The course previously hosted the 2005 PGA Championship also under Kuhns’ watch
Lawrence, Kan. (July 12, 2016) – Both Baltusrol Golf Club and its golf course superintendent have long and accomplished histories in the world of golf. The 121-year-old Baltusrol has been the site of seven U.S. Opens, two U.S. Women’s Opens and the 2005 PGA Championship. The 61-year-old Kuhns served as president of the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America in 2009 and has overseen preparations for a U.S. Open, a U.S. Senior Open, a U.S. Women’s Open, and the 2005 PGA Championship. Baltusrol and Kuhns will make history together again later this month when the PGA Championship returns to Springfield, N.J.
Kuhns became the certified golf course superintendent at Baltusrol in 1999 after nearly a decade at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club. Expectations were high from the start as the course was hosting the 2000 U.S. Amateur and had its sights set on more national events.
“Having championships is important to us. We consider it part of the culture of the club. It’s woven into us,” said Rick Jenkins, PGA Championship tournament chairman. “Before Mark came, it was a fairly traumatic time for the club. I think it was a wake-up call to the club that we needed to come up with a new plan.”
The PGA of America wasted no time swooping in and securing Baltusrol for its marquee event when the opportunity presented itself. In 2002, the PGA of America announced that Baltusrol would replace The Country Club of Brookline in Brookline, Mass., for the 2005 PGA Championship after The Country Club officials deemed that the type of resources the facility had used to hold the Ryder Cup in 1999 were no longer available.
Kuhns’ role made the decision to pick Baltusrol even easier for PGA of America Chief Championships Officer Kerry Haigh. “He knows what we’re looking for, and he’s done it,” Haigh said. “Certainly he’s experienced in the game, and in the business.”
Kuhns replaced Joe Flaherty, CGCS, who retired after 36 years at Baltusrol. And from day one, Kuhns knew he had to be on point, both in meeting expectations and following in the footsteps of a veteran superintendent.
“Joe’s an icon, a beloved superintendent by many around here, who has done so much for our industry,” Kuhns said. “I knew that walking in his shoes would be a difficult task. Like Joe did, I’m working with a living entity that can change day to day. You can have the perfect storm of disease and drought, and sometimes there’s nothing you can do. Sometimes it’s out of our hands.”
Sixteen years later, Kuhns finds himself again preparing to host another PGA Championship at the 7,450-yard, par-70 course.
It’s important to him, because it’s probably his last major. Kuhns said he and his wife, Janet, plan to move to State College, Pa., after he retires in six or seven years so they can enjoy the sports teams there, particularly Penn State football. His heart, though, will always carry a special place for Baltusrol.
“When they brought me in, we got it done for them,” said Kuhns, who, following the PGA Championship, has the 2018 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on the horizon at Baltusrol. “If I hadn’t come, they would have survived. But I do know this: Baltusrol has been the most rewarding place I’ve ever been. I made the right decision.”
Baltusrol green chairman Dick Fowler, who originally hired Kuhns for the job, said the feeling is mutual.
“We have championship conditions day in and day out,” Fowler said. “I’ve never heard a member criticize Mark Kuhns. I think everyone puts him on a pedestal for what he has achieved – and it just gets better.”
You can read more about the preparations for the 2016 PGA Championship in the July issue of GCSAA’s Golf Course Management magazine.
About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the Unit-ed States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquar-ters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profes-sion and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org. or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
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