Cote Wolcik, who has lived and worked in Finland for six months, has found a home here. Working as the Assistant Superintendent at Kytäjä’s South East course as part of a Finnish team has taught him a lot, and Cote has much to offer from his own skillset.
Cote has worked on golf courses for 11 years. It all began at the age of 18 near his hometown in Massachusetts. Initially, Cote worked in course maintenance during the summers while studying at university. The more experience and knowledge he gained, the more he realized how much he enjoyed working outdoors and doing physical work. During his studies, Europe became familiar to him as Cote studied in Germany and Austria, and he also spent a year in Prague, Czech Republic, teaching English. When he returned home to the United States in 2018, his future plans became clear. His goal was to become a superintendent in golf course maintenance in Europe.
Cote advanced steadily in his career toward his goal, always striving to learn from the experienced professionals around him. The most significant course for him in his homeland ultimately became Martis Camp Club, from which Cote eventually came to Finland. Cote worked at the course for nearly four years, during which time the course hosted the USGA Senior Am Championship, among other events. Organizing such an event required a lot of work, and going through the process was highly educational. Working at a TOP 200 course in the United States is no small feat, with very high standards to meet.
Golf has already given Cote a lot in his career so far. Most recently, he had the opportunity to attend Toro’s educational and networking event in Minnesota as an invited guest. The program in question is a separate training program that, in addition to Toro, is also accessible through Hako. Cote had the chance to share his experiences from Finland, Kytäjä Golf, and the FGA. Now everyone who attended the event knows much about Finland and the FGA, which opens new doors and opportunities for the entire Finnish golf maintenance industry. Cote believes that Finland has some excellent golf courses that rank among the best in Europe. Finland also has very skilled turf management professionals, and sharing experiences with American professionals, for example, will further develop the field.
Robotics has sparked great interest in Cote. The use of robotics in the United States is not yet as popular, partly because there is ample labor available. At Kytäjä alone, there are eight robots from three different brands in use. Working with them and continuously learning how to utilize them motivates him greatly. There are significant differences between the countries in terms of labor laws and, for example, regulations on chemical use. Adapting to the work culture has taken time, but Cote has navigated it without major obstacles. At work, Finnish is the dominant language, and although Finnish is often said to be an easy language to learn, even a linguistically talented person like Cote has not yet fully mastered all its nuances. He studies the language diligently, and the most important phrases already come naturally to him.
But why Finland, far away in the cold north?
Cote had a specific set of criteria based on which he chose his new home country. He needed to find a permanent management-level position, the country couldn’t be too hot in the summer, and since hockey is Cote’s hobby, he needed to be able to play it. Finland ticked all the boxes. Finland has made a strong impression on Cote. Professionally, he has learned a lot from Finnish professionals with their specialized knowledge. At the same time, he is highly motivated to share his own skills and knowledge, which may still be lacking in Finland.
The general quality of life has made a particular impression, although Cote is still seeking a balance between work and leisure. The Finnish nature, lakes, and forests are impressive. The people have welcomed Cote warmly and with open arms, and perhaps best of all, Finland is a hockey-mad country! Perhaps next winter, serious discussions will take place at Kytäjä about which hockey team it is appropriate to support and which is not. Time will tell which team’s scarf will be wrapped around Cote’s neck. The past six months have flown by, and Cote is proud to call Finland his home, eagerly anticipating what the future holds.
