Keeper of the Greens

About the Book

Larry Runyon has lived a life that Horatio Alger would be proud of. Consider this: Larry contracted polio at age two and a half; as part of his therapy, he walked several miles each day and soon discovered golf and became a sensation, traveling the country playing in junior golf tournaments; in his teens he discovered a love for flying and crop dusting; at age 18 he married his high school sweetheart; he turned pro and became a greens keeper at the same course in Coffeeville, Kansas; he began a journey that would take him to the highest echelons of golf course maintenance and make his name (as well as his trademark crew cut) known wherever superintendents gather; along the way he encountered some rather interesting individuals in country clubs, pubs, race tracks and industry. While Larry was, and is, an excellent golfer, he is best known for his innovations in course maintenance, particularly his work in replacing dangerous chemicals with harmless biological agents. Always entertaining and sometimes hilarious, this is his story. As someone once said, “You burr headed bastard, it’s all your fault!” Larry couldn’t agree more.

About the Author

Polio victim, junior golf champion, professional golfer, teaching pro, greens keeper, course superintendent, inventor… Larry Runyon. To say he has led an interesting life is massive understatement. Today he lives with his wife of over 40 years in Las Cruces, New Mexico, plays golf and tells tall tales.