From world-class superintendents to top-notch consultants, Dave Delsandro and Jeff Corcoran have seen just about everything during their long stays in the golf course industry. Now, they want to share their experiences.
Jeff Corcoran (left) and Dave Delsandro (right) bring more than 40 years of industry experience to their new joint venture, Agronomic Advisors. (Photo: Dave Delsandro)
Corcoran and Delsandro, both with more than 20 years in the GCSAA and multiple pro tournaments at Oak Hill CC and Oakmont CC respectively, partnered to soft-launch Agronomic Advisors last year with the goal of providing help and solutions to golf course superintendents.
“The idea for Agronomic Advisors formed rather organically over time,” Delsandro says. “We were both looking for a way to take a different path in our careers, and the concept of partnering together to form Agronomic Advisors grew out of our joint conversations.”
Both Corcoran and Delsandro say the company is off to a great start, and they agree that building and maintaining strong relationships is not only enjoyable but also paramount to their continued success.
“The most rewarding part for me, so far, has been the relationship building with our peers in the industry,” Corcoran says. “Visiting other golf courses and helping individuals overcome the challenges of their specific site or location has been both exciting and enjoyable.”
Delsandro says partnering with a close friend has been great, and the two often combine their knowledge and experiences to provide better help for the modern-day superintendent.
“Agronomic Advisors exists as a company to help others,” Delsandro says. “That has been and will continue to be the principle that guides our firm’s culture and future path.”
And you can be sure any help based on their combined knowledge and experiences has more than enough solid footing to stand on. Together, their combined careers create a resume most superintendents can only dream of.
Corcoran, for example, hosted two PGA Championships and two Senior PGA Championships, while Delsandro was involved in preparing and hosting four national championship venues, including two U.S. Opens.
Both men also have extensive achievements in high-end golf course renovations, construction, agronomy, management, development and more.
“During my 21-year career at Oak Hill, I had the opportunity to experience every aspect and challenge that the industry has to offer, and having the ability to bring that experience set to fellow superintendents is extremely rewarding,” Corcoran says.
Delsandro mimics this sentiment, explaining that they’ve lived through all the same concerns, challenges and stressors that plague golf courses today, giving them fresh perspectives that coincide seamlessly with the modern-day superintendent.
Ultimately, they hope their perspectives and the relationships they form make them a trusted brand within the industry for others to turn to, and so far, it’s working.
“When someone works with Agronomic Advisors, they are going to receive our commitment to providing the best agronomic advice in the industry,” Corcoran says.
While Delsandro and Corcoran have found new career successes with agronomic advisors, it does mean they’ve left some big shoes to fill at Oakmont and Oak Hill.
Fred Doheny, an assistant under Corcoran for the 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill CC, will take over for Corcoran at Oak Hill. Doheny is a 20-year GCSAA member and Class A superintendent who spent the previous 10 years as superintendent at Greenwich (Conn.) Country Club.
Replacing Delsandro at Oakmont is Mike McCormick, a GCSAA Class A superintendent and 11-year association member who Delsandro says is a perfect fit for the new role as Oakmont prepares to host the U.S. Open in 2025.
“It feels great watching Mike operate as superintendent at Oakmont,” he says. “I couldn’t be prouder of him. He’s doing a phenomenal job. The course is in much better shape now than it ever was during my tenure. He’s an elite talent and a superb fit for Oakmont.”
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