Russ Milstein
Golf Course Superintendent/Turfgrass Agronomist
Sisters,OR
Summary
Highly experienced professional in every aspect of golf course and landscape operations, business management practices and employee leadership . Proven ability to lead and motivate teams to consistently achieve excellence. Comprehensive knowledge of large and small scale irrigation systems, golf course maintenance and construction, soil management, and turf grass systems. Outstanding ability to develop and maintain excellent course conditions and customer satisfaction. I combine my golf course management background with a 15 year stint in the corporate world allowing me to be successful in the field and behind a desk.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
1st Asst Golf Course Superintendent
Black Butte Ranch
Sisters, OR
04.2021 - Current
- Responsible for Glaze Meadow Golf Course
- In charge of all daily activities with regards to course management and employees
- Manage irrigation systems, fertilization, pesticides, well and lake monitoring, all turf management duties
- Rebuilt Toro Lynx Irrigation software and mapping system to maximize output and Precip Mgmt Groups
- Re-established turf density in playable areas through overseeding, irrigation, and fertilization
- Eradicated moss on putting greens through Terracyte applications, Verticutting, and Topdressing
- Reformed Topdressing program to USGA standards
- Hosted the 2021 Oregon Open and host of the upcoming 2026 Oregon Open
- Completed three irrigation system audits of over 2000 heads
- Cleaned, organized, improved maintenance facility
- Maintain records and reports of golf course operations and progress
- Developed and fostered team culture while managing golf course maintenance staff, assigning duties and evaluating performance
- Developing and implementing golf course maintenance and improvement plans
- Ensuring golf course safety regulations are met
- Inspecting golf course daily to ensure course conditions are of highest standard
- Applying pesticide, fungicides, fertilizers and herbicides to ensure golf course health
- Maintaining turf grass systems to ensure Playability
- Developing and implementing new irrigation system software
- Providing exceptional customer service and ensuring customer satisfaction
- Directed special projects such as winterization, tree removal and flower bed installations.
President
CVD (now S4)
Lebanon, Oregon
03.2006 - 01.2021
- Managed large scale family owned manufacturing company with 100 distributors nationwide and up to 115 employees. National and international customer base with clientele ranging from municipalities to Forbes 100 companies.
- Led operational team in development, rollout, and management of new product lines.
- Cultivated strong relationships with external partners to foster collaboration and maximize resources.
- Monitored financial performance and implemented measures to enforce compliance with budgetary standards working with and insuring operational lines of credit.
- Prepared annual budget forecasts and monitored performance to meet organizational objectives.
- Grew annual revenues 350%
- Employed optimal safety practices to reduce worksite complaints and hazards
- Mitigated regulatory risks by overseeing adherence to insurance and safety regulations
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures, re-tooling, and organizational structures
Fly Fishing Guide (summers)
Great Alaska Adventures Lodge
Sterling, Alaska
05.1995 - 01.2005
- Guided over 3500 guests during span of ten seasons with largest lodge on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.
- Endorsed by Orvis
- One of twenty permit holders in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
- Appeared in television shows on networks such as ESPN and in multiple magazine and other print mediums
- Provided professional services and support in dynamic work environment.
- Employed by City of Soldotna at CP Sports Center in winter months.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing personalized fly fishing experiences tailored to individual preferences and skill levels.
Golf Course Consultant
Shadow Hills Golf Club
Pueblo, Colorado
11.1995 - 04.1996
- Successfully performed installation of new irrigation system meshing existing pumping stations
- Established grow in program for addition of nine holes occurring in 1997/98
- Advised and implemented fertility, overseeding, daily maintenance activities
- 5300' elevation golf course with bentgrass/poa annua mix greens
- Supported clients with business analysis, documentation, and data modeling
- Conducted regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement
Golf Course Superintendent
Salida Golf Club/Buena Vista Golf Club
Salida, Colorado
03.1991 - 09.1995
- Managed and directed two separate nine hole golf courses at 7900' elevation. Bentgrass/poa annua mix greens.
- Oversaw bunker renovation as well as renovation of five greens
- Spearheaded purchase of new greens mowers and fairway mowers
- Revamped Rainbird irrigation system
- Increased turf density and decreased winterkill through use of polypropylene greens covers and snowfencing
- Saw greens fee revenue increase of nearly 50% within first 18 mos
- 40% player increase for annual Chaffee County Open
- Directed special projects such as winterization, tree removal and flower bed installations
- Troubleshot and repaired issues with equipment
- Enforced safety protocols for projects to minimize equipment accidents and personnel injuries
- Supervised renovation projects to improve golf course aesthetics and playability, including bunker renovations and tee box leveling.
Asst Golf Course Superintendent
The Pinery Country Club
Parker, Colorado
04.1988 - 03.1991
- 6000' elevation 27 hole private country club with bentgrass greens. David Bingham architect.
- Asst Supt in charge of The Mountain Course
- Responsible for all daily maintenance activities under Certified Superintendent Dick Eide
- Structured all daily mowing and irrigation schedules
- Rainbird irrigation system monitoring and repair
- Applied all fertilizer and pesticide applications
- Identified tools, machinery and personnel required for projects and properly managed resources
- Troubleshot and repaired issues with equipment
Education
Associate of Science - Soil Chemistry
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 09.1984 - 05.1988
Landscape Horticulture/Turfgrass Science
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 09.1984 - 05.1988
Technical And Scientific Communication
Western State College of Colorado
Gunnison, CO 09.1994 - 03.1995
Skills
Superintendent Experience, Team Leadership, Golf Course Maintenance, Soil Management, Turfgrass Systems, Golf Course Construction, Customer Service, Budget and Financial Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance and Purchasing, Safety Regulations, Pesticide Application
*GCSAA member
*Rocky Mt Golf Course Supt Assoc scholarship winner 1988
*OGCSA member
*Oregon Turf Foundation member
*Excell Oregon CEO exchange (past member)
*Oregon Certified Pesticide App license
Timeline
1st Asst Golf Course Superintendent
Black Butte Ranch
04.2021 - Current
President
CVD (now S4)
03.2006 - 01.2021
Golf Course Consultant
Shadow Hills Golf Club
11.1995 - 04.1996
Fly Fishing Guide (summers)
Great Alaska Adventures Lodge
05.1995 - 01.2005
Technical And Scientific Communication
Western State College of Colorado
09.1994 - 03.1995
Golf Course Superintendent
Salida Golf Club/Buena Vista Golf Club
03.1991 - 09.1995
Asst Golf Course Superintendent
The Pinery Country Club
04.1988 - 03.1991
Associate of Science - Soil Chemistry
Colorado State University
09.1984 - 05.1988
Landscape Horticulture/Turfgrass Science
Colorado State University
09.1984 - 05.1988