If you ask Pat Oien how he got to where he is today, don’t expect a rehearsed elevator pitch or a glamorous origin story. Instead, you’ll get something far more grounded – and far more relatable.
“I went to a little ag school in Nebraska,” he says with a smile, referring to Southeast Community College. Early in his career, he admits he was hesitant to highlight that path. Not anymore.
“Your work experience speaks much louder than what a piece of paper says.” That mindset has carried Oien through a steady and impressive rise in the turfgrass industry.
From the Midwest to the Northwest
Born and raised in Woodbury, Minnesota, Oien’s introduction to the profession came early. His uncle, a golf course superintendent, employed Oien and his siblings and cousins during their high school years. “I always loved working on the golf course,” he recalls. “I wasn’t a great student in high school, so the science side made me a little nervous. But I had people who pushed me.”
One of those people was Jeff Gasseling in Nebraska, who encouraged Oien to pursue turf management as a career. That push led him to formal education – and eventually to an internship at Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples, Fla.
It didn’t take long to realize that wasn’t the right fit. “This Midwest body is not made for Florida,” he jokes. After returning to Nebraska, an opportunity in the Pacific Northwest changed everything. Hired by Matt Schult at Seattle Golf Club, where “I learned the standard of private clubs and how to operate every piece of machinery we use in golf operations." Oien spent over a year as an Assistant-in-Training at SGC before moving on to Overlake Golf & Country Club in Medina, Wash., where he worked under Cory Brown for five years.
“That’s where I really learned how to grow grass and manage people,” he says.
For the past four years, Oien has been at Sahalee Country Club and has become its Golf Course Superintendent, continuing to build both his career and reputation.
Leading at Sahalee
Oien describes Sahalee not just as a golf course, but as a distinct experience. “It’s tight, it’s narrow – the crack of the club sounds different here,” he explains. “It’s challenging in a lot of ways.”
Maintaining conditions at Sahalee comes with unique challenges, particularly the heavy tree cover and shade.
“We’re still learning,” he says candidly. “We’re doing a lot of shade removal and improving drainage in areas that don’t see much sun. It’s tough, but we’re making progress.”
Despite those challenges, the results speak for themselves. The course continues to host premier events and remains a point of pride for its membership. “There’s a lot of history here, and the members really take pride in that,” Oien notes. “Events bring positive attention, and people rally around them.”
The Reward, and the Challenge
Ask Oien what he enjoys most about being a superintendent, and his answer isn’t about turf conditions or tournament preparation.
“It’s seeing the crew take pride in their work,” he says. “I’m lucky to have a seasoned team that really cares.”
That camaraderie – and the shared sense of accomplishment – stands out as the most rewarding part of the job.
The biggest challenge?
“Work-life balance,” he says. “And honestly, you never really shut your brain off. You’re always thinking about the course – what’s next, what’s coming up.”
Life Off the Course
When he does step away, Oien’s focus is simple: family. He and his wife are raising two young boys, Parker (5) and Jordan (2), who keep him busy and entertained. “Parker is obsessed with animals – we can talk about them for hours,” he says. “Jordan just follows whatever his big brother does.”
ports are starting to enter the picture – basketball and baseball so far, with golf clubs not far behind. “They’re swinging at pine cones and rocks right now,” he laughs. “We’ll get a golf ball in front of them soon.”
As for entertainment, don’t expect many movie recommendations.
“I’m watching a lot of Bluey right now,” he admits. Of course, catching Netflix’s Full Swing is also on his list, as Pat notes, “They just dropped the fourth season.”
Midwest Roots Run Deep
Despite building his career in the Pacific Northwest, Oien remains loyal to his Minnesota roots, especially when it comes to sports. “I’m all Minnesota – Vikings, Timberwolves, Twins, Wild,” he says. That loyalty hasn’t always been easy, but it’s part of who he is.
“I must admit, it was hard watching our former quarterback (Vikings castoff Sam Darnold) win the Super Bowl this past season.”
A Simple Philosophy
When asked about influences outside the industry, Oien doesn’t hesitate. “My dad,” he says. “He’s the most consistent person I know. You know what you’re getting from him every day.”
It’s a quality Oien strives to emulate, both at work and at home. “Just being consistent in how you approach everything.”
It’s a straightforward philosophy, one that underpins his steady rise and leadership style. And if you ask him, he’ll probably downplay it all.
“I feel like I’m kind of a boring dude,” he says. But spend a few minutes hearing his story, and it becomes clear: there’s nothing boring about building a career through hard work, humility, and a commitment to getting better every day.
His fellow turf students from Nebraska’s Southeast Community College would be proud.
(For more info, visit WWGCSA.)
