19th Hole: Jason Tharp

Jason Tharp (Photo: Lou Ferraro)

Jason Tharp

Superintendent // Glen Arven CC, Thomasville, Ga.

Jason, what can I get you? First, a soda water with a lime. After that? Any lager sounds good.

So, tell me about your family. My wife, Bethany, and I have been married 12 years. We just welcomed our first child in March. His name is Jon. Everyone who has kids knows it’s a big adjustment but very rewarding.

Fill me in on Glen Arven CC. It’s a really special place. It was founded in 1892. From 1936 to 1941, it hosted a PGA Tour event in the Tour’s early days. Guys like Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Gene Sarazen and Sam Snead all played here. And the membership really cares about the club. In 2014, the club did a $4-million renovation, all via donations of various sizes from the members. And our membership includes both everyday Joes and multimillionaires. Some members donated $100,000, while others donated $1,000, broken up into payments over two years.

What’s your favorite thing to read? I’m a big fan of Malcolm Gladwell (“David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants” and “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference”). He has a podcast called “Revisionist History” where he looks at famous moments through a different lens … it’s fascinating.

Fill in the blank: I couldn’t get the job done without ______? My assistants, Parker Bolt and Richard Irvin, by far. I delegate a lot — they run the daily operations. We have a lot of conversations about why we are doing things and how it benefits us and the club.

You know the movie “Groundhog Day’’? If you were trapped to live in the same day over and over, what day would you want it to be? I was very blessed to work at East Lake for three years. I would want it to be the Sunday of the Tour Championship from any of those three years. The players, the patrons, NBC … being a part of that team was very exciting and gratifying.

Of all your golf memorabilia, what’s your favorite piece? When I was leaving East Lake, Nick Barrington, the chef, called me to his office, and he handed me this box. It’s a replica of Deacon Palmer’s tractor, and Arnold Palmer signed the hood. Chef Nick was the personal chef for Arnold Palmer for years, and he had a stash of signed Arnold Palmer memorabilia … but this was his one and only tractor. I have it on display in my office.

Last question: What’s your late-night snack weakness? No question — ice cream and brownies. But I try to stay away because it can catch up to you pretty quick!

As interviewed by Seth Jones, July 12, 2019.