Super Notes

GCSAA superintendent member Fernando Varela is hosting the Lorena Ochoa Invitational at Guadalajara Country Club in Guadalajara, Mexico 

GCSAA Distinguished Service winners named

GCSAA members Mark Esoda, CGCS, the late George Hamilton, Ph.D., and Monroe Miller have been selected as recipients of the 2009 Colonel John Morley Distinguished Service Awards.
 
They will be acknowledged at the Opening Session of the 2009 GCSAA Education Conference in New Orleans, Feb. 5.

"Mark, George and Monroe are most deserving of the Col. John Morley Award," said GCSAA President David S. Downing II. "They have made outstanding and significant contributions to the advancement of the golf course superintendent profession as well as to the game of golf. Their service to our profession has been invaluable."

Esoda has been at Atlanta Country Club for 20 years and travels the country giving seminars and speaking at various conferences about the importance of water conservation. In 2000, he formulated a best management practices template for superintendents in Georgia that was endorsed by the state's environmental protection department and continues to serve as a guideline for water use and conservation across the country.

Hamilton, who died in 2004 at 43 after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer, was a turfgrass professor at Penn State. After completing his bachelor's degree in turfgrass science at Penn State, he helped establish the nation's first major research project on runoff and infiltration in turfgrass systems.

Miller, who has been the superintendent at Blackhawk Country Club in Madison, Wis., for the last 36 years, is retiring in December. More than 100 of his former employees and interns are still involved in the turf industry. A 36-year GCSAA member, Miller is a co-founder and board member of the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association. He spearheaded a fund-raising campaign to raise $250,000 required to qualify for $100,000 in matching funds for the formation of the O.J. Noer (turfgrass) Research Facility at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin.

For more on the winners and the award, click here.

Superintendents in the news

Augusta(Ga.) Chronicle, Nov. 12: "Course for all seasons set to open in Wrens," article about Brushy Creek Golf Club in Wrens, Ga., reopening Nov. 15 as Four Seasons Golf Club, featuring GCSAA superintendent member Ted Shurling.

Cybergolf, Nov. 11: "Hall of Fame induction ceremony brings out the best," transcript from ASAP Sports of the World Golf Hall of Fame Nov. 10, 2008 induction ceremony featuring The Environmental Institute for Golf trustee, Institute Advisory Council chairman, 2008 Old Tom Morris Award recipient and World Golf Hall of Fame member Greg Norman, introducing Institute Advisory Council member, 2003 Old Tom Morris Award recipient and now fellow World Golf Hall of Fame member Pete Dye.

PGATour.com, Nov. 10: “Pete and Alice formed the perfect team,” essay about The Environmental Institute for Golf Advisory Council member and 2003 Old Tom Morris Award recipient Pete Dye, who entered the World Golf Hall of Fame Nov. 10, written by GCSAA member and past chairman of The Institute’s board of trustees Michael Hurdzan, Ph.D., golf course architect and principal of Hurdzan/Fry Golf Course Design.

Beaumont(Texas) Enterprise, Nov. 10: "Ike leaves golf courses in the rough," article about the storm recoveries at Beaumont, Texas-area golf courses hit hard by Hurricane Ike, featuring GCSAA superintendent member Justin Pierson, who oversees maintenance at Bayou Din Golf Club in Beaumont, Texas, Babe Zaharias Memorial Golf Course in Port Arthur, Texas, and The Palms on Pleasure Island.

Lexington (Mass.) Minuteman, Nov. 10: "Town recreation director earns state honor," note about GCSAA member Karen Simmons, director of the Lexington (Mass.) Recreation Department, earning the 2008 Community Professional of the Year award from the Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association.

Golfweek, Nov. 10: "Hall of Fame: Pete Dye," feature on The Environmental Institute for Golf Advisory Council member and 2003 Old Tom Morris Award recipient Pete Dye, who entered the World Golf Hall of Fame Nov. 10 and is working with Mike Lee, CGCS, manager of golf course maintenance for Kohler Co., on preparations for the 2010, 2015 PGA Championships and 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straights’ Straights Course in Kohler, Wis., written by GCSAA member Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D.

Madison (Wis.) Capital Times, Nov. 7: "Blackhawk CC superintendent Monroe Miller receive national award," article about Monroe Miller, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Blackhawk Country Club in Madison, Wis., winning a 2009 GCSAA Distinguished Service Award.

Green Section Record, November/December: "Inspiring stewardship throughout a community," feature in USGA Green Section's official publication on Larry Livingston, CGCS at Camp Creek Golf Course in Panama City Beach, Fla., his work to earn Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification for the golf course, and the mentoring program he participates in at Seaside Neighborhood School in nearby Santa Rosa Beach to assist others in becoming better environmental stewards.

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