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NEW ENGLAND BLADE

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on NESTMA’s 2022 Sports Turf Manager of the Year!

Elliot Linstrum

Field Superintendent, Worcester Red Sox

Polar Park — Worcester, MA

University of Connecticut – Turfgrass and Soil Science

How did you get your start in sports field management?

Summer internship with the Boston Red Sox grounds crew at Fenway Park in 2012.

Where did you go from there?

Fenway Park, Grounds Crew Member – 2012 to 2014

Rentschler Field, Assistant Sports Turf Manager – 2014 to 2019

Gillette Stadium, Assistant Field Superintendent – 2019 to 2021

What do you like best about your current position?

Educating our staff — translating how and why we do certain groundskeeping jobs and tasks into real life projects and applications.

Since the beginning of your career, what is the biggest change you’ve seen in the sports field industry?

The way singular sport stadiums have become multipurpose event spaces.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

“Write things down” and “Control the controllables.”

What advice would you share with people starting out in sports field management today?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Playing golf and home improvement projects.

What have you found most beneficial about being a NESTMA member?

Meeting people – the members within this network want the best for you and want to see you succeed.

Ryan Bjorn, Elliot Linstrum’s good friend and colleague, attended the awards ceremony via video from another conference he was attending in Las Vegas. The following is an excerpt from his comments that day.

“Elliot truly exemplifies the ideal sports turf manager. Thoughtful, hard-working, meticulous about the details, and passionate are just a few of the words I would use, and many others have used, when describing Elliot.

In our short time together at Gillette, I was consistently blown away by Elliot’s passion and how much he truly cares about the quality of work that he puts forth.

When he assumed his current role at Polar Park, he walked into a literal blank canvas. Granted the field was nearing completion and most of the construction was completed, but he didn’t have anything to work with. No equipment, no products, no tools, nothing!  But he did as he always does, he came up with a plan and worked towards a goal, utilizing many industry colleagues and business partnerships he has already cultivated in his young career.

By Opening Day, the field was perfect, the infield was dialed in, and not one fan in the stands ever knew there was ever an issue – and that’s just how Elliot likes it. He is truly an unsung hero. He is a humble guy who never gives himself enough credit. I hope today, accepting this award among many friends and industry colleagues, Elliot realizes that his hard work and passion do not go unnoticed!”