23 The Greenskeepers Ryan Gauvin
TGJ Podcast 145

The Valentine Legacy

For 80 consecutive years, a Valentine tended to Merion’s famous greens. Along the way, they changed the profession forever

Episode 145: The Valentine Legacy The Golfer's Journal Podcast

As a kid, Tom Valentine referred to world-famous Merion Golf Club as “the family farm.” His grandfather tended to the greens there for 52 years, and his father followed suit for another 27. Tom himself took a different approach to turfcare—opting to leave the farm to develop newer and more efficient ways to grow and care for golf courses. But rest assured, his heart and storybook still belong to Merion. Come for a deep dive into surfactants, and stay for stories like teaching Albert Einstein about greenskeeping, a secret modification to the 11th green, a secret wine stash and the origin story of Penn State’s prestigious turfcare program.