Davis certified again at Nob North

Published 11:31 pm Friday, July 7, 2006

Steve Davis, course superintendent at Nob North Golf Course in Cohutta, has once again completed the renewal process for maintaining his certification status.

The Golf Course Superintendent Association requires its members to renew their certification every five years. To qualify for GCSAA’s new competency-based certification program, a candidate has to have at least three years experience as a course superintendent, be employed in that capacity and meet post-secondary educational requirements and/or continuing education points, according to a release from GCSAA.

Davis has been associated with Nob North since June 1977 and obtained his first certification in 1981.

“I wanted to keep up with everybody else,” the 52-year-old Davis said. “I have to attend so many seminars and education meetings to keep my certification. All that helps you keep abreast of new things coming down the line. That’s been a big part of helping me keep up with changes.”

Status quo is not acceptable these days.

“If you keep doing the same old, same old, you can get left behind,” Davis said. “New things are coming out all the time, from equipment to chemicals and all sorts of things.”

Nob North was built in 1978 and designed by Gary Player. It is considered one of the top municipal courses in the state, according to Golf magazine and is host to an estimated 36,000 rounds of golf annually. Green fees range from $20 to $49 and the course is open all year.

The course plays to a par 72 over 6,573 yards from its championship tees.

Davis, who also has the titles of general manager and director of golf, is proud of Nob North’s solid reputation in the golfing community.

One review of the course posted by a golfer from Nashville, Tenn., on its Web site read: “We’ve been visiting Nob North for about 15 years now. You’re not gonna find a better layout with better greens at 4 times the money. … Stop and play. You won’t regret it.”

“We sure like to hear things like that,” Davis said. “And we love to hear people say they can’t believe it’s a municipal course. We’re proud to have something that has been compared to some country clubs, where golfers can play at a reasonable price and is open to the public.”

The primary changes in regards to maintaining a course that Davis has noticed over the years are the materials and equipment have gotten better and they are more expensive.

“With that in mind, the expectations from our golfers have gotten higher,” Davis said. “Used to be that if you just had grass they were happy. Now you’ve got to have it just right.”