Floyd Young owned Bluffton Golf Course
Floyd A. Young, 77, passed away April 26, 2025, at his home. Floyd was born September 18, 1947 in Tuscon, Arizona to Virgil and Marjorie (Knapp) Young who preceded him in death. On April 22, 1972 he married Drue (Ambrose) Young who survives.
Floyd graduated high school in New Jersey before completing his apprenticeship through the Professional Golf Association (PGA). Floyd spent time in Germany and Japan, between 1967 and 1969, working at different golf courses, playing and perfecting his game. In 1969, he came back to the states where he turned professional and worked at the PGA National in Florida during the winter months. In 1970, he moved to Akron, Ohio and was hired at the Firestone Country Club where he worked as an assistant to Bobby Nickels from 1970 to 1976. During that time, he caddied for Jack Nicklaus during his PGA win in 1971. After moving to Cambridge, Ohio in 1975, he was hired at the Cambridge Country Club as the Head Pro from 1975 to 1989. He played in countless Pro Am Tournaments during this time.
In July of 1989, Floyd and Drue took a leap of faith and bought Bluffton Golf Club in Bluffton, Ohio. Floyd had taken what most people believed to be a "goat track" and transformed the course into what it is today; a lush, green, beautifully maintained golf course with quick greens and multiple cuts of grass. Bluffton had always been Floyd's "baby," priding himself on being a family owned and operated business from the beginning. In December of 2009, Floyd and his family took another leap of faith and purchased what is now Hidden Creek Golf Club. Floyd and his son, Luke, turned Hidden Creek into one of the top notch golf courses in the area, with no other golf courses in the area with fairways like it. He used the motto "If you can't do it perfect, then do better!" for himself, his family, his courses and his staff. Floyd has continued over the years to support the youth golf programs, such as Lima Junior golf, as well as providing the home course to several schools in the area, continuing to promote the unending love he had for this game. Floyd dedicated his life not only to the game of golf, but to his family, who he loved above all else.
He is survived by his wife, Drue Young of Bluffton; two children, Wendy (Mike Baker) Young of Bluffton and Luke (Kerry Shaurer) Young of Bluffton; seven grandchildren, Mara Drue (Ty Webb) Minnig of Bluffton, Ryanne (Dillon Belcher) Miller of Dayton, Micah Minnig of Bluffton, Kizer Young of Bluffton, Maddie Shaurer of Bluffton, Stella Young of Bluffton, and Brooks Shaurer of Bluffton; one great-grandson, Rez Lincoln Webb of Bluffton; one sister, Bonnie (Tim) Gauthier of Canal Fulton, OH; one sister-in-law, Denise Hilbert of Akron; many nieces and nephews, and special friend, Mike Minnig.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services - Bluffton. A private service will be held along with a burial in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to "Floyd Young Memorial Fund" to be used in support of high school golf athletes, as a scholarship.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com/
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