The 19th Hole: Nate Maurer

Nate Maurer
Director of agronomy //  Jacksonville (Fla.) G&CC

Nate, what are you having? Let’s do a Tito’s and soda water.

Tell me about Jacksonville G&CC. We’re a private club, 18 holes. It’s a great place, I’ve been there nine years. We’ve got a renovation coming up in 2027, a full golf course renovation and some clubhouse stuff coming up in the next couple years. So, there’s a lot of moving parts coming up in the next little bit.

How did you make your way into the golf course maintenance business? Random, man — the classifieds. I just picked up a job. This industry was never anything in my scope. I’ve got a criminal justice degree and did a year of civil engineering and then wandered my way into turfgrass.

What’s the best thing about having your job? It’s different, every single day. You get to work and interact with great people and just have a good time and have fun on the golf course.

What’s the oldest thing in the shop that has taken a beating but still gets out there and gets the job done? Besides myself? Probably an old school cup cutter, the foot-pedal cutter. But I like old school, I think those things are nostalgic. Take my pocketknife, I’m still one of those guys that loves a pocketknife, taking a core, look at the soil, just getting in there.

What teams do you root for? New England, those are my professional teams all across the board. I’m born and raised Irish Catholic, so I’m a Notre Dame fan. And I got my turf degree from Georgia, so I’m a Bulldog too.

Do you have an all-time golf highlight? I once volunteered for a Legends of Golf event. I saw Chi-Chi Rodríguez, Arnold Palmer, all those guys were there. It was awesome, man, just walking around, checking those dudes out and running with the old school of golf.

Next time I’m in Jacksonville, what do I have to do? Go to St. Augustine. I think St. Augustine is getting to be like a Charleston, as far as the food. Grab some food at a restaurant called the Saint; it’s amazing. Just go down there and hang out. It’s a good spot to be.

Tell me about your family, and what do you all do for fun? I’m married, going on 23 years now, and we have two boys, an 18-year-old (Mason) and a 15-year-old (Bradley). We like to fish. My oldest is now taking up golf, he loves to do that. We try to do that Fridays or get out in the boat, mess around. So we’re either on the water or doing something fun. They keep me busy, and Mary-Eileen and I are very proud of our boys. My oldest is now doing an apprenticeship for plumbing. They’re great, awesome kids. 

As interviewed by Seth Jones, Dec. 11, 2025.

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