MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON
NICK MOL Assistant Grounds Superintendent • Brown University • Providence, Rhode Island SPORTS MANAGEMENT & TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT • UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS – AMHERST How did you get your start in the sports turf industry?
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
At an early age, I started landscaping around my childhood home with my father, grandfather, and brother. One of my first jobs in high school was on the grounds staff at Westover Golf Course in Chicopee, MA, where I was introduced to the many aspects of the turfgrass industry, and knew it was the career path for me.
Never ask someone to do something you are not willing to do yourself.
Where did you go from there? In college I interned at Pine Valley Golf Club (Rehoboth, MA) and at The Kittansett Club (Marion, MA) which led to a full-time position as an Assistant Superintendent upon graduation. A few years later, I took a role at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, NY where I was part of the team that hosted a U.S. Women’s Open. From there I moved to Brown University, where I am today. At Brown I manage both natural grass landscaping and synthetic turf fields. Who are your mentors in the sports turf industry? John Kelly, Superintendent at The Kittansett Club, had a huge influence on me as a young turfgrass manager. He taught me a lot and guided me in developing many of the managerial and agronomic skills, strategies and techniques I still use today. Pat Vetere, Superintendent at Brown University, has been immensely supportive. He not only helped me make the transition from golf course management to university facilities management, but he also pushes me to continually grow and evolve as a manager. Both men have taught me so much over the years. I would not be where I am today without them.
18 • New England BLADE • Winter 2021
What’s your favorite thing about your current position? No two days are the same. You never know what the day is going to bring. You can have a plan at 6:00 a.m. and then be going in a very different direction by 8:00 a.m. It keeps you on your toes and requires you to be very flexible. I work with a great team that can overcome any challenge that is thrown our way. Can you tell us about a recent project you were able to complete? I am very proud to be part of the team that helped execute an in-person commencement ceremony last spring. As we all know, due to COVID-19 there were many restrictions, regulations, and social distancing requirements to navigate, but we were able to successfully celebrate Brown University’s class of 2021. What’s your favorite/most useful: Equipment? Bobcat Toolkat 5600 – It is very versatile for landscaping and snow removal. Product? Magic Salt – Fast acting, long lasting ice and snow melter. Technology? Workday Software – One-stop-shop for purchase orders, invoices, payroll, and budgeting.
