Green(s) concentration

BLUE KNOB - The scenic, nine-hole golf course located at the Blue Knob Resort is in the second year of a three-year renovation project.

Resort general manager Doug Houck explained some of the reasoning behind the changes.

"Shortly after I was hired three years ago, owner Dick Gauthier and I began talking about the course," Houck said. "We discussed the option of adding nine more holes, but in the end we decided to invest in upgrading the existing nine holes - to make it the best layout possible."

To accomplish their goal, Houck approached Penn State looking for a young graduate from the school's premier turf management program.

Early last year, Houck landed graduate student Max Lamus, who began work on the course.

Lamus quickly determined that the biggest opportunity for improvement was to concentrate on the greens. Over the course of last summer, work was done to improve the health of the greens. After this first year of improvements was complete, the young Lamus landed a job as head superintendent at a golf course in Stowe, Vt.

Happy with the progress of upgrades to the course last year, Houck set out to find a new superintendent to continue the work. After some searching, Houck landed Paul Gordon from Greenville, Ala., and he started with the resort in April.

"We wanted someone with the knowledge and passion to take our course to the next level," Houck said. "Paul Gordon certainly fit the bill."

Gordon, 45, brought with him the knowledge and experience gained from working at a variety of different courses over the years. Having grown up in Augusta, Ga., Gordon began his career at fabled Augusta National - where the Masters Tournament is held each year.

Just out of high school, Gordon worked as a "greens foreman."

"I was in charge of a group of greens - probably five or six," Gordon said. "I had to make sure they were properly fertilized and watered."

Gordon smiled as he recalled a piece of advice he got from his first boss.

"[He said] 'Remember kid, if these greens die they'll come back but you won't!'"

Gordon made sure to take proper care of his responsibilities. His boss at Augusta eventually encouraged him to go to school, and Gordon enrolled in Penn State's turf management program.

After graduating, Gordon returned to Augusta for a short stint before landing the position of assistant superintendent at Annendale Golf Club in Madison, Miss. (home of the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic).

Later, Gordon worked at several courses in Georgia including Waterford Landing in Savannah, West Pines near Atlanta, and Bowden Country Club in Macon.

Prior to coming to Blue Knob Resort, Gordon helped to construct a new course in Greenville, Ala.

The position here at Blue Knob attracted Gordon for several reasons.

"When I first saw the property, I was impressed by the course," Gordon said. "I could see that it was a little rough around the edges, but the design was fantastic."

Houck explained to Gordon his vision of upgrading the property.

When Gordon arrived for his first day of work in mid-April of this year, though, he was greeted with something he never saw in Georgia or Alabama - three inches of snow.

This, however, did little to slow up Gordon as he began working on the improvements scheduled for this year - eradicating weeds, aerating fairways and greens, and upgrading the irrigation system.

Gordon has made big strides so far this summer as witnessed by the current condition of the course. Scott Benton of Claysburg has played the course often over the past several years and can see the difference.

"The course is in much better shape this year," Benton said. "The greens seem so much healthier and they are rolling much smoother."

Gordon knows there is more work needed in order to get the course where he and Houck want it.

"It's a lot of work, but I really enjoy it," Gordon said.

To encourage play on the course, the resort offers a variety of daily specials. On Wednesday evenings, a barbecue dinner is held on the outside deck attached to the club house. Part of the festivities include live entertainment.

On several of these evenings, the course's multi-talented superintendent can be seen behind the microphone singing and playing acoustic guitar. Houck claims that Gordon is one of the best acts they've had at their Wednesday night parties a sort of a "James Taylor meets Neil Young."

Nearby resident Dennis Brissette attended one of these dinners when he first met Gordon.

Brissette, a Titleist equipment representative for the Champions Tour, had heard of Gordon through some of his friends who are PGA tour reps.

"I had heard of his work from PGA tour officials who worked with him in the past," Brissette said. "I was glad to see Blue Knob land someone with his credentials."

Having passed the mid-year point, Houck is pleased with the condition of the course.

Gordon is also pleased with his decision to come to Blue Knob. He is also looking forward to the off-season when he'll get to enjoy one of his favorite hobbies and one of the perks for working at the resort skiing.

Houck feels sure that as this year winds to an end, his game plan of improving the course will be right on schedule.

"We want people to come here and enjoy their experience," Houck said. "We want to be known as one of the best nine-holes courses in central Pennsylvania."