Remembering Jim Loke, Musser Board Director

We are saddened by the loss of Musser International Turfgrass Foundation Director, Jim Loke. Jim passed away on December 12, 2023. Jim had served on the Musser Board since 1995.

Jim was born in Montreal, Canada and the family moved to New Jersey in 1960. While in college, he played hockey on the Ohio State University team while getting a BS in Agronomy. After graduation, he became the Assistant Superintendent at the Oakwood Club in Cleveland. He had a brief stint at East Liverpool CC before becoming the assistant and later the superintendent at Firestone CC. Over his seven years at Firestone he hosted seven national televised PGA tournaments.

Jim then went to Quail Hollow CC Resort in Painesville, OH. While there he hosted a Ben Hogan PGA event and two Ohio Opens. After ten years at Quail Hollow, Jim and family moved to Lancaster, PA to complete a new course under construction. He did the grow-in at Bent Creek CC in Lancaster and remained as Superintendent for 20 years, 1992-2022. While there he hosted the Pennsylvania Amateur, Philadelphia Open, Philadelphia Mid-Amateur and the Pennsylvania Open.

Jim mentored 19 interns; among them was Keith Happ who later joined the USGA Greens Section and also served on the Musser Foundation Board.

Jim was President of the Northern Ohio GCSA and the Central Pennsylvania GCSA and served on seven different GCSAA committees and two Ohio Turfgrass Foundation committees over the years. In 2008, he was given the GCSAA Distinguished Service Award.

After his hockey playing days he coached nine different boys’ ice hockey teams in Ohio and Pennsylvania over the years.

Jim lived his life with gusto and was a fierce competitor in sports and life. He was a trusted friend to many and one of my best friends.

He is survived by his wife Karen, daughters Julie and Kristin and granddaughters Margot and Leila.