Vlach named new Golf Course Superintendent at TPC Sawgrass

text size

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR announced that it has appointed agronomy veteran Tom Vlach as Golf Course Superintendent at its flagship TPC Sawgrass, home to THE PLAYERS Championship. Vlach's new responsibilities will begin after THE PLAYERS in May 2008, upon the retirement of long-time Golf Course Superintendent Fred Klauk following 27 years of service to the PGA TOUR.

"Tom's proven success hosting PGA TOUR events, outstanding leadership skills and commitment to service excellence make him ideally suited for this demanding and high-profile position," said PGA TOUR Vice President of Agronomy Cal Roth. "We are confident Tom will carry on Fred Klauk's extraordinary legacy while making his own mark on TPC Sawgrass, as we enter an exciting new era in the history of the club and THE PLAYERS Championship."

Klauk, who will assist in the transition as well as remain active with the PGA TOUR in a project management capacity, was very instrumental in selecting his replacement following an exhaustive search. "Tom is not only a leader in his field, but a man of great integrity, dedication and passion for the game of golf," said Klauk. "I am confident he will be invaluable in helping the PGA TOUR continue to elevate both THE PLAYERS Championship and TPC Sawgrass' prominence as a world-wide golf resort destination."

Vlach joins TPC Sawgrass after serving as Director of Grounds Maintenance at Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Ala., a position he has held since 1999. During his tenure there, he oversaw the construction of the club's second Rees Jones championship layout and hosted seven Bruno Memorial Classic Golf Tournaments, voted the #1 stop on the Champions Tour by Sports Illustrated. Past experience also includes serving as Golf Course Superintendent at Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach, Fla. and Ekana Golf and Country Club in Oviedo, Fla.

Vlach also served as Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at TPC Sawgrass under Klauk, where he helped prepare the PLAYERS Stadium Course for the 1992 PLAYERS Championship. He also interned at TPC Sawgrass while obtaining his undergraduate degree, where he had the opportunity to assist with two additional PLAYERS Championships, the Senior Players Championship and two Cadillac NFL Classic Golf Championships. In all, Vlach has been instrumental in preparing courses for 16 PGA TOUR and Champions Tour tournaments.

"Tom's proven agronomy expertise, combined with his familiarity with and reverence for TPC Sawgrass, will help the PGA TOUR continue to provide the most outstanding conditions for the best players in the world during THE PLAYERS Championship and for resort guests throughout the year," said David Pillsbury, President of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties.

A native of Chicago, Vlach received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Soil Science with an emphasis on Turf Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Certified since 1996, when he was the youngest golf course superintendent in the U.S. ever to receive certification, Vlach has been a committee member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and a past president of the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association (AGCSA).

Part of the PGA TOUR's TPC Network of premier private and resort golf clubs, TPC Sawgrass is located at 110 Championship Way in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. For more information, please visit www.tpc.com/sawgrass.