Greco’s five-plus decades of work gets recognized

I’ve never shied away from the belief that I feel extremely lucky to have grown up a young golfer in the Valley. Some of my fondest memories are from the “old” Squaw Creek Country Club.

Not that Ron Klingle’s ownership and inclusion into what is now The Avalon Group has diminished the Squaw Creek experience in any way whatsoever; but the old member-owned facility was something special.

And for as long as I could remember, the golf course itself was perfect. It’s now my privilege to get to thank, and congratulate, the man responsible for so many enjoyable rounds — Lou Greco.

Greco started working at Squaw Creek as a laborer in 1954 while attending Liberty High School. He graduated from Liberty in 1957 and started at Youngstown State University that fall. He married his wife Donna in 1960 (55 years this year!). And by the time he graduated with a business degree in 1961, Greco was offered the head superintendent position at Squaw Creek beginning with the 1962 golf season.

Fifty years after he first started working at the club in Vienna, Greco retired as one of the most successful superintendents to ever manicure fairways and greens here in the Valley. And this past Thursday, Greco was rightfully honored as the 2015 Inductee into the Northern Ohio Golf Course Superintendents Association’s Hall of Fame.

While there are too many to list in full, here are just a few of Greco’s professional accomplishments and accolades:

Served on Board of Directors and President of the Northern Ohio Golf Course Superintendents Association.

Served on Board of Directors and President of the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation.

Served as Editor of the Northern Ohio Turfgrass News.

Served on Board of Directors and President of the Girard Jaycees

Served as President of the Youngstown District Amateur Golf Association

Served on the Board of Directors at Spring Run Golf Club, which is the club Greco retired to in Bonita Springs, Fla.

Oversaw Squaw Creek for 8 LPGA Championships.

More so than the individual accomplishments listed above, Greco was a professional superintendent in every way possible. He was passionate about his profession. He loved the sport. And he always took pride in putting out a first-rate product for others to enjoy.

Greco’s wife Donna was kind enough to share some of his answers to questions from his Hall of Fame biography. Here are some of my favorites in Greco’s own words:

When asked about the strongest attributes of the profession: “I believe to be in our profession takes a special type of person. You must be willing to put your work on display every day of the year. But you get the chance to work outdoors and with nature. You give people the chance to be in a beautiful setting playing a game we all love.”

When asked about effective activities and advice to future superintendents: “Love the game of golf. It is no fun doing the work if you don’t understand why you are doing it. ... As I always said, there are grass growers and then there are golf course superintendents. You must play the game to understand the end product.”

Looking back on it now, I think that last point is one that is often overlooked. Greco understood the game itself more than just about anyone. Because of him and the fantastic product he put out day after day, I (and all the other golfers out there) were able to learn the intricacies of the game — how to spin a 40 yard wedge shot off of a perfectly tight lie to a tucked pin, how to hit a running tee shot for extra yardage, why to lay up to 90 yards instead of 50 and then how to hit a dead-hands wedge shot from 90 yards to keep the spin off.

I only had the opportunity to learn those aspects of the game because Greco understood them.

When asked about the weakest attributes of his profession he simply stated: “Sacrificing family time.”

For 50 years, Donna and their daughters Cheryl and Cindy not only accepted that sacrifice, but encouraged and supported Greco throughout his career.

For 50 years, Greco devoted his time, knowledge and energy to make the game more enjoyable for others.

If I don’t speak for everyone who personally benefited from your hard work I’m sure I speak for most when I say: Thank you and congratulations on this well-deserved honor.

And Donna, here’s to another 55 years and one more “New York, New York” rendition together.

Jonah Karzmer is a former golf professional who writes a Sunday golf column for The Vindicator. In his spare time he sells commercial insurance and loves getting feedback on his weekly columns via email at Jonah@thekarzmerinsurance.com.