The LowDowns

Phil Helmn

Show Notes Show Summary In Season 2, Episode 2 of The LowDowns Podcast, Brent welcomes Phil Helmn, Master Greenkeeper, educator with the Bernhard Academy, lecturer at Myerscough College, author, and lifelong turf professional. Recorded live at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando, this international conversation follows Phil’s journey from growing up around golf, to becoming a greenkeeper, completing multiple grow-ins around the world, earning Master Greenkeeper status, and eventually stepping into a powerful second act as a teacher, writer, and leadership voice in the turf industry. Phil shares the story behind his first book, The Power of People, which grew out of leadership coursework and reflection during the COVID period, and then dives into his new release, The Power of You. While his first book focused on building teams, this new book turns the lens back toward the leader. It explores resilience, self-awareness, mental toughness, reflection, and how leaders can better look after themselves while carrying the weight of responsibility. The episode also highlights Phil’s work with the Bernhard Academy, including its interactive leadership and communication training for greenkeepers, superintendents, and turf teams around the world. Brent and Phil discuss why learning about people can be even more difficult than learning about grass, why passion matters, and why the best leaders need to keep developing themselves. This is a warm, funny, thoughtful conversation between two friends across the Atlantic, built around leadership, purpose, education, and the next chapter of a life lived in turf. Key Takeaways * Phil’s Career Came Full Circle — From growing up around golf to becoming a Master Greenkeeper, leading turf teams, working across multiple performance turf environments, and now teaching at Myerscough College, Phil’s career has evolved into a true second act. * The Power of People Started During COVID — Phil’s first book grew out of leadership coursework, reflection, and a need to stay mentally engaged during a difficult period. What began as dissertations became a leadership manual for building teams. * The Power of You Focuses on the Leader — Phil’s new book shifts from team building to self-leadership, helping leaders handle pressure, responsibility, resilience, decision-making, and those quiet moments when the weight of leadership feels heavy. * Passion Has to Be Protected — Phil makes a powerful point: "When the fun stops, stop". If you enjoy what you do, passion shows naturally. If you don’t, it may be time to reflect on what truly drives you. * Leadership Training Must Be Interactive — Through the Bernhard Academy, Phil emphasizes practical, engaging, people-focused education that helps turf teams understand communication, personality styles, empathy, and team dynamics. * The Turf Industry Is Global — Whether in the U.S. or UK, greenkeepers and superintendents face many of the same challenges with people, communication, confidence, stress, and leadership. * This Is a Second-Act Story — Phil’s journey shows that a successful first career chapter can become the foundation for an even more meaningful second one. Call to Listen If you are looking for an episode about leadership, passion, personal growth, and what the next chapter of a turf career can look like, this conversation with Phil Helmn delivers. It is insightful, vulnerable, funny, and full of perspective from someone who has lived the greenkeeping profession from nearly every angle.

Lee Strutt and Matthew Wharton

Show Summary In the Season 1 finale of The LowDowns Podcast, Brent closes the season with a powerful transatlantic conversation featuring Lee Strutt, CGCS MG MS, estate manager at Loch Lomond Golf Club in Scotland, and Matthew Wharton, CGCS MG, superintendent at Idle Hour Country Club in Lexington, Kentucky. This episode brings together two respected leaders, two Master Greenkeepers, and two close friends whose relationship was built through BIGGA, GCSAA, the Master Greenkeeper process, and years of shared industry experiences across both sides of the pond. What begins as a conversation about friendship quickly turns into something deeper: career pressure, personal sacrifice, mentorship, mental health, success, family, legacy, and what it really means to give back to the turf industry. Lee and Matthew reflect on the emotional journey of becoming Master Greenkeepers, the responsibility of mentoring the next generation, and the lessons learned from years of leading teams through both success and struggle. They also discuss the presentation they created together, What Does Success Look Like?, and why it became so important for them to challenge the old idea that burnout is a badge of honor. The episode also brings plenty of humor and personality, from Air Force One stories and golf architecture debates to music, travel, Royal Dornoch, Darless powerful cancer recovery story, and the friendships that make this profession feel like family. It is a fitting close to Season 1: honest, emotional, funny, reflective, and deeply rooted in the people who make this industry special. Key Takeaways * The Turf Industry Is a Global Family – Lee and Matthew’s friendship shows how this profession can build lasting relationships across countries, conferences, associations, and shared career experiences.  * The Master Greenkeeper Journey Is More Than a Credential – Both guests discuss the emotional, professional, and personal weight of the MG process and why those who complete it often describe it as a life-changing journey.  * Success Is Not Just Career Achievement – Their shared presentation, What Does Success Look Like?, challenged the idea that more hours automatically equal more commitment and opened a deeper conversation about health, family, and balance.  * Mentorship Becomes the Legacy – Both Lee and Matthew speak with pride about the people they have helped along the way, from future industry leaders to former team members who reached out years later.  * Vulnerability Matters in Leadership – The episode touches on burnout, pressure, mental health, family strain, illness, and the importance of admitting when you are not okay.  * Relationships Outlast the Job Titles – Whether through BIGGA, GCSAA, BTME, the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Royal Dornoch, or simple WhatsApp messages, the strongest memories are tied to people.  * Season 1 Ends Where It Began: With a Strutt – Brent opened the season with Sami Strutt and closes it with Lee Strutt and Matthew Wharton, bringing the first season full circle in a meaningful way.  Closing This episode is everything The LowDowns Podcast has grown into during Season 1: thoughtful, personal, funny, international, and grounded in real conversations with people who have lived the highs and lows of the turf profession. Lee Strutt and Matthew Wharton bring wisdom, humility, humor, and honesty to a finale that feels less like an interview and more like sitting at a table with three people who truly care about the industry and each other. If you want a conversation about leadership, friendship, legacy, family, and what success really looks like, this is the perfect way to close out the season.

Steven Spatafore

Episode Summary This week on The LowDowns, I sit down with Steven Spatafore, Director of Agronomy at Los Altos Golf & Country Club and the GCSAA Emerging Leader Award recipient. Steven and I go deep on the craft and the calling: building teams, earning respect the right way, learning from mentors, and why leadership is ultimately about people—your crew, your members, and your family. We talk through Steven’s career path (including stops like Pebble Beach and an internship at Valhalla that pushed him out of his comfort zone), what it meant to get “the call” for Emerging Leader, and how his curiosity—books, politics/advocacy, and constant learning—shows up in his management style today. Then we close with our usual segments: Four Down Territory, Two Truths and a Lie, and The Fastest Two Minutes in Podcasting. Key Takeaways * Emerging Leader isn’t a title—it's a responsibility. Steven shares what the award means after the excitement fades: representing your team, your club, and the profession with consistency. * Respect is earned in the margins. Small actions—how you communicate, how you handle pressure, and how you treat people when they’re struggling—become your leadership résumé. * Mentors matter, but so does personal evolution. Steven credits the people who shaped him, while being honest about how marriage, partnership, and life outside the course refine your priorities. * Advocacy is leadership. Steven’s interest in government/politics translates directly into serving the profession and navigating stakeholder environments at the club level. * Hard seasons reveal real culture. From lean staffing moments to COVID-era constraints, Steven explains how you keep standards high while staying human. Segment Rundown * Introduction / Rundowns / Breakdowns – what’s happening in golf + turf, then we set the table for the episode * Showdowns (Interview) – Steven’s origin story, career milestones, leadership philosophy, and what Emerging Leader means in real life * Four Down Territory – a quick-hit list segment (and a great way to hear how Steven thinks) * Two Truths and a Lie – can I finally break my streak? (tune in…) * Fastest Two Minutes in Podcasting – rapid-fire “fill in the blank” + a few laughs * Final Thoughts / Downs and Out – what Steven is most proud of, what’s next, and the episode wrap Final Word Steven is the real deal—grounded, people-first, and relentlessly intentional about growth. If you’re building a team, stepping into leadership, or simply trying to do this job at a high level without losing yourself in it, this episode will hit home.

John Mcloughlin

🎙️ Episode 13 — John McLoughlin: Culture, Leadership, and the All-One Philosophy Show Summary In this international edition of The LowDowns, Brent is joined by John McLoughlin, Course Manager at Wallasey Golf Club in England and a fellow Bernhard Delegation alumni. The conversation unpacks John's thoughtful and holistic leadership philosophy—one grounded in empathy, cultural ownership, and constant growth. From his "All-One" team ethos to his personal transformation through failure, John shares a masterclass on building workplace culture without sacrificing balance at home. You’ll also hear about his global travels, unexpected passion for MMA, and deep pride in Everton FC. Tyler Miget joins early to reflect on what made Wallasey such a standout stop on the UK tour. This episode is packed with introspective storytelling, leadership wisdom, and a shared love for books, growth, and challenging the status quo—on both sides of the Atlantic.  Top Takeaways * John champions the “All-One” philosophy: everyone is valued, aligned, and accountable. * Leadership is built in the first 100 days—set expectations and walk the walk early. * Work-life balance isn’t a myth—it’s a conscious recalibration rooted in priorities. * Failure is feedback—John’s growth as a leader came from missteps and reflection. * The Bernhard Delegation was a life-changing experience, connecting turf pros globally. * Culture disruption doesn’t have to be loud—sometimes it’s consistent and intentional. * John draws from books like Legacy and Fish! to build buy-in, loyalty, and joy at work. * Behind the greens, he’s a devoted Everton supporter, MMA fan, and proud father. * We share laughs and leadership insight in Four Down Territory (top leadership books). * As always, we wrap with Two Truths and a Lie, the Fastest 2 Minutes in Podcasting, and a heartfelt outro. 🎧 Why You Should Listen If you’re looking for a real-world example of how soft skills build hard results, this episode will hit home. John brings emotional intelligence, clarity of purpose, and lived experience to every answer. Whether you're a superintendent, distributor, or aspiring leader, his approach to culture and growth is both inspiring and actionable. A standout episode in the series. 🕒 Chapters and Timestamps * 00:00 — Introduction * 01:45 —   The RunDowns * 02:24 —  The BreakDowns * 05:21 —   The ShowDowns * 07:08 — Tyler and John Discuss Wallasey * 16:00 — The Beginnings of the All-One Philosophy & Work-Life Balance * 23:06 — Personal Development and Understanding Priorities * 27:03 — Making Plans and Learning from Failures * 29:23 — The First 100 Days of Change * 35:45 — How to Measure If You’re Making an Impact * 39:33 — Career Beginnings and Traveling Around the World * 45:50 — The Bernhard Delegation * 52:55 — John Away From the Course * 57:00 — Liverpool and “Scouse” Culture * 1:00:30 — Four Down Territory: Best Leadership Books * 1:08:04 — Two Truths and a Lie * 1:11:22 — The Fastest 2 Minutes in Podcasting * 1:18:24 — John’s Final Thoughts and Exit * 1:25:32 — Downs and Out

Ryan Baldwin

Show Summary In this episode of The LowDowns, Brent sits down with Ryan Baldwin, former superintendent and current distributor representative with Advanced Turf Solutions. Joined by co-host Mitchell Eickhoff, the conversation dives into the evolving role of distributor reps in the golf and turf industry—from sales stereotypes and EOP realities to personal stories of growth, gratitude, and baseball. Ryan reflects on the skills that helped him succeed on both sides of the industry, what pushed him to leave his superintendent role, and how he still gets that “dopamine rush” from perfectly sodded projects. This episode is filled with light-hearted jokes, thoughtful career insight, and the kind of honest reflection you only get from someone who’s been around the turfgrass block. If you've ever wondered what makes a great rep—or what really goes on in those early order programs—this one's for you. Top Takeaways * Distributor Reps Need Soft Skills – Listening, building trust, and being okay with rejection are critical in this side of the industry. * Transferable Traits from Super to Sales – Ryan’s superintendent experience gave him a foundation in empathy, precision, and building relationships. * Dopamine in Distribution – For reps, satisfaction comes from helping others succeed—seeing great projects finished, not just personal glory. * Early Order Program Myths and Truths – Ryan explains how EOPs work, when they’re beneficial, and when they might not be the best fit. * The Power of Saying Yes (or No) – Great reps aren’t pushy; they offer the right solution—even if it’s not a product. * Career Pivots Are Personal – Ryan shares an emotional story about a pivotal moment that convinced him it was time to leave his superintendent role. * Life Outside the Greens – A proud grandparent, baseball coach, and family man, Ryan shows there’s more to turf professionals than turf. * What Makes a Good Sales Rep – Spoiler: It’s not just samples. It’s humility, patience, and knowing when not to sell. * Don’t Judge a Rep by the Truck – Jokes aside, this episode challenges the clichés about sales reps—and honors the good ones. * The LowDowns Format Continues to Evolve – With recurring segments like “Four Down Territory” and “Two Truths and a Lie,” Brent’s podcast continues to entertain while informing. Why You Should Listen If you're looking for a candid, fun, and surprisingly deep conversation about what life looks like after the superintendency, this episode brings heart, humor, and industry insight in equal measure. Whether you're a superintendent, a vendor rep, or just love this community, Ryan Baldwin’s journey will give you something to think about—and probably make you laugh along the way.  Chapters and Timestamps * 00:00 – Introduction * 01:40 – The Rundowns * 05:07 – The Breakdowns * 07:06 – Showdowns Introduction * 09:00 – Skills of a Distributor Rep * 14:10 – Ryan Baldwin Origin Story * 22:15 – The Effect of Dopamine in Turf * 26:30 – The Change from Superintendent to Rep * 31:17 – Benefits of Early Order Program * 37:05 – Ryan Baldwin Away from the Golf Course * 42:20 – Four Down Territory * 49:10 – Two Truths and a Lie * 50:50 – Fastest Two Minutes in Podcasting * 54:12 – Most Proud * 55:18 – Ryan’s Exit * 56:18 – Downs and Out (Outro)