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.



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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.