Talking Ocean Organics with Ryan Merriman/Superintendent at East Hampton Golf Club in Amagansett, NY
Wow!! This is exciting, writing the first article for Ocean’s first newsletter. As part of our newsletter, we felt it would be important to talk with superintendents about their experiences, their journey in life and in our industry and, of course, Ocean Organics.
Our first article will focus on Ryan Merriman. Ryan is the superintendent at East Hampton Golf Club on the East End of Long Island. The climate and the agronomic conditions on the East End can be challenging to say the least with the sandy soils and the wind.
About Ryan:
Ryan grew up in Douglassville, PA in Berks County which is about 45 miles north of Philadelphia. He fell in love with the game of golf at an early age getting his first set of sticks at the age of 10.
Ryan’s first “golf” job was at nearby Arrowhead GC. He worked on the maintenance crew after school and during the summer months. “Of course, your first job is string trimming,” Ryan laughed, “but before long I was cutting greens. Arrowhead didn’t have a big crew but the older guys took me under their wing. I loved it.”
When it came time to think about college, Ryan’s mom Jill worked diligently with Ryan to help him decide what he wanted to major in. “I saw that I could make a good living as a golf course superintendent. It’s what I had a passion for. My parents were supportive so I enrolled at Penn State in the Turfgrass program,” Ryan recalled.
The internships that every turf student completes as part of his or her education are crucial in so many ways and Ryan took full advantage. While still a senior in high school he interned at Quaker Ridge GC in Scarsdale with Mike Dachowski. It was in 2006 and Ryan was able to visit the course down the street, Winged Foot, and be part of the US Open.
From there it was on to Liberty National in NJ with Greg James and later Trump National in NY with Ryan Batz. “You learn a lot during your internships and it forms you. Mike, Greg, and Ryan taught me some invaluable lessons.”
After securing his Bachelor of Science degree, Ryan’s first AIT job was at Hollywood GC in NJ working for Mike Broome. “I spent a year at Hollywood. Towards the end of the season I received a call about a First Assistant’s position being open at East Hampton. I wasn’t sure I was ready for it but I went for it anyway,” Ryan laughed, “and I got it.”
Ryan stepped into the superintendent’s position in 2014. And, it must have been fate that guided him to East Hampton because that is where he met his future wife Caitlin. Caitlin and Ryan welcomed their little girl Scarlett into the world in 2019. She’ll be 2 in July.
