Superintendents receive recognition for lifetime achievements
Lawrence, Kan. (Oct. 11, 2016) – Golf course superintendents have often been called the “unsung heroes” of golf, but more of them are being recognized for their service to the game with inductions into golf halls of fame around the country.
So far in 2016, six members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) have been added to the rosters of local and national golf halls of fame. They include:
• Robert Frase, 33-year GCSAA member, retired golf course superintendent and current owner of Sable Creek Golf Course in Hartville, Ohio; Stark Country (Ohio) Amateur Golf Hall of Fame
• Joseph A. Kennedy Jr., 34-year GCSAA member, certified golf course superintendent and director of golf course maintenance at Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn.; Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame
• Stan Kogut, 18-year GCSAA member, honored posthumously; Western Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame
• Lawrence Powell, 42-year GCSAA member, superintendent at Clearview Golf Course in East Canton, Ohio; National Black Golf Hall of Fame
• William Rohret, 41-year GCSAA member, retired certified golf course superintendent, currently of Las Vegas; Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame
• Mark Wilson, 38-year GCSAA member, retired certified golf course superintendent, currently of Louisville, Ky.; Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame
“It’s wonderful to see superintendents garnering recognition for all they do for the game and their communities,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “We congratulate Bob, Joe, Larry, Bill and Mark, as well as Stan’s family, for all they achieved. They were inducted alongside Tour professionals, Olympians and renowned college coaches, and being in that company proves the impact these gentlemen have had in the world of golf.”
Frase, who began his career as a superintendent but later became the owner and operator of Sable Creek Golf Course, said being in the same Stark County Amateur Golf Hall of Fame class as 1973 British Open Champion Tom Weiskopf is a testament to how much recognition for superintendents has grown during his career.
“The superintendent is often in the background, so to be recognized is a big honor,” Frase said. “It was totally unexpected, but this game is something I have put my heart into for a lot of years.”
Wilson also reflected on his long career after hearing the news of his induction into the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame. Wilson was superintendent for more than two decades at the famed Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. During his tenure he hosted the 1996 PGA Championship, 2004 Senior PGA Championship and the 2008 Ryder Cup. While he is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, he grew up in Ohio and was greatly influenced by historic Firestone Country Club.
“I remember being a kid and playing Firestone Country Club in Akron,” Wilson said. “I never thought someday I would be hosting a tournament like the Ryder Cup. But in the same respect, I always felt like I was an artist and the golf course was my canvas.”
Wilson, who is only the second superintendent ever inducted into the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame, said the honor isn’t just for him, but also for all superintendents and others on the course management side of the golf business.
“It means a lot,” Wilson said. “It’s not just for yourself, but it’s for all those people who worked with you along the way.”
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
