102 | Building Turf Leaders at Merion with Paul Latshaw and Alex Bonini

From Leadership on the Links by Tyler Bloom

May 7, 2026 · 57 min · Episode 102

About this episode

This episode features a discussion with Paul Latshaw and Alexander Bonini about building a culture of excellence in turf management at Merion Golf Club.

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with two of the most respected figures at one of golf's most iconic clubs, Paul Latshaw, Director of Golf Course Operations at Merion Golf Club, and Golf Course Superintendent, Alexander Bonini, to dig into what it really takes to build a culture of excellence in turf management. From Merion's legendary impact on the turf industry to the hands-on mentorship philosophy that has shaped careers across the country, Paul and Alex share the principles behind one of the most admired grounds programs in the game. We also get into the evolving role of the superintendent as both a field agronomist and organizational leader, and what may be the most pressing staffing challenge the industry faces. Whether you're an intern just entering the field, an assistant looking to take the next step, or a club leader trying to build a winning team, this conversation is packed with insights you won't find anywhere else. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Merion Golf Club has functioned like a "teaching hospital" for the turf industry, developing generations of superintendents, assistants, and professionals who've gone on to lead elite clubs…

People in this episode

Host: Tyler Bloom

Guests: Paul Latshaw, Alexander Bonini

Topics covered

turf management
golf course operations
staff culture
mentorship
superintendent roles

Keywords

turf management
golf course superintendent
staff culture
mentorship
Merion Golf Club

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Merion Golf Club, turf industry