In the mid-1980s, Paul’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in, and he decided to turn the 100-acre property that he had owned and farmed for 20 years into a golf course. He believed that this idea would not only preserve the beautiful, rolling land he had grown to love, but would also provide employment for all five of his sons. But much like any big dream, making it happen was anything but simple.

The plan to convert the farm to a golf course was met with strong opposition, with local residents raising concerns of environmental impact, developmental complications, and effects on the price of land. Many firmly believed that a golf course business could not succeed “out here.” But hard work and dedication is something that runs thick in the King family, and one by one each of the challenges were met. In April 1986, groundbreaking took place, and a father’s dream to build a business for his sons was underway.

Curt bought the business from his father and four brothers in 2006, and over the last twenty years has done full remodels on the clubhouse, the property farm house, the carriage barn to serve weddings, and has opened a full bar/restaurant. Curt served many years as the superintendent, mechanic, GM, and much more. There’s not a job he doesn’t do, and you’ll often find him on the course driving, or even pushing, a mower on a mission to keep things “hopefully perfect.” Despite having a degree in aviation—a fact most people don’t know—his true experience is in turfgrass science and knowing what it takes to produce a good product. Curt & Grace work as a true servant leadership team to make Moccasin Run a successful operation.

Grace has an accounting degree, and in addition to doing the bookkeeping for the business she is also responsible for catering, event planning, weddings, and oversight of all pub operations, since it opened in 2014. Like Curt, there’s not much she doesn’t do around the pro shop and restaurant. She has trained her entire staff in food safety and serving, and her presence at the pub ensures you’ll always be welcomed with a friendly greeting and a warm smile.

The oldest of Curt & Grace’s two sons, Lucas graduated from Penn State University in 2017 with an organizational leadership degree from the Smeal college of Business. After a short career in a different industry, he returned to the grounds he grew up on, taking over the golf operations role in the spring of 2023. He handles all golf operations including tournaments, leagues, and day to day play, and also assists Grace with event and wedding coordination. His goal is for others to experience the same joy he gets from being at the golf course, which he does by leading his team with passion and purpose, and striving for each guest to feel welcomed and cared for. He, along with his brother Hunter, are grateful for the opportunity to continue the King legacy started by their grandfather and carried on by their father.

The youngest of Curt & Grace’s two sons, Hunter graduated from Penn State University with a degree in turf science where he studied under some of the top professors in the field. In addition to his schooling, he spent two summers at Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh, PA, a course rated by Golf Digest in 2023 as the third best conditioned course in the United States. Hunter’s combination of experience at Oakmont, his education at PSU, and his years growing up watching his dad, position him as the perfect person to continue the legacy of Moccasin Run being a golf course that is always in good shape. With a strong work ethic and a desire for the course to be as close to perfect as it can be for the everyday golfer, Hunter’s leadership as superintendent will no doubt carry on the great work of his father.