Golf Course Equipment Management Gets a Boost with “Cutline Is King”
In the charming town of Gainesville, Florida, a new book has hit the shelves that aims to provide invaluable insights into the world of golf course equipment management. Titled “Cutline Is King”, the book is the brainchild of Mike Rollins, a former mechanical repair enthusiast turned regional sales manager for SIP Grinders. This enlightening read focuses on cutting unit tracking, offering tips and techniques that could transform how equipment managers approach their craft.
A Journey Back to His Roots
Growing up surrounded by mechanical repair, Mike Rollins initially pursued a degree in film and media at the University of Florida. After college, he took on various jobs, fearing he might never return to the hands-on work he loved. However, fate intervened in 2011 when he met his wife, Anne, whose father happens to own SIP Grinders. In 2020, Rollins found himself back in the shop, but this time in a different capacity as the regional sales manager.
His journey back to equipment management kicked off in earnest when he attended the Michigan GCSA Conference in 2020, right before the world was turned upside down by COVID-19. During the next few months, he immersed himself in training and understanding the nuances of machines used to maintain golf courses.
Realizations from Atlanta
Things started to click for Rollins when he took a four-day trip to visit John Patterson, the certified turf equipment manager at the Atlanta Athletic Club. “Mark sent me up there for four days just to see what equipment managers do,” Rollins recalls. It was during this visit that he grasped the indisputable truth: “A golf course doesn’t exist without the equipment manager.” This epiphany highlighted the crucial role that equipment plays in the upkeep of any golf course.
From Presentation to Publication
As time went on, Rollins was asked to present at a Michigan Turfgrass Foundation show in December 2021. Initially hesitant, he took on the challenge, rolling up his sleeves to compile a presentation. What began as a simple endeavor transformed into the very first version of “Cutline Is King,” consisting of 90 slides filled with essential information. However, it didn’t stop there. The presentation evolved through collaboration, input from veterans like Pilger and Patterson, and Rollins’ firsthand experiences from visiting golf courses around the globe.
A Passion for Sharing
One notable characteristic of Rollins is his commitment to sharing knowledge. Having taken a class on “Viral Communications” during college, he found inspiration in the idea of “sampling” – taking bits and pieces from various sources to create something new and beneficial. “When you share that information and that knowledge, someone might take one thing away from it, but it makes them better,” he shares. This philosophy has become the backbone of “Cutline Is King.”
The Free Resource
Recognizing that the valuable information he gathered was gifted to him, Rollins decided to make his book freely accessible. Available as a PDF download at the SIP Grinders website, “Cutline Is King” has been downloaded nearly 1,400 times since its launch on November 17. Rollins emphasizes, “It’s not about me; it’s about getting information out there and pushing this whole industry forward.”
While the digital format is an exciting start, Rollins also reveals that a physical edition of the book is on his radar, allowing him to reach even more aspiring equipment managers.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, if you’re in the turf management business or just interested in how golf courses operate behind the scenes, “Cutline Is King” is a treasure trove of information that can help you elevate your skills. As Mike Rollins aptly puts it, “Sharing that information is going to make us all better.” So why not take advantage of this free resource and keep that knowledge flowing?
