SABAL SPRINGS’ GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT DUANNY ESPINOSA’S LOVE OF THE GREENS HAS THE COURSE IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION
Duanny Espinosa comes to Sabal Springs Golf Course with 30 years of varied golf course positions.
On a personal level, Duanny was born in Cuba in 1977. His father taught English in the local schools; his mother was also a teacher. Duanny’s love of the land stems from his childhood, where he spent his early years on his family’s farmland.
He arrived in the United States at 17. One of his first American experiences was to visit a golf course in southeast Florida. That visit led to his passion, and he was first employed by the Ft. Lauderdale County Club. His then boss became his mentor and encouraged him to get an education in the golf course business. Duanny attended the University of Florida IFAS Turf and Ornamental RUP program, from which he received a certificate license. He also is licensed to purchase and apply restricted use pesticides (RUPs) and is a certified Landscape Lawn Manager.
He also attended the University of Georgia Turf Management program. Duanny speaks English, Spanish, and French. Duanny’s resume is impressive in golf course maintenance; he started as foreman and went on to become lead foreman then on to assistant superintendent to superintendent.
Duanny is married to his sweetheart Heydi and lives in Lehigh Acres. They have two grown children.
As the Sabal Springs Golf Course Superintendent, he manages a current crew of six employees, soon to be seven. His typical day starts at 6:30 a.m. with a daily routine that includes mowing, cutting new cups twice a week, bunker maintenance, tree trimming, and irrigation inspections and maintenance. And when needed, the application of a variety of chemicals. Seems chemicals are very big deal at a golf course – from as few as 20 to as many as 100 chemicals are used to keep our course in good shape.
When asked what the biggest challenges are to this job, he had to think. His response: “It’s what I can’t control – the weather, heat, rain, and lightning.”
Duanny was a great interview subject. He confessed his passion about his job includes the feeling that he treats Sabal Springs Golf Course as if it were his own. He doesn’t mind that he is on-call, and should the need arise he is there. Since starting, Duanny has provided services over and above what a “normal job” would include. He works the course and loves what he does. Sabal Springs is very lucky to have an experienced employee but even more a far greater individual with purpose in his life.
