Longtime golf course superintendent Richard “Richie” Valentine, died suddenly in his Bryn Mawr, Pa., home May 25 of a heart attack. He was 78 years old.
Valentine served Merion Golf Club from 1963 to 1990 as Green Superintendent,
Valentine was a mentor to other golf course superintendents and was active in the Penn State agronomy program. Its research center – the Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Center - was launched by his father, Joseph Valentine, Sr., who served as Merion’s green superintendent from 1918 to 1962.
During his tenure, Merion hosted two U.S. Open tournaments -- in 1971 and 1981.
Valentine's favorite pastime was deep-sea fishing at the Jersey shore.
Valentine is preceded in death by his wife, Pat. He is survived by his three sons: Richard J., Thomas A., John D., and his four grandchildren: Christopher Richard, Hunter Alexander, Taylor Patrick, and Samuel Thomas. He is also brother of the late Joseph Valentine, Jr., and is survived by his brother Victor M. Valentine and sister, Estelle Patricia DeStefano.
A Funeral Mass will be held on May 31 in Bryn Mawr.
Latest from Golf Course Industry
- From the publisher’s pen: Apathetic to awesome
- Concert Golf Partners acquires Battleground CC
- Bernhard and Company heads to BTME and GCSAA shows
- Fought set to renovate Homestead
- Construction begins at Old Shores
- Perfect perspective
- John Deere increases support of GCSAA Collegiate Turf Bowl
- Plant Fitness to unveil new system
