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Best Of The Best: John Zimmers Takes Inverness To New Heights
By Pat Jones
A classified ad in a small-town newspaper changed the trajectory of his life. Then hard work, advice from an amazing collection of GOATs, and support from companies like BASF helped him reach the pinnacle of his profession.
At 18, an elbow injury ended John Zimmers’ hopes of a career in big league baseball. He went to work for a landscaper and was “kind of soul-searching” for what to do with his life. One day he picked up a copy of his hometown paper in Altoona, Pa., and found a help wanted ad to work for someone named Paul Latshaw at Wilmington Country Club over in Delaware.
His first thought: “Why on earth would that guy run that ad in central Pennsylvania?” It turned out Latshaw had a lot of connections in the area, including a kid named Matt Shaffer. Latshaw liked the work ethic and values he found there.
Zimmers and his wife Tracey, newlyweds at the time, recruited her aunt to type up a resume for the job and Zimmers made the 4-hour drive to interview. Latshaw, who’d just left Augusta National for Wilmington, hired him immediately and Zimmers quickly discovered his purpose in life. “I was there about three weeks when he pulled me aside and told me I needed to get a degree and make this my career,” Zimmers recalls.
“It’s been an amazing ride ever since.”
That ride included Wilmington, Congressional, Sand Ridge and then two decades at Oakmont CC, where he cemented the club’s reputation as a championship site and one of the best-conditioned courses on the planet.
How did a crazy classified ad inspire you to go work at Wilmington?
At that point, I knew a little about landscaping and even less about golf, but I really enjoyed the combination of nature and sports. I enjoyed seeing things grow and change, and I liked the detail and thinking involved in preparing a course. It seemed natural, and it was exciting.
How did you build your relationship with Mr. Latshaw?
As time went on, I got very close to Paul, Paul B. [his son] and Phyllis [Paul’s wife]. Mr. Latshaw was tough. He was probably toughest on Paul B. and then me…or vice versa sometimes. But I got to work extensively with both of them as well as Greg James (now at Liberty National) while we were at Wilmington. They all kind of mentored me, guided me and put me in situations where I could learn and grow.
At one point you were sharing an office with Paul Latshaw and the equally tough Dick Bator at Congressional. What was that like?
People talk about work-life balance, I never looked at it that way. I was enjoying the work and learning so many different things. I sat in the office for a few months with Latshaw and Bator doing schedules, implementing projects, planning renovations, changing out turf on the fairways and such. But I also listened and learned. Put that in perspective: I got to do something that no one else ever did working with those two. They both have very different personalities, that’s for sure.
What were some of the most important things you learned working with those two that you rely on to this day?
Fundamentals. Water right, use plant protectants effectively, mow correctly and try to limit the damage from equipment and traffic. Congressional was struggling when we went there, so we had to learn to fix stuff…and it’s not easy to grow grass in Washington, DC. You learn that even if you’re doing things right, environmental factors can still really hurt you.
What they really taught me was to mentor young men and women. I think the greatest thing of all is to see someone move on and get a great job and start a family. That’s really what it’s all about to me.
Let’s talk about GOATs.
I was so lucky. For me, my original list of GOATs was Mr. Latshaw, Mr. Bator and Matt Shaffer, who all helped mentor me. Today, I also look at Paul B. Latshaw, Jim Roney, Chad Mark and Phil Cuffare as the modern era GOATs.
What makes Inverness so special?
It’s like a family here, and that’s how they treat Tracey and me. I couldn’t ask for more. I think when they treat you so well, you feel appreciated and you want to do more for them.
What does it mean to you to be entrusted with taking Inverness to a new level?
It never really leaves my mind. It’s a responsibility that we – the staff – take seriously. Inverness is a national historic landmark. It was the first club to let golf pros come in and use the clubhouse. And, it’s the birthplace of the USGA Green Section that inspired the E.J. Marshall award for superintendents. I’ve embraced the history, and I really believe the club knows and appreciates that.
John Zimmers (left) standing with Paul Latshaw, who gave Zimmers his start at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware.
How important is it to have a partner like BASF who helps you achieve your goals, not just for championships, but every day?
We have a lot of great partners, but BASF is special, and I’m really proud of this relationship. For me, it all started in the summer of 2016 when we partnered with them for the championship. They’d never done an event like that before, and we talked through how we’d work together. And, we’re still collaborating with them today. They’ve come a very long way in 10 years as a partner and as an industry leader. They’ve become one of those big industry players you can really rely on.
What are your go-to products?
I’ve used pretty much every BASF product here at Inverness and at other courses. I’ve counted on Xzemplar® [fungicide], Maxtima® fungicide, plus Insignia [SC Intrinsic brand fungicide] and Lexicon [Intrinsic brand fungicide] particularly. And, I’m excited to try Aramax™ Intrinsic brand fungicide.
Do you value the plant health benefits you get from the Intrinsic brands?
No question. We tell the membership that we’re growing grass and we want the healthiest crop we can. Managing “lean and mean” is not sustainable without good, strong, healthy turf and that BASF Intrinsic plant health element is important to us.
What’s been the most fun along the way?
You get opportunities around golf. It takes you to some of the greatest places in the world. Places you never even imagined…and sometimes your wife gets to go along. (Laughs.) For me, it goes back to being able to share those times with my family, staff or club leadership.
What do you hope the years ahead hold for you?
I just want to enjoy being here at Inverness every single day. I always say that it’s important to be at a great golf course, but if you have a great golf course and it’s a great job, that’s a pretty spectacular combination
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