In the Spotlight...

Richard W. Staughton, CGCS, Georgia GCSA president

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My epic saga begins many moons ago (March 18, 1956) in Toronto, Canada. My original dream, like all young Canadian boys, was to play professional hockey for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League. By the time that dream fizzled, I had already started playing golf at the IBM Country Club and mowing grass at my grandfather’s property. As I continued through my mid-teens, I was faced with the great question: “what do I do with my life after high school?” During the summer before my senior year, I was able to work at the Donalda Country Club where I got my first taste of golf course management. Raking silt off the eighth fairway for eight hours on a cold and gloomy April day was my initiation into the business!  Even though I was limited to walk mowing greens, raking bunkers and pushing a rotary mower for the summer, that’s all it took to get me hooked. 

My wife Jean and I were married in 1986 and we have one daughter, Ashley, who was born in 1987.

How did you get started in the golf industry?

I was accepted into the Horticulture and Turf Management program at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Canada for the fall of 1975. Two years later, with degree in hand, I was on the job as assistant superintendent at Islington Golf Course in the west-end of Toronto. 

After three years at Islington Golf Course and one year at Bayview Country Club, I again reached a fork in the road. Should I continue working or return to school?  Either way, I was 25 years old, and it was finally time to grow up. So with clothes, stereo, and golf clubs stuffed into my car, I headed off to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to begin classes on bermudagrass, goosegrass, and mole crickets! Despite the distractions associated with studying on the beach (in the chaise lounge chair), I was able to complete both an Associates Degree in Golf Course Technology from Horry-Georgetown Technical College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree from the University of South Carolina. Upon graduation, I took my first golf course superintendent position at Colonial Charters Golf Course in North Myrtle Beach. I was fortunate enough to work with HMS Golf, Inc. for 11 years at Colonial Charters. While in Myrtle Beach, I became involved with the local superintendents association. I served with the Palmetto Golf Course Superintendents Association for seven years, culminating in a two-year term as president.

It was also during this time that I met a “southern belle” from Townville, SC named Jean, and soon realized that I had found my partner for life. We were married in 1986, bought our first house, and a year later became the proud parents of a daughter, whom we named Ashley. It was while watching my daughter, at age 9, singing in the children’s church choir during a revival that I accepted the Lord into my life. What an awesome evening for my family and myself!       

Why did you become involved with the Georgia GCSA?

I came to Georgia in the fall of 1997 to be the golf course superintendent at Towne Lake Hills Golf Course in Woodstock. During my tenure in Georgia, I have been fortunate enough to be recognized by my peers and was elected to the board of directors of the Georgia GCSA in 2002.

 I have long known the importance of networking and the experience gained by being associated with helping a cause or association. These are two important factors that further not only my professional life, but also my personal life.

Finally, what is the Georgia GCSA proud of? What does it do well?

I believe our mission statement says it all, “The Georgia GCSA (GGCSA) will enhance the game of golf and the golf course management profession by providing education, advocacy and recognition for professionals in the industry.”

We are very proud of the fact that we serve ALL superintendents and assistant superintendents in the state – for ALL reasons. Members join for a number of different reasons. Perhaps they just want to get the hat, plaque and magazine, but most members want the education and camaraderie. Whatever their reasons for joining, the Georgia GCSA wants everyone to feel like part of our family.

The Georgia GCSA embraces its vendor members. They participate as financial partners for our events and they serve on committees.

I am also proud of the team effort put in by the board of directors, our executive director Tenia Workman, and staff to take events to the next level and to address issues that affect our members.

Share your stories by emailing them to Leann Cooper.