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At the recent GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Paul R. Latshaw was honored as the recipient of the 2026 Green Section Award, which was presented by USGA CEO Mike Whan and accepted by Paul B. Latshaw on behalf of his father, who was unable to attend in person. To celebrate this well-deserved honor, we wanted to take a closer look at the life and career of one of the most accomplished figures in modern golf course maintenance.

Born in Red Cross (Pa.), Latshaw grew up with a strong sense of discipline and a work ethic that would guide him throughout his life. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a petty officer second class before being discharged in 1962. His time in the Navy reinforced a commitment to teamwork and precision that later became hallmarks of his approach to managing golf courses. In 1964, Latshaw completed Penn State University’s two-year turfgrass management program, launching a 40-year career that would eventually place him among the most influential superintendents in the history of the game.

His first superintendent job was at The Country Club of Jackson (Mich.) in the late 1960s. From there, he went to Shaker Heights Country Club (Ohio) in the early 1970s. In 1976, he accepted the superintendent position at Oakmont Country Club, where his work leading up to the 1978 PGA Championship and 1983 U.S. Open cemented his reputation for excellence. He brought that same high standard to Augusta National Golf Club in 1986, where he went on to host four Masters Tournaments. He took the helm at Wilmington Country Club (Del.) in 1989 and then at Congressional Country Club (Md.) in 1993, where he would host his second U.S. Open in 1997.

In the 1990s, Latshaw also served as a consulting superintendent at Riviera Country Club (Calif.) while still overseeing operations at Congressional, an arrangement that reflected the high level of trust placed in his expertise. In 1999, he became superintendent at Winged Foot Golf Club (N.Y.), where he concluded his on-course career before retiring in 2001 to work as a consulting agronomist. Latshaw is the only golf course superintendent to host all three U.S.-based men’s major championships. He oversaw preparations for two U.S. Opens, four Masters Tournaments and one PGA Championship – as well as two U.S. Senior Opens. His championship record alone would make for an outstanding career, but it represents only a portion of his impact. 

"Latshaw is the only golf course superintendent to host all three U.S.-based men’s major championships."

Latshaw’s influence is perhaps best measured by the people he guided and the ideas he advanced. It is estimated that more than 100 of his former employees went on to become golf course superintendents, turfgrass scientists or industry leaders. Mentorship was never a formal program for Latshaw – it was simply part of the job. He believed in teaching by example, setting high expectations and giving young professionals the confidence to take ownership of their work.

USGA senior director of championship agronomy, Darin Bevard, first heard about Latshaw’s reputation for excellence while he was a student at Penn State. Years later, the legendary superintendent would play a major role in shaping Bevard’s career as a USGA agronomist. When asked to reflect on Latshaw’s distinguished career, Bevard said, “Mr. Latshaw is an innovator. Maintenance practices that he implemented during his career that back then may have been viewed as showing off are now standard practice. He is so curious and was willing to learn new ideas from anyone regardless of rank or affiliation – and that kept him at the top of his game for his entire career.”

His legacy has been recognized in many ways. He received the GCSAA’s Old Tom Morris Award in 2017, and had the Paul R. Latshaw Turfgrass Graduate Fellowship established in his name at Penn State University in 2018. A 60-year member of the GCSAA, Latshaw continues to embody the values of professionalism, leadership and generosity that define the best of golf course management. 

The 2026 Green Section Award honors not only what he accomplished on some of the game’s most storied stages, but also the enduring influence he had on the people and practices that carry the profession forward. When asked about what the recognition means to him, Latshaw was quick to share the spotlight with those he worked with over the years: “I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with superintendents, researchers and industry partners who are passionate about improving how we care for golf courses, and the USGA’s recognition of our work means the world.”

To learn more about his remarkable career, please give a listen to our podcast episode with Latshaw recorded in 2024.