Skip to main content

Tournaments Hosted

The Hyundai Tournament of Champions at Kapalua Resort 2011

Mercedes Benz Championship on the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort 2008, and 2009

SBS Championship on the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort 2010

Hosted Kapalua LPGA Classic on the Bay Course at Kapalua Resort 2008

WORK EXPERIENCE

2015 - Present Kona Country Club Kailua Kona, HI

Golf Course Superintendent

 Implemented a grow in program and schedule to open the golf course following a three-
year construction project.

 Developed IPM, Pesticide, Irrigation programs, and all inventory usage and ordering

procedures.

 Installed and have certification in Toro Lynx Irrigation control system.

 Restructured the Maintenance Department including hiring crew members, union

negotiations, equipment list, lease agreements and safety procedures.

 Interim as General Manager to organize pro shop, cart barn and restaurant before

opening.

 Developed Annual Budgets for all Departments and Capital Expenditures.

 Worked with Golf Course Architect to ensure his design was incorporated into the grow

in program.

 Established good Public Relations with Community members and the surrounding

Home Owner Associations.

2011- 2015 Princeville Golf Course Princeville, HI

Director of Agronomy/Resort Landscape

Greens: SeaDwarf Paspalum   Tees/Fairways: Bermuda 419    Holes: 36

  • Direct and supervise daily operations of golf course, resort landscape areas, and golf academy maintenance.

  •  2011-2012 renovated the course including rebuilding all green complexes with Sea Dwarf Paspalum, tee bunkers, irrigation, and the entire practice facility.

  •  Manage annual budgets and capital expenditures for Princeville Resort Golf Course, and Resort Landscaping.

  •  Restored the golf course to its original design by enhancing  ocean views and reclaiming playing surfaces from forest encroachment.

  • Manage all equipments for set up and repair including warranty, and lease agreements.

  •  Installed and have certification in Toro Lynx Irrigation control system

  •  Organized and cleaned maintenance shop to provide safer and more productive facility.

2007 - 2011 Kapalua Resort Lahaina Maui, HI

Superintendent Golf Course / Resort Landscape

Greens: TifEagle Tees / Fairways: Bermuda 328/419 Holes: 36

  •  Direct and supervise daily operations of golf course, resort landscape areas, and golf academy maintenance.

  •  Completed renovation of twenty golf greens, tees, a 7800 sqft short game practice area, nursery green, including design, irrigation, and grow in.

  •  Manage annual budgets and capital expenditures for Kapalua Resort Golf Course, Academy Teaching Facility, and Resort Landscaping.

  •  Developed IPM, Pesticide, Irrigation programs, and all inventory usage and ordering procedures

  •  Manage all equipment for set up and repair including warranty, and lease agreement.

  •  Work closely with the crew to maintain proper training, and safety.

2005 – 2007 Ke’olu Club at Hualalai Ka'upulehu- Kona, HI

Assistant Superintendent

Greens: TifEagle Tees/Fairways: Bermuda Tifway II Holes: 36

  •  Daily set up and maintenance of golf course to ensure world class playing conditions at all times.

  •  Work with superintendent to organize schedules, irrigation, chemical applications, document experiments, special projects, identify disease, insects, and weed control.

  •  Manage and train crew on safety, operating procedures, developing future goals, details for various jobs, and motivate for producing quality product.

  •  Involved in the building and grow in of a new TifEagle putting green, and nursery.

2004 – 2005 Waikoloa Beach Resort Waikoloa, HI

Assistant Superintendent

Greens: Tifdwarf Tees/Fairways: Bermuda Tifway II Holes: 36

  •  Daily set up and maintenance of golf course to ensure tournament playing conditions at all times.

  •  Worked with the budget and capital expenditures process.

  •  Responsible for all golf course workers including: union compliance, scheduling, training, work performance, assigning jobs, and safety of workers.

  •  Maintain proper irrigation for courses including: irrigation programs, irrigation pond levels, troubleshooting, and percent adjustments.

  •  Oversaw daily chemical applications, calibrations for all types of chemicals, recorded all application amounts, designed and incorporated chemical programs.

  •  Certified in Site Pro irrigation, installed, designed programs, created T-Map using Global Satellite Positioning system, and control central system.

1999 - 2003 Valley View Golf Club Bozeman MT

2nd Assistant/Irrigation Technician

Greens: Bentgrass/Poa Tees/Fairways: Blue/Rye mix Holes: 18

  •  Maintenance of all types of golf course equipment, including grinding of reels, and preventive maintenance.

  •  Involved in an Integrated Pest Management Program including, identification of diseases and controlling them.

  •  Maintained irrigation system on entire golf course, designed and installed irrigation projects along holes #1, #2, and #15 rough.

  •  Constructed a new forward tee box on #18, and designed new surrounding landscapes for all existing tee stations.

  •  Oversaw a completed renovation for fifty four bunkers.

1998 - 1998 Mariana Butte Golf Course Loveland CO

Internship

Greens: Bentgrass Tees / Fairways: Kentucky Blue / Rye Holes: 18

  •  Trained on different types of golf course equipment, safety, and operating procedures.

  •  Irrigation work: relocated sprinkler heads for better coverage, repaired leaks in line and at head.

  • Fertilization of greens.
     Special projects such as, rebuilding of rock retaining wall, and widening of cement cart paths

EDUCATION

Bachelors of Science, Horticulture

1999-2004

Associate of Applied Science, Ornamental Horticulture

1997-1999

MEMBERSHIPS

Here is some of my involvment with the GCSAA

2000 - Present
Class A Golf Course Superintendents Association of America member since 2000.
2004 - Present
Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association since 2004.
2009 - 2010
Hawaii GCSAA Vice President for State Board 2009, and 2010
2011,2012,2013
Hawaii GCSAA President for State Board 2011, 2012, and 2013

"I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend quality time with Derrick throughout his employment at Kapalua. In that timeframe Derrick has been a valuable asset to Kapalua’s golf course maintenance operations. His extensive experience in all facets of turf grass maintenance combined with his solid work ethic makes him a very talented course Superintendent. During his tenure directing maintenance of The Bay Course, the overall condition (especially the greens!) has been the best I have seen throughout my 16 years at Kapalua Resort. He completely turned around the playability and condition of The Bay Course.

Kapalua’s golf members and Resort guests have been consistently praising Derrick’s efforts and abilities since his arrival. From course conditions, employee training to guest & member relations, Derrick has proven himself to be a positive leader. He will be an asset to any operation."

Jerry King, PGA - Director of Instruction Kapalua Golf Academy

“Congratulations to Derrick Watts Superintendent of the Bay Golf Course at Kapalua Resort. The course is in outstanding shape. I have lived here for 25 years and I have never seen the course in such good condition. Also remember that this is a public resort course, so 52 weeks out of the year it gets played and for him to get it in such outstanding condition is remarkable".

Mark Rolfing, Broadcaster - The Golf Channel

"As Superintendent to The Bay Course at Kapalua, Derrick Watts was integral to the success of the renovation to this 35 year old course and its launching of the first Kapalua LPGA Classic. I am sure Derrick will be an asset to the next agronomy program he is involved with"

Gary Planos, Senior VP/Resort Operations and Tournament Chairman - Kapalua Golf Course

SKILLS

Over 20 years of golf course maintenance experience in both cold and warm weather climates.  I strive to incorporating a strong emphasis on building a team atmosphere to improve fellow staff and company operations.

TURF MANAGEMENT

100%

TEAM BUILDING

100%

COUNTY AND REGULATIONS MANAGEMENT

100%

PLANT SCIENCE

100%

ALOHA

100%

CERTIFICATIONS

Audubon International recertification The Bay Course 2008 – 2010.
Hawaii State Commercial Applicator of Restricted Pesticide license 2004.

Kona Country Club

Kona Country Club

Princeville Golf Course

July 16, 2014

Kapalua Resort

June 12, 2014

Ke’olu Club at Hualalai

March 30, 2014

Close Menu

Let’s Connect

Derrick Watts
Kailua Kona, HI

T: +808-6512157
E: watts.turf@gmail.com

Recent Posts