People News

Esoda awarded Garske grant

Jackson Esoda of Marietta, Ga., will receive the 2008 Joseph S. Garske Collegiate Grant that was established in honor of Par Aide company founder Joseph S. Garske.

The grant is funded by Par Aide and administered by The Environmental Institute for Golf. It assists children of GCSAA members with educational funding at an accredited college or trade school. The grant is renewable for a second year with proof of enrollment and a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

"We believe it’s important to recognize golf course superintendents for their tireless dedication to the game of golf," said Steve Garske, Par Aide president. "It's great to be able to give something back to superintendents and their children."

Esoda will enroll at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta this fall with plans to study industrial and systems engineering. His father, Mark Esoda, CGCS, is a 22-year GCSAA member and is the golf course superintendent at Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, Ga.

In addition, Ben Anders, the 2007 Garske winner, has renewed his scholarship for a second year. Anders is majoring in business with an emphasis in dentistry at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. His father, James Anders, is an assistant superintendent at the Buncombe Country Golf Course in Weaverville, N.C., and a GCSAA member since 1998.

Mauget adds marketing communications manager

The J.J. Mauget Co. has promoted Mary Peters to the new position of marketing communications manager.

With Mauget since 2004, Peters has been an integral part of the company's marketing direction and strategies. In addition to her role as a liaison to the company's creative, marketing and Web design agencies, Peters will be responsible for developing literature and trade show materials. Peters will also coordinate all local and national trade shows, and create and edit a quarterly newsletter.

ProLink appoints Ron Bension to board

ProLink Holdings Corp., provider of GPS golf course management systems and digital out-of-home on-course advertising, has appointed Ron Bension to its board of directors.

Bension has led numerous major on-line and leisure recreation/entertainment companies to financial and strategic success and is currently the CEO of privately-held Sportnet. He replaces David Chazen, who resigned for personal reasons, as an independent director.