Some Old Tom winners sing Klauk's praises

Caught the last half of PGA Tour Commissioner and 2001 Old Tom Morris Award winner Tim Finchem’s news conference. He had the following to say about Fred Klauk, GCSAA Class A superintendent at TPC Sawgrass, who is retiring after hosting his 23rd Players Championship this week.

"Let me comment about Fred Klauk who is with us today. Fred has been here 23 years. I think all of you know that it was announced earlier that he will be retiring from full-time work after this years Players. I think during my years, the thing that resonates with me the most about Fred is that he has delivered the golf course in spectacular condition for the Championship year-in and year-out for those 23 years. There were those that said when we moved to May, a little different pattern and Fred had it on remote control in March, early; and well, if there were any questions, they have been answered. The golf course is even better than it was in March.

The second thing is the work that Fred has done the rest of the year to prepare the golf course over these 23 years for our guests and customers that have come from around the world to play. He’s done it with energy and commitment and he’s done the job extremely well.

And then thirdly, and I’m not so sure the people on the outside of the organization recognize this as well as those of us who work here; Fred is a great role model. He brings a great attitude to his work. He has great integrity. He exudes that integrity with his fellow employees and the way he’s raised his family. He has been a great addition to the broader Tour family and Fred on behalf of all of us, I want to thank you for those 23 years.

Tom Vlach, his replacement is seated next to Fred. Those of you who not met Tom yet this week, please take an opportunity to do so."

Jack Peter, World Golf Hall of Fame COO and senior vice president, announced that TPC Sawgrass architect Pete Dye, considered in many circles to be the most influential golf course architect of the last five decades with more than 120 courses to his credit, will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Nov. 10 as part of the Class of 2008. Dye, the 2003 Old Tom Morris Award winner and a member of The Environmental Institute for Golf’s Advisory Council, is going into the Hall in the Lifetime Achievement Category.

"I never considered myself a Hall of Famer, and to be taken in, all the great players and people who are in there, it’s kind of funny to be sticking a dirt digger in there along with them. It’s really an honor to be taken into the Hall of Fame. You look who’s there, Mr. McDonald and Mr. Jones and Mr. Ross, as far as the golf industry and design business, that’s a pretty elite group."

He then cracked on Klauk in good fun.

"Fred says he’s retiring after this year. I said what are you going to do now? He said he’s going to caddy for his son (Jeff, professional golfer on the Nationwide Tour) and I said well don’t do that ... You’re just gonna screw him up."

I got the Tour’s staff photographer to snap a pic of Mr. Dye, Fred and Tom, which I’ll attempt to add to this post if the image is emailed to me as promised.