19th Hole: Chad Yotter

Chad Yotter

Superintendent

Mayfield CC, Cleveland, Ohio

After 18 holes, what can I get you?

It’s getting to be that time of the year … I’m a sucker for an Oktoberfest. Sam Adams is my favorite.

Tell me about Mayfield.

It’s your classical golf course — rolling terrain, tree-lined fairways and push-up greens. The land gives it a lot of character.

How long have you been there, and how did you get into the industry?

I just passed 20 years. I started as an assistant in 2005 and became superintendent in December of 2017. I’m originally from northern Indiana, near Fort Wayne. I got my start at Chestnut Hills at age 15 picking range balls. I wanted more hours, and they pointed me toward the grounds crew. And now, here I am today. I got my turfgrass degree from Purdue University, took an internship in Cleveland, and I’ve been here ever since.

Have you been there long enough to adopt the Cleveland teams?

Yes, mostly the Guardians — I still call them the Indians. Baseball is my No. 1 sport, and I still root for Purdue, especially in basketball — they’re going to be pretty good this year.

Do you have a most memorable day at work?

The Fourth of July celebration at the club is always memorable. It makes me happy to see everyone enjoying the golf course. At that point in the season, the course is in really good shape, and I am able to appreciate all of the hard work of our grounds staff.

Next time I’m out in your area, what do you suggest I do?

There are a lot of great classical golf courses over here on the east side of Cleveland — Pepper Pike, Canterbury, the Country Club, Shaker, Kirtland. After seeing some golf courses, you’ve got to go downtown. We have so many great restaurants. One of my favorites is Masthead Brewing Co. It’s super simple, just really good pizza and beer.

Do you have a family, and what do you do for fun?

We don’t have any kids, but my wife, Holly, and I have a dog, Paris — she’s also our course dog — and a cat, Boiler. They’re our kids. And for fun, we go to national parks. Over the last 18 years that we’ve been married, we’ve been to 25 of the 63 national parks.

What’s your all-time golf highlight?

I just crossed one off my bucket list: I went to the Masters this year. It’s a tough time of year to get down there for us northern superintendents. We’re all aerifying and opening up the course for the season. A few guys told me: You’ve got to get down there. It was pretty surreal being there as I grew up watching the Masters with my family.

As interviewed by Seth Jones, Aug. 4, 2025.