In our Beyond The Drop Q&A series, we bring you brief interviews with some of the minds driving innovation at Aquatrols. We speak to a wide variety of folks who work here at Aquatrols, exploring topics from research, to conservation, to business.
Today we are featuring an interview with Barry Bennett, who just recently joined the Aquatrols team as a Territory Manager. From his expert knowledge of the Redox brand to his extensive experience as a golf course superintendent, Barry discusses his transition to the Aquatrols team and how his passion for the industry all began.
What was your first position within the golf industry?
I unintentionally landed my first position within the industry when I was 16. I was a member of my high school’s golf team and the course that we played on never raked the bunkers. I eagerly volunteered to rake all of the bunkers by hand in exchange for what I thought to be a great trade – a black Titleist hat. However, after I finished the front nine bunkers, I realized that I had arranged quite an unfair deal. Following that realization, I renegotiated a deal that I would actually get paid for and started working at the course doing side work for $3.35/hour. From that point on I have happily remained in the golf business.
What drew you to pursue a sales career within the industry?
After working as a superintendent for over two decades, I began to feel the burnout from the constant grind of such a demanding role. I started to look at other options that would allow me to remain in the golf business without requiring such physically demanding work. Soon after I began my search, Redox approached me about a manufacturing representative role. It sounded like a nice change of pace, so I took a chance on it and have been very happy with decision.
How has your prior experience helped you in your current position?
My previous experience as a superintendent has made a world of difference in my current position. I get to use knowledge that I have learned over the years to help superintendents find solutions to problems on their courses and am able to offer a perspective and understanding to my customers that not everyone else can.
What excited you the most about joining the Aquatrols team?
I was very excited by Aquatrols strength in marketing and their overall presence within the golf industry for the past 60 years. Redox had a golf presence that was localized to specific areas and lacked national reach. Through Aquatrols, the Redox line can service a much larger base of customers.
We could not be more excited to have you on our team as an experienced turf professional and Redox product expert. With Redox turf products now exclusively available through Aquatrols, how can customers enhance their programs even more beyond our wetting agent and active ingredient lines?
Nutrition management and water management go hand in hand. If you don’t have water, you won’t have plants. Similarly, without correct nutrition you won’t have plants. With the new strategic agreement between Aquatrols and Redox, we’re able to offer turf managers a full range of solutions that cover the most important aspects of plant growth and development.
Lastly, what can you be found doing when you’re not working?
When I’m not working I like to fish, do yard work, build bird houses, and play guitar.
To learn more about our team and read additional Beyond The Drop features, click here.
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