Monday, January 13, 2014

Drew Barnett Named Golf Course Superintendent at Knollwood Club



We are excited to inform PCC members that Wissahickon Superintendent, Drew Barnett, has recently accepted the Golf Course Superintendent position at Knollwood Club, in Lake Forest, IL (North Shore of Chicago).

Drew has been with the PCC for the last three years, and his efforts have produced some of the most exciting and productive work in the club's history.

During the St. Martins golf course restoration with Keith Foster, Drew was the primary shaper.  His artistic-eye helped Keith Foster create the course features he was envisioning.  

In 2013, as the superintendent of the Wissahickon course, Drew had the enormous responsibility of overseeing daily tasks and managing all materials which were being purchased through the club.  Drew's diligence allowed the club leaders to make quick in-field decisions, and is one of the chief reasons the restoration project was delivered ahead of schedule and budget.

The Knollwood Club is a historic club with great tradition.  Knollwood was restored by Keith Foster in 2008 - 2009, co-hosted the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 2012, and will be hosting the 2016 Western Amateur Championship.  Drew's competition was stiff with over 100 resumes submitted by highly qualified candidates from some of the best golf courses in the United States.

We than Drew for all of his hard work and sacrifice during his time with PCC, and congratulate him for landing one of the "Dream Jobs" in the Midwest!  If you are ever in the Chicago area, please look up Drew!

We also wanted to be sure to thank PCC members.  Whether reaching out to your personal contacts, or helping perform mock interviews, PCC members have always played an integral role in helping our superintendents become their best and achieve their own positions.  Drew was the 4th PCC superintendent to be promoted  in such a manner in the last four years.  This form of positive turn-over helps PCC to continue to recruit top talent from across the U.S., which in turn, continues to help our courses constantly improve.

In 2014, we are fortunate to be hiring from within as Pat Miller will assume the Wissahickon Superintendent position.  Pat also played an integral role during the 2013 restoration, and was previously an assistant at Crooked Stick Golf Cub in Indiana.  Pat's biggest accomplishment however, is being married to his wife, Michelle!  Members are likely familiar with Michell's smiling face, as she assists Jim Smith Jr. in the golf shop during summer months.

For those members who would like to congratulate Drew, we have placed a link to his email below.

Congrats Drew!






Golf Course Architecture Magazine Article

Below is an article in this month's issue of Golf Course Architecture Magazine that focus on the new technology that was used by Keith Foster during the construction of Wissahickon's new greens.


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Saturday, January 4, 2014

Bald Eagles At Philadelphia Cricket Club

With the Philadelphia Eagles hosting a playoff game today, it felt like a great day to share photos of Philadelphia Cricket Club's own pair of Bald Eagles.

Two Bald Eagles Perched in a Tree

Of the approximate 80,000 Bald Eagles found in the world today, it is estimated that only 200 reside in the state of Pennsylvania (not including the Philadelphia Eagles mascot, Swoop!).  Philadelphia Cricket Club is fortunate to have a pair of our national birds frequenting our grounds! 

The golf courses in Flourtown provide an ideal habitat for the birds.  The consistently flowing quarry water (which we also re-use for irrigation purposes) never completely freezes in the winter, and provides cooler water for trout in the summer months.  This combination gives the eagles a great year-round food source. 

The golf courses also provide ideal stalking ground for bald eagles.  Unlike heavily forested area, eagles like to perch atop our large trees to scout vast, open areas of the golf courses, along with bodies of water. 

Philly Cricket Club's golf courses are providing a home-field type of competitive advantage to our bald eagles.  Hopefully, Lincoln Financial Field provides the same type of advantage tonight in delivering a playoff victory to Philadelphia!  "Fly Eagles, Fly!"

Bald Eagles perched above the pond on Militia Hill #3

 Bald Eagle swooping down to get a fish from Wissahickon #12

Bald Eagle by the creek on the newly restored Wissahickon #6

Close up of Bald Eagle by the creek on the newly restored Wissahickon #6