Award presented by GCSAA’s flagship publication, GCM magazine, in partnership with Foley United
Lawrence, Kan. (Aug. 9, 2016) – Yvon Jeaurond, the service manager at Victoria Golf Club in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, has been selected as the recipient of the 2016 Most Valuable Technician Award, presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and Golf Course Management (GCM) magazine, in partnership with Foley United.
Now in its seventh year, the award recognizes excellence among golf course equipment managers and the vital role they play in the golf course management industry. Equipment managers are nominated by their golf course superintendents, and a panel of industry judges narrows the nominations to three finalists. GCM readers then vote for the winner through the association’s website.
“There is no debate that competent and professional equipment managers such as Yvon contribute significantly to the overall success of a golf facility,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO. “We’re excited that we can recognize those contributions through the presentation of the Most Valuable Technician Award, and we thank Victoria’s GCSAA Class A superintendent, J. Paul Robertson, for nominating Yvon for the award and sharing his extraordinary story with us.”
According to Robertson, Jeaurond’s official title of service manager is appropriate considering his duties extend far beyond just the upkeep of Victoria Golf Club’s course maintenance equipment. A veteran of more than three decades in the auto industry before transitioning to golf and his current position almost 11 years ago, Jeaurond oversaw the development and construction of the club’s new $3 million maintenance building, a process that included the design and installation of customized material-handling and wash-water recycling systems.
A member of GCSAA, the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and the British Columbia Golf Superintendents Association, Jeaurond also designed and built his own equipment to lift, store and grind mowing reels. When he’s not on the golf course, he volunteers his time to teach automotive maintenance at a local college and serves on a community board in Victoria dedicated to environmental advocacy and planning.
“In my 30 years as a golf course superintendent, I have never met or worked with a more qualified and hard-working service manager,” said Robertson, a 20-year GCSAA member.
Jim Letourneau, the president of Foley United, said, “All of us at Foley United are thrilled to continue our sponsorship of this award and recognize talented equipment managers such as Yvon. He is a great example of the kind of talented, innovative professionals working in these roles at golf courses all over the U.S. and Canada, and we’re pleased that we can recognize these individuals through the presentation of the Most Valuable Technician Award.”
Also selected as finalists for this year’s award were Donald Crossway, the equipment manager at Kapalua Golf Club in Lahaina, Hawaii, and J.R. Wilson, the equipment manager at Noyac Golf Club in Sag Harbor, N.Y.
Previous MVT Award Winners
2015 – Cory Phillips, Horseshoe Bend Country Club, Rosewell, Ga., and the Golf Club of Georgia, Alpharetta
2014 – Joe Stefanick, Seven Lakes Golf and Tennis Community, Fort Myers, Fla.
2013 – Brian Heywood, The Valley Club, Hailey, Idaho
2012 – Jim Stuart, Stone Mountain (Ga.) Golf Club by Marriott
2011 – Gene Pascareli, Colorado Springs Country Club
2010 – Ramon Salas, Azusa Greens Country Club, Azusa, Calif.
About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org. or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
Contact:
Craig Smith, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 4431 or 785-691-9197 (cell)
csmith@gcsaa.org
