunker detailing, equipment operations, drainage projects, shop maintenance, and cleanup. All these things practiced on a routine basis push me closer to my goal of one day being a golf course Superintendent. Some of the areas I became more proficient at this season have been pesticide applications and heavy machinery operation.
I take a great amount of pride in the work that I do and strive to always give my best effort and do the best job possible. One day this summer, I was with my supervisor, going over the tasks I had completed that day. After we had checked all the boxes, I asked if he would like to double-check my work, to which he responded, “If you’re telling me you did it, I trust you that you have, and also you did it the right way”. I remember feeling proud that my work ethic was reflected back to me in that moment. These are the standards that I strive to meet every day at Congressional. They also align with some of the “core values” that Congressional promotes to its team members through the Team Member Engagement Department.
Through all the repetitions every day, staying focused, being coachable, and always learning more, those standards can be met regularly. The culmination of all these things has made my experience working at Congressional some of the most fulfilling years of my life.
