RISING STAR

Zack Holm , CSFM , can pinpoint the exact day he knew this career was for him . His father — Brad Holm — had been a golf course superintendent , but had lost his job and taken on work as a game day employee for the San Diego Padres .

“ They had a company picnic for the employees ,” said Holm , who now serves as manager of turf care at Central Park Conservancy in New York City . “ The team was on the road to play the Cubs , so we were in the outfield , eating dinner and watching the game on the jumbotron . Being a fan of the Padres , sitting there in an empty stadium , nobody in the stands , I felt that this was something I could see myself doing every day .”

Holm ’ s father connected him with Steve Wightman , who at the time was sports field manager at Qualcomm Stadium .

“ Having someone like Steve to talk to was a big influence on directing me in the industry ,” said Holm . “ I still did one golf course internship to test it out . I didn ’ t enjoy it all that much . I think my love of sports drew me in , and being around the game — being part of a team . You are not on the team , but you are on the team .”

For college , Holm chose Delaware Valley University ( DelVal ), where he was a walk-on member of the baseball team . His first internship was back in San Diego at a golf course , then he did a sports turf internship in the City of Peoria , Arizona , working with Chris Calcaterra , who was STMA president-elect at the time .

Following the internship with Calcaterra , Holm went back to San Diego in the winter to work for Wightman . Holm ’ s next internship was with Rob Galdieri and the Scranton / Wilkes-Barre Yankees , where he also worked with Head Groundskeeper Steve Horne . After graduation from DelVal , Holm worked for the Red Sox with Dave Mellor , then got his first full-time position as assistant for Ryan Woodley with the Staten Island Yankees . Holm later worked for Brickman — now BrightView — which led to a head groundskeeping job within BrightView for the York Revolution . After a year in sales , Holm went to work with Dan Shemesh and the New York Red Bulls , where he managed the practice facility for six years and where he won the 2020 SFMA Professional Soccer Field of the Year Award .

His career journey then led him to his current role at Central Park , where he manages the 250 acres of lawns and turfgrass of Central Park . Other responsibilities include the bridle path in the park , snow removal during winter , and assisting with large-scale events such as concerts and the New York City Marathon .

According to Holm , the biggest challenge working in Central Park is that it is Central Park . “ There is a real consideration for the time of day , what we are doing and when we are doing it ,” he said . “ Getting things as basic as mowing done is challenging , and we have to schedule our day differently . Coming up with new and innovative ways to be successful is something we do on a daily basis .”

Holm ’ s favorite part of the career — no matter where he has been — is seeing daily successes . “ The sun is

26 SportsField Management | October 2023 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com