Charles (Charlie) Pribble was ahead of his time – plain and simple.

With stops as Head Golf Superintendent at Quincy (Illinois) Country Club, Sunnyside Country Club and Airport National Golf Course, Pribble always had time to help his fellow superintendent, regardless of their location.

“He mentored numerous young men who also became first class superintendents,” Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Steve Tyler said. “Being very innovative, I believe Charlie was the first to ever grind the back of a greens mower bed knife off to get to a .10 inch cutting height. Toro, Jacobsen and others then saw the need for this and began to manufacture them for general use. He also took a poorly-constructed SunnysideCountry Club (in Waterloo) and made it into one of the best in Iowa.”

Pribble was also an irrigation expert, being one of the first to understand the hydraulics of irrigation and system design. He designed many systems and advised on numerous irrigation projects for other superintendents.

“I will always believe that my career was shaped very strongly by the hours I spent talking with Charlie in those first days as a Superintendent,” former Iowa Turfgrass Institute Executive Director Jeff Wendel said. “Charlie spared his time without expectation or payment.”

Pribble, who was the IGCSA President in 1979, Superintendent of the Year in 1984 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2007 and Meritorious Service Award in 2008, was truly a one-of-a-kind superintendent.

“No matter how unorthodox or out of the box his methods might have been, he got the job done with the money and budget he had to work with,” Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Rick Tegtmeier said. Iowa PGA Section Executive Director Greg Mason may of said it best in regards to Pribble. “Pribble’s accomplishments cannot just be placed on a piece of paper,” Mason said.

“Talk with the people that have served with him in association work or like me as a friend and colleague in the game of golf, work and life. We all saw it first hand. Whether he was yelling at you or laughing at you, you always knew he was pulling for you to succeed. There is no telling how many people ‘Pribbs’ has touched in his profession in terms of wisdom and guidance on items related to their facilities.”

Mr. Pribble passed away on Nov. 18, 2020. He was 78 years old.

• Believed to be the first to ever grind the back of a greens mower bed knife off to get to a .10 inch cutting height. Toro, Jacobsen and others then saw the need for this and began to manufacture them for general use thanks to Pribble.
• An irrigation expert, being one of the first to understand the hydraulics of irrigation and system design. He designed many systems and advised on numerous irrigation projects for other superintendents
• IGCSA President in 1979
• Superintendent of the Year in 1984
• Was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2007
• Awarded Meritorious Service Award in 2008