UMass turfgrass program honors Ted Horton

To Edward “Ted” Horton, CGCS, the word “retirement” is open to interpretation.

Horton, a well-known longtime golf course superintendent, remains active in the golf industry, currently serving as a consultant for Calabasas, Calif.-based ValleyCrest Golf Course Maintenance. Recently, he was recognized by the industry when he was presented the University of Massachusetts Turfgrass Alumnus of the Year Award.

The award, part of a fund-raising effort for the school’s turfgrass program, is in its third year and gaining momentum, Horton says. The money will be used to help fund the new research center, including fields with turfgrass plots to perform studies.

The first award was given to Joseph Troll, a retired director of the turfgrass program. Troll was honored during the grand opening of the new center, which was named after him.

Last year, the event honored Sherwood Moore, CGCS, at Cape Cod National Golf Club in Brewster, Mass.

“Sherwood was a mentor to many – myself included,” Horton says.

Horton delivered a speech about Moore at that reception, and that’s when some of the alumni at the event found their recipient for the award in 2006.

“The dynamic between the two of them speaking together was fantastic,” says Steve Curry, president of UMass’ Turfgrass Alumni Association. “When we sat down to make plans for this year’s event, it seemed unavoidable to select Ted. He was the obvious choice.”

This year, the event was at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y., where Horton worked for several years and hosted 12 PGA events, initially as golf course superintendent and ultimately as the director of sports and grounds. Horton came to Westchester from Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., where he had the title of golf course superintendent when he was just 23 years old, right after attending MacDonald College of McGill University in Montreal, Canada and the University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture.

Horton worked for two years as vice president of agronomy for The Fairways Group before moving to the West Coast to become vice president of resource management for Pebble Beach Co. for eight years. In the position, he supervised numerous projects designed to renovate and upgrade golf facilities.

Horton, who describes himself as “semiretired,” says he’s finding enjoyable ways to pass the time.

“I tell everyone I’m retired, but my wife doesn’t believe it,” he says.

Horton works as a consulting superintendent for ValleyCrest Golf Course Maintenance. In addition, he’s the executive director of the California Golf Course Owners Association and vice president of the California Golf Alliance. He also serves on the Golf Course News editorial advisory board.

Even though a long list of accomplishments fills his resume, the Ted Horton one sees on paper is different than the Ted Horton one will meet in person.

“For somebody who has achieved so much, you sort of expect an air, and he’s not like that at all,” Curry says. “He’s very personable and easy to talk to.”

Horton continues to serve the industry because he can’t get enough of it. He’s struck by the camaraderie, high sense of integrity and dedication to the job he sees everywhere.

“I don’t know anyone who feels as though it’s just a job,” he says. “No one looks at it as 9-to-5 job. We jokingly – and maybe to our chagrin – refer to the hours as banking hours in reverse – from 5 to 9.”

Horton (not to mention his wife, Nancy) is pleased his hours now more closely resemble banker’s hours. Now that Nancy is retired as well, she often travels with her husband while he lives out retirement attending various golf industry meetings.

Next year’s UMass Turfgrass Alumnus of the Year Award will honor Geoffrey Cornish and will be held at the International Golf Club in Bolton, Mass. For more information, visit www.alumniturfgroup.com.