Presented by GCSAA and Golf Digest in partnership with Syngenta, the Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards recognize golf course superintendents and golf courses around the world for their commitment to environmental stewardship.
The ELGAs are presented in partnership with
Natural Resource Conservation Award
Healthy Land Stewardship Award
Communications and Outreach Award
Innovative Conservation Award
There will be one winner and two runners-up recognized for each award. GCSAA members may apply to one, two, three or all four awards in a single year. However, an individual can only win one award per year.
Applications for the 2025 ELGAs are now closed .
Applications consist of yes or no questions, short answers and optional media upload. All applicants are encouraged to include photos or links to videos that show their environmental efforts on the golf course.
If you applied since 2018, most answers have been saved so you will not have to reenter everything, however, you must log in and check all of your answers, make changes where appropriate and submit your application. You will receive a confirmation email when your application is submitted.
This award will recognize individuals who employ effective strategies for water conservation, energy conservation, and sound wildlife management.
This award will recognize individuals who employ effective strategies for efficient use of pesticides and nutrients as well as pollution prevention.
This award will recognize individuals who effectively communicate conservation strategies with facility employees and others as well as share their efforts with golfers and other members of their community.
This award will recognize individuals who utilize or invent unique and innovative strategies for conservation at their facility.
All Class A, B, C, and ISM members of GCSAA are eligible to apply for the ELGAs.
Applicants must be members in good standing of GCSAA.
Applicants can apply for any and all awards (that they have not won in the last five years) in a single year, but If they apply for more than one award, they must rank them in their order of preference. Applicants may only win one award per year. If an applicant has the highest score in more than one award category, they will only win the award they ranked the highest, and the next highest scorer for each of the other categories will win.
The ELGAs will recognize the efforts of an applicant at his or her current facility. He or she must have been employed at the current facility for at least three years. If the applicant vacates the position after applying for the award before it is awarded, he or she will still be eligible for the award based on efforts at the facility.
Communications and Outreach Award: Mark Claburn, Tierra Verde Golf Club, Arlington, Texas
1st Runner Up: Carl Thompson, CGCS, Columbia Point Golf Course, Richland, Wash.
2nd Runner Up: Eric Verellen, Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course, Fall City, Wash.
Healthy Land Stewardship Award: Steven Tierney, MG, Golfpark Zurichsee,
Wangen, Switzerland
1st Runner Up: Michael Bednar, Palouse Ridge Golf Club, Pullman, Wash.
2nd Runner Up: Harlyn Goldman, CGCS, Needwood Golf Course, Derwood, Md.
Innovative Conservation Award: Kevin Ackerman, Royal Wood and Country Club,Naples, Fla.
1st Runner Up: Jorge Mendoza, Green River Golf Club, Corona, Calif.
2nd Runner Up: Chris Robson, Glendoveer Golf and Tennis, Portland, Ore.
Natural Resource Conservation Award: Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, Conn.
1st Runner Up: James Sua, CGCS, Pei Tou Kuo Golf and Country Club, Taipei, Taiwan
2nd Runner Up: Justin Brimley, Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame, Calif.
Natural Resource Conservation Award: Landon Lindsay, The Nelson Golf and Sports Club, Irving, Texas
1st Runner Up: Charles (Roby) Robertson IV, CGCS, TPC San Antonio (Texas)
2nd Runner Up: Justin Brimley, Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame, Calif.
Healthy Land Stewardship Award: Matthew Gourlay, CGCS, MG, Colbert Hills Golf Course,
Manhattan, Kan.
1st Runner Up: Kevin Goss, Sugar Creek Golf Course, Villa Park, Ill.
2nd Runner Up: Harlyn Goldman, CGCS, Needwood Golf Course, Derwood, Md.
Communications and Outreach Award: H. Mitchell Wilkerson, CGCS, Moss Creek Owner’s Association, Hilton Head, S.C.
1st Runner Up: Wayne Mills, La Cumbre Country Club, Santa Barbara, Calif.
2nd Runner Up: Coman Mulry, MG, Al Zorah Golf Club, United Arab Emirates
Innovative Conservation Award: Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, Conn.
1st Runner Up: Carl Thompson, CGCS, Columbia Point Golf Course, Richland, Wash.
2nd Runner Up: Jay Wade, CGCS, Magnolia Green Golf Club, Moseley, Va.
Natural Resource Conservation Award: Wayne Mills, La Cumbre Country Club, Santa Barbara, Calif.
1st Runner Up: Landon Lindsay, Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club, Irving, Texas.
2nd Runner Up: Ryan Cummings, Elcona Country Club, Bristol, Ind.
Healthy Land Stewardship Award: Justin C. Brimley, Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame, Calif.
1st Runner Up: Don Naumann Blackberry Farm Golf Course, Cupertino, Calif.
2nd Runner Up: H. Mitchell Wilkerson, CGCS, Moss Creek Owner’s Association, Hilton Head, S.C.
Communications and Outreach Award: Scott R. Bower, CGCS, Martis Camp Club, Truckee, Calif.
1st Runner Up: Matthew Gourlay, CGCS, MG, Colbert Hills Golf Course, Manhattan, Kan.
2nd Runner Up: Gary Early, Salmon Run Golf Course, Brookings, Ore.
Innovative Conservation Award: Russell F. Young, CGCS, Palm Tree Golf Course, Ponte Yigo, Guam
1st Runner Up: Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, Conn.
2nd Runner Up: Reid Solodan, Canmore Golf and Curling Club, Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Natural Resource Conservation Award: Gary Ingram, CGCS, Metropolitan Golf Links, Oakland, Calif.
1st Runner Up: Wayne Mills, La Cumbre Country Club, Santa Barbara, Calif.
2nd Runner Up: Jay Neunsinger, Boundary Oak Golf Course, Walnut Creek, Calif.
Healthy Land Stewardship Award: Cortland Winkle, CGCS, Four Seasons Resort and Club, Irving, Texas
1st Runner Up: Matthew Gourlay, CGCS, MG, Colbert Hills Golf Course, Manhattan, Kan.
2nd Runner Up: Andrew Johnston, Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore
Communications and Outreach Award: Jay Randolph, CGCS, Ben Geren Golf Course, Fort Smith, Ark.
1st Runner Up: Scott Bower, Martis Camp Club, Truckee, Calif.
2nd Runner Up: Gary Early, Salmon Run Golf Course, Brookings, Ore.
Innovative Conservation Award: Jeff Plotts, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
1st Runner Up: Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, Conn.
2nd Runner Up: H. Mitchell Wilkerson, CGCS, Moss Creek Golf Club, Hilton Head, S.C.
Natural Resource Conservation Award: Shannon Easter, Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, Fla.
Healthy Land Stewardship Award: Carl D. Thompson, CGCS, Columbia Point Golf Course, Richland, Wash.
Communications and Outreach Award: Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, TPC Four Seasons Dallas, Irving, Texas
Innovative Conservation Award: Gary Ingram, CGCS, Metropolitan Golf Links, Oakland, Calif.
Natural Resource Conservation Award: Matthew Gourlay, CGCS, Colbert Hills Golf Course,
Healthy Land Stewardship Award: Gary Ingram, CGCS, Metropolitan Golf Links, Oakland, Calif.
Communications and Outreach Award: Isaac Breuer, Gustin Golf Course, Columbia, Mo.
Innovative Conservation Award: Jay Neunsinger, Boundary Oak Golf Course, Walnut Creek, Calif.
Natural Resource Conservation Award: Carl D. Thompson, CGCS, Columbia Point Golf Course, Richland, Wash.
Healthy Land Stewardship Award: Shannon Easter, Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, Fla.
Communications and Outreach Award: Gary Ingram, CGCS, Metropolitan Golf Links, Oakland, Calif.
Innovative Conservation Award: Matthew Gourlay, CGCS, Colbert Hills Golf Course, Manhattan, Kan.
National Private and Overall Winner: Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, TPC Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club, Irving, Texas, North Texas GCSA
National Public: Jay Neunsinger, Boundary Oak Golf Course, Walnut Creek, Calif., GCSA of Northern California
National Resort: Scott Main, CGCS, Mauna Kea Resort, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, Hawaii GCSA
National Private and Overall Winner: Shannon Easter, Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, Fla., Palm Beach GCSA
National Public: Alex Stuedemann, Deere Run, Silvis, Ill., Northwestern Illinois GCSA
National Resort: Ken Nice, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Ore., Oregon GCSA
International: Christine Chan, The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Limited, Hong Kong
National Public and Overall Winner: Mark Condos, Las Positas Golf Course, Livermore, Calif., GCSA of Northern California
National Private: Dave Davies, CGCS, TPC Stonebrae, Hayward, Calif., GCSA of Northern California
International: Jason Honeyball, OslerBrook Golf and Country Club, Collingwood, ON, Canada, Ontario GCSA
National Public and Overall Winner: Gary Ingram, CGCS, Metropolitan Golf Links, Oakland, Calif., GCSA of Northern California
National Private: Mike Crawford, CGCS, TPC Sugarloaf, Duluth, Ga., Georgia GCSA
National Resort:Rocky Ebelhar, TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La., Fla., Louisiana-Mississippi GCSA
National Public and Overall Winner: Paul L. Carter, CGCS, The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay in Harrison, Tenn., Tennessee GCSA
National Private: Scott R. Bower, Martis Camp Club, Truckee, Calif., Sierra Nevada GCSA
National Resort:Chad B. Corp, CGCS, Mountain Ridge, Thompsonville, Mich., Michigan GCSA
International:Andrew Hardy, Pheasant Run Golf Club, Sharon, Ontario, Canada, Ontario GSA
National Overall and International Winner: Steven Tierney, MG, Golfpark Nuolen, Wangen, Switzerland
National Private: Matt Shaffer, Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa., Philadelphia Association of GCS
National Public: John Anderes III, CGCS, Queenstown Harbor Golf Course, Annapolis, Md., Eastern Shore Association of GCS
National Resort: Joshua Kelley, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Grande Lakes, Orlando, Fla., Central Florida GCSA
National Public and Overall Winner: Tim Powers, CGCS, Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame, Calif., GCSA of Northern California
National Private: Thomas Brodeur, TPC Boston, Norton, Mass., GCSA of New England
National Resort: Thomas Lively, TPC San Antonio (Texas), Central Texas GCSA
International: Stephen Marsden, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
National Public and Overall Winner: Brian Green, CGCS, Sunset Valley Golf Course, Highland Park, Ill., Midwest Association of GCS
National Private: Todd Bunte, TPC Jasna Polana, Princeton, N.J., GCSA of New Jersey
National Resort (co-winners): Christopher Flynn, CGCS, Marriott's Grande Vista, Orlando, Fla., Central Florida GCSA; Thomas Vlach, CGCS, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., North Florida GCSA
International: David Cole, Loch Lomond Golf Club, Alexandria, Scotland
National Resort and Overall Winner: Terry Stratton, Little River (Calif.) Inn Golf & Tennis, GCSA of Northern California
National Public: Jim Brown, CGCS, Newport Dunes Golf Club, Port Aransas, Texas, Gulf Coast GCSA
National Private: Roger Stewart, CGCS, TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minn., Minnesota GCSA
International: Brett Morris, Ph.D., Sea Temple Golf Club, Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia
National Private and Overall Winner: James J. Roney Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club, Bethlehem, Pa., Philadelphia Association of Golf Course Superintendents
National Public: David Phipps, Stone Creek Golf Course, Oregon City, Ore., Oregon GCSA
National Resort: Joel Blaker, CGCS, Tahoe Mountain Club, Truckee, Calif., Sierra Nevada GCSA
International: Robin Sadler, Silvertip Resort, Canmore, Alberta, Canada
National Public and Overall Winner: Christopher S. Gray Sr., The Marvel Golf Club, Benton, Ky., Quad State Turfgrass Association
National Private: Richard T. Lawrence, CGCS, TPC Wakefield Plantation, Raleigh, N.C., Carolinas GCSA
National Resort: Jonathan W. Moulton, Old Greenwood Golf Course, Truckee, Calif., Sierra Nevada GCSA
International (tie): Mark J. Dinan, Valle del Sol Golf Course, Santa Ana, San Jose, Costa Rica; Jay M. Miller, Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
National Public and Overall Winner: Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, Stone Mountain Golf Club, Stone Mountain, Ga.; Georgia GCSA
National Private: Michael Perham, CGCS, The Landings Club, Savannah, Ga.; Georgia GCSA
National Resort: Ryan J. Bancroft, Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, Gleneden Beach, Ore.; Oregon GCSA
International: James Beebe, Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club, Priddis, Alberta, Canada
National Public and Overall Winner: Alan R. Andreasen, CGCS, Las Lagos Golf Course, San Jose, Calif., California GCSA
National Private: David J. Faucher, CGCS, TPC at River's Bend, Maineville, Ohio; Greater Cincinnati GCSA
National Resort (tie): Troy E. Russell, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Ore; Oregon GCSA; and Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, Renaissance PineIsle Resort & Golf Club, Sugar Hill, Ga.; Georgia GCSA
International: Ben J. Marshall, Club Pelican Golf Course, Golden Beach, Queensland, Australia; Australian GCSA
Public and Overall Winner: Mark Claburn, Tierra Verde Golf Club, Arlington, Texas
National Private: John F. Anderson, The Club at Pronghorn, Sunriver, Ore.
National Resort: Sandy C. Clark, CGCS, Barona Creek Golf Club, San Diego, Calif.
International: Sean A. Kjemhus, Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club, Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Public and Overall Winner: Christopher S. Gray, Lost Marsh of Hammond Golf Course, Hammond, Ind.
Private: Jeffrey W. Carlson, CGCS, The Vineyard Golf Club, Edgartown, Mass.
Resort: Brian Tanner, The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks, Silverthorne, Colo.
Public and Overall Winner: Patrick Blum, Colonial Acres Golf Course, Glenmont, N.Y.
Private: Scott Whorrall, The Club at Mediterra, Bonita Springs, Fla.
Resort: Pablo Cornejo Robinson, Las Brisas De Chicureo Golf Club, Santiago, Chile
(Note: In 2001, GCSAA and Golf Digest partnered to present the Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards, re-aligning the years awards were previously presented.)
Public: Kevin Hutchins, Presidio Golf Course, San Francisco, Calif.
Private and Overall Winner: William Davidson Jr., Collier's Reserve Country Club, Naples, Fla.
Resort: Anne Hickman, Barton Creek Country Club, Austin, Texas
International: James Sua, CGCS, National Service Resort & Country Club, Sinapore
Public: Joe McCleary, CGCS, Saddle Rock Golf Course, Aurora, Colo.
Private: Scott Jorgensen, Spanish Hills Golf & Country Club, Camarillo, Calif.
Resort: Dave Solga, CGCS, Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort, Biawabik, Minn.
Public: Buck Workman, CGCS, Cateechee Golf Club, Hartwell, Ga.
Private (tie): Michael Sandburg, CGCS, Lakeside Country Club, Houston, Texas; and Donald Ewoldt Jr., CGCS, Sand Creek Country Club, Chesterston, Ind.
Resort: Jimmy Thomas, CGCS, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, Texas
International: Darren Moore, The Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, Metro Manila, Philippines
Public: Rick Hathaway, The Old Works Golf Club, Anaconda, Mont.
Private: Matthew Taylor, Bonita Bay Club/East, Naples, Fla.
Resort: Dale Miller, Barton Creek Club & Conference Resort, Austin, Texas
Public: Jeffrey W. Carlson, CGCS, Widow's Walk Golf Course, Scituate, Mass.
Private: Peter Leuzinger, CGCS, The Ivanhoe Club, Ivanhoe, Ill.
Resort: Mike Meindertsma, Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, Mich.
Public: Timothy Kelly, The Village Links of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Private (tie): Glenn Smickley, CGCS, Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Gainesville, Va.; and Kerry Satterwhite, CGCS, Rock River Country Club, Rock Falls, Ill.
Resort: Ron Hill, CGCS, Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, Fla.
Public: Timothy Kelly, The Village Links of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Private: Darren Davis, Olde Florida Golf Club, Naples, Fla.
Resort: Bruce Wolfrom, CGCS, Treetops Sylvan Resort, Gaylord, Mich.
Public: Timothy Kelly, The Village Links of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Private: William T. "Tim" Hiers, CGCS, Collier's Reserve Country Club, Naples, Fla.
Resort: Edward (Ted) Horton, CGCS, and Michael Jess Pifferini, The Links at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach, Calif.
Public (tie): Ronald L. Conrad, Applewood Golf Course, Golden, Colo.; and Gregory (Scott) Tuggle, Legacy Ridge at Westminster, Westminster, Colo.
Private: Greg A. Plotner, CGCS, Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club
Resort: Thomas J. Schlick, The Golf Club at Shiloh Falls, Pickwick Dam, Tenn.
Public: Don Tolson, CGCS, Fox Hollow at Lakewood, Lakewood, Colo.
Private: Bruce Cadenelli, Caves Valley Golf Club, Owings Mills, Md.
Resort: Tim Long, Barton Creek Resort, Austin, Texas