#ThankASuper Spotlight Series: Cesar Enriquez

In honor of international “Thank A Golf Course Superintendent Day,” we’re highlighting some of the outstanding superintendents within the KemperSports family.

Cesar Enriquez
Golf Course Superintendent
Swenson Park Golf Course (Stockton, CA)

# of years worked at Swenson Park: 12 years

Total years worked in the industry: 21 years in the industry

How did you get into the golf maintenance industry?
I got into the golf maintenance industry during my junior year of high school. I received a work permit from the school and scored a job at our local country club mowing fairways after school and walk mowing greens on the weekends.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is being challenged every day with different situations. Each day presents a new challenge that requires me to continue learning and refining my skills.

What advice would you give to your younger self or younger superintendents just starting out?
My advice to younger superintendents is to take a deep breath and relax. You will undoubtedly be challenged but try to take things calmly and not stress the small stuff as the sun will always rise tomorrow. 

What are a few career accomplishments you are most proud of?
As far as my accomplishments are concerned, even though I didn’t attend college, I worked hard to get to where I am now. At age 23, I became assistant superintendent, and by 26 I was named Swenson Park Golf Course’s head superintendent. During my career, I have been lucky to be a part of the team effort in turning Swenson Park into the local gem it is known as today. Some projects I’m most proud of include successfully renovating the course restaurant, rebuilding our bunkers and now our tees, and having the best fairways in the City of Stockton. Together, we have provided a beautiful golf course for the public to enjoy.

What are some of the most helpful forward-thinking practices that have benefitted your facility?
The one practice I believe that’s benefitted Swenson Park the most is being smarter and more efficient with our water use. Due to the drought, we had to start implementing different irrigation tactics like using a lot more wetting agents and making adjustments to perimeter sprinklers to water only areas that needed it. Currently, we’re looking to upgrade our satellites to become even more efficient.

What does the game of golf mean to you and how has that helped fuel the passion you have for your career?
Even though I don’t consider myself to be a good player, the game of golf means everything to me. I greatly enjoy going out and playing a few holes occasionally. But above all else, I simply love what I do. Being out in nature doing something that you like and getting paid to do it is incredible. It’s extremely rewarding getting to see the results of your hard work, which is what keeps me excited, passionate and motivated. I always want to see what tomorrow brings and how we can better and deliver improved golf course conditions.

See below for the full series of #ThankASuper spotlights:

• Shaun Donohue, Tidewater Golf Club (North Myrtle Beach, SC)
• Darren Bache, Cypress Head Golf Club (Port Orange, FL)
• Scott Sutton, The Club at Sunrise (Las Vegas, NV)
• Ethan Johnson, Village Club of Sands Point (Sands Point, NY)
• Will Bell, Forest Creek (Round Rock, TX)
• Heather Schapals, Chambers Bay (University Place, Wash.)
• Nick Yackle, Deerpath Golf Course (Lake Forest, Ill.)