Kenny Watkins

I would like to introduce myself, I am Kenny Watkins, FireRock Country Clubs Golf Course Superintendant. I have a long history in the golf industry as I grew up on a family owned nine hole golf course in Southern Arizona and was the son of a Golf Professional. I had the opportunity to work our golf course and received free rounds of golf in lieu of compensation. I did this through my high school years. After school I moved away and started working at the El Conquistador Resort in Tucson, where I worked as an apprentice to the Course Superintendent. During this 7 year tenure, the course superintendant resigned to take another position and I was awarded my first Superintendants position. This new experience awarded me the opportunity to build another 36 holes making the course a 45 hole facility.

I have been involved with the building and maintenance of golf facilities in Mexico, Utah, and several courses in the Valley including the building of Tatum Ranch Golf Club, Palm Valley Golf Club and The Golf Club at Johnson Ranch.

In January 1999, I was selected to over-see the construction and maintenance of FireRock Country Club working directly for the course designer, Gary Panks. Having been around golf course maintenance facilities all my life, I can truly say I bleed green. I have a passion for what I do and try to hire those that aspire to do the same. I believe FireRock was one of the most beautiful and complex course construction projects that I have had the pleasure to be a part and from my 10 years with the Club I can honestly say I know every inch of the course as well as several inches below.

Being a golfer myself, (carrying a 3 handicap) I know what a golfer expects and believe in providing our members with nothing but the best playing condition. I like to think that our staff at FireRock, “Majors in the Minors” taking care of the details and not just mowing the course. We use every state of the art piece of equipment and technology from computerized weather stations and irrigation, to soils testing of every fairway, green and tee complex so that we know every possible factor when conducting our agronomic practices. With all the accolades that our staff receives regarding course conditions, it is a joy to come to work everyday and it inspires each and everyone of us to strive to be a little better everyday.