Oakland, CA- The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California (GCSANC) is pleased to announce its annual award winners were recognized for their outstanding contributions within the golf industry. The award ceremony was held in conjunction with the 2015 GCSANC Annual Meeting on January 14 at Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, CA.
The recipient of the highly coveted Superintendent of the Year award is Golf Course Superintendent Kevin Breen, CGCS, of La Rinconada Country Club (Los Gatos, CA). The George Santana Distinguished Service award was presented to GCSANC Past President (2000) Gary K. Carls, CGCS, who recently completed a long and respected tenure as Golf Operation Manager for the City of Sunnyvale, and today, serves as President of the Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative (OTEI).
Earning honors in Turfgrass Excellence in the Public Category is Golf Course Superintendent Thomas Doyle under the leadership of Director of Agronomy Michael Garvale, CGCS, of Callippe Preserve Golf Course, a municipal facility in the City of Pleasanton, CA. The Turfgrass Excellence Award in the Private Category is earned by Golf Course Superintendent Sean Tully under the leadership of Director of Ground Maintenance David Sexton, CGCS, of the Meadow Club (Fairfax, CA).
The Bert Graves Affiliate Merit Award was presented to Coby Byers, a Northern California Territory Manager for Turf Star, Inc., who resides in Prunedale, CA.
The recipient of the prestigious President’s Award is Barbara Mikel, former association manager with the GCSANC. Mikel, who retired in 2014 after an impressive 24-year tenure with the association, received the distinction for her significant contributions to the GCSANC.
“We are extremely proud of our recent award winners,” said GCSANC President Gary Ingram, CGCS, “and we appreciate their contributions to our association and to the golf industry.”
A meeting highlight for attendees was special guest, former NFL Player and golf course operator Raymond Chester, a huge advocate for the game of golf and one who understands what golf courses bring to the community. During his presentation Chester focused on analogies between sports and golf operations, reminding the audience that success is not the work of one, but of many in a team-focused environment.
During the meeting GCSANC members elected new officers and directors. They include James “Jim” Abate (TPC Harding Park) as president, Jay Neunsinger (Tilden Park GC) as vice president, and Brian Boyer (Cinnabar Hills GC) as secretary/treasurer. Serving as past president will be Gary Ingram, CGCS, (Metropolitan Golf Links), he places Jon Christenson (Oakhurst CC). New directors include Sean Tully (Meadow Club), Fernando Villagran (Links at Bodega Harbour), Peter Bachman (Pebble Beach Golf Links) who serves as assistant superintendent director and Ryan Smith, affiliate representative.
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California is dedicated to serving its members, fostering communication, advancing the profession, improving the environment and enriching the quality of golf for others.
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