The Bob Jones Invitational is one of several Club events I look forward to annually. As superintendent, it’s an honor to be able to help with this event. The relationships with guests and returning Walker Cup players is what makes it most special. Talking to Bob Jones IV, is one of the more fun times during the week for me. Sharing stories of his legendary grandfather is fascinating to me...mainly because my career path took me to several Clubs with strong ties to Jones. If you look at the photo above, we have a lot in common. Same barber, same jacket, shirt and same tie. I couldn’t have planned it any better.
After High School (Reading, Pennsylvania) I knew what I wanted out of life- to be a Golf Course Superintendent. I loved the work and had been doing it during the summers for several years prior. I was enrolled at Penn State and their top ranked Agronomy program. I also landed a new summer job at Oakmont CC on the other side of the state. I knew working at premier clubs would get me to where I wanted to go faster than staying home and working at local country clubs. So, Pittsburgh it was. For those 2 years, I lived on the 3rd floor of the historic clubhouse. Year one, my room was modest. No window, just large enough for a bed and desk. By year two, things were looking up and I was moved to the room at the end of the hall- a big room, separate sitting area and a window overlooking the golf shop and the 18th green. These rooms housed about 8 interns- some agronomy and some who worked for Bob Ford. While at Oakmont, I learned a lot about Bobby Jones history as he is a legend at Oakmont CC that was solidified with his 1925 US Amatuer victory. Those very rooms that I lived in were used to house amateurs, including Jones, in the early days. There was a story about the 1925 Amatuer where Jones’ toughest competitor, Watts Gunn and he reached the final match. The night prior to their match, Gunn apparently met a local girl and was on his way out the door on a date. Bob Jones grabbed him, pushed his back against the wall and said, “You’re not going anywhere. When we play tomorrow, I want you to be well rested so there are no excuses when you lose to me!” The next day, Jones defeated Gunn 8&7 at Oakmont. These two gentlemen had a past; this was the first time and only time clubmates squared off in a final. Of course, both considered East Lake (Atlanta) home. Today, East Lake has a wonderful display in their clubhouse that talks of this very relationship.
After 2 solid years at Oakmont, it was time for me to broaden my horizons even more. In 1999, having just completed my Junior year at Penn State, I filed to take a leave of absence from school where I was fortunate enough to get a coveted internship on the Old Course at St Andrews. That meant taking a years worth of stuff in 2 suitcases. By this time, I was engaged to my wife, Hilary, who made the trip with me. This was the most exciting thing we’ve done in our lives- living in another country. For the first 3 weeks, I had absolutely no idea what anyone said to me. My coworkers spoke so fast using words I never heard before. It didn’t sound like the English I knew. After 3 weeks, I felt like I had it down. St. Andrews is a fascinating place. While most everyone was very friendly, they had their own stereotypes and opinions of Americans. Bob Jones even got off to a rough start with city of St. Andrews. There is a story where Jones ripped up his scorecard on the 12th hole’s shell bunker, where he became so frustrated with his game. He aledgidly walked off the course. But as the story goes on, Bob Jones continued to travel to St. Andrews and overtime, developed a passion for the golf course and city. The people of St. Andrews adored Bobby Jones, which led to him receiving a key to the city and the 10th hole named after him! That’s right...the most revered Scottish Golf Course recognizes Bob Jones on the 10th hole! This always fascinated me and when working on the 10th hole, I had this feeling of being home.
By November of that year, our student work visas were about to expire and we needed to return back to the states. Rather than go back to State College, PA, we spent the next 9 months at Augusta National Golf Club. It was another incredible experience in my life. By now, I was immersed in Bob Jones history. It all comes together at ANGC. The most important step in the whole processes is what happened at Augusta. It was my time at ANGC where I met the contacts that led Hilary and I to Highlands CC. I’ve always felt blessed too have this kind of career progression. It’s something I am most proud of! Every year during this event at HCC its fun to relive these stops along the way. I’m grateful to be able to be a part of it!