The 19th Hole: Jay SaGurney

Jay SaGurney

Superintendent and Grooming Manager

Double Black Diamond GC at Holiday Valley Resort, Ellicottville, N.Y.

Jay, after 18 holes, what do you typically drink?

It depends on how the round went, but you can never go wrong with bourbon — Woodford Reserve if they’ve got it.

Tell me about the course.

It’s pretty unique. The front nine is pretty flat — it’s on the base of the ski slope. There’s not a lot of danger. Once you make your turn on 10, you start going up and down and across all the slopes. You have a totally different terrain on the back nine.

How did you get into the industry?

It’s kind of roundabout. I went to school for landscape design and ornamental horticulture. I spent 20 years in that side of the industry. I got burnt out — I took an assistant’s job at Holiday Valley, regrouped, and I haven’t turned back since.

What’s your favorite tool to get the job done?

It’s either a pocketknife or a 10-ton groomer … it depends on what we’re doing that day.

Do you have a family? What do you do for fun?

I’m married; it’s 12 years this year. I’ve got two adult stepchildren. Whenever we can, Pam and I like to get away for a real quick weekend — we plan a good road trip every now and then.

What teams do you root for?

I’m a western New Yorker, so it’s Buffalo through and through. Bills and Sabres, even though the Sabres aren’t doing so great right now, I’ll always stay with Buffalo.

Give me a recommendation, it can be anything.

I’m probably on my third or fourth time going through Ted Lasso. I can keep watching it. It’s quirky, and every time you watch it, there’s something new you missed the first time. There’s all these hidden meaning and jokes — it’s very well written.

What was on the radio during your morning commute today?

I have a 45-minute drive in, so I usually find something on Nugs.net; it’s a streaming platform for jam bands. I listen to a part of a set — moe., or Widespread Panic or Grateful Dead. My all-time favorite band is moe. — I started following them back in the ’90s during college.

Do you have a most memorable day at work?

My very first day here at Holiday Valley. It was significant because I was making a major career change, and it was a tough choice to leave my previous career. My first day here I walked the course — which is a challenge itself, to walk this course — and I just took a couple hours to reflect and think about things. It was a good choice. I’m pretty happy with it.

As interviewed by Seth Jones, June 26, 2025.