Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe Maintenance Crew

Maintaining a golf course is a tremendous job, one that requires a large amount and variety of equipment, and a staff who is dedicated to using that equipment to prepare our course into the best condition possible. We are fortunate at Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe (MSLDSF) to have a great golf course maintenance crew, that does a wonderful job with the equipment we are able to provide them. Collectively, these 13 men have 60+ years of golf course experience.

To show our thanks, we put together a special 2008 golf course calendar as a thank you to the men – the “Golf Course Maintenance Crew” – who make Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe the Golf Course of CHOICE for the City of Santa Fe! Many thanks to all of you, for your hard work and dedication!

The images and descriptions below are to introduce you to both our staff and to some of the pieces of equipment that you might see them operating. It's easy for us to show up on Tuesday afternoon, or Saturday morning, or whenever, and not really think about the amount of work that goes into keeping our course in great condition. These guys all work 40 hours (or more) a week and do much more than just mow grass.

Eric Sandoval

Eric Sandoval is our Superintendent and does a great job. Eric has been employed with Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe (MSLDSF) for 3 years. He previously was the Assistant Superintendent at Los Alamos Golf Course for 21 years. He is a Class A member of RGGCSA and certified in Integrated Pest Management as well as attended numerous conferences including the Southwest Turf Grass Association Conference. He is knowledgeable in turf-management and all aspects of golf course maintenance.

Herman P. Lucero

Herman P. Lucero, Golf Course Supervisor, poses for the camera. Herman has been employed with the golf course since it was under construction 11 years ago. Herman is responsible for all aspects of golf course turf maintenance including supervising the crew and ensuring course maintenance continues on a daily basis. “Herman’s knowledge and experience of the golf course proves to be crucial” says Eric, “especially when it comes down to the infrastructure of the golf course.”

Daniel Tapia

Daniel Tapia, Equipment Operator for the golf course has been employed for 8 years with MSLDSF. Here, he is pictured operating our Jacobsen Rough-mower on the Great-28. Daniel performs all duties related to turf-care, and is an operator of our heavy-duty equipment. “Daniel is a dedicated and dependable employee who shows his expertise using the equipment he operates daily” says Eric.

John Romero

John Romero, who has about 10 years with MSLDSF, prepares to clean one of our 3 lakes that pump effluent water to the golf course. He is the Irrigation Technician for the golf course, among the jobs that John performs are: pump station maintenance, repair of broken valves and "just about anything else you can think of", says Eric about John. "If it's broke, he can fix it.”

Al Solano

Al Solano repairs a divot using seed on the Great-28 course. He has been with MSLDSF for 9 months as a Maintenance Worker, and his duties include changing cups, mowing tees, collars, and aprons; and other course maintenance. “Al is always eager to assist in any project he can, and his positive attitude motivates our crew” says Eric.

Andres Romero and John Pacheco

To show the level of effort our crew will go to in order to present us with the best possible playing conditions, the picture above shows Andres Romero (left) and John Pacheco (right) fixing a broken valve on hole #14. Andres Romero has been working with MSLDSF for about two seasons. His normal duties include: irrigation assistance, greens mower; changing cups; daily set up (tees/trash); mowing tees, collars, aprons; rough mowing; weed eating; and bunker raking.

Daniel Ortega

Daniel Ortega, one of our Golf Course Laborers is shown mowing a t-box at hole #11 with our new Jacobsen T-box Mower. His normal duties include: greens mower; changing cups; daily set up (tees/trash); mowing tees, collars, and aprons; rough mowing; weed eating; and bunker raking.

Joey Noriega

Joey Noriega, one of your Golf Course Laborers is pictured above changing cups on Hole #16. Among Joey's normal duties are: mowing green surrounds; bunker maintenance; setting cups; daily course set up (tees/trash); landscaping; weed eating; greens mower; grounds maintenance / seasonal preparation.

Eloy Licon

Eloy Licon, is pictured sharpening a chainsaw. His normal duties are: mowing green surrounds; bunker maintenance; setting cups; daily course set up (tees/trash); landscaping; weed eating; grounds maintenance, painting and seasonal preparation. “Eloy is a hard worker who is always looking for ways to beautify the course in any way he can” says Eric.

Erik Licon

Erik Licon, son of Eloy, is shown operating our new Jacobsen t-box mower. Erik also helps change cups; daily set up (tees/trash); mowing tees, collars, and aprons; rough mowing; weed eating; and bunker raking.

John Pacheco

John Pacheco, a Maintenance Worker for the golf course has been employed with MSLDSF for about 4 years. John poses above as he prepares to burn cattails located near one of the ponds on the course. He also operates all heavy-duty equipment including the backhoe. His other duties include irrigation maintenance and caring for the turf and upkeep of natural areas on the course. “John always goes above and beyond his normal duties to provide the best service necessary to maintain our facility at the highest level possible” says Eric.

Martin Miranda-Machuca

Martin Miranda-Machuca gets ready to move one of the greens mowers onto the course. He recently began working at the golf course as a Maintenance Laborer. His duties include: changing cups, mowing tees, collars, and aprons; and other course maintenance.

Larry Apodaca

Our Golf Course Mechanic, Larry Apodaca, (not pictured), has been at MSLDSF for the past three years. Today, most of Larry's duties involve equipment maintenance, and he rarely ventures out of the maintenance building unless it is to check on a piece of equipment to make sure it is functioning properly. Larry's duties include equipment maintenance repair & backhoe operator. Larry has over 30 years experience in equipment maintenance and operation. Eric considers Larry as "critical to the golf course."