There’s a new Superintendent at Tahoma Valley Golf Course, and he worked his way up the ranks. Only it’s not what you would expect. By ranks, we mean the military ranks.
Meet Vince Hartney, native Pacific North Westerner, originally from Sandy Oregon. He spent 30 years in military service within the Command & Control career field. He launched armed fighters out of Portland and managed the ‘Air Picture’ for NORAD all from windowless buildings and aircraft. Vince notes, “I needed some outside hobbies, so I pursued a few sporting side trips.” Ultimately, Vince retired from the military, but like so many, found sitting at home or just pursuing hobbies wasn’t enough. “So, I started mowing greens and troubleshooting the irrigation system at Tahoma Golf Course in 2020.”
In March of this year, the opportunity to manage the course and lead the crew was offered to Vince. As the new Superintendent he inherited a 6-person crew, 4 of whom were also prior military service retirees. The other were a ski fanatic and a college student. Tahoma Valley Golf Course is in Yelm, Washington. The crew there maintains a full 18-hole course. “Being at work for us is like having a day of quality ‘guy time’. I’m the only member of my crew that doesn’t golf, but I do love some healthy grass!”
Vince is a new member of the WWGCSA, thanks to a referral from Jackie Klein of Walrath. He looks forward to reaching out to fellow members to learn more tricks of the trade, and broaden his scope of ‘guy time’ with people who love grass like him.
About WWGCSA
The WWGCSA is an affiliate chapter with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), and it is dedicated to the highest standards in modern course management. Every member of the WWGCSA is also automatically a member of the Northwest Turfgrass Association (NTA). The NTA is a 501c(3) organization that provides funding for education, research, and scholarship in the Pacific Northwest. It is comprised of members from the Western Washington, Oregon, and Inland Empire (Eastern Washington and Idaho) Golf Course Superintendents Associations.
