Join Jordan Roth, Equipment Manager at Champions Run, as he shares his expertise in golf course equipment management on “The Reel Turf Techs Podcast.” Jordan not only oversees the prestigious private club but also lends his skills to Eagle Run Golf Course, a public 18-hole facility owned by the same organization. Discover his insights on preventing outside labor for repairs, equipment selection, and teamwork. Tune in for practical tips and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of golf course maintenance.
Transcript
Trent Manning: 0:05
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 this episode are real turf techs on golf course industries Superintendent radio network is presented by Foley county a strong supporter of equipment technicians and golf course maintenance departments everywhere Foley county offers a proven solution for above and below the turf for turf professionals To learn more about Foley company’s line of real grinders bed knife grinders and the air to G2family of products or to find a distributor visit www dot Foley C o.com Foley Ready for play welcome to the real turf techs podcast,episode99.I hope you’re as excited as I am about episode100.We have a big surprise in store for you.But today we’re talking to Jordan Roth equipment manager at champions run and Omaha,Nebraska.Jordan also wrenches for Eagle run golf course.Which is a public executive18hole facility under the same ownership.Champions run as a18hole private club and the city of Omaha.Nebraska.Jordan is the sole tag during the growing season.However,in the off season,he has a part-time assistant.That is amazing to have with a wealth of knowledge.That they found internally.Bob is a retired welder from a local power company.Hey Mose during the growing season and helps out in the shop in the winter.Jordan has a mixed fleet of equipment.Let’s talk to Jordan.Welcome Jordan to the RealTurfTex podcast.How you doing today?
Jordan Roth: 2:09
doing good,Trent.Thanks for having me.
Trent Manning: 2:11
Thank you so much for being here.Tell us how you got into the turf industry.
Jordan Roth: 2:17
I got out of high school and I thought I wanted to be a golf pro.So I went into the pro golf management program down in Mississippi State,realized very quickly I did not fit in with that crowd very well.Spent a couple of years taking some general study classes and ended up getting a turf grass management degree from a local community college in Beatrice,Nebraska.That got me onto the The Harvester Golf Course in Iowa,where I was an intern,and took over their shop for the most part as an intern.They just fired their mechanic,or he quit,I don’t remember.Don’t quote me on that.But,uh,they didn’t have anybody,and I’d worked at the local country club in Seward,Nebraska,for a couple years.And if you ran something,you maintained it.So,I mean,I,they had us grinding bed knives,back lapping reels,
Trent Manning: 3:10
Oh,wow.Okay.
Jordan Roth: 3:11
doing basic…Preventative maintenance things on rain days and
Trent Manning: 3:15
Mm hmm.
Jordan Roth: 3:16
I was probably50%dangerous,you know,not really had,didn’t really have a good idea of what was going on.Didn’t know that it would lead into the career that I have now,but it just kind of happened and it worked out.Hit up a few other spots along the way,a couple golf courses,worked for a dealership for three and a half years.And now I’m over here at Champions Run in Omaha and very happy to be here.
Trent Manning: 3:41
Awesome.No,that’s that’s so good.When you were doing the PGA thing,did they teach you how to fold shirts?
Jordan Roth: 3:50
No I missed that class.
Trent Manning: 3:51
Okay.
Jordan Roth: 3:54
I think that came in year two.I could ask if it was left shoulder first or right
Trent Manning: 3:58
Yeah.Yeah.Yeah.
Jordan Roth: 4:00
uh,no.
Trent Manning: 4:02
always give the guys in the pro shop a hard time.Like,don’t you have so every time they come to bug me about,you know,fixing the picker or something like,no,you have some shirts to go fold or something.
Jordan Roth: 4:12
Yeah.All those pickers.They always break on Friday at three o’clock in the afternoon.Don’t
Trent Manning: 4:17
Every time,yep,it’s Murphy’s law or Saturday morning when I’m about to leave10o’clock or something.Hey,could you look at the picker?Uh,yeah,maybe Monday.I’ll be happy to look at it.
Jordan Roth: 4:30
Now,so I got a little relationship and a little respect for those guys after doing that,that side of things.So,
Trent Manning: 4:36
Oh,yeah,for sure.And yeah,we’re,we’re,we all have a common goal really is,you know,to make that experience for membership or daily fee people or,you know,whoever’s playing your course.So we’re,we’re all in it together.But I tell a lot of people this,and especially my kids,that’s the way I show my love if I pick on you.So if I give you a hard time that means I like you.
Jordan Roth: 5:04
Well,if that’s the case,I think everybody loves everybody at my shop.There’s a whole lot of crap that flies around the air around here.
Trent Manning: 5:10
Oh,well that,
Jordan Roth: 5:11
It’s fun.
Trent Manning: 5:12
no,it keeps it fun.It does.And I remember J.R.Wilson up at NOIAC,he was saying.He’s a volunteer firefighter,and actually he just made like assistant chief I think this past Monday,which congratulations to him,but he was saying at the firehouse,you know,they’re just totally ripping each other all the time.And if somebody like comes into the room late and it gets quiet.You better watch out because they don’t like you for whatever reason.Because I mean,that’s the way they show their love to just ripping on each other all the time.What’s your least favorite part of the job and why is it sand?
Jordan Roth: 5:53
I honestly laughed out loud when I read that question.I’ve listened to the,not every podcast,but a couple of them along the way as I’m heading to and from work.I don’t know if I necessarily hate sand.
Trent Manning: 6:05
No,that’s okay.It’s okay.
Jordan Roth: 6:07
I,you know,I understand why we have to do it from an agronomic standpoint.And I don’t mind it.My boss kind of thought I was crazy.Here at Champions,Greg is my director of agronomy.First time we went out in Top Dress Fairways,I’m like,Hey dude,is that it?It looks kind of light.Can we put a little more down?Do you think we can put more down?And he goes,No,we’re good.We’re good.So…No,I really don’t have a part of the job I don’t like.I like the variety of it.I like dealing with people and I like equipment.
Trent Manning: 6:39
That’s funny.Now I’m with you.What’s your favorite tool?
Jordan Roth: 6:42
I really like my air hammer.It clears out the shop pretty well.You make enough noise,people start scattering.
Trent Manning: 6:48
Yep.
Jordan Roth: 6:49
just picked up a set of Wera screwdrivers.They’re like a German made screwdriver.I like the tips on them.They seem to be pretty,pretty decent so far.We’ll see how long they last.But I’m going to give you a third one just for fun.I picked up a hydraulic cable,battery connector cable crimper from everybody’s favorite store,Harbor Freight.That has been really handy for,you know,like infield fixes or somewhere where you don’t want to light a machine on fire.
Trent Manning: 7:18
Yeah.No,that’s awesome.No,that’s a good one.Yeah,real good one.And I don’t know.I kind of think the air hammer is underutilized.Mm
Jordan Roth: 7:28
it can shake some things loose.I’ve been in some tight spaces on large hydraulic fittings where we’re talking,you know,inch and a half size fittings and,you know,I’ve been able to wiggle some hydraulic fittings loose with just a,a flat hammer on the air hammer and just kind of work your way around it counterclockwise and I don’t know,if you have any4500s,the hydraulic deck motor fittings that go onto the bulkheads for the rear,yeah,you grab those and they just turn that whole bulkhead.I think a little shock with that kind of helps me get them loose pretty
Trent Manning: 8:02
Okay.Yeah.Yeah.No,that’s a great idea.And it’s something I think earlier in my career in the nineties with the mechanic that taught me a lot of what I know.We used air hammer all the time and it just seems like I don’t pull it out as much as I used to But I still use it Yeah,so good deal.What do you do to relax or find your balance?
Jordan Roth: 8:27
I actually enjoy playing golf it doesn’t bother me to go stare at the other side of the facility and see it from another point of view.I usually get out every Monday night and play golf with my dad in a league,in a local golf course.So,get to hang out with him for a couple hours.It’s a good time.Family wise,we like to go out and do some camping a couple times throughout the summer.Or glamping.Not really like pitching.We go glamping.You
Trent Manning: 8:54
Yeah.No,that’s all
Jordan Roth: 8:56
eat a couple pounds of bacon,have a couple beers.
Trent Manning: 8:59
That’s good stuff Yeah,no,and that’s awesome that,yeah,you’re playing golf with your dad,especially.And like when you play your course,how much does that help you do your job?
Jordan Roth: 9:11
Well,I actually haven’t got a chance to play my course yet.I need to get out and play it.We’re allowed to play on Mondays.And Mondays is my golf league with my dad.
Trent Manning: 9:21
Oh,gotcha.Yep.
Jordan Roth: 9:23
No,I,the superintendent I worked for over in Iowa,he loved to go play the golf course.And his reasoning was,you see it from the seat of the gator all day long,and you get back to the shop at3o’clock,and you’re like,man,I don’t know,we got this,we got that.This looks bad,that looks bad.Then you go hit the,hit the first tee,and you,you,you see it from a different point of view.You might see something that’s out of place.as a player versus a manager of,you know,of the grounds.And,and then you get a good feel as far as the product you’re putting out there.So I,I think it’s a good,good practice if you’re able to do so.
Trent Manning: 10:04
Oh yeah,for sure.I remember my DOA back in the nineties,he,uh,had a voice recorder.I mean,you know,I had a little cassette tape in there.I mean,this was a little,little while ago,but he would walk the course at least once a month and,you know,make notes of things that need to be addressed or,you know,whatever.And like you’re saying,you see it from a whole different perspective.When you’re walking the course and you’re going down all the walk paths,you know,and all those things.What has been your biggest challenge?
Jordan Roth: 10:37
I,I think,uh,just starting out first couple months when I started at the dealership I worked for a Jake dealer here in Omaha,Nebraska.It was it was a,I was a one man shop.So I was set up.New products pick up and delivery didn’t have a delivery driver on site service calls work in the shop Write your own work order notes.I mean the whole nine yards
Trent Manning: 11:00
Wow.
Jordan Roth: 11:01
It was it was busy and you know Trying to I kind of had an idea how to prioritize because I understood what we were doing with the products that I was working On but just having to be the guy that was the go to Guy for my area,you know guys called the dealership.They’re like,oh heck the dealership knows they know everything I I had to be Really good,really quick.it took a little bit and I got comfortable with it.I learned a lot in that job.That was a really good experience.
Trent Manning: 11:31
That’s what I wanted to ask.Yeah.How much did you learn in those few years working for a dealer?
Jordan Roth: 11:37
gosh,you know,like,the three and a half whatever years I was there is probably equivalent to ten to fifteen of just turning wrenches at a golf course.
Trent Manning: 11:46
Yeah.That’s what I’ve always said about my experience working with a Toro distributor for two years was at least10years on a golf course because it’s a new problem every day and it’s a challenging problem.Most of the time.
Jordan Roth: 12:01
Yeah,you get the problems that,you know,somebody might not either have the tools to work on or flat out doesn’t want to work on it because they’re like,ah,there’s no staples easy button here.We can’t just…
Trent Manning: 12:12
Mm hmm.
Jordan Roth: 12:13
a switch and make it work right again.So it was really,it was a good experience.
Trent Manning: 12:18
Oh,yeah,for sure.What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen at work?
Jordan Roth: 12:24
Oh,I mean,I’ve seen enough equipment on its side or on its hat and things in the water.Probably the,the worst one was back to me being at the dealership.I made a lot of friends,you know,guys in the industry are really good people.Back in2019,Nebraska had some decent flooding up here in the springtime.And,uh,of course about an hour north of here,their superintendent,Jeff,called me and he goes,Hey,Jordan,I’ve got four feet of water in my shop.And so his entire18hole fleet of equipment up to four feet of water,it was,it was tough.I ended up calling the buddy of mine that replaced me at the dealership.I said,Hey,Tyler,if you get off work,you can come up here.We need to get through this equipment and try to see if we can,well,see what we can save.And
Trent Manning: 13:13
Wow,man.Yeah.
Jordan Roth: 13:14
we,we ended up.Spent a couple of long nights and we were able to save everything and got them back up and going again.It was,it was pretty cool.I mean,we’ve all had stuff get wet,but you walk into a shop and you’re like,holy crap.There’s not a thing in here that’s dry.know,opening up starters,alternators,taking connections apart,flushing fluids.
Trent Manning: 13:35
Wow.
Jordan Roth: 13:36
It was,
Trent Manning: 13:37
crazy.
Jordan Roth: 13:38
as bad as it sounds,it’s probably some of the most fun I had.There was four of us in that shop working that night.And,uh,man,we were laughing,giggling,having a good time,somebody brought pizza.I think the superintendent’s wife brought cookies down.Lisa makes really good cookies.
Trent Manning: 13:53
Okay.That’s good.
Jordan Roth: 13:55
we were well fed and it was good times.
Trent Manning: 13:57
Awesome.That’s so good.Do you have a mentor in the industry?
Jordan Roth: 14:02
You know,I had to kind of think about that.I didn’t really have anybody take me under my wing.When I was an intern for Turfgrass,Chad and Joel,the super and the assistant,were really good about being patient and helping me kind of.Getting me up to speed on what they wanted.So they kind of really set a pretty good foundation My old service manager,I’d lean on Don when I didn’t know all the answers He was he was a good egg good good guy to have in your phone book.
Trent Manning: 14:33
Oh,yeah.Yeah.That’s networking.So important.
Jordan Roth: 14:36
Absolutely
Trent Manning: 14:37
And whoever said that that’s not what you know is who you know is this can be very true for sure.What would be your dream job or opportunity?
Jordan Roth: 14:46
Huh.You know,I’m I got a pretty good job here.I really like it.Yeah,you know what we’ve got between our golf course Ownership also owns two other facilities here in the area So,Eagle Run is an executive18hole golf course that does not have a mechanic.And so I go over there and help Alex out when he needs help.He’s good on day to day things,but just kind of there as a support feature for him so that we don’t have to send anything in for dealership work.So,I enjoy getting over there and helping him out too.We’ve got a really good equipment manager at Stone Creek,our other facility.Brandon’s awesome.He’s,uh,he’s through level two on the,on the programs.So,yeah,pretty,pretty proud of him.He was just,uh,he was just part time three days a week over at our other sister course,the one that I help out with.We kind of saw a little talent there,and we had an opening,and he’s done pretty good for himself.
Trent Manning: 15:51
Well,that’s great.Yeah.How,how long has he been doing it?
Jordan Roth: 15:56
Uh,he had spent about a year,I believe,in Colorado as an assistant technician,and then came back,worked part time with us,kind of did a little mowing,did a little wrenching,and he’s been up there at Stone Creek for two,two and a half years,I think.
Trent Manning: 16:14
Okay.Awesome.Well,that’s good.Yeah.It’s so valuable.I’m really fortunate and I have a few people that work with me and I mean,I couldn’t do it without them.Don’t want to do it without them.You know,I’m being honest.Don’t want to do it without
Jordan Roth: 16:30
I know it.I,I got Bob who helps me in our off season three days a week,and he’s a godsend.Just a good mechanical mind,and he’s a retired welder and steam fitter.So when we get into some fabrication work,he’s awesome.You know,I just draw things down on paper.He walks over,he’s cutting stuff,deburring,and I’m over here doing something.We come back,meet in the middle.It just kind of falls together.
Trent Manning: 16:54
Uh,yeah.Yeah.Nothing like that.That’s awesome.What technician would you like to work with for a day?Hmm.
Jordan Roth: 17:02
would not be picky.I think it’d be kind of fun to go see,uh,See somebody manage a larger facility where they might have multiple techs underneath them or multiple courses under one roof.Uh,or anywhere in the,in the southern climate.I don’t have much experience south of here.You know,we’re northern cool season.So getting into the transition zone or even further south would be kind of exciting for a couple days.
Trent Manning: 17:30
Some of the courses in Florida,it’s a whole different level because it’s365.
Jordan Roth: 17:37
Oh
Trent Manning: 17:37
I mean,you know,grass is growing,just go,go,go,go,you know,at least here in Georgia,we get a little break and Northern Georgia,anyway,a couple months,everything kind of slows down and you can catch your breath and stuff.But these guys and gals in Florida that are just grinding every day.
Jordan Roth: 17:57
I know it.I got a,one of my best friends from Iowa was my golf pro that I worked at.When I was at Jester Park,just outside of Des Moines.Kind of a weird relationship between a mechanic and a golf pro,but he was a quirky guy,I’m a quirky guy.We just kind of got along really good.He’s down in Florida right now working for Troon.And he’s like,Jordy,you don’t want none of this.There’s no break.
Trent Manning: 18:22
Yeah.Yeah.That’s,uh,every time I talk to Skip Hines or something like,what are you doing?You know,and it’s December,I’m like,I’m terrified,you know,I mean,just crazy things that we would never think about doing in the,in the middle of winter.Not that they are fine December,but they don’t slow down for sure.What do you know now?You wish you’d known on day one.
Jordan Roth: 18:44
Ah,just kind of remain in calm.You know,just step back,take a breath.Move forward.Uh,you gotta,you gotta do something.You can’t just do nothing.Fire a couple of test bullets and keep moving on.But just don’t,don’t throw your hands in the air and say the sun’s going to explode because it probably isn’t not
Trent Manning: 19:03
Right.Yeah.Yeah.Yeah.Not today.No,that’s,that’s a really good point.And this is something I wish I would have known when I was younger to step back,take a breath and figure it out instead of,you know,jumping to conclusions or assumptions and getting angry,which doesn’t.You know,fix anything makes it worse.So how do you deal with that person on the crew?
Jordan Roth: 19:38
we’ve got a pretty decent crew and I’ve had decent crews for the most part everywhere.My kind of go to thing is when anybody has an issue or,you know,something breaks while they’re using it.Just always say,Hey,thank you.Thank you for telling me,you know,just it’ll blow,it’ll blow their minds.Especially some of the new guys.They’re like,why are you saying thank you?I totally just gave you four hours worth of work.It’s like,well,you know,setting everybody up for success by just communicating and telling us,thank you.And beyond that,you know,you’re going to,if you have to talk to him,don’t do it in front of other people.It’s just not healthy.
Trent Manning: 20:14
Another thing that I’ve tried is,and this is just recently,I was a bad angry mechanic for way too long,but I’ve been trying to get to know the crew a little bit better.And just,you know,when they’re coming through,whatever,talk to them a little bit,you know,and that’s not really me.I’m not really a people person,believe it or not.I’m doing a podcast with other people and I love hearing their story,but I don’t,you know,I’d much rather work on a machine than talk to somebody for the most part.Um,And,
Jordan Roth: 20:50
It’s because it’s hard to fix people,Trent.
Trent Manning: 20:56
I had a guy that worked with me and I talk about him on the podcast all the time.Charlie Carr,he’s a retired first sergeant,retired after22years.And he got me a,it’s a wooden wrench and it says you can’t fix stupid.Uh,the that’s,that’s the truth.You can’t fix it.You can try to mediate it a little bit,maybe,but you’re not going to fix it.
21:20
Get ready for tips and tricks.
Trent Manning: 21:24
What kind of tips and tricks you want to share with us?
Jordan Roth: 21:27
Oh,I had to think about that one.My part time helper in the winter,if I had,he’s amazed at this because he’s never seen it.It’s pretty simple in my mind.But if you’ve got an extension spring,I use an old recoil pull starter rope.You know,
Trent Manning: 21:45
Mm hmm.
Jordan Roth: 21:46
the rope through the open end of the spring.Pull it over and slide it on whatever post or pulley you need to get it on to instead of using vise grips and pry bars and screwdrivers.He’s like,man,I’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff,but I’ve never seen anybody use a recoil rope before.
Trent Manning: 22:03
Okay.Yeah.Yeah.Yeah.
Jordan Roth: 22:05
it’s something so simple and kind of stupid,but I
Trent Manning: 22:08
no No,
Jordan Roth: 22:09
it made his day.
Trent Manning: 22:11
a Good friend of mine Kent Carson.He uses recoil string for everything and when I say for everything He keeps I don’t know how long it is It’s probably four feet maybe five feet wadded up in his pocket like number four starter rope just just in case that he runs across something and needs to tie something down or you know i mean whatever it’s handy having that i once used some pulling electrical wire through metal conduit that that was uh when i put the conduit together you know that was that was the rope i had laying around
Jordan Roth: 22:51
It works.
Trent Manning: 22:51
yeah it worked
Jordan Roth: 22:53
Another thing I like to do is I keep a couple pieces of aluminum angle iron next to my bench vise just for like a soft jaw.Yeah.You know,
Trent Manning: 23:02
oh yeah
Jordan Roth: 23:03
kind of clamping thing,you can put a,put a shaft in there or threads,it doesn’t booger up the threads,not,not too bad at all,hardly at all,really,and so there’s always a couple pieces of aluminum angle iron just hanging out on all the bench vices around here.
Trent Manning: 23:16
No,that’s an excellent idea.Yeah.Everybody needs to do something like that.And my blacksmith buddies,they have their vices covered with copper and I don’t,I don’t,it’s probably,I don’t know.It’s not that thick,maybe.You know,16th inch and I don’t,you probably can buy these,but they just made them and it kind of hangs over the jaws of the vice.And,you know,cause they don’t want to mar anything when they’re high end metal work and stuff,you know,on a bunch of vice marks all over it.And that’s what they use,but like you have used the aluminum around the shop and that’s so handy to have.That’s awesome.Anymore?
Jordan Roth: 24:01
Uh,you know,the welder can get a guy out of a lot of,a lot of situations,but,you know,nothing,nothing too crazy.I like the air hammer thing,that’s just,back to that,I like that tool.It’s so fun.
Trent Manning: 24:15
Yeah,yeah,yeah.No,it is.It is.Yeah,the sound it makes and,and all that stuff.Yeah.It’s hard to beat.I remember as one of the podcasts,I think I was talking about how the,one of the worst sounds in the shop,far as tools go anyway,is an air ratchet.I don’t know why.I just,I don’t like hearing them.It drives me nuts.
Jordan Roth: 24:40
I I don’t miss them.
Trent Manning: 24:42
Yeah.And so,you know,and I got electric racket,ratchets and stuff now and I love them.But I said how much I disliked that.So Roland McPherson sent me a video of the air ratchet just running in the sound.I’m like,thanks Roland.Appreciate you.
Jordan Roth: 25:01
Oh,God.Yeah,that’s,that’s right.Those and air drills,man.I had a,I had a guy that used to,I worked at a John Deere dealer too for about a year.That’s another story.But that the guy next to me in the service bay always ran his air drill.He didn’t have any battery tools.He was an old school dude.And that air drill,oh God,if I never hear another one,I will die a happy man.
Trent Manning: 25:22
Yeah.worse than the ratchet.So yeah,terrible.I still have one in my toolbox at home here and I don’t know why,I guess I just don’t want to throw it away.I’ll never use it again,but it’s there just in case.And I do think it’s funny how much the industry’s changed and it’s not just golf,but I think any,you know,mechanic would agree that all the electric stuff is really,really nice.
Jordan Roth: 25:52
Oh,it’s,it’s a game changer being able to go out into the field and…We’re not tripping over cords and dealing with all that hoses and yeah,there’s there’s been some cool things that have come out I mean a lot of us probably have all this,you know,whether it be Milwaukee or DeWalt It’s just hard to go wrong with any of those if you can pony up the money or get your boss to buy you some of that stuff
Trent Manning: 26:18
Oh yeah,yeah.No,it’s,it’s definitely worth it.It might not be cheap,but it’s,it’s worth it in my opinion.Just like you’re saying,just not to have to drag a hose around the shop or an extension cord or,you know,whatever tripping over it.And yeah,that’s what you can say safety.That’s why I need this boss,man.It’s a lot safer to use.Well,let’s talk about the Nebraska chapter of EMS and what y’all got going on there.I know Brian Eplin.It was kind of spearheading all that and taking the lead on it.
Jordan Roth: 26:53
Yeah,Brian’s done a absolutely fantastic job with getting it all put together.We had a little spring meeting here back in April to kind of go over with local mechanics what we want to cover in a good fall educational session.Had a pretty decent turnout for the spring kind of just meet and greet roundtable which was really good.We had our first ever EM field day.We actually hosted that in my shop last October.There was probably30,35guys showed up for that.And we didn’t discriminate.If you were an assistant or a superintendent or a mechanic,you were more than welcome to come.
Trent Manning: 27:32
Yeah.
Jordan Roth: 27:32
Cause I think that’s a,that’s a huge thing.I know you probably saw it when you’re back in your dealership days,you know,not every golf course has a mechanic.You might have a one man show that,you know,sits on the sprayer,digs the holes,fixes the equipment,does the payroll,do it all.So.If we can,you know,help those guys out and other guys like ourselves to kind of all become better and,and you know,focus on things we need to focus on,it’s awesome.It’s it’s something that I,I’m,I know Brian’s done a lot of work with and,you know,we’re,there’s a couple of us that are not afraid to get out and teach a little bit in front of these guys.So,last fall,when we did our,our thing Brian went over some reels.You know,just kind of some real basics.We only had about15minutes of station time per,per station.Another technician from Lincoln,Mark went over kind of the diesel particulate filter process and what’s going on inside,what they look like inside,how do they work,I did a little real basic electrical testing with some of these guys.
Trent Manning: 28:39
hmm.
Jordan Roth: 28:39
We actually got,got some good dealer support from,from that as well.So Brian did a good job reaching out and got,got a guy to come in from steel and talk to us about battery powered versus gas powered and how that transition can happen.And that was really interesting to listen to,even though probably nobody in that room is going to go out and buy15electric leaf blowers,but it was,it’s going to happen.We can’t get away from it.So it was good to listen to that.
Trent Manning: 29:10
it’s common whether we want it to or not,or however you feel about it,it’s not going to be that much longer and same thing I’ve actually this week been looking for a new hover mower.And there’s not really many out there now.And a friend of mine had recommended Bluebird.So I called Bluebird and they’re like,no,we discontinued it because we can’t get the Honda engine.Cause Honda stopped making that GCV135or whatever it was.And the air force from Segoe international hover mower,they went to,I’m pretty sure it’s a Chinese brand of engine on it because they were using that same Honda and done away with it.But I think that’s great what y’all are doing there.And I love,I mean,this is makes my heart happy seeing more and more areas doing that Ben Beard,he’s doing stuff in Michigan.And I mean,you know,TTAC’s been around for a long time and they got a lot of good things going on in the Carolinas.But it’s,it seems like it’s happening more and I don’t know if it’s just cause I’m out here out of my shell a little bit more.I hear about it more,but I don’t,I don’t think a lot of that was happening,you know,four or five,six years ago.
Jordan Roth: 30:34
No,I,I agree with you there,because even when,when I was traveling on the road,you’d run into guys and there just wasn’t,camaraderie is not the right word,but there was no really good meeting,gathering,just shooting the,shooting the stuff out there amongst guys and and then you heard a lot of the superintendents talk about the,the local chapter show and they’re like,gosh,you know,I wish we had something that was more mechanical related instead of what we have.So.So.So what,you know,I kind of feel like what we’re doing is,you know,it’s what they’ve been asking for.Now we’re finally doing it and it’s good stuff.
Trent Manning: 31:13
Oh,well,something I want to share here while we’re on this I sat in with the educational committee for my local chapter and the,our chairman of superintendent Mark Hayes,he brought a,he attended Mike Rollins cut line as king in Orlando.And he’s like,we need to do that for the superintendents.So at the annual meeting,Mike Rollins is going to come and speak to the superintendents.And I just think that’s the greatest thing ever.It’s so awesome.
Jordan Roth: 31:44
Yeah,that’s,that’s really good.
Trent Manning: 31:46
Yeah,because I mean,a lot of superintendents do understand what we do,but there’s a lot of superintendents that don’t understand what we do.
Jordan Roth: 31:56
I,I,I can agree with that to some extent,you know,I’ve been fortunate to work for some good superintendents that do have an understanding,but.You know,if you dive that deep into it with a guy like Mike,you know,you could have the attention and you could lose a lot of people.It’s like,whoa,slow down,back this up,you know.
Trent Manning: 32:14
Yeah,yeah,yeah.No,that’s true.I,you might have to go hopefully no superintendents get mad,but you might have to go a little bit slower for them.Since they’re not living this stuff every day,but I just think it’s great.And I love where the industry’s going.And weren’t you a Melrose recipient?
Jordan Roth: 32:34
Yes,I was.So
Trent Manning: 32:37
How much?Yeah.Let’s talk about that experience and how much fun you had.
Jordan Roth: 32:42
That was absolutely nuts,man.I tell you,if there’s24hours in a day,I think we use23of them.It was,it was busy and it was really good.Just the sheer amount of awesome people I got the opportunity to meet.I had no idea.I mean,it was,it was incredible.I highly recommend if you have anybody that you know that might qualify for something like that,turn them on to it,get them going on it,because it’s a great way to go to the show.And I learned a lot about what was you know,not so much even the mechanical side of things,like we spent,spent some time with various groups and some meet and greets,and it was really good.
Trent Manning: 33:25
That’s awesome.
Jordan Roth: 33:26
Made some good friends.We just had a virtual Zoom happy hour amongst us on on Sunday,two
Trent Manning: 33:33
Oh,cool.That’s awesome.So cool.
Jordan Roth: 33:37
little group of us got together and just,you know,had garage beers across the world.It was kind of fun.
Trent Manning: 33:41
That is so cool.No,I love it,man.I love it.And I do kind of think that’s a trend or something that happens is the Melrose groups kind of stick together or at least stay in contact somewhat.So it’s great that y’all are doing happy hours.That’s so cool.I love it.
Jordan Roth: 34:01
yeah,there was,there was talks.Do we do it quarterly?It’s like,I wish you do it every other month.We’ll see how it goes.I mean,I’m down for happy hours in the garage.I’m,I’m cool with that.
Trent Manning: 34:10
Yeah,yeah,yeah,no,that’s good.It’s good stuff.Yeah,and I know we all want to do it as much as we could.We’d do it once a week if we could,but you know,
Jordan Roth: 34:20
yeah,that’s a little crazy,but
Trent Manning: 34:22
right now it’s,it’s a stretch,but it is so enjoyable too.It’s like the Twitter spaces that Seth Shelton always is on me about.Let’s do another Twitter space.Let’s do another Twitter space.And so finally I just carved out,it’s the third Tuesday of the month.That is Twitter space night at7p.m.Cause this is the way I am.I’m just so scatterbrained and ADHD,whatever running around,you know,I can’t focus on anything if I don’t set a date like that and just say,okay,this is what I’m doing is just like recording this podcast.I record on Monday and Tuesday.So I leave my schedules open on Monday and Tuesday to record episodes and do some editing.Usually Sunday night I do editing if it’s,I’m trying to get an episode out that week,but that’s I don’t know.It’s kind of figuring yourself out,you know,like how do I have to plan or prepare to make stuff happen?
Jordan Roth: 35:27
Yeah.
Trent Manning: 35:28
So anyway you ready to do some rapid fire questions?
Jordan Roth: 35:32
I I do have one more tip or trick for
Trent Manning: 35:34
Okay,bring
Jordan Roth: 35:35
Uh,a while back I I got tired of switching out ends on the grease gun.So our local hydraulic shop had eighth inch NPT quick connects,almost like an airline style
Trent Manning: 35:47
Oh,okay.
Jordan Roth: 35:48
but I want to say they’re rated for4,000PSI.So not quite as high as a grease gun,but I mean,you don’t really touch that unless you got a really gummed up fitting,but it makes it so easy to switch back and forth between the You know,like a right angle,or the needle,or the lock and lube.
Trent Manning: 36:04
No way.
Jordan Roth: 36:05
Yeah,and then if
Trent Manning: 36:05
I don’t,yeah,you’re going to have to,to share a picture of this
Jordan Roth: 36:10
I might have to pull out a tweet here.I don’t think I’ve tweeted more than about once,to be honest with you.I should probably do a few things,but I
Trent Manning: 36:17
Yeah,I mean,definitely any stuff like that,share it,please,because it helps us all out.
Jordan Roth: 36:23
it’s You know,let’s say you get into it for a hundred,a hundred and fifty bucks,but if you got it on your manual,and your electric grease gun if you have one,then you just got these little ten inch whips,and you just switch back and forth to whatever you need,and it’s pretty handy.
Trent Manning: 36:36
Yeah,no,that is super cool.Yeah.Cause I mean,I ended up buying extra grease guns,
Jordan Roth: 36:42
Yeah.
Trent Manning: 36:43
you know,cause I don’t want to swap them back and forth.And then,you know,people get confused,you know,all that stuff.If anybody else is using that,like,what was it?What grease is in this one?So no,I love it.That’s a good,that’s a great idea.Now you’re ready for some rapid
Jordan Roth: 37:02
I am ready.
Trent Manning: 37:03
Let’s do it.What’s your favorite movie?
Jordan Roth: 37:07
For at work,I’d say Armageddon because man,that’s just a good quotable movie when you’re out there digging an irrigation hole on a hot day,you start throwing out quotes like,I will hit800feet.You know,it’s just,
Trent Manning: 37:22
That’s so good.
Jordan Roth: 37:24
it’s bad.I could probably quote that movie from start to finish just because it’s,it’s stuck with me and I had a good time quoting it with another assistant I worked with in the past.
Trent Manning: 37:32
Yeah,that’s good.That’s good stuff.What would be your last meal?
Jordan Roth: 37:37
Oh,I,I’m a big fan of About any type of food,but I like seafood.I’d probably go with some scallops and a modello.I’ll throw a modello in there too.
Trent Manning: 37:46
Okay.Awesome.Good deal.Uh,yeah,I was really expecting meat and potatoes,
Jordan Roth: 37:53
Well,you know,I wouldn’t turn that down either.
Trent Manning: 37:56
right.What’s the old saying?You can call me a lot of stuff,but don’t call me late for dinner or something like that.
Jordan Roth: 38:04
never been late for first or second supper,man.
Trent Manning: 38:07
That’s right.That’s good stuff.What are you most proud of besides your family?
Jordan Roth: 38:15
I would say just,
Trent Manning: 38:16
hang on,before you start,let’s give a shout out.To your daughter.That’s15.What’s her name?Jelena.And what,what was she saying about dad?He’s finally made the big times because he’s on the real turf text podcast
Jordan Roth: 38:34
Yeah,cuz I’ll pick her up,you know,I’m waiting in line and she’ll get in the truck and I’ll be listening to it every once in a while.And,uh,she’ll kind of listen a little bit,and she’ll go,Dad,you’re such a nerd.
Trent Manning: 38:47
or something.That’s good.
Jordan Roth: 38:48
And so she asked me on a Friday,uh,she says,Are you ever going to be on there?I said,I don’t know,hopefully someday.And then when you emailed me just a couple days later,I showed her the email,and she goes,Holy cow,you made it!
Trent Manning: 39:00
Yep.That’s awesome.That’s so cool.I never dreamed,obviously starting this,that it would be a big deal.but I’m glad it is.And I hope your daughter enjoys listening to it.And,uh,gets to make fun of you and all those good things that we do
Jordan Roth: 39:17
chance she gets.I gave her a couple opportunities a day,
Trent Manning: 39:20
All right.Good deal.So now,sorry,I interrupt you.What are you most proud of?
Jordan Roth: 39:26
I would say just kind of like my progress throughout my career.I never really knew it would take me this far to where I am and doing what I’m doing.At what I consider kind of a good high level.I wished I would have known that this was an avenue to be taken way back in the day.Because I kind of bounced around a little bit.Did I want to be an assistant or a super?Did I want to be a mechanic?Just,just glad I stuck this out.Really,really happy that this is where I’m at in life.Wouldn’t change it for anything.
Trent Manning: 40:01
That’s so good.And I mean,I know there’s some,some grumpy mechanic golf course mechanics out there,but for the most part,you know,everybody you meet is down to earth.Just good people.And most of them enjoy what they do.And if you don’t enjoy it,find something else.Life’s too short.
Jordan Roth: 40:24
Yep.I agree.
Trent Manning: 40:25
yeah,that’s where I’m at.Well,thank you so much,Jordan,for being on.I really enjoyed this and uh,yeah,no,it’s,it’s good to cut up and laugh and.I’m sorry,what I said about,I don’t really like people cause I do.And this is my favorite part of the podcast is getting to connect with other people and share their story with the listeners
Jordan Roth: 40:51
Oh,that was a great time and,uh,look forward to hearing from other folks as well in the future.
Trent Manning: 41:01
thank you so much for listening to the Reel 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 Reel turf techs.