Courtesy photo Inverness Club director of golf J.J. Weaver (left), vice president Fred Deichert (center) and superintendent John Zimmers (right) all have ties to the area.

A passion for the game of golf has brought three local men together at one of the top golf courses in the country, Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Founded in 1903, Inverness Club is steeped in history, having hosted four U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships, a U.S. Amateur and the 2021 Solheim Cup.

In addition to these historic events, the club is also set to host the upcoming 2027 U.S. Women’s Open and 2029 U.S. Amateur Championship.

Over the past decade, three of the men helping to lead this prestigious club have bonded over their similar upbringing, each having been born and raised in the heartland of Pennsylvania, sharing the values of hard work and dedication many in this area hold dear.

Inverness Club vice president Fred Deichert was born and raised in Altoona, course superintendent John Zimmers is from Tyrone and director of golf, J.J. Weaver, is a PSU graduate who grew up in the Lancaster area.

Deichert graduated from Altoona Area High School in 1974 and began his college studies at Penn State Altoona. After graduating from PSU’s main campus four years later, Deichert’s business career led him to Toledo in 1985, where he settled and raised a family.

“I attended the 1986 PGA Championship at Inverness and fell in love with the place right away,” Deichert said. “Later, I was fortunate to become a member and eventually took on some responsibilities at the club. It’s such a wonderful place, plus you get to work with some of the best professionals in the business, like J.J. and John.”

Zimmers, one of the most highly-respected course superintendents in the country, was born and raised in the Tyrone area.

He earned his stripes in the golf business under legendary superintendent Paul Latshaw at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware.

Zimmers later earned rave reviews when he oversaw the opening of the prestigious Sand Ridge Golf Club in Chardon, Ohio and eventually earned the top spot at historic Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh.

While there, he helped oversee two highly successful U.S. Opens, a Women’s U.S. Open and a U.S. Amateur and was named Golf Superintendent of the Year in 2007.

After 18 successful years at Oakmont, Zimmers decided to accept a new challenge and was named Inverness’ course superintendent in the spring of 2017.

“The membership here at Inverness is fantastic. It’s a family-oriented club that has a very strong desire to maintain a world-class, championship golf course,” Zimmers said. “Plus, you work alongside guys like (director of golf) J.J. Weaver, who’s the best in the business. We have an absolutely great working relationship.”

The 46-year old Weaver grew up near Lancaster and also graduated from Penn State University, earning a professional golf management degree with a minor in business management.

An early highlight in Weaver’s career was his time spent as the head professional at the Boston Golf Club, a prestigious course that opened in 2005.

Weaver was instrumental in the development of the highly successful Drive, Chip & Putt junior golf competition and came to Inverness as a teaching professional in 2014. He eventually took over the reins as the club’s director of golf in 2019.

Amazingly, after spending the summer months at Inverness, Weaver returns to spend the remainder of the year performing his primary duties as head professional at renowned Augusta National Golf Club, home of the annual Masters tournament.

“Inverness is a great place. It’s a club that has a desire to be relevant in the game of golf,” Weaver said. “The leadership at Inverness has a unified belief in what greatness is, and they have a tremendous respect and trust in our entire staff.”

Despite the seriousness of their work, these three Pennsylvania natives truly enjoy each other’s company, and even their families have created a special bond over the past several years.

“It’s great being able to talk about DelGrosso’s Park or the Altoona Curve with someone else who knows all about it,” Deichert said with a smile. “Plus, J.J. and John are big Penn State football fans, so that’s always a big topic for us.”

The bond between these three men is also the result of a solid mutual respect.

“John is one of the best superintendents in the country and one of the hardest working men I know,” Weaver said. “And he really cares about the people who work for him. They’re like family to him.”

“J.J. has experienced golf at the highest level,” Zimmers reciprocated. “He gets it. We have so much respect for each other. He’s absolutely great to work with.”

The ongoing quest for greatness at Inverness only continues as the club will undergo additional course renovations and restoration under the watchful eye of renowned course architect Andrew Green beginning next year.

All the while, Deichert, Weaver and Zimmers will be closely involved in all aspects of club operations, including preparation for hosting the U.S. Women’s Open in 2027 and U.S. Amateur in 2029.