Pillsbury elected Environmental Institute for Golf chairman
The Environmental Institute for Golf elected officers and added three new members to its board of trustees during its winter meeting, held in conjunction with the 2007 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Anaheim, Calif., Feb. 19-24.
David Pillsbury, president of PGA Tour Golf Course Properties, was elected chairman. Bob Wood, president of Nike Golf, was elected vice chairman/treasurer.
Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., chairman, CEO and president of Kohler Co.; GCSAA Secretary/Treasurer Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, director of grounds at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.; and Victoria Martz, ASGCA, vice president, senior golf course architect and director of environmental design for Palmer Design Co., were each added to the board of trustees for three-year terms.
"We had some very positive outcomes at the winter meeting," said Pillsbury, who also represents the PGA Tour on The Institute’s Advisory Council. "The addition of Herbert, Victoria and Mark really strengthens The Institute’s board of trustees and they should play a key role in advancing environmental practices on the golf course."
GCSAA Immediate Past President Sean A. Hoolehan, CGCS at Wildhorse Resort and Casino; Michael J. Hurdzan, Ph.D., of Hurdzan/Fry Golf Course Design, Inc.; and Ron Jackson, CEO of Meadowbrook Golf; retired from The Institute’s board of trustees after serving three, five and three years, respectively. Bill Kubly, CEO of Landscapes Unlimited LLC, will remain on the board for one year as immediate past chairman.
Kohler, who was re-elected to the board after a three-year absence, served on The Institute’s (known then as The GCSAA Foundation) board of trustees from 1999 to 2003 and served as chairman from March 2001 to February 2002. The Kohler Co., located in the Village of Kohler, Wis., is one of the largest and oldest privately held companies in the United States. A leading manufacturer of kitchen and bath products, the Kohler brand has dozens of business entities and is sold on six continents. Its Hospitality and Real Estate Group developed and operates four of golf courses, all designed by Pete Dye and located in Kohler, Wis. The United States Golf Association held its Women’s Open Golf Championship at Kohler’s Blackwolf Run in 1998. The PGA of America held its PGA Championship at Kohler’s Whistling Straits in 2004. The USGA will hold the 2007 U.S. Senior Open at Whistling Straits and the U.S. Women’s Open at Blackwolf Run in 2012. The PGA Championship returns to Whistling Straits in 2010 and again in 2015, before the course plays host to the 2020 Ryder Cup.
Kuhns, who has served on the GCSAA Board of Directors since 2003, was golf course superintendent at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club before taking his current post at Baltusrol in 1999. Prior to Oakmont, he was the superintendent at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pa., (1979-91) and Ligonier (Pa.) Country Club (1977-79). Kuhns hosted the 1989 U.S. Senior Open at Laurel Valley Golf Club, the 1992 U.S. Women’s Open and the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, the 2000 U.S. Men’s Amateur and the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club.
Martz began working with Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay in 1985. She was elected into the membership of the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 2000 and was named to the Board of Governors in 2006. Her responsibilities as vice president and senior golf course architect involve her in all aspects of project design. This includes development of the Master Land Use Plan, design and coordination of all construction drawings and documents, and the review and inspection of the golf course throughout construction. As director of environmental design, Martz coordinates and assists the owner’s consultants in preparing a comprehensive environmental site assessment. This can include wetland management, permitting, native grass and plant selection and evaluation of wildlife habitat. She has been involved in the design of more than 40 completed golf courses throughout the U.S. and Europe, including the Classic Club, the host course for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and The Victoria Clube de Golfe at Vilamoura Resort, host of the 2005 World Cup.
The Environmental Institute for Golf board of trustees (Feb. 2007-Feb. 2008)
David Pillsbury, chairman – PGA Tour Golf Course Properties president
Bob Wood, vice chairman/treasurer – Nike Golf president
Ricky D. Heine, CGCS, secretary – GCSAA president, The Golf Club Star Ranch (Austin, Texas) general manager and director of grounds
Bill Kubly, immediate past chairman – Landscapes Unlimited, LLC CEO
David S. Downing, CGCS – GCSAA vice president, Rivers Edge Golf Club (Shallotte, N.C.) golf course superintendent
Mark Kizziar – Superstition Mountain Properties, Inc. president
Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. – The Kohler Co. chairman, CEO and president
Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS – GCSAA secretary/treasurer, Baltusrol Golf Club (Springfield, N.J.) director of grounds
Rafael Martinez – The Green Magazine publisher/CEO, Republic Capital Corp. president
Victoria Martz, ASGCA – Palmer Course Design Co. vice president, senior golf course architect and director of environmental design
Ken Melrose – Leading By Serving, LLC, retired chairman and CEO of The Toro Co.
Stephen F. Mona, CAE – GCSAA CEO
Greg Norman – Great White Shark Enterprises chairman and CEO
James T. Snow – USGA Green Section national director
Roger Twibell – sports broadcaster
The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For more on The Institute, visit www.eifg.org.
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
Contact:
Jeff Bollig, GCSAA director of communications
(800) 472-7878, ext. 4430 or jbollig@gcsaa.org
