Blackberry Oaks Golf Course Welcomes John Hardee as New Superintendent
Blackberry Oaks Golf Course is thrilled to introduce John Hardee as our new Golf Course Superintendent. With a distinguished background in golf course management and a passion for enhancing the player experience, John is poised to elevate the beauty and playability of our beloved course.
John’s journey in golf course management began as an Assistant Superintendent at the esteemed Woodway Country Club in Connecticut, where he oversaw the maintenance of their private 4-acre beach club. He then advanced to the role of Senior Assistant Superintendent at the historic Chicago Golf Club. During his five-year tenure, John played an instrumental role in the restoration of the course to its original Seth Raynor design, collaborating with renowned architect Tom Doak and Chicago Golf Club Superintendent, Craig Smith.
John’s experience extends to the PGA Tour, having contributed to the preparation and maintenance of eight separate events over the past decade. A notable highlight was his involvement in the overseeding process at Augusta National.
As Superintendent at Blackberry Oaks, John is eager to apply his wealth of knowledge and experience to enhance our facility. His initial priorities include refining the green-side bunkering, developing a superior practice range, and implementing a tree removal and cleanup program. He also plans to introduce topdressing on the greens and construct new tee boxes, while strategically thinning the tree population.
John will be joined at the course by his trusty sidekick, Sadie, his dog. Together, they look forward to working with the team to implement these exciting changes.
With John at the helm, Blackberry Oaks is primed for a transformative year. We invite you to experience the improvements firsthand and make Blackberry Oaks a must-play destination in 2024.