The Greenkeepers of Broken Top

By now, many of you have seen this video on YouTube. I first learned of it while visiting some members in Central Oregon, where Broken Top is located. I tweeted it after I saw it and the views increased to well over 1.000. Then, just recently, one of our industry magazines got wind of it and they put it out on their Facebook page and the views almost shot up to 3.000.

The owner of this video’s name is Ethan Erickson. I learned that Ethan worked for Scott Moffenbeier over the summer at Broken Top and had asked Scott permission if he could carry along his camera equipment while he did his daily chores. Scott didn’t mind and didn’t think much of it until Ethan showed the crew what he had been working on. Everyone’s jaw dropped when they saw how incredible his video was. I actually had the same reaction.

What's a visit without a selfie with Ethan?

My first thought was that this was quite a production and had to be put together by some local professional production company so I had to find out what the story was behind this video. Shelia Finney, GCSAA’s new senior director of member programs, was heading northwest to Portland to attend the local equipment managers meeting with me and were also planning on going over to Bend to attend the equipment manager gathering.  I figured that this was a good time to try to reach Ethan. I contacted Scott Moffenbeier to see if he could arrange a meeting and Scott did just that. The four of us met for dinner in Bend that evening and I had the pleasure of meeting the young man behind the camera whose talent had peaked the interest of so many across the country.

Ethan is a graduate of Oregon State University and was working at Broken Top as a seasonal job. He majored in photography and digital communication and is aspiring to be a freelance photographer. Check out some of his work. You will see many of the projects that he has worked on including content from his internship with the Oregon State University Athletics, the Portland Timbers and much more. My friends know me as a (very) amateur photographer and Ethan's work just simply exceeds my ability beyond my comprehension.

Shelia and I both agreed that Ethan needs to use his talents in the golf industry because so many people were inspired just by watching his video. If you haven’t seen it yet, I have provided below for your viewing pleasure. This young man has quite a talent and it would be a shame if the word didn’t get out about him. I have already been contacted my some who would like to use his services. I’m sure that many more will be doing the same soon.