Fred Klauk to retire in 2008

A well known name in our industry -- and a very good friend of GCM -- is set to retire.

Fred Klauk, superintendent at TPC Sawgrass for 25 years, will call the 2008 Players Championship his last (Klauk pictured here with Tour player Carl Paulson). Klauk has hosted 22 Players Championships, including the 2007 tournament, which featured a completely renovated Stadium Course. GCM covered that story in the May 2007 issue with a story by Terry Ostmeyer.

And when I think about it, Fred has been one of the most friendly, accomodating superintendents we've worked with here at GCM. Back in 2003, I drug Fred all over the course during tournament week so I could do a story where he played golf with a Tour player for a few holes (by the way, Fred won with a birdie on 17). Then Terry did his May cover story. Then Scott Hollister went out there during tournament week this year to shadow Fred at his busiest time.

So yeah, Fred Klauk has definitely been a friend to GCM. We'll miss him and also wish him the best of luck -- and hope he's as successful a fisherman as he has been a superintendent.

Here's the press release the PGA Tour sent out this morning:

25-YEAR PGA TOUR VETERAN FRED KLAUK TO RETIRE

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL. (October 8, 2007) – The PGA TOUR announced today that TPC Sawgrass Golf Course Superintendent Fred Klauk will retire after 25 years of service.  Klauk’s retirement will take effect following the 2008 PLAYERS Championship, but he will remain involved with the TOUR as a project manager to help with the transition of his successor and assist with the 2009 & 2010 PLAYERS Championship.  The announcement was made by David Pillsbury, President of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties.

“Fred’s numerous contributions to the TOUR during his 25 years of dedicated service will be dearly missed,” said Pillsbury.  “Fred leaves an extraordinary legacy of superb golf course maintenance and tournament agronomy excellence.  We wish him the very best as he begins this next chapter in his life and we are pleased that he will remain a valued and integral part of the PGA TOUR family.”

During his more than quarter century career with the PGA TOUR, Klauk prepared golf courses for 27 PGA TOUR tournaments, including 22 PLAYERS Championships and the 1996 U.S. Amateur Championship.  His crowning achievement was to spearhead last year’s renovation of THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass and the elevation of THE PLAYERS Championship through numerous competitive and fan enhancements.

“I am personally indebted to Fred for his outstanding leadership, willingness to help and consistently positive attitude,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.  “Fred’s contributions to the elevation of THE PLAYERS Championship have had and will continue to have a dramatic and lasting effect.”  Cal Roth, the PGA TOUR’s Vice President of Agronomy, said, “Fred is a leader among professionals who manage the game’s most valuable asset.  In addition to helping to elevate the quality of the golf course for the best players in the world, Fred has mentored many other golf course superintendents during the past 25 years.  We are grateful for his contributions to the PGA TOUR and to the golf course agronomy profession.  Fred will continue to be a source of inspiration and leadership as he transitions to his new role in project management.”  Klauk will work with Roth to identify his successor and will assist in the transition through the PLAYERS in 2010.   

“It has truly been a privilege to be a part of the TOUR family, and to have had the privilege of working alongside so many remarkable and dedicated people.  I look forward to staying connected to the TOUR and to spending more time with my family,” said Klauk.

An accomplished golfer and former club champion, Klauk is 31-year member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture.

Among the numerous awards he has received over the years, Klauk earned Golfweek’s 2000 Golf Father-of-the-Year award, having passed his love for golf down to his three sons, all of whom are excellent players.  His son, Jeff is a player on the Nationwide Tour; son John, a former NCAA All American golfer at Texas, works for Merrill-Lynch in Los Angeles; and son Jason works as an investment banker for FBR in Washington, D.C.

Klauk looks forward to trading in his signature straw hat for a fishing cap and to traveling with Peggy, his wife of 34 years.

Comments

[Mark]

Congratuations on your retirement.

I am a bit envious as I think mine will be a late one as I did not plan well.

Cheers,

Mark