THOMAS VLACH
Certified Golf Course Superintendent
AGRONOMY: EXPERIENCE
GREY OAKS COUNTRY CLUB -- NAPLES, FL
DIRECTOR OF GOLF COURSES & GROUNDS -- May 2018-Present
54-Hole private facility that has been received several awards and is the
most comprehensive property in the area.
– Lead a complex operation that includes managing all three courses, two driving ranges, botanical island,
bee hives, grass tennis court, horticulture team, and 2 Property Owners Associations with additional 25+ staff.
– Currently embarking on a 54 hole master plan by Andrew Green; integral in the daily implementation
– Working toward acquisition of the club’s water rights from South Florida Management Company
TPC SUGARLOAF -- DULUTH, GA
DIRECTOR OF AGRONOMY -- August 2015-May 2018
27-Hole private club designed by Greg Norman. Home of the Mitsubishi Classic, a Champions Tour event. Named by Golf Digest among the “Best New Private Clubs in the US” when it debuted in 1997 and by Golfweek among the “Top 100 Best Residential Golf Courses". Agronomy blog can be viewed at tpcsugarloafagronomy.blogspot.com
– After successfully completing numerous renovations to TPC Sawgrass, was tasked to undertake the complete
tranformation of TPC Sugarloaf; oversaw the $20M renovation spanning several years.
– Expertly manage and oversee entire maintenance operation; aggressively implementing new agronomic
programs to deliver championship conditions on a daily basis.
– Developing educational and recruitment programs proven to attract top talent and create a professional
and world-class operational staff; utilize latest industry technology for advanced operation.
TPC SAWGRASS -- PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA
DIRECTOR OF AGRONOMY -- March 2008-August 2015
36-hole resort facility designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1979. The Stadium course is the home for golf’s fifth major, The Players Championship. The club features an operating budget of $5M, capital budget of $1.5M, and a staff of 90 employees.
– Responsible for the diligent and successful management of 3 different operating budgets and staff, including
near-constant construction and renovation project scheduling and implementation.
– As part of tournament preparations and maintenance, inter-phase with Tour Agronomy, Rules, Championship
Management, Club GM, and Commissioner Tim Finchem; also interact with NBC Sports and Golf Channel
during The Players each year.
– Develop and implement new operations, such as a fairway regrassing program and master cart path program.
– 2012 TPC Operation of the Year Award; recipient of national TPC Platinum awards each year from 2009-2014.
– Evaluated course for shade issues through ArborCom and Sun Seeker app; removed 350 trees.
– Instituted winter-time bermuda grass growth program; use of black sand, pigment, and heaters.
– Successfully planned and/or completed numerous course construction projects; includes master plan renovation
of Valley Course completed under budget at $6.5M, regrassing and rebuilding of numerous greens with Pete
Dye, and installation of greens heating and air conditioning units.
– Implemented Native Restoration Plan for Stadium Course which featured 25,000 grass plants.
– Oversaw and delivered massive improvement to maintenance infrastructure; renovated maintenance facility
administration, installed new shortgrass drainage on Valley Course, rebuilt several spectator mounds, rebuilt
bulkheads where necessary, and currently building new wash rack and plant protectant facilities.
GREYSTONE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB -- BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
DIRECTOR OF GOLF MAINTENANCE -- March 1999-March 2008
36-hole private club designed by Bob Cupp and opened in 1991 as a single 18-hole layout. It was then added to by Rees Jones in 2000 under my tenure at the club. It featured an operating budget of $2.9M and a capital budget of $350K. With a staff of 61, the club boasts many extra amenities -- two clubhouses, pools, maintenance facilities, and one tennis facility.
– Constructed Legacy Course from 1999-2000 with oversight on all phases of construction; $12M project that also
included grow-in after build was complete.
– Supervised course infrastructure improvements -- new maintenance facility, irrigation system, cart paths, rock
walls, and new entrance road landscaping and signage; installed 7 miles of subsurface drainage.
PINE TREE GOLF CLUB -- BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
DIRECTOR OF GOLF MAINTENANCE -- April 1994-March1999
18-hole private club designed by Dick Wilson. A Golf Digest Top-100 club, it featured a maintenance budget of $1.25M and staff of 21 at the time of my employment.
– Conducted a $2.4M renovation in 1997; renovated greens to USGA specs, restored and drainage bunkers,
installed new irrigation system, transitioned course from potable to effluent irrigation water, built a short game
area, and laser-leveled tees.
– Completed large landscape project with over $400K; purpose was to create screen from surrounding homes.
– Developed and implemented several additional plans; drainage, cart paths, and landscape.
–Successfully overseeded course for winter months each season.
–Worked directly with local, state, and federal agencies regarding environmental concerns.
TWIN RIVERS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB -- OVIEDO, FLORIDA
GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT -- November 1992-April 1994
18-hole semi-private club designed by Joe Lee.
– Managed all agronomic operations and decisions with great results; purchased new equipment package.
– Designed and oversaw the installation of wall-to-wall cart paths and irrigation system renovation.
TPC SAWGRASS - STADIUM COURSE -- PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT -- May 1991–November 1992
INTERNSHIP -- Summers 1989, 1990
LAKE GENEVA COUNTRY CLUB -- LAKE GENAVA, WISCONSIN
INTERNSHIP -- Summers 1988, 1987
TPC EAGLE TRACE -- CORAL SPRINGS, FLORIDA
GROUNDS CREW MEMBER -- 1985–1987
©2012 THOMAS VLACH. WEBSITE BY PLAYBOOKS FOR GOLF. Photo courtesy of Chris Condon, PGA Tour Photography.