Colt Knedler spent a typical morning with Luis to create an inspiring short film that captures his journey at Rams Hill. As a third-generation employee, Luis follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, continuing a proud tradition. We were honored to have Colt’s work featured at the 2025 Borrego Springs Film Festival, a recognition that not only celebrates Luis but also shines a light on our community and the people who make Rams Hill special. Being part of the festival was an incredible experience, and we’re thrilled to share it with you. Watch the film and check out photos from the event below!
Getting to know the videographer offers a deeper look into the stories captured at Rams Hill. Colt is interested in more than just showcasing golf – his work is about building connections, sharing experiences, and bringing the golf course and its people to life through a unique perspective. To view more of Colt’s storytelling content click here.
How would you describe your videography style to someone?
I try to capture real-life experiences and interactions by being present in those moments myself. It is not always the prettiest, and yes, me holding a camera can be awkward. But people are surprisingly good at ignoring it and simply responding to another human in conversation, sharing their thoughts, beliefs, and emotions naturally.
What made you want to tell Luis’s story? How did the piece evolve over time?
He’s a local. His father, and as it turns out, his grandfather, have worked at Rams Hill. The maintenance crew of a golf course is the invisible heart of the operation. You may catch sight of a worker or two, but usually only briefly and from hundreds of yards away. I have worked at a golf course, and I know that maintenance staff are hard workers, good people, and always have interesting insights about their golf course. They spend more time on the golf course than anyone else.
I showed up at 5:15 a.m. It was dark, the fog was heavy, and I was told Luis was out changing the holes. A perfect job for a video like this, similar to sharing a round of golf with someone. Playing all 18 in perfect conditions. Can it get any better than a freshly mowed green with no footprints and a sharply cut hole?
I jumped in his cart and we had a chat. We introduced ourselves, talked about origins, family, work, school, and ambitions. We shot in under three hours.
Have you ever submitted to a Film Festival before? What was that experience like?
No, I haven’t. I was excited to go. I have been to a film festival before, right out of college. I wanted to be one of the people on stage whose work was being shown. It looked fun to be a director or actor. We partied with the writer-actors of a Canadian film at that festival and an actress from a German film. It felt pretty legit.
But to one day have a film of mine accepted to and played in a festival was a dream, a goal realized. It is like qualifying for the US Mid-Am. Incredible to be there, to play in it. A fantastic accomplishment. But now I want to do it again. To make match play. When goals are realized, it is exciting to reassess and set sights on the next.
Why are Rams Hill and Borrego Springs special to you?
It has been a budding love affair. First visit, golf. Second visit, stay. Third, fourth, fifth, sixth, a project. Exploring the town, meeting the people, experiencing its nature. I like that you can’t point to it on a map with certainty. It has a great funk to it, something that can’t be replicated.
That is what you want when you take the time to travel somewhere—to experience something different from the place you just came from. The journey is mental and physical. It changes you. It is a place where I have built a collection of memories—golf tournaments, buddies trips, video projects.
Two of my close friends work there. And as a testament to Rams Hill and Borrego Springs, when I visit and my friends aren’t there, it is just as good of an experience.
What do you hope viewers take away from Luis’s story?
What the maintenance staff does for hours before the first tee time of the day. What a golf course has to go through before being presentable.
What I personally take away is this. I made a connection with Luis. I care about him. I hope he enjoys his last couple of years of school. I hope he works his way up within his team. I hope he and his dad continue to bond over working at the same place at the same time. I hope he travels and works at one of his grail courses in Ireland or Mexico.
I only spent three hours with Luis. Never met him before and have not seen him since. I hope that changes. But those hours made an impact. I am invested in his story, and I hope you are too.
A special thank you to the Rams Hill Team for the thought-provoking questions and for the opportunity to do this project. – Colt Knedler
