I retired in December, 2009. Although I was a turfgrass agronomist and plant breeder, my last position was as the first director of UNL’s PGA Golf Management Program. This is a great program, and I am proud to have been involved in its initial development.
I enjoyed getting to know the young men and women who were the first students in the program, watching them progress towards graduation and now seeing them develop in their careers. Each student was different, but so many are already making a difference either in golf or in some other related field. There were a lot of concerns initially about the ‘GOLF MAJORS’ at UNL, but they have proven themselves to be strong students and good employees after graduation.
Since I graduated (retired), I have tried to stay close to golf and my interests that relate to golf. I’ve been to the USGA Rules School, been a rules official multiple times (met Billy Horschel when he was trying to qualify at Yankee Hill Country Club to get on the PGA tour; how did that work out?), traveled to South Korea to help them set up a golf management program, and helped Wilderness Ridge Golf Club become a better and more playable golf course.
Now at 72, I am just trying to spend more time with my wife, Judy, and our children and grandchildren. I also still try to improve my golf game, but it seems that each year the golf course gets longer (I hit the ball a shorter distance). However, the game is still fun. Although I have been playing it for 56 years, I still want to go out and try it again along with all the other old curmudgeons who have just as much passion for the game as I do.
Some of you may remember I told you that your college years would go by really fast; I’m sure you agree, now that you have or are in the process of completing college. Since I have completed the next part – a career, that goes by pretty fast also. So make the most of it and enjoy everything that life brings you. Hopefully, I will see most of you sometime, somewhere.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/cmdo