My name is Gary Nolan and I am from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. At the age of 13, I began working on a public golf course in the area. My father was friends with the owner and thought that it would be a good idea for me to learn the added responsibility of working in order to develop and build a strong work ethic.
The job was so much fun that I continued to work there through high school and college. While in my senior year at Lebanon Valley College, I visited Virginia Tech and decided to pursue a graduate degree in agronomy with an emphasis in turfgrass science. Upon completion of my course work, I took a position with American Golf Corporation at Hershey Country Club and then later at a private club outside Baltimore, Maryland.
I left the golf industry for many years to pursue other interests then finally decided last February that I needed to get back into the business. I made contact with Dr. John Kaminski at Penn State University to discuss my options with the goal of some day being a superintendent at a championship golf course. There are probably many ways to achieve this goal, however, after reviewing my options I decided that way was to attend Penn State's two-year Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program and intern at a top club. The Penn State program and the relationships that I develop while I am here will open many doors which would otherwise be closed. I look forward to these years with an eagerness to learn, the drive to be successful, and a solid work ethic. Hopefully my many life experiences as well as insight into all aspects of a business operation will help me to be a positive force among my classmates. This program will be the beginning of many new and exciting experiences that will benefit me professionally and provide for the successful pursuit of my goal to become a superintendent at a championship golf course and a leader in the golf industry.