On October 23, I brought Tim Moraghan, a golf course superintendent consultant and headhunter, for a consulting visit at the Club. Tim is someone I've admired for most of my career. He is best known for his time (20 years) with the USGA as an executive, where he helped with Championship course setup as well as selecting sites for future USGA Championships. As you can imagine, he's seen a lot of 'stuff' and has endless stories to tell. The one I find most amusing, is he is the individual that gave Payne Stewart the pair of scissors to cut the sleeves off his rain pullover during the final round of the 1999 US Open at Pinehurst! More seriously, he is a wonderful source of knowledge and someone I gain a lot from by bouncing ideas off of. I've always been a huge proponent of consultants, especially for someone like me, who is always looking to be better than the day before and also as someone who comes up with ideas, in rapid-fire pace! Walking the golf course with him, not only makes me better but it makes HCC better! I always want to continue adding value to what I give to the Club and this is one way that leads to that.
For 40 years, Tim Moraghan’s talents and work ethic have brought a wealth of benefits to the golf industry.
From grounds crew to construction of new courses to golf course superintendent, Moraghan’s experience encompasses a wide range of talents and expertise in the golf arena, highlighted by serving in the prestigious position of Director of Championship Agronomy for the United States Golf Association (USGA), a position he held for more than two decades.
During his tenure at the USGA, Moraghan worked with countless superintendents, club boards and management to provide optimal playing conditions, while always considering the club and golf course’s needs. His ability to prepare detailed, long-range plans for executing superior conditions in high-profile situations, earned the admiration of golf course superintendents, club management and his fellow staff members.
Today, he applies this breadth of knowledge and contacts his own clients through ASPIRE Golf Consulting. Since forming ASPIRE in 2007, Moraghan has assembled an impressive roster of clients, including prestigious private clubs, public courses, municipalities and resorts. The services of the firm include golf course consulting and turf management, golf course master planning, architectural evaluation, superintendent representation and placement, and a unique career development program ASPIRE Higher®.
Through his vast industry resources, he keeps abreast of trends and developments in the field. His expertise and experience drive people to seek his advice and mentoring daily.
To the thousands of people he has worked with over the years, Moraghan has served as friend, mentor, confidant and at times , a motivator.
A popular and knowledgeable speaker, Moraghan regularly addresses industry groups and golf club boards of directors on the topics of tournament preparation and challenges, ultimate conditioning and the need to know the game. Tim’s candid nature and refreshing outlook makes him a frequent resource for the media, as well as a regular contributor to industry periodicals. He writes a monthly column for Golf Course Industry.