Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) CEO Mark Woodward, CGCS, has been named to Golf Inc. magazine’s 2008 “Most Powerful People in Golf.”
Woodward, the first golf course superintendent to become GCSAA’s full time chief executive, assumed the position July 1 after hosting a successful 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course as the former golf operations manager for the city of San Diego. He joins 34 others listed in Golf Inc.’s October 2008 issue, including previous GCSAA Old Tom Morris Award recipients Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tim Finchem.
“We are pleased to see that Mark is recognized as one of the most powerful people in golf,” said GCSAA president David S. Downing II, CGCS. “This reinforces why we selected him to lead our association and it is also recognition that the CEO of GCSAA is one of the key leaders in the game today.”
The list also includes several Advisory Council members of The Environmental Institute for Golf. The Institute is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA.
* Dana Garmany, chairman and CEO of Troon Golf and a member of The Institute’s Advisory Council
* Joe Steranka, CEO of PGA of America and a member of The Institute’s Advisory Council
* 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
* Bill Kubly, founder and CEO of Landscapes Unlimited, past chairman of The Institute’s board of trustees and a 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 San Diego, Woodward developed a five year business plan that generated an additional $3 million in revenue from 2006 to 2007, including the implementation of the Advance Tee Time program that added $500,000 in revenue in the first year. His department hosted numerous high profile events including three junior world golf championships, three city amateur championships, three PGA Tour events and the 2008 U.S. Open — on top of the three golf facilities annually hosting 260 golf outings. His plan created 20,000 additional rounds for the public golfer. From a golf course standpoint, Woodward implemented a management plan that produced drastically improved course conditions and enhanced environmental stewardship. He was named to Golf Inc.’s 2006 Most Admired Operators list.
Woodward was named to his position in San Diego after serving 31 years in various capacities with the Phoenix suburb of Mesa, Ariz. His last position there was parks and recreation administrator, which included the oversight of two golf courses, a tennis facility, the Chicago Cubs spring training home, a minor league baseball training site, a park ranger program and a cemetery. Woodward, who served as GCSAA’s president in 2004, is also active in the National Institute of Golf Management sponsored by the National Golf Foundation. He is a trustee for The Environmental Institute for Golf as well.
This is the eighth consecutive year that GCSAA’s CEO has made Golf Inc.’s “Most Powerful” list. Former GCSAA CEO Steve Mona stepped down in March to take the newly created CEO position at the World Golf Foundation. Mona appears on the list this year as well.
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
