Stanley Zontek

Posted on Tuesday, 28th August 2012

It is with regret that we have been informed of the death of BIGGA member Stanley Zontek, director of the USGA Green Section’s Mid-Atlantic region, at the age of 63, after suffering a heart attack.

Stanley was the son of a golf course superintendent – playing his first round aged just five - and graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Agronomy and Turfgrass Management.

He became one of the most respected agronomists within the industry and was a frequent speaker at BTME as well as other seminars in the UK and worldwide where he delighted audiences with his knowledge and enthusiasm. One of his more unusual responsibilities was maintaining the putting green at the White House.

He also received many awards including the GCSAA Distinguished Service Award, the GCBAA Don Rossi Humanitarian Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Penn State – recognising his outstanding lifelong contribution to greenkeeping.

Everyone at BIGGA would like to extend their deepest condolences to Stanley’s family and friends at this sad time.