{"id":1250982,"date":"2024-05-13T13:00:14","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T13:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/?p=1250982"},"modified":"2024-05-11T08:35:28","modified_gmt":"2024-05-11T08:35:28","slug":"pga-championship-2024-john-g-ballard-interview-valhalla-golf-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/pga-championship-2024-john-g-ballard-interview-valhalla-golf-club\/","title":{"rendered":"John G. Ballard interview"},"content":{"rendered":"

No one position commands a greater degree of respect than the person entrusted with the daily care of the turf at any golf course. Every decision, small or large, is magnified and opined on by the full range of golfers.<\/p>\n

Everyone may have an opinion but a gifted superintendent has to deal swiftly with whatever Mother Nature brings forward.<\/p>\n

The standing of a superintendent rises exponentially when key events are played \u2013 especially major championships.<\/p>\n

Ballard and his hard-working team will be front and center when the 106th PGA Championship returns to the Louisville-based club<\/span><\/strong><\/a> for the fourth time – the most recent coming in 2014 and won by Rory McIlroy.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The Ballard Background<\/h4>\n

Has been at Valhalla Golf Club for nearly 5 years serving as the Golf Course Superintendent. He has helped oversee many projects including the regrassing of the tees and fairways from bentgrass to zoysia grass.<\/p>\n

Has assembled an elite crew built with proven experience in major championships that will serve in important roles leading up and during this year’s 106th PGA Championship.<\/p>\n

He has over 28 years of experience in the industry.<\/p>\n

\"John<\/p>\n

The Ballard Story<\/h4>\n

I was in Architecture at the University of Tennessee and quickly learned that wasn’t the path for me.<\/p>\n

I had played a lot of competitive golf as a junior and saw that Tennessee had a Turf Program so I decided to check it out.<\/p>\n

Once I landed my first internship at Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville, I knew this might be something that gets my juices flowing. Subsequent stints in Edwards, Colorado and Pinehurst, NC had me hooked.<\/p>\n

The early morning starts, ability to have an outdoor office and freedom to plan your own day were all key reasons this industry resonated with me. It can be a tough road at times. The long days, influence of Mother Nature and not being able to control the outcome can wear on you.<\/p>\n

When you stay committed and surround yourself with quality people, there is nothing you can’t accomplish. I am proud of all the work I have done in my career and cannot wait to lead my team in the “Super Bowl” of golf.<\/p>\n

\"Valhalla<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

You wake up in the morning, what’s the driving passion?<\/h4>\n

Leading a group of individuals with different backgrounds and goals in life and getting them to believe in what we are doing at Valhalla.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Valhalla returns to the global golf spotlight when hosting this year’s PGA Championship. How long have you been involved in the process of getting the course ready for the event?<\/h4>\n

I have been involved since being hired in 2019. Specifically, it really ramped up when the PGA of America made the decision to change playing surfaces.<\/p>\n

We have been intensely planning for over 3 years now.<\/p>\n

\n

Valhalla is ready & waiting. . . \ud83c\udfc6#PGAChamp<\/a> | @ValhallaGolf<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/B8MWrHtvt9<\/a><\/p>\n

— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) April 5, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n