Gersain Villavicencio is the Equipment Manager at Glen Arven Country Club in Thomasville, GA. Gersain followed his dad into the golf course world after finishing auto tech school and working at a transit bus garage. This new dad of a little boy loves traveling with his wife and deep sea fishing in his free time. And his deep sea fishing story is one we won’t soon forget!
Transcript
Trent Manning:
welcome to the reel turf techs podcast for the technician that wants to get reel follow along. As we talk to industry professionals and address hot topics that we all face along the way we’ll learn tips and tricks. I’m your host, Trent. Manning let’s have some Welcome to the Reel turf techs podcast, episode 61. today, we’re talking to her sane. The events CEO. Or junior. He’s the equivalent manager. Uh, Glen Arvin country club and Thomasville, Georgia. Glenn Arvin country club is an 18 hole. Private course. They’re saying as the loan technician and a shop. He has Toro equipment. Except to John Deere. Two 60 B walkers. Just a little heads up on the audio this week, we had a few connectivity issues and a few spots. And you can hear your signs, new baby boy jamming in the conversation. But no under saying and his dad. The baby probably already has a few things to say about the next generation of turf techs. Let’s talk to her to sign. Welcome girl. Sane to the Reel turf techs pod. How you doing today?
Versain Villavicencio:
I’m doing well, doing well, glad to be here.
Trent Manning:
That’s good to have another fellow Georgian in the house, even though we’re probably three hours away, something like
Versain Villavicencio:
Give or take.
Trent Manning:
Okay. Are you three and a half to Atlanta?
Versain Villavicencio:
Uh, yes, sir. Yeah. I live in Tallahassee. I work in Georgia relevant Tallahassee.
Trent Manning:
Oh, okay. Well, how far are you from.
Versain Villavicencio:
from Thomasville about, 30 minutes,
Trent Manning:
Okay, right. Bad though.
Versain Villavicencio:
20 of I’m running late.
Trent Manning:
Yeah, yeah. Yeah. I hear you. I hear you. So tell us how you got into the turf.
Versain Villavicencio:
Well, I really got into it. He’s been actually working in the golf industry for a while now. back when we live in homestead, Florida, he worked at ocean reef and truckload up the keys as an irrigation tech. But back then I had no idea that, you know, you could have a career in the golf industry when we moved up here, Tallahassee golden Eagle country club. And then, uh, he left that went to construction for a little bit. But when the economy crashed, she ended up getting a job at Glen Arvin where he’s been there for 12 years now. And, Um, after I graduated text school, I worked at a, a bus garage for public transportation here in Tallahassee. And just, I was kind of getting tired, not bored, but, uh, management, there was not the best. And I was getting really stressed out. So one day he calls me up and said, You know, superintendent asked me if I knew anybody that was looking for a job as a mechanic and like you’re interested or like, yeah, sure. I mean, I don’t know nothing, no clue what I’ll be doing there, but I mean, why not? So I want to interviewed and got the job and here I am, I’m going on four years and in the golf.
Trent Manning:
That’s so good. So your dad, he just works on the crew.
Versain Villavicencio:
Now he’s in the, uh, when he, they got, when he got hired at Glen Arvin, they already had an irrigation. Tech has been there for 35 years, I believe.
Trent Manning:
Wow.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah. So they put them in the tennis courts, maintaining the tennis courts, and that’s what he’s been.
Trent Manning:
Okay. Well, that’s cool.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yep.
Trent Manning:
Do you relief ground?
Versain Villavicencio:
We currently do not relieve grind. We spin grind. maybe in the future we have talked about it. as of right now, we have Bernard grinders and, uh, we don’t have that attachment to do the relief grinding, but we have talked about it.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. I don’t know. I think it’s a big benefit. And after interviewing Chad brown, Um, even more solid on it than I was. And I’ve been doing it my whole career. So
Versain Villavicencio:
Right.
Trent Manning:
saying something.
Versain Villavicencio:
I, I honestly like if we were to buy the attachment, I’m kind of like a little worried or scared of you may. Cause I’ve never done something like that, but I mean, I’m willing to learn it. Anything for the best to the golf course, you know?
Trent Manning:
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. And honestly, I think it just makes our job easier because I think the cut last longer when you got her relief on there. And plus when you gotta touch it up, they don’t take you as long. Cause there’s not as much material there.
Versain Villavicencio:
right.
Trent Manning:
Tell us something you’ve fabricated lately.
Versain Villavicencio:
Well, I’m currently still working on it. know, different stuff going on the shop, I’ve kind of had it pushed out to the side, but I’m still currently working on fabricating or we brushes for our maintenance set. I already have some on our normal set for our fairway mowers, but, uh, I’m currently working on those right now.
Trent Manning:
Okay. Awesome. This is a fun little project.
Versain Villavicencio:
it is. It is.
Trent Manning:
What do you do to relax?
Versain Villavicencio:
I do all kinds of things. I like to travel a lot. We, me and my wife, we love to travel a lot. Um, before we had a kid, everybody was like, do it before you have a kids, because then you can’t do it. But we weren’t going on one year as being a parent and having slowed down. Thankfully. Thank you. Thank you.
Trent Manning:
boy or girl.
Versain Villavicencio:
one boy, little boy,
Trent Manning:
Had the
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah, it’s a, it’s definitely different. No, J ah, One moment of it, but Yeah. we like, we like to travel. I like to fish love to fish, actually, especially a big on saltwater fishing, deep sea fishing. Don’t go as much as I would love to, but, uh, about killed me once.
Trent Manning:
Oh, well, let’s hear this
Versain Villavicencio:
uh, um, this was about five years ago, five years ago, we, uh, And then three other friends. Uh, but in my head just bought a boat, used 21 foot key west, I believe. And, we were heading out, we were 23 miles out and Tuesday, we don’t know what happened, but the whole apparently crack maybe on the way out. And, he started taking in water and before you know it, that boat’s done under.
Trent Manning:
Wow.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah, our, all our life jackets, flare gun radio, all that was in a little Cutty cabin had no time to get it. Only thing we were able to hold on to was a 9,100 court cooler, full of ice. And we were able to get the anchor, remove the anchor from the boat. And, uh, we were out there for about eight hours. Just address. Yeah. Um, it was scary. It was definitely scary at first. We just hang onto the hold onto the anchor. That way we wouldn’t continue, you know, floating around. And then, uh, when we noticed that the tide started changing start, you know, pushing us towards shore, picked up the anchor, wrapped it around, the cooler, just started floating towards.
Trent Manning:
Wow.
Versain Villavicencio:
We’re prepared to spend the night out there. We knew that our family wasn’t going to start looking for us till about 10, 11 o’clock at night. But, uh, but yeah, thankfully, uh, some other fishermen sauce solves and goddess
Trent Manning:
wow. So, and it was three of you hanging on to an igloo cooler
Versain Villavicencio:
for total, me and three others.
Trent Manning:
Wow.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah, it was a life changing, but I still go out there.
Trent Manning:
Awesome. Good for you, man. That is something else. Yeah. That’s one of the best stories we’ve had on the podcast. I think near death experience there.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah. one of the guys that got us sent the story to our local newspaper ties the Democrat and the USA today And then we sent that to the company igloos, and they sent us each some nice Marine grade coolers.
Trent Manning:
Oh, that’s awesome. Yeah. Yeah. Cool. That was good, publicity for them,
Versain Villavicencio:
I also liked to go hunting, even though I just picked it up last year. I went a couple of times for the first time and I enjoyed it.
Trent Manning:
Okay. Awesome. Deer
Versain Villavicencio:
get anything. But yes, sir.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. Okay. Very cool. Very cool. What’s your favorite tool and why?
Versain Villavicencio:
Ooh, that’s a good question. I think everybody can agree with me that we all like tools, right?
Trent Manning:
Oh, yeah, for sure.
Versain Villavicencio:
I think I don’t have one specific tool, but I would say like, I really love the, my MIG welder love what. It’s fun. A lot of fabricating stuff don’t get to do use it as much, but anytime I can find an excuse to break out the Mayweather and use it, I’ll do it. but uh, also like, you know, I got a three eight, cordless ratchet, very handy, very handy, works great. And of course, uh, no, we’ve got a cobalt.
Trent Manning:
Okay.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah, cobalt. I have a snap on three eights impact, small little 14 volts, but right now it’s currently broken. You’d get the guy to come out here and repair it.
Trent Manning:
You don’t have a guy that comes
Versain Villavicencio:
also being we haven’t had him gone by in a while or trying to get them to come back. Cause I mean, it’s kind of like a double-edged sword,
Trent Manning:
Yeah, for sure. There’s a reason. I don’t have a Snap-on guy come by my shop.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah, it’s, uh, it’s awesome walking to get into that truck, but, uh, it’s sad walking out of it.
Trent Manning:
Yes, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. Your heads up when you get on your heads down, when you come out.
Versain Villavicencio:
That’s right. How am I going to explain this now?
Trent Manning:
Yeah, right? Yep. I had the habit that’s for work, honey. Yup.
Versain Villavicencio:
That’s true, right? That’s right. And then also I think my, my third favorite would be my five eights ratchet wrench being mainly. And in our facility, we got to have that five, eight.
Trent Manning:
yeah, for sure. Yeah. Yeah, definitely. Have you ever tried using a T handle with a five eight on it?
Versain Villavicencio:
I’ve used them before careerist came by the shop from Bert showed me the one. He had fabricated himself with just some five, eight sockets and some square tubing. And I really, really liked it. And it’s on my list of things to fabricate whenever I get a chance.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, and I mean, you can buy ’em to the ones that he has is nice because it’s welded on the end. He gave me a couple of them too. And
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah, they’re nice. They’re nice. Um, and it does really make a difference, you know, instead of having to switch from side to side, you can just do it quickly.
Trent Manning:
Yup. Most one of the strangest things you’ve seen at work.
Versain Villavicencio:
Being the new and just about everything was strange to me. Um, I had no clue. Why would they throw sand on greens? Why would we poke holes on greens? in all that pretty much, like I said, everything was real strange to me. I had never seen a real mower in my life besides on like old fashioned movies. So everything, everything was fairly strange to me. I would say that pro core would be the strangest thing I’ve ever seen and now it’s just like, whatever, but when I first got there, Yeah. that was, that was pretty strange. I was like, why in the world we are to poke a hole.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. Yeah, no, that’s cool. And yeah, different perspective too, for, especially those of us that’s been in the industry for a long time. Yeah. Every time we see our air fire now it’s like, ah, I got an air fag, Jace. Yeah. More sand.
Versain Villavicencio:
That’s right.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. Yeah. But yeah, that’s definitely cool. What about like top dresser or something like that? Was that pretty.
Versain Villavicencio:
that was pretty. cool until I found out that after the top dressing goes the real, and then after the real back to granted.
Trent Manning:
Yup. Yup. How often do y’all talk dress?
Versain Villavicencio:
Right now we’re doing it once a week.
Trent Manning:
Yeah, that’s kinda what I figured with the superintendent you have down there
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah.
Trent Manning:
and we do too. I mean, Uh, that’s definitely, you know, the level that, uh, Jason was used to on the level I’m used to once a week, every week and it doesn’t
Versain Villavicencio:
it really helps when you got maintenance sets, when they, when you taught dress that much. Cause you could just send out, you know, what I tried to do is I’ll send out the weekend mowers on the first mall on top of that sand, that way we’re not moving with a fresh set of reel on that sand.
Trent Manning:
Yep. Perfect. Yeah, the maintenance set of cutting units is really important. And I did still that term from John Patterson, calling them maintenance that instead of backups or extras or whatever, but, it’s definitely a great idea and get it in your package when you order equipment, get extra set of cotton. And yeah, it can save, save you a lot of time, especially if you’re a one person operation or, I mean, we’re all, it doesn’t matter how many people you got working with you in the shop is not enough in the summertime. And
Versain Villavicencio:
Right. Oh, definitely,
Trent Manning:
that definitely helps you out a lot.
Versain Villavicencio:
we’ve picked up some maintenance sets out, Um, appear Moultrie. We got that week’s machinery auction and, uh, whenever that third box would come around, we always, you know, see what they got. Try to bid on some stuff and if we can we’ll get it.
Trent Manning:
Okay. Yeah. Yeah. That’s a great idea. And that’s the other thing a cutting unit is so overpriced in my opinion. I mean, there’s ridiculous.
Versain Villavicencio:
a lot of things are priced.
Trent Manning:
No, you’re exactly right. A lot of things are overpriced, but I can’t believe. Well, even just, if you buy a set of groomers 2500, 3 grand, just for this set of grammars,
Versain Villavicencio:
Right.
Trent Manning:
nuts. And I don’t remember who it was. Somebody was telling me that they priced the cutting unit. And I won’t say what manufacturer. And it had all the bells and whistles. So it had grammars had rear roller brushes and all that stuff. And it was like eight grand. That’s just nuts for one of. Yeah, crazy crazy. What’s one of your pet peeves around the shop,
Versain Villavicencio:
I run the shop. I think everybody hates this, but I hate when I pull the mower to the shop, put it on live, start grass clippings.
Trent Manning:
you know? Yeah. Yeah.
Versain Villavicencio:
I can, I can’t stand that. And I think that’s my biggest pet peeve, a dirty mower.
Trent Manning:
Yeah, yeah, no, I think a lot of people can relate to that. And I think it was today in the WhatsApp group, uh, John Rosa was saying he brought the operator over and the guy was like, what’s up? And he’s like, look down at your feet, you know? And he’s standing at a pile of grass. Yeah. This was a, your mower because he didn’t want. You know, and we can’t do our job one of ours in that condition.
Versain Villavicencio:
Oh, definitely not. And then now you got to wash it and I got to wait to drive or to adequately check it because you know that paper, once it gets wet, it just tears
Trent Manning:
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Versain Villavicencio:
specifically. I don’t, I mean, I, I would say you yourself. mechanics, you know, that I’ve fallen through the, what is that group? I would consider all of my mentors, because like I said, you know, being relatively new in the industry and having no clue when I started and still learning different things, I’ve picked up a bunch of stuff from people like yourself, also, you know, like you were saying, Jason, down here, he, uh, he’s really. Has connected me with a lot of people, you know, helped me get involved with, the mechanic community, the tech community
Trent Manning:
Um,
Versain Villavicencio:
the golf. And that that’s really helped out a lot.
Trent Manning:
that’s awesome. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. And I think it’s really important. What Jason has done getting you those connections and encouraging you to reach out and that kind of stuff. And I really wish more superintendents would do that.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah, I’m, I’m real grateful for that. because we’re like I was telling you before I was super nervous for doing this podcast. Um, I consider, uh, a lot of people that know me wouldn’t think so, but I consider myself a very shy person. At the beginning. Once you get to know me, you probably wish I’d shut up. But, uh, it’s for me, it’s kind of hard to like, you know, break the ice, get the conversation going. And, you know, Jason kind of helped me out, like, Hey, there’s this thing going on this little seminar, sign up for it, go over there. And it’s like, I can’t say no. I mean, I could, but you don’t want to say no and stuff like that has really, really helped. Kind of get out of that. You get out of my comfort zone and meet new people
Trent Manning:
Right. And I mean, I’m pushing it all the time on this podcast. Get out of your comfort zone people. I know it’s not fun sometimes, but get out. And it’s amazing how much you can grow and things you can learn. People you can meet is just incredible. Getting out of that comfort zone. What all can happen in life? What would be your dream job or.
Versain Villavicencio:
I think I’m kind of living it right now, honestly. Um, I like where I’m at great place where I’m working at gives me plenty of time to, you know, be with my family, get to work with my dad, get to see my dad everyday. So That’s huge. Plus we eat lunch together every day.
Trent Manning:
That’s awesome.
Versain Villavicencio:
yeah, I think right now where I’m at it’s, you know, living the dream, like they said,
Trent Manning:
Awesome. Well, it’s so good. I’m so glad for you. What technician would you like to work with for a day?
Versain Villavicencio:
I really don’t know many personally. So when I saw his question, first name that came up and he was a Trent Manny
Trent Manning:
Oh, no, come on, come
Versain Villavicencio:
for real, um, you know, you were the first. Guys that I followed on. Twitter. Jason was the one that was like, Hey, follow Trent. Trent’s a great tech, great guy. Um, we briefly met at my first GIS in Orlando
Trent Manning:
Yeah.
Versain Villavicencio:
and, uh, Yeah. I mean, I would love to work with all the texts that I’ve met through WhatsApp. Lot of people have, you know, they put pictures on their courses and your nice different. But, Um, I think a more tangible one would be you.
Trent Manning:
Ah, well, you’re definitely welcome. My door’s always open and I actually, I talked to Jason, but I don’t remember if you had started at the position or not, but he talked about getting me to come down there and I told him I’d be more than happy to come down there and spend a day with you. And you’re welcome to come up here to.
Versain Villavicencio:
I appreciate it. And Yeah, you’re welcome down here. And we’re in the process of getting a new shop, hopefully pretty soon. So,
Trent Manning:
Yeah, that’s going to be exciting for sure.
Versain Villavicencio:
that would be very exciting.
Trent Manning:
And I really would encourage any of the listeners if you have the opportunity or if you don’t have the opportunity, make the opportunity to try to go spend a day with another technician at another. I don’t. I mean, there’s just so much value that can become with that. I know Jerry Carra he’s down there in Jacksonville. He came up to John Patterson shop and spent a couple of days with him. And I mean, the amount you could learn from somebody like John Patterson, it’s definitely worth it. And it’s probably better than any, uh, seminar you would attend or any other education you would attend to spend a day. Somebody of John’s caliber.
Versain Villavicencio:
Right. Right. And I might take you up on that invitation, especially like I was saying with a new shop to get some ideas of, how you got yourself organized and position, stuff like that. I know, um, at San Diego, You showed us some pictures of stuff that you and other texts have done to make their lives more easier in the shop. So,
Trent Manning:
Oh yeah. Well, yeah, like I said, you’re welcome. Anytime you got my number and you just come on. What do you know now? You wish you’d known on day one.
Versain Villavicencio:
That’s a very good question. I wish I knew everything I know now one day one.
Trent Manning:
Exactly.
Versain Villavicencio:
cause I was kinda just like, I was giving a quick one week training from the guy that was retiring there on how to grind rules. And I found out later that it really wasn’t the correct way to grind
Trent Manning:
Um,
Versain Villavicencio:
yeah, I wish everything I need now specific that would say grinding rules. I wish I would. Would’ve known that day one. That’s. One of the most, if not the most important things and our job.
Trent Manning:
yeah, for sure. And I do think there’s a lot of bad habit.
Versain Villavicencio:
Right,
Trent Manning:
And not necessarily any fault of that person that has the bad habits, because they were probably taught bad habits. Does it at least been my experience and in my travels and you look back on who taught you what? And they taught you what they knew and maybe what they knew was not the right way, but how else do you know if you never get out of your.
Versain Villavicencio:
Right, right.
Trent Manning:
What are some of the latest tips or tricks or any kind of tips or tricks you want to share with us that you’ve seen or used, or your favorite ones?
Versain Villavicencio:
I think one of the. For most recent tips or tricks that I’ve used was one that I saw on, um, my presentation in San Diego of the turf card holders for the Procore’s. I didn’t do it specifically and a little, you know, stand welded, stand like that, but, you know, I just have, we have our, where we’re at now. We’ve got wooden shelves. I just drove some 10 inch. And hung him up there and just doing that look so much better. Don’t feel like I have lots of tips and tricks to give out yet. I think everything, I, all the tips that I got that I know or I’ve gotten from somebody else, but I mean, if anything, I could just, you know, getting on Twitter, getting connected, getting the WhatsApp group. I think that’s a great tip or. Network with the other guys to learn tips and tricks. That’s probably been the best thing I’ve done so far in learning different things for the shop. also I guess is, uh, I like to shop around for stuff. If we’re buying directly from the distributor, I’ve learned that some stuff you get elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. So that that’d be another good tip thing I can give out, you know, do some shopping around before, just find directly.
Trent Manning:
Oh, yeah, hands down. That is a great tip. And I really liked the tip of getting involved to learn more tips and tricks. That was a great,
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah.
Trent Manning:
because that’s, I mean, that’s how we all function and you know, I’m listening to you say that, you know, I don’t really have any tips and tricks of my own. I’ll be honest. I don’t know if I have any tips or tricks of my own, and I’ve been doing this a long time. And even like John Patterson, I was talking to him one day and he had put together a document on basically cutting unit set up procedures for the technicians that were working underneath him. And I come across it online. So I call him up. I see you mind if I borrow this, you know, change it, make it work for me. Um, you know, I don’t want to just steal it from you. I want to get your permission or what. And he kind of started laughing and he saw, I probably stole it from somebody anyway. So go ahead, knock yourself out.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah.
Trent Manning:
It’s it’s, you
Versain Villavicencio:
how it works out.
Trent Manning:
yeah. That’s, we’re just a bunch of ideal Steelers, but we don’t mind either. And I do try to, if I, you know, stolen idea from you, I will give you credit for that idea of this is where it came from.
Versain Villavicencio:
I was going. to mention that in the community that, you know, brotherhood, if you may, that of golf course mechanics, I noticed it. It’s really not, Hey, that’s my idea of why are you using it? Why are you stealing it? It’s just. You could use it. Great. Whatever can make you do better
Trent Manning:
Right. Yeah,
Versain Villavicencio:
one thing I really, really like about, you know, where I’m at
Trent Manning:
no for sure. That’s what sets this profession and industry apart from a lot of the other ones. And I don’t have much experience in other professions, but I just know everybody’s so tight knit and willing to help each other. And it doesn’t really matter. Mechanics, superintendent, you know, whatever your title is. We’re all trying to provide a good product for our membership or our players. If that’s a public place.
Versain Villavicencio:
Right,
Trent Manning:
And we want to help each other out.
Versain Villavicencio:
right.
Trent Manning:
Well, let’s talk about San Diego first time out there. Huh?
Versain Villavicencio:
First time in California, it was a definitely a nice experience. I loved this. I think we could all agree that it was great weather. I was a big change from Georgia, north Florida weather. Um, I really liked it and, uh, that I think that’s going to be my favorite play. I haven’t gone to the, I’ve been to Orlando. No I’m saying Diego have, hopefully I get to go to the other ones, but one of those two so far, I think San Diego is my favorite. I liked the whole set up. Everything’s real close. You could walk to just about anything. uh, the trade show was excellent. all those seminars are great as well. I enjoyed going to the Midwest.
Trent Manning:
Oh, yeah, that was awesome.
Versain Villavicencio:
That was awesome. Seeing those, uh, where they Navy or think it was Navy, right. That the, skydivers.
Trent Manning:
Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that
Versain Villavicencio:
that was pretty. That was pretty cool. I was pretty cool.
Trent Manning:
When
Versain Villavicencio:
And yeah, that,
Trent Manning:
I heard all the people on the ship that work there or whatever, actually at one time worked on the ship.
Versain Villavicencio:
Oh, all those vets.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. All the vets on there. And that was
Versain Villavicencio:
that’s. That is very neat. That’s I mean, who else to show you the boat then themselves? Yeah.
Trent Manning:
Right. Exactly. They lived, it literally lived it.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah, That’s that’s pretty neat. I didn’t know that. Yeah, that was pretty, it was pretty interesting seeing all the different airplanes in airplane motor, that was pretty neat.
Trent Manning:
Yeah, very cool. Was there anything that, that stuck out on the show floor?
Versain Villavicencio:
I like that new, uh, I think they call it a UTV from Torah.
Trent Manning:
Ah, okay. Yeah, I didn’t get is.
Versain Villavicencio:
think that thinks, I think it’s pretty sick.
Trent Manning:
Okay. So is it like a Polaris or something like
Versain Villavicencio:
yeah. Beefier beef, your GTX or MDX. It’s a biggest forward drive. You know, there’s all kinds of options on there. Sits up higher and get a cab with AC windshield wipers if you want. I mean, it’s definitely, I would, uh, we’ll see if I could get something like that? for a maintenance card, but I highly doubt it.
Trent Manning:
You never know, keep pushing to get something like that. So do you have a maintenance card?
Versain Villavicencio:
I currently do. Um, it’s just a Toro GTX, uh, nothing special. I got a couple of toolboxes inside that are bolted on there, but, um, hopefully in the future I could, you know, break something up a little bit better.
Trent Manning:
Yeah, but I mean, at least you got something that’s better than a lot of us. Honestly,
Versain Villavicencio:
Right,
Trent Manning:
I hear people all the time, so I wish I just had a car. I have to go in the back and try to find one and you know, it was full of stuff and I got to clean it out and put my toolbox in it and hear all those nightmare stories. Anything else exciting at San Diego? What was your favorite class? And also they mine.
Versain Villavicencio:
nah, I’ve really enjoyed the, um, fully engaged. The guy from Foley gave a class on, on grinding and it was different to see it from a Foley perspective on the grinding. Uh, cause like I was saying, we have Bernhards and it really opened my eyes to a different brand and kind of like indie curious of a fully grinder. I can’t remember off the top of my head to be honest with you, but it might’ve
Trent Manning:
Okay. As far as I remember, uh, Greg Turner, which he’s. Foley rep he kind of co-hosted it with Jim Ned
Versain Villavicencio:
right. It was two guys.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. Jim, Jim Ned is the man, the myth, the legend, when it comes to golf equipment, he’s just unbelievable. He’s the mad scientist. If you will, of golf equipment and testing this and testing that and all this research
Versain Villavicencio:
also did a sprayer class that I went to.
Trent Manning:
Yep. That’s
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah. And he, you could definitely tell that he knows.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. He knows this stuff for sure.
Versain Villavicencio:
He enjoys it. You can tell he really enjoys it, which we’re going to be doing something about us. We’ll be doing something you love or
Trent Manning:
Oh yeah, for sure. And yeah, you just exude. Passion, you, yeah. You can tell how passionate he is about mowing grass. And he would think, how would you get passionate about cutting grass? You know, it’s just grass, but, uh, yeah, he’s definitely one of the best and one of my favorites to, to watch because he just gets so excited and so animated and all the things. He’s a really good instructor.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yes, sir.
Trent Manning:
Do you use any kind of software to keep track of maintenance?
Versain Villavicencio:
We use the latest and greatest white board.
Trent Manning:
Okay. All right. I’ll just keep.
Versain Villavicencio:
Yeah. we use task tracker for, um, Scheduling jaws are the guys. I just haven’t gone through it as for the maintenance part for the tracking hours or maintenance PM, stuff like that. But, um, currently is what we use in the whiteboard, but I’ve heard, and I’ve seen a lot of guys use test tracker.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. And that’s what I’ve been using on my absolutely. And I, for some reason I was thinking y’all were using task tracker, but I didn’t know if you were using it in the shop or not. So that’s where that question came from. And if you do start using it in the shop, let me know. I’ll help you out any way I can. You’re ready for some rapid fire.
Versain Villavicencio:
Let’s go.
Trent Manning:
What’s your favorite movie?
Versain Villavicencio:
I would say movies, but it’s a trilogy is the Batman trilogy with a Christian bale as Batman,
Trent Manning:
Nice. What would be your last mail?
Versain Villavicencio:
23 ounce. T-bone the back potatoes and green beans.
Trent Manning:
Hail? Yeah. As, yeah. That’s what I’m talking about. What, what are you most proud of?
Versain Villavicencio:
At this point in life, I’m most proud of? my family, to be honest with you,
Trent Manning:
A lot of I do. And I want to say every person that has answered that question says their family, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all. If you can’t be proud of your family, what can you be proud of? All right. You’re saying thank you so much for coming on.
Versain Villavicencio:
No, no problem. I appreciate the invitation again, when I saw that email was kind of freaked out when I was like, you know what, it’s now or never.
Trent Manning:
Yep. Just do it, man. How can the listeners get ahold of.
Versain Villavicencio:
My Twitter handle is at @GersainJr. I’m also in the WhatsApp group so best way to reach me.
Trent Manning:
All right, man. Thank you. I really appreciate it.
Versain Villavicencio:
No problem. I appreciate you having me.
Trent Manning:
Hope you enjoyed hearing from your sign. How cool is that good to work? Where your dad, every day I can get to have lunch together. That was great for a lot of people. Me and my dad, I don’t know. We don’t work the best together. Don’t get me wrong. I love him to death. But he’s a lot smarter than me. And he’s not afraid to tell me that. Every time I do something. So anyway. Fun times. If you’re new to the industry. And you’re looking for resources. I turned to GCs a lot of stuff out there. Get on turf Twitter. If you’re not already on there. A lot of really good people on there sharing a lot of great ideas. And most all of them, you can send the DM and they’ll help you in any way you can. There’s a few things going on on Facebook. And from what I’ve seen, I think they’re getting a little bit better. Until next time. See you. Bye. thank you so much for listening to the real turf techs podcast. I hope you learned something today. Don’t forget to subscribe. If you have any topics you’d like to discuss, or you’d like to be a guest, find us on Twitter at real turf techs.