Callery announced as new superintendent at LaFortune Park

Keith Callery, who has experience at a rich variety of courses in Oklahoma and Missouri, has been tasked with restoring LaFortune Park in Tulsa to its normal place of public course prominence as the new superintendent.

Tulsa County Parks Director Matt Hancock announced today that Callery, who most recently was the superintendent at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Joplin, has accepted the post at the course that this summer was named to the Oklahoma Golf Trail, but also one that has struggled with a variety of maintenance issues over the past few years.

“We are thrilled to welcome Keith to the Tulsa County Parks team,” Hancock said. “His education, extensive experience, and proven leadership in golf course management will help us build on the tradition of excellence at LaFortune Park while continuing to elevate the playing experience for our community.”

Callery brings more than 20 years of golf course management experience and a lifelong commitment to Oklahoma’s unique climate and playing conditions. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Horticulture with a Turf Management option from Oklahoma State University, following early studies at the University of Central Oklahoma and Carl Albert State College.

In addition to Eagle Creek, Callery has worked at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Spring Creek Ranch in Collierville, Tenn,, Oaks Country Club in Tulsa, Emerald Falls Golf Club in Broken Arrow Muskogee Golf Club and Cherokee Springs Golf Course in Tahlequah.

As a lifelong Oklahoma resident, Callery has experience managing the challenges and opportunities presented by the state’s transition zone climate. His expertise in adapting turf practices to changing conditions will result in consistent, high-quality playing surfaces for golfers year-round, Hancock said.

“Im thrilled to join the team at LaFortune Park as the new superintendent,” Callery said. “LaFortune has such a rich history and a special place in the hearts of golfers across Tulsa. I can’t wait to build on that legacy with exciting improvements and a fresh vision for the future. We invite golfers of all ages and skill levels to come experience The Park and see what makes it such a beloved destination.”

LaFortune Park Golf Course, a 36-hole public facility featuring both an 18-hole championship course and a lighted 18-hole par-3 course, continues to be one of the most popular golf destinations in Oklahoma, hosting over 90,000 rounds annually.

The previous superintendent was released in July as the course battled through issues including bunkers that are overdue for rebuilding, drainage and erosion issues caused by record rainfalls and harder to understand issues such as lack of weed control and a lack of alacrity in replacing areas damaged by winter kill.

Conditions have rebounded considerably in the past two months as Hancock has personally reported to work with the maintenance crews at dawn, getting a feel for the issues and solutions.

Hancock said the dedication and leadership of first assistants Robert Wagner and Peter Gravely over the past few months has helped the course turn the corner.