PETERSAN SOCIETY
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Doug was truly beloved by his protégés. 
A dedicated group of them formed the Petersan Society, and for years would meet 
the evening prior to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show to share Petersan 
quips and anecdotes, trying their best to impersonate his unique voice and lilt.
Kyle Hegland recalls a fan favorite is the oft-repeated 
tale of the PD night waterman who once set out 
on his late night/early morning watering tour in 
a light rain. He allegedly returned to Petersan’s 
office soaked to the bone and exclaimed, “I sure 
as heck don’t understand why anyone calls it 
mist. Because none of it mist me!!”
 F I R M  &  F A S T
Golf course designers consistently laud “firm and fast” as a most 
desirable characteristic of a golf course, but what does this actually 
mean for the player? Dave Axland weighs in: “When firm and fast is 
achieved, many possibilities open for golfers to use ground contours 
to help propel the ball toward the target. Shot-making possibilities 
increase dramatically. Bump and run-type shots are now available and 
can, in some instances, provide significantly lower risk options. Golf 
wasn’t meant to be an all-out aerial assault!”
Get in touch with PGA Head Professional John Lanham and the Golf 
Staff if you want to expand your ground game and potentially shave a 
few strokes off your handicap.
Douglas William Petersan
February 15, 1942–April 10, 2023
B.S. in Business, Northeast Nebraska College 1959
Married Rae Jean Moritz 1969 (53 years of marriage)
Fremont (NE) Golf Club 1973–1979
Prairie Dunes Country Club 1980–1991
Prairie Dunes Country Club 1980–1991
Baltimore Country Club 1991–1999
Austin Country Club 2000–2012
Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame 2000
GSCAA Distinguished Service Award 2010
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