Clarksburg County Club has hired a new director of golf and superintendent. The 18th hole at the club is shown. Courtesy photo.
Clarksburg Country Club announced, in a news release last week, the retirement of longtime employee Fred Swisher at the end of the 2021 season. With over three decades of experience at the golf facility, Swisher has been a staple at the club. He began as the golf professional and was later promoted to general manager. Current Director of Golf Doug Comer said that Swisher’s involvement with the club will be hard to replace.
“Fred (Swisher) has given the club over half of his life, and they owe him a great deal of gratitude for what he has done to build the club to what it is today. He has been a mentor to me and if I can speak for everyone, he will be missed,” said Comer.
The club did not have to look very far for a replacement superintendent. Brady Hatch of Morgantown has ties to the area, and his experience as an assistant superintendent has made the transition smooth. Swisher has been kept on for consulting on the course with Hatch and this has also made the transition more seamless.
“We are seeing a lot of great things since Hatch took over,” said Comer. “What has been great to see is the transition and the team that has come along to help make the course the best it can be. With our chemical rep and our licensed spray consultants, Hatch has a strong game plan to carry the torch that Swisher carried over the last 20 years.”
Hatch, who has been on the job since the winter, already has been using his resources to save the club money, which is essential in the golf industry, according to the news release. There is a budget that needs to be met and finding ways to stay under the number is just another responsibility added to the primary goal of keeping the course in pristine condition, which he has accomplished to date.
The club also announced that Doug Comer will assume a bigger role at the club beginning this season. As the tournament coordinator and teaching professional, Comer has worked for 12 years holding those responsibilities. But the promotion has added a few more duties to his position.
“Doug will be our new Director of Golf,” said Andrew Givens, golf committee chair. “And we are excited with what he brings along with that position. He will work along with our committee in developing membership, creating a golf schedule and recruitment of outside golf functions. And with his longevity here at the club, the transition has been pretty smooth so far.”
“I am grateful to have had some great bosses while in the golf industry and Swisher has been one of the most influential to where I am today,” said Comer. “And to now have the chance to carry his torch is a true blessing to be in this position. The membership here has been really good to me and now I can leave my footprint on the success of the club.”
Clarksburg Country Club, designed in 1912, is an 18-hole golf facility nestled around the hills of southern Harrison County and along the West Fork River. With a full-sized pool, tennis, basketball court and playground area, the club has all the offerings of a family-oriented club and just minutes from home. With competitive membership pricing, Clarksburg Country Club can be your vacation weekend spot throughout the summer.
