Adam Hess, the assistant superintendent at Augusta Pines Golf Club in Spring, Texas, defeated Tim Scott, CGCS, in a playoff to capture the 2010 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) National Championship at the Greg Norman Course at PGA West in Palm Springs, Calif., on Feb. 7.

Hess, playing in the National Championship for the first time, parred the first playoff hole to defeat Scott, the GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Stony Creek Golf Course in Oak Lawn, Ill., who missed a five-foot putt for a par of his own on the hole.

Hess began the final round of the tournament three shots behind first-round leader Danny Fielder, CGCS at Creekside Golf Course in Modesto, Calif. Hess had a rough start to his day, with a double bogey on No. 3 and a bogey on No. 5, but settled down to birdie the seventh hole and then par the next 11 holes to finish the day at 2-over-par 74 and the tournament at 1-over-par 145.

Hess, a 3-year member of GCSAA, is the son of Alan Hess, CGCS at Augusta Pines and was on hand at PGA West to witness his son’s championship.

For the first time, the GCSAA National Championship also featured a senior championship, with David Brown, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Flatirons Golf Course in Boulder, Colo., taking the crown after finishing at 6-over-par 150 for the tournament. He was tied for seventh overall in the broader National Championship.

The GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic presented in partnership with The Toro Co. is held in conjunction with the GCSAA Education Conference (Feb. 8-12) and Golf Industry Show (Feb. 10-11), at the San Diego Convention Center.

GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 20,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The association’s philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.

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Notes:

• The title "CGCS" after a superintendent's name, stands for Certified Golf Course Superintendent, which recognizes the achievement of high standards of professionalism through education, testing and experience.
• GCSAA National Championship results
• Adam Hess photo available upon request