Travis Frey, a native of Robertsdale, Ala., never had his golf clubs far away as he was growing up. Intrigued by the sport as a whole, by the lush green grass, the smooth swing of the club, the sun glaring off of the small white ball as it swiftly makes it’s way to the next flag, hopefully anyway; Travis was in love.
His father at his side, Travis rarely wasted a moment to spend time on the green in Travis’ younger years. It was not long after that he was one of the star players on the high school’s golf team. Travis was good; he was really good.
When thinking about success, not many people know what career path to enter or even what field to continue their education in. Travis knew from day one. He may not have known the exact career he would advance in, but he always knew the golf course was and would be his passion.
“My very first job was working as a ‘cart kid’ at the Woodlands Golf Course in Gulf Shores, Ala. Working at a golf course where I got a chance to somewhat interact with the members, was a real treat,” Travis said. “While working there, I realized I wanted to work on a golf course as a career.”
To him, the answer came in the guide of Faulkner State Community College’s Golf Course and Turf Management program under the instruction of Mr. Kent Schwartz.
Frey with former colleagues
“Mr. Schwartz was a great instructor; he took the time and patience with us so we could learn each area of the golf course in great detail,” Travis said.
Spending two years learning about different grasses and plants, what makes them grow and how to keep the course finely manicured, Travis readily excelled through the program.
“Going into the [Golf Course and Turf Management] program, I already had some idea about different styles of golf course turf grasses. However, the program also focused on horticulture, which gave me knowledge on woody plants, and woody plant placement around different golf courses,” Travis said.
After graduating with an Associate in Applied Science degree in 2006, Travis immediately put his knowledge to the test as he entered the workforce.
“My first job in the field was for Pinnacle Entertainment, where I worked golf course construction for a Tom Fozio golf course in Lake Charles, La.,” Travis said.
Through experiences in several jobs after college, Travis learned very quickly that he never could predict what the next day would bring on the green.
“The biggest highlight for me so far in my career was getting to meet Arnold Palmer when I worked at Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, Ala.,” Travis said. “The second biggest highlight was working under Gary Players’ former golf course architect when I was an Assistant Superintendent at LongLeaf Pines Golf Course in Spanish Fort, Ala.”
Currently, Travis resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. as a golf course Superintendent for the Capstone Club of Alabama. His responsibilities include making sure the work is carried out in an orderly fashion, which includes pending projects to be completed, fertilization or spraying of the course and inspecting the grounds to ensure the golfers will have enjoyable time.
Frey at the Capstone Club
“Nothing means more to the golfer than a well kept golf course and a friendly staff to assist where needed,” Travis said. “I know that first hand.”
When Travis is away from the office, he still can’t stay off a golf course.
“I like to travel to other golf courses,” Travis said. “I get to play a different course for one; and secondly, I get to see what other superintendents are doing to their golf courses.”
Travis continues to seek new ventures and opportunities in the field of golf, but he knows his field of choice is exactly where he is supposed to be. From a small child learning golf basics, to the man in charge of the field, Travis had but one thing to say: “This is an industry where you can never stop learning.”
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