Bobby Jones Links names Ken Mangum as new director of agronomy

Bobby Jones Links (BJL) recently named Ken Mangum as its director of agronomy for every golf property in the BJL portfolio.

“Ken Mangum is one of the most respected agronomists and golf course superintendents in the business, so we are very pleased and honored he has agreed to make his services available to the three-dozen-plus BJL-managed clubs,” said Steve Willy, founding partner for BJL. “We’re excited about the things we can accomplish with Ken involved in raising the standards and taking opportunities to raise the quality of the golf courses that need his expert touch in providing a finer product for our clients.”

The Franklin, Tenn., resident will apply his expertise, as needed, to BJL-managed properties on a variety of agronomy projects.

“Instances such as offering my expertise on what goes into a new golf course — such as identifying what grasses will thrive best and how to set the turf up for long-term success,” said Mangum. “On projects like this, I have been involved in helping with the initial planning on the maintenance facility, the grassing concepts, the grow-in program, and involved in helping find a superintendent for the facility. I like the way BJL does business, and I think they have a number of projects I can help with. To me, that’s what working with BJL is all about – helping people.”

Mangum spent 27 years as director of golf courses and grounds at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga. An inductee into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame back in 2015, Mangum has made presentations around the world on topics that span turf and golf course management. His specialties include major championship preparation, organizational management, grassing selections, course renovation and turf conversion. He’s also been a seminar instructor and speaker for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), several USGA Green Section conferences, Spanish Golf Federation, Georgia Superintendents Association and the Club Managers Association.

As a grassing consultant now, Mangum is highly involved in new golf courses and grassing recommendations.

“Bobby Jones Links has a few courses that I will visit to look at some of the issues they may be having,” Mangum said. “To Bobby Jones Links, I think I add a different set of eyes and kind of look at projects from a different perspective. I’ve done a lot of work to produce operational efficiency, and work that involves grassing concepts that are environmentally sustainable with lower long-term maintenance costs.”

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