Rooted in Golf: Luke Murnane

Lutherville, Md. – Growing up around the game of golf, which he was introduced to by his father, Luke Murnane quickly developed a connection to the game that would shape his future. That connection evolved beyond play, as he became fascinated by science, precision, and the craftsmanship behind maintaining the grounds on which the game is played.

With support from the Maryland State Golf Association and the Emmet Gary Scholarship, that early interest has grown into a career path rooted in innovation of the game.

Murnane’s involvement with the game began at the young age of seven when he picked up his first club. He grew up playing golf at Hillendale Country Club (now HCC Country Club) and in local junior tournaments. Murnane also played in high school and played in the state tournament.

Spending hours at the course not only developed his game but also exposed him to the behind-the-scenes work required to maintain it.

“I’d go to the course with my dad, hit balls, putt…then I’d start noticing everything else,” Murnane said. “ I’d see the mowers out, guys hand-watering greens, and I just became really fascinated by those processes.”

Outside of the golf course, even as a kid, he found himself drawn to the outdoors. “I always loved being outside,” Murnane said. “Whether it was trimming bushes at home or just watching how a course was maintained, I was really interested in how everything came together.”

The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point for Murnane. His interest in turf management peaked, and he realized that he might have a career path in the industry.

“At some point, I realized I was more focused on the condition of the course than my own game,” Murnane said. “I’d be thinking about the greens, the fairways…why things looked the way they did. That’s when I knew this was something I wanted to pursue.”

Murnane’s newfound passion for turf management brought him to the University of Maryland. In fact, it was the Emmet Gary Scholarship that influenced him to choose Maryland for his collegiate studies.

“When I was looking at school, not all of them had turfgrass programs,” Murnane said. “The University of Maryland stood out, not just because of the program, but because of the opportunity through the MSGA and the Emmet Gary Scholarship.”

The Emmet Gary Scholarship, which is awarded to University of Maryland students pursuing plant science and turfgrass management, provided both financial support and a direct connection to the state’s golf community.

“Between the program, being close to home, and the scholarship, it really checked every box for me,” Murnane said.

Beyond financial assistance, the scholarship provided Murnane with two equally valuable assets: access to a strong professional network and confidence. 

“It gives you a support system,” Murnane said. “You have this network of people you can reach out to for guidance, advice, or just to learn from. That’s something that’s incredibly valuable, not just during school, but throughout your career.”

That connection to the MSGA helped reinforce that Murnane wasn’t just entering a profession, but he was becoming part of a broader community within the game.

“The MSGA is always there to support you and help you grow, not just in your career, but as a person, “ Murnane added. “The MSGA gives you such diversity in the network of people that you can call and access and get questions answered in times of need. You can say, ‘hey, I’m kind of at a loss here,’ and the MSGA can help provide that guidance that you’re looking for.”

While attending Maryland, Murnane immersed himself in turf grass management. He competed in the ‘Turf Bowl’ twice with his UMD turf management peers, a national collegiate competition testing turf knowledge. In his second visit to the event, Maryland placed second out of 72 participants. He also had the opportunity to visit the Arizona Cardinals’ field during the Turf Bowl and explore the various methods and goals of NFL turf maintenance.

Murnane also completed two internships at Caves Valley Golf Club and participated in the recent renovation of the golf course. He was tasked with spraying and killing the fairways and with installing a new drainline system. Following graduation, Murnane was brought on full-time as an assistant in training.

These experiences reinforced both the technical and operational demands of the profession. It also confirmed that his path lay in turf management.

It was at Caves Valley Golf Club that Murnane began thinking about a new project: Hover Greens. The idea originated from a putting platform that Caves Valley Golf Club used during his time at the facility. Murnane saw an opportunity to improve upon the traditional putting mat and, inspired by both his childhood experiences and his technical knowledge, began designing a dynamic, moving putting surface.

“I had a putting mat growing up, and I remember thinking, ‘it would be really cool if this could move,’” Murnane said. “Through school and work, I started understanding what actually goes into a putting surface, and that helped shape the idea.”

Hover Greens has influences from throughout Murnane’s life. He took a coding class in high school and, over time, began coding for fun, creating code for himself and Hover Greens. His time at Maryland had a major influence on his product, as he drew on his knowledge of the qualities and factors that go into a putting green.

“It’s about helping people visualize putting differently,” Murnane said. “Giving them a way to train their stroke, alignment, and feel in a way they might not have been able to before.”

Now expanding internationally through a partnership with a UK-based company, Hover Greens continues to grow, with Murnane aiming to make the product accessible to both casual and competitive players alike.

A consistent theme throughout Murnane’s journey is the importance of support systems. From professors to industry professionals, especially the MSGA, having people who believe in his path made a measurable difference. That belief didn’t just ease financial pressure; it reinforced his commitment and focus to his passion.

Bernie Najar, Director of Instruction at Caves Valley Golf Club, has been one of the most influential figures in Murnane’s young career. Najar helped guide his transition into turf management. “Bernie gave me a lot of insight into the industry and helped me figure out the path I wanted to take,” Murnane said.

Nick Shemkovitz, Assistant Teaching Professional at Caves Valley Golf Club, was another mentor Murnane pointed to. Murnane assisted Shemkovitz with building club storage shelves and even helped build the putting green that influenced his own for Hover Greens. “All these various projects with Nick created the foundation for a lot of my skills and passion for this business,” Murnane added.

That guidance, combined with the MSGA network, reinforced the value of building relationships within the industry.

Murnane’s advice to current and future scholarship recipients is straightforward: “Use that network,” he said. “There are so many people willing to help. You just have to reach out.”

He also emphasizes the importance of exploration: “Go see different management styles and course styles. I only worked at one course, but I wish I had seen and worked at other courses.”

Starting as a young golfer at Hillendale Country Club, becoming a University of Maryland graduate and MSGA scholar, and emerging as an innovator, Luke Murnane’s journey reflects the long-term impact of opportunity paired with initiative.

“I’ve always loved golf,” Murnane said. “ This is just a different way to be part of it and to give back to the game that gave so much to me.”

The foundation provided by the Emmet Gary Scholarship and a clear vision for the future, Murnane is not only building a career in turf management, but is also helping shape where the industry is headed next.

MSGA Mission

To serve, grow, and advance the game of golf in Maryland and the District of Columbia.