Woodward preps U.S. Open course before next big step

With a big smile, Mark Woodward recalls his first job as a young man working for his grandfather, Jay Woodward, at Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree.

"I was a college student at ASU, and he started me out at $1.20 an hour, and told me if I worked real hard he'd raise my salary 20 cents every year," Woodward said. "But the next year I was offered $6.40 an hour to go to work for the city of Mesa as assistant superintendent at Dobson Ranch. I tell ya, I thought I had died and gone straight to heaven."

Two things of great importance in the life of Mark Woodward happened way back then in those early 1970s. Woodward learned about growing bent grass, as his grandfather was the first to introduce those types of greens into Arizona. And he also got a glimpse of what it was like to build a golf course from Dobson Ranch creators Red Lawrence, Jeff Harding and Greg Nash, whom he worked with during the construction phase.

"I was the assistant at Dobson Ranch while the course was being built, and two years later they promoted me to superintendent," Woodward said. "Eventually, I helped Gary Panks build the nine holes at Riverview, and ended up managing both courses."

In all, the 55-year-old Woodward dedicated 31 years of his life to the Mesa Parks and Recreation Department, which eventually was under his direction. Then Woodward made a jump(s) that few of us could ever comprehend.

Five years ago, Woodward was named golf operations manager for San Diego with the sole purpose of bringing the South Course at Torrey Pines up to agronomical standards to host this summer's U.S. Open.

But that will all change in July - or two weeks after the U.S. Open is over - when Woodward becomes the CEO of Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

"I was born and raised in Arizona, and that's where my family is from. In that regard, I'll never forget where I came from even though all eyes are on San Diego these days," said Woodward, noting that his son Matt, son-in-law Cody Swirczynski and cousins Mike, Ernie and Jay Pock all are superintendents, too.

Being the man in charge of a U.S. Open is, of course, a huge undertaking. But assuming the reins of the superintendents association, which includes 21,000 members in 72 countries, also is a move of major proportions.

"I've been so busy with the Open that I haven't put a lot of thought into the new job quite yet," said Woodward, who is the first certified superintendent in the organization's history dating back to 1926 to serve as CEO. "So until we're done putting on the best U.S. Open ever, it's not really something I want to get into other than to say it will be an honor to serve my peers."

Much of the credit for the transformation of Torrey Pines, from beaten-down muni to the impeccable site of the national championship, goes to Woodward. It was his five-year plan that raised more than $5 million to change the face of "Torrey."

Among the biggest changes, Woodward switched the grass on the greens from seaside bent to "pure" poa annua, which sped them up dramatically. He also regrew the kikuyu grass in the rough until it resembled steel wool. Other additions included a new cart path to relieve compaction in the fairways, and moving back several tees until the course could be played at 7,600 yards from the tips.

"Phil Mickelson was out here (last week) hitting some shots out of the rough, and he says it's pretty brutal," reported Woodward of his fellow ASU alum. "And I can tell you it will get very scary by the time the Open takes place."

Asked if Mickelson gave him an A for his work, Woodward laughed.

"Like a lot of the guys, he's not enamored with some of the changes, but he was very pleased with the conditioning," said Woodward. "I tend to listen to Phil, because having grown up here in San Diego, he knows the course better than most."

Woodward said Mickelson's only real hang-up was the new tee at the par-5 13th hole, which now rambles on for more than 600 yards in the thick ocean air.

"They have to play it over a canyon now, and it's a 250-yard carry," Woodward said. "But the entire course will play different than it usually does for the Buick (Invitational in January), as the greens won't be as bumpy, although they will be firmer and much quicker."

With the U.S. Open taking place June 12-15, Woodward said he plans to close the South Course to the public May 21. When it reopens on July 1, the greens fee will jump to $200 for out-of-towners.

Woodward admitted that "Zonies" will find the greens fee "a little steep." Of course, Woodward won't be around to hear the complaining.

Besides, he's got his own problems to deal with.

"Oh, yeah, life is hectic and it's only going to get more so," he said. "I told my wife the other day that this is the first time we've ever been in such a quandary over housing.

"I'm trying to rent my house at Las Sendas in Mesa, while I'm trying to sell my house in San Diego, while I'm trying to buy a home in (Lawrence) Kansas. And I don't really have time to tend to any of it because I've got a U.S. Open to put on."