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2024 ATA BOARD MEMBERS Kip Clark Christopher “Kip” Clark’s love for the outdoors led him to a career in golf course management. Kip’s course experience started at a young age working on a course maintenance crew during his summer breaks in high school. He went on to spend time studying Agriculture at Mississippi State University before finishing with an Associate of Agricultural Sciences from Holmes Community College in Goodman, MS. Kip completed his internship working on one of the Southeast’s most acclaimed golf courses at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, Peal River Resort, in Philadelphia, MS. Kip has been in golf course management for nearly 10 years and made the move to Alabama in 2016. He was the Assistant Superintendent at Inverness Country Club in Birmingham until 2022, where he served on the AGCSA Board as their Assistant Representative. Kip now works for Daviscapes in Birmingham. Outside of work, Kip and his Wife Abby have a new baby boy, Lundy. He loves hunting, fishing, music, Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Graham Simmons Graham Simmons graduated from Auburn University in 2012 and has been in sod production since graduating. He is the Director of Turfgrass Operations for Woerner Farms and oversees sod production in south Alabama and north Florida.
Zach Willard Zach Willard came to Auburn after serving as the Athletic Grounds Manager at the University of South Alabama in Mobile for two years. There, he directed the daily operation of the athletic turf management program and grounds for the Jaguars. Zach began his career in turfgrass at Auburn as a student employee before being hired full time in 2008 to manage the Auburn football practice fields. He held that role for almost four full football seasons before moving to Ohio to finish his degree. While a student at Ohio State, he held a seasonal internship at Huntington Park, home of the Columbus Clippers (AAA-Indians). In addition, he was a grounds specialist within the Ohio State Department of Athletics. Throughout his career, Zach has volunteered at many events, including the Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament as well as multiple NCAA Division I Baseball Regional and Super Regional tournaments. Zach is married to Kendra Willard of Fertile, Minn., and has two daughters, Madelyn and Elsie.
Al ab ama Tu rf Tim es > >> Wint er 2024
Robert Mitchell Robert was born and raised in Louisville, Mississippi which is only thirty minutes south of Starkville. He became interested in the turfgrass business early because he had two uncles who were superintendents in Alabama – Philip, and Patrick Hindman, both of whom are well known to those involved in the turfgrass industry here. In pursuit of a degree in golf course operations, Robert attended Lake City Community College in Lake City, Florida where he got his degree in 2010. While earning his degree, Robert interned at Farm Links in 2008 and later at the Country Club of Birmingham in 2009 where he was available to participate in the renovation of the West Course. Robert returned to Farm Links in 2010 as an assistant to Mark Langner. Robert succeeded Mark as superintendent there when Mark left several years ago. Outside of work Robert loves to hunt and enjoys the golf course when he can.
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