Brad Enie from Trump National GC shares the difference in hosting a LIV Golf event vs a PGA Tour event
Brad Enie, director of golf course and grounds at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C., is grateful for the opportunity to showcase the hard work he and his crew have put into the course on national TV.
One of the biggest differences in hosting a LIV Golf event is timing. Enie says for a PGA Tour event, the crew’s start time is around 4 a.m. to prepare the course for 7 a.m. tee times. For LIV Golf, the tournament will begin around 1 to 2 p.m., giving the crew a gentler start time.
Enie adds that larger professional tournaments look to add 35 to 40 volunteers for tournament week. His goal for the LIV Golf event is to have 10 to 15 volunteers by the time the event starts in May.
“When you are working with the daylight, the stresses of bringing on the volunteers and getting the course ready is not there,” Enie says. “There is a huge difference when it comes to relaxation and comfort for the roles of superintendents, staff and other people working there.”
New opportunities
Enie grew up in Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Penn State University. A couple years after graduating, he became an assistant superintendent at Trump National GC in West Palm Beach, Fla.
A change in location came in 2009 when former President Donald Trump bought the Lowes Island Club for $13 million. Enie and his wife — also from Pittsburgh — became excited by the prospect of being closer to home.
“It allowed us to be closer to our family and friends,” Enie says. “They were very generous to give us this opportunity.”
Enie stresses it is important to take everything that comes at you one at a time, he says. Being considerate of time and having patience are the best traits anyone can have, he says.
“There will be good and bad days,” Enie says. “Mother Nature won’t always give you a perfect scenario, but being able to address problems in a cool demeanor will help you to realize that you will get through it.”
Throughout all the years at Trump National, he prides himself the most on being able to see the people he works with succeed.
“The work that we do here is super challenging,” Enie says. “I have always loved seeing the guys and gals come through here and achieve their ultimate goals. They become allies to you in the years to come. Being able to see them branch out has always been the goal for me here.”