Golfdom, April 2016

My Second Office BECAUSE THE COURSE IS YOUR FIRST About our host Its a big year for Oakmont Pa Country Club but when we visited Superintendent JOHN ZIMMERS JR last month for our U S Open preview story the easy going superintendent didnt make much of a fuss Its not that hosting these championships gets old but once youve been through it you know what to expect Zimmers says Its about managing yourself through it embracing it as an experience As a teaser for next months U S Open preview story we thought wed ask JZ to give us a tour of his office Some of his most impressive photos and honors couldnt fit into the picture like photos of himself with George W Bush Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer his wife Tracey with the Stanley Cup a thank you letter from USGA Executive Director Mike Davis and a picture of his beloved dogs Diamond and Coleman 6 6 THE KING AND I Ill never forget this thats a photo of Mr Palmer and me he has his hand on my shoulder He told me Do what you do best and let Oakmont be Oakmont It was a special moment INTERVIEW PHOTO BY SETH JONES Proud of your second office Email us a photo of you in it to sjones@ northcoastmedia net and we may feature you and your office in an upcoming issue of Golfdom 1 2 1 MR 63 Thats a 2007 Oakmont U S Open flag that Johnny Miller gave me He put 63 in quotes from when he won here and shot a 63 in the final round of the 1973 U S Open hes quite proud of that He did the broadcast of the 2007 U S Open and he has a love for Oakmont he wanted us to know he was fond of the way the course played 2 STEEL CITY This was given to me by NBC following the 2007 U S Open When they opened the broadcast they had a video of a steelworker in a city steel mill making it It weighs about a thousand pounds I cant hang it It took a couple guys to carry it in here 3 BLACK AND GOLD The chair was given to me as a thank you gift from a former assistant Chris Markel He knows Im a big Steelers fan People always comment about it when they come in my office 4 STRESS BALL The baseball is from my grandma She told me 4 5 When youre stressed you always do best when the ball is in your hands I havent had to throw that ball yet 5 THE ORIGINAL JZ This is a photo of my grandfather whom Im named after he was senior and Im junior in his Army uniform He taught me so much my work ethic my values He went to war and came back so when Im having a bad day I remind myself what he went through I have the utmost respect for him a great man a great friend 3 April 2016 Golfdom 17 Golfdom com