Oak Tree National names Rob Land as new director of golf
By Ken MacLeod
In leaving his post as general manager at Karsten Creek to become the Director of Golf at Oak Tree National in Edmond, Rob Land is not only returning to his roots as an Edmond native but following a path familiar to his new boss Tom Jones.
Jones, Oak Tree president and chief operating officer, ran Karsten Creek between stints at the Golf Club of Oklahoma and The Blessings in northwest Arkansas before coming to Oak Tree National in May of 2013. Land has been at the Stillwater mecca of Cowboy golf for what will be 12 years on Aug. 1.
“This is just a great opportunity for me,” Land said today. “I’ve known Tom for a few years and with Steve (Kimmel) retiring it just opened up a great opportunity for me. Growing up here, knowing the history and tradition of the place and the culture it’s just an iconic place in Oklahoma golf.”
Land, who attended Edmond Memorial, trailed Scott Verplank around Oak Tree when he won the U.S. Amateur in 1984. He was a forecaddie on the first hole in the 1988 PGA Championship.
Since becoming a PGA professional in 1985, Land has worked as an assistant at Adios Golf Club in Coconut Creek, Fla., then The Club at Las Campanas in Santa Fe., NM. Prior to Karsten Creek he was the head professional at The Stock Farm in Hamilton, Montana for 11 years.
“We’re very pleased and excited to have Rob join our staff,” Jones said. “He brings exactly what we need in the areas of high-end customer service, knowledge of the industry and expertise in all areas.”
Land is leaving Karsten Creek shortly before an extensive renovation led by architect Andrew Green will keep the course closed for up to 18 months beginning in October. Green received plaudits throughout the golf world last week for his recent work on Oak Hill in Rochester, site of the 2023 PGA Championship.
“I’m super excited to see how that comes out,” Land said. “What Andrew Green has done at Oak Hill and Congressional is amazing. You will not find a better architect.”