Tell us a little about your background. Where you were born, raised, etc

I grew up on the North Shore of Long Island in a town called Glen Head. I graduated from The Stockbridge School of Agriculture and University of Massachusetts with an A.A.S. in Turfgrass Management.

I’ve been married for 16 years to my wife, Donna, and we have a 15-year old daughter Kate and a 13-year old son, Shaun. I play golf in my spare time and coach Shaun’s middle-school golf team.

How did you get started in the golf industry?

When I was a teenager, I played a lot of golf and wanted to be able to practice more. So, I decided to build a small putting green in my back-yard. My grandfather at that time was installing garage doors at a local country club and told the superintendent about my putting green. The superintendent gave my grandfather an old walking green mower, penncross seed and two garbage cans full of sand. He also included directions on how I should build the putting green! My father, who worked for the post office, noticed a magazine called Golf Course Management, and copied down the address so that I could subscribe to it for information on how to take care of the green.

When I was 19, I got a job at Piping Rock Club under then superintendent and GCSAA past president Mel Lucas, Jr., CGCS. I credit Mel with helping launch my career.

Why did you join your local GCSAA chapter?

I joined the ESAGCS when I started at River Run and was asked by Tom Cassat, board member and golf course superintendent at The Bay Club, if I was interested in running for the board.

Why did you run for the board of directors?

I was more than willing to become involved with the ESAGCS because I believe in giving back to the business that I enjoy.

What has been successful for the Eastern Shore Association of GCS this year?

One success we’ve had this year was raising over $22,000 at our silent auction. We use this money to donate to two causes. The organizations are The University of Maryland Turfgrass Research Center and The Believe in Tomorrow’s Children Foundation. Each received $11,000.
Read more about the ESAGCS silent auction here.

Share your stories by emailing them to Leann Cooper.