Submitted photo Jim Winter of Fort Dodge stands with his family at the Iowa Chapter Sports Turf Managers Association turfgrass conference in Altoona. Winter is pictured here (left to right) with his daughter-in-law, Blair; son, Adam; wife, Susan; son, Tyler; daughter-in-law, Lauren; and grandson, Harrison.

Jim Winter isn’t big on the unknown.

Winter has been planning and scheduling every detail of his career for well over three decades. It comes with the territory of being the Rogers Sports Complex superintendent.

The Fort Dodge resident will be retiring this June, though. And the thought of a care-free life away from all of his professional requirements tends to evoke mixed emotions.

During last week’s Iowa Chapter Sports Turf Managers Association’s turfgrass conference at Prairie Meadows Event Center in Altoona, Winter was recognized as the state’s Sports Turf Manager of the Year — a distinguished honor given to the best of the best in his field. The 55-year-old Winter admitted that, even during the banquet, coming to grips with his final upcoming season in the sun wasn’t easy.

“I was thinking about everyone I’ve worked with through the years and all of the great times we’ve had, both from the friendships we’ve established and through the work itself,” Winter said. “And I had to take a couple of deep breaths. The decision (to retire) hasn’t necessarily been an easy one.”

Winter didn’t have to look far for peace of mind, however.

“My wife (Susan), my sons (Tyler and Adam) and their wives (Lauren and Blair), and my grandson (six-month-old Harrison) were all there, sitting with me at the table,” Winter said. “And I started to think about all the years I was stuck at the ballpark and all of the games and events I missed … they never once complained. They were patient with my long hours away from home.

“The time is now to make up for that. I owe my family so much.”

Winter has been the superintendent at Rogers Park since 2001, but he’s been a part of the facility’s crew for 36 years overall and a full-timer for 31. He’s worked over 200 days at the state softball tournament alone — the prestigious event hosted by Fort Dodge since 1970.

“There is not enough to be said on the impact that Jim has made to many both on and off the field, as well as to the turf industry,” Fort Dodge Parks, Recreation and Forestry director Lori Branderhost commented in a written statement supporting Winter for the award. “He is a man of faith that puts everyone ahead of himself. He’s spent a lifetime working to keep Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex the facility it has become known for.

“We’ve worked together for over 30 years, and I am so happy to call him my friend and colleague.”

Chad Graaf, currently the Lakeside Municipal Golf Course superintendent who will be replacing Winter at the helm, introduced Winter at the event. He said, “Jim has a passion for sports turf management, but also, working to make our community a destination for softball and baseball tournaments.

“His attitude for both of these passions shines not only through him, but also, through the team that he surrounds himself with every year on his maintenance crew.”

Fort Dodge athletic and activities director Matt Elsbecker said Winter is “often times the first person to arrive and the last one to leave the complex. He makes sure all of the fields are fully ready, whether it’s for a 7U coach pitch game or the finals of the state softball tournament.”

Andi Adams, the Dodger softball coach whose program calls Rogers Park home, remembers “once I first stepped onto Harlan Rogers in the summer of 2001, I met Jim Winter. He told me, ‘congratulations for getting hired at Fort Dodge. You will never have to prepare a field for a home game again.’ Boy, was he correct.

“Jim is truly a pillar in our community, and his service to the city of Fort Dodge and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union will never be forgotten.”

Winter called the turf manager of the year honor “incredible,” adding, “there are so many good and deserving turf people in the state of Iowa.”

“I was so thankful and a little overwhelmed, hearing from all the people who nominated me,” Winter said. “We’ve always been a team here in Fort Dodge, though. I don’t do anything alone. I’m only as good as my crew; I don’t want to single any of them out because I don’t want to forget anyone, but I’d name them all if I could.

“I’ve believed through the years that if you put good people around you who respect the job and enjoy doing the work, things will work out. You can’t do it without the village.”

Winter said the transition to Graaf, which will take place at the end of June, will be “seamless.”

“Chad is so knowledgeable, and he also cares a great deal about the people around him,” Winter said. “He has the same kind of mentality I do. He’s bought into our Parks and Rec. program in Fort Dodge, just like I have.”

Winter admits that “these next five months are going to be a rollercoaster ride.”

“It will definitely be hard at times, and as (the date) gets closer, I’m sure I’ll have my moments (of emotion),” Winter said. “I’ll miss a lot of things, but my body is telling me it’s time to let someone a heck of a lot younger than me take over.

“And I get to go home to my family, take a vacation and exhale. I’m looking forward to giving them time back for all of the sacrifices they made for me.”