Douglas Petersan

It is rare when a small-town kid grows up to become a nationally sought-after expert in any field of endeavor. But Stanton, Nebraska, native Douglas Petersan has done just that while gaining a reputation as one of the nation’s most respected golf course superintendents.

With more than 35 years of experience, Petersan is especially recognized for the ability he has shown to solve complex turf grass problems at every course which he has cared.

Doug has also been instrumental in the professional development of at least 22 individuals who later became course superintendents in Nebraska — and throughout the country — after working under him.

Following graduation from Stanton High School and the University of Nebraska, Doug was hired in 1966 to maintain Pioneers Golf Course in Lincoln.

Three years later he left the state for the first time to take over as superintendent at Chicago Golf Club, but after five years he returned to serve the Fremont Golf Club.

In 1980 he was offered the job at one of the nation’s premier courses, the Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas. During his 10 years there, the club hosted four United States Golf Association national championships.

Up to that period of time in his career, Doug had been the Superintendent of the Year and the president of both the Nebraska and Kansas Golf Course Superintendents Associations.

In 1991 Petersan was hired away from Prairie Dunes by the Baltimore Country Club, a 36-hole facility. In the summer of 1999, Ben Crenshaw, who was the driving force behind the design and construction of the new Austin Country Club, convinced Doug to move to Texas and oversee the development of that complex from the outset. The course opened in 2000 and has recently hosted the WGC World Match Play Championship.

Despite being in demand nationally, Petersan has never forgotten his Nebraska roots. Doug served as a consultant for two of Nebraska’s most noted courses – The Firethorn Golf Club in Lincoln and the Sand Hills Golf Course in Mullen.