19th Hole: Renee Geyer

Renee Geyer, CGCS (Photo: Golfdom staff)

Renee Geyer

CGCS // Canterwood G&CC, Gig Harbor, Wash.

Renee, what can I get you? A double Jameson on the rocks, so I can just sit down with you guys.

Tell me about Canterwood G&CC. It’s a very unique property. The course itself is about 100 acres of maintained turf, but the property is much larger — the course sits inside a homeowners association of about 700 homes inside the gates. It was developed in the late ’80s as a horse trail equestrian destination, there are horse trails on the property. It’s a great place with an engaged membership, and they truly care about the golf course.

How did you find your way into the industry? I was that kid toting my mower around the neighborhood when I was little. My godfather taught me to play golf when I was 12 years old, so I got the golf bug back then. My first three years of college were spent as a vocal music education and vocal performance major, then I realized I don’t have to do something just because somebody else thinks it’s a good idea. Then, I found this awesome career where I could combine a love of playing golf and my love of being outdoors. The rest is history.

What’s your favorite tool to get the job done? I don’t say this in jest, I actually mean it: I was just blessed with a brand-new pump station this season, so that’s definitely been making quite the difference in not only our agronomic success, but playability as far as what we are able to offer our membership on a daily basis. That has been such a blessing — I sleep so much better at night.

What do you and Emily do for fun? Once September hits and the NFL starts up, we love watching sports together. We root for the (Cleveland) Browns and whatever fantasy football team I put together that beats people. We also enjoy theater and choir, so we go to concerts.

Give me a recommendation, it can be a movie, book, podcast, anything. I’m not a movie person, which is interesting because my wife loves watching movies. I do like to read, though. I would say there’s one thing worth trying if you’ve never done it: read the Lord of the Rings books in its entirety. It’s a big undertaking, but it’s amazing — Tolkien is an amazing author who paints awesome pictures for you to create in your head.

What’s your most memorable day at work? I have a hundred memorable days at work because so many special things have happened on the golf course. But my most memorable day was my last day at Firestone CC because it was the end of such a beautiful chapter of my life, and another door was opening, wide open, and all I had to do was jump.

Fill in the blank: The best thing about August is ____. That July is over.