As an Aggie, you’re in good company on the Ranch. Tell us about your major and how it relates to your career.

Stu and plenty of others love giving me a hard time for being an Aggie. We joke about it. It’s something I’m very proud of though. My major relates to my career almost entirely. My degree is Turfgrass Science in the Soil and Crop Sciences department. It gave me a broad overview of turfgrass systems but more specifically courses such as turfgrass anatomy, soil physics, water movement in soil structures and plenty more! It prepared me well but nothing is better than good old-fashioned experience.  

Are you a golfer as well? 

Yes, I started playing golf just before my freshman year in high school and ended up playing competitively all four years. 

What past work history prepared you for The Clubs?

Most recently is my experience at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney. Expectations were very high there, just as they are at Cordillera Ranch, so I was familiar with the commitment the job requires. Also, the staff at Craig Ranch was large as well, so I already had experience managing a large staff with a very close attention to detail. The AT&T Byron Nelson was at Craig Ranch last May, so I was able to experience what it takes to condition a golf course to the highest standard, which undoubtedly benefits me here. 

What are your day-to-day responsibilities? 

We start each morning with an agronomy meeting in our breakroom at 6:00am which I lead, we go over the morning job responsibilities and if there are any specific details the guys need to know about what the day is going to look like. On top of that, it’s managing the staff on a daily basis, scheduling and interviewing, hiring and training new employees. I also coordinate the agronomy plan on a daily/weekly basis based on what Stu has planned long-term. This includes a broad overview of what our goals for the week are and what exactly we are executing on a day-to-day basis, such as mowing, chemical applications, fertilizer applications and other unique projects. 

What do you like most about working here?

There are lots of things to love about Cordillera but the one thing that stands out most, oddly enough, is the seclusion you feel when you’re on the golf course. There are still plenty of homes but coming from Dallas, the privacy at Cordillera is something I really appreciate. One of the first things I noticed was how quiet it was. On top of that, the natural geography of the golf course and the surrounding area is undeniably beautiful. 

What makes your colleagues an asset to The Clubs? 

Everyone is working towards the same goal — making The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch as good as they can possibly be. We work together as a team every day, navigating the golf course, discussing what we are seeing, what needs to be addressed and how we can make it better.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

The long-term plan has always been to have my own golf course and that has not changed. Having my own property to manage in five years will check that box for me. 

How do you like being a new dad?

Being a dad isn’t what I expected it to be — in all honesty I had no clue what to expect but I could have never imagined the feelings I have now. There was so much buildup and I thought I had covered all the bases and had some expectations but nothing compared to her coming into this world. It’s truly indescribable. We have a beautiful healthy girl and we couldn’t be more blessed. 

What’s on your personal bucket list?

My wife and I really like spending time outdoors so it’s mainly just visiting places we have never been. First on that list would probably be making a trip to Europe as neither of us have ever been. In the U.S., we want to visit the Pacific Northwest, hike the peaks, we haven’t hiked yet in the Rockies and maybe visit the Grand Canyon.