GCM's Most Valuable Technician Award is designed to honor the best and brightest golf course equipment technicians in the industry, the men and women who play such a key role in keeping the tools of golf course maintenance up and running. The award is presented annually in partnership with Foley Co. Nominations are narrowed to a field of three finalists by a team of industry judges. GCM readers then review the qualifications of the finalists and vote online for their favorite.
Choose the 2020 MVT
Read the nominations submitted by golf course superintendents to learn about these EM members' valuable contributions to their golf facilities, and then vote for the technician most deserving of this year's award. Online voting closes June 26, and the winner will be profiled in an upcoming issue of the magazine.
Eric Dickerson
Great Waters Course at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Ga.
Dickerson has been a fixture at the sprawling Reynolds Lake Oconee property for more than 20 years, having started there in 1997. The 20-year GCSAA member is fond of the saying, “I don’t embrace excuses, I embrace solutions,” and that perspective is obvious in the work that he does on the property’s Great Waters Course, according to superintendent Brandon Hayes, who nominated Dickerson for the Most Valuable Technician Award. “I view Eric as my third assistant,” he says. “He does such a great job managing his shop and time.” Dickerson’s accomplishments are clear to those who visit the Great Waters Course and to those who simply look at his résumé. The Lake City Community College graduate has completed Level 1 and 2 exams in GCSAA’s Equipment Management Certificate Program, has hosted and facilitated equipment manager seminars for the Georgia GCSA and is the founding member and first chairperson for Reynolds Lake Oconee’s golf course maintenance safety committee.
Justin Prescott
Kenosha (Wis.) Country Club
Prescott has put a troubled past and struggles with addiction far behind him to become what nominating superintendent Patrick Bastron calls “a model employee.” A two-year GCSAA member, Prescott has been in the role of head equipment manager at Kenosha CC for three years now and has distinguished himself at every step along the way. In addition to top-notch, day-to-day maintenance of the club’s equipment fleet, Bastron also notes Prescott’s work in sprucing up older pieces of equipment with everything from updated wiring systems to new powder-coated paint and updated decals and stickers from the manufacturer. Prescott has been equally diligent in his professional development efforts. He has completed every available level in GCSAA’s Equipment Management Certificate Program and was selected as a member of the 2020 Melrose Equipment Manager Experience that took part in this year’s Golf Industry Show in Orlando.
J.R. Wilson
Noyac Golf Club in Sag Harbor, N.Y.
Wilson is a repeat finalist in the Most Valuable Technician competition, having also made the final three in 2016. And in the eyes of Noyac superintendent Brian Goleski, who nominated Wilson for the honor both times, the recognition in 2016 and now again in 2020 was well-deserved. “He’s a great help to me, our club, our members, the equipment we use and all his coworkers,” Goleski says. Wilson’s many accomplishments around the maintenance facility include the fabrication of a modified blower cart that has been met with wide industry acclaim. The six-year GCSAA member brings strong electrical skills to the shop, as well, and is also adept at irrigation design and maintenance. And when he’s not at the golf course, Wilson serves as a member of the Sag Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, where he is a trained first responder, and also works with a local school on robotics projects and competitions.