by
Shane Conroy
| Oct 19, 2020
GCSAA president John R. Fulling, Jr., CGCS, has never shied away from leadership. Not only leading the grounds team at Kalamazoo Country Club for the past 27 years, John has spent the past eight years on the GCSAA Board of Directors. Prior to joining the GCSAA board, John served as past president of the Western Michigan GCSA and the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation and was the first president of the then newly formed Michigan GCSA — John worked diligently to help merge the four Michigan GCSAA affiliated chapters into one statewide affiliated chapter in 2008, which concluded in a vote. John has also served on several GCSAA committees and task groups and is currently a GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador in Michigan’s sixth district paired with Representative Fred Upton.
Because of his leadership, the Michigan GCSA announced the John R. Fulling, Jr. Leadership Scholarship during the 2020 Western Golf Day Fundraiser at Kalamazoo Country Club in late September. “The definition of a visionary leader is a person who has a clear idea of how the future should look. They set out concrete steps to bring a vision to life, and then they lead a team of people in that direction,” says Michigan GCSA Executive Director Adam Ikamas, CGCS. “John Fulling is every bit a visionary leader and we are truly fortunate to have him among us. We literally would not exist as a chapter and the GCSAA would not be where it is, growing and prospering, without John’s visionary leadership. To have this scholarship in John's name to help other members prosper and grow is a testament to all John has done for so many of his fellow members. I look forward to seeing the opportunities that arise from this scholarship.”
The scholarship idea came forth through the MiGCSA Scholarship Committee and was approved by the MiGCSA board. Allowing members to enhance their leadership abilities on a personal and professional level, the scholarship will be awarded to a MiGCSA member each year based on the review of the scholarship committee.
Central Illinois GCSA members are familiar with the James W. Brandt Scholarship Award, which offers financial assistance to the children, grandchildren, and dependents of members of the CIGCSA who are enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning. This scholarship, which has assisted many students throughout the years honors the late James Brandt, CGCS who was a past president and charter member of the CIGCSA, past president of the Illinois Turfgrass Foundation and Midwest Regional Turfgrass Foundation, as well as past president of the GCSAA in 1968.
Expanding on the James W. Brandt Scholarship this year, the Central Illinois GCSA have just announced a new professional growth award. The award will fund CIGCSA members who wish to continue their turf management education. In addition to the two scholarships presented to CIGCSA dependents, the James W. Brandt Scholarship will award an additional applicant reimbursement on the cost of tuition and housing for a short course certificate.
“We are excited to expand our scholarship awards and continue to add value to being a CIGCSA member,” says Central Illinois GCSA president and Weibring Golf Club superintendent Travis Williams, CGCS. “With this scholarship we saw an opportunity to support and expand the pipeline of talent entering into the turfgrass field. All levels of membership are eligible for this award, but we hope to focus on younger members who are looking to turn their job into a lifetime career.”
The awarded recipient will be determined by the scholarship committee with approval from the board of directors.