The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) announced today the hiring of John Miller, certified golf course superintendent, as the first full-time agronomist for the LPGA.
Miller, a 24-year GCSAA Class A member, will assist LPGA tournament operations staff in developing consistent course conditions and serve as a liaison between the LPGA and the host facility golf course management team. He comes from the Golf Club at Yankee Trace in Centerville, Ohio, where he served 14 years as golf course superintendent and hosted the Nationwide Tour’s Dayton Open from 1999-2003.
"John was chosen from a deep and highly qualified pool of candidates," said GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Steve Mona, CAE, a member of the LPGA Commissioner’s Advisory Council. "We are pleased to offer this resource to the LPGA. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement that will ultimately showcase the value of GCSAA members to the game and elevate the platform on which LPGA tour professionals compete."
Miller is a member of the GCSAA staff, however, he will work closely with the LPGA staff and golf course superintendents at LPGA tournament sites. Among the desired outcomes is to facilitate the best and most consistent course conditions for all LPGA events, which feature the very best players in the world.
"We are excited to welcome John to the LPGA team," said LPGA Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens. "The LPGA and GCSAA have partnered to select a talented, experienced agronomist. With this appointment, we ensure the venues on which the LPGA stars compete are in the best condition for the players week-in and week-out. John also will play an integral role in selecting all future LPGA tournament venues. We sincerely thank the GCSAA for their partnership in selecting John."
Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Ohio State University in 1983. Prior to arriving at Yankee Trace, he served as superintendent at Indian Springs Golf Course in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, and London (Ohio) Country Club. Miller currently is serving on GCSAA’s Standards/Bylaws Committee and previously served two years as vice chairman of the Education Committee. He also has served as a member of the Certification Committee. Miller is a member and past president of the Miami Valley GCSA and has served on the education planning committee for the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation. He also is a past president of Play Golf Ohio.
GCSAA is a leading golf organization, that 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. The association’s philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
Featuring the world’s best women golfers, the LPGA’s membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in
2007 features 35 events, with total prize money of nearly $55 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $180 million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world’s pre-eminent women’s professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. In addition to the LPGA Tour members, the LPGA membership includes nearly 1,200 certified Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) who serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions. The LPGA T&CP member programs focus on increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.
Contact:
Jeff Bollig, GCSAA director of communications 800-472-7878, ext. 4430 or jbollig@gcsaa.org
