The Bulletin continues its regular offseason Tee To Green feature in which we introduce to readers a Central Oregon golf professional or other notable member of the local golf community. This week, meet Shan Hartford, a superintendent at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond since 2004.

Hartford grew up in Sisters, but he did not grow up playing golf. His introduction to the sport did not occur until college.

Hartford studied at Western Oregon University to become a school teacher, and in 1988 he began working at Black Butte Ranch as a summer job. Little did he know then that he was starting a new career.

He took classes in turf management at Central Oregon Community College while working full time at Black Butte Ranch as an assistant superintendent.

In 1999 Eagle Crest hired Hartford as an assistant superintendent. And in 2004, he was promoted to be the superintendent at Eagle Crest’s Resort Course, one of three tracks at the Redmond facility.

Two months ago, Hartford was named superintendent for all three Eagle Crest courses.

Q: What led you into the golf business?

A: Working in the summers (at Black Butte Ranch), I loved being outside. And the setting I was in at that time at Black Butte Ranch was spectacular. And the opportunity to be able to pursue that as far as being outside on a consistent basis and being around a sport I loved (was too good to pass up).

Q: Have you ever thought about moving from Central Oregon?

A: Not really. My wife teaches for the Redmond School District and we love the area. So, no, not really.

Q: What is something most golfers don’t know about your job?

A: The amount of work that goes into maintaining the greens and keeping them healthy. Most people don’t realize the heights we mow our greens at. The big thing we are trying to do here (at Eagle Crest) is we’re trying get away from any type of pesticide application and to maintain healthier greens to keep them from any type of disease activity.

Q: How much golf do you play?

A: About once a week. I’m about a 13 (handicap) or 14 right now.

Q: What is your lowest score ever?

A: Seventy-nine at Black Butte Ranch’s Big Meadow (course). That would have been about 1994.

Bio Box

Name: Shan Hartford

Birth date: April 17, 1968

Residence: Redmond

Birthplace: Bend

Family: Wife, Jamie; son, Trey (10); daughter, Averi (7)

Education: Western Oregon University, Central Oregon Community College

Special interests: Coaching youth sports