My job is the best

By Joe Rector

I have the best part-time job. No, the pay isn't that good, and for most people the hours are lousy. With that said, I still believe that I'm fortunate to have this job.

My job is to mow the tee boxes at Knoxville Municipal Golf Course, Jim, my twin brother, has mowed the greens either on weekends or during summers for twenty years. I'm new in that my tenure is only five years. Some holes have four separate boxes, while others have one large area for all four types of players.

The people with whom I work make the job special. Brent Maples is the superintendent. Anyone who thinks he or she is able to do the job must realize the hours that are required. Brent usually returns during the evening hours to complete a job. Brent has a degree with a specialty in golf turf. He is a perfectionist, and that sometimes causes his hackles to get up. He's been patient with me, especially when I've made a mistake or disabled a mower.

Along with brother Jim, Jack, Jerry, Tom, Jeff, Evan, and a new boy arrive every day. The exceptions are rainy days, but even during those times some of us show up to make sure we're not working. I've seen days when the rain poured at my home but not a drop fell just a few miles away. We cut up and tease each other. Each person is willing to help out others when a problem arises.

The people in the clubhouse are good folks too. Candice is always pleasant with a kind word and a smile. Aaron is ready to help any golfer or worker with tee times. Even Lee, who sounds grumpy only because his voice has a growl to it, will bend over backward to back up workers and serve customers.

Another good thing about this job is the hours. I rise each workday at 5 a.m. and arrive at the course at about 5:30. As soon as someone opens the barn, I'll hop on the mower. My goal is to finish all the boxes before the first golfer tees off. Most days, I have to wait a couple of times at least after folks catch me. If things work perfectly, I can usually finish my work in about 3 ½ hours. At the end of mowing, I have to wash up the mower. I dislike this chore most because I always wind up half-soaked from the spray of the hose. I'm a morning person, so by 2:00 p.m. I'm toast and ready for a nap or a long sitting session by the pool.

The best part of my job is being able to travel the golf course at the beginning of a new day. Nothing is much prettier than the sun rising on a dew-covered fairway. On several occasions, I take a break to watch a turkey and his harem slowly walk across Hole Number 14 on their way to the woods. Even more exciting to me is watching a lone doe munch on grass and other things in the overgrown area just past Hole Number 3 tee boxes. Before long, a mower or tractor or golf cart will cause the skittish animal to turn toward a thicker covering that offers security.

Yes, the job required little thinking. That's a plus. I appreciate Brent for hiring me and giving me an opportunity to enjoy the people with whom I work. It's a great job that doesn't have demands on me. I do what I'm told and go home. After a career of teaching high school English, something simple is perfect for me.

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