Rising Star of Turf: Josh Smith

Josh Smith took an unconventional route to Orinda Country Club in Orinda, California, where he has been superintendent for the past decade. A competitive golfer at St. Mary's College in Moraga, California, the Oregon native worked as an aspiring golf course architect before finally getting into golf course maintenance. It was while working at the California Golf Club of San Francisco when he attended the two-year program at Rutgers University, which provided him with the skills needed to become a head superintendent. Smith also has interesting side hustles that include painting golf course portraits and co-ownership in a company the fashions carry bags for golfers from flags.