Owen Sutherland Superintendent of Hog Neck Golf Course

Hog Neck Golf Course is Located in Easton, Maryland, features an 18-hole Championship Talbot County golf course as well as 9-hole Executive course ready to test your golfing skills. In addition to our 27 holes of golf, we also offer an extremely large putting green, a newly designed chipping green complex, and a driving range with both grass and mat hitting areas.

Spread out over 255 gently rolling acres, the par 72 Championship Course and the par 32 Executive Course are challenging tests for any golfer. With tees from 2,000 yards to just over 7,100 yards, Hog Neck has the Talbot County golf to suit your game.

A challenging course for low, medium, or high handicap golfers, the 18 hole Championship Course places a premium on shot-making with two nines of contrasting styles. The outward nine plays out of the woods on the first hole and immediately the golfers are faced with 18-hole open wind-swept shots that have to navigate a plethora of bunkers and water hazards. Upon making the turn onto the inward nine, golfers find themselves faced with much longer approach shots through a seemingly never-ending forest of loblolly pines to well bunkered greens.

1. How did you get your start in the golf industry? Where did you go to school for turfgrass management?

I got my start as a cart boy at Queenstown Harbor Golf Links when I was 16. I knew a guy on the grounds crew and was fascinated by the operation. The Superintendent, Bill Shirk, offered me a couple days a week filling divots and watering newly planted trees. From there on, I developed my interest while working with some great dedicated guys who taught me the ropes. I attended the university of Maryland, institute of applied agriculture

2. Tell us about your course and a little of it’s history.

Hog Neck golf course was built in the 70’s and opened in 76, by one of many outstanding superintendents in the area, Mr. Ben Stagg. It is a municipal 27 hole course. The property was donated to the county after the course was constructed by Mrs. Nettie Jones, wife of the late Alton Jones, one of the founders of Augusta Country Club.

3. Describe the Most difficult hole? The unique one? Your favorite?

The most difficult hole would be #4 on the championship course. It is a long par 5 with water on the left to midway up the fairway. The right side is laced with bunkers. The green is barely visible from the tee. The unique hole is #17. A par 3 over a stream that runs across the property. It is more visual than anything, as the green seems to sit lower and can be easily misjudged for its distance. This would also be my favorite hole.

Related: Mike Bellino Golf Course Superintendent at Heathrow Country Club talks with Golf Course Trades

4. Who was your earliest mentor in the industry and how did he inspire you?

Bill Shirk was my earliest mentor. At the time, he was a man of mystery. Didn’t say much but was feared by many. His dedication to the industry was unmatched by many. He helped mold me into the superintendent I am today. 30 years later and many conversations, I have grown to understand him better and am glad to have been taught so much by him.

5. Plans for Renovations?

Next up in my hit list would be to regrass the greens on the championship course to a better variety with less disease susceptibility

6. Favorite piece of equipment? Why?

My electric club car. It has all my gadgets from over the years and all my kids have made some mark on it through the years. It’s like home to me

Related: Andy McHugh Superintendent of Green Meadow Golf Club

7. What is your favorite part of the job, least favorite?

Favorite- it’s different every day. No monotony in this job
Least favorite- fighting dollar spot

8. Next tournament scheduled.

High school baseball fundraiser

9. Can you tell us a little about your family, how you met your wife, kids’ names? What do you like to do away from work? If you have time to yourself what do you like to do?

Single dad, 3 kids. Owen jr-19, Taylor-16, Harper-10. We spend a lot of time on the water boating and fishing. Between sports.