Editor's note: This is the second of three expanded biographies of this year's recipients of GCSAA's Distinguished Service Awards. The abbreviated versions can be found in the February issue of GCM.
As a senior in college at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Jim Loke had already switched majors three times when he enrolled in an elective course called Soil Agronomy. "I was so intrigued by the science that I asked (my professor) what I could do with an agronomy degree," Loke says. "He pulled a list of about 40 different agronomy jobs. Scanning the list, I saw golf course superintendent, and the light bulb went off. The rest is history!"
Golf was always a game Loke wanted to be involved in. He remembers his uncle taking him to a golf course in Canada when he was 12 years old that he thought was luxurious. But, he says, "...by today's standards, it was an old weed patch. At the time I didn't know any better, and I was just thrilled to death to be able to have the opportunity to play golf." After graduation, Loke got his first job at Scioto CC in Columbus and went on to other Ohio courses such as The Ohio State University GC and Oakwood GC in Cleveland Heights.
It was in Ohio where Loke excelled in ice hockey. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Loke learned the game at an early age and eventually became known as a man for two seasons -- ice hockey in the winter and golf in the summer. "I've been involved with youth hockey and high school level ice hockey for over 30 years," Loke says. "In Cleveland, I coached at Cleveland Heights HS, and we won the State Championship. I worked my 'you know what' off in the summer, and continued that intense lifestyle in the winter."
In 1975, Loke moved to Firestone CC in Akron, Ohio, where, among other achievements, he hosted the 1975 PGA Championship and seven PGA Tour tournaments then known as The World Series of Golf. Seven years later when Firestone was sold, Loke went to Quail Hollow Resort in Painesville, Ohio, site of the 1990 and 1991 Ben Hogan PGA Tour events, the Ohio Open and U.S. Amateur Qualifiers. Next was Bent Creek CC in Lancaster, Pa., where he still works today. Here, Loke made a name for himself as one of the first superintendents to take on the challenge of fertigation in a northern climate.
"I'm pretty intense with how I use the fertigation system," he says. "The entire golf course of 100 acres is maintained through the fertigation system. I probably get a phone call every month from someone inquiring about my methods; in the past it was every week." Colleagues also want to know how Loke achieved a poa-free environment at Bent Creek. "I welcome those phone calls because I cherish the opportunity to share freely," he says. "That happens to come from the coaching background that I have." At Bent Creek, he also hosted the 1994 Pennsylvania Open just 13 months after the course opening, as well as the 1995 Philadelphia Mid-Amateur and several others.
A 36-year member of GCSAA, Loke held numerous leadership positions over the years. He currently serves on the USGA Mid-Atlantic Green Section Committee and the Musser Turfgrass Foundation board of directors. Past service includes the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation board and president of the Central Pennsylvania and Northern Ohio GCSAs.
Along the way, Loke has mentored more than 30 former assistants and now superintendents, and his mentors include Walter Fuchs, Joe Duich, Ph.D., Frank Dobie and Joe Baidy. Loke said he got emotional when he learned of winning this award. "I was...very shocked, very surprised," he says. "I think it's quite a significant honor to be considered for such a highly recognized award."
Loke lives with is wife of 28 years, Karen, (who is also his administrative assistant at Bent Creek). They have two adult daughters, Julie and Kristin.
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