Super Notes

Horton to receive 2008 USGA Green Section Award

Edward "Ted" Horton, CGCS, a 39-year GCSAA member and executive director of the California Golf Course Owners Association for the past seven years, is the recipient of the 2008 USGA Green Section Award.
 
The Green Section Award is presented annually by the USGA to recognize individuals who exemplify outstanding contributions and dedication to the game of golf through their work with turfgrass. The award will be presented to Horton Feb. 1, 2008 at the USGA Green Section Education Program in Orlando, Fla., in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show.

"I’m thrilled by this recognition by the USGA Green Section," said Horton, who has more than 40 years of experience in golf course maintenance. "I have always had the highest regard for the Turf Advisory Service staff and I credit a lot of my early success to assistance from USGA Green Section agronomists, who never hesitated to respond to my needs."

In 1967, at age 23, Horton became the superintendent at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y. He played a key role as the club hosted the 1972 U.S. Women’s Open and the 1974 U.S. Open. He left Winged Foot to become superintendent at Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y., and worked there from 1980-1991.

From 1991-92, Horton worked as vice president of agronomy for The Fairways Group in Manassas, Va. From 1993-2001, he was vice president for resource management for The Pebble Beach Co. in California. During his time at Pebble Beach, he assisted the USGA with golf course responsibilities at the 1999 U.S. Amateur and the 2000 U.S. Open.

In his 33 years at Winged Foot GC, Westchester CC and The Pebble Beach Co., he supervised course setups for five USGA championships and 28 PGA Tour events.

Horton helped establish the CGCOA in 1998 and has been its executive director since 2001. In that role, he is leading a cooperative effort to have all golf course agronomists share information and build customer service.

GCSA of Northern California presents awards

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California recognized six of its members for their contributions to the turf care industry at the association's annual meeting

The Superintendent of the Year Award went to Gill Stiles GCSAA Class A superintendent at Santa Rosa Golf & Country Club. Stiles is currently on the board of both the GCSANC and California GCSA and has been a long-time advocate for the association.

He’s helped expand education opportunities for his peers locally and has served on the standard/bylaws and membership committees at the national level. In addition, Stiles has lent time and energy to worthy outreach programs such as the chapter’s golf club donation drive (supplying golf equipment to U.S. military overseas) and the ball mark repair education program in conjunction with Play Golf America.

"Gill Stiles truly cares about our association and its members," said GCSANC president Jason Green. "We're pleased to formally recognize him for his years of volunteer service."

In support of the GCSANC award, Stiles will also be recognized by the California Golf Writers Association Feb. 5.

The Turfgrass Excellence Award was presented to two individuals for their high levels of achievement in upholding standards in turfgrass maintenance.

The recipient for the Turfgrass Excellence Award in the public category is Michael Vickers, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Dublin (Calif.) Ranch Golf Club.

In the private category, the award went to David Davies, CGCS at Stonebrae Country Club (Hayward, Calif.).

Kenneth Williams, CGCS at Stanford University Golf Course, is the recipient of the prestigious George Santana Distinguished Service Award, for his long-standing commitment to the GCSANC.

Pete Bowman, CGCS, sales representative with UAP Professional Products, received the Affiliate Merit Award for his support of GCSANC Education, the Scholarship and Research Program and the Pro-Superintendent Seminar and Tournament.

This year the association bestowed its first-ever President’s Award Michael McCullough, director of environment and water resources for the Northern California Golf Association. McCullough has hosted of educational seminars specifically designed for assistant superintendents, supported GCSANC and CGCSA education and research efforts, and is an active member of the California Alliance of Golf.

Superintendents in the news

Portland (Maine) Press-Herald, "Activity returns to old ice rink on Portland golf course," about Gene Pierotti, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Riverside Golf Course in Portland, Maine, discovering the site of a long-inactive outdoor ice skating rink in a golf course marsh, restoring the rink for the city, and maintaining it during the winter.

Walla Walla (Wash.) Union-Bulletin, "Wind scores bogeys at golf course," about damages caused by Jan. 4 storm, including 100 trees knocked down at Walla Walla (Wash.) Country Club, featuring Jeff Blanc, CGCS.

KNXV-TV (Phoenix), "Greenskeeper stops swan thieves in Sun City West," Story and accompanying video on ABC affiliate’s website about Deer Valley Lake Golf Course (Sun City West, Ariz.) greenskeeper Heriberto Salas halting the swan napping of valuable resident birds, featuring GCSAA superintendent Jessie Hagan.

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