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“I’m not a golfer,” confesses Robb, lead assistant superintendent at Grove XXIII, a private golf course owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan. “But I love the grass.” Thankfully, there is no shortage of beautiful days on the green at the invitation-only Florida course.
Such a prestigious role is exciting and rewarding, but life wasn’t always this sweet for Robb. While a student at Brentsville District High School in Northern Virginia, a career on a golf course wasn’t even on Robb’s radar. Instead, he followed the path of many graduating seniors and enrolled in college. He struggled to find his footing and dropped out after his first semester.
Back at home and needing a job, he found one on the maintenance crew of a nearby executive golf course. “It was 18 holes, short, really fun. I learned a lot.”
He re-enrolled in college, but again realized it wasn’t the right fit. “I didn’t have a drive for academics,” he laments. Feeling disillusioned, Robb was at a crossroads. That’s when it dawned on him that the only job he had truly enjoyed since graduating high school was on the golf course. But could he make a career out of it? He applied at another golf course and this time stayed on for several years, working his way up to 2nd assistant superintendent.
He was amazed to discover that the drive he couldn’t tap into in college had been there all along. “I fell in love with it. I loved being outside. I loved putting in the work and getting to see the results of my efforts literally growing around me.”
Now that he knew what his future looked like, Robb wanted to ensure his long-term growth and success. He approached his Superintendent, Chris McCarthy, a Rutgers turf program alum, for career advice. Pointing to the framed Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management Two-Year Program certificate hanging on McCarthy’s office wall, Robb asked, “Do you think that would help?”
McCarthy replied, “Well, I went through the Rutgers program, did the internship, and then quickly got promoted… yes, it will help!”
That endorsement was enough for Robb. He looked into the Rutgers program and saw that the schedule would allow him to take classes during the off-season and go back to work during the busy season. He enrolled in the Fall 2014 session and quickly discovered that the faculty is one of many things that sets the Rutgers program apart.
On the first day, the returning students warned the first-year students about one instructor: Rich Buckley. He’s tough, they cautioned. His class is impossible.
Robb wanted to get a sense of just what he was in for, so the first time he encountered Buckley in the classroom, he asked, “Why do you teach?” Buckley’s response was one Robb still hasn’t forgotten more than a decade later: I teach for you guys. When you go out to meetings or you’re on your golf course and have an issue, I want you to understand everything they’re saying so you can produce the best product. I do this so you can be better.
“I really respected that answer,” Robb recalls. “I studied harder for his class than anything else. What he teaches is important. He was one of my favorite professors.”
The entire Rutgers Two-Year Certificate Program gave Robb the foundation he needed. “I learned a lot on the job, but at Rutgers I learned all the science behind it. Getting the background and education—learning in the classroom and then seeing that in the field—gave me a solid base to grow from.”
I learned a lot on the job, but at Rutgers I learned all the science behind it. Getting the background and education—learning in the classroom and then seeing that in the field—gave me a solid base to grow from.
– Tyler Robb
But it was more than just the education; Robb looks back on his time spent at Rutgers with fondness, especially the friends he made there.
“I loved New Brunswick. I stayed in a house with roommates. We had a good time. We went out a lot, especially our first year, and had a lot of fun. Maybe too much!” he laughs. Those connections endure. “There’s a group chat of maybe 10 or 15 of us from class and we still keep in touch 10 years later.”
Perhaps the most important factor in his career success in and after Rutgers has been networking, especially in local GCSA chapters. “I got my job at Grove XXIII by networking with the right people. I served on the board of the Treasure Coast GCSA chapter [part of the Florida Chapter of GCSAA]. It’s a who’s who of superintendents in the area.” Through these connections, Robb realized he knew the superintendent at Grove XXIII and reached out to ask if they were hiring. The rest, as they say, is history.
Networking also led him to a new professional endeavor: podcast host. He and another local superintendent, Rob Uzar, started the Turf Talk podcast in 2024, giving listeners the chance to hear from industry professionals on a wide variety of turf-related topics, from leadership and career growth to irrigation design to drone spraying. It also gives Robb the chance to give back to the industry by creating a community and sharing insights that might otherwise be difficult to come by.
It’s a rewarding career. I enjoy watching the grass grow, but it’s more than that; I love seeing the people I work with grow.
– Tyler Robb
A Full Circle Moment
It took Robb several years of trial and error to discover that working on a golf course was not just a career option, but his life’s passion. The irony is that in partnership with the Toro Company, Robb’s alma mater, Brentsville District High School, recently launched a one-of-a-kind turf management program for high schoolers called the Brentsville Turf Toro Grounds Academy. The program teaches students about turf management and gives them opportunities to apply the training in hands-on activities.
Robb has returned to his high school to speak to the students about his experiences and encourage them to pursue their dreams. He is excited to see that these young students are learning about the field earlier in their career journeys than he did.
“It’s a rewarding career. You get to work outside. It’s fun to work on the equipment. I like to say I get to ‘play’ on the equipment,” Robb laughs. “I enjoy watching the grass grow, but it’s more than that; I love seeing the people I work with grow.”
Learn more about Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management School!
Send an email to 2yearturf@njaes.rutgers.edu.