The revamped award supports outstanding non-traditional students pursuing a career in golf course and turf management

Lawrence, Kan. (August 31, 2021) Vince Romo of Oregon State University, is the first winner of the Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award of $10,000 from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) through the GCSAA Foundation.

Previously part of the GCSAA Scholars Competition, the Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award was revamped in 2021 as a stand-alone award to recognize an outstanding non-traditional student seeking a career in the field of golf course and turfgrass management. Applicants needed to be majoring in a field related to golf course management, planning a career as a superintendent or related profession, be 23 years of age or older and be a GCSAA member to be eligible.

The Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award is funded by Allan MacCurrach III and the PGA Tour. It is named in honor of the late Allan MacCurrach Jr., who became the PGA Tour’s first staff agronomist in 1974 and was the GCSAA Distinguished Service Award winner in 1994. He was a member of GCSAA for 31 years and was one of the first to become a certified golf course superintendent.

“Winning this scholarship will help me graduate sooner and start my dream career,” said Romo, student member of the Oregon GCSA and president of Oregon State University’s Turf Club.

Immediately following high school, Romo attended community college, where he played baseball. After graduating with his associate’s degree, he continued playing competitive baseball while also working with his parents managing a water delivery route for the Reno and Lake Tahoe area.

At the completion of his competitive baseball career, Romo dove right into playing golf. After a summer working on a course in Northern California, he realized his dream job in golf course management.

Since relocating to Corvallis, Ore., to attend Oregon State University, Romo has been a member of the Mallard Creek Golf Course grounds crew in Linn County, Ore. under current superintendent Doug Hubert, a 36-year GCSAA member.

In addition to being a non-traditional student, Romo is also Hispanic, and he is grateful for GCSAA’s support.

“Allowing and including people with different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences can bring so many ideas to the table and opens up so many doors for ideas and suggestions to problems,” said Romo. “Diversity and inclusion are so important in the golf industry. Golf is a game that needs to be shared no matter what your background is and with encouraging and promoting diversity and inclusion, it can only help promote the sport for years to come.”