OGA-OGCSA Superintendent Spotlight – January 2019


We’re back at it in 2019 spotlighting our member superintendents with all new questions. In this month’s Superintendent Spotlight we feature Greg Morton who has been with Running Y Ranch for the last 18 years.

Describe your facility in 10 words or less:
Beautiful. Serene. The only Arnold Palmer Design in Oregon!

What’s your favorite hole at your facility?
Hole No. 4. It epitomizes Arnold Palmer Design.

What is a little-known fact / fun fact about your facility?
We are one of Mr. Palmer’s favorite courses that he ever designed!

What’s the biggest challenge your facility presents to you as superintendent? 
Winter, and the ice that can form when a sunny climate meets snow.

Excluding your current facility, what is the top golf course you’ve played? 
Tough question……either San Francisco Golf Club, or Pasatiempo.

Have you had a hole-in-one?
Half of one. Hole No. 10 at Harbor links in Klamath Falls. It’s such a short hole, I’m holding out to claim my first one!

Favorite all-time professional golfer? 
Jay Don Blake………kidding! Tiger.

Who joins you in a dream foursome?
I’d be the fifth wheel in a group with my sons! That’s a cart load!

What’s your favorite tool in your tool box? 
Cup Cutter. You can see so much……

On your last day, what is your meal of choice? 
The Paella from a hole in the wall I stumbled across in Barcelona a few years ago.

What’s your all-time favorite movie?
Legends of the Fall. It was filmed near where I grew up, and in all honesty, I have a man crush on Brad Pitt.

Let’s say there’s a three-day weekend coming up—what are you going to do? 
I will most likely be chasing my kids on their soccer adventures around the state.

What led you down the path of becoming a superintendent? 
A love of the game and a scientific mind.

What’s the biggest change that has occurred while you’ve been in the industry?
The perception of what fast greens are. It wasn’t that long ago that 9.5 was considered fast!

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What’s the most interesting thing you’ve witnessed or done as a superintendent? 
I played golf with a senior achitect from Arnold Palmer Design Co. a couple years ago. I learned so much that day.

Who is your mentor? 
Mike Saffel. He’s a brilliant guy who was cronies with Vargas, Rogers, Nikolai, etc from MSU.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to become a superintendent? 
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make friends. With everyone.