Keeping up with the Jones: The number one rule is to have fun

It’s my belief that if you’re not having fun making a magazine, then you’re doing it wrong. I don’t know if I learned this in journalism school or if it’s something I made up, but I think it’s a good rule to abide by.

I’m sure you’ll be able to see the amount of fun I had with this issue, starting with this month’s cover story — who am I to say no to a quick trip to Puerto Rico to see a golf course under construction? Sure, I just met these guys at the U.S. Open a few months ago, but they seemed trustworthy enough. I’m happy to add guys like Martin Ebert and Chris Huggett, and their cohorts Chris May, John Daniels, Peter Bohn and Wes Pitts to my growing list of friends in the industry.

It was fun to catch up with Tripp Davis, ASGCA, to talk about his current Athens, Ga., project, The Rose. We also chatted about the work he did at FarmLinks, a course many of us in the industry have had the good fortune to play. An abbreviated Q&A with Tripp is in this issue, and the complete interview is on Golfdom.com.

Then there’s the 2026 EOP Guide. If I can take a topic like early order programs and still have fun, then I’m in my peak creative mood. And I pulled it off by catching up with some old friends, including a few retired superintendents.

You know the best thing about interviewing retirees? They don’t care about what they say! No more Green Committees or members to worry about. If you want to hear the truth on a topic, talk to a retiree. And it was fun listening to two old-school Chicago supers let it rip. I could practically smell the cigar smoke over the phone.

And of course, a tradition I started 13 years ago, we end every issue with the 19th Hole. In this issue I talked with Chad Yotter, superintendent at Mayfield Country Club in Cleveland. Chad, sorry I had to do this one over Zoom; next time we’ll do it in person at Masthead Brewing.

I hope you enjoy the September/October issue of Golfdom — I know I enjoyed working on it!