GCSANC will Recognize Individuals for Outstanding Contributions in Golf
San Francisco, CA- The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California (GCSANC) Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony is set for January 11 at Spring Valley Golf Course (Milpitas, CA) where members will gather to discuss chapter business and recognize five golf course superintendents for their outstanding contributions within the turf care industry.
Keynote speaker for the event will be Mark Woodward, CGCS, chief executive officer for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). According to Christopher Mains, GCSANC president and meeting host, more than 100 association members, allied representatives and industry leaders are expected to attend this ceremonial event.
Woodward accepted the assignment as CEO of the GCSAA after a successful tenure as golf operations manager for the City of San Diego, where he also served as host for the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. He is the first golf course superintendent to serve as the “permanent” CEO for the GCSAA and its philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf. He is keenly aware of the organization’s needs, having served as the 68th president of the association. He is well-respected in golf circles, as evidenced by his appearances in Golf Inc. Magazine’s annual “Most Powerful People in Golf” lists.
Woodward’s presentation will focus on the vision of the association and its approach to environmental leadership. “We are really looking forward to have our association’s leader with us at the annual meeting,” shared President Mains. “As a chapter delegate I’ve had the chance to meet Mark, and listen closely to his vision for our organization. Now, my colleagues will also have that same opportunity.”
This meeting will also serve as a venue for Nor Cal chapter business. An event highlight will be the awards presentation where GCSANC members will be recognized for their superior service and accomplishments within the profession. Awards Committee Chairman David Sexton, CGCS, is prepared to honor them in the presence of their peers.
The Superintendent of the Year Award will be presented to Gary Ingram, CGCS, from Metropolitan Golf Links, a busy facility owned by the City of Oakland. In addition to his responsibilities as golf course superintendent at this CourseCo-managed facility, Ingram actively serves on the board of directors for the Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative (OTEI), a program that introduces inner-city youth to career paths in sports turf and golf course management, environmental sciences, and the green industry. Throughout his career Ingram has helped expand education opportunities not just for youth but for his peers too. In addition, he assists with community outreach programs such as the chapter’s ball mark repair education initiative (in conjunction with Play Golf America) and The First Tee (Oakland Chapter).
In support of the GCSANC honor, Ingram will also be recognized at the 51st annual California Golf Writers Association (CGWA) awards banquet slated for February 9, 2010 at The Inn at Spanish Bay (Pebble Beach, CA), held in conjunction with the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
The GCSANC Turfgrass Excellence Award is presented to two individuals for their high level of achievement as they uphold quality standards in turf grass management. The recipient of the Turfgrass Excellence Award in the Public Category is Brian Nettz, CGCS, who receives this honor for his dedicated efforts in all aspects of course maintenance at the Presidio Golf Course (San Francisco, CA), uniquely located within a National Park. Nettz has served on the chapter board and is past president of the association. In the Private Category, the Turfgrass Excellence Award will be presented to golf course superintendent Michael Simpson, CGCS, at Los Altos Golf & Country Club (Los Altos, CA) where he carefully oversees the day-to-day maintenance at this well-established private course, an assignment he’s held masterfully for more than 25 years.
Robert “Bob” Costa, CGCS, will receive the George Santana Distinguished Service Award for his long-standing commitment to the association. Costa is vice president & director of golf course management overseeing Laguna Seca Golf Course (Monterey, CA) and Rancho Canada Golf Club-East & West Courses (Carmel, CA), and is founder of Pacific Water Management, a consulting firm which services the landscape and golf course industry. Costa has given back to the association and community in numerous ways: through his service on the GCSANC board of directors, as a former member of the GCSAA Water Use Task Force and California Alliance for Golf, and as an advocate for education evidenced by the Turfgrass Management classes he’s taught at Monterey Peninsula Community College plus workshops for local community-based agencies.
Don Naumann, a leading turfgrass products supplier and Founder/CEO of Sierra Pacific Turf Supply Inc. (Campbell-Rocklin, CA, and Sparks, NV) and golf course superintendent at Blackberry Farms Golf Course (a 9-hole public facility owned by the City of Cupertino), is the worthy recipient of the Bert Graves Affiliate Merit Award, an honor presented to an individual who has contributed in an extraordinary way to the GCSANC and its members.
This will be a “trifecta” award for Naumann, since he’s already claimed this coveted honor in 1979 and 1990. His ongoing support to the GCSANC spans education, scholarship & research programs, and tournaments. He is also a regular contributor to the association’s online newsletter, Thru the Green. Naumann has served as an affiliate director for the GCSANC and the California GCSA and is past president of the Independent Turf and Ornamental Distributors Association (ITODA). In addition to his volunteer efforts within the industry, he is an ongoing supporter of community programs that benefit the underserved.
Contact:
Association Contact: Barbara Mikel | gcsanc@e-easi.net
Media Contact: Emmy | EmmyPGA@aol.com
