A (cup) cut above

Lance Rogers, CGCS, from Colonia (N.J.) Country Club, has developed quite a reputation as a tournament volunteer in New Jersey. First, the 27-year GCSAA member is part of a core group of area superintendents that feels it is extremely important to support the host staff by giving of their time and expertise when professional golf events come to town. Second, Rogers' expertise has landed him in a key position several times, helping in a small way to decide who wins or loses — Rogers cuts cups.

Trump National Bedminster’s Old Course is hosting the top female golfers in the world this week for the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open, and Rogers’ participation was never in doubt. Rogers volunteers to assist his friends and support the local superintendent, although he readily admits “every time I do it I pick up at least one or two things I can do at my own course.”

Cup changing for major championships is serious business, and Rogers' typically light personality tends to take a back seat when he's on the clock. “I enjoy it, but it gets pretty stressful” Rogers says. This is the fifth event he has volunteered at, and the third time Rogers has changed cups. Colleague Tyler Otero described Rogers’ approach as “passionate,” and that passion has paid off. He has already been referred to as an “artist” for his hole-painting technique. 

Those who change cups often typically develop a special bond with their tool of the trade. Rogers has maximized his time to learn the nuances of his cup-cutter, even utilizing the greens on the Trump National New Course while play is still continuing on the championship side. 

“The first time I did it (changing cups at the 2010 Barclays) I was really stressed out, but that is what they make Monday through Wednesday for ... practice.”

Rogers convinced Trump National’s director of grounds Rob Wagner to buy a new cup cutter, which he has nicknamed “Stewart,” comically after the staff member responsible for a prank early in tournament week when it temporarily disappeared.

“The cup-cutter is like gold to me once I get it set up," Rogers says. "The afternoon guys who do the putting green cups like to steal my stuff and they change everything on it, so now I hide my cup-cutter”

The addition of microphones to the cups themselves by Fox Sports has led to the use of a second cup-cutter (Stewart Jr., of course) with a set-up to accommodate the different depth requirement.

With the knowledge of the intricacies of cup-cutting, the skill of a seasoned veteran, and a busy tournament schedule around the Northeast region, Rogers better clear his calendar. There is little doubt his talents will be in high demand.

— Kevin Doyle, GCSAA Northeast field staff representative