TGC Team - Kyle Cwynar

Hello Committee Members,

My name is Kyle Cwynar, and I’m honored to introduce myself, as we launch our first TGC Advisory Team. Whether you’ve taken part in our online program, connected on social media, crossed paths in person, or simply landed here on the blog—you’re officially a certified Member of The Grounds Committee.

This next step is about going deeper. We’ve brought together a select group of professionals who are ready to share their own perspectives, stories, and lessons. I’ll introduce them soon, but first I want to share the framework that shaped my career, why this project matters to me, and what it could mean for you.

My Story

I grew up on Cape Cod and got my start in turf at the Hyannisport Club back in 2004. I was fortunate early on—working under two assistants who modeled very different but equally important traits: one was steady, family-focused, and a great communicator, while the other was relentlessly driven, and a hard-nosed grinder. That balance stuck with me.

At the same time, I had been volunteering with the Cape Cod Baseball League, working my way from bat boy to pressbox staff with the Hyannis Mets. Being on the field with athletes who would go on to play professionally, I had tangible examples of how ambition, discipline, and coachability can take you places you never imagined.

From there, my journey became about embracing the unknown in my career. At UMass Amherst’s Stockbridge School of Agriculture, I was encouraged to intern somewhere new. That decision carried me to The Country Club in Brookline—a place that had hosted Ryder Cups and U.S. Opens and where the standards were sky-high. Even without the spotlight of hosting a major, I learned to be a productive member of an operation that demanded excellence every day.

That taste of pressure gave me confidence to reach higher, heading south on I-95 towards two seasons at Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey. Pine Valley is often considered the best golf course in the world, and the teams I experienced were legendary. Working there reinforced the lesson that success isn’t just about where you are—it’s about the people you’re surrounded by and the culture of relentless improvement they create.

Instead of slowing down, I sharpened my pedigree further—this time in Sydney, Australia, where I joined New South Wales Golf Club in the middle of major renovations. Building revetted bunkering, resurfacing greens, managing warm-season grasses, and navigating a completely different environment sharpened my skills not just in turf, but in self-reliance. I had to manage my own time, budget, logistics, and relationships in a brand-new world.

Coming back to the U.S. wasn’t a perfect transition. I had stints that didn’t fit. However, those detours led me to Rumson Country Club, where I learned to be more than just a specialist. At RCC, I became the mechanic, the spray tech, the irrigation manager, and the crew leader at a multi-amenity organization. The wide scope, responsibility, and variation prepared me to make the leap to running my own operation.

That opportunity came at the Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club, the oldest lawn tennis club in America and a national historic landmark. Shifting into sports turf wasn’t something I predicted at the start of my career, but it’s a path I’m grateful to have taken. Stewarding a piece of history, while still growing and experimenting every day, has been both a challenge and a privilege.

Why TGC

Along the way, I’ve had my share of frustrations—being the runner-up for jobs, wondering what I still lacked, and second-guessing decisions. But discipline, reflection, and a strong network carried me through -a network you are now part of-. Mentoring others showed me that many of the struggles I faced were universal, and the advice I could give, grounded in real experience, made a difference.

That’s why I built TGC. To help shield and support those rising the ranks from burnout and uncertainty, and stay motivated to keep building careers in this industry. This provides awareness, perspective, and connection. And now, with this new advisory team, the circle widens even more.

What’s Next

In the months ahead, you’ll hear from professionals across turf and sports management—each with their own focus on what it takes to succeed. I won’t spoil the introductions yet, but you can expect stories from people at the top of their craft, as well as those just breaking into leadership roles.

I invite you to listen, learn, and add your own voice. If you think we’ve missed something—or if you’re ready to step up and contribute—reach out. This space is for all of us.

Welcome to TGC Team ONE.

We’re just getting started.

—Kyle