Del Val student helping to get Baltusrol ready for PGA

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. - Nathan Horvath wakes up every morning at 3:45. He's at work about an hour later for his first shift of the day, which ends maybe five hours later. Following a break, he's back on the golf course by 4 in the afternoon. He'll finally finish up around 10:30. The next day, it's the same thing all over again. Just in case, he's also on call basically round-the-clock.

And he wouldn't swap places with anyone.

The junior-to-be at Doylestown's Delaware Valley University is getting free dormitory housing, free food, free PGA Championship shirts and hats, a decent paycheck and an up-close glimpse into the final major of the golf season.

"I like being outside and working hard," Horvath, who lives just outside Stone Harbor, N.J., said Tuesday. "I like to see the progress in everything as it shapes up together . . .

"I like seeing the sun rise and the sun set."

Then he's certainly chosen the right path.

Horvath is one of 14 people from all over the country interning this summer at Baltusrol Golf Club. It's his second year here, thanks to his adviser, professor Dr. Doug Linde, who knew Mark Kuhns, the man in charge of the grounds crew. A Turf Management major, Horvath is doing this for credit as part of his school's Experience360 Program, which is designed to prepare students to solve problems by integrating classroom knowledge with real-world experience.

His goal? To be a superintendent at a course near his home someday. But first, he's amongst a group that includes 40 crew members and 75 volunteers whose only charge is to make sure this week makes Baltusrol proud.

Even when heavy rain hits the area, as happened Monday night.

"You go through your routine, one day at a time," Horvath said. "(The bad weather's) not an obstacle. It's just another route you have to go. We couldn't cut the tees or fairways this morning. Everyone was on the bunkers . . . I'm (usually) a roller (on the greens), since I'm a big guy."

He has family and friends coming to the tournament, but he figures he might get to talk to them for all of 10 minutes or so before he has to return to do his stuff.

"They're really into golf," he said. "They're proud of me."

Horvath used to golf a lot at Cape May Tech High. Could shoot around 40 for nine holes. Now he obviously doesn't get the chance to play much. But that's OK. He gets to "interact" with the best golfers on the planet. And that's more than enough.

"I was decent, nothing like these guys," he smiled. "You don't have to be good to play. They're just normal guys who can really hit the ball."

On a course he's helped prepare.

"The number one thing is attention to detail," Horvath summarized. "We all have our role. It's mostly about putting your head down and getting it done. We're two weeks out from being tournament-ready at all times. All we have to do is grow the rough out and dry the greens out.

"I don't care how fast it is. I just want it to be fair for everyone. It doesn't matter if they shoot 40-under (par) or 40-over.

"I'm lucky to be here. Your resume can look great, but you have to prove yourself. I like to think dreams don't work unless you do."

@mikekerndn