As the staff at Oak Hill Country Club, outside of Rochester, NY prepares for the PGA Championship under the leadership of Jeff Corcoran, there is a smile on Bob Emmon's face. Mr. Emmons as we all knew him was the turfgrass professor for almost 30 years at the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, in Cobleskill, NY.--try and google that place!

"Coby" is a small place where some of the best golf course superintendents and greenkeepers have learned their craft. I know about this place as I am proud to call myself one of the early Coby graduates (1982) before it morphed into a four-year program, I received my Associates Degree in Agronomy.

Corcoran will join a long and growing list of superintendents who have hosted Majors. Mark Michaud at Pebble Beach and Shinnecock, Craig Currier at Bethpage twice, Russ Meyers at Southern Hills, and now Corcoran at Oak Hill. These Coby Guys all mastered their craft and navigated the terrain required to lead a staff and maintain a Championship golf course in the spotlight.

The cool thing about the fame and glory for a small program is our shared experience with the most humble, honest, caring and forthright guy I have known in my 30 years of being in the business. Bob may not even watch the tournament since he is retired to Maine and busy running the local post office on Saturday, tutoring Math in the local school, teaching gardening to the blue-haired ladies group, or being a big brother.

Bob was the 2003 recipient of the GCSAA's Distinguished Service Award but still considers his student's achievements his greatest honor. Quietly and persistently Bob was always their for us to chat about turf or our lives in his little messy office next to the greenhouse range.

I know Jeff will have thoughts of Bob, as did Mark, Craig, and Russ when he steps into the spotlight next week. All of us Coby Guys and Gals should share in the limelight as well and as usual Bob will be standing behind us always ready to lend a helping hand.