“Trust Your Instincts”: Wes Komick’s Journey to Becoming a Superintendent

At Toro’s Assistant Superintendent Experience this past August, Wes Komick realized he was ready to take the next step in his career.

The event takes place at Toro headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota. It’s a chance for assistant superintendents from across North America to build professional development skills, check out Toro’s latest innovations and connect with other assistant superintendents.

Like most attendees, Komick’s passion for golf led him to the industry. However, Komick — who was recently named co-superintendent at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch Golf Course in Boerne, Texas — has had a unique, hard-traveled path.

A Colorado native, Komick earned a degree in Apparel Merchandising with a concentration in product development from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. After graduation, he took an unpaid internship in the fashion industry. However, his trajectory was soon upended by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Komick returned to his hometown to help his dad run the family bed-and-breakfast. As business stalled due to the pandemic, he followed his love of golf and got a job at Dalton Ranch Golf Club in Durango, Colorado.

“I really admired how the assistant superintendent carried himself and how he was bouncing around and showing people how to do things,” Komick said. “I’ve always been a hard worker, and I remember thinking ‘I could do that.’”

Heavy snow and frigid temperatures caused the course to shut down every winter, but Komick wasn’t willing to sit and wait for warm weather to return. He packed up his car and set out for Phoenix — his only goal to get as far from cold weather as possible.

“I was lucky enough that I had some friends out there, and during a golf trip I realized I love it in the desert,” Komick said. “So I applied for a job at Desert Mountain and got a call back the next day.”

Desert Mountain is where Komick met Kenton Brunson, who he considers a mentor. The two would part ways as Komick took a position at TPC Scottsdale before rejoining forces at Phoenix Country Club. Eventually, Brunson brought Komick along to Bermuda, where they spent time working together at Mid Ocean Club.

Komick credits Brunson with helping him further his education and moving up the career ladder. He was also the one who encouraged Komick to attend the Assistant Superintendent Experience.

“Getting to meet everyone at that event was really special, and I was able to make a group chat with all of us and we still talk every day,” Komick said. “We update each other on different things that we’re doing on the golf course, life experiences and job opportunities. Everyone is super supportive, which is really awesome.”

His experience at Toro, the support from his colleagues, and Brunson’s mentorship have been crucial as he moves from assistant superintendent at Mid Ocean Club to co-superintendent at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch Golf Course. 

“After listening to the presenters [at the Assistant Superintendent Experience], they motivated me to take the leap and trust your instincts on the golf course,” Komick said. “I love the grind, I love training and getting to know people. If you have all those things, you can be a successful superintendent.”