DARDEN R



DARDEN R. NICKS

6669 Chelton Place Westerville, Ohio 43082 Cell 941-232-6775

Email: dardensagronomy@ Web page:

EDUCATION:

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.

Turfgrass Management

Associates Degree of Agriculture Science, December 1997

Elon College, Elon College, N.C.

Accounting

Bachelor of Science May 1996

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

2014-Current Foxfire Golf Club, Lockbourne, Ohio

Director of Agronomy for the only 36 hole semi-private golf club in central, Ohio. Designed by Jack Kidwell & Barry Serafin.

Duties: Managed and improved 348 acres of cool season turfgrass, consisting of Pencross bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and ryegrass. We installed city water and sewer utilities to the clubhouse in 2017. I implemented an OSHA compliant safety training program utilizing Golf Safety. Upgraded the radio controlled irrigation system to comply with the FCC. Re-modeled various bunkers on both courses. Hired, managed, and trained a staff of 25. Installed and improved the drainage system.

2012-2014 Consulting for Turner Tree & Landscapes, Inc.

Independent Consultant for a $15 million corporation.

Duties: Audited properties to help Turner Tree recover $.5 million from a third party that over billed during sod installation. I utilized globally positioned way points, and field measurements to compare with the original asbuilts.

2008-2012 Laurel Oak Country Club, Sarasota, Florida

Director of Agronomy-Private 36 hole Gary Player Design & Reese Jones Design.

Duties: Accountable for $2.4 million budget during a recession, which reduced to $1.9 million after my first complete year. Prepared capital and operating budgets. Implemented a 5 to 10 year Capital forecast, based on sound fundamental assessments and priorities. I reported to the General Manager and the Greens Committee. Communicated to the membership through one on one interaction, corresponded timely, accurately to comment cards, emails, and phone calls. Wrote monthly article for club magazine on the status of the Agronomy Department, and forecasted what to expect, and reported the accomplishments of the team. Coordinated with entire Department Head Team, weekly, and assisted them in every aspect possible. Scheduled and coordinated, with the Director of Golf, the necessary dates annually in advance, to expedite, his availability to maximize revenue. On every occasion, if we needed to adjust for an event, the Agronomy Team never wavered and accommodated the needs to provide revenue. Hired Superintendents, Assistants, Interns, and provided them with training, follow up, and eyes for detail skills. Responsible for completing the Certified Audubon Sanctuary Program, this was started ten years prior to my arrival. Kept accurate records of effluent water meter readings, ergonomic out put costs, inventory costs as application data input, which permitted us to account cost in any form of measurement.

□ Saved an opportunity cost of $3.5 million, by restoring 16 year old Tifdwarf green.

□ Prepared agronomic calendar for the entire year in advance, annually.

□ Created departmental job descriptions for entire staff.

□ Created Agronomical Mission Statement for our department.

□ Restructured the entire internal/external framework of the department.

□ Reduced the operating budget by half a million dollars with in the first year.

□ Completed major projects, through landscape architectural upgrades.

□ Re-shaped golfing holes to enhance playability.

□ Renovated entire landscape appearance at the club house, pro shop, tennis center.

□ Installed over 250 trees, on both courses.

□ Transitioned Equipment from Leasing to Purchasing, which reduced Capital.

□ Installed an ESD Unit to wash equipment that recycles water.

2003-2008 Boca West Country Club, Boca Raton, Florida

Golf Course Superintendent- Private 72 hole facility.

Duties: Managed daily operations for Golf Course Number Three, an Arnold Palmer championship design, including the main practice facility. Assisted the Director of Golf Course Maintenance in managing and preparing a $5.2 million budget; in which 1.3 million is allocated for course number three.

□ Restored 4 four acres of Tifeagle ultradwarf bermudagrass greens.

□ Directed and managed 25 multi-cultural staff members.

□ Implemented a unique Agronomic Program to eliminate weed &nematodes.

□ Renovated two driving range tees with Sea Isle Paspalum, and two practice bunkers.

□ Added and upgraded landscape beds, on entire course, and practice facility.

□ Installed irrigation for landscape, and modified the current irrigation system.

□ Completed a lake bank renovation project, which restores the edges due to erosion.

□ Prepared for three major hurricanes and restored course conditions immediately.

□ Constructed a green with Miniverde, as a trial, and maintained it.

2001-2003 Kiawah Island Club, Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

First Assistant –Private 54 hole facility.

Duties: Managed Cassique course, an 18 hole Tom Watson Signature Design and assisted in preparing a $1.3 million budget. Scheduled daily Agronomic assignments and maintained the reverse osmosis water plant. Assisted the Superintendent, the Director of Agronomy, and acted as such in their absence. And maina

□ Improved 23 Tifeagle, ultradwarf, greens.

□ Rebuilt chipping green, constructed a starting green and tees.

□ Trained staff and interns on equipment and taught fundamental practices.

□ Installed water samplers to monitor the reverse osmosis plant.

□ Established overseed on 18 holes, and the practice area.

□ Prepared weekly payroll.

1999-2001 Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club, Pawleys Island, South Carolina

1998-1999 Moss Creek Plantation, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

1996-1998 Governors Club, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

1992-1996 Alamance Country Club, Burlington, North Carolina

1991-1993 New Albany Country Club, New Albany, Ohio

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS:

GCSAA Ambassador Government Affairs 2014-Present

COGCSA Board of Directors 2015-Current

GCSAA Class A

CGCSA Class A

PBGCSA Class A Treasurer Board of Directors 2007-2008

SGCSA Class AVice-President 2011-2012-Treasurer 2009-2011

FGCSA Class A

United States Golf Association Member 2012-2013

Tournament Volunteer for: 2005 Honda Classic and 2000 SPGA Championship

Television Tournament Preparation New Albany C.C. 1991

Licenses: Florida Pesticide License CM19682 GCSAA IPM Exam October 2017

Florida Department of Environmental Protection GV11777-1

Certified CPR-AED Training License 0511001123

References for Darden Nicks, GCSAA Class A Superintendent

Matt Auen, PGA

Lake Ashton Golf Club

4000 Mulligan Lane

Winter Haven, FL 33884

(941) 806-7624

Larry M. Smith, M.S., CPAg, CPH, CPO

Certified Consulting Agronomist/ Horticulturist

683 Post Oak Circle

Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

(407) 491-9529

Tommy D. Witt, CGCS

Golf Course Manager

Northmoor Country Club

1036 Edgewood Rd.

Highland Park, IL 60035

(847) 926-5540

Michael Shoun, CGCS

President of McConnell Golf

Raleigh Country Club

400 South Peartree Lane

Raleigh, NC 27610

(919) 231-6308

Darrell Turner, Owner

Turner Tree &Landscapes, Inc.

2504 64th Street Ct. E

Bradenton, Fl 34208

(941) 748-8060

Dave Whalen, CCM

General Manager

La Grange Country Club

620 South Brainard Ave

La Grange, IL 60525

(941) 914-5991

Steven M. Wright, CGCS

Pine Tree Golf Club

10600 Pine Tree Terrace

Boyton Beach, Fl 33436

(561) 756-4435

Bill Kennedy

General Manager

Cheechessee Creek Club

18 Cheechessee Creek Drive

Okatie, South Carolina 29909

(843) 247-2564

J. Fred Leonard

General Manager/Director of Agronomy

Twin Twells Golf Club

2000 E. Shady Grove Road

Irving, Texas 75063

(252) 626-0490

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