ORLANDO, Fla. – August 19, 2009…Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, is pleased to announce that Anthony L. Williams, Director of Golf Course and Resort Grounds at Stone Mountain Golf Club in Stone Mountain, Ga., will be honored with the prestigious 2010 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
Williams, who has received several industry awards for his commitment to preserving and protecting the environment, will be presented with the award during the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in San Diego on February 9, 2010. The organization’s highest honor, The President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship was established in 1991 to recognize “an exceptional environmental contribution to the game of golf; a contribution that further exemplifies the golf course superintendent’s image as a steward of the land.”
“It is truly an honor to be recognized with this award,” said Williams. “I passionately believe that Audubon and other green programs are crucial to preserving the game of golf and the environment, and I hope to encourage everyone, whether it be golfers, management companies, or industry leaders, to do their part to promote the game of golf in an eco-friendly way.”
“Anthony has always been at the forefront of our Company’s green initiatives and we are thrilled that he is being honored by the GCSAA,” said Robert Waller, Senior Director, Golf Grounds, Marriott Golf. “From leading Stone Mountain to become one of the first golf courses in our portfolio to become Audubon Certified, to guiding the adjacent Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort to become one of only three business properties in Georgia to become a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, to his numerous awards and accolades, Anthony is an innovator who truly exemplifies Marriott’s commitment to environmental stewardship.”
A 13-year GCSAA member, Williams currently serves as Vice President for the Georgia GCSA, taking over as President in October 2009, and is also the Director of the Georgia Turfgrass Association. In addition, Williams is a certified grounds manager, certified turfgrass professional, certified ornamental landscape professional, certified arborist, certified pool and spa operator and a certified Georgia master gardener. Moreover, Williams holds an Associate’s Degree in horticulture from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Ga., and is one of only approximately 1,800 individuals in the world who currently holds the GCSAA certified golf course superintendent designation.
Throughout his career, Williams has received a number of awards and accolades for his dedication and hard work towards environmental stewardship. Some of his accomplishments include being a three-time GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Award winner and a two-time Marriott Golf Grounds Professional of the Year. In 2008, Williams was honored with the J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence for his record of success in directing golf grounds operations at two distinguished Marriott Golf-managed properties, the Renaissance Pine Isle Resort and Stone Mountain Golf Club. That same year, Williams received the J. Lamar Branch Alumni Award for outstanding agricultural leadership from his alma mater, ABAC. Most recently, Williams was listed among Golf Inc. magazine’s 2009 “20 Most Admired Operators.”
A Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, Marriott’s Stone Mountain Golf Club is a 36-hole public facility located 16 miles from Atlanta. Williams developed a maintenance plan that resulted in Marriott’s hotel property at Stone Mountain, the Evergreen Conference Resort, being recognized as the first hotel to become a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Williams hosts Green Links, a feature on The Environmental Institute for Golf’s website, www.eifg.org, which highlights a different case study in EDGE each month. He has authored two case studies for EDGE, the first focuses on water conservation and management at Stone Mountain and the second is a collection of effective integrated pest management initiatives.
About GCSAA
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 20,000 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.
About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf manages 57 golf courses at 41 locations in 12 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is one of the world’s premier golf operators. Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises. For more information, visit www.marriottgolf.com.
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