PROFILE

Profile

My career in turfgrass management began at the local 9-hole golf course in Upstate NY when I was 16. I found the work to be very interesting and couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring. After graduating high school, I was given the chance to work at an exclusive country club as a groundskeeper. It wasn't long until I realized this was my calling, but I also knew that a formal education in turfgrass management was necessary for me to achieve my goals. I sought out and researched all the Universities that offered turf degrees at that time, and chose to enroll in the Golf Course Operations program at SUNY Delhi. During my studies there, I was selected to intern at The Wykagyl Country Club and had my first experience with tournament golf, the LPGA JAL Big Apple Classic. That summer, I also had the opportunity to volunteer at Westchester Country Club and be part of the team that hosted the Buick Classic. Upon graduating from SUNY Delhi the following spring, I was asked to return to Wykagyl where I was offered an Assistant Superintendent position. It was a difficult decision, but I turned down the offer to further my education at Clemson University and obtain my 4-year degree.

My commitment and perseverance at Clemson paid off as I earned the opportunity to intern at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the 1999 US Amateur, and returned the following summer for the 2000 US Open. My first Assistant Superintendent position—Oakland Hills Country Club—was a turning point in my young career. As I moved up in the organization, I learned as much as I could from one of the best Superintendents in the country. Being involved with hosting the 2002 US Amateur and 2004 Ryder Cup Matches reinforced my understanding of the organization, preparation, and execution necessary to be considered one of the preeminent clubs in the country.

Shortly after the Ryder Cup I was promoted to Superintendent of the North Course, and later the South Course, where I directed advanced preparations for the 2007 British Open Qualifier and 2008 PGA Championship as part of the Rees Jones master plan renovation. It was here that I also learned the importance of interacting with the membership, and how to develop successful working relationships with department managers and vendors in the pursuit of superior member service.

In 2006, all of my hard work and dedication provided me the opportunity to assume the role of Golf Course Superintendent at Blowing Rock Country Club. I had achieved my goal of becoming a head Superintendent at a distinguished country club. In addition to the numerous course improvement projects at Blowing Rock, I refined my management and agronomic skills to provide the membership with the best conditioned course in the area.

In January 2012, my family moved to Pittsburgh where I joined ClubCorp as the Golf Course Superintendent at Diamond Run Golf Club. Utilizing all my agronomic knowledge and skills, course conditions and consistency from the 1st tee to the 18th green quickly improved. Beginning that first winter, I implemented a large-scale tree removal program to improve the health of the turf and re-capture magnificent views Gary Player intended for the property. Having restored Diamond Run to one of the premier courses in the region, I was given the opportunity to become the Director of Agronomy at Treesdale Golf & Country Club in February 2016. As a full-service country club catering to over 1,000 members, managing the 27-hole championship golf course and supporting facilities demands a high level of planning, organization and execution every day.

Education & Associations

SYNGENTA BUSINESS INSTITUTE at WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

Invitation Only - 2010 Attendee

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

B.S. in Horticulture (Turfgrass)

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK / COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

A.A.S. in Golf Course Operations

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Class ‘A’ member working toward Certification

UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION

GREATER PITTSBURGH GCSA

Board of Directors since 2015