A QUICK 9 WITH…
RICK MENARD
F
rom the new Directory of Agron-
omy at Indian Wells:
What is your greatest strength on
the job? My communication skills.
What's one thing about your job
that most people don't know?
I get in to work at 4:30 in the morning
six days a week.
What one word would you
use to describe yourself?
Hard-working.
What is your motto on
the job? Clean and green.
What might someone be
surprised to know about you? I
play a little guitar. Been playing for
about 20 years.
What do you like to do when you
aren't working? Play guitar, play golf
and read.
Are you a good golfer? About a 10
handicap. I'm capable of playing well.
I'm also capable of shooting 78 one
day, and 98 the next.
What is your favorite hole at Indian
Wells? The one that stands out for
me is No. 12 on the Celebrity Course.
What words or phrase do you most
overuse? Get it done.
F
or Rick Menard, becoming the
new Director of Agronomy at
Indian Wells Golf Resort can be
summed up in two words:
Dream job.
"It's a great property and I've al-
ways loved the City of Indian Wells,"
Menard said. "They are on top of
things and it's always great to work
for ownership that takes a lot of pride
in the property. The city truly cares
about the golf courses."
Menard was hired in June to over-
see and maintain the Players and
Celebrity courses at Indian Wells. He
also sets up the golf courses on a daily
basis, mows, adds fertilizer, and is re-
sponsible for managing a large staff.
Menard has been in the business
for 20 years. He started on the East
Coast in Connecticut, and has been
employed for the last 10 years by
Troon Golf, the company that man-
ages Indian Wells Golf Resort. He's
spent the last eight years at nearby
Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort &
Spa in Rancho Mirage.
The most challenging aspect for
Menard so far is the size of the resort.
"It's a very large property and
there are a lot of moving parts," he
said. "But I enjoy that."
Menard says he's also "wrapping
my arms around the golf courses,"
and getting to know residents, guests,
and everybody on staff. And, he's ex-
cited about the opportunity.
"This property is one of the top five
in Troon's portfolio and by getting
this job I feel like I've hit the peak of
my career," he said.
KEEPING IT GREEN
Meet the new Director of Agronomy Rick Menard
THE COURSE
> C L I C K F O R A T O U R O F T H E C E L E B R I T Y C O U R S E > C L I C K F O R A T O U R O F T H E P L AY E R S C O U R S E
BOOK
A
TEE
TIME
FALL OVERSEED
It's this time of year when
both courses at Indian
Wells Golf Resort go
through the overseed
process, which keeps the
courses emerald green in
the winter. The Celebrity
Course closes from Sep-
tember 29-October 16,
and the Players Course
will be closed from
October 20-November 6.
IMPORTANT DATES
