For a man who's made his living in the dirt, Ken Mangum has a million-dollar smile. And he seems to wear it 24/7. Why shouldn't he? For parts of the past five decades, Mangum has helped redefine what it means to be an ambassador for his profession. Director of golf courses and grounds at Atlanta Athletic Club since 1998, Mangum has dedicated his career to pleasing members and customers, cultivated a legacy that includes dozens of former employees who have gone on to become superintendents, and further shared his knowledge by speaking and teaching to colleagues and future superintendents at industry events throughout the country and around the world. He has promoted the benefits of university research and even dabbled in golf course architecture.
Mangum, 61, announced Wednesday that he will retire in May, bringing to an end a career that began in 1973 as an intern for Palmer Maples Jr. at The Standard Club in Atlanta. He is to be inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in January at AAC.
Mark Hoban, superintendent at Rivermont Country Club in Atlanta, interned with Mangum at The Standard Club. He recognized early on that his colleague had what it took to be a rising star.
"Ken rose quickly in turfgrass management due to his passion for excellence and an affinity to seek, connect and learn from people that were industry leaders," Hoban said.
Not one to forget where he came from, Mangum has been a fixture as a speaker at regional, chapter and national meetings; assistant workshops; and other industry events ever since, even though he also is accountable for daily playing conditions at one of Atlanta's most high-profile private clubs.
"He's always been giving of his time and knowledge. He's always making new friends and willing to do something for someone else," said Mike Crawford, CGCS at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia and a Mangum protege. "What other legacy could you want other than to be known for helping others?"
Crawford worked for Mangum from 1990 to 1995, first as an assistant superintendent and later as superintendent of Atlanta Athletic Club's highly regarded Highlands Course. During that span, Mangum designed and built AAC's par-3 course.
"He not only did things at the club to make it successful and be a world-class facility and host for major championships, but he also felt a responsibility outside the club to the profession," Crawford said. "You can see that in the 50-plus superintendents who once worked for him. It shows he took his role outside the club seriously."
For Mangum, giving back to his peers has been about helping to elevate the status of the golf course superintendent profession and educate the industry's next generation, traits he says were instilled in him by Maples.
"Palmer Maples Jr. was a great mentor to me and lifelong friend. He set a great example on how to treat people and help enhance our profession through education," Mangum said. "I always wanted our profession to receive the recognition we deserve for what we do for the game of golf. I also really enjoy helping people be successful. I am so proud of the over 50 young men who have worked with me over the years and moved on to have successful careers on their own. Pass it on!"
A true renaissance man of the turf maintenance industry, Mangum also has been one of its pioneers. He oversaw a revival of AAC that included regrassing bentgrass greens with Champion ultradwarf Bermudagrass and the fairways with Zeon zoysia in preparation for the 2011 PGA Championship, the fifth national championship held at the club during his tenure there. He also has worked closely through the years with University of Georgia researchers on various trials, including new cultivar evaluations, firmness studies and weed-control research, and has made those areas available for inspection for anyone who wants to see them, said Clint Waltz, Ph.D., University of Georgia professor and extension specialist.
"The University of Georgia turf team always valued his input. He is an innovator who valued new ideas and concepts that come out of university research," Waltz said. "This is bittersweet. I'm happy and proud for him. But, we're going to miss him. He has been an excellent ambassador for the game and the profession."
The true benefactors of his desire to better himself and those around him include members at AAC and the pros and top amateurs who play there during the five major championships that have been held there during the Mangum era.
His work drew the attention of TV's David Feherty, who stopped by the maintenance facility after the 2011 PGA to commend Mangum and his staff for playing conditions during the tournament, especially in the fairways. Feherty's thoughts were captured on video
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"I have never in my life, not at Augusta, not anywhere else, seen fairways like this," Feherty said in the video. "These are better than anything I ever putted on on the European Tour -- and they're quicker as well.
"This golf course is as perfect as anything I've seen in the 16 years that I've been broadcasting."
An avid outdoorsman, Mangum says he plans to do a lot of fishing during his next adventure, as well as spend time with family, promoting the benefits of zoysiagrass to other superintendents and, of course, helping colleagues wherever and whenever he can.
"I owe my career to him, because he gave me a chance," said Crawford.
"When I think of Ken, I think of a true Southern gentleman. I hope others see that as well. With Ken, what you see is what you get."