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Stanley Zontek JR 1949 - 2012

Stanley Zontek JR was born on January 7, 1949 to Stanley Zontek and Lora (Monti) Zontek, and had a sister Patricia Zontek Zelnik. He married Marty Zontek and they later divorced. He had a child Christopher Ryan Zontek. Stanley Zontek died at age 63 years old on August 28, 2012 in Avondale, Pennsylvania United States.

Stanley Zontek JR

January 7, 1949

August 28, 2012

Avondale, Pennsylvania, 19311, United States

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Stanley Zontek JR Stanley Zontek (1949 - 2012)

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Stanley Zontek JR's History: 1949 - 2012

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Introduction

Stanley married Martha (Lackett) Zontek. They had one son Christopher Ryan Zontek 10/26/1976- 01/22/2004. Stanley Has Three sisters, Two nieces, and one nephew. Two great nieces and four great nephews on his maternal side.
01/7

1949

Birthday

January 7, 1949

Birthdate

Unknown

Birthplace

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Professional Career

Stanley J. Zontek, Director of the United States Golf Association (USGA) Green Section's Mid-Atlantic region, has been chosen to receive the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University. This award salutes the achievement of outstanding departmental alumni who have made a significant contribution to their profession. Stan has served the USGA and the turfgrass management industry with enthusiasm and passion for over 36 years. He is noted as one of the most highly respected agronomists within the golf industry. Prior to his current position as Mid-Atlantic Director, he has also been the Director of the North Central and Northeastern Green Section regions. He also held the position as Northeastern agronomist. His distinguished service and contributions are recognized world-wide and he is frequently invited to speak at local, regional, national, and international turf conferences. Stan has received numerous awards within the golf associations. Stan has served on the editorial board for two books and trade journals and has authored over 90 technical articles for industry publications. Stanley J. Zontek, the director of the USGA Green Section’s Mid-Atlantic Region, passed away Aug. 28 after suffering a heart attack. He was 63 years old and was predeceased by his son, Christopher. The organization’s longest-tenured employee, Zontek joined the USGA in 1971 after graduating from Penn State University. He started his USGA career as an agronomist in the Northeastern Region. He moved to the North Central Region in 1980 before becoming the director of the Mid-Atlantic Region in 1985. “Stanley will be missed tremendously by those of us at the USGA who knew him best and by the thousands of lives he touched outside the organization,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis. Zontek, who resided in Avondale, Pa., was a world-renowned turfgrass expert who shared his extensive knowledge for 41 years through articles, speeches and course visits. He helped establish many of the best turfgrass practices still in use. During his career, he assisted thousands of courses around the world to achieve the best conditions possible, whether in preparation for USGA championships or for everyday play. In addition, one of his responsibilities was helping to maintain the putting green at the White House. Zontek was recognized for his contributions with many awards, including the 2006 Golf Course Superintendents Association Distinguished Service Award, the 1997 Golf Course Builders Association of America Don A. Rossi Award and the 2007 Crop and Soil Sciences Outstanding Alumni Award from his alma mater. He was a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the British International Golf Greenkeepers Association. “Stanley was an icon to all of us personally on the Green Section staff and within the industry,” said Dr. Kimberly Erusha, the managing director of the USGA Green Section. “We have lost a great friend and an influential voice in the game.” Born in West Virginia, Zontek lived in Maryland and southeast Pennsylvania as a youth before matriculating at Penn State in 1966. His father was a golf course superintendent, and Zontek’s first job as a teenager was raking bunkers for $1.10 per hour. For more than 40 years, Zontek displayed an unwavering commitment to his craft, traveling around the world to help superintendents care for their courses. In addition to his knowledge of turfgrass, one of the keys to this success was his ability to build lasting relationships. As much as he was respected for his professional expertise, Zontek touched many more lives with his passion, generosity and spirit. Those who worked most closely with him were the most influenced by Zontek. He trained many USGA agronomists, and all his colleagues looked forward to spending a week or two “traveling with Stanley.” Each trip provided the agronomists with a better appreciation of the industry and the expertise to better perform their jobs. “Stanley often said that this was a people business and it was about building relationships,” said Dr. Erusha. “He lived by that sentiment, and did it very well. He willingly shared his passion, expertise and experience with people from around the world. For that, all of us who love the game are better for it.” On top of visiting hundreds of courses a year, Zontek worked closely with the superintendents of USGA championship courses such as 2011 U.S. Open host Congressional Country Club and 2013 site Merion Golf Club, which also hosted the U.S. Open in 1971, the year Zontek started working for the USGA. In this capacity, Zontek worked closely with USGA Executive Director Davis in preparing the course for the championship. “Some of my fondest memories from past U.S. Opens involve spending time with Stan as we worked alongside each other during the championship’s long hours,” said Davis. “He loved the USGA and dedicated his career to serving the game that he loved. He was a true ambassador for the USGA, and in my mind, nobody better personified our work ‘for the good of the game.’
08/28

2012

Death

August 28, 2012

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Avondale, Pennsylvania 19311, United States
Death location

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Stanley Zontek JR lived 11 years shorter than the average family member when died at the age of 63.

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2 Memories, Stories & Photos about Stanley

Kimberly Saddler

55 favorites

07/24/2023

Stanley Zontek JR

Stanley joined the USGA in 1971. At the time of his death he was the USGA's most tenured employee with 41 years of service. Stanley's introduction to his chosen profession was through his father who was a golf course superintendent. In the late 1950's, Dr. Burt Musser, Penn State University, visited Stan's father while he was installing the first 'Penncross' bentgrass putting green in West Virginia. This visit piqued Stan's interest in turfgrass science. He started his golf course career raking bunkers for $1.10 per hour. After high school, he enrolled at Penn State where he developed a love for agronomy that only grew stronger throughout his professional career.

S
International travel was one of Stanley's hobbies. He was a favorite speaker at international turfgrass conferences. His love for the finer things in life made it easy for him to make friends all over the world.
Stanley joined the USGA in 1971 and quickly found his calling. Stan and the USGA Green Section soon proved to be a perfect match with the shared goal of serving the game of golf through the dissemination of sound agronomic advice. Stan never wavered in his commitment to this goal or in his efforts to help others be successful.

Date & Place: circa 1971

Comments

Kimberly Saddler

55 favorites

07/24/2023

Stanley Zontek JR

international travel was one of Stanley's hobbies. He was a favorite speaker at international turfgrass conferences. His love for the finer things in life made it easy for him to make friends all over the world.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments