Trevor Kiunke is an assistant superintendent at Inglewood Golf Club in Kenmore, Wash., where he has lofty career goals. Photo by Leo Moen
Eight years ago, Trevor Kiunke saw a snapshot of his future.
As a high school sophomore, Kiunke participated in the school’s ag science program. The group took a field trip to Monarch Dunes Golf Course in Nipomo, Calif., where Kiunke quickly fixed his eyes on what was happening on the ground. The aerification of a practice green mesmerized him.
“They’re pulling cores, filling holes with sand, preparing all of it so golfers can go play on it. Crazy. Cool,” Kiunke says.
Kiunke met Herminio Plata, a GCSAA Class A superintendent and 28-year association member, who was looking for people to work at the golf course. Not long afterward, Kiunke drove to Monarch Dunes to tell Plata he was seeking summer employment.
Well, Kiunke got the job — and his ambitious ways are still a work in progress.
Now an assistant superintendent at Inglewood Golf Club in Kenmore, Wash., Kiunke has done what he can to advance his career. Besides earning a degree in 2024 in turfgrass management from Washington State University (where he was guided by professor Michael Neff, who oversaw crop and soil sciences), Kiunke also completed two internships at Montreaux Golf & Country Club in Reno, Nev., for Doug Heinrichs, CGCS, a 38-year association member.
Fast forward to two years ago, when Kiunke was hired at Inglewood GC, where he works for 25-year GCSAA member Greg Matz. The golf course is where Kiunke wanted to be.
“I didn’t want to work inside,” says Kiunke, a one-year association member. “I like what I do. I like the hours. I like working at a private club. The standards align with my values. I have high standards for myself and the product we put out for our golfers.”
Still, what he is trying to accomplish isn’t enough. Kiunke is participating in GCSAA’s Assistant Certificate Series. It’s geared to provide ways to stand out and achieve career milestones. The series is composed of: Principles of Golf Course Agronomy, Principles of Golf Course Environmental Stewardship, Principles of Golf Course Business and Principles of Golf Course Leadership and Communications.
In the meantime, he is compiling a full-course sprinkler audit for the Leadership part of the series. “I started on all this in May 2024, and my goal is to finish it by this March,” says Kiunke.
And that’s not all, folks. After completing the Assistant Certificate Series, Kiunke’s next target is GCSAA’s Excel Program. It offers leadership training for personal, career and stewardship for GCSAA Class C members.
“For me, I know how passionate I am and want to make a difference and move the ball forward in any aspect,” says Kiunke, “and just show people I know what I’m talking about.”
Kiunke hasn’t forgotten that visit eight years ago to Monarch Dunes. This past fall, he attended the Western Washington GCSA annual meeting. There, Karen Armstead received the Paul Backman Distinguished Service Award for her dedication to First Green, the GCSAA program that has roots in Washington. Seeing her being honored reminded Kiunke of a similar type of event for youths that he went to at Monarch Dunes, which created a career path for him.
He learned from it and has chosen to follow by example. In May, Kiunke will host a GCSAA First Green event.
“A high school soil science class, Inglemoor High School, is coming to the club,” Kiunke says. “Maybe it will light a spark in someone who doesn’t know this is something they can do one day for work. And maybe I can do this for someone else like it was done for me.”
Howard Richman, GCM associate editor