Background
Toftrees was designed by Ed Ault, an architect whose name is associated with many golf courses built in central Pennsylvania during the 1960s and 70s. The back nine at Toftrees were constructed on open farm land in the late 60s, while the front nine holes were cut out of adjacent forest land a few years later. Typically, the greens were built in not-so-strict accordance with USGA Green Section specifications. Shortly after construction, Toftrees was purchased by Phil Sieg, a local businessman, and Alex Gregory of Durham, North Carolina. Initially developed as a resort golf course, the owners promoted memberships within the surrounding residential community. In 1985, Gregory bought out his partner and became sole owner of the golf course, hotel, and other facilities, collectively known as Toftrees. Marriott Golf has the contract for operating the golf course and Darrin Helfrick, a Marriott employee, currently serves as the Director of Golf. While technically in charge of the operation, Helfrick doesn't really run the golf course. The responsibility for golf turf management is within the province of the golf course superintendent, Louis Morgan, who reports directly to the owner.
Lou Morgan grew up on a golf course, Alliance Country Club, in Alliance, Ohio, where his family had membership. Lou loved golf and played as often as his schedule allowed. He also worked as a member of the maintenance crew after school and during summer vacations, beginning with the summer following 10th grade, and he continued to work there through high school and college. After completing his degree in education at Bowling Green University in 1971, Lou realized that he didn't want to teach; instead, he wanted to manage a golf course. So following one more summer at Alliance Country Club, he enrolled in the two-year Technical Program in Turfgrass Management (now the "Golf Turf Management Program") at Penn State University. Between his first and second years in the program, he interned at Merion Country Club in 1972, then returned as an assistant superintendent for two seasons following graduation in 1973. Lou became superintendent at Lulu Country Club in Philadelphia in 1975 and stayed for two seasons. In the fall of 1976, he accepted his current position as superintendent at Toftrees.