Keepers of the Green

[Jeff_Mingay]

In researching my forthcoming book, I've come across a number of golf course superintendents who are really tuned into the architecture of their golf courses and have undertaken some significant restorative-based work on their own initiative.

I admire guys like Jon Jennings at Chicago Golf; John Gall at St. George's, Toronto; Chris Sykes of Cherokee CC in Tennesse; and of course, Karl Olsen, formerly of National Golf Links of America, very much for this reason.

As per the write-up on Yeamans Hall at this site, Jim Yonce seems to fit the bill as well.

A part of a golf course superintendent's duty is to maintain conditions that compliment the architecture of the course, and also to preserve that architecture, long after the original golf architect has passed on, and consulting golf architects are in other cities doing other things.

The golf course superintendent is the key to architectural restoration and preservation, and I think it'd be neat to put a spotlight on a few others I haven't mentioned here, who should be mentioned.

Any other nominees and related stories? I'm interested to hear them. I think these guys (and gals?) deserve a ton of credit for their efforts.    

[Joel_Stewart]

Jeff:  Good topic, the super often do not get the credit they deserve.  In many instances the head pro deserves some credit.

I'll nominate 2 people both are well known.  Tom Huesgen is the superintendent at Pebble Beach and really has the course in great shape.  I played there two weeks ago and am still amazed at the condition, especially with 3,000 square foot greens and 70,000 rounds.  

The other is Pat Finlan at Olympic who is only partially done. The club is near completion of a large tree removal program and about to embark on a bunker, tee, and green program before the 2008 Amateur.  He was named Northern California Superintendent of the year, supervises a staff of over 50, rebuilt the maintance yard, purchased all new equipment, all in the last 2 years, which was when he was hired.

[Dave_Miller]

Bill Spence - The Country Club - Brookline, Ma.

Paul Miller - Nashawtuc - Concord, Ma.

Best,
Dave

[Kevin_Reilly]

Yes, Pat Finlen is one of those guys who you are glad is working on your course.

[ed_getka]

I'm the worst with remembering names, but the super at Kingsley Club does a great job.

[A_Clay_Man]

Should be the most important person is any town. Especially those that covet the denaro from said facility.

How about Roger. at the Cal Club?

[Eric Johnson]

Adam, I think Roger Robarge moved to the Valley Club in 2001.  I'm not sure who is at Cal Club now.
Eric

[Jeff_Mingay]

Ed,

Absolutely! Dan Lucas at Kingsley C. is an excellent nominee. Being fortunate to know fairly well, I'm disappointed I forgot to include him in my initial post.

Good call!

[TEPaul]

Certainly Scott Anderson of Huntingdon Valley G.C Philadelphia should be mentioned in this regard. Scott, personally, doesn't like to take the credit, choosing instead of give credit to Linc Roden and later his disciple Jim Sullivan who managed to bring the membership around. HVGC has been through a long time restoration but the thing that makes Scott Anderson and HVGC unique is the maintenance practices. The course plays like it did decades ago, extremely firm and fast and this has been going on for quite a few years now. They even went so far as to dedicately cultivate "grain" back into their greens while the rest of the world continues to try to remove it!!

[Jeff_Mingay]

Another obvious guy I missed in my original post, Tom! Thanks.

For those of you who haven't yet, read Linc Roden's interview at this site. It's by far one of the most informative. And interesting.

Hat's off to Scott Anderson as well  

[JSlonis]

Richard Spear at Piping Rock does a fabulous job making sure that the course has it's proper "maintenance-meld".  I had a chance to meet Richard during a practice round at PR a couple of years ago.  From our brief encounter, and coversations throughout the day, I would say that Richard is very aware of the design principles at Piping Rock and he strives to prepare the course to best utilize the wonderful features.  One of the more interesting things he discussed was the maintenance of the "Biarritz" par 3, 9th hole.

I'd also 2nd Scott Anderson's notation on this thread.  There are very few clubs like Huntingdon Valley that have taken the maintenance practices and really educated the membership on how the golf course should look, play, and be prepared.

[ian]

I agree with Tom, I think Scott Anderson of Huntingdon Valley is a must for your book. I've not seen playing conditions like that anywhere else.

Facinating ideas in the context of restoration.

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