Photo of Cook’s first turf class in 1978 at Oswego Lake CC hosted by super Dick Fluter. Left to right: Tom Flaherty, John Ford, Bruce Faddis, Fluter, Tom Christy, Rick Christenson, Dave Parker and Andy Soden. All became supers except Rick and Dave, who went into landscape construction and maintenance.
This column features recollections of the author’s 37 years as a golf writer. These installments stem from his many travels and experiences, which led to a gradual understanding that the game has many intriguing components, especially its people.
I first met Tom Cook in the late 1980s, when he contributed to my second book, “The Northwest Golfer’s Almanac – Volume 1. Background and Basics.” (This tidy handbook by my company, Fairgreens Publishing, is now a collector’s item “thanks” to the printer’s inability to understand binding. Out of three print runs of 5,000 each, only about 300 books were saleable.)
I devoted 22 pages to the Northwest’s climates (all five in the world are found in the region), growing conditions and turf types. It also offered personal insights from golf course superintendents in Washington, Oregon and Montana for how they dealt with their unique drainage, turfgrass management, irrigation, fertilization, pest control and external factors.
Cook kindly wrote a large section entitled “Grasses for the Pacific Northwest,” lending his expertise on the half-dozen golf-specific species found in the region. These include Bent Grasses (Agrostis tenuis and A. palustris), Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne), Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua), Fine Fescues (Festuca rubia, F. longiforia) and Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea).
Oregon-based writer, Sheridan “Joe” Much also wrote a lengthy piece in the book about Oregon State’s vaunted turf program, led by Cook.
OSU’s hedge garden in 1999
I’ve always wanted to write an in-depth article about Tom Cook, who was born in the same year as me, 1950. During his lengthy tenure at OSU Cook graduated hundreds of superintendents who’ve gone on to great things. He’s also one of the kindest, most generous people you’ll find in the golf industry. Interspersed here are testimonials from some of his former students.
Here’s Part 1 of my Q&A.
Jeff Shelley: Where were you born, and what early experiences led to a future teaching career in turf and horticulture?
Tom Cook: “I was born in 1950 at Omak, Wash., and grew up 4 miles south in Okanogan. My father, Bill, worked at the local lumber mill and my mother, Imogene, worked at a local title insurance company and later as an administrator at Communication Satellite Corporation in Brewster.
“I was always fascinated with lawns. I have no idea why. At age 12, I talked my parents into buying a push 19” Wizard rotary lawnmower ($59 at the local Western Auto hardware store) and I promised to mow our lawn regularly if I could use the mower on neighbors’ lawns for money. My parents weren’t avid gardeners. But my grandmother who lived with us liked to grow flowers, and our next-door neighbor, Kenny Hove, was a gardener. I mowed lawns for three summers and loved every minute of it. I got to know lots of interesting “old” people who liked to talk and regale me with stories about their life adventures.
I started playing golf at age 14 at Okanogan Valley Golf Club, which was a ‘homemade’ nine-hole course built after World War II by local enthusiasts. One of my classmates, Dana ‘Corky’ Larsen, talked me into giving it a try and I was soon hooked. I bought my first used clubs for $10. The set included two drivers, two fairway woods, an M-4 jigger (about a 5-iron today), a mashie niblick, and a very short putter.
“In those days there were no pros or lessons, we just had at it. I read Ben Hogan’s ‘Five Lessons’ book and developed my grip from that (but could never figure out the rest of his advice). I was terrible but I liked trying. Most of my friends lost interest over time, but I kept at it and slowly improved. Local kids could buy a junior membership for $10 plus tax, and we could play during the week, except on Wednesdays and weekends if we were with an adult. Eventually, I bought a used set of Sam Snead Blueridge clubs (with ‘reminder’ grips), and when I saved enough money bought a new set of Wilson Staffs.
“Meanwhile, I spent two years working at Thrifty Foods grocery store. That experience convinced me to find a job that was out of doors. As luck would have it, Pete Petersen – who with his wife Leona ran the golf course – asked if I wanted to work on the course. I said yes, and that was one of the best decisions I ever made. I spent three years working full time in summer and part time in spring. Following a shaky start (I didn’t show up for my first day of work!), I loved every minute of it.
“After my first year of college at Washington State University in Pullman, I happened to visit Woody Woodrow, our local county extension agent. When I told him I would really like to work at golf courses for a career, he said I should change my major to Agronomy and Soils. I thanked him for the advice and, when I got home, looked up agronomy in the dictionary to see what he was talking about. I knew nothing about agronomic crops, but I took the plunge and switched my major from General Studies to Agronomy and Soils.
“There really wasn’t much of a turf program in the department, but the basic classes were excellent. I soon took the only turf class, and that year it was taught by a visiting professor named Glen Wood from the University of Vermont. It was only a two-credit class with no lab, but for the first time I was learning about something I was really interested in.
“The WSU turf professor was Al Law, but he was away on leave that year. When he returned, I planned to sit in on his class, but fate had a different plan. Just before classes started, Al had a heart attack and couldn’t teach. The department head asked me if I would teach it since I had already taken the class. Pretty heady stuff for an undergraduate who had never taught a class.
Dr. Roy Goss in 1977
“He also said he was sorry but there would be no remuneration. Not knowing what that meant, I said yes, and taught the class (I still have all my notes!). I eventually figured out that no remuneration meant I wouldn’t get paid. During that class I got to know Dr. Roy Goss, who was the turf extension specialist for Washington working out of the experiment station in Puyallup. Roy would play a big part in my future.”
Left to Right – Ken Nice, Tom Cook & Forrest Goodling receiving 2006 OSGCSA Distinguished Service Awards
[Author’s Note: Dr. Roy Goss was one of the most influential people in turf. While making his mark in the Pacific Northwest, his pioneering work is still felt throughout the golf industry. He retired in 1988 after 30 years with WSU. Goss instituted the use of sand as the base for sports fields and putting greens to improve drainage and reduce damage from heavy use. This significantly improved durability and reduced maintenance. This approach remains the ssetandard today. The Weslaco, Texas, native was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the GCSAA in 1978 and the USGA’s Green Section Award in 1988. He died in October 2015. Goss not only played a big part in Tom Cook’s future, but his energy and financial contributions were instrumental in nourishing the growth of the Northwest Turfgrass Association.]
“The previous summer I had worked at a brand-new golf course in Orting, Wash., called High Cedars. The superintendent was Frank Zook. Under his guidance, I made a quantum leap in my knowledge of golf course maintenance. Back at school after my first taste of teaching, I realized how much I didn’t know and decided I might want to go to graduate school. I applied to the University of Rhode Island and was offered an assistantship to work on a master’s degree. URI had a strong turf program featuring Dick Skogley, Noel Jackson, Richard Hull, John Jagschitz, and my advisor Tom Duff. The department head was Elliot Roberts, a former turf researcher. I packed my car after graduation at WSU and headed for Rhode Island.
“At URI I learned how to do research, how to speak in front of groups, how to organize the annual field day, and got to do a little teaching. The next question was whether to pursue a doctorate degree. I decided not to go that route and began talking to Goss about a research associate position at the experiment station in Puyallup, Wash. Eventually, the stars aligned, I got the job and, after finishing at URI, again loaded up my car and returned to Washington.
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“I first met Tom Cook in 1991 when I visited OSU as a high school sophomore to look at the campus. I wanted him to recommend a career path before attending OSU’s turf program a few years later. Little did I know how instrumental Tom would be in my life and what my career would become. Tom’s dedication to his family, students, faculty and the golf industry is unparalleled. Golf-course conditioning on the West Coast – and beyond – has been greatly affected by his knowledge and ability to educate. Tom made a lasting impact on my life, and I owe him a heartfelt thanks for his mentorship and friendship over the years.
“My Mom was also a college professor. She said what Tom does for his students does not happen in real life. Professors don’t visit past students and continue to support them in their careers – and life –the way he does.”
Sean McDonough, Director of Agronomy, Broadmoor Golf Club
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“I started work early in 1975. My official assignment was to develop a practical program for controlling annual bluegrass in lawns and putting turf. I had some success but never did find a magic cure. Of course, annual bluegrass is still the primary grass we grow here on golf courses. Working with Roy was a great experience. He treated me as an equal and involved me in all phases of research, teaching, and extension work. We worked together for two and lewhalf years and I got to meet most of the Northwest’s golf course leaders, including Milt Bauman at Seattle Golf Club, Sam Zook (father of Frank) at Overlake Country Club, and John Monson at Broadmoor Golf Club. I also met Industry people like Carl Kuhn, who was an engineer specializing in irrigation and drainage for golf courses and sportsfields.
“Towards the end of my time at Puyallup, fate intervened again. I got a letter from Al Law telling me to apply for an assistant professor’s job at Oregon State University. He said I had to because he had already recommended me, and I couldn’t let him down. I had assumed I would never get a chance for a professor’s job because I didn’t have a PhD.
“I looked at the job requirements and the announcement said master’s or PhD. I applied and got an interview. My presentation was about thatch, and it quickly turned into a clinic on general lawncare. I really liked the faculty members at OSU and, when they offered me the job, I took it. I had three weeks to move to Corvallis and prepare for my first class, Hort 314 Turfgrass Maintenance. It was the beginning of a very challenging year! Getting through it was made easier because my wife Marilyn took care of finding a house and getting us settled while I spent my days and nights working on classes and other duties. I really had no plan, just a vague idea about what I wanted students to learn.”
Students Learning Stimpmeter
JS: Please list all colleges/universities you attended with related degrees. What were your favorite subjects and why?
TC: “I received a BS degree in Agronomy and Soils in 1972 from Washington State University. My favorite classes included plant physiology, soil science, weed science, and a class in landscape design taught in the Horticulture department. In general, if I liked my instructors, I liked my classes. The instructors for these classes were interesting people who inspired me to learn.
“At Rhode Island I finished with an MS degree in Plant and Soil Science late in 1974. My favorite classes were all in plant physiology. Dr. Albert in the Botany department and Dr. Hull in Plant and Soil Science were both excellent instructors and good role models for an aspiring teacher. Noel Jackson was an amazing turf pathologist with a wicked sense of humor and a fun person to talk to and learn from. All these people were ‘the smartest guys in the room’ and set the bar very high.”
JS: Who were/are some of your early mentors?
TC: “Obviously, it starts with my parents. My father was a hard worker and loyal. My mother was smart and savvy and had wisdom. My next-door neighbor, Kenny Hove, was a role model for the kind of person I wanted to be. My first boss at the golf course taught me to follow directions and use good judgement.
“Dr. Roy Goss was my first professional mentor. Roy really understood that we were in the business of helping people succeed. It wasn’t just about science and being smart. Jack Butler from Colorado State University showed how much you can achieve even with minimal resources.
“I was only 24 when I started working at Puyallup, so being accepted by people like Sam Zook (the longtime super at Waverley CC before Overlake), Bauman and Monson gave me a lot of confidence. They were the first to let me see how golf clubs operate from a behind-the-scenes perspective. John really went out of his way to help; he was like a big brother.
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“Tom Cook is the main reason I am in the golf course maintenance business. He guided me through my education at OSU with a teaching style that made all topics interesting and relatable to one’s goals. His practicable approach to turfgrass care helped develop many top-notch superintendents. He brought all turf students into a cohesive group and created friendships that have lasted decades. His love of the game of golf infected all his students, blending the science of turf care with the sport that bonded so many of us together.”Russ Vandehey, Superintendent, Oregon Golf Club
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“When I came to Oregon State, I got lots of guidance from Jack Stang, who was my counterpart in the crop production part of the department. Jack was responsible for developing the turf and landscape curriculum. He and Anita Green, our student advisor, helped me learn the ropes and get up to speed. Dr. Weiser, our department head, was a calming influence and always supported my efforts.
“In the golf world, Dick Fluter at Oswego Lake, Rich Scholes at Tualatin Country Club, Richard Schwabauer at Waverley Country Club, Harvey Junor at Portland Golf Club, and Dick Malpass at Riverside Golf and Country Club were all incredibly helpful during the early years when I was getting started.
“It is fun to look back and see how many people helped me in so many ways. The best part is that once I had students out in the industry, they became my teachers by sharing all the innovative practices they had adopted. They also scouted for talented potential students and encouraged them to come to OSU. And they all let me photograph the things that went wrong! Much of what I learned about budgets and club politics I learned from former students.”
1994 aerial of Lewis Brown Research Farm
Bob Senseman, retired Superintendent, Resort at the Mountain, Columbia Edgewater CC, USGA Green Section rep, Oswego Lake CC
“I first met Tom in spring of 1980 after deciding to attend OSU’s Turf program and pursue a career as a golf course superintendent. Throughout my time at OSU, Tom was a terrific but demanding professor, and a mentor as well. His lectures focused on theory. But his labs and research projects were based on real-world research and applied solutions.
“Outside the classroom he introduced me to prominent Northwest superintendents such as Harvey Junor, Sam Zook, Milt Bauman, John Monson and John Zoller, to name a few. His great relationship with Dr. Roy Goss enabled us to take many field trips to the Seattle area to visit golf courses and the research station in Puyallup. After graduating from OSU in 1983, I was well prepared academically and had developed very valuable industry contacts.
“Over the years Tom has remained a very important mentor. He was always first on my reference list when applying for a position. He also helped me solve problems for issues ranging from turfgrass disease ID and control, weed control, landscape construction, plant pruning and maintenance. His field days at the Lewis Brown Farm provided new practical information covering putting green cultural practices, fertility, wetting agent technology and many other areas. I was always amazed at the body of work he produced given his limited resources. I will be forever grateful to Tom for his friendship and guidance over the years.”
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Part 2 will cover more of Tom Cook’s legendary career as a Turf professor at Oregon State University.
Jeff Shelley has written and published 10 books as well as numerous articles for print and online media since 1987. Among his titles are three editions of the book, “Golf Courses of the Pacific Northwest.” The Whidbey Island resident was editorial director of Cybergolf.com from 2000-15, co-founder of the Northwest Golf Media Association and president of the nonprofit First Green (https://www.thefirstgreen.org/). To contact Jeff: [email protected].
