This article originally appeared in the November issue of NCGA Golf Magazine
By Alex Hulanicki
It might be said that Blake Hertzog, greens superintendent of Monterey Pines Golf Club, is high on grass. He’s always growing it to perfection, and he’s applying what he learned in a stint working at the Wimbledon Championships at the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. “It was a dream come true experience,” said the avid tennis player.
Wait, what? Tennis, not golf? Yes, they can mix, especially in terms of turf. Hertzog, 40, was awarded this year’s Excellence in Turfgrass Management at a Public Facility by the NorCal Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
Hertzog arrived at Monterey Pines 10 years ago to assist Superintendent Austin Daniells on a course restoration and expansion of the 18th hole to a par-5 as the course became a par-70 layout. Daniells moved on five years ago to become the Navy’s regional golf director in San Diego. Hertzog stayed to implement and complete what seems like a new project each week. In addition, his crew has to keep the course in top shape to accommodate more than 50,000 rounds a year.
Recently, Monterey Pines renovated its driving range and practice green and bunker area and installed a golf simulator room in the grill called the Commander’s Lounge.
Back to tennis, Hertzog said working at Wimbledon in 2007 was “an unbelievable experience” for a tennis player who idolized Andre Agassi when he was young.
As head pro Neil Larkin says: “The entire Monterey Pines Golf Club team is proud of you. Be sure to tell him congratulations the next time you see him on the course.”
And don’t forget to thank his crew members.