Living Legends: Dick Bator

In this episode of Living Legends:  Where are they now? host John Reitman chats with career superintendent, mentor-to-many and current "international agronomy consultant", Dick Bator. 

Bator's superintendent career included stops at Pine Valley, Merion and Oakmont. Over those years he mentored -- some may say 'tormented' -- many assistants who went on to careers as head superintendents. 

He shares with us some of what made him tick, and advice for today. Some takeaways:

• I hired good people, but pushed them and taught them survival tactics
• Know the importance of detail work
• Learn to delegate
• Work in the trenches; I always did
• Know where you’re weak; hire people to fill those gaps
• Don’t mess up your personal life like I did. Too many divorces (3). Personal and family life is more important than the job. Biggest disappointment of my life.
• Always seek out help; never stop learning
• Today, I learn from every superintendent that I do consulting work for; and many are former assistants.