Episode 103
103 | Aronimink Golf Club: Inside the Preparations for the 2026 PGA Championship
with Dave Stofanik, Joe Kopania and Muhamed “Hamo” Krkbesevic
In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we go behind the ropes at Aronimink Golf Club as the club hosts the PGA Championship. Tyler Bloom sits down with Dave Stofanik, Joe Kopania, and Mohamed “Hamo” Krkbesevic for a candid, ground-level look at what it takes to prepare one of America’s great Donald Ross designs for major championship golf.
From cold-spring agronomy challenges to doubling equipment inventory and orchestrating nearly 100 volunteers, this episode pulls back the curtain on the organized chaos that defines major week at a world-class facility. If you’ve ever wondered what championship-caliber turf preparation actually looks like from the inside, this conversation delivers.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Aronimink’s team navigated a cold, dry spring to peak the course just in time for tournament week, using slow-release fertility programs and aggressive spray schedules.
- Why the team made the deliberate decision to skip fall aerification heading into a major championship winter.
- The strategic course setup decisions for the PGA Championship, including a 554-yard par four on 15 and a bold 280-yard driveable par four on 13.
- How the equipment shop nearly doubles its inventory for major events and why strong communication between the superintendent and equipment manager is the backbone of tournament success.
- What it means to manage 65 to 75 volunteers, from recruitment in the fall to swag bags and steak dinners during championship week.
- Career lessons from Dave Stefanik’s intentional pivot to Aronimink in 2021, knowing the PGA Championship was on the horizon.
- Why Aronimink’s green complexes and par threes are must-watch spots for spectators and golf architecture fans alike.
Links and Resources:
- Aronimink Golf Club: aroniminkgc.org
- Bloom Golf Partners: bloomgolfpartners.com
Let’s make your team your competitive advantage.
Book a call with Bloom Golf Partners and take the first step towards building a world-class team.
Who is Tyler Bloom?
Tyler Bloom is the leading expert on workforce development in the golf and turfgrass industry. He has worked with dozens of leading golf and sports companies in the United States including The PGA of America, Top 100 golf courses, public, municipal to professional sports teams, universities, and national historic landmarks.