Relentlessly Dedicated with Nancy Dickens
Name: Nancy Dickens
Title: Director of Golf Operations
The Westin Kierland Golf Club, Scottsdale, AZ
Troon Value: RELENTLESSLY DEDICATED
Q: When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up and please explain if there was a story around that.
A: Professional Tennis player. I loved tennis and all sports. Once I realized I wasn’t going to make it as a professional tennis player, I wanted to own and manage my own tennis club.
Q: How many years have you worked for Troon and what has been your career progression?
A: I have worked for Troon for 21 years. I started with Troon as the Director of Agronomy at The Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa in California. I moved to Scottsdale to serve as the Director of Agronomy at The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa and in 2013 I was promoted to Director of Golf Operations.
Q: Tell us about your transition from Agronomy to Golf Operations, how did this come about and how has your agronomy experience helped in your now golf operations role?
A: Because of my business background, I always wanted to one day progress into the role of General Manager or Director of Golf. I enjoyed working as a golf course superintendent, but I was always interested and engaged in the business side of golf. Having degrees in both Agronomy (North Carolina State University) and Business-Finance (Baylor University) has been very beneficial in my career progression. Golf course conditions are consistently listed as the top priority when choosing a golf course, and it is the number one cost center at a golf facility. Having knowledge and understanding of the agronomy side of the business has been invaluable. Additionally, I feel it has strengthened my relationship with the Golf Course Superintendents that I have worked with because I understand the unique challenges they face every day.
Q: What do you do in your daily job or life to inspire other women or minorities to get them interested in the agronomy or golf management business as a career?
A: I always support and host women’s golf events, especially at the collegiate and junior golf levels. Golf can open doors professionally, so I support and encourage female participation. Additionally, I have hired and mentored several females in their professional golf endeavors and encourage diversity in the workplace.
Q: What is something that not many people know about you but that you don’t mind sharing?
A: I played collegiate tennis at the University of Missouri and Baylor University. I enjoyed being a college athlete. Our Missouri team qualified for nationals my freshman year.