19th Hole: Miles Carlson

Carlson, the superintendent at The Player Course, The Woodlands (Texas) CC, talks family, his recent golf trips and more.

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Miles Carlson

Superintendent // The Player Course, The Woodlands (Texas) CC

Miles, what can I get you? Since we’re in Louisville at the PGA Championship, bourbon for sure. Buffalo Trace is my go-to when I’m at home.

How did you get into the business? The only jobs I’ve ever had were on the golf course. I started working in golf during high school washing golf carts. Then I moved to the pro shop. My uncle was a superintendent, so I knew it was a good career path. When I went to college, I got a bachelor’s in turfgrass. My first job out of college was working for my uncle.

Tell me about your course. It was designed by Gary Player. It’s the toughest of the five courses at The Woodlands Country Club.

Do you have a family, and what do you do for fun? I have a wife, Jennifer, and a daughter, Lillie. Jen is the best for putting up with my work schedule and golf trips. We also have Bernie — she’s a labradoodle that loves coming to work every day. In our spare time we love to travel.

Speaking of golf trips, you and your dad are on a good one. Starting at the PGA Championship, then what? I try every year to go on at least one golf trip with my dad. This week is going to be pretty good. After a few days at the PGA Championship, we have six rounds of golf lined up, mostly in Ohio. Scioto CC, NCR CC and Moriane CC to name a couple of cool stops this week.

What is your favorite tool to get the job done? Siri, I talk to her every day. She keeps me organized with my calendar, the weather and I don’t normally forget as much during the day when I have her set my reminders.

What teams do you root for? I’m an Arkansas graduate, so it has to be the Razorbacks.

What is your all-time favorite movie? I don’t know if I have an all-time favorite, but I always seem to turn on The Big Lebowski at least once or twice a month when I see it streaming.

Aside from visiting your course, what else should I do if I’m in your area? Head down to the Woodlands Waterway — it has lots of great restaurants and bars. It’s only a few minutes from my golf course. You can easily find three or four great steak houses.

I’ve seen you at the Masters twice and now the PGA Championship. What’s your all-time favorite tournament experience? You can’t beat going to the Masters; it’s No. 1. A close second for me was the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews. The whole experience was cool crossing the pond.

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