The GCSAA Excellence in Government Relations Award recognizes and honors an individual, chapter or coalition/alliance that demonstrates outstanding advocacy or compliance efforts in government relations.
Eligibility
Any GCSAA affiliated chapter and all Class AA, A, SM and C members are eligible to receive the award. A local, state or national coalition/alliance that includes representation from a GCSAA member or chapter is also eligible. Current GCSAA Board of Director members (or their immediate families) are not eligible to receive an award. GCSAA Government Relations Committee members are eligible but cannot participate in the judging process. Individuals, chapters and coalitions/alliances may not receive the award in consecutive years.
Submitting a nomination
Any GCSAA member may submit nominations. Self-nominations are also encouraged. Those who were nominated last year, but did not receive an award, are eligible again this year. You will receive a confirmation letter from GCSAA within two weeks of GCSAA receiving your application. Nominations for the 2012 EGR award are now closed.
Criteria
Nominees will be judged on how their efforts best serve the interests of the golf course superintendent profession and the golf course management industry. Efforts do not have to be “successful” for a nominee to receive the award.
The EGR Award may be given for:
- the creation or successful use of tools, programs or efforts to influence laws and regulations affecting golf course management, including but not limited to work with lawmakers, regulators, alliances, coalitions and other entities
- the creation or successful use of tools, programs or efforts to encourage member compliance with laws and regulations, including but not limited to environmental laws, occupational safety and chemical applications
Selection
The EGR Award recipient will be selected by the GCSAA Government Relations Committee.
Recognition
The EGR Award recipient receives:
- Complimentary registration to the GCSAA Education Conference and the Golf Industry Show, and select air/hotel travel expenses
- Recognition in GCSAA publications and websites
- Recognition at the GCSAA Education Conference
- Personalized trophy and certificate of achievement
- National, regional and local publicity
- Name on a permanent plaque at GCSAA headquarters
Award announcement
The recipient will be recognized at the annual GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show
EGR Awards past recipients
2012
2011
2010
Advocacy
- Carolinas GCSA
- Michael Crawford, CGCS
Compliance
2009
- Tim Hiers, CGCS, The Old Collier Golf Club, Naples, Fla.
2008
Advocacy
- Michael Maffei, CGCS, Morefar Golf Course, Brewster, N.Y.
- Peter McDonough, GCSAA Class A superintendent, The Keswick (Va.) Club
- Richard Staughton, CGCS, Towne Lake Hills Golf Club, Woodstock, Ga.
2007
Advocacy
- Douglas C. Lowe, CGCS, at Greensboro Country Club in Greensboro, N.C.
- Georgia GCSA
2006
Advocacy
- Michael A. Stachowski, superintendent at the Golf Course of Concordia in Cranbury, N.J.
Compliance
- Patrick Blum, superintendent at Colonial Acres Golf Course in Glenmont, N.Y.
2005
Advocacy
- Craig A. Hoffman, superintendent at The Rock Golf Course on Drummond Island, Mich.
- Stephen A. Kealy, CGCS at Glendale Country Club in Bellevue, Wash.
- Kenneth N. Lallier, CGCS at The Quechee Club in Hartford, Vt.
Compliance
- Sean A. Kjemhus, golf course superintendent at Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.
2004
Advocacy
- Mark Esoda, CGCS at Atlanta (Ga.) Country Club
- Jim Husting, CGCS at Woodbridge (Calif.) Golf and Country Club
Compliance
Francis J. “Bud” O’Neill III, CGCS, formerly of Wild Quail Golf and Country Club in Wyoming, Del., now with Peak Performance Construction & Agronomic Services of Smyrna, Del.
- Peter Pierson, recently retired superintendent from Pequabuck Golf Club in Cromwell, Conn.
2002-2003
Advocacy
- Dean Graves, superintendent at Chevy Chase (Md.) Club
Compliance
- Joe McCleary, CGCS at Saddle Rock Golf Course in Aurora, Colo.
