08/20/2026
Superintendent Spotlight
Name: Derek Haley - Superintendent
Course: Talbot Country Club
What time does the alarm clock go off : 4:57, I don’t know why, but I’m superstitious about random stuff. I don’t set my alarm to your typical round numbers like 4:45 or 5:00.
Years at current course: 10
Where it all started, your first course: Maple Dale Country Club and Garrison’s Lake Golf Course. $5.15 and hour and free golf!
Property Highlights
Favorite View: The best view is from our clubhouse porch overlooking Trippe Creek on the Tred Avon river and the 18th hole.
The Shore Challenge – what is a challenge that is unique to taking care of turf on your property or the eastern shore: As many in the turf industry would say, dealing with the weather is our biggest challenge. Experiencing the last two winters and having pretty much wall to wall Bermuda everywhere outside of greens, I fear January and February more than July and August.
Pro Tip for Golfers – what should they know before playing: There is nothing overly tricky about the golf course, what you see is what you get. Hit em straight, don’t leave yourself short sided around the greens, and stay below the hole.
Three words to describe your course: Flat, and hopefully Firm and Fast
Just For Fun
The 7 degrees of Shore Connection – Who are other superintendents or salesperson around the eastern shore that you know well and how did your paths cross (e.g. former boss, turf classmates): Tons of connections but I’ll mention the ones I’ve worked with at previous golf courses. Starting with the author/creator of Superintendent Spotlight, Mike Johnston and I started at Dupont Country Club on the very same day back in 2006. Chris Cannatelli from Mid-Atlantic Dryject, we go way back to little league baseball and he was also one of my former assistants at Dupont CC. Thomas “Tippy” Tipton and I worked together at Fieldstone Golf Club back in 2004, along with Joe Gulotti. Not sure if Gulotti counts as a Shore Connection but wanted to give him a shout out anyway. One of the first Superintendents I worked for was Randy Rider at Garrisons Lake.
Team Shoutouts – who is your support system – assistants: I have two great assistants in Billy Ehle and Logan McHenry and an excellent Equipment Manager in Joe Maddox
In the event you get a day off, what is your day off destination: Depends on the time of year, Summer I’ll be out on the boat fishing or crabbing. Fall/Winter In the duck blind or deer stand.
Keep up the great work Derek!
