Mona among golf industry’s most powerful
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) CEO Steve Mona, CAE, has again been chosen by Golf Inc. magazine as one of the "Most Powerful People in Golf," for the seventh consecutive year.
Mona, GCSAA’s chief executive since December 1993, announced last month that he will be stepping down by March to become the CEO of the World Golf Foundation. He first joined the magazine’s "Most Powerful People in Golf" in 2001. Mona joins 34 others listed in the magazine’s October 2007 issue, including previous GCSAA Old Tom Morris Award recipients Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tim Finchem.
The list also includes several trustees and/or Advisory Council members of The Environmental Institute for Golf. The Institute is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA.
Greg Norman, chairman and CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises, chairman of The Institute’s Advisory Council, an Institute trustee, and the GCSAA 2008 Old Tom Morris Award winner
Dana Garmany, chairman and CEO of Troon Golf and a member of The Institute’s Advisory Council
Bill Kubly, founder and CEO of Landscapes Unlimited, immediate past chairman of The Institute’s board of trustees and a member of the The Institute’s Advisory Council
Bob Wood, president of Nike Golf, vice-chairman of The Institute’s board of trustees and member of The Institute’s Advisory Council
David Pillsbury, president of PGA Tour properties, chairman of The Institute’s board of trustees and member of The Institute’s Advisory Council
The magazine’s "Most Powerful" list focuses strictly on the impact individuals have on the business of golf, through golf course development, operations, management or equipment. These individuals have the ability to influence the development and building, the financing and the revenue streams of golf courses and golf organizations around the world. The decisions they make affect virtually every course in the world, either directly or indirectly.
In addition to his role at GCSAA, Mona is active in the administration of the game as a member of The First Tee Advisory Committee, the World Golf Hall of Fame Advisory Board, the National Golf Foundation Board of Directors, the LPGA Commissioner’s Advisory Council and the National Golf Course Owners Association Advisory Committee.
In the fall of 1999 he was selected to serve with the leaders of golf’s top allied associations on the executive board of the Golf 20/20 initiative. That same year, Golf Digest listed Mona as the 25th most powerful person in golf. At that time, only one person younger than Mona, Tiger Woods at No. 2, was ranked higher.
Mona is active in the Kansas City-Lawrence metropolitan region and has served as president of the Kansas City Society of Association Executives. He was honored by the group as its "Executive of the Year" in 1997.
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. 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.
Contact:
Jeff Bollig, GCSAA director of communications
800-472-7878, ext. 4430 or jbollig@gcsaa.org