In this month’s Superintendent Spotlight we feature David Freitag, who has been superintendent at Pronghorn Resort for 15 years.

Describe your facility in 10 words or less:
Great golf in the beautiful high desert.

What is a little-known fact / fun fact about your facility?
Huntington Wagon Road Trail, a north/south route constructed in 1867 between The Dalles and Fort Klamath, runs through Pronghorn.

What is your best 18-hole score at your facility?
78

What’s the biggest challenge your facility presents to you as superintendent?
Maturing of the property and changes we make to adapt, both in golf operations and with our landscape company.

What led you down the path of becoming a superintendent?
The game of golf and my first job in high school at Bandon Face Rock Golf Course.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve witnessed or done as a superintendent?
Grand Openings at each of our golf courses with Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio.

Ducks, Beavers or other?
Beavers, 49ers

Grapes, hops or milkshake?
Some of all three but mostly hops, depends on the day and the company.

Tiger or Phil?
Tiger

Jack or Arnie?
Arnie

Excluding your current facility, what is your favorite golf course?
Portland Golf Club

What’s your favorite major tournament?
The Masters

Let’s say there’s a three-day weekend coming up—what are you going to do?
Family time, mountain biking, savoring some delicious hoppy beverages, and golf – in that order.

What would you invent right now to make your professional life easier?
Crystal ball with all the best answers on how to lead, motivate and develop staff.

If you could change a Rule of Golf to make your life easier, what would that be?
Five stroke penalty or loss of side for hitting into maintenance.

What’s your favorite tool in your tool box?
Chainsaw

If your owner decided to plow up your course and make it a farm. What crops would you suggest?
Hops, grapes, and cannabis of course.

How much sand do you accidentally take home in your socks over the course of a year?
Not much sand, more Central Oregon Moon Dust from our native soils.

Who is your idol in the golf world?
Any superintendent who did this job long enough to retire and still enjoy life after their career.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to become a superintendent?
Work hard and take time to enjoy the crew, play hard and take time to enjoy your family.