Certification News
Congratulations to new and renewing CGCSs
Be the first to congratulate fellow members in your chapter. Find out who recently became certified or renewed their certified status.
What new CGCSs say about the program
"Becoming a CGCS was always an ambition of mine as all of my mentors through my career were CGCS. I am proud to finally be able to say that I have joined them by becoming certified."
– Ben Pritchett, CGCS, Greenbrier Country Club, Chesapeake, Va.
"I am immensely proud and excited to have achieved the designation of Certified Golf Course Superintendent. Attaining this certification has been a long-standing goal of mine, and I am thrilled to have reached this significant milestone. This accomplishment represents years of hard work, dedication, and passion for our profession."
– Matthew A. Marsh, CGCS, Mesa Verde Country Club, Costa Mesa, Calif.
"Certification is very important to me. It proves that we should never stop improving. There is always room to get better."
– Justin Browning, CGCS, The Course at Sewanee, Tenn.
"Becoming a Certified Golf Course Superintendent is truly an honor. It’s the culmination of hard work and my passion for trying to be a better golf course superintendent every day. I look forward to continuing to work hard to represent the GCSAA and the CGCS designation to the highest degree."
– Aaron Motl, CGCS, Lincoln Golf Course, Grand Forks, N.D.
"For many years, becoming a Certified Golf Course Course Superintendent has been both a personal and professional goal of mine as it is the highest recognition one can achieve as a golf course superintendent. Along the way, I learned many things about our amazing industry, our peers, and myself. I can definitely say after taking the exams, I have far more to learn than perhaps I previously admitted. I would like to thank GCSAA for developing the process and all of those in this industry for making it what it is."
– William Schmit, CGCS, Frenchman's Creek Beach & Country Club,
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
"Earning a CGCS is similar to the initiation fees members contribute when joining a club. It gets you into the Club, but you need to continue to learn, contribute, and pay your dues (do the job) each year. This makes it all that more valuable!”
– Dave McDonald, CGCS, Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.
"Certification is something I've been working towards since I heard about it in college. I believe working towards it has been one of the most enlightening things I have done thus far in my career. I think striving for excellence in whatever career you choose is important, and certification is a big part of that for me.”
– Jacob Blair, CGCS, Oldham County Country Club, La Grange, Ky.
"Attaining the Certified Golf Course Superintendent status from the GCSAA was a long-time career aspiration that transformed my love for turf management into a significant professional milestone.”
– Thomas Tipton, CGCS, Prospect Bay Country Club, Grasonville, Md.
"For myself, certification was a personal goal. I want to be the best in everything I do, certification helps differentiate yourself among peers and join an elite group of superintendents. ”
– Mike Paciga, CGCS, Kemper Lakes Golf Course, Kildeer, Ill.
"Becoming a Certified Golf Course Superintendent has been an immensely rewarding career choice. As a certified professional, I have the knowledge and skills to ensure that the course is in optimal condition, providing an exceptional experience for players. Additionally, being a Certified Golf Course Superintendent opens up opportunities for career advancement and networking with industry professionals. Overall, it offers a fulfilling and dynamic career path within the golf industry.”
– Jed Vinson, CGCS, Berry Creek Country Club, Killeen, Texas
"The certification program was just exceptional in every way - I am excited to be part of the history and future of the CGCS designation.”
– Pat Christoffer, CGCS, Red Ledges Golf Club, Heber City, Utah