Robert Ross DePencier

Born in November 1936 in Detroit, Michigan to Ross Wallace and Helen DePencier, (Bob) was drawn to horticulture and landscaping at an early age. He attended Michigan State University and graduated from the newly formed Nursery and Horticulture Management program in 1956 which years later became one of the leading athletic turf grass schools in the country. Shortly after finishing school, his father through connections with Henry Ford introduced him to big band leader Fred Waring who hired him as Superintendent of the golf course at Shawnee Country Club. There was an ongoing vintage legend that his mother, Helen, played with a lady’s group at Shawnee that included Arnold Palmer’s first wife Winnie. From Shawnee, Bob took the Superintendent position at Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, New York and then went on to manage the two courses at Westchester Country Club in Harrison, New York where he became well known on the professional tour for his highly manicured west course. The Winnie Palmer fable may not be completely accurate but there must have been some connection with Bob’s father as Arnold always spent time with Bob’s father when in town for the Westchester Classic and was quite influential in pulling most of the tour players with him after the Wednesday Pro Am to go to Bob’s house for his annual pre tourney party.

During the weekend of the 1976 Westchester Classic, The President of Pinehurst Country Club and Diamondhead Realty caught Bob’s ear and offered him the lead Superintendent roll over their five courses and the opportunity to help build the 6th course designed by George and Tom Fazio that opened in 1979. His career finally brought him to Clearwater Florida where he managed the course at Feather Sound for a short time before launching Clearwater Turf, a course consultancy working with several high-end resort golf courses including those of Chi Chi Rodriguez. Bob also launched Southern Lawn Equipment, a local lawn care supply and repair store in Clearwater. Bob loved the game of golf, horses, fishing, creative landscaping, and hosting friends for social events. He was also a avid Tampa Bucs and Rays fan. Most of all, he loved Clearwater Beach and always wanted to spend more time there.

Bob is survived by his wife Susan of Clearwater, Florida, his daughter Dawn of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and his son Ross and his wife Debbie of Calabash, North Carolina. He is also survived by Susan’s son Jason, his wife Popy, and their two sons Yanni and Zane of Trinity, Florida.