The Future of Turf Management

As if managing 45 holes of golf wasn't enough, Dan Meersman, Chief Planning Officer & Director of Grounds and Facilities at The Philadelphia Cricket Club, also is responsible for conditions on 22 grass tennis courts, nine clay courts, two indoor courts, two paddle tennis courts and an athletic field. That many surfaces require a large in-season staff that can number up to 65 people.

Meersman, who has been at Philadelphia Cricket Club since 2009. His dedication to professional development and continuing education is paying off for his staff. Since 2009, five former PCC assistants have ascended through the ranks to become head superintendents elsewhere.

Keeping PCC among the best properties in eastern Pennsylvania has meant constant tweaking to the courses there. The club's St. Martins Course, an 1895 Willie Tucker design that was the site of the U.S. Open in 1907 and 1910, was renovated in-house in 2011-12. His staff also completed a bunker renovation on the Militia Hill Course in 2010, and a $7 million restoration of the Wissahickon Course, a 1920 A.W. Tillinghast classic.

Dan is clearly an industry leader in autonomous mower technology. With over 35 autonomous mowers at PCC, he knows all of the benefits and challenges that come with utilizing the technology. This presentation, continually updated, has been featured at many CMAA events including the 2024 World Conference in Las Vegas.